Some people confuse control with leadership. Others confuse silence with loyalty. This episode is about neither.

It’s about what happens when those in power forget how to care—and the people without titles step up anyway. It’s about the coworkers who carry too much and still make space for others. The ones who tell the truth when it’s inconvenient. The ones who lead without permission.

JD returns with the final chapter of the season: a story about toxic systems, the people they reward, and the quiet resistance that refuses to disappear. This isn’t just about bad bosses. It’s about what we’re willing to accept—and what happens when we finally say: enough.

Because the sun doesn’t rise because someone says it will.

It rises because we do.

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Credits:
Brand Design: Kevin Ache
Theme Song: "Canary" by Jim Yosef
Additional Music & Scoring: Epidemic Sound

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Toxic leaders don’t rise by accident—they’re lifted. Propped up by silence, shielded by policy, and rewarded by the very people who should be holding them accountable. In this episode, JD pulls back the curtain on the kind of leadership that thrives in the dark and the culture that keeps the lights off on purpose. From personal stories to behind-the-scenes decisions you were never meant to hear about, Kingmakers isn’t just a takedown—it’s a reckoning. If you’ve ever wondered how the worst people end up in charge, buckle up—because the truth isn't pretty.

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Credits:
Brand Design: Kevin Ache
Theme Song: "Canary" by Jim Yosef
Additional Music & Scoring: Epidemic Sound

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In this chapter, we examine how toxic leaders not only rise—but thrive. Through the lens of high-profile scandals like WeWork and Uber, we unpack the systems that reward chaos over character, and ambition over accountability. Then, we turn inward.

JD reflects on a personal experience with a manager whose obsession with optics endangered both staff and patients—revealing what happens when organizations confuse silence for loyalty and performance for leadership.

This episode is about the wreckage left behind when no one says no—and the courage it takes to finally speak up.

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Credits:
Brand Design: Kevin Ache
Theme Song: "Canary" by Jim Yosef
Additional Music & Scoring: Epidemic Sound

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Departing from JD’s usual storytelling style, The Survivalist is more personal—more raw. In this chapter, he shares what it means to endure a toxic workplace and what it takes to leave one behind. With quiet defiance and unflinching clarity, JD explores the cost of staying silent, the slow unraveling of self-worth, and the fire it takes to finally choose yourself. This isn’t just a story about walking away. It’s about refusing to rebuild what was meant to break you.

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Credits:
Brand Design: Kevin Ache
Theme Song: "Canary" by Jim Yosef
Additional Music & Scoring: Epidemic Sound

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In this powerful chapter, JD Hyman returns to the mic not just as a storyteller, but as the defendant in a battle over voice, truth, and accountability. After releasing a searing episode about his experiences working under toxic leadership, JD received something unexpected: a cease and desist letter. In this episode, he breaks down what that letter said, what it was meant to silence, and why he chose to respond—not just with words, but with clarity, conviction, and courage.

This is more than a legal threat—it’s a case study in power, fear, and the cost of speaking up. So take your seat.  Court is now in session.

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Credits:
Brand Design: Kevin Ache
Theme Song: "Canary" by Jim Yosef
Additional Music & Scoring: Epidemic Sound

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Chase Smith, Founder/CEO of Press Play Podcasts, offers a final message to the P3 family.

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Credits:
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Theme Song: "Canary" by Jim Yosef
Additional Music & Scoring: Epidemic Sound

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Why do toxic leaders seem to thrive while good employees suffer? In this episode, we explore the rise of toxic leadership through the lens of the Greater Fool theory—examining how enablers, silence, and flawed systems perpetuate dysfunction at the top. Joined by workplace culture expert Janice Brathwaite, we dive into the long-term impact of toxic environments, the emotional scars they leave behind, and how employees can spot red flags during the hiring process. Plus, Janice shares practical strategies for navigating toxic managers and reclaiming control of your career.

If you’ve ever felt the lingering effects of a toxic workplace, this episode is for you.

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Credits:
Brand Design: Kevin Ache
Theme Song: "Canary" by Jim Yosef
Additional Music & Scoring: Epidemic Sound

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In this episode, I recount the harrowing experience of working under a toxic leader in a crumbling hospital where chaos reigned supreme. From a leader obsessed with micromanaging trivial details while ignoring glaring systemic failures—like literal brown water—to a workplace riddled with dysfunction, unethical management practices, and the erosion of basic human decency. This is a story about surviving toxicity, rediscovering freedom, and understanding that sometimes, the best decision you can make is to walk away.

Tune in for a raw and unfiltered look at the consequences of uninspired and destructive leadership.

DISCLAIMER:
The content of this episode is derived from personal experiences, firsthand accounts from former employees—with their full knowledge of its inclusion in this podcast—publicly available information from various governing agencies, and media outlets. To ensure clarity and avoid unnecessary conflict, some names and identifying details have been altered, and every effort has been made to exclude information that could directly identify current employees, clients, or entities associated with the hospital.

This podcast exists to examine systemic issues, spark important conversations, and foster accountability—not to create unnecessary conflict. While every effort has been made to present these events accurately and fairly, all commentary reflects personal perspectives and should not be interpreted as definitive statements of fact or the official position of any organization.

It is not the responsibility of this podcast to shield the ego of a certain unnamed executive, particularly when the issues discussed stem directly from their leadership decisions—or glaring lack thereof. If you feel this episode strikes uncomfortably close to home, perhaps it’s time to reflect on the role you’ve played in fostering dysfunction within your organization rather than deflecting blame elsewhere.

And let’s consider a hypothetical scenario. If an organization were facing significant financial challenges—such as bankruptcy—wouldn’t it make more sense to focus on rebuilding and addressing internal issues rather than engaging in unnecessary legal posturing? Hypothetically speaking, such actions might not reflect the soundest financial management—or leadership priorities.

This podcast operates under the principles of free speech, as protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. Its purpose is to foster meaningful dialogue and shed light on critical issues in a constructive manner.

Final Note: This episode has been modified from its original version. Certain content has been edited in response to a cease-and-desist letter received after its initial release. This is not how the episode was originally recorded, and these changes have been made to address concerns raised while staying true to the purpose and integrity of the podcast.

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Credits:
Brand Design: Kevin Ache
Theme Song: "Canary" by Jim Yosef
Additional Music & Scoring: Epidemic Sound

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This year brought loss, love, and lessons I never saw coming. In this short, special episode, I reflect on the wild ride of letting go—of toxic spaces, old versions of myself, and even those I’ve loved and lost. From grief to gratitude, I’m holding space for the light and the heavy moments. If you’ve felt the weight of this year too, this one’s for you.

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Credits:
Brand Design: Kevin Ache
Theme Song: "Canary" by Jim Yosef
Additional Music & Scoring: Epidemic Sound

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This special episode addresses a recent development with the podcast.

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Credits:
Brand Design: Kevin Ache
Theme Song: "Canary" by Jim Yosef
Additional Music & Scoring: Epidemic Sound

Visit our website to learn more about the podcast!
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