Ever feel like your organization is caught in a constant storm of emergencies? In this episode, we’re calling out the Crisis Junkies—the leaders who manufacture or exploit chaos to look indispensable, all while destabilizing everyone around them. From the psychological motivations that fuel chaos to the long-term damage it wreaks on company culture, we’re pulling back the curtain on why some leaders crave that adrenaline rush.

We’re tackling three big questions:

🔹 What is a crisis-prone leader, and how do you spot them?

🔹 Why do some leaders seem to thrive on chaos, and what’s the real cost?

🔹 What can organizations and individuals do to mitigate this destructive behavior?

Expect sharp insights, real talk, and some eye-opening solutions as we break down: ✅ The psychological drivers behind crisis-addicted leadership ✅ The ripple effect of chaos on morale, trust, and productivity ✅ Practical strategies to identify and manage crisis-happy leaders before they cause lasting damage

Tune in and learn how to calm the chaos. Full show notes here: https://rb.gy/dc0tz9. Episode drops March 11! 🚀

Ever wonder why top performers sometimes crash and burn when they step into leadership? In this episode, we’re confronting the Peter Principle—the nagging theory that people rise to their level of incompetence, leaving them (and their teams) in a mess. From the misaligned promotions that erode team cohesion to the morale-killing effects of bad leadership, we’re peeling back the layers on a phenomenon that’s more common than you’d think.

We’re tackling three big questions: 🔹 What is the Peter Principle, and why does it happen so often? 🔹 How does it erode trust, collaboration, and overall productivity? 🔹 What can organizations and individuals do to break the cycle?

Expect eye-opening insights, honest confessions, and some lighthearted humor as we delve into: ✅ The research behind the Peter Principle and its real-world impact
✅ Why promoting the right people at the right time isn’t as easy as it sounds
✅ Practical strategies to identify true leadership potential and keep your talent thriving

Tune in and learn how to stop promotions from going spectacularly wrong. Full show notes here: https://rb.gy/dc0tz9. Episode drops March 11!

What if the biggest risk to your startup wasn’t your competitors—but your own success? 🚀

In this episode of Monster in My Closet – Into the Shadows, we welcome back Jeff Wellstead, the fearless truth-teller who knows that scaling isn’t just hiring more people—it’s a high-stakes game of Russian roulette. From ballooning bureaucracy to unruly egos and catastrophic hiring mistakes, Jeff unveils the hidden landmines that can detonate a growing company.

Three Big Things We Unpack:
💥 Founder Blind Spots: Why brilliant tech minds make the worst scaling decisions
💰 Bad Hiring is Expensive: How one bad hire can quietly drain 1.5x their salary
🛠 Culture vs. Chaos: Why your "cool startup vibe" will die—unless you do this

Scaling is a beast. But with the right mindset, strategy, and just a touch of HR wizardry, you can tame it before it eats you alive.

📖 Show notes & survival guide at https://rb.gy/dc0tz9.

In this heart-opening episode of Monster in My Closet, we confront the quiet epidemic of compassion fatigue—a condition that weighs heavily on leaders and frontline workers alike. Dive deep into the emotional toll of constantly supporting others, discover the signs of burnout, and learn how to create a workplace culture that prioritizes well-being. Because even the most empathetic leaders need to recharge their own emotional batteries.

Topics We’ll Explore:

🔍 Recognizing Compassion Fatigue: Spot the symptoms and understand its impact on leadership and teams.

🧠 Practical Self-Care Strategies: Learn how leaders can balance empathy with their own well-being.

🏢 Building Supportive Work Environments: Foster open communication and emotional support in your organization.

📖 Find full show notes at ⁠medusaas.org/podcasts⁠. Launching January 21.

Ever feel like you're carrying the weight of a hundred tiny tasks that no one seems to notice? In this episode, we’re exposing the Silent Saboteur—the invisible labor that keeps workplaces running but often goes unrecognized and unrewarded. From the administrative burdens that fall disproportionately on women and minorities to the emotional toll of being the office "fixer," we’re diving deep into why this work matters and what can be done about it.

We’re tackling three big questions:

🔹 What is invisible labor, and who does it impact the most?
🔹 How does it affect organizations and individuals alike?
🔹 What can leaders, organizations, and employees do to fix it?

Expect sharp insights, real talk, and some unexpected laughs as we break down:
✅ The gendered nature of invisible work and its impact on career progression
✅ How unseen labor leads to burnout and disengagement
✅ Practical strategies to redistribute, recognize, and reward the work that too often goes unnoticed

Tune in and start seeing the invisible.

Full show notes here: https://rb.gy/dc0tz9.

Episode drops February 25! 🚀

In this spirited episode of Monster in My Closet – Into the Shadows, we invite Kristen Knepper, DEI expert and recovering attorney, back to the podcast to explore the eerie intersection of culture and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Join us as we shine a ghostly light on the invisible barriers, haunting missteps, and spectral resistance that keep organizations from truly embracing inclusivity.

Kristen and the team discuss the chilling realities of surface-level policies, the unspoken fears that sabotage change, and how to exorcise the corporate goblins of moral licensing and performative allyship. With data as our ouija board and some not-so-deadly honesty, we delve into the habits, leadership mindsets, and cultural shifts required to stop DEI initiatives from becoming just another hollow specter in the workplace.

What you'll take away from this episode:

1. Why culture is the lifeblood of DEI—and how to operationalize values for long-term impact.
2. How to identify and overcome the lurking resistance to DEI initiatives.
3. Practical strategies to build inclusive habits and bake them into your organizational DNA.

Tune in to discover how to summon real change in your workplace! Check out the show notes here: https://rb.gy/dc0tz9

Charismatic leaders can inspire, motivate, and drive incredible change—but what happens when that charm turns into manipulation? In this episode of Monster in My Closet, Anil Saxena and Morgan Hunter pull back the curtain on the double-edged sword of charisma in leadership. From cult-like corporate cultures to CEOs who can’t resist the spotlight, we explore the risks of unchecked charisma and how it can derail an organization.

Tune in as we tackle:

🔥 The fine line between inspiration and manipulation

🚩 Red flags to watch for in overly charismatic leaders

🔍 How to build resilience and independence under strong personalities

Don't get dazzled by the charm—learn how to spot the dangers and navigate them with confidence. Full show notes available at https://rb.gy/dc0tz9 .

Episode drops February 18—mark your calendars! 🎙️

AI is transforming the world, but what happens when it operates without guardrails? In this spine-chilling episode of Monster in My Closet: Into the Shadows, we dive into the dark side of AI with Erica Simons, a global tech strategist and advocate for ethical AI.

From wrongful arrests caused by flawed facial recognition to biased algorithms shaping our world, Erica unpacks the real-world consequences of unchecked AI—and what we can do to prevent them. We discuss the regulations (or lack thereof), the moral dilemmas of automation, and how businesses and governments must act now to prevent AI from becoming a true monster in our midst.

Can we harness the power of AI while keeping its dangers at bay? Or are we already wandering too deep into the algorithmic abyss? Tune in for an electrifying conversation that will leave you questioning just how much control we really have.

🔊 Listen now—before AI starts listening to you. 👀