Stories about the balancing in our lives & in ourselves with culture, expectations, identity and more
It's Monday and I am not editing an episode for this week. It feels weird.
But as you heard in the last episode, I am taking an extended break. I am freeing up my calendar and my mind.
Listen to BONUS EP - "The Gift of Time" to hear more about my decision. https://linktr.ee/balancingstories
BONUS EPISODE - The Gift of Time
https://linktr.ee/balancingstories
It’s my birthday week and there is something about birthdays that makes you reflect back and look forward.
When I look to the future, it’s not about a bucket list and big adventures, though I hope to make time for those thoughts too. The choices currently circling around my head are about creating a life, the boring day to day life, that I will be happy to be living.
I want to share some of the things I’ve learned through my guests and the process of podcasting that will guide me in creating a healthier happier everyday Meghan. Including an announcement that feels big to me.
For my birthday, I’m giving myself time.
#
Coming this week... Ep. 86 - Balance and Podcasting
"I'm giving myself time"
They say, the bigger the kid, the bigger the problems.
Cat says, the problems can feel bigger because they are versions of things WE are still trying to learn.
Listen to Ep. 85 - https://balancingstories.com/episode-85/
From body acceptance to friendship boundaries and more, we are raising ourselves as we raise our kids. Here's to learning from each other with Cat of Know Them, Be Them, Raise Them - Podcast & Community
Raising Kids While Raising Ourselves with Cat Tiu
https://balancingstories.com/episode-85/
“Here’s to strong women. May we know them, may we be them, may we raise them.”
This was the quote that inspired Cat (Carmelita Tiu) to start her podcast and community. Her content drew me in, so I invited her to join me for a conversation about raising kids while raising ourselves.
Know Them, Be Them, Raise Them - Podcast & Community
Also, raising kids is NOT just for parents.
With the messy stuff, kids often seek out the cool aunt, mom's best friend or a teacher.
In this episode, we dig through the messy, uncertain parts of supporting kids to find some ways to work it out and to help listeners feel less alone in the thick of it.
Coming this week... Raising kids. Not just for parents.
With the messy stuff, kids often seek out the cool aunt, mom's best friend or a teacher.
Listen to Cat of Know Them, Be Them, Raise Them - Podcast & Community and I chat about all the messy uncertainty and how we are attemping to help the kids in our life while figuring it out ourselves.
Ep. 84 Available Now! https://linktr.ee/balancingstories
Chelsea was a tall girl in a small town.
As she went to university and abroad,
exposure to diverse body types helped her find beauty in her own body and take pride in her height.
Chelsea is here to share her story,
from dating to fashion,
from the USA to Germany,
from slouching to confident…
What’s tall got to do with it? Let’s find out.
Ep. 84 Available Now! https://linktr.ee/balancingstories
Tall Girl, hold your head up high.
Chelsea is here to share her story,
from dating to fashion,
from the USA to Germany,
from slouching to confident…
What’s tall got to do with it? Let’s find out.
Coming this week... Tall Girl, Hold Your Head Up!
One tall girl's story from dating to fashion, USA to Germany, and balancing it all. Get ready for Ep. 84
Chelsea says, tall girl, "wear the heels if you want to!"
(makes me think of this - https://youtu.be/0QDKLglEP5Y )
Available Now! https://linktr.ee/balancingstories
Ep. 83 - Things I Tell My Kids, That I Should Tell Myself
"How you feel matters" and we should make choices that take how we feel into consideration.
In this episode:
On the way to and from school my son processes life by talking.
I have no idea where he gets it from.
.
We work our way through what has happened or could happen and almost everyday I think, if only I could practice what I preach.
.
Here are a few things that have come up recently,
It’s the things I tell my kids that I should tell myself.
Available Now! https://linktr.ee/balancingstories
Ep. 83 - Things I Tell My Kids, That I Should Tell Myself
On the way to and from school my son processes life by talking.
I have no idea where he gets it from.
