b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck

Resumes. One of the most important documents of your professional life, and yet it can feel so impersonal and stilted.

Over time, resumes have become robotic, inhuman, and chock full of business buzzwords rather than a way to get to know someone. #inauthenticaf

And in today's job market, where competition is fierce and employers are looking for any reason to eliminate candidates from the pool, it's easy to see why people play it safe when it comes to their resumes. But truth is, playing it safe just may be keeping you from standing out.

Feeling trapped in resume-writing purgatory and would like to create a resume that's unique, engaging and highlights your personality? This one's 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

• "It takes like time, talent, and treasure to get a mullet. That doesn't just happen to you."

• "Your resume is like a reverse mullet-it's a party in the front and business in the back."

• "Always go with your second reaction, never your first." -A great, stoic philosopher Nicole can't remember the name of

• "Come up with a superpower statement, that's juxtaposed, but speak it in the language that you would speak to a friend after a quarter glass of wine."

• "Not everything needs to be humorous. It just needs to be human."

• "Nobody hiring gives two hoots about what you want. All they want to know is how you're going to make their life less miserable."

"I'm an African-American female from poverty. I could feel a lot of ways if I allow it to, but I know there's some beauty inside of me, so I unlock it every day." - Lia Valencia Key

The first time Erin saw Lia walk into a room, she was radiating with joy. There was something so warm and captivating about her and she just knew she needed to know this woman.

Lia went from growing up homeless to speaking on stages with Tony Robbins, Robin Roberts and spoken at Jamie Kern Lima's conference filled with over 200,000 people. Pretty impressive, eh? Well after you meet Lia, you'll see why they want her on their stages.

You see, Lia encourages people to find their own light so you can have the peace and happiness you deserve. But really, it's so much more than that. It's about making choices, believing in yourself, and embracing the possibilities (even if they sometimes seem impossible.)

It's not really an interview at all. It's an intervention. This is an episode you'll likely listen to again and again.

People Fuel

Gwyneth x Oprah: Power, Perception & Soul Purpose

@valenciakeydesign

https://www.valenciakey.com/

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

• "Your predicament does not determine your destiny." ~Lia's mom

• "Just speaking into your children's life, whether they receive it or not just speak it. God is in control of the action effect. But if you continue to just speak in and love, it will do something."

• "We can't make anybody do anything. You can lead a child, you can do some discipline, you can try to grab them physically. But when you talk about our overall trajectory of someone's life, the power is laying out choices for people."

• "There are sacrifices that we have to make to have the peace and joy that you so deserve."

• "I'm an African American female from poverty. I could feel a lot of ways if I allow it to, but I know there's some beauty inside of me, so I unlock it every day."

The words, 'We'd love it if you came in for an interview' are in your inbox. Your heart starts racing, you do a fist pump or two, ok, three, and then you stop. Panic sets in. Party over.

Interviewing is an uncomfortable rite of passage that we all have to go through at some point if we want to land our dream job. And if you're human, it may cause you a little bit of anxiety. Maybe it's because we only hear about the interviewing horror stories and never the triumphs. Or maybe it's because we've built interviewing up to be this huge, important event when, really, it's just a conversation. Granted, one person is trying to convince the other to give them a job, but we'll overlook that for a moment.

In today's episode, Erin and Nicole discuss 3 surprising interview tips that'll help you authentically prepare for the traditional (and snoozy) interviews we're all accustomed to.

So, if you would like to stand out from the "expected" and land your dream job, tune in to get the full scoop.

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

• "Having fun, doing what you love and giving yourself a space and a place to do that is really important."

• "There is something to be said for being surrounded by people who are exuding energy about being in a happy place. That energy is contagious."

• "The interview had way too many people and at the end of the interview they told me that one-on-one, I'm great, but in a group I wasn't as lovable. And I was like, "One-on-one you guys are great, but in a group, you're not that lovable."

• "That needs garlic. A boatload of garlic."

If someone were to ask you about personal finance, do you feel and well-informed, and ready to enlighten them with your financial savviness? Or do you nod, smile and schvitz -all while thinking you have no idea wtf they're talking about?

No matter your answer, when it comes to personal finance game, today's guest has the playbook.

Rahkim Sabree is an author/columnist, speaker, and financial coach who focuses on the pathway between financial literacy and financial empowerment. His work has been published in Business Insider, The Grio, Black Enterprise, Entrepreneur, CEO World Magazine, and more.

