Episode Overview
Leaving a toxic workplace is often described as a relief—but for many people, it’s when the real impact finally begins.
In this episode of Agile Unemployment, Sabina Sulat explores why people often feel worse after leaving toxic work, how prolonged exposure to unhealthy environments affects self-esteem and agency, and why simply “finding another job” can unintentionally repeat the same cycle.
Drawing from real client patterns, personal experience, and a timely cultural moment, this episode reframes recovery as a critical—and strategic—part of returning to work healthy, confident, and able to advocate for yourself again.
What This Episode Covers
Why toxic workplaces are often hard to recognize while you’re in them
How survival mode during unemployment masks the full impact of toxicity
Why symptoms often surface after safety and stability return
The difference between authority and agency—and how toxic work erodes the latter
How fear of retaliation and reputation damage keeps people stuck
Why under-negotiating, boundary collapse, and self-doubt often follow toxic jobs
How unresolved workplace trauma shows up in the next role
Why “just getting another job” can be a disservice without recovery
Key Insight
Toxic workplaces don’t just burn people out—they suppress agency.
And if agency isn’t intentionally restored before re-entry, even a healthy workplace can feel unsafe, leading people to shrink, under-advocate, and repeat patterns they worked hard to escape.
Recovery is not a delay.
It’s preparation.
The A.G.E.N.C.Y. Reset Framework
A practical starting point for recovery after toxic work:
A — Acknowledge
Name what happened without minimizing it.
G — Ground
Regulate your nervous system before trying to “fix” anything.
E — Examine beliefs
Identify the false lessons toxicity taught you about your worth or leverage.
N — Name boundaries
Practice clear, professional limits before returning to work.
C — Choose differently
Notice when something feels familiar in the wrong way—and pause.
Y — You lead yourself first
Reclaim trust in your judgment and instincts.
Who This Episode Is For
Professionals recovering from toxic work environments
Job seekers who feel stuck, exhausted, or unsure of themselves after leaving a role
People returning to work after unemployment or layoffs
Early-career professionals learning how to evaluate culture and protect their agency
Anyone who wants to break the cycle between toxic work and burnout
Why This Matters
People shouldn’t have to recover from their jobs in order to succeed in them.
This episode explains why recovery is not weakness—and how reclaiming agency is the key to returning to work healthy, confident, and able to take up space again.
Listen & Share
If this episode resonates, share it with someone who’s navigating a difficult transition—or questioning why leaving didn’t feel like freedom right away.
#Reworking2026 #agileunemployment
