Navigating Balance: Recent Episodes
Katie & Amanda
Picture this: You're a woman, doing all the things, taking on all of the responsibilities, spinning all the plates, and letting one drop and feeling like a failure. If you can relate to any of this scenario, then this podcast is for you! In this podcast we are tackling the expectation that we can do it all, all the time. We are friends, mothers, professionals, and leaders. We strive to be successful in all of these areas but the pressures to be exceptional all the time is a hard balance to strike. So we will navigate these rockey waters together, every week. We'll tackle tough topics like authenticity, mental health, financial freedom (or not), leadership, and independence (even toxic independence!). We look forward to taking this journey with you through self-love, relationships, career and community. We aren't perfect, and we don't pretend to be. In fact, we're happy to talk about what we get right, but we think its more important to talk about what we got wrong. || About the hosts: Katie is a 40-year-old, OCD, book club dropout who believes there is never a bad time for bubbly! She is a mother of two young children while building a small business of her own. Amanda is a travel junkie always up for an adventure and is fueled by tacos and margaritas. She is a 40-year-old single mom of two tween boys and takes her marketing career very seriously.
Katie and Amanda recount some of the epic events they've attended in Indianapolis as it relates to the month of May. Culminating in the Indianapolis 500 at the end of the month, the city is alive with race-related fun for kids, families, and adults. The hosts have been lucky enough to attend several epic events as well as discuss some of the fun things that are on their bucket lists. As always, we celebrate moms and encourage you to do something for yourself, but especially during May, when we recognize Mother's Day!
Our daily lives are filled with edited, filtered, censored versions of people. From the mom next door to the hottest celebrity it is everywhere and it can leave us feeling like we don't measure up. Sadly social media only enhances the problem and most of us are on multiple platforms daily. In this episode, we will open up about our own vulnerabilities and how we are working towards being and portraying the most authentic versions of ourselves. we hope you will join us this week for this important topic and feel inspired to take one action towards a less filtered life.
As we celebrate Women's History Month, Katie and Amanda talk about the importance of your network, both professionally and personally, to help you grow. It's hard to make friends as a busy working mother, but you need those people in your life to help you celebrate your wins and kick you in the pants when you need it. Listen for more about how Katie and Amanda feel about finding friends and lifting women up.
In this episode, Amanda and Katie open up about how it feels like this January has been relentless and what they could have been doing differently to not feel this way. They will dig deep into how self-care, protecting (and taking) time for activities that fill your cup, and vacation is simply a must to thrive and not just survive. Join us as we get really real about what we are guilty of and how we and you can do more to prevent burnout moving forward.
In this episode, Amanda and Katie open up and get vulnerable about their individual struggles with imposter syndrome both in and out of the boardroom and how this impacts all areas of their lives. This includes being comfortable to show up as themselves and 100% authentically as well as making new friends as they navigate the twists and turns of career, family and life.
As Katie and Amanda reflect on the best of intentions they set for the new year, they struggle with already feeling behind on their ambitious goals. They discuss how the holiday break was not as restful and refreshing as they had hoped. Now going into the new year, they are finding they need to show themselves grace and understanding that not everything will go as planned. Follow along as the working moms detail a few ways they are learning to change their expectations and become comfortable with the change of plans.
Every year comes with growth and setbacks both personally and professionally. This year was a unique one as so many re-emerged to the "normalcy" of the world, work, travel and school and we are no different. As we navigate the business of life and the balance of work and personal life which can be very blurry when opening your own company we are wrapping up 2022 grateful but moving into 2023 with a new perspective and setting some intentions. Join us this week to hear a little about our year and where we plan to go in the next 12 months. Like, share and subscribe!
Today we are covering the heavy topic of depression, stress and anxiety that can affect people during the holiday season. While this time of year can be very magical and full of joy, celebration and wonder, it can also be one of the most difficult times of the year for a lot of people for a variety of reasons. In this episode, we discuss our own stressors and anxiety around the holiday season and the value of keeping a close eye on those you love and care about.
After an extended hiatus, the Navigating Balance podcast is back with Season 3!
While Katie was laser-focused on growing her business and overcoming one of the busiest fall meeting schedules on record, Amanda took the plunge, following in Katie's footsteps, by starting her own marketing consulting business. Upon reflection on the previous two seasons, the women decided to pivot their podcast to better reflect their own lives and current events.
