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

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

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

In this episode, we're looking at how we unintentionally contribute to our own holiday overwhelm, and how we can make choices this season that actually work FOR us instead of against us. The holidays are meant to sparkle with joy, but we all know firsthand how it feels to get caught in the whirlwind of picture-perfect expectations (miles of twinkling lights and Pinterest-worthy cookies anyone?).

I'm sharing how to take back control, set boundaries, and actually enjoy the season instead of running yourself into the ground. You'll learn why doing less isn't a failure (it's liberation) and how giving yourself permission to break traditions or to call in support can make all the difference. I'll offer my favorite practical ways to simplify and clarify what matters most, so you create a holiday that feels magical instead of exhausting.

Let's say yes to more connection and a whole lot less chaos this holiday season, and create celebrations that are both meaningful and manageable.

Show Highlights:

• Permission to savor the season stress-free. [00:48]
• What do you want to feel this holiday season? [04:58]
• Freedom to delegate and outsource holiday tasks. [06:46]
• Being honest about self-created overwhelm. [08:18]
• Why doing less for the holidays is not failing. [10:39]
• The joy of spontaneity in breaking with tradition. [13:08]
• An extended-family gift exchange idea over individual gift giving. [14:04]
• Tips to manage holiday preparations like a project. [15:56]
• Setting boundaries around holiday participation. [19:27]
• The value of connection over perfection. [21:09]
• Download the Brilliant Balance holiday planning guide. [22:37]

To download my Holiday Planning Guide: https://brilliant-balance.com/holiday

Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: www.brilliant-balance.com/weekly

Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

Join the Brilliant Balance Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/281949848958057

This week, I'm joined by our newest Brilliant Balance coach and a certified Enneagram expert, Heather Warnke, for a conversation about the transformative power of the Enneagram. Whether you're a longtime fan of the Enneagram or just curious about this buzzworthy tool, you'll discover how finding your true Enneagram type can catalyze profound self-awareness, compassion, and growth.

We'll break down what the Enneagram really is, why we sometimes mistype ourselves, and how uncovering your correct type can reshape the way you lead, love, and live. For years, I thought I knew my Enneagram type, until Heather walked me through a new assessment, and everything changed.

This episode offers a glimpse into how discovering your core motivations can impact every part of your life, and practical wisdom to embrace your essence. Plus, I'll tell you how you can experience this next-level clarity for yourself with a unique opportunity to work directly with Heather and Brilliant Balance!

Show Highlights:

• Heather Warnke's background and Enneagram journey. [03:40]
• What is the Enneagram? [05:27]
• Subtleties of alike behaviors with unalike underlying motivations. [06:56]
• Avoiding Enneagram type misidentification. [10:14]
• How correct Enneagram typing leads to radical self-integration. [15:38]
• Managing "shadows" for healthy "strengths" expressions. [25:07]
• Why ongoing certified Enneagram guidance matters. [28:56]
• The "act, feel, think" tri-type approach to the Enneagram. [31:34]
• The powerful positive ripples from embodied change. [34:03]
• Announcing the new Brilliant Balance Enneagram offering. [35:33]

To book an Enneagram Intensive with Heather: https://brilliant-balance.com/enneagram

Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: www.brilliant-balance.com/weekly

Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

Join the Brilliant Balance Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/281949848958057

In today's encore episode, I'm sharing one of my favorite mindset reminders: how to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Expecting and embracing discomfort is where real growth happens—personally and professionally.

I'll revisit a memorable parenting moment to show how stepping into discomfort creates growth, and share the mindset shifts I use with clients and family. If you're facing a new challenge or feeling stretched in your current chapter, this episode is for you. You'll get practical tips on why discomfort is normal, temporary, and totally survivable.

Join me for a fresh perspective and actionable insights to help you push past limits and step into new opportunities for brilliance!

