Surviving a Toxic Work Environment Starts with YOU with Teri Chilcoat  episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 2, 2026 · 26 MIN

Surviving a Toxic Work Environment Starts with YOU with Teri Chilcoat 

from Productive Joy · host Dr. Christie McMullen

Today on Productive Joy, Dr. Christie interviews Teri Chilcoat—an HR expert, author, and “clarity creator”—about surviving a toxic workplace by focusing on self-awareness, self-control, and self-care. Teri emphasizes that even when you can’t quit, you always have options, including building skills, pursuing hobbies, or creating a practical roadmap from a calm, rational mindset. Her book, Surviving the Toxic Workplace, centers on personal accountability, reclaiming power, and choosing how to react when leaders lack self-awareness, while also explaining how managers can improve through EQ, communication, and training. She shares how gossip worsened her situation and how gratitude and perspective shifts can change workplace stress. Teri defines productive joy as helping others reach “aha” moments and offers her book via Amazon and a free two-chapter sample by texting POWER to 33777.Episode Highlights:00:00 Meet Teri Chilcote00:42 You Always Have Options01:41 Roadmap Out of Stuck02:52 Why the Book Focuses on Self05:54 Managers and Self Awareness07:58 Leading Up to Toxic Leaders12:09 Gratitude and Taking Back Power14:48 Defining Productive Joy16:54 Puzzle Mindset and Book Resources18:35 HR Myths and Real Role22:14 Rapid Fire and Final Takeaway25:07 Put It Into Action #LeadershipDevelopment#LeadershipSkills#PeopleFirstLeadership#EffectiveLeadership#LeadershipMindset#ManagerTraining#LeadershipCoaching#WorkplaceCulture#HealthyWorkplace#ToxicWorkplace#EmployeeExperience#PositiveWorkCulture#WorkplaceWellbeing#PsychologicalSafety#CareerGrowth#CareerDevelopment#ProfessionalDevelopment#CareerCoaching#PersonalGrowth#WorkplaceSuccess#SelfAwareness#EmotionalIntelligence#SelfLeadership#GrowthMindset#MindsetShift#SelfEmpowerment#PersonalDevelopment#HumanResources#HRLeadership#EmployeeEngagement#FutureOfWork#ProductiveJoy#PurposeDrivenLeadershipWorkplace Culture, Career Growth & Professional Development, Self-Awareness & Emotional Intelligence, HR & Employee Engagement, Productive Joy & Purpose

Today on Productive Joy, Dr. Christie interviews Teri Chilcoat—an HR expert, author, and “clarity creator”—about surviving a toxic workplace by focusing on self-awareness, self-control, and self-care. Teri emphasizes that even when you can’t quit, you always have options, including building skills, pursuing hobbies, or creating a practical roadmap from a calm, rational mindset. Her book, Surviving the Toxic Workplace, centers on personal accountability, reclaiming power, and choosing how to react when leaders lack self-awareness, while also explaining how managers can improve through EQ, communication, and training. She shares how gossip worsened her situation and how gratitude and perspective shifts can change workplace stress. Teri defines productive joy as helping others reach “aha” moments and offers her book via Amazon and a free two-chapter sample by texting POWER to 33777.Episode Highlights:00:00 Meet Teri Chilcote00:42 You Always Have Options01:41 Roadmap Out of Stuck02:52 Why the Book Focuses on Self05:54 Managers and Self Awareness07:58 Leading Up to Toxic Leaders12:09 Gratitude and Taking Back Power14:48 Defining Productive Joy16:54 Puzzle Mindset and Book Resources18:35 HR Myths and Real Role22:14 Rapid Fire and Final Takeaway25:07 Put It Into Action #LeadershipDevelopment#LeadershipSkills#PeopleFirstLeadership#EffectiveLeadership#LeadershipMindset#ManagerTraining#LeadershipCoaching#WorkplaceCulture#HealthyWorkplace#ToxicWorkplace#EmployeeExperience#PositiveWorkCulture#WorkplaceWellbeing#PsychologicalSafety#CareerGrowth#CareerDevelopment#ProfessionalDevelopment#CareerCoaching#PersonalGrowth#WorkplaceSuccess#SelfAwareness#EmotionalIntelligence#SelfLeadership#GrowthMindset#MindsetShift#SelfEmpowerment#PersonalDevelopment#HumanResources#HRLeadership#EmployeeEngagement#FutureOfWork#ProductiveJoy#PurposeDrivenLeadershipWorkplace Culture, Career Growth & Professional Development, Self-Awareness & Emotional Intelligence, HR & Employee Engagement, Productive Joy & Purpose

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Surviving a Toxic Work Environment Starts with YOU with Teri Chilcoat 

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This episode was published on June 2, 2026.

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Today on Productive Joy, Dr. Christie interviews Teri Chilcoat—an HR expert, author, and “clarity creator”—about surviving a toxic workplace by focusing on self-awareness, self-control, and self-care. Teri emphasizes that even when you can’t quit,...

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