b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck

Erin Hatzikostas
  • 5.0 (1)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A podcast for GenX(ish) leaders who are exhausted from the suck and are looking for new, more authentic ways to kick butt. The Because Work Doesn't Have to Suck podcast isn't another boring, stuffy leadership podcast. And it doesn't bring you a gazillion guests who had the guts to "ef" the 9-5, seemingly the only answer to truly being happy in your career. Instead, this podcast is focused on helping you continue to rise in your career, but doing it without compromising everything else - your family, your health, or maybe even who you are. Erin, a former corporate CEO turned Authentic Leadership expert, teams up with her good friend, Nicole, an ivy league grad and professional do-gooder. Nicole lays it all on the line to share her real-time work highs, lows, contemplations, and sometimes barely believable stories. And Erin coaches and cajoles her (really, you) along the way...all in the name of helping you feel less insane, more inspired. Erin also interviews authentic leaders and experts who are focused on giving you the stories, advice, and tips that will have you making small, creative changes that will help you contend with and catapult your career. Grab a drink, put your feet up, and come along for a journey that will involve career advice, unsanitized thoughts, leadership lessons, important guests, and who the hell knows what else. Because work DOESN'T have to suck.

  1. 310: The Former BBC Journalist Who Refuses to Hate Humanity with Melanie Marshall

    6D AGO

    310: The Former BBC Journalist Who Refuses to Hate Humanity with Melanie Marshall

