LinkedOut

Send a textThe girlies are feeling… optimistic? Carefully. Cautiously. Against our better judgment. This week, we’ve got good news to share — but first, Syd recounts her near-miss with immigrating to the Netherlands (spoiler: she’s not going Dutch after all). What changed everything? The very real possibility of opening our own Birdie & Hale brick-and-mortar and leaning fully into entrepreneurship.We also clock the rise of millennial career crisis content (groundbreaking!), talk chasing stability in a collapsing job market, and reflect on what it means to build something of your own when corporate ladders are on fire. Hope, panic, side hustles, and cautious delusion — just another week on LinkedOut.Support the show

Send a textWe’re back, baby. First episode of the new year and we’re fresh off the holidays, multiple time zones, and one truly heroic amount of schlepping (hi New York, hi Holland). Syd returns with the ending to the interview saga you’ve been emotionally invested in — from 700 applicants to 3 finalists… and yet, somehow, still no job. Curious! We ask for answers. We receive none. What we do get: an influx of deeply unsolicited, wildly unhelpful career advice (should we simply… write a book?).Meanwhile, we’re wondering if all the hotties have abandoned white-collar work for the trades — electricians, call us — and plotting our next move. Spoiler: we’re doubling down on the side hustle, staying delusional, and teasing more chaos next week. Stay tuned.Support the show

Send a textSyd somehow survives the corporate gauntlet yet again—making it to Round 2 of a job with 700+ applicants (we’re calling it a miracle). Brit gets ghosted by a company that asked for “more examples”… of the exact examples she already sent, so she pivots to the noble profession of dog babysitting. Syd’s dad recommends she storm a steel factory and demand employment like it’s 1974. Meanwhile, the OpenAI guy goes on Fallon and casually suggests we’ll all be working in space soon (amazing, thank you, so helpful!). The girlies also celebrate a shockingly successful holiday pop-up for their kids’ clothing brand. It’s delusion, resilience, and job-market chaos per usual.Support the show

Send a textSyd humbles herself by DMing a childhood friend turned CEO for a job. We spiral about what long-term unemployment does to a person—social norms? gone. dignity? optional. We compare LinkedIn to Hotel California because you can log out any time you like, but you can never actually leave. Unfortunately, we (the podcast and our kids resell business) are also not hiring—but not because we’re exclusive, just because we’re broke. There’s a brief, virtual kumbaya moment, and then we plug another product that doesn’t sponsor us but probably should (hint: it’s green, fizzy, and may lead to Elvis-inspired munchies). Thanks for stopping by <3<3<3Support the show

Send a textThis week on LinkedOut: we’re writing back to our rejection emails (because if the bots can be unhinged, so can we). Billionaires are officially old news—make way for the trillionaires. 🙄 Also, LinkedIn’s been reading your DMs to train their AI (toggle your settings, babes).We spiral about whether flip phones are the new frontier of peace, brainstorm ways to help Brit stop doom scrolling, and try (unsuccessfully) to keep Syd awake. Basically: one of us is zen, one of us is fried, and both of us are trying to stay woke in the dumbest possible timeline.xoxo, your favorite unemployed philosophers 💅Support the show

Send a textThis week, Syd gets worked by a recruiter but never actually gets work. Brit gets rejected from Trader Joe’s (rude!) and somehow still becomes the embroidery queen. We spiral about why we’re all building our own AI prison, psychoanalyze billionaires for sport, and lightly roast capitalism—all while reminding you that in-person connections still reign supreme. Somebody please send a hero—or at least a paycheck.Support the show

Send a textWith AI coming for every white-collar job we’ve ever had, Syd and Brit consider new career paths in welding, construction, and other trades that can’t (yet) be automated. It’s women in the opposite of STEM, men on thin ice (except the ones who listen to this podcast, obviously), and a healthy dose of existential career panic. Thanks a lot, AI.Support the show

Send a textAnother pop-up, another lesson, another lint-filled pocket. Syd gets ghosted by her own kin, we’re still swinging between depression and acceptance (fun!), and maybe it’s time to cut the cord and crawl back to the cozy days of VHS and DVDs. The only streaming we're doing is our tears. Support the show

Send a textThis week, Syd and Brit get communal—talking about the highs and lows of community living, new projects keeping the vibes optimistic, and why hoarding wealth is out (but being too sexy to work is very much in). Plus: fake ads for our fake sponsors, and plenty of unhinged side quests along the way. We also mention The Gray Area podcast ("Imagine there's no billionaires") in this ep so go check it out or whatevs. Support the show

Send a textSyd relapsed—and yes, it’s exactly what you think. Between cringey LinkedIn spam, questionable vendor run-ins, and our latest side quest into embroidery, we’re learning the highs, lows, and LOLs of building a small business while still getting pulled back into the platform we swear we swore off.Support the show

Send a textFrom LinkedIn to link in bio. Syd and Brit dive into their sustainable small biz journey—running baby + kids vintage pop-ups, accidentally making a nemesis (hi, neighborhood mom 👀), learning the hard way about business partners, and scouting NYC’s best secondhand spots. It’s community, chaos, and content-creation—all in one episode. Don’t come for us! *unless you’re coming to shopSupport the show

