PODCAST · business
Client Horror Stories
by Beloved by Clients
Tales from those on the front lines of dealing with clients. Tales of difficult clients, complex situations, relationship management - and how massive client management problems were solved, and what they learned. Largely those running agencies, but all across different professional services.
Episodes
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That time when your client thinks he's already famous… (with Dr. Rhonda M. Lawson)
What happens when a new client thinks he's already a superstar—and expects you to make the impossible happen? Dr. Rhonda M. Lawson, Founder of Meet the World Image Solutions, shares the story of a rapper who hired her as his publicist, immediately began demanding major opportunities, and quickly...
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That time when a one-star review becomes your best marketing opportunity… (with Matt Estrin)
What happens when customers stop talking to you and start talking about you online? Matt Estrin, Owner of 477 Distilling & Oak & Maple Restaurants in Northern Colorado, shares some of the wildest one-star reviews his businesses have received—and the surprising lessons hidden inside them. Matt…
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That time when you get fired five times in nine months… (with Richard Wilmore)
Today, Our Beloved Host, Morgan Friedman, is joined by Richard Wilmore—Talk Show Host, Game Show Host, Make Your Day Richer Podcast Host, and Producer. He’s here to share a workplace horror story that somehow involved being fired five times in nine months—and still showing up for work afterward....
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That time when your dream remodel becomes a two-year client nightmare… (with Jodi Koch Peterman)
Jodi Koch Peterman, CEO of Elizabeth Erin Designs, interior designer, and host of the Designing in 5D podcast, shares a client horror story that somehow manages to include a runaway cabinet vendor, a $26,000 glazing mistake, furniture dumped into the ocean, mold, miscommunication, and a project...
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That time when a client promised the world… and left everyone unpaid (with Paul Sweeney)
Today, Our Beloved Host, Morgan Friedman, is joined by Paul Sweeney, Founder of Pretium Solutions, Chartered Accountant, Business Growth Specialist, and host of The Business Behind Your Business. Paul shares a Client Horror Story about what happens when excitement, urgency, and trust take the…
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That time when your client thinks he can sell art online without any digital footprint… (with Chris Simental)
Some client relationships start with red flags so bright you'd think they were impossible to miss. And yet—when you're young, hungry, and genuinely excited about what you do—it's easy to mistake chaos for ambition. Twenty years ago, Chris Simental, Co-Founder of Ripe Media & Tech Strategist, was...
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That time when your mentor becomes your worst nightmare… (with Sira Laurel)
Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of workplace sexual harassment and burnout. Listener discretion is advised. Sira Laurel didn't enter the workforce with a safety net. She graduated in 2008—right as the financial crisis swallowed jobs whole and turned ambition into a survival…
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That time when you discover your client is a swindler who lives a double life… (with Lance Cayko)
Today, we're joined by Lance Cayko—serial entrepreneur, award-winning architect, and co-founder of F9 Productions. He's here to share a client horror story that starts as a straightforward business deal and unravels into something far more sinister. Years ago, Lance met a couple who had relocated...
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That time when you sell your company for growth only to buy it back because your buyers couldn't handle it… (with Beth Trejo)
Beth Trejo, CEO & Co-Founder of Chatterkick, has a horror story—but it's not about a difficult client. It's about a partnership that nearly cost her everything she built. Beth's entrepreneurial journey started early. After winning a competition and walking away with $1,100, she bought a laptop…
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That time when an informant walks away from a shortened prison sentence… (with Eric Robinson)
Eric Robinson, retired FBI agent, author, and former pastor, shares a gripping story from his time working in the FBI's National Security and Counterterrorism Division. This episode dives into one of his earliest and most unforgettable cases—and it comes with a warning: parts of the story are...
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That time when a famous band decides to leave their designer high and dry… (with Rich Wright)
Have you ever poured your heart into a project—only to be left unpaid in the end? Rich Wright, Artist, Designer, and Podcast Host, shares a Client Horror Story that left a lasting mark on his career. At the time, Rich had already begun building a strong reputation, even doing design work for...
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That time when a client forces you to send a cease and desist… (with Trisha Daho)
Fresh off her resignation from a large corporation, Trisha Daho, now CEO & Founder of Empowered Leadership Cultivation, set out to build her own business. Like many new founders, she quickly learned that the road to success is rarely smooth—and often comes with unexpected challenges. One of...