.
He tells me things he’s learned, experienced, wondered, and asks me endless amounts of questions. He treats me like I treat google. Except, he asks the things I know google can not answer. The nuanced questions about friendships and life that there is no one answer to.
.
So, we work our way through what has happened or could happen, we even practice kind words and come backs. And almost everyday, as the words of advice come out of my mouth, I think, if only I could practice what I preach.
.
So here are a few things that have come up recently,
It’s the things I tell my kids that I should tell myself.
Coming this week: Ep. 83 Things I Tell My Kids, That I Should Tell Myself.
Inspired by conversations in the car with my 5 year old. From tattoos to running, who's the boss to keeping our power.
At the last minute, I added to the episode in response to the devastating news of another mass shooting. It reminds me of the conversations I do and do not have with my kids as Americans Abroad.
From the episode:
"...living in Germany, their reality does not include a real risk of mass shootings... In our life, here in southern Germany, school is a safe place. I can confidently tell my kids, you are safe."
Lisa says, managing money is not magic, it is a skill to be learned and everyone can do it!
Listen to Ep. 82: https://linktr.ee/balancingstories
How do we feel about money?
What is our normal with financial literacy?
In this conversation, we look at the connection between sociology and finance: looking back at the influences of upbringing, culture, personalities and access to literacy around money. Lisa Severing and I use our stories to explore the bigger picture of how we manage ourselves with saving, spending, investing and debt. Listen to hear all about Meghan’s squirrel-ness (functional and not so functional), and great finance tips for everyone.
Ep. 82 Available Now!
https://linktr.ee/balancingstories
How do we feel about money?
What is our normal with financial literacy?
In this conversation, we look at the connection between sociology and finance: looking back at the influences of upbringing, culture, personalities and access to literacy around money. Lisa Severing and I use our stories to explore the bigger picture of how we manage ourselves with saving, spending, investing and debt. Listen to hear all about Meghan’s squirrel-ness (functional and not so functional), and great finance tips for everyone.
.
Lisa says, managing money is not magic, it is a skill to be learned and everyone can do it!
Coming this week... Balancing our Culture, Personalities & Literacy with Money.
Potential Subtitle: "Meghan is working towards functional squirrel-ness" A conversation about saving, spending and living life.
Subscribe/Follow to have episodes come to you:
https://linktr.ee/Balancingstories
Resetting can take a minute, a day, a month… Kellie says, “I’m all about, ‘pull yourself up by your bootstraps’, but sometimes you need to build the boots first.”
Check out Episode 81 with Kellie Daab, The Highly Sensitive CEO, to hear her story of discovering HSP for herself and how she has applied it to life and business.
https://linktr.ee/balancingstories
Coming this week... Kellie Daab shares her story about being a Highly Sensitive CEO.
We chat about...
-What is an HSP?
-How did Kellie discover this about herself?
-How does this "label" impact her life?
-How did she change her business to create more balance?
-and so much more!
Subscribe to have episodes come to you
https://linktr.ee/balancingstories
-
2 years of podcasting!
I can’t believe the first episode went live 2 years ago. Here’s to many more Balancing Stories!
As of today...
there are over 90 episodes (including 2-3 part episodes), listeners in 80 countries, and 68 guests from around the world.
Making this podcast has given me so much more than I could have predicted. I can’t wait to see where the podcast and I go from here. Thank you for coming along for the ride.
Love, Meghan Kitchen
your grateful host of Balancing Stories
Episode Recommendations - Helping Kids Balance
I dig through the archives so you don't have to. Enjoy this collection of episodes to help us help kids with their balancing.
Ep. 4 Why Should We Care About Kids Books
Ep. 21 Talking to Kids about Gender
Ep. 42 Learning to Read
Ep. 51 Balancing with Body Hair - Author Interview with
Ep. 54 Balancing in the Playroom with
Ep. 57 Parenting Non-Binary with
Ep. 73 Fighting Food Waste with
Ep. 77 Parenting with an Accent – raising multilingual kids with
Happy Earth Day!
