Shedding the Corporate Bitch

Bernadette Boas
  • 5.0 (3)
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to Shedding the Corporate Bitch – the podcast that challenges the status quo and empowers bold professionals to ditch outdated expectations, rewrite the rules, and rise into leadership on their own terms. Hosted by transformational coach and unapologetic truth-teller Bernadette Boas, each episode delivers raw insights, unfiltered conversations, and practical strategies for ambitious corporate professionals, executive leaders, and HR trailblazers who are ready to level up—without selling out. Whether you're navigating toxic cultures, battling burnout, or aiming for that next big role, this show is your weekly dose of motivation, straight talk, and real solutions that get results. Follow now—and start shedding what no longer serves you, so you can build a career and life that actually fits you.

  1. 2D AGO

    The Non-Negotiable Leaders Miss and Why They End Up Micromanaging

    How to Lead Through Constant Change Without Losing Your Best People Your best people are being recruited right now. Not because they're unhappy, but because someone out there is persistent enough to keep calling until they say yes.  If the only thing holding your team together is inertia, this episode is going to hit different. Our guest is Borja Cuan, of Four15 Digital, who has been on both sides of this leadership challenge. He joined a startup as employee #29, survived eight years of layoffs, mergers, and uncertainty, and built his own agency, Four15 Digital into a Google Premier Partner over two decades.  What he shares in this conversation isn't theory. It's a tested philosophy for keeping teams aligned, motivated, and loyal when nothing around them is guaranteed. 🎧 Listen to the full episode where we cover critical topics such as: Why Most Retention Strategies Miss the Point Leaders obsess over compensation packages and flexibility policies. Borja says those are table stakes, not the game. The real question every leader should be asking their team isn't "Are you happy with your salary?" It's "Do you believe I actually have your back?" When one of his top performers came to him with a competing offer, his first question wasn't about matching the number. It was: "Do you want to stay here? Because everything after that is irrelevant." That single reframe changes the entire conversation. The Non-Negotiable Most Leaders Skip Borja calls it the 80/20 of people management. About 80% of what motivates employees is universal; growth, respect, clear expectations. But that remaining 20% is completely individual, and it's the difference between someone staying one year versus four. If you want to hear what is really causing your team to be unmotivated, listen to our earlier episode: Your Team Isn’t Underperforming, They’re Under-Directed  Why In-Person Still Wins (Even in a Remote World) One week in person with his Mexico-based team, Borja says, was worth a hundred Zoom calls. Not because remote doesn't work — but because the depth of connection you build face-to-face is categorically different, and pretending otherwise is just convenient. His point isn't that you need to be in the same room every day. It's that effort is visible. Getting on a plane when you have kids, a mortgage, and a full calendar sends a signal that no Slack message can replicate. Your team notices who shows up and who finds reasons not to. How to Make Hard Decisions Without Destroying Trust Leadership, Borja says, is not a popularity contest. There will be decisions your team won't like; restructures, client calls that go against them, policy changes that feel unfair. The leaders who navigate those moments well aren't the ones who soften the blow. They're the ones who explain the why. Not just the what. The why. What did you consider? What alternatives did you weigh? Why did you land here? When people understand the reasoning behind a difficult decision, they respect it even if they don't love it. When they don't, resentment fills the gap. For a deeper dive on building that kind of trust, check out Why Waiting to React Is the Most Expensive Decision Leaders Make  Discomfort Is the Signal, Not the Problem The leaders and employees who grow the most, Borja argues, are the ones who learn to stay when things get uncomfortable, rather than pulling the ripcord the moment things get hard. Discomfort isn't a warning sign. It's usually the s Support the show

