The Unemployment Diaries

Florence Acosta spent years building herself around her credentials of nurse anesthetist and executive director of a surgical center. On the weekends? She was doing work she loved but never fully committed to: facilitating women's circles. Then she had a stroke. And overnight, the career, the title, the independence — all of it — was gone.What followed was two years of sweats, silence, and grief she didn't know how to name. That is until her son moved 1,231 miles away and something in her finally shifted.In this episode, we talk about:What it actually looks like to rebuild in small, almost invisible stepsWhy driving alone for the first time in three years felt like getting her freedom backHow writing became the way she finally found her voice — and why those two things took decades to connectGrieving a version of yourself you're not sure you're ready to let go ofThe power of writing to heal yourself and others How a Raggedy Ann doll taught her it wasn't safe to ask for what she wanted, and how she’s building that safety todayThis one is quiet, honest, and particularly important for anyone who has ever faced a setback that took more than they expected.Chapters00:00 Welcome, Florence Acosta01:23 Life after the stroke05:45 Navigating grief and recovery08:00 Finding independence after a stroke09:38 Help, grief and signs of recovery13:08 Writing on Substack15:51 Not taking independence for granted16:53 Appreciating the past18:12 Are you happy?19:51 Facing challenges20:33 Finding a voice through writingWhere to find FlorenceBECOMING YOU with Florence Acosta on SubstackFor more from The Unemployment DiariesStay up to date on InstagramGo behind the scenes on SubstackWatch on YouTube

What happens when the career you built becomes the thing that breaks you down?Yannick Kpodar spent fifteen years in front-row seats at some of Europe and San Francisco’s fastest-growing companies — LinkedIn, PayFit, and a unicorn valued at $2.2 billion. He raised hundreds of millions as an operator and by every external measure, he was winning.Then, in the span of 6-12 months, he lost his job, his marriage, and his identity. What followed wasn't a pivot. It was an ego death. In this episode, Yannick shares his story and:Why hypergrowth has a dark side and how it spreads through an organizationWhat identity collapse actually feels like The beliefs that shattered and how he rebuilt What happens when you wear a mask for too longWhat conscious leadership looks like in the age of AIThe one piece of advice he gives every founder before their next moveWhy he now vets who gets into his community — and what disqualifies you immediatelyChapters00:00 Introducing: Yannick Kpodar01:10 The journey to identity collapse07:44 The dark side of hypergrowth15:17 Experiencing ego death19:34 Rebuilding with a new perspective26:31 The cost of wearing a mask30:26 Reconnecting with creativity and intuition34:22 Balancing structure with flexibility38:03 Conscious leadership in the age of AI42:03 The importance of identity for founders46:40 How to avoid re-masking51:40 New ventures and learning pathsWhere to find YannickInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/yannickkpodar/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yannickkpodarLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yannickkpodar/ Website: https://www.full-stack-ceo.com/ & ⁠https://www.aventracapital.com/⁠YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@YannickKpodarFor more from The Unemployment DiariesStay up to date on InstagramGo behind the scenes on SubstackWatch on YouTube

What if the worst thing that ever happened to you turned out to be the making of you?Patrick grew up knowing exactly who he was going to be. His grandfather's photo above the fireplace. His dad's. A blank third frame he promised himself he'd fill. He applied to just one school (The Citadel), joined the Marine Corps, and became a platoon commander leading 40 Marines. He was living his calling.Then, five days into his second deployment, a bullet tore through his body and the only life he ever wanted. He was 26, paralyzed from the waist down, and told he'd never walk again.Fourteen surgeries, two years at Walter Reed, and a collapsed identity later – he found a reframe that is almost hard to believe: getting shot is going to be the best thing that ever happened to me.In this episode, Patrick shares his story and:The blank photo frame that shaped his entire identity and what happened when that identity was taken awayWhat emotional contagion taught him about leadership under the worst conditionsHow he broke a two-year recovery into milestones small enough to survive, and why a 48-minute mile matteredHow he battled imposter syndrome at Harvard and WhartonWhy he left management consultingHow he went from a paralysis diagnosis to Team USA captain at the Invictus Games, a bronze medal, and training for the ParalympicsWhat resilience actually is — and why helping someone else is the fastest way to shorten your own sufferingWelcome to The Unemployment Diaries, Patrick Nugent. Chapters00:00 Welcome, Patrick Nugent00:46 The journey07:30 The power of mindset and belief09:49 Facing the diagnosis11:15 Breaking down the recovery18:54 The lowest point29:42 The reframe: Getting shot was the best thing32:57 The journey to the Invictus Games36:55 Imposter syndrome in business school40:26 Strategies for resilience and avoiding burnout45:48 The power of helping others in healingWhere to find PatrickLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nugentpatrick/Website: https://www.patrickdnugent.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pdnuge/Substack: https://nugentnotes.substack.com/For more from The Unemployment DiariesStay up to date on InstagramGo behind the scenes on SubstackWatch on YouTube