    This episode is part journalism, part therapy, part "girl WHAT?!" Today's guest, Melanie Marshall, is a former BBC foreign journalist turned filmmaker, speaker, and coach who has reported from some of the most intense places on earth. And somehow… despite seeing humanity at its messiest, she still believes people are mostly good.  Some of the things you'll hear: -The wildly unexpected way radicalized followers of Osama Bin Laden welcomed her into an interview shortly after his death -What actually creates human connection when people disagree on literally everything -Why she repeatedly ignored her boss's instructions, chased stories anyway, and somehow ended up with life-changing moments… and a goat -Stories that prove women across the world are a lot more alike than we think, even in radically different circumstances -The time she got smacked repeatedly with a feather duster by a man, plus the moment she relied on her single greatest survival skill to get herself out of danger Melanie tells stories the way your funniest friend would if your funniest friend also casually wandered through war zones, political unrest, and deeply human moments while carrying BBC equipment. It's equal parts hilarious, eye-opening, uncomfortable, hopeful, and "HOW IS THIS A REAL STORY?" energy. How you can use Human Connection to drive change | Melanie Marshall | TEDx LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-marshall-237a641/   Substack: https://imrama.substack.com/ Website:http://melaniemarshall.com Book Erin to speak Ready to modernize your culture, liberate your leadership, and differentiate your business without sounding like every other company on LinkedIn? Bring Erin Hatzikostas in to show your team how authenticity can become an actual strategic advantage, not just another corporate buzzword. Book Erin to Speak If you'd like quick tangible tips and practical corporate career advice to level up your authentic leadership, download the 10 simple "plays" to stop selling out and start standing out at https://bauthenticinc.mykajabi.com/freebie   If you like jammin' with us on the podcast, b sure to join us for more fun and inspiration!   - Follow Erin on LinkedIn or Instagram    - Take our simple, fun and insightful"What's your workplace superhero name?"quiz - Unleash your Authentic Superpower with Erin's book,"You Do You (ish)"  -Throw out half the playbook and start competing in a league of your own. Check out Erin's book, The 50% Rule.    -Work with Us -Or just buy some fun, authentic, kick-ars merch here To connect with Erin and/or Nicole, email: hello@bauthenticinc.com  DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsustainable for younger audiences. Tweetable Comments  "She impacted me, she impacted my friend, she impacted all of these people with her goodness and her fiery spirit. She lived." "If you think about the different stages that you get to in your career and  when you reach a new one, you realize, 'oh, they're all people'" "I am grateful that I have let myself be impacted so much by the people I have met because I feel a gift and a responsibility to let what I have learned from them go forward." "I am not the lady in a sheet. I am the boss." "The story wasn't over. It wasn't easy, but it wasn't over. And that's where I get hope."   Note: This transcript has been edited and condensed for clarity, readability, and length.  In this episode of Because Work Doesn't Have to Suck, Erin sits down with former BBC foreign journalist Melanie Marshall to talk about leadership, courage, connection, resilience, and why she still believes humanity is fundamentally good after reporting from some of the world's most dangerous places. From interviewing extremists in Pakistan to reporting in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and the Philippines, Melanie shares unforgettable stories about human connection, optimism, fear, and what really helps people survive difficult moments.          Why Melanie Marshall Still Believes in Humanity     Erin: You've seen some of the worst parts of the world, yet your message is still rooted in hope and optimism. That feels almost impossible right now.     Melanie: I know optimism gets eye rolls these days. But what I've learned traveling the world is this: if you let it, the world will humble you. It'll break your heart. But it also teaches you that people are far more complicated, funny, resilient, and loving than headlines make them seem.     I've spent years in places like Afghanistan, Iraq, and Gaza. Even in places under terrible oppression, people still laugh. They still flirt. They still joke. They still find joy behind closed doors. Human beings don't stop being human just because circumstances become horrific.     That's where my optimism comes from. The story is hard, but it's not over.          Meeting Followers of Osama Bin Laden     Erin: Tell us about the experience you had just after Osama Bin Laden was killed.     Melanie: We went to Pakistan shortly after his death because I wanted audiences to understand something important: Bin Laden wasn't just a man. He represented a movement.     We arranged to meet with radicalized followers of his in Karachi. I was nervous. Deeply nervous. Externally, I looked calm. Internally, I was thinking, "Am I completely insane for doing this?"     As we drove up, I heard children playing. We were meeting at a school.     That immediately lowered my fear level because they had intentionally chosen a setting they knew would make us feel safer. Then we walked in and the welcoming committee was wearing USA baseball caps.     These were people whose ideology I completely rejected, but they were trying to communicate something human: "You're safe here."     That moment changed how I think about connection. Even in situations where people fundamentally disagree, humans still look for ways to create understanding.          "Be As Normal As Possible"     Melanie: One phrase I've used throughout my career is: "Be as normal as possible."     I used it walking into Taliban prisons. I used it in war zones. And honestly, it applies to corporate life too.     If you're about to walk into a terrifying meeting with a VP or ask for a raise, don't pressure yourself to be perfectly poised or fearless. It's not a normal situation.     Just be as normal as possible. A little awkwardness is fine.          The Currency Everyone Wants     Melanie: I met a young woman in Gaza who created art sculptures out of sand because that was the only material available to her.     What she wanted most wasn't pity. She wanted to be seen.     I told her her work reminded me of art I'd seen in California. That mattered to her because it acknowledged she belonged in the same conversation as artists everywhere else in the world.     Erin: I always say everyone has a currency. Usually it's much smaller and simpler than we think.     Melanie: Exactly. Most people just want acknowledgment, respect, or connection.          The Woman Who Changed Her Life     Melanie: One of the people who impacted me most was a woman named Ghada in Mosul, Iraq.     She was funny, independent, ambitious, and full of life. We instantly connected. We joked about men, talked about work, laughed constantly.     She was also exactly the kind of woman extremists hated: outspoken, educated, joyful, politically active.     At one point she escaped Mosul, but she went back because she didn't want to leave her father behind.     ISIS killed her.     What stays with me is that even while living under horrific conditions, she remained hopeful. Loving. Funny. Fully alive.     That changed me forever.          Why Connection Matters More Than Status     Melanie: I've interviewed celebrities, billionaires, world leaders, and people no one has ever heard of.     The people who changed me most were usually the latter.     Connection matters more than status. Once you really sit down with someone, the hierarchy starts disappearing. They're just people.     And I think we forget that constantly.          The Feather Duster Incident     Melanie: I once visited an extremely conservative shrine near the Iranian border where modesty rules were intensely enforced.     I was trying to manage my reporting team while also wearing a chador that kept slipping off my head. Every time even the tiniest strand of hair showed, a man would smack me with a feather duster.     Eventually I was furious. Absolutely furious.     And then a group of women saw what was happening.     They didn't confront the man directly. Instead, they surrounded me, fixed my chador, sat me down, and pulled out snacks.     That moment stuck with me forever.     Women see each other. They protect each other. Sometimes survival looks like forming a circle around someone and handing them food.          Bravery Isn't What People Think     Erin: People constantly describe you as brave.     Melanie: I honestly don't think I'm brave. I think I'm good at functioning during chaos.     There's a difference.     I've run from airstrikes in Ukraine. I've dropped to the ground while bullets flew overhead in Libya. I assure you: I was not standing there heroically.     Most people aren't fearless. They simply have a purpose bigger than their fear.     Families survive war zones because protecting their children matters more than panic. I kept reporting because I believed it mattered to connect people with the truth of what was happening.     Purpose propel

