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!