

Bad Boss Confessional
Speakeasy Podcast Network
Bad Boss Confessional is the podcast where entrepreneurs, founders, and leaders fess up to their most cringeworthy management moments—the times they micromanaged, blew up in meetings, or simply got it dead wrong. With names changed (to protect the innocent...and guilty), guests walk us through their “bad boss” moment in all its messy glory.
But this isn’t just a cringe-fest—it’s a redemption story.
But this isn’t just a cringe-fest—it’s a redemption story.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 24, 2025 • 30min
10: When Loyalty Hurts: Hiring, Firing, and Hard Lessons
In this episode of Bad Boss Confessional, host and EOS Implementer Beth Fahey sits down with Brian Dosal, CEO and co-founder of Strety, to talk about the messy side of leadership, ignoring red flags, hiring missteps, and the tough calls that come with rapid growth. Brian shares his entrepreneurial lessons on humility, adaptability, and why holding onto under performers can cost you your best people.
03:11 The Difficult Decision to Let Go
07:34 Ignoring Red Flags and Outgrowing Roles
11:04 The Impact of Loyalty on Tough Decisions
15:02 Hiring Heavy Hitters and First-Time Managers
19:34 Strety: The EOS Software Platform
24:02 Honesty, Not Kindness in Leadership
About:
Beth Fahey is a leadership coach, Expert EOS Implementer, and co-creator of the How to Be a Great Boss Workshops. With nearly 40 years of hands-on leadership experience, Beth has worn many hats: from working in film and owning a bakery to leading a national trade association.
Now, as the host of The Bad Boss Confessional, she shares candid stories about the challenges of leadership, mistakes made, lessons learned, and the path to becoming the kind of boss your team actually wants to follow. Through humor, honesty, and heart, Beth is on a mission to help leaders grow, one confession at a time.
Show Links
For more information about Beth Fahey follow the links below.
Website: www.eosworldwide.com/beth-fahey
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BethFaheyEOS
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bethfaheyeos/
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@bethfaheyeos
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bethfahey/
Bad Boss Confessional YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badbossconfessional
Beth's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bethfaheyeos
Guest Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bdosal/
Thanks to our Sponsors
A big thank you to our amazing sponsors for making this episode possible:
Titus Talent – Helping organizations make the best hiring decisions with performance-based talent strategies.
Strety – Empowering teams through strategic planning and performance management tools built for modern workforces.

Sep 17, 2025 • 35min
09: From Bulldozer to Breakthrough
On this episode of Bad Boss Confessional, host and EOS Implementer Beth Fahey sits down with Lynda Martin to unpack the lessons learned from bulldozing through leadership missteps. From failed ventures and perfectionism to the power of slowing down, Lynda shares how embracing the physical, emotional, and spiritual sides of leadership transformed her career. Expect honest stories, big breakthroughs, and plenty of laughs as they explore what it really takes to grow as a leader.
03:01 Integrating Life and Business
07:07 The Bulldozer Visionary Blunder
12:56 Learning from Failure & Perfectionism
16:56 Slowing Down and Personal Growth
22:04 EOS, Humanity, and Influential Resources
26:02 Business as Service to Humanity
31:21 Future Vision & Lotus Blossom Tattoo
About:
Beth Fahey is a leadership coach, Expert EOS Implementer, and co-creator of the How to Be a Great Boss Workshops. With nearly 40 years of hands-on leadership experience, Beth has worn many hats: from working in film and owning a bakery to leading a national trade association.
Now, as the host of The Bad Boss Confessional, she shares candid stories about the challenges of leadership, mistakes made, lessons learned, and the path to becoming the kind of boss your team actually wants to follow. Through humor, honesty, and heart, Beth is on a mission to help leaders grow, one confession at a time.
Show Links
For more information about Beth Fahey follow the links below.
Website: www.eosworldwide.com/beth-fahey
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BethFaheyEOS
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bethfaheyeos/
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@bethfaheyeos
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bethfahey/
Bad Boss Confessional YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badbossconfessional
Beth's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bethfaheyeos
Guest Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynda-martin-eos/
Thanks to our Sponsors
A big thank you to our amazing sponsors for making this episode possible:
Titus Talent – Helping organizations make the best hiring decisions with performance-based talent strategies.
Strety – Empowering teams through strategic planning and performance management tools built for modern workforces.

