Where Will You Be in 9 Years?

What happens when you've done everything you were supposed to do, built the career, the family, the home, and the life that looks successful from the outside, but something still feels deeply wrong? In this episode, I'm talking with Keren Eldad, former C-suite executive, executive coach, bestselling author, and speaker, about what happens when achievement and ambition become a cage. Keren shares her own story of realizing that the life she had built wasn't actually hers and the process of rebuilding it from the inside out. We talk about self-awareness, perfectionism, control, and the identities we create to meet other people's expectations. Keren also shares her approach to helping high achievers let go of those identities, become more open to possibility, and make decisions that are actually aligned with who they are. Most importantly, we talk about the loss that comes with real change and what it means to meet life, even when it doesn't unfold the way we expected. This is not a conversation about achieving more. It's about creating a life that actually feels as extraordinary as it looks. Show Highlights Why a successful life can still feel completely out of alignment [02:00] Keren's realization that the life she created wasn't actually hers [05:00] How self-awareness requires unlearning who we think we are [13:00] Why high achievers can become addicted to achievement [17:00] The importance of readiness in coaching and personal change [19:00] Why confrontation rarely creates lasting change [22:00] How Keren's two books work together to support real change [26:00] The G-O-L-D model for moving from out of alignment to alignment [31:00] What Keren's life looks like after rebuilding it from the inside out [34:00] Why meaningful change often requires letting go of an old version of your life [36:00] How to meet difficult circumstances differently [38:00] What it means to "alchemize" difficult experiences into something meaningful [41:00] Complimentary Consultation with Coach Keren: https://calendly.com/kereneldad/consultation?back=1  Get Her Book "Gilt Free: Ditching Your Gilded Cage for Good" at: https://link.amazon/B0eYK5B2A  Get Her Book "Gilded: Breaking Free from the Cage of Ambition, Perfectionism, and the Relentless Pursuit of More" at :https://link.amazon/B02xGYEoi  Connect with Keren Eldad: https://kereneldad.com/ Join The Coaching Circle to apply what you learn on the podcast with structure and support: https://brilliant-balance.com/coachingcircle Learn more about BOLD and apply: https://brilliant-balance.com/bold Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: https://brilliantbalance.substack.com/ Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki  

What happens when you stop and look back at the life you imagined 9 years ago? As we celebrate nine years of the Brilliant Balance podcast, I'm reflecting on the question that inspired the very first episode: Where will you be in 9 years? When I asked my family that question back in 2016, I never could have predicted everything that would happen between then and now. But having that vision gave us a reason to be intentional about the choices we made. From buying the home we wanted to raise our family in and completing our college savings goals to traveling with our kids, hosting family celebrations, launching programs, recording hundreds of podcast episodes, and writing my first book, so many things became possible because we decided what mattered and put time, energy, and resources toward making it happen. In this anniversary episode, I'm looking back at what the last nine years have held and inviting you to do the same. Then I'm turning the question forward: What could the next nine years hold for you? Show Highlights Why I decided to revisit the question from Episode One [01:45] What asking "Where will you be in 10 years?" changed for me [03:50] The intentional decisions that shaped our family life [04:20] Buying the home we wanted to raise our family in [05:30] Completing our college savings goals [07:30] The trips and experiences we created with our kids [08:15] The milestones and traditions I'm most grateful for [09:45] What intentionality made possible in my business [11:30] Building Brilliant Balance programs, events, and a team [11:45] Looking back at what happened on purpose [13:30] Asking, "What could the next nine years hold?" [14:10] Revisiting Episode One and the question that started it all [14:55] To access the episode Cherylanne references at the end of this one: https://brilliant-balance.com/podcast/bb002/  Join The Coaching Circle to apply what you learn on the podcast with structure and support: https://brilliant-balance.com/coachingcircle Learn more about BOLD and apply: https://brilliant-balance.com/bold Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: https://brilliantbalance.substack.com/  Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