    1h 15m
  2. 309: How to Handle Tough Conversations Without Losing Your Cool with Gabe Karp

    MAY 5

    309: How to Handle Tough Conversations Without Losing Your Cool with Gabe Karp

    Life isn't all smooth conversations and easy people. Sometimes it's messy, uncomfortable, and straight-up frustrating. In this episode, Erin sits down with former trial lawyer turned entrepreneur and conflict expert Gabe Karp to talk about how to handle tough situations without spiraling, avoiding, or blowing things up. Because here's the truth: conflict isn't the problem. How you handle it is. Gabe shares practical strategies to help you stay grounded, take control, and walk away without regret… even when the other person is making it hard. Here's what you'll hear:   -  Why there are always "two tokens" in every situation and how to choose wisely -The 5 traps that quietly sabotage your ability to handle conflict -A simple shift that helps you stay calm when things start going sideways -Gabe's least proud leadership moment and the lesson that stuck -The subtle behavior that might be holding others back (and you don't even realize it)   Website: GabeKarp.com www.linkedin.com/in/gabe-karp-1b772a1b ">LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gabe-karp-1b772a1b   https://youtu.be/ggOQg6uUV2M?si=nKviXwvHJkGgvLGk ">Check out Gabe's TED Talk, How To Thrive With Difficult People:  https://youtu.be/ggOQg6uUV2M?si=nKviXwvHJkGgvLGk If you'd like quick tangible tips and practical corporate career advice to level up your authentic leadership, download the 10 simple "plays" to stop selling out and start standing out at https://bauthenticinc.mykajabi.com/freebie   To connect with Erin and/or Nicole, email: hello@bauthenticinc.com  If you like jammin' with us on the podcast, b sure to join us for more fun and inspiration!  Follow b Cause on Twitter (really it's mostly Nicole)   Follow Erin on LinkedIn or Instagram  Join the b Cause Podcast Facebook Group    Take our simple, fun and insightful"What's your workplace superhero name?"quiz  Unleash your Authentic Superpower with Erin's book,"You Do You (ish)" Check out our blog for more no-BS career advice Work with Us Or just buy some fun, authentic, kick-ars merch here DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsustainable for younger audiences. Tweetable Comments "Everyone knows what "better" looks like. They just don't know where to start." "When you really screw something up for a client, that is an opportunity to make the relationship stronger and better." "Mistakes are inevitable and a real true test of character is how we react once we recognize we've made a mistake." "You cannot drive growth and innovation without conflict." "What do you get out of being mad?"     Episode Transcript This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity and readability. In this episode, Erin Hatzikostas talks with conflict expert Gabe Karp about how to handle difficult workplace conversations, give feedback without becoming the bully, manage conflict with bosses and clients, and use practical tools like the "two tokens" theory, the "shopping list voice," and the penguin philosophy. Why Conflict Is So Hard at Work Erin: I'm really excited to talk to you today. I think we can never have too many episodes about tough conversations. Conflict is the word you use, and our audience is working in a very Game of Thrones-type environment — corporate America. Erin: You are a conflict expert. Was there a moment when you realized this was the work you wanted to do? Gabe: There was. I spent ten years as a litigator, mostly in commercial litigation and legal malpractice. If you think a normal lawsuit is contentious, suing lawyers for screwing up is that on steroids. Gabe: I learned a lot about anger and how it flows through a room. For all the wrong reasons, I loved it. Gabe: Then I left private practice and joined a startup. We were growing fast, and whenever there were issues — a client problem, an internal mistake, anything — I wanted to jump in and fix it. But everyone around me was uncomfortable with conflict, and I didn't realize that at first. Gabe: I realized we couldn't fix what needed fixing if everyone was tiptoeing around issues. I had to consciously find ways to help people feel comfortable having difficult conversations. Can People Get Better at Conflict? Erin: Do you think people can transform? A lot of people listening may think, "I just naturally run from conflict." Gabe: Absolutely. I think it's nurture, not nature. We all have the same fight-or-flight instinct. But the ability to pause that instinctive response in the moment is something people can learn. Gabe: The thing I've found most effective is helping people find the right entry point into a difficult conversation. One line I use all the time is, "If I were in your position, I'd want someone to tell me this." Gabe: Once people have that one sentence to break the ice, all the things they need to