Drama Free Teams | Trauma-Informed Leadership for High-Performing Teams
Your team's smart. But managing the personalities, politics, and pressure of leadership? That’s a whole other story.
If you’re constantly putting out fires, struggling to get buy-in, or avoiding difficult conversations to keep the peace, Drama Free Teams is your new secret weapon.
Hosted by trauma-informed executive coach Dr. Annie Campanile, PhD, this podcast helps emotionally intelligent leaders stop second-guessing what to say, and start leading conversations that create clarity, accountability, and connection.
Dr. Annie has helped hundreds of leaders build high-performing teams and step into the C-suite without people-pleasing, second-guessing themselves, or getting derailed by drama at work, and in every episode, she’s handing you psychology-backed insights and straightforward tools you can put to work right away to become the kind of leader people authentically trust, respect, and want to follow.
Ready to become a great leader, known for clear, confident, and compassionate leadership—at work, at home, and in every area of your life? Hit PLAY and let’s begin.
Episodes
29 episodes
28. When Authenticity Backfires: What Leaders Need to Know About Being Real at Work
Many women leaders want to show up authentically at work—honest, open, and confident—but it doesn’t always feel safe to do that.You’ve been told to “be yourself,” but also to “be strong,” “be professional,” and “don’t be too emotional.” ...
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Episode 28
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13:11
27. How New Leaders Can Build Trust & Stability from Day 1 (without the Drama)
“Hit the ground running” sounds like smart advice — until it makes you stumble. The drive to prove yourself can backfire, especially when you’re inheriting someone else’s team or stepping into unresolved tension. That urgency to show res...
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Episode 27
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16:08
26. Is Your Employee Ready to Lead Their Peers? Here’s How to Tell
You’re ready to promote a strong performer into leadership—but how do you know if they’re really prepared to lead their peers?In this episode, I share an unusual interview technique that goes beyond resumes and past performance to reveal...
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Episode 26
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9:00
25. The Surprising Reason Praise Doesn’t Boost Your Confidence as a Leader (and the Simple Shift That Will)
You get praised for your work. You show up for your team. You go the extra mile.So why does it still feel like… it’s never enough?That’s the question "Pamela," a high-performing senior leader, brought to our coaching session. Her ...
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Episode 25
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11:32
24. Compassionate Leadership Without the Burnout: Be a Bowl, Not a Sponge
Trying to support your team without burning out? You might be missing one key trauma-informed leadership skill.You care about your people. You want them to feel safe coming to you with their concerns. But every time someone shares...
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Episode 24
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12:58
Welcome to Drama Free Teams
Are you constantly absorbing your team’s stress, replaying difficult conversations in your head, or holding back in meetings just to keep the peace? If this sounds like you, you might be carrying the invisible weight of drama at work, and this ...
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1:07
23. Bonus: Why I Changed the Name of This Podcast (and What It Means for You as a Leader)
You may have noticed the podcast has a new name. But why?After three months of publishing weekly episodes, I received something unexpected—messages from leaders saying they loved the show, but didn’t feel comfortable sharing it be...
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Episode 23
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2:54
22. Breakdown to Breakthrough: Reclaiming Yourself in Leadership
Do you ever try so hard to get it right - only to feel like it’s never enough?Do you look outside yourself for answers, believing that others know better than you - even though you’re smart and capable?In this deeply personal epis...
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Episode 22
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11:32
21. How to Set Boundaries That Build Trust (Not Walls)
You told yourself you’d stop checking email after dinner…But somehow, it’s 11pm again, and your laptop is still open.If you’re a high-achieving leader who wants to set healthy boundaries at work, but you keep getting pulled back...
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Episode 21
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11:39
20. Open Boundaries at Work: How to Shut Down Gossip Without Breaking Trust
You’re spending more time mediating team drama than leading your team—and it’s exhausting. One person is constantly checking up on their coworkers, calling out unfinished tasks, and stressing over work that’s not even theirs. Meanwhile...
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Episode 20
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12:51
19. Rigid Boundaries at Work, Ghosting & the Missing Skill of Repair
Have you ever had a team member suddenly go silent... stop replying to your messages... or even quit without warning?In high-performing teams, breakdowns in communication can happen fast—and when they do, it’s tempting to either ignore i...
