b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck

We all know what it is. That thing that we say, "If I ever win the lotto, I'll do (it) for a living." But what if your dream career, or even your hobby, can not only be the thing you do for your "real" career, but something you could use to make people laugh, impact lives, and leave a legacy?

That's exactly what Heather Tolley-Bauer did. After relocating for her husband's career, she decided to try some new things. Her first new thing she turned into her career. Now she's a Momedian, helping women and couples laugh more, stress less, and so much more.

Erin kicks off asking about "First Half Heather" - what was Heather's story for the first part of her life? She gives us the crash course: married, un-married, worked in corporate, got re-married, built a career in public relations and communications at a large bank, then she moved south with her husband, became a stay-at-home mom (or as she jokes, a stay-at-home alcoholic). But she wasn't happy about her new stay-at-home status, so took the next logical step: comedy.

Heather tells of her first step into the world of comedy, and how she went from there to running her own comedy production company, Hyphen Up. She talks about te difficulties of getting started in comedy, how it's a young person's game, and mostly a young MANS game. But, as a savvy businesswoman, Heather created a show to hook her audience, and now it's a sell-out show.

A year into her newfound comedy glory, Heather was diagnosed with cancer. So, after the diagnosis, she really considered what she wanted her legacy to be, and she decided it involved comedy.

Erin then asks Heather to discuss what it's like to raise awareness for cancer, what messages she wants to bring through her comedy, and her experience interacting and building relationships with audiences.

They talk about empowering women through comedy; helping mothers realize they are better moms than they think, helping women to feel validated, and how it's fine for women to say no.

Next, we find out why Heather has a vendetta against Influencers. They discuss the power of social media, and therefore the dangers, but also the possibilities, especially when you navigate it in an authentic way.

Website: hyphenup.com IG: @hyphen_up LinkedIn: HeatherTollyBauer

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: https://www.linkedin.com/nicolelicatagrant/

Follow Erin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/erin-hatzikostas/

Check out the b BRILLIANT career coaching program @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/group-coaching

b Cause Podcast Facebook group @ www.facebook.com/groups/bCAUSEPodcast

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 https://www.bauthenticinc.com/youdoyouish

Take our simple, fun and insightful "What Kind of Dog Are You At Work?" by going to https://www.bauthenticinc.com/dog-quiz

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 @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/

Check out our blog for more of our no-BS career advice @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/our-2-cents

We have fun and inspiring t-shirts @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/b-you-shop

DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsustainable for younger audiences.

Tweetable Comments:

"You sound so serious...that won't last long."

"For the first time in my life I was a stay-at-home mom, and I was really pissed off about it."

"I want people to embrace the part of their lives that makes up their story."

"I can't play the young person game, I'm not a young person. But what I am is a really savvy businesswoman."

"I was diagnosed with stage one colon cancer and that changed the trajectory of my entire life."

"I was a total MILF. You know, a mommy interested in living past fifty."

"I can love out of the spotlight and be fine; it's not my oxygen."

"I understand what my purpose is, and it's not a Netflix special. It's making as many moms and women and couples laugh as I possibly can."

"I am the first to admit I am not for everyone...and I don't lose any sleep over that."

It can feel so damn good to have the right answer or best idea in a meeting, eh? Bu t what if we told you, knowing stuff doesn't give you the most power?

The most powerful person in the room is actually the person that asks the most powerful questions. In this episode, we talk about what impact asking a powerful question can have. Plus we give you three simple hacks to turn a poopy question into a powerful one.

Erin's birthday was last week, so along with some other friends, her and Nicole had a last-minute rendezvous, which just so happened to align with national Pina Cola day.

Nicole has a birthday quiz for Erin, and it's NOT about guys she dated in her 20's...or Patrick Swayze...though he manages to steal the show for a little while.

They recap and discuss Nicole's solo episode from last week, with some reflection and insights into interviewing and recording yourself.

On the subject of solo Nicole, she tells the story of her recent trip to a Lorean Spa and being "Scrubbed down by a really strong Korean Lady." "Is that an activity you do with friends?", they ask.

Moving on to the topic of the week, Erin has three ways to turn a regular question into a power question.

1. Turn a "why" or "how" question into a "what" question. 2. Add in numbers: don't ask open ended questions, put actual numbers in. 3. Ask a "fill in the ___ (blank)" question.