say can come out in a productive, respectful way. Erin: So one of the most important things is the entry point into the conversation. Gabe: Exactly. Most people have a sense of what needs to happen. They just don't know how to begin. When Your Boss Keeps Changing Priorities Erin: Let's take a common scenario. Someone's boss keeps changing priorities. One week it's one thing, the next week it's another. The employee is overwhelmed and hasn't said anything. How should they approach that conversation? Gabe: You want to bring awareness to the boss. It's like holding up a mirror and letting them see what their behavior looks like. Gabe: In the moment, you might say, "It sounds like this is important, but two days ago you told me the thing I'm working on now had the same level of urgency. If I drop this, it remains unfinished. If I move to this new thing and then two days from now we switch again, that becomes difficult for me because I don't know what's actually important." Gabe: You're not attacking them. You're helping them see the pattern. Most people don't want to be perceived as the person who creates fire after fire after fire. Erin: I think one of the most important things you said is to address it in the moment. A lot of people wait for the next one-on-one, and by then they're nervous or the meeting gets delayed. The Two Tokens Theory Erin: Let's talk about customer conflict. How do you handle a situation where you have to tell a client that something you promised isn't going to be delivered? Gabe: There's a concept I love called the choice between two tokens. In every customer service complaint, there are two tokens on the table: the "it's not a big deal" token and the "this is the end of the world" token. Gabe: Whoever picks up the first token forces the other side to pick up the only token that's left. Gabe: If a customer has a serious complaint and you minimize it, they are forced into the "end of the world" position. But if you immediately take accountability and say, "This is unacceptable. We failed you. We're going to fix it," the customer often becomes the one to say, "Okay, it's not that bad." Gabe: In business, there is almost no downside to taking accountability first, even if you don't know all the facts yet. If you later learn the other side was also at fault, you'll have more credibility because your default response was accountability. Gabe: When you really screw something up for a client, that can actually become an opportunity to make the relationship stronger. Mistakes are inevitable. The real test is how you respond once you recognize the mistake. Erin: I love that metaphor. I've never heard it explained that way, but I've seen that strategy work. Why Conflict Drives Growth Erin: You say conflict can drive growth and innovation. Tell us more about that. Gabe: You cannot drive growth and innovation without conflict. It's impossible. Gabe: Companies where everyone is a yes person and no one raises their hand when there's a problem will kill innovation. The same is true for careers. People grow when they receive feedback, learn from mistakes, and get better. Gabe: If someone is repeatedly making a mistake and you know exactly what they're doing wrong, but you withhold that information because you don't want them to feel uncomfortable, you're depriving them of the opportunity to become the best version of themselves. Gabe: People often think avoiding feedback is kind. But sometimes it's actually cruel because you're withholding information they need in order to grow. Gabe: You can say something like, "If I were in your position, I'd want to be told this," or, "I think you're being perceived in a way you don't want to be perceived." Then get specific. Gabe: It's not enough to tell someone what they did wrong. You also need to give them something they can take away and use to improve. Feedback as a Leadership Gift Erin: That reminds me of a boss who once gave me feedback after I ran a town hall. I thought I had crushed it, and he told me I said "I" a lot — "I think," "I want," "my vision." It stuck with me because he was right. Erin: If he hadn't told me, he would have deprived me of becoming a better leader. Gabe: That's huge. Whether or not he was your favorite boss, that was a real service he did for you. Don't Get Mad at Penguins Erin: We have to talk about penguins. Your book is called Don't Get Mad at Penguins. Why? Gabe: Don't get mad at penguins because they can't fly. Gabe: It's a lesson in acceptance. We need to accept people, limitations and all, and stop expecting them to do things they are not capable of doing. Gabe: The hard part is that limitations are often hard to see. A penguin is a bird. It has wings and feathers. Everything about it suggests it should be able to fly. But it can't. Flight is literally beyond its ability. Gabe: People often say, "Of course this person is capable of behaving differently. They're smart. They can analyze other people's behavior."

