Libsyn Directory

278: How She Went from Super Shy to Boldly Brave with Jennifer Pestikas

Release Date: 03/04/2025

294: How “Not Caring” Can Actually Make You a Better Boss

b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck

What if caring less actually made you a better leader? In this episode, Nicole shares how dropping the mental load, setting unapologetic boundaries, and leading with humor have made her team stronger (and her stress levels lower). Erin also jumps in with insights on why authenticity is finally winning in the workplace. What’s Inside: 1.) Why “I don’t care” is Nicole’s new leadership mantra 2) .How humor helps you set boundaries without sounding like a jerk 3.) What ChatGPT is teaching us about tone, trust, and...

293: Micro Motivator: How to Handle the Tell Me About Yourself Interview Question

b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck

Hate the “Tell me about yourself” question? Ok, we all kind of do, but truthfully you’re probably answering it all wrong. In this solo episode, Erin breaks down how to stop regurgitating your resume and start captivating your interviewer from the first question. Using her signature “Intriguing Intro” method, you’ll learn how to combine humility, credibility, and a dose of what’s-in-it-for-them to make hiring managers lean in and actually remember you. If you’d like quick tangible tips and practical corporate career advice to level up your authentic...

292: Tough Love on Why Your Work-Life Balance Might Suck

b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck

In this solo episode, Erin chats about the kind of burnout we don’t talk about enough—the kind that masquerades as dedication. After a powerful moment during a workshop with a high-achieving leader, Erin unpacks the hard truth: working nonstop isn’t always selfless… sometimes, it’s selfish. From addiction to the “hum” of hustle to the unintended signals we send our teams, this episode offers a tough-love reframe for anyone who’s worn burnout like a badge of honor. If you’ve been struggling to set boundaries or feel guilty for slowing down, this...

291: Real Talk About AI and How it Can Propel You with Dan Chuparkoff

b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck

You don’t need a PhD to get AI—you just need Dan Chuparkoff. A former tech leader at Google and McKinsey, Dan now helps people make sense of innovation as the “Understandable Technology” expert. From dropping out of college to redefining how leaders use AI, this episode is packed with mic-drop moments, real-world use cases, and fresh ways to rethink how you work. Here’s what you’ll hear: 1.) Why he dropped out of college and how that actually served him better in the long-run 2.) How using AI can be thought of as simply as finding small...

290: 5 PTSD Work Moments That Taught Us Something Important

b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck

In this episode, Erin and Nicole swap stories about the work traumas that shaped them—some painful, some funny, all of them unforgettable. From leadership flops and job losses to the quiet moments that hit a little too hard, they unpack the professional PTSD that left a lasting impression (and taught them what not to repeat). If you’ve ever wondered why a small comment still haunts you—or how to make meaning out of a mess—this one’s for you. Here’s what you’ll hear: 1.) Why your “superpower” might actually be a trauma response 2.) What...

289: How to Stop Letting Stress Run the Show with Dr. Rebecca Heiss

b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck

If stress has ever hijacked your brain mid-meeting or made you question your own success, this episode is for you. Dr. Rebecca Heiss—stress physiologist, keynote speaker, and author of Springboard and Instinct—joins us to unpack the science behind stress and how to harness it as a powerful force for growth, resilience, and confidence. Here’s what you’ll hear: 1.) Her Fear(less) Formula, a 3-step process for dealing with stress 2.) What the Hedonic Treadmill is and how it explains why you often feel stressed 3.) What the Winners Effect is...

288: Why You Need a BFF at Work and Other Relationship Advice with Shasta Nelson

b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck

What if the key to better work wasn’t more hustle—but deeper connection? In this episode, Shasta Nelson dives into the surprising science of friendship, why belonging matters more than ever, and how your relationships at work could be the hidden driver behind your success (and sanity). Shasta Nelson is a former pastor turned pioneer on the topics of loneliness and friendships, She's an in-demand keynote speaker, popular media resource, and author of three books in which she teaches how to build healthy relationships, including The Business of Friendship: Making the Most of the...

287: How to Elevate Your Creativity and Vibe with Actor, Poet, and Speaker Rashad Rayford

b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck

In this episode, Rashad Rayford brings the energy (and the poetry) with a fresh take on owning your voice, trusting your timing, and turning fear into fuel. From embracing boredom to battling imposter syndrome, Rashad breaks it all down with humor, heart, and a spoken-word mic drop you won’t want to miss. Rashad Rayford is an award-winning speaker, actor, and poet featured at TEDx, on NPR, and in The Wall Street Journal and USA Today. He's also a MOTH Story Hour GRANDslam champion. Rashad is known for his high-energy presentations that blend storytelling, spoken word, and...

