We can all be our own worst critics, but sometimes we need someone else to give us a dose of Shruth. Shruthi Parker is a lifestyle blogger based in Austin, Texas who has an array of juicy life advice.

Shruthi shares how she discovered her passion for blogging and made it her full-time job, the importance of having a solid sense of self, and the beauty of acknowledging your current season of life. She shares how her different life experiences have shaped her and how she's preparing for her next big life transition as a new mother. This episode has a little bit of wisdom for everyone, so you won't want to miss out. Join Robin Long in this week's interview on The Balanced Life.

Show Highlights:

• What Shruthi's career looks like and how she got into blogging
• What goes into being an Uber driver and the life skills it builds
• Treating your side hustle work as a full-time job from the beginning
• Fighting for approval from family members and friends with a nontraditional job
• Shruthi's daily schedule and what she does weekly
• How Shruthi determined when to bring on interns and the value they bring to her career
• Shruthi's current top priorities and how she balances her creativity
• Finding time to nurture relationships during busy work seasons
• How Shruthi is preparing and planning for being a new mother
• Developing a solid sense of self and using that voice to establish a brand
• Overcoming the pressure from outside sources and setting boundaries on social media
• Aspects of life that have taken a back seat during this season of life
• Dealing with the consist intensity of trying to balance it all
• Refocusing each day and practicing self-care daily
• Rapid fire session of Shruthi's favorite products and resources
• How to discover the path you should pursue

Links:

Instagram: @thebalancedlife

5 Day Jumpstart:

https://thebalancedlifeonline.com/jumpstart/

Contact Shruthi:

https://thehonestshruth.com

Instagram: @Thehonestshruth

Resources and Products Mentioned:

https://www.milkmakeup.com/blur-matte-setting-powder.html

https://jamieivey.com/category/podcast-2

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/baby-411-ari-brown-md/1114831396#/

Today's episode of The Balanced life tackles the struggles of finding childcare, establishing a nighttime routine, how to follow your hunger and the anti-diet movement, along with so many more juicy topics.

Natalie Borton is a minimalist, California inspired jewelry designer, along with being a wife, mother, and blogger. Natalie shares how she balances all of the different aspects of life and how she has created a sense of self-awareness to guide her through all of the chaos. Join Robin Long in this abundant episode for more insightful tips and a dose of wisdom.

Show Highlights:

• What Natalie does and how she uses Instagram to build women's confidence
• What a typical day in the life looks like as a mom and jewelry designer
• How launching a business impacted Natalie's life
• The struggle of finding proper childcare and going through transitional seasons
• Surprising aspects of Natalie's life
• How to make choices that support your priorities and needs
• Enjoying the process of self-care and establishing a night-time routine
• Secrets to getting better sleep
• How to realistically invest in your marriage and "date" your spouse
• Letting go of things that aren't priorities and focusing on current seasons
• Aspects of life that Natalie excels in and how she focuses her energy
• Keeping yourself in check with an achievement-based drive
• Following your hunger and practicing intuitive eating
• Overcoming diet culture and the freedom it brings
• Finding ways to connect with others outside of self-deprecation
• Rapid-fire session of Natalie's favorite go-to's
• Tips to live your own uniquely, happy, balanced life

Links:

Instagram: @thebalancedlife

5 Day Jumpstart:

https://thebalancedlifeonline.com/jumpstart/

Contact Natalie:

https://natalieborton.com

Instagram: @natalieborton

Resources and Products Mentioned:

& Now To Sleep Pillow Spray

Slipsilk™ Pure Silk Pillowcase

My Blanquil

Flick Boy Brow Duo

Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment

Sephora Retinoid Serum

Jenna Kutcher's Podcast

Allie Casazza's Podcast

Ashlee may not make her bed, volunteer at every school event, or keep her kid's hair Met-Gala ready, but she does manage email like a boss, use her gifts to encourage women, and mother 3 amazing children.