They discuss the power in these questions, what separates them from standard ways of questioning and the reasons why they are so impactful.

Nicole also brings up, what environments do we need to create where people will feel comfortable enough to ask these types of questions. Erin points out that asking these questions in an interview can be a great way to flush that out, right from the start.

They end with Erin asking Nicole potentially one of the most powerful questions she may ever have to answer. "What's the one Italian pastry that if you eat it, it will change your life forever?" Listen to find out her answer!

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: https://www.linkedin.com/nicolelicatagrant/

Follow Erin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/erin-hatzikostas/

Check out the b BRILLIANT career coaching program @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/group-coaching

b Cause Podcast Facebook group @ www.facebook.com/groups/bCAUSEPodcast

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 https://www.bauthenticinc.com/youdoyouish

Take our simple, fun and insightful "What Kind of Dog Are You At Work?" by going to https://www.bauthenticinc.com/dog-quiz

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 @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/

Check out our blog for more of our no-BS career advice @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/our-2-cents

We have fun and inspiring t-shirts @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/b-you-shop

DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsustainable for younger audiences.

Tweetable Comments:

"I ate my face off with the snacks. I ate all the snacks."

"I look like I ate everyone's children."

"I promise you now, a Patrick Swayze appreciation episode."

"Sociopaths get shit done."

"This is why I wear black all the time, and I haven't changed my hair in 20 years."

"It was like a nail salon with industrial prison showers out back."

"The primary purpose isn't to get the answer, it's to get the connection."

"Almost any questions you ask, if you add in some sort of limiter, scale, or numbers, it will exponentially increase the value of that conversation."

"A great question inspires a discussion all on it's own."

"You don't get good questions without a good environment in which to ask them."

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: https://www.linkedin.com/nicolelicatagrant/

Follow Erin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/erin-hatzikostas/

Check out the b BRILLIANT career coaching program @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/group-coaching

b Cause Podcast Facebook group @ www.facebook.com/groups/bCAUSEPodcast

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 https://www.bauthenticinc.com/youdoyouish

Take our simple, fun and insightful "What Kind of Dog Are You At Work?" by going to https://www.bauthenticinc.com/dog-quiz

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 @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/

Check out our blog for more of our no-BS career advice @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/our-2-cents

We have fun and inspiring t-shirts @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/b-you-shop

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."

"You should make an audiobook." Something Erin's heard over and over. And while she completely agrees, she's been a bit paralyzed, not knowing if she should read it or she should hire a trained professional.

So, instead of waiting for perfection, Erin and Nicole decide it'd be a good idea to simply start here. To have Erin read a few chapters of the book. For those of you who haven't read it yet, it'll give you a great opportunity to try it on for size. And for everyone, we'd love your feedback. Should Erin record it herself, or should she hire someone else to read it? (only authentic feedback welcome though!)

We truly hope you'll find a connection for you while listening to the first two chapters. everyone involved here at b Autetic Inc honestly believes this book can help so many people in so many different ways.

Here are just a few of the reader reviews:

"I hate self-help books. The fact that I cracked open your book and am already on Part 2, and only stopped to pee, shows that this is THE book for people that hate self-help books."

"Hook, line and sinker...I am loving it so far. Laughing a lot. Feeling all the feels...This is brilliant!!!!"

"I'm not bullshitting you. I loved every page. I probably should've told you ahead of time that I've hated almost every book I've picked up in the last few years because it's the same shit. Executive presence (barf) nonsense that makes everyone think they have to fit a mold. I can't wait to use the book in some of my mentoring. I know you'll have incredible success with this. I needed You Do You(ish) more than I knew.

"I honestly felt like you were in my living room coaching as I read it the whole time!"

"Wow! I started reading it right away on Monday night until I couldn't keep my eyelids open anymore. I gobbled up the rest of the book and scribbled notes along the way! Chapter 26 had me in tears."

Buckle up, get ready to throw out tradition and do things your own way too!

To order You Do You(ish), simply go to Amazon and type it in.

To give feedback on this episode or on anything else, please join our b Cause podcast Facebook group or send an email to [email protected]

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: https://www.linkedin.com/nicolelicatagrant/

Follow Erin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/erin-hatzikostas/

Check out the b BRILLIANT career coaching program @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/group-coaching

b Cause Podcast Facebook group @ www.facebook.com/groups/bCAUSEPodcast

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 https://www.bauthenticinc.com/youdoyouish

Take our simple, fun and insightful "What Kind of Dog Are You At Work?" by going to https://www.bauthenticinc.com/dog-quiz

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 @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/

Check out our blog for more of our no-BS career advice @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/our-2-cents

We have fun and inspiring t-shirts @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/b-you-shop

DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsustainable for younger audiences.

