"I Lost My Title, Then I Found Myself" — Geoff Curtis on Surviving Career Identity Loss

After nearly 30 years building a powerhouse career in communications — including serving as a Chief Communications Officer — Geoff Curtis lost the professional identity that had defined much of his life when his role became redundant following an acquisition. In this candid conversation, Geoff joins host Bola Alabi to unpack what he calls "professional identity purgatory": the uncomfortable, disorienting space between who you were and who you're becoming after burnout, career disruption, or major life transition. Together they explore why high achievers often struggle most after layoffs, the hidden emotional cost of hustle culture, how success can mask insecurity, and why rushing into your next job title can actually delay real healing. Geoff is the author of Embracing Your Own Purgatory, and he's not speaking from the "I've got it all figured out" side of the story — he's speaking from inside the uncertainty itself. If you've ever felt lost when work stopped defining you, this episode is your permission slip to slow down and rebuild on your own terms. Practical, honest, and packed with strategies you can use starting today.