68: Leadership Lessons from a Real Survivor with Kim Spradlin-Wolfe

Work feels like one big game of Survivor these days, doesn't it? So we thought, "Hey, what if we could talk to a real Survivor winner (like CBS' epic show, 'Survivor'!) to see what we can learn from someone that had to face challenges way harder then your average office politics, all while hangry and homeless! This week, Erin Hatzikostas sits down with Survivor Season 24 winner Kim Spradlin-Wolfe (winning Survivior is a HUGE deal ya'll), to discuss what it was like to be on Survivor - through both a win and a loss - and more importantly, what lessons she took away for her own, real-life that she can share with others. Erin kicks things off by asking Kim about her time on Survivor, and how she felt about being thrown into a female/male divide (it was literally men vs women.) Kim discusses how she prepared (or didn't) for the show, and how her upbringing gave her a false sense of what "leadership" actually meant. With trust being such a volatile part of the game, Erin asks Kim how she handled others, both within and outside the game. Kim explains that she tried to build authentic connections with other contestants, so they had some level of trust in each other, even if trust is never truly possible in the game. Erin's daughter, Ella, wrote many of the questions Erin asked of Kim. For example, did playing the game destroy any bad habits? Spoiler: it certainly did. Did they get to bring toothbrushes? Spoiler: Nope! How do you put your emotions behind you? Do you get to wear sunscreen on survivor? They move on to discuss Kim's latest venture - her own design company - and how she decided to reinvent herself post show. Kim explains that during her first time of Survivor, she ran two bridal shops, but realized that it was actually the designing of th shop that she loved the most (selling dresses wasn't for her.) So with the prize money from winning the show, she decided to buy and renovate an old home, a process she enjoyed so much it led to her becoming an interior designer. Kim now focuses full time on interior design and renovation, and she's working on a potential pilot for a home renovation TV show! Kim won Survivor, but more importantly, she found her ikigai. You can follow Kim on IG @kimspradlinwolfe 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 even sare 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 unsustainable for younger audiences. Tweetable Comments: "I was able to go in, get a lay of the land, and do what needed to be done." "You know you can; trust anyone; everyone will screw you over in the end. But you have to find a way to trust where you can." "I was trying to make authentic relationships, because there was a trust in the connection, even if there was no trust in the game." "Nothing in my life has changed me as much as Survivor has." "I realized I was in all these cycles, and I think Survivor helped me break them." "I was then playing with all these people I'd watched and idolized in my 20's - really a lot of pinch-me moments." "Go spelunking and see what's written on your walls." "If it's second class to be a girl, then I will be a strong girl who can throw a football better than the boys." "When it rains it pours. When things are going well they go really well. That's how One World felt the entire season." "Don't hate me because I'm eating peanut butter in the shower." "When I was a kid we moved to 16 homes, and the consolation prize was always getting to redo my room." "I like getting my hands dirty." "What I do has to be meaningful for me, otherwise I can get off track really easily." "One thing that breaks my heart is women who haven't locked into any identity and don't feel any power."