I Need To F***ing Talk To You

Hosted by Ken Cameron & Russell Stratton

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152

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Do you want to f***ing improve individual and team performance in your workplace? Do you think mediocrity f***ing sucks and you shouldn't have to put up with it? Do you aim to be more than a good boss and aspire to be a great leader? Then join Ken and Russell for thoughtful and at times f***ing irreverent conversation on the topics of leadership and organizational culture. Sometimes difficult conversations suck, but you need to have them. Sometimes you may even need to have them with yourself. On this podcast we have thought provoking conversations with business leaders from across North America and discuss ideas that can help you be an even better leader and not simply a ‘boss’. Co-hosts Ken Cameron and Russell Stratton literally wrote the book on navigating difficult workplace conversations. We are authors of the 5 star Amazon book ‘I Need To F***ing Talk To You’, the result of more than three decades of in-the-field consulting This groundbreaking book is the basis for our training programs and podcast and continues to f***ing positively shape how managers in organizations address performance, behavioural and attendance issues in the workplace.

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60 recent

August 25, 202649 min

149 - The 90-Second F-ing Fix for Any Diffiuclt Conversation, with Doug Noll

In this episode, we sit down with Doug Noll — a trial lawyer turned peacemaker who ditched the courtroom to spend his career teaching people how to stop screaming at each other. We get into why "communication skills" is kind of a bulls*** phrase, why trying to be rational with someone mid-meltdown just pours gas on the fire, and the weirdly simple trick — grounded in actual neuroscience — that calms a nervous system down in under 90 seconds. Doug has mediated over 1,500 disputes, teaches at Pepperdine's Straus Institute, and co-founded the Prison of Peace Project, where he trained maximum-security inmates to de-escalate violence using empathy skills. If a guy can teach that inside a prison yard, he can probably teach your management team something too. Why This Episode Matters If you lead people, manage a team, or have ever watched a conversation go sideways the second someone got emotional, this episode is for you. Doug's method isn't therapy-speak or soft-skills fluff — it's a neuroscience-backed system for keeping your cool and keeping the relationship intact when everything in you wants to explain, fix, or win. Turns out the fastest way through conflict isn't being right. It's being heard first. Resources in This Episode: Doug's new book, Empathy Leadership: A Powerful Skill That Drives Business Success, is out September 8th. Pre-order here! View Doug's TedXTalk here Subscribe & Share: If this one hit home, subscribe and leave us a review — and send it to the person on your team who still thinks "let's be rational about this" is a de-escalation strategy. — 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: Amazon Owl's Nest Books Shelf Life Books Visit 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.

August 11, 202615 min

148 - Why Were Ken and I Wearing Viking Helmets… and What the F*ck Has That Got to Do with Leadership Communication?

What do Viking helmets, HR professionals, and difficult workplace conversations have in common? More than you might think. In this episode of I Need to F*ing Talk to You , Russell Stratton shares a memorable story from the CPHR Alberta Conference in Calgary, where he and co-author Ken Cameron spent the day wearing Viking helmets while talking to HR leaders about difficult employees. The surprising part? Nobody needed the metaphor explained. Almost everyone who walked past immediately said, “I know exactly who that person is.” That’s because we’ve all worked with someone who resists change, digs in their heels, and seems impossible to coach. But are they really difficult… or are they simply wearing the wrong hat? Drawing on the leadership framework from I Need to F ing Talk to You*, Russell introduces the Four Hats model—a practical and memorable way to separate behaviour from personality, making difficult conversations less emotional and far more productive. Instead of labelling people as “problem employees,” you’ll learn how to identify the behaviours that are getting in the way and, more importantly, how to help people move forward. In this episode you’ll discover: Why most “difficult employees” aren’t actually difficult people. How resistance to change sits behind many workplace conflicts. Why separating behaviour from identity transforms difficult conversations. The meaning behind each of the Four Hats: The Viking Helmet – resistant to change and quick to push back. The Sun Hat – comfortable, complacent, and content with the status quo. The Hard Hat – willing to change but needing guidance and support. The Graduate Cap – engaged, proactive, and consistently delivering results. Why awareness must come before coaching. How to decide whether a behaviour is something to live with temporarily—or challenge directly. Why passing a difficult employee to another manager rarely solves the problem. Russell also explains why great leaders don’t waste energy trying to “fix” people. Instead, they focus on changing behaviours through curiosity, clear communication, and accountability. The Four Hats aren’t a personality test. They’re a shared language that helps leaders remove emotion from difficult conversations and replace frustration with practical coaching. 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: Amazon Owl's Nest Books Shelf Life Books Visit 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.

