{"podcast":{"title":"Workplace Weirdness™","slug":"workplace-weirdness-7112271","podcast_index_feed_id":7112271,"rss_url":"https://feeds.megaphone.fm/workplaceweirdness","website_url":"https://workplace-weirdness.com","image_url":"https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/927fc1d4-a836-11ef-97b6-13c1bdc2cf1b/image/dadefc22beddd39f23c3affe533b553b.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress","author":"Green Banana Consulting LLC","episode_count":43,"summary":"Welcome to Workplace Weirdness™, The Non-HR HR Podcast™ that takes a deep dive into the delightful oddities of office life. Ever wondered why the break room smells like a science experiment or why your boss insists on using 'synergy' in every meeting? We've got you covered! Join Maya and her revolving door of guest hosts as they unravel the mysteries of cubicle culture and decode the cryptic behaviors of your coworkers. From bizarre email sign-offs to the enigma of office fridge politics, no topic is too weird for us to tackle. Each week, we'll talk about hot HR topics, answer listener questions and dissect an awkward workplace theme, all while keeping things light, fun, and packed with HR humor. Tune in, because in the world of work, the only thing you can count on is the unexpected! So, grab your coffee, put your feet up on that ergonomic footrest, and let's get weird at work together. Trust us, it’ll be a productivity boost like no other!","last_synced_at":"2026-07-31T20:19:32.322722+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/workplace-weirdness-7112271"},"episode":{"title":"Bad Bosses: Control, Ego, and Toxic Culture","slug":"bad-bosses-control-ego-and-toxic-culture","published_at":"2026-06-26T10:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/workplace-weirdness-7112271/bad-bosses-control-ego-and-toxic-culture","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/workplace-weirdness-7112271","url":"https://traffic.megaphone.fm/PDY9695045370.mp3","audio_url":"https://traffic.megaphone.fm/PDY9695045370.mp3","summary":"In this episode of our Workplace Weirdness™ summer series, “Out of Office,” Maya Kadar Kovalsky shares her own bad boss story and revisits conversations with guests who have survived bosses of every variety, from the yellers, screamers, and office tyrants who throw things, to the masters of the backhanded compliment whose manipulation is far quieter, but no less damaging. The episode is a must-watch for anyone who has ever experienced emotionally unpredictable managers, toxic work environments, and the psychological toll of bad leadership. Chapters: [00:12] Introductions with host, Maya Kadar Kovalsky [01:04] Toxic Leadership with Mita Mallick [4:04] Toxic Male Bosses with Randi Braun [6:29] Backhanded Compliments with Chester Elton [7:55] Prototypical Bad Bass with Maya Kadar Kovalsky [9:17] Fear Based work Culture Gary Ridge [10:37} Reflections and Conclusion Resources and Links: Maya Kadar Kovalsky · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayakadar/ Workplace Weirdness™ · Email: info@workplace-weirdness.com· Website: workplace-weirdness.com · Instagram: @workplaceweirdpod · Tiktok: @workplaceweirdpod Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is intended for entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as professional, legal, or workplace-specific advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their individual situations.","meta_description":"In this episode of our Workplace Weirdness™ summer series, “Out of Office,” Maya Kadar Kovalsky shares her own bad boss story and revisits conversations w…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":690,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/workplace-weirdness-7112271/episodes/bad-bosses-control-ego-and-toxic-culture/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/workplace-weirdness-7112271/bad-bosses-control-ego-and-toxic-culture.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}