Surviving the Layoff, Part 1: The...
Surviving the Layoff, Part 1: The Personal Story
Less Than Expert by Amanda Talmadge & Katie Herman
S1 · E8
Feb 19, 2026
58:25
Episode notes

Surviving the Layoff, Part 1: The Personal Story

In Part 1 of our Surviving the Layoff series, we sit down with writer and career coach Allison McNearney to talk about what really happens after you hear, “We regret to inform you…”

Allison was laid off in 2024 — and while the experience was destabilizing, it was also clarifying. In this episode, we talk about:

  • The emotional whiplash of being laid off
  • How job loss impacts identity and self-worth
  • The financial fear that follows
  • What surprised her most about the process - including financial and healthcare watchouts
  • How she reframed the experience
  • The lessons she now shares with clients
  • What resilience actually looks like in real life

Whether you’ve been laid off, fear you might be, or want t ... 

Keywords
layoff
layoffs
layoff recovery
career transition
career coaching
job loss
mental health and work
rebuilding after job loss
career pivot
navigating layoffs
financial resilience
severance
unemployment
women in business
corporate layoffs
professional identity