Barely Manageable Podcast

Barely Manageable Podcast
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Management
  • Updated Weekly

Somewhere between bad bosses, HR nightmares, burnout, and the everyday chaos of leading people, they realized no one actually teaches you how to lead… so now they’re talking about it—the real way. With decades of combined experience in management, workplace culture, and learning through real-life challenges, Dana and Mary bring honest conversations, hard-earned lessons, relatable stories, and plenty of humor to leadership. They’re not claiming perfection—just two women figuring it out, one conversation at a time. Leadership isn’t perfect. Neither is this podcast. It’s Barely Manageable. 🎙️

Episodes

  1. 4d ago

    Your Workplace Stories | The Moments You Couldn't Make Up

    Every workplace has stories—the unforgettable coworkers, the awkward meetings, the leadership wins, and the moments that leave you thinking, "Did that really just happen?" In Episode 11 of Barely Manageable, Dana and Mary turn the microphone over to their listeners by sharing and reacting to real workplace stories submitted by the community. Some are hilarious, some are frustrating, and many offer valuable leadership lessons hiding beneath the surface. Together, they discuss what these situations teach us about communication, management, workplace culture, and navigating difficult personalities. No matter where you work, chances are you'll hear a story that reminds you of your own office.Because sometimes the best leadership lessons come from experiences we never expected. 🎙️ Listen now to Barely Manageable with Dana Kelly & Mary Linkous. ⭐ If you've been enjoying the show, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star review, subscribe, and share the podcast with someone who could use a laugh—and a little leadership wisdom. 📝 Be sure to read this week's companion blog for additional takeaways and practical leadership tips. Connect with Barely Manageable: 🌐 Website: BarelyManageable.com 📸 Instagram: @barelymanageablepodcast 🎵 TikTok: @barelymanageablepod 🎥 YouTube: Barely Manageable Podcast 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

  2. Jul 13

    Corporate Buzzword Bingo | The Workplace Phrases We Love (and Hate)

    Have you ever sat through a meeting wondering if anyone actually knows what "circle back," "move the needle," or "low-hanging fruit" really means? In Episode 10 of Barely Manageable, Dana and Mary have some fun breaking down the corporate buzzwords that have become part of everyday workplace culture. From overused management phrases to trendy business jargon, they explore why these expressions catch on, when they're actually helpful, and when they become a substitute for real communication. Along the way, they share laughs, stories from their own experiences, and discuss how clear, honest communication builds stronger teams than relying on the latest corporate catchphrases. Whether you're a seasoned leader, a new manager, or just trying to survive your next staff meeting, you'll probably recognize more than a few phrases on this week's Bingo card. 🎙️ Listen now to Barely Manageable with Dana Kelly & Mary Linkous. ⭐ If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love your support! Leave us a 5-star review, subscribe wherever you listen, and help us reach more leaders and professionals. 📝 Don't forget to check out this week's blog for even more leadership insights inspired by today's episode. Connect with Barely Manageable:🌐 Website: BarelyManageable.com📸 Instagram: @barelymanageablepodcast🎵 TikTok: @barelymanageablepod🎥 YouTube: Barely Manageable Podcast🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

