I Need To F***ing Talk To You

Do you want to f***ing improve individual and team performance in your workplace? Do you think mediocrity f***ing sucks and you shouldn't have to put up with it? Do you aim to be more than a good boss and aspire to be a great leader? Then join Ken and Russell for thoughtful and at times f***ing irreverent conversation on the topics of leadership and organizational culture. Sometimes difficult conversations suck, but you need to have them. Sometimes you may even need to have them with yourself. On this podcast we have thought provoking conversations with business leaders from across North America and discuss ideas that can help you be an even better leader and not simply a ‘boss’. Co-hosts Ken Cameron and Russell Stratton literally wrote the book on navigating difficult workplace conversations. We are authors of the 5 star Amazon book ‘I Need To F***ing Talk To You’, the result of more than three decades of in-the-field consulting This groundbreaking book is the basis for our training programs and podcast and continues to f***ing positively shape how managers in organizations address performance, behavioural and attendance issues in the workplace.

I Need To F***ing Talk To You is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 151 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts I Need To F***ing Talk To You, a business show with 151 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #148

  148 - Why Were Ken and I Wearing Viking Helmets… and What the F*ck Has That Got to Do with Leadership Communication?

  Aug 11, 202616 min

  What do Viking helmets, HR professionals, and difficult workplace conversations have in common? More than you might think. In this episode of I Need to F*ing Talk to You , Russell Stratton shares a memorable story from the CPHR Alberta Conference in Calgary, where he and co-author Ken Cameron spent the day wearing Viking helmets while talking to HR leaders about difficult employees. The surprising part? Nobody needed the metaphor explained. Almost everyone who walked past immediately said, “I know exactly who that person is.” That’s because we’ve all worked with someone who resists change, digs in their heels, and seems impossible to coach. But are they really difficult… or are they simply wearing the wrong hat? Drawing on the leadership framework from I Need to F ing Talk to You*, Russell introduces the Four Hats model—a practical and memorable way to separate behaviour from personality, making difficult conversations less emotional and far more productive. Instead of labelling people as “problem employees,” you’ll learn how to identify the behaviours that are getting in the way and, more importantly, how to help people move forward. In this episode you’ll discover: Why most “difficult employees” aren’t actually difficult people. How resistance to change sits behind many workplace conflicts. Why separating behaviour from identity transforms difficult conversations. The meaning behind each of the Four Hats: The Viking Helmet – resistant to change and quick to push back. The Sun Hat – comfortable, complacent, and content with the status quo. The Hard Hat – willing to change but needing guidance and support. The Graduate Cap – engaged, proactive, and consistently delivering results. Why awareness must come before coaching. How to decide whether a behaviour is something to live with temporarily—or challenge directly. Why passing a difficult employee to another manager rarely solves the problem. Russell also explains why great leaders don’t waste energy trying to “fix” people. Instead, they focus on changing behaviours through curiosity, clear communication, and accountability. The Four Hats aren’t a personality test. They’re a shared language that helps leaders remove emotion from difficult conversations and replace frustration with practical coaching. Subscribe & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review. Share it with your colleagues who might need a fresh perspective on thriving in challenging work environments! — Ready to take your difficult conversations to the next level? Get our book: I Need To F***ing Talk To You! | The Art of Navigating Difficult Workplace Conversations Available on: Amazon Owl's Nest Books Shelf Life Books Visit our website: ineedtof-ingtalktoyou.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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  Episode #147

  147 - What Happens at Stampede… Stays at the F-ing Stampede (Or Does It?)

