Deb Balino was in the height of “mom burnout” in January of 2024 when she applied for the TELUS STORYHIVE Video Podcast Program.
Balino is a mother of two, homeschool teacher to a child with unique needs, caregiver to her elderly parents and on a journey to navigate her own neurodivergence. She was looking for somewhere to turn for advice, help and a sense of community when it occurred to her that she couldn’t be the only one who felt so overwhelmed and lost.
“I was at the height of my burnout,” she says. “I used to be this fun, dynamic person and then I had my ‘smalls’ (as I call them) and now I am a burnt-out, tired mom. I know I can do better, and I know I am not the only one feeling like this. I lost my sass, and I wanted to find a way to get it back!”
Her video podcast Sass & Small Talk takes a deep dive into the realities of modern parenting—particularly the challenges of playing an active role in the sandwich generation, navigating neurodivergence and juggling the emotional weight of caregiving. The series features diverse voices, including mental health professionals, late-diagnosed neurodivergent parents, caregivers and community advocates, all sharing their personal stories and expertise.
Balino started the Sass & Smalls blog in 2022 to “let it all hang out” and sees the video podcast as a natural extension of her website.
“I was dealing with a child with high needs, taking care of my parents, homeschooling, managing the aftermath of the pandemic, trying to cope with a history of pregnancy loss and infertility and figuring out everything else life throws at you,” she says.
“I created the blog because I wanted to use my gift of gab to help people find resources and get help.”
Sass & Small Talk
Sass & Small Talk season 1 premiered on April 8 on TELUS Optik TV, Stream+, and STORYHIVE’s Youtube Channel.
Since 2013, TELUS STORYHIVE has supported a community of thousands of local content creators across BC and Alberta, providing over $66.9 million in production funding and creating a safe space for storytellers to hone their skills and bring the projects they care about to life.
Produced with the support of the TELUS STORYHIVE Video Podcast Program for emerging podcasters in BC and Alberta, this series brings raw, insightful conversations to the forefront. It highlights how families in Victoria navigate the complexities of caregiving, career demands and personal fulfillment, while managing the mental load of modern life and parenthood.
“I wanted to bring people together and share their authentic lived experiences,” says Balino.
“By sharing these stories, we are providing hope.”
She brings personal experience and deep empathy to the conversations in her podcast.
“This is who I am supposed to be,” she adds. “It brings me such happiness to know I am helping but also to feel validated. The fact that the professionals at STORYHIVE thought I have what it takes to be a storyteller and a guide in this way means something.
“I think many people—women in particular—are critical of what they put out there in the world but what we have to say has value and owning that is how we get our sass back!”
With a focus on real, locally reflective stories, Sass & Small Talk offers genuine inspiration for parents, caregivers and individuals struggling to balance multiple roles. Through candid conversations, the podcast explores strategies for overcoming burnout, redefining purpose and rediscovering joy in parenthood.
“In a world where burnout feels inevitable, I wanted to create a space for honest, unfiltered conversations about the struggles of parenthood—especially the challenge of maintaining our sense of self and purpose while caring for others,” says Balino.
“This podcast is about finding humour in the chaos, self-compassion, building community and redefining what it means to thrive—not just survive. Ultimately, it’s about reclaiming joy in parenthood, and getting that ‘sass’ back.”
Sass & Small Talk has been picked up for a second season that will focus on The Many Faces of Parenthood and explore the diverse parenting journeys in Victoria and beyond.
For more information, visit storyhive.com.
