The Big Balance

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Maintaining a work-life balance keeps getting harder - but it doesn't have to. This podcast is for anyone struggling to rise above the daily struggles of work, family, and building a sense of self. Management consultants by trade, hosts Brian and John shi

Brian & John


    • May 31, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 28m AVG DURATION
    • 70 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Big Balance

    John Talks NBA and Fights a Robot

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2023 37:16


    In this episode, John talks ROI while defending the 76ers... and tries to talk a big game while defending his job as a podcast host against the growing threat of AI creative domination.

    Sharpening The Axe & Performance Evals

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2023 10:35


    Quick-hitter format this time: Brian takes a simpler, pared down approach to two topics - How to "sharpen your axe" on one side, and how to avoid freaking out about performance evaluations on the other.

    Stop Overcomplicating Your Life

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2023 20:31


    We're often compelled to overcomplicate even the simplest decisions in life. Why? All it does it make achieving our goals that much harder (and that much more stress-inducing). In this episode, Brian outlines some of the reasons our brains put us in this predicament... and how we can push back against this overcomplicated default.

    Will Automation Replace My Job?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2023 36:41


    Think your white collar job is safe from being "automated away?" Think again - artificial intelligence is putting knowledge work in the crosshairs. In this episode, Brian and John discuss the positives and negatives associated with automation in the white collar workplace.

    Working Two Jobs at Once

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2023 37:09


    Remote work has created the perfect environment for some employees to secretly nab multiple jobs (and paychecks) in a single set of hours. How feasible would this be for someone interested in doubling their income, and how do the ethics play out?

    We're Back! Let's Talk About Toilets

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2023 41:25


    The stuff we own describes who we are - so what does your toilet say about you? Brian and John come back from their podcasting break to talk about what they've been up to and, more importantly, how bathrooms make great metaphors for life decisions.

    Should You Ghost your Boss?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2022 39:52


    Ever had a job you were so sick of that you just... left? No notice, no formality. Here one moment, gone the next. We've all thought about doing it, but how feasible would it actually be to ghost an employer?

    World Record...Speedrunning?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2022 8:01


    This week John gives us the skinny on a seldom discussed online community: the video game speedrunning community. What do speedrunners and John have in common?Editor's Note: John is sorry he mispronounced a word this episode.

    John (Joe?) Joins Fiverr

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2022 51:08


    This week John adopts his new persona of "Joe" and takes us along as he weighs the merits of a platform like Fiverr. Does Joe have a career in voice acting after all?

    Ashley Graham on Work-Life Balance

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2022 11:43


    In an interview with Shape magazine, Ashley Graham rejected the idea of work-life balance. But did she really? In this episode, Brian quibbles about parlance and cracks open a dictionary (exciting stuff).

    Throwback Thursday: Making your Own Luck

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2022 28:19


    Crazy stuff has been happening in Brian's life... some bad stuff... some lucky. In this throwback episode, we return to an episode from August 2021 where we talked about what it means to be lucky - and how to create our own luck.

    Corporate Cults

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2022 44:19


    Does your company's culture hit a little too hard? Do some of your coworkers seem a bit too ready to "drink the Kool-Aid?" You're not alone - plenty of people out there are asked to give a little too much headspace to the organizational vision. In this episode, Brian talks about what happens when we let that happen.

    Let's Get out of That Rut

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2022 12:18


    In a rut? How do you dig yourself out? This week John talks tips and solutions to help get out that rut.

    Low Paying Jobs

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2022 30:36


    "Money can't buy happiness." So say the people with enough money that they avoid having to worry about it. In this episode, Brian and John contradict themselves and, predictably, go on a tirade about American politics.

    Preventing Workplace Burnout

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2022 44:19


    What does it take to prevent yourself from getting burned out? What goes into feeling appreciated by your company? Brian and John read up on some recent articles by expert organizations who claim to have the answers.

    Is Your Boss a Work-from-Home Hypocrite?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2022 15:31


    It's "do as I say, not as I do" as CEOs demand workers return to the office... while staying at home, themselves.

    How To Power Nap (or Just Sleep More)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2022 15:26


    In the great game of "getting ahead," sacrificing sleep is rarely the best strategy long-term. Yet many of us default to staying up a bit longer or waking up earlier to squeeze a few more hours out of a day. In this episode, Brian outlines why this is a bad idea, and gives a few tips on catching more Z's.

    Listener Questions: Office Relationships

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2022 20:04


    Office relationships can be tricky... especially when they're with our bosses, and especially when those bosses try to take advantage of them. In this episode, Brian offers advice on drawing a clear line between personal and professional relationships and talks about the importance of saying "no."

    Anticipation and Procrastination

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2022 25:14


    John and Brian have been eagerly awaiting their "new" lives: fatherhood again for Brian and married life for John. This week they explore the anticipation leading up to their big days. But, what about anticipation's ugly cousin procrastination?

