We aren't just facing a global health crisis; we are on the brink of a paradigm shift in the world as we know it - at work, at home and everywhere else in between. The key is - how do you "sur-thrive" through it all? You can lead yourself and others out of it. We get straight into it this week, with Erin Hatzikostas asking Nicole Licata Grant to talk about the work she is doing, as someone who has been in a lot of humanitarian emergencies and is an expert in crisis management. Erin avails to Nicole that just that morning she acted as her agent and pitched on a whim to a local newspaper to have a feature made about Nicole and the podcast. Who knows what could happen?! Erin and Nicole discuss how they are adapting to the Coronavirus and the "new world order" (sadly, not the 80's band) it has brought with it. Erin ponders living an unexpected life at home, spending time with the family, and working on writing her first book. In the meantime, Nicole's dad has found a new interest in academia. Do you know how the Native Americans wiped their butts? Aurelio does and he has a plan. Also, why is toilet paper the most sought after and scarce item now? Nicole has one observation and it really has nothing to do with excessively clean backsides. Assuming everyone has surpassed the first hurdle of enough TP to go around, what else then makes a great leader in a crisis and through change? Who do we rely on in times like these? Who is essential?  Erin and Nicole discuss authentic leadership (our favorite "A" word!), how authenticity shines through during momentous shifts and how it is not only good, but necessary. That is, necessary not just in leading others, but for your own health and sur-thrival! (Survive + Thrive = that's a new word we just made up.) And what about Corporations? Do Corporations need to change their ideas of risk management? Erin and Nicole both discuss their ideas on how Corporations can move forward, what challenges they face and how they react in crisis situations, both externally and internally. They discuss the most critical elements of leadership during a time like this: kindness, compassion, authenticity, leading from the bottom. Hmm, it sounds a lot like...embracing humanity. Erin provides advice on what people can do to help their bosses and managers. She emphasizes that it's more important now than ever to take initiative in a thoughtful way. Look, your boss does not know all the answers in uncertainty, and s/he is likely facing the same personal challenges you are. There are small but tangible things you can do - no matter what your level in the organization is - to lead during this time of crisis. And guess what? IT will also help you stand out, keeping you safer and also positioning you for promotion in the future. If you like jammin' with us on the podcast, b sure to join us for more fun and inspiration! Here are some options... Check out the b BRILLIANT career coaching program @   b Cause Podcast Facebook group @ We share even more crazy stuff here (you probably thought that was impossible).  Take our simple, fun and insightful "What Kind of Dog Are You At Work?" by going to  We have so much fun stuff going on...we wouldn't want you to miss out - join the authenticity movement and our community by adding your email just about anywhere @  Check out our blog for more of our no-BS career advice @ We have fun and inspiring t-shirts @ DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsuitable for younger audiences.  Tweetable Comments: "The 'Rona has taken over our lives." "I think I'm largely running on Girl Scout Cookies and Adrenaline." "I'm not an introvert, I'm just having an individual life-experience and I'm enjoying it." "This is not a supply and demand problem; this is a human behavior problem." "On the macro-level, there's a lot of bad things happening, but on the micro-level, there's a lot of beauty going on." "It's a crisis of the self, and it's a crisis of the community." "Be authentic, be human." "The entire cadence of life is shifted." "This is the new definition of leadership." "This thing is just so bad, that something really great has to come from it."

