Balance
When you love your job and have a busy family, it's easy for those two things to consume all your energy. But here's the reality: no stool can stand on two legs. Communities outside of work — whether it's book clubs, sports leagues, or regular gatherings with friends — aren't just nice to have. They're essential for intellectual growth, emotional balance, and keeping your perspective sharp. In this episode, we share our very different experiences with building community and why it matters more than you might think.
Think about how different perspectives create magic. The best friend groups, book clubs, and communities outside of work aren’t just “life hacks” or productivity tools — but what they offer is far more powerful. They support you, balance you, and push you to grow. The real value of shared-interest communities isn’t in everyone nodding along; it’s in what happens when different minds meet. You spark new ideas, make meaningful relationships, and create spaces for healthy debate. In this episode, we share stories from our own book clubs and explore why finding your crew — the people who challenge and champion you — is one of the best investments you can make in yourself.
Pair this episode with:
Autumn Bourbon Smash
Autumn Bourbon Smash
Bourbon
The Autumn Bourbon Smash is a cozy, aromatic cocktail that captures the essence of fall in a glass. Smooth bourbon and crisp apple cider form the base, while fresh lemon juice brightens the mix and fig-rosemary simple syrup adds layered sweetness with herbal depth. The syrup — infused with honey, figs, rosemary, and cinnamon — brings a warm, spiced complexity that perfectly complements the bourbon’s richness. Garnished with rosemary, a cinnamon stick, and a slice of fig or apple, it’s a beautifully balanced drink that feels both rustic and refined — ideal for slow evenings, sweater weather, and seasonal gatherings alike.
Ingredients
- 3 oz bourbon whiskey, chilled
- 3 oz apple cider chilled
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp. fig-rosemary simple syrup
- 1/4 cup club soda (optional)
- For Garnish
- cinnamon sticks
- rosemary sprigs
- fig or apple slices
- For the Fig-Rosemary Simple Syrup
- 1 cup honey
- 3/4 cup water
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
Preparation
- For the Fig-Rosemary Simple Syrup:
- In a small saucepan, add all the ingredients for the syrup and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer a minute while stirring until the honey is combined.
- Turn the heat off and let steep for about 30-45 minutes. Then strain into a jar and set aside to cool. Once cooled, cover and store in the refrigerator. It will keep in the refrigerator for about a month.
- For the cocktail:
- Add the bourbon, apple cider, lemon juice and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker or glass measuring cup with a little ice. Stir well to combine.
- Taste for sweetness, then pour into two glasses filled with ice. Top with an ounce or two of club soda if desired.
- Garnish with a rosemary sprig, cinnamon stick and fig or apple slice.