What if the thing that changed your life wasn't supposed to be your life at all?Maya stumbled into a Brazilian Jiu-jitsu class at 16 thinking it was kickboxing. She then started a business at 19 with $2,000 and kept it secret for two years. Recently, she took it to Shark Tank and walked away with $300,000. But this episode isn't really about any of that. It's about what it takes to bet on yourself and then to keep investing no matter which direction you decide to walk in.In this episode, Maya and I discuss:Why women on the mat changes everythingWhat jiu-jitsu teaches you about failure, humility, and showing upHow betrayal can be an incredible teacherThe two-pen journaling practice that gives her perspective on everythingWhy she's project-agnostic and why that might be the most important mindset of allWhat 80-year-old Maya thinks about all of itWelcome to The Unemployment Diaries, Maya Nazareth. Chapters00:00 Introducing: Maya Nazareth01:02 Starting Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ)06:04 The transformative power of jiu-jitsu11:57 Finding calmness, peace and humility14:28 From 2k at 19 to Shark Tank success21:37 Tools for resilience and overcoming challenges26:38 Navigating life and business on social media29:41 The next chapter32:52 Embracing change and new identities36:42 How to shift perspectives41:02 The power of self-control and acceptance44:09 Advice to a younger selfWhere to find Mayahttps://www.instagram.com/maya.nazareth/https://alchemizefightwear.com/For more from The Unemployment DiariesStay up to date on InstagramGo behind the scenes on SubstackWatch on YouTube

What if you already know what you need to but you just won't do it?Jacob Templer went from law school to state attorney to elephant conservation to tech sales to travel content creator. Any one of those would have been a solid career. None of them were the right life. Now he helps people figure out the difference before they waste any more time. In this episode, Jacob and I discuss:Why being good at something isn’t a reason to keep doing itHow to build a life you actually want Why most people never take action What travel taught him about the difference between a life you love and content about a life you loveHow AI is becoming a thinking inhibitor that's way more dangerous than social media Why mass education may be producing people who don't know how to think What it means to curate your environment, inputs, and influences Churchill's two-sentence framework for the only decision that actually mattersChapters00:00 Meet Jacob Templer01:07 Travel and self-discovery03:28 Defining a dream career05:16 A non-linear career path11:31 Passion isn't enough14:54 Lifestyle vs. career choices17:16 The benefits of having a coach21:18 The downsides of mass education24:41 The case for homeschooling27:05 Parental responsibility and self-awareness28:38 The dark side of tech30:51 Navigating the future: skills for uncertainty34:37 The role of virtue and agency37:46 Living with courage and truth40:40 The challenge of taking action46:30 Embracing fear and taking risksWhere to find [email protected] For more from The Unemployment DiariesStay up to date on InstagramGo behind the scenes on SubstackWatch on YouTube