Isn't it amazing how quickly the world has changed?  Erin and Nicole reunite after Erin's cruise (!) to reconnect with each other and connect with you. They realize that in crisis comes clarity; and when you are feeling like crap doing things for others is the best way out. Trying to see the secret silver linings in all the madness, Erin Hatzikostas and Nicole Licata Grant sit down for another 'How Was Your Week?' episode, to help each other and, hopefully all of you, navigate these difficult and confusing times. Erin asks Nicole to explain from her expert viewpoint on the front lines of crisis now and in the past how she approaches a situation of this scale. And here's the punchline: follow your gut and instinct to combat uncertainty, but ensure that every movement matter and has purpose. Also, letting go of guilt and shame. In a global pandemic, with a lack of products in supermarkets, Nicole orders a pizza and finds handy napkins to replace the missing toilet paper - so remember to support your local businesses, you might even find/repurpose some handy survival gear in these trying times! Erin tells some vacation stories, from when she was away and only semi-aware of the unfolding events. She talks about suffering some toilet-paper-trauma at a water park. Her advice? Never, ever, give in to peer pressure if your gut says no.  And all Nicole's mom needs to "keep on cookin'" during this time is a half-gallon of "Auntie Arwen's Ultimate Garlic Insanity" from a stand at the Country Fair last year. Hooray for internet shopping and home-based business! Erin truth-tells about the effect this pandemic is having on her business, and how she's adapting to that, and finding inspiration to use her skills to help people at a time where a lot of people will need help. This leads to a deeper conversation on the economy, how businesses are coping and changing in general, and the innovation that can come from hard times.  Nicole talks about her proposal to get extra funding, when called into a meeting and given on the spot instructions to come up with a game plan.  They end with a not on how to work together with your boss or your employees. They help you see that your relationship with your boss should be less of a one-way street than you realize, but rather a yin & yang relationship. Everyone needs helps and advice and guidance. Especially in times like these.  Stay safe, stay sensible, help each other out, and we will get through this. Together. If you like jammin' with us on the podcast, b sure to join us for more fun and inspiration! Here are some options... Check out the b BRILLIANT career coaching program @   b Cause Podcast Facebook group @ We share even more crazy stuff here (you probably thought that was impossible).  Take our simple, fun and insightful "What Kind of Dog Are You At Work?" by going to  We have so much fun stuff going on...we wouldn't want you to miss out - join the authenticity movement and our community by adding your email just about anywhere @  Check out our blog for more of our no-BS career advice @ We have fun and inspiring t-shirts @ DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsuitable for younger audiences.  Tweetable Comments: "The world is officially closed." "One week it was 'Where can I get milk?' and now it's 'Will my kids ever go back to school?'" "Every movement you make in this situation matters." "I'm not a prepper, but I am Italian, so I always have 100 bottles of Ajax in my basement." "I'm hoping to slow down the fact that my stomach's in my fucking forehead." "The reality is - corporations are always in cost-cutting mode." "When you feel like crap, doing things for others is the fastest way out." "so much of our economy is held up by small businesses." "The thing about hard times is that it often brings out incredible innovation." "The best bosses, and the best relationships, have that yin and yang relationship." "This is the time to be generous, not just because work is hard and the kids are home, but because systems are going to fall apart."

Do you want big things for your life? Do you yearn to make a major pivot...with your career, your marriage, your friendships, your economic status?  Whatever it is, know that it's essentially like a rebirth. You must go through some really tough stuff first. It might get uncomfortable. It might get messy. But the beautiful life on the other end is so worth it! Erin Hatzikostas and Nicole Licata Grant catch up this week on so many things (well, as usual). They first reminisce about the time Nicole went to Mardi Gras and all she thought about that, and remembers, was her well-planned potty break plan. Erin also talks about her plans for their upcoming cruise (which ends up being right in the middle of the Coronavirus craziness. Good news: she and her family are doing a-ok.) Erin asks Nicole about her recent trip to Hampshire, where Nicole helps to create a donor base for a community-based project focusing on system change and organic growth. Nicole discusses her Friday troubles - getting asked big questions and being given more work late on a Friday, and the good and the bad ways to deal with that. They talk about her challenges at work and the fact that life gets really frickin' touch (like a birth through the old vagina canal) before it gets beautiful. Nicole talks about a dinner she had with some of New York's most interesting and eccentric Designers. As she becomes "Nickole" Carraway watching Gatsby having one of his infamous parties. But this time there's...Sperm Ornaments?  Erin talks about meeting a coaching client, but she's sabotaged between a parking mete and a food delivery truck. So after (somehow) finding a second space she decides to walk, but this parking garage is actually a labyrinth, and Erin forgot to bring her ball of yarn. (Oh, and her glorious coaching input on someone giving up swearing for lent...) So what are you giving up for Lent? Nicole has some ideas on how to approach it and why, and how it's changed over the course of history. Then Erin and Nicole both discuss what they might give up, or change, for lent, and they both have some interesting ideas for this year.  We end with finding your 1%, a conversation on how to surround yourself with the right kind of people to bring out the best in both of you.  