The INSIDE STORY takes you behind the curtain to bring you some of the biggest success stories of entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and change makers.... the men & women who have walked through fire and come out on the other side brighter. How did they get there? What were some of their biggest hurdles? Be ready to hear it all. We’ll also be discussing the power of Story along the way, and how you can harness the power of your own journey to propel forward into new heights and fulfillment. Host April Pertuis will take you on a Storytelling journey through her own stories, too! As a career-long journalist and storyteller, April understands the story that is hiding inside of you. You’ll discover unique storytelling tips and mechanics that will empower you to tell you story in a whole new way. This is the Podcast that tells the Inside Story of people & brands who are sharing their story in important and powerful ways. They aren’t mechanical or scripted. They are unabashedly authentic and real. And they are generating massive success & fulfillment as a result! As you’ll discover, this is what makes a “Lightbeamer” The goal of the Inside Story is to inspire you to think about your own story, and learn to share it so it can shine a light for others.
All content for The Inside Story Podcast with April Adams Pertuis is the property of April Adams Pertuis and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
The INSIDE STORY takes you behind the curtain to bring you some of the biggest success stories of entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and change makers.... the men & women who have walked through fire and come out on the other side brighter. How did they get there? What were some of their biggest hurdles? Be ready to hear it all. We’ll also be discussing the power of Story along the way, and how you can harness the power of your own journey to propel forward into new heights and fulfillment. Host April Pertuis will take you on a Storytelling journey through her own stories, too! As a career-long journalist and storyteller, April understands the story that is hiding inside of you. You’ll discover unique storytelling tips and mechanics that will empower you to tell you story in a whole new way. This is the Podcast that tells the Inside Story of people & brands who are sharing their story in important and powerful ways. They aren’t mechanical or scripted. They are unabashedly authentic and real. And they are generating massive success & fulfillment as a result! As you’ll discover, this is what makes a “Lightbeamer” The goal of the Inside Story is to inspire you to think about your own story, and learn to share it so it can shine a light for others.
Ep239 – Girl, Unemployed: Turning Job Loss into a Journey Back to You with Desiree Groft
The Inside Story Podcast with April Adams Pertuis
43 minutes
3 months ago
Ep239 – Girl, Unemployed: Turning Job Loss into a Journey Back to You with Desiree Groft
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/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Inside Story Podcast with April Adams Pertuis
The INSIDE STORY takes you behind the curtain to bring you some of the biggest success stories of entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and change makers.... the men & women who have walked through fire and come out on the other side brighter. How did they get there? What were some of their biggest hurdles? Be ready to hear it all. We’ll also be discussing the power of Story along the way, and how you can harness the power of your own journey to propel forward into new heights and fulfillment. Host April Pertuis will take you on a Storytelling journey through her own stories, too! As a career-long journalist and storyteller, April understands the story that is hiding inside of you. You’ll discover unique storytelling tips and mechanics that will empower you to tell you story in a whole new way. This is the Podcast that tells the Inside Story of people & brands who are sharing their story in important and powerful ways. They aren’t mechanical or scripted. They are unabashedly authentic and real. And they are generating massive success & fulfillment as a result! As you’ll discover, this is what makes a “Lightbeamer” The goal of the Inside Story is to inspire you to think about your own story, and learn to share it so it can shine a light for others.