Ever look around at the end of a full day and wonder how there's still so much left to do? In this episode, I'm talking with Kelly Hubbell, founder and CEO of Sage Haus, about the invisible work of running a household. When Kelly tracked everything she was doing outside of parenting and childcare, she discovered she was spending 23 hours a week managing her household on top of her full-time job and parenting responsibilities. We talk about the mental load, the pressure to do everything ourselves, and what happens when we start treating household management as work that can be delegated. Kelly shares how she hired her first house manager, eventually built Sage Haus, and created a new model for helping families get support at home. We also talk about the guilt, judgment, FOMO, and loss of control that can make delegation feel so difficult. Most importantly, we explore a bigger question: What would you do with your time if you weren't spending it managing everything? Show Highlights How Kelly discovered she was spending 23 hours a week managing her household [03:00] Why household management is different from parenting and childcare [07:30] The moment Kelly realized this work could be a job someone else could do [11:00] How she started experimenting with part-time household support [17:00] Why getting 8–10 hours back a week can be transformational [21:30] The emotional barriers that make delegation so difficult [29:00] Why guilt, judgment, FOMO, and loss of control get in the way [31:30] How Sage Haus helps families define the role and find the right person [38:00] Why home systems are essential to making household support work [43:00] How to know if you might need more support at home [47:00] Why single parents and families with frequently traveling partners may especially benefit [50:00] Rethinking the expectation that we should be able to do it all [54:00] Learn more about Kelly and Sage Haus: https://sagehaus.com/  Get $200 off with code BRILLIANTBALANCE: https://sagehaus.com/brilliant-balance  Join The Coaching Circle to apply what you learn on the podcast with structure and support: https://brilliant-balance.com/coachingcircle Learn more about BOLD and apply: https://brilliant-balance.com/bold Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly:https://brilliantbalance.substack.com/  Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

How often do you find yourself saying, "Maybe I'll do it"? In this encore episode, I'm revisiting the idea that we can't change our lives while staying stuck in a state of maybe. Whether you're considering a career change, a new opportunity, a relationship decision, or simply a different way of living, indecision can keep you standing at the starting line. We'll look at why we get stuck in maybe, including the paralysis of too many options, the comfort zone conundrum, and the illusion that we have unlimited time. I'll also share three ways to move forward: asking what would have to be true to say yes, considering the cost of saying no, and using smaller decisions to build momentum. You don't need to have everything figured out before you move. Sometimes, you just need to make a decision and take the next step. Show Highlights: Why I'm bringing back this encore episode now. [00:39] My seven-year lesson in the power of "maybe." [03:49] How indecision can keep us stuck at the starting line. [07:24] How your comfort zone can keep you from making bold changes. [09:24] The illusion that you have more time than you actually do. [11:34] Asking, "What would have to be true to say yes?" [14:20] The hidden cost of never making a decision. [18:15] Why a clear no can be just as powerful as a yes. [19:27] Using small decisions to build momentum toward bigger changes. [20:22] Why we can't change our lives with a maybe. [21:46] Apply to the BOLD 2027 Cohort: https://brilliant-balance.com/bold Come to a BOLD Open House: https://brilliant-balance.com/openhouse  Join The Coaching Circle to apply what you learn on the podcast: https://brilliant-balance.com/coachingcircle  Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: https://brilliantbalance.substack.com/  Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

