Bad Bosses The Podcast

Why Great Leadership Starts with Trust, Empathy, and Development with Mark O’Donnell

Fri, 22 May 2026 11:30:00 GMT

In this episode of Bad Bosses: The Podcast, Joe Carfi sits down with Mark O’Donnell of Operations Excellence for a conversation about what truly separates a bad boss from a strong leader.

Mark shares how his career began in engineering and manufacturing, including the reality of being promoted into management with little more than a quick HR rundown and a handshake. From there, he explains why so-called “soft skills” are actually essential skills, especially when it comes to leadership, communication, mentoring, and building trust.

Joe and Mark discuss why leadership is not about ego, titles, or short-term results. It is about creating sustainable success by helping people become the best versions of themselves. They explore the importance of coaching, mentorship, emotional intelligence, empathy, and the difference between training someone for a task and developing them as a person.

This episode is a thoughtful look at how leaders can build stronger teams, healthier organizations, and better workplace relationships by focusing on people, process, and strategy.

When Bad Leadership Turns Personal with Zetti Young

Thu, 21 May 2026 23:44:12 GMT

In this episode of Bad Bosses: The Podcast, Joe Carfi sits down with Zetti Young to discuss her personal experience with a bad boss while working as a school bus driver and union president. Zetti shares what happened after a student had a medical emergency on her bus and how a difficult situation was made worse by a supervisor who, in her view, focused more on confrontation than care. Together, Joe and Zetti talk about public discipline, workplace targeting, union representation, employee protections, and the importance of bosses understanding the jobs they oversee. The conversation also explores the larger impact bad leadership can have on employees, from anxiety and fear in the workplace to the feeling that people have to keep their heads down just to protect their jobs. Zetti offers honest insight into what good leadership should look like: checking on people, knowing your team, respecting boundaries, communicating clearly, and treating employees fairly without trying to force everyone into the same box. This episode is a direct and personal look at how bad boss behavior can turn a workplace into a hostile environment, and why better leadership starts with listening, accountability, and respect.

Fairness, Mentorship, and the Art of Becoming a Better Boss with Tony Callisto

Thu, 21 May 2026 23:44:09 GMT

In this episode of Bad Bosses: The Podcast, Joe Carfi welcomes back Tony Callisto for a deeper conversation on what separates good leadership from bad boss behavior. Drawing from Tony’s decades of experience in law enforcement, higher education, consulting, and organizational leadership, Joe and Tony explore how bad bosses can damage trust, morale, and workplace culture, and how good leaders can help people grow through fairness, clarity, mentorship, and communication. Tony breaks down why fairness does not always mean treating everyone exactly the same, how leaders should adapt their style based on the needs of their team, and why mission and vision are essential for any organization. He also shares practical insight on leadership development, conflict resolution, listening, and the importance of investing in yourself before stepping into a management role. From unions and accountability to mentorship and motivation, this episode offers an honest look at how bosses become better leaders, and why the best ones care enough to listen, guide, and support the people they lead.

Law Enforcement Leadership, Trust, and the Difference Between Managing & Leading with Tony Callisto

Thu, 21 May 2026 23:44:05 GMT

In this episode of Bad Bosses: The Podcast, Joe Carfi sits down with Tony Callisto, former Chief Deputy of the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Department, to begin a new series on leadership in law enforcement. Tony reflects on a career that started at just 15 years old through the Solvay Police Explorers program and eventually spanned four decades across law enforcement, public safety, training, consulting, and leadership. Together, Joe and Tony discuss how promotions work in law enforcement, the strengths and challenges of the civil service system, and why leadership in public safety requires much more than a title. From the importance of mentorship and accountability to building trust with officers, political leaders, and the community, Tony breaks down what makes a strong law enforcement leader in today’s world. He also shares lessons learned from both good and bad bosses, including the importance of humility, communication, relationship-building, and giving people the opportunity to grow. This conversation is a thoughtful look at what leadership really means when the stakes are high, the community is watching, and the job is more than a career. As Tony puts it, law enforcement and first responder work is not just a job. It is a vocation.

What Bad Bosses Teach Us About Good Leadership with Angelo Testani

Thu, 21 May 2026 23:44:01 GMT

In the first episode of Bad Bosses, Joe Carfi sits down with longtime friend and banking executive Angelo Testani to talk about the difference between bosses who lead and bosses who simply hold a title. With more than 30 years of experience in banking, Angelo reflects on the managers who shaped his career, including one boss whose focus on appearances left a lasting impression. Joe and Angelo discuss how bad leadership can impact morale, trust, career growth, and even life outside of work. They also explore what makes a good boss: empathy, accountability, trust, clear expectations, and the willingness to understand what employees may be carrying beyond the workplace. From micromanagement to layoffs, personal loss, and lessons learned over decades of managing teams, this conversation sets the tone for what Bad Bosses is all about: recognizing poor leadership, learning from it, and helping create better bosses in the future.