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That time when you get hired to coach a bully… (with Carlos Davidovich)
Early in his coaching career, Carlos, Executive Coach & Neuromanagement Expert, was brought in to work with a company's top C-suite executive—someone brilliant at their job, consistently delivering exceptional results. But behind the performance was a serious problem: team members were quitting…
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That time informed consent in writing saved the day... (with Jane Muir)
Today, we're joined by Jane Muir, Shareholder at J Muir & Associate PA, who opens up about one of the most difficult Client Horror Stories of her legal career. Early in her career, Jane represented a group of older clients who had jointly invested in a Chinese restaurant. The group believed they...
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That time when a marketing agency shuts down your business just by using the wrong credit card… (with Scott Gilbert)
When Scott Gilbert, Founder of Aesthetic Flight, first launched his business, he didn't yet have the marketing expertise needed to scale effectively. And while this series usually features Client Horror Stories, this time Scott is the client—sharing what went wrong when he hired an agency to...
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That time when a client turned the hiring process upside down… (with Caroline Sangal)
Today, Caroline Sangal, Life-First Career Coach & Founder of Next Success, joins us to share a Client Horror Story that changed the course of her career forever. Before transitioning into coaching, Caroline was a highly skilled technical recruiter. One project involved a small, family-owned...
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That time when your pitch turns into a TV commercial without you… (with Paul Pape)
Fresh out of college, Paul Pape, Founder & CEO of Gamify Business, faced one of the most challenging experiences of his early career. Through his mentor, Paul got the chance to pitch a major ad campaign for a client who owned a chain of grocery stores. The meeting went exceptionally well—he...
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That time when Billy Idol's manager fires you onstage… (with Mike Montague)
Are you afraid of what lies ahead—of the challenges that might test your confidence and resilience? Mike Montague, Founder of Avenue9, shares a client horror story that toughened his skin and proved that if he could survive this, he could survive anything. Back in 2005, Mike worked at a retro…
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That time when a client admits to stealing from his own company… (with Tim Brownson)
Tim Brownson, Coach & Author, moved to the U.S. in 2006 to start fresh and build his coaching career from the ground up. As a newcomer, finding clients was tough—so when a potential client from an elite Ontario neighborhood reached out, he saw it as a golden opportunity. Though it wasn't his…
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That time when a former partner tries to cash in after leaving… (with Ed Hajim)
Today's guest, Ed Hajim—Author, Philanthropist, and Mentor—joins us to share a collection of Client Horror Stories from his remarkable career. Trust us, these are stories you'll want to hear. During his time as Managing Partner of a mid-sized investment bank, Ed helped grow the firm's revenue…
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That time when your boss is so scary that everyone's afraid of losing their jobs… (with Cordell Robinson)
Have you ever felt that knot in your stomach before work, knowing you'll have to face a terrifying boss? This Client Horror Story captures that exact feeling. Cordell Robinson, CEO of Brownstone Consulting FirmWorking, recalls a time he worked on-site with a client whose team lived in fear of one...
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That time when your business partner offers inappropriate massages to your students… (with Eric Gee)
Today, we're joined by Eric Gee, Author, Life & Writing Coach, who shares a story that's almost too hard to believe. In his younger years, Eric and a close friend launched an education company focused on teaching and mentoring students. Everything ran smoothly—until one day, his business partner...
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That time when you warn a client of the repercussions of the migration but they refuse to listen… (with Brad White)
Today's episode features Brad White, CEO of VARC Solutions, who shares one of his biggest frustrations in business—working with clients who simply refuse to listen. Brad's company specializes in bookkeeping, and one of their core tools is QuickBooks—a platform trusted by both small and large...
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That time when being too trusting costs you your first rental… (with Spencer Sutton)
If you're interested in real estate—and the stories that come with it—this Client Horror Story is for you. Spencer Sutton, VP of Marketing at Evernest, takes us back to his early days as a young real estate investor. At the time, Spencer was flipping houses but dreamed of building long-term…
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That time when a real estate owner hid deals under his wife's name… (with Angela Thomas)
Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Angela Thomas, Scaling Expert & Founder of Angel Success Consulting, who has built a thriving business through dedication and grit. Angela specializes in training and developing businesses, and she was invited to conduct a training session for a real...
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That time when a client threatens to sue you for 17 years (and ends up getting arrested)… (with Greg Digneo)
Today, Greg Digneo, Founder of Content Guppy, shares a Client Horror Story that proves some people really are as wild as they seem. In the early 2000s, Greg and a friend launched a solar panel company with no prior experience. To their surprise, two of their university professors became their…
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That time when you discover a respectable executive director turns out to be a monster… (with Kate Viana)
Kate Viana, Founder of Viana Communications, shares a Client Horror Story like no other. In 2021, after leaving a nonprofit to strike out on her own, Kate was thrilled when a Texas-based client reached out. She began by improving their website—despite having little experience and doing it for...