Instead of forcing the conversation on certain topics, Season 3 will be focused on the things that matter most to them: family, friends, self-care, and working motherhood. We look forward to sharing with you!
This week to wrap up our month of all things money we are joined by special guest and local financial planner, Amanda Legler. She has a BS and MS in financial planning and works at SYM's. She will be sharing thoughts around how to get your house in order when it comes to financial planning. We hope you will join us for the conversation! Make sure you subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode.
If you are interested in contacting Amanda directly or information on her firm you can do so below:
Amanda Legler
https://www.sym.com/
Email: alegler@sym.com
Money is a hard topic for many couples. It is no wonder that challenges with money are one of the top reasons for divorce. There are so many different dynamics to consider such as spending habits, an imbalance between spouses, guilt and shame for past discretions, or simply a lack of communication. Katie and Amanda share their own conversations around money and offer some guidance to help mitigate conflict or anger during discussions.
In previous episodes, we touched on spring cleaning your financial life, so we wanted to dedicate an entire episode to talking about how financial freedom can be yours if you take intentional steps to set yourself up for success. Between our short history as women having financial power to our own upbringing that has shaped our relationship with money, now is the time to take control. We'll share our own fears as well as tips and tools to help you save and build wealth.
Join us for May when we discuss all things money. We know money can be a touchy subject but it is also really important to be financially savvy for yourself and your long term goals. We'll talk about how to help set yourself up for success while also handling some of those difficult conversations you may have. We'll also discuss how to advocate for yourself in your career. Maybe most importantly, we'll talk about giving back beyond a financial contribution. Subscribe so you don't miss an episode!
We are excited to wrap up the month of spring cleaning with our special guest Kristine, Zionsville resident, mom and owner of The Laundry Co. In this episode, we will discuss laundry and how to take the stress and chaos out of the process. Kristine will share her process, tips and a little about how her company can support your family on your journey to clean, smartly folded and easy to store clothing and help you check one thing off your long to do list this spring!
Continuing the theme of spring cleaning all areas of your life on this week's episode of Navigating Balance we dive into your physical space and finances. We kick off by sharing our thoughts and tips around getting your physical space in order covering topics like organization, cleaning and minimizing.
We also cover financial decluttering where we discuss numerous tips for cutting back, budgeting, taking control of spending, saving and so much more. You won't want to miss a second!
Resources Mentioned:Dave Ramsey (budget templates and so much more)
Truebill App (review of subscriptions)
Digit.co (saving tool)
Acorns (investing tool)
Ellevest (investment platform designed for women)
@moneywithkatie (money advice, tips, etc)
There may be nothing harder than letting go of relationships that no longer serve you, but the longer you wait the harder it is. In this episode we will share our experiences and thoughts on how to tidy up the various relationships in your life including the romantic ones, friendships, family and with co-workers.
We will also share tips for setting boundaries for the instances that you can't simply sweep out those that no longer serve you! Join us this week for a healthy conversation about letting go!
This month we are excited to jump into topics related to love. We will discuss relationship dynamics and division of duties, finding a career you love that fulfills you and have a community conversation about the evolution of female relationships and why they are so important.
We are excited for this month's conversation and look forward to you joining us! Don't forget to subscribe!
As we've gotten older, we find it challenging to make new friends as adults and how the important bonds we've built over time with the women in our tribes have evolved. We've learned to cherish the people we hold dear and trust the candid conversations from our friends and know that these non-judgemental, difficult conversations are an important part of maintaining true friendships.
To help with our community conversation this month, we've invited Caroline, friend and family of the podcast, to share her thoughts on friendships.
Falling in love is the easy part. Staying in love after the honeymoon period is harder! Your relationships change over time and with each introduction of new challenges. Join the episode to hear Katie and Amanda talk about their experiences with love after kids, love after divorce, and love for yourself as you navigate the seasons of love on your journey.
We also invite special guest, Caroline, to share with our followers her experiences.
We are excited to dive into the month of love with you all. In this episode, we will cover building a strong foundation for all types of relationships, tips for a healthy marriage, and some tricks that have worked for us through marriage and long distance relationships. We look forward to the conversation and having you join us.
This month we are excited to jump into topics related to love. We will discuss relationship dynamics and division of duties, finding a career you love that fulfills you and have a community conversation about the evolution of female relationships and why they are so important. We are excited for this month's conversation and look forward to you joining us! Don't forget to subscribe!
