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In this episode, Russell sits down with Darren Padgett—Founder & CEO of DNA Business Consulting LLC and a leader with more than 20 years of experience helping organizations scale, grow, and win in a competitive world. Darren shares how his obsession with business began in an 18-year-old’s classroom seat and evolved into a career built on relentless learning, disciplined habits, and a passion for elevating others. He unpacks the difference between raw talent and the right mindset, why habits determine whether you stay an employee or become an extraordinary entrepreneur, and what it really takes to build a business that thrives against the odds. Tune in for practical wisdom, candid insights, and Darren’s powerful belief that great habits—not luck—create exceptional leaders. Links: https://dnabusinessco.com/Twitter/X: DNABIZIG: DNABIZTikTok: DNABIZSubscribe & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review. Share it with your colleagues who might need a fresh perspective on thriving in challenging work environments! —   Ready to take your difficult conversations to the next level? Get our book: I Need To F***ing Talk To You! | The Art of Navigating Difficult Workplace Conversations Available on: AmazonOwl's Nest BooksShelf Life BooksVisit our website: ineedtof-ingtalktoyou.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week, Ken and Russell sit down with Andrea Adams — HR consultant to small and medium businesses and host of The HR Hub, Canada’s largest HR YouTube channel. With more than 150 interviews behind her, Andrea brings a rare combination of strategic insight, practical HR wisdom, and lived experience navigating some of the toughest conversations imaginable. Andrea shares a particularly challenging moment in her career: a difficult, emotionally charged conversation with an Indigenous woman after discovering she had engaged in bullying and harassment toward an employee. Andrea discusses how she approached the situation with empathy, humility, and deep listening — while acknowledging the complexity of cultural context, her own limitations, and the need to balance compassion with accountability. Guest BioAndrea Adams is an HR consultant specializing in small and medium businesses and the creator/host of The HR Hub, Canada’s largest HR YouTube channel. Through her platform, she has interviewed 150+ HR leaders, practitioners, and experts, exploring how professionals can balance long-term strategy with the urgent demands of day-to-day HR work. Key TopicsWhy HR roles are more complex — and more misunderstood — than everThe emotional labour behind HR decision-makingSupporting mid-level HR professionals so they can support everyone elseEmerging HR trends across Canadian workplacesLessons from interviewing 150+ HR expertsPractical approaches to conflict, policy design, and culture stewardship  Episode LinksAndrea’s YouTube channel, The HR Hub: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHRHubFeatured episode mentioned in our conversation — Decolonizing HR: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VEc85yzZZI&t=90s Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to our annual New Year’s special of I Need To F_*_ing Talk To You! Ken Cameron and Russell Stratton are back to tackle the time of year when leaders lose their minds: January, the month of 47 new goals before anyone’s recovered from holiday carb fog. In this episode, we break down why most corporate goal-setting sessions flop, from KPI inflation and “stretch goals” that break your team, to the illusion that people magically change just because the calendar flipped. Ken and Russell share brutally honest examples, including: The “We Want Innovation, But Don’t Change Anything” Goal – expecting creativity without adjusting processes or approvals.The “Engagement by Force” Goal – forcing employee surveys that kill authenticity.The “Do More With Nothing” Fantasy Goal – asking for impossible results without resources or support.More importantly, we provide practical, no-bullsh*t solutions: redesign constraints, reward attempts, normalize honesty, face operational realities, and create collaborative, measurable, and sustainable goals. If you’re a leader ready to set real goals that actually work—and avoid the typical corporate theatre—this episode is for you. Subscribe & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review. Share it with your colleagues who might need a fresh perspective on thriving in challenging work environments! —   Ready to take your difficult conversations to the next level? Get our book: I Need To F***ing Talk To You! | The Art of Navigating Difficult Workplace Conversations Available on: AmazonOwl's Nest BooksShelf Life BooksVisit our website: ineedtof-ingtalktoyou.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this irreverent, painfully relatable, and wildly useful holiday special, Ken and Russell dive into the chaos, charm, and catastrophic potential of workplace holiday parties. From prevention to cleanup (emotional, reputational, and sometimes literal), this episode is your go-to guide for surviving the Silly Season without torching your culture—or your career. Subscribe & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review. Share it with your colleagues who might need a fresh perspective on thriving in challenging work environments! —   Ready to take your difficult conversations to the next level? Get our book: I Need To F***ing Talk To You! | The Art of Navigating Difficult Workplace Conversations Available on: AmazonOwl's Nest BooksShelf Life BooksVisit our website: ineedtof-ingtalktoyou.