Check out these recommended episodes to celebrate.
https://linktr.ee/balancingstories
Ep. 17 Respecting Sharks and the sea with
Ep. 22 part 1&2 Beach Cleaning and more w/
Ep. 30 Sustainable Gardening in West Africa
Ep. 31 About the Habits We Have, a conversation with my mom
Ep. 73 Fighting Food Waste w/ Mei of
Time for a Season Break.
You can hear a short bonus episode today but I will be back in a couple weeks with regular content.
In the meantime...
You can send encouragement with a 5 star review on your favourite listening platform.
AND
If you like what you hear and want to support the podcast (and Meghan), you can leave a tip through Buy Me A Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MeghanKitchen
We are both immigrants and non-native speakers in the place we are creating a home. But for our fixer upper, I became the talker.
Listen to Ep. 80 https://linktr.ee/balancingstories
We have many expat and immigrant couple friends, but most have a "native speaker" in their relationship who takes the lead with communication.
But for us, we take turns struggling with the language: From banking, to insurance, buying a home and renovating. When I became the main contact and communicator with our contractor, I had to balance not just languages and culture but also, my assertiveness.
Listen to Ep. 80 to hear the challenges and where we are in the process.
Ep. 80 Balancing Assertiveness - Available Now!
https://linktr.ee/balancingstories
So, we bought a fixer upper. I wanted to record this in retrospect but we are still in it. The journey is still twisting and turning.
This is just to say, you are not getting “happy to be home” it was tough but it was all worth it Meghan. You are getting, still in the weeds, done taking peoples S.H.I.T. – honestly, why can’t people just do their job, and don’t make promises if you can’t deliver…Meghan.
That’s who you will be hearing from today as I talk about balancing my communication style as a woman, surrounded by men, who needs to be heard. Through all of it, my balance between assertive and nagging has changed. This is my story.
Coming this week: Ep. 80 Balancing Assertiveness - A Fixer Upper Story
I became the lead contact for our renovations.
But looking back, I started the project by filtering myself to protect our contractors' egos.
I am an assertive woman but felt I needed to tip toe around so they would not label me a nag.
I know better now, but so much time, money and stress was wasted. Please do not repeat my mistakes.
Subscribe/follow to have episodes come to you:
https://linktr.ee/balancingstories
Sometimes, I share my Balancing Story on other podcasts. Check out "Meghan as a Guest"...
First photo:
-I was on The Canadian Wants to Know hosted by Jorge Robleto in Ep. 40 in March 2022
-Check out his Balancing Story in Ep. 64: What's in a Name?
https://balancingcultures.com/episode-64/
Second Photo:
-I was on The Expat Cast hosted by Nicole #153 in October 2021
- Check out her Balancing Story in Ep. 63: Can we talk about balance?
https://balancingcultures.com/episode-63/
It's hard to call in sick when you work from home, for yourself... But, even entrepreneurs need sick days.
I am sick and I am calling in sick. No new episode this week.
BUT - Tomorrow, on our usual podcast day, I will post about a recent guest appearance I had.
Until then, let's all take care of ourselves.
Oh and check out the archives: https://linktr.ee/balancingstories
Available Now! Ep. 79 Fertility Journey Across Borders
https://linktr.ee/balancingstories
I interviewed Kristin, a Canadian international teacher, married to a pilot, who lived in multiple countries and sought medical support in even more, over a month ago when we both had availability. But, while emailing about show notes over the weekend, we decided to re-record to include her current status… pregnant that is.
She realized, after a long twisty-turny fertility journey – which you will hear about in this episode, that if it works out or doesn’t work out, she needs support either way. And that letting people in on the news has made this pregnancy the most peaceful.
Content warning that we talk about uterine heath, pregnancy loss and fertility treatments in this conversation.
