A Fine Balance

About A Fine Balance

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed when juggling the competing demands of work and life, or if you’re simply curious about how others manage their time and priorities, then this is the podcast for you. Each episode covers the work-life balance confessions of people from all walks of life - in person or anonymously - with the purpose of celebrating individual approaches to pursuing balance, and learning from one another. Whatever your work or home commitments, finding the right blend to create a harmony that suits you is a fine balancing act. Join us to listen to stories and tips to enlighten and inspire.

Publisher

Dalya Wittenberg

Category

health & fitness · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

26 May 2021

Latest episode

14 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

99 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   14 Aug 2026

   65: On Finding Work-Life Balance - Boundaries by Choice, Not by Obligation

   In this episode, I'm joined by Rowshonara Syeda, a civil servant in the UK Government, for a thoughtful conversation exploring the concept of work-life balance, focusing on personal routines, self-discipline, and career focus. It delves into the impact of living alone, motivation, and the role of upbringing in shaping an individual's approach to work-life balance. The conversation delves into the influence of upbringing, cultural impact, career choices, habits, time management, individuality, and trying new things on work-life balance. It emphasises the importance of intentionality, self-discipline, and exploring new interests as key factors in achieving a balanced lifestyle. The conversation covers the importance of social activities and group environments in contributing to a sense of balance and well-being, the significance of taking time off and avoiding burnout, and the cultural perspectives on work-life balance. The conversation covers the themes of seizing the day, grief and loss, and memories and legacy. Each theme is explored through personal experiences and reflections, providing valuable insights into the impact of these themes on individuals' lives. Takeaways Work-life balance is influenced by personal routines and the ability to maintain a balance between work and personal life. Self-discipline and a positive mindset play a crucial role in achieving work-life balance. Intentionality Self-discipline Exploring new interests, social activities and group environments contribute to a sense of balance and well-being. The importance of taking time off and avoiding burnout. Seizing the day Grief and loss Memories and legacy Chapters 00:00 Quantifying Work-Life Ratio 03:00 Living Alone and Work-Life Balance 05:58 Motivation and Self-Discipline 08:52 Career Focus and Life Balance 33:05 Upbringing and Studiousness 34:38 Balancing Work and Personal Life 35:31 Influence of Upbringing on Work-Life Balance 37:24 Cultural Impact on Work-Life Balance 40:08 Career Choices and Work-Life Balance 47:13 Habits and Time Management 53:31 Individuality and Fluidity in Balance 01:02:42 Trying New Things and Personality 01:03:03 Social Activities and Group Environments 01:06:13 Avoiding Burnout and Taking Time Off 01:23:02 Cultural Perspectives on Work-Life Balance 01:26:49 Seizing the Day 01:29:15 Grief and Loss 01:45:35 Memories and Legacy

2. 

   15 Jul 2026

   64: Work-Life Balance Diary of a CEO and The Pursuit of Balance When Your Child Is Struggling

