The Balance Theory

Episoder

• Everything You're Consuming Is Making You Less of Yourself (Here's What You Can Do) | Mo Gawdat 31.05.2026 1t 55min

  You've been doing the work. Reading, listening, growing, trying. And yet something keeps feeling off, like the life you're building is quietly being pulled in a direction you didn't choose. In this episode of The Balance Theory, Erika sits down with Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer at Google X, bestselling author of Solve for Happy and Scary Smart, and one of the most original thinkers on the planet. This isn't a conversation about productivity or optimisation. It's about something deeper: the invisible forces shaping who you are, how you think, and what you believe is possible, and how to take that back. If you've ever caught yourself thinking: "I feel like I'm losing time but I don't know where it's going" "Something feels off but I can't name it" "I don't feel as in control of my life as I want to be" "I want to feel more like myself again" "I'm not sure what's actually true anymore" WHAT WE COVER: The unconscious daily decisions quietly costing you years of your life Why your life is being hijacked and how to see it clearly How long-form content protects your emotional intelligence Mo's framework for knowing what is actually true in the news How to move from passive observer to someone who actually makes change The flip flop deep technique for consuming information consciously The difference between a good man and a nice man A powerful 30-minute brain exercise Mo does every day Whether AI is a threat or the greatest opportunity humanity has ever had How to raise conscious humans in an AI world Why utopia might only be 10 years away Mo Gawdat doesn't just name the problem. He gives you the tools to reclaim your mind, your time, and who you're becoming. SPONSORS: ✨ONESKIN⁠ ⁠⁠- Save 15% Off using the code 'BALANCE' by going to www.oneskin.co/BALANCE 💧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AQUATRU ⁠- Get 20% off using the code 'SHERIKA' at www.aquatru.com 🩷 MOMENTUM - Get your free welcome kit and travel collection at www.momentumshake.com/balancetheory CONNECT 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠ Mo Gawdat Part 1: 🎥 Watch here. TIME STAMPS (00:00) Introduction (11:21) Decisions that cost you time (17:19) Your life is being hijacked by this (26:26) Long form is better for your emotions (29:31) How do we make sense of what's true in the news? (40:55) How to actually make change (you matter) (49:40) Flip flop deep technique for consuming news (56:17) Good man versus nice man (59:57) Watch THESE words (1:03:34) Do this POWERFUL exercise for your mind (1:15:08) Is AI going to destroy our future? (1:21:58) Raising Superman (1:27:29) How do you put in guardrails with AI? (1:43:59) AI will take over all jobs WHO AM I? My name is Erika and I am an Australian living in Dubai. I have my own business as a strategic legal consultant and run this podcast to explore my passion + curiosity for all things health, wellness, self growth & mindset. A big focus of mine is how to sustainably navigate a busy schedule and live my best life in the process. Welcome to my Channel! 📸 ⁠⁠⁠Connect with me on IG!⁠⁠⁠ RESOURCES ▶︎⁠⁠⁠ 25 Day Self Development Marathon⁠⁠⁠ ▶︎ ⁠⁠⁠21 Day Self Growth Challenge⁠⁠⁠ ▶︎ ⁠⁠⁠Goal Setting System E-Book⁠⁠⁠ LET’S BE FRIENDS 📸 ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ 📱⁠⁠⁠Tiktok⁠⁠⁠ 🧡 This description may contain affiliate links that allow you to find the items mentioned in this video and support the channel at no cost to you. Thank you for your support! how to stress less, decrease stress, how to reduce stress, how to stop overthinking, how to calm your mind, stress management, how to feel less stressed, overthinking and stress, stress advice, how to stop spiralling, emotional overwhelm, future anxiety, how to manage stress, practical stress tips #HowToStressLess #DecreaseStress #StressManagement #Overthinking #MentalHealth #SelfDevelopment #TheBalanceTheory #PersonalGrowth #Mindset #EmotionalWellbeing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• The Stress Advice That Actually Changed My Life | Alice Law 24.05.2026 1t

  Feeling stressed, overwhelmed or like your brain just won’t switch off? In this episode of The Balance Theory Podcast, we sit with Alice Law and unpack the stress advice that can actually change your life , not by pretending stress does not exist or that it’s unavoidable, but by helping you understand what is happening in your brain, body, environment and inner world when stress takes over. This conversation is for you if you have been wondering how to stress less, how to stop overthinking, how to decrease stress in your everyday life, or how to feel calmer when life feels uncertain. We explore why stress can feel so hard to manage, what happens when your brain starts spiralling, and why overthinking often feels productive even when it is keeping you stuck. You’ll learn practical tools to calm your mind, reduce stress in the moment, and create more “micro-certainty” when everything around you feels unpredictable. We also talk about the fine line between planning and overthinking, the signs of stress most people ignore, and how your environment could be quietly increasing your stress threshold every day. This episode also goes deeper into the idea of spiritual stress: the kind of stress that comes from living out of alignment, ignoring your intuition, saying yes when you mean no, or not knowing who you are beyond the labels you carry. If you are feeling overwhelmed, mentally exhausted, anxious about the future, or like your thoughts are running your life, this conversation will help you understand stress differently and give you practical ways to decrease stress and feel more in control again. In this episode, we cover: * How to stress less when your brain will not switch off * Why overthinking can make stress worse * What is happening in your brain when you worry about the future * The signs of stress most people ignore * The four different types of stress * How to stop spiralling when you feel overwhelmed * The difference between planning and overthinking * Simple environment hacks to decrease stress * Why your morning routine and phone habits may be increasing stress * How to create micro-certainty when life feels uncertain * How to strengthen your intuition * The difference between anxiety and intuition * What spiritual stress is and how to recognise it * One thing you can do immediately to feel less stressed This could be the one episode that changes your everyday life. SPONSORS: 💧 ⁠⁠CURE⁠ HYDRATION ⁠⁠- Save 20% Off using the code 'BALANCETHEORY' by going to www.curehydration.com 🍯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠HONEYLOVE- Get 20% off using the code 'BALANCE' at www.honeylove.com/BALANCE CONNECT 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠ TAKE ALICE LAW'S FREE QUIZ TIME STAMPS (00:00) Introduction (07:48) What are we missing about stress? (10:30) What’s happening when you’re overthinking the future (15:01) What are the signs people ignore? (15:45) The 4 types of stress (20:00) Most people’s stress types (24:21) What to do when you’re overthinking (practical exercise) (28:54) What is fine line between planning and overthinking (34:54) Do this if you feel yourself spiralling (39:29) Try this (with your brain) to feel more confident (39:03) Environment hacks to make your life less stressful (41:40) Spiritual Stress - here’s what to look out for (52:02) Exercise to try to strengthen your intuition (52:28) How do we keep growing when so easy to outsource to AI? (56:36) Final lesson on stress (57:44) Do this immediately to feel less stress WHO AM I? My name is Erika and I am an Australian living in Dubai. I have my own business as a strategic legal consultant and run this podcast to explore my passion + curiosity for all things health, wellness, self growth & mindset. A big focus of mine is how to sustainably navigate a busy schedule and live my best life in the process. Welcome to my Channel! 📸 ⁠⁠Connect with me on IG!⁠⁠ RESOURCES ▶︎⁠⁠ 25 Day Self Development Marathon⁠⁠ ▶︎ ⁠⁠21 Day Self Growth Challenge⁠⁠ ▶︎ ⁠⁠Goal Setting System E-Book⁠⁠ LET’S BE FRIENDS 📸 ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ 📱⁠⁠Tiktok⁠⁠ 🧡 This description may contain affiliate links that allow you to find the items mentioned in this video and support the channel at no cost to you. Thank you for your support! how to stress less, decrease stress, how to reduce stress, how to stop overthinking, how to calm your mind, stress management, how to feel less stressed, overthinking and stress, stress advice, how to stop spiralling, emotional overwhelm, future anxiety, how to manage stress, practical stress tips #HowToStressLess #DecreaseStress #StressManagement #Overthinking #MentalHealth #SelfDevelopment #TheBalanceTheory #PersonalGrowth #Mindset #EmotionalWellbeing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• How to Build Unshakable Belief Before Success Shows Up | Anam Khalid 17.05.2026 1t 2min

