The Hyman Podcast

Some people confuse control with leadership. Others confuse silence with loyalty. This episode is about neither. It’s about what happens when those in power forget how to care—and the people without titles step up anyway. It’s about the coworkers who carry too much and still make space for others. The ones who tell the truth when it’s inconvenient. The ones who lead without permission. JD returns...

Toxic leaders don’t rise by accident—they’re lifted. Propped up by silence, shielded by policy, and rewarded by the very people who should be holding them accountable. In this episode, JD pulls back the curtain on the kind of leadership that thrives in the dark and the culture that keeps the lights off on purpose. From personal stories to behind-the-scenes decisions you were never meant to hear ab...

In this chapter, we examine how toxic leaders not only rise—but thrive. Through the lens of high-profile scandals like WeWork and Uber, we unpack the systems that reward chaos over character, and ambition over accountability. Then, we turn inward. JD reflects on a personal experience with a manager whose obsession with optics endangered both staff and patients—revealing what happens when organizat...

Departing from JD’s usual storytelling style, The Survivalist is more personal—more raw. In this chapter, he shares what it means to endure a toxic workplace and what it takes to leave one behind. With quiet defiance and unflinching clarity, JD explores the cost of staying silent, the slow unraveling of self-worth, and the fire it takes to finally choose yourself. This isn’t just a story about wal...

In this powerful chapter, JD Hyman returns to the mic not just as a storyteller, but as the defendant in a battle over voice, truth, and accountability. After releasing a searing episode about his experiences working under toxic leadership, JD received something unexpected: a cease and desist letter. In this episode, he breaks down what that letter said, what it was meant to silence, and why he ch...

Chase Smith, Founder/CEO of Press Play Podcasts, offers a final message to the P3 family. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Credits: Brand Design: Kevin Ache Theme Song: "Canary" by Jim Yosef Additional Music & Scoring: Epidemic Sound Visit our website to learn more about the podcast! Let's connect! Email me at here ! Find more info on our socials! Hyman Podcast Facebook Hyman P...

Why do toxic leaders seem to thrive while good employees suffer? In this episode, we explore the rise of toxic leadership through the lens of the Greater Fool theory —examining how enablers, silence, and flawed systems perpetuate dysfunction at the top. Joined by workplace culture expert Janice Brathwaite, we dive into the long-term impact of toxic environments, the emotional scars they leave behi...

In this episode, I recount the harrowing experience of working under a toxic leader in a crumbling hospital where chaos reigned supreme. From a leader obsessed with micromanaging trivial details while ignoring glaring systemic failures—like literal brown water—to a workplace riddled with dysfunction, unethical management practices, and the erosion of basic human decency. This is a story about surv...

This year brought loss, love, and lessons I never saw coming. In this short, special episode, I reflect on the wild ride of letting go—of toxic spaces, old versions of myself, and even those I’ve loved and lost. From grief to gratitude, I’m holding space for the light and the heavy moments. If you’ve felt the weight of this year too, this one’s for you. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Credits: B...

This special episode addresses a recent development with the podcast. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Credits: Brand Design: Kevin Ache Theme Song: "Canary" by Jim Yosef Additional Music & Scoring: Epidemic Sound Visit our website to learn more about the podcast! Let's connect! Email me at here ! Find more info on our socials! Hyman Podcast Facebook Hyman Podcast Instagram Per...

This special episode addresses a recent development with the podcast. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Credits: Brand Design: Kevin Ache Theme Song: "Canary" by Jim Yosef Additional Music & Scoring: Epidemic Sound Visit our website to learn more about the podcast! Let's connect! Email me at here ! Find more info on our socials! Hyman Podcast Facebook Hyman Podcast Instagram Per...

In this episode we delve deeper into the intricacies of toxic workplaces—shifting the focus from toxic managers to the very environments themselves. What happens when the entire culture of a workplace is a battlefield, draining employees from the moment they clock in? JD explores how toxicity can be embedded in the structures of workplaces, creating stress that’s normalized yet damaging. This epis...