What if the life you always wanted had no map, no guarantee, and no way back?Linda Jackson spent decades in tech sales and marketing, working for startups and surviving volatile bosses. Then she sailed out under the Golden Gate Bridge (just two weeks after 9/11) on a 34-foot sailboat with her husband and a one-year plan that turned into a lifetime.Today they live full-time aboard their sailboat in Fiji where she runs a consulting business from the middle of the Pacific Ocean (for now). No house. No car. No safety net. She's been doing this since before Starlink, before Zoom, before anyone called it remote work.And somewhere along the way, she discovered that the most important parts of her life had nothing to do with work at all.In this episode, Linda shares her story and:Why she walked away from employee life and what finally pushed her over the edgeWhat being truly "unemployable" actually looks like in practice — and what it costs youThe loneliness and isolation nobody talks about when they romanticize life off the gridWhy flexibility isn't just a nice-to-have — it's the only way this life worksHow she found creativity through art and writing, and why it changed everythingHow she almost turned her Substack into a job she didn't wantWhat 150 rejection letters taught her about doing creative work on your own termsThe drowning iguana in Mexico that changed her outlook and became a bookWhy "nothing's forever" is the most liberating business strategy she knowsChapters00:00 Introducing Linda Jackson00:37 How the OG digital nomad earned her title05:30 The journey to becoming unemployable10:29 Subconsciously designing a life you love11:17 Embracing flexibility and imperfection14:29 The downsides to being a digital nomad17:15 Navigating financial trade-offs19:59 You don't need to monetize everything22:54 Rediscovering joy in writing28:28 Small acts of kindness, big impact31:22 Being willing to course correct32:13 Navigating life as a crew of 235:29 Trusting your captain (or boss)37:06 Advice to start working for yourselfWhere to find LindaSubstackLinkedInWebsiteVerde’s Very Lucky DayFor more from The Unemployment DiariesStay up to date on InstagramGo behind the scenes on SubstackWatch on YouTube

What if the trait you've been hiding is actually your greatest asset?Mohamed Fadel spent years behind a computer screen, finding community, purpose, and progression in online gaming. Then, at only 24, he became the Global President of AIESEC, the world's largest youth-led organization, leading 40,000 young people across 120 countries. As a self-proclaimed 97% introvert.He didn't change who he was to get there. He just realized introversion was never the obstacle. It was the edge.In this episode, Mohamed shares his story and:How gaming taught him the three things every human needs — and how he found them IRLWhy introversion isn't a limitation, it's a superpower What empathy actually looks like in leadership The real reason entrepreneurship isn't freedom and what keeps you going anywayWhy the world glorifies the loudest voice in the room The two pieces of advice he'd give his younger selfChapters00:00 Introducing: Mohamed Fadel00:40 Why podcasting is great for introverts04:08 The benefits of gaming (and experience)10:13 Who can be a leader11:24 The qualities of a good leader15:21 Work and home life are not separate17:55 The impact of being laid off20:10 The importance of thinking outside the box21:59 The reality of leading yourself as an entrepreneur24:10 What determines success25:23 The discipline of self-leadership26:41 The power of being an introvert33:04 Advice for a younger MohamedWhere to find Mohamedhttps://mohamedfadel.com/On SubstackFor more from The Unemployment DiariesStay up to date on InstagramGo behind the scenes on SubstackWatch on YouTube

What if the question "so, what do you do?" is the wrong question entirely?Charlie Rogers never had a conventional answer because he never took the conventional path. He built and closed businesses, represented Great Britain in triathlon, and spent the last decade figuring out how to live beyond labels. Now he's written the field guide for everyone else who's ever felt too much for one box.In this episode, Charlie shares his story and:Why "what do you do?" asks you to delete parts of yourself How to strip away inherited assumptions about how life "should" look and rebuild from zeroWhy the echo chambers we live in keep us smaller than we need to beThe Purpose Acropolis framework and how to find your golden threadWhy focused experts earn twice as much as generalists — and how Undefinables can have it both waysThe advice he'd give anyone who has more interests than they know what to do withChapters00:00 Meet Charlie Rogers00:49 So, what do you do?03:51 Charlie's unconventional background08:18 How do you know it's time to move on?09:22 What is a golden thread?12:55 We're not one thing forever13:34 Can you be an expert with many interests?17:39 When life goes out of balance19:58 How constraints shape your future22:36 How to shift your mindset24:21 Is it growing pains or just pain?31:38 From "good enough" to "great"35:41 Advice for younger CharlieWhere to find Charliehttps://www.undefinablelifedesign.com/SubstackBuy the book on AmazonFor more from The Unemployment DiariesStay up to date on InstagramGo behind the scenes on SubstackWatch on YouTube