July 28, 202616 min

147 - What Happens at Stampede… Stays at the F-ing Stampede (Or Does It?)

Calgary Stampede is one of the highlights of the year. It’s a chance to reconnect with colleagues, strengthen relationships, thank employees, meet clients, and enjoy a well-earned celebration. But where does having fun end and leadership responsibility begin? In this solo episode, Russell explores a fictional—but very believable—story of a respected manager whose decision to continue celebrating after a company Stampede event leads to an uncomfortable Monday morning conversation. Through the story of Mike and Riverside Consulting, Russell examines the subtle pressures leaders create, often without realizing it, and why leadership doesn’t simply disappear when the workday ends. Rather than asking whether Mike’s behaviour was “right” or “wrong,” this episode explores a far more important question: What are the consequences when a leader’s actions shape how others experience the workplace? Along the way you’ll discover why difficult conversations are rarely about bad people—they’re about good people making decisions without fully appreciating their impact on others. Whether you’re heading to Stampede, a conference, a client event, a Christmas party, or any workplace social function, this episode offers practical insights that every leader can apply. If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “It’s after work—it doesn’t matter,” this conversation may cause you to look at leadership through a different lens. Subscribe & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with a colleague. Every workplace eventually has its own “Monday morning conversation.” The better we become at having those conversations, the stronger our leaders, teams, and organizations become. — 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: Amazon Owl's Nest Books Shelf Life Books Visit 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.

July 14, 202651 min

146 - Hard F-ing Conversations and Hard F-ing Lessons: Entrepreneurship, Adversity, and the Power of Persistence with Stan Peake

In this episode, we sit down with serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, and TEDx speaker Stan Peake. With experience as a 9-time entrepreneur and 7-time bestselling author, Stan brings raw, real-world insight into what it actually takes to build, sustain, and recover in business. From navigating personal health crises and business setbacks to managing difficult clients and teams, this conversation dives into the realities of entrepreneurship that rarely make the highlight reel. We explore the uncomfortable truths behind success—stress, resilience, persistence—and why the ability to handle difficult conversations may be one of the most underrated entrepreneurial skills. About Our Guest Stan Peake is a serial entrepreneur, bestselling business author, and TEDx speaker who supports entrepreneurship development at Bow Valley College. Recognized for both business excellence and ethics, Stan combines academic credentials from Royal Roads University, Queen’s University, and Harvard Business School Online with decades of lived experience. He also serves as a global chapter organizer for Harvard’s entrepreneurship network. And yes—he’s a loyal Buffalo Bills fan. What We Talk About The Reality of Entrepreneurship Entrepreneurship isn’t just strategy and growth—it’s stress, uncertainty, and responsibility. Stan shares what it feels like to carry the weight of payroll, problem-solving, and constant decision-making with no safety net. When the Business Gets Personal From managing difficult clients to navigating unexpected team challenges, we unpack the communication skills required when stakes are high and emotions run even higher. Adversity as a Turning Point Stan opens up about facing a broken back, a heart attack, COVID-related revenue loss, the death of a co-founder, and difficult business partnerships—and how those moments reshaped his approach to leadership and resilience. The Resilience Gap We discuss a growing societal challenge: the shift toward instant gratification and risk aversion, and how that mindset limits personal and professional growth. Key Takeaways Crisis can unlock creativity – When quitting isn’t an option, you find another way. Transparency builds trust – Honest conversations, especially when things go wrong, create stronger relationships. Persistence pays off – Sometimes it takes 18 follow-ups to rebuild trust—but it works. Passion fuels performance – You excel when you care deeply about what you’re doing. Discomfort is a competitive advantage – Growth comes from pushing through what others avoid. Micro-adversity builds resilience – Small challenges prepare you for bigger ones. Why This Episode Matters If you’re leading a team, building a business, or navigating tough conversations, this episode is a reminder that resilience isn’t built in comfort—it’s built through challenge. Stan’s perspective cuts through the noise and brings us back to what really drives success: persistence, honesty, and the willingness to stay in the hard moments. Links: How Entrepreneurs Learn survey: https://forms.gle/8BBKycHYR4R19Ha8A Fixing Leadership on Amazon link here 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: Amazon Owl's Nest Books Shelf Life Books Visit 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.

