b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck

We all want to create control in our lives, but let's face it - there's only so much of it to go around. We're caught in the middle of conflicting demands from the workplace and society, having to perform at top capacity while also remaining flexible and open-minded to new possibilities. It's not easy to live up to this standard and navigating this situation can be tough.

In this episode, Erin and Nicole are here to show you that change is inevitable and provide insights into how to cope with constant changes and learn to embrace them as part of life.

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: [email protected]

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

• "Change is constant and we are creatures that are programmed to control chaos."

• "Accept that change is not a rebuke of your past decisions."

• "Use human speak and talk about the rationale behind the change."

• "Change does not necessarily signify a mistake. Sometimes change signifies an opportunity."

• "Ends are not a failure. They're often a new beginning."

Episode Swap with the She Who Wins Podcast

We all carry trauma with us, even if we don't realize it at the time. It's embedded in our identity, seeping into our everyday actions and responses whether we are aware of it or not. But simply acknowledging its presence isn't enough to truly confront it – unpacking and processing that baggage requires real commitment.

This week, we are doing something a little different and listening in on a conversation from one of our favorite podcasts, She Who Wins, and airing an episode with host, Renee Bauer and her guest, Lauren Zoeller.

Lauren Zoeller is a seven-figure entrepreneur, speaker, author, and host of "The Aligned Love Podcast". As the Founder of The Aligned Love Experience, Lauren is an expert practitioner in reparenting, generational healing, and somatic experiencing. Through her work, she created the proprietary Voice Activation Method that has been used to help thousands of men and women heal from past trauma and take ownership of their future.

In this episode, the two discuss the role that trauma plays in our lives and how we can turn it into an opportunity for growth rather than something that holds us back.

Connect with Renee:

https://msreneebauer.com/podcast-5/

">The She Who Wins Podcast

Renee's Website

Connect with Lauren:

https://www.laurenzoeller.com/

">Lauren's Website

Instagram: @laurenzoeller

Tiktok: @coachlaurenzoeller

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: [email protected]

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

• "Trauma is an overwhelming response to something that was too fast, too much or too soon for your body to properly process what's happening."

• "When you're in this manic state of, I need to achieve, I need to get things done, what is your body telling you in that moment? Because when you can start learning that language, Then, you can start using the tools to regulate your system."

• "Your truth is your birth right."

• "It's important that we all learn to reparent ourselves. We all become self-healers because at some point we've had trauma."

From hot flashes to cramps, perimenopause ain't playin' around. And let's face it, it's not a topic that usually slips into casual conversations too easily.

Figuring out the changes happening during this vital transition period can be downright confusing and totally overwhelming. At first, you'll think it's a fluke, and then once you accept that something might be happening, it could be tough to find the answers you're looking for or even a great doctor in your area.

Well luckily for us, this week we've got Dr. Fiona Lovely here to spill all her professional knowledge about perimenopause on our show - including the good stuff, bad stuff and funny stuff.

Dr Fiona Lovely is an expert of women's health at the menopause transition, the creator of the Not Your Mother's Menopause podcast and senior clinician. Her work is to see women where they are and offer wisdom and guidance through the lens of functional neurology, functional medicine and restorative endocrinology.

So open up a bottle of vino and join us as we chat with Dr. Lovely about all the things that everyone's not.

Not Your Mother's Menopause podcast

Check out Dr. Lovely's Website

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: [email protected]

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

• 'We are worthy of taking care of ourselves. And for a lot of women that is going to feel so foreign because we have been conditioned to care for others first."

• "The closer you get to menopause, the less likely you are to put up with bullshit. There's this emotional reckoning that happens where you're just like 'enough'!"

• "In the late thirties, a woman is likely to experience sleep disruption or mood disruption, and those two things are often misdiagnosed as either chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia or depression. And you can imagine there's a litany of medications that go along with that and not a real explanation of what's happening."

• "We have to separate the joy from the obligation."

Feeling stuck and unmotivated? We all have those days, but don't throw in the towel just yet. It's time to break out of that funk with some mantras from your own personal cheerleader, Erin.