If you like jammin' with us on the podcast, b sure to join us for more fun and inspiration! Here are some options... Check out the b BRILLIANT career coaching program @   b Cause Podcast Facebook group @ We share even more crazy stuff here (you probably thought that was impossible).  Take our simple, fun and insightful "What Kind of Dog Are You At Work?" by going to  We have so much fun stuff going on...we wouldn't want you to miss out - join the authenticity movement and our community by adding your email just about anywhere @  Check out our blog for more of our no-BS career advice @ We have fun and inspiring t-shirts @ DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsuitable for younger audiences.  Tweetable Comments: "I remember thinking, I have to find someplace to pee." "You're gonna own coronavirus. You'll have a Corona with limes, and she'll contain the virus. It's perfect." "Community groups know what they need in their own community." "Usually when you just pump money into a community without any kind of game plan it doesn't work out." "Did you authentic so hard while you were there?" "The universe is definitely backhanding me lately." "We're in Mercury retrograde, prepare for things to go wrong." "It's not bad luck. It's the universe telling you to wake the frick up." "If you're pushing more than one big thing to a person on a Friday after 12pm, you're an asshole." "On a scale of one to ten, what are the chances that within this environment you can have success?" "The company can keep using my talents, but I don't want my spirit to be destroyed." "You have a fucking conehead right now." "I don't call my friends by episode numbers like you do." "There's a lot of fun in failure." "It's really hard to be fabulous and industrious." "He said 'I don't spend a lot of time with straight women, but you're pretty fun." "Some of their decisions are predictable. When you put outrageous onto the average, there's not a lot of places for it to go." "Thank God my insecurities did not stop me from showing up." "Every year my dad gives up Catholicism for Lent." "What are you going to give up for lent? Your job?" "I need to reflect on the fact that you have two college degrees but have a hard time navigating a parking garage." "Find your 1%"

This week we dive deep into Enneagrams where we hope you'll learn how to work better with others, develop better versions of yourself, find healthy ways to deal with stress, and overall, find ways to become more whole in your life. Erin Hatzikostas and Nicole Licata Grant welcome Bree Miller onto the b Cause podcast couch for a super powerful (and super funny) talk about Enneagrams. Bree Miller blends Enneagrams with Human Design (remember Kaitlyn Czapiga in episode #36?) to help coach people into mastering skills through habituation of their behavior and others. Stemming from a last-minute and wild trip to Peru with a friend to visit an ayahuasca retreat, Bree breaks free from her feelings of being stuck in life and opens her eyes to an entirely new way of thinking and being. Teaching lessons in empathy based on people's "types" (outlines below), Bree helps guide people to learn more about themselves and others in both a personal and workplace environment. Type 1 - The Reformer (Nicole's dominant type and boy does it nail her perfectly) Type 2 - Helper (Nicole's primary "wing") Type 3 - Achiever Type 4 - Individualist Type 5 - Investigator Type 6 - Loyalist Type 7 - Enthusiast )Erin's dominant type and also nails her!) Type 8 - Challenger (Erin's primary "wing") Type 9 - Peacemaker A discussion on how to adapt to new situations, especially hard ones, and even more for people with children, and how to approach telling them hard information (in light of covid-19 this is an important topic.) Are Erin and Nicole the perfect pair? There's only one way to find out... Before you listen, we'd love you to take the same Enneagram quiz Nicole and Erin took:  Find out more and connect with Bree here: Website: Instagram: @museandmedthod or @breeanelyse Linkedin: If you like jammin' with us on the podcast, b sure to join us for more fun and inspiration! Here are some options... Check out the b BRILLIANT career coaching program @   b Cause Podcast Facebook group @ We share even more crazy stuff here (you probably thought that was impossible).  Take our simple, fun and insightful "What Kind of Dog Are You At Work?" by going to  We have so much fun stuff going on...we wouldn't want you to miss out - join the authenticity movement and our community by adding your email just about anywhere @  Check out our blog for more of our no-BS career advice @ We have fun and inspiring t-shirts @ DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsuitable for younger audiences.  Tweetable Comments: "We're doing another threesome interview." "With Covid-19 opening up all inhibitions, welcome to the party." "We help people master skills and turn them into habits over time." "I didn't know what I needed; I just know I felt stuck where I was." "Go big or go home." "I never take a rest, and that's something I can work on." "When we're kids, we create these unconscious behavior patterns, and as adults sometimes we're still using them." "The Enneagrams will help us plug into other people's authenticity, as well as our own." "The escalator is going down and you're running up it." "Let's just say, I never tried to drive standard again." "Make sure you let your kids know it's ok to fail, don't just give them lip service." Bree: "No matter what you tell your kids, they're going to have some kind of story." Nicole: "They better, otherwise what are they gonna get drunk and cry about in college?" "Rely on your inner guidance and building that trust over time, and staying in the present moment, instead of being fixated on the future." "When you're a seven you're actively trying to avoid feeling things and feeling negative emotions." "Boredom is just another form of discomfort." "Like any behaviors to watch out for, just have observations and self-compassion." "You can change, you can evolve." "We are all capable of having all of these qualities, it's just what your default showing up is, versus what you desire to show up with." "It's not just about yourself, but also how do you plug into other people in a better way."

