S11 E7: The Authenticity They Want vs. The You They Can't Handle with Madison Butler
I Hate It Here
Intro
Hebba introduces the podcast and today's topic: authenticity at work with Madison Butler.
Today, we're talking about a topic that shouldn't be controversial but somehow still is, which is being authentic at work!
As most of you already know, most workplaces either treat authenticity like a performance or punish you the second you actually show up as yourself.
I'm joined by Madison Butler, who literally wrote a book about this, and we're getting into why authenticity feels so dangerous, why corporate America says they want it but freaks out when you deliver, and how to practice authenticity without tanking your career.
If you've ever felt like you're performing a version of yourself at work instead of just existing, you’ll probably relate to this discussion!
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(00:00:00) Intro
(00:04:53) Something New Madison Wants to Learn This Year
(00:09:12) What Prompted Madison to Publish a Book?
(00:14:45) What Authenticity at Work Means in 2026
(00:25:00) Why Does Being Authentic at Work Still Feel Dangerous for So Many People?
(00:30:25) Madison’s Personal “Toolkit”
(00:36:55) Is the Average Exec Constantly Trying to Grow, or Complacent in Their Power?
(00:45:37) Building Authenticity at Work Without Turning it Into Weird Cultural Theater
(00:48:36) How to Practice Authenticity in a Way That is Safe and Strategic
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Follow Madison:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bluehairedunicorn/
Follow Hebba:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef
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