In this episode, Erin's got five motivating mantras you can use to skyrocket your success without selling out.

Ready to get started?

Click here to share your mantras!

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: [email protected]

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

• "Different is better than better." - Sally Hogshead

• "Trust your creative process."

• "It sucks to be them."

• "It's not a test."

• "The 50% Rule."

• "Take about half of what you learn from other people, but half of it throw out the window."

Sticking with the same thing can feel safe, but it may be worth questioning if there could be a path forward that works even better. It's always important to take a moment and ask: "Am I sure this is right or should I rethink everything?" This week's guest has a thing or two to say about that.

Kristi Turner is a C-level executive, thought leader, author, consultant, and mentor.

Kristi provides counsel to executive teams, investment firms and boards on brand, marketing, product design, customer operations, smart diversity, and employee culture. She has worked with some of the top retail, telecom and financial brands including Target, Walmart, Apple, T-Mobile, AT&T, American Express, and Visa. She has also been interviewed and published in 50-plus publications and podcasts including Forbes.

As a mentor, coach, and difference maker, Turner guides leaders and individuals through her Rethink Everything process in each unique season of life and business. Her radical simplicity and contagious energy inspire companies and individuals to adopt a different kind of leadership—one that delivers improved bottom-line results while making a difference in their community, and in their sphere of influence.

Ready to break the mold and challenge convention? This episode will have you thinking outside-the-box with stories that'll truly leave you inspired.

Rethink Everything Book

Instagram

LinkedIn

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: [email protected]

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

• "As a female, you can do anything and you're strong, but you can be joyful. You can do it joyfully."

• "You can do anything, and you can have fun doing it."

• "Lead before you're a leader."

• "Let's grow with some thoughtfulness, a plan and some wisdom."

• "There are incompetent leaders and there are competent leaders. Learn what to do from the competent ones and learn what not do from the incompetent ones."

This week Erin and Nicole tackle the big question on everyone's mind - is ChatGPT a hit or miss? Will it blow us away or simply be a passing fad? Could it truly revolutionize the way we interact with one another? Or did the developers just design a shiny toy that nobody ever needs?

The verdict? Well, you'll have to listen in to find out.

Links to ChatGPT

https://beta.openai.com/playground

https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt/

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: [email protected]

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

• "Welcome to Cursing Corporate America, where two executive women discuss the corporate world and all of its often hilarious problems."

• "So many of these corporate environments are just set up to make employees miserable. It's like they want us to fail."

• "Chad is alive."

• "They've given the keys to the castle to the three-year-olds."

Constantly feeling like you're not enough can be an overwhelming and exhausting mental battle. And let's face it, it's easy to succumb to the chorus in your head that tells you that what you have or who you are is not enough. So the real question is, is it possible to ever truly be fulfilled in this one life you have? This week's guest is here to tell us how you can start making that shift.

Dr. Mandy Lehto is an expert when it comes to helping high-level professionals enhance their performance, leadership capabilities, and career progression. With impressive credentials in private equity, investment banking, law, and tech, Dr. Lehto has amassed a clientele of senior executives around the world. Her clients seek out her insights to gain promotion within their industry or increase their confidence as a leader.

Those who have consulted with her praise her for her intelligence and emotional intelligence which helps them break through barriers to success. And that level of trust allows leaders from all industries to feel safe stepping outside of their comfort zone to try new strategies for gaining tangible results.

Pop in your earbuds and enjoy this episode. Mandy's words are something we all need to hear.

Listen to Mandy's podcast 'Enough'

Connect with Mandy on Instagram

Connect with Mandy on LinkedIn

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: [email protected]

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 didn't have to be somebody to be somebody. I was already enough."

• "I've drunk the Kool-Aid, I've associated success with money, and I have to stay here and my soul is dying. What do I do?"

• "We'll often choose unhappiness over uncertainty."

• "Your worth isn't dependent on anyone else."

• "If there's this constant busyness and chronic doing, there's no spaciousness to hear anything."