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Balancing Stories Podcast posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Send a message to Balancing Stories Podcast:
Available Now! Episode 71: International Perinatal Support with Johanna of Afloat . https://linktr.ee/balancingstories ….. In this episode, we hear from Johanna who works with the growing initiative of Afloat to support people in their perinatal time. From fertility to parenting and the path in between, Afloat was born out of a need in the international community to find mental health support. We hope this conversation can motivate listeners to seek support or help build these initiatives to support others. . . . . #pmads #mentalhealth #momtruth #ppd #perinatalmentalhealth #postpartum #postpartumdepression #postpartumanxiety #anxiety #depression #ppdawareness #perinatal #womensupportingwomen #momlife #newmom #babyontheway #fertilitysupport #infertility #babyblues #onlinesupport #supportgroup #exapt #expatlife #livingabroad #womenabroad #momtobe #parenting #community #help
Identity in the Workplace - Gender Equality & Racial Equity in Corporate Culture with Leanne Mair https://balancingcultures.com/episode-66/ . . *Tangents Include: -Who is Leanne? -What cultures are a part of us? -Personal Identity, Social Identity -Corporate culture -Gender equality -Racial equity -Intragender inequality -Intersectional Feminism -Gender Pay Gap -Jein: The best German slang -British Black history – Windrush -Black Ceiling -Change and growth are not passive . **How does Leanne help create equity in corporate culture? The 3 Cs: Clarity, Cohesion, Consistency. . . . Like what you hear? . -Check out other episodes https://balancingcultures.com/podcast-episodes/ . -Sign up for the Newsletter http://eepurl.com/hvrhA5 . -Support with BuyMeACoffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MeghanKitchen . . #identity #inclusion #diversity #equality #equity
Let’s unlearn our cultural conditioning and decide what’s best for us. . The New Face of Grief Episode 61 with Katie Rössler https://balancingcultures.com/episode-61/ . . Let’s talk about Grief... Katie Rössler is back to share her story of living through it, writing it down, and now sharing with the world… The New Face of Grief. . Katie’s debut book is self-help meets memoir meets grief 101. Helping us feel informed and empowered when life is not what we thought it should be. . . . If you like what you hear... -Check out other episodes https://balancingcultures.com/podcast-episodes/ . -Sign up for the Newsletter http://eepurl.com/hvrhA5 . -Support with BuyMeACoffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MeghanKitchen . #thenewfaceofgrief #grief #grief101 #griefjourney #griefhealing
Parenting Non-Binary and all the balancing Episode 57 Available Now https://balancingcultures.com/episode-57/ . Callie is the mom of a non-binary child but her story does not start there. . In this episode, we talk about: the evangelical culture she grew up in, how she confronted her upbringing by embracing feminism, how feminism fits into her life as a military spouse and how she channels her mix of midwestern values and feminism into parenting a non-binary child. . . . . . If you like what you hear... -Check out other episodes https://balancingcultures.com/podcast-episodes/ . -Sign up for the Newsletter http://eepurl.com/hvrhA5 . -Support with BuyMeACoffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MeghanKitchen . #gender #nonbinary #trans #feminism #parenting
