Toxic Workplace
Activity Overview
Episode publication activity over the past year
Episodes
No Job Is Worth This: Sunny's Story of Working as a Therapist for Sexual Predators
26 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we hear Sunny’s story—a therapist and military veteran who took her first civilian job at a civil commitment center for sexual of...
On the Cheap: Buli's Toxic Workplace Story of Bad Management with Dodgy Practices
23 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Buli, fresh out of college and living in the UK, joined the Kickstart scheme to find work. She was placed in a company where management cut corners, f...
Buried in a Pile of Work: Grace's Toxic Workplace Story of an Excessive Workload and a Non-Existent Manager
29 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Grace graduates with a Master’s degree with high hopes that she will pave a new career path in the tech world. She lands a position in Product with ...
Antidote Episode: Free Yourself From Your Toxic Workplace Story - Interview with Alisha Wolf of Goldfinch Wellness
13 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alisha Wolf is a psychotherapist and coach who has developed a niche expertise in understanding and healing from toxic workplaces using self-regulatio...
After Hours: Nobody Likes an Ass-Kisser... Except Your Boss
30 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We've all dealt with them, the self-serving ass-kisser that gets ahead because they stroke the boss's ego. In this quick After Hours episode, I talk a...
Revolving Door of Poor Leadership: Chelsea's Toxic Workplace Story of A Non-Profit School with No Direction
25 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Chelsea is an educator who finds herself entrenched in a toxic workplace characterized by poor leadership and revolving door turnover. The organizatio...
Bullied to the Brink: Kylie's Toxic Workplace Story of a Bullying Manager
18 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Kylie lands a job at a large utility company, which starts on a positive note. She excels in her accounting role and earns praise from colleagues and ...
Not All That Glitters Is Gold: Victoria's Toxic Workplace Story of Cheap Sales and a Sham Business
08 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Victoria is a dedicated real estate professional and busy mom who discovers a promising opportunity in real estate sales. Impressed by a wonderful int...
Faithful Facade: Haylee's Toxic Workplace Story of a Christian Non-Profit with Hidden Political Motives
11 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Haylee gets the opportunity to work with a trusted, long-time family friend, Jenna, in an exclusive Christian non-profit organization. Haylee is led t...
Antidote Episode: Surviving a Cult Business - Interview with Amanda Fangman
19 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this bonus episode, I talk with Amanda Fangman, an aspiring writer and educator who specializes in teaching people about undue influence and coerci...
Door-to-Door Deception: Amanda's Toxic Workplace Story of Working for a Magazine Crew Cult
12 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Amanda is fresh out of high school and ready to escape her small hometown in Nebraska. She meets a guy at a rock concert who invites her to join his t...
Stern Stares and Side Eye: Sam's Toxic Workplace Story of Bullying and Discrimination as a Male Nurse in Rural NC
30 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sam is a recent college graduate who lands an RN position in a pediatric unit at a rural North Carolina hospital. Sam is quickly disheartened when he ...
Troubled Waters: Anna's Toxic Workplace Story of an Environmental Non-Profit Run by a Berating Boss
16 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Anna lands a dream job at a non-profit dedicated to safeguarding the local lakes, the community's primary water supply. Initially thrilled by the oppo...
After Hours: HR is Not Your Friend
06 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to After Hours, bonus episodes that discuss different aspects of a toxic workplace. In each episode, I’ll pick a topic that is a reoccurring...
Alley-Oops and Overload: Adam's Toxic Workplace Story of a Basketball Non-Profit Run by Poor Management
03 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Adam lands a job at a non-profit organization with a noble mission—mentoring teens through basketball. Little did he know, his new boss brings a dif...
Antidote Episode: How to Deal with Narcissists at Work - Interview with Chelsey Brooke Cole, Licensed Psychotherapist, Author, Speaker, and Coach Specializing in Narcissistic Abuse
11 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Do you work with a narcissist? Listen as Chelsey Brooke Cole, author of If Only I'd Known: How to Outsmart Narcissists, Set Guilt-Free Boundaries, and...