286: From Loading Planes to Leading Them—Stephanie Chung’s Turbulent Climb to the Top

b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck

What does it take to build a leadership legacy that lasts? Stephanie Chung knows. As the first African American president of a private jet company—and now a sought-after speaker, author and board member—she’s lived the kind of career most only dream about. In this episode, she shares the pivotal moments, tough lessons, and mindset shifts that helped her rise, lead with purpose, and leave a mark that matters. Here’s what you’ll hear: 1.) The time she TRIED to say "no thank you" to a big-girl job and what transpired ...

285: The Power of Selective Ignoring

b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck

In this episode, Erin and Nicole tackle something we all need to get better at: ignoring. (Ignoring—strategically, of course.) Whether your inbox is flooded, your DMs are piling up, or you're just plain overstimulated, this episode is your permission slip to stop responding to everything like it’s a fire drill. Here’s what you’ll hear: 1.) Why every message doesn’t deserve a reply—and how to tell the difference 2.) How to stop treating work like a courtroom (you’re not on trial, promise) 3.) Practical ways to...

More Episodes

Ever wondered what it really means to be brave at work? Jennifer Pestikas, SVP of Business Development and founder of Brave Women at Work, shares her journey from a shy bank teller to a bold leader, proving that confidence isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you build.

In this episode, Jennifer and Erin chat about:

1.) The seemingly simple but bold "ask" that changed her career trajectory

2.) Her greatest leadership challenge and how she took control when things didn’t go as planned

3.) The difference between post-traumatic stress and post-traumatic growth—and how challenges can lead to unexpected success

4.) Real-life examples of being brave at work—from speaking up in meetings to making bold career moves

5.) The Greek concept of Chronos (bending time)—how to make space for your passions without burning out

If you've ever felt stuck, struggled with self-doubt, or wondered how to make courageous career moves, this episode is packed with lessons that will inspire you to take action.

LinkedIn: @Jennifer Pestikas

  <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bravewomenatwork/">Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravewomenatwork/ </a> 

 <a href="https://bravewomenatwork.com/author/jpestikas/">

Website: https://bravewomenatwork.com/author/jpestikas/

</a> 

 <a href="https://thrive-in25.com/">Find out more about Thrive in 2025 here: https://thrive-in25.com/ </a> 

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 <a href="https://bauthenticinc.mykajabi.com/freebie">https://bauthenticinc.mykajabi.com/freebie </a> 

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! 

 

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<li> <a href="https://twitter.com/bcausepodcast">Follow b Cause on Twitter (really it's mostly Nicole) </a> </li><li> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/erin-hatzikostas/">Follow Erin on LinkedIn </a>or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/erinhatzikostas/" >Instagram</a> </li><li> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/bCAUSEPodcast">Join the b Cause Podcast Facebook Group</a> </li><li> <a href="https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/600ec8544ddf900016d517d1"> Take our simple, fun and insightful"What’s your workplace superhero name?”quiz</a></li><li> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/You-Do-ish-Authentic-Superpowers/dp/1736376535/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=you+do+youish&qid=1634564333&sr=8-1">Unleash your Authentic Superpower with Erin’s book,"You Do You (ish)" </a></li><li><a href="https://www.bauthenticinc.com/our-2-cents">Check out our blog for more no-BS career advice</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.bauthenticinc.com/authentic-programs">Work with Us </a></li><li><a href="https://www.bauthenticinc.com/b-you-shop">Or just buy some fun, authentic, kick-ars merch here </a></li>

 

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

 

Tweetable Comments 

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"I had to write his eulogy on a cocktail napkin and get up in front of like 100 people and then lead his team. And I even went to the CEO at the time who didn’t know what to do with our department. And I said, 'You’re going to let me lead them right out of this.' And that’s pretty brave."

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"Would you rather live with the ‘no’ or the regret that you knew you could have asked, and then you are in a job situation where you’re resentful because you know you could have gotten more money or better benefits?"

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"They didn’t give me the big job. They gave it to somebody else after 18 months. Even after I led everybody. And I had to get cojones again. And I had to be like, 'Screw you all. I love you, but you guys have missed it.'"

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"Most women don’t feel brave. They can be successful business owners. They can be speakers. They can be writers. And they’re still like, ‘No, I’m not brave.’ And I wanted to disrupt that."

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