In this episode, I'm inviting you to join me for a much-needed Q4 energy check. As I head off to host a rejuvenating fall retreat with my BOLD coaching circle at the beautiful Grove Park Inn, I want to bring you into that vibe right here on the show.

If your calendar is starting to feel like a pressure cooker—with work deadlines, kids' activities, and holiday plans piling up—I get it. You're not alone. I'll walk you through a practical, honest self-audit to help you identify what's draining you and what's fueling you, and I'll share small but powerful strategies to restore your energy before year's end.

From finding those micro-breaks in your day, to setting healthier boundaries, and making space for what truly matters, and whether you're approaching exhaustion or simply want to preserve your spark this season, this episode is your permission slip to prioritize your well-being so you can finish the year feeling energized, present, and brilliant!

Show Highlights:

• BOLD coaching circle fall retreat and restorative self-care. [00:51]
• The importance of energy management in Q4. [02:45]
• How to give yourself an energy audit. [04:39]
• Rituals that make you feel "healthy, whole, and human." [08:36]
• Embrace micro-breaks for energy. [11:00]
• Saying the unselfish "no" to protect your bandwidth. [12:35]
• Planning ahead for the Q4 holiday chaos and fewer workweeks. [14:21]
• Remember that the end of the year is just a milestone. [17:07]
• Have you signed up for "The Weekly" newsletter? [20:35]

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In today's episode, I'm exploring a topic that impacts all of us—falling into the "Comparison Trap."

Have you ever felt perfectly content with your life until a quick scroll through Instagram left you questioning if you were doing enough? I'll share a personal story about a recent episode of backyard envy to show just how quickly other people's highlight reels can undermine our own satisfaction. I'll walk you through three powerful truths about comparison: how it drains your energy, distorts reality, and distracts you from your true purpose.

If you're ready to stop measuring yourself against others and want to reclaim the joy and momentum in your own journey, this episode will help you break the cycle and focus on your unique path to brilliance.

Show Highlights:

• A personal story of the instant impact of Instagram comparison. [00:49]
• The hidden energy cost of comparison. [04:53]
• How comparison distorts perspective. [08:55]
• Recognizing the illusion of perfection and unseen struggles. [11:06]
• What comparison does to purpose. [13:18]
• Embrace the philosophy of running your own race. [15:05]
• How to weaken comparison with purpose. [15:41]
• Why is it important to celebrate others? [17:12]
• The sign that you haven't yet found your path. [18:19]
• Action steps and reflection. [19:29]

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If you feel like your calendar is running your life, this episode is for you. Today, I'm shining a light on a struggle so many ambitious women know all too well…the trap of overcommitment. Why do we automatically say yes before we've even thought things through? How do we stop equating being needed with being valuable?

I'm exploring how our standards of what's reasonable might be setting us up for exhaustion, and the profound difference intentionally creating white space in our schedules can make before we desperately need it. I'll share personal stories and real-world strategies to help you slow down the reflexive yes and redefine what's actually reasonable for the seasons of life.

If you're ready for more breathing room and less burnout, this episode is your perfect starting point.

Show Highlights:

• The reality of overcommitment. [00:50]
• Awareness of the automatic "Yes" Reflex. [03:28]
• The power of the pause—and learning to say no. [04:59]
• Your standards of what's "reasonable" to take on. [08:03]
• Let others step up with self-compassion. [10:45]
• Building white space before you need it. [13:20]
• Why you need to protect your calendar. [16:55]
• Experiment with one shift and observe the impact. [17:19]
• Inviting you to share and try BOLD for community strength. [17:39]

Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: www.brilliant-balance.com/weekly

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In today's show, I'm trying something new—an "Ask Cherylanne" episode where I'm answering real-life questions from listeners just like you. We're digging into topics around from balance to burnout, from caregiving to commutes, and handling imposter syndrome, especially during major career changes.

Drawing from my coaching experience and personal journey, I'm sharing practical tips and relatable insights that you can easily put into action. I'll also let you in on my "golden rule" for maintaining balance, no matter how hectic life becomes.

So, settle in for some honest coaching that just might help you in the week ahead. And if this sparks questions of your own, reach out via DM or email because what you ask just may inspire a future episode!