Working Twice as Hard for Respect: Cassie's Toxic Workplace Story of Working as a School Therapist
26 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
From day one Cassie is treated as an outsider by the teachers and parents of the school she works for. The school is in a mostly white, upper-class, n...
Looks Can Be Deceiving: Sarah's Toxic Workplace Story of a Non-Profit Organization Run by a Narcissistic Leader
31 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah is excited to work at a non-profit organization whose mission aligns with her own values and passions. From the outside, this organization looks...
You Better Have a Fake Smile on Your Face: Judy's Toxic Workplace Story of Burnout and Career Sabotage
01 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Judy works as a Senior Software Engineer at a health care clinic. She quickly realizes her new employer doesn't believe in work/life balance when she ...
Blurring the Lines: Birdie's Toxic Workplace Story of an Insecure Councilman with No Boundaries
16 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Fresh out of college, Birdie lands a job working for a councilman in Louisiana. At first, the councilman seems endearing and has a casual demeanor, bu...
Antidote Episode: Never, Never Quit... Following Your Dreams (My Dad's Story)
22 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There’s no one I can think of that has inspired me to chase my dreams more than my dad. My dad made a successful career through courage, perseveranc...
Targeted for Termination: Herman's Toxic Workplace Story of Being Forced Out by Management After a Company Merger
20 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Herman spends 15 years working for a local newspaper before it gets bought out by another newspaper. He is relieved when he doesn't lose his job right...
Antidote Episode: Zenica Chatman - Career Coach Helping Women Rediscover Their Inner Strength and Confidence after a Toxic Workplace
06 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Zenica Chatman is a Certified Personal and Executive Coach with a focus of helping women rediscover their inner strength and confidence after encounte...
Death by a Thousand Cuts: Rose's Toxic Workplace Story of a Bullying Boss and Finding Her Confidence
27 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Rose gets promoted to a managerial position shortly after joining a non-profit organization. The director she reports to gives no direction, is dismis...
Pushed to the Breaking Point: Josh's Toxic Workplace Story of Extreme Burnout and Overload
13 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Josh lands a job with a city planning agency in an up-and-coming suburban city. The management hierarchy is run by a director that emulates a Tony Sop...
Set Up to Fail: Miranda's Toxic Workplace Story of Gossip, Bullying and Lack of Training by Management
30 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Miranda works in the accounting and finance industry. She lands a job at a firm where she is set up for failure from the start. The person assigned to...
Trained in Unethical Sales: Jules' Toxic Workplace Story about a Relentless Push by Management
16 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jules is a recent college graduate who lands a sales position at a large corporation. The compensation package is excellent and the job growth and dev...
Hiring Employees for Grant Money: Sheila's Toxic Workplace Story of Gaming the System
02 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sheila decides to leave her job in retail to pursue an office job with the hope it would be a stepping stone to a career in IT. She gets placed at a l...
Antidote Episode: Coach Ruben - Leading the Workplace Through Health and Well-Being
05 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Coach Ruben Guzman is an inspirational public speaker, professional leadership consultant and lifestyle coach who is passionate about empowering other...
Don't Settle For Less: Khloe's Story of Back-to-Back Toxic Workplaces and Bad Management
19 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
After graduating business college, Khloe's professor offers her a position at his company. He paints the position to be one that will jumpstart her ca...
Antidote Episode: Finding Authenticity and [Re]Humanizing the Workplace - Interview with Laura Warnod of The Culture Cabinet
01 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Laura Warnod, MSc, is a consultant and coach who is "re-humanizing" the workplace. Laura's personal story of resilience inspired her to leave her 9 to...
The Wicked Witch of the APL: Pamela's Toxic Workplace Story of an Evil Director
16 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Pamela gets a job at a non-profit animal protective league in 2002. She loved her job and the people she worked with. After 15 years of great leadersh...
Antidote Episode: Narcissists in the Workplace and How They Got There in the First Place - Interview with Leslie Miller, LICSW
03 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Narcissists find their way to the top of organizations because their lack of empathy resembles a competitive spirit. Listen to this Antidote Episode w...