How would you feel if you made it to your 100th birthday? What legacy would you want to leave? Would you have any regrets?  Thinking about this question NOW can make all the difference in how you live your life. (And because we are a couple of weeks ahead recording, wouldn't you know that we're dropping this right in the middle of the Coronapocalypse! It's not about CV-19, but it's kinda relatable. You're welcome!) Erin Hatzikostas and Nicole Licata Grant kick off with a quick reflection on their relevance and connectedness to a whole "woke" culture, or...not? What the hell does any of that mean anyway? Nicole dishes on her family reunion outside of Tuscon, Arizona with a bunch of other East Coast paesani in celebration of her maternal grandmother's 100th birthday. It's a "Shotguns meets Sambuca" kind of affair! Edith is a spitfire who was born before women had affirmed their right to vote and "always gets the last word" now that she has lived the longest of her generation! Erin is not to be beast with a hilarious Arizona story of her own from back in her corporate days - with one extremely displeased Dr. Popik. It seems that living the rich life isn't always that convenient. Or rich for that matter. (Also we learn there are two kinds of people in the world; those who use the bathroom on the corporate jet and those who don't. Guess which one Erin is?) But what does this all mean? As much as they typically dislike "binary" things, really a person can only be in one state of being at a time - happy or unhappy - and taking stock of that can help you pause in the moment and reflect on what it actually holds for you. Life is, after all, the moment we are in right now.  Speaking of the moment, Erin and Nicole also talk handling the mundane tasks in your day-to-day life so they don't absorb all your brain space, time and create stress. Erin, as usual, takes us from uninspired to on fire! This includes Erin's "mundane" - like finally getting around to applying to Ted Talks! It's really about making the little things managed and meaningful, taking nothing for granted (especially this one life) and being grateful for those big challenges that actually propel us forward. If you like jammin' with us on the podcast, b sure to join us for more fun and inspiration! Here are some options... Check out the b BRILLIANT career coaching program @   b Cause Podcast Facebook group @ We share even more crazy stuff here (you probably thought that was impossible).  Take our simple, fun and insightful "What Kind of Dog Are You At Work?" by going to  We have so much fun stuff going on...we wouldn't want you to miss out - join the authenticity movement and our community by adding your email just about anywhere @  Check out our blog for more of our no-BS career advice @ We have fun and inspiring t-shirts @ DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsuitable for younger audiences.  Tweetable Comments: "You almost showed up to the podcast recording without pants." "Is woke like bespoke? It sounds snooty." "If this were a season, Nicole would have just wrapped up the final episode with a fade to black." "I'm in touch with hip-hop, or, 1985 hip-hop." "You can do a lot in 100 years, or you can waste it." "Put fifty family members in a room, watch everyone's crazy and call it a holiday. Which is fun." "It was a typical Italian reunion. You're not sure if you're all related, but at some point you all shared a bed or a uterus or something." "Nicole: Grandma, 100 years! amazing, I hope that I live to be 100! Edith/Grandma: Oh why would you do that to yourself?" "There still won't be a female president in my lifetime though." "There's nothing more American than this table in front of me - Fritos and Firearms." "This place is fucked." "Happiness has different definitions and different grades." "I want the big happiness. The full life happiness. That sometimes means pain and sacrifice. There's probably going to be moments where there's pain and sacrifice, but it's part of the big happy." "Dr. Popik sounds like someone who produces porn for a living." "Arizona really brings out the best in us." "This term, mindfulness, I think it's so elusive." "As you exist in every moment, as you go through the world, ask yourself that question: 'Am I happy?'" "Am I using my time as I want to?" "You either stand up and find the silver lining, or you lay down and stare at the ceiling. And sometimes you do both." "When I open myself up. amazing things happen." "Sometimes when you sit down to do the big stuff, it's actually a load of little things" "It might be hard, but it's intentional." "It's about creating a community."