June 30, 202653 min

145 - Clarity, Pressure, and the “Third Way” with Eric Nitzberg

In this episode, Russell sits down with Eric Nitzberg , founder of Sierra Leadership , executive coach, and trusted advisor to CEOs and senior leaders. Eric works with high-performing executives to help them focus on what truly matters—bringing clarity, confidence, and deeper self-awareness to leadership in complex and fast-moving environments. With more than two decades of experience coaching senior leaders, Eric shares insights into how executives navigate pressure, decision-making, and personal growth while leading organizations through rapid change. A central theme of the conversation is the reality of leadership today: faster decisions, less information, and the growing influence of AI on how leaders think and operate. Eric discusses how leaders can maintain perspective in high-growth, high-pressure environments—and why being kind to yourself may be one of the most important leadership practices. As Eric reminds us during the conversation: “Perfect is the enemy of good.” The discussion also explores Eric’s unconventional career journey—from working in the church to becoming an executive coach—and how that experience shaped his understanding of leadership, listening, and personal development. Eric also shares a fascinating story about navigating a difficult professional situation involving his client and another stakeholder. in the company. Faced with the question of who to speak to first , Eric discovered an unexpected “third way” that ultimately resolved the situation and strengthened the relationships. Eric and Russell also revisit a classic leadership concept from The One Minute Manager —the idea of the “monkey”—and how leaders can unintentionally take on other people’s problems, adding unnecessary stress and distraction to their already full plates. This episode is a thoughtful and practical conversation about leadership in an era of complexity, speed, and constant change. Links How human and AI coaches can work together 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: Amazon Owl's Nest Books Shelf Life Books Visit 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.

June 16, 202648 min

144 - Building a F-ing Human-Centered Social Media Agency and Leading Through Change with Beth Trejo

In this episode, we talk with Beth Trejo, CEO and Co-Founder of Chatterkick , a social media operations agency focused on building systems that actually work — while keeping people at the center of the process. Beth has been featured in USA Today , Business Insider , and Yahoo , and has delivered more than 100 keynotes on leadership, culture, and the realities of modern social media. Beth shares her approach to building a strong team culture grounded in trust, communication, and real understanding of people — not just performance metrics. She explains why leaders need to genuinely talk to their employees, not just manage them, and how family-friendly policies can create sustainable workplaces. We also explore Beth’s perspective on a powerful but often misunderstood idea: your family is your family — your employer is not your family. Beth explains how clear boundaries can actually strengthen workplace relationships and build healthier cultures. One of the most compelling parts of the conversation focuses on the difficult leadership moment of telling employees she was selling the company. Beth discusses the emotional weight of the conversation, how she prepared for it, and what she learned about transparency, trust, and leadership during times of uncertainty. This episode is a practical and honest look at leadership conversations, organizational change, and building a culture that respects both work and life. Links Book a free strategy consultation: https://chatterkick.com/contact/ Get free stuff! https://chatterkick.com/free-stuff/ For a free copy of “Making the Invisible Sale, Visible.” This ebook gives leaders a practical roadmap for communicating their full suite of B2B services in a way customers actually understand. And also 30 DIY Content Ideas, 30 Lead Generation Tips, Tricks & Ideas, Social Media Tips and more. 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: Amazon Owl's Nest Books Shelf Life Books Visit 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.

