The Balance Dilemma

What’s it like to be a mom in the military now? And a military spouse? Guest Major Lauren Perone Jones has been both, and shares how being married to a soldier pivoted her legal career. Now serving as a reserve Major in the JAG (that’s Judge Advocate General) Corps, Lauren is also a Vice President and Senior Managing Counsel at Mastercard and mother to three young children. Her experience serves a...

You know those conversations with your best friend where neither of you can stop talking? Well, that is this episode with self-described “Girlfriend in Business” and “professional talker” Debbie Nigro , host of The Debbie Nigro Show -  “Risk It! Or Regret It!" As a two-time cancer survivor, Debbie lives her motto, keeping her focused on media and entrepreneurship despite facing life’s hurdles...

Guest Dr. Gwenyth Jackaway discusses how we can improve our attention, focus, and sleep, and, as a result, enjoy a better life. And to her, it starts with being present and using our phones and devices with intention and not reflexively. As Dr. Jackaway says, where you focus your attention, is what your life is about. She shares tips and advice on this episode of The Balance Dilemma. A media histo...

Ask most working American parents what the biggest stressor and problem is . . . and likely they will respond childcare. More specifically, finding affordable, convenient, high-quality care for their children- before and during the school-age years.  The United States is one of the few rich nations that does not provide childcare support (other than an inadequate Child and Dependent Care Tax Credi...

What do narcotics prosecutions, medical malpractice, and DEIB advocacy have in common? They are all part of the career path guest Melissa G. Andrieux, Esq. traveled. And to hear Melissa tell it, while a television show inspired her dream of being a district attorney, the rest was unexpected. But it represents her willingness to pivot, say yes, and advocate for her needs. Topics include the yes dil...

You don’t usually expect a successful business presentation to conclude with a ride in an ambulance. And when it happens, it can be life-changing. That’s the case with guest Lori Pine, Founder and CEO of The Joy CEO. Climbing and traversing her way up and across the proverbial corporate ladder, Lori’s career took her to VP status at global brands like Anheuser-Busch, Coca-Cola, and Campbell’s Soup...

Firm believers that every woman has a story (or several) to tell, The Balance Dilemma Hosts Christie Derrico and Maura Carlin organized, along with The Bronxville Women’s Club, a panel of three powerhouse women authors,  Loren Stephens ,  Bethany Saltman , and  Lauren Marino , to discuss Women and the Power of the Written Word.”  Hear the stories behind the storytellers and learn about the pitfall...

Have millennials figured out the secret to balancing (aka juggling or integrating) career and family? TBD turned to Lauren A. Tetenbaum, LMSW, JD, PMH-C , a millennial mom herself, to discuss whether the struggles still exist - and answers/solutions. Lauren is a writer, lawyer, wife, mother, and social worker specializing in supporting millennial moms and young women through life transitions. Help...

Figuring out the college admissions process and how to help your student get in to the school of their choice, continues to baffle parents and children, leaving everyone anxious, angsty, and maybe even a bit angry. Guest Kerry Roberts advises on how to legally (unlike the parents involved in the infamous Varsity Blues scandal ) work the admissions process. Applying her 20+ years of corporate marke...

Establishing and maintaining a retail fashion business is tough, even under the best circumstances. But what about when it burns down? Followed by a global pandemic. Now the founder and owner of four Love Bella Boutiques , with a fifth on the way, Ellie Zieminski describes how she survived and thrived. Balancing business and family she shares her advice, and thanks the community that supported her...

Artist on the inside, business woman on the outside, award-winning jewelry designer Alexia Connellan discusses her path to success in business, art, and life. Christie and Maura met Alexia when she spoke at a Savvy Ladies event entitled “How to Curate the Good Life: Defining Your Strategies to Live as You Truly Desire” . . . and naturally caught our attention.  On this episode of TBD, Alexia descr...

We can’t resist a visit to Melinda Buie’s art studio . . . so we did it again on December 6, 2023. Back in 2021, Melinda was the guest on TBD Episode 24 and allowed us (and some fans) to see her studio in person. This time, her studio held about 60 TBD and Buie fans . . . happy to see and hear about how she and her work have evolved. Turn the volume up high and have a listen. Admittedly some parts...

