What happens when the version of “professionalism” you were taught was never meant for you?

In this episode of The Grace Space Podcast, host Kaitlyn Rios sits down with Lauren (L2) Howard, CEO of Clinical Operations Group and founder of ElleTwo and Quirky, for a raw, funny, deeply human conversation about mental health, toxic systems, and the courage it takes to rebuild your identity after environments that tried to shrink you.

Together, they explore the emotional cost of outdated professionalism, the healing power of humor, and why telling the truth — even the messy parts — is one of the most radical acts of self‑care.

This episode is an invitation to stop performing, start breathing, and remember that being different has never meant being broken.

💬 What We Talk About

• The hidden mental health toll of harmful workplaces and societies
• Why “professionalism” often harms women, neurodivergent folks, and anyone who doesn’t fit the mold
• How humor becomes a survival tool — and a healing one
• The story behind Quirky, her community for the “eh‑ntisocial”
• The courage it takes to tell the truth about what hurt you
• Rebuilding identity after burnout, gaslighting, or systemic harm
• Why mental health advocacy must be both personal and systemic

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🔥 Key Moments

• The moment she realized the version of professionalism she was performing wasn’t built for her
• How ElleTwo was born from frustration with patriarchal workplace norms
• Why humor is one of her most powerful tools for connection and healing
• The origin story of Quirky — and why so many people need a space like it
• How she rebuilt her identity after seasons that made her question it
• The truth about boundaries, self‑trust, and refusing to shrink

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🧠 Reflection Prompts for Listeners

• Where am I blaming myself for a system that harmed me?
• What version of “professionalism” have I been performing — and who is it serving?
• What story am I finally ready to tell the truth about?
• What boundary is my mental health asking me to set?
• Where could humor soften something I’ve been carrying alone?

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🌟 About Our Guest

Lauren (L2) Howard is the CEO of Clinical Operations Group, the founder of ElleTwo, and the creator of Quirky, a digital community for the “eh‑ntisocial” — the people who want connection without the pressure to perform. She is also the host of Different, Not Broken, where she artfully overshares because isolation lies.

Known for her bold storytelling, clinical expertise, and humor‑soaked honesty, Lauren is redefining what it means to be “professional,” advocating for mental health, and helping people reclaim their identity after harmful workplace experiences.

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🔗 Connect with Lauren

• Quirky: A community for the eh‑ntisocial
• ElleTwo: Redefining professionalism for women
• Different, Not Broken Podcast
• LinkedIn: Lauren (L2) Howard

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🔗 Connect with Kaitlyn / The Grace Space

• Website: facedwithgrace.org
• Email: connect@facedwithgrace.org
• Instagram: @facedwithgrace

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💛 If This Episode Resonated

If this conversation spoke to you, please subscribe, leave a review, or share it with someone who needs the reminder that they are not broken — they are becoming.