Show Highlights:

• Introducing the "Ask Cherylanne" special episode format. [00:43]
• Inverting resilience-building practices to combat burnout. [04:48]
• Advice for sandwich generation struggles. [07:28]
• Why emotional processing with external support matters. [11:18]
• Making commutes meaningful with a dual purpose. [12:27]
• Imposter syndrome during a career change. [16:07]
• Do you have a "wins" file? [17:52]
• Discover the golden rule for peace and balance. [19:27]
• How to send in your questions for future Q&A episodes. [21:26]

Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: www.brilliant-balance.com/weekly

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Today, I'm sharing one of my favorite and most practical topics: how to get your mornings running smoothly without all the stress. With the school year underway and work routines in full gear, I know firsthand how challenging it can be to get everyone out the door calmly. From missing shoes to uncharged laptops, those frantic mornings can throw off your whole day!

Are you ready to turn those mornings from a stressful scramble into a calm, productive launch pad for success? I'm laying out my tried-and-true framework that I call the "morning launch"—three simple, actionable keys that you can use starting tonight to set a positive tone for your mornings.

Whether you're managing school drop-offs, early meetings, or just looking for a more peaceful start, this episode is about making your mornings and days a whole lot easier and brighter.

Show Highlights:

• The chaos of frantic mornings. [01:00]
• The importance of a smooth morning routine. [02:42]
• What to prep the night before for a stress-free morning. [04:48]
• Staging bedtimes and managing devices for good sleep. [08:42]
• Establishing an ideal step-by-step morning sequence. [10:10]
• Handle personal tasks first as much as possible. [12:31]
• Time-stamping steps and optimizing with adjustments. [14:22]
• Including space with a buffer time for disruptions. [16:12]
• Where to find more free resources like the morning launch. [20:24]
• Join the Brilliant Balance community on Facebook. [20:44]

Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: www.brilliant-balance.com/weekly

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I'm so happy to have workplace strategist, bestselling author, and people-connection expert Erica Keswin join me in this episode for a timely conversation about life and workplace transformations in this age of AI. How can we stay connected in our technology-reshaped realities without sacrificing the values that make us uniquely human?

Erica and I reflect on her journey as a lifelong connector, how technology has both empowered and challenged our ability to build meaningful relationships, and why intentionality is now more important than ever. She shares practical strategies for setting healthy boundaries with technology, fostering connection in hybrid and remote workplaces, and re-centering human purpose and presence in an increasingly digital era. We also discuss the anxieties around AI and job security, and why staying curious and learning about these changes (especially for women) is essential.

Whether you're embracing new tech or feeling cautious, I hope this episode offers inspiring guidance and helps you focus on what matters most: your relationships, rituals, and sense of purpose.

Show Highlights:

• The need to rethink perpetual multi-device connectivity. [03:01]
• Consider setting daily limits to default tech use. [06:12]
• Why intentional touchpoints matter in remote and hybrid work. [10:21]
• Discover the 3 Ps of people-centered leadership. [12:59]
• Does technology empower or hinder relationships? [16:31]
• Fears and opportunities related to AI and the future of work. [22:09]
• What the data reveals about women's disadvantage with AI. [26:25]
• The power of handwritten to-do lists. [28:24]
• Protect human uniqueness while integrating tech. [29:40]

To find Erica's work, go to www.ericakeswin.com.

Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: www.brilliant-balance.com/weekly

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This week, let's confront an enemy many of us deal with: ourselves. If you find yourself stuck in a pattern of perfectionism, second-guessing your work, or feeling unsatisfied no matter what you accomplish, you're definitely not alone, and this episode is for you.

I'm taking a closer look at how we sometimes pile pressure on ourselves, whether that's thanks to our inner critic, tying our self-worth to how much we get done, or just moving the goalposts on what "success" even means—but this isn't about stacking on more guilt. I want to call out these patterns and talk about practical ways we can be kinder to ourselves, get out of burnout mode, and enjoy our wins.

Join me to find out how self-compassion can create greater energy, creativity, and true fulfillment for you, and how to become your own biggest supporter before you write your next brilliant chapter.

Show Highlights:

• Understanding self-created pressure. [00:47]
• Why overpreparing is a negative achievement pattern. [02:43]
• Signs of an overdeveloped inner critic. [05:30]
• The trap of equating effort with worth. [07:05]
• Moving goalposts vs. celebrating accomplishments. [09:07]
• Give yourself the empathy you would give others. [10:42]
• What is compassion as a performance strategy? [11:16]
• The power of coaching and peer support to end self-sabotage. [14:27]
• Inviting you to join BOLD or schedule an exploratory call. [16:04]

Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: www.brilliant-balance.com/weekly

Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

Join the Brilliant Balance Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/281949848958057

Have you ever felt like your to-do list is multiplying before your eyes and you're barely able to keep up? In this episode, I'm sharing my own experiences with overwhelm and why so many ambitious women struggle with it as they juggle big dreams, demanding careers, and packed lives.