In this special episode, Erin and Nicole talk with Kaitlyn Czapiga about the wonder Human Design. Breaking down how Nicole + Erin's family fits into the different types of Human Design (Manifestors, Generators, Projectors, Reflectors), Kaitlyn describes how each of us can find peace and power by better understanding our - and others' - Human Design. Kaitlyn Czapiga, Hypnotist, Reiki Master and Owner of Soul Magic will take you on a magical (yet oddly practical) journey through the concept known as Human Design. (Perhaps you remember Kaitlyn from Episode 5? If now, we recommend you go and listen - it's still one of our most downloaded episodes!). She is now a Reiki Master, certified hypnotist, and a life-long student of Human Design. She sits down to explain what these things are, and how she is fusing them together to help people heal and propel. It's an episode full of ideas, honest opinions, and authentic conversation. For example, Nicole ruminates on how she probably needs to lose her "to-do" lists, while Kailtyn encourages her to simply shift her thinking on them just a slight bit given Nicole's Human Design blueprint. And they end on a positive, future-oriented message, to break from the usual gloom and doom we may be living at this time. If you enjoyed this episode and want to learn more about Human Design, how you can use it in your own life, and what it can already tell you about it, visit:  mybodygraph.com -OR- soul-magic.com to learn more and book time with Kaitlyn for a specialized, one-to-one session. If you like jammin' with us on the podcast, b sure to join us for more fun and inspiration! Here are some options... Check out the b BRILLIANT career coaching program @   b Cause Podcast Facebook group @ We share even more crazy stuff here (you probably thought that was impossible).  Take our simple, fun and insightful "What Kind of Dog Are You At Work?" by going to  We have so much fun stuff going on...we wouldn't want you to miss out - join the authenticity movement and our community by adding your email just about anywhere @  Check out our blog for more of our no-BS career advice @ We have fun and inspiring t-shirts @ DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsuitable for younger audiences.  Tweetable Comments: "I'm waiting to be designed humanely." "It's important to have someone in your life who can keep your energy going." "Because we're high performing individuals, when we're not we start to wonder if we're becoming lazy." "I would always beat myself up over things instead of giving myself time to reflect." "If you don't have the energy to do the thing you should do, then you should take the energy you have to do something else." "Those moments of just being, 99% of the time, end up producing greater results. Because you have the energy or the thoughts and ideas." "You are able to look at your children and see their differences, and you are fostering them so uniquely." "Projectors are wise beyond their years. That's Mick." "Mick's either going to be the best salesman in the world or a cult leader." "It's our birthright to have an easy life." "We're supposed to be selfish in the work that we do, because we should feel satisfied." "We're on a Reflector hunt." "I've learned to say 'if you're waking up at 3am, and you have all these ideas, it's ok - go work, go do it." "Have the courage to uncover things for yourself and live without regret or fear from others." "The mind will lie to you, and we will lie to ourselves, but our gut is hard to ignore." "You are not your mind."