   Come and join the first live event of the Work-Life Balance Confessions Podcast! It's taking place in London on Tuesday 28th July 2026, 18.30-20.30. All details and booking registration available here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/work-life-balance-confessions-live-drinks-reception-workshop-tickets-1991775634540 (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/work-life-balance-confessions-live-drinks-reception-workshop-tickets-1991775634540) We will be joined by a panel of former podcast guests: Soli Lazarus: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1cuPEwWW1YXvWBOqDo7oYH?si=XL3iQj28QFiIh2MpbPYUTA (https://open.spotify.com/episode/1cuPEwWW1YXvWBOqDo7oYH?si=XL3iQj28QFiIh2MpbPYUTA) Jhilmil Kishore: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1IlYm5UCm27XadcVKOgsnN?si=9YqmRS4tRCaMGJrOmWVibg (https://open.spotify.com/episode/1IlYm5UCm27XadcVKOgsnN?si=9YqmRS4tRCaMGJrOmWVibg) Bettina Jacobs: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4h3l1xPlM7dF4nqpnJ0Ddn?si=qJGG7D0ESW2KggQ5Be453A (https://open.spotify.com/episode/4h3l1xPlM7dF4nqpnJ0Ddn?si=qJGG7D0ESW2KggQ5Be453A) Emma Livingstone: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0A98AP9zTkMzg9TYMDoC9J?si=uJ1OOic0QHCntPd0E-ClHA (https://open.spotify.com/episode/0A98AP9zTkMzg9TYMDoC9J?si=uJ1OOic0QHCntPd0E-ClHA) If you're a fan of The Diary of a CEO podcast, then you won't want to miss this episode, which features Liza Berresford, the CEO of Thresholds, a provider of career support programmes. Throughout our conversation, we cover: The realities of juggling family and professional life as a CEO who is married with three children; The impact that the responsibility of staff livelihoods has on work-life balance; The high stakes of parenting older children and the challenge of finding your balance when your child is struggling; How living abroad as an expat family can impact work-life balance; How to release yourself from striving for perfection both in your personal and professional life. Chapters 00:00 Quantifying Work-Life Ratios 09:12 The Impact of Responsibility 32:25 Struggle with Perfectionism 38:52 The Role of External Validation and Support 39:20 Navigating Work-Life Balance and Parenting Challenges 41:20 The Rewards and Challenges of Being a CEO 01:06:22 The Journey of Letting Go and Delegating Responsibilities 01:08:59 The CEO's Responsibility 01:10:18 Setting Clear Goals 01:11:15 Leading Through Uncertainty 01:13:12 Balancing Work and Family Life 01:27:25 Living and Working Abroad 01:29:43 The Pursuit of Balance

3. 

   12 Jun 2026

   63: On Menopause, Putting Family First, and Finding a Work-Life Balance When Everything Changes

   This episode features the menopause educator and coach, Jacqueline Rose. Our conversation explores the challenges of work-life balance, career progression, and the impact of family responsibilities on professional life. It delves into the experiences of women navigating these complexities and the strategies they employ to achieve balance. The conversation explores the challenges of work-life balance, the impact of caring responsibilities, and the pursuit of personal fulfillment. It delves into the themes of career transitions, ambition, and the changing priorities of midlife women. Jacqueline shares her experience of pivoting from an established career path to pursuing new ventures and the internal conflicts that arise from such decisions. The conversation explores the themes of life transitions, work-life balance, and personal growth. It delves into the challenges of navigating life changes, finding purpose, and managing career and family responsibilities. Jacqueline shares insights on self-discovery, legacy, and the impact of personal experiences on work-life balance. The conversation covers the themes of work-life balance, perimenopause, and the impact of food on health and wellness. It delves into the challenges of navigating career transitions, hormonal changes, and self-care strategies. The focus is on understanding and adapting to the changing needs of the body and mind during different life stages. The conversation covers a range of topics related to work-life balance, personal growth, and the challenges of different life stages. It emphasizes the importance of being present, recognising life stages, and finding balance amidst uncertainty and change. Takeaways: Work-life balance is a constant juggling act Family responsibilities impact career decisions Work-life balance is influenced by caring responsibilities and personal fulfillment. Midlife women experience career transitions and changing priorities. Pivoting from established career paths to pursue new ventures can lead to internal conflicts. Life transitions Work-life balance Work-life balance is essential for overall well-being. Perimenopause brings about significant physical, emotional, and cognitive changes. The relationship between food, health, and hormonal changes is crucial for managing overall wellness. Present Moment Awareness Recognizing Life Stages Chapters: 00:00 Navigating Career Challenges 10:08 Navigating Work-Life Balance and Caring Responsibilities 17:34 The Impact of Career Transitions and Changing Priorities 28:09 Visualizing Legacy and Purpose 44:22 Menopause and Food Connection

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

5.0 / 5

9 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 39 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

52

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

68

Contact A Fine Balance

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.