    55 min
  3. 308: She Stopped Planning Perfect and Everything Changed (Nicole Turns 50!)

    APR 21

    308: She Stopped Planning Perfect and Everything Changed (Nicole Turns 50!)

    What happens when you actually step away from work… like really step away? In this episode, Nicole shares what it looked like to take a true 19-day vacation with zero email, zero checking in, and zero control. What started as a milestone birthday trip turned into something much bigger: a reset on how she works, leads, and lives. From skinny dipping under a full moon in Mexico to rethinking perfection, boundaries, and identity at work, this conversation gets real about burnout, control, and what it actually takes to create a life that feels good. Not perfect. Just good.   If you'd like quick tangible tips and practical corporate career advice to level up your authentic leadership, download the 10 simple "plays" to stop selling out and start standing out at https://bauthenticinc.mykajabi.com/freebie   To connect with Erin and/or Nicole, email: hello@bauthenticinc.com  If you like jammin' with us on the podcast, b sure to join us for more fun and inspiration!  Follow b Cause on Twitter (really it's mostly Nicole)   Follow Erin on LinkedIn or Instagram  Join the b Cause Podcast Facebook Group    Take our simple, fun and insightful"What's your workplace superhero name?"quiz  Unleash your Authentic Superpower with Erin's book,"You Do You (ish)" Check out our blog for more no-BS career advice Work with Us Or just buy some fun, authentic, kick-ars merch here DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsustainable for younger audiences. Tweetable Comments "When you focus on perfection, you lose the moment. When you focus on the vibe, you create connection." "I don't want to do whatever time I have left the same way I've done it up to this point." "It wasn't about the birthday. It was about deciding how I wanted to feel and actually planning for that." "I can't make good decisions when my nervous system is out of whack."

    50 min
  4. 307: Micro Motivator: Why No One Is Listening to You at Work And the Simple Fix

    MAR 17

    307: Micro Motivator: Why No One Is Listening to You at Work And the Simple Fix

    In a world of overflowing inboxes, AI-generated emails, and corporate language that all sounds the same, most messages get ignored. Erin explains how changing just one word, adding an unexpected phrase, or using a little personality can break the pattern and actually get people to pay attention. If you want people to listen to you at work, communicate more authentically, and stand out in workplace conversations, sometimes the fix is surprisingly simple. To connect with Erin and/or Nicole, email: hello@bauthenticinc.com      If you like jammin' with us on the podcast, b sure to join us for more fun and inspiration!    Follow b Cause on Twitter (really it's mostly Nicole)   Follow Erin on LinkedIn or Instagram  Join the b Cause Podcast Facebook Group    Take our simple, fun and insightful"What's your workplace superhero name?"quiz  Unleash your Authentic Superpower with Erin's book,"You Do You (ish)" Check out our blog for more no-BS career advice Work with Us Or just buy some fun, authentic, kick-ars merch here DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsustainable for younger audiences. Tweetable Comments "The same people you're doing business with are the same humans who can't watch an Instagram video if they're not captured in three seconds." "With this overflow of information and AI-generated emails and blah blah blah, the best thing you can do is pattern interrupt." "Just using those fun little flippant sayings you'd use with your best friend over a quarter glass of wine is enough for people to stop, smile, and read what you have to say." "Change one word and you'll change the game."

    7 min
  5. 306: How to Be Civil in a Workplace (and World) That Isn't with Shola Richards