Show Highlights:

• Who needs the lesson in this episode the most? [02:06]
• Beauty-is-pain heels vs. life's necessary discomfort. [03:24]
• The core story of a child who fears finishing a timed mile last. [05:01]
• Embrace discomfort instead of de-emphasizing it. [06:46]
• A strategy to visualize and anticipate discomfort. [07:41]
• The power of mindset over physical preparation. [11:07]
• Why you should not "tough it out" with discomfort. [14:33]
• Understanding the brain's primitive and evolved parts. [15:39]
• Patterns of growth through discomfort in coaching clients. [18:10]
• A warning about your inner critic. [21:42]

Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: www.brilliant-balance.com/weekly

Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

Join the Brilliant Balance Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/281949848958057

Have you ever found yourself staring at a gratitude journal, knowing you have so much to be thankful for, but just not feeling it? This week, I'm sharing a candid look into why gratitude can feel so out of reach when we're tired, stressed, or running on empty, even as the world tells us it's the season to count our blessings.

As ambitious women with full plates and big dreams, it's easy to fall into the trap of forcing gratitude, but in this episode, I reveal why rest and presence (not pressure) are the secret ingredients. I'll show you how letting go of the "gratitude checklist" and learning to savor real moments can reignite that sense of appreciation you crave.

If you're ready for a fresh perspective on thankfulness that actually fits your busy, brilliant life, this episode is for you. Let's give ourselves permission to experience gratitude as it was meant to be…joyful, effortless, and truly rewarding.

Show Highlights:

• What is the gratitude gap? [00:49]
• The neurological reason fatigue blocks positive emotions. [02:55]
• The importance of rest to restore positivity. [05:41]
• Why forced gratitude doesn't enter the heart. [06:37]
• Vividly reliving, embodying, and savoring positive moments. [08:24]
• How the pace of life affects gratitude. [10:39]
• Research findings on mindful slowing and pausing. [12:28]
• Making "gratitude pauses" a threshold ritual. [13:33]
• The power of being grateful for small joys. [14:36]
• Inviting you to subscribe and gift someone this episode. [17:39]

Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: www.brilliant-balance.com/weekly

Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

Join the Brilliant Balance Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/281949848958057

Feeling like you're running on empty, no matter how hard you try to have it all together? Fresh from an inspiring BOLD retreat in Asheville, NC, today I'll share the real reason high-achieving women like us keep slipping back into burnout, even after we swear we've got it handled. It's not about willpower or your to-do list. Burnout is actually a biological loop that our bodies get stuck in, especially when the pace never seems to let up.

I'll walk you through the hidden mental loads we carry and why recovery needs to be built into our rhythm, not just crammed in when we're desperate for a break. You'll hear my top three strategies for breaking free from the burnout cycle and creating a life with energy, joy, and true freedom.

This episode is your invitation to a new chapter, to make room for brilliance—and finally normalize rest, reclaim your rhythm, and enjoy what you're working so hard to build!

Show Highlights:

• Healing with BOLD coaching group retreats. [00:51]
• Understand the pattern of the burnout backslide. [01:21]
• How burnout is biological, not a weakness. [03:27]
• The WHO definition of burnout and related data. [04:55]
• A powerful self-assessment guide for burnout. [05:52]
• Invisible mental and emotional overload. [06:32]
• The importance of energy audits to track depletion. [08:56]
• Why recovery must be rhythmic, not reactive. [09:39]
• The power of short breaks and scheduled rest. [11:10]
• Inviting you to connect, share this episode, and subscribe. [15:33]

Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: www.brilliant-balance.com/weekl

Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

Join the Brilliant Balance Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/281949848958057

In this episode, I'm joined by Sheri Jacobs, an accomplished entrepreneur, bestselling author, keynote speaker, and passionate advocate for creative breakthroughs. She's here to help us rethink everything we know about boundaries!

We often hear that endless options drive innovation, but Sheri shows us how setting the right boundaries can actually ignite creativity and teamwork. She brings impactful stories and inspiration, from her arctic wildlife photography adventures to behind-the-scenes moments with leading companies like Bank of America, demonstrating how a few smart limits can lead to sharper solutions. She shares practical ways to create more clarity and space for what matters, at work and at home, even while juggling busy family lives and bold aspirations.

