One of the best things about this podcast is the no-holds-barred, insightful, hilarious, and often vulnerable conversations that Erin and Nicole have.
And this one's no different.
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.
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.
How's she doing? In Nicole's words, "somewhere between onward and oh fuck."
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: hello@bauthenticinc.com
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"Taxes are our subscription to life. Before you work, it's a free trial." -Erin's son, Mick
"I could no longer resign myself to do things that were actively undermining my authenticity, destroying my sense of integrity and hurting my health."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"Be honest with yourself. You have to own your own bullshit and be open to new bullshit because it's all bullshit."
"When people ask me how I'm doing, my answer is generally 'somewhere between onward and oh fuck.'"
In this episode of the Becuz Podcast, host Erin Hatzikostas and co-host
Nicole Lapin 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."
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.
"I could no longer resign myself to do things that were actively undermining my authenticity… hurting my health."
The conversation reframes quitting not as failure, but as an alignment decision: choosing integrity and personal sustainability over external expectations.
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.
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.
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.
The episode highlights how burnout is not just mental or emotional, but deeply physiological.
Nicole shares the unexpected logistics of unemployment: navigating insurance, COBRA alternatives, exchange healthcare systems, and administrative complexity.
She emphasizes that while leaving can be liberating, it also introduces new forms of stress and uncertainty that are rarely discussed publicly.
Rather than attributing toxicity solely to organizations or leaders, Nicole reframes it as a combination of environment, expectations, and self-reinforcing behaviors.
She suggests that sometimes the most "toxic" element is the internal narrative and pressure individuals place on themselves.
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.
This phase is described as a "detox period" — not yet clarity, but necessary transition.
Nicole identifies key things she is actively unlearning:
Erin and Nicole offer practical reflections for listeners in similar situations:
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.
Nicole describes her current state as:
"Somewhere between onward and overwhelmed."
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.
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.
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.