  What does it really take to become the version of yourself who can hold the success, business, life and vision you say you want? In this episode of The Balance Theory Podcast, I sit down with Anam Khalid, co-founder of SQUATWOLF, to talk about the personal evolution behind building a global brand, from leaving the corporate world, to trusting the unknown, to developing the self-belief required before success shows up. Anam shares her journey from growing up in Pakistan to moving to Dubai and building SQUATWOLF into an international activewear brand. But this conversation goes far beyond business. We talk about what it means to leave the safe path, how to know when you have outgrown a version of your life that looks good on paper, and why success often requires you to upgrade yourself before your external world can change. We explore the mindset shift from employee to entrepreneur, how to build belief before you have proof, why naivety and “delusion” can sometimes be a blessing, and the personal growth required to take a business from 0 to 1 and then from 1 to 10. Anam also opens up about burnout, brain fog, working with her husband as co-founder and co-CEO, navigating boundaries between marriage and business, and why the state of a founder often becomes the state of the business. If you have ever felt like you are made for more, but you are not sure what that next version of yourself looks like yet, this episode is for you. CONNECT 📸 ⁠Instagram ⁠ TIME STAMPS (00:00) Introduction (07:08) Losing the corporate mindset (09:44) Thoughts on whether the ‘corporate’ mind will exceed in business (13:11) Having belief from day 1 (17:55) I didn’t expect to doubt myself in this moment (22:06) Is the vision what you have now? (24:10) My personal growth alongside business (28:55) How do you know when it’s time ot personally level up (33:41) The Balance theory (44:28) Bouncing out of brain fog & burn out (46:06) How do you be husband/wife and Co-CEOs? (52:06) Work / Life Boundaries (54:53) Switching into feminine energy after work (58:20) Who has Dubai given you permission to become? WHO AM I? My name is Erika and I am an Australian living in Dubai. I have my own business as a strategic legal consultant and run this podcast to explore my passion + curiosity for all things health, wellness, self growth & mindset. A big focus of mine is how to sustainably navigate a busy schedule and live my best life in the process. Welcome to my Channel! 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with me on IG!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ RESOURCES ▶︎⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 25 Day Self Development Marathon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ▶︎ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠21 Day Self Growth Challenge⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ▶︎ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Goal Setting System E-Book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LET’S BE FRIENDS 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📱⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⭐ ⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠ 🧡 This description may contain affiliate links that allow you to find the items mentioned in this video and support the channel at no cost to you. Thank you for your support! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• How to Brainwash Yourself Into Becoming the 1% | Honia Kader 10.05.2026 55min

  What does it really take to become her, the woman who creates abundance, wealth, success and a life that once felt impossible? In this powerful episode of The Balance Theory, I sit down with Honia Kader to unpack the mindset, identity work and self-belief required to become the 1%, not just financially, but emotionally, energetically and internally. Honia shares how she went from feeling like success, wealth and “that kind of life” were for other people, to completely rewiring her identity and building a life of abundance. We talk about the hidden work behind becoming successful, why mindset is not “fluff,” how to create wealth without guilt, and what it really means to step into the version of yourself who can hold more. In this episode, we discuss how to become her, how to become the 1%, how to create abundance and wealth, and how to shift your mindset so success no longer feels out of reach. If you’ve ever felt like you were made for more but didn’t know where to start, this conversation is for you. SPONSORS: ⁠🥛 ⁠⁠KA'CHAVA⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠- Save 15% Off using the code 'BALANCETHEORY' by going to www.kachava.com 💧 ⁠⁠⁠AQUATRU⁠⁠ - Get 20% off using the code 'ERIKA' at www.aquatru.com CONNECT 📸 ⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠ TIME STAMPS (00:00) Introduction (08:31) When did you know you were made for more? (12:16) Where do you start with starting over? (18:14) What are the hidden things to changing your life? (22:52) How did you brainwash yourself for success? (25:39) Should we fake it until we make it? (29:33) What is the dynamic of a wealthy woman in a marriage? (33:31) Being ambitious with work and a soft woman at home (40:08) Old Patterns popping up in present day life (44:44) How did Honia meet her husband? (45:48) Availability Currency Best for listeners searching for: how to become her how to become the 1%how to create abundance and wealth how to create your dream life how to rewire your mindset for success how to become successful how to build wealth as a woman how to believe success is possible for you how to step into your future self how to become the woman you want to be identity work for success abundance mindset for women wealth mindset for women #HowToBecomeHer #BecomeThe1Percent #AbundanceMindset #WealthMindset #CreateYourDreamLife #MindsetShift #WomenInBusiness #PersonalDevelopment #SelfBelief #TheBalanceTheory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Stop Just "Going Through" Life & Start FEELING It Again! | Dr Louise Lambert 03.05.2026 56min

