b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck

Isn't it funny how we're so good at delivering on everyone else's expectations, but yet we rarely set our own expectations? In this crazy do-everything-culture, it's more important than ever to schedule ourselves too (first?)!

If you're ready to take a layover off the crazy train but don't know where to start, listen in to this week's episode as Erin talks to Tameika Isaac Devine, a lawyer, public servant, and work-life integration strategist.

Tameika knew she wanted to be a lawyer since she was six, so after graduating she started law school and became a prosecutor for sexual and domestic violence.

She ran for a seat on her City Council, and after winning the seat in 2002 she became the first African American ever elected, the first African American female elected, and the youngest person elected. And now she is running for Mayor, and if she wins will be the first female Mayor.

Erin asks Tameika how she went from her idea to taking action, and what mindset she was in to be able to take that step.

Tameika was prosecuting sexual and domestic violence cases, and they had a very antiquated system. She saw how the system kept letting women and families down. She was raised to not complain without offering a solution, and to get up and run for City Council, and be the person making the changes.

Tameika was told that she would be unable to continue working as a prosecutor while she ran for office, so she had to rethink her next career move. The universe had a plan though, as two people she knew from Law School had decided to start their own firm. They asked Tameika to join them.

Being an inspirational trailblazer, she was invited to panels to give talks and lead workshops, often discussing how she was able to maintain such a good work-life balance. Her answer? She came to the realization that "work-life balance" doesn't exist.

So, she started wondering, how can she share those insights with other people? Which is when she started her business, Possibilities Institute.

Erin asks Tameika what her biggest tip for work-life integration is, and one that people won't have heard before. She says to recognize that every person is different, so what works for someone else, might not work for you.

She also says not to lean into expectations. If you have to go to your kids play and also go to a meeting for work, be honest with yourself, think about what you can actually get done, then be honest with everyone else to create realistic expectations.

Erin then asks what advice Tameika has for those people who are managing their work and personal lives, and finding time to fit everything in, but it's completely draining them, leaving them fatigued by the end of the week. Tameika says they might be missing personal time that's just for them, so make sure to schedule that in. Whether you're the sort of person to write "bubble bath and wine" on your calendar or not, it's important to stay on top of how you are managing yourself too.

They move on to discuss what people are struggling with the most amid Covid. Erin wants to know how tameika has helped people shift their mindset and attitudes towards home working.

Tameika says to slow down and figure out how to stop yourself from being pushed into a realm where you are over-worked and over-scheduled. Figure out your end goal and how you can accomplish it. Ultimately, the key is to stay productive, not busy.

Erin asks Tameika about the challenge of carrying some of these things out, and Tameika explains that challenges are inevitable, but how we approach them determines whether we are successful, not if we actually make it to the end goal.

As a final tip, Tameika wants to challenge the listeners to go outside their comfort zome, because when you push out of this zone you start to understand your resilience and your capabilities much more deeply.

Website: https://adevinelife.com/ Socials: @tameikaisaacdevine

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 really felt how government could help, and how government could hurt."

"I thought when I'm successful, it's not just about helping me, but it's about helping other people."

"The reason I look like I have it all together, and I've mastered the work-life balance, is because I've come to the realization that 'work-life balance' doesn't exist."

"Recognize we're all different people, what works for them might not work for you."

"You can read all the books, you can get all the tips, but that doesn't mean your outcome will be the same as someone else's."

"Stay productive, not busy."

"Challenges are a part of life, but they are there to push us, not to defeat us."

"Stretch yourself out of your comfort zone. If you're uncomfortable, then you're doing the right thing."

Why does it seem that the duty and obligation to give yourself "self-care" often creates more stress in of itself?

Instead, what if self-care doesn't need to be appointments and breaks, meditation and pictures? What if self-care can be defined however the frick you want to define it and practiced on the regular, instead of some stop-in-time moment.

This week you'll learn to define self-care as anything you want it to be. And once you do that, it'll be so much easier to integrate it into your everyday life.

Erin Hatzikostas and Nicole Licata Grant meet nearby Erin's new "snack shack" for another catch-up episode. They quickly dive into the apparent news of the week: Nicole being fired. No wait, she wasn't fired, everyone just...thinks...she was? But that isn't even Nicole's WTF for the week. She shares a story about an apparent mystery work phone and number...that she didn't know she had for a year+.

