Feb 1, 2022
<p>
One of the best things about this podcast is the no-holds-barred, insightful, hilarious, and often vulnerable conversations that Erin and Nicole have.
<p>
<p>
And this one’s no different.
<p>
<p>
Over the years, Nicole has let us in on her career-the good, the bad, and the ugly. Not many would be willing to go where she has and openly share the way she does.
<p>
<p>
In this episode, Nicole shares a huge announcement with us that has changed the trajectory of her career, added a little uncertainty to her life and undoubtedly a lot of excitement.
<p>
<p>
How’s she doing? In Nicole’s words, “somewhere between onward and oh fuck.”
<p>
<p> <a
href="https://www.ted.com/talks/shonda_rhimes_my_year_of_saying_yes_to_everything">Shonda
Rhimes: My Year of Saying Yes to Everything</a>
<p>
<p> <a
href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8nFACrLxr0">Finding
Joe</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>
<br>
<p><b>If you like jammin' with us on the
podcast, b sure to join us for more fun and
inspiration!</b><br></p>
<br>
<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>
<br>
<p><em>DISCLAIMER: This episode is not
explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsustainable
for younger audiences.<p></em>
<br>
<p><b>Tweetable
Comments</b><br></p>
<li><p>
“Taxes are our subscription to life. Before you work, it’s a free trial.” -Erin’s son, Mick
<p></li>
<li><p>
“I could no longer resign myself to do things that were actively undermining my authenticity, destroying my sense of integrity and hurting my health.”
<p></li>
<li><p>
“Adrenaline is a drug just like caffeine. You can stay on it to beat burnout and depression and unhappiness, or even excitement, enthusiasm, and innovation. It can help you with all of those things, but it will also run you dry.”
<p></li>
<li><p>
“I go out for one day on New Year’s Day and I get COVID from sharing a plate of nachos. And they were some damn good nachos.”
<p></li>
<li><p>
“The most humbling part of this is that there's so much learning in all of this, but there's so much I need to unlearn too.”
<p></li>
<li><p>
“Be honest with yourself. You have to own your own bullshit and be open to new bullshit because it's all bullshit.”
<p></li>
<li><p>
“When people ask me how I'm doing, my answer is generally ‘somewhere between onward and oh fuck.’”
<p></li>
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<title>Podcast Episode Summary – Authenticity, Career
Exit & Reinvention</title>
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<h1>Podcast Episode Summary</h1>
<h2>Overview</h2>
<p>
In this episode of the <em>Becuz Podcast</em>, host
<strong>Erin Hatzikostas</strong> and co-host
<strong>Nicole Lapin</strong> reflect on Nicole’s
decision to leave her job, the physical and emotional aftermath of
that decision,
and the broader cultural moment of workplace burnout, reinvention,
and what is often called the “Great Resignation.”
</p>
<h2>Key Themes</h2>
<h3>1. Choosing Authenticity Over Stability</h3>
<p>
Nicole explains that she reached a point where staying in her job
was actively undermining her authenticity, health, and overall
well-being.
She describes the decision to leave as not impulsive, but the
result of long-term internal tension and reflection.
</p>
<blockquote>
“I could no longer resign myself to do things that were actively
undermining my authenticity… hurting my health.”
</blockquote>
<p>
The conversation reframes quitting not as failure, but as an
alignment decision: choosing integrity and personal sustainability
over external expectations.
</p>
<h3>2. The Hidden Cost of “Success” and
Adrenaline</h3>
<p>
A major insight in the episode is how long-term stress and
adrenaline can mask burnout. Nicole reflects on how she functioned
in a near-constant state of “fight or flight,” which eventually led
to physical breakdown once she stepped away.
</p>
<p>
She and Erin discuss how high performers often become addicted to
urgency, overwork, and pressure — what Nicole calls a kind of
“home” or comfort in chaos.
</p>
<h3>3. The Physical Fallout of Burnout</h3>
<p>
After leaving her job, Nicole experienced a wave of health issues,
including surgery, illness, and exhaustion. Rather than immediate
relief, she describes a “pressure cooker effect” where the body
finally shuts down once stress is removed.
</p>
<p>
The episode highlights how burnout is not just mental or emotional,
but deeply physiological.
</p>
<h3>4. The Reality of Leaving a Job (Beyond the
Romance)</h3>
<p>
Nicole shares the unexpected logistics of unemployment: navigating
insurance, COBRA alternatives, exchange healthcare systems, and
administrative complexity.
</p>
<p>
She emphasizes that while leaving can be liberating, it also
introduces new forms of stress and uncertainty that are rarely
discussed publicly.
</p>
<h3>5. Reframing “Toxic Work Environments”</h3>
<p>
Rather than attributing toxicity solely to organizations or
leaders, Nicole reframes it as a combination of environment,
expectations, and self-reinforcing behaviors.
</p>
<p>
She suggests that sometimes the most “toxic” element is the
internal narrative and pressure individuals place on
themselves.
</p>
<h3>6. Identity, Ego, and Reinvention</h3>
<p>
A significant part of the discussion centers on identity loss after
leaving a senior role. Nicole explores the challenge of detaching
ego from job title and rebuilding a sense of self outside of
corporate structure.
</p>
<p>
This phase is described as a “detox period” — not yet clarity, but
necessary transition.
</p>
<h3>7. The Unlearning Phase</h3>
<p>
Nicole identifies key things she is actively unlearning:
</p>
<ul>
<li>Adrenaline addiction as a productivity
tool</li>
<li>Perfectionism and self-criticism
loops</li>
<li>The belief that worth is tied to constant
output</li>
<li>The assumption that the “next job” must
immediately follow the last</li>
</ul>
<h3>8. Advice for Others Considering a Career
Exit</h3>
<p>
Erin and Nicole offer practical reflections for listeners in
similar situations:
</p>
<ul>
<li>Be honest about your current situation, even if
it’s uncomfortable</li>
<li>Recognize and challenge internalized
self-criticism</li>
<li>Assume imperfection and uncertainty are part of
transition</li>
<li>Ask for help — and actually accept it when
offered</li>
<li>Don’t over-index on what others might think; most
people are neutral or supportive</li>
</ul>
<h2>Emotional Arc of the Episode</h2>
<p>
The episode moves between humor, vulnerability, and deep
reflection. While there are comedic moments (including chaotic
stories about healthcare navigation, colonoscopy prep, and absurd
life transitions), the emotional core is about surrendering control
and rebuilding identity.
</p>
<p>
Nicole describes her current state as:
</p>
<blockquote>
“Somewhere between onward and overwhelmed.”
</blockquote>
<h2>Closing Message</h2>
<p>
The conversation concludes with a broader reflection on change,
uncertainty, and growth. Erin frames Nicole’s experience as a
“hero’s journey,” emphasizing that discomfort is not a signal of
failure, but often a sign of transformation.
</p>
<p>
The episode ultimately encourages listeners to view career
transitions not as breakdowns, but as necessary resets that can
lead to greater alignment, even if the path is messy and
nonlinear.
</p>
<h2>Final Thought</h2>
<p>
Work doesn’t always have to “suck,” but sometimes the process of
leaving what no longer fits is what makes space for something more
sustainable, honest, and human.
</p>
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