    MAR 3

    306: How to Be Civil in a Workplace (and World) That Isn't with Shola Richards

    A toxic workplace pushed this week's guest to his breaking point. That moment changed everything for him. In this episode, Erin sits down with Shola Richards, CEO of Go Together Global, bestselling author of Civil Unity, host of the Kindness Extremist Podcast, and a speaker who has taken his message from Google and Microsoft to the TODAY Show, CBS Mornings, and even Congress. But this conversation is not about fluffy kindness. After years of bullying, workplace toxicity, and untreated depression, Shola hit rock bottom and attempted to drive his car off an overpass in Los Angeles. The guardrail held. That moment launched his mission to change the world by changing how we treat each other at work. Here's what you will hear: -The difference between a bad day and workplace bullying and why pattern matters -A practical three-step framework for addressing toxic behavior -Why "kill them with kindness" does not always work -What leaders must start doing immediately to make work suck less If you have ever worked with a bully, tolerated bad behavior, or wondered whether kindness is weakness in leadership, this episode will challenge you in the best way. Connect with Shola: Linkedin: Shola Richards Podcast: The Kindness Extremist Podcast If you'd like quick tangible tips and practical corporate career advice to level up your authentic leadership, download the 10 simple "plays" to stop selling out and start standing out at https://bauthenticinc.mykajabi.com/freebie   To connect with Erin and/or Nicole, email: hello@bauthenticinc.com  If you like jammin' with us on the podcast, b sure to join us for more fun and inspiration!  Follow b Cause on Twitter (really it's mostly Nicole)   Follow Erin on LinkedIn or Instagram  Join the b Cause Podcast Facebook Group    Take our simple, fun and insightful"What's your workplace superhero name?"quiz  Unleash your Authentic Superpower with Erin's book,"You Do You (ish)" Check out our blog for more no-BS career advice Work with Us Or just buy some fun, authentic, kick-ars merch here DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsustainable for younger audiences. Tweetable Comments "I had reached my capacity for accepting unkindness. I was done." "You can't hold someone accountable to a standard that doesn't exist." "The difference is one word: pattern." "Honeybees don't waste a moment of their time trying to convince houseflies that honey tastes better than shit."

    1 hr
  6. 305: Micro Motivator: How to Handle Your Neurotic Boss Before a Board Meeting

    FEB 17

    305: Micro Motivator: How to Handle Your Neurotic Boss Before a Board Meeting

    ​​Do you work for a neurotic boss? You are capable. You know your numbers. You've done this before. But the moment there is a board meeting or executive presentation, your boss spirals and catapults into weeks of prep and endless rehearsals. In this episode, Erin shares an  executive coaching story about a seasoned P&L leader reporting to the COO whose boss demanded over-preparation and fully scripted talking points before presenting to the board. The problem? No executive wants to be read to. Erin breaks down three strategies to handle the panic without sacrificing credibility or authenticity. If you'd like quick, tangible tips and practical corporate career advice to level up your authentic leadership, download the 10 simple "plays" to stop selling out and start standing out at https://bauthenticinc.mykajabi.com/freebie To connect with Erin and/or Nicole, email hello@bauthenticinc.com If you like jammin' with us on the podcast, be sure to join us for more fun and inspiration! Follow b Cause on Twitter (really it's mostly Nicole) Follow Erin on LinkedIn or Instagram Join the b Cause Podcast Facebook Group Take our simple, fun, and insightful "What's your workplace superhero name?" quiz Unleash your Authentic Superpower with Erin's book, "You Do You (ish)" Check out our blog for more no-BS career advice Work with Us Or just buy some fun, authentic, kick-ass merch here DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsuitable for younger audiences. Tweetable Comments "If you start reading from a script, they are going to immediately want to poke their eyes out." "If I had 45 seconds and like seven bullets, what would I say?" "Comply and then don't comply when you get in the meeting." "Do not let them make you go down that inauthentic river and deliver something that doesn't connect."

    8 min
  7. 304: How to Be Yourself When You've Been Told You're "Too Much" with Drew Sullivan

    FEB 3

    304: How to Be Yourself When You've Been Told You're "Too Much" with Drew Sullivan

