Losing a job isn’t just about missing a paycheck — it can unravel your sense of identity, safety, and purpose. For many women, especially those navigating life on their own, job loss brings a cascade of emotional and practical challenges. But within that uncertainty also lies an opportunity for reinvention, reflection, and storytelling. This episode explores what it means to experience—and rise from—such a pivotal life shift.

In this episode, I sit down with writer and educator Desiree Groft, author of the debut novel Girl Unemployed. While fictional in format, Desiree’s book is deeply inspired by her real-life experience of unemployment during the Great Recession — and the resilience it took to rebuild from the ground up.

Listen in as Desiree and I talk about:

• Why she chose to write her story through the lens of fiction instead of memoir

• How living in a historical NYC women’s hotel became a character in the book

• The emotional and mental toll of unemployment, especially as a single woman

• The concept of “holding both grief and hope” during difficult transitions

• How the book’s cover design became a metaphor for rewriting life’s rough drafts

• The importance of finding community — not just for children, but for adults too

• Why traditional publishing didn’t define her journey as an author

Desiree’s story is one of grit, reinvention, and honoring the messy in-between seasons of life. If you've ever faced a detour in your career, identity, or purpose — this conversation will resonate deeply. Be sure to listen to the full episode, then grab your copy of Girl Unemployed and follow Desiree’s work. You’ll find the links in the show notes — and don’t forget to share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it.

And if this conversation sparks something in you, consider sharing your own story — because your experiences have the power to connect, heal, and inspire others too.

Interview links:

• Grab a copy of Desiree’s book, Girl, Unemployed https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Unemployed-Desiree-Prieto-Groft/dp/B0DY8NB5XN

• Connect with Desiree https://www.desireegroft.com/

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