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 just before her birth — the contrast of life and loss in one season.
🎄 Christmas, school holidays, healing postpartum, and holding space for my family.
📞 A life-changing phone call — my nephew’s leukemia diagnosis in January.
🧠 The Gabor Maté event on the Gold Coast — and the powerful moment when he answered my question.
🎂 My birthday reflections — and a surprise DNA kit (yes, I’m 100% Balkan!).
💍 17 years with my husband — love, deep reflection, and future dreams.
🌪️ Cyclone Alfred — food shortages, no power, and a heavy wartime-like energ
Silver Linings & Shoutouts:
🌟 To our incredible community who showed up during the cyclone — thank you.
🕯️ Jasmina from JMD Scentsations & Rosa Dora Imports — support their family-owned biz in Kogarah!
📚 Studio Petrija — honouring culture with custom flashcards for our little ones.
https://www.instagram.com/studio_petrija/
https://www.facebook.com/StudioPetrija/
Let’s connect & collaborate:
💌 Want to sponsor an episode, collaborate, or share your story? I'd love to hear from you. On relevant platforms type in Ivana Strbac Alfonso or ;
📲 Follow along:
Instagram — @ivanastrbacalfonso
Email — Ivana.alfonso@hotmail.com
Thank you for being here — especially through the chaos.
🧡 Ivana