Erin shares her WTF moment that's lingered for the last month. Erin received a connection from the executive producer of Last Week Tonight (freak out moment). Turns out they were looking for a career coach.

Nicole tells her authentic-so-hard of the week, after meeting an artist in a bar she found herself naked and covered in paint, in a basement with a bow and arrow. She took part in a living art project and became the canvas for a body painting artist.

This leads into a conversation about how taking chances and doing things you've always had at the back of your mind but never taken the step towards realizing it is actually an expression of self-care.

What is your definition of self-care? Are your actions serving you?

A pedicure might be your definition of self-care, but maybe learning a new skill is your definition. As Erin says, "What lights you up? What revitalizes you?"

Nicole comes in with another story from her self-care experiences, this one is from her birthday when she was given an in-home sauna, is it considered self-care?

We want all of you audience members to let us know your self-care routines, or what you'd like to try as a new self-care routine. Join the b Cause podcast Facebook group and let's work together to redefine self-care.

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:

"People called me asking 'Oh my God, were you fired?!' and I was like 'What? I just took yesterday off..."

"This is like faking my own death. I should enjoy it!"

"So now I start every conversation with 'Oh by the way, have you been calling this number for years?'"

"Let's get through my story, so we can get to your stank."

"This is the stuff I can do when I'm a but more sober."

"Fantasies are frolicking in front of my face."

"This episode we might just ask Nicole to tell every story of her life."

"You meet an artist in a bar and all of a sudden you're naked, covered in paint, in a basement with a bow and arrow."

"My self-care is learning and doing something I don't know how to do."

"Repitition is my Kryptonite."

"Is there something you want that can serve you in a better way?"

"I sat there, sweaty, dripping wet, with the tripod ready to take photos."

"I came home and I thought, I'm just having Mac n Cheese for dinner...so I ate the whole box."

Do you consider yourself a bit of a "Weirdo"? If so, this is the episode for you. Our guest this week believes your weirdness isn't what separates you, but is actually the very thing that creates your greatest connections with others. Erin sits down with Shelley Brown, speaker, author, artist, mindfulness educator, and all around weird girl. Shelley is the founder of Weird Girl Adventures, and she's releasing her first book soon, Weird Girl Adventures from A to Z. (think: Judy Blume meets Sex in The City).

Erin starts by asking Shelley what her definition of 'weird' is, and if there was a moment when her weirdness felt validated. Shelley Explains that trying to fit in for so long got to a point where she had a crisis at work from her stress response, what she found to help her, and what she would now suggest for others to do to help manage their stress levels.

Shelley explains moving at a million miles an hour, never sleeping, over-thinking everything. She didn't know it could be any different. So, as soon as she figured out she didn't have to live in a constant state of stress, she wanted to share that with everyone she possibly could.

Shelley talks about how she used rock music to try and understand mindfulness and meditation. Uhhh, pretty weird. And it works.

Next, Erin asks Shelley about the concept of "bull-should". That is, when people tell you where you should be, who you should be, how you should be. "Should Shaming" runs rampant, and Shelley's fix for that is "allowing", instead of should-ing.

This leads into a discussion on company culture and how effective mindfulness and individuality an be at turning the ecosystem of work into a much more humanized experience, which would then serve to optimize business outcomes.

Finally, they talk about Shelley's upcoming book - a blend of Judy Blume and Sex and The City. Shelley tells us anyone can read this book...but you just have to be ok with vaginas. Follow and keep up to date with Shelley. Website: weirdgirladventures.com Instagram: weirdgirladventues Book: Weird Girl Adventures from A to Z (available everywhere)

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:

"Ok peeps, it's about to get weird."

"If you're bold and clear on what you care about and what your superpower is, you will find your people."

"My weird was my itchy scratchy sweater I wore in heat that I couldn't take off."

"Our weird doesn't know it's weird until it's judged by others."

"When we are not seen as human beings it increases the stress response."

"I really thought being a stressed-out mess was in my DNA."

"We get to sit in the drivers seat and drive our awareness. And if we know we're veering off to some squirrel over there, we can steer it back."

