Feel like you just don’t have the right words when it comes to storytelling?

Erin and Nicole chat about the art of authentic storytelling, sparked by a question from listener Amy Scott. Amy shares her struggle with finding the perfect balance in writing her story, without coming across as boastful or overly self-deprecating.

In this episode, you’ll hear Erin and Nicole unpack the nuances of becoming a storyteller, with practical tips and personal insights to navigate this tricky skill. From creating a story catalog, to embracing vulnerability, this conversation is filled with valuable nuggets to empower you in crafting your own narrative with authenticity and confidence.

Ready to create your story? Tune in to find out how. 

Have a question you’d like us to answer? Email  [email protected]

Episode 114: Crafting Your Intriguing Intro

If you’d like quick tangible tips and practical corporate career advice to level up your authentic leadership, download the 10 simple “plays” to stop selling out and start standing out at https://bauthenticinc.mykajabi.com/freebie  

To connect with Erin and/or Nicole, email: [email protected] 

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

•  Follow b Cause on Twitter (really it's mostly Nicole)  

•  Follow Erin on LinkedIn or Instagram 

•  Join the b Cause Podcast Facebook Group 

•    Take our simple, fun and insightful"What’s your workplace superhero name?”quiz

•   Unleash your Authentic Superpower with Erin’s book,"You Do You (ish)" 

• Check out our blog for more no-BS career advice 

• Work with Us

• Or just buy some fun, authentic, kick-ars merch here

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

Tweetable Comments

• “There isn’t just one story.”

• “The magic of storytellers is the ability to adapt in the moment.”

• “I don't care if they're a MAGA supporter or a space alien, like I will find something to talk to you about.”

• “Go figure out how to get conversation out of people that you would never talk to.”

In this episode of 'b Cause Work Doesn’t Have to Suck,' Erin's sharing something a bit more personal: her own journey through health and wellness. And no, it’s not your typical shock-and-awe health story. Instead, she’s giving us a real, raw look at the ups and downs of dealing with a chronic issue. 

You’ll hear Erin talk about what she's learned about her body, health, and how we often get it wrong when we think about taking care of ourselves. 

So, if you've ever wondered about the real impact of diet, exercise, and a proactive approach to health, you'll want to tune in. And who knows, Erin’s journey might just spark some ideas for your own.

 

If you’d like quick tangible tips and practical corporate career advice to level up your authentic leadership, download the 10 simple “plays” to stop selling out and start standing out at https://bauthenticinc.mykajabi.com/freebie  

To connect with Erin and/or Nicole, email: [email protected] 

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

•  Follow b Cause on Twitter (really it's mostly Nicole)  

•  Follow Erin on LinkedIn or Instagram 

•  Join the b Cause Podcast Facebook Group 

•    Take our simple, fun and insightful"What’s your workplace superhero name?”quiz

•   Unleash your Authentic Superpower with Erin’s book,"You Do You (ish)" 

• Check out our blog for more no-BS career advice 

• Work with Us

• Or just buy some fun, authentic, kick-ars merch here

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

Tweetable Comments

• "I've learned more about my body and health and food than I have in the last 20 years, which, I was a healthcare executive. So that's a little bit scary, and it's also super normal."

• "It's amazing how much we label preventive and how much we're missing."

• "Food can either negatively impact or can help with inflammation, which helps with these aches, pains, and chronic diseases."

• "I'm so happy that all of this has come together, and it's not a linear line, but I feel like I'm in my chrysalis for my next, hopefully 40 or 50 years."

Curious about the kind of magic that happens when you turn 'you can't' into rocket fuel? 

In this episode of Buck That! Kristine Schlichting is here to share her story because amongst the doubters chanting 'you can't,' she didn't just shrug it off – she cranked heat with a 'hell no, I’m doing this!’ instead.

Kristine is a psychologist who leads and oversees over 30 psychiatrists and other professionals in a one-of-a-kind intensive outpatient program that helps adults and adolescents with extreme mental health challenges.

She’s telling us how she did it. And it all started with someone telling her she ‘can’t’.

In this episode, you’ll hear how:

1.) Kristine’s refusal to accept limitations fueled her determination to prove naysayers wrong.

2.) Despite facing skepticism, Kristine persisted in establishing an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for mental health, refusing to let setbacks (or side eyes) deter her pursuit of her dream.

3.) Kristine opts out of comparisonitis and leans into authenticity and action instead.