  If you’ve ever felt like you’re just going through the motions of life… this episode is for you. On the outside, everything might look good. You’re doing what you’re “supposed” to do. But internally, something feels off. Like you’re not fully in your life. In this episode of The Balance Theory, Erika sits down with psychologist Dr Louise Lambert to explore why so many of us feel disconnected from our own lives and what actually helps you feel like you’re living again. This conversation goes beyond surface-level advice. It dives into what the science says about happiness, why simply “fixing problems” isn’t enough, and how to shift from just functioning… to truly feeling your life. If you’ve been craving more presence, more meaning, or just a deeper connection to your everyday life, this will give you a completely new perspective. What We Cover: * Why you can feel “fine”… but still feel disconnected from your life * The concept of “languishing” and why so many people are stuck there * Why focusing on the past isn’t the key to a better present * The 3 types of people: which one you are and what to do about it * What the science actually says about happiness (and what we get wrong) * Does more success, money, or discipline lead to happier lives? * A simple way to reconnect with meaning and purpose in your life * The difference between positive thinking and useful thinking * Practical ways to shift out of autopilot and feel more present 
 You don’t need to overhaul your life to feel better, you need to change how you experience it. SPONSORS: ⁠🍯 HONEYLOVE⁠ ⁠ ⁠- Save 20% Off Honeylove by going to honeylove.com/BALANCE ! #honeylovepod #sponsored 💆🏻‍♀️ ⁠KINSYN - Get 20% off using the code 'BALANCETHEORY' https://kinsyn.com/balancetheory CONNECT 📸 ⁠Instagram ⁠ 📖 Check out Dr Louise Lambert's book on Amazon TIME STAMPS (00:00) Introduction (04:14) What is Positive Psychology (07:28) Stop letting the past take up today’s space (08:54) 3 types of people: which one are you? (16:31) How do you get more out of life? (18:24) Research on what ACTUALLY makes change work (22:05) Practical Activity: Finding meaning & purpose (27:56) This will 100% make you happier (31:51) Step by step guide on Self Talk (37:50) DO NOT be optimistic 100% of the time (39:38) What you think is going to make you happy (46:00) How to persist through challenges (48:00) Does Money Make us happier? (51:34) What is happiness? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• If You Want to Be More Confident, Communicate Like THIS | Shereen Mitwalli 26.04.2026 53min

  What if confidence isn’t something you build… but something you express? In this episode of The Balance Theory, Erika sits down with Shereen Mitwalli to unpack one of the biggest misconceptions around confidence: that it comes from what you say, when in reality… it comes from how you say it. If you’ve ever felt like you know what you want to say but hesitate, overthink, or struggle to articulate yourself clearly, this conversation will completely reframe how you approach communication. Because confidence isn’t about saying more. 
It’s about saying things in a way that actually lands. This episode explores the subtle shifts that can transform how people perceive you, whether that’s being taken seriously at work, feeling more self-assured in conversations, or simply expressing who you truly are without second guessing yourself. What We Cover: * Why confidence is more about delivery than content * The 3 key principles to communicate clearly and effectively * How overthinking is quietly undermining your confidence * Why not everyone needs to like you (and why that’s powerful) * The biggest communication mistakes people make without realising * How to speak in a way that makes people actually listen * Practical ways to show up more confidently at work and in life 
Subscribe to The Balance Theory for more conversations that help you think clearer, show up stronger, and create a life that actually feels aligned. SPONSORS: 💧 CURE HYDRATION - Use code “BALANCETHEORY” to get 20% off https://www.curehydration.com 🚀 MOMENTUM - Free Welcome Kit and Travel Collection https://www.momentumshake.com/balancetheory CONNECT 📸 Instagram 🎥 Watch Shereen Mitwalli's TedTalk TIME STAMPS (00:00) Introduction (05:28) Tips to communicate better (11:23) It’s about HOW you say things (14:34) Leaving personal things at the door (18:48) What do most people get wrong in communicating who they are (22:50) Confidence & Knowing Who You Are (29:26) Communication at Work (38:09) Avoid these things in communication (43:04) The real story of JK Rowling (49:23) Check your self belief like this WHO AM I? My name is Erika and I am an Australian living in Dubai. I have my own business as a strategic legal consultant and run this podcast to explore my passion + curiosity for all things health, wellness, self growth & mindset. A big focus of mine is how to sustainably navigate a busy schedule and live my best life in the process. Welcome to my Channel! 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with me on IG!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ RESOURCES ▶︎⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 25 Day Self Development Marathon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ▶︎ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠21 Day Self Growth Challenge⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ▶︎ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Goal Setting System E-Book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LET’S BE FRIENDS 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📱⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⭐ ⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠ 🧡 This description may contain affiliate links that allow you to find the items mentioned in this video and support the channel at no cost to you. Thank you for your support! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Why Fasting & Eating Clean Might Be Backfiring for You | Iman Hasan 19.04.2026 54min

  What if the reason you still feel off… isn’t because you’re not trying hard enough, but because the advice you’re following was never designed for your body? In this episode of The Balance Theory, Erika sits down with Iman Hasan to unpack one of the most frustrating experiences so many women face: doing everything “right” when it comes to health - eating clean, trying fasting, investing in supplements and still not feeling better. This conversation challenges the idea that more discipline or stricter habits are the answer. Instead, it explores what’s actually happening beneath the surface, from chronic stress and nervous system dysregulation to why your body might not be absorbing the nutrients you’re giving it. If you’ve ever felt like your body isn’t responding the way it “should”… this episode will help you understand why and what to focus on instead. What We Cover: * Why fasting doesn’t work the same for every woman and when it can actually make things worse * The hidden impact of stress and being in a constant fight-or-flight state * Why your body might not be absorbing nutrients (even if you’re eating well) * The truth about “healthy eating” and why food quality isn’t what it used to be * Why supplements alone won’t fix the root issue * The importance of cell health and what it actually means * How to approach your health in a way that works with your body, not against it * Simple, overlooked shifts that can make a real difference day-to-day You’re not doing it wrong, but your body might be under more stress than you realise. And until your body feels safe, no amount of “healthy habits” will work the way you expect them to. SPONSORS: 🌬️ AIR DOCTOR - Use code “ERIKA” to get $300 off https://www.airdoctorpro.com CONNECT 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Iman's Instagram 🎥 Biohack-It Youtube Channel TIME STAMPS (00:00) Introduction (05:21) The Core Pillars of Nutrition (08:14) What smart choices do we need to make for food? (16:42) Biggest health changes to make everyday (18:01) Cell Health (20:01) Fasting for Women (35:06) What role does intuition have to play in health? (35:39) Regulating versus Creating Space for the Nervous System (43:32) What are politicians doing wrong right now? (50:17) You need to be asking questions WHO AM I? My name is Erika and I am an Australian living in Dubai. I have my own business as a strategic legal consultant and run this podcast to explore my passion + curiosity for all things health, wellness, self growth & mindset. A big focus of mine is how to sustainably navigate a busy schedule and live my best life in the process. Welcome to my Channel! 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with me on IG!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ RESOURCES ▶︎⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 25 Day Self Development Marathon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ▶︎ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠21 Day Self Growth Challenge⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ▶︎ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Goal Setting System E-Book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LET’S BE FRIENDS 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📱⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⭐ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🧡 This description may contain affiliate links that allow you to find the items mentioned in this video and support the channel at no cost to you. Thank you for your support! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• The Reason You Haven’t Changed Your Life Yet (And How To) | Shivani Pau 12.04.2026 50min

