The Dirty Side of Leadership

Ron Ward & Kristin Sokoloff
  • 4.8 (73)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
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Where leadership meets entertainment! This weekly podcast disrupts the status quo by discussing hot-button topics that most podcasters are afraid to touch.  Ron and Kristin apply their combined 50+ years of real leadership experience and take both a humorous and raw look behind closed doors. Often sharing personal experiences both in the workplace and out, they answer listener questions and breakdown 'dirty lessons' from Ron's best selling book, "The Dirty Side of Leadership". 

  1. 5D AGO

    Hims Under Government Scrutiny: When Super Bowl Marketing Meets DOJ Referral | Episode 150

    Send a text Hims & Hers returned to the Super Bowl stage with bold messaging around weight-loss treatments — but now faces a formal referral from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to the Department of Justice over concerns tied to the marketing of compounded GLP-1 medications. A DOJ referral is not a conviction. But it is serious. Ron and Kristin break down what happens when leadership scales faster than certainty, when emotional messaging replaces evidence, and when visibility gets confused with validation. This episode isn’t about one company — it’s about the leadership responsibility that comes with influence. Key Discussion Points: Super Bowl pharma advertising in the U.S.Government scrutiny and regulatory accountabilityPopulism and emotional persuasion in leadershipWhen marketing outpaces proofHow leadership failures quietly form before they explodeLeadership Takeaways: If your product needs ideology to survive, it’s already weak.Access without accountability isn’t compassion — it’s negligence.Marketing never replaces proof.Leadership is restraint. Not everything that can be monetized should be.Final Question: Are you earning trust — or borrowing it? Sources: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) referral regarding Hims & Hers marketing practices under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.CNBC reporting on Super Bowl LX advertising costs and national viewership estimates.Where leadership meets entertainment! This weekly podcast takes both a humorous and intense look at leadership through impactful stories, answers to listener questions, and breakdowns of dirty lessons from Ron's best selling book, "The Dirty Side of Leadership". Connect with us at 4wardoperations.com Connect with us at 4wardoperations.com

    29 min

  2. FEB 12

    The Leadership Libido: Power, Drive, and the Hidden Hunger Behind Ambition | Episode 149

    Send a text In this bold and unfiltered episode of The Dirty Side of Leadership, Kristin Sokoloff and Ron Ward unpack a concept no one talks about out loud — leadership libido. Not sexual desire, but the psychological and biological craving that fuels ambition, dominance, influence, and legacy-building. What You’ll Hear: The hidden hunger behind high performanceDopamine and the neuroscience of pursuitWhen ambition turns into ego or controlThe dangers of unregulated drive in leadership cultureMasculine vs. feminine expressions of leadership energyThe difference between authentic leadership and “leadership porn”Practical steps to channel ambition without burning out your teamKristin and Ron share personal stories about chasing validation, mistaking restlessness for vision, pushing back on powerful personalities, and learning to regulate drive with self-awareness and accountability. Key Takeaway: Libido isn’t the enemy, but if it isn’t anchored to mission, integrity, and humility — it will eventually burn the very thing you’re trying to build. Sources Referenced: Berridge, K. C., & Robinson, T. E. (1998). What is the role of dopamine in reward: hedonic impact, reward learning, or incentive salience? Brain Research Reviews, 28(3), 309–369. (Foundational research on dopamine as the “wanting” system driving pursuit and motivation.)Rock, D. (2008). SCARF: A brain-based model for collaborating with and influencing others. NeuroLeadership Journal, 1, 1–9. (Explores status, reward, threat, and the neurological drivers behind leadership behavior and social dynamics.)Where leadership meets entertainment! This weekly podcast takes both a humorous and intense look at leadership through impactful stories, answers to listener questions, and breakdowns of dirty lessons from Ron's best selling book, "The Dirty Side of Leadership". Connect with us at 4wardoperations.com Connect with us at 4wardoperations.com

    28 min

  3. FEB 5

    Leadership Lessons From Blake Lively Vs. Justin Baldoni | Episode 148

    Send us a text In this episode, Ron and Kristin unpack the leadership and communication lessons behind the highly publicized legal conflict involving Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. This is not a gossip episode—and not a verdict. Instead, it’s a real-world case study on how tone, assumptions, power dynamics, and private text messages can escalate everyday workplace tension into public conflict. Through publicly reported text excerpts, the conversation explores how intent collides with impact, how sarcasm lands when stripped of tone, and why texts often fail where conversations are required. Key Topics: Why everyday communication—not dramatic moments—fuels most conflictsHow private texts can reshape public narrativesIntent vs. impact in leadership communicationThe role of tone, power, and defensivenessWhat changes when conflict becomes public recordWhy validation must come before explanationLeadership Takeaways: Tone is never neutralPower changes how messages land—even among “collaborators”Texting amplifies assumptions and removes repairOnce screenshots exist, resolution gives way to reputation protectionDirty Lesson: Most leadership failures don’t begin with bad intent.They begin with assumptions—and texts that should have been conversations.Sources: ChatGPT Where leadership meets entertainment! This weekly podcast takes both a humorous and intense look at leadership through impactful stories, answers to listener questions, and breakdowns of dirty lessons from Ron's best selling book, "The Dirty Side of Leadership". Connect with us at 4wardoperations.com Connect with us at 4wardoperations.com

