Embracing Change and Reinvention: How Getting Laid Off Inspired The Shift Show

Why I’m Creating The Shift Show—And Why It Matters

I was raised in a traditional American household. My father had two jobs, the first he retired from early and then he went back to work for his second before retiring for the final time. My mother was very entrepreneurial but focused on raising my brother and me. I was taught to work hard, for a great company, and to push through the hard parts and conflict to build partnerships with your colleagues. “Dukes don’t move” was a theme that I was taught, meaning if you were quality talent, worthy of leadership and investment, you grow in your company.   

Over the past year, I’ve found myself at a career crossroads. I built a successful career at a company that I loved, with a good team that I cared about—leading global talent transformation, pioneering AI-driven hiring strategies, and helping companies navigate change—A pretty good life but still areas that I wanted to change or grow in new ways. Unfortunately, I was positioned for a layoff due to a reorganization and I could either lean into the change and plan my exit or change the kind of work I want to do for an internal redeploy. I decided to lean into the change. Why? Because I wanted experiences that I couldn't get by staying safe and I was comfortable with the competitiveness of my skillset on the market. Layoffs aren’t just about losing a job. They force you to ask: What now? 

I’m lucky because I was at the table with the reorganization and I could see the shift happening. I had time to unpack my feelings about risk, growth, security, potential and opportunity. I took a writing workshop from Sarah Allen Short that was incredibly helpful and it really got me out of my comfort zone to try writing, which is NOT my mode of expression. I had some real self-discovery out of the process. The most impactful being that for me, growth and learning is more important than security, and I embraced change and reinvention. I am lucky that my husband was on board with taking on risk for our family based on the potential for my career.

I’ve been feeling a pull to share what I’ve been learning about the "future of work" through content creation since 2023 but didn’t have the energy and bandwidth to learn this giant ecosystem of social media, artificial intelligence, the tech market and its myriad of tools, not to mention the audio/visual equipment needed to produce content. Now that I have more free time, I’m on a mission to get this all built with sustainable workflows so that I can continue this when I start my new job. This “gift of time” has been an incredible opportunity for me to get recentered and refocused on purpose. I know that I am on the right path and this is the right time. It’s been a real privilege to lean into growth for my family and to make a bigger impact for others.

It was a little scary not knowing where things will go with my own job (and I'll talk more about that in future blogs) but, this isn’t my first career shift. I’ve pivoted industries, redefined my expertise, and I’m working on “de-programming” some of the old-school mindset, figuring out how to stay relevant in a world that never stops changing. I also have an expanded purpose. This time, I am not just navigating it for myself. I am doing it for my son, Sam, so that I can teach him the new roles of work. I am doing it to share with you, so that we can all get out of the reactive mode and into strategic planning.

I started The Shift Show not just because I needed to figure this out, but because I could uniquely help others embrace change.

The Privilege (and Responsibility) of Seeing What’s Ahead

For years, I’ve studied the future of work but now I’m leaning into it more intentionally. I’ve sat inside HR and talent strategy discussions; I’ve built the systems; and I have learned so much doing it. I’ve seen how AI, automation, and evolving workforce dynamics are reshaping careers—and I’ve also seen how unprepared many professionals feel for what’s coming.

I don’t think companies are doing enough to prepare their workforces—not because they don’t care, but because they themselves are still grappling with the sheer magnitude of change. This shift isn’t just about AI agents or automation. It’s about how work itself is being fundamentally redefined.

As an HR professional, I believe we have a responsibility to help our teams and workforces see what’s ahead, not just react to change after it happens. We have to make sense of the uncertainty, provide guidance, and help people build careers that can thrive—even when the landscape keeps shifting under their feet.

That’s why The Shift Show exists.

Infographic of the "Why" of The Shift Show

Making the Future of Work Understandable (and Actionable)

We’re in the middle of a work revolution. AI is reshaping industries, automation is eliminating roles, and the old career playbook—go to school, get a job, stay in your lane—is obsolete. But there are not enough roadmaps for everyday professionals on how to proactively adapt.

This podcast isn’t about fear-mongering. It’s not about hyping up trends without practical applications. It’s about equipping you with the knowledge and tools to navigate what’s next.

Through solo episodes and expert interviews, I’ll help break down:

• What’s actually happening in the workforce—and what it means for you

• The skills that will future-proof your career

• How to pivot, upskill, and build a career that thrives in uncertainty

• Why companies are struggling to keep up—and how to take control of your own path

• How to balance career growth with life, family, and well-being (still not getting this right)

• What I am learning as I go—so you can learn, too

This Isn’t Just a Podcast—It’s a Call to Action

I didn’t start The Shift Show because I had all the answers. I started it because I understand the problem and I want to help people find solutions. I want to build something that helps people—not just with career transitions, but with building lives that work in this new world. I want to prepare Sam for a future where opportunity isn’t tied to a single degree or career path, and where adaptability is the most valuable skill of all. And I want to create a space where professionals can get ahead of the curve instead of being blindsided by it.

If you’ve ever thought:

·       I’m working so hard but why don’t they see it for my next promotion?

·       How do I stay relevant when AI is changing everything?

·       What skills actually matter now?

·       How do I make career moves that align with my life, not just my job?

Then The Shift Show is for you!

Let’s Navigate This Together

I don’t believe in reacting to change—I believe in preparing for it. And I know that by learning, adapting, and sharing insights, we can not only survive these shifts but use them to build something better.

So, whether you're pivoting careers, figuring out how to integrate AI into your work, or just trying to make sense of all the noise—The Shift Show is here for you.

I hope you’ll tune in. I hope you’ll learn with me. And I hope, together, we’ll create a future where work works for us—not the other way around.

Subscribe to The Shift Show on your favorite podcast platform. Let’s get shift done!