• "I am okay in myself exactly as I am now."

Leadership doesn't have to be the Herculean task it often feels like. Harness your powers as an executive and use them to build amazing relationships with those you serve - creating enthusiastic fans in the process! If you're at a loss on how to get started - fear not - this week our guest will help you get started.

Brittany Hodak is passionate about helping people take their customer base to the next level, and she's a pro at it.

Brittany is an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and customer experience speaker who has delivered keynotes across the globe to organizations including American Express and the United Nations. She has worked with some of the world's biggest brands and entertainers, including Walmart, Disney, Katy Perry, and Dolly Parton. She also founded and scaled an entertainment startup to eight figures before exiting and is the former Chief Experience Officer of Experience.com.

To sum it up, Brittany really knows how superfans are made. And luckily for us, she has crafted an innovative approach to creating devoted customers or employees that anyone can use.

Ready to use your superpowers to create superfans? This is an episode you don't want to miss.

Episode 52: When Something Big is Broken, Fix it Yourself

Check out Brittany's Book

Brittany's Website

Creating Superfans podcast, interview with Fizzah Raza

Instagram

LinkedIn

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: [email protected]

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

• "You deserve to be a part of a team that recognizes your badassery."

• "I have this one life. What is it that I want to do?"

• "Don't be afraid to tell your story. Don't be afraid to show that you're human."

• "The easiest way to get what it is that you want is to ask."

• "Everyone can make an employee feel special. Everyone can make an employee feel like they're part of a bigger mission."

• "If your employees aren't super fans of your company, your customers are never ever going to be."

Tired of the same old resolutions that don't quite stick?

Erin and Nicole have revolutionized the traditional approach by ditching dull resolutions for bold new objectives.

Forget the monotonous "word of the year" and join them as they push their boundaries and keep it fun (and authentic) without getting caught in process or expectations.

Ready for a resolution revolution? This is the episode for you.

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: [email protected]

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

• "Resolutions are IOUs to hate yourself at a future date."

• "Don't attach to outcomes. Don't attach to the process. Maybe it's not that you achieve something. Maybe it's simply that you try."

• "Instead of complaining another year of work BS, I want you to take one action to change."

Believe it or not, even corporate juggernauts aren't immune to the jitters when it comes time to have some tough conversations.

Yup, you heard that right.

From delivering bad news to confronting their teams, it can be hard for even the most seasoned professionals to work up the courage to face a difficult dialogue.

Luckily for us, Paru Radia, C-Suite Whisperer, execution Ninja, speaker and author is here to give us tips on how to navigate those rocky waters.

If you ask Paru's clients what sets her apart, they are likely to respond that not only does she get it, she gets to the root of the problem quickly and provides sound guidance, based on real world experience.

One of the things we love most about Paru though is that her approach isn't formulaic. She instead focuses on who her client is and what their actual needs are allowing them take control of their businesses, careers, and lives, while staying true to who they are.

So, if you struggle with finding the right words for those tricky conversations, this is an episode you can't afford to miss.

Check out Paru's Website

Connect with Paru on LinkedIn

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: [email protected]

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

• "Don't self-filter and be apologetic about something. It is what it is. Just be straight that, "oh, okay, this happened" or "oh yes, I messed this up, or "I don't like this or "I don't like that."

• "If you are not confident about the things that you don't like about yourself, you are giving people ammunition to also dislike you. Just own it."

• "Magic happens in momentum."

• "The magic won't happen if something is standing still. You need other things to happen for the reaction to happen, which equates to magic."

How to Have Tough Conversations Without Making Them Awkward with Paru Radia

Podcast: b CAUSE Work Doesn't Have To Suck Episode Topic: Authentic leadership, tough conversations, executive confidence, and finding clarity in your career

Episode Introduction

00:00 When you're speaking to someone, avoid saying "you," because it can feel aggressive. Keep the conversation business-focused and ask questions. Don't go straight into assumptions — get curious about the other person.

Who are they? Why are they behaving the way they are? Why did they make that choice? Ask them.