    39 min

  2. MAR 24

    Stop Managing, Start Coaching: The Shift That Changes Everything

    Are you a leader coach or a manager to your people? In this episode of Shedding the Corporate Bitch, host Bernadette Boas, tackles one of the most consequential and most misunderstood leadership skills: coaching.  Not coaching in the abstract, motivational sense, but the practical, disciplined capability that separates leaders who develop and grow people from leaders who simply focus on task output. If your team keeps coming to you with problems they could solve themselves, if your one-on-ones consistently feel like status reports, or if your highest-potential employees seem less engaged than they should be, you'll walk away with a framework that will change all of that. Bernadette opens by drawing sharp, actionable distinctions between managing, mentoring, and coaching. She then introduces a six-step coaching framework that works in real workplace conversations to genuinely empower your people: one-on-ones, performance check-ins, corrective discussions, and in-the-moment development opportunities.   The episode closes with dedicated strategies for HR leaders who want to move beyond individual manager development and embed a coaching culture into the fabric of the organization — from how managers are evaluated to how coaching language is normalized at every level.  What You'll Learn •       The critical difference between managing, mentoring, and coaching, and why using the wrong approach at the wrong moment stunts team growth •       Why psychological safety is the non-negotiable prerequisite to effective coaching •       How to make the mindset shift from problem solver to powerhouse coach, and why this transition is harder than it sounds for high-performing managers •       The types of questions that unlock real insight that allow you to guide and lead versus tell and direct Key Timestamps [00:00] — The scene that plays out in every office: why managing when you should coach never works [02:30] — Managing vs. mentoring vs. coaching: breaking down the distinctions [04:00] — Why coaching builds self-sufficiency, not just engagement [06:00] — The mindset shift every leader must make to coach effectively [12:00] — The three pillars of powerhouse coaching: curiosity, listening, and trust [16:30] — Step 1 of the framework: How to prepare before any coaching conversation [19:30] — Step 2: Asking powerful questions — the engine of coaching [27:00] — Steps 3 & 4: Active listening and helping employees find their own answers [29:00] — Step 5: Creating action plans that belong to the employee, not the manager [31:00] — Step 6: Follow-up and accountability as a coaching discipline [32:00] — HR-specific strategies for embedding coaching into organizational culture [36:00] — The patience imperative: why sustainable development takes time and how to protect it [38:00] — The challenge: try one real coaching conversation this week   Resources & Links •       Subscribe to the podcast: balloffirecoaching.com/podcast •       Previous episode referenced: 'Hiring a Leadership Coach — Ask These 15 Questions' •       Share your story with Bernadette directly: bernadettebows@balloffireinc.com If today's episode gave you something useful, subscribe to Shedding the Corporate Bitch so you never miss an episode. And if a leader in your world needs to hear this — share it. The best coaching cultures are built one leader at a time. Support the show

    42 min

  3. MAR 17

    Belonging Isn't Infrastructure. It's Infrastructure for Performance

    Host Bernadette interviews organizational scientist and consultant Andrea D. Carter, creator of the validated Belonging First Methodology, on why workplaces confuse fitting in with belonging and how that fuels burnout.  Andrea explains belonging as measurable infrastructure, not just a feeling, built through five indicators: comfort, connection, contribution, psychological safety, and wellbeing.  She contrasts a “100-to-0” dynamic, where employees do all the work to belong, with a 50/50 accountability model that improves performance, innovation, quality, and speed.  The episode offers practical diagnostics and examples (clear meeting expectations, trust-building connection, visibility of impact beyond praise, and intelligent risk-taking), links low psychological safety to social-threat stress, and reframes wellbeing as sustainable performance with recovery.  Andrea caps off the discussion providing three power moves leaders can take to ensure team members are showing up fully, feeling valued, and building a foundation of trust with their leader, team, and business. :  Key Timestamps: 00:00 Fitting In vs Burnout 01:33 Meet Andrea Carter 02:24 Belonging Is Measurable 05:36 Five Belonging Indicators 06:55 Fitting In vs Belonging 11:56 Comfort Clear Expectations 13:49 Connection Trust Chemistry 16:08 Contribution Visibility Matters 21:26 Psychological Safety Risks 23:58 Wellbeing Recovery Culture 27:36 Three Power Moves 36:17 Belonging Health Check 37:34 Wrap Up and Next Steps About the Guest Andrea D. Carter is an organizational scientist, TEDx speaker, and the CEO of Andrea Carter Consulting. She is the creator of the Belonging First methodology, the first validated framework for measuring workplace belonging. Her research has influenced more than 150,000 employees across eight industries and focuses on helping organizations design systems that improve both human experience and performance. Resources & Links Mentioned Belonging Health Check Assessment Belonging First Methodology Andrea Carter Consulting   Full episode video on YouTube Podcast listening links Subscribe to Shedding the Corporate Bitch  Support the show

    39 min

  4. MAR 10

    Hiring a Leadership Coach? Ask Them These 15 Questions.