    Love Languages

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2022 38:58


    What's the best way to tell others we care about them? In this episode, Brian talks "Love Languages," and how some of them could work in the office (and others could get you fired). Learn more or take the Love Language quiz here: https://www.5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/love-language Special music this week: Bloom by Purrple Cat | https://purrplecat.com Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

    Tech is a Good Thing?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2022 39:20


    Despite the fact that our lives are so dependent on it, this pod has taken aim at the effects of technology in the past. This week we decide to put on our positive pants and call out some of the benefits tech brings us

    "Shh! Don't Say ----!" Amazon Censorship

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2022 28:57


    Companies already monitor worker chats and emails - but how the ---- would you feel if those messages also got the ---- censored out of them after you hit the send button? We're not just talking about expletives, either... Brian runs through Amazon's alleged plans to do exactly that.

    Dealing with Toxic People

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2022 16:22


    Toxic people suck. They also happen to be everywhere - so we better learn how to handle them. In this episode, Brian outlines some strategies to do exactly that.

    The Real Cost of People Pleasing

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2022 43:36


    The phrase "people-pleasing" is oftentimes viewed through a negative lens, is this a fair assessment? Let's examine what it means to be a people-pleaser and how we can use it to our advantage.

    PTO Etiquette and the Right Way to Take Time Off

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2022 40:04


    This week's episode has Brian and John taking a look at a Buzzfeed article? And looking at TikTok videos? Something can't be right here? Ah, but it's about the "right" way to take your PTO. Join the guys as they take the leap into Gen Z territory.Check out the article yourself and let us know what you think:https://www.buzzfeed.com/kristatorres/right-way-to-take-pto-tiktok

    RageQuit! Return-to-Office Edition

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2022 27:32


    President Biden has made several calls for employees to go back to the office. But who does this serve? What would we gain as well as lose by giving up our work-from-home arrangements? RageQuit returns with stories about people pissed to have to go back to the office. Special music this week: Trailer Sport Trap Action | Horses by Alex-Productions | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx0_M61F81Nfb-BRXE-SeVA Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

    Losing Control of your Life

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2022 32:31


    Losing control can feel terrible. Obsessing about control can also feel terrible. Most of us walk the line between these two states of stress - In this episode, Brian and Andy talk about the best way to handle it.

    Work Life, Movie Life

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2022 48:25


    Films like "The Internship" or "Wolf of Wall Street" are a fun watch - but how accurately do they portray life in corporate America? In this episode, Brian and John pretend to be film critics to gauge how true-to-life this genre really is.Also, today is a special day for John as his band released their first single. Check it out here: https://open.spotify.com/track/1HjzYeb4atk9ZSU0Yuf1OJ?si=ce210002394d430d

    Story Time: Let's Go on Tour!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2022 36:23


    It can seem like a selfish act to plan an entire trip around a singular hobby, especially when we already struggle to use our PTO, but trips like these can teach us a lot of valuable skills.Let's go on tour with John and hear about his experience as an early 20-something in a van with six smelly guys. Would you drive 6 hours for a 30 minute reward? How about doing that 10 days in a row?

    Who's Watching You?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2022 34:55


    Is your company monitoring you while you work? They certainly have the capability. Brian and John weigh in on how they feel about several techniques used to monitor workers - and consider what it means for the future.

    Video Game Addiction

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2022 40:12


    We all need a break from responsibilities every once in a while. But when we let those distractions interfere with important parts of our lives, they can become a problem. Not every video game is an "addictive time killer," but plenty can be - in this episode, Brian runs through 5 elements of a game that can turn it from a hobby into an addictive and detrimental challenge to our balance.

    Paul Newman: Wearer of Many Hats

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2022 13:26


    We've advocated for exploring passion projects since our first episode, so for today's episode John examines the late Paul Newman and his many different passions. While we may not have the luxury of fame and fortune, it doesn't mean we can't take a page out of the Newman's Own founder's book.

    Expanding Job Descriptions

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2022 32:23


    You've been given more responsibilities... Great! But is your boss putting more faith in you or taking advantage of you? We all wear many hats on the job - when our roles expand too far, we can get stretched to the brink. In this episode, Brian and Andy talk about what we can do to keep our roles from expanding beyond what we can handle.

    Britney Spears, Conservatorship, and Decision Making Support

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2022 31:12


    Britney Spears thrust traditional conservatorship arrangements into the spotlight, but the nuances surrounding these arrangements are complex. For every Britney Spears there is likely thousands of Nick Clouses and Jamie Becks. Learn more about their stories as John and Brian discuss the intricacies and complexities of these arrangements.Today's episode is inspired by an article from NPR:https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/01/09/1065301762/britney-spears-left-her-guardianship-but-others-who-want-independence-remain-stu

    The Definition of Success

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2022 30:20


    A lot of people have trouble defining success (which, in turn, makes finding it that much more difficult). Brian and Andy attempt to nail down a few key guidelines for defining what it means to be successful in our own lives.