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of I Need To F**ing Talk To You*, Ken and Russell sit down with Kate Lowry—founding CEO coach and advisor at Scaleheart Co., and author of Unbreakable: How to Thrive Under Fear-Based Leaders and talk about her tactical guide for anyone who’s ever worked under a fear-based, top-down, or downright toxic leader. It’s not just theory—it’s a roadmap for protecting what matters most without losing yourself to an a-hole in the process. Kate opens up about her own most difficult conversations in the world of high-growth companies and what it’s really like to work in Silicon Valley. Links from this Episode: Instagram: @kateunbreakablelowryMeaning in Motion: A Purpose-Driven Leadership Playbook for an Uncertain World on SubstackFacebook: Kate LowryKateLowry.comLinkedIn: Kate LowryUnbreakable: How to Thrive Under Fear-Based Leaders by Kate Lowry, on AmazonSubscribe & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review. Share it with your colleagues who might need a fresh perspective on thriving in challenging work environments! —   Ready to take your difficult conversations to the next level? Get our book: I Need To F***ing Talk To You! | The Art of Navigating Difficult Workplace Conversations Available on: AmazonOwl's Nest BooksShelf Life BooksVisit our website: ineedtof-ingtalktoyou.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, Ken and Russell sit down with Amy Lenius, a coach, speaker, and Director of Group Coaching at Next Level University. Amy’s path into coaching began with her own story of resilience—rebuilding her health and identity after years of chronic illness. That journey taught her that true growth isn’t always comfortable, but it’s always worth it. Today, Amy helps people define success on their own terms and create lives that feel genuinely fulfilling. Her powerful perspective and practical insights remind us that leadership, growth, and coaching are not about ticking boxes—they’re about becoming who you truly want to be. Amy has also taken the stage at TEDx, where she shares her message of courage, transformation, and redefining what it means to live a full life. Contact Amy Lenius: FacebookInstagramSubscribe & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review. Share it with your colleagues who might need a fresh perspective on thriving in challenging work environments! —   Ready to take your difficult conversations to the next level? Get our book: I Need To F***ing Talk To You! | The Art of Navigating Difficult Workplace Conversations Available on: AmazonOwl's Nest BooksShelf Life BooksVisit our website: ineedtof-ingtalktoyou.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week, Ken and Russell sit down with Pradeepa Narayanaswamy — Leadership Coach, TEDx Speaker, Author, and self-described diamond miner for leaders. Pradeepa’s journey is anything but ordinary. From being one of only 12 women selected out of 55,000 applicants to join tech giant Infosys in India, to becoming known as a “team whisperer” who could shift energy and unlock hidden potential, she’s built a career around helping leaders discover the brilliance within themselves. Today, as the founder of Pradeepa Leadership Coaching, she works with executives, first-time leaders, and teams around the world to uncover authentic leadership that goes far beyond frameworks. Her philosophy? The diamonds are already inside you — we just need to mine them. In this conversation, you’ll hear about: How Pradeepa shifted from tech to transformational leadership workThe lessons behind her latest book Practical Leadership – Simplifying ComplexityHer experiences of navigating difficult workplace conversationsIf you’re ready for unapologetic honesty, deep leadership insights, and a perspective that blends intellect with soul, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Subscribe & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review. Share it with your colleagues who might need a fresh perspective on thriving in challenging work environments! —   Ready to take your difficult conversations to the next level? Get our book: I Need To F***ing Talk To You! | The Art of Navigating Difficult Workplace Conversations Available on: AmazonOwl's Nest BooksShelf Life BooksVisit our website: ineedtof-ingtalktoyou.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In a world full of corporate buzzwords, AI-generated fluff, and leadership jargon that could put a caffeinated squirrel to sleep, real storytelling cuts through like a hot knife through the B.S. Our guest this week, Dr. Rod Berger, has made a career of doing exactly that. As the author of The Narrative Edge, Rod is a strategic storyteller, keynote speaker, and media contributor whose 4,000+ interviews span the globe—from Magic Johnson to heads of state, and even an audience with Pope Francis. Rod joins us to share how authentic narratives transcend the noise of a fast-paced business world—highlighting what happens when leaders stop performing and start telling the truth from the inside out. In This Episode: How strategic storytelling builds authentic leadershipLessons from interviewing global icons like Magic Johnson and Pope FrancisWhy authenticity—not polish—makes stories stickThe most difficult business conversation Rod’s ever had (and no, it wasn’t with the partner who embezzled from his company)What happened later that