  What if the reason you haven’t changed your life yet… isn’t because you’re not capable, but because you’re not ready in the way you think? In this episode of The Balance Theory, Erika sits down with top 1% podcast host and founder Shivani Pau to unpack the reality behind wanting more, feeling stuck, and questioning whether it’s time to leave your job. This isn’t another conversation telling you to “just quit” or “follow your passion.”It’s a grounded, honest look at what actually happens when you move too soon and what truly needs to shift before your life can change. If you’ve ever felt like: “I want more from my life… but I don’t know what’s stopping me” “I’m not fulfilled, but I don’t feel ready to leave” “I’m scared I’ll make the wrong decision” “Why hasn’t anything changed yet, even though I want it to?” then this episode is for you! 🔑 What We Cover: * The truth about quitting your job too early (and what it taught Shivani) * Why feeling “ready” is often misunderstood * The difference between timing vs internal readiness * The mistake most people make when trying to change their life * How to build proof of concept before taking the leap * Why your environment plays a bigger role than you think * Redefining self-worth beyond external validation * How to stop feeling stuck and start creating real momentum This episode will give you the clarity you’ve been missing. SPONSORS: 💧 AQUA TRU - Use code “ERIKA” to get 20% off https://www.aquatru.com ⚪ KA'CHAVA - Go to https://kachava.com and use code "BALANCETHEORY" for 15% off your first order. CONNECT 📸 ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ - Shivani's Instagram TIME STAMPS (02:17) Shivani’s story (15:54) Quitting work too early (20:53) Why you need a proof of concept (25:27) Timing v Internal Readiness (34:36) How do you measure your worth? (37:05) Why is changing your environment necessary? (46:57) I’m not good enough WHO AM I? My name is Erika and I am an Australian living in Dubai. I have my own business as a strategic legal consultant and run this podcast to explore my passion + curiosity for all things health, wellness, self growth & mindset. A big focus of mine is how to sustainably navigate a busy schedule and live my best life in the process. Welcome to my Channel! 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with me on IG!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ RESOURCES ▶︎⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 25 Day Self Development Marathon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ▶︎ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠21 Day Self Growth Challenge⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ▶︎ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Goal Setting System E-Book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LET’S BE FRIENDS 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📱⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⭐ ⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠ 🧡 This description may contain affiliate links that allow you to find the items mentioned in this video and support the channel at no cost to you. Thank you for your support! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• If You Want Both a Career and a Family… You Need to Hear This 05.04.2026 57min

   What if the reason so many ambitious women feel torn about motherhood isn’t because they have to choose… but because no one has shown them how both can actually work? In this episode of The Balance Theory, Erika sits down with psychologist and friend (and her first guest ever on the show) Nancy Sokarno, to unpack the real, unfiltered experience of becoming a working mum - beyond the surface-level advice and societal expectations. This conversation explores the identity shift that comes with motherhood, the internal conflict high-achieving women often face, and the uncomfortable truths that aren’t spoken about enough: from grief and resentment to guilt and pressure to “do it all.” But more importantly, it reframes the narrative. This isn’t about choosing between ambition and family. It’s about understanding what needs to evolve within you to hold both. Whether you’re planning to become a mum, navigating early motherhood, or trying to build a life that includes both career and family, this episode will give you a deeper perspective on what that actually requires. 💭 What We Cover: Why motherhood is an identity evolution, not just a new role The internal pressure to be the “perfect” mother — and how to let it go Why high-achieving women often struggle more in early motherhood Grieving your old self while stepping into a new version of you The truth about resentment, guilt, and relationship shifts after a baby How to communicate better with your partner before and after becoming parents Why asking for help is harder than it sounds (and how to shift this) The reality of becoming a working mum — and why simple things feel harder What ambition looks like after motherhood — and how it changes The key mindset shift that allows you to build both a career and a family You don’t go backwards after becoming a mother, you evolve. The version of you that’s capable of holding both ambition and motherhood isn’t the old you… it’s the next version of you. LINKS 💧 CURE HYDRATION - Use code “BALANCETHEORY” to get 20% off ⚪ KINSYN - Use code "BALANCETHEORY" to get 20% off CONNECT 📸 ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ 🎥 Original Nancy episode TIME STAMPS (01:36) Introduction (07:47) Motherhood: Role change or identity reconstruction? (13:10) Work you do before becoming a mother (17:46) Grieving our old selves (22:45) Understanding resentment (27:53) Conversation starters for couples before a baby (31:14) Asking for help (36:58) Working Mum (46:02) What skills in high performing women work against them when becoming mums? (52:04) One thing all parents should know WHO AM I? My name is Erika and I am an Australian living in Dubai. I have my own business as a strategic legal consultant and run this podcast to explore my passion + curiosity for all things health, wellness, self growth & mindset. A big focus of mine is how to sustainably navigate a busy schedule and live my best life in the process. Welcome to my Channel! 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with me on IG!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ RESOURCES ▶︎⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 25 Day Self Development Marathon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ▶︎ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠21 Day Self Growth Challenge⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ▶︎ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Goal Setting System E-Book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LET’S BE FRIENDS 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📱⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⭐ ⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠ 🧡 This description may contain affiliate links that allow you to find the items mentioned in this video and support the channel at no cost to you. Thank you for your support! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Manifest Your Dream Life Faster (Without Working Harder) | Regan Hillyer 29.03.2026 1t 3min