What happens when a former corporate CEO and a do-gooding executive walk into a recording studio? You get career therapy, comedy, and a whole lot of authenticity.

Meet Paru Radia: The C-Suite Whisperer

01:04 Erin introduces executive strategist and business consultant Paru Radia, known as the "C-Suite Whisperer."

Erin shares that even after being a CEO, leading a major turnaround, and being called a badass, she still struggles with tough conversations — whether it's with employees, clients, or even at home.

The conversation focuses on how we can stop dreading difficult conversations and start approaching them with curiosity, clarity, and authenticity.

What Does a C-Suite Whisperer Actually Do?

04:49 Paru explains how she got the nickname "C-Suite Whisperer."

She describes her work as translating what executives say into what people actually hear — similar to the idea of a "ghost whisperer," but for leaders.

Her role is helping executives understand their mindset, patterns, behaviors, strengths, and success criteria so they can get clear on what they truly want.

The Biggest Thing Leaders Miscommunicate: Intention

06:16 Erin asks what gets lost most often when leaders communicate.

Paru says the biggest issue is intention.

People at every level — even executives — deal with the same human challenges: wanting to be understood, wanting to look good, wanting to be liked, and wanting their work to succeed.

The stakes may get higher as people rise in their careers, but the human emotions remain the same.

Turning Hard Experiences Into Your Strength

08:17 Paru shares how her childhood experiences shaped the leader and coach she became.

Growing up in a conservative Indian household in racist Britain, she experienced discrimination and bullying. Those experiences taught her to observe deeply, read situations, and understand people.

Today, that ability helps her coach executives because she notices things others may miss.

Authenticity Starts With Owning Who You Are

11:18 Paru explains that people need to stop hiding the parts of themselves they don't like.

Her advice: own everything about yourself.

When you are uncomfortable with something about yourself, you often give others power over it. When you accept yourself fully, those things lose their ability to hold you back.

How to Handle Tough Conversations at Work

12:24 Erin and Paru discuss one of the biggest workplace challenges: difficult conversations.

Paru explains that she actually enjoys tough conversations because they create the opportunity for change.

Her advice for having better conversations:

• Get out of your own head
• Focus on facts instead of emotions
• Avoid starting with "you"
• Ask questions before making assumptions
• Understand the other person's perspective
• Create shared definitions so everyone is aligned

The Power of Starting With the Outcome

16:42 Paru explains her approach to coaching: start with the outcome and work backward.

Instead of focusing on every obstacle along the way, define where you want to go first.

Once the desired outcome is clear, the steps become easier to identify — and ego gets less involved.

A Better Approach to Performance Reviews

19:34 Erin and Paru discuss how managers can handle inconsistent performers.

Instead of asking broad questions like "How do you think you're doing?" leaders should get specific.

Ask:

• What does success look like?
• What outcome are you working toward?
• What would it take to get there?
• What relationships or skills need to improve?

Clarity creates better conversations.

Why Momentum Creates Magic

25:46 Paru shares one of her favorite principles: "Magic happens in momentum."

When something good happens — a connection, an opportunity, positive feedback — don't wait. Continue the energy while it is still alive.

Momentum creates more momentum.

Whether it's responding to someone who loved your book, following up after a great meeting, or acting on an opportunity, timing matters.

The Messes Behind Successes

30:33 Paru discusses her upcoming book, Messes Behind Successes.

The book focuses on the reality behind achievement — the struggles, mistakes, setbacks, and challenges people experience before reaching success.

Her goal is to share real stories so people understand that successful people also navigate uncertainty, failure, and difficult moments.

Connect With Paru Radia

35:15 Paru shares where listeners can find more of her work.

Follow Paru on LinkedIn and visit her website to learn more about her executive strategy and coaching work.

Final Thoughts

36:30 Erin thanks Paru for sharing her wisdom, honesty, and perspective on authenticity, leadership, and navigating difficult conversations.

The biggest takeaway: better conversations start with curiosity, clarity, and the willingness to understand what is really happening beneath the surface.