Tweetable Comments:

"Being and doing authenticity in the workplace isn't about you, it's about the connection with others."

"Don't hate, recreate."

"Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius, and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring." - Marilyn Monroe

"I consider myself an Instant Gratification Whore."

"Yeah, no shit there's a problem, how do I actually fix it?"

"I hate books. And if there's one thing I hate more than books, it's a hypocrite. And yet, here I am."

"Do it your own way."

"A person can re-write the rules."

"You are a badass."

"Chasing rewards left you feeling like you were running on a treadmill."

"Getting over that wall in order to go for the big jobs would mean having to compromise something even bigger, your soul."

You can have a better overall life while simultaneously crushing your career."

"I don't believe in changing people. I believe in changing people's addictions."

"Get ready to get addicted to authenticity."

Hybrid, Hybrid, Hybrid! That's one of the hot new business buzzwords these days. But, what if that is just the book dust cover to what our new world may look like?

This week, Erin and Nicole dive into a new study by Microsoft that lifts that dust cover (or, more like the plastic sofa cover your Aunt Rita has had on her couch for 30 years) on what employees are really thinking and talk about more than a world where you have to empty out Jose's two-day-old Hot Pocket wrapper from your shared garbage.

Nicole and Erin leave you with lots to think about, including some inspiration as you think about your own "hybrid" - your afternoon of life.

Erin tells Nicole about her preparation for two big virtual talks she is giving and how ll-consuming they can be - physically and mentally - especially for a non-binary thinker like Erin, whose brain is constantly shooting off new ideas.

Erin's WTF of the week involves a story of the technical difficulties of one of those virtual talks. With the streaming service broken, Erin ended up thinking she was giving a recorded talk instead of a live talk. But at the end she realized people jumped on Webex midway through.

Minor disruption from a dirtbike outside Nicole's house tees her up for a funny story of someone who she saw plow headfirst into a traffic sign while on their moped. Then she moves on to discuss her authentic so hard of the week - when she was asked to introduce a hair show at the local arts festival. What's a hair show? Well, you'll have to listen for all the details on that, but the real story is about the troubles Nicole aced that day. As a show that was created from the traditions of black communities in America, a show commencing on Jubilee day, you can imagine some people took issue with Nicole being the host. Well, Nicole fully understands, appreciates, and accepts that...but no one told her that beforehand.

So, after days of preparing a speech that could hold up under these circumstances. Nicole threw out the speech on the walk to the stage, and instead told a funny hair story of her own, to bring everyone together with humor. And it worked. The authentic approach she took in the moment, with no preparation, could not have been a better idea.

Nicole also has a WTF of the week when she was asked to attend a planning meeting call for a pre-meeting. Yes, you read that right. A planning call, for a pre-meeting. Oh, and it was on Father's Day (a Sunday of course).

This leads into a quick discussion regarding worker satisfaction, and how it's estimated that 41% of the global workforce are considering leaving their employer this year. This comes frm the recent Microsoft Work Trend Index. This 2021 report has seven key findings.

1. Flexible work is here to stay. 2. Leaders are out of touch with employees and need a wake-up call. 3. High productivity is masking an exhausted workforce. 4. Gen Z is at risk and will need to be re-energized. 5. Shrinking networks are endangering innovation. 6. Authenticity will spur productivity and wellbeing (This one won't be a surprise for our listeners!) 7. Talent is everywhere in a hybrid working world.

Erin and Nicole then talk through each of these points, interpreting them, challenging them, developing them, giving a detailed discussion on the future of the working world, the people at the heart of it, and the steps we all need to take to ensure the future is brighter and better than the past.

Finally, they leave you with this quote by Carl Young. "Thoroughly unprepared, we take the step into the afternoon of life. Worse still, we take this step with the false presupposition that our truths and our ideals will serve us as hitherto. But we cannot live the afternoon of life according to the program of life's morning, for what was great in the morning will be little at evening and what in the morning was true, at evening will have become a lie."

