Brilliant Balance

Cherylanne Skolnicki
  • 4.9 (357)
  • 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. Accountability is a forcing function

    6D AGO

    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
  2. Breaking the Maybe Mindset

    JAN 13

    Breaking the Maybe Mindset

    Ever find yourself circling around a decision, stuck between yes and no, with a big "maybe" holding you back? This week, I'm pulling back the curtain on the "maybe mindset"...that quiet habit of postponing meaningful choices and playing it safe. I'll share why it's so tempting to linger in indecision, the real price we pay for not committing, and practical strategies for finally breaking that cycle. Expect honest recollections, a fresh perspective on why clarity doesn't require perfect certainty, and a powerful invitation to make bolder, more confident choices. If you're ready to stop living in limbo and start moving forward, don't miss this episode.  Show Highlights: Have you spotted your euphemisms for "maybe"? [00:51] The true costs of the "maybe mindset." [04:30] Paralysis of options and how to overcome it. [05:56] The comfort zone conundrum. [08:11] The illusion of abundant time. [09:53] Ask "What would have to be true to say yes?" as a clarifier. [13:23] Weighing the cost of a no. [15:56] The power of breaking big choices into small steps. [18:05] Why embracing uncertainty leads to growth. [19:37] Clarity through a clear yes and a clear no. [20:50] 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

    22 min
  3. The myth of the "perfect choice"

    JAN 6

    The myth of the "perfect choice"

    Happy New Year! As we kick off the new year with a fresh season of possibilities and clean, blank calendar pages, the pressure to make "just right" choices can trip us up in our careers and personal lives, or even when managing our week. So, today, I'm discussing the myth of the "perfect choice." I'm taking a close look at how perfectionism and procrastination go hand in hand, keeping us from taking action. I'll share my honest experiences and a practical framework to help you break out of analysis paralysis, with a gentle reminder that progress happens when we act, not when we wait for certainty—it's movement, not perfection, that creates clarity and momentum. Plus, I have a free live workshop lined up to help you reclaim your week. Let's make this your year of progress, one bold decision at a time!  Show Highlights: Why the New Year's fresh start can get overwhelming. [00:50] The disguises of perfectionism and procrastination. [02:05] The "perfect choice" myth vs. multiple good choices. [02:54] What waiting costs in facets of real life. [04:16] How clarity comes after taking the first step, not before. [07:45] A four-step framework to overcome perfection paralysis. [08:44] Do you face paralysis in everyday, small decisions? [10:47] Pattern correction with a "life in miniature" view of the week. [11:52] Upcoming free live workshop: "Make Your Week Work for You" [13:52] A word of caution to protect your time for the workshop. [15:18] Register for my free workshop"Make Your Week Work for You": https://brilliant-balance.com Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: www.brilliant-balance.com/weekly Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

    17 min
  4. Instead of Resolutions, Try This

    12/30/2025

    Instead of Resolutions, Try This

    Ready to make this your most extraordinary year yet—without the pressure of unrealistic resolutions? In this episode, I'm challenging the usual approach to New Year's resolutions and sharing a refreshing perspective to kick off your year. As we head into January, it's so easy to get caught up in creating grand resolutions and making bold promises for change. But as I discuss, these resolutions often burn bright and then quickly fizzle, leaving us feeling frustrated or behind. Instead, I'm inviting you to focus on something much more powerful—making small, intentional choices every day. I'll explain why these smaller, consistent decisions matter far more than sweeping resolutions and how they can help you become the best version of yourself, step by step. Tune in and step into a year without the pressure of traditional resolutions!  Show Highlights: Rethinking New Year's resolutions. [00:46] Inviting you to sign up for BRAVE for deeper change. [02:19] The power of small choices vs. broad resolutions. [04:06] Making the best choice in the present with agility. [06:32] Why meaningful progress is invisible and courageous. [09:27] Choosing the next right step toward lasting transformation. [11:02] Becoming your best self, not a whole new you. [12:44] We're here to support you with BOLD and BRAVE in 2026. [13:13] If you're ready to make courageous choices that create a life you love, join the BRAVE waitlist today: https://brilliant-balance.com/brave Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: www.brilliant-balance.com/weekly Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

    16 min
  5. Permission to pause

    12/23/2025

    Permission to pause

    Today, I want to talk with you about giving yourself permission to pause. As we move through a season that's usually packed with busyness and long to-do lists, I'm inviting you to slow down—truly rest and enjoy the present moment without feeling guilty or needing to justify it. In this episode, I'm sharing why stepping out of your normal routine, even just for a little while, can help you feel more clear-headed, creative, and connected with the people around you. I believe taking this kind of pause sets us up to enter the new year feeling grounded and restored. Let's let go of the constant push for productivity and embrace a week of presence, laughter, and simple joy, and enjoy what happens when we allow ourselves to just be. Happy Holidays!  Show Highlights: Permission to pause and rest this holiday. [00:48] Challenging the urge to use downtime for productivity. [01:50] Embracing presence and the magic of slowing down. [03:06] The personal benefits of pausing. [05:52] Explicit permission to release productivity guilt. [06:38] Will you join the collective pause this holiday? [07:51] If you're ready to make courageous choices that create a life you love, join the BRAVE waitlist today: https://brilliant-balance.com/brave Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: www.brilliant-balance.com/weekly Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