As we wrap up January, Katie and Amanda give an update on how their goals are going so far (or not going!). Our dear friend, Sarah, joins us on this episode as one of our special guests to talk about how she sets her individual goals every year. One thing is for certain, we all agree you have to set goals that serve you, first and foremost. You have to believe in the purpose to set yourself up for success. We'd love to hear how you set your goals and your plan to achieve them. Let us know!
It's that time of year again where most people casually toss out New Year's resolutions at the strike of midnight with all of the best intentions, but none of the real planning it takes to be successful. In this episode, we will be discussing the top four and five New Year's Eve resolutions made year over year by thousands of people across the country. We will tackle why we believe you should instead set goals while also making a plan to be able to track your success no matter what your goals for the new year are.
In this part two episode, we tackle wellness and finances. Don't forget to subscribe!
It's that time of year again where most people casually toss out New Year's resolutions at the strike of midnight with all of the best intentions, but none of the real planning it takes to be successful. In this episode, we will be discussing the top four and five New Year's Eve resolutions made year over year by thousands of people across the country. We will tackle why we believe you should instead set goals while also making a plan to be able to track your success no matter what your goals for the new year are. Join us for this light hearted discussion. Don't forget to subscribe!
It is a new year and with that comes new habits and goals. As most create resolutions or goals or set intentions for the year we want to bring you helpful tips to stay the course and to form habits. We will discuss the four most common resolutions and share tips and tricks to help you stay on track. We will wrap up the month with a community conversation with two guests to share how their first month of the year is going and any tips that have helped them start the year strong.
We are so excited to share this light hearted episode with you this week. What could be more fun than sharing our top five favorite things we are currently loving? We will count down our favorite must have item of the year including the cost, where you can purchase them, and also why we love them so much! We also want to make sure that you can easily find these items for yourself so we have included links here.
As 2021 comes to a close, we take a moment to reflect on the goals that we set for ourselves and what we have accomplished this year instead of what we failed to do. It is important to celebrate the wins in our life — however big or small they may be. While the start of the new year is a great time to set some new goals, you can do it any time! We share tips on setting goals and what to consider. Katie and I also share some of our goals that we are hoping to accomplish in 2022!
The holidays can be a time of stress, financial strain, travel and so much more, but it doesn't have to be that way. We want to share with you how we keep it simple and try to stay focused on the reason for the season. This episode will share some secrets for simplifying the holiday prep and keeping calm and focused. We hope you join us as we kick off the month of all things holiday!
It is the last month of 2021, and the holidays are upon us. This month we are looking forward to conversation around gratitude, focusing on what we did do and not what we didn't, managing holiday stress and last but certainly not least our favorite things, Oprah style. Join us for a fun month of holiday discussions.
We are excited you will be joining us this holiday week. This time of year it can be easy to forget what all that we have to be thankful for and to show gratitude.We hope that you are spreading the joy this week and get to rest and recover. We look forward to an upbeat conversation sharing the top three things we are each thankful for from this year.
We will kick off the official start to the holiday season with the whole month of November dedicated to thankfulness and the importance of giving back. We will discuss how to express your gratitude or show thankfulness, how to develop a spirit of giving in your children, and wrap up with a community conversation on how you can support your local community during this important time of year. Subscribe so you don't miss a minute!
Mental health and the very real struggle can be heavy and we wanted to make sure we shed a little light on the full journey. Not every day is dark when dealing with a mental health struggle. There is help and great ways to find your joy. This week Amanda and Katie are sharing all our joy from a very special place, Costa Rica! The ability to travel, experience new cultures and meet new people brings both of us immense joy, and we want to share a little of that with you!
Join us for what is sure to be a fun episode that we are sure will be inspired by besties, bubbly and the beach! You won't want to miss it.
Resources from this episode:
- https://www.peoplefirstinfo.org.uk/health-and-well-being/mental-health/10-top-tips-for-good-mental-health/
Each day millions of women face mental health challenges brought on by the daily stress of work, parenting, marriage, etc. With a staggering 1 in 5 women struggling with issues like anxiety and depression this cannot be swept under the rug. It is time we thrust this issue to the for front of our everyday conversations and normalize the struggle that so many face daily. There is power in openly sharing our struggles showing that you are not alone. It doesn't matter what you are facing someone has walked that path before and as we share our stories we hope you see just that.
