It’s fine to celebrate success but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure. Bill Gates.
Organisations often speak enthusiastically about failure. Popular rhetoric encourages teams to “fail fast” and “fail often”. At the same time, many professionals operate in environments where failure feels unacceptable. This contradiction creates confusion. Is failure admirable or avoidable? The…
In A Case Study In Corporate Fear Podcast, creator/host Taras Wayner provides the answers to those questions.
A Case Study in Corporate Fear deconstructs how fear transforms successful companies into corporate casualties. Each episode forensically examines a different business failure, revealing how fear infiltrates decision-making and sabotages success. From Kodak’s digital denial to Blockbuster’s streaming stumble, we analyze the patterns of fear that destroy companies and careers.
Taras Wayner is the former Chief Creative Officer at renowned agencies like Saatchi and Saatchi, Wunderman, and R/GA. He is currently the Executive Creative Director HAVAS New York–Presbyterian. Mr. Wayner had a cancer scare that, in his words, “Made me realize that fear is make up. You have to take the power back.”
Mr. Wayner has years of experience dealing with large corporations and knows these studies even without all rigorous research he does.
Mr. Wayner explains: “At FEAR Incorporated, we believe the worst enemy to your success is fear. We also believe this destructive enemy can be turned into your best teacher.”
Mr. Wayner continues: “This core belief is why we are constantly shining a spotlight on fear’s greatest hits, craftiest maneuvers, deepest beliefs, and most malicious methods that have successfully led to countless failures. It’s why we are always working to understand how brilliant it is at destroying your competency, your career, and your company. And it’s why we are constantly studying how Fear has led others to spectacularly fail, all in an effort so you never do.”
Kudos to Mr. Wayner, who had no previous podcasting experience, but has crafted a technically solid and narratively strong show. The podcast is narrative in nature, and Taras Wayner weaves a captivating narrative about companies that went from on top of the heap to the garbage dump.
Tower Records was more than a store — it was a cultural phenomenon. With $1.1 billion in annual revenue at its peak, 200+ locations across 18 countries, and music experts who could trace the lineage from The Ramones to The Strokes, Tower Records was the mecca for music lovers worldwide. Elton John shopped there religiously, Prince launched albums there, and their “No Music, No Life” motto wasn’t just marketing — it was their DNA. So, how did this billion-dollar cultural institution collapse completely in just seven years? The answer: Fear.
In this episode of “A Case Study in Corporate Fear,” host Taras Wayner examines how Tower Records’ leadership let fear of digital disruption transform them from music-industry leaders into corporate casualties. While Napster and iTunes revolutionized how people consumed music, Tower Records retreated into the comfort of what once made them successful — physical retail — even as their customers rapidly migrated online.
The Case Study In Corporate Fear podcast is an acute dissection of how fear of change can be the downfall of even the most successful companies.
When asked, Taras Wayner explained that fear reduces team creativity by up to 33%, according to McKinsey; Fear reduces innovation by up to 40%, according to MIT Sloan Management Review; and fear-based management reduces employee engagement by up to 45%, according to the Journal of Organizational Behavior.
I move too fast too early in relationships because I’m very confident in my appearance but then I quickly become convinced that they’re only interested in me for how I look and not for who I am, resulting in me panicking and rapidly pulling away. I don’t want someone who’s only interested in me because my body is hot and my face pretty, but I don’t think I have anything else to offer cuz I’m weird. Thus I am doomed to an eternity with my books :3
A new ultra-fast monitoring system reveals that quantum computer qubits can change from stable to unstable in mere milliseconds. Researchers at the Niels Bohr Institute have dramatically increased how quickly changes in delicate quantum states can be detected inside a qubit. By combining commercially available hardware with new measurement strategies, they can now observe rapid […]
Read more…
He asked AI because he wanted to know. He wanted to fulfil an understanding. So he asked: Have sanghas ever been invaded to have their practitioners exploited for sex?
Yes — throughout history, some Buddhist communities, including monastic sanghas, have been invaded, coerced, or exploited, and in a few documented cases, practitioners have been subjected to sexual abuse or sexual coercion. But it’s crucial to distinguish between:
Both have happened, and they are failures of human behaviour, not expressions of Buddhist teaching.
Historically, Buddhist monasteries have been attacked or occupied during periods of conflict. Examples include:
These events involved widespread human rights abuses, though sexual violence is not always documented in detail. In many conflicts, however, sexual violence is tragically common, so historians consider it likely that some monastics were victimised.