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: https://www.linkedin.com/nicolelicatagrant/

Follow Erin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/erin-hatzikostas/

Check out the b BRILLIANT career coaching program @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/group-coaching

b Cause Podcast Facebook group @ www.facebook.com/groups/bCAUSEPodcast

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 https://www.bauthenticinc.com/youdoyouish

Take our simple, fun and insightful "What Kind of Dog Are You At Work?" by going to https://www.bauthenticinc.com/dog-quiz

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 @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/

Check out our blog for more of our no-BS career advice @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/our-2-cents

We have fun and inspiring t-shirts @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/b-you-shop

DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsustainable for younger audiences.

Tweetable Comments:

"I am delicious and delightful."

"Something must have been in retrograde because I felt like breaking things all day."

"Of course, it's not their fault. It's somebody else's fault. Everyone at a big company owns just one fingernail of responsability."

"As I walked up to the stage, I threw my speech out and instead told an authentic story. And it worked."

"I had a planning call for a pre-meeting..."

"Over 40% of the global workforce are considering leaving their employer this year."

"Look, I was also really busy shoving a baked potato in my face rather than reading the article."

"The difference between Nicole and I: she's like 'I only skimmed it', and I'm like, 'That's all I ever do."

"We might be facing the same shitstorm, but if you're in a yacht, and I'm facing a tsunami in a canoe, it feels a little f***ing different."

"How much structural change can you actually embrace to try and overcome some of this stuff."

"When the pandemic hit, internal teams collaborated more, but external teams collaborated less."

"Authenticity will spur productivity and wellbeing."

"Be authentic, do that. But are you also encouraging a culture of authenticity?"

"If you're in the wrong neighborhood, get out. But don't wait for the perfect house because you won't find it. Renovate your house with your own authenticity."

What if you could stop leaning into your career, and instead could have the confidence to go all-in?

This week Erin talks with Erin Lydon, Managing Director for Poker Powher, a company that teaches women how to play Texas Hold'em and then helps them translate their newfound poker skills to compete and succeed in business, finance, and so much more.

Erin Haztikostas starts off by asking how Erin Lydon's career started. While in Business School at Northwestern, she realized that the guys were taking big-paying finance jobs on Wallstreet, so she decided that was the place to be.

She then decided to leave the workforce to raise her two daughters, after struggling (understandably) to work in such a busy environment and do that plus be a good wife and mother well. After a pause to raise her kids, Erin L. went back to work, first as a board member for a few companies. She later joined Evil Geniuses as their strategic advisor. Then, mere weeks before we were all hit by Covid, she took on the role as General Manager at Poker Powher.

Erin H. asks how Erin L. was able to take a break from such an intense career and workforce, for such a long period of time, and then walk back into a job many people struggle to get who have never taken time out of work. Erin L. talks through the power and importance of maintaining your networks and connections, even (especially) when you're not looking for a job.

Erin L. explains how she started working at Poker Powher and how the emergence of Covid could have very easily put an end to the business. However, they found a way to pivot to a virtual model.

They discuss how learning poker, and practicing the game, can teach women so many skills they need to succeed at work.

Erin H. asks what our listeners can do on their own to start to experiment, and what programs Poker Powher has for newcomers, especially individuals who might not consider going to something like this.

She follows this up by asking. "What's the biggest, strategic thing you have done as a strategic poker player, that has helped her career?" Erin L. talks about how her newfound understanding of the power of observation helps her pause and gather more information at work, helping her have more successful interactions and results in all that she does.

Learn more at pokerpower.com

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: https://www.linkedin.com/nicolelicatagrant/

Follow Erin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/erin-hatzikostas/

Check out the b BRILLIANT career coaching program @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/group-coaching

b Cause Podcast Facebook group @ www.facebook.com/groups/bCAUSEPodcast

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 https://www.bauthenticinc.com/youdoyouish

Take our simple, fun and insightful "What Kind of Dog Are You At Work?" by going to https://www.bauthenticinc.com/dog-quiz

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 @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/

Check out our blog for more of our no-BS career advice @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/our-2-cents

We have fun and inspiring t-shirts @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/b-you-shop

DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsustainable for younger audiences.

Tweetable Comments:

"I worked on Wallstreet when pay was secret and pregnancy was hidden. That's not ok. Not 20 years ago and definitely not today."

"I have continued and maintained relationships, and that's how doors were opened for me at Evil Geniuses."

"I'm always selling. Even when I'm not selling...I'm always selling."

