The Balanced Badass Podcast®
The Balanced Badass Podcast® is the show for high-achieving professionals who want to prevent burnout, master work-life balance, and stay badass without losing their sanity.
Each week, we’re not just tackling your overflowing calendar and keeping your household on track; we’re getting into burnout prevention and recovery strategies so that you have time to breathe, laugh, and savor that much-needed glass of wine at the end of the day.
Think of this podcast as your weekly dose of practical advice, a touch of humor, and a little tough love, like catching up with a friend who just gets it. Whether you’re navigating burnout, balancing meetings and meal prep, or carving out moments of self-care, this is the space where we figure it out together.
Disclaimer: My content is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. For serious concerns, please consult a qualified provider.
Episodes
44 episodes
Corporate HR Truths Unfiltered with Jesse Tervooren
Join Tara as she chats with Jesse, aka "Your Unfiltered BFF" on TikTok, who is known for her raw and hilarious takes on corporate life and HR nonsense. Jesse shares her journey on social media, unexpectedly becoming a voice of reaso...
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Season 4
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Episode 42
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50:34
When Normal Isn't Possible
In today's shorter episode, I'm sharing some personal thoughts on dealing with the emotional weight of recent events, including a mass shooting close to home and the constant barrage of political noise. We get into the concept of em...
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Season 4
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Episode 41
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9:30
How to Survive in a Resource-Strapped Role
Ever been dropped into a surprise Monday morning meeting with bad news? In this episode, we're spilling the tea on surviving (and thriving) in a resource-strapped job where budgets are frozen and headcounts are shrinking. We'll brea...
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Season 4
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Episode 40
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19:49
Networking Without the Cringe with Devin Lasker
This episode is perfect for those who cringe at the thought of networking! We talk about authentic relationship building, how to feel more connected in a disconnected world, and Devin's key strategies for keeping relationships warm....
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Season 4
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Episode 39
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42:40
Smart Strategies to Advocate for Your Worth with Tessa Grashuis
Why are so many women working harder than ever but still underpaid?Career strategist and former recruiter Tessa Grashuis joins me to unpack the hidden world of salary compression — what it is, how it shows up, and why it keeps talented p...
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Season 4
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Episode 38
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52:50
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Leading from the Middle: Why It's the Hardest Job in the Building
Being a middle manager is tough. You’re stuck between the bosses and your team, trying to keep everyone happy while handling a lot of pressure. In this episode, we talk about why leading from the middle is so hard, what causes burno...
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Season 4
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Episode 37
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16:27
Losing Yourself in the Job
In this episode, we get into the dangerous cultural norm of equating our worth with our work. We've become people defined by our job titles and productivity, fostering burnout and identity crises. By exploring the roots of this work...
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Season 3
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Episode 36
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16:30
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Have You Been Set Up to Fail?
Feeling overwhelmed at work despite all your efforts? In this episode, we tackle whether your job is setting you up to fail with excessive expectations, lack of support, and unclear roles. Discover the concept of the "everything job...
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Season 3
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Episode 35
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19:16
Designing Your Sanctuary with Nicole Rivers
Ready to transform your living space into a holistic sanctuary? In this episode, I sit down with Nicole Rivers, the founder of Brave Heron Studio, to chat about how your environment can impact your mood, mindset, and overall well-be...
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Season 3
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Episode 34
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55:21
When Stress Disconnects You From Yourself with Jennifer Kuhl
In this episode, we explore the power of reconnecting with yourself to combat stress and burnout. Jenni, the founder of the School for Mindful Eating and Movement, shares her journey from being a workaholic to finding balance throug...
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Season 3
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Episode 33
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50:39
Award-Winning Culture, Just Don't Look Too Closely
In this episode, we explore the stark contrast between the glowing reputation of "top companies to work for" and the unsettling reality many employees face. Despite impressive awards and certifications, many workplaces fail to...
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Season 3
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Episode 32
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19:08
4 Types of Career Paths to Explore When Plotting Your Exit
Feeling stuck in your career due to burnout? This episode introduces Career Possibility Mapping, a framework to help you explore new career paths. We discuss four paths: Step Ahead Roles, Adjacent Roles, Bold Pivots, and Wild Cards....
