In this episode of Balkan Sis, I’m trying something a little different.

With guests across the world and time zones that don’t always align, this conversation was recorded in a new format — allowing us to still share powerful stories without missing out on voices that deserve to be heard.

And this one… is a story so many of us will feel.

I’m joined by Michelle Jurić — born and raised in Germany to Balkan parents, who spent most of her life navigating what it means to belong.

Growing up, Michelle shares what it felt like to be seen as an outsider — the subtle discrimination, the pressure to prove herself, and how that quietly shaped her identity.

At just 18, she made a life-changing move to Australia. What started as six months turned into over five years — a period where she experienced freedom, began her healing journey, explored spirituality, and reconnected with herself.

Through therapy and self-work, she also began to understand her parents differently — unpacking generational trauma, building boundaries, and finding forgiveness.

From the outside, it looked like she had built a dream life.

But internally… something was missing.

Despite the lifestyle and independence, Michelle speaks openly about the loneliness of being far from family, the stress of visa uncertainty, and the moment she realised that success on paper didn’t equal fulfilment.

So she made another bold decision — to leave it all behind and move to Croatia.

We dive into what that transition really looked like — the beauty of being close to family and community, but also the challenges: family dynamics, cultural differences, being misunderstood, and navigating spirituality in a more traditional environment.

Michelle also shares a powerful perspective on privilege — through the lens of her parents’ sacrifices and everything they endured to create opportunities for the next generation.

This episode is about identity, courage, and coming back to yourself.

Because sometimes… home isn’t a place.

It’s a feeling you spend your whole life searching for.

• Growing up in Germany and feeling like an outsider

• Moving to Australia at 18 and starting over

• Healing, therapy, and reconnecting with yourself

• Generational trauma and forgiveness

• Building a “dream life” — and still feeling empty

• Loneliness, visa stress, and emotional turning points

• Leaving Australia and choosing uncertainty

• Why Croatia — and why not Germany

• Community, connection, and redefining home

• Family boundaries and cultural friction

• Spirituality and being misunderstood

• Privilege and our parents’ sacrifices

• Advice for anyone feeling stuck

00:00 Welcome & Subscribe

00:48 New Interview Format

02:16 Meet Michelle & Theme

03:24 Growing Up in Germany

08:12 Outsider to People Pleaser

09:22 Moving to Australia

13:28 Healing & Freedom

18:07 Generational Trauma

21:12 Dream Life Missing Family

26:34 Turning Points

29:28 Everyday Moments

33:33 Why Croatia

36:29 Leaving Australia

39:06 Why Not Germany

41:02 Community in Croatia

44:00 Redefining Home

45:54 Family & Boundaries

50:36 Spirituality

53:14 Privilege

57:23 Advice

01:00:43 Risk Worth It

01:03:05 Younger Self

01:04:59 Creating Home Within

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelle.juric/

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unleash-align/id1871267238

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michelle.juric

If this episode resonated with you, send it to someone who’s been questioning their life, their path, or where they truly belong. You’re not alone in that feeling. And you’re not crazy for wanting something more.

🎙️ Balkan Sis – Episode 50 (Pt. 2)

Part 2 of this conversation shifts into something deeper.

This is where Frankie steps fully into her own voice.

From navigating motherhood on her own terms to choosing a home birth despite societal pressure, this episode is about what it really means to trust yourself — even when it goes against what’s expected.

Frankie opens up about living with a more traditional mindset in a modern world, and the tension that can come with choosing a path that others don’t always understand.

They talk about:

• The reality of birth choices and why no one should dictate how or where a woman gives birth

• Reclaiming power through motherhood and trusting your instincts

• Living in alignment vs living to please others

• The pressure of societal expectations — and what it takes to break away from them

• Relationships, communication, and the truth behind “being right vs being together”

• Why finding your people matters more than fitting in

• The idea that if you haven’t found your tribe yet — keep going

• And the belief that there is “one good Frankie” out there for everyone

This episode is honest, grounding, and deeply empowering — especially for women navigating identity, motherhood, and the courage to choose a life that actually feels right.

00:00 Home Birth & Rights

00:14 Choosing Your Birth Experience

00:23 Traditional Mindset in a Modern World

00:29 The “New Aussie Dream”

00:32 Disappointing Others vs Yourself

00:36 Being Right vs Being in a Relationship

00:41 Finding Your Tribe

00:47 There’s a “Frankie” for Everyone

Franka offers online yoga, movement, and breathwork classes designed to help you reconnect with your body and slow down — no matter where you are in the world.

• Website: https://www.eyogahub.com/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eyogahub/

• Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/eqmhub/?locale=af_ZA

• Facebook Community Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2240375919604435?locale=af_ZA

Her work focuses on creating a space where people can move, breathe, and reconnect — with options including online classes and small group sessions.

If Part 1 was about your shared past…

Part 2 is about choosing your future.

If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who is learning to trust themselves — even when it feels uncomfortable.

This episode is a special one.

For the 50th episode of Balkan Sis, Ivana sits down with someone who has been part of her life for over two decades — her best friend, her soul sister, Franka “Frankie” Batinic.

From meeting as young girls at Bellevue Park Primary School on the Gold Coast, to navigating life across countries, cultures, and completely different seasons — this is a story about a friendship that never really left.

In Part 1, Ivana and Frankie take it back to where it all began.

They talk about what it was like growing up as Balkan girls in Australia, feeling both connected and out of place at the same time, and how their bond formed so naturally from such a young age.

Franka shares her early life between Croatia and Australia, her independent path from a young age, and the cultural expectations that shaped her decisions. The two reflect on losing touch, staying connected through letters, and what it felt like to find each other again years later — picking up right where they left off.

They also open up about living together in Australia, navigating boundaries, growth, and becoming women in their own right, while still holding onto the friendship that grounded them.

This episode touches on identity, belonging, timing, and the quiet strength of friendships that evolve but never break.

00:00 Welcome to Balkan Sis

00:55 50th Episode Toast

01:38 Meet Franka “Frankie”

03:21 How We Met

05:11 Moving to the Gold Coast

08:03 Early Life & Transitions

10:30 Losing Touch & Letters

11:29 Life in Croatia & Return

15:50 Cultural Conditioning & Expectations

19:09 Reconnecting in Australia

22:33 Living Together Era

26:00 Learning Boundaries

27:28 Discovering Yoga

31:31 Why It Felt So Different

32:43 First Session Experience

33:42 Breaking Old Beliefs

35:16 Letting Go & Trust

37:20 Love & Big Life Decisions

44:26 Long Distance Relationship

46:10 Work, Travel & Growth

50:34 Leaving Australia Before COVID

52:24 Citizenship & Lockdown Impact

54:48 Goodbyes & Missed Moments

59:38 Wrap Up

In Part 2, Frankie shares her journey into motherhood, building a life in Croatia, running an online business, and navigating what it truly means to live between two worlds.

If you feel called to slow down, reconnect, and move your body in a more intentional way, you can find Frankie here:

• Website: https://www.eyogahub.com/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eyogahub/

• Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/eqmhub/?locale=af_ZA

• Facebook Community Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2240375919604435?locale=af_ZA

Franka offers online yoga and movement classes designed to support both body and mind — wherever you are in the world.

If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who has been part of your story — through distance, time, and every season in between.

✨ Part 2 Coming Next🌿