Launching a Chart-Topping Podcast Without a Marketing Budget
A transparent reflection of Narcissism At Work, the podcast exploring toxic leadership, gaslighting, workplace abuse and psychological safety at work.
This weekend, we received the kind of news that makes you stop in your tracks: Narcissism At Work reached #11 on Apple Podcasts' Mental Health 'Top Shows' chart. For an entirely independent production without a marketing budget, this milestone felt monumental.
But behind that ranking is a reflection not just about podcasting but about persistence and the quiet, consistent belief that this work matters.
Why We Created Narcissism At Work
This podcast was born from a need to give language and validation to the often-overlooked reality of toxic workplace abuse. We wanted to unpack how narcissistic behaviours show up at work in leadership, in colleagues, and workplace culture. And we wanted to explore how survivors can begin to reclaim their lives, careers, and sense of self after experiencing manipulation, gaslighting, burnout, and psychological harm.
We partnered with Clinical Psychologist Dr. Daksha Hirani, grounding each episode in trauma-informed insights and real-world strategies to help survivors reclaim their voice, rebuild their confidence, and move toward healing with clarity.
The Frustration Behind the Launch
When we released the weekly episodes I’ll admit, I felt deflated. The care, quality, and calibre of the work weren’t immediately reflected in our social media reach. And more than that:
Gatekeepers who could have opened doors chose not to.
Decision-makers responsible for workplace culture (from DEI leads to HR heads) remained largely silent.
Social media algorithms favoured trending clips over trauma literacy.
The very audience we were hoping to reach seemed out of reach.
As a South Asian female founder of a social impact business, I’ve always been committed to transparency, and the reality is, meaningful work doesn’t always get the spotlight. It can take so much longer, it asks more of you, and the harsh reality is that meaningful work doesn’t always get a PR push. This is the part few talk about when launching an impact-led production that isn’t backed by a huge brand or PR machine, it’s so challenging to be heard and cut through the noise.
Why We Kept Going
We trusted the mission. To validate and support the lived experiences of people who have been harmed in professional settings and then silenced. We knew the podcast had value because it was already helping people name what happened to them. So we kept showing up, refusing to bend to algorithm trends or make the content "more palatable" for easier engagement. From the get-go, we were clear that we weren’t here to go viral, but create actual change.
Gradually, something shifted. Listeners started writing in, managers said they felt seen, and employees said they felt less alone. The stories began to travel and so did the podcast.
People started listening, started sharing. And the messages we received—from burnt-out managers, disillusioned employees, and HR leaders in crisis confirmed what we always knew: this podcast was meeting a real need.
Why This Matters
Reaching #11 on the Apple Podcasts Mental Health chart isn’t just a ranking. It means thousands of listeners around the world are resonating with the depth and honesty of these episodes. It shows that there is a real appetite for conversations about narcissistic abuse at work, weaponised wellness, psycholigical safety, gaslighting, and burnout - all conversations that challenge traditional power structures and help people rebuild trust in themselves.
For a first-time production by Other Box Studio, this moment is not just a win but also a reminder that even without paid ads or viral clips, you can still build community and impact.
Thank You To our listeners and supporters
Thank you to our growing community. To everyone who’s reviewed, reposted, quoted, or recommended an episode, you are the reason we’re here.
Thank you to the team that helped bring this to life: Chris, Daksha, Raakhi, Kavya, and Roxi.
If this podcast has helped you name something you couldn't name before, or validated something you were made to question, we’d love for you to keep listening, share with your networks, and help us get it into the hands of those who need it.
Resources & Further Support
Listen to all episodes: otherbox.co/podcast
Subscribe, share, and rate the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Whether you’re just starting to question a toxic dynamic or deep into your healing, we hope this podcast helps you name it, understand it, and start to heal from it.
Narcissism At Work podcast is out now and is available wherever you listen to your podcasts. Check out our resources page here for support. Sign up to our newsletter to keep up to date with Other Box.
Need support for your team? Contact us to explore how we can help build healthier, safer workplaces.
