Show notes
This episode is a special one.For the 50th episode of Balkan Sis, Ivana sits down with someone who has been part of her life for over two decades — her best friend, her soul sister, Franka “Frankie” Batinic.From meeting as young girls at Bellevue Park Primary School on the Gold Coast, to navigating life across countries, cultures, and completely different seasons — this is a story about a friendship that never really left.In Part 1, Ivana and Frankie take it back to where it all began.They talk about what it was like growing up as Balkan girls in Australia, feeling both connected and out of place at the same time, and how their bond formed so naturally from such a young age.Franka shares her early life between Croatia and Australia, her independent path from a young age, and the cultural expectations that shaped her decisions. The two reflect on losing touch, staying connected through letters, and what it felt like to find each other again years later — picking up right where they left off.They also open up about living together in Australia, navigating boundaries, growth, and becoming women in their own right, while still holding onto the friendship that grounded them.This episode touches on identity, belonging, timing, and the quiet strength of friendships that evolve but never break.00:00 Welcome to Balkan Sis00:55 50th Episode Toast01:38 Meet Franka “Frankie”03:21 How We Met05:11 Moving to the Gold Coast08:03 Early Life & Transitions10:30 Losing Touch & Letters11:29 Life in Croatia & Return15:50 Cultural Conditioning & Expectations19:09 Reconnecting in Australia22:33 Living Together Era26:00 Learning Boundaries27:28 Discovering Yoga31:31 Why It Felt So Different32:43 First Session Experience33:42 Breaking Old Beliefs35:16 Letting Go & Trust37:20 Love & Big Life Decisions44:26 Long Distance Relationship46:10 Work, Travel & Growth50:34 Leaving Australia Before COVID52:24 Citizenship & Lockdown Impact54:48 Goodbyes & Missed Moments59:38 Wrap UpIn Part 2, Frankie shares her journey into motherhood, building a life in Croatia, running an online business, and navigating what it truly means to live between two worlds.If you feel called to slow down, reconnect, and move your body in a more intentional way, you can find Frankie here:Website: https://www.eyogahub.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eyogahub/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/eqmhub/?locale=af_ZAFacebook Community Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2240375919604435?locale=af_ZAFranka offers online yoga and movement classes designed to support both body and mind — wherever you are in the world.If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who has been part of your story — through distance, time, and every season in between.✨ Part 2 Coming Next🌿