If you feel overwhelmed by all you "should" be doing or struggle to find space for your passions, this episode offers fresh tools to help you choose what truly matters and design your most vibrant season yet. Listen in to learn how setting sensible limits can spark your next great idea.

Show Highlights:

• Sheri Jacobs' wisdom on boundaries with a Miles Davis insight. [02:08]
• The myth that boundaries restrict rather than provide clarity. [03:50]
• How fewer options within constraints led to a winning arctic wildlife photo. [05:01]
• Tatiana Goodman's findings on how fences foster creative play. [09:28]
• Why Bank of America's "Keep the Change" program is successful. [12:33]
• Advice for women to break through ceilings by narrowing focus. [15:14]
• Beat FOMO and overwhelm with a priority correction. [16:53]
• How to get more done by setting a firm bedtime. [19:36]
• The power of a capsule wardrobe and curbing fashion excess. [21:36]
• Where are you not setting yourself free by creating a boundary? [22:46]

To find Sheri's work and her books, go to https://www.sherijacobs.com/.

Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: www.brilliant-balance.com/weekly

Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

Join the Brilliant Balance Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/281949848958057

In this episode, I'm inviting you to join me for a much-needed Q4 energy check. As I head off to host a rejuvenating fall retreat with my BOLD coaching circle at the beautiful Grove Park Inn, I want to bring you into that vibe right here on the show.

If your calendar is starting to feel like a pressure cooker—with work deadlines, kids' activities, and holiday plans piling up—I get it. You're not alone. I'll walk you through a practical, honest self-audit to help you identify what's draining you and what's fueling you, and I'll share small but powerful strategies to restore your energy before year's end.

From finding those micro-breaks in your day, to setting healthier boundaries, and making space for what truly matters, and whether you're approaching exhaustion or simply want to preserve your spark this season, this episode is your permission slip to prioritize your well-being so you can finish the year feeling energized, present, and brilliant!

Show Highlights:

• BOLD coaching circle fall retreat and restorative self-care. [00:51]
• The importance of energy management in Q4. [02:45]
• How to give yourself an energy audit. [04:39]
• Rituals that make you feel "healthy, whole, and human." [08:36]
• Embrace micro-breaks for energy. [11:00]
• Saying the unselfish "no" to protect your bandwidth. [12:35]
• Planning ahead for the Q4 holiday chaos and fewer workweeks. [14:21]
• Remember that the end of the year is just a milestone. [17:07]
• Have you signed up for "The Weekly" newsletter? [20:35]

Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: www.brilliant-balance.com/weekly

Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

Join the Brilliant Balance Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/281949848958057

In today's episode, I'm exploring a topic that impacts all of us—falling into the "Comparison Trap."

Have you ever felt perfectly content with your life until a quick scroll through Instagram left you questioning if you were doing enough? I'll share a personal story about a recent episode of backyard envy to show just how quickly other people's highlight reels can undermine our own satisfaction. I'll walk you through three powerful truths about comparison: how it drains your energy, distorts reality, and distracts you from your true purpose.

If you're ready to stop measuring yourself against others and want to reclaim the joy and momentum in your own journey, this episode will help you break the cycle and focus on your unique path to brilliance.

Show Highlights:

• A personal story of the instant impact of Instagram comparison. [00:49]
• The hidden energy cost of comparison. [04:53]
• How comparison distorts perspective. [08:55]
• Recognizing the illusion of perfection and unseen struggles. [11:06]
• What comparison does to purpose. [13:18]
• Embrace the philosophy of running your own race. [15:05]
• How to weaken comparison with purpose. [15:41]
• Why is it important to celebrate others? [17:12]
• The sign that you haven't yet found your path. [18:19]
• Action steps and reflection. [19:29]

Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: www.brilliant-balance.com/weekly

Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

Join the Brilliant Balance Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/281949848958057