We made it, friend—the season one finale of The Balanced Badass Podcast™! Can you believe we're already wrapping up 2024? This episode is gonna get into the highs, the lows, and the "what the hell was I even thinking?" moments from this year.

We're reflecting on what worked, what didn't, and what we need to let go of so we're not dragging the same chaos into 2025. I'm also walking you through my end-of-year audit and showing you how to set goals that actually fit where life is taking you.

If you're ready to clear the clutter, focus on what really matters, and crush 2025 with confidence, this one's for you. Oh, and don't forget to check out my free 7 Days to Crushing Your Goals email mini-course for even more guidance (https://tarakermiet.com/crushyourgoals).

Let's close out this year like the badasses we are. See you next year!

00:00 Season One Finale Kickoff
00:23 Reflecting on 2024: Highs and Lows
01:29 Clearing Out the Baggage
04:10 Lessons Learned: Support and Curiosity
06:07 Trusting the Process
07:11 End of Year Audit: Steps to Reflect
08:00 Planning for 2025: Setting Meaningful Goals
08:44 The DREAMS Framework: Step-by-Step Guide
15:29 Taking Action and Measuring Progress
18:37 Seeking Accountability
21:27 Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead

Got something to say? Text me!

Need a little more balance and a lot more badass in your life? Check out my 1:1 coaching sessions designed to help you tackle your biggest challenges, manage stress, and create a personalized plan for success. Your first 30-minute session is free! Visit tarakermiet.com to get started.

Support the show

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I’m Tara Kermiet, a leadership coach specializing in burnout prevention and work-life integration. I know what it’s like to feel like you’re holding it all together with duct tape and coffee. But success doesn’t have to mean running yourself ragged. I help high achievers find work-life balance and shine as badass leaders.

👉 Take my quick quiz to find out where you stand on the burnout spectrum, plus get tailored tips to help you turn things around before it’s too late. Visit: https://tarakermiet.com/free-resources/

😍 If we’re not friends yet on social media, why the heck not? Follow me on Instagram (@TaraKermiet) and/or LinkedIn (@TaraKermiet) so we can stay connected!

🎤 Got a question, a topic you want me to cover, or just want to share your thoughts? I'd love to hear from you! Send me a DM or email.

Stay balanced, stay badass, and make good choices!

Disclaimer: My content is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. For serious concerns, please consult a qualified provider.

Feel like you're always chasing balance but never quite catching it? Here’s the truth: balance isn’t some perfect, static state—it’s a messy, ever-changing process, and anyone telling you otherwise is selling a pipe dream.

In this episode, we’re blowing up the myth of “having it all together” and diving into why balance isn’t a destination but a moving target that shifts with your priorities, energy, and seasons of life.

We’ll explore:

• Why imbalance isn’t a problem but a sign you’re growing.
• The science of neuroplasticity and how your brain adapts to challenges.
• How stress (when managed right) can actually fuel your growth.
• Practical strategies for setting boundaries, managing your energy, and building a sustainable system for balance.

Whether you’re leading a team, juggling all the things, or just trying to survive the day, this episode gives you a fresh, snarky perspective on redefining balance and making it work for real life.

Get ready to stop chasing balance and start creating it.

00:00 Introduction: The Myth of Balance
01:13 Understanding Balance as a Process
02:03 The Science Behind Imbalance
03:30 Managing Stress and Recovery
04:19 Balance in Leadership
07:27 Practical Tips for Daily Balance
14:42 Mindset Shifts for Long-Term Balance
18:38 Conclusion: Your Mission for Balance

Got something to say? Text me!

Support the show

-----
I’m Tara Kermiet, a leadership coach specializing in burnout prevention and work-life integration. I know what it’s like to feel like you’re holding it all together with duct tape and coffee. But success doesn’t have to mean running yourself ragged. I help high achievers find work-life balance and shine as badass leaders.

👉 Take my quick quiz to find out where you stand on the burnout spectrum, plus get tailored tips to help you turn things around before it’s too late. Visit: https://tarakermiet.com/free-resources/

😍 If we’re not friends yet on social media, why the heck not? Follow me on Instagram (@TaraKermiet) and/or LinkedIn (@TaraKermiet) so we can stay connected!

🎤 Got a question, a topic you want me to cover, or just want to share your thoughts? I'd love to hear from you! Send me a DM or email.

Stay balanced, stay badass, and make good choices!

Disclaimer: My content is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. For serious concerns, please consult a qualified provider.