Rahkim works exclusively with leaders whose mission is to improve people's lives; who see bigger than themselves and who in addition to wanting to propel their business to the next level, want to (re-) find greater flexibility and freedom using the power of money.

We loved hearing Rahkim's story and enjoyed hearing his positive and practical take when it comes to personal finance. So, if finances give you the scaries, this episode just may help you out.

Financially Irresponsible

https://www.rahkimsabree.com/

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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

• "A mentor is someone you allow to have an influence over the way that you think or believe or behave."

• "It's putting the ball back in their court to say, "Okay, if this is something that you want, show me that you want this."

• "My passion is to talk about the financial side of things; the place where I came from that maybe I don't have all the credentials for."

• "'Don't use credit cards!'" At the time I had nine credit cards, but I had an 800 plus credit score. So, I must be doing something right."

• "For me, it was a mantra in action. It was a declaration of, 'I am important.'"

• "It is financially irresponsible for you to defer your financial wellbeing to somebody else."

When you hear the statement 'Work can help us heal', what comes to mind? Do you believe that to be true? Or do you think it's a tall order for the workplace?

In this week's episode, you'll hear Erin and Scott chat with Scott Shute. Scott is a keynote speaker, coach, executive, and author that combines the sublime of ancient wisdom with the practicality of work.

He has led Mindfulness and Compassion programs at LinkedIn. After twenty-five years of customer-oriented leadership roles, he found his dream job, where he utilized his entire skill set and embraced his passions. Now Scott is a "free-range chicken", as he describes it, and works with companies and leaders to explore the possibility of human potential, helping employees become the very best version of themselves.

So no matter what camp you fall in, we have no doubt you'll love hearing Scott's perspective on bringing mindfulness and compassion to the workplace-and heal from the inside out.

Visit Scott's Website

LinkedIn

The Full Body Yes

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Gwyneth x Oprah: Power, Perception & Soul Purpose

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

• "My biggest piece of advice when somebody wants to change into a new career is to just start doing it. Take the class that builds your skill or take on an additional project of work. If you really want it, take the project from that leader that you want to work with. And over time it'll just become obvious."

• "It's a recognition and an acceptance of where I am today and a desire to move forward."

• "I was following that inner desire of 'I've got to do something different and no matter what I want my job to be more of this stuff.'"

• "Work can actually be a place that helps us heal if we do it right."

• "I see compassionate leadership in the everyday work of people who do kind things for each other. Those who moved from 'me to we' in their thinking."

What's your TEDx moment? What do you stand for?

You see, this is a question that so many want to know, but few rarely explore. But shouldn't we? In this episode, Erin and Nicole chat about this *slightly* heavy question, but in typical fashion, with a twist.

The two also manage to talk about Russia (because wtf), share major life updates and reveal a groundbreaking stat about zookeepers. Yep, they went there.

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

• "This is not what I expected for my forties. It just wasn't the vibe I was seeking."

• "That's such a super sexy, ethnic name. It's also named after two dead hypothetical fictional, theoretical mobsters."

• "Sometimes good shit comes out of bad shit."

• "They're not paying for your minutes. They're not paying for your moments. They're paying for your lifetime of knowledge."

• "Go find a new environment to go live and speak your truth."

• "What do you stand for? I think this is something that all leaders should ask their people. I think that's something that people should ask their leaders."

• "Being a zookeeper is like 1% fun and 99% bullshit."

• "Zoom interviews are cruel and unusual punishment."

Episode Transcript

This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity and readability.

In this episode, Erin Hatzikostas and Nicole talk about authenticity in leadership, the war in Ukraine, economic uncertainty, the value of time, family, grief, brain rest, thought leadership, career identity, and what it means to know what you stand for.

War, Uncertainty, and the Global Moment

Erin: Since the last time we talked, war broke out. It feels like two seconds after masks were lifted and we reached some semi-fake declaration that COVID was over, another crisis began.

Nicole: The backdrop of war in Ukraine is really strange. With my international relations background, having worked internationally, and having worked in energy, I keep thinking that we do not really know war in continental Europe the way earlier generations did.

Nicole: We grew up learning about it. Our parents and grandparents felt it intimately. But for us, the concept of war in Europe is terrifying. It symbolizes the possible beginning of something much bigger.

Nicole: We also survived the Cold War. Kids today deal with active shooter drills. We had bomb drills and nuclear fallout shelters. Now it feels like we're repeating the cycle in a new way.

