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Brilliant Balance

Brilliant Balance

Cherylanne Skolnicki 453 Episodes Aug 25, 2026

The Brilliant Balance Podcast helps women in leadership design their next chapter for sustainable success without burnout. Host Cherylanne Skolnicki, an expert in work-life balance and leadership growth, shares ideas and insights to help high-achieving women align ambition with personal fulfillment. Topics include leadership mindset, time management, and personal growth. The podcast features conversations with experts and ambitious women on strategies for burnout recovery and productivity.

Episodes

What Gets Scheduled Gets Done
What Gets Scheduled Gets Done Aug 25, 2026 28:47 We all have good intentions. The challenge is turning those intentions into action. In this episode, I'm revisiting one of the very first episodes of the Brilliant Balance podcast because the message is just as relevant today as it was then. As I navigate a busy season of travel, family transitions, and sending another child off to college, I'm putting this principle into practice myself. If you'v
How Change Really Happens with Kristy Ellmer
How Change Really Happens with Kristy Ellmer Aug 18, 2026 33:10 Change is hard. But it isn't because people resist it. In this episode, I'm joined by Kristy Ellmer, Managing Director and Partner at Boston Consulting Group and co-author of How Change Really Works. We explore why so many personal and organizational changes fail, what behavioral science teaches us about making change stick, and the simple shifts that can help us move forward with more confidence.
Life as you Climb with Betsy Hamm
Life as you Climb with Betsy Hamm Aug 11, 2026 41:50 What does it take to build an ambitious career without losing sight of what matters most? In this episode, I'm joined by Betsy Hamm, former CEO of Duck Donuts and founder of Loud & Lifted. Betsy shares the unexpected career moves that took her from marketing iconic brands to leading a company through rapid growth, private equity, and international expansion. Along the way, she opens up about the i
Performing for People Who Aren't Even Watching
Performing for People Who Aren't Even Watching Aug 4, 2026 26:56 How many decisions do you make based on what you think other people will think? In this episode, I'm unpacking the quiet fear of judgment that shapes so many of our choices. Whether it's speaking up in a meeting, showing up at a reunion, making a career change, or simply deciding what to wear, we often act as though everyone is watching our every move. The truth is, they're usually much more focus
What avoidance really shows us
What avoidance really shows us Jul 28, 2026 30:45 Have you ever finally done something you've been putting off and immediately wondered, Why did I wait so long? In this episode, I'm exploring what avoidance really is and why so many of us stay stuck, even when we know exactly what we need to do. From difficult conversations and health decisions to everyday life admin, avoidance often looks like being busy or waiting for the "right time." But unde
How to Hold the Room - Lessons Learned On Stage
How to Hold the Room - Lessons Learned On Stage Jul 21, 2026 31:22 What makes someone command a room? It isn't having the perfect script. In this episode, I'm sharing what I've learned from hundreds of speaking engagements, including the biggest mistake I made at my very first live event. It taught me that presence doesn't come from memorizing every word. It comes from connection. Whether you're leading a meeting, giving a presentation, interviewing for a job, or
Being a Likeable Badass - with Alison Fragale
Being a Likeable Badass - with Alison Fragale Jul 14, 2026 46:41 Can you be both warm and ambitious? Kind and confident? Supportive and successful? In this episode, I'm joined by organizational psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Alison Fragale to talk about why women often feel like they have to choose between being liked and being respected. We unpack the science behind status, influence, and reciprocity, and why the most successful women learn to build b
Am I being selfish? Listener Questions Answered
Am I being selfish? Listener Questions Answered Jul 7, 2026 29:19 Have you ever tried to do something good for yourself, only to feel guilty the second someone else had a reaction to it? In this episode, I'm answering listener questions about what happens when self-care becomes visible and the people around us have feelings about it. I'm talking about morning workouts, girls' trips, hobbies, and the guilt that can show up when we start making room for ourselves.
They're Watching How You Treat Yourself
They're Watching How You Treat Yourself Jun 30, 2026 27:40 Every Mother's Day, I see the same message on cards: Thank you for giving up everything for us. But the cards my own kids write tell a different story. In this episode, I'm talking about what we're teaching the people around us when we treat ourselves like we don't matter. I unpack the Type C pattern, why being endlessly capable gets rewarded, and the cost of always putting yourself last. This is
How to grow your career and family without losing yourself
How to grow your career and family without losing yourself Jun 23, 2026 31:57 How do you grow your career and your family at the same time without losing yourself in the process? In this episode, I'm exploring why that question feels so familiar to high-achieving women. I'm talking about the invisible math of work, home, and you, and why your own needs are often the first to get squeezed out. Instead of waiting to see what's left after everyone else gets your time and energ
The Good Mother Rulebook Nobody Published but Everyone Follows
The Good Mother Rulebook Nobody Published but Everyone Follows Jun 16, 2026 27:19 Do you ever feel like you're measuring yourself against an invisible standard of what a "good mother" should be? In this episode, I'm unpacking the unwritten rulebook so many mothers follow without even realizing it. I'm sharing a personal story from my son's preschool years that triggered a shame spiral over something he doesn't even remember. That moment helped me see how many standards I had ab
They're Not Oblivious. The System Just Lives in Your Head.
They're Not Oblivious. The System Just Lives in Your Head. Jun 9, 2026 29:26 It turns out I'm carrying an invisible operating system that runs beneath the surface of my entire life, and chances are, you are too.  This one is for the women who are tired. Not just physically, but tired of carrying so much that nobody else can even see. I explore why the people around us aren't oblivious on purpose, and what we can actually do to close the gap between how much we're doing and

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