b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck

Erin Hatzikostas

A podcast obsessed with helping GenX(ish) leaders, who should be at the top of their careers but don’t feel like they are. The b Cause Work Doesn’t Have to Suck podcast isn’t another boring, stuffy leadership podcast. And it doesn’t bring you a gazillion guests who had the guts to “ef” the 9-5, seemingly the only answer to truly being happy in your career. Instead, this podcast is focused on helping you continue to rise in your career, but doing it without compromising everything else - your family, your health, or maybe even who you are. Erin, a former corporate CEO turned Authentic Leadership expert, teams up with her good friend, Nicole, an ivy league grad and professional do-gooder. Nicole lays it all on the line to share her real-time work highs, lows, contemplations, and sometimes barely believable stories. And Erin coaches and cajoles her (really, you) along the way...all in the name of helping you feel less insane, more inspired. Erin also interviews authentic leaders and experts who are focused on giving you the stories, advice, and tips that will have you making small, creative changes that will help you contend with and catapult your career. Grab a drink, put your feet up, and come along for a journey that will involve career advice, unsanitized thoughts, leadership lessons, important guests, and who the hell knows what else. b Cause work DOESN’T have to suck.

#27 in the Top 100 work All time chart

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Top 10 b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

111: How to Impress Your New Boss

b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck

05/25/21 • 52 min

You know the call...it goes something like this, "Hey Max, I'm calling to give you the heads up that they're doing a reorg, and you'll now be reporting to Jocelyn." Immediately you think, 'I don't have the energy to impress yet another new boss. I just really got into a groove with my current boss!' Well, the good news is that there is a better way to approach your "new boss" situations. In this episode, Erin and Nicole discuss a fresh (and more authentic) way to tackle your infinity boss situation. Hint: the key is in the questions, not the answers. Erin and Nicole kick off another authentic catch-up discussing their favorite summer wine - Vinho Verde. With things slowly beginning to open up again, they also discuss their feelings about going back out into the world. They decide that it should be a "rager" of a summer (however you define "rager") and also declare it the year of no shoulds. Erin then announces that they're creating the first-ever National Authenticity Day, which will be held annually on August 16th. They move on to their WTFs of the week. Nicole refinances her house, which can be a stressful time, but after seeing the five digits when out in front of her she...well shall we ay she was extremely proud of herself and may have slightly lost control of her bodily functions. Erin has a story about an old boss, who she had for only three weeks and she was convinced was firing her one day. This leads into a discussion on bosses, how to approach them, including how to mentally prepare yourself for organizational change at work. Erin coaches Nicole, and the listeners, that it's all about asking powerful questions and connecting. 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: Follow Erin on LinkedIn: Check out the b BRILLIANT career coaching program @ b Cause Podcast Facebook group @ 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 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 unsustainable for younger audiences. Tweetable Comments: "I'm socially conscious, but also fashionable and ready for anything - that's sort of my party mantra." "It's not the year of yes it's the year of no-shoulds." "Obviously, Authenticity Day will be me, behind the snack-shack at your place, making snow cones." "There's only one rule for National Authenticity Day; there are no rules." "Unfortunately, this revolving door of bosses is not uncommon." "Authenticity isn't about you. It's about creating connections and trust exponentially faster than going through the motions." "When people care about what you think, there's not much people love more than that." Don't come at it as if you're a risk, come at it like you're a reward." "Don't beat around the bush." "In an interview, it's not about answering questions, it's about HOW you answer them."

