Build, Scale, Exit, Repeat: The Real Story Behind Earning It | Riggs Kubiak | #49

The High Achiever's Guide to Letting Go of Control | Kersten Weber Tatarelis | #50

Kersten Weber Tatarelis has led billion-dollar healthcare transformations. She could not stop her mother's dementia. This episode is about what happens when the most capable person in the room can't fix what matters most. Kersten Weber Tatarelis spent more than two decades leading billion-dollar clinical and operational transformations across the country's largest health systems. She knows how to solve complex problems at scale. What she couldn't solve was watching her mother disappear to dementia while raising four kids and running enterprise teams. In this episode of I Can Fit That In, Kersten and Erin get honest about the sandwich generation, the specific pressure women in leadership face when elder care collides with career, and what it actually takes to stop running on empty when the people you love need you most. What You'll Take Away - Why women disproportionately carry the weight of elder care and what that costs them professionally, emotionally, and physically - The early conversations to have with aging parents while they can still tell you what they want, and why most people wait too long - How Kersten learned to set boundaries around caregiving visits so she could show up present instead of resentful - What most organizations are still missing when it comes to supporting employees through elder care demands - Why owning your caregiving story, especially in a job search, is more powerful than hiding it behind words like "sabbatical" More About Kersten Kersten Weber Tatarelis is a nationally recognized healthcare executive with more than 20 years leading large-scale clinical and operational transformation across major health systems. She is also a mother of four and a primary caregiver for her mother, who is living with an atypical form of dementia. This one is worth sharing. If someone in your life is holding everything together right now, send this episode their way. And if you haven't subscribed yet, now's a good time. Connect with Kersten: 💼 LinkedIn: Kersten Weber Tatarelis [http://linkedin.com/in/kersten-weber-tatarelis-mba-pharmd] Connect with Erin Coupe:  💫 Instagram: @authenticallyec  [https://www.instagram.com/authenticallyec?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==] 💼 LinkedIn: Erin Coupe  [https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-coupe/] 🌐 Website: ErinCoupe.com [http://erincoupe.com/] #sandwichgeneration #leadershipcoaching #womeninbusiness #caregiving #businesspodcast

Build, Scale, Exit, Repeat: The Real Story Behind Earning It | Riggs Kubiak | #49

Everyone celebrates the exit. Nobody talks about what it costs you to get there. Riggs Kubiak built and sold a $50M construction tech company, and he's here to tell you what the highlight reel left out. In this episode of I Can Fit That In, Erin sits down with Riggs Kubiak, entrepreneur, investor, and author of the new book Earned, a raw behind-the-scenes look at what it actually takes to build something meaningful. Riggs founded Honest Buildings, scaled it to 120 employees, raised over $50 million in venture capital, and sold it to Procore, which later went public on the New York Stock Exchange. This conversation isn't a success story in the traditional sense. Erin and Riggs dig into the emotional realities of entrepreneurship, the burnout, the self-doubt, the identity questions that most founders are too afraid to say out loud. If you're building something, leading a team, or standing at the edge of a big leap, this one is for you. What You'll Take Away Why you can't outwork your way through every stage of building a business, and what actually moves the needle when hard work alone isn't enough How to recognize when your drive to perform is crossing into burnout territory, even when you think you're fine Why the inner critic shows up loudest at the highest levels, and how naming it changes your relationship with it What Riggs wishes he'd known about protecting his identity, relationships, and wellbeing while scaling a company How vulnerability in leadership isn't weakness. It's the thing that gives other people permission to be honest too More About Riggs Riggs Kubiak is the founder of Honest Buildings, acquired by Procore Technologies, and the author of Earned, a founder's guide to the stages, mistakes, and real growth that entrepreneurship demands. He now invests in and advises early-stage founders. If this episode resonated, subscribe so you never miss a conversation that goes beyond the surface. And if you know a founder, leader, or professional who needs to hear this, share it with them. Connect with Riggs: 💼 Linkedin: RiggsKubiak [https://x.com/RiggsKubiak] Twitter: riggskubiak [https://www.linkedin.com/in/riggskubiak] Connect with Erin Coupe: 💫 Instagram: @authenticallyec  [https://www.instagram.com/authenticallyec?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==] 💼 LinkedIn: Erin Coupe  [https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-coupe/] 🌐 Website: ErinCoupe.com [http://erincoupe.com/] #entrepreneurship #leadershipcoaching #businesspodcast #founders #womeninbusiness