Ashlee Gadd is the founder of Coffee and Crumbs, a mothering community with an array of resources to support and encourage mothers to steward their creativity. In this interview, Ashlee shares how she makes practical tips to simplify daily life, the challenges she faces with setting boundaries as a stay-at-home working mom, and the importance of giving yourself grace. Join Robin Long in this episode, for insightful tips and a dose of inspiration.

Show Highlights:

• Who Ashlee is and what her current season of life looks like
• What Ashlee's daily commitments look like balancing work and motherhood
• The origin story of Coffee and Crumbs
• Writing in an intentional way that cultivates life
• Identifying Ashlee's top values and how she finds time to prioritize them
• Letting go of extracurricular activities and anything that doesn't support your current season of life
• Creating a system to handle emails as effectively as possible
• Tasks Ashlee doesn't prioritize in this season of life
• Helping people within a capacity that leaves space for your priorities
• Eating a balanced diet and practicing intuitive eating
• How and when Ashlee finds time to grocery shop and meal prep
• What exercise looks like in Ashlee's life
• The biggest challenges that accompany juggling work and family time
• Finding inspiration and committing to ideas when they come
• A rapid-fire session of Ashlee's favorite products
• Letting go of expectations and giving yourself grace each day

Links:

https://thebalancedlifeonline.com/jumpstart/

Instagram: @thebalancedlife

Contact Ashlee:

https://www.coffeeandcrumbs.net

Instagram: @Ashleegadd, @coffeeandcrumbs

Products and Resources mentioned:

https://www.hellofresh.com

https://www.glossier.com/products/boy-brow

https://www.10thingstotellyou.com/podcast

TV Shows: 10 Little Lies, The Handmaid's Tale

Refurbished Vitamix

It's easy to create unrealistic expectations when it seems like everyone around you has it figured out but you. Today, Jessica Honegger shares her own personal journey with comparison as a mother, wife, and entrepreneur. Jessica not only stays actively involved with her 3 children but balances her businesses, Noonday Collection, and the Going Scared Podcast, and recently released a book, The Imperfect Courage.

In this episode, Jessica discusses how she's learned to surrender her perfectionism and embrace her current season of life. She provides an empowering anecdote of an encounter with another mom, how she's managed to adjust to major life transitions, and how to let go of control. Join Robin Long in this intimate and encouraging interview.

Show Highlights:

• Jessica discusses her current career and the different projects she's working on
• How Jessica started her own company while balancing being a mother and wife
• Learning to appreciate the present moment and enjoying the season you're in
• The progress of Jessica's office space and cultivating an office culture
• How to adjust to different business systems during different life transitions
• Letting go of perfectionism and releasing control in order to validate yourself
• Dictating what to prioritize and what to release
• Choosing celebration and connectivity instead of comparison
• What a self-care regimen looks like for Jessica
• Approaching exercise as a positive process as opposed to a punishment
• The journey of acceptance and the process of transformation
• Advice to live a fulfilled and balanced life

Links:

https://thebalancedlifeonline.com/jumpstart/

Instagram: @thebalancedlife

Contact Jessica:

Instagram: @Jessicahonegger

Jessica's Going Scared Podcast

References:

https://thrivecausemetics.com/products/liquid-lash-extensions-mascara

Imperfect Courage by Jessica Honegger

Mindful Silence by Phileena Heuertz

Trader Joe's Everything but the Bagel Seasoning

Today's interview is filled to the brim with insightful and enlightening conversation. Lara Casey is a wife, mom of 3, and entrepreneur, with a countercultural take on life and business. She is the CEO of Cultivate What Matters, a business that helps individuals uncover what matters to them and make an action plan to attain their goals. Lara uses the tactics she implements in her work into her daily life and has created strategies that help her juggle homeschooling, work, and motherhood. Join Robin Long in this interview to learn more about how Lara keeps her cup full and still manages to pour back into others through all life's chaos.