"We can't shut off our mind."

"We are like the big retail salespeople in the world: 'Here, this fits you great!', but ultimately it's up to us to know what fits us."

"You can have the safest, most epic culture, but you're coming with your narrative and your culture. And no safe culture is going to do the work that you need to do as an individual."

It's likely that every single human on this planet needs some dose of therapy right now. For some, professional help is necessary. But for many others, it may be as simple as crowdsourcing their therapy.

We can all be part of each other's therapeutic regimen if we just slow down, ask better questions, and understand that we can all be part of the bigger solution - at work and everywhere. We hope this week's episode does that, in multiple ways, for you.

This week, Erin Hatzikostas and Nicole Licata Grant start by celebrating the b Cause podcast's two-year anniversay!

Nicole tells us about her semi-unplanned birthday extravaganza weekend, swimming backstroke through hummus, overshadowing Easter and church visits for delicious Italian market food.

Erin gives a quick look into her taxes this year and how her business is fairing, in the spirit of sharing her journey truthfully. Nicole coaches her through it, and they both agree that the investment will certainly pay off one day.

This starts a discussion around embarrassment and shame and broader issues of mental health. Nicole mentions that the "coffee talk therapy" is gone from many people's lives now with Covid, and how people are now struggling to put words to their feelings.

And with a rise in domestic abuse, gender abuse, and LGBTQ abuse, Nicole has added some links to resources where anyone can go to look for help or peace of mind, or even just a conversation, to help with these difficult times.

Erin wants us to slow down and ask more mindful questions. For example, stop asking "How are you today?" and instead ask "How are you on a scale of 1-10?". She thinks the first is an exercise in futility, whereas the second is a great foundation for a conversation and an entry point to help people when they most need it.

Nicole thinks the workforce is lacking a culture of accountability lately, with everyone working remotely. While Erin mentions the upcoming talent she thinks companies will face in the near future.

RESOURCES FOR MORE HELP: SAMHSA National Disaster Distress Helpline. 1-800-985-5990 https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8225) https://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ Covenant House Nine Line: 24-Hour teen crisis line. 1-800-999-9999 Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741-741 https://www.crisisline.org/ LGBTQ: The Trevor Lifeline: 1-866-488-7386 Trans Crisis Line: 1-877-565-8860 National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 https://www.rainn.org/

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 don't have time to go to church, but I do have time to go to every single Italian market."

"so I went to all the markets, got all the food, flirted with all the guys at the meat counter."

"I wanted to backstroke through the hummus and make angels in it."

"Sometimes I'm not looking for solutions. I just want to talk through things."

"It comes back to community. How do we serve each other?"

"We may be energized. We may not be energized. We may want to punch energized people in the face. Who knows?"

"I think this will be a test for the authenticness of authenticity."

"Companies are going to face the biggest talent war they've ever faced."

"I have to stop showing up where I'm needed. I have to show up where I'm loved."

"Go forth, process, and prosper."

Could you use a vacation? Mel Miles' life mission is to give stressed out, overworked professionals permission to rewrite the script, create more space in their lives, and find the freedom they've always wanted.

In this week's b Cause episode, we flip the script a bit and give you a dose of Soulcation and a dash of authenticity as we replay an interview Erin did on the Soulcation podcast. What better tool than authenticity to help you design a life you don't need a vacation from!

RE-posted content from the Soulcation podcast

Taking a break from "the way things have always been done"... could be your key to solving overwhelm, anxiety, and burnout. And blazing your own path could give you the balance and freedom you crave.

No one knows that process better than Erin Haztikostas, the latest guest on the Soulcation Podcast. Erin is former corporate CEO turned professional pot-stirrer: in other words, she was successful in traditional circumstances, then took a different path and created her own circumstances. She's now the founder of b Authentic inc, a career coach, TEDx speaker, and nationally published thought leader.

But before all that, she was itching for something new, she'd had great success as a corporate leader - but was craving more.

"The epiphany I had is the same I teach time and time again", she said. "As I thought about the career and leadership space, and the reason I wasn't pursuing it was I didn't want to do it like everyone before. What I preach is don't not do something because you hate the way it was done before. You can actually do it your own way."