In this short episode, we break down the results of the election and what they mean for the future of America. With Donald Trump’s victory, it's time for both parties to reflect on their mistakes and rethink their approach. Voters are focused on real, everyday issues like the economy and rising costs—issues the media often overlooks. This episode is a post-mortem on the election and a call to...

In this episode, JD explores the universal signs of workplace toxicity, encouraging listeners to reflect on their own environments and recognize troubling red flags. JD shares personal experiences of complicity in toxic workplaces and emphasizes the importance of awareness and courage in addressing dysfunction. Join us for a compelling discussion on how to spot red flags before it’s too late and c...

In this episode of The Hyman Podcast , we take a deep dive into the impact of toxic leadership on organizations. Toxic managers often fail to inspire positive change because they’re unwilling to address their own destructive behaviors. We explore how these leaders stifle innovation, demoralize teams, and create lasting negative consequences for organizational culture and performance. Tune in to le...

Toxic managers can turn a workplace into a battlefield, casting shadows over everything from team dynamics to personal mental health. Through a mix of personal stories and hard truths, I unravel the traits that define these figures of control and intimidation. My own experiences highlight the systemic forces at play, particularly as a black man navigating corporate America, and reveal how these to...

In Season 4 we delve deep into the dark corners of toxic leadership and its insidious impact on workplace environments. Drawing from personal experience, I expose the chaos sown by a manager who turned a place meant for healing into a battleground of fear and dysfunction. This season isn't just about one bad boss; it's about a flawed system that enables such behavior, forcing good employ...

In the third season finale of the Hyman Podcast, join JD on a deep and riviting exploration of relationships, the human experience, and the establishment of heroes and villians in our society. In this episode JD tells the story of Titanic, the late Princess of Wales, Captain Sullenberger and the Mircale on the Hudson and concludes with the plight of the Israeli and Ukraninian people as they contin...

JD returns to his roots in this continuation from season one's "I'm Not Your Token Black Guy", in this episode, "The Gemini Man", JD delves deeper into his life story and goes behind the scenes during his time working for a rural school district to one his final posts of his professional career in Ohio at the Ohio Department of Taxation. This episode is full of vulern...

In this compelling continuation of our two-part series, we delve deeper into the lasting effects of the War on Drugs on the Black community. Join JD as he explores the alarming racial disparities in drug arrests and convictions, and how they've shaped the lives of countless individuals. Discover the insidious connection between the War on Drugs and the prison industrial complex, and the econo...

In Part 1 of this two-part series, JD embarks on a literary journey that unfolds like eight interconnected books. Each book uncovers a crucial aspect of the War on Drugs and its profound impact on the Black community. Dive into the political climate of the 1970s, the Nixon administration's role, and the systemic injustices that emerged from these policies. This narrative paints a vivid pictur...

After three remarkable years, JD embarks on a compelling exploration of the Hyman Podcast's origins and its universal resonance among listeners. In this highly anticipated episode, JD delves into the profound impact of the podcast's discussions on race, the justice system, and the human experience. Join JD on this captivating journey as we uncover the roots of the Hyman Podcast and the m...

Jason David Frank, also known as the Green Ranger was a staple in the Power Rangers Franchise. He played a big role over the course of his career and was responsible for taking the original MMPR to even greater heights. In this special tribute episode of the Hyman Podcast, JD delves into the humble beginnings of the character Tommy Oliver and the impact this character had on a global fanbase befor...

When Paul Murdaugh crashed his father's speedboat and killed then 19-year-old Mallory Beach he unwittingly set in motion a series of events that would bring down his entire family dynasty. Now, Paul is dead and so is his mother, Maggie and as for his father, Alex, he's being accused as their murderer. Join me in uncovering more of the story of Alex Murdaugh and a saga of legal trouble th...

Juan Catalan was arrested for the murder of Martha Puebla in August 2003. He was facing the death penalty, the pressure was on, and one of the few people in his corner was a criminal defense attorney that was facing insurmountable odds. In this episode of the Hyman Podcast, JD dives into the true life story of a man who's saving grace came in the most unlikely of places, but would it be enoug...