Antidote Episode: Navigating a Toxic Workplace and How to Plan Your Escape - Interview with Alisha Wolf of Goldfinch Wellness
20 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Alisha Wolf, owner of Goldfinch Wellness, is a licensed clinical social worker and therapist. Her practice specializes in helping people through toxic...
Bullied by Mr. Tough Guys: Ezrah's Toxic Workplace Story of Machoism and Bullying
07 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ezrah’s job is at a plant where management leads with an iron fist and a "Mr. Tough Guy" mentality. He becomes the target of repeated bullying and u...
Dr. Evil and Her Political BS: Connie's Toxic Workplace Story of Corruption in a Public Hospital
21 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Connie is a director for a public hospital in a metropolitan area. She is passionate about serving her community and facilitating an efficient organiz...
Keep Your Head Down & Drink the Kool-Aid: Stevie's Toxic Workplace Story of Employee Stalking
07 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Stevie lands a job in the music industry at her dream company. With a new sense of freedom and determination to prove herself in this new role, she pu...
I'll Be Watching You: Lena and Sophie's Toxic Workplace Story of a Magazine with Trust Issues
12 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Lena and Sophie accept a job with a business magazine and are excited to get a shot at a career in publishing. Despite the red flags, both have high h...
Walk in Your Truth: Jessica's Toxic Workplace Story of Racism and Discrimination in NYC
05 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jessica was on a successful career path in NYC as a buyer in e-commerce. At first she loved her job, her boss and the company, but eventually she star...
Violated on Wall Street: Elizabeth's Toxic Workplace Story of Sexual Harassment in a Boys Club Firm
28 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Elizabeth Miles Graham, author of You Know What They Say: A Memoir Presaging #metoo, tells her story of being manipulated, devalued and sexually haras...
This is Not Okay: Gwen's Toxic Workplace Story of a Helicopter Boss with No Trust
21 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Gwen's new company seems ideal in the beginning. They have a beautiful facility which includes a gymnasium, beer machine and welcoming people, but onc...
Too Good to be True: Maria's Toxic Workplace Story About a Narcissistic Boss
14 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Maria moves to France from Colombia to settle with her newlywed husband. She is optimistic to start a career in France and finds a sales job at a comp...
Overworked and Underpaid: Clara's Toxic Workplace Story of Finding Confidence and Knowing Her Potential
08 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Clara worked at a toxic financial services firm as a customer service representative. Her resilient work ethic and determination made her the perfect ...
Demeaning Doctors: Donna's Toxic Workplace Story about Working for Manipulating MDs
30 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Donna is a nurse practitioner that worked for a neurology group of twelve doctors for eight years of her career. She would be kept well past her sched...
Churn and Burn: Walter's Toxic Workplace Story of Burnout Culture in the Financial Industry
24 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Walter kickstarts his career in a financial services firm and quickly realizes the company has no real vision other than to generate revenue at any co...
Mean Girls: Stacy's Toxic Workplace Story about Non-Profit Cliques
17 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Stacy lands her dream job at one of the largest non-profits in the U.S. The organizational culture in this story is cliquey and exclusive. Her toxic s...
A No Boundaries Business: Brooke's Toxic Workplace Story of a Workaholic Boss
11 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Brooke jumps ship from a failing work culture only to find herself in the icy waters of a new toxic work environment. Her boss doesn't listen and lead...
Deceived by a Narcissistic Boss: Michelle and Jen’s Toxic Workplace Story (Part II)
08 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Michelle and Jen's story unravels as they both realize how the company they signed on with has a complete lack of accountability, respect, and abuse o...
Deceived by a Narcissistic Boss: Michelle and Jen’s Toxic Workplace Story (Part I)
30 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Michelle and Jen sign on with a company that appeared to be reputable on the surface but they would quickly come to realize nothing is as it seems.......
Introduction to Toxic Workplace
23 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The goal of this podcast is to expose workplace toxicity, and to uncover the why and how it became toxic in the first place. We want to enlighten empl...