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Episode 19
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8:37
18. The Unexpected Cure for Burnout (You Can Do in 10 Seconds)
Ever wonder, "How much longer can I keep giving like this before I burn out?"If you're a high-achieving leader in healthcare or another high-pressure space, this episode is your breath of fresh air.This week on the show, ...
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Episode 18
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10:42
17. Always on Edge at Work? Do This to Get Out of Survival Mode Fast
Feel like you're constantly bracing for conflict at work? This episode reveals a simple nervous system reset to help you stay grounded, speak clearly, and break free from the fight response—before it damages your relationships or your career.
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Episode 17
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10:24
16. How to Stop Overworking without Risking Your Career
Is your work ethic secretly working against you? When you're the person everyone relies on, it can feel impossible to say No — especially when it feels like your career, reputation, or relationships are on the line.You take pr...
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Episode 16
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9:28
15. You're Smart, Successful and Still Doubting Yourself — Here's Your Solution | Ally McLean, NP
Imposter syndrome doesn’t always show up as "I'm a fraud!" — sometimes it’s the quiet voice that wonders, “Do I actually know what I’m doing?”In this episode, we’re unpacking the hidden ways imposter syndrome lingers, eve...
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Episode 15
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8:10
14. Can’t Relax After Work Because You’re Worried You Didn’t Do Enough? Let’s Fix That.
✨ Are your work thoughts still buzzing long after you've “clocked out”?You close your laptop, but your mind’s still spinning. You try to relax, but you're stuck rehashing that email, that meeting, or that moment you wish you’d han...
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Episode 14
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9:08
13. How to Stay Calm and Communicate Clearly in Tough Conversations | Ally McLean, NP
You know that moment—when your body tenses up before a hard conversation, and suddenly the words don’t come out right... or don’t come out at all?In this episode, I’m sharing a simple, powerful technique to overcome that.It's call...
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Episode 13
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13:24
12. How to Give Honest Feedback - Without Starting A Fight
Giving difficult feedback—whether at work or at home—can feel like emotional Jenga: one wrong move and the whole relationship could collapse. But I promise it doesn't have to be that dramatic!In this episode, I share my powerful, trauma-...
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Episode 12
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18:59
11. How to Stop Rushing Decisions Under Pressure — And Build Trust As A Leader
Ever find yourself making snap decisions under pressure, only to regret them later? What if the very speed you pride yourself on is actually sabotaging your success—damaging trust, creating costly mistakes, and leaving you burned out and anxiou...
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Episode 11
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13:15
10. What to Do When Trauma Makes It Hard to Trust Your Partner — Even When You Know They Love You | Christopher Campanile
Have you ever felt unsafe or on edge in a relationship — even when you're with someone who truly loves you?For trauma survivors, trust doesn’t always come naturally. Your nervous system stays stuck in survival mode, bracing for rejection...
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Episode 10
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16:38
09. Kindred Trust: How to Build Trust That Heals
Trust is the foundation of every great relationship—but if trust were simple, we wouldn’t keep repeating the same painful patterns. In this episode, I sit down with my husband, and fellow trauma survivor, Christopher, to explore a different kin...
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Episode 9
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10:53
08. Cactus Trust: When Self-Reliance Makes You Lonely
Self-Reliance Feels Safe—But Is It Keeping You Lonely?You pride yourself on being independent. You don’t need anyone. But if you’re honest, there are moments when self-reliance feels more like loneliness than strength.
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Episode 8
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13:08
07. Velcro Trust: Why Holding on Tight Pushes People Away
Do you find yourself constantly seeking reassurance in relationships—asking if everything’s okay, replaying conversations, or wondering if you did something wrong?Many trauma survivors have learned to cling to love when it appears...
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Episode 7
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13:10
06. Understanding Your Trust Pattern: The First Step to Authentic Connection
Have you ever promised yourself you wouldn’t trust the "wrong" person again, only to be blindsided when they broke your trust—or walked away? Many trauma survivors follow patterns when deciding whether or not someone is trust...
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Episode 6
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14:32
05. Pause Before You Please: How to Say Yes on Your Terms
When was the last time you found yourself saying “Yes” before you've even finished hearing the request... only to regret it later?Many trauma survivors have mastered being the "Happy Helper" — always available, always agreeable — ...
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Episode 5
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7:49