Out of the Office

Unemployment often gets talked about in terms of statistics. But behind every headline about corporate layoffs, hiring freezes and downsizing are real people who are rebuilding their confidence, redefining success, and rediscovering who they are beyond the job title.

Out of the Office is a storytelling series I've created to capture those journeys. Each conversation digs into what unemployment really feels like—the fear, frustration and self-doubt, but also the moments of resilience, humor, and hope that carry people through.

Laura Hampton

on loss, layoffs, and reinvention

When I spoke with Laura Hampton recently, she was in the middle of two major life changes: a major move and a huge career pivot. After losing her marketing job, she could have rushed to find the next “safe” role. Instead, she did something braver—she embarked on a season of reckoning and reinvention.

Ho Lin

on the rollercoaster of starting over

After more than five years at a small tech company, Ho Lin faced an unexpected layoff—and a radically changing industry. Here, he talks about life after job loss, the emotional rollercoaster of unemployment, how he’s learning to rebuild both career and confidence in the age of AI .

Ashleigh Emerick

on these "scary, strange times"

Ashleigh Emerick has weathered two layoffs and three reorgs in as many years. The experience left her pragmatic and given her a clearer sense of purpose. Here, she talks about the chaos of corporate restructuring, the unrealistic expectations shaping today’s job market, and why networking is critical.

Analis Diaz-Elias

on building something of her own

Analis Diaz-Elias is candid about the anxiety and heartbreak she experienced after being laid off in 2025. She shares the small routines that keep her steady, the new company she’s building, and why she refuses to ever again work for a company that won’t meet employees with transparency and respect.

Emily Reinhart

on work when your body says “enough”

When panic attacks made it impossible to continue working in tech, Emily Reinhart walked away and started over. Here, Emily talks about loosening work’s grip on identity, the quiet joy of visible results, and hard work she has put into restoring her mental health.

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Heather O'Neill

on navigating a freefall

In 2025, Heather O’Neill lost her job just months after her partner lost his, in a year already heavy with illness, grief, and financial strain. She reflects on being unemployed while watching a close friend die, the emotional whiplash of multiple losses, and reevaluating what's next.