Toxic Leadership 101: A Master Class in How to Kill Your Company Artwork

The Integrated Entrepreneur

Welcome to The Integrated Entrepreneur with Jonathan Fodera, hosted by founder, author, public speaker, investor and entrepreneur Jonathan Fodera. On this podcast you'll learn strategies on how to become a better operator, how to acquire more clients for your company, how to retain those clients, valuable lessons, and how you can avoid the mistakes that Jonathan has triumphed on his path to $500M+ in financing for business owners and entrepreneur's.

Meet the Co-Host:
Keith Gause was born in Houston, Texas and moved to Jacksonville, Florida at the age of 2. He continues to reside in Jacksonville with my wife, Deanna, and two daughters: Addison (13) and Kylee (10) and their 4 dogs, a cat, a bearded dragon, and a snake. (If it were left to the ladies to decide, they would have a zoo!)

Keith’s childhood was spent playing sports, being an only child, and watching his father become an entrepreneur by continuously failing and trying again. His father built a multimillion-dollar company allowing him to retire and live the life he always dreamed about. Watching his father’s journey taught him a lot about business.

Not ready to jump into the family business, Keith went into the military in the year 2000 at age 18. He spent 5 years assigned to the 20th Special Operations Command in Ft. Walton Beach FL and spent a majority of his military career deployed to places that needed the most attention.

Keith continued in the world of excitement and danger by going into Law Enforcement where he spent 10 years working in Northwest Jacksonville. He worked the nightshift, 6pm -6am, which allowed him to have a full day to make an impact on what he ultimately wanted to do. That goal was to create an empire and to impact as many business owners as possible.

In 2009, wanting to care for his wife and first born in the best way, he took a big risk and spent his entire savings on an inactive business name and one inflatable bounce house. Bounce Around Jax Party Rentals was Northeast Florida’s #1 party and event rental business. At least that is what he believed!

By 2012, Keith was able to make a 7-figure exit and leave Law Enforcement and began to study all things finance & investing. He focused on learning about any mistakes he had made as a business owner and became obsessed with helping others avoid the same ones. That is how Tideland Consulting came to be. Now, Tideland operates in all 50 states and has created a non-bias ecosystem for growth-oriented entrepreneurs that maximizes how each dollar impacts the business, from protecting assets and reducing taxes to succession plans and exit strategies.

In 2023, Tideland aligned with GFG Solutions as a strategic partner to serve business owners at the highest level, with a white-glove service feel from a world-class team.

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The Integrated Entrepreneur

Toxic Leadership 101: A Master Class in How to Kill Your Company

August 12, 2025 • Jonathan Fodera, Joseph Viccora • Episode 86

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Can a toxic work culture doom a company to failure, or can a positive environment truly transform lives? This episode of the Integrated Entrepreneur promises to reveal the striking differences between thriving and detrimental workplace cultures. Jonathan Fodera and Joseph Viccora guide you through the success story of Integrated, where amenities like a gym, sauna, and cold plunge are more than perks—they're part of a culture that prioritizes personal development and wellness. Listen as they share Joseph's awe-inspiring weight loss journey, fueled by their team's collective commitment to the 75 Hard program. Contrast this with his troubling experiences at a cash advance company where nepotism and a toxic party culture wreaked havoc, illustrating that a healthy office culture is not just beneficial but essential for both employees and the company's bottom line.

Jonathan and Joseph delve into personal stories of navigating toxic leadership, recounting the chaos under a volatile CFO whose unprofessional behavior set a disheartening tone throughout the organization. These cautionary tales highlight the far-reaching consequences of poor management, including high turnover and eventual downfall. But it’s not just about pointing fingers; Jonathan and Joseph emphasize the critical role of leaders in fostering integrity and positive role modeling. As they explore the tumultuous waters of company mergers, they discuss how culture clashes can sabotage even the most promising acquisitions. Through these narratives, you’re reminded of the powerful impact a supportive work environment can have and the ongoing responsibility leaders bear to cultivate it.

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