  Jul 28, 202616 min

  Calgary Stampede is one of the highlights of the year. It’s a chance to reconnect with colleagues, strengthen relationships, thank employees, meet clients, and enjoy a well-earned celebration. But where does having fun end and leadership responsibility begin? In this solo episode, Russell explores a fictional—but very believable—story of a respected manager whose decision to continue celebrating after a company Stampede event leads to an uncomfortable Monday morning conversation. Through the story of Mike and Riverside Consulting, Russell examines the subtle pressures leaders create, often without realizing it, and why leadership doesn’t simply disappear when the workday ends. Rather than asking whether Mike’s behaviour was “right” or “wrong,” this episode explores a far more important question: What are the consequences when a leader’s actions shape how others experience the workplace? Along the way you’ll discover why difficult conversations are rarely about bad people—they’re about good people making decisions without fully appreciating their impact on others. Whether you’re heading to Stampede, a conference, a client event, a Christmas party, or any workplace social function, this episode offers practical insights that every leader can apply. If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “It’s after work—it doesn’t matter,” this conversation may cause you to look at leadership through a different lens. Subscribe & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with a colleague. Every workplace eventually has its own “Monday morning conversation.” The better we become at having those conversations, the stronger our leaders, teams, and organizations become. — Ready to take your difficult conversations to the next level? Get our book: I Need To F***ing Talk To You! | The Art of Navigating Difficult Workplace Conversations Available on: Amazon Owl's Nest Books Shelf Life Books Visit our website: ineedtof-ingtalktoyou.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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  Episode #146

  146 - Hard F-ing Conversations and Hard F-ing Lessons: Entrepreneurship, Adversity, and the Power of Persistence with Stan Peake

  Jul 14, 202652 min

  In this episode, we sit down with serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, and TEDx speaker Stan Peake. With experience as a 9-time entrepreneur and 7-time bestselling author, Stan brings raw, real-world insight into what it actually takes to build, sustain, and recover in business. From navigating personal health crises and business setbacks to managing difficult clients and teams, this conversation dives into the realities of entrepreneurship that rarely make the highlight reel. We explore the uncomfortable truths behind success—stress, resilience, persistence—and why the ability to handle difficult conversations may be one of the most underrated entrepreneurial skills. About Our Guest Stan Peake is a serial entrepreneur, bestselling business author, and TEDx speaker who supports entrepreneurship development at Bow Valley College. Recognized for both business excellence and ethics, Stan combines academic credentials from Royal Roads University, Queen’s University, and Harvard Business School Online with decades of lived experience. He also serves as a global chapter organizer for Harvard’s entrepreneurship network. And yes—he’s a loyal Buffalo Bills fan. What We Talk About The Reality of Entrepreneurship Entrepreneurship isn’t just strategy and growth—it’s stress, uncertainty, and responsibility. Stan shares what it feels like to carry the weight of payroll, problem-solving, and constant decision-making with no safety net. When the Business Gets Personal From managing difficult clients to navigating unexpected team challenges, we unpack the communication skills required when stakes are high and emotions run even higher. Adversity as a Turning Point Stan opens up about facing a broken back, a heart attack, COVID-related revenue loss, the death of a co-founder, and difficult business partnerships—and how those moments reshaped his approach to leadership and resilience. The Resilience Gap We discuss a growing societal challenge: the shift toward instant gratification and risk aversion, and how that mindset limits personal and professional growth. Key Takeaways Crisis can unlock creativity – When quitting isn’t an option, you find another way. Transparency builds trust – Honest conversations, especially when things go wrong, create stronger relationships. Persistence pays off – Sometimes it takes 18 follow-ups to rebuild trust—but it works. Passion fuels performance – You excel when you care deeply about what you’re doing. Discomfort is a competitive advantage – Growth comes from pushing through what others avoid. Micro-adversity builds resilience – Small challenges prepare you for bigger ones. Why This Episode Matters If you’re leading a team, building a business, or navigating tough conversations, this episode is a reminder that resilience isn’t built in comfort—it’s built through challenge. Stan’s perspective cuts through the noise and brings us back to what really drives success: persistence, honesty, and the willingness to stay in the hard moments. Links: How Entrepreneurs Learn survey: https://forms.gle/8BBKycHYR4R19Ha8A Fixing Leadership on Amazon link here Subscribe & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review. Share it with your colleagues who might need a fresh perspective on thriving in challenging work environments! — Ready to take your difficult conversations to the next level? Get our book: I Need To F***ing Talk To You! | The Art of Navigating Difficult Workplace Conversations Available on: Amazon Owl's Nest Books Shelf Life Books Visit our website: ineedtof-ingtalktoyou.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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  Episode #145