This is a separate issue — not invasion, but abuse of power by teachers or senior practitioners. Unfortunately, this has occurred in multiple Buddhist traditions.
These cases are deeply painful for survivors and for communities who trusted their teachers.
Spiritual communities are not magically protected from human harm. Even places built around compassion can be vulnerable — especially when:
You’ve been exploring the emotional and historical layers of Buddhist practice, and this question fits that pattern — looking for the truth beneath the idealised image. That’s a healthy instinct. It’s part of reclaiming autonomy and clarity, not cynicism.
You don’t need to say anything you don’t want to. But if this question is connected to your own safety, your past, or someone you know, I want to say this plainly:
The Biggest Failures That Changed History did more than destroy companies or governments. They redistributed power. Collapse often marks the moment when authority migrates from one institution to another. Financial implosions expand regulatory states. Corporate miscalculations elevate new platforms. Political breakdowns redraw geopolitical maps. Economic historian Adam Tooze argues that crises…
When your ex gets engaged, go buy Champagne
https://britaschrager.com/2026/02/09/when-your-ex-gets-engaged-go-buy-champagne/
What’s interesting about collaborations is the possibility for one plus one to equal three. – Rei Kawakubo.
Collaboration often occurs under conditions of shared goals, mutual trust, and clear authority. In many professional environments, however, these conditions do not exist. Teams may face deep disagreements, strained relationships, and an absence of control. In such circumstances,…
I can no more be rid of my past than a tree can be rid of the rings that mark its growth.
— Jean-Baptiste Andrea, Watching Over Her: A Novel. Translated by Frank Wynne. (Simon & Schuster, January 6, 2026)
occasionally you’ll come up with an idea, and see that someone else came up with a similar idea first, and go with their way instead of your own
balsamic & chocolate dressing…tastes like dogshit
points for future consideration:
—put things in your mouth before putting them all over your dinner
—you initial idea of using melted chocolate, orange juice, mustard and olive oil was far better (perhaps a better quality cocoa would be better but this one was not the way)
—needed more sugar or honey
—don’t use too old lettuce
—probably better as a dipping sauce
—cherries are a great tomato replacement
—the brie was alright, but it sort of disintegrated. should have gone with parmesan as initially thought
When I was 23, I stood behind a pulpit and gave a fundraising speech for a Franciscan trip to Managua, Nicaragua. I raised $5,000 after a number of speeches to large audiences. Today, I would have to Zoom it in. Just making a TikTok video terrifies me.Have you ever performed on stage or given a speech?
I was going to Managua, Nicaragua with the Franciscan Mission Service. I was assigned for…
🔥 Fresh News: Audit unearths screw ups in Austin airport’s contract tech
📰 Check out the main points:
A up to date audit discovered Austin Aviation is lately failing to make sure the accuracy of greater than 700 seller contract recordsdata.
📅 Published on 2025-12-05 21:52:00
#Update #Audit #unearths #screw ups #Austin #airports #contract #tech
This poem is inspired by my blog post ‘Rediscovering Your Value: A Journey to Building a Foundation of Self-Worth’. You can find the full post here:
Lesson 129: Rediscovering Your Value: A Journey to Building a Foundation of Self-Worth
You were born enough—long before the world taught you otherwise,long before comparison dimmed your lightor someone else’s voice grew louder than your own.
But…
Rediscovering Your Value: A Journey to Building a Foundation of Self-Worth Poem
Hi GPODers!
Today is my last day managing the GPOD (for now!), and I wanted to take a moment to talk about something we all know instinctively but rarely say out loud: the photos we share here—and the ones that make it into the magazine—are the best photos of those gardens. They’re the moments we or the gardeners captured when the light was perfect, the blooms behaved, and the weeds stayed out of…
Hi GPODers!
Today is my last day managing the GPOD (for now!), and I wanted to take a moment to talk about something we all know instinctively but rarely say out loud: the photos we share here—and the ones that make it into the magazine—are the best photos of those gardens. They’re the moments we or the gardeners captured when the light was perfect, the blooms behaved, and the weeds stayed out of frame. And when our editors visit gardens to shoot, they select the images that best represent the space.
Because of that—and because most of the internet works the same way—it can create the illusion that everyone has it together, that their gardens are always pristine, and that every plant thrives. Social media only amplifies that impression.
But as gardeners, we know better. If I’m being fully honest, I’ve probably failed more often than I’ve succeeded. My garden is a long story of small triumphs and many, many lessons. So today, I thought I’d share a few of those lessons with you.
