Balkan Sis

Ivana Strbac Alfonso

Balkan Sis is a podcast rooted in truth, depth, and real conversation. We explore culture, identity, motherhood, relationships, trauma, mental health, wellness, ambition, power, business, and politics — honestly and without filters. Through intimate conversations and lived experience, this space invites reflection, healing, and connection. Stories are honoured, voices are heard, and nothing is off limits. 3 Ivana

  1. Comedian Arijana Ramic | Komičarka Arijana Ramic

    3 DAYS AGO

    Comedian Arijana Ramic | Komičarka Arijana Ramic

    In this episode of Balkan Sis, Ivana sits down with stand-up comedian and writer Arijana Ramic. Originally from Seattle and now performing across Los Angeles, Arijana is quickly making a name for herself in the comedy world. She regularly performs on the LA comedy scene and even works at the legendary Comedy Store. Arijana has opened for well-known comedians including Annie Lederman, Bobby Lee and Chris Redd, and has performed in competitions and festivals including: • Seattle International Comedy Competition • Madison Comedy Week • Burbank Comedy Festival (Best of the Fest) As the Founder and Editor of THE FOREIGNER, Arijana also writes satirical pieces exploring culture, identity and the immigrant experience. In this conversation Ivana and Arijana talk about: • growing up as a Bosnian daughter in an immigrant family • humour in Balkan culture • being a funny woman in a Balkan family • expectations placed on women in our communities • dark humour and why many Balkan people laugh through pain • dealing with online comments and criticism • identity, culture and finding your voice • why laughter can be one of the most powerful forms of healing Arijana has a unique ability to approach dark and difficult topics with warmth and humour, turning real life experiences into comedy that resonates with audiences everywhere. This episode explores the intersection of comedy, culture, identity and resilience, and reminds us that sometimes laughter really is the best medicine. U ovoj epizodi Balkan Sis podcasta, Ivana razgovara sa stand-up komičarkom i spisateljicom Arijanom Ramic. Arijana je rođena u Seattleu, a danas živi i nastupa u Los Angelesu gdje gradi svoju karijeru na američkoj stand-up sceni. Također radi u poznatom Comedy Storeu, jednom od najpoznatijih comedy klubova na svijetu. Arijana je nastupala uz poznate komičare poput Annie Lederman, Bobby Lee i Chris Redd, te je sudjelovala na raznim festivalima i natjecanjima uključujući: • Seattle International Comedy Competition • Madison Comedy Week • Burbank Comedy Festival (Best of the Fest) Osim stand-upa, Arijana je osnivačica i urednica časopisa THE FOREIGNER, gdje piše satirične tekstove o kulturi, identitetu i iskustvu života između dvije kulture. U ovoj epizodi Ivana i Arijana razgovaraju o: • odrastanju kao bosanska kćer u imigrantskoj obitelji • humoru u balkanskoj kulturi • tome kako je biti žena komičarka u balkanskoj zajednici • očekivanjima koja se često postavljaju pred žene • tamnom humoru i zašto Balkan često koristi smijeh kao način suočavanja s teškim stvarima • negativnim komentarima na internetu • identitetu i pronalasku vlastitog glasa • zašto smijeh ponekad može biti najbolji lijek Arijana na poseban način uspijeva spojiti teške teme s humorom i iskrenošću, pretvarajući osobna iskustva u komediju koja povezuje ljude. Website https://www.arijanaramic.com/about Instagram https://www.instagram.com/arijanaramic Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/balkansispodcast Ivana Alfonso https://www.instagram.com/ivanastrbacalfonso Listen to Balkan Sis https://open.spotify.com/show/6ZSNzqbKrcyDepOmT7WmDH

