Brilliant Balance

Cherylanne Skolnicki
  • 4.9 (359)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

You deserve a big, full life and the freedom to enjoy it. The Brilliant Balance Podcast helps women in leadership design their next chapter for sustainable success—without burnout. Every week, host Cherylanne Skolnicki, a leading expert in work-life balance, leadership growth, and mindset coaching, shares ideas, inspiration, and insights to help high-achieving women align their ambition with personal fulfillment. Through conversations on leadership mindset, time management, and personal growth, you'll gain the tools to thrive in both your career and personal life. Whether you're considering a career pivot or craving more time for your personal life, you might find yourself asking: How do I advance my career—without working 24/7? Can I achieve my goals while still having time for my family? How do I stop feeling overwhelmed and start feeling in control? What's next for me—and how do I design it intentionally? If you've ever wondered how to fulfill your potential without breaking your life, this podcast is for you. In addition to sharing her own insights, Cherylanne sits down with experts, thought leaders, and ambitious women who reveal their strategies for burnout recovery, productivity for women, and redefining success on their terms. You'll love the Brilliant Balance Podcast if you like podcasts like: Unlocking Us or Dare to Lead with Brene Brown, Women at Work by Harvard Business Review, The Midlife with Reshma Saujani, We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle, The Mel Robbins Podcast, HerMoney with Jean Chatzky, So Money with Farnoosh Torabi

  1. Decide Like the Woman You're Becoming

    6H AGO

    Decide Like the Woman You're Becoming

    If you're like me, you know you aren't the same woman you were a year or even a month ago. In this episode, I'm inviting you to make a powerful shift—to make decisions like the woman you're becoming, not the one you're outgrowing. I'll talk about how easy it is to default to comfort zones, old identities, or the opinions of others, the pitfalls of letting those steer our lives, and why that keeps us playing small. Let's explore how tapping into the insight, courage, and vision of our future selves can lead us to choices that have the power to excite, stretch, and fulfill us. This episode is a practical invitation to recalibrate, break free from old patterns, and start making decisions today that your future self will thank you for! Let's craft our next chapters—one intentional decision at a time.  Show Highlights: Are your choices aligned with your evolving identity? [00:46] A reflective exercise to do with your 16-year-old self. [04:30] Why present-moment decisions are a trap at life's inflection-points. [07:22] Meet a VVIP—your future self. [10:18] Five common drivers of current decisions. [11:04] How to harness vision to question familiar patterns. [17:31] The power of "possibilities" thinking vs. constraints. [18:36] What story do you want to tell with courage over fear? [19:12] Tap into long-term satisfaction in the painful now. [20:00] Learning to honor the opinion of your future self. [21:09] Share your present and future story with us or DM for support. [22:16] 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: http://www.facebook.com/groups/281949848958057

    23 min

  2. MAR 3

    Success Looks Different in Every Season—Cherylanne Is Interviewed by Molly Asplin

    Today, I'm handing over the host chair and letting you in on a different conversation, where I'm the one answering the questions! In this episode, which I'm re-airing after we recorded it for her show, Molly Asplin interviews me about the story behind Brilliant Balance, my leap from corporate life to entrepreneurship, and why our personal definitions of success matter more than any universal standard. We talk about the seasons of our lives, the messy reality behind the highlight reels, and how giving ourselves permission to embrace the "now" can change everything. If you've ever wrestled with burnout, perfectionism, or the belief that you just can't press pause, I promise you'll feel seen here. Grab your coffee, settle in, and join us for a fresh perspective on designing a brilliant, balanced life, your way.  Show Highlights: How I left P&G with financial runways to launch a business. [03:43] Align your pace with life's growth and recovery seasons. [10:56] Are you living by outdated standards of success? [18:16] How to name your season and reset your rhythm. [20:23] The power of intentional calendar curation. [24:12] Energy management essentials for health and resilience. [27:44] What's procrastination perfectionism? [32:05] Separating social narratives from yourself as a woman. [34:56] The pendulum shift to recovery from career overdrive. [41:08] Permission for tired women to sleep and get support. [42:41] Check out my Momentum Playbook and other helpful tools. [45:51] To find Molly Asplin's podcast The Modern High Performer, visit https://mollyasplin.com/modern-high-performer-podcast/. Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: www.brilliant-balance.com/weekly Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

    48 min
  3. You vs. You: Why Inner Conflict Makes Everything Harder with Dana Bernstein

