Balkan Sis

Ivana Strbac Alfonso

Balkan Sis is a podcast rooted in truth, depth, and real conversation. Hosted by Ivana, this is a space where culture, identity, motherhood, relationships, trauma, mental health, wellness, ambition, power, business, and politics are explored honestly and without filters. Through intimate conversations and lived experience, Balkan Sis is a place to reflect, heal, and feel less alone. Here, stories are honoured, voices are heard, and nothing is off limits. Pull up a chair. You belong here.

  1. What the Skin Remembers: Melissa Pizović on Sicanje, Identity and Finding Your Way Home

    16H AGO

    What the Skin Remembers: Melissa Pizović on Sicanje, Identity and Finding Your Way Home

    Melissa Pizovic grew up in the south of France as the only person in the room who did not speak the language. Her father, Bosnian-Croatian, never taught her. At family gatherings surrounded by aunts, uncles and cousins all speaking Croatian and Bosnian, she needed a translator. In her own family. She found her way back through the skin. After seven years studying architecture and four years in Paris, Melissa picked up a needle during the first COVID lockdown and never looked back. What she found was sicanje, a 4,000-year-old Bosnian and Croatian tradition of women hand-pricking symbols of faith, identity and protection onto each other's bodies. Marks that said: I am from here. You cannot take that from me. This episode is also personal for Ivana. Her own great-grandmother Ana, known as Graovka, had crosses tattooed on both forearms. She grew up seeing those marks and never knowing what they meant. This conversation is, in part, for her. As Melissa says: the only way you know where you are going is when you know where you have been. IN THIS EPISODE Her family roots in Gacko and Bileca in East HerzegovinaGrowing up between two worlds without the languageLeaving architecture behind and what her parents really saidWhat sicanje is and why it nearly disappeared foreverThe same symbols on Easter eggs, tablecloths and medieval tombstonesWhat happens in the room during a six-hour sessionWhat diaspora women are really asking forThe baba momentLelek, Eurovision 2026 and what visibility does to something sacredWhy she stopped waiting for permissionGraovka and the crosses on her forearmsFIND MELISSAinstagram.com/melpzvcinstagram.com/melrose.studio.tattoomelrose.studio.tattoo@gmail.comSicanje history video: youtu.be/yCfZ25pnTgEMelissa does not take bookings via DM. Email only. AS FEATURED INCroatia Week: croatiaweek.com/the-revival-of-traditional-croatian-tattoos-and-the-artist-leading-itSuper1.hr | Gloria.hr BALKAN SISinstagram.com/balkansispodcastinstagram.com/ivanastrbacalfonsoSpotify and Apple Podcasts: search Balkan Sis If this episode moved you, share it with a Balkan woman who needs to hear it. That is how traditions survive. Hand to hand. Woman to woman. #sicanje #balkansispodcast #balkandiaspora #croatianheritage #bosniancroatian #handpoketattoo #diaspora #croatiantattoo #bocanje #traditionaltattoo #balkanwomen

    1h 37m
  2. George Georgievski: Dads Can Cook Too - Breaking Stereotypes One Lunchbox at a Time | Mother's Day Special

    6D AGO

    George Georgievski: Dads Can Cook Too - Breaking Stereotypes One Lunchbox at a Time | Mother's Day Special

