Layoffs happened and you’re still here. Now what?
It’s an awkward place to be. You’re relieved… but also anxious, maybe even a little guilty?
This week’s Work in Progress episode is for the ones left behind. We’re talking survivor’s guilt, role security, and how to prep for what’s next without burning out.
Learn how to:
Interpret the why behind your company’s layoffs
Quietly recession-proof your resume, finances, and strategy
Turn this moment of fear into future leverage
Layoffs are everywhere right now—from Big Tech to companies you thought were rock solid. And even if it hasn’t hit you yet, it could.
If you’ve been laid off and you’re not sure what to do next, you’re not alone. In this episode of Work in Progress, we walk through three steps to help you get back on your feet—from navigating the emotional fallout, to getting your finances in order, to finding momentum again.
What happens when you speak up about harassment—and the team goes silent? In this episode, guest host Elsie Rodriguez joins CJ to talk about what it’s really like to be the only woman in a male-dominated workplace. From second-guessing yourself to being punished for standing up, this is the conversation that too many women are having quietly. We’re saying it out loud.
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Hobbies can super-charge your career. Guest co-host Yvonne Pearson joins CJ to show how museums, concerts and content creation translate into real corporate skills—discipline, delegation and data-driven marketing included.
How can museum hopping, concert stalking, and content creation make you a sharper operator at work? In this episode of Work in Progress, guest co-host Yvonne Pearson (Coffee With Yvonne / Pink Dollhouse Marketing) joins CJ to unpack the hidden career ROI of their favorite “side-quests.” From podcasting workflows that streamline delegation to SZA’s pop-up lip-gloss launch that nails experiential marketing, we draw a straight line between play and professional payoff.
We cover:
Why hobbies build transferable skills—discipline, project management, creative resilience—and how to talk about them in performance reviews.
The art-museum cheat code: using gallery walks to spark campaign ideas and inclusive storytelling.
Concerts as masterclasses in brand experience (feat. Kendrick Lamar & SZA’s vegan beauty drop).
Leveraging AI tools (ChatGPT, Riverside “magic clips”) to automate busywork and protect creative energy.
Practical pushback tactics: discovery calls, marketing briefs, and killing misaligned “fun” ideas before they burn budget.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your shows, and hit follow for sharp takes on thriving inside corporate walls.
Flying solo, CJ Jennings-Hope unpacks why carefully-crafted relationships—not oversharing—fast-track your promotions. She introduces the Cup-of-Sugar Rule for knowing when a coworker bond is strong enough to swap favors, then shares a two-topic conversation hack that lets even introverts build strategic visibility without spilling their life story.
Stick around for a special announcement on the new formats coming to Work in Progress—and how they’ll help you thrive at work even faster.
You finally land a meeting to pitch your big idea—and watch faces glaze over faster than a Teams outage. Turns out the idea isn’t the problem; the delivery is.
In this episode of Work in Progress, Courtney Jennings-Hope and co-host Larone Ellison break down corporate storytelling that actually moves the room:
Hook → Context → Ask: the three-beat formula that keeps busy execs listening.
“Pre-comms”: drop links and background before the meeting so your pitch can stay crisp.
Brevity without buzzwords: why shorter sentences = bigger influence.
Stop winging it: record yourself, trim the fluff, and own the pause when nerves hit.
Listen for the real-world examples (and mishaps) that prove facts alone don’t sell—stories do. When the meeting ends, you’ll know exactly how to frame ideas, set the scene, and close the deal.
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We’re chasing six figures—but at what cost? In this episode, Larone and CJ talk through the myth and the math of landing a six-figure job: from resume rewrites and interview ghosting to career pivots and office red flags. Expect stories, strategy, and spicy commentary on capitalism, ChatGPT, and the “gladiator sport” of career progression.
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👀 Topics covered
Tap in and take notes. Your salary will thank you.
Think you’re great at group projects because you get your work done on time? That might not be the flex you think it is.
In this episode, CJ and Larone break down what really makes someone a strong team player—and why doing your part isn’t always enough. From ghosting your project tracker to hiding updates out of fear or perfectionism, they cover the small habits that quietly derail teamwork (and your reputation).
Whether you’re neurodivergent, naturally independent, or just burned out on bad collaborators, this episode gives you the real-world tools to show up better in group settings—without becoming the office doormat.