day with his wife—and why that conversation mattered moreAbout Our Guest: Rod Berger, Psy.D. is the author of The Narrative Edge and a leading voice in strategic storytelling. With over 4,000 interviews under his belt, Rod brings a unique blend of psychological insight and media savvy to leaders, organizations, and audiences worldwide. Resources from this episode: Order The Narrative Edge by Dr. Rod Berger herePre-order the audio book hereSubscribe & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review. Share it with your colleagues who might need a fresh perspective on thriving in challenging work environments! —   Ready to take your difficult conversations to the next level? Get our book: I Need To F***ing Talk To You! | The Art of Navigating Difficult Workplace Conversations Available on: AmazonOwl's Nest BooksShelf Life BooksVisit our website: ineedtof-ingtalktoyou.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, I sit down with Faith Clarke, bestselling author of Parenting Like a Ninja, team effectiveness specialist, and culture designer. Faith works with small business teams to redefine work ecosystems for post-pandemic humans who want to do work better. On Instagram, she describes herself as an Organizational Health and Inclusive Teams Specialist. Autism Activist. Author. MamaBear. Ride or Die Friend. Together, we dive into the messy, real-world challenge of building an inclusive team where people really feel an integral part of things. Faith talks about what her experiences of being a parent of a child with autism have taught her about being a parent and the transferable lessons for business teams. We also discuss navigating a difficult client conversation involving hurt feelings, racial dynamics, and power imbalances. If you’ve ever struggled with conversations that touch on race, equity, or power—this episode is a must-listen. Faith brings both wisdom and practical tools that leaders can apply immediately to foster healthier, more resilient teams. Resources from this episode:  FaithClarke.comFaith's article about creating her home team to support her son, Stop World!Faith Clarke's Substack, Faith With LifeFor Faith's peak performing team assessment or restorative work culture assessment, contact by email: [email protected] & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review. Share it with your colleagues who might need a fresh perspective on thriving in challenging work environments! —   Ready to take your difficult conversations to the next level? Get our book: I Need To F***ing Talk To You! | The Art of Navigating Difficult Workplace Conversations Available on: AmazonOwl's Nest BooksShelf Life BooksVisit our website: ineedtof-ingtalktoyou.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If you’ve ever tried to lead a team where the executives aren’t on the same page and resistance to change is the norm—then this this week, Dusty Gulleson, has been there—and knows exactly how to turn the chaos into clarity. As CEO and Owner of eResources, Dusty specializes in aligning leaders, simplifying technology, and driving meaningful transformation in organizations that need it most. Whether he’s in the boardroom or the bourbon tasting room, his approach blends humility, sharp strategic insight, and the kind of clarity that gets everyone rowing in the same direction. In this episode, we talk about: How to lead change when people are digging in their heelsThe very real constraint on AI expansionThe leadership lesson Dusty learned in the trenches (and what he wishes he’d known sooner)If you’re a leader facing messy alignment challenges, tangled tech systems, or just plain old resistance, this conversation will give you both the tools and the mindset to chart a better path forward. Where to find Dusty Gulleson: https://www.eresources.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustygulleson/Subscribe & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review. Share it with your colleagues who might need a fresh perspective on thriving in challenging work environments! —   Ready to take your difficult conversations to the next level? Get our book: I Need To F***ing Talk To You! | The Art of Navigating Difficult Workplace Conversations Available on: AmazonOwl's Nest BooksShelf Life BooksVisit our website: ineedtof-ingtalktoyou.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of I Need To F**ing Talk To You*, we sit down with Richard Levy, founder and CEO of Sophera Marketing, joining us all the way from the UK. Richard brings a wealth of experience in building and enhancing brands through every marketing channel, having led high-performing teams across the UK, EMEA, and North America for major organizations including GE, Santander, First National, and MoneyGram. Our conversation is wide-ranging—covering what it takes to lead across international, organizational, and national cultures, and why knowing how to speak your audience’s business language is critical when pitching your ideas. If you want to sharpen your ability to connect, persuade, and lead in a global business environment, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. Links: Website: www.sopheramarketing.co.ukLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardlevy1/Email: [email protected] & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review. Share it with your colleagues who might need a fresh perspective on thriving in challenging work environments! —   Ready to take your difficult conversations to the next level? Get our book: I Need To F***ing Talk To You! | The Art of Navigating Difficult Workplace Conversations Available on: AmazonOwl's Nest BooksShelf Life BooksVisit our website: ineedtof-ingtalktoyou.com

