Bad Days Leadership
Bad Days Leadership is a podcast where bad days make better leaders. Hosted by Dr. Matt Paden, President and Managing Partner at Great Days Leadership, each episode explores the moments we’d rather forget, the cringe-worthy decisions, awkward conversations and leadership missteps that taught us the most.
In a relaxed conversation, guests share stories from their own leadership journey like:
- A decision they still wince at
- A boss behavior they vowed never to repeat
- A “bad leader alert” phrase or action they’ll never forget
These honest, often humorous reflections reveal powerful lessons about growth, humility and resilience. Each guest leaves listeners with one piece of practical advice, something they wish they’d known ten years ago.
The show is conversational and authentic, designed to remind us that even our worst days can make us better leaders.
Bad Days Leadership
Latest Episodes
"We Knew in 18 Hours We Had Made a Terrible Decision" w/ Stephanie Henderson
Stephanie Henderson — CEO-turned-executive coach, keynote speaker, culture strategist, and founder of Impact Driven Partners — joins Dr. Matt Paden on the Bad Days Leadership podcast. Stephanie shares the software rollout that blew up within 18...
"I Doubled Down When I Should Have Shut My Mouth" w/Stuart Deming
Stuart Deming — co-founder of XPLR.NASH, serial entrepreneur, and content creator with sixty jobs since age six — joins Dr. Matt Paden on the Bad Days Leadership podcast. Stewart shares the story of getting physically abused by a football coach...
"A Boss Banned Talking and Replaced It With Red Solo Cups. It Got Worse." w/Amanda Box
Amanda Box — founder of Box Communications, communication evangelist, and the "Unleasher of the Awesome" — joins Dr. Matt Paden on the Bad Days Leadership podcast. Amanda shares the jaw-dropping story of a coach who opened the season by handing...
"I Spent Years Repeating The Same Mistake Because I Wouldn't Accept The Data Right In Front Of Me" w/Will Acuff
Will Acuff — social entrepreneur, author of No Elevator to Everest, and co-founder of Corner to Corner — joins Dr. Matt Paden on the Bad Days Leadership podcast. Will gets honest about moving into a low-income Nashville neighborhood with a mill...
"I Walked In Like A Superhero And Forgot To Honor Who Came Before Me" w/Dr. Darwin Mason, Jr.
Dr. Darwin Mason Jr. — educator, minister, consultant, and community leader — joins Dr. Matt Paden on the Bad Days Leadership podcast. Darwin opens up about walking into a turnaround school with a superhero complex, only to learn the staff was ...