You'll hear how to spot the subtle signs that overwhelm has crept in—not just as panic, but also as irritability, indecision, perfectionism, and even mental clutter—and discover the common triggers that set us up for that exhausting cycle. Most importantly, I break down the simple steps I use to clear my head, regain momentum, and create space for joy again.

If you're craving more balance and want to trade chaos for clarity, you're in the right place to find your way back to a lighter, more manageable life as you create your next chapter.

Show Highlights:

• Recognizing overwhelm. [00:47]
• Recent themes of reasonable limits and preventing burnout. [01:28]
• What overwhelm feels and looks like. [02:58]
• Is being overwhelmed having too much to do? [05:10]
• The unrealistic basis of chronic overwhelm. [05:48]
• Learning to delegate responsibility. [07:07]
• Poor or nonexistent boundaries. [11:02]
• How to do a brain dump. [12:54]
• The most powerful antidote to overwhelm. [15:35]
• Declare a daily finish line. [17:44]

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I'm thrilled to introduce Michelle Grosser, a powerhouse former trial lawyer, law professor, and a mom of two, with a story so many of us can relate to: outward success paired with hidden exhaustion and stress. She seemed to be managing it all until her body and mind hit their limits.

Today, she's a nervous system strategist and the host of the Alive and Well podcast, who helps high-achieving women build burnout-proof lives. She'll guide you through science-backed strategies and simple, impactful daily habits that you can start using right away to break free from chronic stress and reclaim mental wellness. Together, we'll bust the cultural myths about success and perfection, and explore ways to create more energy, presence, and joy in our lives.

If you crave a fuller, healthier chapter and practical, empowering tools to support a vibrant, resilient life, join us for this energizing, wisdom-packed conversation.

Show Highlights:

• Fast-tracking to burnout and the roots of a driven nature. [02:23]
• Physical and mental signs of burnout. [05:30]
• Shift both the state and traits of burnout—recover and prevent. [07:37]
• The power of addition by subtraction to shed unneeded routines. [09:41]
• A simple tip to tune into your body and mind every day. [11:52]
• "Movement, stillness, play" daily trio for nervous system support. [19:23]
• What are somatic cues? [19:23]
• Life-changing tools to safely release emotions at home or work. [22:47]
• The role of the prefrontal cortex in nervous system strategy. [29:51]
• Access Michelle Grosser's podcast and her 17-page free guide. [33:02]

To find Michelle's work, including the Alive and Well podcast, please visit https://michellegrosser.com.

Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: www.brilliant-balance.com/weekly

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In this episode, I'm exploring a topic that touches all of us, yet one we so rarely anticipate: setbacks. I'll also reveal the art (and the necessity) of bouncing back from setbacks, how instead of defining us, they can shape us, helping us grow stronger, wiser, and more resilient.

I'm going to talk about the two different types of setbacks—permanent losses and temporary obstacles—and help you understand which ones require letting go and which call for persistence. I'm going to walk you through my "Bounce-Back Blueprint," a straightforward, three-step process that can help you recover from disappointments, extract meaningful lessons, reexamine your goals, and move forward with fresh energy and clarity.

If you've ever gotten thrown off course, whether in your career, relationships, or personal pursuits, this episode will offer practical advice and encouragement to help you regain your momentum and step boldly into your next chapter.

Show Highlights:

• Making sense of setbacks and resilience before bouncing back. [01:19]
• The type of setback the Bounce-Back Blueprint resolves. [02:47]
• The art of finding the lesson in a setback. [05:43]
• The power of seeing that life is "for" you. [07:01]
• Reevaluating goals after learning from a setback. [08:16]
• Learn to pause, recover, and then recommit. [09:58]
• A real-life scenario with the Bounce-Back Blueprint in action. [12:00]
• Plateauing with setbacks vs. rising with a comeback. [14:20]
• Do you need support from the Brilliant Balance community? [15:27]

Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: www.brilliant-balance.com/weekly

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Join the Brilliant Balance Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/281949848958057