    1h 8m

  2. 3 DAYS AGO

    Anxiety & The State of the World | Anksioznost i stanje svijeta

    In this solo episode of Balkan Sis, Ivana opens up about something many of us are feeling right now but don’t always talk about openly — anxiety and the emotional weight of the world we are living in today. From global news cycles and social media overload to motherhood, relationships and the pressure of running a business, many women are carrying more than ever before. Ivana reflects on how our childhood experiences, family dynamics and cultural history shape the way we process stress, anxiety and disappointment as adults. She also speaks about the reality of modern motherhood, the mental load many women carry and how the idea of “having a village” often looks very different in real life. In this episode Ivana talks about: • anxiety and the emotional impact of the current state of the world • the mental load of motherhood and being self employed • generational trauma and family history • Balkan culture and the silence around mental health • friendships, community and the “village” we hope for • navigating disappointment and asking for help • missing the simplicity and support of previous generations • allowing ourselves to feel emotions in front of our children Ivana also shares some of the small things that help her when life feels overwhelming, including: • stepping away from information overload • taking a moment to breathe and reset • spending time outside • connecting with people who genuinely care • sharing openly with your partner • allowing yourself rest without guilt • therapy and professional support when needed • humour, good shows and laughter • good food and simple moments of peace Sometimes the most powerful step forward is simply focusing on 1% better each day. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, please know you are not alone. Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ivanastrbacalfonso TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@ivanastrbacalfonso Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ivanastrbacalfonso Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/ivanastrbacalfonso Instagram https://www.instagram.com/balkansispodcast Listen to Balkan Sis https://open.spotify.com/show/6ZSNzqbKrcyDepOmT7WmDH Ivana has created a growing community of women across the Balkan diaspora who come together to share stories, support each other and have honest conversations about life, motherhood, culture and personal growth. If you would like to join the conversation, follow along on social media or send Ivana a message.

    43 min
  3. Maternal Mental Health & A Daughter’s Story - Katerina Mitrevska | Majčino mentalno zdravlje i priča jedne kćeri

    5 MAR

    Maternal Mental Health & A Daughter’s Story - Katerina Mitrevska | Majčino mentalno zdravlje i priča jedne kćeri

    In this episode of Balkan Sis, Ivana revisits one of the very first conversations recorded when the podcast originally began with her best friend Franka. This episode remains just as powerful and relevant today. Ivana sits down with Katerina Mitrevska, a Macedonian-born writer and advocate who shares her deeply personal story of growing up with a mother experiencing severe mental illness. After the birth of Katerina and her brother, her mother’s mental health declined and she was later diagnosed with schizophrenia. As a child, Katerina lived through years of instability, confusion and emotional hardship while trying to understand what was happening inside her family. In a community where mental illness was rarely spoken about and often surrounded by stigma and shame, Katerina carried a heavy burden. She became both a caregiver and protector for her family while her father worked long hours to support them. Writing became her refuge. Through pages of notebooks filled with her thoughts, fears and hopes, Katerina began to process the pain and loneliness of her childhood while holding onto the belief that one day life would get better. Her story is one of resilience, survival and ultimately transformation. In 2020, Katerina released her poetry book “Breakthrough – The Reason Mother Didn’t Love Me”, a deeply moving collection inspired by her lived experience growing up with a parent living with schizophrenia. Her work aims to break the silence around mental health and encourage open conversations within families and communities. In this episode we talk about: • growing up with a parent living with schizophrenia • the stigma of mental health in Balkan communities • childhood resilience and survival • becoming a caregiver at a young age • healing through writing and storytelling • raising awareness about maternal mental health • the power of sharing our stories Katerina’s story is a reminder that even in the most difficult circumstances, strength, compassion and hope can still grow. By sharing her experience, she hopes to inspire others to believe in themselves and to start conversations that many families are still afraid to have. Instagram https://www.instagram.com/katerina.mitrevska/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KaterinaMitrevs/ SBS Interview https://www.sbs.com.au/language/macedonian/en/podcast-episode/katerina-mitrevska-author-of-a-collection-of-poems-breakthrough-the-reason-mother-didnt-love-me-part-4/w0a767imt Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ivanastrbacalfonso Podcast Page https://www.instagram.com/balkansispodcast TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@ivanastrbacalfonso Ivana has created a private WhatsApp community for Balkan women and diaspora sisters around the world where conversations around culture, motherhood, relationships, business, healing and identity continue beyond the podcast. If you would like to join, send Ivana a DM on Instagram for an invite.