What if creating the life you want isn't about doing more, but about creating the capacity to make space for what comes next? In this episode, I'm sharing stories from my recent retreat at Canyon Ranch and the moments that reminded me what real growth can look like. From allowing yourself to receive and step away from the demands of daily life to building the infrastructure that makes that possible, we're looking at what it takes to create more room for the things you want. I'm also giving you a closer look at BOLD, my 12-month advisory experience for accomplished women navigating the complexity of ambitious careers and full family lives. I'll walk you through who BOLD is designed for, how the experience works, and why creating capacity is about much more than finding more time. If you're ready for something different in your next chapter, this episode will help you think about what you want, what's getting in the way, and what it might take to make room for it. Show Highlights: What stood out to me most from my recent Canyon Ranch retreat. [01:58] The surprising signs of growth I noticed in the women I work with. [02:45] Why creating space starts with allowing yourself to receive. [03:22] How BOLD evolved from a short-term coaching program into a 12-month experience. [07:42] The four reserves of capacity: time, energy, headspace, and emotional bandwidth. [11:51] The BOLD promise: creating capacity for what you want next. [14:56] The three phases of BOLD: design, staff, and execute. [16:03] Why getting results through others is essential to reaching your next level. [18:24] What's different about the synchronized 2027 BOLD cohort. [21:17] The power of having a personal board of directors. [28:14] Why you shouldn't take yourself out of the running before you apply. [29:45] How to explore BOLD for 2027 and take your next bold step. [32:29] Apply to the BOLD 2027 Cohort: https://brilliant-balance.com/bold Come to a BOLD Open House: https://brilliant-balance.com/openhouse  Join The Coaching Circle to apply what you learn on the podcast: https://brilliant-balance.com/coachingcircle  Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: https://brilliantbalance.substack.com/  Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

What happens when you step away from your career to make room for family life? In this episode, I'm joined by Neha Ruch, author of The Power Pause, to explore how a career pause can become an opportunity for growth, self-discovery, and a new sense of purpose. We're talking about how to navigate identity shifts, redefine success, and make intentional choices about work and family without feeling like you have to give up your ambition. Discover how to approach a career pause with agency, maintain your sense of self, and create space for what matters most in this season of life. Whether you're considering a career break, already navigating one, or rethinking what comes next, this conversation will help you see that your next choice doesn't have to be your forever choice. Show Highlights: Neha's career journey and the inspiration behind The Power Pause. [01:15] Challenging the outdated stereotypes of stay-at-home motherhood. [05:30] How to use a career pause for personal growth and exploration. [10:00] Redefining success and navigating financial independence within a family. [16:00] The difference between a pause and a power pause. [20:00] How to reclaim your identity and find the right language for your current season. [23:00] Why women face different expectations and pressures in at-home parenthood. [28:00] Rethinking career breaks, pivots, and returning to the workforce. [33:00] How changing the conversation creates more options for women. [39:00] Resources Mentioned Order The Power Pause book: https://link.amazon/B08AVZBeP  Follow Neha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neha_ruch/  Connect with Neha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nehaleelaruch/  Subscribe to Neha's Substack: https://substack.com/@neharuch  Join The Coaching Circle to apply what you learn on the podcast: https://brilliant-balance.com/coachingcircle  Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: https://brilliantbalance.substack.com/  Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

Boundaries don't make you selfish or unkind. They help you make intentional choices about where you give your time, energy, and attention. In this episode, I'm talking about why saying yes to someone always means saying no to something else. We explore people-pleasing, the pressure to be agreeable, and why it can be so difficult to recognize what we actually want. You'll learn how to start strengthening your boundary muscle, reconnect with your own preferences, and create more space for the things that genuinely matter to you. Show Highlights Include: Why boundaries aren't about being selfish. [01:00] How generosity can become an automatic yes. [03:00] What the fawn response has to do with people-pleasing. [05:30] Why women are often conditioned to prioritize others. [07:30] Why neutrality matters when we say what we want. [09:30] The idea that every yes has a no. [11:30] Why only you can balance the equation. [13:30] Why saying no can be harder when you have nothing else planned. [16:30] Two ways to rebuild your ability to choose. [19:30] How radical clarity can help you identify what you really want. [21:30] Why boundaries and generosity can coexist. [24:00] Resources Mentioned: Join The Coaching Circle to apply what you learn on the podcast with structure & support: https://brilliant-balance.com/coachingcircle To book an exploratory call and learn about coaching options: https://brilliant-balance.com/explorecoaching  Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: https://brilliantbalance.substack.com/  Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

