Laid Off to Lift Off

What happens when you see the layoff coming and still can't stop it? That's where this conversation starts.Shantae Howell is a creative director and brand storyteller who spent years building content from the ground up, eventually leading creative teams across the US, Canada, and Mexico. She's worked with major brands on everything from live events to full campaign builds and her work has always been rooted in one thing: making people feel genuinely seen.In this episode, Shantae opens up about her layoff, the brutal reality of the 2024 job market (even with referrals), and how she accidentally built a personal brand on LinkedIn that started opening doors for her; one relatable, personality-packed post at a time.If you're a creative professional navigating a pivot, questioning whether your resume is doing enough, or just trying to figure out your next move, this one is for you.What we cover: The layoff she saw coming and the moment that still blindsided herWhy five referrals failed her, zero recruiter screensThe job search pivot from picky to practicalWhy a Linktree is not a portfolioLinkedIn, but make it human; her approach to showing upThe rejection that turned into viral contentNetworking advice from someone who genuinely hates networkingThe half-step nobody talks about between layoff and dream jobConnect with Shantae - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shantaehowell/Connect with Vanita - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vcapobiancohrtech/Subscribe to Laid Off to Lift OffCommentRateShare with someone who needs it.This one-woman show appreciates it!

What do you do when you're being told you're laid off and you have to remind yourself not to smile? That's exactly where Heidi Kent-Mack found herself having to think about. As someone who worked in HR, Heidi had a feeling her layoff was coming. But nothing quite prepares you for the moment it actually happens and what surprised her most was how she felt: relieved, excited, and quietly hopeful about what was next.In this episode, Heidi shares her practical framework for navigating career transitions built around three powerful Rs: Recovery, Reflection, and Redesign. We talk about how she structured her days after the layoff, how she stayed mentally grounded and why she built a three-page master resume that became her secret weapon in the job search.We also get into her unexpected new chapter - beekeeping. Wait till you hear the Queens names. In this episode we cover:How Heidi knew her layoff was coming and how she prepared mentallyThe three things she did the day she got homeWhy controlling what you can control is the key to staying saneHer Recovery, Reflection, and Redesign frameworkHow to ask for things you think aren't available to you (free conferences, anyone?)Bees. Just… bees.Connect with Heidi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidi-kent-mack/Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vcapobiancohrtech/Visit my Stan Store for my very own resume template, interview prep guides and layoff resources: https://stan.store/vanitacapo

What would you do if you got laid off on the same day you won a company-wide AI hackathon? For Donald King, the answer was to press record and post!In this episode, I sit down with Donald King, CEO of AMDK Marketing, who at 25 was building in the AI space at a big 4 company until a 6 a.m. meeting invite changed everything. Donald shares what that day actually felt like, why he chose to record his layoff and post it on TikTok and how a viral moment became the spark for his entrepreneurial journey.We talk about building a business with the person you love, and what it really takes to go from employee to CEO. Whether you're currently laid off, feeling the uncertainty of today's job market or quietly dreaming of building something of your own, this one's for you.In this episode:The moment Donald knew he wasn't going back to corporateHow his layoff video hit 1 million views in a single dayWhy he pivoted from an AI startup to a marketing agency in 26 daysAdvice for anyone laid off or thinking about entrepreneurshipConnect with Donald at amdkmarketing.com or on Instagram @DonaldTheKingConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vcapobiancohrtech/Grab my very own resume template, interview guides, join a movement of women building their personal brand after their 9-5 - https://stan.store/vanitacapo

In this episode of Laid Off to Lift Off, Vanita speaks with Roxy Couse, an entrepreneur and content creator, about surviving multiple layoffs, the impact on her identity and the importance of building a personal brand. We discuss the need for empathy in leadership, the changing landscape of job security and how to leverage skills for a successful career. Roxy emphasizes the importance of self-belief and the power of content creation in opening new opportunities.TakeawaysSurviving layoffsBuilding a portfolio careerChapters00:00 Navigating Layoffs and Uncertainty06:56 Impact on Relationship with Leadership and Corporate Loyalty14:53 The New Safety Net: Portfolio Careers and Content CreationConnect with Roxy on her website and follow on her socials- https://roxycouse.com/https://www.instagram.com/roxycouse/https://www.tiktok.com/@roxycousePlease share this podcast with someone who needs it. Subscribe to get the latest episodes when they drop and let me know how this episode or others helped you in the comments. Connect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vcapobiancohrtech/Grab my very own resume template, interview guides on how to answer the most commonly asked questions and a blueprint on how to navigate layoffs or plan for one! - https://stan.store/vanitacapo