    1h 35m
  4. Ep 44: SVADBA Movie Review + Just Do the Thing | SVADBA Recenzija filma + Vrijeme je da samo kreneš

    5 MAR

    Ep 44: SVADBA Movie Review + Just Do the Thing | SVADBA Recenzija filma + Vrijeme je da samo kreneš

    In this solo episode of Balkan Sis, Ivana records a spontaneous update from the car and shares her thoughts on the newly released Balkan movie SVADBA. She talks about why the film caught her attention, the excitement around Balkan cinema and how powerful it is to see our stories, humour and culture represented on screen. Ivana also shares a personal life update and reflects on something many of us struggle with: confidence and committing to the things we say we want to do. This episode is a reminder that you do not need perfect timing, perfect conditions or perfect plans. Sometimes you just need the courage to start. In this episode Ivana talks about: • SVADBA movie review • balancing motherhood, work and creativity • building confidence and doing the thing you keep putting off • investing in your female friendships • going out, having coffee, laughing and enjoying life • treating yourself and honouring your energy • committing to yourself and your growth Sometimes the smallest decisions create the biggest shifts. If there is something you have been thinking about doing… this might be the sign to start. Learn more about SVADBA and follow the film here: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/svadbafilm/?hl=en Official Website https://svadbafilm.com U ovoj solo epizodi Balkan Sis podcasta, Ivana spontano snima kratki životni update iz auta i dijeli svoje dojmove o novom balkanskom filmu SVADBA. Priča o tome zašto joj je film privukao pažnju, o uzbuđenju oko balkanske kinematografije i koliko je snažno vidjeti naše priče, humor i kulturu na velikom platnu. Ivana također dijeli mali osobni update i govori o nečemu s čime se mnogi od nas bore – samopouzdanje i odluka da napokon napravimo ono što stalno govorimo da ćemo napraviti. Ova epizoda je podsjetnik da ne trebate savršen trenutak, savršene uvjete ili savršen plan. Ponekad je dovoljno samo skupiti hrabrost i krenuti. U ovoj epizodi Ivana govori o: • recenziji filma SVADBA • balansiranju majčinstva, posla i kreativnosti • izgradnji samopouzdanja i pokretanju stvari koje stalno odgađamo • ulaganju u ženska prijateljstva • izlascima, kavama, smijehu i uživanju u životu • tome da ponekad trebamo počastiti same sebe • odluci da se posvetimo sebi i svom rastu Ponekad male odluke naprave najveće promjene. Ako postoji nešto o čemu već dugo razmišljate… možda je ovo vaš znak da krenete. Više o filmu SVADBA možete pronaći ovdje: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/svadbafilm/?hl=en Službena stranica https://svadbafilm.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/balkansis Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/balkansispodcast Ivana je pokrenula privatnu WhatsApp zajednicu za Balkan žene i dijasporu gdje se dijele priče, iskustva, podrška i inspiracija. Ako želiš biti dio zajednice, pošalji Ivani poruku na Instagramu za pozivnicu.