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24: What’s Possible When You Come at Things From a Point of Success: Part 1

b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck

10/08/19 • 46 min

Coming to you with another 'How Was Your Week?' episode with so much crammed in that we split it in half to create two glorious episodes. This week we learn tactics of success from the kids: Nicole Licata Grant and Erin Hatzikostas reflect on Erin's son's attitude towards success and failure (Believe. Achieve. Repeat.), and then we apply it to our own working lives and experiences. We then take a sidetrack and briefly delve into marriages past and present, with a quick word of warning and advice to the ladies out there that may be contemplating marriage (hint: if they say 'Don't be an asshole' just before they propose...RUN!! What's that sound? It's another VP take over while the boss is away. Nicole brings up the idea of VP Cointainment Zones at her work (you remember her Italian Mafia stage right?), which allows Erin to coach her, and you, on how to look at "Containers" with a new lens...and how to maximize your results if you can set aside your frustration and instead slow down and get them on the bus with a cocktail of 'What's in it for them'. We hope you enjoy the episode and the next in this 2-part series! 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 think we come from a place of failure a lot. Versus Mick, he's 8, he's got a turtle brain. He just forgets a failure and starts again." "Sometimes the "believe. Achieve. Repeat." is small. it's knowing you're not going to grab the cheese from the refrigerator." "I told you before he is either going to be a mega-millionaire salesman/entrepreneur or is going to start a cult." "That's a killer in a relationship...the transaction." "The fact that you took that risk, made that shift, and believed there was something better on the other side, it's pretty inspirational." "So, everyone, if you're with someone who's an asshole before you get married and have kids, they're probably going to be worse afterward." "You're at the end of this big project, and anyone could have supported or collaborated with you at the beginning, then at the end they come in and just want to create a barrier to your success because they want to contain the mid-level management group." "It's fear. There's a lot of fear at the top, because you're responsible for a lot of things, and you need to determine when to put on the fear radar, to detect what can negatively impact your product." "People don't necessarily want you at the table, but they want to take that information and power for themselves." "A lot of people call it 'politics'. It's actually just how business gets done."

143: 3 Fun Strategies to Get Shit (You Don't Wanna Do) Done

b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck

03/01/22 • 60 min

How’s that to-do list of yours? Ever growing? Can’t seem to catch up? Maybe the thought of sliding it into the trash even crossed your mind a time or two?

Us too.

Well, what if you could make your to-do list a little less daunting, a little more motivating and hell, maybe even a little more enjoyable?

In this episode, Erin and Nicole chat about fun strategies to get sh*t done that you simply don’t want to do. So, if your task list is giving you the blues, tune in to this episode to see if any of these strategies light a spark under your...well, you know.

Jon Acuff: Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done

Episode 123: Game-changing Advice to Make You Fearless at Work with Molly Fletcher

The Energy Clock: 3 Simple Steps to Create a Life Full of ENERGY ― and Live Your Best Every Day

You Do You(ish): Unleash Your Authentic Superpowers to Get the Career You Deserve

It’s Been a Minute with Sam Sanders: Questlove's 'Summer of Soul' brings lost music back to life

224: Why You Must Reduce ZMOT to Zero & 3 Strategies to Get There Faster

b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck

11/14/23 • 30 min

Have you ever heard of the Zero Moments of Truth (ZMOT)? It's that precious window of time before someone decides to buy from you, to hire you, or to work with you. It may sound like an elusive concept at first, but it actually plays a big role in our day-to-day decision making.

In this episode, Erin and Nicole discuss three simple shifts that will help you reduce ZMOT to zero and give you the edge you need to come out on top.

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

“Zero Moments of Truth is that time before people make a decision to purchase from you, to hire you, to do business with you, to buy your shit.”
“You don't need as many hours, as many interactions, or as many location when you use authenticity,”
“What is the intention?”
“We can create our presence in the world so that people feel familiar with us.”

227: Owning Your Journey in a Crappy Environment with Andrea Butcher

b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck

12/12/23 • 45 min

Let's be honest, we've all found ourselves in a toxic work environment at some point in our lives. It's draining, demotivating and can make the workday feel like a never-ending nightmare.

But the truth is, finding a positive work environment can feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack. And while we can't control the actions of our coworkers or bosses, can we control our reactions and the way we handle ourselves in those situations? This week's guest, Andrea Butcher, has a few thoughts on that.

Andrea is a visionary—she knows how to lead organizations from big picture to execution. She is a dynamic speaker, executive coach, and facilitator. As the CEO and co-owner of HRD - A Leadership Development Company, she leads a national team of expert facilitators and coaches and drives the organization’s growth strategy.