Sep 10, 2025 • 35min
08: Clarity is Key
What happens when a fast-moving entrepreneur skips clarity and hires quickly? This week on Bad Boss Confessional, EOS Implementer Beth Fahey welcomes Drew Spurgers to unpack a hilariously painful hiring misstep, the chaos it created, and how clear communication (or lack thereof) can make or break your team. From titles that confuse to sales goals that actually work, Drew shares hard-won lessons about leadership, trust, and the power of saying exactly what you mean. This is your crash course in what not to do (and how to turn it around), with a reminder that clarity isn’t optional!
00:00 The Importance of Clarity in Communication
02:51 Meet Drew Spurgers
04:04 Drew’s Entrepreneurial Journey
06:19 Lessons from Past Mistakes
08:14 A Tough Hiring Experience
10:00 The Emotional Roller Coaster of Leadership
11:24 Clarity is Key
15:01 The Power of Clear Communication
20:01 Setting Measurable Goals
22:03 Navigating Team Dynamics
26:46 Learning from Mistakes
30:41 Assuming Positive Intent
About:
Beth Fahey is a leadership coach, Expert EOS Implementer, and co-creator of the How to Be a Great Boss Workshops. With nearly 40 years of hands-on leadership experience, Beth has worn many hats: from working in film and owning a bakery to leading a national trade association.
Now, as the host of The Bad Boss Confessional, she shares candid stories about the challenges of leadership, mistakes made, lessons learned, and the path to becoming the kind of boss your team actually wants to follow. Through humor, honesty, and heart, Beth is on a mission to help leaders grow, one confession at a time.
Show Links
For more information about Beth Fahey follow the links below.
Website: www.eosworldwide.com/beth-fahey
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BethFaheyEOS
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bethfaheyeos/
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@bethfaheyeos
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bethfahey/
Bad Boss Confessional YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badbossconfessional
Beth's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bethfaheyeos
Guest Links
Email: drew.spurgers@eosworldwide.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dspurgers
Thanks to our Sponsors
A big thank you to our amazing sponsors for making this episode possible:
Titus Talent – Helping organizations make the best hiring decisions with performance-based talent strategies.
Strety – Empowering teams through strategic planning and performance management tools built for modern workforces.

Sep 3, 2025 • 32min
07: Letting Go of Managing People
Beth Fahey is joined by fellow EOS coach, implementer, and entrepreneur Jim Coyle, who shares his journey from childhood candy bar hustler to managing a Chicago bar. He opens up about the pitfalls of hiring friends, the emotional weight of leadership, and why management isn't for everyone. This episode brings laughs, lessons, and the wisdom every founder needs.
00:26 Meet Jim Coyle
02:07 Jim’s Entrepreneurial Journey
04:06 The Challenges of Managing Friends
06:19 Lessons from the Bar Business
09:03 Realizations About Management
13:00 Finding the Right Fit
15:01 The Role of a Practice Manager
18:08 Understanding GWC
20:20 The Paradox of Leadership
24:40 The Beauty of Purpose
27:49 Final Thoughts and Reflections
About:
Beth Fahey is a leadership coach, Expert EOS Implementer, and co-creator of the How to Be a Great Boss Workshops. With nearly 40 years of hands-on leadership experience, Beth has worn many hats: from working in film and owning a bakery to leading a national trade association.
Now, as the host of The Bad Boss Confessional, she shares candid stories about the challenges of leadership, mistakes made, lessons learned, and the path to becoming the kind of boss your team actually wants to follow. Through humor, honesty, and heart, Beth is on a mission to help leaders grow, one confession at a time.
Show Links
For more information about Beth Fahey follow the links below.
Website: www.eosworldwide.com/beth-fahey
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BethFaheyEOS
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bethfaheyeos/
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@bethfaheyeos
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bethfahey/
Bad Boss Confessional YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badbossconfessional
Beth's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bethfaheyeos
Guest Links
EOS Profile: https://www.eosworldwide.com/jim-coyle
Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimcoylenexus/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimcoylenexus/
Email: jcoyle@eosworldwide.com
Thanks to our Sponsors
A big thank you to our amazing sponsors for making this episode possible:
Titus Talent – Helping organizations make the best hiring decisions with performance-based talent strategies.
Strety – Empowering teams through strategic planning and performance management tools built for modern workforces.