A layoff. A house under construction. A trip to London. And the realization that the life he wanted was within reach. These moments pushed Tim Akapo to trade a 20-year supply chain career for an espresso machine — and build one of Westchester's most beloved community spaces, Ludy Café, from the ground up. In this episode, Tim shares:How he went from laid off to running a business generating over half a million in revenueThe priority order that keeps his marriage, family, and business all thrivingThe values he inherited from his parents and carries into everything he doesWhy faith is the foundation of his unshakeable confidenceHow investing in your community always pays back dividendsWhat he'd tell his sons and anyone thinking about making a leap of their ownIf you're in the middle of a career transition or thinking about starting something of your own, you're going to want to hear this one.Welcome… to The Unemployment Diaries.Chapters00:00 Meet Tim Akapo01:03 From corporate to coffee04:06 Balancing family and business05:21 The importance of good communication07:02 Prioritizing your home life09:04 Putting your partner first09:36 On giving back to the community13:46 The ripple effect of connection15:46 Why Tim has no regrets17:44 The power of having faith19:00 How to expand the business sustainably21:38 You can't do it all alone22:40 Where to begin if you want to start a business24:10 Tim's advice to his boys: Don't be afraid26:47 From pissed off to half a million in revenue32:28 When customers become communityVisit Ludy Caféhttps://ludycafe.com/https://www.instagram.com/ludycafeFor more from The Unemployment DiariesStay up to date on InstagramGo behind the scenes on SubstackWatch on YouTubeDisclaimer: Just to be clear, this podcast is still not sponsored by Nike. Yet…

Motherhood. A global pandemic. And the realization that the career she had pursued for so long no longer fit.These major life shifts prompted  Sofía Paredes Chaux to leave the United Nations and step into a new chapter — one centered on helping others reconnect with themselves. In this episode, Sofía shares:Her journey from the UN to becoming a life coachA way to avoid repeating the same emotional and behavioral cyclesHow to tune into your intuitionWhy awareness is the foundation of all changeHow to navigate challenging relationship dynamicsWhere to start if you want to take aligned, values-driven actionWelcome… to The Unemployment Diaries.Chapters00:00 Introducing Sofía Paredes-Chaux00:36 From international development to self-development05:33 Starting my coaching business07:50 Differentiating between discomfort and danger09:11 How to listen to your intuition10:36 The role of the nervous system in decision making14:15 Creating honest relationships with yourself and others17:06 Transforming relationship dynamics21:20 Why patterns repeat themselves22:55 Being yourself without convincing others25:16 Being self-aware while still being human28:25 Embracing who you're being right now30:57 Starting the journey of self-discovery34:16 Reprogramming relationship dynamics35:10 A piece of advice: Everything is fineWhere to find Sofíahttps://www.sofiaparedeschaux.com/InstagramLinkedInFor more from The Unemployment DiariesStay up to date on InstagramGo behind the scenes on SubstackWatch on YouTube

Whether you’re building a company, navigating a career pivot, dreaming up your next big idea, or just trying to understand the insane pace of technological change, this conversation might change how you think about innovation, creativity, and what’s coming next.Today, we sit down with Chris Kalaboukis — a futurist, technologist, and philosopher known for his work at the intersection of tech foresight and product development. He has advised global corporations on emerging technologies, shaped long-term innovation strategies, and holds hundreds of patents across the internet, fintech, and social networking worlds. You’re going to learn:The common innovation traps that keep teams and leaders stuckWhy companies need a Chief Philosophy OfficerHow AI is shaping the future of workThe cultural mindset shift required to monetize creative workWhy it’s easier than ever to start making contentThe simple practice Chris uses to get started and stay consistentChapters00:00 Where Stark Trek meets purpose 04:48 Why it's important to safeguard ethics at work08:39 The great reconfiguration of purpose11:33 Substack: A platform for the creator economy13:22 When to let AI take your job & what to do next15:04 The rise of the creators19:04 The value of digital content21:17 How to start creating28:32 Leveraging technology for content creation29:32 Managing content creation while working32:06 The democratization of content creation35:31 Chris' advice on the miracle of creationAnd just in case the joke didn’t land, this episode is not sponsored by Nike. That said: Nike, if you’re listening… we are available. Just do it. (Or at least just DM us.)Where to find Chris:thinkfutureNomads50+For more from The Unemployment Diaries:Stay up to date on InstagramGo behind the scenes on SubstackWatch on YouTube