A layoff can feel like the end of the road. In this episode, DJ shares how losing her job (on the same day as her wedding) led to a major career reset. From starting over as a mid-career intern to going back to school and building a portfolio, DJ explores what it means to rebuild after a setback. Packed with lessons on resilience, preparation, and purpose, this story proves that starting over doesn’t mean starting from scratch.

In this first episode of The Next Rung, host DJ Jaeger shares why she created the podcast and how her own layoff, pivots, and promotions shaped her career journey. She introduces the “messy middle” of career growth and previews the stories, strategies, and insights to come; for future leaders, technical experts, and anyone climbing their own ladder.