Show Highlights:

• What brought Lara to her career now and how she applies her work to everyday life
• Identifying priorities and being selective with focusing energy
• Navigating saying no and letting go of things that don't align with your priorities
• Putting programs in place to balance childcare, work, and homeschool
• Dealing with feelings of judgment
• Tips to help stay present and setting boundaries
• Using social media as a platform to minister and pour into others
• Creating daily rituals for self-care
• Finding ways to have quality time in a countercultural way
• Lara's approach to eating and how she meal preps
• Overcoming feelings of guilt and using it as a motivator
• Maintaining a sense of community and friendships in busy seasons
• Finding contentment in the current season of life you're in
• Rapid fire session
• The importance of always thinking of the big picture

Links:

https://thebalancedlifeonline.com

Contact Lara:

https://cultivatewhatmatters.com

https://laracasey.com

Lara's book:

Make It Happen by Lara Casey

Organizations Mentioned:

https://www.zachariahsacres.org

https://www.compassion.com

Products Mentioned:

https://acure.com

Youversion Bible app

Acure Skincare

One Love organics daily face wash

Health Warrior Bars

Get PowerSheets here!

This conversation with Renee Hahnel is packed full of encouragement and powerful reminders to help us make each day the best we can. Renee is an Australian travel photographer, blogger, and newly published author with an unconventional perspective on how to live a wholesome and fulfilling life.

She shares how her own personal experiences have motivated her to become more compassionate towards herself and others, the positive impact of a morning routine, and the how to maintain a healthy work balance with your spouse. Join Robin Long in this magical interview to hear more about how Renee juggle's it all with a life on the road.

Show Highlights:

• What led Renee to where she is now and how she finds balance through growth seasons
• Getting involved in travel photography and how Renee made it a career
• Finding a healthy balance between our own priorities and giving back to others
• Giving yourself permission to let go of things that aren't priorities in the season you're in
• How Renee juggles running a business while traveling full time
• Tools and systems to put in place to be more efficient
• Maintaining a healthy work relationship with your spouse
• Separating work life from romantic life
• Overcoming the pressure of inadequacy and comparison
• Teaching people how to use social media in a healthy way
• The role diet plays in Renee's life
• How exercise is incorporated into Renee's work and daily life
• Encouraging yourself and accepting you're doing your best
• Life changing self-care practices
• A rapid-fire session of Renee's favorites

Links:

https://thebalancedlifeonline.com/jumpstart/

Resources mentioned:

https://agendio.com

https://www.miraclemorning.com/books/

Fanola No Yellow Hair Mask

https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510313/how-i-built-this

Contact Renee:

https://www.reneeroaming.com

Instagram: @reneeroaming

In order to have a whole, happy, and fulfilling life that aligns with our goals we have to establish solid relationships not only with others, but with ourselves. Today's guest, Monique Melton, is a relationship and racial diversity coach with a passion for creating unity. Monique encourages others to do intentional heart work that will break down boundaries in their spiritual, personal, and relational growth.

In this episode, Monique shares how she has personally let go of the pressure of perfection in her own life and how she's changed her mindset to commit to her family and personal needs, not societal obligations. She also talks about how she has redefined motherhood for herself and established a better relationship with the gym, all while being an entrepreneur.

Show Highlights:

• What Monique's faith and career look like currently
• A typical day in the life for Monique and her family
• Paralleling Monique's current career to her childhood vision
• How Monique prioritizes important aspects of her life
• Things Monique has had to let go of obligations that don't support her priorities
• Letting go of pressure and the mindset of perfection
• Disassociating your self-worth from your ability to do it all
• Recognizing your family's needs and meeting them to the best of your ability
• Reflecting on experiences that have evoked fear and anxiety
• Allowing yourself to feel your emotions and taking action in a way that makes you proud
• Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable
• Finding ways to incorporate health and fitness into your lifestyle
• Ways to incorporate leisure into a busy schedule
• Rapid fire session of Monique's favorite products and daily go-to's

Links:

Join the 5 Day Jumpstart

Contact Monique:

Instagram: @Moetivate

https://www.moniquemelton.com

Going against the grain can be uncomfortable, especially when it comes to food. Today's guest, Danielle Walker, is a gluten-free chef, 3 time New York Times bestselling cookbook author, and blogger.