The founders of Indigrow Kids were inspired by their own experiences to make toys to help kids balance their own cultures. . . Listen to Ep. 54 - Balancing in the Playroom https://balancingcultures.com/episode-54/ . . *Tangents Include -Who are Kshama and Akhila? -Cross-cultural relationships -Same country different cultures -The diversity within India -Raising Third Culture Kids -Developing Identity -Empowering cultural connections -Conversations about differences -Taking business from idea to action -The making of Indigrow Kids . . . . If you like what you hear... -Check out other episodes https://balancingcultures.com/podcast-episodes/ . -Sign up for the Newsletter http://eepurl.com/hvrhA5 . -Support with BuyMeACoffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MeghanKitchen . . #indigrowkids #exploreculture #representationmatters #kidlit #southasian
Should past generations apologize for the lack of conversation? . . Episode 53 - All About Periods A Conversation with My Mom about the Conversations We Never Had . https://balancingcultures.com/episode-53/ . . Including: -Periods through the generations -Rags to pads to tampons -Lack of conversations & Miseducation -Reproductive health versus Sex Ed -Embarrassed to asked questions -Not knowing what is normal -Hiding our periods -The “Weaker Sex” -Periods in the media -Considering the entire cycle -Female empowerment -Changing the conversation . . . If you like what you hear... -Check out other episodes https://balancingcultures.com/podcast-episodes/ . -Sign up for the Newsletter http://eepurl.com/hvrhA5 . -Support with BuyMeACoffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MeghanKitchen . . #periods #menstralcycle #reproductivehealth #womenshealth #femalehealth
Representation Matters! . . Ep. 51 Author Interview with Shelly Anand https://balancingcultures.com/episode-51/ . 📕Laxmi’s Mooch is the story of a young Indian girl in a diverse classroom who becomes self-conscious about her differences – specifically her mustache – and how her questions help everyone around her understand more about themselves. . . 🎙️In this episode: -Shelly’s Story as the child of Indian immigrants growing up in the southern United States. . -A Behind the scenes look at the writing of Laxmi’s Mooch. . -And a deep dive into why these conversations are so important for every member of the family. . . . Like what you hear? -Check out other episodes https://balancingcultures.com/podcast-episodes/ . -Sign up for the Newsletter http://eepurl.com/hvrhA5 . -Support with BuyMeACoffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MeghanKitchen . . . #shellyanand #laxmismooch #books #bodyhairpositivity #southasianrepresentation
Welcome to Balancing with Books Using books to help us start conversations . In this video: What Makes a Baby by Cory Silverberg . Conversations about: Sperm, Egg & Uterus Reproduction Midwives C-Sections Hysterectomy . . This video pairs with: Episode 43 We Need to Talk About the Uterus https://balancingcultures.com/episode-43/ . Episode 46 I’m Ready to Talk About My Uterus https://balancingcultures.com/episode-46/ . . . Like what you see? Check out the podcast https://balancingcultures.com/podcast-episodes/ . Support Balancing Cultures https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MeghanKitchen . Sign up for the Newsletter http://eepurl.com/hvY1aH . . . #balancingwithbooks #balancing #balancinglife #books #bookstagram #whatmakesababy #thetalk #sextalk #reporduction #hysterectomy #uterus #talkingtokids #parenting #momlife #kidbooks #childrensbooks #biologybook #fibroidawareness #femalehealth #motherhoodunplugged #hystersister #myuterus #csection #csectionscar #csectionmama #wheredobabiescomefrom #midwives
Podcast Updates +Bye bye Patreon +No subscription podcast services +Hello business planing +Tip jar still available BuyMeACoffee (link in bio or on balancingcultures.com) More updates coming at the end of July. For now, enjoy for FREE! #patreon #buymeacoffee #tipjar #funding #podcast #podcasting #podcastlife #updates #balancingcultures #meghankitchen #makingmoney #moneymoney #moneytalks #makingapodcast #behindthescenes #freepodcast #applepodcasts #facebookpodcast #amazonpodcast #spotifypodcast #overcast #podchaser #podcastaddict #googlepodcasts
I was a guest on The Nordic Mum and this was my response to: How has living abroad changed you?