Be Who You Came to Be with Tara Renze | #48

What if the life you're meant to live is already inside you, waiting to be uncovered? In this inspiring conversation, Erin Coupe sits down with author, keynote speaker, and emotional intelligence practitioner Tara Renze to explore the message that transformed her life: "Be who you came to be." Sparked by a letter from her grandmother to her newborn son, Tara shares how that simple phrase became a lifelong mission of self-discovery, authenticity, and purpose. Together, Erin and Tara discuss emotional intelligence, self-leadership, personal growth, workplace culture, and why fulfillment comes from becoming more of who you truly are, not achieving more. They also unpack Tara's powerful concept of Butterfly Goals and how taking one imperfect step can create extraordinary change. Key Takeaways: - Why self-leadership is the foundation of great leadership - How Butterfly Goals help you reconnect with purpose and joy - The role emotional intelligence plays in fulfillment and success - Why perfectionism keeps people stuck How one imperfect step can change everything If you've been feeling stuck, unfulfilled, or disconnected from your next chapter, this conversation is your reminder that becoming who you came to be is a lifelong journey worth taking. Connect with Host Erin Coupe 💫Instagram: ⁠⁠@authenticallyec⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/authenticallyec/?hl=en] 💼 LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Erin Coupe⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-coupe] 🌐 Website: ⁠⁠ErinCoupe.com [http://erincoupe.com/] Connect with Tara: https://www.tararenze.com https://www.instagram.com/tararenze/?hl=en

Thriving Through Uncertainty with Meredith Elliott Powell | #47

When life feels uncertain, most people freeze. Meredith Elliott Powell learned how to move forward anyway. In this episode of I Can Fit That In, Erin Coupe sits down with business growth strategist, keynote speaker, and bestselling author Meredith Elliott Powell to unpack what it really takes to navigate disruption, uncertainty, and change without losing momentum. From career pivots and economic instability to burnout, leadership pressure, and personal setbacks, Meredith shares how resilience is built in real time. Together, Erin and Meredith explore why mindset alone is not enough, how rigid goals can actually hold people back, and why “moving the needle” matters more than chasing perfection in today’s unpredictable world. Key takeaways from this episode: - How to reframe disruption as opportunity - Why resilience requires action, not just optimism - The mindset shift that helps people keep going during uncertainty - How leaders and entrepreneurs can avoid burnout while staying focused If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of your next move, this conversation will help you reconnect with clarity, confidence, and possibility. Tune in and discover how uncertainty might actually become your greatest advantage. Connect with Host Erin Coupe 💫Instagram: ⁠@authenticallyec⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/authenticallyec/?hl=en] 💼 LinkedIn: ⁠Erin Coupe⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-coupe] 🌐 Website: ⁠ErinCoupe.com [http://erincoupe.com/]

Rethinking Work: Trust, AI, and the Teams of Tomorrow with Brian Elliott | #46

What if the future of work is not about doing more, but becoming more human? In this episode of I Can Fit That In, Erin Coupe sits down with workplace expert, bestselling author, and Work Forward CEO Brian Elliott for a powerful conversation about leadership, burnout, AI, team dynamics, and what truly drives sustainable performance in today’s evolving workplace. Drawing from decades of experience at companies like Google and Slack, Brian shares why curiosity is the leadership skill that matters most, how hustle culture continues to damage performance, and why the strongest teams are built on trust, clarity, and human connection. Together, Erin and Brian unpack the tension between flexibility and accountability, the hidden cognitive cost of AI, and how leaders can create healthier, more sustainable ways of working without sacrificing results. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why AI is increasing cognitive overload for many teams - The leadership mindset that creates trust and engagement - How sustainable performance actually improves business outcomes - Why empathy and team connection matter more than ever - The shift from productivity obsession to meaningful impact If you’ve been questioning the way we work, lead, and define success, this conversation will leave you feeling both grounded and hopeful. Connect with Brian Elliott on LinkedIn and through his work with Charter and Work Forward. Connect with Host Erin Coupe 💫Instagram: ⁠@authenticallyec⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/authenticallyec/?hl=en] 💼 LinkedIn: ⁠Erin Coupe⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-coupe] 🌐 Website: ⁠ErinCoupe.com [http://erincoupe.com/] Connect with Brian https://www.linkedin.com/in/belliott/