An honest, deeply human conversation with Sarah Bernstein, VP of Org Development at Lumen, on layoffs, leadership, resilience, and rewriting your career story!Layoffs aren’t just spreadsheets and severance. Behind every headcount decision is a conversation, a tension, a human story.In this powerful episode, we sit down with Sarah Bernstein, VP at Lumen Technologies and former HR exec at Airbnb, PayPal, and Microsoft, for an unfiltered look at:✅ What really happens behind closed doors during a layoff✅ How HR actually views candidates who've been laid off✅ How to reframe your story (even if it’s performance-related)✅ The 3 things great leaders do after a layoff to rebuild trust✅ How to build a resilient career without living in fearSarah is candid, compassionate, and clear: you can’t always avoid a layoff—but you can come out of it stronger, wiser, and more intentional.Whether you're navigating a career change or leading through uncertainty, this is a masterclass in human-centered leadership.

What if the person planning layoffs got laid off themselves?

Meet Mike Hennessy, a veteran IT leader who went from leading a global infrastructure team to packing up his desk after a surprise layoff. Over 155 days, Mike navigated grief, rejection, and reinvention. In this powerful episode, he walks us through:

✅ What it’s like to be on both sides of the layoff table

✅ How he stayed calm, focused, and even hopeful after the news hit

✅ The exact routines, mindsets, and community moves that helped him bounce back

✅ How one LinkedIn post changed everything

And how he landed a new leadership role—before he even applied.

💥 Whether you’ve been laid off, are leading a team through change, or just want real talk from a resilient leader, this episode delivers hard-won wisdom and hope.

🟡 Subscribe for more powerful stories and guidance for laid-off professionals

🔗 Join our free Skool community for tools, events, and peer support at www.skool.com/laidofflegends

📩 Want to connect with Mike? Drop your questions in the comments or inside the Skool community

“I did everything right, and still got laid off.” 😤

That line from author and marketing leader Steve Jaffe hit hard. Because it’s true for so many of us.In our latest Laid Off Legends podcast, Steve shares the raw, real story of being laid off four times, and how each experience shaped the roadmap he now shares with others. Through the powerful five stages of grief framework, Steve reframes the layoff journey from shame to strength. From silence to storytelling. From loss… to legacy.🎙 We talk about:

Why job loss hits our identity so hard

How self-compassion, daily routines, and gratitude shape recovery

What it means to exit with goodwill (even when it’s hard)Buddhist wisdom, depression stats, and navigating ambiguity

Why “the person who enters the layoff isn’t the same one who comes out”

This is such a timely topic and resource.

It's not just a list; its a survival guide for high performers navigating deep disruption, with a strong reminder that you’re not alone.

Resources:

Author Website - https://thestevejaffe.com/ - Download your free chapter here!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaffesteve/ - Let's Connect 🧠 Read Steve’s book: The Layoff Journey From Dismissal to Discovery: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXSDCQPY/ref=nosim?tag=laidofflegend-20

(we get a small commission with this link, so pls support Steve and the channel with your purchase!)

💬 Share your story or tag someone who needs to hear this.#LaidOffLegends #CareerResilience #SteveJaffe #MentalHealth #Layoffs #Leadership #CareerTransition

What happens when the recruiter gets laid off?

In this powerful episode of Laid Off Legends, Maya shares her unfiltered story—what it felt like to go from hiring talent to suddenly being on the other side of the layoff call. We dive into:

✅ The emotional whiplash of being laid off as a recruiter

✅ Why even the “people people” feel isolated in the process

✅ Lessons from helping others land roles—and applying them to herself

✅ Her honest take on giving back, networking, and being open to unexpected opportunities.

✅ What job seekers need to know right now about the resumes and the recruiting mindset. Whether you're in the middle of your own job search or supporting someone who is, Maya's insight is real, raw, and incredibly helpful.

To reach out to Maya for a resume consulting session, please use this link:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfHTBExvoB2GHaim5V30GRSsPvIsoI9SI1aNHREbYPUDleyKg/viewform The first three candidates will receive a free session!

A real conversation with Dr. Valdesha DeJean on navigating shame, emotional safety, and resilience inside the home after a layoff.What happens after the layoff email hits? Not just at work but at home?In this deeply personal episode of Laid Off Legends, I sit down with nationally recognized psychiatrist Dr. Valdesha DeJean to explore the emotional ripple effect of layoffs, not just on the individual, but on spouses, kids, and family systems.

We talk about:

✅ Why anxiety after layoffs is contagious inside a home

✅ How to create emotional safety in hard conversations

✅ The hidden role of gender dynamics in shame

✅ Why vulnerability matters—and how to offer it wisely

✅ How to rebuild confidence and connection over time

✅ And the powerful question every laid-off parent should ask their family:“What value do I bring outside of my paycheck?”

This episode is a must-watch for anyone navigating career disruption while trying to stay grounded for the people they love.

💬 If you’ve ever felt like you had to “hold it all together” after losing your job, this is your permission to stop pretending and start rebuilding, with your family, not in isolation.