  What if the reason you’re not living your dream life yet isn’t because you’re not working hard enough… but because you’re focusing on the wrong things? In this episode of The Balance Theory, Erika sits down with manifestation expert and entrepreneur Regan Hillyer to break down what actually creates results and why working harder is often the biggest misconception holding you back. This is not about wishful thinking or surface-level manifestation. It’s about understanding your internal programming, shifting your emotional state, and learning how to align your actions with the life you actually want.If you’ve ever felt like: “I know I’m capable of more, but I don’t know where to start” “I’m doing everything right… but nothing is changing” “I don’t have enough time, money, or resources yet” this conversation will challenge that and give you a new way to approach creating your dream life. 🔑 What We Cover: - Why working harder is NOT the answer to building your dream life - The hidden beliefs that keep you stuck in the same reality - How to stop living on autopilot and start creating intentionally - Practical steps to manifest your exact dream life - The role of emotional state in attracting opportunities - How successful people actually think differently about growth and success You don't want to miss this episode. It literally felt like magic sitting in it! LINKS 💆‍♀️ COZY EARTH - Use code “ERIKA” to get 20% off (I’m currently loving the ankle weight socks) CONNECT 📸 ⁠Instagram⁠ TIME STAMPS (01:51) Introduction (08:44) How do we start to create change in our life? (13:12) Practical tips to manifest your exact dream life (14:28) How to change your emotional state to manigest what you want (18:16) Set Manifestation Alarms (21:42) How do we manifest with our wounds there? (26:32) Manifesting $1 million in 8 months (33:22) Do I need to be patient or course correct? (40:08) How to deadlines work with manifesting? (42:55) Whats the most common money block? (45:14) MUST TRY: Vision beyond Vision (50:48) Can we borrow from our future self? WHO AM I? My name is Erika and I am an Australian living in Dubai. I have my own business as a strategic legal consultant and run this podcast to explore my passion + curiosity for all things health, wellness, self growth & mindset. A big focus of mine is how to sustainably navigate a busy schedule and live my best life in the process. Welcome to my Channel! 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with me on IG!⁠⁠⁠⁠ RESOURCES ▶︎⁠⁠⁠⁠ 25 Day Self Development Marathon⁠⁠⁠⁠ ▶︎ ⁠⁠⁠⁠21 Day Self Growth Challenge⁠⁠⁠⁠ ▶︎ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Goal Setting System E-Book⁠⁠⁠⁠ LET’S BE FRIENDS 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📱⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⭐ ⁠Substack⁠ 🧡 This description may contain affiliate links that allow you to find the items mentioned in this video and support the channel at no cost to you. Thank you for your support! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• What to Stop Saying Yes To (If You Want a Better Life) 22.03.2026 47min

  What if the reason you feel constantly busy, overwhelmed, or pulled in every direction is because you’re saying yes to the wrong things? In this episode of The Balance Theory, Erika sits down with Christine Assouad - author, serial entrepreneur, investor on Shark Tank Lebanon, and founder behind multiple ventures including Dunkin’ Lebanon and Semsom. She has mentored thousands of women across the Middle East and beyond and recently released her book The Power to Say Yes, which explores how learning to say yes to yourself can transform your life and career. In this conversation, Christine shares what she has learned from mentoring thousands of women, why so many ambitious people struggle with guilt and overcommitment, and how to become intentional about where your time, energy, and attention go. This episode dives into the tension between being capable and feeling obliged, why energy management matters more than time management, and how to start designing a life aligned with what actually matters to you. What We Cover • Why so many people say yes to everyone except themselves 
• The hidden difference between being capable and feeling obligated
 • The Wheel of Life exercise to understand what truly matters
• Why many ambitious women feel burnt out despite doing everything “right”
 • The importance of energy management, not just time management 
• How saying yes to one opportunity can shape an entirely different life path
 • Why guilt often holds people back from pursuing what they want 
• The smallest “yes” you can start with today to reclaim control of your life This episode could be the one that powerfully changes your life. Make sure to share it with a friend if someone came to mind during the episode! CONNECT 📸 Instagram 📚 The Power to Say YES! TIME STAMPS (00:34) Introduction (03:16) Saying Yes to Everyone But Yourself (04:33) What Foundation Do We Need To Build? (10:04) Wheel of Life Exercise (15:49) Hardest YES You’ve Given (19:58) Being Capable v Obliged (22:59) Energy Management (26:43) Being an Entrepreneur v. Careerist (31:20) Running 3 Iterations of Your Life (34:35) How to Dream Without Being Ungrateful? (38:37) Why a Monk Can’t Understand Guilt (43:02) What’s the Smallest YES Someone Can Start With Today? WHO AM I? My name is Erika and I am an Australian living in Dubai. I have my own business as a strategic legal consultant and run this podcast to explore my passion + curiosity for all things health, wellness, self growth & mindset. A big focus of mine is how to sustainably navigate a busy schedule and live my best life in the process. Welcome to my Channel! 📸 ⁠⁠⁠Connect with me on IG!⁠⁠⁠ RESOURCES ▶︎⁠⁠⁠ 25 Day Self Development Marathon⁠⁠⁠ ▶︎ ⁠⁠⁠21 Day Self Growth Challenge⁠⁠⁠ ▶︎ ⁠⁠⁠Goal Setting System E-Book⁠⁠⁠ LET’S BE FRIENDS 📸 ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ 📱⁠⁠⁠Tiktok⁠⁠⁠ ⭐ Substack 🧡 This description may contain affiliate links that allow you to find the items mentioned in this video and support the channel at no cost to you. Thank you for your support! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• How to Start Over (Even When You Think It’s Too Late) 15.03.2026 50min

  What if the version of you that feels stuck, behind, or embarrassed about your past… is actually standing at the beginning of something powerful? In this episode, I sit down with Crazy Auntie Ann, who went from alcoholism and rock bottom to 3M+ followers on TikTok, not by trying to go viral, but by finally becoming herself. We talk about what it really means to stop caring what people think, how to reinvent yourself at any age, and why surrender, not willpower, changed her life forever. This is a conversation about identity, confidence, sobriety, self-forgiveness, and starting again. If you’ve ever felt: * Like you’re behind in life * Like you wasted years * Like it’s “too late” to change * Or like you’ve been living for other people. 💬 One of My Favourite Moments: “It’s not about winning or self-control. It’s about defeat.” That surrender became the beginning of everything for Ann. This episode is for you. LINKS 💆‍♀️ ⁠COZY EARTH⁠ - Use code “ERIKA” to get 20% off ⁠HERE⁠ (I’m currently loving their comforters to enhance deep sleep)! 💨 AIR DOCTOR - Use code “ERIKA” to get $300 off: https://airdoctorpro.com 📸 I⁠⁠nstagram⁠⁠ TIME STAMPS (01:53) Introduction (07:41) Why did u start making TikToks? (11:13) Why did you set your content? (15:48) What advice would you give to creators? (17:53) I haven’t always been confident (18:59) The Cream Bun Theory (23:44) Alcohol Addiction (26:53) Rock bottom (32:10) How did you forgive yourself? (39:46) What did you become after sobriety? (44:25) How did your family respond to your growing fame? (48:14) How did you find your passion so late in life? WHO AM I? My name is Erika and I am an Australian living in Dubai. I have my own business as a strategic legal consultant and run this podcast to explore my passion + curiosity for all things health, wellness, self growth & mindset. A big focus of mine is how to sustainably navigate a busy schedule and live my best life in the process. Welcome to my Channel! 📸 ⁠⁠Connect with me on IG!⁠⁠ RESOURCES ▶︎⁠⁠ 25 Day Self Development Marathon⁠⁠ ▶︎ ⁠⁠21 Day Self Growth Challenge⁠⁠ ▶︎ ⁠⁠Goal Setting System E-Book⁠⁠ LET’S BE FRIENDS 📸 ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ 📱⁠⁠Tiktok⁠⁠ MY FAVOURITE STUFF 💻 Email & Calendar tool - ⁠⁠Sunsama for 1 Month free trial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• How to Grow Without Losing Yourself | Brooki 08.03.2026 1t 22min