Instagram:Hopewell Health Solutions/Kristine Schlichting  

LinkedIn:@Dr. Kristine Schlichting 

If you’d like quick tangible tips and practical corporate career advice to level up your authentic leadership, download the 10 simple “plays” to stop selling out and start standing out at https://bauthenticinc.mykajabi.com/freebie  

To connect with Erin and/or Nicole, email: [email protected] 

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

•  Follow b Cause on Twitter (really it's mostly Nicole)  

•  Follow Erin on LinkedIn or Instagram 

•  Join the b Cause Podcast Facebook Group 

•    Take our simple, fun and insightful"What’s your workplace superhero name?”quiz

•   Unleash your Authentic Superpower with Erin’s book,"You Do You (ish)" 

• Check out our blog for more no-BS career advice 

• Work with Us

• Or just buy some fun, authentic, kick-ars merch here

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

Tweetable Comments

• “I'm going to do absolutely everything I can to make sure that I have the ability to have dreams and do the things that I love to do.”

• “When you say you can't to me, that really makes me want to prove you wrong.”

• “There is so much lipstick, especially now with social media, there's literally  life filters that people put on. So we really don't know, we really have no idea what is happening in people’s lives.”

• Don't get in your own head because that is where dreams die.”

“They were hurled into an involuntary  situation in which they had to buck the norm and they literally made a masterpiece out of it.”

In 1990, at age of 11, Brooke Ellison encountered a life-altering event when she was struck by a car while walking home. This incident left her quadriplegic, altering the course of her life in unexpected ways. Instead of viewing this as a tragedy,  Brooke and her family turned this challenging circumstance into a remarkable story of resilience and determination. 

Brooke’s  journey serves as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, you can carve out a path filled with hope and possibility.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

-How Brooke saw her limitations as opportunities for growth.

-About the significant role Brooke’s family played in helping her thrive despite her challenges.

-About the importance of pausing to listen and slowing down to include others.

If you’d like quick tangible tips and practical corporate career advice to level up your authentic leadership, download the 10 simple “plays” to stop selling out and start standing out at https://bauthenticinc.mykajabi.com/freebie  

To connect with Erin and/or Nicole, email: [email protected] 

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

•  Follow b Cause on Twitter (really it's mostly Nicole)  

•  Follow Erin on LinkedIn or Instagram 

•  Join the b Cause Podcast Facebook Group 

•    Take our simple, fun and insightful"What’s your workplace superhero name?”quiz

•   Unleash your Authentic Superpower with Erin’s book,"You Do You (ish)" 

• Check out our blog for more no-BS career advice 

• Work with Us

• Or just buy some fun, authentic, kick-ars merch here

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

Tweetable Comments

• “We are going to do the opposite of what is expected of us?”

• "It wasn't a choice. They actually had to embrace it.”

• “They were hurled into an involuntary  situation in which they had to buck the norm and they literally made a masterpiece out of it.”

• “Slow the f*** down to include others.”

• “What's the harm in slowing down to make sure that it's really impactful?”

What happens when we choose authenticity over agenda? 

Chaos? Panic? 

Nope, just breakthroughs. (and maybe even breakdancing)

In this episode of Buck That! Erin shares a time when she went off-script at a leadership event, proving once again that when we ditch the facade and keep it 100% real, magic happens.

Here are three takeaways from this episode:

Authenticity Always Wins: When you're authentic in leadership, you’re laying the groundwork for building solid connections with your team.

Purpose Packs a Punch: When leaders understand WHY they're doing what they're doing, it helps them make decisions that drive meaningful change.

Cut the Fluff: Sometimes less really is more. By simplifying your messages, you're not just making things clearer, you're making them more impactful.

If you’d like quick tangible tips and practical corporate career advice to level up your authentic leadership, download the 10 simple “plays” to stop selling out and start standing out at https://bauthenticinc.mykajabi.com/freebie  

To connect with Erin and/or Nicole, email: [email protected] 

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

•  Follow b Cause on Twitter (really it's mostly Nicole)  

•  Follow Erin on LinkedIn or Instagram 

•  Join the b Cause Podcast Facebook Group 

•    Take our simple, fun and insightful"What’s your workplace superhero name?”quiz

•   Unleash your Authentic Superpower with Erin’s book,"You Do You (ish)" 

• Check out our blog for more no-BS career advice 

• Work with Us

• Or just buy some fun, authentic, kick-ars merch here

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

Tweetable Comments

• "I decided to dance. And I didn’t worry about looking good.”

• “Let's turn that intent into good action.”