Danielle started her grain free journey in 2007 when she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and was forced to make a major lifestyle and diet shifts. She has found a way to live functionally and comfortably with her disease, all while juggling being a mom, and sharing her healing tips with the world.

In this interview, Danielle shares how she makes it all work by investing in reliable childcare, prioritizing her self-care, and utilizing her planner. Join Robin Long in this interview to learn more about how Danielle lives her balanced life.

Show Highlights:

• How Danielle's diagnosis shifted her diet and daily life
• Using yoga and physical activity to treat autoimmune disease
• Experimenting with food to improve autoimmune disease
• Establishing priorities and utilizing a planner
• The benefits and challenges of working from home
• Shifting to a more sustainable child care arrangement
• Letting go of guilt and insecurities
• Tips for grocery shopping and meal planning
• What exercise looks like in Danielle's life and how she fits it in her schedule
• Focal points for self-care and being in tune with personal needs
• Turning down the noise of people around you

Links:

https://thebalancedlifeonline.com

Contact Danielle:

https://againstallgrain.com

Instagram: @daniellewalker

Danielle's Book - Eat What You Love

In a world where we can pick up our phones and look at what everyone else is doing right, it's hard not to compare yourself to others, especially as a woman of color!

Today's guest, Sandra Chuma, has built a platform that highlights and celebrates the successes of women of color in a way that no other media platform does. In today's interview, she shares her journey with creating NDINI, navigating insecurity and inadequacy, and overcoming the challenges of having an emotional connection to food. Sandra shares what it really looks like to sacrifice and prioritize yourself throughout the chaos of every day life. Join Sandra and your host, Robin Long, in this raw and intimate conversation.

Listen all the way to the end of the show for Sandra's Rapid Fire Session!

Show Highlights:

• What motivated Sandra to start NDINI and how she launched her platform
• Stripping yourself of labels to find your purpose
• Making a pivotal shift in life and the importance of support from your family
• Identifying your top priorities and aligning them with self-care
• Establishing a morning routine
• Letting go of things that don't contribute to what you need
• Learning to asking for help and letting go of perfectionism
• Creating a "do not do" list in order to accomplish your priorities
• Investing in services that relieve your mental load
• Navigating the pressure of trying to meet societal and cultural expectations
• Integrating exercise and balancing healthy eating habits
• Practices to be more mindful of eating a balanced diet

Links:

https://thebalancedlifeonline.com

Contact Sandra:

http://www.sandrachuma.com

https://ndini.com

Social Media: @Ndinimedia

Instagram: @Sandra_Chuma

We all feel the pressure to be "more" in different areas of life. As a parent, friend, spouse, business owner, you feel pulls in so many different directions that it's normal to feel like you're not "enough" in certain areas.

Today's guest, Allie Casazza, is a Mom, entrepreneur, and podcast host with a plethora of practical tips to help you juggle the chaos. She shares her own tactics to prioritize health, learn to use intuition to lean into different seasons, and overcome the pressure of not being enough. Join Robin Long in this interview for how you can evaluate your own life and strategically plan for success.

Show Highlights:

• A flashback of what Allie's life looked like 10 years ago compared to the season she's in now
• Pursuing a life of abundance and simplicity through the chaos
• The framework of Allie's process to declutter
• Establishing your intent and creating a vision
• Focusing on your health and learning how to eat for your body
• Creating space in your life and simplifying the chaos
• Being selective about the commitments you make
• What exercise looks like in Allie's life and regulating adrenal fatigue
• Dividing parenthood, business, and romance with your partner
• Allie's self-care practices
• Setting boundaries around technology and regulating your availability
• Making "enough lists" and giving yourself grace in different areas of life

Links:

Join the 5 Day Jumpstart

Contact Allie:

Allie's Podcast

Allie's Website

Allie on Facebook

Allie on Pinterest