Balkan Sis

In this episode of Balkan Sis , I’m opening up about something that recently happened to me. I received a message criticising my podcast, my guests and the way I show up online. And instead of ignoring it, I decided to talk about it. Because this isn’t just about one comment. It’s about what happens when you use your voice, especially in spaces where people expect you to stay quiet or fit into a c...

In this episode of Balkan Sis , Ivana sits down with stand-up comedian and writer Arijana Ramic . Originally from Seattle and now performing across Los Angeles, Arijana is quickly making a name for herself in the comedy world. She regularly performs on the LA comedy scene and even works at the legendary Comedy Store . Arijana has opened for well-known comedians including Annie Lederman, Bobby Lee...

In this solo episode of Balkan Sis , Ivana opens up about something many of us are feeling right now but don’t always talk about openly — anxiety and the emotional weight of the world we are living in today . From global news cycles and social media overload to motherhood, relationships and the pressure of running a business, many women are carrying more than ever before. Ivana reflects on how our...

In this episode of Balkan Sis , Ivana revisits one of the very first conversations recorded when the podcast originally began with her best friend Franka. This episode remains just as powerful and relevant today. Ivana sits down with Katerina Mitrevska , a Macedonian-born writer and advocate who shares her deeply personal story of growing up with a mother experiencing severe mental illness. After...

In this solo episode of Balkan Sis , Ivana records a spontaneous update from the car and shares her thoughts on the newly released Balkan movie SVADBA . She talks about why the film caught her attention, the excitement around Balkan cinema and how powerful it is to see our stories, humour and culture represented on screen. Ivana also shares a personal life update and reflects on something many of...

In this episode of Balkan Sis, I sit down with Karolina Drakovac psychologist, artist, mother, and former refugee for an honest and heartfelt conversation about identity, healing, motherhood, and navigating life between cultures. Karolina and I connected through our shared Balkan roots, and this episode explores her journey from her upbringing and migration experience to building a life and career...

In this week’s episode I share a heartfelt reflection on life lately. I talk about experiences with racism, belonging, and identity, and how these moments continue to shape me as a woman, mother, and storyteller. I reflect on celebrating my 38th birthday, navigating farewells as my aunt returned home, and the reminder to seize the moment and stay present with the people we love. This episode is ho...

In Part 2 of my conversation with Dunja , founder of Earth Magic Medicine , we move from story into embodiment. This episode explores what healing actually looks like after survival. We talk about the body, the nervous system, ancestral roots, ritual, spirituality, and why so many women are being called back to their lineage and inner wisdom. Dunja shares how Earth Magic Medicine came to life, how...

This bonus meditation is a gentle grounding journey guided by Dunja of Earth Magic Medicine , offered as a gift to the Balkan Sis community. In this practice, you are invited to slow down, settle into your body, and reconnect with your ancestral roots. Through breath, presence, and stillness, this meditation supports your nervous system and reminds you that you are held, supported, and never alone...

In this deeply personal and grounding episode of Balkan Sis Podcast , I sit down with Dunja , founder of Earth Magic Medicine , to explore lineage, loss, identity, motherhood, and what it truly means to become ourselves after everything we’ve lived through. Born in Sisak then moving to Vukovar and shaped by displacement, migration, and survival, Dunja shares her story from early childhood through...

In this final episode of 2025, I sit alone at the mic and reflect on a year that asked more of me than I ever imagined. I talk openly about burnout and healing, motherhood, culture and tradition, and what the festive season looks like when life has reshaped you. I share how living alongside the effects of cancer within our family changed our priorities, tested our strength, and forced us to slow d...

Part 2 of my conversation with filmmaker and photographer Harun Mehmedinović , we move beyond survival and into responsibility. This episode focuses on memory, truth and what is asked of us once we know what has happened. Harun and I speak about the ongoing impact of genocide denial, the erasure of historical sites in Bosnia, and why language matters when telling the truth about violence. We explo...

In Part 1 of this conversation, I sit down with filmmaker, photographer and Sarajevo siege survivor Harun Mehmedinović to explore what survival teaches us about life, memory and meaning. We talk about Harun’s childhood in Sarajevo before the war, the moment survival replaced innocence, and how those early experiences shaped his inner world. Together, we reflect on family, ritual, fireflies, migrat...