• “He doesn't need to know the ins and outs. He just needs to know the feeling.”

• "It's not magic. It's not a mystery. It's exactly the things we've been talking about for the past four years.”

We're thrilled to present our brand-new series called "Buck That!"- a series to help you challenge conventional thinking, ignite your passion, and empower you to redefine what's possible.   

Each episode is short and is focused on just ONE story of how someone bucked the norm and had great success as a result.  

To kick off this series, we’ve asked the incredible Dan Blanchard to join us. Not only is Dan a bestselling and award-winning author, but he's also a captivating speaker, educator, and TV host. He has made appearances on over 100 TV and radio shows, as well as some of the world's top ten podcasts.  

In this episode, Dan shares his fascinating journey, starting with his unique accent which developed from overcoming challenges with his deafness during his childhood. He also takes us through his fearless pursuit of wrestling in the Junior Olympic Trials, an experience that changed his life forever.  

Dan’s stories are a powerful reminder that true greatness stems from embracing our uniqueness and fearlessly (and authentically) pursuing our dreams.   

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blanchard_dan/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-blanchard-i-help-young-people-become-good-people-82a69723/

If you’d like quick tangible tips and practical corporate career advice to level up your authentic leadership, download the 10 simple “plays” to stop selling out and start standing out at https://bauthenticinc.mykajabi.com/freebie  

To connect with Erin and/or Nicole, email: [email protected] 

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

•  Follow b Cause on Twitter (really it's mostly Nicole)  

•  Follow Erin on LinkedIn or Instagram 

•  Join the b Cause Podcast Facebook Group 

•    Take our simple, fun and insightful"What’s your workplace superhero name?”quiz

•   Unleash your Authentic Superpower with Erin’s book,"You Do You (ish)" 

• Check out our blog for more no-BS career advice 

• Work with Us

• Or just buy some fun, authentic, kick-ars merch here

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

Tweetable Comments

• “Sometimes you gotta do that thing. That makes your heart pound because when you're scared, you're also alive.”

• “You just gotta be willing to push the fear aside and say, ‘Hey, let's have a good time getting my butt kicked’.”

• “I’ve been here all along.”

• "My identity changed that day. My identity was no longer, 'Dan, you're a pretty good wrestler.' My identity said, 'You are a great wrestler.'"

Ever find yourself saying "YES" when every fiber of your being screams "NO"? Are you tirelessly tweaking your actions and words to fit into the molds of others' expectations? If so, you might be a people-pleaser. People-pleasing can seem like a safety net, ensuring harmony and acceptance. But at what cost? Our guest, Amy Green Smith helps you explore that very question.

Amy is a certified and credentialed life coach and hypnotherapist, masterful speaker, and personal empowerment expert. Amy uses her roles as coach, writer, podcaster, and speaker to move individuals to a place of radical personal empowerment and self-worth. 

In this episode you'll hear:

1. How people-pleasing isn't always bad and how to discern when it's ok or not

2. Her 3-step process - FMT - to use anytime you assume bad intentions from a comment, email, etc

3. The key first step to having a tough conversation with your boss and the thing you MUST own first

4. The power in asking people "Yes, No, or Counteroffer?

5. Her powerful house metaphor to help you deal with both the shit and the gifts that people send your way

So if you find yourself consistently feeling drained, resentful, or compromising your own happiness for the sake of others, this episode is one you don’t want to miss.

Instagram: @HeyAmyGreensmith

Website: HeyAmyGreensmith.com

If you’d like quick tangible tips and practical corporate career advice to level up your authentic leadership, download the 10 simple “plays” to stop selling out and start standing out at https://bauthenticinc.mykajabi.com/freebie  

To connect with Erin and/or Nicole, email: [email protected] 

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

•  Follow b Cause on Twitter (really it's mostly Nicole)  

•  Follow Erin on LinkedIn or Instagram 

•  Join the b Cause Podcast Facebook Group 

•    Take our simple, fun and insightful"What’s your workplace superhero name?”quiz

•   Unleash your Authentic Superpower with Erin’s book,"You Do You (ish)" 

• Check out our blog for more no-BS career advice 

• Work with Us

• Or just buy some fun, authentic, kick-ars merch here

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

Tweetable Comments

• “Am I going to choose you or am I going to choose me? I'm done choosing everyone else. I'm going to choose me.”

•  “I care so much about my stance or my opinion that I'm willing to take up space.”

• “Start with owning your shit.”

• “What are the facts? What am I making up? What is the truth? Find my truth.”