In the wake of superstar Kobe Bryant's death, the inevitable question gets asked: "What would you do differently if you approached each day thinking of life as having a game-ending shot clock, but don't know when it will go off?" Oh wait, that IS life. That's every freakin' day. In one of their most personal and possibly (sorta) profound "how was your week" check-ins yet, Kobe Bryant's and daughter Gianna's passing isn't the only thing that stinks this week. Having had a week full of literal shit storms - including questionable plumbing and pipe sawing by a neighbor - Nicole is ready to talk about how we navigate pain and the lessons it holds for us... Erin Hatzikostas and Nicole Licata Grant first take on the impact loss of all kinds - friendships, partners, loved ones, generational heroes, career - can have on families and communities. Erin's son Mick shares 8-year-old wisdom and reflects on the value of learning hard lessons young. But also, how do you hold onto grace, compassion, and humility when you really want to "rage against the machine"? What happens when you feel like you have no control in a blast zone of people who have nothing to lose? And how do you not be that kind of terrorist in your own life? (Thankfully another chaos-saving neighbor who spears sewer rats makes an appearance too. Considering the pathway out of pain (including having a podcast/community!), Erin and Nicole reflect that at the outset of b Cause, they thought they were here to "teach", but instead realize that they are the students and b Cause is a place to examine authentically "what are we going to learn and share with others real-time?" Despite only one-half of the duo being proficient in sport analogies, Erin talks about loss on the actual court as a coach of her daughter's basketball team. What can we all learn from sports - the losses as much as the wine - to live our own best lives? Erin shares coaching them to navigating challenging situations with an emotional "exorcism" - leading to the all-important conversation on being excellent, above all things. As they think about life's shot clock ticking down. Erin takes some new professional risks during a trip to Denver (vis Orlando?!) and reminds us that authenticity is gender-neutral with allies and extenders everywhere (this time it's a MArk, not a Dave, but good enough!) In her own "time of the essence moment", Nicole actually puts forward a proposal for elevating her position in her company, and how is now going to discuss with others how to put forward their own self-worth at work too. Keep on shooting, friends! If you like jammin' with us on the podcast, b sure to join us for more fun and inspiration! Here are some options... Check out the b BRILLIANT career coaching program @   b Cause Podcast Facebook group @ We share even more crazy stuff here (you probably thought that was impossible).  Take our simple, fun and insightful "What Kind of Dog Are You At Work?" by going to  We have so much fun stuff going on...we wouldn't want you to miss out - join the authenticity movement and our community by adding your email just about anywhere @  Check out our blog for more of our no-BS career advice @ We have fun and inspiring t-shirts @ DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsuitable for younger audiences.  Tweetable Comments: "Why can I smell shit? Why is there brown stuff in my shower? Is that a burrito?" "Turns out our neighbor did some illegal plumbing on the house, so he's out there sawing a pipe on the front of the house." "There's probably a chopped-up body down there too." "You stole my cleanse." "I'd rather have to learn these things now than learn them when I'm an adult." - Mick. "I've been having conversations with the kids recently and really changing my philosophy on what's important in parenting." "You have to find the lessons, otherwise it hurts too much." "There's only one person who can find a path out of pain, and that's yourself." "Not everybody has a podcast, but God I hope everybody has a community." "How do we remember to have charity...have compassion for ourselves?" "Humility serves better over ego." "I put time in my calendar. I sat down, and I did it. I did something I wouldn't normally do." "People who have nothing to lose are like terrorists in their own life. They are going to blow up. You just have to try to contain it." "You need to have faith in your path. You need to have faith in what you are doing, ad you need to have fath in yourself." "You've got one chance; this is not a dress rehearsal." "We want to believe we can fix everything." "I did not use my drink coupon on the 5:45am flight out." "don't take me to a bowling alley and talk about women's issues. You will see someone that is one step away from being arrested." "Authenticity is gender-neutral." "You don't get to diversity by following the rules." "I was extremely clear that I'm not going to do more free labor to solve my own problems." "If it's an air ball, it's an air ball, but at least you took the shot."

Do you ever feel like your voice goes unheard at work? What if you literally did lose your voice for good? That's the deep question that Kevin Hancock, CEO of Hancock Lumber Company, was forced to ask himself when he was diagnosed with a rare speech disorder. And he didn't stop there, he decided to explore that question in a much deeper way and with many others. He wanted to know, "If everybody on earth delt respected, valued, and heard, what might change?" Erin sits down with Kevin Hancock, the CEO of Hancock Lumber Company. The company goes back to 1848 (which is before the first cannonball was fired in the civil war), and Kevin is the 6th generation of his family to work in the company. During 2010, at the peak of the economic (and housing) collapse in America, Kevin began having trouble with his voice, something he had never put any thought to before (do you realize the importance of your own voice?) He was diagnosed with an extremely rare neurologic issue called Spasmodic Dysphonia, which affects speech and has no known cause or cure. All of this was happening while Kevin had to handle one of the most economically difficult and unstable periods of time his company had been through.  Kevin discusses what it was like adapting to his disorder while running a company as a "hands-on CEO". He had to learn new ways to communicate effectively while speaking less. He talks about his experience visiting a Native American Reserve to meet an entire community who have had their voices stolen, in another sense. They discuss spiritual enlightenment, learning to deal with new challenges in life, and adapting and changing to constantly be a better person, worker, and boss.  