    The executive coaching industry is worth $20 billion — and yet most leaders and HR teams either skip the vetting process entirely or choose coaches for the wrong reasons. In this episode, Bernadette Boas lays out a powerful, practical framework including 15 must-ask questions so you can confidently identify, evaluate, and hire the executive or leadership coach who will drive real transformation in your organization. Who This Episode Is For •       Individual leaders seeking a sounding board, honest feedback, or career acceleration •       Team leaders & hiring managers developing high-potentials or addressing toxic behavior •       HR and L&D leaders building or expanding a coaching program for their organization Core Topic: How to properly vet, select, and structure an executive or leadership coaching engagement — and why getting it wrong wastes money, damages morale, and gives coaching a bad reputation. The Biggest Challenges Leaders Face •       Choosing coaches by referral alone — without asking a single vetting question •       Selecting coaches based on comfort rather than fit (coaching is meant to be uncomfortable) •       Misunderstanding credentials and certifications — or ignoring them entirely •       Expecting coaching to be a quick fix rather than a sustained investment in transformation •       Failing to define developmental vs. remedial coaching needs before the search begins •       Not involving the employee in understanding why they're receiving coaching Key Takeaways •       Define Your Need First •       The Higher You Climb, the Lonelier It Gets •       ROI Is Real and Measurable •       Chemistry ≠ Comfort Bernadette's 3-Step Framework for Finding the Right Coach •       Step 1 — Do the internal work •       Step 2 — Ask hard questions: Use the 15 questions (10 universal + 5 for HR/organizational sponsors) to rigorously vet every candidate. •       Step 3 — Evaluate Chemistry, Credentials, and Clarity Your Weekly Challenge Identify one leadership challenge for yourself or someone on your team that executive or leadership coaching could address. Start the conversation about coaching ROI, and take one concrete next step. Connect with Bernadette •       Book a Discovery Call: coachmebernadette.com/discovery-call •       Website: balloffirecoaching.com •       Podcast: Shedding the Corporate Bitch on Apple Podcasts & other platforms •       YouTube: Shedding the Corporate Bitch channel Support the show

    49 min

  5. MAR 3

    Confident as F*ck: How to Stop Leading Through Fear

    In this powerful episode, we sit down with Rachel Lawrence — confidence coach, speaker, and author of Confident as F*ck to talk about why so many professionals struggle with imposter syndrome, and what it actually takes to overcome it. Rachel's story is anything but ordinary. From surviving workplace humiliation by toxic leaders in her 20s, to donating a kidney to her ex-husband only to have her marriage fall apart, to facing a full-blown midlife confidence crisis during the pandemic, Rachel has rebuilt her sense of self more than once.  And she's turned those hard-won lessons into a book and a coaching practice that's changing lives. This conversation is packed with honest truths, practical strategies, and a few laugh-out-loud moments, including the story of a hungover, skeptical man who walked into a room full of women and left as a completely transformed human being. If you've ever held yourself back, let perfectionism paralyze you, or told yourself you're "not ready",  this episode is your permission slip to start now. Key Challenges Addressed in This Episode •       The lasting damage of toxic leadership on self-worth and career trajectory •       Rebuilding confidence after major life trauma and relationship breakdown •       Why imposter syndrome can return in midlife, even after years of personal development •       Perfectionism as a mask for fear — and how to stop letting it steal your time •       Learning to recognize when your inner critic is running your decisions •       Understanding that confidence is not a fixed trait — it's a daily practice Episode Timestamps [00:00]  Intro — Rachel's background and what led her to confidence coaching [06:00]  Why weak leaders lead through fear — and how to find compassion for them [08:00]  The lessons from her 20s she leaned back into in her 40s [12:00]   Why imposter syndrome is conditioning, not a personal flaw [20:00]  One area, five goals, one bold move — the action framework [27:00]  The freeing feeling of finally not giving a f*ck [30:00]  Rachel's core message: confidence is a choice at any age [31:00]  Where to find the book and follow Rachel   Enjoying the Show? •       Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts — it helps more people find this content •       Grab Confident as F*ck by Rachel Lawrence on Amazon •       Learn more about Rachel's coaching at rachelawrence.co.uk •       Follow Rachel on Instagram & TikTok: @RachelLawrenceUK •       Share this episode with someone who needs a confidence boost today Support the show

    31 min

  6. FEB 24

    From Top Performer to True Leader: 5 Steps That Matter

    60-80% of managers have ZERO formal leadership training. Is your organization creating accidental managers? In this episode, executive coach Bernadette Boas exposes the hidden crisis destroying teams across corporate America: unprepared and untrained talented professionals promoted into leadership roles without the training, mindset, or support to actually lead. In This Episode, You'll Discover: • Why 60-80% of managers never receive formal leadership training—and the devastating impact on teams, culture, and business results • The 5 ways to stop the cycle of advancing or hiring professionals not prepared for leadership • How to identify leadership readiness BEFORE promoting your top performers • Why redefining success metrics from personal to team outcomes changes everything • The power of leadership onboarding programs, mentorship, and mastermind communities • How to hold leaders accountable for people development (and tie it to compensation) • The bonus strategy: Creating alternative career paths for high performers who shouldn't manage people Your Call to Action: Assess your current management pipeline. Ask yourself: Are my managers leading intentionally, or are they surviving accidentally? What do they need to become powerhouse people leaders? Work With Bernadette: Struggling to create an onboarding program, define people management goals, or help an accidental manager thrive? Book a 30-minute discovery call at CoachMeBernadette.com/DiscoveryCall Connect: • LinkedIn: @BernadetteBoas • Website: BallOfFireCoaching.com • More Episodes: BallFireCoaching.com/Podcast Love the show? Leave a review and share this episode with other leaders who need to hear this message. Your feedback fuels this community and helps other leaders find the show! Support the show

