So Your Boss Sucks, Now What?
Bad bosses happen to good people. Join entrepreneur, corporate trailblazer-turned-business strategist, and podcast host Natalie Parker as she unpacks real-life stories of tough leaders and toxic work environments. With Natalie’s expertise in navigating corporate chaos and building strategies for success, this podcast offers practical advice and actionable insights to help you turn workplace challenges into opportunities for growth. Whether you’re dealing with micromanagers, toxic cultures, or just plain bad vibes, this is your go-to guide for taking control, thriving, and proving that when your boss sucks, your success doesn’t have to.
Episodes
What happens when the systems meant to protect educators fail them? In this powerful conversation, Teacher of the Year and 20-year veteran educator Ann Anderson takes us behind the classroom door to reveal the often unseen battles teachers face when leadership falls short.
Growing up in Danville, Virginia's close-knit White Rock community, Ann absorbed profound lessons about education's transformati...
🚨 We’re Finalists for the 2025 Signal Awards!
Big news — So Your Boss Sucks, Now What? has been named a finalist for Best Indie Podcast in the 4th Annual Signal Awards!
We’re honored to be recognized — but now it’s your turn to make some noise. The Listener’s Choice Award is decided by YOU.
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- Enter your email (no spam, promise).
- Share th...
PART 2
"Purpose doesn't mean ease. It means endurance." These powerful words from Dr. Mariska Adams-Cadogon perfectly capture the essence of this deeply moving conversation about professional resilience, authentic leadership, and finding your way through challenging workplace dynamics.
Dr. Cadogon takes us on an extraordinary journey through her transition from chiropractor to educator, revealin...
Dr. Mariska Adams-Cadogon embodies what it means to live with purpose, seamlessly blending her roles as chiropractor, educator, and spiritual leader while making each one look effortless. Her journey from biology researcher to alternative school teacher to administrator reveals how our spiritual gifts manifest regardless of our professional title.
The conversation explores Mariska's fascinating career pa...
Benjamin Joseph's powerful testimony about teaching in Brooklyn schools reveals the deep flaws in our education system that often place administrative convenience above student welfare. As a Black male STEM teacher, Benjamin entered the profession with noble intentions - to provide representation in a field where few look like him and to equip the next generation with vital skills. What he discovered instead was ...
What happens when you find yourself teaching in a foreign country under a boss who doesn't speak your language and won't give direct feedback? For Daphne Brown, this challenging scenario became a profound lesson in resilience, cultural navigation, and leadership.
Daphne's journey from Albany, Georgia to teaching English in South Korea reveals the complex interplay between Eastern and Western co...
What happens when a brilliant, multi-talented leader collides with toxic organizational dynamics? Kevin Taylor takes us on a powerful journey through his remarkable career spanning education, finance, ministry, and clean energy leadership to uncover timeless wisdom about thriving amid challenging circumstances.
Taylor's story begins with his natural gift for education—tutoring at Tuskegee University befo...
What happens when your toxic boss shares your identity? For Amber Polk, classically trained violinist turned educational advocate, this question became painfully personal when she found herself working under a Black female supervisor who constantly criticized her personality rather than her performance.
"I'm not going to dim my light just because you're threatened," Amber declares in this ...
In this episode, George Borum shares his transformative journey through 15 years of educational leadership, surviving 11 different bosses while maintaining his commitment to student success and learning the value of playing the supporting role.
• Understanding the power of being in the "second chair" leadership position
• How playing supporting roles teaches valuable leadership skills, like Scot...
Laura Butler's remarkable journey from band room to boardroom reveals how resilience and adaptability can transform career obstacles into opportunities for growth. Beginning with an unwavering passion for music education, Laura found her calling in high school classrooms where she created transformative experiences for students through band programs that functioned like families.
Behind the scenes, Laura...
Katherine Coles shares her journey from struggling as a first-time leader to developing a leadership philosophy centered on partnership, integrity, and continuous learning. She transforms her understanding of what makes an effective leader by recognizing that leadership requires both self-awareness and intentional relationship-building.
• Leadership isn't about compelling people to follow but creating co...
Performance improvement plans are supposed to help employees get back on track, but as Harvard Business Review reports, a shocking 90% of employees placed on PIPs don't survive them. This episode pulls back the curtain on what a PIP really means for your career and future with your company.
When a friend called me about being put on a performance improvement plan, I examined the document and couldn'...
Natalie Parker and leadership coach Ayana Coston dive into what happens behind the scenes when organizations call in executive coaches to help struggling leaders develop or correct performance issues.
• Most leaders lack fundamental leadership skills despite technical expertise
• Leadership effectiveness rarely measured in performance management
• Leaders need safe spaces to be heard without judgment<...
Finding yourself stuck with a terrible boss can feel like a nightmare, but what if you could spot the warning signs before accepting the job? In this illuminating conversation with talent matchmaker Julia Cooper, we uncover the secrets to test-driving potential managers during the interview process.
Julia reveals that authenticity has become the true currency of successful workplace relationships. As a recrui...
Racial slurs in the workplace, managers who know nothing about your job, and organizations eliminating leadership positions – welcome to the wild world of modern work. In this eye-opening conversation, HR executive DeVaughn G. Stephens and host Natalie Parker pull back the curtain on what really happens behind closed doors in corporate America.
DeVaughn shares the shocking story of a boss who called him an &q...
What happens when your manager treats their job like Gollum from Lord of the Rings – clutching tasks while muttering "my precious"? Sarah Vaughn Benjamin knows exactly how this feels.
During her seven-year journey from academia to corporate HR, Sarah encountered the classic territorial boss who demanded help yet refused to delegate meaningful work. "I was just stuck," she recalls, describi...
What happens when toxic leadership meets talented professionals? In this riveting conversation with executive coach Ayanna Coston, we unpack the painful reality of navigating bad bosses while preserving your authentic self.
Ayana shares her experience with her first corporate boss—a leader who disappeared when things went well but materialized instantly when problems arose. She introduces us to the "thro...
Dreading your next performance review? In this episode, we’ll break down how to prepare for and survive even the toughest feedback sessions. From handling unfair critiques to showcasing your wins, learn how to own the conversation and use it as a launchpad for growth.
Don't let your boss suck the life out of you.
Share your bad boss story on our website.
Learn more or Book Natalie.
What do you do when your boss lies to you—or about you? This episode dives into the messy world of dishonest managers and equips you with tools to protect your reputation and your career. Learn how to uncover the truth, maintain your integrity, and navigate the fallout of their lies.
Don't let your boss suck the life out of you.
Share your bad boss story on our website.
Learn more or Book Natalie.
What happens when your boss is always MIA? In this episode, we’ll explore strategies to succeed when your manager is unresponsive or unavailable. From setting clear expectations to stepping up as your own leader, discover how to thrive in the absence of guidance.
Don't let your boss suck the life out of you.
Share your bad boss story on our website.
Learn more or Book Natalie.
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