The Balanced Mind

About The Balanced Mind

Welcome to "Balanced Mind," the podcast where we dive deep into the inner workings of the accounting and bookkeeping world with your hosts, Kim Searle of Emotional Mastery and Richard Brewin of Progress. Join us as we journey through the intriguing intersection of behavioural, mental, and emotional well-being, and uncover how these factors profoundly impact our professional outcomes. Imagine if the key to unlocking your true inner potential isn't found in the latest shiny tool or trend, but within your own mind. That's the premise of "Balanced Mind." Beyond the spreadsheets and bottom lines lies a treasure trove of untapped potential waiting to be unleashed. Here, we're not just crunching numbers; we're exploring the human side of accounting, acknowledging the challenges, fears, and doubts that often accompany the quest for excellence. We're here to empower you to truly set yourself apart by tapping into the power of your mind. Whether you're a seasoned professional seeking fresh perspectives or a newcomer navigating the intricate landscape of finance, "Balanced Mind" offers insights that go beyond the conventional. Join us as we embark on a journey to expand our minds, deepen our understanding, and unlock new possibilities together. So, if you're ready to delve into the fascinating realm of the learning mind and discover how it can propel your career and enrich your life, we invite you to tune in to "Balanced Mind" podcast. Let's embark on a journey of growth, transformation, and endless learning together.

Publisher

Kim Searle

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

25 Apr 2024

Latest episode

16 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

47 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   16 Oct 2026

   You Don’t Have to Be Extraordinary to Be Inspirational

   What makes someone inspirational? You don't have to be a famous leader, have extraordinary achievements or live a perfect life to make a difference to the people around you. In this episode of The Balanced Mind, Kim Searle and Richard Brewin explore the power of inspiration and why we often underestimate our ability to influence others — particularly in the world of accountancy, bookkeeping and professional services. They discuss the hidden value professionals bring beyond the tasks they deliver, from trust and reassurance to helping clients feel less stressed and more confident. They also explore why being comfortable with who you are, recognising your strengths and doing more of what you love can be more inspiring than outward success. Drawing on experiences from the workplace, inspirational managers and even Australian MasterChef and The Great British Sewing Bee, Kim and Richard consider how the right combination of challenge, encouragement and belief can help people discover what they're truly capable of. The conversation also asks us to look at ourselves: Are we focusing too much on our weaknesses? Do we recognise our own worth? And who helps us see possibilities we might not see for ourselves? The takeaway: You don't inspire people by telling them who to be. You inspire them by believing in their potential, helping them recognise it for themselves, and showing them what's possible.

2. 

   28 Sept 2026

   When Doing More Isn't the Answer: The Power of Pausing

   What if the answer to feeling overwhelmed isn't to work harder, move faster or simply get more done? In this episode of the Balanced Mind Podcast, Kim Searle and Richard Brewin explore the surprisingly powerful skill of pausing — especially when you're under pressure. Using the analogy of getting stuck in quicksand, Richard explains why struggling harder can actually make a difficult situation worse. Sometimes the first thing we need to do is stop, look around, assess what's happening and decide what we actually need. For accountants, bookkeepers and other professionals, this is particularly relevant when deadlines, client demands and regulatory pressures create the familiar feeling of being on a hamster wheel. Kim and Richard explore: • Why constantly "efforting" can keep us busy without actually moving us forward • The importance of stepping off the hamster wheel and evaluating what really matters • Why "I don't have time" can sometimes be a consequence of previous decisions and commitments • The difference between an instant decision and a considered decision • Why saying "Let me get back to you" can be a powerful professional response • How our habits of thought can keep us repeating the same patterns • Why saying yes to work we cannot realistically complete isn't necessarily professional • How challenging a deadline can reveal that something isn't actually as urgent as it first appeared • Why taking a walk, making a coffee or simply stepping away can give your brain the space it needs to process • The importance of addressing the causes of overload rather than continually managing its consequences The big question running through the conversation is simple: What might change if, instead of immediately asking "What do I need to do?", you paused and asked "What is actually needed here?" Sometimes moving forward starts with stopping. Listen in for a practical conversation about workload, boundaries, decision-making and giving yourself permission to think before you act.

3. 

   31 Aug 2026

   Lessons from Teaching

   What can accountants learn from teachers? Quite a lot, as it turns out. In this episode, we step outside the accountancy profession and hear directly from Emma, a primary school teacher, about the increasing demands being placed on teachers – from academic teaching and social skills to supporting children affected by COVID, dealing with stretched resources and trying to keep everyone safe. And there are some striking parallels with the world of accountancy. Perfectionism. Pressure. Overwhelm. Constantly increasing demands. Not enough time, resources or support – and the feeling that no matter how hard you work, it is never quite enough. Emma talks honestly about the impact this can have on her own life and family, including getting home with very little energy or “brain space” left. It is a feeling that many accountants and bookkeepers will recognise. The conversation then becomes much bigger. Are we trying to fix outdated systems by simply adding more technology, more processes and more demands? Or do we sometimes need to step back and ask a much more fundamental question: “If we were starting again today, what would we design?” Richard explores why this matters not only in education and accountancy, but across many areas of society. Rather than continually tweaking systems that no longer work, perhaps we need to step back, look at the bigger picture and create a clear vision of where we actually want to get to – then work out how to move from where we are today to that future. There is also an important message about trusting professionals, recognising the human beings behind the roles, and remembering that technology and AI may help, but they cannot solve everything. And perhaps the biggest lesson is this: You are not the only one struggling. Whether you are a teacher, accountant, business owner or professional in another sector, many of us are experiencing the same pressures in different forms. Talking to people outside our usual circles can help us see our own challenges differently, realise we're not alone, and sometimes discover new ways of thinking. This is a conversation about work, wellbeing, purpose, change and what happens when people who care deeply about doing a good job are asked to carry too much for too long. And, as Emma reminds us at the end, she really does love her job. The problem isn't the work – it's the pressures surrounding it. That feels like the heart of the episode: people don't necessarily want to leave the professions they love. They want to be given the opportunity to do the work they love well.

Podcast Authority Score: 13 / 100

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

Quality

26

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

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