In this episode of the Balance Badass podcast, Tara emphasizes the importance of building a strong support system to combat burnout. She discusses five key types of people essential for creating a burnout-resistant life: role models, mentors, coaches, cheerleaders, and sponsors.

Tara shares personal stories of her own struggles with burnout and explains how having the right people in your corner can make a transformative difference. She also provides practical tips on how to find and nurture these relationships, stressing that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.

Tara concludes by encouraging listeners to take action, identify gaps in their support network, and prioritize their mental and physical well-being.

Check out the detailed show notes (https://tarakermiet.com/podcast/) and leave your thoughts or questions about today's topic.

00:00 Introduction to the Balance Badass Podcast

00:20 Understanding Burnout and Its Causes

00:38 The Importance of a Support Squad

01:14 The Five Key People You Need

04:41 Role Models: Learning from the Best

08:40 Mentors: Your Career GPS

12:47 Coaches: Unpacking Your Potential

20:25 Cheerleaders: Your Emotional Support

23:49 Sponsors: Advocates for Your Success

28:21 Conclusion and Next Steps

32:59 Burnout Resistant Career Playbook

👉 Check out the Burnout-Resistant Career Design Playbook: https://tarakermiet.com/playbook/

Got something to say? Text me!

Need a little more balance and a lot more badass in your life? Check out my 1:1 coaching sessions designed to help you tackle your biggest challenges, manage stress, and create a personalized plan for success. Your first 30-minute session is free! Visit tarakermiet.com to get started.

Support the show

-----
I’m Tara Kermiet, a leadership coach specializing in burnout prevention and work-life integration. I know what it’s like to feel like you’re holding it all together with duct tape and coffee. But success doesn’t have to mean running yourself ragged. I help high achievers find work-life balance and shine as badass leaders.

👉 Take my quick quiz to find out where you stand on the burnout spectrum, plus get tailored tips to help you turn things around before it’s too late. Visit: https://tarakermiet.com/free-resources/

😍 If we’re not friends yet on social media, why the heck not? Follow me on Instagram (@TaraKermiet) and/or LinkedIn (@TaraKermiet) so we can stay connected!

🎤 Got a question, a topic you want me to cover, or just want to share your thoughts? I'd love to hear from you! Send me a DM or email.

Stay balanced, stay badass, and make good choices!

Disclaimer: My content is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. For serious concerns, please consult a qualified provider.

Are you stuck in a job where every decision feels like it needs five levels of approval? Do constant status updates and micromanagement have you feeling more like a robot than a real contributor? You’re not alone—and it’s time to talk about why autonomy at work isn’t just a luxury, but a necessity.

In this episode, we’re digging into the soul-crushing impact of red tape, micromanagement, and the lack of trust in the workplace. You’ll learn how the absence of workplace autonomy fuels burnout, kills motivation, and leaves you mentally checked out. Drawing on personal experience (hello, higher ed red tape!), I’ll break down why autonomy is essential for employee engagement, productivity, and creating a career that actually feels meaningful.

We’ll explore:
✔️ What workplace autonomy really means—and why you need it
✔️ The sneaky signs of burnout caused by micromanagement and bureaucracy
✔️ Real-life examples of autonomy killers that might sound way too familiar
✔️ Actionable steps to reclaim your autonomy—even in rigid roles

Whether you’re an employee feeling drained or a leader looking to create a more engaged team, this episode is packed with insights and practical advice.

Check out the detailed show notes (https://tarakermiet.com/podcast/) and leave your thoughts or questions about today's topic.

00:00 Introduction: The Autonomy Question

00:31 The Importance of Autonomy at Work

03:48 Scenarios of Low Autonomy

07:52 The Impact of Micromanagement and Red Tape

08:50 Steps to Reclaim Autonomy

10:11 Advice for Leaders and Managers

11:23 Conclusion: Taking Back Control

Got something to say? Text me!

Support the show

-----
I’m Tara Kermiet, a leadership coach specializing in burnout prevention and work-life integration. I know what it’s like to feel like you’re holding it all together with duct tape and coffee. But success doesn’t have to mean running yourself ragged. I help high achievers find work-life balance and shine as badass leaders.

👉 Take my quick quiz to find out where you stand on the burnout spectrum, plus get tailored tips to help you turn things around before it’s too late. Visit: https://tarakermiet.com/free-resources/

😍 If we’re not friends yet on social media, why the heck not? Follow me on Instagram (@TaraKermiet) and/or LinkedIn (@TaraKermiet) so we can stay connected!

🎤 Got a question, a topic you want me to cover, or just want to share your thoughts? I'd love to hear from you! Send me a DM or email.

