Layoffs are back in the headlines. Job postings are down. Hiring cycles are longer.
What does that mean for MBA students and other professionals navigating today's market?
In this episode, I speak with Steve Jaffe, author of The Layoff Journey: From Dismissal to Discovery. Drawing on his experience of four layoffs across a 25-year marketing career, Steve maps job loss—and prolonged job search—to the seven stages of grief.
This conversation is both practical and deeply human.
You'll learn:
Why career disruptions are emotional, not just logistical — and how naming the grief process reduces shame.
How to separate your identity from your job title before you're forced to.
Why networking before you need it is the ultimate resilience strategy in a market shaped by AI screening and hidden job opportunities.
How hope and small daily wins compound over time, especially during a long job search.
Whether you've been laid off, are facing a challenging search, or simply want to future-proof your career, this episode offers a grounded framework for building resilience that lasts.
Learn more about Steve and his book at TheSteveJaffe.com.
Check out previous episodes on Resilience and Stress with Polo DeCano, Self-Compassion with Jane Compson, Gratitude with Ryan Fehr, Self-Compassion with Andy Hafenbrack, and plenty of episodes that talk about networking.