    33 min

  7. FEB 17

    Leveraging Neurodivergent Brillance At Work

    Have you ever been labeled too sensitive, too blunt, too intense, or too much at work? In this episode, leadership coach and author Rachel Radway joins us to unpack the truth about neurodivergence in high-achieving professionals — and why many gifted leaders are misunderstood, sidelined, or burned out. We discuss:  • What neurodivergence really looks like in the workplace  • The concept of “twice exceptional” leaders  • Neurodivergent burnout and personality shifts  • Masking and its hidden cost  • Self-advocacy in corporate environments  • How leaders can build inclusive cultures without requiring disclosure  • The power of personal user guides This episode is essential listening for executives, managers, HR professionals, entrepreneurs, and high performers who want to build stronger, more inclusive teams. Timestamps: 00:00 – Feeling misunderstood at work  01:00 – Rachel’s niche: neurodivergent high achievers  03:00 – “Too sensitive” and early conditioning  06:00 – Neurodivergent burnout explained  07:30 – What neurodivergence actually looks like  08:30 – Twice exceptional (2E) leaders & ADHD traits  10:30 – Communication challenges & context needs  13:00 – Leading with curiosity vs. judgment  15:00 – Disclosure risks in the workplace  18:30 – Personal user guides for inclusive teams  22:00 – Leveraging neurodivergent superpowers  24:00 – The cost of not advocating for yourself  27:00 – Inside Rachel’s book Perceptive 29:00 – Final leadership advice Connect with Rachel Radway: Website: RERcoaching.com LinkedIn: Rachel Radway Book: Perceptive: Insights for leaders who feel more, process deeply, and think differently (Available on Amazon) If this episode resonated: • Subscribe & follow the show  • Leave a 5-star review  • Share this episode with your team  • Tag us on LinkedIn with your biggest takeaway Support the show

    34 min

  8. FEB 10

    Your Team Isn’t Underperforming, They’re Under-Directed

    Most leaders don’t struggle with motivation—they struggle with clarity. In this episode, we break down why teams miss expectations even when goals seem “clear,” and how leaders unintentionally create confusion, overwhelm, and misalignment. This conversation dives deep into the four root causes behind execution failure: unclear goals, vague expectations, unconfirmed commitment, and delayed accountability. You’ll learn practical leadership frameworks to replace assumption with alignment—without micromanaging or becoming reactive. What You’ll Learn: • Why silence and nodding are not signs of agreement • How to set goals that actually drive results • The four elements every clear expectation must include • How to confirm understanding and commitment—before execution fails • Why accountability should feel fair, predictable, and supportive Key Takeaway: Great leadership isn’t about saying things better—it’s about confirming they were understood. FREE Resource Mentioned: • Leadership Clarity Toolkit - DOWNLOAD Call to Action: Download the Leadership Clarity Toolkit and start leading with precision, confidence, and consistency. Subscribe, follow, and share this episode with leaders who want fewer surprises and stronger execution. Podcast Links: 🎧 Follow the Podcast 📺 YouTube – Shed the Corporate Bitch TV Support the show

    33 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Welcome to Shedding the Corporate Bitch – the podcast that challenges the status quo and empowers bold professionals to ditch outdated expectations, rewrite the rules, and rise into leadership on their own terms. Hosted by transformational coach and unapologetic truth-teller Bernadette Boas, each episode delivers raw insights, unfiltered conversations, and practical strategies for ambitious corporate professionals, executive leaders, and HR trailblazers who are ready to level up—without selling out. Whether you're navigating toxic cultures, battling burnout, or aiming for that next big role, this show is your weekly dose of motivation, straight talk, and real solutions that get results. Follow now—and start shedding what no longer serves you, so you can build a career and life that actually fits you.

Information

  • Creator
    Bernadette Boas
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    485
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Shedding the Bitch®
  • Show Website
    Shedding the Corporate Bitch

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