Zelensky, Authenticity, and Leadership Under Pressure

Erin: I do think we need to pause on Zelensky. Maybe it's because I care so much about authenticity, but I think he is demonstrating a lot of what we talk about.

Erin: Yes, many of his messages are planned, but the way he talks to people feels direct and human. He speaks like he is talking to one person. Even in impossible circumstances, he is showing up with clarity.

Nicole: This is a terrible litmus test for authenticity, but I hope his authenticity serves him. I hope it helps him get the best possible outcome for Ukraine, keep people alive, and preserve some sense of national identity and future.

Economic Anxiety, Gas Prices, and Global Markets

Nicole: What's hard is that war is happening while we're also in a tough economic moment. We just came through COVID, which was a huge social and economic shock. Now markets are spiraling, inflation is rising, and gas prices are affecting people's wallets.

Erin: This is where your background comes in. You worked in energy and economics, so this is your shining moment.

Nicole: I am highly in support of economic sanctions. I think they are one of the greatest tools we have to put pressure on individuals without directly escalating militarily.

Nicole: We also have to remember that this is not about punishing average Russian people. The goal is to put pressure on the people at the top, where wealth and power are concentrated.

Nicole: The oil and gas conversation drives me crazy because it is a complicated global market. Oil prices are global. Even if we produce more domestically, that does not immediately change what is happening at the pump.

Nicole: People want quick fixes, but quick fixes can distort markets. High prices are painful, but they also spur innovation. The last time oil prices rose significantly, we saw more investment in alternative energy, electric vehicles, wind, solar, and cleaner technologies.

Erin: You know who I think wins in all of this? Aldi. I haven't bought a name-brand food item in weeks.

Nicole: Aldi for the win.

Family, Grief, and Brain Rest

Nicole: We both had major life events recently. I have a new nephew, and he is three weeks old and adorable. After everything, having a baby in the family feels like sunshine.

Nicole: I'm also grateful that I have had the time to fully lean into family. If I were still fully employed the way I was before, I would not have been able to be as present.

Erin: And I want to acknowledge the loss of Manny's dad. He passed away last month after cancer, and it happened faster than we expected. It was the kids' first close loss, and it was hard.

Erin: We were honest with them. It sucks. It's sad. And then, of course, the kids asked if there would be food at the wake.

Erin: A couple of weeks later, my son ran into a tree during recess while playing football. He had a concussion, a huge bump on his head, light sensitivity, and we ended up going by ambulance. Thankfully, he is okay now.

Erin: The doctor said he needed brain rest, and we were already going to Florida to see my parents. So he ended up recovering at a retirement community, which may be the best possible place for brain rest.

Nicole: I need brain rest. That might be my new favorite phrase.

Erin: The whole experience made me think about how there is never enough time. Never enough time for brain rest, family, friends, or anything. So we have to do our best to actually live in the moment.

When Your Kid Gives You Business Advice

Erin: Last night, my son basically became my 35-year-old therapist. My daughter had a last-minute school event pop up, I was trying to leave for Nashville to speak, and I started feeling overwhelmed.

Erin: I said out loud that I felt anxious. Then I was sitting with my son helping him with homework, and he said, "Mom, it's okay. You just need a reset. Do you have time blocked off for lunch? You need to block off some time."

Erin: Then he started asking how much I charge for coaching and basically told me that taking time for myself was worth it. He said that if I don't do what I teach, it could devalue my brand in the long run.

Nicole: There's a lot to unpack there. It's not just about one basketball game. It's about how you value your time and how you measure productivity.

Nicole: His interpretation of value is actually evolved. He understands that the value of your time to you in the present moment can be greater than the value of giving it away to others.

Your Value Is Not the Crank

Nicole: When people hire you to speak, they are not paying for your minutes. They are paying for your lifetime of knowledge, experience, learning, and perspective.

Nicole: Whether someone hears you for twenty minutes or an hour, they are buying the lifetime packet. They are not paying you to crank a crank for twenty minutes.

Erin: That applies beyond speaking. Especially for women, it can be hard to identify our value, own our value, speak to our value, and hold the floor under our value.

Erin: Early in your career, you are cranking. You are climbing the big hill of the roller coaster. But at some point, often in your mid-to-late thirties or beyond, you have enough experience that the value shifts. You don't have to keep cranking the same way.

Erin: The problem is that many people do not pause to reflect on what made them successful. They say, "I don't know. That's just what I do." But your value is not just the work you produce. It's your perspective, your experience, and your point of view.

