Have you ever wondered what it's like to talk to yourself for an hour out loud? Was that the last year in COVID? Nicole takes a skill she built up over a year of mostly solitude and goes "so-loca" (solo + a little bit crazy) and takes to the pod for an episode by herself. Despite lack of epic orchestration and live audience she envisioned for such a debut, Nicole answers questions that listeners want to know, like what set her on her current life path? This happens to be - without too many spoilers... Bagels!?!? And how does something doughy, delicious and yet 'not-a-doughnut' inspire a life? And how does the Ivy League and her vision of 'crime boss economics' play into this? Better listen and find out. This week Nicole goes solo, responding to her growing mailbag and audience queries while Erin is working on BIG THINGS (ahem...National Authenticity Day is coming August 16th!) Listeners have stuff they need to know from Nicole. Why does she do this podcast and share her "business" so openly? How does it serve her? What the heck is her academic background and how did she get here? Nicole gives insight into her relationship with Erin, how and why she is so willing to have her life examined and explored the way it is on the podcast. Erin may be pushy and have some compromising photos, but that only explains part of it! One question on listeners minds is about her education, and specifically her thoughts on prestigious colleges especially when it comes to her "blue-collar background". What is the value? What is the cost? And how does one get into such a school without the right pedigree (and what does that actually mean?!) Nicole dishes a bit on on that colorful and more importantly, outside of it. And how did she get there - Did she set a world record in something? Did she cure a rare disease? Was she an amazing athelete? Oh hell no, really. It was...Bagels. (Anyone surprised food is involved here?) When a world-famous bagel empire, which grew out of her hometown in New Haven, started a program to fight racial intolerance back in the 1990's, Nicole found herself headed to Poland, Czechoslovakia (at the time) and Israel to learn about the Holocaust and its aftermath. This truly developmental experience has stuck with Nicole ever since and was the bedrock upon which she built a mindset and path that continues to inform and lead her to where she is today. Even if visiting Auschwitz sounds really tough, as she puts it, "everything is better on a bagel." Coming back to modern day, and what's ahead, listeners want to know what book she would write, if she were to write one. Obviously, her dad, throwing a few punches in Middle School, organized crime and economics is involved. That's Nicole, always finding inspiration in her roots. 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: "It's a little bit of a skill to interview yourself, so you'll have to give me some grace on this one." "If you don't like the sound of my voice, this episode is not for you." "I'm a risk taker, I try not to live small." "There's a certain level of confidence that allows me to show how the sausage gets made. What do I have to hide?" "I didn't necessarily have the skills and tools to live the lifestyle or to have the experiences my peers were having. In the end I'm deeply grateful for that because it made me more resilient." "The best thing you can do is to make sure your child has the tools that they need to think for themselves." "I know visiting Auschwitz doesn't sound like anyone's version of summer camp...but it had a profound impact." "Those bagels, they changed my life." "I am a shadow of what the excellence of my dad is." "Treat everyone life they're your next boss." "Sometimes you have to know the value of letting the kid with no skill play on the team, because now they're part of a team." "Learn how to be alone. Do you know how to make decisions, can you take action, can you entertain yourself, can you think through problems and challenges..." "Are you able and willing to learn and to do?" "Take no for an answer, but then fucking leave. Keep moving."