Aug 27, 2025 • 32min
06: When Emotions Hijack Your Leadership: Learning to Respond vs. React
Jill Young, an EOS expert and creator of Coaching Magic, shares her transformative leadership journey with Beth Fahey. They discuss cringe-worthy leadership moments, including mishandling employee salary requests and unexpected firings. Jill emphasizes the importance of emotional awareness, thoughtfully responding rather than reacting. The conversation also touches on the significance of personal growth, navigating difficult conversations, and her whimsical tattoo that reminds her of her potential. It's a powerful reminder that even seasoned leaders can learn from their missteps.

Aug 20, 2025 • 30min
05: When Employee Feedback Feels Like a Gut Punch
Miranda Barrett, founder of Mind the Mic Consulting, shares her tumultuous journey through leadership challenges that tested her confidence. She recounts cringe-worthy onboarding fails and harsh feedback that reshaped her career. Miranda emphasizes the importance of transparency and effective communication while navigating employee dynamics. She also discusses modernizing performance reviews and fostering core values in the workplace. Finally, she reflects on lessons learned from rock climbing about trust and intuition in leadership.

8 snips
Aug 13, 2025 • 59min
04: Why Visionaries Shouldn't Hire People
Jonathan Reynolds, CEO of Titus Talent, shares his insights on leadership and hiring decisions. He discusses the pitfalls of hiring for personal bias and the importance of cultural fit. Jonathan emphasizes the 'Hire for Performance' strategy, showcasing how effective onboarding boosts team success. He also touches on the significance of vulnerability in leadership, the art of communication, and fostering trust within teams. Through personal stories, he illustrates how embracing calculated risks can lead to innovation and growth.

Aug 6, 2025 • 48min
03: Going Down with My Flipchart
Join Francine Lasky, a Vistage chair and facilitation expert from Chicago, as she shares her leadership blunders and insights. She dives into the importance of clear communication and the weight of expectations in creative discussions. Francine opens up about her most cringeworthy moments in meetings and how vulnerability can foster trust within teams. Discover strategies for effective meeting facilitation, the power of purposeful gatherings, and personal growth beyond 50. It's a candid look at leadership that balances humor and authenticity.

Jul 30, 2025 • 43min
02: Broken, Better, and Whole: A Coach’s Journey to Heart-Led Leadership
Shasheen Shah, a coach for founders and leaders, shares his transformative journey from high-powered hustler to heart-led healer. He candidly discusses how the pursuit of success almost shattered him, prompting raw self-reflection and emotional growth. Shasheen touches on ego traps, the inner critic, and the profound loneliness often found in achievement. He emphasizes the importance of authentic self-care and shadow work, highlighting how embracing vulnerability can lead to genuine joy and connection.

4 snips
Jul 23, 2025 • 50min
01: Too Busy to Lead
René Boer, author of 'How to Be a Great Boss' and EOS implementer, dives into the chaotic world of leadership. He shares personal stories about navigating leadership failures, highlighting the importance of empathy and communication. René emphasizes that effective leadership is about serving others rather than wielding authority. He challenges the modern leader to prioritize listening and building genuine connections. With practical tools and insights, he reassures anyone feeling overwhelmed that they have what it takes to lead well.