Thought Leadership and Knowing What You Stand For

Erin: This is where thought leadership comes in. It doesn't have to be about how you got where you are. It can be your thoughts on leadership, the economy, operations, people, culture, customer service, or any issue you deeply care about.

Erin: The real fun happens when you walk into a meeting knowing that your value is much higher than the hour someone has with you because you have collected, curated, and developed a point of view.

Nicole: There's also something important here about age and experience. Companies talk about diversity, but they often miss age and experience. The energy and ideas of younger workers can be powerful, but they become even stronger when paired with the lived experience of people who have been around longer.

Erin: And someone who is 28 may be better at developing and sharing a point of view than someone who is 56. Age can give you more data points, but you still have to create the space to reflect and curate your perspective.

Erin: When I work with people who want to get promoted, I often ask, "If you were going to give a TEDx talk tomorrow, what would it be about?" It doesn't have to be polished, but if they can't name something they're passionate enough to talk about, we have work to do.

Nicole: That is one of your fill-in-the-blank brilliant moments. If we were giving leaders a test for maturity or readiness, we should ask, "What's your big thing? What's your TEDx talk? What do you stand for?"

Erin: All leaders should ask their people that. And people should ask their leaders, "What do you stand for?"

When It's Time to Find a New Environment

Nicole: People ask all the time, "How do I know when it's time to go?" If you are being a thought leader, bringing ideas, sharing experience, and building something meaningful, but you feel limited or undermined, it may be time to find a new environment.

Nicole: I have seen so many organizations where people got ahead by keeping quiet, following the rules, staying under the radar, and waiting for someone else to get out of the way. That is the norm, and that sucks.

Nicole: There is a better way to be a leader. There is a better way to become a leader. And a lot of it has to do with how we value ourselves.

Erin: It can start small. Your "big thing" does not have to be authenticity in the workplace. It could be your belief in great emails, customer service, or a better way to run meetings.

Erin: The point is that you take time to reflect, curate what you have learned, and share it with others. That is how you build the muscle of thought leadership.

Identity, Work, and Losing the Regular Paycheck

Nicole: One thing that has shown up for me since leaving my high-powered position is that I get defensive when people ask, "What are you doing with your time?" or "What are you doing with yourself?"

Nicole: I don't like how I'm showing up. What I'm realizing is that I have valued myself because I saw myself as successful, independent, financially stable, and someone who made it on my own.

Nicole: My self-worth was tied to being a worker, making a salary, and having my time rewarded by dollars at a regular interval. Without that, there have been moments where I feel stuck and low.

Nicole: When someone asks what I'm doing or how I'm making money, it hurts. Not because they are trying to make me feel bad, but because I am still figuring out what comes next and how to get there.

Nicole: I'm recognizing that one of the things that kept me cranking was a false sense of value. It was like a drug. Now that the drug is gone, I have to replace it with healthier behaviors.

Creating a New Narrative

Erin: I think it matters to have your response ready. Not because other people need to know, but because it can help you feel grounded.

Erin: Most people are not asking to attack you. They are asking because they're curious, and often because they are a little jealous. They may not want to be zookeepers anymore either.

Nicole: Being a zookeeper is probably 1% fun and 99% managing chaos.

Erin: Exactly. So name what you are. Write down twenty words or phrases that describe what you do or what this season is for you. Then start shaping the narrative.

Nicole: My problem is that I have fifty different things materializing, and I want to work on all of them. My brain doesn't want to focus on one thing because they are not instantly tied to productivity or value.

Erin: I want you to list everything and cross out 90% of it. Focus your time, energy, and action around one or two things, not ten.

Nicole: I think I need to actually make decisions. I've spent time figuring out where I want my energy to go, but now I need to decide.

Planning Time So It Feels Valuable

Nicole: I don't want to do the work. I will do the work. The issue is that if I do not pre-plan the time, I don't feel like the time is valuable. Then I get frustrated, angry, and beat myself up.

Nicole: If I say, "Nicole, you're going to spend all day Friday working on this idea," then I can do it. But if I don't give myself permission, I make myself miserable.

Erin: I'm going to be direct. You are going to continue to spin unless you have a coach or support. You have so much value in your writing, performing, consulting, and ideas. I want you to have the support you need to focus and take action.

Nicole: I know you're right. It's just hard because I have been successful for most of my life doing things on my own. But now I am trying to get to a better place, not because I am failing, but because I am ready for a different kind of success.