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

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

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

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

 

Listen to Mandy’s podcast ‘Enough’: https://mandylehto.com/listen/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mandylehto/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandylehtopersonalbrandimage/

If you’d like quick tangible tips and practical corporate career advice to level up your authentic leadership, download the 10 simple “plays” to stop selling out and start standing out at https://bauthenticinc.mykajabi.com/freebie  

To connect with Erin and/or Nicole, email: [email protected] 

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

•  Follow b Cause on Twitter (really it's mostly Nicole)  

•  Follow Erin on LinkedIn or Instagram 

•  Join the b Cause Podcast Facebook Group 

•    Take our simple, fun and insightful"What’s your workplace superhero name?”quiz

•   Unleash your Authentic Superpower with Erin’s book,"You Do You (ish)" 

• Check out our blog for more no-BS career advice 

• Work with Us

• Or just buy some fun, authentic, kick-ars merch here

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

Tweetable Comments

• “I didn't have to be somebody to be somebody. I was already enough.”

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

• “We'll often choose unhappiness over uncertainty.”

• “Your worth isn't dependent on anyone else.”

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

• “I am okay in myself exactly as I am now.”

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

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

If you’d like quick tangible tips and practical corporate career advice to level up your authentic leadership, download the 10 simple “plays” to stop selling out and start standing out at https://bauthenticinc.mykajabi.com/freebie  

To connect with Erin and/or Nicole, email: [email protected] 

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

•  Follow b Cause on Twitter (really it's mostly Nicole)  

•  Follow Erin on LinkedIn or Instagram 

•  Join the b Cause Podcast Facebook Group 

•    Take our simple, fun and insightful"What’s your workplace superhero name?”quiz

•   Unleash your Authentic Superpower with Erin’s book,"You Do You (ish)" 

• Check out our blog for more no-BS career advice 

• Work with Us

• Or just buy some fun, authentic, kick-ars merch here

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

Tweetable Comments

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

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

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

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

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

*Replay* Have you ever had one of those days where nothing seems to go right? Where every mistake and unfortunate event just piles up on top of one another until you're convinced the universe is conspiring against you? It can be all too easy to fall into a downward spiral of negative thinking, but Mental Toughness Coach, Chris Dorris, is here to show us there’s a different way to think.

Chris started out as a social worker in Atlantic City helping the mentally ill, drug addicted, and homeless populations upgrade their lives. This eventually led him to his true vocation- helping people close the gap between how their lives are and how they want them to be.

Chris understands that our thoughts have a lot of power. And if we're constantly telling ourselves that things are going to go wrong, guess what? They probably will. 

Feeling stuck in a rut and like nothing is going your way? This episode is for you.

In this episode you’ll hear:

1.) Chris’ secret for mental toughness that's reshaped the lives of elite athletes and CEOs

2.) His journey from social worker to success coach and how he turned obstacles into opportunities

3.) Key strategies to master your mindset for breakthrough success

4.) Inspiring stories of authenticity and resilience

5.) Practical tools for mental toughness you can start applying now to transform your life

Check out Chris’ Website: https://christopherdorris.com/

Gratitude Video: Master of Short Film Creation, Louis Schwartzberg, narrated by this great Austrian monk named Brother David Steinle Rest.

Daily Dose Mental Toughness Tips in 30 seconds or less.Mental Toughness Mantras

If you’d like quick tangible tips and practical corporate career advice to level up your authentic leadership, download the 10 simple “plays” to stop selling out and start standing out at https://bauthenticinc.mykajabi.com/freebie  

To connect with Erin and/or Nicole, email: [email protected] 

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

•  Follow b Cause on Twitter (really it's mostly Nicole)  

•  Follow Erin on LinkedIn or Instagram 

•  Join the b Cause Podcast Facebook Group 

•    Take our simple, fun and insightful"What’s your workplace superhero name?”quiz

•   Unleash your Authentic Superpower with Erin’s book,"You Do You (ish)" 

• Check out our blog for more no-BS career advice 

• Work with Us

• Or just buy some fun, authentic, kick-ars merch here

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

Tweetable Comments

• “When we're constantly not getting what we want in life, we are spending so much time having a problem with reality.”

• “Complaining fundamentally is me practicing getting better at struggling against reality, which is a battle we lose 100% of the time.”

• “Practice replacing our complaints with expressions of gratitude.”

• “Stay open and do the damn work.”

• “Sucky songs never stop coming, it's just how fast you get through them.”