That led to Erin developing her "strategic authenticity" framework - a way for corporate leaders to authentically lea their companies, without falling into the rut of the "way things have always been done," all while creating a healthier, happier work environment for employees.

Authenticity is more than just "being yourself" - and Erin talks through her advice for how someone could tap into their own authenticity, and use it to jumpstart their life and career.

We don't think of authenticity as anything more than simply being transparent. But it's so much more than that - and it could be your ticket to freedom, burnout recovery, and creating your own path in life.

Listen in to hear more about Erin's story from corporate job to blazing her own path, what "strategic authenticity" actually is (and how you can use it in your own life), and how experimentation can help you determine your next move if you're ever feeling stuck.

What You Will Learn:

3:35: Erin talks about her background as a CEO, her journey through corporate America, and when and why she started itching for something new.

6:40: The epiphany Erin had after her corporate career and how she teaches that same epiphany to her clients now

8:40: How Erin followed her intuition when leaving her job in the corporate world and what role experimentation played in that process

11:08: Erin explains how she defines the word "authenticity"

17:36: Erin describes how someone can connect with their own authenticity and who they truly are at their core

22:21: What "wall" Erin hits with her work now and how she moves past it

24:58: Erin explains what the "50 percent rule" is and how she applies it in her business

28:26: Erin describes a piece of her backstory that's allowed her the confidence to boldly express her opinions and to be authentic over traditional

31:51: Why Erin thinks the philosophy of "being yourself" isn't enough to truly live authentically

34:12: Erin gives advice for how someone could strategically use authenticity in their lives and their work

40:50 The six pillars of strategic authenticity that Erin writes about in her new book

44:02: The brain science and power being being "unexpected"

Follow the soulcation movement @ https://www.melodymiles.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.

When you think about doing something new - small or big - it can feel scary. But what if you started thinking about your life as just a collection of millions of experiments where you're also collecting a million data points? One at a time.

Erin sits down with Dr. Erin Baker, a Social Psychologist, elite-certified neuro-transformational coach, and authentic superstar, to talk about how we can shift our mindset to one of binary, stuck-in-the-mud thinking to a place where our work and growth is simply predicated on playful experimentation.

Erin Hatzikostas sits down with Dr. Erin M Baker for an action-packed interview covering gender ideas and stereotypes, Dr Baker's studies in Social Psychology, their fascinating work at Facebook, their podcast, "Shift Starter", and the writing of Erin Baker's upcoming book.

Doctor Baker, PHD, elite certified, has a mission to create a more authentic, connected, inclusive, equitable, and loving world. One person at a time. Erin is also queer and non-binary, fluidly moving between both genders as well as her overall identity.

Erin (Hatzikostas), starts off by asking Dr Baker when they first started to have feelings that the stereotypical ideas of gender might not be well suited for them. Dr Baker explains that they have always had a love of basketball, and that it was traditionally a "boys sport", so they often asked themselves "Am I supposed to be a boy", which left them with a feeling they were always trying to figure out if they were one or the other. But in trying to fit into one gender, they felt like they were in a constant performance for who they actually were.

It was at college when Erin B. started to meet other people with their own experiences, that they first started to realize it was possible to be fluid and be whoever you felt like being.

Dr Baker tells us their feelings and thought process when deciding to have breast removal surgery, and their experiences since the surgery.

Erin H. then asks what made Dr Baker go into the realm of Social Psychology. Dr Baker describes growing up with two academics as parents, and that played a part. Also believing that psychologists had things all (mostly?) wrong, and, although not knowing the right answer themself, they were curious enough to explore the field and make their own mark.

After realizing writing academic papers might not be Erin's one true calling, they started to branch out. That's when an opportunity at Facebook came up. And where better to study people than a platform that hosts billions of people!

After a few years working at Facebook and having achieved a lot across a wide and interesting scope of projects, Dr Baker asked themself "Is Facebook doing the good in the world that I want to do?". And when their mom fell sick and was hospitalized, it was a tipping point that made Dr Baker realize they wanted to have an impact on people and on their own terms.

Erin transitions the conversation to ask Dr Baker what advice they would give to people who are struggling in their own way. Dr Baker says, "if you can see everything you do as a data point, it takes so much pressure off. IF you stop seeing everything as a success of failure, and instead a data point, it allows you to take more risks and relieves pressure."