Join us for this raw conversation on the darker times and how we came out on the other side!
This month on the podcast Amanda and Katie will jump feet first into the difficult and often avoided topic of mental health. In the past year alone more than 1 in 5 women have reported experiencing a mental health issue such as depression or anxiety. A lot of the time women are living in secret trying to cope with these mental health issues. The constant need to look as though we have the perfect thanks to social media platforms just adds to the problem. We are going to share our personal stories, options to utilize to find the support you need, how we find our joy and wrap up with a community conversation.
Subscribe so you do not miss a minute of this important conversation.
Break the glass ceiling. Sit at the table. Be heard and seen.
We are sure you have heard all of these sayings on your career path. Finding a seat at the table where you are heard and seen for so many careerists this is a magical place that is deeply sought after from an early stage. There is no one way to get there and no right seat looks the same for every woman. This week we will discuss our own journeys as we have taken steps to find the right seat at the right table. We share what we believe are the keys to getting to the place you belong while on your own journey.
Many people know what the word “boundaries” means, but they have no idea where to start when putting them in place for themselves. Boundaries are a way to take care of ourselves. When you understand how to set and maintain healthy boundaries, you can avoid the feelings of resentment, disappointment, and anger that build up when limits have been pushed. This week we will jump head first into our successes and failures with setting boundaries and sticking to them. We will also share some resources for setting boundaries so you can get started! Join us!
Resources from today's episode:
- https://positivepsychology.com/great-self-care-setting-healthy-boundaries/
- https://www.scholastic.com/content/dam/teachers/articles/migrated-files-in-body/setting_boundries.pdf
- https://www.edutopia.org/sites/default/files/resources/stw-glenview-healthy-boundaries.pdf
This month we will be tackling the notion that you must balance it all, all of the time. The reality is that this is simply not possible. The pressure to do so can be internal or external and can be hard to ignore so we especially as women go until we can go anymore and this serves no one. We will talk about setting healthy boundaries in your personal and professional lives and setting realistic expectations. We hope you join us for the conversation. Subscribe so you don't miss a minute!
Each year, since 1973, August 26th has been known as Women's Equality Day. This celebration dedicated to the women's equality movement started by the 19th Amendment in 1920. It celebrates this historical change and the changes that followed specifically around women's voting rights which lead to the 1965 Voting Rights Act which granted African American women the right to vote. Today, this day reminds us of how far we have come and also the work that is yet to be completed. On the podcast today, I am joined by two women who are leaders and professionals that exemplify what it means to stand up for other women around them and for equal rights. Amber Huston, CAE and Jaime Smith, CMP are powerhouses of strength and positivity. I hope you will join us for this casual conversation discussing all things women's equality.
Now that many kids are back to school or on the verge of starting, we recognize that there are many visible and invisible burdens we as women bear. But we don’t have to. There are many things that can be handed off or tasked to someone else to lighten the load. This holds true for both our personal lives and our professional lives. Join us as we share some of our burdens and discuss a few ways to identify and resolve some of these challenges.
It's back to school time for many of our warrior women! And with that brings a level of anxiety and uncertainty for some but excitement and anticipation for others. Whether you stress over the responsibilities that the school year brings at every level or you love the idea of a fresh start, we know simply changing your routine can shake things up. Listen in as we talk about what stresses us out and share some tips on how to navigate this new normal that comes around every year.
This month on the podcast we will be addressing all things back to school! This time of year brings so much excitement, but also stress. The endless supply lists, getting back in a routine, busier schedules and so much more. We will be talking with moms and teachers this month picking their brains for tips and tricks to ease the stress for a successful start to this new school. Subscribe so you don't miss a minute!
Were back! After a crazy busy start to the summer and adjusting to new schedules with kids, work and travel we have finally managed to get back in the studio. Taking a little summer sabatical certainly wasn't in the plan, but it is what happened. We said we would always "real" on this podcast and admitting that our best laid plans blew up is as real as it gets. We know you have been there to. Join us as we share what got us off track this summer and our tips for getting back on track when this happens to you, because it will!
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July Theme: Celebrating IndependanceThis month we will be challenging the thought that independance is a super power. While seeking and finding independance is positive taking it too far can result in toxic independance. We are human and we need other humans for a varity of reasons. Learning to let go and utilize those in yout network and community will allow you the space to thrive.
Throughout the series this month we will discuss the importance of solo time, letting go of control an leading without authority. As always we will wrap up with a community discussion with a fellow female powerhouse. Don't miss a minute and subscribe now!
On this episode we will be exploring health and wellness through the lense of self care. We believe that far too many women put self care last on their priority list when in fact it should be first. You cannot love and nourish your family, friends, career from an empty cup. We are pulling back the curtain on our lessons learned from not prioritizing self care. We are sharing the common mistakes that we each make far too often and solutions that support us getting back on track. We look forward to joining us in this important journey through health and wellness this month.
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June's theme is on health and wellness and while we could spend many episodes on this, we'll focus on how women's are caregiving by nature, but we can't take care of others if we aren't taking care of ourselves first. Wether that's taking care of yourself or taking care of aging parents, health and wellness comes in many forms. We'll dive into what self-care isn't, the sandwich effect of taking care of children and aging parents, how to grow your career without compromising your mental and physical health, and leveraging a community through group wellness can provide the support you need.
We are excited to dive into our first community conversation with two amazing mothers who also happen to be sisters. We are lucky know them on this journey of motherhood and look forward to sharing their stories. Joining us will be Emilie Perkins who is a working mom of a teen daughter (pray for her y’all) and her sister Katie Bathie who is a mom of two girls one who has a rare disability, Rett Syndrome. Together we will discuss the importance of creating a community in an environment that promotes competition.
As a woman, taking charge of your career and doing all that you can to be successful is a tall order. Add a child into the equation and the stakes are even higher. We discuss how we assumed our lives would carry on as before but quickly realized that the mental load of being a working mother was more than we anticipated. Whether you're working outside the home, grinding on your side gig in your home office, or building your business, it's hard to find balance. Join us to hear about our biggest regrets, learn from our mistakes, how we cope with the stress and the "mom guilt," and our suggestions for crushing your career even after you have a child. Subscribe and never miss an episode!
Becoming a mom can feel like a total life take over. While you're trying to figure out how to balance parenting, working, friends and family, it can be really easy to neglect one or more of these groups. We will discuss the importance of these relationships and how necessary it is to maintain and nourish these relationships while also being a mom.
Once you become a mom you are no longer the women you were before. It is hard to describe or even define it, but if you are a mom you know exactly what we're am talking about. You change in ways you never thought possible and it makes sense. You now know a love like no other. Navigating this new journey can bring on fear, anxiety and confusion all while striving to be the best you can be for your kids. While it can be assumed that this goes away we actually feel that this level of doubt can be worse the older your kids get. In this episode we share our stories and provide some suggestions to support you! Join us and subscribe.
May Theme: Happy Mother's Day!
This month as the world celebrates Mothers we will be diving head first into all things mom. We kick off the month with challenging you to self identify as a good mom in episode 1. In weeks 2 and 3 we will be tackling unique family dynamics and the burden that can be working outside the home while also being a mom. We will wrap our month by clelebrating moms and all our uniqueness in a robust community coversation. We look forward to having you join us on this journey of celebration and exploration of motherhood!
In this episode we will continue to the conversation around authenticity as it relates to our family dynamics and the roles we play. Figuring out who you are and living authentically can be challenging enough, but adding in all the roles that come with life…daughter, mother, wife who you are can get lost in the roles we play.
Amanda and I have different perspectives that we will bring to this conversation and it allows you into the history of what has shaped the versions of who we are today.
Being authentic means that you act in ways that show your true self and how you feel. Rather than showing people only a particular side of yourself, you express your whole self genuinely. That means to succeed in being authentic, you first have to know who your true self actually is. It can be really hard to live authentically each and everyday. We as mothers, professionals, partners and friends know this all too well.
We will dive into our own struggles with authenticity on this episode. We look forward to sharing personal stories and our hope is that you find comfort in knowing you are not alone on this journey to living outloud and being the most authentic version of yourself.
April Theme: Authenticity.
Authenticity is so important in all areas of our lives, yet really hard to accomplish. We will share or successes and struggles in this area as we navigate through the relationship with ourselves and those around us.
Welcome! In this introduction to our podcast we will share where we will travel to in our time together and the topics we will be tackling. Each month we will have a theme that will tie the unique discussions around the areas of self love, relationships, career and community together. We will also provide a sneak peak into who we are and how we met.
Welcome to Navigating Balance a podcast about the journey through self love, relationships, career and community. This short episode is a quick introduction into who your hosts are!