You Don't Get to the Next Level Alone

Erin: If you want to level up, you need a team. Even your earlier success was not truly on your own. You invested in expensive teams before. They were called Yale and Johns Hopkins.

Nicole: That's true.

Erin: So now the question is, what is the next support system?

Nicole: One thing I'm good at is allowing myself to take on other things when I'm uncomfortable or when something doesn't feel instantly valuable. That may feel productive, but it does not mean it is forward-moving.

Interviewing, Leadership, and Showing Up Consistently

Nicole: I had a job interview yesterday, and they asked me for my definition of leadership. I said leadership depends on the role, but for me it comes down to showing up consistently.

Nicole: I said I have three principles: consistency, transparency, and excellence. I do and say what I mean. I am overly transparent. And I bring my best to every situation.

Nicole: If that is not leadership in every capacity, I don't know what is.

Erin: That's your point of view. You brought your perspective and your thought leadership into the interview.

Nicole: Interviewing is hard. If you haven't interviewed in years, you forget how to do it. Zoom interviews are especially brutal when there are five people moving around on the screen.

Erin: We should do a whole episode on interviewing.

Nicole: Yes. Tips, tricks, and what to watch out for.

Change Comes Eventually

Nicole: I've been listening to Lauryn Hill lately, and there's a line that keeps sticking with me: after winter must come spring, and change comes eventually.

Nicole: I keep hearing that in my head. Hopefully we move through this war, this economic uncertainty, and whatever comes next. Whatever it is, change comes eventually.

Erin: And whatever it is, we'll be here to randomly talk about it.

You hear all the time that you need to stand out. But. Have we ever really talked about what a vulnerable and courageous act that really is?

Well, today's guest, Paulina Tenner, knows a thing or two about standing out authentically and embracing your vulnerability when all eyes are on you.

Unapologetic speaker, serial entrepreneur, startup investor, author and… burlesque dancer? These are just a few titles that Paulina holds.

In this episode, Erin and Paulina discuss Paulina's "weird, edgy hobby" and how it transformed her life in more ways than one. You'll also hear Paulina chat about how finding courage and settling into vulnerability can lead to unforeseen and exciting opportunities.

Paulina just gets what it means to be authentic. And we have a feeling you'll love her as much as we do. Ready to get started?

https://www.paulinatenner.com/

When Self-Set Pay Does More Harm than Good in Your Company

https://www.paulinatenner.com/book

Watch Paulina's Tedx Talk

Connect with Paulina on Instagram

Connect with Paulina on Twitter

Connect with Paulina 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 want to claim all that I am and just be proud of it."

• "To reveal a part of yourself, and to do it with confidence and do it with vulnerability at the same time, I think the world really responds to that."

• "The more you can differentiate yourself, stand above the rest and be memorable, the better you will do."

• "Standing out is a vulnerable act and an authentic act, because if you stand out, if you're going to be seen, you're going to be seen not just in your power, but most likely in your weaknesses."

• "Allow the moment to manage you. Just sit back and literally allow and tune into what is going on energetically."

• "I think it's our responsibility as leaders to create workplaces where people feel safe enough to bring more of themselves into the work environment."

• "Life has answers to everything if we're really prepared to listen."

• "Find another weird edgy hobby."

How's that to-do list of yours? Ever growing? Can't seem to catch up? Maybe the thought of sliding it into the trash even crossed your mind a time or two?

Us too.

Well, what if you could make your to-do list a little less daunting, a little more motivating and hell, maybe even a little more enjoyable?

In this episode, Erin and Nicole chat about fun strategies to get sh*t done that you simply don't want to do. So, if your task list is giving you the blues, tune in to this episode to see if any of these strategies light a spark under your…well, you know.

Jon Acuff: Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done

Episode 123: Game-changing Advice to Make You Fearless at Work with Molly Fletcher

The Energy Clock: 3 Simple Steps to Create a Life Full of ENERGY ― and Live Your Best Every Day

You Do You(ish): Unleash Your Authentic Superpowers to Get the Career You Deserve

It's Been a Minute with Sam Sanders: Questlove's 'Summer of Soul' brings lost music back to life

">Check out 'Summer of Soul' on Hulu!

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

• "Relocate. Find another place and just observe how your brain completely changes."

• "The way I use timeboxing is that I'm competitive and I'm gaming. In my head, I start to think I'm going to try to beat that so I can move on to the reward."

• "Be careful with your language. Be careful what you say to yourself. Only use these tools for very specific two-minute tasks or tasks that can be completed."