  3. Jul 6

    Managing Up | Understanding the Pressure Above You

    Have you ever wondered what your boss is dealing with that you don't see? In Episode 9 of Barely Manageable, Dana and Mary discuss managing up from a different perspective—understanding the responsibilities, pressures, and expectations that leaders face behind the scenes. As employees move into leadership roles, many are surprised to discover just how much happens above their level that was previously invisible. From difficult staffing decisions and budget constraints to executive expectations, conflict management, and organizational pressures, they explore why leaders often have to make decisions that aren't always popular. The conversation highlights how gaining a broader perspective can improve workplace relationships, communication, and overall team culture. Whether you're an employee looking to better understand leadership or a manager trying to bridge the gap between leadership and staff, this episode offers insight into the realities of what happens beyond your day-to-day responsibilities. Because sometimes the full story isn't visible from where you're sitting—and understanding the bigger picture can change everything. 🎙️ Listen now to Barely Manageable with Dana Kelly & Mary Linkous. Connect with Barely Manageable: 🌐 Website: BarelyManageable.com 📸 Instagram: @barelymanageablepodcast 🎵 TikTok: @barelymanageablepod ▶️ YouTube: Barely Manageable Pod 💬 Reddit: r/BarelyManageablePod  🔗 All Links: linktr.ee/barelymanageablepodcast ⭐ Like, subscribe, and leave a 5-star review if this episode hit home. ✨ Save 25% off your first month at Ritual with code LINKTREE https://tr.ee/3MKwa6bOgY 🛒 Save 50% off of your Sam's Club membership with this link! https://tr.ee/1S6cq8OOeq ☕️ WIN OUR BARELY MANAGEABLE MUG GIVEAWAY! You've seen it in every episode—now it's your chance to have your own official Barely Manageable Mug! 🎙️ How to Enter: 📧 Email your workplace story, management challenge, leadership question, or "barely manageable" moment to barelymanageablepodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Subscribe to Barely Manageable wherever you listen to podcasts 📱 Follow us on social media We'll choose one lucky winner to receive the iconic mug featured on the show! Submit by 7/7 Winner announced 7/13 Got a story that's too good not to share? Send it our way—you might even hear it discussed in a future episode.

  4. Jun 29

    Women in Leadership | Navigating Bias, Labels & Leading with Confidence

    Why is a strong male leader often called confident, while a strong female leader is called something else? In Episode 8 of Barely Manageable, Dana and Mary discuss the unique challenges women face in leadership roles. From being labeled "bossy," "intimidating," or "too emotional" to dealing with criticism that has little to do with actual job performance, they explore the double standards and biases that many women encounter throughout their careers. The conversation dives into how name-calling, assumptions, and stereotypes can impact workplace dynamics, as well as practical ways women can lead authentically without shrinking themselves to make others comfortable. Dana and Mary also share personal experiences, leadership lessons, and encouragement for women stepping into positions of influence and responsibility. Whether you're an aspiring leader, a seasoned manager, or simply interested in creating healthier workplace cultures, this episode offers an honest look at the realities of leadership through a female lens.Because leadership isn't about fitting someone else's expectations—it's about showing up, leading well, and staying true to who you are. 🎙️ Listen now to Barely Manageable with Dana Kelly & Mary Linkous. Connect with Barely Manageable: 🌐 Website: BarelyManageable.com 📸 Instagram: @barelymanageablepodcast 🎵 TikTok: @barelymanageablepod ▶️ YouTube: Barely Manageable Pod 💬 Reddit: r/BarelyManageablePod 🔗 All Links: linktr.ee/barelymanageablepodcast ⭐ Like, subscribe, and leave a 5-star review if this episode hit home.✨ Save 25% off your first month at Ritual with code LINKTREE https://tr.ee/3MKwa6bOgY🛒 Save 50% off of your Sam's Club membership with this link! https://tr.ee/1S6cq8OOeq ☕️ WIN OUR BARELY MANAGEABLE MUG GIVEAWAY! You've seen it in every episode—now it's your chance to have your own official Barely Manageable Mug! 🎙️How to Enter: 📧 Email your workplace story, management challenge, leadership question, or "barely manageable" moment to barelymanageablepodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Subscribe to Barely Manageable wherever you listen to podcasts 📱 Follow us on social media We'll choose one lucky winner to receive the iconic mug featured on the show! Submit by 7/7 Winner announced 7/13Got a story that's too good not to share? Send it our way—you might even hear it discussed in a future episode.