"I wasn't still networking because I wanted to. I was doing it because I was sat at home bored with toddlers and what else was I going to do?."

"When she first told me about Poker Powher, I said 'that's a terrible idea.'"

"We do teach you how to bluff, but we also teach strategic thinking, quick decision making, computation, and risk assessment."

"It's so exciting to see this transformation of 'I didn't know anything, and a year later I'm teaching this game to other women."

"There are very few women who allocate capital and who are making decisions around capital."

"They're going after positions that maybe they don't have the qualifications for, but suddenly they have the courage."

"In poker, aggression is a positive word. It's being assertive at the table."

"Hi, I'm Sally and I've spent 27 years working in the healthcare space. I've held several leadership roles including in project management, product development, and strategy, I'm now the head of blah, blah, blah."

Ugh, so many times we waste the most incredible opportunity to make a great first connection. If instead you use the power and principles of strategic authenticity, you can turn that snoozer of an intro into a doozer of a connection. And that's what we'll help you do in this week's b Cause podcast episode.

Erin and Nicole kick things off with a quick story from Erin's most recent workshop and a song that a participant recommends that fits perfectly with the company's A-HOLE Manifesto (Authentic Humans Overhauling Lousy Energy). We also find out that Nicole is a total metal-head!

They then discuss the world starting to re-open, with Erin being able to take her son to a hockey game and actually enter the rink to watch.

Nicole asks Erin about her recent TV/Video productions trip. She gives the behind-the-scenes on her shoot for a new speaking reel she's putting together.

Moving on to the WTF moments of the week, Nicole starts off with a story about her quest to find the perfect bra. Biggest Lesson? Don't buy a bra from an Instagram ad!

Nicole has also got into the habit of buying herself a present every time she spends a day at work without having a freak-out. She shares a story about the savvy marketer at Dunkin Donuts who may know about this new indulgence and successfully pitched her a box of "stale-ass" munchies at 5:30 in the afternoon.

Erin has her own donut story too, where she learned the power of the term, YOLO.

You know all those times you have to introduce yourself, often giving a mundane summary of your resume while everyone else zones out and/or doesn't listen as they think about what they're going to say? Instead, Erin teaches you to seize the opportunity to immediately connect by compiling a humility moment and a big brag, all rolled up in a fun and intriguing story.

She discusses the differences between an un-intriguing and an intriguing introduction, and how making this small change can make a huge impact. Erin then walks Nicole through the process (so get your pens out and follow along!)

Erin explains the importance and power of all three components, and how storytelling shouldn't be seen as time-consuming or selfish. Instead, the listener will jump right in and make their own story right alongside you.

After Erin's feedback on Nicole's first try, Nicole then tells the story again, and, well, when you hear it you'll understand how impactful the Intriguing Intro can be. Now go find and tell yours!

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: https://www.linkedin.com/nicolelicatagrant/

Follow Erin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/erin-hatzikostas/

Check out the b BRILLIANT career coaching program @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/group-coaching

b Cause Podcast Facebook group @ www.facebook.com/groups/bCAUSEPodcast

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 https://www.bauthenticinc.com/youdoyouish

Take our simple, fun and insightful "What Kind of Dog Are You At Work?" by going to https://www.bauthenticinc.com/dog-quiz

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 @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/

Check out our blog for more of our no-BS career advice @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/our-2-cents

We have fun and inspiring t-shirts @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/b-you-shop

DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsustainable for younger audiences.

Tweetable Comments:

"That's your summer PSA everybody. As you get back out into the world, get dish soap."

"I'm buying this bra. In fact, I'm so "in", I'm buying two."

"If I don't have a work freak-out one day, I'm buying two."

"she sold her stale-ass 5:30pm Munchkins to me, no problem."

"You're the second middle-aged person who has told me about discovering the world YOLO."

"We become a summary of our resume. Instead, we need an intriguing intro."

"One of the biggest misconceptions about storytelling in the workplace is that people will get annoyed that you're taking up too much time."

"I love helping people get to a place where they have better problems than they had yesterday."

"This is the time to reframe yourself."

"I have some good news to end the podcast with...the replacements bras have shipped."

This week we're re-playing a favorite episode of ours, What To Do When Your Boss is a Bully.

Erin Hatzikostas and Nicole Licata Grant sit down for another "How Was Your Week?" episode, and this time, they're actually in the same room!