In this episode, Russell sits down with Charlie Sheppard—Professor of Leadership, Organizational Development Consultant, transformational coach to CEOs, and author of Save Your Drama For Your Mama. Charlie shares how his unique blend of behavioral science, leadership expertise, and systems design helps individuals and organizations unlock peak performance. From navigating high-stakes union-management negotiations to building cultures that foster lasting change, Charlie brings insights that challenge leaders to think differently about how they lead and inspire. You’ll discover:Why drama is a performance killer—and how to remove it from your workplace.The challenges of Further Education and starting his own university.Lessons from a career that bridges academia, business, and innovation.How Charlie is working with colleagues in Bio Tech to revolutionize cancer treatmentIf you’re ready to lead with clarity, cut through the noise, and create a culture that delivers, this conversation is packed with strategies you can use right away. Listen now and learn how to save the drama for somewhere else. Resources: https://worldbridgeu.com/https://www.amazon.ca/Save-Your-Drama-Mama/Subscribe & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review. Share it with your colleagues who might need a fresh perspective on thriving in challenging work environments! —   Ready to take your difficult conversations to the next level? Get our book: I Need To F***ing Talk To You! | The Art of Navigating Difficult Workplace Conversations Available on: AmazonOwl's Nest BooksShelf Life BooksVisit our website: ineedtof-ingtalktoyou.com

In this episode, Ken and Russell sit down with Nathaniel A. Turner—a captivating Renaissance man who turned childhood adversity into a blueprint for extraordinary academic achievement. Nathaniel shares his signature Backward Design life template, the very strategy that helped his son secure over $10 million in scholarships and admission to elite universities. He walks us through how families can use these same tools, techniques, and mindsets to set up their children (and themselves) for breakthrough success—both in the classroom and beyond. We also discuss some of the struggles young entrepreneurs face when starting their own business and the difference between theory and practice. Links From This Episode:  NathanielATurner.comLiving in Alberta? Check out Nathaniel’s appearance in Edmonton at DiversityConference.caSubscribe & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review. Share it with your colleagues who might need a fresh perspective on thriving in challenging work environments! —   Ready to take your difficult conversations to the next level? Get our book: I Need To F***ing Talk To You! | The Art of Navigating Difficult Workplace Conversations Available on: AmazonOwl's Nest BooksShelf Life BooksVisit our website: ineedtof-ingtalktoyou.com

In this episode, Ken and Russell sit down with lean strategy expert Mark Reich to explore how Hoshin Kanri drives organizational alignment, leadership growth, and innovation. Drawing on 23 years at Toyota—including product planning in Japan during the Lexus launch and leading North American Hoshin Kanri—Mark shares practical lessons for translating strategy into daily practice and sustaining a culture of continuous improvement. Links: Book: Managing on Purpose: Using Hoshin Kanri to Develop Strategy, Align Teams, Grow Leaders, and Innovate Your Enterprise by Mark ReichGrab a copy of Mark’s book Managing on Purpose and save 25% with code PODCAST25 at checkout.Lean Enterprise Institute: https://www.lean.orgSubscribe & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review. Share it with your colleagues who might need a fresh perspective on thriving in challenging work environments! —   Ready to take your difficult conversations to the next level? Get our book: I Need To F***ing Talk To You! | The Art of Navigating Difficult Workplace Conversations Available on: AmazonOwl's Nest BooksShelf Life BooksVisit our website: ineedtof-ingtalktoyou.com

In this episode, we sit down with revenue optimization expert Matthew Stafford, who brings over eight years of focused experience helping ecommerce businesses scale smarter and faster. As a key strategist at BGS (Build Grow Scale), Matthew talks about his personal journey from concrete, to t-shirts, to ecommerce consulting and shares what truly moves the needle in ecommerce — and the mindset shifts that help online business owners grow in revenue, profit, and sustainability. Connect with Matthew Stafford & BGS: Website: https://buildgrowscale.comInstagram: @buildgrowscaleE-mail: [email protected] expert eyes on your eCommerce store? Book a strategy call with the team at Build Grow Scale and discover where your site is leaking sales and how to fix it fast. No fluff. Just real insights that move the needle. https://buildgrowscale.com/book-a-call If this episode inspired you or gave you a new perspective on your ecommerce journey, leave us a review — and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! —   Ready to take your difficult conversations to the next level? Get our book: I Need To F***ing Talk To You! | The Art of Navigating Difficult Workplace Conversations Available on: AmazonOwl's Nest BooksShelf Life BooksVisit our website: ineedtof-ingtalktoyou.com