    FEB 24

    You vs. You: Why Inner Conflict Makes Everything Harder with Dana Bernstein

    Ever find yourself stuck in an endless loop of overthinking, self-doubt, or battling between what you want and what you "should" do? To get to the heart of this inner tug-of-war, today, I'm joined by Dana Bernstein, principal of Dare to Live Brave and author of It's the Thought that Counts: Mastering the Art of YOU vs. You. Dana is a conflict resolution coach, helping professionals in high-stakes environments like universities, government, banking, and the court system. We're talking real-life inner conflict between ambition and self-doubt, or when your values feel like they're battling for control. Dana breaks down why labeling our emotions is magic and how knowing exactly what drives you can shift everything about how you show up, not just in tough conversations, but in your biggest moments. Join us if you're ready for powerful stories, actionable steps, and plenty of aha moments to reclaim your power and move forward as your most empowered, graceful self (even in the messiest moments) to the big, bold life you envision.  Show Highlights: Understanding competing values in the "YOU vs. You" conflict. [02:40] Inner conflict in women and why self-discovery matters. [04:13] Discover your best self with leveraged values and "Who" words. [05:22] How to "pause, ponder, pivot" when you feel triggered. [07:05] The rider, elephant and peanuts analogy for emotions and reasoning. [08:19] Practicing the pause effectively and advance preparation. [11:10] In-the-moment conflict vs. after-the fact conflict. [13:52] The power of self-mastery over negotiation in conflict resolution. [15:31] What do you feed your mind, ice cream vs. bananas? [19:09] Using body awareness as early warnings of conflict activation. [23:23] Self-compassion and living clean between your ears. [24:58] To take the Who assessment: https://danabernsteinconflictcoach.github.io/the-who-assessment-official-/ To find Danas book: http://bit.ly/3PLlYG9 Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: www.brilliant-balance.com/weekly Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

    26 min
  4. Don't Miss the Life You're Actually Living

    FEB 17

    Don't Miss the Life You're Actually Living

    Ever feel like you're always racing toward the next big milestone and forgetting to savor the moments of the life you're actually living? In this episode, I'm discussing how we can easily overlook the lives we're truly living, continually focused on what's next, waiting for things to settle down, missing out on the present. I'm talking about my own recent experience of this and the common patterns I see among high-achieving women: treating our current chapter as just a stepping stone, constantly planning, or having trouble letting the good moments sink in. With relatable reflections and practical suggestions, I'll share ways to help you notice the goodness in your daily life and become more present, even when things feel messy or transitional. This episode is here to remind you: you don't need a different life to feel more joy—you just need to truly be here for the one you have. Let's rediscover the brilliance in our everyday moments.  Show Highlights: The subtle problem of missing the moment. [00:46] "Spotlight Session" advantage in our BOLD community. [02:54] Why "now" is not a placeholder for real life. [04:15] Future-focused living due to overactive competence. [07:14] The importance of reframing presence. [10:12] Letting the good land to enjoy full presence. [11:00] What is ease and flow? [13:11] How patterns of not living in the present turn into a loop. [13:46] Practice noticing and appreciating the life you have. [16:01] Ways to share and support the show. [17:31] Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: www.brilliant-balance.com/weekly Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

    19 min
  5. When Health Optimization Becomes Another Job

    FEB 10

    When Health Optimization Becomes Another Job

    Today, I'm taking a closer look at the growing pressure so many of us feel around health optimization, especially during midlife, when simply keeping up with the latest wellness and beauty trends and advice can start to feel like another full-time job. I'm breaking down why health information and solutions constantly inundate us, and the mental and financial costs of trying to do it all, and I'm sharing practical ways to bring more ease and intention back into our daily routines. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by constantly shifting "rules" or found yourself buried in trackers, apps, wearables, and endless wellness products, this episode is your permission slip to turn down the noise and refocus on what truly supports your well-being. We can reclaim self-care as something that fits into our lives rather than another source of stress.  Show Highlights: The growing weight of health advice. [00:53] Understanding the strategic health industry trap. [03:51] The engineered pressure to solve perceived problems. [06:18] Tracking fatigue and why more data isn't always better care. [07:12] Consciously choosing what not to track or act upon. [09:37] Shifting from performative to supportive self-care. [10:18] What should be the actual role of health and self-care? [11:38] Practical steps to curate health inputs and regain balance. [12:43] Where does vanity pressure end and health begin in marketing? [15:06] Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: www.brilliant-balance.com/weekly Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

    18 min
  6. The ROI of Invisible Labor: A New Lens on Women's Leadership with Aimee Rickabus

    FEB 3

    The ROI of Invisible Labor: A New Lens on Women's Leadership with Aimee Rickabus

    This week, I'm sitting down with Aimee Rickabus, powerhouse entrepreneur, author, mother of six, and CEO of Tomahawk Information Solutions, to shine a light on the invisible labor women manage every day and reveal its surprising ROI. Aimee shares her experience of managing both her business and a bustling family, and how she has built executive-level skills along the way, turning household micro decision power into strategic thinking and leadership. We discuss the idea that success shouldn't be viewed as a relentless climb up a ladder, but more as tending to a garden, acknowledging the varied and shifting seasons of life. Aimee has practical strategies for you to make your invisible work visible, leverage it in your career, and optimize your time and energy through technology. If you've never wondered how all those behind-the-scenes efforts are training grounds for high-level skills, this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air.  Show Highlights: The eye-opening mirror of home and business leadership. [02:16] Mothers' mental load of micro decisions and interruptions. [03:18] How being a mom hones emotional intelligence. [06:00] The powerful ability to say no learnable in motherhood. [06:59] Empathy-driven leadership shaped by parenthood. [07:30] Gaining project management skills at home. [08:26] The strategic value of invisible labor. [09:22] Embracing success as a "garden" with life's seasons. [10:54] What's the cadence of authentic female leadership? [13:01] Make invisible tasks conscious—then optimize and/or automate. [15:41] Why tech adoption is your gateway to legacy projects. [19:36] Ways to connect with Aimee and get her book. [25:43] To find Aimee's work, book, and podcast, visit: https://themanageher.com Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: www.brilliant-balance.com/weekly Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

    28 min
  7. Building habits for your hard days

    JAN 27

    Building habits for your hard days

    If you're tired of seeing your good habits crumble when life gets messy, today's episode is a must-listen. I'm revealing why our routines often fail, and it's not because we aren't disciplined.  You'll learn my "minimum viable dose" strategy, which makes it easy to stick with your habits even when motivation is low or your schedule is off track. I'll show you how making small adjustments can help you keep promises to yourself, with actionable tips for building your Plan A, Plan B (and Plan C!), so you can keep moving forward even on the toughest days. Say goodbye to all-or-nothing thinking and embrace a more resilient approach to self-care, productivity, and growth. Hit play now and let's build habits that truly last!  Show Highlights: Do motivated women over-design ideal habit systems? [00:48] Why ideal habits fail. [02:57] The problem with aiming for streaks. [03:48] Building habits for hard days. [05:32] What's the "minimum viable dose" of a habit? [05:57] Defining habit Plans A to C—ideal to minimum viable dose. [06:49] Win with "one is greater than zero" thinking. [11:17] How to apply the advice in this episode to your habits. [13:17] Plan C as the key to building consistent habits. [15:48] How self-trust, not competition, is the true goal of habits. [16:35] Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: www.brilliant-balance.com/weekly Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

    19 min
  8. Accountability is a forcing function

    JAN 20

    Accountability is a forcing function

    Today, I'm looking at the idea of using accountability as a "forcing function" that can transform our cherished goals from wishful intentions into accomplished realities. If you ever wonder why our work projects always seem to get done while personal goals keep getting relegated to "someday," this episode will hit home. I'm sharing why our personal lives lack the built-in accountability and structures that make professional commitments non-negotiable, because, get this, motivation isn't enough. I'll explain that with examples, insights from behavioral science, and actionable steps to harness accountability mechanisms to accomplish your most important priorities. Discover the value of enlisting paid professionals (and even some unlikely familiar faces) as accountability allies! Accountability doesn't add pressure! It powerfully creates freedom by clearing space for what matters most to you. I'm inviting you to hit play and discover a few simple shifts to make this your year to soar.  Show Highlights: Last call to register for our free January workshop. [00:47] Why do work goals win and personal goals get shelved? [03:09] Forcing functions and accountability power. [05:23] Can self-sufficiency beliefs hinder external accountability? [07:44] Why "obligers" need accountability mechanisms. [08:26] Emotional reasons for resisting accountability. [09:38] Make your employees and kids your accountability partners. [12:08] Low-leverage accountability pitfalls vs. mutual accountability. [14:19] Ensuring success with high-leverage paid accountability. [16:19] Reframing constraints as freedom for "rebels." [19:05] Register for my free workshop "Make Your Week Work for You": https://brilliant-balance.com/reclaim Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: www.brilliant-balance.com/weekly Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

    23 min
See All (439)

4.9
out of 5
359 Ratings

About

You deserve a big, full life and the freedom to enjoy it. The Brilliant Balance Podcast helps women in leadership design their next chapter for sustainable success—without burnout. Every week, host Cherylanne Skolnicki, a leading expert in work-life balance, leadership growth, and mindset coaching, shares ideas, inspiration, and insights to help high-achieving women align their ambition with personal fulfillment. Through conversations on leadership mindset, time management, and personal growth, you'll gain the tools to thrive in both your career and personal life. Whether you're considering a career pivot or craving more time for your personal life, you might find yourself asking: How do I advance my career—without working 24/7? Can I achieve my goals while still having time for my family? How do I stop feeling overwhelmed and start feeling in control? What's next for me—and how do I design it intentionally? If you've ever wondered how to fulfill your potential without breaking your life, this podcast is for you. In addition to sharing her own insights, Cherylanne sits down with experts, thought leaders, and ambitious women who reveal their strategies for burnout recovery, productivity for women, and redefining success on their terms. You'll love the Brilliant Balance Podcast if you like podcasts like: Unlocking Us or Dare to Lead with Brene Brown, Women at Work by Harvard Business Review, The Midlife with Reshma Saujani, We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle, The Mel Robbins Podcast, HerMoney with Jean Chatzky, So Money with Farnoosh Torabi

Information

  • Creator
    Cherylanne Skolnicki
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    439
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2017-2026
  • Show Website
    Brilliant Balance

You Might Also Like