Barely Manageable Podcast

About Barely Manageable Podcast

Somewhere between bad bosses, HR nightmares, burnout, and the everyday chaos of leading people, they realized no one actually teaches you how to lead… so now they’re talking about it—the real way. With decades of combined experience in management, workplace culture, and learning through real-life challenges, Dana and Mary bring honest conversations, hard-earned lessons, relatable stories, and plenty of humor to leadership. They’re not claiming perfection—just two women figuring it out, one conversation at a time. Leadership isn’t perfect. Neither is this podcast. It’s Barely Manageable. 🎙️

Publisher

Barely Manageable Podcast

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

11 May 2026

Latest episode

19 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

24 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   19 Oct 2026

   Another Form, Another Meeting, Another Problem | When Work Becomes More Work

   Why does getting anything done at work seem to require another form, another meeting, another spreadsheet, and five different approvals?In this episode of Barely Manageable, Dana and Mary tackle the never-ending processes, unnecessary policies, and complicated systems that somehow make simple tasks harder than they need to be.From tracking spreadsheets that nobody reads to approval processes that never seem to end, they share their own experiences with workplace bureaucracy and the frustration of following rules nobody remembers creating.They also explore how one employee's bad decision can turn into a company-wide policy, why organizations struggle to let go of outdated procedures, and how managers sometimes contribute to the very problems they're complaining about.Sometimes structure is necessary. But when the process becomes more work than the actual work, something has gone wrong.And if you've ever wondered why you need a meeting to discuss the spreadsheet you already filled out… this episode is for you.Because leadership isn't perfect… and neither is this podcast.It's Barely Manageable.Connect with Barely Manageable:🌐 Website: BarelyManageable.com 📸 Instagram: @barelymanageablepodcast 🎵 TikTok: @barelymanageablepod ▶️ YouTube: Barely Manageable Pod 💬 Reddit: r/BarelyManageablePod 🔗 All Links: linktr.ee/barelymanageablepodcast⭐ Like, subscribe, and leave a 5-star review if this episode hit home.

2. 

   12 Oct 2026

   You Got Promoted…But Should You Have? | What Really Makes Someone a Good Leader

   Just because you're great at your job doesn't automatically mean you're ready to lead others. So what really makes someone deserving of a promotion? In this episode of Barely Manageable, Dana and Mary discuss the difference between being a high-performing employee and being an effective supervisor—and why promoting the wrong person can create bigger problems for an entire team. They explore how experience, attitude, emotional maturity, and interpersonal skills influence leadership potential. They also discuss why longevity doesn't guarantee a promotion, the challenges of supervising former coworkers, and how organizations can recognize employees who demonstrate leadership qualities beyond their job performance. Being good at your job and being good at leading people are two very different things. Strong leadership isn't just about experience, qualifications, or how long you've been with an organization. It's about having the ability to support others, make difficult decisions, communicate effectively, and earn the trust of your team. 🎙️ Listen now to Barely Manageable with Dana Kelly & Mary Linkous. ⭐ If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love your support! Leave us a 5-star review, subscribe wherever you listen, and help us reach more leaders and professionals. 📝 Don't forget to check out this week's blog for even more leadership insights inspired by today's episode. Connect with Barely Manageable:🌐 Website: BarelyManageable.com📸 Instagram: @barelymanageablepodcast 🎵 TikTok: @barelymanageablepod🎥 YouTube: Barely Manageable Podcast🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

3. 

   5 Oct 2026

   Nobody Told Me THAT Was Part of Being a Supervisor | The Job Behind the Job

   When you became a supervisor, you probably expected to manage employees, make decisions, monitor performance, and develop your team. But did anyone mention the thermostat, broken printer, missing keys, birthday cards, bathroom problems, lost passwords, mysterious office supplies, and everything else that somehow becomes your responsibility? In this episode of Barely Manageable, Dana and Mary discuss all the unexpected responsibilities that come with being a supervisor—the things no leadership book or job description prepares you for. They explore what happens when managers become the office help desk, problem solver, policy interpreter, morale coordinator, event planner, lost-and-found department, and the person everyone turns to before trying to solve a problem themselves. The big responsibilities of leadership may be the ones you prepare for, but sometimes it is the hundreds of little things that take up the most time and energy. Strong leadership also means recognizing which problems actually belong to you, helping employees problem-solve for themselves, and realizing you do not have to have every answer. 🎙️ Listen now to Barely Manageable with Dana Kelly & Mary Linkous. ⭐ If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love your support! Leave us a 5-star review, subscribe wherever you listen, and help us reach more leaders and professionals. 📝 Don't forget to check out this week's blog for even more leadership insights inspired by today's episode. Connect with Barely Manageable: 🌐 Website: BarelyManageable.com 📸 Instagram: @BarelyManageablePodcast 🎵 TikTok: @BarelyManageablePodcast ▶️ YouTube: Barely Manageable Podcast

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

7 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Contact Barely Manageable Podcast

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.