For many the balance dilemma begins with parenting . . . an endeavor that guest Katherine Sellery reminds us we’re never trained to do. While running her own commodities trading business in Hong Kong, with a young son, her desire to learn more led her to training. Ultimately Katherine made a full career pivot and created her own parenting communication method - The Conscious Parenting Revolution. Even better, her method, she says, works with adults and in business settings. Learn about the 3Rs - retaliation, rebellion, resistance - and what you can do. And be sure to check out her book 7 Strategies to Keep Your Relationship With Your Kids From Hitting the Boiling Point and website. Show notes available at thebalancedilemma.com. Episode recorded October 6, 2023

An expert in gender studies and the gender divide, TBD guest Susan Shapiro Barash describes how commuter-train eavesdropping led to her first book (and study), A Passion for More, about why women cheat in relationships. As she tells TBD, it’s likely more common than you think and growing. Susan’s written work - and there are 13 nonfiction and 4 fiction books (the latter under her pen name Susannah Marren) - explores the roles of women in society, including taboo issues many are afraid to discuss. Her books explore women’s relationships, including rivalry (Tripping the Prom Queen), lying (Little White Lies, Deep Dark Secrets), second wives (Second Wives: The Pitfalls and Rewards of Marrying Widowers and Divorced Men ), and toxic friends (Toxic Friends). A professor of gender studies, Susan explains what this all means for American women, wives, and society. One thing she makes clear is that “The most important and single act [to change things] would be if women earned equal pay for equal work, because until that is established, we're marginalized." And yes, we asked whether she had cheated in a relationship. You’ll have to listen for her answer. Episode recorded November 7, 2023. Show notes available at thebalancedilemma.com

Although the Brookings Institution refers to the us military as “one of the most progressive institutions” women still represent only about 17% of overall service members, and far less in the top brass - single digits.  Col. (Ret.) Mary Westmoreland is one of those women who rose to high ranks. She joins TBD to tell her story, why and when she joined the military, how she rose through the ranks while raising a family . . . and what she learned about leadership, success, whether the military is a good career for women,  and so much more . . . Episode recorded October 4, 2023. Show notes available at thebalancedilemma.com

From age to experience, appearance, demeanor, and more, women never seem to be quite right for career advancement. Indeed, for any woman who feels like she’s banging her head against a glass ceiling or wall, TBD guests Dr. Amy Diehl and Dr. Leanne Dzubinski explain why “it’s not all your fault.” Co-authors of Glass Walls: Shattering the Six Gender Bias Barriers Still Holding Women Back at Work, they breakdown all the small and large ways women are held back. Learn new terms like he-peating, bro-prating and equalist. Fortunately, Drs. Diehl and Dzubinski believe the issue is fixable and provide workplace solutions in the book. One tip, don’t forget to call them - and other female PhDs and MDs - doctor. Show notes available at thebalancedilemma.com Recorded 9.28.23

Co Hosts Maura Carlin and Christie Derrico return to their microphones to begin the fourth (!) season of The Balance Dilemma Podcast. They catch up on summer fun, “girl math,” book recommendations, and discuss going forward. Lessons from prior guests, expected future guests, and more research are all on tap in this episode. Show notes available at thebalancedilemma.com Recorded 9.14.23

Skin - it’s the body’ s largest organ and we need to take care of it. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Ellen Gendler joins TBD to discuss everything skincare - from injectables, to aging, to acceptance, and yes, of course sunscreen, which Dr. Gendler says really is the secret to the fountain of youth. Dr. Gendler agrees with Jennifer Aniston that telling someone they look great for their age is a terrible thing to say, let alone ageist and sexist. Hear her take on that Martha Stewart Sports Illustrated photo shoot and some of the craziest and incorrect skin advice out there. In this episode, Dr. Gendler also shares how she and her husband managed their medical careers while raising two sons, including choices she made about professional independence. Inspiring and informative, Dr. Gendler’s social media videos on TikTok and IG attract fans worldwide. Episode originally aired live on WVOX AM on June 22, 2023. Show notes available at thebalancedilemma.com

Frustrated with weight gain, as you approach or enter the end of child-bearing years? It’s a common problem for women. Yes, we are talking about perimenopause and menopause. And that same old advice - to eat less, exercise more - just isn’t working. Well, that’s what Dr. Mary Claire Haver - an OB-GYN who used to provide that same mantra to her patients - experienced herself. It set her on a journey to discover why and what women can do. Her program - The Galveston Diet - is born from her frustration, research, and experience. She explains it all on TBD, including the basic tenets of Intermittent Fasting, Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition, and Fuel Refocus. And although you may have to give up milk and sugar in your morning coffee, an avocado a day could be the trick to keep the doctor away. Episode originally aired live on WVOX AM on June 6, 2023. Show notes available at thebalancedilemma.com

As if it’s not hard enough to give up sugar, our guests discuss an important oft-overlooked source . . . alcohol. With the advent and increase of “mommy wine culture” giving it up can bring social as well as dietary restrictions. Sharing their personal and professional experiences and research, guests Jen Dorf and Jean Marie discuss why alcohol is so bad for women, especially as they age. Their program “See Ya Sugar” is designed to help kick the sweet habit for good. And, sadly, it affects your morning coffee ritual as well. Episode originally aired live on WVOX AM on May 25, 2023. Show notes available at thebalancedilemma.com

What to expect eighteen years after you’re expecting . . . That’s a book many parents need as their nest begins emptying. For Sharon Brecher aka Miserable Mom, the years and days leading up to her eldest heading to college were fraught and scary, as she anticipated day-to-day life without her daughter. She returned from drop-off to begin writing her book Miserable Mom: The Dos and Don'ts of Sending Your Kid to College . In the process, she created a community, became a mom-influencer, and more importantly, navigated the transition to this stage of parenthood. Episode originally aired live on WVOX AM on May 11, 2023. Show notes available at thebalancedilemma.com

Jen Graziano is an attorney, mother, funeral director, founder of jewelry line RememBar, and Host of the podcast and radio show Time to Talk. But she didn’t join The Balance Dilemma to promote her businesses. Foremost on Jen’s mind was dealing with a second marriage on the rocks. Why the family blending didn’t work? How to know when it’s failing and when to get out? And staying true to yourself and your daughter. Jen’s pearls of wisdom come from growing up in the family business of death rituals - the funeral business. Let’s just say, it provides a full perspective on life and what really matters. And how work inspired the The RememBar Collection - fine, memorial jewelry. As to how she does it all, Jen points to flexibility of being a family business owner and what she calls her “organized chaos.” Episode originally aired live on WVOX AM on April 27, 2023. Show notes available at thebalancedilemma.com