She also hosts a daily and weekly leadership podcast, Being [at Work] and is the author of The Power in the Pivot: Leadership Lessons from Being [at Work] to Take You from Chaos to Clarity. In 2020, she was recognized by the Indianapolis Women’s Journal as a Woman of Influence. Andrea’s work spans organizations of all sizes and industries all over the world; she has experience in global HR positions, consulting, operations, and executive roles for private and public organizations.

Andrea is also the co-founder and President of Next Gen Talent, a program specifically designed to equip emerging HR leaders for success.

In this episode you’ll hear:

1. Why your shitty environment might be a “you problem”, and what to do about it 2. The time a male mentor gave her some crappy advice, and how that turned out 3. Her boardroom breakdown(ish) and the positive that came of that 4. Her take on the future of work employment and what you can do to prepare for it 5. A simple, 5-word statement that can be your leadership (everrrrywhere) secret weapon

If you're struggling in your workplace, take a deep breath, grab a cup of coffee, and listen in. Andrea Butcher just might have the answers you've been looking for.

The Power in the Pivot

Human Resources Kit for Dummies

Being [at Work] Podcast

Linkedin: @AndreaButcher

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

“People are looking around them at evidence of leadership rather than looking within themselves and asking, ‘What can I do here?’”
“You also are shaping your environment based on how you think about your environment.”
“Challenge yourself to think beyond ‘what is’.”
“In order to be who you are, you have to know who you are.”

131: Top 6 Benefits of Returning to the Office After Covid

b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck

11/23/21 • 35 min

Covid shook the corporate world upside down. Instead of heading into work, you went to your makeshift desk, grimaced through virtual meetings as your kids yelled “mom!”, and had no human contact outside of your home whatsoever.

Cut to a year and a half(ish) later and we are starting to see hints of normalcy. Heading back to work is one of them.

In this episode, Erin and Nicole share their top six reasons why you should be pumped to ditch the work from home signature sweatpants and messy bun look and be excited to go back into the workplace and rock it. Hint: Sun Chips are high on the list.

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

“It's a Petri dish; it can be really great but can also be really complicated.”
“There is something wrong with American society. It is very hard to print documents.”
“I'm also slightly afraid about what I'm going to find in my office. I’m pretty sure I left some kind of sandwich in my drawer 18 months ago. I’m a little worried about that situation.”
“If shit really goes down and the entire world shuts down, who's the brave soul that has to be the last one that cleans out the fridge?”
“How will I know when I’ve made it? When I can afford to buy Sun Chips at the grocery store.”
“If somebody created an AI version of me so I don't have to do my job, that’d be great. I'd buy that.”
“We're all about authenticity, but not for your looks on camera. Do whatever it takes there.”

247: How to Create and Maintain Better Grown-Up Friendships

b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck

06/11/24 • 40 min

Ever notice how your friendships shift as you hit major milestones like getting married, moving to a new city, or having kids?

This episode dives deep into the complexities of relationships during these significant life changes. Erin and Nicole explore ways to maintain strong, meaningful connections as our lives grow and evolve. Whether it’s forging new friendships or nurturing old ones, this discussion offers real insights on how to adapt and keep your relationships thriving through it all.

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

“Your friends will lie to you, but your enemies won't.”
“Do something that terrifies you. The only expectation is that you simply show up.”
“We don't control everything, but we control who we are and what we do and how we react to situations.”
“There’s so many people in the world that are deeply craving to know you.”

254: Hitting 50 Can Be Frickin’ Hard AND Fabulous

b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck

07/30/24 • 57 min

Erin turned 50!

In this episode, Erin spills the tea on hitting the big five-oh. From the highs of newfound wisdom to the lows of being uncomfortable in your own skin, Erin dishes out her reflections on aging, health hiccups, and embracing change.

239: 5 Things I've Learned on My Health Journey

The 50% Rule is available for pre-order now! Click here to grab your copy.

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 think he also bought some nude art of me.”
“Let me be f*cking 50 and have fun.”
“It’s all about the little moments.”
“You might not know the whole me because the whole me can be slightly terrifying.”