    Happy Mother's Day to every single woman who has ever stood at a kitchen bench, packed a lunchbox, cooked for her family and made it all look effortless. This one is for you. This Mother's Day I am sitting down with one of the most recognised food creators in Australia — George Georgievski, known across the world as the School Lunchbox Dad. George is Macedonian-Australian, a father of two daughters, a husband, a bestselling author of five cookbooks, a Jamie Oliver ambassador and a man with over 650,000 followers who built an empire from a single chaotic morning in the kitchen. We talk about growing up Macedonian in Australia, the gender roles baked into our culture, what it means to be a modern Balkan man who shows up differently, why Balkan food deserves so much more global recognition than it gets, creativity, cookbooks, content, fussy eaters, lunchbox hacks and so much more. This episode is for every mum who has done it all. For every dad who wants to show up more. And for every one of us who grew up between two worlds and felt it most at the dinner table. Sretan Majčin Dan. Puno ljubavi. 🤍 In this episode we cover: Growing up Macedonian in Australia and the gender roles we inheritedChallenging the stereotype that the kitchen belongs to mumHow a single morning of chaos turned into a global movementCreativity, content and what it takes to write five cookbooksWhy Melbourne is the food capital of Australia and what migrants built thereWhy Balkan food has never gone global and what it would takeLeftovers, nothing wasted and the creativity of Balkan cookingFussy eaters, Queensland heat and lunchbox tips that actually workBuilding a brand, making an income and staying present as a husband and fatherWhat George wants his daughters to say about him one dayConnect with George Georgievski:Instagram: @schoollunchboxTikTok: @schoollunchboxdadFacebook: School Lunch BoxWebsite: georgegeorgievski.com.auBooks: Pan Macmillan Australia Connect with Balkan Sis:Instagram — Podcast: @balkansispodcastInstagram — Ivana: @ivanastrbacalfonsoSpotify: Search Balkan Sis on SpotifyApple Podcasts: Search Balkan Sis on Apple Podcasts If this episode resonated with you please leave a review, share it with someone who needs to hear it, and come and say hello on Instagram. This community means everything. Puno ljubavi. 🤍

    1h 51m
  3. Tamara Peklic: Cross-Cultural Coach on East Meets West, the Unwritten Rules Nobody Teaches You and Why Home Never Feels the Same Again

    MAY 2

    Tamara Peklic: Cross-Cultural Coach on East Meets West, the Unwritten Rules Nobody Teaches You and Why Home Never Feels the Same Again

    Cheers to being different. Cheers to not being mainstream. Sisters, this episode is one I have been sitting with since we recorded it and I genuinely cannot wait for you to hear it. My guest today is Tamara Peklic, a cross-cultural coach based in America who spent 15 years figuring out what happens when you take your culture somewhere that does not understand you, and then built a whole career helping others do the same. We talked for almost 4 hours. 2.5 on air. Across a 9 hour time difference. That is how you know. In this episode we cover: Growing up and carrying a whole city inside you when you leave. Landing in America with a masters degree and discovering none of it counts. Being told you are too direct, too loud, too much and what that does to you. How to assimilate without losing yourself. What living in the in-between actually feels like. Love across cultures and what is hard and what is surprisingly easy. Raising children between multiple worlds. Mothering without your village. Why diaspora people find each other no matter where they land. Directness versus rudeness and why passive-aggressive is more socially accepted. How Tamara built her coaching practice from 15 years of lived experience. And yes we played a culture game and Rafa got his shout out. If you have ever felt too much in the wrong place, this one is for you. Find Tamara:Instagram: @tamarapeklicYouTube: @tamarapeklicTikTok: @tamarapeklicLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tamarapeklicUS Crash Course: tamarapeklic.com/uscrashcoursePrivate Coaching: whop.com/@tamarapeklic Find Balkan Sis:Instagram: @ivanastrbacalfonso and @balkansispodcastYouTube: Ivana Strbac AlfonsoTikTok: @ivanastrbacalfonsoFacebook: Ivana Strbac AlfonsoSpotify: Balkan SisApple Podcasts: Balkan Sis If this episode resonated with you please share it with someone who gets it. Leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. It really does help more sisters find this space. Zivjeli. Bok. Love, Ivana x