    10 min
  6. The high cost of playing it safe

    12/16/2025

    The high cost of playing it safe

    Today, I'm discussing the hidden cost of playing it safe, a topic that's secretly all too familiar for women with strong track records of achievement. If you feel restless for that next big leap, yet find yourself sticking to the safe and predictable path, or even avoiding measured, everyday growth opportunities, this episode is for you. I'll help you rethink what responsibility and excellence truly mean, and shed light on why we avoid risk and how to start taking meaningful, supported risks to bring more growth and fulfillment into our lives. From navigating childhood patterns of perfectionism to confronting the fears that keep us boxed in, the insights I'm sharing will help you shift from stagnation to flowing brilliance. This conversation is your invitation to stop shrinking your possibilities and start stretching into your potential and a vibrant next chapter designed just for you!  Show Highlights: Risk aversion in successful women and its disguises. [01:00] The excellence trap of achievement. [04:06] Early social conditioning behind risk aversion. [06:09] Fears that drive safety-seeking behavior. [06:41] Considering the risk of end-of-life regrets. [09:36] How safety breeds stagnation and resentment. [10:15] Is risk-taking a learnable skill? [12:24] My big swing with the Brave initiative. [13:36] How to take your next "Brave" step with Brilliant Balance. [15:25] If you're ready to make courageous choices that create a life you love, join the BRAVE waitlist today: https://brilliant-balance.com/brave Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: www.brilliant-balance.com/weekly Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

    18 min
  7. When life looks great.... but doesn't feel great.

    12/09/2025

    When life looks great.... but doesn't feel great.

    Do you feel like your life ticks all the right boxes, yet something's missing under the surface? This week, I'm discussing a surprising paradox many high-achieving women experience—what happens when our dream lives look perfect and applaudable from the outside, but fail to bring fulfillment on the inside. If you've been performing instead of living or started to sense that your ladder to success has been up against the wrong wall, this episode is for you. I'm sharing how to spot the performance trap and signals of misaligned success, plus practical strategies for reconnecting with your essence, auditing energy-drainers, and letting go of obligations that no longer serve you. Let's break the cycle of discontent together and claim a lighter, more satisfying life that both looks and feels great. Are you ready to make your next chapter the one that's truly yours?  Show Highlights: External success vs. inner fulfillment. [00:50] The hidden cost of living for achievement-based validation. [02:00] Rethinking success and missed inflection points. [04:43] The cycle of overwhelm, apathy, and resentment. [06:24] Four powerful signals of misalignment from your true self. [09:00] Permission to change. [13:37] Are you clear on what you really want? [15:20] How to audit what's draining your energy. [16:48] The power of purposely dropping a habitual obligation. [18:14] Check out the new "Brave" program if you're ready for support. [20:19] If you're ready to make courageous choices that create a life you love, join the BRAVE waitlist today: https://brilliant-balance.com/brave Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: www.brilliant-balance.com/weekly Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

    24 min
  8. Give this year the ending it deserves

    12/02/2025

    Give this year the ending it deserves

    As this year winds down, I'm inviting you to give it the fully present ending it deserves before you jump ahead to all that next year holds. In this episode, I'm sharing my favorite ways to embrace December with intention, whether that means finishing strong, leaning into rest, or striking a balance between the two. I'll prompt you to reflect on what you're ready to release, and what you still want to accomplish (minus the pressure or perfectionism), trading burnout for brilliance and making space for the magic that lives in the present moment. Plus, I'm sharing an exciting sneak peek into Brave, my brand-new community for women who are ready to make the courageous choices that create a life you love. Let's make these last weeks of the year count!  Show Highlights: The transition between holidays in this festive season. [00:49] My "Be where you are" mantra. [02:40] Finishing strong as a pathway to end the year well. [04:34] Why calling it is a valid way to close out the year. [06:34] Embracing the choice to rest. [09:05] Entering the middle path at the year-end. [10:25] Two powerful reflective questions for December. [13:37] A peek at Brilliant Balance's brand new "Brave" community. [14:53] How to get on the waitlist for "Brave." [18:09] If you're ready to make courageous choices that create a life you love, join the BRAVE waitlist today: https://brilliant-balance.com/brave Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: www.brilliant-balance.com/weekly Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

    20 min
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4.9
out of 5
357 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
    432
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2017-2026
  • Show Website
    Brilliant Balance

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