Shows
The Love Monday PodcastEp. 102: Don't Just Hire People, Hire People-GeniusesSend us a textIn this short but fiery episode, Ryan breaks down one of the most damaging habits in the workplace: promoting top performers into management without checking if they’re wired for people leadership. Discover what it means to be a people-genius — someone who lights up when others grow — and why coaching, empathy, and development are non-negotiables for any leader.Ryan shares simple, powerful interview questions you can use to detect whether someone is energized by people leadership or secretly dreading it. If you’re serious about employee engagement, retention, and performance, this episode...2025-07-3012 minThe Love Monday PodcastEp. 100: Should Managers Be Liked or Respected?Send us a textThere’s a long-standing myth in management: “You’re not here to be liked—you’re here to be respected.” But what if that mindset is sabotaging your team?In this episode of The Love Monday Podcast, Ryan Houmand challenges the false dichotomy of being liked vs. respected as a leader. Drawing on research from Gallup, Google’s Project Oxygen, and Don Clifton’s Soar with Your Strengths, Ryan makes a compelling case for why likability isn’t a weakness—it’s a superpower.You’ll learn:Why manager...2025-07-1413 minThe Love Monday PodcastEp. 99: Have a Take and Do Not Suck!Send us a textWhy are we so afraid to say what we really think at work—or on LinkedIn?In this episode, Ryan resurrects the classic Jim Rome mantra, “Have a take and don’t suck,” to explore why so many professionals stay silent in the face of important, even urgent, conversations. From DEI and layoffs to employee well-being and leadership accountability, too many people are editing themselves out of the discussion. Why? Fear of judgment, fear of getting it wrong, or simply not wanting to rock the boat.But here's the thing: s...2025-06-3013 minThe Love Monday PodcastBonus Episode: Unemployed? Here's how to get a job and love Monday again!Send us a textIf you're dreading Mondays because your job drains the life out of you, this episode is for you. I’m walking you through my 12-step Bulletproof Process for landing a job that makes you actually look forward to Monday.Whether you’re stuck in a soul-sucking role or just ready for something more aligned with your strengths and purpose, this isn’t your average job hunt advice. This is a mindset shift + practical roadmap that’s helped dozens of people get unstuck and back on track.👉 You can DIY it. Or, if...2025-04-2325 minThe Love Monday PodcastEp 94: It's Not Personal...Maybe It Should BeSend us a textThey say, “It’s not personal—it’s just business.” But what happens when it is personal?In this raw and timely episode of the Love Monday Podcast, Ryan shares the heartbreaking story of his daughter, who was laid off from the company she had dreamed of working for since she was 13. Like so many others, she was told it wasn’t personal. But the impact on her health, identity, and sense of purpose said otherwise.We dive into how corporate detachment has become the norm—especially in the years f...2025-04-1715 minThe Love Monday PodcastEp 93: Another Simple Test of a Great Leader - Do They Want To Lead?Send us a textIn this episode of the Love Monday Podcast, Ryan Houmand explores a deceptively simple but powerful question: Do they want to lead?Many people step into management roles because it's the next rung on the ladder—but what if they were never actually interested in leading? Ryan breaks down why some managers never fully embrace leadership—not because they lack the skills, but because they lack the desire. Whether it’s a preference for doing the work over managing people, discomfort with accountability, or a fundamental mismatch in motivation, Ryan reveals why wa...2025-04-0718 minThe Love Monday PodcastEp 92: The Simplest Test of a Great Leader - Will They Lead?Send us a textIn this episode of Love Monday, I ask a question every organization should be asking about their managers: Will they lead?Too many managers stay in the weeds, doing the work their teams should be doing—avoiding the hard, essential work of coaching, developing, and leading. Whether it’s clinging to tasks, covering for underperforming team members, or claiming they’re just "helping out," the result is the same: disengaged teams and stalled performance.I take a look at what real leadership looks like, why so man...2025-04-0220 minThe Love Monday PodcastEp 91: Why Are Our Standards For Leadership So Low?Send us a textIn this episode of The Love Monday Podcast, I ask a tough but necessary question: Why do we keep settling for mediocre leadership? It started with a conversation I had with a friend. I dropped the stat from Gallup—that organizations choose the wrong person for management 82% of the time—and she pushed back. But as we kept talking, even she admitted her current and past leaders weren’t exactly stellar.We dig into this epidemic of mediocrity, spotlighting an article from Time that calls it what it is: The Pl...2025-03-2416 minThe Love Monday PodcastEp 90: How to Test for a New and Better Boss (and Company)Send us a textIf you’re job hunting, don’t just look for a better paycheck—look for a better boss. A great manager can make or break your experience at work, and finding the right leadership could be the key to loving Monday just as much as Friday.In this episode, I break down 12 essential questions you can use to evaluate a potential boss before you take the job. These questions will help you assess leadership style, company culture, and whether you’re walking into a supportive, growth-focused environment—or a toxic workplace waiting to...2025-03-1716 minThe Love Monday PodcastEp 89: 12 Questions to Test If You’re in a Good Company (Or If You Should Get Out Now)Send us a textNot sure if you’re working for a good company with a great manager—or if you’re just surviving in a toxic workplace? In this episode, I break down 12 critical test questions to help you evaluate whether your manager and organization are truly employee-oriented. If you disagree with any of these, and especially if layoffs are looming, it may be time to update that resume and start looking elsewhere.👉 Are your contributions valued?👉 Does your manager have your back?👉 Is transparency a...2025-03-1023 minThe Love Monday PodcastEp 88: If Your Company Has Had Any Layoffs, GET OUT NOW!Send us a textLayoffs aren’t just unfortunate events—they’re a lagging indicator of management failure. In this episode, I break down why layoffs signal a lack of vision from upper management and how failing to coach employees and track productivity at the frontline leads companies straight into trouble.If your company is laying people off, it’s already too late—leadership missed the warning signs, and you might be next. Tune in to hear why sticking around after layoffs is a risky move and what to do...2025-03-0330 min