Toxic Workplaces, Bad Bosses & Difficult People Episodes

Women in leadership are often praised for being helpful, dependable, and willing to take on more. Until “more” turns into burnout. In this episode of Loud & Lifted, Betsy sits down with Carrie of Hey Work Friend, an HR professional turned workplace truth-teller who helps employees navigate boundaries, toxic bosses, burnout, and the conversations we all wish came with a script. Carrie brings the inside scoop from years in corporate HR, and she does not sugarcoat it: HR is not your friend, toxic bosses often do not change, and working yourself into the ground will not protect you from layoffs, bad leadership, or burnout. And this conversation gets real. Carrie shares how she worked seven days a week out of fear, pushed through pain, ignored her own health, and eventually developed an autoimmune disorder — only to be laid off while on medical leave. It is the kind of story too many high-achieving women know in some version: giving everything to a job that was never going t…

Roxy Couse has built a platform by saying the quiet parts of corporate life out loud. The career lies. The unspoken rules. The bad bosses. The pressure to be "authentic" at work while still somehow being polished, agreeable, visible, strategic, collaborative, ambitious, and not "too much." Cute little list, right? In this episode of Loud & Lifted, Roxy brings her signature mix of corporate hard truths, workplace humor, and practical career strategy to a conversation about what it really takes to get ahead — without losing yourself in the process. Her message is clear: hard work alone will not save your career. We talk about why performance doesn't automatically lead to promotion, why visibility matters more than most women want to admit, and why personal branding isn't just an online thing — it's how people understand your value before you're even in the room. Roxy gets into the hard truth about bad bosses, why you can't outwork one, workplace mean girls, career ownership,…

Bad bosses don’t just ruin your day—they can destroy your confidence and make you question your sanity. If you’re dealing with a toxic work environment, a micromanaging boss, or constant gaslighting, this episode is your survival guide. We are joined by Lynda Harvey (aka the Management Guru) to break down the three most common toxic manager types: the Micromanager, the Narcissist, and the Bully. We share the exact scripts and strategies you need to "train your boss," protect your peace with the Gray Rock method, and know exactly when it’s time to exit. In this episode, you’ll learn: The 3 Toxic Archetypes: How to spot toxic boss behavior before it breaks you. The "Train Your Boss" Technique: Proactive steps to stop a micromanaging boss in their tracks (like calling them before they call you). Narcissist Neutralization: Using the "Gray Rock" theory to handle gaslighting, lack of accountability, and credit-stealing Document or Depart: The "detective" method for handling w…

On this female leadership podcast episode of Loud & Lifted, Betsy sits down with author and marketing exec Mita Mallick to unpack her book The Devil Emails at Midnight—a candid look at 13 bad-boss archetypes and the moment she realized she’d been one, too. Mita challenges every current and aspiring leader to avoid these pitfalls and rewrite their leadership playbook. We’ll explore why setting communication boundaries matters, how to spot “bad boss” tendencies in ourselves, and how good leadership can literally change lives. This conversation is equal parts eye-opening and action-oriented—perfect for anyone determined to lead with purpose and keep the “devil” from showing up in their own inbox. Listeners will learn: How to identify common “bad boss” patterns—and quick resets to course-correct. A simple self-audit to build self-awareness and prevent toxic habits. Scripts for tough conversations (managing up, coaching peers, and setting boundaries).. Practical ways to create …

In this episode of Loud & Lifted, host Betsy Hamm sits down with Kristen Rae Pucci, entrepreneur and founder of KRAE, to unpack a topic that’s rarely talked about, but deeply felt: betrayal. Whether it’s a colleague who undercuts you, a friend who disappears when things get tough, or a woman who promised to support you but chose silence instead—betrayal can shake your confidence and your sense of belonging. Together, Betsy and Kristen explore: Why betrayal happens—especially among wome...