Give Me a Break Podcast

8. Liminal warfare at work: manipulative behavior in the grey zone that no one can quite put their finger on

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 12:40:46 GMT

In this episode, we talk about liminal warfare—conflict in the gray zone—and how the same psychological mechanisms can show up in the workplace.

Why are there people who behave manipulatively, create a negative atmosphere, and undermine others—yet somehow never get questioned?

We go through common tactics that are used behind the scenes, why they’re so hard to pinpoint, and how they can affect both individuals and entire teams.

You’ll also hear concrete examples of subtle manipulation at work—and how you can start to see through the game being played in the gray zone.

This podcast is brought to you by SNAFU Rescue Advisors.

Visit our site www.snafura.se or contact Annsofi Thunholm via LinkedIn

We don´t believe in a perfect world - we teach you how to handle it.

SNAFU Rescue Advisors

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

7. What psychological warfare can teach us about manipulative behavior at work

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 12:16:27 GMT

Manipulation at work can feel confusing, exhausting, and downright unfair — but did you know that many of these tactics mirror the strategies of psychological warfare?

In this episode of Give Me a Break Podcast, we explore how subtle manipulation, rumors, and office politics operate much like strategic warfare — aiming to confuse, divide, and control.

You’ll learn:

How manipulative colleagues subtly plant doubt and influence others
Why workplace bullying can feel so degrading, even to confident, experienced professionals
Real-life examples of “confusion, exhaustion, and propaganda” at work
How cognitive biases like the halo effect can make manipulation almost invisible
Practical strategies to recognize these behaviors and protect yourself

If you’ve ever wondered why certain toxic dynamics feel impossible to escape, this episode breaks down the “psychological battlefield” of modern workplaces — and shows you how awareness and resilience can turn the tide in your favor.

Check out this episode – I hope you´ll like it!

This podcast is brought to you by SNAFU Rescue Advisors.

Visit our site www.snafura.se or contact Annsofi Thunholm via LinkedIn

We don´t believe in a perfect world - we teach you how to handle it.

SNAFU Rescue Advisors

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6. The forbidden feelings of revenge after workplace betrayal

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 10:45:10 GMT

In this episode, we tackle a topic few people dare to speak openly about: revenge—and the deeply human desire for justice and vindication after serious workplace injustice.

What happens when you’re unfairly accused, pushed out, silenced, or sacrificed in a toxic organization?

When your reputation is damaged, your livelihood threatened, and you never get the chance to defend yourself?

Feelings of anger, shame, humiliation—and sometimes a powerful urge for revenge—are not only common, they’re human.

Drawing on years of experience working with clients who have suffered severe workplace trauma, this episode explores:

Why revenge fantasies can be a normal phase of healing
When the search for vindication becomes self-destructive
Why true vindication rarely comes from the outside
How trauma can trap people in endless conflict
The hidden costs of whistleblowing, complaints, and escalation
How to regain balance, credibility, and agency after a toxic workplace

I talk about bullying, psychological warfare at work, power imbalances, reputation damage, gaps in CVs, and the harsh reality that truth alone is often not enough when politics, fear, and self-interest are at play.

Most importantly, we discuss how to move from post-traumatic stress to post-traumatic growth—and why “the best revenge is to live a happy life” may be more than just a cliché.

This is a raw, honest, and sometimes uncomfortable conversation about conflict, leadership, human behavior, and survival—but also about resilience, clarity, and reclaiming your story.

If you’ve ever felt wronged at work, struggled with anger or revenge, or wondered whether to fight or move on—this episode is for you.

This podcast is brought to you by SNAFU Rescue Advisors.

Visit our site www.snafura.se or contact Annsofi Thunholm via LinkedIn

We don´t believe in a perfect world - we teach you how to handle it.

SNAFU Rescue Advisors

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

5. From vague criticism to being fired: How a fake case is built against you

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 11:19:22 GMT

How can unclear feedback and “fake concern” turn into a case that costs someone their job — even when they’ve done nothing wrong?

In this episode of Give Me A Break Podcast, we expose how vague criticism, personal agendas, and workplace politics are used to build false narratives that lead to forced settlements or dismissal.

