What better way to celebrate my podcast’s fifth anniversary than by spending an evening hosting a conversation with a panel of inspiring women – Soli Lazarus, Bettina Jacobs, Jhilmil Kishore and Emma Livingstone – talking about their experiences of finding balance, in a room full of thoughtful, engaged women, all while drinking delicious pink sparkling wine from the Sussex-based vineyard Everflyht, expertly introduced and served by sommelier Rupert Wilson?
It felt like such a fitting and joyful way to mark five years of recording such conversations.
Since launching the podcast, I’ve had the privilege of speaking to people from all walks of life about the multifaceted and deeply personal ways they juggle work with everything else that matters to them. We’ve explored the choices that people make, and the different ways they define success, fulfilment, priorities and balance. And, importantly, the reasons that sit behind those choices.
If there’s one lesson that’s stayed with me throughout all these years of podcasting and blogging, it’s that finding a balance that works for you really matters.
The positive impact that feeling a healthy sense of work-life balance can have on a person’s physical and mental wellbeing is well-evidenced. So too is the detriment of feeling off-kilter, and the very real risk of burnout, or “bore-out”, if that imbalance continues.
Listening to snippets of conversations around the room reaffirmed this conclusion, reminding me how meaningful it is to ask ourselves the questions about how we are spending our precious time – and how impactful acting intentionally can be.
I also found myself reflecting on what I’ve built over the past five years. When I started podcasting, I had no idea or specific expectations of what it would be like.
The technical learning curve has been remarkable. I’ve taught myself how to record and edit episodes, troubleshoot a multitude of audio issues, plan and produce content, market the show, grow an audience and somehow keep all the moving parts ticking along with, on average, episodes published on a monthly cadence. There have been plenty of moments of frustration, many late nights, and more than one occasion where I’ve questioned whether this is how I should be spending my time.
Ironically, creating a podcast about balance hasn’t always been a constructive contributor to my own sense of balance. It’s been time-consuming and, at times, distracting from my other demands and responsibilities.
But – on balance – it has enhanced my professional and personal life in ways I couldn’t have anticipated.
I’ve gained so many practical skills, built relationships with incredible people, grown in confidence and learned a huge amount about myself and my own pursuit of balance along the way.
Five years in, I’m more convinced than ever that these conversations matter. They remind us that we’re not alone in trying to navigate careers, families, ambitions, wellbeing and everything else in life that matters to us. And I’m not exagerrating when I say that every conversation leaves me with something new to think about.
While this anniversary feels like a moment to celebrate everything that’s come so far, it also feels like a milestone point looking to the future.
I’m excited to keep asking questions, sharing stories and learning alongside my guests and listeners. And, dare I say, to organising more events that bring together listener communities.
None of this would have been possible without the incredible people who’ve said “yes” to coming on the podcast and sharing their stories so openly and honestly. Thank you to every guest who has entrusted me with your experiences, insights and reflections – you’ve made these conversations what they are.
And to everyone who’s listened, subscribed, shared episodes, left reviews, sent messages or recommended the podcast to someone else, thank you. Your support has meant more than you probably realise, and it’s what has kept me going through the inevitable challenges that come with creating something alongside the rest of life’s demands.
I’m so grateful to every single person who has been part of this journey so far and in particular my husband Marc, whose consistent encouragement and support spurs me on and makes it all possible.
I’m excited to see where the conversations lead to next.
So here’s to the next five years – and, hopefully, many more after that.