The Balanced Badass Podcast®

This week I'm joined by Courtney Townley, a health and self-leadership coach and author of The Consistency Code. We get into integrity pain, that nagging discomfort when your daily choices don't match what you actually want for your life, why willpower isn't the fix, and the four practices behind her Consistency Code: awareness, organization, follow through, and realignment. If you've ever set a goal, fallen off, and then beaten yourself up about it, this one's for you. Falling out of alignm...

What happens when the wellness coach burns out? Lisa Shubin knows. She built a career helping people inside corporate and healthcare systems take care of themselves, then had to figure out how to take her own advice. In this episode, we talk about the gap between how organizations talk about wellness and how work actually gets done, the signals your body sends before a breakdown, and how her Ignite framework helps people build sustainable recovery rooted in values instead of hustle. I’ve been...

A 2025 New York Times piece asked whether women have "ruined the workplace," blaming flexibility and empathy for what's broken. Alison Campbell, founder of unBurnt® and former Chief of Staff turned leadership researcher, joins me to set the record straight. We talk burnout, workplace design, working motherhood, and what her new research with Bentley University is uncovering about how people actually feel at work right now. This is an honest conversation about who's really responsible for burn...

Most of us built our careers around answers we gave before we really knew ourselves. Elizabeth has a front-row seat to how that plays out. She's an HR pro and founder of Cultivate Growth Co., who works with early career professionals every day. In this conversation, we get into the expectations gap between what young people think work will look like and what it actually demands, why knowing who you are matters more than knowing what you want to do, and the reflection practice Elizabeth uses t...

Feeling like you're constantly running on empty? In this episode, registered nurse and nervous system regulation coach Audrey Rose breaks down what it really means to regulate your nervous system—and no, it's not about being zen 24/7 or quitting your job. We dive into Audrey's personal burnout story from her time as a lead nurse during the pandemic, the science behind fight-or-flight vs. rest-and-digest, and her four-step RISE method for managing stress in real time. You'll learn practical to...

Back in August, I posted a viral video about workplace mobbing and received overwhelming support from people who could finally put their experiences into words. Recently, another creator copied my content word for word, highlighting the issue of content theft. This incident made me reflect on how similar situations happen at work, where ideas are stolen without clear attribution. I discuss the importance of making your ideas traceable, providing context, and using documentation to prote...

Think quitting your job will erase burnout? Think again. In this episode, we dig into the lingering effects of burnout even after you’ve left a toxic work environment. Learn about burnout aftershocks, rebuilding your sense of safety, and the slow, steady path to true recovery. We’ll explore how to recognize and rewire your burnout DNA, reclaim your value, and design your work-life balance with intention. Featuring tips on setting boundaries, mental conditioning, and building a sup...

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 reason for many frustrated employees. Discover how small daily injustices and performative HR policies can undermine corporate culture and why unfiltered honesty is in high demand. Jesse offers insights on how companies can improve employee experience and ma...

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 break down practical strategies to stay effective without burning out, including the five Cs framework to diagnose your constraints, how to advocate for what you need with data (not drama), and smart ways to protect your wellbeing. Whether you're staying pu...

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 professionals stuck. We talk about the smartest ways to negotiate at the offer stage, advocate for yourself inside your current role, and push back on outdated systems without blowing up your career. Tessa also shares what really happens behind the scene...

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-centric ideology, we uncover how to separate who we are from what we do. Let's find out how to reclaim our identities beyond our resumes and build burnout-resistant lives. Check out the detailed show notes (https://tarakermiet.com/podcast/) and ...

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-being. Nicole shares valuable insights on creating a space that supports healing and growth. If you're into interior design, wellness, and making your home feel like a cozy hug, this convo is for you. Tune in and get ready to rethink your space! Check out...

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 deliver on their promises of a supportive, healthy environment. We explore personal experiences, the concept of cultural debt, and the pitfalls of culture certifications. Job seekers and current employees alike will learn to trust their instincts and a...