You’ll learn to recognize early warning signs, understand why strengths are often targeted, and see how fear and doubt are deliberately created at work.

🎧 Available in English (Give Me A Break Podcast, Ep 6) and in Swedish (Direktionen, avsnitt 53).

This podcast is brought to you by SNAFU Rescue Advisors.

Visit our site www.snafura.se or contact Annsofi Thunholm via LinkedIn

We don´t believe in a perfect world - we teach you how to handle it.

SNAFU Rescue Advisors

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4. Whistleblowing: Fighting injustice or fueling retaliation?

Sat, 29 Nov 2025 09:06:08 GMT

Whistleblowing is often praised as a powerful tool for exposing fraud, corruption, and wrongdoing — but what happens when speaking up turns you into the problem?

In this episode, we dive deep into the growing integrity crisis across organizations, the risks whistleblowers face, and the dark power dynamics that silence truth-tellers.

You’ll hear shocking statistics, real-life cases, and the story of a Swedish whistleblower who faced retaliation, manipulation, and isolation after daring to raise concerns.

We explore why whistleblowing systems fail, why leaders still look the other way, and what employees really need to know before reporting misconduct.

If you care about ethical workplaces, psychological safety, and the true cost of doing what’s right, this episode is for you.

This podcast is brought to you by SNAFU Rescue Advisors.

Visit our site www.snafura.se or contact Annsofi Thunholm via LinkedIn

We don´t believe in a perfect world - we teach you how to handle it.

SNAFU Rescue Advisors

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3. Why you should act like Julius Caesar at work....or maybe not

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 12:41:16 GMT

What can a Roman general who ruled an empire — and met a bloody end — teach us about leadership today?

In this episode, Annsofi Thunholm explores the rise and fall of Julius Caesar, uncovering timeless lessons about power, loyalty, trust, and ambition in the modern workplace. From building alliances to handling rivals and recognizing toxic behaviors, discover why acting like Caesar at work can either make — or break — your career.

This podcast is brought to you by SNAFU Rescue Advisors.

Visit our site www.snafura.se och contact Annsofi Thunholm via LinkedIn

We don´t believe in a perfect world - we teach you how to handle it.

SNAFU Rescue Advisors

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2. How Machiavellian was Machiavelli?

Sat, 11 Oct 2025 11:31:28 GMT

Was Niccolò Machiavelli really the cold, manipulative schemer his name has come to represent — or have we completely misunderstood him?

In this episode Ammsofi Thunholm dives deep into the life, legacy, and lasting myths surrounding one of history’s most controversial figures: the Florentine thinker whose name became synonymous with cunning and deceit.

But was Machiavelli himself actually Machiavellian?

Join Annsofi as she unpacks:

What “Machiavellianism” really means as a psychological trait — and how it differs from Machiavelli the man.
How The Prince was shaped by the political chaos of Renaissance Italy.
Why Machiavelli’s lesser-known works, like Discourses on Livy, reveal a passionate believer in democracy, civic virtue, and justice.
What modern research says about cynicism, manipulation, and leadership in today’s workplaces.
And how the patterns of history — from Florence’s turbulence to our current global “Fourth Turning” — show that Machiavelli’s insights are more relevant than ever.

This is not just a history lesson — it’s a reflection on human nature, power, and trust in times of upheaval.

So… how Machiavellian was Machiavelli, really? The answer might surprise you.

We don´t believe in a perfect world - we teach you how to handle it.

SNAFU Rescue Advisors

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1. With Liselott Husberger, author of the book "Luisa is so sensitive"

Sun, 31 Aug 2025 06:18:36 GMT

In this first episode of Give Me a Break Podcast, we talk about the subtle but destructive dynamics of toxic workplaces — manipulation, resistance, and bullying that can slowly undermine leaders.

Author Liselott Husberger shares insights from her book “Luisa is so sensitive”, a story about a new manager whose team works against her, leaving her isolated and questioning her own leadership.

A powerful conversation about how difficult it is to lead when you’re not supported — and why we need to break the silence around toxic work cultures.

We don´t believe in a perfect world - we teach you how to handle it.

SNAFU Rescue Advisors

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.