They talk about everything from Erin's new fascination with Dr. Scholl's shoes - they're stylish, they're affordable, they're damn good for your feet - to tackling obstacles by breaking them into manageable milestones. Erin and Nicole catch up in person with laughter, good food, and good advice.

They discuss the problems and suggest solutions to 'Boss Bullying'. What is it? How to identify it. How to deal with it, and approach it from an appropriate place. They both share stories of their own, and others, of times they have had to deal with bullying behavior in the workplace, and this conversation could help many out there facing the same issues.

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: https://www.linkedin.com/nicolelicatagrant/

Follow Erin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/erin-hatzikostas/

Check out the b BRILLIANT career coaching program @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/group-coaching

b Cause Podcast Facebook group @ www.facebook.com/groups/bCAUSEPodcast

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 https://www.bauthenticinc.com/youdoyouish

Take our simple, fun and insightful "What Kind of Dog Are You At Work?" by going to https://www.bauthenticinc.com/dog-quiz

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 @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/

Check out our blog for more of our no-BS career advice @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/our-2-cents

We have fun and inspiring t-shirts @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/b-you-shop

DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsustainable for younger audiences.

Tweetable Comments:

"It's like voyeurism. It's a form of Suburbian Pornography." Nicole regarding Reality TV/Podcasts.

"You're the Urban in my Suburban."

"They're shoes made of sustainable materials...now we just have to ask about their policy on child labor, but other than that..."

"Am I neuro-typical?...I've gotta make sure you're not making shit up ith those big words you use."

"The point is not to lose weight. The point is to be more self-loving. Because I'm shitty at that."

"We have to take obstacles and break them in to much smaller milestones."

"I have this defiant part of my brain that always says, 'you're not gonna tell me what to do' even if it's me telling it what to do - my inner two-year-old."

"In this world of collaboration and open management, even people at your own level, people with any amount of control - there is varying levels of bullying that goes on."

"You have to stick up for yourself. And you have to go right back at them in a way that is appropriate and authentic for you."

"Once you start feeling uncomfortable, once your gut says that it's inappropriate, the first thing you do is start documenting."

"If you can take a deep breath, if you can take a moment, you can then acknowledge it and deal with it."

"The one thing that always sticks with me is how insecure bullies are."

"HR is not there specifically to help employees. They are there to protect the company."

"The Godfather is the best management guide you've ever seen. And nobody likes a rat. So you have to be careful about how you go about sharing your story."

"You have to create your own tribe to help you survive."

"We all have the ability and responsibility to recognize and make change in our own lives."

"Your best defense mechanism is to be f*cking excellent."

"You have to wear your insecurities on the outside. Their own insecurities drive them. Because they pray on yours. There's no fuel. They're going to implode or moce onto somebody else."

"The universe listens to the brave."

Fake it 'till you make it. You've heard that one a few, three...thousand times, eh? Well, what if that was the worst advice you could ever hear?

Instead, Leslie Ehm wants you to focus on bringing your "swagger". And no, swagger isn't what you think it is (it actually looks and smells a lot like authenticity). Listen in to this high0energy and hilarious interview with the queen of swagger, and how you can practice getting your swagger on, so you can be everything you are and get everything you want.

This week Erin sits down with former TV host and advertising Creative Director turned training guru, Leslie Ehm. She's a sagger coach, training guru, speaker, and now the best-selling author of "swagger: Unleash Everything You Are and Become Everything You Want."

Erin kicks off by asking Leslie about herself pre-Swagger, especially when she worked on TV.

Leslie grew up in Montreal but moved to London where she lived for 17 years. She discusses her start as a singer in a band and then landing a TV hosting gig. But, she quickly realized they wanted her to be a female Jerry Springer and she wanted to be a white Oprah.

Erin asks if there was a certain moment when Leslie realized what she wanted to do, when she realized the power of her own "swagger".

Leslie talks about working with someone who she clashed heads with a few times, because she has been putting on a persona at work. Then Leslie worked with her to just be herself, and she has since become the youngest VP of the company.

Erin asks Leslie what the biggest clockers are that she has seen while coaching clients. Leslie says, although it's different for everyone, fear and insecurity are the most common (or the most easily identifiable).

Erin follows this by asking Leslie, "How does radical change happen?" Leslie discusses the entrenched cultures in corporate workspaces, how people as individuals are now more capable (and ready to try) to change up those cultures to something more authentic.