    In this episode, Erin sits down with her friend Drew Sullivan for a deeply honest conversation about addiction, recovery, and what it's like to grow up feeling misunderstood. Drew shares how being labeled "too much," navigating ADHD, and never being asked why shaped the way he moved through the world and how those early experiences quietly laid the groundwork for addiction long before substances entered the picture. This isn't a polished redemption story or a neat recovery arc. It's a human conversation about loss, self-awareness, and what finally made change unavoidable. If you've ever felt misunderstood, struggled with addiction (your own or someone close to you), or are still carrying stories from your early years that shaped who you became, this episode is for you. What you'll hear: 1) Why being labeled "too much" is often about context, not character—and how to tell the difference. 2) What it actually means to live inside-out instead of chasing approval from the outside world. 3) How Drew believes addiction often starts long before substances, and why unmet needs fuel it. 4) A simple, brutally honest way to know when something in your life has crossed the line. 5) Why work gets easier when you stop hiding parts of yourself and find people who can carry their own baggage too. Follow Drew on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewjamessullivan/ If you'd like quick, tangible tips and practical corporate career advice to level up your authentic leadership, download the 10 simple "plays" to stop selling out and start standing out at https://bauthenticinc.mykajabi.com/freebie To connect with Erin and/or Nicole, email hello@bauthenticinc.com If you like jammin' with us on the podcast, be sure to join us for more fun and inspiration! Follow b Cause on Twitter (really it's mostly Nicole) Follow Erin on LinkedIn or Instagram Join the b Cause Podcast Facebook Group Take our simple, fun, and insightful "What's your workplace superhero name?" quiz Unleash your Authentic Superpower with Erin's book, "You Do You (ish)" Check out our blog for more no-BS career advice Work with Us Or just buy some fun, authentic, kick-ass merch here DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsuitable for younger audiences. Tweetable Comments "I wasn't being asked why I was being told what I was doing wrong." "I never felt safe. I never felt heard, and I never felt seen." "When we focus on living our lives from the outside in, we are f*cked. But when we focus on living our lives from the inside out, anything is possible." "I don't feel like I have to think about doing things before I do them anymore and that's how I know my life has aggressively changed."

    1h 12m
  8. 303: How to Break Your Toxic Attachment to Work

    JAN 20

    303: How to Break Your Toxic Attachment to Work

    This episode is for anyone who swears they're "fine" while secretly letting work run their entire nervous system.  Erin and Nicole get honest about toxic attachment to jobs, the martyr complex disguised as responsibility, and why being the most dependable person in the room isn't the flex you think it is.  If you've ever said "I'll just do it," treated every email like a five-alarm fire, or confused being needed with being valuable, this one might hit close to home. Here's what you'll hear: Why a toxic job isn't always the problem, sometimes it's your attachment to being needed How "I'll just do it" turns into martyrdom and quietly wrecks teams and leaders The difference between being responsible and absorbing everything like it's your fault Why not every urgent thing is a crisis and why you're not the crisis manager What it actually looks like to care about your work without letting it run your nervous system If you'd like quick, tangible tips and practical corporate career advice to level up your authentic leadership, download the 10 simple "plays" to stop selling out and start standing out at https://bauthenticinc.mykajabi.com/freebie To connect with Erin and/or Nicole, email hello@bauthenticinc.com If you like jammin' with us on the podcast, be sure to join us for more fun and inspiration! Follow b Cause on Twitter (really it's mostly Nicole) Follow Erin on LinkedIn or Instagram Join the b Cause Podcast Facebook Group Take our simple, fun, and insightful "What's your workplace superhero name?" quiz Unleash your Authentic Superpower with Erin's book, "You Do You (ish)" Check out our blog for more no-BS career advice Work with Us Or just buy some fun, authentic, kick-ass merch here DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsuitable for younger audiences. Tweetable Comments "You could work in the most functional place, you could own the business, and still have a toxic attachment to the role you have." "We often confuse responsibility with absorption. Just because you own something doesn't mean it has to become your inner essence." "The things that make us feel safe are sometimes the very things that make us appear inflexible." "You are not the crisis manager unless your job is literally crisis manager. Not everything urgent is a crisis."

    1h 2m
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A podcast for GenX(ish) leaders who are exhausted from the suck and are looking for new, more authentic ways to kick butt. The Because Work Doesn't Have to Suck podcast isn't another boring, stuffy leadership podcast. And it doesn't bring you a gazillion guests who had the guts to "ef" the 9-5, seemingly the only answer to truly being happy in your career. Instead, this podcast is focused on helping you continue to rise in your career, but doing it without compromising everything else - your family, your health, or maybe even who you are. Erin, a former corporate CEO turned Authentic Leadership expert, teams up with her good friend, Nicole, an ivy league grad and professional do-gooder. Nicole lays it all on the line to share her real-time work highs, lows, contemplations, and sometimes barely believable stories. And Erin coaches and cajoles her (really, you) along the way...all in the name of helping you feel less insane, more inspired. Erin also interviews authentic leaders and experts who are focused on giving you the stories, advice, and tips that will have you making small, creative changes that will help you contend with and catapult your career. Grab a drink, put your feet up, and come along for a journey that will involve career advice, unsanitized thoughts, leadership lessons, important guests, and who the hell knows what else. Because work DOESN'T have to suck.

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