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.

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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.

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.

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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!

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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.

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: @kateunbreakablelowry
• Meaning in Motion: A Purpose-Driven Leadership Playbook for an Uncertain World on Substack
• Facebook: Kate Lowry
• KateLowry.com
• LinkedIn: Kate Lowry
• Unbreakable: How to Thrive Under Fear-Based Leaders by Kate Lowry, on Amazon

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.

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:

• Facebook
• Instagram

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.

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 work
• The lessons behind her latest book Practical Leadership – Simplifying Complexity
• Her experiences of navigating difficult workplace conversations

If 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:

• 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.

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 leadership
• Lessons from interviewing global icons like Magic Johnson and Pope Francis
• Why authenticity—not polish—makes stories stick
• The 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 more

About 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 here
• Pre-order the audio book 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.

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.com
• Faith's article about creating her home team to support her son, Stop World!
• Faith Clarke's Substack, Faith With Life
• For Faith's peak performing team assessment or restorative work culture assessment, contact by email: [email protected]

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.

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 heels
• The very real constraint on AI expansion
• The 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:

• 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.

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.uk
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardlevy1/
• Email: [email protected]

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.

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 treatment

If 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:

• 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.