246: Kill Your Company's Complexity with Lisa Bodell

b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck

06/04/24 • 29 min

Bogged down by endless PowerPoints, meetings, and other 'stupid rules' throughout your workday? It’s no wonder you feel overloaded and uninspired. The constant stream of unnecessary tasks and interruptions leaves little room for creativity and productivity.

So how do you identify these time-wasters so you can reclaim your day and focus on what truly matters? This week’s guest, Lisa Bodell, has some ideas.

Lisa Bodell is an award-winning author and CEO of FutureThink. She has repeatedly been selected as one of the Top 50 Keynote Speakers in the World and recognized as one of the top 50 futurists. As a futurist and expert on the topic of innovation and simplicity, she serves as a global council member of the World Economic Forum, and has helped thousands of senior leaders ignite innovation at Bloomberg, Pfizer, Lockheed Martin, and more.

In this episode you’ll hear:

1.) Why your busy schedule and crap work is (in part) your fault ... and what to start doing differently

2.) What a Simplicity Champion is and how they can fuel both innovation and culture at your company (3 birds with one stone)

3.) How to stop giving time away without thinking, and the two-word phrase you can use to change the game

4. ) What a "Kill a Stupid Rule" process looks like and what it can spur

5.) Her two biggest Buck That! stories that will inspire you to shove aside others' (strong) opinions from time to time and trust your gut

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-bodell-futurethink/

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

“Doing the same things might feel good, but you're not growing.”
“Subtraction has value.”
“We play an active role in complexity and we choose it more than we think with the best of intentions.”
“If people really faced the fact that they create their barriers, they wouldn't be the victim in their own story all the time.”

276: Why Former BBC Foreign Journalist Melanie Marshall is Optimistic About the World Despite Seeing its Worst

b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck

02/18/25 • 74 min

This episode is one for the books. Melanie Marshall, a former BBC foreign journalist turned filmmaker, speaker, and coach, joins us with jaw-dropping stories from the world’s most challenging places. She’s witnessed humanity at its worst—and yet, she’s still relentlessly hopeful.

Some of the things you'll hear are:

1.)How radicalized followers of Osama Bin Laden made her feel welcome in an interview just shortly after his death

2.) What anyone can do to create connection, despite differences

3.) How she defied her boss' (on multiple occasions) to do a story they thought was both dangerous and unnecessary, and the magic that resulted (and goat!)

4.) Stories of how some of the most oppressed women are actually just like you and find joy in their own ways

5.) So many other AMAZING stories, including the time she got repeatedly beat by a man with a feather duster and also the time she saved herself using her most important asset

Melanie’s storytelling is raw, hilarious, and filled with lessons on courage, connection, and seeing the good in the world—even when it’s hard to find.

How you can use Human Connection to drive change | Melanie Marshall | TEDx

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-marshall-237a641/

Substack: https://imrama.substack.com/

Website:http://melaniemarshall.com

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

”She impacted me, she impacted my friend, she impacted all of these people with her goodness and her fiery spirit. She lived.”
”If you think about the different stages that you get to in your career and when you reach a new one, you realize, ‘oh, they're all people’”
”I am grateful that I have let myself be impacted so much by the people I have met because I feel a gift and a responsibility to let what I have learned from them go forward.”
“I am not the lady in a sheet. I am the boss.”
”The story wasn't over. It wasn't easy, but it wasn't over. And that's where I get hope.”

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FAQ

How many episodes does b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck have?

b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck currently has 284 episodes available.

What topics does b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck cover?

The podcast is about Selfimprovement, Management, Leadership, Selfhelp, Work, Comedy, Podcasts, Business and Careers.

What is the most popular episode on b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck?

The episode title '111: How to Impress Your New Boss' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck?

The average episode length on b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck is 50 minutes.

How often are episodes of b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck released?

Episodes of b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck are typically released every 7 days.

When was the first episode of b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck?

The first episode of b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck was released on Apr 25, 2019.

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