Following this Erin asks about "Shift Starters", a new podcast Dr Baker is hosting to explore people and work that ultimately creates a more authentic, connected, inclusive, equitable, and loving world.

She also asks about the new book Dr Baker is writing. Dr. Baker has realized that after spending so long trying to achieve goals, the goal itself became almost meaningless. So instead of swimming through a proverbial ocean of proving, what if there was a piece of land where you were able to have fun and explore. And that is exactly what their book will you explore. Stay Tunes!

Website: https://erinmbaker.com/ Facebook: Erin Baker Instagram: drerinmbaker

If you like jammin' with us on the podcast, b sure to join us for more fun and inspiration! Here are some options...

Follow Nicole on LinkedIn: 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:

"Trying to fit into 'boy' or 'girl' left me feeling like I was constantly performing who I was."

"Society tells you there are boxes and we want to categorize people."

"And I realized, if I didn't try this then I would never be happy, and I needed to put myself first."

"The cost of not standing out is far greater than the cost of doing so."

"I thought this was a pretty progressive place...but I scared people out of restrooms, even at Facebook."

"For a lot of people it's figuring out what is the worst-case scenario and then hovering around that."

"The fear of 'what if I don't' just got to a place where it didn't matter what came from it."

"Because there was always a part of me that just didn't understand me, I really wanted to understand people."

"If you're hellbent on going to the Moon, you're going to miss signs saying you can go to Mars."

"Treat everything as an experiment and treat it as the longest experiment of your life."

"Clarity comes when you're in motion."

"Getting out of the ocean of 'should' and 'they' and getting into 'what do I want and what can I do?'"

"The curiosity of 'Can I?' will get you further along than you ever imagined."

We spend so much damn time trying to create change while following the rules that were "written" decades ago. Whether it's trying to affect massive inequities or just trying to create change for yourself, you cannot get there if you simply follow the rules.

In this week's b Cause episode, Nicole and Erin give you several stories and inspiration to ensure you make real impact in the world and don't stay stuck at the "kids table" yourself.

Erin Hatzikostas and Nicole Licata Grant sit down for another "How Was Your Week" episode to discuss equity, equality, and diversity. But what do those actually mean? And how do we even start to comprehend tackling the structures they exist within?

They start by providing a few updates, including Nicole sharing her recent "hit and run" story, where she drives across her friend's lawn, knocking both the garbage and recycling bins into the street like some kind of Car-Bin-Bowling. (All after dropping off a bouquet of flowers!)

Erin shares her own driving story, recalling she and her son driving home after hockey practice and driving 75 mph straight into a mystery animal/creature/beast stalking the roads at night.

Following their driving antics, they get into the topic of the week: breaking the rules (when it comes to equity and equality).

Erin shares a story of when she was asked to join a Board as a member alongside a CEO she had been working with. But after the team came back with the standard "Board playbook", she was only going to be offered an observer seat (i.e she could share her ideas but not vote on anything). Erin didn't nod "yes" though at the rules and playbook. Instead, she fought for a seat at the "adult table", recognizing that her situation was just the tip of the iceberg in why we struggle to get to gender equity in the workplace.

Expanding on this, Nicole takes us through her thoughts on the subject, discussing the playbook for diversity in business, the difference between equity and equality, and whether companies actually have what it takes to make genuine structural changes.

Erin then poses the question "How can individuals start to make change?", especially if the company they are in is not trying.

Nicole answers this by talking about building teams and organizations with a core set of values that are not strayed from.

Listen in for an episode full of insights, thoughtful questions, and an approach to equity, equality and diversity, that you probably won't find printed in the company HR manual!

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 not a bad driver...I'm a bad night driver..."

"I ran over everything on their front lawn with my pants on inside-out."

"I may have trespassed a little bit, taken out your trash cans and created a public disturbance at the same time. But at least I didn't steal from your porch."

"You don't get to equity and equality without breaking some rules."

"That's what I would put on your headstone: 'They said don't do it, so she definitely did that.'"

"You're not waiting for someone to die to get promoted to the adult's table."

2I think there's this measure of shifting to neutral."

"Be a rule changer."

