278: How She Went from Super Shy to Boldly Brave with Jennifer Pestikas

Ever wondered what it really means to be brave at work? Jennifer Pestikas, SVP of Business Development and founder of Brave Women at Work, shares her journey from a shy bank teller to a bold leader, proving that confidence isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you build.

In this episode, Jennifer and Erin chat about:

1.) The seemingly simple but bold "ask" that changed her career trajectory

2.) Her greatest leadership challenge and how she took control when things didn’t go as planned

3.) The difference between post-traumatic stress and post-traumatic growth—and how challenges can lead to unexpected success

4.) Real-life examples of being brave at work—from speaking up in meetings to making bold career moves

5.) The Greek concept of Chronos (bending time)—how to make space for your passions without burning out

If you've ever felt stuck, struggled with self-doubt, or wondered how to make courageous career moves, this episode is packed with lessons that will inspire you to take action.

LinkedIn: @Jennifer Pestikas

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravewomenatwork/

Website: https://bravewomenatwork.com/author/jpestikas/

Find out more about Thrive in 2025 here: https://thrive-in25.com/

 

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: [e-mail] 

If you like jammin' with us on the podcast, b sure to join us for more fun and inspiration!

•  Follow b Cause on Twitter (really it's mostly Nicole)  

•  Follow Erin on LinkedIn or Instagram 

•  Join the b Cause Podcast Facebook Group 

•    Take our simple, fun and insightful"What’s your workplace superhero name?”quiz

•   Unleash your Authentic Superpower with Erin’s book,"You Do You (ish)" 

• Check out our blog for more no-BS career advice 

• Work with Us

• Or just buy some fun, authentic, kick-ars merch here




DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsustainable for younger audiences.




Tweetable Comments


•  "I had to write his eulogy on a cocktail napkin and get up in front of like 100 people and then lead his team. And I even went to the CEO at the time who didn’t know what to do with our department. And I said, 'You’re going to let me lead them right out of this.' And that’s pretty brave."

• "Would you rather live with the ‘no’ or the regret that you knew you could have asked, and then you are in a job situation where you’re resentful because you know you could have gotten more money or better benefits?"

• "They didn’t give me the big job. They gave it to somebody else after 18 months. Even after I led everybody. And I had to get cojones again. And I had to be like, 'Screw you all. I love you, but you guys have missed it.'"

• "Most women don’t feel brave. They can be successful business owners. They can be speakers. They can be writers. And they’re still like, ‘No, I’m not brave.’ And I wanted to disrupt that."