The Grand Balance: A Working Grandmas Podcast

In this episode of The Grand Balance, Sharon and Angela share life updates and their words of the year—positivity and intentional—before diving into a relatable parenting challenge: kids lying. They unpack why children lie at different ages (from toddler “obvious lies” to pre-teen social pressure), how punitive reactions can backfire, and why labeling kids as “liars” can do harm. With funny stories, real talk, and practical approac...

In this episode of The Grand Balance, Angela and Sharon open with a heartfelt story about restoring a family baptism gown and why preserving traditions still matters. Then they jump into their relatable “Don’t Get Me Started” segment — from frustrating customer service bots to everyday mishaps no one warns you about.

The heart of the episode focuses on an important refresh for grandparents: safety. With child-safety guidance consta...

Angela and Sharon kick off the new year and Season 3 by recapping the holiday chaos: a New Year’s Eve C-section and  grandparenting a toddler (plus dogs!) during hospital time. They grade last year’s goals—sleep wins, water fails, and “why did I buy so many gifts?”, and share a big takeaway about toddlers meeting new siblings: timing matters. Angela also previews what it’s really like caring for two grandkids solo and previews some...

Hosts Sharon and Angela share laughter and real-life chaos as Sharon prepares for a second grandbaby. 

Angela brings her experience with two under two, and her continued preparation for managing multiple grandbabies, including bringing nanny-tested advice on routines, flexible planning, gentle discipline vs. boundaries, syncing naps, and carving out one-on-one time — all tied together with holiday plans and a brief seasonal break.....

On this episode of The Grand Balance, Angela and Sharon interview Becky Livingston — certified travel and life coach, author of The Suitcase and the Jar, and founder of Vital Journeys at Any Age.

Becky shares her personal story how in 2010 a brain tumor took the life of her daughter, Rachel. Twenty-three years old and an avid traveller, it was her dying wish to keep traveling.  Providing practical, gentle tips for starting solo tra...

Hosts Angela and Sharon catch up on life — a lemon-themed baby sprinkle, a house full of energetic grandkids, and another "Don't Get Me Started" segment.

They share practical tips for caring for two young grandchildren: safety first, routines, and potty-training strategies to simplify outings.

The episode closes with encouragement for working grandmas, celebrating the community of active grandparents and the love that fills busy ha...

On this episode of The Grand Balance, aesthetician Sharon joins hosts Sharon and Angela to discuss skincare for women 50 and up along with younger mothers. The conversation explores at-home tools versus professional treatments, supplements, face, body and hand care, and practical tips for busy moms and women going through menopause or other hormonal changes to keep skin healthy and hydrated.

Episode Notes: SkincareByShar Instagra...

On this episode of The Grand Balance, aesthetician and skin wellness expert Sharon joins the hosts to discuss the rise of social media-driven skincare trends and how grandparents and parents can guide tweens and teens toward healthy, age-appropriate routines. 

The conversation covers practical tips for handling breakouts, safe product choices, the role of hygiene and diet, useful apps for checking ingredients, and ways parents and ...

Angela and Sharon kick off with a quick travel check-in before diving into a fresh “Don’t Get Me Started” .They spotlight an inspiring working grandma before diving into some book recommendations focusing on The Anxious Generation, which launches a candid discussion on kids, tech, and modern parenting. They summarize four foundational harms linked to digital life—social deprivation, sleep loss, attention fragmentation, and addictio...

In this episode of The Grand Balance, Angela and Sharon kick off a brand new segment called “Don’t Get Us Started,” where they share lighthearted takes on the everyday things that confuse and annoy us all. From there, the conversation shifts to something deeper: the juggling balls theory—the idea that in life, some priorities are like glass balls (fragile and precious, such as health and family) while others are like rubber balls (...

In this episode of The Grand Balance, Angela and Sharon reflect on what it means to wear many hats—professional, parental, and grandparental—all in one jam-packed week. From last-minute travel, big work presentations, and the excitement of another grandbaby on the way, it’s a whirlwind only a working grandma can understand.

But the episode doesn’t stop there. The grandmas open up about imposter syndrome, the challenge of being one ...

Welcome to another insightful episode of The Grand Balance, where Angela and Sharon dive into the ever-evolving dynamics between grandmothers, daughters, and daughters-in-law. They explore the natural yet complex dynamics that arise between maternal and in-law grandparents, grounded by family history, proximity, and personal relationships.

The episode emphasizes the significance of respectful communication, setting boundaries, and ...

In this warm and insightful episode of The Grand Balance, Angela and Sharon celebrate the arrival of a new baby girl and explore the beautiful — and sometimes bumpy — transition that comes with introducing a newborn to an older sibling. With heartfelt stories and expert-backed strategies, they reflect on the vital role grandparents play in helping the whole family adjust during this tender time.

Shifting gears, the hosts dive into ...

In this emotional episode of The Grand Balance, Angela and Sharon grapple with the experience of losing a beloved pet and the impact it has on young children. They delve into age-appropriate ways to explain and process pet loss, offering heartfelt advice for helping kids through grief.

The episode also covers essential tips for transitioning into the summer months, including exploring useful strategies to prepare children for presc...

Welcome to The Grand Balance podcast, where we explore the unique intersection of work and family from a grandmother's perspective. In this episode, Sharon and Angela delve into the world of dual language education with special guest Sylvia Ulloa, a seasoned educator and program manager in the multilingual education department at the San Diego Unified School District. Sylvia shares her journey and passion for teaching, offering inv...

Welcome to a lively episode of The Grand Balance, where Angela and Sharon dig into listener questions that echo the challenges many grandmas face. This conversation addresses varied questions such as techniques for working grandmas to get better sleep, navigating the sensitive subject of perceived favoritism among grandchildren, delving into the challenges pleasing the whole family while accommodating the grandchildren's strict sle...

Welcome to another enriching episode of The Grand Balance, where hosts dive deep into the financial intricacies faced by working grandmas. In this episode, Sharon and and Angela bring a dose of wisdom by engaging with Samantha Besnoff, an esteemed CPA and the voice behind Your Financial Maven podcast.

During this insightful discussion, Samantha shares her journey into podcasting, unveils smart money strategies specifically for gran...

Welcome to "The Grand Balance," where host grandmas explore the intersection of work, family, and the evolving challenges faced by grandparents. In this episode, Sharon and Angela shed light on the dramatic biological and psychological shifts observed in children over the past three decades. They discuss the early onset of puberty, the impact of body fat, stress, and environmental factors, and why it's crucial for grandparents to b...