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 inspiration! Here are some options... Follow Nicole on LinkedIn:   Follow Erin on LinkedIn:   Check out the b BRILLIANT career coaching program @   b Cause Podcast Facebook group @   We even share more crazy stuff here (you probably thought that was impossible). Get your own copy of Erin's book by searching "You Do You Ish" in amazon or going to   Take our simple, fun and insightful "What Kind of Dog Are You At Work?" by going to   We have so much fun stuff going on...we wouldn't want you to miss out - join the authenticity movement and our community by adding your email just about anywhere @   Check out our blog for more of our no-BS career advice @   We have fun and inspiring t-shirts @ DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsustainable for younger audiences.  Tweetable Comments: "Trying to fit into 'boy' or 'girl' left me feeling like I was constantly performing who I was." "Society tells you there are boxes and we want to categorize people." "And I realized, if I didn't try this then I would never be happy, and I needed to put myself first." "The cost of not standing out is far greater than the cost of doing so." "I thought this was a pretty progressive place...but I scared people out of restrooms, even at Facebook." "For a lot of people it's figuring out what is the worst-case scenario and then hovering around that." "The fear of 'what if I don't' just got to a place where it didn't matter what came from it." "Because there was always a part of me that just didn't understand me, I really wanted to understand people." "If you're hellbent on going to the Moon, you're going to miss signs saying you can go to Mars." "Treat everything as an experiment and treat it as the longest experiment of your life." "Clarity comes when you're in motion." "Getting out of the ocean of 'should' and 'they' and getting into 'what do I want and what can I do?'"  "The curiosity of 'Can I?' will get you further along than you ever imagined."