"Male listeners, we need you to break the rules just as much as we do."

As long as my driving isn't as bad as the tanker stuck in the Suez Canal."

"You have to build teams and projects around a core set of values."

You've probably heard 1,834 times in the last year about how you have to think differently about fear. But what if the biggest fear you have is actually a fear of being "too much"?

No, seriously. Think about it. How many times have you held yourself back because you have this weird, largely unidentified fear of simply being more than anyone can imagine (except maybe, you)?

Erin Hatzikostas sits down with two-time New York Times best-selling author, a sought after speaker, and someone who thrives at the intersection of humor, justice, and professional troublemaking, Luvvie Ajayi Jones.

Luvvie's Oriki: Luvvie of House Jones. First of Her Name. Assassin of the Alphabet. Bestseller of Books. Conquerer of Copy. Dame of Diction. Critic of Culture. Sorceress of Side-eyes. Eater of Jollof Rice. Rocker of Fierce Shoes. Queen of the Jones Kingdom. Taker of Stages. Nigerian Noble and Chi-Town Creator.

Luvvie recently released her latest best-seller, "Professional Troublemaker, The Fear Fighter Manual", and in light of her booming success, Erin asks Luvvie all the questions.

She starts by asking, "What would your grandmother say to you right now?" Luvvie says her grandmother would be proud, showing everyone the book constantly. She would feel honored.

Erin then asked about Luvvie's Nigerian roots, and hoe they have shaped her. Luvvie explains how bold Nigerians can be... that they're not afraid to be themselves, but they also work together to bring those up around them. She explains how when she arrived in America she realized how different from other people she was, and while she hid parts of that to protect it, she never let it go, and she was never ashamed of it.

They discuss topics on Luvvie's books, how dreaming big is already a privilege; there are things around us in life that tell us we have limits. Luvvie wants us to dream big in spite of those systems.

They discuss just what dreaming big means and how it changes from person to person. Maybe you want a position that feels out of your reach, or maybe it's changing your career entirely and picking up a violin. It's about finding what you want to do, even if it feels too audacious.

Erin asks Luvvie what she is dreaming of. Luvvie explains how hitting the New York Times Bestsellers list for a second time was her latest "airplane" dream. Not only did she make the list, she came in at number three.

Luvvie tells the story of when she kept going, even after being told "no". After being asked to speak at a conference, she was refused any payment or reimbursement of travel expenses. After speaking with some people who had experience with the same conference, she started to realize that only white male speakers were paid or reimbursed in some way. That's when she decided, against her agents fears of repercussions, to speak up about it.

Despite fears that speaking up would negatively impact her speaking career going forward, she spoke up. But guess what happened? She ended up having her most successful year to that point.

Erin then poses the question, "Have there been times when speaking up has not worked out well?", Luvvie says she's absolutely had times where she's essentially "gotten in trouble". She explains that there will be times that you are not received well, but you need to tie your actions to your real-self, to your authenticity, regardless of whether it will land well.

Erin asks Luvvie what advice she has for people who want their own voice, but they're not sure what to say. Luvvie says that even on the smallest scale, speaking up has power. Don't think you have to have a platform or a massive reach. For example, even if you are at dinner and someone says something you disagree with, use that moment to say the thing you need to say.

They both then talk about breaking the rules and how the "rules" have led to rooms full of white men, closing off pools of people and thoughts from getting a "ticket" into the room. If the rules and traditions have led to situations like this, maybe instead of hiding behind rules and using them as an excuse, we should all strive to throw the rules away and make new ones.

Erin then avails that she wrote her own Oriki: Erin of House Hatzikostas, First of her Name. Professional Pot-Stirrer. Authenticity Aficionado. Instant Gratification Whore. Shameless Speaker. Snarky Server. Math Master turned Audacious Author. Northeast Badass grounded by Michigan Roots.

They end it all with getting Luvvie's insight into her favorite place to buy shea butter - but you'll have to listen until the end to hear that!

Instagram: @luvvie Website: https://awesomelyluvvie.com/ LuvvNation: https://www.luvvnation.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 another of their melodramatic mini-series, "b Cause Work is Funny", Erin and Nicole take on Corporate America's ubiquitous and ever-present digital whiteboard, PowerPoint.