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Season 3
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Episode 31
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22:42
When Leadership Leaves You Guessing: Coping with Communication Blackouts
Ever walked into work and felt the silence from leadership? It's more damaging than you think! In this episode, we explore how leadership silence can breed burnout, wreak havoc on your nervous system, and diminish team morale. We'll...
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Season 3
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Episode 30
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18:52
Self-Care Isn't Just a Trend with Pam Rothman, LPC
In this episode, we're going deep with therapist and hardcore feminist Pam Rothman, LPC. Pam shares her journey from crappy boundaries to being a boundary-setting pro, all while tackling burnout and prioritizing self-care. We chat a...
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Season 3
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Episode 29
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32:06
Cracking Burnout in Helping Roles with Ina Qema
Today's episode gets into burnout in the helping professions with special guest Ina, a therapist and mentor. Ina shares her journey from experiencing burnout to mastering balance and leadership in her field. Learn the importance of ...
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Season 3
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Episode 28
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46:23
Overloaded, Overlooked, and Out of F*cks
Welcome back!This episode gets into the concept of Effort-Reward Imbalance to explain why you can be working hard and still feel stuck. If you're tired of useless advice and want to get to the root of your burnout, this episode is for yo...
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Season 3
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Episode 27
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15:11
Should You Stay or Should You Go? The 3-Question Burnout Test for Leaders
It's the Season 2 finale, folks! We're talking about burnout and how to really figure out if it's time to leave your job. And we'll jump right in with a three-question burnout test that'll help you see if you're stuck in a toxic work environmen...
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Season 2
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Episode 26
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27:17
Is Your Work Persona the Real You?
In this episode, we're getting into the exhausting performance of the work persona that many of us feel compelled to maintain. Tara shares a heartfelt message about the cost of constantly performing professionalism at the expense of ou...
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Season 2
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Episode 25
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21:08
Breaking Up With Guilt: Why You Shouldn't Feel Bad About Saying No
In this episode, we tackle the manipulative voice of guilt that wreaks havoc on your energy, decision-making, and sustainable leadership. Specifically, we discuss boundary guilt—the kind that makes you feel bad for protecting your own time and ...
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Season 2
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Episode 24
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29:06
Understanding Hypnotherapy's Role in Healing with Andrea Ramírez
In this insightful episode, we're joined by Andrea Ramírez to explore the incredible power of the subconscious mind. We discuss Andrea's personal journey through trauma, burnout, and how hypnotherapy became a transformative tool for lasting cha...
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Season 2
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Episode 23
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50:47
The Energetic Side of Burnout with Amanda Marek
In this episode of the Balance Badass Podcast, we explore burnout recovery from an energetic perspective with Amanda, a former nurse turned Reiki master and owner of Heart in Harmony Healing. Amanda shares her personal experience wi...
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Season 2
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Episode 22
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35:19
Your First 90 Days After a Layoff – What No One Tells You About Moving On
In this episode, we're getting into the harsh realities of the current job market and the emotional turmoil that follows a layoff. Whether you've been hit by corporate budget cuts, the tech industry shake-up, or the federal government downsizin...
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Season 2
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Episode 21
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26:54
Running on Empty: Recognizing When Your Energy Reserves Are Dangerously Low
Always feeling tired no matter how much coffee you chug? Let's get into why high achievers push through the exhaustion and often miss the signs of burnout. Discover the sneaky ways burnout creeps in, how stress messes with your brain, and most ...
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Season 2
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Episode 20
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18:24
When Your Workplace is a Ticking Time Bomb: Handling a Culture Where Everyone’s Burned Out
Feeling the burnout at work? This episode breaks down the pervasive culture of workplace burnout, examining the systemic issues like unrealistic expectations, lack of support, and glorification of overwork. We’ll explore how these f...
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Season 2
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Episode 19
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28:31
The HR Playbook for Balanced and Equitable Workplaces with Kirsten Zeigler
In this episode, Tara chats with Kirsten Zeigler, founder of KDZ HR Consulting. The discussion focuses on strategies to keep burnout at bay while building equitable workplaces. Kirsten gets into her HR expertise, offering practical ...
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Season 2
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Episode 18
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49:15