Building a business and raising a family can feel like two competing priorities. But what if the business you build could actually support the life you want? In this episode, I'm joined by Beth Mazza, co-founder of Female Mavericks and a serial entrepreneur who built and sold two consulting firms while raising four children. Beth shares the lessons she and her business partner, Victoria, learned about choosing the right business model, protecting personal non-negotiables, and building a company that can grow without depending entirely on you. We also talk about delegation, building a strong support network, setting a clear north star, and why women need practical business strategies, not just encouragement. Show Highlights: Beth's entrepreneurial childhood. [02:00] Why she left corporate life. [06:00] The lesson she learned from selling her first business. [10:00] Building a business around personal non-negotiables. [16:00] Choosing the right business model. [18:00] Why exit strategy matters from the start. [21:00] The power of delegation. [24:00] Why practical experience matters. [29:00] Balancing business and motherhood. [33:00] The mission behind Entrepreneur Like a Mother. [38:00] Resources Mentioned: Learn more about the Female Mavericks: http://www.femalemavericks.com/ Connect with Beth on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethmazza/ Follow the Female Mavericks on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/femalemavericks/  Purchase Entrepreneur Like a Mother, at a discounted price using code Maverick25: https://femalemavericks.com/entrepreneur-like-a-mother/ BOLD 2027 is coming. Visit https://brilliant-balance.com/bold to be the first to know. Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: https://brilliantbalance.substack.com/  Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

When life gets busy, thinking time is often the first thing to disappear. But without space to step back, we can easily end up moving through life without checking whether we're actually headed in the right direction. In this episode, I'm talking about the power of taking an entire day to think, plan, and solve problems with intention. I share how this practice became part of my own life, how it evolved into strategy days with clients, and why dedicated time and a thought partner can help you find clarity, perspective, and momentum. If you've been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure what to do next, this episode will help you see the value of creating space to think before you act.   Show Highlights Include: Why thinking time matters. [02:00] The inspiration behind thinking days. [04:00] How a thought partner can change the process. [07:00] What happens during a strategy day. [14:00] How to get to the root of a problem. [17:00] Turning clarity into a plan. [19:00] Why sequencing matters. [23:00] The value of an outside perspective. [25:00]   Resources Mentioned: Private Consulting Day with Cherylanne in Cincinnati, OH: https://members.brilliantbalance.net/private-consulting-day-cincinnati  Subscribe for weekly content from Cherylanne straight to your inbox: https://brilliantbalance.substack.com/ Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

Nearly 40% of American mothers are now primary earners, but the culture hasn't fully caught up with what that actually requires. In this episode, I'm joined by Alexis Contos, founder of The Breadwinners, a community built around the realities of building a career while raising a family. Alexis shares why she walked away from a 20-year corporate career, how one dinner at South by Southwest turned into a growing movement, and what she's learning about creating a different path for working mothers. We also talk about guilt, ambition, integration, personal agency, and why we need to stop trying to do everything perfectly. Show Highlights: What Alexis was like growing up and how relationships shaped her. [02:30] Why Alexis left her 20-year corporate career without knowing what she'd do next. [07:10] How one dinner at South by Southwest became the beginning of The Breadwinners. [10:05] Why women showed up to the dinner and why they needed that community. [13:05] Why Alexis prefers "integration" over "balance." [19:00] How Alexis defines a breadwinner as someone who brings important things into the home. [25:00] Why ambition is about aligning your time with your values. [27:15] How to replace guilt with confidence, agency, and community. [28:30] How Alexis structures her day to make space for both work and family. [34:00] Why aspiring breadwinners are joining the community and helping write a new playbook for working mothers. [38:00] Resources Mentioned: Find Alexis on Substack (and get a discounted subscription) at: https://wearethebreadwinners.substack.com/738ea8e9 Find Alexis on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/wearethebreadwinners/ Learn more about The Breadwinners: https://thebreadwinners.co To book an exploratory call and learn about coaching options: http://brilliant-balance.com/explorecoaching Join The Coaching Circle to apply what you learn on the podcast with structure & support: https://brilliant-balance.com/coachingcircle Subscribe for weekly content from Cherylanne straight to your inbox: https://brilliantbalance.substack.com/ Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki