Monster in My Closet: Workplace Fears and Follies

After 70+ episodes of rants, revelations, and the occasional professional meltdown, we’re wrapping this chapter of  Monster in My Closet . Is it the end? Maybe. Maybe not. Let’s call it a “strategic retreat.” In this finale (for now), we reflect on what we’ve learned, what’s still broken, and what might come next—if you want it. We’re digging into: 🔹 Why leadership training is still stuck in 1985...

Ever wonder what really happens when someone speaks up inside a big company? Spoiler: it’s not a slow clap and a corner office. In this episode of  Monster in My Closet , we dive into the murky world of whistleblowing—why it’s risky, how corporations protect themselves instead of the truth, and what it means for the rest of us. We’re taking on three hard-hitting questions: 🔹 Do corporations prior...

Ever worked somewhere that made you ask,  “Who hurt you?”  From banning metal forks to assigning an escort for the supply closet, this episode dives into the hilariously maddening world of workplace rules gone wrong. We’re putting stupid policies under the microscope—and laughing (and groaning) all the way through. In this episode of  Monster in My Closet , we tackle three big questions: 🔹 Why do...

Is your workplace more “what’s in it for me?” or “what’s best for the group?” In this episode of  Monster in My Closet , we dive into the cultural tug-of-war between individualism and collectivism—and how these values shape leadership, teamwork, and decision-making. From noisy meetings full of strong opinions to buttoned-up hierarchies where compliance trumps creativity, we’re exploring how both e...

Is your org drowning in good ideas? In this episode, we're digging into  Innovation Overload —that moment when the race to be cutting-edge starts to cut into your productivity, sanity, and bottom line. We explore how the relentless pursuit of the “next big thing” can quietly sabotage your ability to execute. We’re tackling three big questions: 🔹 What is the innovation trap, and how does it le...

Ever get the feeling your AI tool is a little  too  clever? In this episode, we’re diving into the strange, human-like behavior of advanced AI—and what it means when the machines start thinking (and scheming) like us. From nonprofits using AI to scale smarter, to large corporations wrestling with guardrails and control, we explore the real-world implications of reaching artificial general intellig...

Are you ready to flip the script on mentorship? In this episode of  Monster in My Closet , we dive into  Reverse Mentorship —where junior employees guide senior leaders, offering fresh perspectives and bridging generational gaps. Join hosts  Anil Saxena  and  Morgan Hunter  as they explore: ✅ What reverse mentorship is and why it’s a game-changer for businesses ✅ How it fosters innovation, enhan...

Ever feel like your organization is caught in a constant storm of emergencies? In this episode, we’re calling out the Crisis Junkies—the leaders who manufacture or exploit chaos to look indispensable, all while destabilizing everyone around them. From the psychological motivations that fuel chaos to the long-term damage it wreaks on company culture, we’re pulling back the curtain on why some leade...

Ever wonder why top performers sometimes crash and burn when they step into leadership? In this episode, we’re confronting the Peter Principle—the nagging theory that people rise to their level of incompetence, leaving them (and their teams) in a mess. From the misaligned promotions that erode team cohesion to the morale-killing effects of bad leadership, we’re peeling back the layers on a phenome...

What if the biggest risk to your startup wasn’t your competitors—but  your own success ? 🚀 In this episode of  Monster in My Closet – Into the Shadows , we welcome back  Jeff Wellstead , the fearless truth-teller who knows that scaling isn’t just hiring more people—it’s a  high-stakes game of Russian roulette . From  ballooning bureaucracy  to  unruly egos  and  catastrophic hiring mistakes , Jef...

In this heart-opening episode of Monster in My Closet, we confront the quiet epidemic of compassion fatigue—a condition that weighs heavily on leaders and frontline workers alike. Dive deep into the emotional toll of constantly supporting others, discover the signs of burnout, and learn how to create a workplace culture that prioritizes well-being. Because even the most empathetic leaders need to...

Ever feel like you're carrying the weight of a hundred tiny tasks that no one seems to notice? In this episode, we’re exposing the  Silent Saboteur —the invisible labor that keeps workplaces running but often goes unrecognized and unrewarded. From the administrative burdens that fall disproportionately on women and minorities to the emotional toll of being the office "fixer," we’re diving deep int...