    2h 17m
  4. We Were Raised to Hustle, Not to Feel: Human Design with Petra Bezić

    APR 23

    We Were Raised to Hustle, Not to Feel: Human Design with Petra Bezić

    In this powerful and heartfelt episode of Balkan Sis, Ivana sits down with Croatian-born Human Design and Feng Shui practitioner Petra Bezić for a conversation that is equal parts emotional, healing and eye-opening. Together, they explore what it means to come back to yourself after years of conditioning, people pleasing, overthinking and living by everyone else’s rules. Petra breaks down Human Design in a practical, relatable way and explains how this system can help us better understand our energy, our decision-making, our relationships and the ways we may have drifted away from who we truly are. This episode speaks especially deeply to women navigating motherhood, migration, identity, culture, burnout and belonging, and to anyone who has ever felt like they’ve had to work hard to prove themselves or constantly stay in survival mode. Ivana and Petra also talk openly about the Balkan mindset, the pressure to always be doing, the challenge of slowing down, and how powerful it can be to understand not only your own design, but also the design of your partner and children. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, disconnected from yourself, or curious about why certain patterns keep repeating in your life, this episode is a beautiful place to begin. In this episode, we cover: What Human Design actually is and how it worksHow Petra found Human Design after moving from Croatia to AustraliaWhy so many Balkan women struggle with rest, softness and trusting themselvesThe difference between living from conditioning and living authenticallyHow Human Design can support better decisions and more self-trustWhy understanding your child’s design can completely change your parentingHow relationship dynamics can make more sense through Human DesignPetra’s personal journey through burnout, self-discovery and learning to slow downWhy not everything you feel is necessarily yours to carryHow this work can help you reconnect to your body, your energy and your truthA little teaser into Petra’s work in Feng Shui, with a part two to comeThis episode is for you if: You feel disconnected from yourselfYou are always in your head and struggle to slow downYou’re curious about self-discovery tools that go deeper than surface-level adviceYou want to better understand your child, partner or family dynamicsYou’re navigating motherhood, identity, migration or cultural pressureYou’re craving more ease, flow and self-acceptance in your lifeConnect with Petra Bezić:Instagram: @petrahumandesign Petra also shares a special offer for listeners of this episode. If you book a reading with her, she will include a child reading as well. If you do not have children, this can also be used for your partner. If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone you love, subscribe to Balkan Sis, and leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. It really helps more women in our community find these conversations.

    1h 4m

  5. APR 23

    Life Lately: Books, Babies, Community & What I’m Building

    Books, Babies, Balkan Roots & Big Feelings: A Raw Solo Catch-Up on Life, Legacy & What’s Next - The Life You’re Building While You’re Still Healing Hey sis 🤍 This is a real, unscripted catch-up episode — no guest, no script, just life lately. From Easter and family moments to big personal milestones, ancestry, motherhood, and building something meaningful in real time… this episode is a reflection on everything that’s been unfolding behind the scenes. It’s about showing up anyway, even when things don’t go to plan.It’s about legacy, identity, and creating a life that feels aligned with who you are becoming. Showing up and staying consistent, even when plans fall throughA powerful “welcoming happiness” message and what it means right nowThe emotional final stages of my children’s book At Baba and Dido’s HouseGrowing up as a refugee and how that shapes identity, creativity, and purposeEaster at home — traditions, family, and why these moments matterA beautiful Easter collaboration with Snežana ČalićCelebrating my husband’s 40th birthday and reflecting on nearly 20 years togetherThe wild connection of my dad and husband sharing the exact same birthdayGratitude, family, and being able to celebrate together after a difficult yearMotherhood, watching my kids grow, and the real conversations around a third babyBuilding a life that integrates family, business, creativity, and purposeMy vision for a Balkan women’s masterclass and global communityA special shoutout to Maida from Radio MostSupporting diaspora voices and why community media mattersMy cousin Ivan Knežević and the impact of Entourage TouringWhy Balkan representation in media and events is growing — and why it mattersThe journey of getting Croatian citizenship for my kids and passing on legacyNavigating paperwork, identity, and staying connected to your rootsDiving deep into ancestry and why documenting your story matters nowA future episode with Sofija Marić on tracing family historyWhy you should talk to your parents and grandparents while you still canThe importance of showing up to give, not just take, in your communityA Croatian returnee survey for those in Australia considering moving backCommunity love for Baba’s Milk and Burek on WheelsUpcoming pita workshops and preserving cultural traditionsWays to work with me through coaching, podcast ads, and collaborationsThis episode is about: Legacy. Identity. Motherhood. Healing.Belonging. Community. Creativity. Growth. It’s about building something meaningful while still figuring it all out. If you’re Croatian living in Australia and have ever considered moving back — this matters. 📝 Anonymous📝 Quick to complete📝 Helps shape real research for our community 👉 https://forms.gle/4vicyFcA1RSgrkb87 If you want to collaborate, promote your business, or work together: • Podcast ads & sponsorships• 1:1 coaching for diaspora women• Upcoming group coaching & masterclasses• Guest opportunities 📩 Email: ivana.alfonso@hotmail.com📸 Instagram: @balkansispodcast @ivanastrbacalfonso If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs it. Leave a review, follow the podcast, and help this community grow. Thank you for being here.Volim vas. Pusa.