    31 min

  4. JAN 29

    Will Carr on Purpose Over Performance: Why Success Still Feels Empty | Episode 147

    Send us a text What happens when success stops feeling fulfilling? In this episode of The Dirty Side of Leadership Podcast, Kristin Sokoloff and Ron Ward sit down with Will Carr — founder of Genesee Nutrition, entrepreneur, former college and professional basketball player, engineer, and full-time parent — for a raw, grounded conversation about leadership, purpose, and becoming who you’re meant to be. Kristin first met Will at AMFEST in Arizona, where the conversation quite literally started at a height disadvantage — Will is nearly 7 feet tall, and Kristin is 5’1, craning her neck mid-conversation. But height aside, it quickly became clear that Will carries something far more important than physical presence: clarity, integrity, and purpose. Together, they unpack the dirty side of leadership — why chasing wins doesn’t always lead to fulfillment, why integrity costs something, and why leaders burn out trying to prove instead of improve. This episode isn’t about hype. It’s about substance. In This Episode, We Discuss: Why purpose matters more than performance in leadershipHow athletics shape leadership under pressureThe hidden leadership lessons from industrial and systems engineeringBuilding Genesee Nutrition without chasing trends or approvalFaith, integrity, and making hard decisions when it costs youParenting, homeschooling, and leadership at homeWhy success is attracted — not chasedThe difference between improving yourself and proving yourselfHow daily standards quietly shape long-term fulfillment About Our Guest — Will Carr: Will Carr is the founder of Genesee Nutrition, a purpose-driven nutrition company focused on high-quality functional foods designed to support an active, healthy lifestyle. With a background in industrial and systems engineering, Will brings a systems-based approach to leadership and business. Before entrepreneurship, he played college basketball and professionally overseas, experiences that deeply shaped his understanding of discipline, teamwork, humility, and resilience. Today, Will is also a full-time parent who homeschools his daughter, prioritizing faith, family, integrity, and intentional living. He believes that God created each of us with a divine purpose — and that true fulfillment comes not from what you get, but through who you become. Connect with Will Carr: Genesee Nutrition (Official Website): https://geneseenutrition.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/willcarrspeaksX (Twitter): https://x.com/WillCarrSpeaksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willcarrspeaksPodcast: Will Carr Speaks — available on Spotify and major platformsListen If You’re: A leader questioning what “success” really meansBurned out from chasing achievements that don’t satisfyBuilding a business or life rooted in integrityNavigating leadership, faith, family, and purposeReady to stop proving — and start becomingDon’t Forget: If this episode challenged you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Follow The Dirty Side of Leadership Podcast for conversations that go beyond surface-level success — because leadership isn’t just about what you achieve, it’s about who you become. Where leadership meets entertainment! This weekly podcast takes both a humorous and intense look at leadership through impactful stories, answers to listener questions, and breakdowns of dirty lessons from Ron's best selling book, "The Dirty Side of Leadership". Connect with us at 4wardoperations.com Connect with us at 4wardoperations.com

    49 min

  5. JAN 22

    Why Small Talk Is Quietly Killing Connection | Episode 146

    Send us a text Small talk feels polite—but it quietly kills connection. In this episode, Ron Ward and Kristin Sokoloff break down the “robotic loop” of predictable conversation starters and explain why leaders who rely on surface-level questions struggle to build trust, influence, and real relationships. You’ll learn how curiosity-based questions unlock stories, engagement, and stronger leadership presence. Key Topics Covered: The “robotic loop” and why predictable questions shut down connectionWhy small talk prioritizes safety over trustHow common questions like “What do you do?” reduce people to labelsSimple conversation swaps that invite reflection instead of reflexThe follow-up rule that turns social talk into meaningful dialogueWhy shallow conversations lead to shallow leadershipPractical Takeaways: Replace autopilot questions with curiosity-driven onesUse follow-up questions to deepen connectionLearn how intentional language changes leadership impactBuild trust through genuine interest, not politenessDirty Lesson: If your conversations are shallow, your leadership will be too. — American Psychological Association press release and research: 👉 https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2021/09/deep-conversations-strangers   Social Penetration Theory (how conversations deepen over time): 👉 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_penetration_theory Where leadership meets entertainment! This weekly podcast takes both a humorous and intense look at leadership through impactful stories, answers to listener questions, and breakdowns of dirty lessons from Ron's best selling book, "The Dirty Side of Leadership". Connect with us at 4wardoperations.com Connect with us at 4wardoperations.com