  From making just $300 a day in her early bakery days to raising $25 million in venture capital and expanding from local to global, this growth story is extraordinary. But this conversation isn’t just about numbers. It’s about what happens when success comes fast. In this episode of The Balance Theory, I’m joined by Brooki, founder of Brooki Bakehouse, for her first ever podcast interview. We talk about the identity work that needs to happen before growth, the trade-offs that come with scaling a business publicly, and how to build something big without losing who you are. Because success doesn’t build your character, it reveals it. In this episode, we unpack: * How Brooki went from $300 days to raising $25M+ * The single decision that changed the trajectory of her business * What it really felt like when everything started snowballing * The reality of building a brand in public * How she handles scrutiny and criticism * The trade-offs of growing a global business while raising young children * Why becoming a mum became her superpower, not a setback * How to grow without losing yourself * Why you need to build yourself before you build success If you’re ambitious, building something, navigating change, or stepping into a new level of life, this episode will shift how you think about growth. Because the real question isn’t how to succeed. It’s who you become along the way. Subscribe for more conversations on ambition, mindset, identity and building a life that feels aligned. #Brooki #FemaleFounder #EntrepreneurMindset #VentureCapital #WomenInBusiness #PersonalGrowth #TheBalanceTheory #StartupJourney #WorkingMum #BuildingInPublic LINKS 💆‍♀️ ⁠COZY EARTH⁠ - Use code “ERIKA” to get 20% off ⁠HERE⁠ (I’m currently loving their comforters to enhance deep sleep)! 💧 AQUATRU Use code “ERIKA” to get 20% off at https://www.aquatru.com 📸 I⁠⁠nstagram⁠⁠ TIME STAMPS (01:54) Introduction (07:15) How I Got To Know Myself (16:19) What Made You Start Your First Bakery? (23:27) How Did You Meet your Husband? (26:31) When did you Realise It Was going to be Bigger than a Local Bakery? (30:14) This Single Decision Shaped the Trajectory of My Business (32:17) What Was your Dream When You Opened The Bakery? (37:12) What Did You Struggle With Behind the Veil of Success? (43:54) The Reality of Being a Working Mum (55:50) Trade Offs You Have To Make in Life (1:00:57) How do You Stay Confident When Your Integrity Is Questioned Publicly? (01:09:28) Securing $25 Million in VC Funding (01:15:19) What Has Been the Biggest Shift For You Being Local to Global WHO AM I? My name is Erika and I am an Australian living in Dubai. I have my own business as a strategic legal consultant and run this podcast to explore my passion + curiosity for all things health, wellness, self growth & mindset. A big focus of mine is how to sustainably navigate a busy schedule and live my best life in the process. Welcome to my Channel! 📸 ⁠⁠Connect with me on IG!⁠⁠ RESOURCES ▶︎⁠⁠ 25 Day Self Development Marathon⁠⁠ ▶︎ ⁠⁠21 Day Self Growth Challenge⁠⁠ ▶︎ ⁠⁠Goal Setting System E-Book⁠⁠ LET’S BE FRIENDS 📸 ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ 📱⁠⁠Tiktok⁠⁠ MY FAVOURITE STUFF 💻 Email & Calendar tool - ⁠⁠Sunsama for 1 Month free trial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Why Positive Thinking Hasn’t Worked (And What Actually Does) | Marisa Peer 01.03.2026 42min

  What if the reason positive thinking hasn’t worked for you… isn’t because you’re doing it wrong, but because no one ever showed you how your mind actually listens? In this episode, I’m joined by the incredible Marisa Peer, and we go far beyond motivation or feel-good affirmations. This is a practical, step-by-step breakdown of how the words you use, especially the ones you say to yourself, directly shape your self-worth, confidence, and the reality you experience. We talk about why so many people know what they should think, yet still feel stuck… why saying “I’m trying” quietly reinforces failure… and how subtle language patterns can either work with your brain or cause it to push back entirely. If you’ve ever: * Felt like you’re “doing the work” but nothing is changing * Struggled with feeling not enough, even when life looks good on paper * Tried affirmations that felt fake or forced * Wondered whether you can really have it all, career, health, relationships, fulfilment …this conversation will land. Marisa shares the exact phrases, sentence structures, and mindset shifts that actually create change, including one powerful sentence you can start using today to rebuild self-worth and self-trust. This is an episode you may want to listen to twice, not because it’s complex, but because it’s precise. LINKS 💆‍♀️ COZY EARTH - Use code “ERIKA” to get 20% off HERE (I’m currently loving their comforters to enhance deep sleep)! 📸 I⁠nstagram⁠ Marisa Peer's I am Enough Book - ⁠https://marisapeer.com/marisa-peer-books/⁠ Marisa Peer's Free Gifts - ⁠https://marisapeer.com/free-gifts/⁠ TIME STAMPS (03:17) Can we have it all? (06:21) Did you always believe you could have it all? (10:26) How do we actually use our thinking to change our reality (12:25) Surviving Cancer (14:02) Crafting your phrases for success (17:34) How to like yourself more (24:13) Are you making someone else’s story, yours? (27:07) Tools for kids to instil skills (27:15) Is work-life balance a myth? (35:24) Is AI being used as therapy a bad thing? (39:51) Start saying this one sentence to yourself TODAY WHO AM I? My name is Erika and I am an Australian living in Dubai. I have my own business as a strategic legal consultant and run this podcast to explore my passion + curiosity for all things health, wellness, self growth & mindset. A big focus of mine is how to sustainably navigate a busy schedule and live my best life in the process. Welcome to my Channel! 📸 ⁠Connect with me on IG!⁠ RESOURCES ▶︎⁠ 25 Day Self Development Marathon⁠ ▶︎ ⁠21 Day Self Growth Challenge⁠ ▶︎ ⁠Goal Setting System E-Book⁠ LET’S BE FRIENDS 📸 ⁠Instagram⁠ 📱⁠Tiktok⁠ MY FAVOURITE STUFF 💻 Email & Calendar tool - ⁠Sunsama for 1 Month free trial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Everyday Habits That Build Real Self-Respect | Dr Katherine Iscoe 22.02.2026 54min

