Work with Erika Ayers Badan

In this episode of WORK, Erika talks to Bree McKeen, founder of Evelyn & Bobbie, about what it really takes to rebuild a product from scratch—and why the bra industry was overdue for a total reset. They get into the science behind better support, the lies women have been told about comfort, and what happens when you stop following the playbook and build your own. It’s a conversation about innovation, scale, and why real R&D is anything but soft.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of WORK, Erika breaks down what it means to take over a business you didn’t start, and the difference between ownership, leadership, and cleanup. She gets into why the chief of staff role is one of the weirdest jobs, how companies get stuck in admin spirals, and why most meetings aren’t actually work. The episode also looks ahead at the jobs of the future, and what happens when AI starts managing our digital lives.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Caitlin Murray, a popular content creator with 1.8 million Instagram followers known for her humorous take on parenting, shares her insights on navigating life's challenges. She emphasizes the importance of honesty and humor in building her platform, Big Time Adulting. Joining her is Katie Lee, a restaurateur behind Katie's Fine Foods, who discusses her journey in the culinary world and the need to adapt her business when faced with obstacles. Together, they explore themes of burnout, personal growth, and the power of humor in both parenting and entrepreneurship.

In this episode of WORK, Erika talks with Chef Tiara from The Pastry Box about building something from scratch—literally. They get into how burnout led to biscuits, what it means to create a business that actually feeds you, and why joy should be part of the plan. The episode also features a conversation with Sarah Tans on maternity, identity, and how to make work work after becoming a parent.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of WORK, Erika talks about leadership, trust, and why the best teams don’t need babysitting. She unpacks what makes someone worth following, how Gen Alpha misunderstands the internet, and why being busy doesn’t mean being valuable. Plus: a conversation with Tejas Hullur on content, burnout, and storytelling—and a story from travel writer Anne Abel about changing your life at 72 and finally becoming the person you’ve always been.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of WORK, Erika sits down with Dustin Baker and Maya French, the co-founders of Happy Pop, to talk about what it really takes to build something from nothing—twice. They get into the chaos of launching a beverage brand, learning everything on the fly, and why community and confidence matter more than any investor pitch. It’s a story about resilience, reinvention, and making things that make people feel good.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Megan Olivi, a dynamic sports reporter and broadcaster for the UFC and NFL on Fox, dives into the nuances of performance and pressure in the fast-paced world of sports. She shares insights on the myth of 'phoning it in' and the dedication required to truly excel. The discussion also sheds light on the challenges women face in sports broadcasting, emphasizing professionalism and resilience in a male-dominated arena. Additionally, they explore generational shifts in work values and how these impact fulfillment and corporate culture.

In this episode of WORK, Erika breaks down what actually makes a good performance review, why feedback often goes wrong, and how collaboration turns into chaos when no one owns anything. She gets into the future of work, the difference between real mentorship and fake feedback, and why writing “as per my last email” might be the worst strategy of all.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of WORK, Erika sits down with Trudy and Chloe—mother and daughter, creatives, and co-authors of The Artful Way to Plant-Based Cooking. They talk about starting over at 50, building a career from scratch, and working together without losing your mind. The conversation covers career reinvention, ceramics, content, modeling, menopause, and what it means to build a life that actually works for you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of WORK, Erika talks with Max Shaw, founder of Windmill, about what happens when you actually try to fix work with software. They get into performance reviews, why no one knows what anyone does anymore, and how AI can help  the way we collaborate. It’s a conversation about systems, strategy, and the mess between productivity and performance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.