    45 min
  6. BONUS: The Smell of Home | MasterChef’s Snežana Calić on Easter, Food & Family

    APR 10 ·  BONUS

    BONUS: The Smell of Home | MasterChef’s Snežana Calić on Easter, Food & Family

    📍 Easter Special Bonus Episode In this special Easter bonus episode of Balkan Sis, Ivana sits down with MasterChef Australia alum Snežana Calić, a Croatian-born, Serbia-raised food storyteller now living in Australia, to explore the deeper meaning of food, family, and tradition. From dyeing eggs with onion skins to baking homemade pogača, Snežana shares how her childhood shaped the way she cooks, lives, and raises her own children today. This conversation is a heartfelt reminder of the rituals that connect us across generations, across countries, and across cultures. Together, we explore what it really means to live between two worlds, how to preserve identity in a modern life, and why food is so much more than what is on the plate. This episode is a little different, recorded through voice notes and brought together into one intimate conversation, but the message is the same. Home lives in the small moments, the shared meals, and the traditions we choose to keep alive. Easter traditions from the Balkans and how to pass them down Growing up between Croatia, Serbia, and Australia Why food carries memory, emotion, and identity Snežana’s mum’s cooking wisdom, including her go-to base for every dish Simple, time-saving cooking tips for busy mums and families Getting your kids involved in the kitchen Preserving culture while building a life in a new country This episode celebrates both Western and Orthodox Easter, honouring the beauty of our traditions, rituals, and the time we spend with the people we love. Snežana Calić is a MasterChef Australia contestant, culinary content creator, and storyteller who blends Mediterranean and Balkan flavours into simple, nourishing meals for modern families. Born in Croatia, raised in Serbia, and now based in Australia, her cooking is deeply inspired by her roots, especially her mother Mira, whose recipes and wisdom continue to shape everything she creates. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/snezanacalic_official LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/snezana-calic-8ba661bb YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SnezanaCalic Feature article: https://missingperspectives.com/posts/masterchef-australias-snezana-calic-mother-advice-recipe/ SBS feature: https://www.sbs.com.au/serbian/podcast-episode/snezana-calic Share it with someone you love. Your mum, your sister, your friend. Because at the end of the day, it is not just food that brings us together. It is the memories we create around it. If you love the podcast, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your community. We are building something special here, one story and one conversation at a time.

    12 min
  7. East vs West: Ice Baths, Burnout & What Our Ancestors Knew | Dr. Maz Roginski

    APR 9

    East vs West: Ice Baths, Burnout & What Our Ancestors Knew | Dr. Maz Roginski

    There’s something I’ve been thinking about lately… We grew up being told: wear socks don’t sit on cold concrete don’t go outside with wet hair eat something warm… have some soup And somewhere along the way we stopped listening. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Maz Roginski — Doctor of Chinese Medicine, Qi expert, and a fellow Eastern European sis with Polish roots — to talk about what’s really going on with our health today. Because so many of us are doing everything right… and still feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and completely depleted. Dr. Maz blends ancient Chinese Medicine with modern science to help people restore their life force energy Qi which fuels everything from hormones and metabolism to mental clarity and emotional wellbeing.  But this conversation goes deeper than that. We talk about burnout, motherhood, trauma, culture, and the disconnect between how we were raised… and how we’re living now. From ice baths and modern wellness trends to the power of rest, warmth, and even something as simple as soup This is about coming back to ourselves. Why women feel constantly exhausted (even when doing everything “right”) East vs West: modern health trends vs traditional ways of living Burnout, hormones & nervous system overload How childhood, culture & trauma shape our health Why we’ve become disconnected from our bodies The pressure on modern women (and why it’s unsustainable) Ice baths, fasting & wellness trends — what actually works? The power of warmth, rest & simple rituals Practical ways to start reconnecting with your body 🌐 Website https://drmaz.earth/about/ 🎧 Podcast Balanced Natural Health with Dr. Maz Listen on Spotify (Also available on Apple Podcasts) 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drmaz_qi/  📘 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/maz.roginski/  Maybe we’re not broken. Maybe we’re just burnt out… disconnected… and running on empty. And maybe the answers aren’t in doing more — but in coming back to what we’ve always known. If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs it 🤍 and don’t forget to follow Balkan Sis on your favourite platform.