  5. Jun 22

    When Staff Go Rogue | Side Hustles, Fake Productivity & Difficult Conversations

    Are they actually working... or just looking busy? In Episode 7 of Barely Manageable, Dana and Mary tackle one of the most frustrating challenges leaders face: when employees begin operating on their own agenda. From side hustles during work hours and taking meetings from the driver's seat to finding creative ways to appear productive while avoiding accountability, they discuss the red flags managers shouldn't ignore. The conversation dives into why these situations happen, how leaders can address them professionally, and the uncomfortable but necessary conversations that come with managing performance issues. They also explore the balance between trusting your team and holding employees accountable when expectations aren't being met. If you've ever questioned whether an employee is truly engaged, struggled with workplace accountability, or had to address behavior that crossed professional boundaries, this episode offers practical insights and real-world leadership lessons. Because trust is essential in the workplace—but trust without accountability can quickly become a problem. 🎙️ Listen now to Barely Manageable with Dana Kelly & Mary Linkous. Connect with Barely Manageable: 🌐 Website: BarelyManageable.com 📸 Instagram: @barelymanageablepodcast 🎵 TikTok: @barelymanageablepod ▶️ YouTube: Barely Manageable Pod 💬 Reddit: r/BarelyManageablePod  🔗 All Links: linktr.ee/barelymanageablepodcast ⭐ Like, subscribe, and leave a 5-star review if this episode hit home. ✨ Save 25% off your first month at Ritual with code LINKTREE https://tr.ee/3MKwa6bOgY 🛒 Save 50% off of your Sam's Club membership with this link! https://tr.ee/1S6cq8OOeq ☕️ WIN OUR BARELY MANAGEABLE MUG GIVEAWAY! You've seen it in every episode—now it's your chance to have your own official Barely Manageable Mug! 🎙️ How to Enter: 📧 Email your workplace story, management challenge, leadership question, or "barely manageable" moment to barelymanageablepodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Subscribe to Barely Manageable wherever you listen to podcasts 📱 Follow us on social media We'll choose one lucky winner to receive the iconic mug featured on the show! Submit by 7/7 Winner announced 7/13 Got a story that's too good not to share? Send it our way—you might even hear it discussed in a future episode.

  6. Jun 15

    Professional Growth Is Awkward | Embracing Discomfort and Growing Through It

    Growth isn't always exciting—it’s often uncomfortable, messy, and a little awkward. In Episode 6 of Barely Manageable, Dana and Mary discuss the reality of professional growth and why becoming better at what you do often means feeling uncomfortable along the way. From stepping into leadership roles and giving difficult feedback to learning new skills and making mistakes in front of others, growth rarely happens inside your comfort zone. They share personal experiences, lessons learned, and practical advice for navigating the awkward stages of professional development with confidence and grace. If you've ever felt like you're stumbling through a new role, questioning yourself, or wondering if everyone else has it figured out, this conversation is for you. Because the awkward phase isn't a sign you're failing—it's often a sign you're growing. 🎙️ Listen now to Barely Manageable with Dana Kelly & Mary Linkous. Connect with Barely Manageable: 🌐 Website: BarelyManageable.com 📸 Instagram: @barelymanageablepodcast 🎵 TikTok: @barelymanageablepod ▶️ YouTube: Barely Manageable Pod 💬 Reddit: r/BarelyManageablePod  🔗 All Links: linktr.ee/barelymanageablepodcast ⭐ Like, subscribe, and leave a 5-star review if this episode hit home. ✨ Save 25% off your first month at Ritual with code LINKTREE https://tr.ee/3MKwa6bOgY 🛒 Save 50% off of your Sam's Club membership with this link! https://tr.ee/1S6cq8OOeq ☕️ WIN OUR BARELY MANAGEABLE MUG GIVEAWAY! You've seen it in every episode—now it's your chance to have your own official Barely Manageable Mug! 🎙️ How to Enter: 📧 Email your workplace story, management challenge, leadership question, or "barely manageable" moment to barelymanageablepodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Subscribe to Barely Manageable wherever you listen to podcasts 📱 Follow us on social media We'll choose one lucky winner to receive the iconic mug featured on the show! Submit by 7/7 Winner announced 7/13 Got a story that's too good not to share? Send it our way—you might even hear it discussed in a future episode.