June 2, 202640 min

143 - When an Advocate Puts Her Foot in Her F-ing Mouth with Jenna Udenberg

In this episode, Jenna Udenberg — author, disability advocate, accessibility educator, and 2020 Bush Fellow — hares a deeply honest difficult conversation — a moment when, despite more than a decade of experience as a social advocate and educator, she made an off-hand comment that landed wrong. We unpack what happened next: owning the misstep, repairing trust, and why accountability doesn’t disappear just because you're one of the goods guys. Diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis at just seven years old, Jenna has spent her life navigating systems that weren’t built with her in mind. Through her book, Within My Spokes, and her nonprofit, Above & Beyond With U, she works to break down barriers and create more accessible, human-centered spaces. Links Above & Beyond With U Within My Spokes: A Tapestry of Pain, Growth & Freedom : Amazon | Barnes and Noble 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: Amazon Owl's Nest Books Shelf Life Books Visit 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.

May 19, 202644 min

142 - Systems Without Selling Your Soul, with Stacey Bailey

In this episode, Ken sits down with Stacey Bailey — leadership coach, strategist, former COO, and a fierce advocate for the System & Soul approach to leadership. Stacey works with leaders who are done choosing between structure or humanity, performance or culture, clarity or care. Stacey shares one of the most difficult conversations of her career: a moment that unfolded mid-session with four founding partners, when it became clear that two of them needed to leave. It’s a conversation about accountability, courage, and what it means to lead with both backbone and soul. Links Stacey-bailey.com Intentioncollective.co Stacey Bailey on LinkedIn 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: Amazon Owl's Nest Books Shelf Life Books Visit 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.

May 5, 202646 min

141 - Stop F-ing Shrinking. Start Showing Up. With Joanna Lovering

In this episode of I Need To F_*_ing Talk To You , we sit down with Joanna Lovering, a leadership and presence consultant and the founder of Copper + Rise . Joanna partners with organizations to engage, develop, and retain their pipeline of women leaders—helping them step fully into their authority, visibility, and impact. Through Copper + Rise, she has designed and facilitated programs for companies like Google, Deloitte, and Lululemon , blending psychology, communication strategy, and professional image to support women at every stage of their leadership growth. This conversation is practical, direct, and packed with actionable insight—especially for leaders who may not even realize how often they unintentionally shrink themselves in professional spaces. In this episode, we explore: Why presence is more than confidence—it’s about congruence and clarity How diminishing language quietly undermines credibility The role of silence in executive presence Why visibility in virtual meetings still matters Joanna’s 3 Pieces of Advice: Stop the f-ing diminishing language. Drop the “just,” “sorry,” and “I think.” Speak in statements, not apologies. Stop f-ing talking—and allow silence. Silence signals authority. It gives weight to your words and invites others to lean in. Put your fing camera on. In virtual meetings, presence isn’t optional. Visibility is leadership. If you’ve ever softened your message, filled space out of discomfort, or hidden behind a blank screen—this episode is your reminder to take up space. Joanna is also offering a free 5-day email series to help you strengthen your leadership presence. Learn more at: www.copperandrise.com This is a conversation about ownership, visibility, and the subtle ways we either claim—or surrender—our power. Listen in. 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: Amazon Owl's Nest Books Shelf Life Books Visit 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.

April 21, 202649 min

140 - Authentic Leadership, Power Dynamics & When the F-ing Harasser Is in the Clique

In this episode, we sit down with Oksana Lukash, a trailblazing People & Culture executive who has built high-performing organizations across multiple sectors. Known for combining sharp strategic vision with deep empathy, Oksana shares what it really takes to scale people operations in high-growth companies—without losing the human side of leadership. We explore how authentic leadership and data-driven decision-making can coexist, and why cross-functional relationship building is essential when organizations are growing fast and complexity increases. But we also go where many leaders hesitate to go. Oksana opens up about navigating one of the most challenging workplace situations imaginable: addressing sexual harassment when the accused is part of the management clique. We unpack power dynamics, fear, loyalty conflicts, reputational risk, and the emotional toll on those who speak up. This conversation is an honest look at what courage, integrity, and accountability truly require when the stakes are high. This episode is for leaders, HR professionals, founders, and anyone who believes culture isn’t what you say—it’s what you tolerate. Resources in This Episode: Be Yourself at Work 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: Amazon Owl's Nest Books Shelf Life Books Visit 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.