286: From Loading Planes to Leading Them—Stephanie Chung’s Turbulent Climb to the Top
b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck
Release Date: 06/03/2025
b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck
In a world of overflowing inboxes, AI-generated emails, and corporate language that all sounds the same, most messages get ignored. Erin explains how changing just one word, adding an unexpected phrase, or using a little personality can break the pattern and actually get people to pay attention. <p> If you want people to listen to you at work, communicate more authentically, and stand out in workplace conversations, sometimes the fix is surprisingly simple. <p>To connect with Erin and/or Nicole, email: hello@bauthenticinc.com <p> <p><b>If...
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A toxic workplace pushed this week’s guest to his breaking point. That moment changed everything for him. <p> In this episode, Erin sits down with Shola Richards, CEO of Go Together Global, bestselling author of Civil Unity, host of the Kindness Extremist Podcast, and a speaker who has taken his message from Google and Microsoft to the TODAY Show, CBS Mornings, and even Congress. <p> But this conversation is not about fluffy kindness. <p> After years of bullying, workplace toxicity, and untreated depression, Shola hit rock bottom and attempted to drive his car off an...
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Do you work for a neurotic boss? <p> You are capable. You know your numbers. You’ve done this before. But the moment there is a board meeting or executive presentation, your boss spirals and catapults into weeks of prep and endless rehearsals. <p> In this episode, Erin shares an executive coaching story about a seasoned P&L leader reporting to the COO whose boss demanded over-preparation and fully scripted talking points before presenting to the board. <p> The problem? No executive wants to be read to. <p> Erin breaks down three strategies to...
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In this episode, Erin sits down with her friend Drew Sullivan for a deeply honest conversation about addiction, recovery, and what it’s like to grow up feeling misunderstood. Drew shares how being labeled “too much,” navigating ADHD, and never being asked why shaped the way he moved through the world and how those early experiences quietly laid the groundwork for addiction long before substances entered the picture. This isn’t a polished redemption story or a neat recovery arc. It’s a human conversation about loss, self-awareness, and what finally made change unavoidable. If...
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This episode is for anyone who swears they’re “fine” while secretly letting work run their entire nervous system. <p> Erin and Nicole get honest about toxic attachment to jobs, the martyr complex disguised as responsibility, and why being the most dependable person in the room isn’t the flex you think it is. <p> If you’ve ever said “I’ll just do it,” treated every email like a five-alarm fire, or confused being needed with being valuable, this one might hit close to home. <p> Here’s what you’ll hear: <p> Why a toxic job isn’t always...
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What does a futurist actually do, and how can understanding change make leadership and life feel less overwhelming? <p> In this episode, Erin talks with futurist Cecily Sommers about how change really works, why uncertainty feels so intense right now, and how leaders can stay grounded when planning horizons keep shrinking. <p> Here’s what you’ll hear: -A futurist studies change, not to predict outcomes, but to understand patterns. <p>-The future is not figure-out-able. It is followable. <p>-All change moves in cycles of order, disorder, and re-order....
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In this micro-motivator episode, Erin shares the one strategy every new leader underestimates: using real stories of failure to build trust. <p> Whether you’re stepping into a new role or trying to earn trust with a team that already knows you, this episode gives you a simple habit that makes people think, “I can be myself around this leader.” <p>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...
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Seven years, 300 episodes, and more stories, meltdowns, breakthroughs, and belly laughs than anyone could’ve planned for. In this monumental milestone episode, Erin and Nicole pull back the curtain and celebrate the journey that started on a couch in New Haven and somehow turned into a community of thousands navigating work, life, leadership, burnout, and everything in between. <p> And in this episode, they’re not alone. They invited some of their most loyal listeners to join in the discussion and episode! <p> <a...
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Most resumes read like brag sheets no one asked for. Big words, boring buzzwords and mile-long bullet points that hiring managers will never read. In this episode, Erin breaks down what actually gets attention. <p> If you’re tired of blending in and ready to get noticed by real people scanning hundreds of resumes, this episode shows you the exact shift to make. <p> <p> If you’re tired of blending in and ready to get noticed by real people scanning hundreds of resumes, this episode shows you the exact shift to make. <p> Here’s what you’ll hear:...
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If you’ve ever wondered how to lead with more humanity without losing authority, this episode is for you. <p> Rachel DeAlto, keynote speaker, communication and leadership expert and author joins Erin to unpack what it really means to be a relatable leader-one who’s respected, trusted, and real even when the pressure’s high. <p> <p> Here’s what you’ll hear: <p> <p> The one thing teams say they crave most and most bosses forget to give <p> What it really takes to rebuild confidence after ego-driven leadership <p> How to use her “Me-You-We”...
info_outlineWhat does it take to build a leadership legacy that lasts? Stephanie Chung knows.
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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.
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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.
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Here’s what you’ll hear:
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1.) The time she TRIED to say "no thank you" to a big-girl job and what transpired
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2.) The two powerful lessons she learned from her father and stories of how she put those into action
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3.) How those annoying "bombs" that executives throw your way can be formative and helpful
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4.) The unique way she handled her boss when someone on her team made a mistake and he was "hunting" for them
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5.) What ALLY leadership stands for and practical ways to use it to be a legacy leader
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<p> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D9ZRMMZH?tag=eliteonlinepu-20&linkId=fb6e0e6d2ea03784f63585548859b518&ref_=as_li_ss_tl&geniuslink=true">Ally Leadership: How to Lead People Who Are Not Like You </a> <p>
<p> <a href="https://stephaniechung.com/">
Website: https://stephaniechung.com/
</a> <p>
<p> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheStephanieChung/">
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheStephanieChung/
</a> <p>
<p> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/TheStephanieChung/">Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheStephanieChung/ </a> <p>
<p>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> <p>
<p>To connect with Erin and/or Nicole, email: hello@bauthenticinc.com <p>
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<p><b>If you like jammin' with us on the podcast, b sure to join us for more fun and inspiration!</b><br></p>
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<ul>
<li><p> <a href="https://twitter.com/bcausepodcast">Follow b Cause on Twitter (really it's mostly Nicole) </a> <p></li><li><p> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/erin-hatzikostas/">Follow Erin on LinkedIn </a>or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/erinhatzikostas/" >Instagram</a> <p></li><li><p> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/bCAUSEPodcast">Join the b Cause Podcast Facebook Group</a> <p></li><li><p> <a href="https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/600ec8544ddf900016d517d1"> Take our simple, fun and insightful"What’s your workplace superhero name?”quiz</a><p></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><p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.bauthenticinc.com/our-2-cents">Check out our blog for more no-BS career advice</a> <p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.bauthenticinc.com/authentic-programs">Work with Us </a><p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.bauthenticinc.com/b-you-shop">Or just buy some fun, authentic, kick-ars merch here </a><p></li>
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<p><em>DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsustainable for younger audiences.<p></em>
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<p><b>Tweetable Comments</b><br></p>
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”Becoming an ally is a head and heart issue.”
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”It's okay to actually know what that is for you.”
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”You don't just want to be a leader when times are good and everything's rainbow and unicorns, you are the leader when times are good, bad, or indifferent.”
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”You have a brand. Now it's really important that you determine what that brand represents.”
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