The Dirty Side of Leadership

Send us a textNo guest. No deep dives. Just Ron and Kristin in a relaxed, honest Christmas conversation. This special holiday episode blends fun, reflection, and the real “dirty side” of the season—family dynamics, expectations, boundaries, and gratitude.What We Cover:Fun and nostalgic Christmas questionsHow the holidays reveal personality and stress patternsThe unspoken pressures of family and expectationsSetting healthy boundaries during the seasonGratitude, reflection, and lessons from the yearTakeaway:Christmas isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence, connection, and letting go of what no longer serves you.🎄 Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays from The Dirty Side of Leadership 🎁Where leadership meets entertainment! This weekly podcast takes both a humorous and intense look at leadership through impactful stories, answers to listener questions, and breakdowns of dirty lessons from Ron's best selling book, "The Dirty Side of Leadership".Connect with us at 4wardoperations.comConnect with us at 4wardoperations.com

Send us a textRon and Kristin sit down with award-winning professor and betrayal expert Dr. Merissa Ferrara Elisei to break down one of the most emotionally charged topics: romantic betrayal.From why people cheat to why it hurts so badly — and why some stay while others walk — Merissa explains the psychology, biology, and communication patterns behind heartbreak. The episode is entertaining, eye-opening, and surprisingly relatable.What We Cover:The most overlooked forms of betrayalWhy people cheatWhy betrayal feels physically painfulWhy reactions vary (anger, shutdown, detective mode)Why some people stay after betrayalHow celebrity betrayals mirror real lifeWhether “once a cheater, always a cheater” is trueRed flags and green flags in relationshipsHow trust breaks and repairs in both love and leadershipWho This Episode Is For:Anyone curious about relationships, psychology, trust, or how betrayal impacts both personal and professional life.Final Takeaway:Betrayal is painful — but it’s also a moment for clarity, insight, and rebuilding. Healing is possible, and trust can be restored with the right tools.Co-hosts: Ron Ward and Kristin SokoloffSponsor: 4Ward OperationsProducer: Stephen RidleyFacebook Group Administrator: Cassy RoopWhere leadership meets entertainment! This weekly podcast takes both a humorous and intense look at leadership through impactful stories, answers to listener questions, and breakdowns of dirty lessons from Ron's best selling book, "The Dirty Side of Leadership".Connect with us at 4wardoperations.comConnect with us at 4wardoperations.com

Send us a textIn this episode, Ron and Kristin dig into a hidden leadership crisis: empathy burnout. When high-EQ leaders become everyone’s emotional outlet, they absorb problems that aren’t theirs — leading to exhaustion, resentment, and emotional overload.You’ll learn why people emotionally dump on leaders, how empathy becomes codependency, and the practical boundaries every leader needs to stay healthy and effective.What You’ll Learn:Why empathetic leaders are targeted as “safe dump zones”The difference between empathy fatigue and traditional burnoutWhy leaders are not therapistsHow emotional intelligence is misunderstoodTools to stop emotional overload and protect your energyCore Takeaway:You can care without carrying. Leaders stay strongest when they set boundaries that protect emotional bandwidth.Sources (Credible Research & References):Figley, C. R. (1995). Compassion Fatigue: Coping With Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder in Those Who Treat the Traumatized.Maslach, C., & Leiter, M. P. (2016). Understanding Burnout: New Models for New Realities.Goleman, D. (1998). Working with Emotional Intelligence.American Psychological Association — Compassion Fatigue & Empathy ResearchCenter for Creative Leadership — Emotional Intelligence & Leadership Effectiveness StudiesCo-hosts: Ron Ward and Kristin SokoloffSponsor: 4Ward OperationsProducer: Stephen RidleyFacebook Group Administrator: Cassy RoopWhere leadership meets entertainment! This weekly podcast takes both a humorous and intense look at leadership through impactful stories, answers to listener questions, and breakdowns of dirty lessons from Ron's best selling book, "The Dirty Side of Leadership".Connect with us at 4wardoperations.comConnect with us at 4wardoperations.com

Send us a textIn this special throwback episode, we get a deeper look into the lives of Ron and Kristin.Co-hosts: Ron Ward and Kristin SokoloffSponsor: 4Ward OperationsProducer: Stephen RidleyFacebook Group Administrator: Cassy RoopWhere leadership meets entertainment! This weekly podcast takes both a humorous and intense look at leadership through impactful stories, answers to listener questions, and breakdowns of dirty lessons from Ron's best selling book, "The Dirty Side of Leadership".Connect with us at 4wardoperations.comConnect with us at 4wardoperations.com

Send us a textIn this episode, Ron and Kristin sit down with Greg Forest, former U.S. Marshal, former Chief U.S. Probation Officer, and now co-founder of Davis Forest Investigations. Greg shares a rare inside look at federal fugitive operations, the realities of high-risk leadership, and what it’s really like transitioning from government service to entrepreneurship.Key Topics Covered1. Greg’s Path Through Federal ServiceHow he entered law enforcementWhat led him to become a U.S. MarshalThe moment he realized public service was his calling2. Inside the U.S. Marshals ServiceWhat the Marshals actually do beyond fugitive workHigh-risk operations and the leadership skills requiredBalancing urgency, danger, and officer safetyThe challenge of serving in both a law-enforcement and political role3. Marshal Service vs. U.S. Probation & PretrialCultural differences between the agenciesWhere their missions overlapHow leadership styles shift between enforcement and rehabilitation roles4. Life After the BadgeGreg’s transition into private-sector entrepreneurshipLaunching Davis Forest InvestigationsWhat TV gets wrong about private investigatorsCo-hosts: Ron Ward and Kristin SokoloffSponsor: 4Ward OperationsProducer: Stephen RidleyFacebook Group Administrator: Cassy RoopWhere leadership meets entertainment! This weekly podcast takes both a humorous and intense look at leadership through impactful stories, answers to listener questions, and breakdowns of dirty lessons from Ron's best selling book, "The Dirty Side of Leadership".Connect with us at 4wardoperations.comConnect with us at 4wardoperations.com