The world needs all of us. Listen to Ep. 44 to hear more about the power of introverts and the benefits of the balancing . ***** Links to Listen and Support http://linktr.ee/BalancingCultures . Show Notes http://balancingcultures.com/episode-44/ . Newsletter http://eepurl.com/hvY1aH ***** #introvert #extrovert #ambivert #personalitytype #lifecoach #quietleadership #leadershipcoach #businesscoach #quietconfidence #quietmind #introverts #introvertproblems #introvertlife #introvertstruggles #introverted #extroverts #extrovertedintrovert #extrovertlife #ambiverts #ambivertlife #myersbriggs #personalitytest #enneagram #enneagram9 #enneagramtypes #energybalance #recharge #rechargeyourself #learningstyle #superpower
I take all CAPS very seriously. Luckily, Ann takes her chats on Balancing Cultures seriously too. She came ready with hope, humour and thought-provoking perspectives. Listen to Episode 42 for more about Learning to Read and how culture shapes our introduction to literacy. ***** Links to Listen and Support http://linktr.ee/BalancingCultures Show Notes http://balancingcultures.com/episode-42/ Newsletter http://eepurl.com/hvY1aH ***** #learningtoread #librarian #earlyliteracy #socialpressure #reading #readmore #readingtime #morebooks #readingcorner #readingislife #readingisfundimental #readingteacher #teachreading #culturalimpacts #finland #finnisheducation #americaneducation #finnishamerican #librarianlife #momguilt #parenting #literacymatters #literacy #preschool
What to do with my uterus… It’s for each uterus owner to do with how they please. For me and my womb, it’s been real but it’s time to go our separate ways. Why am I sharing my health plan publicly? Because I am trying to challenge the culture of silence around “female health” and anything uterus related. In a couple weeks, I’ll have an episode called “We Need to Talk About the Uterus” where I interview someone who took a different medical path and I’ll add updates about my experience. Let’s start the conversation! #hysterectomy #hystersister #fibroids #womenshealth #femalehealth #uterus #Fibroidsawareness #mybody
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Balancing is individual. . So, Ashlee's words of advice: "Remember who you are" . And my mom's advice: "Make good choices" . ***** . To hear Ashlee's Story Listen to Ep. 41 Balancing Social Media with Ashlee Gadd . She went viral with her collective motherhood blog Coffee and Crumbs but has also felt low lows of social media overload. . We start with the social media love story that pushed her into the spotlight. Then, we explore how she has used discernment, boundaries, and authenticity as a part of her balancing to protect her mental bandwidth. . ***** Listen http://linktr.ee/BalancingCultures . Show Notes http://balancingcultures.com/episode-40/ . Newsletter http://eepurl.com/hvY1aH ***** #rememberwhoyouare #coffeeandcrumbs #motherhood #socialmedia
Celebrating Mother's Day and Mental Health Month with this clip about the crossover in my life. . Celebrating One Year of Podcasting! . In Episode 40: My mom becomes the interviewer and asks me behind the scenes questions about: -The name -The logo -The guests -Lessons learned -Tips for aspiring podcasters -The balancing and more . What's next? Step 1: The Newsletter! Sign up here: http://eepurl.com/hvY1aH ***** Listen http://linktr.ee/BalancingCultures Show Notes http://balancingcultures.com/episode-40/ ***** #podcasting #anniversary #behindthescenes #mothersday
Inclusion in Media Matters.⠀ Disabilities are just one example.⠀ ⠀ Let's start the conversation with⠀ Inclusion and Equality Consultant⠀ Beth Cox @bethcinclusion⠀ ⠀ ⠀ *****⠀ LINK IN BIO⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ *To Listen to Episode 38⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ *To read Show notes on ⠀⠀ BalancingCultures.com⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ *To sign up for the Newsletter⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ #Inclusion #Representationmatters #Disabilities #Familystructure #diversity
Have you heard of The Kinder Controversy? Sorry USA, No eggs for you. Listen to the full episode of things we miss from the places we’ve called home Including this reflection from Ann EPISODE 36 PART 3 *Ann will also be back in a few weeks for an episode about learning to read. Subscribe to have episodes come to you! #podcast #balancingcultures #chocolate #kindereggs #kinderchocolate #eastercandy #easterchocolate #easterbasket #hiddentoy #bestmomever #momlife #badmom #parenting #cravings #packingsuitcases #germany #germanchocolate #controversial #controversy #haveyouheard
Want your business to be the top-listed Media Company?