  In this episode, we explore what self-respect actually means, beyond confidence, beyond success, beyond applause. For years, today’s guest chased respect externally, having thoughts like: If you liked me, I liked me. If you approved, I felt safe. But as she shares, that way of living slowly disconnects you from yourself. I’m joined by Dr Katherine Iscoe to unpack: • Why people-pleasing is often rooted in the “fawn” trauma response • How you might be subtly trading yourself away in everyday moments • The restaurant “steak” example that reveals more than you think • How to audit your calendar to see if you truly respect yourself • Why boundaries aren’t just with other people, they’re with yourself • How overthinking steals years of your life • The difference between chasing happiness and building self-respect • What it actually looks like to make decisions from self-respect Self-respect isn’t loud.It isn’t aggressive.It isn’t about becoming selfish. It’s about choosing yourself in small, daily ways, even when it feels uncomfortable. Because the truth is, confidence might get you in the room... but self-respect is what keeps you standing tall. If you’ve ever felt like: * You say yes too often * You overthink simple decisions * You care more about others’ opinions than your own * You don’t feel fully like yourself anymore This episode is for you. The life you want doesn’t start with more discipline. It starts with self-respect. CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST 📸 Instagram Dr Katherine Iscoe's book - https://www.drkatherine.com/self-respect-playbook Dr Katherine Iscoe Website - https://www.drkatherine.com TIME STAMPS (01:50) Introduction (05:40) Taking back ownership over your life (09:29) Obvious Ways you are trading yourself away (14:43) First time you felt proud of yourself (17:37) Self Respect Zones (21:49) Does your calendar show you respect yourself? (25:58) Top Skills for Mastering your Self Respect (29:11) Advice for people to move into self respect (31:57) Resilience vs Abandon ship (36:25) Leaving CEO Role (39:27) How do I make decisions with self respect? (44:19) Why do we lose momentum? (49:17) Define Self Respect WHO AM I? My name is Erika and I am an Australian living in Dubai. I have my own business as a strategic legal consultant and run this podcast to explore my passion + curiosity for all things health, wellness, self growth & mindset. A big focus of mine is how to sustainably navigate a busy schedule and live my best life in the process. Welcome to my Channel! 📸 Connect with me on IG! RESOURCES ▶︎ 25 Day Self Development Marathon ▶︎ 21 Day Self Growth Challenge ▶︎ Goal Setting System E-Book LET’S BE FRIENDS 📸 Instagram 📱Tiktok MY FAVOURITE STUFF 💻 Email & Calendar tool - Sunsama for 1 Month free trial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• How the World’s Biggest Podcast Thinks About Growth (And What It Means for You Personally) 15.02.2026 46min

  If you’re serious about podcast growth and creator growth, this episode will change how you think about building content that actually scales. In this behind-the-scenes conversation, I sit down with Grace Miller, Head of Experimentation & Failure at The Diary of a CEO, to unpack how one of the world’s biggest podcasts thinks about growth, testing, and long-term success. We go inside how elite creators experiment and how small, intentional decisions compound into massive audience growth. From YouTube analytics and thumbnail testing to failing fast without losing confidence, this episode is a masterclass for anyone building a podcast, YouTube channel, or personal brand in 2026 and beyond. You’ll learn:
 • How the world’s biggest podcasts approach growth and experimentation
 • What actually matters in the YouTube backend for podcast growth
• How to test thumbnails, titles, and formats 
 • How to build momentum through experimentation 
• How to fail fast, learn faster, and grow with clarity 
• Practical creator growth strategies you can implement immediately This episode isn’t about hacks or virality. It’s about systems, curiosity, and sustainable growth, the foundations behind long-term success as a creator. Whether you’re a podcaster, YouTuber, or creative entrepreneur, this conversation will help you stop guessing and start growing with intention. CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST 📸 Instagram Time Stamps (00:00) Introduction (01:20) How did you become Head of Experimentation for Steven Bartlett & Diary of a CEO? (07:03) What does a typical day in DOAC office look like? (10:54) Who should podcasters hire? (16:59) Exactly what to look at in the YouTube backend (19:00) Thumbnail testing strategy (20:13) How do you Experiment at DOAC? (25:30) How do you fail fast? (27:22) Two things to test on each platform: YT, IG and Spotify (30:10) How do we experiment in our own personal lives? (34:19) Practical experiment for personal life to start TODAY (38:14) Most uncomfortable thing you’re doing this year? (40:48) Are podcasts over saturated? WHO AM I? My name is Erika and I am an Australian living in Dubai. I have my own business as a strategic legal consultant and run this podcast to explore my passion + curiosity for all things health, wellness, self growth & mindset. A big focus of mine is how to sustainably navigate a busy schedule and live my best life in the process. Welcome to my Channel! 📸 Connect with me on IG! RESOURCES ▶︎ My FREE Work Life Balance Workshop ▶︎ 25 Day Self Development Marathon ▶︎ 21 Day Self Growth Challenge ▶︎ Goal Setting System E-Book LET’S BE FRIENDS ⭐ Substack 📸 Instagram 📱Tiktok 🌍 My website 🧡 This description may contain affiliate links that allow you to find the items mentioned in this video and support the channel at no cost to you. Thank you for your support! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• How to Change Your Personality to Make Yourself More Confident | Dr. Shadé Zahrai 08.02.2026 1t 2min

  Today, we break down the science of confidence, why self-doubt isn’t always the enemy, and how understanding your specific doubt pattern can unlock lasting self-trust, without becoming someone you’re not. In this conversation, I’m joined by Dr Shadé Zahrai, behavioural researcher, award-winning peak performance educator, and one of the leading voices on confidence, self-image, and self-doubt. This is not about hype or surface-level confidence. It’s about rewiring how you see yourself. ✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode * Why confidence is trainable, not fixed * The role self-doubt actually plays in growth and performance * The 4 Self-Doubt Types and how they show up in behaviour * How to diagnose your own self-doubt profile (including mine, live) * The everyday habit that quietly erodes confidence * How posture, environment, and physicality shape self-belief * How to tell the difference between useful self-doubt and self-sabotage * Why your self-image is the blueprint for your entire life * Practical tools to build confidence in real time * How to set boundaries with negative people without losing yourself When you change how you see yourself, your behaviour follows. Confidence isn’t something you chase, it’s something you build. CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST 📸 Instagram Link to free quiz online Link to BIG TRUST TIME STAMPS (01:43) Introduction / Background (12:06) What is the role of self-doubt? (17:26) Self Doubt Profiles (25:48) Diagnosing Erika’s doubt profile (30:22) Tools for improving self doubt (47:49) This everyday habit is ruining your confidence (53:28) Do you need to change your environment to achieve? (57:53) Setting boundaries for loved ones who are negative WHO AM I? My name is Erika and I am an Australian living in Dubai. I have my own business as a strategic legal consultant and run this podcast to explore my passion + curiosity for all things health, wellness, self growth & mindset. A big focus of mine is how to sustainably navigate a busy schedule and live my best life in the process. Welcome to my Channel! 📸 Connect with me on IG! RESOURCES ▶︎ 25 Day Self Development Marathon ▶︎ 21 Day Self Growth Challenge ▶︎ Goal Setting System E-Book LET’S BE FRIENDS 📸 Instagram 📱Tiktok MY FAVOURITE STUFF 💻 Email & Calendar tool - Sunsama for 1 Month free trial Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thebalancetheory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• How To Stay Confident When Nothing Online Is Real Anymore | Danae Mercer 01.02.2026 1t