Stay balanced, stay badass, and make good choices!

Disclaimer: My content is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. For serious concerns, please consult a qualified provider.

Ever feel like your laptop’s overheating? That’s you teetering on the brink of burnout. In this episode, we dig into recognizing burnout triggers and the essential warning signs of burnout that too many of us ignore. From mental exhaustion and physical signs of burnout to setting boundaries and managing work stress, this episode covers it all. Hear a personal story of struggling through anxiety, panic attacks, and imposter syndrome, revealing the dark side of chronic stress. Discover how to break free from the vicious cycle of burnout and learn the exact steps to prevent burnout and regain control over your mental health and productivity.

Check out the detailed show notes (https://tarakermiet.com/podcast/) and leave your thoughts or questions about today's topic.

00:00 Introduction: The Overheating Laptop Analogy

01:17 Personal Burnout Story

02:57 Recognizing Burnout Symptoms

05:07 Understanding Burnout: Exhaustion, Cynicism, and Ineffectiveness

07:26 The Dangerous Cycle of Burnout

08:28 Burnout Triggers and Warning Signs

11:20 The Phone Analogy: Recognizing Overload

12:06 The Importance of Saying No

13:05 Setting and Enforcing Boundaries

17:13 Running on Empty: The Hidden Dangers

20:31 Irritability: A Key Warning Sign

22:16 Final Thoughts and Next Steps

Got something to say? Text me!

Need a little more balance and a lot more badass in your life? Check out my 1:1 coaching sessions designed to help you tackle your biggest challenges, manage stress, and create a personalized plan for success. Your first 30-minute session is free! Visit tarakermiet.com to get started.

Support the show

-----
I’m Tara Kermiet, a leadership coach specializing in burnout prevention and work-life integration. I know what it’s like to feel like you’re holding it all together with duct tape and coffee. But success doesn’t have to mean running yourself ragged. I help high achievers find work-life balance and shine as badass leaders.

👉 Take my quick quiz to find out where you stand on the burnout spectrum, plus get tailored tips to help you turn things around before it’s too late. Visit: https://tarakermiet.com/free-resources/

😍 If we’re not friends yet on social media, why the heck not? Follow me on Instagram (@TaraKermiet) and/or LinkedIn (@TaraKermiet) so we can stay connected!

🎤 Got a question, a topic you want me to cover, or just want to share your thoughts? I'd love to hear from you! Send me a DM or email.

Stay balanced, stay badass, and make good choices!

Disclaimer: My content is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. For serious concerns, please consult a qualified provider.

In this episode, Tara tackles the challenge of how to keep it together when life feels like it’s falling apart. She shares a personal story about managing chaos during a flea infestation with her five dogs (surprise twist, there’s a lot of dog pee involved!) and uses it to discuss how to handle stress and overwhelm when everything seems to go wrong. Tara breaks down practical steps for navigating burnout and stress, including how to prioritize what really matters, tips for staying grounded during chaotic moments, and why it’s essential to give yourself grace when life doesn’t go as planned. She reminds listeners that while the chaos may feel overwhelming, burnout recovery is possible, and you’re more capable of handling life’s curveballs than you think.

Check out the detailed show notes (https://tarakermiet.com/podcast/) and leave your thoughts or questions about today's topic.

00:00 Introduction: A Day in the Life

00:13 The Flea Infestation Fiasco

01:44 The Pee-pocalypse

03:08 Finding Humor in Chaos

03:27 Strategies to Keep It Together

05:48 The Myth of Multitasking

06:36 Prioritizing and Taking It One Step at a Time

08:21 Lowering Expectations and Avoiding Burnout

11:19 Embracing Excellence Over Perfection

11:45 Giving Yourself Grace

12:11 Handling Life's Messiness

13:06 Building Resilience Through Self-Compassion

15:26 The Temporary Nature of Tough Times

20:21 Navigating Chaos Without Losing Your Mind

Got something to say? Text me!

Support the show

-----
I’m Tara Kermiet, a leadership coach specializing in burnout prevention and work-life integration. I know what it’s like to feel like you’re holding it all together with duct tape and coffee. But success doesn’t have to mean running yourself ragged. I help high achievers find work-life balance and shine as badass leaders.

👉 Take my quick quiz to find out where you stand on the burnout spectrum, plus get tailored tips to help you turn things around before it’s too late. Visit: https://tarakermiet.com/free-resources/

😍 If we’re not friends yet on social media, why the heck not? Follow me on Instagram (@TaraKermiet) and/or LinkedIn (@TaraKermiet) so we can stay connected!

