The Bad Boss Brief Podcast

Hosted by A strategic guide on how NOT to be an asshole at work. An executive and an executive coach break down bad bosses, toxic workplace behavior, leadership failures, impossible coworkers, and what to do when work starts feeling impossible.

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118

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

A strategic guide on how NOT to be an asshole at work. An executive and an executive coach break down bad bosses, toxic workplace behavior, leadership failures, impossible coworkers, and what to do when work starts feeling impossible. badbossbrief.substack.com

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60 recent

June 3, 202631 min

EP 83 Judgement Day

In this episode of The Bad Boss Brief, we discuss:- how judgement can help you set good boundaries- can judgement and forgiveness co-exist- why you want your bosses and partners to have good judgement and moreAnd, no, we’re not choosing topics based on Eugene’s tattoos but if the shoe fits...Watch, listen, share with your friends!As always, send us show ideas, comments or thoughts to wtf@badbossbrief.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit badbossbrief.substack.com/subscribe

May 20, 202634 min

EP 82 Do You Want to Know

In this episode, we talk about what and if you really want to know. Do you want to know if your partner has cheated? Do you care how many people they had sex with before you? Or it is better to just not know?Please note that we do talk, briefly, about Gisele Pelicot’s new memoir discussing her rapes and horrific abuse by her husband and others.And no, we’re not going to tell you what Eugene reminded Stephanie of at the end of the episode and what we discussed after we turned off the recording. Listen or watch now, and share this episode!As always, send us show ideas, comments or thoughts to wtf@badbossbrief.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit badbossbrief.substack.com/subscribe

May 6, 202631 min

EP 81 You Asked For It

We answer your questions on surviving a lay off, using your words and freelance vs full time foolishness.You, our favorite listeners, sent in some great questions and we get to some of them in this episode.How does a man who was laid off from his public health job after budget cuts do better in interviews? What happens when your boss or co-workers don’t use their words but expect you to anticipate their needs? Eugene and Stephanie have different experiences with and decide it is gendered.You’re freelance and left out of the loop by your full time co-workers. What can you do? Hint – working across time zones with an international team should never be this hard. Listen or watch now, and share this episode!As always, send us show ideas, comments or thoughts to wtf@badbossbrief.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit badbossbrief.substack.com/subscribe

April 22, 202635 min

Ep 80 Art, Artists, and AI

Eugene and Stephanie talk about why they don’t use AI in their creative work, how AI has changed the notion of ownership, but not the fact that people who claim other artist’s work as their own should be roundly shamed and wonder if someone in the future is going to be surprised that writers like Eugene and Stephanie actually wrote their own s**t, from scratch, without AI?From the Colson Whitehead article in the NYTimes“Some people say, “I just use it (AI) to brainstorm ideas.” If you don’t know what to paint or compose or write, you’re in the wrong job. Art is the business of making up stuff — go make up some stuff.”The Bad Boss Brief is a viewer-supported broadcast. To receive new episodes and support our work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. As always, send us show ideas, comments or thoughts to wtf@badbossbrief.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit badbossbrief.substack.com/subscribe

April 8, 202637 min

The Best Laid Plans Show | BBB – 79

You make a plan. It’s a great plan. And then it all goes to s**t. It might be fate, terrible bosses, or a war.- How do you navigate plans falling asunder?- How important is perseverance?- The value of staying flexible to stay employed.- Can you reframe your metrics for success to make sure they are accurate?All this and more in the audio or video version of The Bad Boss Brief Episode 79 The Best Laid Plans Show.As always, send us show ideas, comments or thoughts to wtf@badbossbrief.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit badbossbrief.substack.com/subscribe

March 25, 202634 min

The Analogy Show | BBB – 78

Life isn’t like a box of chocolates, but in today’s show we talk about analogies - how good ones can help teams learn, and bad ones can fan the flames of conflict. Listen or watch now, and please share this still free substack with your friends!If you've got an idea for a show topic, message us here or email us at wtf@badbossbrief.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit badbossbrief.substack.com/subscribe

March 11, 202632 min

We Are Not Algorithms | BBB – 77

When we were growing up, we would never have believed that people would sign up to be tracked every minute of their lives.Yet here we are.Today we talk AI, surveillance, the dystopia we signed up for and why people make decisions that work against their well-being and throw away happiness with both hands.Listen or watch now, and please share this still free substack with your friends!If you've got an idea for a show topic, message us here or email us at wtf@badbossbrief.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit badbossbrief.substack.com/subscribe

February 25, 202632 min

The Accountability Show | BBB – 76

We talk about what you can do if you’re a worker with less power and what you can - and should - do as a leader or executive to build a culture of accountability.How to handle illegal and unethical behavior as well as the irritating but not forbidden shirking of duties.And the guy who went after his bad boss with a brick. Which we do not recommend.Listen, watch and please share!Eugene and StephanieIf you've got an idea for a show topic, message us here or email us at wtf@badbossbrief.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit badbossbrief.substack.com/subscribe

February 11, 202632 min

The Not Normal Show | BBB – 75

When the world is burning and everything is very much not normal, how can you show up for work and keep your sanity, dignity and job? Eugene's on tour, calling in from a coffee shop, and we're talking about how to navigate working when your life - or the world - is on fire. We talk about:– The emotional energy it takes to pretend to be normal when you are not.– Don't expect your employer to be much help. – It's ok to allow yourself to be distracted by work. – Find places where you can be with your people. If you've got an idea for a show topic, message us here or email us at wtf@badbossbrief.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit badbossbrief.substack.com/subscribe

January 28, 202631 min

The Danger Zone – Is Your Job At Risk? | BBB – 74

How do you know if you’re in trouble at work and about to be laid off?Eugene and Stephanie talk about:– How do you know if you’re in danger of being laid off? We answer a listener's question and talk – PIPs (Performance Improvement Plans) and how to tell a good faith one from a bad faith one– Why we don’t sue even when we could – What the face of your boss’s spouse can tell you about your professional future. – And Eugene’s newest fashion accessoryListen now and drop a note in the comments about what decisions you are making right now. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit badbossbrief.substack.com/subscribe