Ever find yourself stuck in an endless loop of overthinking, self-doubt, or battling between what you want and what you "should" do? To get to the heart of this inner tug-of-war, today, I'm joined by Dana Bernstein, principal of Dare to Live Brave and author of It's the Thought that Counts: Mastering the Art of YOU vs. You. Dana is a conflict resolution coach, helping professionals in high-stakes environments like universities, government, banking, and the court system.

We're talking real-life inner conflict between ambition and self-doubt, or when your values feel like they're battling for control. Dana breaks down why labeling our emotions is magic and how knowing exactly what drives you can shift everything about how you show up, not just in tough conversations, but in your biggest moments.

Join us if you're ready for powerful stories, actionable steps, and plenty of aha moments to reclaim your power and move forward as your most empowered, graceful self (even in the messiest moments) to the big, bold life you envision.

Show Highlights:

• Understanding competing values in the "YOU vs. You" conflict. [02:40]
• Inner conflict in women and why self-discovery matters. [04:13]
• Discover your best self with leveraged values and "Who" words. [05:22]
• How to "pause, ponder, pivot" when you feel triggered. [07:05]
• The rider, elephant and peanuts analogy for emotions and reasoning. [08:19]
• Practicing the pause effectively and advance preparation. [11:10]
• In-the-moment conflict vs. after-the fact conflict. [13:52]
• The power of self-mastery over negotiation in conflict resolution. [15:31]
• What do you feed your mind, ice cream vs. bananas? [19:09]
• Using body awareness as early warnings of conflict activation. [23:23]
• Self-compassion and living clean between your ears. [24:58]

To take the Who assessment: https://danabernsteinconflictcoach.github.io/the-who-assessment-official-/

To find Danas book: http://bit.ly/3PLlYG9

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

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

Ever feel like you're always racing toward the next big milestone and forgetting to savor the moments of the life you're actually living? In this episode, I'm discussing how we can easily overlook the lives we're truly living, continually focused on what's next, waiting for things to settle down, missing out on the present.

I'm talking about my own recent experience of this and the common patterns I see among high-achieving women: treating our current chapter as just a stepping stone, constantly planning, or having trouble letting the good moments sink in. With relatable reflections and practical suggestions, I'll share ways to help you notice the goodness in your daily life and become more present, even when things feel messy or transitional.

This episode is here to remind you: you don't need a different life to feel more joy—you just need to truly be here for the one you have. Let's rediscover the brilliance in our everyday moments.

Show Highlights:

• The subtle problem of missing the moment. [00:46]
• "Spotlight Session" advantage in our BOLD community. [02:54]
• Why "now" is not a placeholder for real life. [04:15]
• Future-focused living due to overactive competence. [07:14]
• The importance of reframing presence. [10:12]
• Letting the good land to enjoy full presence. [11:00]
• What is ease and flow? [13:11]
• How patterns of not living in the present turn into a loop. [13:46]
• Practice noticing and appreciating the life you have. [16:01]
• Ways to share and support the show. [17:31]

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

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

Today, I'm taking a closer look at the growing pressure so many of us feel around health optimization, especially during midlife, when simply keeping up with the latest wellness and beauty trends and advice can start to feel like another full-time job.

I'm breaking down why health information and solutions constantly inundate us, and the mental and financial costs of trying to do it all, and I'm sharing practical ways to bring more ease and intention back into our daily routines.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by constantly shifting "rules" or found yourself buried in trackers, apps, wearables, and endless wellness products, this episode is your permission slip to turn down the noise and refocus on what truly supports your well-being. We can reclaim self-care as something that fits into our lives rather than another source of stress.

Show Highlights:

• The growing weight of health advice. [00:53]
• Understanding the strategic health industry trap. [03:51]
• The engineered pressure to solve perceived problems. [06:18]
• Tracking fatigue and why more data isn't always better care. [07:12]
• Consciously choosing what not to track or act upon. [09:37]
• Shifting from performative to supportive self-care. [10:18]
• What should be the actual role of health and self-care? [11:38]
• Practical steps to curate health inputs and regain balance. [12:43]
• Where does vanity pressure end and health begin in marketing? [15:06]

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

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