🎤 Got a question, a topic you want me to cover, or just want to share your thoughts? I'd love to hear from you! Send me a DM or email.

Stay balanced, stay badass, and make good choices!

Disclaimer: My content is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. For serious concerns, please consult a qualified provider.

In this episode, Tara tackles the topic of burnout and what it really means. She breaks down the signs and symptoms that indicate you might be sliding into burnout territory, like constant exhaustion, emotional drain, and feeling detached from things that used to bring you joy. Tara also clears up some common misconceptions about burnout—like the idea that it only affects overachievers or that it can be fixed with a quick vacation. She emphasizes that burnout can happen to anyone, and recognizing it is the first step in addressing it.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Burnout quiz to assess your situation
• List of 10 signs you're headed toward burnout
• Handy boundary-setting scripts to protect your time and energy

You can grab them all at https://tarakermiet.com/free-resources/.

Check out the detailed show notes (https://tarakermiet.com/podcast/) and leave your thoughts or questions about today's topic.

00:00 Introduction to Burnout

01:43 Burnout: A Deeper Dive

03:19 Recognizing Burnout in Everyday Life

05:14 Understanding Emotional Exhaustion

06:46 Depersonalization and Reduced Accomplishment

09:57 Common Misconceptions About Burnout

13:38 Rethinking Limits: Simone Biles' Impact

13:56 The Myth of Quick Fixes for Burnout

14:47 My Personal Burnout Journey

17:40 Recognizing Burnout: Key Signs

21:32 Strategies to Combat Burnout

24:39 Redefining Success and Final Thoughts

Got something to say? Text me!

Need a little more balance and a lot more badass in your life? Check out my 1:1 coaching sessions designed to help you tackle your biggest challenges, manage stress, and create a personalized plan for success. Your first 30-minute session is free! Visit tarakermiet.com to get started.

Support the show

-----
I’m Tara Kermiet, a leadership coach specializing in burnout prevention and work-life integration. I know what it’s like to feel like you’re holding it all together with duct tape and coffee. But success doesn’t have to mean running yourself ragged. I help high achievers find work-life balance and shine as badass leaders.

👉 Take my quick quiz to find out where you stand on the burnout spectrum, plus get tailored tips to help you turn things around before it’s too late. Visit: https://tarakermiet.com/free-resources/

😍 If we’re not friends yet on social media, why the heck not? Follow me on Instagram (@TaraKermiet) and/or LinkedIn (@TaraKermiet) so we can stay connected!

🎤 Got a question, a topic you want me to cover, or just want to share your thoughts? I'd love to hear from you! Send me a DM or email.

Stay balanced, stay badass, and make good choices!

Disclaimer: My content is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. For serious concerns, please consult a qualified provider.

It's the day after the 2024 U.S. election, and I'm off my regular content schedule to unpack the whirlwind of emotions I'm feeling: disappointment, shock, and even despair. This isn't about politics but about the deeper values of compassion, fairness, and empathy that feel threatened by the election results. Struggling to reconcile my hopes for a kinder world with the reality of the vote, I'm sharing my raw thoughts on how this personal heartbreak is more about our shared humanity than mere political decisions. I might lose followers over this, but I'm okay with that—this is about standing firm in our values and finding ways to move forward, one compassionate step at a time.

Check out the detailed show notes (https://tarakermiet.com/podcast/) and leave your thoughts or questions about today's topic.

00:00 Introduction and Context

00:22 Emotional Reactions to the Election

00:42 Reflecting on Shared Values

01:03 Disillusionment with Election Results

02:16 The Personal Impact of Political Decisions

03:52 Coping and Moving Forward

05:20 Conclusion and Call to Action

Got something to say? Text me!

Support the show

-----
I’m Tara Kermiet, a leadership coach specializing in burnout prevention and work-life integration. I know what it’s like to feel like you’re holding it all together with duct tape and coffee. But success doesn’t have to mean running yourself ragged. I help high achievers find work-life balance and shine as badass leaders.

👉 Take my quick quiz to find out where you stand on the burnout spectrum, plus get tailored tips to help you turn things around before it’s too late. Visit: https://tarakermiet.com/free-resources/

😍 If we’re not friends yet on social media, why the heck not? Follow me on Instagram (@TaraKermiet) and/or LinkedIn (@TaraKermiet) so we can stay connected!

🎤 Got a question, a topic you want me to cover, or just want to share your thoughts? I'd love to hear from you! Send me a DM or email.

Stay balanced, stay badass, and make good choices!

Disclaimer: My content is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. For serious concerns, please consult a qualified provider.