    Need Help? DELEGATE!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2022 32:10


    None of us can take on all of life's challenges alone. The good news? We have friends, family, and coworkers who can help. The bad news? We're all terrible at seeking out, and making us of, that help. In this episode, Brian walks through how we can do better at being part of a team to get things done.

    Our Last Episode Ever (in 2021)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2021 17:40


    This year draws to a close, and 2022 is right around the corner. Brian and John talk about where the show has gone and what they hope to accomplish in the new year.

    Ring, Ring...It's Work Calling (From Latvia?)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2021 33:50


    John takes us down memory lane and details the first time he ever fielded an "after-hours" urgent call. That meant something quite different 6 years ago, and now as the pandemic has shifted work-life priorities, the guys take a look at some anecdotal and empirical evidence to prove how different work is in 2021 and beyond.Happy Holidays from the Big Balance team to you and yours!

    Big Data, Kevin Spacey, and Company Culture

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2021 31:35


    There's no escaping company culture. If that culture starts to shift, there may not be much we can do to react - unless we're willing to take some big steps. In this episode, Brian talks about some stark realities of facing culture changes... and some creepy things companies are doing to keep tabs on employee reactions to them.

    Managing Stress and Anxiety

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2021 32:35


    Everyone deals with stress. Some better than others. But avoiding it will lead to anxiety problems sooner than later. If you're having trouble dealing with the high-pressures of life, join Brian and Andy as they talk about two ways you can better manage those feelings.

    Music while you Study

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2021 35:25


    We've talked about music while you work, now we're talking about a trend in music while you study - where the media in question aims to get a bit more interactive. Brian also talks about a simple time management technique these study guides provide.

    Name 10 Things You Want to Do Before You Die

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2021 8:35


    Sometimes it's the simplest answers to life's toughest questions that make the most sense. Paul Baribeau's album "Grand Ledge" features arguably one of the most optimistic 'self-help' songs I've ever heard: "Ten Things." The premise is simple: name ten things you want to do before you die and go do them; name ten places you want to see before you die and go to them. Even 14 years later this song still strikes a chord with me (albeit in a very fast and folk-punk rhythm). Let's examine how easy it is to follow Paul's advice and see if we really can fix those ten things about our life.

    Portugal's Work from Home Protections

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2021 15:42


    Rules and regulations are sometimes slow to keep pace with what's going on in the world. This time, though, Portugal is determined to keep up with today's work from home dynamic. In this episode, Brian walks through new protections for Portuguese workers and considers what the rest of us can do (even without these legal protections). Special music this week: Lock And Load by Hayden Folker | https://soundcloud.com/hayden-folker Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_U

    The Great Resignation

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2021 30:16


    Thousands of workers are joining together to say "enough" to bad working conditions. Brian and Andy talk through what this means - both to employers and to people wondering if now is the right time to look for a new job.

    RageQuit!

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2021 26:39


    Sometimes, people quit... sometimes they're fired - and sometimes they have quite a bit to say about why. In this episode, Brian runs through some company reviews by past employees that had less-than-stellar things to say about their old employers.Special music this week:Trailer Sport Trap Action | Horses by Alex-Productions | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx0_M61F81Nfb-BRXE-SeVA Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

    Here! Read this Book to be Successful!

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2021 29:49


    There's no magical formula or book that is going to guarantee success, so why do some people believe there is? Certain "Self-Help" books have made their way into popular culture and spawned an entire genre of prose. But, how effective are these self-help books? Let's take a look at one of most influential self-help books and examine its efficacy.

    How Old is "Too Old" to Start a Passion Project?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2021 26:31


    Ever wanted to start something big, but felt like you waited too long? Like you blew your chance doing it when you were younger and now... it's too late. Well, good news! In this episode, Brian gives a few examples that show you're never too old to start a side hustle, passion project, or anything else the kids these days are doing.

    The Darker Side of Getting Promoted

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2021 19:44


    We usually jump at the chance for a promotion. More prestige and bigger paychecks can't be bad, right? But what if that promotion takes us out of a role we love, and puts us somewhere that we hate? Andy comes back as a guest host to talk about his experience with an ill-fitting promotion.

    Brian Dyson on the Importance of Work-Life Priorities

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2021 11:13


    Brian Dyson, former President and CEO of Coca-Cola, gave a commencement speech in the early 90's that still resonates today. In this episode, Brian walks through his impressions on that speech's message, and why we should all take it to heart.

    Working With (Fighting Against?) Your Company's Vision

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2021 15:26


    Work-life balance is dictated partially by the way your company operates. Company operations, in turn, draw from company vision statements. But what happens when company vision doesn't align with our day jobs? In this episode, Brian reviews a Harvard Business Review article on the topic.

    Why the Org Chart Matters (Sometimes)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2021 26:14


    Most of us are familiar with concept of an org chart or structure, but some organizations are beginning to abandon this vertical structure in favor of a more fluid and cross-functional concept. Which approach is better for a work-life balance? In this episode, John wonders how we can best combat any confusion around our org structures. Can we create clearly defined roles for ourselves and teammates, regardless of our spot on the totem pole?

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