  7. Jun 8

    Compassion Fatigue | When Caring for Others Starts Taking a Toll

    You can’t pour from an empty cup. In Episode 5 of Barely Manageable, Dana and Mary discuss compassion fatigue—the emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion that can come from constantly caring for others. Whether you're a leader, healthcare professional, therapist, caregiver, or simply someone who spends their days supporting others, compassion fatigue can sneak up on you when you least expect it. They explore the signs of burnout, the difference between compassion fatigue and everyday stress, and how helping professionals can recognize when their own well-being is being neglected. Through personal experiences and practical insights, they share ways to set healthy boundaries, prioritize self-care, and continue showing up for others without losing yourself in the process. Because caring deeply is a strength—but even the strongest people need support too. 🎙️ Listen now to Barely Manageable with Dana Kelly & Mary Linkous. Connect with Barely Manageable: 🌐 Website: BarelyManageable.com 📸 Instagram: @barelymanageablepodcast 🎵 TikTok: @barelymanageablepod ▶️ YouTube: Barely Manageable Pod 💬 Reddit: r/BarelyManageablePod  🔗 All Links: linktr.ee/barelymanageablepodcast ⭐ Like, subscribe, and leave a 5-star review if this episode hit home. ✨ Save 25% off your first month at Ritual with code LINKTREE https://tr.ee/3MKwa6bOgY 🛒 Save 50% off of your Sam's Club membership with this link! https://tr.ee/1S6cq8OOeq

  8. Jun 1

    Passive-Aggressive Emails & Workplace Drama | Reading Between the Lines at Work - Ep 4

    "Per my last email..." 👀 In Episode 4 of Barely Manageable, Dana and Mary dive into one of the most common forms of workplace conflict: the passive-aggressive email. From carefully worded messages and unnecessary CCs to subtle jabs disguised as professionalism, they unpack the emails that leave everyone wondering, "What did they really mean by that?" They share real-life examples, discuss why passive-aggressive communication happens in the workplace, and offer practical advice for managers and employees trying to navigate tension, misunderstandings, and workplace drama without making things worse. If you've ever reread an email five times trying to determine its tone—or found yourself tempted to respond with a little passive aggression of your own—this episode is for you. Because sometimes the biggest workplace conflicts don't happen in meetings... they happen in your inbox. 🎙️ Listen now to Barely Manageable with Dana Kelly & Mary Linkous. Connect with Barely Manageable: 🌐 Website: BarelyManageable.com 📸 Instagram: @barelymanageablepodcast 🎵 TikTok: @barelymanageablepod ▶️ YouTube: Barely Manageable Pod 💬 Reddit: r/BarelyManageablePod  🔗 All Links: linktr.ee/barelymanageablepodcast ⭐ Like, subscribe, and leave a 5-star review if this episode hit home. ✨ Save 25% off your first month at Ritual with code LINKTREE https://tr.ee/3MKwa6bOgY 🛒 Save 50% off of your Sam's Club membership with this link! https://tr.ee/1S6cq8OOeq

  9. May 25

    Bad Bosses We’ve All Known | Red Flags, Horror Stories & Leadership Lessons - Ep 3

    We’ve all had one… that boss. 😅 In Episode 3 of Barely Manageable, Dana and Mary are talking about the bad bosses we’ve all known—the micromanagers, the poor communicators, the power-trippers, and the leaders who taught us exactly what not to do. From real workplace red flags to leadership horror stories (and a few laughs along the way), this episode dives into how bad management impacts teams, morale, and workplace culture—and what better leadership can actually look like. If you’ve ever left a meeting thinking “what was that?”… this one’s for you. 🎙️ Because sometimes the worst bosses teach the best lessons. Listen now to Barely Manageable with Dana Kelly & Mary Linkous. Connect with Barely Manageable: 🌐 Website: BarelyManageable.com 📸 Instagram: @barelymanageablepodcast 🎵 TikTok: @barelymanageablepod ▶️ YouTube: Barely Manageable Pod 💬 Reddit: r/BarelyManageablePod  🔗 All Links: linktr.ee/barelymanageablepodcast ⭐ Like, subscribe, and leave a 5-star review if this episode hit home.

