105: Make Every Step into a Data Point with Dr. Erin Baker b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck

When you think about doing something new - small or big - it can feel scary. But what if you started thinking about your life as just a collection of millions of experiments where you're also collecting a million data points? One at a time.  Erin sits down with Dr. Erin Baker, a Social Psychologist, elite-certified neuro-transformational coach, and authentic superstar, to talk about how we can shift our mindset to one of binary, stuck-in-the-mud thinking to a place where our work and growth is simply predicated on playful experimentation. Erin Hatzikostas sits down with Dr. Erin M Baker for an action-packed interview covering gender ideas and stereotypes, Dr Baker's studies in Social Psychology, their fascinating work at Facebook, their podcast, "Shift Starter", and the writing of Erin Baker's upcoming book. Doctor Baker, PHD, elite certified, has a mission to create a more authentic, connected, inclusive, equitable, and loving world. One person at a time. Erin is also queer and non-binary, fluidly moving between both genders as well as her overall identity.  Erin (Hatzikostas), starts off by asking Dr Baker when they first started to have feelings that the stereotypical ideas of gender might not be well suited for them. Dr Baker explains that they have always had a love of basketball, and that it was traditionally a "boys sport", so they often asked themselves "Am I supposed to be a boy", which left them with a feeling they were always trying to figure out if they were one or the other. But in trying to fit into one gender, they felt like they were in a constant performance for who they actually were. It was at college when Erin B. started to meet other people with their own experiences, that they first started to realize it was possible to be fluid and be whoever you felt like being.  Dr Baker tells us their feelings and thought process when deciding to have breast removal surgery, and their experiences since the surgery.  Erin H. then asks what made Dr Baker go into the realm of Social Psychology. Dr Baker describes growing up with two academics as parents, and that played a part. Also believing that psychologists had things all (mostly?) wrong, and, although not knowing the right answer themself, they were curious enough to explore the field and make their own mark.  After realizing writing academic papers might not be Erin's one true calling, they started to branch out. That's when an opportunity at Facebook came up. And where better to study people than a platform that hosts billions of people! After a few years working at Facebook and having achieved a lot across a wide and interesting scope of projects, Dr Baker asked themself "Is Facebook doing the good in the world that I want to do?". And when their mom fell sick and was hospitalized, it was a tipping point that made Dr Baker realize they wanted to have an impact on people and on their own terms. Erin transitions the conversation to ask Dr Baker what advice they would give to people who are struggling in their own way. Dr Baker says, "if you can see everything you do as a data point, it takes so much pressure off. IF you stop seeing everything as a success of failure, and instead a data point, it allows you to take more risks and relieves pressure." Following this Erin asks about "Shift Starters", a new podcast Dr Baker is hosting to explore people and work that ultimately creates a more authentic, connected, inclusive, equitable, and loving world.  She also asks about the new book Dr Baker is writing. Dr. Baker has realized that after spending so long trying to achieve goals, the goal itself became almost meaningless. So instead of swimming through a proverbial ocean of proving, what if there was a piece of land where you were able to have fun and explore. And that is exactly what their book will you explore. Stay Tunes! Website:   Facebook: Erin Baker Instagram: drerinmbaker If you like jammin' with us on the podcast, b sure to join us for more fun and i