Accidental Badass

In this episode, we're talking about what it's like to finally accept that you're a sensitive person and why it's one of the most badass realizations you can make about yourself.  The Accidental Badass (aka, Erin) talks through what it was like being the "Zero F*c&s Given" Cool Girl from her 20s and into her 40s. Then she realized that all of that ZFGing was really just projection and, in reality, she's really just been a highly sensitive person and am empath for most of her life.  Enjoy the small trips into the rabbit holes of why people are the way they are and how we can become better humans if we were all willing to do this one thing. For more information or to learn more about the Accidental Badass podcast, visit the website at accidentalbadass.com

Do you have a threshold for how much rejection you can take in a day, a week, a month, or a year? Have you ever noticed what your mind and your body feel like after years of being turned down or turned away from things you wanted? I call the culmination of rejections and the mental exhaustion that goes with it "rejection fatigue."  In this solo episode of the Accidental Badass podcast, I'm talking about rejection fatigue and how to navigate it. I talk about how to simultaneously put up walls while letting your guard down as well as pondering how other people cope with what can sometimes feel like constant rejection. The podcast wraps up with the idea that embracing rejection fatigue and being aware of its impact is one of the most badass things you can do for yourself.  Enjoy the episode and be sure to check out the Accidental Badass Podcast website to learn more

When your therapist validates your coping mechamisms you can bet your bum you're going to want to talk about them and share them with anyone who will listen. Hi I'm Erin, I'm the Accidental Badass and my coping mechanisms have been dubbed Erinisms by me and my therapist. Join me for the start of this 3-part series on a few of the ways I've been able to heal from grief and trauma in the last 2 years.  For this Erinism, we're talking about leaning in to your feelings.  Listen to reasons behind how or why you might want to 'befriend' your less-than-fantastic emotions and feelings and how leaning in to the thoughts rather than fighting them can help you get to a more healed and happier place.  Please note, I'm not a mental health professional and these thoughts and ideas are just my own ways of dealing with things. They're not a substitute for actual therapy or advice from a trained professional.  Enjoy the Episode and be sure to check out the Accidental Badass Podcast website to learn more

The OG Accidental Badass has found a new love of her life, but he's not quite what you might expect.  Tune in to hear more about the guy that's shown her unconditional love and reminded her she's not not only capable of loving, but that she's also pretty loving herself.  Enjoy the Episode and be sure to check out the Accidental Badass Podcast website to learn more accidentalbadass.com

Welcome back to another season of the Accidental Badass Podcast. Thanks for sticking around after the 4-month hiatus. Life got a little hectic there for a while, but things are calming down and the Accidental Badass is back in front of a microphone.  In the Season 3 opener, host Erin Hallstrom flies solo as she talks about resilience and strength and how we all need to remember that it's okay to not always feel like a badass 100% of the time. This episode also kicks off some formatting changes for this season of the podcast.  Enjoy the Episode and be sure to check out the Accidental Badass Podcast website to learn more. 

You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. Wayne Gretzky's famous words about hockey are often repurposed when talking about risk, which is exactly what today's guest and I are talking on the Accidental Badass podcast.  Hi. I'm Erin Hallstrom and I'm an accidental badass.  In this episode, I'm talking with Mark, a risk-taking badass. In this episode, we talk about the risks he's taken and how they've panned out for him. We also discuss risk aversion and why so many people are afraid to take even the smallest risks. We end the episode with lessons learned and advice that you won't want to miss.  Enjoy the episode and be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  ******* If you or someone you know would like to be a guest on the Accidental Badass podcast, be sure to head to AccidentalBadass.com to submit your story. 

With me on the podcast today is Vineet. Vineet has been in the United States for 11 years, having immigrated from India in 2010. When a job transfer brought him to the U.S., he not only had to learn a new country, but also a new way of life. Over the next half-hour we talk about what it's like being an immigrant in the United States. We chat about what we can all learn from one another, how we can be kinder and more open to new people and experiences, as well as where this international man of mystery might be off to next.  Enjoy the episode and be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  ******* If you or someone you know would like to be a guest on the Accidental Badass podcast, be sure to head to AccidentalBadass.com to submit your story. 

Vulnerability. Why are we so scared of it? Why do we fear opening our hearts and minds to people?  I'm talking about raw, honest, authentic vulnerability with today's guest, Jeff Stein. Jeff is a coach, a consultant, an award-winning public speaker, and a performer. In his TEDx talk, Understanding your Weight Problem, he broke vulnerability wide open.  In this episode, we talk about the connection between authenticity and vulnerability. We do a deeper dive about risk, reward, and whether zero f*^ks given is a helpful mindset, we also pay tribute one of the most important reasons why Jeff is able to be as raw and honest as he is.  Enjoy the episode and be sure to rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcast streaming app.  ******* If you or someone you know would like to be a guest on the Accidental Badass podcast, be sure to head to AccidentalBadass.com to submit your story. 

Whether we like it or not, we are judged on the many things that we say or do. And try as we may to resist, we also tend to judge others too.  This week I have Strategic Communications Consultant Drew Kerr with me on the podcast to talk about a topic that impacts each and every one of us.  In this episode, we're talking all about judgment. What is it? Why do we do it? And how can we adjust the way we react or respond to it. Listen in as we talk about how judgment differs from feedback and criticism as well as discussing how to stand up for yourself against judgmental bullies. We cap things off with a discussion about how to speak with greater empathy and compassion toward others as well as steps you can take to be less judgmental all around.  Enjoy the episode.   Learn more about The Accidental Badass Podcast and submit your story to be a guest on an upcoming episode. 