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That time when a six-hour job turns into a six-month ordeal… (with Aleks Krylov)
Today, Aleks Krylov, President of Stern Gutters, shares a Client Horror Story that dragged on for months. In October of last year, a retired woman contacted his team to install gutter protection at her home. By the first week of November, the installation was complete, and the final bill was...
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That time when you're tasked to present a product knowledge sales training class but come unprepared… (with Ron Reich)
Today's horror story is a little different—it focuses not on a client, but on our speaker himself: Ron Reich, Founder of RLB Training & Development. Years ago, while working at an HR consulting firm, Ron received a surprising call from someone in Dallas who told him he was "the opposite of what…
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That time when you help an employee become the best version of themself only to have them quit… (with Wes Towers)
In today's Client Horror Stories episode, Wes Towers, founder of Uplift360, shares a time when his good intentions as a leader took an unexpected turn. After years of working closely with one of his team leaders, Wes noticed the employee had grown bored and uninspired in their role. Wanting to...
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That time when you invest your whole life (and savings) into a business only to have the ground pulled out from underneath you… (with Jody Durand)
Jody Durand, author of Country Boy Soul, shares a heartbreaking chapter of his life—navigating a failing business, a troubled marriage, the sudden loss of his mother, and ultimately, bankruptcy. In 1999, with no experience outside of farming, Jody was invited by a friend to help manage a U.S.…
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That time when you sell only 50 tickets in an 800-seat theater… (with Tom Elliott)
Today, we welcome Tom Elliott—Corporate Event Host, Comedy Magician, and Public Speaking Coach—to share a client horror story that left a lasting mark on his career. Eager to grow as a comedy magician, Tom began booking small theater shows of around 100 seats. After gaining traction, he was…
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That time when the Crypto Godfather turned my case into an FBI nightmare… (with Ken Childs)
I’m telling you—if you skip this episode, you’re missing half your life. We finally had the chance to sit down with Ken Childs, Private Investigator at Paramount Investigative Services Inc., who got caught in the chaos surrounding the notorious “Crypto Godfather,” Adam Iza. It all started when…
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That time when a client drops you for taking them to court only to be rehired after five years after realizing your worth… (with Bryan Wetzel)
Today, we take an inspiring turn with Bryan Wetzel—entrepreneur, author, and producer—who shares a client horror story that eventually became a long-term success. In the 1990s, Bryan produced standout advertising work for Big Canoe, a resort-style community in North Georgia. Everything was going...
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That time when a client demands feature changes like they own the company… (with Alex Sanfilippo)
Today’s episode features Alex Sanfilippo, Podcaster and Founder of PodMatch, who shares one of his wildest client horror stories—about a demanding software user who thought they could dictate major changes to his company. Shortly after signing up, the client insisted on a call to outline a list…
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That time when you’re asked to sell a product and are expected to track it manually without the help of any CRM… (with Paul H. Flowers Jr.)
Today’s guest is Paul H. Flowers Jr., Founder & CEO of Superior Insurance Advisors, who shares a client horror story he’ll never forget. With a strong background in healthcare, Paul was hired by a company boasting a solid communication strategy to sell their products. Eager to bring value and…
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That time the client asked for the truth and then went ballistic when you gave it to them… (with Derrick Van Mell)
Today's guest is Derrick Van Mell, Principal of The Center for Management Terms & Practices, who recalls a client horror story from his days as a general management consultant. Derrick had set his sights on a massive, century-old manufacturing company and was thrilled when they accepted his...
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That time when you singlehandedly bring down your company by making a single fatal mistake… (with Ori Elraviv)
Multicultural turnaround executive Ori Elraviv opens up about the pivotal misstep that led to his company’s downfall years ago. Before the iPhone era, Ori founded a game development company that secured a major partnership with Electronic Arts—an achievement that opened doors for a potential deal...
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That time when you’ve successfully completed your service only to discover a month later that you messed up big time because of a single small step… (with Michael Patino)
Michael Patino, Founder and CEO of Patino Associates, shares a cautionary tale from a partnership with a large global manufacturing organization. At the time, Michael had successfully placed a senior executive within the company—only to be stunned when, just a month later, the executive was...