  10. May 18

    You Got Promoted… Now You’re Bad at Your Job? | The Promotion Nobody Prepared You For - Ep 2

    Welcome to Episode 2 of Barely Manageable. You worked hard. You knew your job. You were dependable, productive, and probably one of the best on the team… and then one day someone tapped you on the shoulder and said, “Congratulations… you’re the supervisor now.” Suddenly, the skills that made you successful don’t feel like enough anymore. The work you used to love looks different, your coworkers now see you differently, and the confidence you once had gets replaced with one big question… Wait… am I even good at this? In Episode 2, Dana Kelly and Mary Linkous dive into the promotion nobody really prepares you for—the shift from doing the work… to leading the people doing it. They share real stories, hard lessons, awkward first moments, and what happens when being great at your job suddenly isn’t the job anymore. They’re not experts—just two women with decades of real-world experience, plenty of mistakes, some hard-earned wins, and a lot of stories from muddling through leadership one day at a time. If you’ve ever been thrown into leadership and thought “Nobody trained me for this…” you’re in the right place.  Because leadership isn’t perfect… and neither is this podcast. It’s Barely Manageable. Connect with Barely Manageable: 🌐 Website: BarelyManageable.com 📸 Instagram: @barelymanageablepodcast 🎵 TikTok: @barelymanageablepod ▶️ YouTube: Barely Manageable Pod 💬 Reddit: r/BarelyManageablePod  🔗 All Links: linktr.ee/barelymanageablepodcast ⭐ Like, subscribe, and leave a 5-star review if this episode hit home. 🛒 Save 50% off of your Sam's Club membership with this link! https://tr.ee/1S6cq8OOeq👞 Get up to 30% off Docs spirit with this link! https://tr.ee/S216rofW60

  11. May 11

    Wait… We’re the Boss Now? | The Promotion Nobody Prepared Us For - Ep 1

    Welcome to the very first episode of Barely Manageable. Somewhere between bad bosses, HR nightmares, burnout, and years of managing people, Dana and Mary found themselves asking one simple question… How did we end up in charge? In Episode 1, they share their leadership origin stories, the unexpected paths that put them in management, the lessons nobody teaches you, and what it really feels like when you realize people are now looking to you for answers. They’re not experts—just two women with decades of real-world experience, plenty of mistakes, some hard-earned wins, and a lot of stories from muddling through leadership one day at a time.If you’ve ever worked for a bad boss… or worried you might be one… you’re in the right place. Because leadership isn’t perfect… and neither is this podcast. It’s Barely Manageable. Connect with Barely Manageable: 🌐 Website: BarelyManageable.com 📸 Instagram: @barelymanageablepodcast 🎵 TikTok: @barelymanageablepod ▶️ YouTube: Barely Manageable Pod 💬 Reddit: r/BarelyManageablePod 🔗 All Links: linktr.ee/barelymanageablepodcast ⭐ Like, subscribe, and leave a 5-star review if this episode hit home.

  • 11 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Somewhere between bad bosses, HR nightmares, burnout, and the everyday chaos of leading people, they realized no one actually teaches you how to lead… so now they’re talking about it—the real way. With decades of combined experience in management, workplace culture, and learning through real-life challenges, Dana and Mary bring honest conversations, hard-earned lessons, relatable stories, and plenty of humor to leadership. They’re not claiming perfection—just two women figuring it out, one conversation at a time. Leadership isn’t perfect. Neither is this podcast. It’s Barely Manageable. 🎙️

Information

  • Creator
    Barely Manageable Podcast
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Barely Manageable Podcast
  • Show Website
    Barely Manageable Podcast

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