Tesla Termination & Time Zone Etiquette

What happens when you get fired by Elon Musk? For Billy Samoa, it wasn’t the end… It was the beginning.  In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, host Maya Kadar Kovalsky chats with Billy Samoa Saleebey, founder and CEO of Podify, a media company that powers podcast production and promotion. Together, they explore how even the most jaw-dropping workplace experiences can become the spark for reinvention. Billy shares the story of how his career took a sharp turn when he was let go as Tesla’s global head of training—only to find that losing a job doesn’t mean losing yourself. Packed with humor, heart, and hard-won wisdom, this episode is a reminder that even the weirdest work moments can spark major growth—if you’re willing to lean into the discomfort. Key Takeaways Being laid off doesn’t have to define you; it can be a launchpad for new opportunities. Embracing “rookie smarts” and creative approaches to training can catapult your career. Feedback is a gift—creating a culture of open feedback strengthens team performance. Empathy is key when juggling global teams and time zones. When giving feedback, focus on what you want to contribute rather than what you’re missing. Trust your gut in interviews. If something feels off, it probably is. In This Episode: [00:00] Introduction to Billy Samoa Saleebey [02:22] Billy's career journey   [06:07] Lessons from early career mistakes   [09:22] The power of feedback   [11:14] Billy’s weirdest workplace moment [21:39] Listener Question #1 [29:17] Listener Question #2  [36:29] Cringeworthy Question [43:57] Final thoughts and takeaways Notable Quotes [00:04:37] "So many people take it personally when you're laid off... when in all reality, there are a lot of factors that go into how that decision is made." — Billy  [00:05:44] "I believe in radical transparency across life. I just think that the more you are open in general, good things happen." — Billy [00:08:18] "I didn't try to follow a particular script. I let the experience lead the path." — Billy  [00:10:32] "Feedback is a gift. It helps you refine what you're doing, make you better at what you do, tells you what you're doing right." — Billy  Resources and Links Mentioned Books Rookie Smarts: Why Learning Beats Knowing in the New Game of Work by Liz Wiseman - https://www.amazon.com/Rookie-Smarts-Learning-Beats-Knowing/dp/006232263X Your Brain at Work: Strategies for Overcoming Distraction, Regaining Focus, and Working Smarter All Day Long by David Rock - https://www.amazon.com/Your-Brain-Work-Strategies-Distraction/dp/0061771295 Audacious: How Humans Win in an AI Marketing World by Mark Schaefer - https://www.amazon.com/Audacious-How-Humans-Marketing-World/dp/B0DSHRN3PC The Gift of Fear: And Other Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence by Gavin de Becker - https://www.amazon.com/Gift-Fear-Survival-Signals-Violence/dp/0440226198 Billy Samoa Saleebey Podify Website - https://podify.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/billysamoa Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/billysamoa/?hl=en Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BillySamoaSaleebey/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/BillySamoa Maya Kadar Kovalsky Website - https://www.mayakadar.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayakadar/ Workplace Weirdness Email: [email protected] SpeakPipe - http://speakpipe.com/workplaceweirdness Website - http://workplace-weirdness.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/workplaceweirdpod/ Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is intended for entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as professional, legal, or workplace-specific advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their individual situations.