b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck

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 professi...

"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 fa...

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 authenti...

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...

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 cred...

*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 sh...

*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,...

*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 star...

Join Erin and Rohit Bhargava in a fascinating conversation about the power of non-obvious thinking. From discussing the transformative Haystack Method to exploring how AI is revolutionizing creativity, this episode is packed with insights on how to cultivate a non-obvious mindset to stand out in a crowded world. Rohit Bhargava is on a mission to inspire more non-obvious thinking in the world. He i...

Do you ever feel like you're lacking that inner fire to tackle challenges and chase after your dreams? Well, we've got good news for you. Our guest, Fia Fasbinder, is an expert in helping you discover your own unique confidence, or "moxie", and she's here to tell you how you can find yours. Fia Fasbinder arms speakers with the tools to deliver killer presentations. With over 15 years of experience...

Feeling drained from the holiday season? This lighthearted episode is just what you need! We've got stories that will have you laughing and shaking your head in agreement, from imperfections around the holidays to unorthodox trip planning (just wait until you hear this one.) You'll also hear Erin and Nicole chat about the magic of The 50% Rule, a mindset that will change how you do...well, everyth...

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...

Leaving a job is tough, plain and simple. No matter the reason, there's probably a part of you that feels a little hesitant to let go. Maybe you've made some great friends in the office or maybe you're sad to leave behind the work you helped build. So how do you let go or do you? In the latest episode of the b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck podcast, Erin and Nicole dive into this topic and explor...

You may have spent years honing and perfecting your skills, becoming an expert in your field. But despite your success, there might be an underlying feeling of restlessness that won't seem to disappear. Sound familiar? If so, you'll love this week's guest, Aree Bly, a seasoned actuary turned Champion for Sustainable Success.  Aree has spent over two decades honing her technical skills and nurturin...

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 edg...

If there's one thing that can turn your day upside down, it's an unexpected confrontation. We often find ourselves in the thick of it, unsure how it got to this point and how we can make it out in one piece.  Luckily for us, Dr. Bridget Cooper is here to give us practical tools to help us stay calm during those tough talks.  Dr. Bridget Cooper is a self-proclaimed cage rattler; a coach, speaker, a...

You know that moment when someone suggests something new or different, and we come up with every excuse in the book for why it won't work? It's no secret most of us are resistant to change, often before we even give it a chance. But what would happen if we opened ourselves up to curiosity instead? In this episode, Erin and Nicole discuss practical strategies to shift from your own opinions and bel...

Throughout history, there have been individuals who bravely stand up against tragedy, fighting for justice and the truth. Sandy Rosenthal is one of those people.  After Hurricane Katrina and the federal levee failures in New Orleans, Sandy Rosenthal founded the non profit Levees.org with 25,000 supporters nationwide. Her book––Words Whispered in Water––is about how she led an investigative team to...

This week, we're taking a trip down memory lane and replaying one of our most impactful episodes from a few years back. It's jam-packed with some amazing insights and actionable tips that will undoubtedly help you boost your LinkedIn game.  In this episode, we'll be doing a "grading" of Nicole's LinkedIn profile, step by step, and sharing proven techniques that have worked wonders for us and we ha...

Prioritizing can be painful, but does it have to be?  For many of us, prioritizing tasks and responsibilities can be an overwhelming experience. From endless to-do lists to the constant demand of others, it can often feel like we are drowning in a sea of obligations with no end in sight. However, prioritizing doesn't have to be a painful experience. In the latest episode of the b Cause Work Doesn'...

When it comes to asking questions, there's often a lot of pressure to ask the "right" thing. But is there really such a thing as a "stupid question"?  Many argue that there isn't - after all, when we're curious and seeking knowledge, any question can lead to enlightenment. However, there are certainly questions that are less intentional than others.  So, how can we turn bad questions into intentio...

Whether you realize it or not, presenting at work is often the biggest interview you'll ever have; your ability to captivate, persuade, and engage others is often the differentiator between who stays where they're at and who is tapped to take on the bigger-girl (or boy) role. And a successful presentation is dependent on WAY more than the fancy words you say or PowerPoints you paint together. So h...

For many, pushing back can be intimidating. Whether it's saying no to extra work or challenging a superior's decision, confronting authority can be an uncomfortable experience. But for some, pushing back has been the key to unlocking their full potential. Just ask this week's guest, Barb Flitsch. Daughter, wife, mother, and now grandmother. Barb Flitsch is a 35-year veteran of the employee benefit...

Have you ever had one of those days where everything seems to go wrong? Maybe you woke up feeling groggy and rushed, spilled your coffee on your shirt, and then got stuck in traffic on the way to work.  We've all been there.  But here's the thing - you don't have to let those bad days define you. In this episode, Nicole and Erin dive into the mindset shift of making yesterday your last bad day. Th...

Losing your job can be a serious blow to your confidence and motivation, especially if it happened unexpectedly. It's totally normal to feel overwhelmed or scared about what the future holds. But the good news is that there are some things you can do to help you stay focused and on track during this time!  In today's episode, Erin breaks down the top five things you should avoid doing if you've be...