We cover:
What being a “team player” actually looks like in corporate settings
The lone wolf myth—and why it hurts your visibility
How communication styles impact collaboration
Why perfectionism can make you a bad teammate
How to give (and receive) updates without spiraling
Real-life examples of team tension—and how to fix it
Plus: CJ and Larone share their own teamwork fails, how they’ve grown, and the different approaches they take when team members don’t pull their weight.
What does accountability really mean at work—and how do you build it without burning out? In this episode, CJ and Larone explore how showing up with consistency, clarity, and self-awareness can shift how you’re seen by peers and leadership alike.
We talk through:
The difference between accountability and ownership—and why it’s not just semantics
What it means to be seen as reliable (and why it’s not about being perfect)
Why defensiveness is often a missed opportunity for growth
How to take responsibility without taking on blame that isn’t yours
The small, everyday moments that build—or break—trust at work
Whether you’re navigating feedback, managing projects, or just trying to be someone people can count on, this episode offers a thoughtful look at what accountability actually sounds like in practice.
You can write the perfect bio, ace your intro, and still walk into a room where someone already made up their mind about you.
In this episode, we talk about the tension between your personal brand — the version of you that you want people to see — and your reputation — the version they pass around when you’re not in the room.
We get honest about where we’ve fumbled, where we’ve overpromised, and how we’re learning (sometimes the hard way) that what people feel about working with you matters as much as what you can deliver.If you’ve ever thought, “Wait — is that really how I came across?”… this one’s for you.
🎧 Listen for practical tips, real-life stories, and a reminder that managing your reputation isn’t fake — it’s just another form of care.
Stuck in an endless scroll of late-night emails? Bringing your laptop on vacation “just in case”? This episode dives into work creep — the sneaky way work invades every corner of our lives and how to finally set boundaries you can stick to.
Larone and CJ unpack the toll of always being “on,” the double standards of overworking, and why burnout hits different depending on gender, culture, and capitalism.
Plus: survival tips for hybrid workers, spicy truths about performative productivity, and one big question every remote worker should ask themselves before logging back on.
🎧 Tap in for strategies, stories, and the nudge you need to reclaim your time.
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One-on-ones aren’t just check-ins—they’re one of the few moments you get your manager’s full attention.
In this mini-sode of Work in Progress, Courtney Jennings-Hope and Larone break down how to use that time to build trust, communicate clearly, and shape your reputation at work.
They explore why these meetings can feel uncomfortable, how psychological safety plays a role, and what to do when promotion paths feel vague or biased.
Whether you’re aiming for clarity, recognition, or career growth, this episode will help you turn one-on-ones into your most valuable tool for navigating corporate life.
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Learning new skills at work is hard and it’s not just about time or talent.
In this episode of Work in Progress, CJ and Larone get real about the anxiety that comes with being a beginner, the sting of feedback, and why adulting in corporate America often feels like a crash course in self-reflection.
They explore how to reframe feedback as a tool for growth, the importance of giving yourself grace, and why setting realistic expectations is the most underrated professional skill.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re “bad” at learning or taking feedback, this episode is your reminder: you’re not alone, and you’re not broken—you’re just growing.
Feeling fried at work? Struggling to keep up with emails, updates, and that never-ending to-do list? This week, we’re talking about the real reason you feel behind—it’s not your work ethic, it’s your lack of automation.
CJ and Larone get honest about burnout, brain fog, and the underrated power of a good email template. From Pomodoro timers to AI summaries, we’re sharing the small tools and mindset shifts that are helping us reclaim our time (and our peace). Whether you’re drowning in Slack messages or trying to get strategic time back on your calendar, this episode is your permission slip to automate what doesn’t need your genius.
We cover:
How to start automating (even if you feel too busy)
Our go-to tools for email, meetings, and project updates
Why creating a system is the first step to setting yourself free
How to save your future self (with one template at a time)
Let’s automate our way to clarity—and maybe a nap.
Keep up with us!
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Feeling uneasy at work? Wondering if it’s time to move on—or ride it out?
In this episode of Work in Progress, CJ and Larone break down how to recognize the signs that your job (or your entire industry) might be in trouble, and how to pivot strategically before you’re forced to.
From hiring freezes and corporate “efficiency” talk to LinkedIn presence and documenting your wins, this episode is full of real talk, practical tips, and career survival strategy—especially for folks in higher ed, government, or tech.