• "Don't put things in timeboxes that can't be timeboxed."

• "What motivates you? What demotivates you? What makes you tick? Then use that to your advantage."

• "You can stop being masochistic. You can start. Doing more things, but in a way that feels more authentic, natural and a hell of a lot more fun."

Often we have this perception of "woman at the top." They don't have kids. Or if they do, they must be willing to sacrifice so much of it for their career.

What if that wasn't how it had to be? Well, it's certainly not the case for Jean LaTorre. Jean talks about her rise from a family that had trouble making ends meet to becoming the Chief Investment Officer for a Fortune 50 company. And how she did that while remaining true to herself and her family.

Erin Hatzikostas interviews Jean LaTorre, former Chief Investment Officer and Corporate Economist of Aetna and the current Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of Guardian.

Erin asks Jean how she started her career, and what she was like when she was younger. Jean talks about how she grew up "more than modest" in New York, sometimes struggling for rent or surviving on food stamps. After a poignant moment when her mom wasn't able to pay for Jean's health care incident, Jean decided she would make sure she could always "make ends meet."

She went to college and although English was her passion, she coupled that degree with a major in business. It was "practical", she says. She then started her career in the investment world and continually worked her way up the corporate ladder, progressing from one strong position to another.

Erin reflects on a time Jean inspired her with a speech at a women's conference, with words that have stuck with Erin to this day, "I like being a girl."

Erin asks Jean to discuss tough managers and colleagues, and share some advice on how to deal with the more difficult of your work acquaintances.

Have you ever been passed by for an opportunity because your boss thinks you would be too stressed to handle the kids and the work? Or maybe you were in a car accident and your bosses only reply is "get here and get your head in the game".

Well, that happened to Jean. So yeah, she has a few tips and tricks on how to handle it.

Next, Erin asks Jean to give some advice for the working moms out there - what kind of boundaries to put up between work and home. Jean says, "Stop beating yourself up, there's no one right way to do something."

They move on to discuss what drives Jean to work with different organizations, such as PRIDE, the LGBTQ+ Community at Guardian.

She reminisces on when she became Chief Investment Officer... in January 2008, so, that was a hard year. Then she gives her take on the current economic and social situation.

Erin talks about writing her book, and how to get around telling truthful stories without hurting the people involved. This opens an opportunity for Jean and Erin to share funny stories they've both experienced as it relates to the workplace that they think would go well in a book.

Connect with Jean 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 had this fear. I had to always make ends meet."

• "You have to leave your comfort zone. You could stay in your comfort one, but then you won't expand."

• "No matter where I was, I thought I was at the top of my game."

• "I really like being a girl."

• "In family responsibility, more than 50% lies with the woman."

• "Don't assume."

• "When I'm at work I need to be present at work, and when I'm at home, I need to be present at home."

• "Stop beating yourself up."

• "When I'm gone someday and my children talk about me, I want them to say 'my mother loved me.'"

• "An important part of being involved in communities you're not a part of is that you can serve as an ally."

• "What breaks my heart is the story of a child that doesn't feel loved."

• "Is she the pretty one or the smart one? I still don't know which one I was to this day."

In a world where we are told to go-go-go, have you ever just thought, "Ehhh, no"?

You often hear the words, 'productivity', 'hustle', and 'success' in relation to work, but one thing you hear less of is 'space', 'succumb' or…'going limp'. (More on 'going limp' later. Promise we won't leave you hangin' on this one.)

In today's episode, Nicole discusses the societal pressure to be employed and how that's impacting her during her transition. And Erin shares with her some "award-winning" advice to help her navigate through this time without losing her mind.

Somehow, they also manage to work in stories about waterslide catastrophes and in Nicole's words, "middle-aged indignities."

Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done by Jon Acuff

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 have all this jaw pain to the point that I can't even chew. Which sucks for me, because I really love food."

• "He said, 'You need a mouth guard.' I'm like, 'Holy shit. Let me add that to the list of middle-aged indignities.'"

• "This transition has me thinking, 'How do I prioritize? How do I focus on the stuff that feels most valuable? How do I let go of things that I don't know that serve me? How do I sort of not be perfect?'"

• "So often when we talk about slowing down, we think of it in the traditional sense of 'I have to get a massage, or I have to meditate.' No, it's literally, sometimes you just have to succumb to the situation."

• "You need time and space to pause and curate the advice people give you. Then, after you sit with that, mix and match the puzzle pieces."

• "Give yourself space to be messy and curate and marinate."