They move on to discuss Kevin's book, and how the lessons in this book transition a personal awakening into a corporate renaissance, and how this book goes in search of lessons or principals for dispersing power, instead of collecting it. They talk about the fundamentals of creating change - how it comes from within, and how you can change the situation of others by finding value in yourself. Towards the end of the show, Erin asks Kevin to think of his favorite part from his latest book, with Erin relating from her own experiences in Corporate America. Check out his book 'The Seventh Power' here: You can also find his Ted Talk by searching Kevin Hancock Ted Talk or accessing directly from this link: Other ways to follow and connect with Kevin Hancock are: Kevinhancock.com email: If you like jammin' with us on the podcast, b sure to join us for more fun and inspiration! Here are some options... Check out the b BRILLIANT career coaching program @   b Cause Podcast Facebook group @ We share even more crazy stuff here (you probably thought that was impossible).  Take our simple, fun and insightful "What Kind of Dog Are You At Work?" by going to  We have so much fun stuff going on...we wouldn't want you to miss out - join the authenticity movement and our community by adding your email just about anywhere @  Check out our blog for more of our no-BS career advice @ We have fun and inspiring t-shirts @ DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsuitable for younger audiences.  Tweetable Comments: "I began to have trouble speaking, something I'd always taken for granted and never thought of - but something I did a lot of." "When I left my corporate job, I got 4 illnesses I'd never had before. They weren't life-threatening, but it was clear I was running myself into the ground." "It happened at a time of economic crises, so taking time off was not an option. And I initially did what we all would have done - which is just fought through." "When talking becomes difficult, you develop strategies for doing less of it." "I would answer a question with a question, which put the responsibility of speaking on the other person." "The less I did, the better the company performed, which was counterintuitive to everything I had ever learned." "I started to see what happened to myself as an opportunity for myself and everyone else at the organization." "I met an entire community on that reservation who felt like their voice hadn't been heard." "There are lots of ways to lose your voice in this world." "Perhaps my vocal condition was an invitation to lead differently." "I was deconstructing some very traditional paradises about what a CEO should and shouldn't do." "The only way to give maximum value to the world is strengthening yourself." "I wasn't the same Erin. I wasn't firing from all cylinders. I know there was more, and I wanted to help in a better way." "If everybody on earth felt respected, valued, and heard, what might change?" "This book goes in search of lessons or principals for dispersing power, instead of collecting it." "Change is created first from within." "When everyone finds their voice, that's when you have a symphony, that's when beauty happens."

Mentoring, if career success had ten commandments, we're pretty sure this would be one of them. But do you feel that the 'mentoring system' isn't quite getting you what you need to succeed big time? Erin Hatzikostas and Nicole Licata Grant sit down for another 'How Was Your Week' episode to discuss this and so much more. They talk about the difficulties of funding a podcast, the fun, stress, and emotions that came from their recent branding, photoshoot, and everything involved in keeping afloat in this multi-media world. They both recap the mini celebration they had for their one-year-of-podcasting, where they bump into their first public "fan" of b Cause (that they don't know!) Erin gives Nicole some coaching advice on recent challenges at work while Nicole explains her frustrations. They talk about the power of curiosity and persistence over simply putting your head down and doing PowerPoint.  Erin coaches Nicole - from the way she emails over rewriting her bio for a website, to some advice with challenges at work. This leads to Nicole opening-up about her feelings of being taken advantage of at work.  Communication is key: Erin discusses how issues with management can trickle downstream if communication isn't upheld properly. From the office to the home, communication is important everywhere from understanding your partners' needs to knowing hen something isn't your responsibility to bare. Nicole talks about her frustrations with being made a mentee at work and not a mentor (it's funny, most of the mentors seem to be white men...) Erin provides her perspective and tips on finding your mentors, and finding your sponsors (and the lesser-talked-about anti-sponsor.) And it all closes with a note to Amy Lacey, you can listen to her fascinating interview in episode 37.  If you like jammin' with us on the podcast, b sure to join us for more fun and inspiration! Here are some options... Check out the b BRILLIANT career coaching program @   b Cause Podcast Facebook group @ We share even more crazy stuff here (you probably thought that was impossible).  Take our simple, fun and insightful "What Kind of Dog Are You At Work?" by going to  We have so much fun stuff going on...we wouldn't want you to miss out - join the authenticity movement and our community by adding your email just about anywhere @  Check out our blog for more of our no-BS career advice @ We have fun and inspiring t-shirts @ DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsuitable for younger audiences.  Tweetable Comments: "You're not recording in the closet. You're not drinking wine to cope. You're celebrating with the ice cream cone. This is big-time people." "I was like, 'There's only one way he knows about us: he recognized Nicole's hair.'" "Consistency is everything, it's the thread that runs through." "Persistency and pivoting, and you just never know where you might go." "I have come to understand how important it is to have a multi-media aspect of anything you do." "I was fricking melting half the time. My shoe was broken. At one point I was sprawled across a board table with hair clips in and your kids putting sticky notes on my ass." "If not everyone's going to do it then I will jump in. And then it will be like the sixth-grade solar project again where I do everything by myself." "I believe that showing your vulnerabilities is actually a strength, because if people know the whole truth then they have nothing against you." "their issues aren't your own." "Bring that passion by being curious." "The last thing in the world that needs to happen is for an incident like that to wrap up 2-3 hours of your energy on a Friday." "It's not that I'm empathetic that drives it (I might be even less empathetic), it's my impatience." "I don't need help being leveraged by my company. I need help to be extraordinary." "The people that are going to get you to your dream career and your dream life are hard to find." "I want everybody to feel like they have full knowledge and full control of everything that's happening."