    22 min

  6. JAN 15

    Extreme Optimism and Its Rewards | Episode 145

    Send us a text In this episode, Ron Ward and Kristin Sokoloff explore extreme optimism—not as blind positivity, but as a brain-based leadership skill that fuels resilience, persistence, and results. They break down: Why optimism keeps the prefrontal cortex engaged and leaders in solution modeHow pessimism narrows thinking and elevates stressThe difference between healthy optimism and toxic positivityWhy optimists interpret failure as data, not identityHow optimism attracts opportunity, trust, and followershipThe physical and psychological costs of chronic pessimismPractical ways leaders can build extreme optimism without ignoring realityThe episode closes with a powerful reminder: optimism isn’t believing everything will work out—it’s believing you’ll figure it out, even when it doesn’t. Where leadership meets entertainment! This weekly podcast takes both a humorous and intense look at leadership through impactful stories, answers to listener questions, and breakdowns of dirty lessons from Ron's best selling book, "The Dirty Side of Leadership". Connect with us at 4wardoperations.com Connect with us at 4wardoperations.com

    22 min

  7. JAN 8

    Lessons from the Arrest of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, with Colonel CJ Williams, USMC, Ret.

    Send us a text In this episode of The Dirty Side of Leadership, Kristin Sokoloff and Ron Ward examine the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro through a leadership lens—not politics. This was a high-risk, high-precision operation requiring elite planning, intelligence coordination, discipline, and accountability. Joining the conversation is Colonel CJ Williams, United States Marine Corps (Ret.), who brings over three decades of infantry and strategic leadership experience to unpack what missions like this actually require—and what civilian leaders can learn from them. Together, they explore: What complex operations look like behind the scenesThe role of discipline, rehearsals, and command clarityLeadership under extreme pressure and political sensitivityMoral courage, accountability, and trust in high-stakes environmentsWhy isolation at the top ultimately exposes leadersLeadership lessons for executives, organizations, and public servantsThis episode is a reminder that real leadership isn’t about power—it’s about responsibility when failure is not an option. Guest Bio: Colonel CJ Williams, USMC (Ret.) Colonel CJ Williams is originally from Port Huron, Michigan. He served 32 years as an infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps (1989–2021), commanding at every level from platoon to regiment. His combat deployments include Somalia, Afghanistan (two tours), and Iraq (two tours). His final active-duty assignment was Chief of Staff at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. After retiring, he relocated to the Charleston, South Carolina area and currently serves as Director of the South Carolina Veterans Business Outreach Center at The Tommy & Victoria Baker School of Business at The Citadel, where he assists veterans and their spouses in starting and growing businesses. Colonel Williams also serves on the boards of five nonprofit organizations in the Charleston area, focusing on veteran advocacy, leadership development, ethics, and self-employment. His work supports at-risk veterans, reduces recidivism, and strengthens regional economic vitality. He holds a master’s degree in National Security Studies from the Naval War College and a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Western Michigan University. Where leadership meets entertainment! This weekly podcast takes both a humorous and intense look at leadership through impactful stories, answers to listener questions, and breakdowns of dirty lessons from Ron's best selling book, "The Dirty Side of Leadership". Connect with us at 4wardoperations.com Connect with us at 4wardoperations.com

    1h 9m

  8. JAN 1

    New Year, Same Brain (Why New Year's Resolutions Fail) | Episode 143

    Send us a text Why do New Year’s resolutions fail — even for motivated, disciplined leaders? In this New Year special, Kristin Sokoloff and Ron Ward explore the neuroscience behind habit change and resistance, focusing on the basal ganglia, the brain’s automation system that favors familiarity over growth. This episode breaks down why willpower isn’t enough, what it actually means to “renew the mind,” and how leaders can build change that lasts by working with the brain instead of fighting it. What You’ll Learn: Why motivation fades and habits take overHow the basal ganglia locks in behaviorWhy willpower burns outHow real renewal of the brain happensWhy leaders and high performers struggle most with changeMentioned in This Episode: RYZE Superfoods — RYZE Mushroom CoffeeHealth.Clevelandclinic.orgWhere leadership meets entertainment! This weekly podcast takes both a humorous and intense look at leadership through impactful stories, answers to listener questions, and breakdowns of dirty lessons from Ron's best selling book, "The Dirty Side of Leadership". Connect with us at 4wardoperations.com Connect with us at 4wardoperations.com

    49 min
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4.8
out of 5
73 Ratings

About

Where leadership meets entertainment! This weekly podcast disrupts the status quo by discussing hot-button topics that most podcasters are afraid to touch.  Ron and Kristin apply their combined 50+ years of real leadership experience and take both a humorous and raw look behind closed doors. Often sharing personal experiences both in the workplace and out, they answer listener questions and breakdown 'dirty lessons' from Ron's best selling book, "The Dirty Side of Leadership". 

Information

  • Creator
    Ron Ward & Kristin Sokoloff
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    156
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Dirty Side of Leadership
  • Show Website
    The Dirty Side of Leadership