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That time when your business partner teams up with another to drop all of you, only to have it blow in their face… (with Devin Sizemore)
Today’s guest is Devin Sizemore, owner of ACES Connection Group, who shares a wild client horror story about teaming up with a group of individuals to launch a motorcycle business. Things took off quickly—in just 14 days, they had a promising investor on board and a successful launch event that...
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That time when the doctor berates your product in the operating room and ends up praising it outside… (with Bill Gruber)
Bill Gruber, Medical Device Executive and Author, shares a client horror story that starts off puzzling—but ends with a powerful lesson in emotional intelligence and professionalism. The story dates back 20 years, when Bill was head of sales and marketing for a spinal products company. His team…
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That time when you train a franchisee only to have them back out upon launch… (with Max Emma)
Today, franchise expert Max Emma shares a client horror story about owning a bookkeeping franchise. A woman who had recently left corporate America wanted to become her own boss by starting a franchise. She had the technical skills to understand the process but had never run a business before....
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That time when you receive 150 angry emails in a span of a few hours and end up reevaluating the whole structure of your service.… (with Andrew Bolton)
In today’s episode, we’re joined by Andrew Bolton, CEO & Co-Founder of TechRescue—a tech support helpline dedicated to helping seniors navigate technology with ease, all at the press of a button. Andrew shares a few wild client horror stories that pushed his team to the edge. One involved a new...
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That time when a promising client project unraveled after their investor died—and his son looted the company.… (with Paul Byrne)
Today’s guest is Paul Byrne, President & Founder of Razoyo, and he’s here to share a wild ride of a client experience that began with promise—and spiraled into chaos. It all started when Paul was approached by a well-funded startup in the ecommerce space. Their niche? High-end products sold to...
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That time when you get dropped by a client for telling their secretary they’re a liar… (with Steven Perry)
Steven Perry, Founder and CEO of The Well Recruiting Solutions, shares a client horror story that unexpectedly became a turning point in his career—and one that helped earn him a major promotion. Early in his career as a young financial adviser, Steven and his partner were assisting a married...
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That time when you get contracted to work on a website that wasn’t even your client’s property… (with Kathryn Smith)
Kathryn Smith, founder of Walton Birch, shares a client horror story unlike anything we’ve heard before. In the early days of launching her custom web development company—with just herself on the team—Kathryn expected the usual startup challenges. But nothing could’ve prepared her for this. A...
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That time when you ruin Christmas nationwide for missing a single character of code… (with Andy Reinhold)
There’s nothing crazier than Andy Reinhold’s client horror story, and you’re gonna want to listen. A few years ago, Andy, founder of Studio Spark, was working in the tech division of a major consulting firm, maintaining outdated government software. With each change in administration, the system...
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That time when you land a huge client only to end up being sued… (with Matthieu Mehuys)
In today’s episode, Matthieu Mehuys, Co-Founder of Paulownia Landscape Architects, shares a client horror story that most professionals hope they never have to face. Matthieu’s love for plants began at just three years old. That passion led him to study landscape architecture, explore the depths…
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That time when an expert is brought in to build something complicated only to be questioned every step of the way by people who didn’t understand what they were doing… (with Tamara Adlin)
Have you ever worked with people who insisted they knew best—even when they clearly didn’t? In early 2017, when blockchain was the buzzword of the moment, Tamara Adlin of Adlin, Inc. was referred by an investor to help a rising startup build smart contracts, enabling smoother collaboration for...
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That time when you’re provided an entirely new contract containing the same terms in the original one… (with Melinda Spaulding)
Running a business often means putting out fires—but some fires should never have been lit in the first place. In today’s client horror story, Melinda Spaulding, Author of "Finding Insight", shares a frustrating tale from her early years that highlights just how chaotic procurement can get....
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Tales from those on the front lines of dealing with clients. Tales of difficult clients, complex situations, relationship management - and how massive client management problems were solved, and what they learned. Largely those running agencies, but all across different professional services.
HOSTED BY
Beloved by Clients
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Client Horror Stories have?
Client Horror Stories currently has 110 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Client Horror Stories about?
Tales from those on the front lines of dealing with clients. Tales of difficult clients, complex situations, relationship management - and how massive client management problems were solved, and what they learned. Largely those running agencies, but all across different professional services.
How often does Client Horror Stories release new episodes?
Client Horror Stories publishes regularly with 110 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Client Horror Stories?
You can listen to Client Horror Stories on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Client Horror Stories?
Client Horror Stories is created and hosted by Beloved by Clients.
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