Resources:

Laid Off Legends Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/laidofflegends/about

(You'll find the Layoff Recovery course in the Classroom)

Dr. DeJean's work:

Site: https://www.drdejean.com/

Profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/psychiatrists/valdesha-dejean-atlanta-ga/1525542

Dr. Aliya Rao's work on relationships and unemployment:

https://www.aliya-hamid-rao.com/

What happens when a company convinces you to uproot your life—only to lay you off less than a month later? In this raw and eye-opening conversation, we hear the personal story of a former Canoo employee who was promised a raise, a fresh start, and a secure role in the company's new Texas facility—only to face a mass layoff less than a month after relocating. This episode unpacks the emotional, financial, and psychological fallout from one of the most devastating corporate decisions we've heard about in the tech and startup world.From signing a 12-month lease, to watching an entire facility go silent, to questioning leadership accountability—this story shines a light on what happens when leadership fails to take responsibility for the human lives behind their bottom line.💡 Key Takeaways* Corporate cost-cutting led Canoo to relocate operations from California to Texas.* Employees faced intense pressure to relocate under “take-it-or-leave-it” offers.* Initial team culture and morale quickly eroded due to lack of planning and resources.* Many employees were blindsided by mass layoffs weeks after arriving in Texas.* The guest shares honest reflections on identity, trust, and the hidden cost of corporate decisions.* Community and storytelling became a lifeline during the aftermath.👥 Who This Episode Is For:Anyone who’s ever been laid off or relocated for workStartup employees and founders navigating scale and cultureHR leaders and corporate decision-makersPeople exploring the emotional side of career upheaval🎙️ Subscribe for more honest, unfiltered conversations about layoffs, resilience, and rebuilding after the unexpected.🧠 If you’ve got a story like this—or know someone who does—reach out. We’re building a platform to make sure these stories are heard.

In this no-fluff episode of Laid Off Legends, HR expert Steven Campos joins Leo to deliver a powerful message for anyone navigating layoffs, career transitions, or corporate burnout: OWN your career path—because no one else will.You’ll learn how to:• Prepare for career disruption before it happens• Identify and close skill gaps that matter in today’s job market• Shift from reactive panic to strategic action• Embrace adaptability, soft skills, and lifelong learning as your edge• Align your passion with purpose for a more fulfilling careerIf you’ve been laid off, are worried about the next reorg, or just feel stuck in your role—this is your playbook to take control, grow intentionally, and build a future-proof career.🎧 Key Moments:• 01:32 – Learning & Development that actually matters• 05:52 – Future-proofing your career with skill strategy• 10:56 – Mindset shifts post-layoff• 17:58 – The hunger that separates legends from the rest🔥 Sound Bites to Remember:“Don’t let panic overtake everything.”“Own your career path. Own it.”“Always be prepared.”Bio; Steve is a dynamic and results-driven Human Resources professional with over a decade of expertise in Organizational and Leadership Development. Renowned for translating strategic visions into operational success, fostering a culture of continuous improvement through Agile methodologies, and delivering measurable results in employee engagement and business operations. A strategic thinker who excels in designing and implementing scalable solutions, I am committed to driving organizational excellence and cultivating high-performing teams.Resources: Free online skill assessment test:123 Competency Test: https://www.123test.com/competency-test/Paid Skills Assessment TestStrength Finder - https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/home.aspxBirkman - https://birkman.com/the-birkman-methodUseful Articles:Linkedin Communities of Practice - https://www.linkedin.com/advice/0/how-can-you-create-join-communities-practice-your-fieldHow to turn your layoff into a career change opportunity -https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolinecastrillon/2025/01/12/how-to-turn-a-layoff-into-a-career-change-opportunity/Three tips for reinventing your career after a layoff -https://insight.kellogg.northwestern.edu/article/3-tips-for-reinventing-your-career-after-a-layoff

Hey everyone! I’m beyond humbled to kick off Season 2 of the Laid Off Legends Podcast—and it’s all thanks to you.

In Season 1, we reached over 25,000 people, logged 100 hours of watch time, and heard dozens of notes like “This is incredible—I find it super valuable.”

Knowing that these stories are making a real difference has kept me going every step of the way.We’ve heard your feedback loud and clear, so we’re introducing:⚡️Shorter, super-cut episodes (5–10 minutes) on YouTube—get key takeaways in a flash⏰Full-length episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Pandora, and wherever you listen🔥Weekly drops instead of bi-weekly, so you can stay inspired without the wait📰Broader coverage—beyond tech, you’ll hear impact stories from the U.S. government, non-profits, and more🙏🏽 A huge thank-you to our speakers, our production partners, and each of you for sharing, subscribing, and sending those “this thing is incredible” notes. It’s your enthusiasm that turns these conversations into a movement.If you’ve found value in Season 1, please help us spread the word: tag a friend, share an episode, or leave us a review. Follow us on Instagram and check our company page for the latest updates. And if you’re a member of our free Laid Off Legends Skool community, you’ll get early access and bonus content—so join us there to stay in the loop.Here’s to Season 2—let’s turn setbacks into comebacks, together. 🚀