What really happens when you’re laid off, and how do you bounce back stronger?
In this episode of Your Career Journey, I speak with Steve Jaffe, a marketing leader whose 25+ year career has taken him from advertising to client-side roles to tech startups. Along the way, he’s faced layoffs (or redundancies, depending on where you’re based) four times.
👉 The first time left him devastated.
👉 By the fourth, he sailed through.
So what changed?

Steve shares the mindset shifts, coping strategies, and practical tools he developed. And the “framework” that helped him move from shock to growth, much like navigating the stages of grief.
We also dive into:
✨ Why identity and self-worth can’t just be tied to your job title
✨ The role of relationships and mind-body-spirit balance in building resilience
✨ How to reframe layoffs as a chance to reset and renew
✨ How to future-proof your career in a rapidly changing world
Whether you’ve been impacted by a layoff, want to prepare for uncertainty, or just need inspiration for your next chapter, this conversation is packed with lessons you can use.
Details for Steve's book 'The Layoff Journey' are below:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaffesteve/
https://thestevejaffe.com/

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:13 Steve's Career Journey
01:59 Experiencing Layoffs
02:36 Coping with Layoffs
02:48 The Layoff Journey Begins
04:19 Learning from Layoffs
05:49 Reframing the Layoff Experience
09:28 Stages of Grief in Layoffs
18:51 Building Coping Skills
22:21 Reframing and Positive Mindset
23:12 The Ship of Theseus: Identity and Change
24:30 Defining Yourself Beyond Your Job
25:55 Reconstruction and Renewal
29:49 Personal Career Pivot
33:31 Future Proofing Your Career
39:31 The Importance of Relationships
Your host, Emma Graham, Career Coach and ex-recruiter, is here to help you with:

💡 Gain clarity on what’s important to you
💡 Confidently communicate your value
💡 Build a personal brand and a strong network
💡 Take a strategic approach to your next move
💡 Navigate the job market effectively
💡 Build career confidence with a repeatable success blueprint
🌐 Explore my coaching programs and free resources:
Website: https://www.egconsulting.au/
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmagrahamcareercoach/
🎁 Free Resources:
📄 CV Development Guide: https://www.egconsulting.au/cv-advice
📄 LinkedIn Profile Optimisation Guide: https://www.egconsulting.au/linkedin-profile-guide
📅 Book Your FREE Career Strategy Discovery Call:
https://calendly.com/emmagrahamconsulting/discovery-call