    28 min
  5. Between Two Worlds — Mental Health, Art & Motherhood with Karolina Drakovac |

    10 FEB

    Between Two Worlds — Mental Health, Art & Motherhood with Karolina Drakovac |

    In this episode of Balkan Sis, I sit down with Karolina Drakovac psychologist, artist, mother, and former refugee for an honest and heartfelt conversation about identity, healing, motherhood, and navigating life between cultures. Karolina and I connected through our shared Balkan roots, and this episode explores her journey from her upbringing and migration experience to building a life and career in the Netherlands. We talk about what shaped her path into psychology and art, and how lived experience continues to influence the work she does today. Together we explore: • Growing up Balkan and integrating into a new culture • Identity, belonging, and cultural differences • Relationships and raising children across cultures • How childhood experiences and generational trauma influence parenting • Motherhood, fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum realities • The emotional load and guilt many mothers carry • Balancing career, creativity, family, and personal wellbeing • Insights from Karolina’s work as a psychologist • Using art as expression, grounding, and healing • Supporting mental health while maintaining boundaries • Giving back through charity work supporting children in Bosnia This conversation is reflective, vulnerable, and grounded in shared experience highlighting the resilience of women navigating multiple roles, identities, and responsibilities while staying connected to their roots. Support Charity Bosnian Kids https://charitybosniankids.org/ Karolina’s Art (Instagram) https://www.instagram.com/karolina_draws_/ Karolina’s Psychology Practice https://psychologiepraktijkdrakovac.nl/home-en Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/balkansispodcast/ Ivana https://www.instagram.com/ivanastrbacalfonso/ Thank you for listening, sharing, and supporting this growing global community. Balkan Sis continues to bring stories of courage, resilience, identity, and connection from voices across the world.

    1h 39m

  6. 9 FEB

    Tetka, Turning 38 & Life Between Goodbyes | Tetka, 38. rođendan i život između rastanaka

    In this week’s episode I share a heartfelt reflection on life lately. I talk about experiences with racism, belonging, and identity, and how these moments continue to shape me as a woman, mother, and storyteller. I reflect on celebrating my 38th birthday, navigating farewells as my aunt returned home, and the reminder to seize the moment and stay present with the people we love. This episode is honest, grounding, and personal. It’s about growth, gratitude, and embracing each chapter as it unfolds. A special thank you to this month’s sponsor Karolina Drakovac, whose support through Charity Bosnian Kids helps amplify stories that matter and supports children in need. Learn more: Karolina Drakovac https://psychologiepraktijkdrakovac.nl/en/home-en/ Charity Bosnian Kids https://charitybosniankids.org/ Listen to Balkan Sis https://open.spotify.com/show/6ZSNzqbKrcyDepOmT7WmDH?si=t5vTiyLWRvqb3qOM6o-szg Looking ahead, I’ll be creating more in-person and online events this year. My children’s book At Baba and Dido’s House is nearing completion and I’m so excited to share it with the world. There are many projects unfolding, and hopefully one day a Balkan Sis world tour connecting communities across the globe. Thank you for listening and being part of this journey. With love, Ivana 🤍

    57 min
  7. Part 2: Dunja - Healing Through Connection and Community | Dio 2: Dunja - Iscjeljenje kroz povezanost i zajedništvo

    21 JAN

    Part 2: Dunja - Healing Through Connection and Community | Dio 2: Dunja - Iscjeljenje kroz povezanost i zajedništvo