This mini-podcast episode is perfect for you if you too have PowerPoint-phobia. Listen in for the quick-fix therapy you likely need to prevent you from hurling your computer against the wall.

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:

"PowerPoint. The word in of itself is kinda disempowering."

"I think PowerPoint's the single biggest, evil thing taking down Corporate America today."

"I went to school for math. Not art."

"In order to be taken seriously, you have to be able to do arts and crafts."

"I was an executive and so people did PowerPoints for me. And I felt really dirty."

"Oh, let's not do a huge 'page turn'. But I had 16 people working on this around the clock."

"Have you ever looked at the fancies of PowerPoints? I can't figure out where the f*ck to put my eyes."

"I'm the definition of coloring outside the lines. Maybe that's why I'm struggling so much."

"PowerPoint seems to have become the dress suit of Corporate America."

It's easy to slip through life playing it safe. This week's guest challenges you to change your mind to wonder... if you were good at something the first time, maybe it wasn't hard enough.

Erin Haztikostas sits down with LeRon Barton, a writer, author, 3x TEDx Speaker, and a fellow professional pot-stirrer to challenge your thinking about many things - from how you see race in America to how you think about the word, "failure".

The interview starts out fast and furious, as LeRon gets straight into discussing how, before they hit record, Erin challenged him to update his website. Erin explains that, much like her high school basketball coach, she's the most forthright with people she cares about.

Erin moves on to ask about LeRon's earlier years, growing up in the Midwest in Kansas City. LeRon talks about his experiences growing up as a black man in the Midwest, including getting the "talk" from his mom as she explained key things he needed to know to survive as a black man.

He discusses his experience at the time of the horrific murder of James Byrd Jr. He then reflects on the situation as it is today, and the tightrope he has to walk every day just to exist.

Erin asks how LeRon sees America compared to other countries in the world from the lens of race inequality. LeRon uses the lens of the industrial prison complex and explains how there are more black men in prison in the US than there are female prisoners in the world.

She then asks how people in everyday life can act in ways that are supportive of less privileged people. LeRon explains that even small changes can make a huge difference. For example, people playing devil's advocate over race issues are never helpful, and people needn't act surprised at a black person's accomplishments or skills.

As someone who has given multiple TED Talks, including his first talk, "How I Overcame My Fear of Stuttering", Erin is curious to ask about LeRon's stutter. He tells Erin he's had a stutter since her was young, so it is something he has simply learned to live with and not let it affect his life or his goals. LeRon explains that he started writing, but always kept the topic of stuttering close to his chest because it was too personal. To LeRon, though, a TED Talk is supposed to come from things personal and close to you, and for him that's stuttering.

He discusses feeling like he couldn't be a speaker because of his stutter, but after realizing he's not a quitter, and that the reason he's never failed is because he never quit trying, he decided to do his first TED Talk on his stutter.

Erin's final question to LeRon follows on from the talks of racial inequality. She asks LeRon to finish the phrase "I'll know we've made significant progress, and I can rest in peace, when I see X."

LeRon says: "I'll know we've made significant progress when a black man or woman is president or CEO without it being a big deal."

Website: leronbarton.com Linkedin: LeRon L Barton Twitter: @MainlineLeRon TED Talks: "How I Overcame My Fear of Stuttering", "The Power of Sharing Your Story" and "The Vital Importance of Documenting the Moment"

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:

"The people we care about the most are the ones we should serve the most. And you don't serve by holding things back."

"You can get anything you want in this world if you ask for it in the right way."

"When you grow up in a situation like that, you learn who's full of it and who's not."

"We would read about things and see images, but the savagery of this crime made us think it could happen to us."

"I endure in spite of racism."

"There are more black men in prison in America than there are female prisoners across the entire world."

"America will say 'we hate white supremacy', but America practices it every day."

"Playing Devil's Advocate is essentially saying 'I don't believe what you're saying is credible."

"If I'm not going to be believed then why should I tell you? I'll just keep things bottled up."

"I've always felt a TED Talk is something that should truly come from you."

"FAIL: First Attempt In Learning."

"If you are good at something the first time, then it wasn't hard enough."

"When I truly started to embrace who I was, I was able to look at my stutter and see that it's a part of who I am."