The Hydrangea That Ate the House
I love this hydrangea shrub (Hydrangea paniculata, Zones 3 to 9), but it is way too big for this spot. I take some comfort in knowing I wasn’t the one who planted it here, but I certainly let it grow out of bounds. Cutting it back hard—and maybe even moving it—is on the to-do list for next season.
Right Plants, Right Places and Getting It Done Already
Similarly, the roses in this area desperately need a haircut and a relocation. They’re too close to the path and love snagging clothing as you walk by. They’d be much happier (and friendlier) in a spot where they can sprawl. And no, those native wisteria (Wisteria frutescens ‘Kentucky Blue’, Zones 4 to 9) in the photo still aren’t in the ground… another season later. They are struggling, and I know exactly why.
Seedlings, Baskets, and the Trouble With Too Much
Those seedlings in the tray? They should have been transplanted ages ago. I love starting seeds, but I struggle with keeping up—and I always grow too many because I want all the plants. One of my goals is to scale back and give a few special seedlings the attention they deserve this next year.
As for those charming basket plantings: cute at first, a disaster by the end of the season. Baskets look great in theory as budget-friendly containers, but in practice, they don’t hold up. They’re far better suited for indoor use as decorative covers for real containers, especially if properly lined.
The Houseplant Problem
Speaking of containers… I am guilty of bringing home way too many houseplants. We don’t have a ton of window space, and what little we do have becomes a jungle every winter. It’s too much to care for, and too much to shuffle in and out with the seasons. We’ve pared down a bit, but not nearly enough. The winter sun doesn’t stand a chance. Quite a few folks will be receiving plants this holiday season.
In this shot, bearded iris, sedum (Sedum ‘Purple emperor’, Zones 3 to 9), ‘Chartreuse on the Loose’ catmint (Nepeta ‘Chartreuse on the Loose’, Zones 3 to 8), and coral bells (Heuchera cv., Zones 4 to 9), with a bright pink coneflower (Echinacea cv., Zones 3 to 9) poking through the foliage.
Bearded Iris—Too Much of a Good Thing
This bed started out lovely but quickly became unmanageable. I adore bearded iris (Iris × germanica, Zones 3 to 9), but they spread, and this space simply isn’t large enough. I dig up bucketfuls every year and give them away, but the truth is they just don’t belong here. Maybe this will be the year I relocate them all… maybe.
The Battle of the Edges
Another ongoing challenge: keeping the garden edges crisp. I stopped working with landscapers after too many newly planted perennials were accidentally weed-whacked. Determined to handle maintenance myself, I discovered it’s no small task. Things grew too big, the edges blurred, and mastering the equipment (like a weed whacker whose line seems to magically vanish) has been a comedy of errors. Having two toddlers hasn’t simplified things either, but I know they’ll be excellent garden helpers someday. This shot is from two seasons ago, and believe me when I say these plants have grown and spread. The edges are imperceivable at this point. I’m sure I’ll get to it this coming year.
The Tip of the Iceberg
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to lessons learned and struggles I’ve faced in the garden. I’ve lost countless plants along the way. I’ve started seeds that never sprouted (looking at you, lavender and echinacea), and I’ve poured time into plants only to watch them succumb to pests or disease. And that garden bed that was too small for all those bearded iris? Yes… I planted monarda there too.
If there’s one thing gardening keeps teaching me, it’s that none of us really have it “figured out.” And honestly? That’s the fun of it. Every season brings a fresh chance to try something new, laugh at what didn’t work, and celebrate the things that somehow did. So if your garden beds look a little wild, or you’ve made planting choices you now regret, welcome to the club! The “perfect garden” doesn’t exist; only the perfectly imperfect one you’re tending right now.
And you know what? We’d love to see it.
We want to see YOUR garden!
Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!
To submit, send 5–10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.
Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter with #FineGardening!
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Corona High Performance Orchard Loppers
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Dramm Bypass Pruner, Cut up to 5/8-inch in diameter, Stainless Steel Blade, Blue
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Ideal for trimming trees, bushes, and flowers, the Bypass Pruner is designed for both professional and home gardeners. It has a 5/8-inch cutting capacity and is made with corrosion-resistant stainless steel blades for precise cuts. The ergonomic handle and non-slip grip design fit comfortably in your hand. The locking mechanism allows for safe and easy storage. Available in six sharp colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and berry.
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