Did you know that it's Illegal to NOT allow discussing pay at work? Yeah, we didn't either. Or maybe we forgot. Or were too intimidated to do it. "Pay talk" is one of those elements of corporate culture that has a mythical and dis-equal hold on how we compete in the market. But why not take back the power so it is a "gateway drug" to other things. Like, how do you negotiate pay? Get information about your own net worth? Inspire others to share information? Nicole - who is in the middle of trying to make some career moves herself - interviews Cindy Medina Carson, CEO and Founder of Wager, to find out. Cindy talks about her journey from humble beginnings in working-class Holyoke, Massachusetts, tp policy analyst with the U.S government (where Nicole & Cindy met and have been following each other since!) to working in corporate recruitment and why she felt she had to turn the industry on its head. Cindy's dynamic career progressed as she started matchmaking professionals in similar industries and roles so they had a safe space to discuss their work and salary. They talk how companies pay people, and honesty upfront is essential and why looking for a new job shouldn't always be simply a last resort.  She discusses how to network (Nicole's secret favorite topic/not so favorite skill) and how to stay on top of your own career moves. Nicole dives deep to take Cindy's guidance to heart as she figures out...what next? Find out more about Cindy and WAGER at the below links. Website: wewager.co Twitter: wewager Linkedin: Cindy Media Carson And sign up to her newsletter from her website! If you like jammin' with us on the podcast, b sure to join us for more fun and inspiration! Here are some options... Check out the b BRILLIANT career coaching program @   b Cause Podcast Facebook group @ We share even more crazy stuff here (you probably thought that was impossible).  Take our simple, fun and insightful "What Kind of Dog Are You At Work?" by going to  We have so much fun stuff going on...we wouldn't want you to miss out - join the authenticity movement and our community by adding your email just about anywhere @  Check out our blog for more of our no-BS career advice @ We have fun and inspiring t-shirts @ DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsuitable for younger audiences.  Tweetable Comments: "I'll talk about anything you want me to talk about." "I think I've always cared about helping people to get where they want to be." "I can't do B.S. The whole recruiting process is B.S." "I just thought 'either I work for someone who is like me or I do something else." "I don't judge companies for how they're going to pay people, I judge them for not being transparent and not being honest upfront." "You were like the matchmaker. One person wants love, another wants a hamburger." "You know you're not in a good place when you're getting annoyed a little more often." "People can give you information, but having a connection creates a much more beautiful thing." "A lot of people think of a job hunt as a last resort, but you're saying it's a tool in our toolbox." "Getting out of our own networks and our own space feels impossible, but it's very important." "I think having wage conversations is a gateway drug." "I want you to talk more and to share more and then you make more." "I had a concern when I started to earn more than the rest of my family that I might start to feel disconnected." "I feel like people think if they improve their resumé everything will fall in to place, but it's a thousand other things." "If you're introverted you don't need to shy away from that in an interview. You can tell them 'look' I'm not the person that will be in the limelight, but I'll be back here doing all these things." "A lot of companies are losing men and women of color, and women at high levels, they're walking away and not coming back. So, how do you retain them? You start having more open and more transparent conversations."