    In Part 2 of my conversation with Dunja, founder of Earth Magic Medicine, we move from story into embodiment. This episode explores what healing actually looks like after survival. We talk about the body, the nervous system, ancestral roots, ritual, spirituality, and why so many women are being called back to their lineage and inner wisdom. Dunja shares how Earth Magic Medicine came to life, how ancestral practices support modern women, and why grounding, breath, and ritual are essential tools in a world that constantly pulls us away from ourselves. This conversation is about slowing down, remembering where we come from, and finding our way home to ourselves. • What healing looks like beyond talk therapy • How trauma lives in the body and nervous system • Why grounding and breathwork are so powerful • Ancestral wisdom passed down through women • Rituals and practices that support daily life • Spirituality, religion, and why healing work is often misunderstood • How reconnecting with roots supports identity and belonging • The importance of village, family, and collective support • Why evolving our consciousness matters now more than ever • How Dunja supports women through Earth Magic Medicine Between Part 1 and Part 2, Dunja offers a bonus meditation titled: Bonus Meditation: Ancestral Roots & Grounding A gentle grounding practice shared as a gift to support integration, regulation, and reconnection with your ancestral roots. Dunja is a healer, breathwork and meditation guide, and the founder of Earth Magic Medicine. Her work supports women through: • One-on-one sessions online and in person • Group healing spaces and women’s circles • Breathwork and meditation journeys • Retreats in Byron Bay and Bali • Hosting The Magic of Your Lineage podcast Her work is rooted in embodiment, ancestral wisdom, and creating safe spaces for deep healing. 🌿 Website https://www.earthmagicmedicine.com.au 🌿 All offerings and links https://linktr.ee/earth_magic_medicine 🌿 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/earthmagicmedicine 🌿 Podcast The Magic of Your Lineage 📍 Instagram — Balkan Sis Podcast https://www.instagram.com/balkansis 📍 Instagram — Ivana Strbac Alfonso https://www.instagram.com/ivanastrbacalfonso 📍 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@ivanastrbacalfonso 📍 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ivanastrbacalfonso 📍 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ivanastrbacalfonso

    1h 36m
  8. Bonus Meditation: Ancestral Roots & Grounding | Bonus meditacija: Ancestralni korijeni i uzemljenje

    14 JAN · BONUS

    Bonus Meditation: Ancestral Roots & Grounding | Bonus meditacija: Ancestralni korijeni i uzemljenje

    This bonus meditation is a gentle grounding journey guided by Dunja of Earth Magic Medicine, offered as a gift to the Balkan Sis community. In this practice, you are invited to slow down, settle into your body, and reconnect with your ancestral roots. Through breath, presence, and stillness, this meditation supports your nervous system and reminds you that you are held, supported, and never alone. You do not need to know your family history or have all the answers. Simply allow yourself to feel the strength, wisdom, and safety that live within you, passed down through generations. This meditation is best listened to when you have a few quiet moments to yourself. You can return to it whenever you feel ungrounded, overwhelmed, or in need of connection. A moment to come home to yourself. A reminder of where you come from. A space to simply be. Website https://www.earthmagicmedicine.com.au All Links & Offerings (Linktree) https://linktr.ee/earth_magic_medicine Instagram https://www.instagram.com/earthmagicmedicine Instagram — Balkan Sis Podcast https://www.instagram.com/balkansis Instagram — Ivana Strbac Alfonso https://www.instagram.com/ivanastrbacalfonso TikTok — Ivana Strbac Alfonso https://www.tiktok.com/@ivanastrbacalfonso Facebook — Ivana Strbac Alfonso https://www.facebook.com/ivanastrbacalfonso YouTube — Ivana Strbac Alfonso https://www.youtube.com/@ivanastrbacalfonso Connect with Dunja 🌿 Website: https://www.earthmagicmedicine.com.au 🌿 All offerings: https://linktr.ee/earth_magic_medicine 🌿 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earthmagicmedicine Connect with Balkan Sis & Ivana 📍 Instagram – Balkan Sis Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/balkansis 📍 Instagram – Ivana: https://www.instagram.com/ivanastrbacalfonso 📍 TikTok – Ivana: https://www.tiktok.com/@ivanastrbacalfonso 📍 Facebook – Ivana: https://www.facebook.com/ivanastrbacalfonso 📍 YouTube – Ivana: https://www.youtube.com/@ivanastrbacalfonso

    10 min
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About

Balkan Sis is a podcast rooted in truth, depth, and real conversation. We explore culture, identity, motherhood, relationships, trauma, mental health, wellness, ambition, power, business, and politics — honestly and without filters. Through intimate conversations and lived experience, this space invites reflection, healing, and connection. Stories are honoured, voices are heard, and nothing is off limits. 3 Ivana

Information

  • Creator
    Ivana Strbac Alfonso
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    49
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Ivana Strbac Alfonso
  • Show Website
    Balkan Sis

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