Community, Rejection, and the Price of Saying Yes | Chuck Gose & Kristin Hancock

In this Between the Seasons episode, Pinaki Kathiari, Chris Lee, and producer Bree Bartos welcome back Chuck Gose and Kristin Hancock — co-founders of ICology — for part two of a conversation that had too much in it to fit into one episode.They pick up right where they left off, exploring what it really takes to build and maintain community — and why it’s often inconvenient by design. The group digs into why some people say they want community but don’t actually follow through, the difference between self-care and isolation, and whether society is quietly retreating from the discomfort that connection requires.Chuck makes a pointed case that saying no has been glamorized as a form of self-care and boundary-setting, while Kristin argues that confidence issues people carry into the workplace are personal development problems — not workplace problems. The conversation builds toward a deeper question: what happens to the next generation of workers who have never had to sit with rejection long enough to grow from it?In this episode, they discuss:Why not everyone truly wants community — even when they say they doThe price of community is inconvenience: what that means in practiceHow we’ve confused self-care with isolationWhy saying no has been glamorized — and what we lose when yes disappearsConfidence as a personal development issue, not a workplace fixRejection as a career skill — and why avoiding it stunts growthWhat the next generation of workers might be missing by opting out of discomfortIt’s a candid, thought-provoking continuation that goes well beyond internal communications — into the messier, more human questions about connection, growth, and what it costs to show up.If you’re attending Transform 2026 in Vegas, the EX Factor Summit is happening this month. EX Factor Summit at Transform 2026: Register HereChuck Gose: LinkedInKristin Hancock: LinkedInICology: joinicology.com — use code ICLOVE for $50 off your first yearFrequency Podcast (Chuck Gose & Jenni Field): Listen HereFriends of Indy Animals (Indianapolis): Learn MoreConnect with UsPinaki Kathiari – LinkedIn  | Local WisdomChris Lee – LinkedIn | Gallagher CommunicationBree Bartos – LinkedIn | Local WisdomSpecial thanks to digital communication agency Local Wisdom (www.localwisdom.com) for really believing in our mission and making this podcast possible. If this episode made you think differently, laugh, or even yell out loud, we want to hear about it! Connect with us on LinkedIn, and don’t forget to rate, review, and share – maybe with your work bestie… or even your boss if you're feeling bold. We also bring these important conversations to conferences and private workshops, creating space for real, meaningful change. Take the first step at www.whydoesitfeelsowrong.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.