We cover:
The biggest red flags that layoffs may be coming
How to prep your resume before you need to
Ways to use LinkedIn without being cringey
Career pivots without going back to school
The emotional side of letting go or staying put
Whether you’re already job searching or just trying to stay ready, this conversation will help you think sharper, act faster, and protect your peace.
Keep up with us
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Why does taking time off feel like a career risk?In this episode of Work in Progress, CJ and Larone unpack the unspoken guilt around taking PTO in hustle-heavy work cultures. From burnout masked as dedication to the myth of being “indispensable,” we explore what’s really behind that vacation dread.
You’ll hear real talk on:
✨ For high performers who need permission to rest, and leaders who want to make it easier for others to do the same.
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Corporate America
02:59 The Importance of Taking PTO
05:29 Navigating Job Security and PTO Anxiety
08:22 The Myth of Being Indispensable
11:16 Creating a Supportive Work Environment
13:58 The Role of Self-Care in Professional Life
16:41 Resilience and Creativity Through Time Off
20:01 Final Thoughts on Work-Life Balance
Working hard isn’t enough. If you want to grow, you need to manage up — strategically.
In this episode of Work in Progress, CJ and Larone unpack the real mechanics of career advancement; the visibility, the relationships, and the power moves no one teaches you. Promotions aren’t about pure merit. They’re about being seen, staying top of mind, and building the right alliances.
We cover:
If you’ve ever thought, “I’m doing everything right — why am I still stuck?” this episode is your playbook.
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🎯 Keywords: career advancement, managing up, getting promoted, corporate politics, strategic visibility, remote leadership, soft skills
Ever feel like you’re doing everything right at work — hitting deadlines, going above and beyond — but somehow, it’s the louder, more visible people who get the promotions? You’re not imagining it.
Promotions aren’t about pure merit, they’re about visibility, strategy, and knowing how to manage the unspoken rules. In this episode of Work in Progress, CJ and Larone break down the real mechanics of career growth: from how bias shapes opportunity, to how self-advocacy, visibility, and quiet influence actually move the needle.
💬 If you’ve ever said:
✔ “I hate self-promotion. Why can’t my work speak for itself?”
✔ “I feel stuck, but I don’t know what to do differently.”
✔ “How do I get noticed without feeling fake?”…this episode is your playbook.
🔍 What You’ll Learn:
⏱ Chapters:
00:00 – The Myth of Meritocracy
02:48 – Identity, Bias & Career Advancement
07:56 – Advocating for Yourself Without Feeling Cringe
11:10 – Visibility, Power & Influence16:48 – Networking for People Who Hate It
23:05 – Staying Professional When You’re Over It
31:17 – Why Branding Matters (Even If You’re Leaving)
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🔑 Keywords: career growth, how to get promoted, workplace bias, meritocracy at work, self-promotion, visibility at work, personal branding, networking strategies, career advancement
Referring someone for a job sounds simple, until your name ends up tied to their performance. In this episode of Work in Progress, Larone and Courtney get into the messy middle of job referrals: when to say yes, when to say no, and how to protect your reputation without burning bridges. Whether it’s a close friend or a former colleague, navigating referrals is a leadership skill — not just a favor.
💬 If you’ve ever wondered:
✔️ “Should I refer this person or stay out of it?”
✔️ “What if they underperform — and it reflects on me?”
✔️ “How do I help people in my network without hurting myself?”…this episode is for you.
🔍 What You’ll Learn:
⏱ Chapters:
00:00 – Intro: New Beginnings
02:32 – Navigating Friendship & Professional Lines
05:50 – The Power (and Politics) of Referrals
08:42 – What the Referral Process Really Looks Like
11:35 – Why Skills Matter More Than Good Vibes
14:25 – A Lighthouse Analogy You’ll Actually Remember
17:14 – The Emotional Toll of Recommending People
23:03 – Rethinking Referrals in Job Searches
25:31 – How 2025 Hiring Trends Shift the Game
27:15 – When Referrals Go Wrong3
3:00 – Help Others Without Hurting Your Brand
💡 Bottom line? A job referral is more than a favor — it’s a brand extension. Learn how to say yes (or no) with clarity, confidence, and care.
🎧 Press play, then text this to the one person who’s always asking, “Can you refer me real quick?”🔑
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Keywords: job referrals, networking, professional reputation, how to refer someone, hiring trends 2025, job search tips, referral politics, workplace boundaries, career decisions