    1h 31m
  8. BONUS: I Had the Dream Life… So Why Did I Leave? | Michelle Jurić - Imala sam život iz snova pa zašto sam otišla?

    MAR 31 ·  BONUS

    BONUS: I Had the Dream Life… So Why Did I Leave? | Michelle Jurić - Imala sam život iz snova pa zašto sam otišla?

    In this episode of Balkan Sis, I’m trying something a little different. With guests across the world and time zones that don’t always align, this conversation was recorded in a new format — allowing us to still share powerful stories without missing out on voices that deserve to be heard. And this one… is a story so many of us will feel. I’m joined by Michelle Jurić — born and raised in Germany to Balkan parents, who spent most of her life navigating what it means to belong. Growing up, Michelle shares what it felt like to be seen as an outsider — the subtle discrimination, the pressure to prove herself, and how that quietly shaped her identity. At just 18, she made a life-changing move to Australia. What started as six months turned into over five years — a period where she experienced freedom, began her healing journey, explored spirituality, and reconnected with herself. Through therapy and self-work, she also began to understand her parents differently — unpacking generational trauma, building boundaries, and finding forgiveness. From the outside, it looked like she had built a dream life. But internally… something was missing. Despite the lifestyle and independence, Michelle speaks openly about the loneliness of being far from family, the stress of visa uncertainty, and the moment she realised that success on paper didn’t equal fulfilment. So she made another bold decision — to leave it all behind and move to Croatia. We dive into what that transition really looked like — the beauty of being close to family and community, but also the challenges: family dynamics, cultural differences, being misunderstood, and navigating spirituality in a more traditional environment. Michelle also shares a powerful perspective on privilege — through the lens of her parents’ sacrifices and everything they endured to create opportunities for the next generation. This episode is about identity, courage, and coming back to yourself. Because sometimes… home isn’t a place. It’s a feeling you spend your whole life searching for. Growing up in Germany and feeling like an outsider Moving to Australia at 18 and starting over Healing, therapy, and reconnecting with yourself Generational trauma and forgiveness Building a “dream life” — and still feeling empty Loneliness, visa stress, and emotional turning points Leaving Australia and choosing uncertainty Why Croatia — and why not Germany Community, connection, and redefining home Family boundaries and cultural friction Spirituality and being misunderstood Privilege and our parents’ sacrifices Advice for anyone feeling stuck 00:00 Welcome & Subscribe 00:48 New Interview Format 02:16 Meet Michelle & Theme 03:24 Growing Up in Germany 08:12 Outsider to People Pleaser 09:22 Moving to Australia 13:28 Healing & Freedom 18:07 Generational Trauma 21:12 Dream Life Missing Family 26:34 Turning Points 29:28 Everyday Moments 33:33 Why Croatia 36:29 Leaving Australia 39:06 Why Not Germany 41:02 Community in Croatia 44:00 Redefining Home 45:54 Family & Boundaries 50:36 Spirituality 53:14 Privilege 57:23 Advice 01:00:43 Risk Worth It 01:03:05 Younger Self 01:04:59 Creating Home Within Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelle.juric/ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unleash-align/id1871267238 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michelle.juric If this episode resonated with you, send it to someone who’s been questioning their life, their path, or where they truly belong. You’re not alone in that feeling. And you’re not crazy for wanting something more.

    1h 10m
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About

Balkan Sis is a podcast rooted in truth, depth, and real conversation. Hosted by Ivana, this is a space where culture, identity, motherhood, relationships, trauma, mental health, wellness, ambition, power, business, and politics are explored honestly and without filters. Through intimate conversations and lived experience, Balkan Sis is a place to reflect, heal, and feel less alone. Here, stories are honoured, voices are heard, and nothing is off limits. Pull up a chair. You belong here.

Information

  • Creator
    Ivana Strbac Alfonso
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    61
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Ivana Strbac Alfonso
  • Show Website
    Balkan Sis