  145 - Clarity, Pressure, and the “Third Way” with Eric Nitzberg

  Jun 30, 202653 min

  In this episode, Russell sits down with Eric Nitzberg , founder of Sierra Leadership , executive coach, and trusted advisor to CEOs and senior leaders. Eric works with high-performing executives to help them focus on what truly matters—bringing clarity, confidence, and deeper self-awareness to leadership in complex and fast-moving environments. With more than two decades of experience coaching senior leaders, Eric shares insights into how executives navigate pressure, decision-making, and personal growth while leading organizations through rapid change. A central theme of the conversation is the reality of leadership today: faster decisions, less information, and the growing influence of AI on how leaders think and operate. Eric discusses how leaders can maintain perspective in high-growth, high-pressure environments—and why being kind to yourself may be one of the most important leadership practices. As Eric reminds us during the conversation: “Perfect is the enemy of good.” The discussion also explores Eric’s unconventional career journey—from working in the church to becoming an executive coach—and how that experience shaped his understanding of leadership, listening, and personal development. Eric also shares a fascinating story about navigating a difficult professional situation involving his client and another stakeholder. in the company. Faced with the question of who to speak to first , Eric discovered an unexpected “third way” that ultimately resolved the situation and strengthened the relationships. Eric and Russell also revisit a classic leadership concept from The One Minute Manager —the idea of the “monkey”—and how leaders can unintentionally take on other people’s problems, adding unnecessary stress and distraction to their already full plates. This episode is a thoughtful and practical conversation about leadership in an era of complexity, speed, and constant change. Links How human and AI coaches can work together Subscribe & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review. Share it with your colleagues who might need a fresh perspective on thriving in challenging work environments! — Ready to take your difficult conversations to the next level? Get our book: I Need To F***ing Talk To You! | The Art of Navigating Difficult Workplace Conversations Available on: Amazon Owl's Nest Books Shelf Life Books Visit our website: ineedtof-ingtalktoyou.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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  Episode #144

  144 - Building a F-ing Human-Centered Social Media Agency and Leading Through Change with Beth Trejo

  Jun 16, 202648 min

  In this episode, we talk with Beth Trejo, CEO and Co-Founder of Chatterkick , a social media operations agency focused on building systems that actually work — while keeping people at the center of the process. Beth has been featured in USA Today , Business Insider , and Yahoo , and has delivered more than 100 keynotes on leadership, culture, and the realities of modern social media. Beth shares her approach to building a strong team culture grounded in trust, communication, and real understanding of people — not just performance metrics. She explains why leaders need to genuinely talk to their employees, not just manage them, and how family-friendly policies can create sustainable workplaces. We also explore Beth’s perspective on a powerful but often misunderstood idea: your family is your family — your employer is not your family. Beth explains how clear boundaries can actually strengthen workplace relationships and build healthier cultures. One of the most compelling parts of the conversation focuses on the difficult leadership moment of telling employees she was selling the company. Beth discusses the emotional weight of the conversation, how she prepared for it, and what she learned about transparency, trust, and leadership during times of uncertainty. This episode is a practical and honest look at leadership conversations, organizational change, and building a culture that respects both work and life. Links Book a free strategy consultation: https://chatterkick.com/contact/ Get free stuff! https://chatterkick.com/free-stuff/ For a free copy of “Making the Invisible Sale, Visible.” This ebook gives leaders a practical roadmap for communicating their full suite of B2B services in a way customers actually understand. And also 30 DIY Content Ideas, 30 Lead Generation Tips, Tricks & Ideas, Social Media Tips and more. Subscribe & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review. Share it with your colleagues who might need a fresh perspective on thriving in challenging work environments! — Ready to take your difficult conversations to the next level? Get our book: I Need To F***ing Talk To You! | The Art of Navigating Difficult Workplace Conversations Available on: Amazon Owl's Nest Books Shelf Life Books Visit our website: ineedtof-ingtalktoyou.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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