Erin asks Leslie her thoughts on "fake it till you make it"...she does not like it at all. Leslie says that true confidence only comes as a result of competence, a strong skillset can carry you through, whereas setting yourself up to "fake it till you make it", will only limit your own abilities.

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: https://www.linkedin.com/nicolelicatagrant/

Follow Erin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/erin-hatzikostas/

Check out the b BRILLIANT career coaching program @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/group-coaching

b Cause Podcast Facebook group @ www.facebook.com/groups/bCAUSEPodcast

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 https://www.bauthenticinc.com/youdoyouish

Take our simple, fun and insightful "What Kind of Dog Are You At Work?" by going to https://www.bauthenticinc.com/dog-quiz

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 @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/

Check out our blog for more of our no-BS career advice @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/our-2-cents

We have fun and inspiring t-shirts @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/b-you-shop

DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsustainable for younger audiences.

Tweetable Comments:

"I'm so good at f***ing up, that I can do it when I'm talking about how I f***ed up."

"Someone gets to do that cool thing so why not you?"

"People at their very core just do not believe they could be who they really were and still achieve success."

"She has been her badass, authentic, real, unleashed self. As a result, she is unstoppable, unshakeable, unquakeable."

"I want to get to a place where I can speak my truth and believe myself."

"Pain is memory."

"We are all human, we are all a mess, and we all struggle."

"Do you want to be seen and valued, or be in a prison of your own design."

"It's not a platform problem, it's not an A.I problem. It's a people problem."

"When you pay people a lot of money for a long time, they lose touch with reality."

"Never 'fake it till you make it', because confidence can only come from competence."

"What we need is self-belief, confidence is overrated."

"If you spend all your time looking up, then you're not looking in."

You know the call...it goes something like this, "Hey Max, I'm calling to give you the heads up that they're doing a reorg, and you'll now be reporting to Jocelyn." Immediately you think, 'I don't have the energy to impress yet another new boss. I just really got into a groove with my current boss!'

Well, the good news is that there is a better way to approach your "new boss" situations. In this episode, Erin and Nicole discuss a fresh (and more authentic) way to tackle your infinity boss situation. Hint: the key is in the questions, not the answers.

Erin and Nicole kick off another authentic catch-up discussing their favorite summer wine - Vinho Verde. With things slowly beginning to open up again, they also discuss their feelings about going back out into the world. They decide that it should be a "rager" of a summer (however you define "rager") and also declare it the year of no shoulds.

Erin then announces that they're creating the first-ever National Authenticity Day, which will be held annually on August 16th.

They move on to their WTFs of the week.

Nicole refinances her house, which can be a stressful time, but after seeing the five digits when out in front of her she...well shall we ay she was extremely proud of herself and may have slightly lost control of her bodily functions.

Erin has a story about an old boss, who she had for only three weeks and she was convinced was firing her one day.

This leads into a discussion on bosses, how to approach them, including how to mentally prepare yourself for organizational change at work.

Erin coaches Nicole, and the listeners, that it's all about asking powerful questions and connecting.

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: https://www.linkedin.com/nicolelicatagrant/

Follow Erin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/erin-hatzikostas/

Check out the b BRILLIANT career coaching program @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/group-coaching

b Cause Podcast Facebook group @ www.facebook.com/groups/bCAUSEPodcast

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 https://www.bauthenticinc.com/youdoyouish

Take our simple, fun and insightful "What Kind of Dog Are You At Work?" by going to https://www.bauthenticinc.com/dog-quiz

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 @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/

Check out our blog for more of our no-BS career advice @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/our-2-cents

We have fun and inspiring t-shirts @ https://www.bauthenticinc.com/b-you-shop

DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsustainable for younger audiences.

Tweetable Comments:

"I'm socially conscious, but also fashionable and ready for anything - that's sort of my party mantra."

"It's not the year of yes it's the year of no-shoulds."

"Obviously, Authenticity Day will be me, behind the snack-shack at your place, making snow cones."

"There's only one rule for National Authenticity Day; there are no rules."

"Unfortunately, this revolving door of bosses is not uncommon."

"Authenticity isn't about you. It's about creating connections and trust exponentially faster than going through the motions."

"When people care about what you think, there's not much people love more than that."

Don't come at it as if you're a risk, come at it like you're a reward."

"Don't beat around the bush."

"In an interview, it's not about answering questions, it's about HOW you answer them."