The Big Balance

We all need a break from responsibilities every once in a while. But when we let those distractions interfere with important parts of our lives, they can become a problem. Not every video game is an "addictive time killer," but plenty can be - in this episode, Brian runs through 5 elements of a game that can turn it from a hobby into an addictive and detrimental challenge to our balance.

We've advocated for exploring passion projects since our first episode, so for today's episode John examines the late Paul Newman and his many different passions. While we may not have the luxury of fame and fortune, it doesn't mean we can't take a page out of the Newman's Own founder's book.

You've been given more responsibilities... Great! But is your boss putting more faith in you or taking advantage of you? We all wear many hats on the job - when our roles expand too far, we can get stretched to the brink. In this episode, Brian and Andy talk about what we can do to keep our roles from expanding beyond what we can handle.

Britney Spears thrust traditional conservatorship arrangements into the spotlight, but the nuances surrounding these arrangements are complex. For every Britney Spears there is likely thousands of Nick Clouses and Jamie Becks. Learn more about their stories as John and Brian discuss the intricacies and complexities of these arrangements.

Today's episode is inspired by an article from NPR:

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/01/09/1065301762/britney-spears-left-her-guardianship-but-others-who-want-independence-remain-stu

A lot of people have trouble defining success (which, in turn, makes finding it that much more difficult). Brian and Andy attempt to nail down a few key guidelines for defining what it means to be successful in our own lives.

None of us can take on all of life's challenges alone. The good news? We have friends, family, and coworkers who can help. The bad news? We're all terrible at seeking out, and making us of, that help. In this episode, Brian walks through how we can do better at being part of a team to get things done.

This year draws to a close, and 2022 is right around the corner. Brian and John talk about where the show has gone and what they hope to accomplish in the new year.

John takes us down memory lane and details the first time he ever fielded an "after-hours" urgent call. That meant something quite different 6 years ago, and now as the pandemic has shifted work-life priorities, the guys take a look at some anecdotal and empirical evidence to prove how different work is in 2021 and beyond.

Happy Holidays from the Big Balance team to you and yours!

There's no escaping company culture. If that culture starts to shift, there may not be much we can do to react - unless we're willing to take some big steps. In this episode, Brian talks about some stark realities of facing culture changes... and some creepy things companies are doing to keep tabs on employee reactions to them.

Everyone deals with stress. Some better than others. But avoiding it will lead to anxiety problems sooner than later. If you're having trouble dealing with the high-pressures of life, join Brian and Andy as they talk about two ways you can better manage those feelings.