What does it mean to be beautiful?  Is it as simple as our outward appearance, or does it go deeper than that? In this episode, Janis Isaman and I talk about what it means to be beautiful...and our answers may may shock you. We also talk about body positivity, social conditioning, cultural acceptance, and why everyone seems to be so hell bent on the way we look.  Learn more about Janis and the work she does at My Body Couture Be sure to check out Janis' piece on body insecurity on Elephant Journal, 4 Easy Steps to Take Back your Power & Overcome Body Insecurities If you liked what you heard today and are interested in being a guest on the accidental badass podcast, be sure to head to accidentalbadass.com and submit your story for an upcoming episode. 

Meet Ryan. He's an Ohio-based project manager who has a heart of gold.  Ryan is also one of the most inspiring and resilient people I know. Like many of us, Ryan has faced challenges throughout his life, but his outlook and attitude are what make him such an inspirational badass.  Listen as we discuss what it was like to come out to his conservative Catholic family and how he's dealt with health setbacks that not everyone bounces back from.  If you're in need of an extra shot of positivity or inspiration, then this is the episode for you.  ***** During the episode, we mention Equitas Health’s Dayton Medical Center. If you're interested in helping or providing support, visit their website

What happens when you've got some serious athletic skill and a wicked smart brain to match? You find yourself with the opportunity to become a pretty badass college athlete.In this episode, I'm talking with Mike. He's a 32 year old engineer who not only had the brains, but also the brawn to be a Division 1 athlete during his entire college career. Listen as we talk about the physical and mental toughness it took to get him through and find out what he's doing with his life today. And ladies, it's worth pointing out, this Boston-based hottie is single and ready to mingle. Head over to @mikeyp171 on Instagram to check him out. Enjoy the episode!

What does it mean to be a dateable badass? I get help answering that question with my guests, Yue Xu and Julie Krafchick, hosts of the Dateable Podcast. In today's episode we talk about why we do the things we do. We talk about how the Dateable podcast got its start, how it's grown in the last 5 years. We cover relationship trends we've seen both from their perspective as dating sociologists and from my own woman-on-the-dating-street perspective. We dig into empathy and its role in our relationships and we learn how all of us can seek to be better humans. Enjoy the episode and be sure to rate, review, and subscribe The Accidental Badass on your favorite Podcasting Apps. Learn more about the Dateable PodcastVisit the Accidental Badass website to learn more about the podcast, including how to become a guest on the Accidental Badass podcast. 

To kick Season 2 off, I'm talking with Oscar. He's an Emergency Room nurse in the Chicago area. In this episode, we talk about the level of badassery it takes to be a healthcare worker on the frontlines of a deadline pandemic. Listen in as we talk about the toll the pandemic has taken on our most important front line workers, how he's survived the last year mentally and physically, and most importantly, the advice he has for everyone listening in. Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe to the Accidental Badass podcast on your favorite podcast streaming app. 

What happens when the job you’ve dreamed about turns out to be a nightmare? In this episode, I’m talking to Mark S. about what it was like to finally get his dream job, only to leave it shortly after once he realized it wasn’t what he thought he wanted. Listen in as we talk about baseball, marketing, and the kind of bravery it takes to recognize that life really does begin outside of your comfort zone. We also discuss the organized chaos that accompanies major life shifts as well as the kinds of lessons learned along the way. For recent graduates or those contemplating a career in marketing, be sure to listen through to the end as we talk about skill stacking and why it’s important to your career, no matter what route you take. Enjoy the episode and be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Learn more about the Accidental Badass podcast at accidentalbadass.com

Do you feel like your healthcare providers really listen to you when you voice a concern about your own health? Do you often feel like you have to repeat yourself over and over again to be taken seriously? In this episode of the Accidental Badass podcast, I'm talking to Katie Sue. Several years ago, she knew something was off with her health. No matter how many times she spoke to her doctors, none of them seemed to take her pleas seriously to do more testing. Until one day, she broke down in a specialist's office. What transpired after was a roller-coaster of health issues that brought Katie Sue to where she is today. Though we talk *a lot* about women's health issues and the endocrine system in this episode, tune in to learn why it's important to advocate for your own health and how you can break free from the idea that an illness is 'all in your head.'Learn more about the Accidental Badass

In this episode, I'm joined by Katy and Nicole, two teachers talking about what it's like being a teacher during a pandemic. Whether you have children or not, this episode will remind you why teachers really are total and complete badasses. 

Do you fear rejection or public speaking? In this episode I talk to Garrett Gray and Michael Scampini about what it means to be a socially fearless badass. Listen as we talk about why people fear public speaking so much and how getting into Toastmasters and improv led each of us to find our inner badass. Want to learn more about Yes And Toastmasters or try your hand at improv? Visit the website

Do you have the travel bug, but don’t know where or how to start? Maybe you’ve wondered how you can add a little more adventure into your life?  In this episode, I’m talking to Sara Zailskas Walsh about what makes her an adventurous badass. We talk about travel, adventure, overcoming fear, and how to find the adventurous badass inside of you.Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe to the Podcast!

In today's episode, I'm talking to Karrie Sullivan, Principal at the Culminate Strategy Group and Founder of The UpSkill Foundation. Join us as we talk about empathy, entrepreneurship, and advice you'll want to hear about embarking on your own brand of badassery. Want to get involved with The UpSkill Foundation? Visit http://www.upskillfoundation.org

Resilience. Are we born with it or do we develop it as we grow up? In this episode, I talk to the woman who is responsible for making me who I am today. My mother.   Listen in as we we talk about qualities of resilience and tenacity, and how the women in our family have walked down tough and unfamiliar roads, paving the way for women we are today.

How I arrived at becoming a badass was completely accidental. My efforts to break out of my shell or learn something new where what launched me into becoming the BAMF many people know today. I'll talk about that and more in each episode.