  Confidence today feels different. We’re navigating a world where AI can outperform humans, social media is increasingly curated (and often fake), and comparison is no longer occasional, it’s constant. Even the most grounded, capable people are quietly questioning themselves. In this episode, we explore how to stay confident when nothing online feels real anymore and how to use social media without losing yourself. Joining me is journalist, speaker, and mother Danae Mercer, who has worked at the highest levels of media and still found her confidence shaken by the online world. Together, we unpack what’s really happening beneath the surface of confidence in 2026, and what actually helps. This isn’t about deleting social media or fearing AI. It’s about learning the new confidence skill this era demands. 💭 If You’ve Been Thinking… “I don’t feel as confident as I used to” “Everyone online seems ahead of me” “I know better, but I still feel affected” “I want my confidence back” then this conversation is for you! And if this episode resonates, share it with someone who might be quietly feeling the same way. CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST 📸 Instagram   TIME STAMPS (01:20) Introduction (06:40) How do we remain confident in the age of AI content? (18:23) Tools to find confidence (23:32) Do things you’re bad at (26:20) What's the line between being sucked in by social media and enjoying it? (29:26) The Proteus Effect (44:01) Consequences of phone use and emotions (47:01) Why did you start posting content? (51:14) What would you immediately change on social media WHO AM I? My name is Erika and I am an Australian living in Dubai. I have my own business as a strategic legal consultant and run this podcast to explore my passion + curiosity for all things health, wellness, self growth & mindset. A big focus of mine is how to sustainably navigate a busy schedule and live my best life in the process. Welcome to my Channel! 📸 Connect with me on IG! RESOURCES ▶︎ 25 Day Self Development Marathon ▶︎ 21 Day Self Growth Challenge ▶︎ Goal Setting System E-Book LET’S BE FRIENDS 📸 Instagram 📱Tiktok MY FAVOURITE STUFF 💻 Email & Calendar tool - Sunsama for 1 Month free trial Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thebalancetheory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• How to Get Good at Relationships (Most People Never Learn This) | Mo Gawdat 25.01.2026 1t 7min

  Why do so many relationships fail, even if there’s love? In this episode, I sit down with Mo Gawdat to unpack the logic, equations, and skills behind relationships and why love itself is actually the easy part. Mo is the bestselling author of Solve for Happy and a former Google X executive, known for applying engineering and systems thinking to life’s hardest problems. In this conversation, we explore why 96.8% of relationships fail, what most people were never taught about love, and how relationships can be learned, trained, and improved, just like any other skill. This episode isn’t about romantic clichés or surface-level advice. It’s about understanding: * why love is logical, not irrational * how we unknowingly block love * why relationships fail when seasons change * and how to become good at relationships, without settling or second-guessing yourself Whether you’re single and looking for love, dating, or already in a long-term relationship, this conversation will change the way you think about connection. We of course also get to know Mo, from his way of thinking all the way through to his current project - EMMA. If this conversation resonates, I’d love to hear your thoughts. 💬 What part of relationships do you feel you were never taught? CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST 📸 Instagram TIME STAMPS (01:25) Introduction (03:03) How to be more than your job (08:04) Giving yourself permission (13:03) 3 Questions to Align Your Life Choices (15:20) Is Love Is Illogical? (25:40) Is there “THE ONE” (35:42) PPRFCTS - the 7 things we want from a relationship (43:57) Is AI the best place to help with relationships? (52:48) Managing or lowering expectations? WHO AM I? My name is Erika and I am an Australian living in Dubai. I have my own business as a strategic legal consultant and run this podcast to explore my passion + curiosity for all things health, wellness, self growth & mindset. A big focus of mine is how to sustainably navigate a busy schedule and live my best life in the process. Welcome to my Channel! 📸 Connect with me on IG! RESOURCES ▶︎ 25 Day Self Development Marathon ▶︎ 21 Day Self Growth Challenge ▶︎ Goal Setting System E-Book LET’S BE FRIENDS 📸 Instagram 📱Tiktok MY FAVOURITE STUFF 💻 Email & Calendar tool - Sunsama for 1 Month free trial Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thebalancetheory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• How to Become the Person You Want to Be in 2026 | Karen Mattar 18.01.2026 52min

  If you feel like there’s a gap between the person you are and the person you know you could be, this episode is for you. In this conversation with Karen Mattar, we explore what really keeps people stuck in the same patterns year after year and why motivation, willpower, and “trying harder” so often fail. This episode is about outgrowing a life that no longer fits, rebuilding confidence through self-respect, and becoming someone who actually follows through on the promises they make to themselves. Not through pressure or self-control, but through identity, leadership, and alignment. If you’ve ever thought “I know I’m meant for more” but struggled to close the gap between intention and action, this conversation will help you understand why, and what needs to change. This episode is for the person who: • Feels like they’ve outgrown their current life • They’re tired of starting over every year • They struggle with consistency and follow-through • They want habits that last, not another motivation spike • They’re ready to become the person they keep visualising Trust this episode will find you when it’s meant to! CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST 📸 Instagram TIME STAMPS (01:17) Introduction (4:50) How do you follow big intuitive moves? (08:12) Changing habits based on self respect (11:29) How do your habits shape your identity? (16:26) Self Control to Self Leadership (22:58) Your environment is silently shaping you (27:01) Negative people you love (32:41) People respect you more when you’re in shape (34:29) Diary of CEO Episode thoughts (42:30) Who is the modern woman WHO AM I? My name is Erika and I am an Australian living in Dubai. I have my own business as a strategic legal consultant and run this podcast to explore my passion + curiosity for all things health, wellness, self growth & mindset. A big focus of mine is how to sustainably navigate a busy schedule and live my best life in the process. Welcome to my Channel! 📸 Connect with me on IG! RESOURCES ▶︎ 25 Day Self Development Marathon ▶︎ 21 Day Self Growth Challenge ▶︎ Goal Setting System E-Book LET’S BE FRIENDS 📸 Instagram 📱Tiktok Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thebalancetheory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices