Balanced Not Boring

Judy Daghestani (Laurus Organics) and Tamara Khoury (Teal Bakehouse)
  • 5.0 (6)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Welcome to the Balanced Not Boring Podcast. A safe space where wellness entrepreneurs & cohosts, Judy Daghestani (Cofounder of Laurus Organics) & Tamara Khoury (Founder of Teal Bakehouse) talk about all things Mind, Body & Soul, live from Dubai. Stay tuned to hear from our balanced babe community, certified practitioners, doctors, healers and more, to learn how to live a realistic 80/20 in today's hectic pace. It's time to debunk 'wellness' and make it inclusive, as it was always meant to be ❤️ Follow us on TiktTok and Instagram at @balancednotboringpodcast

  1. The Modern Village: Why So Many Women Feel Alone Today w/ Farah Enayeh & Zein Zurub

    6D AGO

    The Modern Village: Why So Many Women Feel Alone Today w/ Farah Enayeh & Zein Zurub

    This episode is brought to you by Teal Bakehouse. From the excitement of a new city and a fresh start… to the quiet ache of realising you have nobody to just call on a random Tuesday, this episode opens a conversation that so many women living away from home carry but rarely name out loud. Host Tamara Khoury sits down with Farah Enayeh, founder of Girls Who Walk, a community where women connect through movement and shared experience and Zein Zurub, co-founder of Arab Women Connect, a WhatsApp-based platform that has quietly become a real support system for hundreds of women navigating life in Dubai. Both women didn't just feel the gap of community. They built something in response to it. Together, they explore what it really means to build a village from scratch in a fast-paced city, the loneliness that creeps in slowly, the friendships that have to be intentional rather than inherited, and the small, simple things that make a bigger difference than we expect. This isn't a conversation about networking. It's about belonging, and what it genuinely takes to find your people when you're starting over. If you've ever felt like you were doing life without the support system you once had, this one will hit close to home. We dive into: - Why the gap in community hits you slowly, not all at once - How Dubai's pace makes friendships harder to build and maintain - The story behind Girls Who Walk, from one person showing up to 20,000 followers - How Arab Women Connect grew from a chicken search to 800 women strong - Why friendship as an adult has to be intentional - Supporting local businesses through community, and why it matters more now - What a modern village actually looks like in 2025 - Why showing up alone to something new is one of the bravest things you can do At its core, this episode is a reminder that community doesn't have to be big or perfect to matter. It just has to be real. And when you're building a life away from where you started, support isn't optional, it's essential. You don't need a perfect village to begin. You just need to start somewhere. If this conversation resonated, send it to someone who might need it. 🎧 Listen on Apple, Spotify & YouTube @balancednotboringpodcast 🔁 Share with a parent or woman who needs better answers 🔔 Subscribe to Balanced Not Boring for real conversations about modern life, wellness, and womanhood

    41 min
  2. Growing Up Between Cultures: How to Heal Your Identity & Find Where You Belong w/ Farah Alnajar

    APR 28

    Growing Up Between Cultures: How to Heal Your Identity & Find Where You Belong w/ Farah Alnajar

    This episode is brought to you by The Art of Hosting. Whether it's a birthday, a corporate event, or a dinner that deserves to be special, their team handles everything beautifully. You show up, you enjoy it. That's it. Check them out at theartofhosting.me From the quiet disorientation of never feeling fully from one place… to the grief of constantly saying goodbye to versions of yourself, this episode opens a conversation that so many women carry, but rarely find the words for. Host Judy Daghestani sits down with Farah Alnajar, a licensed therapist and certified clinical trauma professional based in Fairfax, Virginia, specializing in intergenerational trauma, complex family dynamics, and identity work. As an Iraqi immigrant and bilingual therapist working in both Arabic and English, Farah brings a deeply personal and clinically grounded lens to the question so many third culture kids quietly ask: where do I actually belong? Together, they unpack what it means to grow up between cultures, the code switching, the ambiguous grief, the identity crises that come without warning, and the deep longing for a sense of home that no single place can fully provide. This isn't a conversation about choosing between cultures. It's about learning to hold all of them, and finally finding peace in the complexity. If you've ever felt like you fit in everywhere but belong nowhere, this episode will give language to something you've been carrying for a long time. We dive into: - What ambiguous grief actually is, and why moving always involves loss - Separation, assimilation, and why integration is what research supports - Code switching as survival and how to make it conscious - The emotional gap between immigrant parents and their children - Culture vs. heritage vs. ethnicity broken down in plain language - How to raise children with multicultural identity in today's world - Why home is an internal feeling, not a destination - What therapy can offer that toughness alone cannot - Rapid fire: Arab traditions, resilience, and one piece of advice for navigating identity At its core, this episode is a reminder that not belonging everywhere isn't a flaw, it's a layered, lived experience that deserves to be understood, not just survived. With the right tools, it gets so much better. If this conversation resonated, share it with someone who has ever struggled to answer the question "where are you from?" 🎧 Listen on Apple, Spotify & YouTube @balancednotboringpodcast 🔁 Share with a parent or woman who needs better answers 🔔 Subscribe to Balanced Not Boring for real conversations about modern life, wellness, and womanhood

    48 min
  3. Decluttering Your Home to Calm Your Mind: How Design, Color & Energy Affect Your Nervous System

    MAR 9

    Decluttering Your Home to Calm Your Mind: How Design, Color & Energy Affect Your Nervous System

    This episode is brought to you by Aqua Aligner.  Use code BNB10 for 10% off on your next treatment. https://aquaaligners.com/ From spaces that look fine on the outside… to homes that quietly drain us the moment we walk through the door – this episode opens a conversation about clutter, design, and the nervous system in a world where our homes are doing more jobs than ever. Hosts Judy Daghestani and Tamara Khoury sit down with two women who approach space from very different but deeply connected angles: Reem Shakarchi, founder of Wallpaper Kids, and Salam Shaban, founder of The Tidy Mess and a Marie Kondo-certified decluttering and organization expert. Together, they explore how design, color, and clutter aren't just aesthetic choices – they're emotional ones. They dig into why letting go of things feels so hard, how visual noise dysregulates us without our realizing it, and why a space can look beautiful yet still feel heavy. This isn't a conversation about perfect homes or Instagram-worthy interiors – it's about creating spaces that actually support how you feel. We dive into:  – Why our homes feel heavier now than ever before  – How color, pattern, and visual rhythm affect mood and regulation  – The emotional psychology behind why we hold on to things  – How clutter carries energetic weight – and what that actually means  – Feng shui principles applied to real, lived-in family homes  – Design choices for children's spaces that support calm, not chaos  – Practical decluttering steps that create immediate emotional relief  – The difference between organizing for perfection vs. organizing for flow  – Keep, Release, or Rethink: a rapid-fire round on common household habits If this conversation resonated, share it with someone who needs permission to let go. 🎧 Listen on Apple, Spotify & YouTube @balancednotboringpodcast 🔁 Share with a parent or woman who needs better answers 🔔 Subscribe to Balanced Not Boring for real conversations about modern life, wellness, and womanhood Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro 01:08 – Sponsor Message 01:36 – Welcome & Why This Episode 02:00 – When Space Becomes Overloaded 02:35 – Guest Introduction: Reem Shakarchi 03:00 – Guest Introduction: Salam Shaban 03:35 – How Salam Got Into Decluttering 05:00 – Practical Influence & Lasting Systems 06:00 – How Reem Got Into Wallpaper Kids 08:00 – From Aesthetics to Emotional Safety 09:00 – How Motherhood Changed How Reem Sees Space 09:35 – Do Children's Spaces Shift Their Behavior? 10:10 – Emotional Safety, Trains & Bedtime Imagery 11:00 – Why Children Build Deep Connections With Their Spaces 12:15 – How Salam Integrates Color at Home 14:00 – Do Objects Hold Energy? 14:40 – How to Decide What to Keep vs. Let Go 17:20 – One In, One Out & Charitable Giving 18:30 – Buying Better After the Decluttering Exercise 19:20 – The Emotion of Holding On: Guilt, Identity & Fear 20:30 – When Kids Overconsume – and Why It's Often the Parents 23:00 – Does Your Home Feel Like a Sacred Space? 25:00 – Creating Zones & Boundaries Within the Home 28:30 – Why Adults Are Gearing Toward Minimalism 29:20 – Step-by-Step: How to Start When You're Overwhelmed 32:00 – Why Letting Go Is Emotionally Hard 33:15 – Does Every Space Need to Be Functional? 33:50 – The Dumping Room Debate 35:00 – When Partners Have Different Clutter Styles 36:15 – Spring Cleaning: Necessary Ritual or Old Myth? 38:00 – The Clutter Cycle & Mental Clarity 38:20 – Keep, Release, or Rethink: Overflowing Storage Bins 38:45 – Keep, Release, or Rethink: "Just in Case" Items 38:55 – Keep, Release, or Rethink: Kids' Artwork 40:20 – Keep, Release, or Rethink: Pinterest-Perfect Homes 41:05 – Minimalism vs. Maximalism – There's No One Size Fits All 41:30 – Keep, Release, or Rethink: Hand-Me-Downs 42:50 – Keep, Release, or Rethink: Sentimental Clutter 43:05 – Closing Reflections: Space as Nervous System Care 43:30 – Where to Find Reem Shakarchi & Salam Shaban 44:19 – Closing Notes & Outro

    44 min
  4. High-Achieving, Always On: How to Calm Your Nervous System w/ Constanze Witzel

    FEB 17

    High-Achieving, Always On: How to Calm Your Nervous System w/ Constanze Witzel

    From high-functioning burnout to quiet disconnection in the body, this episode explores why so many women feel “fine” on the outside, yet chronically tense, exhausted, or overwhelmed underneath. Hosts Judy Daghestani and Tamara Khoury sit down with Constanze Witzel, Frankfurt-born, Dubai-based trauma-informed somatic coach and breathwork facilitator, to unpack what nervous system regulation actually means, beyond trends, performative healing, or surface-level wellness. Together, they explore how stress, trauma, and modern life live in the body, why many women move through life in a state of functional freeze, and how true healing begins with safety, not force, discipline, or optimization. Constanze shares her own journey through early instability, modeling, and spiritual bypassing, and explains why embodiment, gentleness, and awareness are the missing pieces for many high-achieving women. This conversation reframes healing as a process of listening rather than fixing and offers grounded tools that can be integrated into real life, not just retreats or perfect routines. In this episode, we explore: – What the nervous system really is and how it shapes daily life – Somatic healing vs performative wellness trends – Why women burn out in their 30s despite “doing everything right” – Functional freeze, over-stimulation, and chronic tension – The role of safety in trauma-informed healing – Why intensity (ice baths, forceful breathwork) can backfire for women – Somatic breathwork explained in plain language – Micro practices that support regulation in work, family, and relationships – Technology, AI, and why human presence still matters At its core, this episode is a reminder that your body isn’t broken, it’s responding intelligently to the world around you. Healing doesn’t require becoming someone else. It starts with remembering how to feel safe inside yourself. If this conversation resonates, share it with a woman who needs permission to slow down without guilt. 🎧 Listen on Apple, Spotify & YouTube @balancednotboringpodcast 🔁 Share with a parent or woman who needs better answers 🔔 Subscribe to Balanced Not Boring for real conversations about modern life, wellness, and womanhood

    1h 5m
  5. The “Forever 35” Face: Aesthetic Medicine, Aging & Losing Ourselves” w/ Dr. Dany Touma

    FEB 2

    The “Forever 35” Face: Aesthetic Medicine, Aging & Losing Ourselves” w/ Dr. Dany Touma

    From filters that turn faces into templates… to procedures that promise “fixes” instead of understanding – this episode opens a conversation about aesthetics, aging, and identity in a culture where women feel pressure to look forever 35. Host Judy Daghestani sits down with Dr. Dany Touma, a US-trained, board-certified dermatologist and laser surgeon, to unpack the rise of esthetic medicine, the psychology behind “tweak-ments,” and why wanting to look good doesn’t have to mean losing yourself in the process. They explore how social media and technology distort our perception of beauty, why so many people regret being “overdone,” and how true expertise can make the difference between aging well and erasing individuality. This isn’t a debate about whether cosmetic work is right or wrong – it’s a conversation about context, safety, and self-connection. If you’ve ever felt torn between embracing aging and keeping up with unrealistic standards, this episode offers nuance instead of judgment. We dive into: – The cultural shift toward cosmetic enhancement – Filters, AI, and why beauty feels more performative – How medical expertise changes safety + results – Identity loss from look-alike trends and over-filled faces – Why some people reverse cosmetic work – What “aging well” actually looks like – Boundaries, pressures, and choosing for yourself At its core, this episode reframes aesthetic medicine as a tool – not a mandate – and invites women to make informed, aligned decisions rather than reactive ones. If this episode resonates, pass it to someone navigating the noise around beauty, aging, and modern aesthetics. 🎧 Listen on Apple, Spotify & YouTube @balancednotboringpodcast 🔁 Share with a parent or woman who needs better answers 🔔 Subscribe to Balanced Not Boring for real conversations about modern life, wellness, and womanhood

    1h 9m
  6. Reclaim Your Energy, Mood & Metabolism: Understanding Perimenopause w/ Tina Chagoury

    JAN 22

    Reclaim Your Energy, Mood & Metabolism: Understanding Perimenopause w/ Tina Chagoury

    From the quiet changes most women never see coming… to the confusion that gets mislabeled as stress or “just life” – this episode unpacks what perimenopause actually is, and why it deserves better language than fear or silence. Host Tamara Khoury sits down with Tina Chagoury, a licensed clinical dietitian specializing in women's hormone health, to break down a transition that touches everything – energy, sleep, mood, metabolism, body composition – long before anyone calls it menopause.They explore how erratic hormones can look like anxiety, fatigue, inflammation, or stubborn weight gain, why so many women feel “off” in their mid-30s, and how to support the body without extremes, restriction, or fear-driven nutrition. The message here isn’t decline – it’s clarity, context, and compassion.If you’ve ever wondered why your body feels different despite nothing changing on the outside, this episode will make things make sense. We dive into:– What perimenopause actually is– The early signs nobody explains– Estrogen, progesterone & testosterone in plain language– Misdiagnosis & mental health during hormone shifts– Why blood sugar + muscle are major players for women 35+– The problem with “eat less, train more” culture– How to nourish instead of deplete– Why this phase isn’t the end – it’s an evolutionAt its core, this conversation reframes perimenopause as a second learning curve – one that becomes far less overwhelming when women are given information instead of fear.If this episode resonates, share it with a woman who deserves to feel informed, not blindsided. 🎧 Listenon Apple, Spotify & YouTube @balancednotboringpodcast 🔁 Sharewith a parent or woman who needs better answers 🔔Subscribe to Balanced Not Boring for real conversations about modern life,wellness, and womanhood

    43 min
  7. Are Your Allergies Trying to Tell You Something? The Emotional–Immune Link w/ Dr. Shireen Marzouk

    JAN 13

    Are Your Allergies Trying to Tell You Something? The Emotional–Immune Link w/ Dr. Shireen Marzouk

    What if your allergies aren’t just environmental — but emotional too? In this all new episode of Balanced Not Boring, we explore how stress, emotional load, hormones, and gut health can quietly trigger allergies, histamine reactions, eczema, and sensitivities — especially in women and children. We’re joined by Dr. Shireen Marzouk, Consultant Pediatrician & Allergist at Circle Care Clinic, to unpack why allergy rates are rising, why women experience symptoms differently than men, and how burnout, PMS, pregnancy, and modern life can push the immune system into overdrive. We talk about: -Histamine intolerance vs true allergies -Why “burnout” symptoms can actually be immune reactions -Daily antihistamines vs addressing the root cause -How a mother’s stress and gut health shape her baby’s immunity -Early signs of allergies, eczema, and food reactions in kids -Modern triggers like ultra-processed foods, mold, dust, and fragrance This is a grounded, research-backed conversation for anyone feeling reactive, inflamed, or dismissed — or raising a child with unexplained symptoms. 📩 DM ALLERGY for our allergy testing cheat sheet that can save you a lot of time!🎧 Listen on Apple, Spotify & YouTube @balancednotboringpodcast 🔁 Share with a parent or woman who needs better answers

    55 min

  8. 12/28/2025

    Motherhood Uncensored – The Things We’re Finally Saying Out Loud

    Motherhood changes everything — but it doesn’t have to erase you. In this honest, feel-seen episode, new mama Tamara sits down with co-host Judy, a seasoned mom of two, to talk about the identity shift no one prepares you for after having kids. We unpack the messy middle of motherhood: learning who you are now, balancing ambition with family life, letting go of outdated timelines, and realizing that growth doesn’t stop — it evolves. This is a conversation about choosing yourself without guilt, redefining success on your own terms, and understanding that age is just a number — especially when you’re becoming more you than ever. Whether you’re a new mom, a mom of many, or simply navigating your next chapter, this episode is your reminder: you’re allowed to want more and love your life as it is. 🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts & Spotify @balancednotboringpodcast🔔 Subscribe to Balanced Not Boring for real conversations about modern life, wellness, and womanhood

    29 min
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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Balanced Not Boring Podcast. A safe space where wellness entrepreneurs & cohosts, Judy Daghestani (Cofounder of Laurus Organics) & Tamara Khoury (Founder of Teal Bakehouse) talk about all things Mind, Body & Soul, live from Dubai. Stay tuned to hear from our balanced babe community, certified practitioners, doctors, healers and more, to learn how to live a realistic 80/20 in today's hectic pace. It's time to debunk 'wellness' and make it inclusive, as it was always meant to be ❤️ Follow us on TiktTok and Instagram at @balancednotboringpodcast

Information

  • Creator
    Judy Daghestani (Laurus Organics) and Tamara Khoury (Teal Bakehouse)
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Judy Daghestani (Laurus Organics) and Tamara Khoury (Teal Bakehouse)
  • Show Website
    Balanced Not Boring