What happens when you're the strong one everyone depends on, but you're quietly falling apart yourself?

On this episode of STORYTIME with Lori, I'm pulling up a chair with Nicole O’Brien for a conversation that goes well beyond personal branding, LinkedIn, or the highlight reels we put out into the world.

Nicole is a mother, leader, marketer, and woman who has navigated devastating family loss while continuing to show up for the people who needed her. She opens up about losing her brother, carrying grief into the workplace, stepping away from healthcare, and discovering that healing doesn't necessarily mean becoming the person you used to be.

But don't worry. We're not spending 30 minutes crying into our coffee.

We're also talking about '90s hip-hop, Biggie, Tupac, Taylor Swift, raising brutally honest children, the unexpected joy of finding your people on LinkedIn, and why getting older can bring a beautiful freedom from other people's opinions.

In this conversation:

• Why authenticity feels harder than it should
• How grief affects leadership, work, and emotional capacity
• What grieving employees actually need from their employers
• Finding confidence in your forties and embracing change
• Building a personal brand without losing your personality
• Using music, humor, and storytelling to connect with people
• Why you don't have to return to your old self to heal

This isn't a five-step guide to becoming your authentic self. Thank goodness.

It's an honest conversation about being a whole human being while life keeps happening.

🎙️ STORYTIME with Lori — Real people. Real stories. No polished perfection required.

There's always room for one more.

Explore the show: https://storytimewithlori.com/