304: How to Be Yourself When You've Been Told You're "Too Much" with Drew Sullivan
Tue Feb 03 2026
In this episode, Erin sits down with her friend Drew Sullivan for a deeply honest conversation about addiction, recovery, and what it's like to grow up feeling misunderstood.
Drew shares how being labeled "too much," navigating ADHD, and never being asked why shaped the way he moved through the world and how those early experiences quietly laid the groundwork for addiction long before substances entered the picture.
This isn't a polished redemption story or a neat recovery arc. It's a human conversation about loss, self-awareness, and what finally made change unavoidable.
If you've ever felt misunderstood, struggled with addiction (your own or someone close to you), or are still carrying stories from your early years that shaped who you became, this episode is for you.
What you'll hear:
1) Why being labeled "too much" is often about context, not character—and how to tell the difference.
2) What it actually means to live inside-out instead of chasing approval from the outside world.
3) How Drew believes addiction often starts long before substances, and why unmet needs fuel it.
4) A simple, brutally honest way to know when something in your life has crossed the line.
5) Why work gets easier when you stop hiding parts of yourself and find people who can carry their own baggage too.
Follow Drew on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewjamessullivan/
If you'd like quick, tangible tips and practical corporate career advice to level up your authentic leadership, download the 10 simple "plays" to stop selling out and start standing out at https://bauthenticinc.mykajabi.com/freebie
To connect with Erin and/or Nicole, email hello@bauthenticinc.com
If you like jammin' with us on the podcast, be sure to join us for more fun and inspiration!
Follow b Cause on Twitter (really it's mostly Nicole)
Follow Erin on LinkedIn or Instagram
Join the b Cause Podcast Facebook Group
Take our simple, fun, and insightful "What's your workplace superhero name?" quiz
Unleash your Authentic Superpower with Erin's book, "You Do You (ish)"
Check out our blog for more no-BS career advice
Work with Us
Or just buy some fun, authentic, kick-ass merch here
DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsuitable for younger audiences.
Tweetable Comments
"I wasn't being asked why I was being told what I was doing wrong."
"I never felt safe. I never felt heard, and I never felt seen."
"When we focus on living our lives from the outside in, we are f*cked. But when we focus on living our lives from the inside out, anything is possible."
"I don't feel like I have to think about doing things before I do them anymore and that's how I know my life has aggressively changed."
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In this episode, Erin sits down with her friend Drew Sullivan for a deeply honest conversation about addiction, recovery, and what it's like to grow up feeling misunderstood. Drew shares how being labeled "too much," navigating ADHD, and never being asked why shaped the way he moved through the world and how those early experiences quietly laid the groundwork for addiction long before substances entered the picture. This isn't a polished redemption story or a neat recovery arc. It's a human conversation about loss, self-awareness, and what finally made change unavoidable. If you've ever felt misunderstood, struggled with addiction (your own or someone close to you), or are still carrying stories from your early years that shaped who you became, this episode is for you. What you'll hear: 1) Why being labeled "too much" is often about context, not character—and how to tell the difference. 2) What it actually means to live inside-out instead of chasing approval from the outside world. 3) How Drew believes addiction often starts long before substances, and why unmet needs fuel it. 4) A simple, brutally honest way to know when something in your life has crossed the line. 5) Why work gets easier when you stop hiding parts of yourself and find people who can carry their own baggage too. Follow Drew on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewjamessullivan/ If you'd like quick, tangible tips and practical corporate career advice to level up your authentic leadership, download the 10 simple "plays" to stop selling out and start standing out at https://bauthenticinc.mykajabi.com/freebie To connect with Erin and/or Nicole, email hello@bauthenticinc.com If you like jammin' with us on the podcast, be sure to join us for more fun and inspiration! Follow b Cause on Twitter (really it's mostly Nicole) Follow Erin on LinkedIn or Instagram Join the b Cause Podcast Facebook Group Take our simple, fun, and insightful "What's your workplace superhero name?" quiz Unleash your Authentic Superpower with Erin's book, "You Do You (ish)" Check out our blog for more no-BS career advice Work with Us Or just buy some fun, authentic, kick-ass merch here DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsuitable for younger audiences. Tweetable Comments "I wasn't being asked why I was being told what I was doing wrong." "I never felt safe. I never felt heard, and I never felt seen." "When we focus on living our lives from the outside in, we are f*cked. But when we focus on living our lives from the inside out, anything is possible." "I don't feel like I have to think about doing things before I do them anymore and that's how I know my life has aggressively changed."