Health, heritage & cancer at 33: Monica’s story In this raw and deeply personal episode of Balkan Sis , I sit down with Monica Ackermann , a 33-year-old Croatian-Australian woman living in Split, Croatia — currently navigating life with stage 4 colon cancer . This conversation is close to my heart. After my nephew Luka’s leukemia diagnosis, cancer has become more than a word — it’s real, it’s...

🎧 A soulful and uplifting conversation exploring Greek roots, modern motherhood, and the beauty of surrender. Mary Sotiropoulos — teacher, author, and creator of The Mum Who Found Her Sparkle shares her reflections after two transformative months in Greece. Her journey is marked by lessons from her yiya, moments of slowing down, and a deeper reconnection to joy and her heritage. Themes of identit...

Balkan Sis Podcast × Marina Young — A Conversation on Legacy, Identity & Healing In this powerful and heartfelt conversation, Ivana sits down with Marina Young — singer, songwriter, mother, and storyteller — to explore her journey from childhood in war-torn Bosnia to creating music that transforms grief into beauty. Together they discuss the emotional inspiration behind her song Make It Rain ,...

🎙️ EPISODE: The Artist Is the Child Who Survived This episode of Balkan Sis goes deep — into life, loss, love, and the ways we stay connected when the world around us changes. I talk about the passing of the legendary Halid Bešlić, whose music has been the soundtrack to so many of our lives. As a tribute, I’ve included one of his songs at the end of the episode — a small way to honor his legacy an...

In this special episode of Balkan Sis , I sit down with the brilliant and passionate Petrija , the founder of Studio Petrija a business creating beautiful, bilingual flashcards to help children connect with their cultural heritage through language. Whether you’re a parent, aunty, educator, or just someone who lights up when your child says mama , dida , or volim te , this episode is a powerful rem...

🎙️ Episode: A Conversation with Special Guest Bella In this heartwarming and lighthearted episode, I welcome my 12-year-old niece Bella as a special guest on the podcast. We chat about her plans for the future, what high school feels like, and what it’s been like growing up in a Croatian family. Bella shares her favourite Croatian foods, her thoughts on language, and what goes through her mind whe...

Welcome back to the  Balkan Sis Podcast  — it’s been a minute, and a  lot  has happened. In this solo episode, I catch you up on all the beautiful, heartbreaking, and transformational moments that have shaped the past few months of my life. In this episode, I share: 💫 Welcoming our daughter — and how our planned home birth turned into something completely unexpected. 💔 The passing of my auntie j...

In this episode of Balkan Sis, I dive into a whirlwind of personal updates and reflections. I’m 38 weeks pregnant and preparing for a home birth, while also navigating changes in my life and home. I discuss: - The journey of being so close to welcoming a new baby. - The process of changing my son’s school and renovating our home. - The profound experience of losing my aunt at 63 and writing her eu...

Welcome to Balkanina Unplugged: Life, Love, Therapy, and Creativity (Part 2) ! Hey there, friend! Join us for some real talk and genuine connections. In our cozy corner of the internet, we're diving deep into the stuff that matters – life, love, therapy, and creativity. We're not holding back. We're covering everything from sharing our experiences of breaking those old family habits to...

Welcome to Balkanina Unplugged: Life, Love, Therapy, and Creativity (Part 1) ! Hey there, friend! Join us for some real talk and genuine connections. In our cozy corner of the internet, we're diving deep into the stuff that matters – life, love, therapy, and creativity. We're not holding back. We're covering everything from sharing our experiences of breaking those old family habits to navigating...

Episode Title: SUPRISE! Catch-Up Episode: Where Am I Now & What to Do When You Feel Stuck In this episode, I have some exciting news to share - tune in to find out if it's a boy or a girl! But that's not all; I'll be catching you up on everything that's been happening lately in my life. From personal updates to professional endeavors, we're diving deep into it all. Feeling...

Welcome to a special bonus episode of Balkan Sis! In this episode, we have the pleasure of chatting with the fabulous Balkan baba who brought her love and culture to Australia many years ago. Join us as we delve into her journey, dedicated to the memory of her late husband Kojo, and celebrate overcoming hardships with a virtual shot of rakija. We explore the spiritual messages from loved ones who...