For many the balance dilemma begins with parenting . . . an endeavor that guest Katherine Sellery reminds us we’re never trained to do. While running her own commodities trading business in Hong Kong, with a young son, her desire to learn more led her to training. Ultimately Katherine made a full career pivot and created her own parenting communication method - The Conscious Parenting Revolution....

An expert in gender studies and the gender divide, TBD guest Susan Shapiro Barash describes how commuter-train eavesdropping led to her first book (and study), A Passion for More , about why women cheat in relationships. As she tells TBD, it’s likely more common than you think and growing. Susan’s written work - and there are 13 nonfiction and 4 fiction books (the latter under her pen name Susanna...

Although the Brookings Institution refers to the us military as “one of the most progressive institutions” women still represent only about 17% of overall service members, and far less in the top brass - single digits.  Col. (Ret.) Mary Westmoreland is one of those women who rose to high ranks. She joins TBD to tell her story, why and when she joined the military, how she rose through the ranks wh...

From age to experience, appearance, demeanor, and more, women never seem to be quite right for career advancement. Indeed, for any woman who feels like she’s banging her head against a glass ceiling or wall, TBD guests Dr. Amy Diehl and Dr. Leanne Dzubinski explain why “it’s not all your fault.” Co-authors of Glass Walls: Shattering the Six Gender Bias Barriers Still Holding Women Back at Work , t...

Co Hosts Maura Carlin and Christie Derrico return to their microphones to begin the fourth (!) season of The Balance Dilemma Podcast. They catch up on summer fun, “girl math,” book recommendations, and discuss going forward. Lessons from prior guests, expected future guests, and more research are all on tap in this episode. Show notes available at thebalancedilemma.com Recorded 9.14.23

Skin - it’s the body’ s largest organ and we need to take care of it. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Ellen Gendler joins TBD to discuss everything skincare - from injectables, to aging, to acceptance, and yes, of course sunscreen, which Dr. Gendler says really is the secret to the fountain of youth. Dr. Gendler agrees with Jennifer Aniston that telling someone they look great for their age is a...

Frustrated with weight gain, as you approach or enter the end of child-bearing years? It’s a common problem for women. Yes, we are talking about perimenopause and menopause. And that same old advice - to eat less, exercise more - just isn’t working. Well, that’s what Dr. Mary Claire Haver - an OB-GYN who used to provide that same mantra to her patients - experienced herself. It set her on a journe...

As if it’s not hard enough to give up sugar, our guests discuss an important oft-overlooked source . . . alcohol. With the advent and increase of “mommy wine culture” giving it up can bring social as well as dietary restrictions. Sharing their personal and professional experiences and research, guests Jen Dorf and Jean Marie discuss why alcohol is so bad for women, especially as they age. Their pr...

What to expect eighteen years after you’re expecting . . . That’s a book many parents need as their nest begins emptying. For Sharon Brecher aka Miserable Mom, the years and days leading up to her eldest heading to college were fraught and scary, as she anticipated day-to-day life without her daughter. She returned from drop-off to begin writing her book Miserable Mom: The Dos and Don'ts of Se...

Jen Graziano is an attorney, mother, funeral director, founder of jewelry line RememBar, and Host of the podcast and radio show Time to Talk. But she didn’t join The Balance Dilemma to promote her businesses. Foremost on Jen’s mind was dealing with a second marriage on the rocks. Why the family blending didn’t work? How to know when it’s failing and when to get out? And staying true to yourself an...

Put away your old-fashioned image of the staid librarian whispering “shhhh” as she stamps books taken out. Not only are they fully digital, but nowadays libraries are also vibrant centers of community and service. In honor of National Book Day and National Library Week, TBD is joined by two librarians from the Mamaroneck Public Library - Rosemary Farrell and Jack Weiss. We talk book recommendation...

What’s your personal brand? We’re not talking about your jeans or favorite cookie, but about you. Most of us don’t think of ourselves that way and Janna explains why we should. It’s not about being a product, but rather reflecting your values in what you do and how you spend your time. And yes, it is part of the balance equation. On this episode, Janna explains how she puts this into action in her...

Unlike oil and water, you’ll be surprised to hear how luxury Miami real estate and premium olive oil mix. Marie-Charlotte (know as Charlotte) Piro pivoted from a wildly successful real estate career in Miami catering to European clients to founding and running Olio Piro LLC. In this episode, you’ll also hear her story of coming to America, making a life, and she achieves (or doesn’t) some measure...