In this spirited episode of  Monster in My Closet – Into the Shadows , we invite Kristen Knepper, DEI expert and recovering attorney, back to the podcast to explore the eerie intersection of culture and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Join us as we shine a ghostly light on the invisible barriers, haunting missteps, and spectral resistance that keep organizations from truly embracing inclusivity....

Charismatic leaders can inspire, motivate, and drive incredible change—but what happens when that charm turns into manipulation? In this episode of  Monster in My Closet , Anil Saxena and Morgan Hunter pull back the curtain on the double-edged sword of charisma in leadership. From cult-like corporate cultures to CEOs who can’t resist the spotlight, we explore the risks of unchecked charisma and ho...

AI is transforming the world, but what happens when it operates without guardrails? In this spine-chilling episode of  Monster in My Closet: Into the Shadows , we dive into the dark side of AI with  Erica Simons , a global tech strategist and advocate for ethical AI. From wrongful arrests caused by flawed facial recognition to biased algorithms shaping our world, Erica unpacks  the real-world cons...

Are You Hoarding Information Like a Chainsaw-Wielding Maniac? Are workplace secrets slowing you down? In this episode of  Monster in My Closet , we dive into the fear of transparency—why we cling to information like it’s a limited resource, how it stifles collaboration, and what we can do about it. Join Anil and Morgan as they tackle: 🔹  The Real Cost of Information Hoarding  – How withholding da...

In this hauntingly relatable episode, we welcome back our very first guest, Paul Thallner, author of Reinventing Resilience and workplace resilience expert. Together, we dive deep into the stress epidemic plaguing today’s workplaces—how we got here, the toxic leadership models perpetuating burnout, and why the "slap-the-imp" management style belongs in the dungeon. Paul shares fresh insi...

Undead projects—those lifeless initiatives that refuse to die—drain resources, morale, and momentum. In this episode, we shine a light on how to identify these "walking dead" projects, why they persist, and the toll they take on organizations. More importantly, we arm you with the tools to put them to rest for good. Join us as we answer these key questions: What are the signs a project should be t...

In this edition of  Monster in My Closet – Into the Shadows , hosts Anil Saxena and Morgan Hunter team up with Christopher Lind to challenge the myth that focusing on people and driving performance are mutually exclusive. This eye-opening conversation explores how organizations can prioritize both to achieve exponential success. Key Highlights: People vs. Performance Goals:  Why these priorities a...

In this thought-provoking episode of  Monster in My Closet , we confront the workplace challenges created by avoidance and silence. Ignoring bad behavior or sidestepping tough conversations doesn’t just keep the peace—it breeds toxicity. We explore how these “sins of omission” allow problems to fester, erode trust, and damage company culture. What We’ll Cover: The Cost of Silence:  How unaddressed...

In this episode of Monster in My Closet – Into the Shadows, we explore the often misunderstood world of professional feedback with Stacy Young, a dynamic leader and expert in talent acquisition. Stacy sheds light on how feedback can be transformed from a source of tension into a powerful tool for growth. Drawing from her extensive experience in building high-performing teams and enhancing employee...

In this episode of Monster in My Closet, Anil and Morgan dive into a workplace phenomenon we can’t ignore—employees pulling back from going above and beyond. Is it quiet quitting, burnout, or something bigger? We’re dissecting the systemic factors that have eroded the "extra mile" and what it means for businesses today. Three big questions we tackle: What exactly is discretionary effort, and why d...

n this thought-provoking episode of Monster in My Closet – Into the Shadows, we’re joined by Jeff Wellstead, a futurist and advocate for transforming the HR landscape. Jeff’s candid take—"HR sucks...but with AI, the annoying stuff gets absorbed fast"—sets the tone for an insightful deep dive into how artificial intelligence is reshaping human resources. From automating time-consuming tas...

Season 2 kicks off with a deep dive into leadership accountability in "Your Stockholder Calling." Hosts Anil Saxena and Morgan Hunter tackle the tough question: Would you make the same decisions if you had to justify them face-to-face with your stockholder? In this episode, we focus on: What your choices reveal about your priorities as a leader. How individual actions can build—or erode—...

Recruitment isn’t just about filling seats—it’s about crafting thriving teams that shape the future of your organization. In this episode of Monster in My Closet: Into the Shadows, we sit down with Stacy Young, a seasoned technical talent acquisition leader, to uncover the art and science of recruitment. Stacy shares her expertise on building hiring strategies that prioritize cultural fit, inclusi...