Discover how Benji Block turned a sudden layoff into a year of remarkable growth and bold entrepreneurship. In this episode, Benji shares his personal story of resilience, the mindset shifts that fueled his success, and practical advice for navigating career transitions with confidence.The unexpected moment: Benji's experience of being laid off amidst holiday festivitiesThe psychological stages of losing a job: laughter, grief, and adaptationRecognizing the value of personal agency and control during career upheavalsThe power of boldness and courage in starting a business after layoffsInsights from Benji’s impressive 2025 stats: 11 new clients, 294 videos, 1.3M viewsThe importance of combining vision with strategy for sustainable growthBuilding community and the role of surrounding yourself with supportive networksThe origin story behind Signature Series and creating impactful personal brand contentPractical steps to move from feeling stuck to taking decisive actionConnect with Vanita on LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/vcapobiancohrtech/Stan Store - https://stan.store/vanitacapoBook a call with me to get a LinkedIn makeover so recruiters come to you, download my very own resume template and snag my interview guide on how to answer the most commonly asked questions.Connect with Benji Block on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benji-block/Signature Series - https://www.signatureseries.co/

In this episode of Laid Off to Lift Off, I sit down with Timm Chiusano, a former VP turned creator, to talk about the other side of layoffs. Timm shares his journey from being a senior leader at a major company to navigating leadership decisions with more humanity and empathy than we usually see talked about.We chat about the realities of leadership during layoffs, how complex those moments really are, and what it means to lead with integrity. Timm shares thoughtful insights on leadership, resilience, and building a career that aligns with your values.Connect with me (Vanita) on LinkedIn.Visit my Stan Store for my very own resume template, interview guide or book a call with me.

Laid off and kind of relieved?Jason Muth was a top performer when his role was eliminated.In this episode of Laid Off to Lift Off, Jason shares his layoff story, what it’s like to go through multiple layoffs and how a side hustle he started while still working became a business he truly loves today. He’s very clear about one thing: he’s never going back to Corporate America.We talk about why top performers are still vulnerable, the identity shift that happens after a layoff and why starting your next chapter before you’re forced to matters so much.If you’ve been laid off or think it might be coming, this conversation is for you. And if this made you think of someone else… share it with them.SmartStay Show PodcastPrideaway StaysVisit my Stan Store for my own resume template, interview prep sessions and guides etc.

In this episode of Laid Off to Lift Off, I chat with Jamie Jackson, self-proclaimed Chief Meme Officer and the brilliant mind behind Humorous Resources, Millennial Misery, and Parody Parenting. As one of the cohosts of the wildly popular HR Besties podcast, Jamie brings humor, honesty, and true authenticity to every conversation.In this episode, she opens up about her unique layoff story (trust me, you haven’t heard one like this or at least I hope it’s not common!), what it’s really like running multiple viral accounts and how she’s stepping into a new season of life with more volunteering, more time with her kids and more honesty about the hard days too.If you’ve ever been laid off, laughed at a meme just to make it through your workday or needed the reminder that you’re not alone , this one’s for you.Humorous Resources: YouTube • LinkedIn • Threads • Facebook • XMillennial Misery: Threads • Facebook • XHorrendous HR: Threads • FacebookNeed help navigating a career transition? Visit my Stan Store for my very own resume template, interview guide and how to answer the most commonly asked questions and free resources.

In this episode of Laid Off to Lift Off, I sat down with Aseeyah Shahid to talk about the emotions we don’t always say out loud, the shock, the fear and the “okay… now what?” moments.Aseeyah opens up about her own journey, how she learned to sit with those feelings and why building in public helped her find her voice again. Her story is honest, encouraging, and such a good reminder that even the toughest seasons can push us toward something better.If you’re going through a layoff or just need a little inspiration, this conversation will definitely give you a lift.Tune in to hear how embracing vulnerability can actually make you stronger.Connect with Aseeyah on LinkedIn!

Connect with Jakaria Burge on Linkedin!In this episode, I chat with Jakaria Burge, who opens up about her layoff experience and what came after; the emotions, the uncertainty, and the surprising strength she found along the way. 💪She shares how community, creativity, and faith played a huge role in her job search, especially through LinkedIn, where she’s built an incredible network of support.If you’ve ever felt stuck, discouraged, or unsure of what’s next, this conversation is a reminder that small steps matter and you’re not alone.

In this episode of Laid Off to Lift Off, I chat with Lindsay Issler about her layoff journey, how she navigated the emotional ups and downs, and what she’s learned about personal branding and job searching. We dive into staying positive, showing up on LinkedIn, and why vulnerability and authenticity matter when sharing your story. If you’ve been laid off or are in the middle of a job hunt, this one’s packed with tips and inspiration you won’t want to miss.Connect with Lindsey on LinkedIn!