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. 🎙️

  1. 2d ago

    Another Form, Another Meeting, Another Problem | When Work Becomes More Work

    Why does getting anything done at work seem to require another form, another meeting, another spreadsheet, and five different approvals?In this episode of Barely Manageable, Dana and Mary tackle the never-ending processes, unnecessary policies, and complicated systems that somehow make simple tasks harder than they need to be.From tracking spreadsheets that nobody reads to approval processes that never seem to end, they share their own experiences with workplace bureaucracy and the frustration of following rules nobody remembers creating.They also explore how one employee's bad decision can turn into a company-wide policy, why organizations struggle to let go of outdated procedures, and how managers sometimes contribute to the very problems they're complaining about.Sometimes structure is necessary. But when the process becomes more work than the actual work, something has gone wrong.And if you've ever wondered why you need a meeting to discuss the spreadsheet you already filled out… this episode is for you.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.

  2. Oct 12

    You Got Promoted…But Should You Have? | What Really Makes Someone a Good Leader

    Just because you're great at your job doesn't automatically mean you're ready to lead others. So what really makes someone deserving of a promotion? In this episode of Barely Manageable, Dana and Mary discuss the difference between being a high-performing employee and being an effective supervisor—and why promoting the wrong person can create bigger problems for an entire team. They explore how experience, attitude, emotional maturity, and interpersonal skills influence leadership potential. They also discuss why longevity doesn't guarantee a promotion, the challenges of supervising former coworkers, and how organizations can recognize employees who demonstrate leadership qualities beyond their job performance. Being good at your job and being good at leading people are two very different things. Strong leadership isn't just about experience, qualifications, or how long you've been with an organization. It's about having the ability to support others, make difficult decisions, communicate effectively, and earn the trust of your team. 🎙️ 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. Oct 5

    Nobody Told Me THAT Was Part of Being a Supervisor | The Job Behind the Job

    When you became a supervisor, you probably expected to manage employees, make decisions, monitor performance, and develop your team. But did anyone mention the thermostat, broken printer, missing keys, birthday cards, bathroom problems, lost passwords, mysterious office supplies, and everything else that somehow becomes your responsibility? In this episode of Barely Manageable, Dana and Mary discuss all the unexpected responsibilities that come with being a supervisor—the things no leadership book or job description prepares you for. They explore what happens when managers become the office help desk, problem solver, policy interpreter, morale coordinator, event planner, lost-and-found department, and the person everyone turns to before trying to solve a problem themselves. The big responsibilities of leadership may be the ones you prepare for, but sometimes it is the hundreds of little things that take up the most time and energy. Strong leadership also means recognizing which problems actually belong to you, helping employees problem-solve for themselves, and realizing you do not have to have every answer. 🎙️ 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: @BarelyManageablePodcast ▶️ YouTube: Barely Manageable Podcast

  4. Sep 28

    I’m Not Lazy, I’m Just Tired | When Your Work Ethic Outlasts Your Energy

    Are you still getting your work done—but completely exhausted by the idea of doing anything more?In this episode of Barely Manageable, Dana and Mary discuss what happens when your work ethic is still there, but your enthusiasm and energy have left the building.They explore workplace exhaustion, meeting fatigue, decision fatigue, emotional exhaustion, and the pressure high performers feel to constantly go above and beyond. They also discuss how priorities can change throughout your career—and why not wanting to volunteer for another committee, take on another project, or give 150% doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve stopped caring.Being tired doesn’t always mean you’re burned out. Sometimes your battery is simply depleted. Strong leadership means recognizing your limits, setting boundaries, knowing when doing your job is enough, and allowing yourself to recharge before exhaustion becomes burnout.🎙️ 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.

  5. Sep 21

    Why Is Everything Urgent? | When Poor Planning Becomes Your Emergency

    Does every task at your workplace suddenly become the top priority—even when it could have been planned days or weeks ago? In this episode of Barely Manageable, Dana and Mary discuss what happens when normal responsibilities are constantly treated like emergencies and every request comes with an urgent deadline. They explore how poor planning, procrastination, unclear priorities, and last-minute communication create unnecessary workplace chaos. They also discuss how managers and employees can determine what genuinely requires immediate attention—and what only feels urgent because someone failed to prepare. When everything is labeled a priority, nothing is truly prioritized. Strong leadership means setting realistic deadlines, communicating early, and recognizing the difference between an actual emergency and an avoidable time-management problem. 🎙️ 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.

  6. Sep 14

    What Your Boss Really Wants to Say | Managing Intrusive Thoughts at Work

    Have you ever wondered what your boss is really thinking—but cannot say because they need to stay professional and employed? In this episode of Barely Manageable, Dana and Mary reveal the intrusive thoughts managers have when workplace situations test their patience, professionalism, and self-control. They discuss the questions, comments, and employee behaviors that make leaders want to say exactly what is on their minds—and why a strong professional filter is sometimes the only thing standing between a manager and a meeting with HR. Leadership does not mean never getting frustrated. It means knowing how to address problems honestly, communicate expectations clearly, and respond professionally—even when your internal monologue is saying something completely different. 🎙️ 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.

  7. Sep 7

    I Was Off for One Day…What Happened? | Building a Team That Can Function Without You

    Have you ever taken one day off and returned to a mountain of questions, unfinished tasks, and problems that somehow became emergencies while you were gone? Happy Labor Day! In Episode 18 of Barely Manageable, Dana and Mary discuss what it means when a workplace cannot function without one particular employee or manager. They explore delegation, cross-training, communication, and the importance of creating clear processes before someone takes time away. They also discuss why some leaders struggle to let go of control—and how constantly making yourself indispensable can lead to stress, burnout, and an unhealthy team dynamic. Taking a day off should not cause the entire workplace to collapse. Strong leadership means building a team that can continue moving forward, even when you are not there. 🎙️ 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.

  8. Aug 31

    This Meeting Could Have Been an Email | How to Stop Wasting Everyone’s Time

    We have all left a meeting thinking the same thing: “That could have been an email.”In Episode 17 of Barely Manageable, Dana and Mary take on one of the most common workplace frustrations—unnecessary, unorganized, and never-ending meetings. They discuss why organizations rely so heavily on meetings, how poorly planned meetings drain time and energy, and why gathering everyone in a room does not automatically create collaboration. They also share practical ways leaders can set clearer agendas, invite the right people, keep conversations focused, and decide when a meeting is actually necessary. Because a productive meeting should create clarity and move work forward—not leave everyone wondering why they were invited. 👉If Zoom meetings were in real life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElIUVDECGdAComment “😂” emoji down below if you watch the skit! 🎙️ 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.

See All (24)

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
    24
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Barely Manageable Podcast
  • Show Website
    Barely Manageable Podcast