Send a textIt’s the Season One LinkedOut finale, babe! And yes—we’re pivoting harder than a tech founder post-downturn.In this episode, Syd and Brit spill the tea on their next big move: launching a modern baby + kids boutique featuring secondhand gems and sustainably made goodies. Brit’s passion for vintage? Activated. Syd’s urge to romanticize community spaces? Unleashed. We’re embracing entrepreneurship with open arms, open minds, and maybe a tiny bit of mania.Season Two of LinkedOut will be all about building something of your own—from creative side hustles to soul-fueled small businesses. Because if the job market won’t give us purpose, we’ll make our own.Also on deck:The highs and lols of starting a biz with your bestieWhy we’re obsessed with “third places” and fighting isolation with communityA gentle reminder that creativity doesn’t always need a capitalist outcomeThe power of wasting time on purpose (shoutout Seinfeld)What we learned from putting ourselves out there this seasonAnd a teaser for Season One & Done—our reality TV recap pod you didn’t ask for, but now you can’t live withoutWe're chasing fulfillment, not burnout. Building a village, not a personal brand. And yes, we’ll miss you. But we’ll be back. Season Two is for the girlies who launch LLCs in their Notes app at midnight.Support the show

Send a textThis week, Syd has officially retired from LinkedIn and is now living her best soft-life fantasy—rebranding as a neighborhood photographer and making art, making friends, and making the golden years even golder. Meanwhile, Brit reenters the job market and hits rock bottom: she finds a listing that wants one person to be a CMO, barista, life coach, and full-stack developer… all for the pay of a fast food gig, in California, no less. Love that for us!We also spiral into:Why every Bravo-lebrity and influencer has a podcast now (but ours is actually good, thanks)A tale of a man with three jobs—just for fun, apparently?The absolute nerve of companies using AI to screen applicants and then shaming you for using AI to applyThe chaotic-but-cozy vibes of podcasting through late capitalism with high-quality audio and low tolerance for BSRetirement is cute, but the rent is still due. *sigh*Support the show

Send a textThis week on LinkedOut, we’re talking cause → effect → chaos. Syd and Brit dive into the butterfly effect of accepting lower salaries as experienced professionals—because when one of us takes a pay cut, it ripples across the whole damn industry. We also break down the internet’s reaction to new tariffs and why luxury brands are spiraling, rebranding, and possibly just screaming into the void.And of course, we’re shouting out the real MVPs: the creative community and small businesses trying to thrive while the economy plays hot potato with our livelihoods. Spoiler: we’re not anti-hustle, we’re anti-exploitation.Discover:The economic butterfly effect, explained by two girlies with WiFi and rageWhy underpricing yourself hurts everyone, not just youHow tariffs are tanking luxury brands' carefully curated identitiesThat time Brit said “luxury is a scam” and we… agreedStrategies for supporting your creative and small biz friends Support the show

Send a textThis week, Syd and Brit pack their tote bags and head to Tucson, Arizona for a real-life business trip—yes, we left our houses. We met internet friends IRL, got inspired by Actual People™, and remembered the unmatched magic of face-to-face connections. From awkward hugs to genuine career conversations, this episode is all about the unexpected value of showing up in person (and not just in the comments section).We also talk about Brit’s journey of being offline, what it’s been like stepping back from LinkedIn, and—drumroll please—an update on the job she’s been waiting to hear from for six. entire. months.Discover:Why sometimes the best networking happens over lukewarm conference coffeeThe surprising power of meeting people you’ve only ever ZoomedThe pros and cons of taking a LinkedIn break (mental clarity vs. FOMO)Job hunting purgatory: when the process takes foreverThat one person who made the whole trip worth itLessons in presence, patience, and putting on real pantsSupport the show

Send a textWelcome back to Part 2 of our interview with Ben Palmer! If you haven't already, check out Part 1 and read more about this episode there. Ben Palmer joins us to discuss his career as a "social justice troll" who uses comedy to expose corporate greed, MLM scams, and online absurdity while making people laugh.Discover:• Fighting MLMs like Herbalife and doTERRA by exposing their predatory business models• Trolling neighborhood Facebook groups and Nextdoor to reveal community absurdities• Supporting the Medieval Times workers' strike through satirical commercials• Creating fake customer service accounts to expose corporate hypocrisy• Investigating companies that exploit job seekers by stealing their "sample work"• Evolving from teenage prank calls to purposeful comedy activism• Planning future projects targeting unethical business practicesSupport the show

Send a textThis week, we’re talking to Ben Palmer, the internet’s favorite social justice troll and a comedian who’s mastered the fine art of getting corporations (and boomers) in their feelings. From fake customer service accounts to cease and desist letters, Ben shares how he uses satire, loopholes, and a little chaos to call out bad behavior online. We also dive into the dark side of comedy and content creation, what it means to stay authentic while making money, and why Medieval Times performers deserve better. Buckle up—this one’s a wild ride.Discover:The trolling masterclass you didn’t know you neededHow to make money on the internet without selling your soulThe fine print of cease and desist letters (oops)Why Medieval Times is basically the Hunger GamesHacking the system vs. straight-up fraud (yes, there’s a line)The dark side of dating apps and pyramid schemesWhy pranks are evolving—and why corporations hate itThe real struggle of making a living from comedyHow brands are exploiting creatives (and how to fight back)The delicate art of trolling with purposeSupport the show

Send a textWe’re back, and this week? Job hunting has us in a chokehold. We’re talking about that soul-crushing moment when you get a job offer… and then they snatch it back. We’ve been there, besties. It’s giving emotional whiplash. We’re unpacking our own job search chaos, listener horror stories, and why the hiring system is as broken as our will to send another cover letter. Buckle up—this one’s a ride.In This Episode:Job offers are toxic. Don’t get attached. Rejection? Not personal. But also, kinda personal. Our mental health is hanging by a thread. Meeting people IRL again? Wild concept. Freelancing = freedom. But also, anxiety. Women in STEM? Still fighting the good fight. Same job search, different year. We laugh so we don’t cry. Literally. Authenticity is our superpower. Even if it doesn’t pay the bills. Careers aren’t linear. And neither are we.Support the show

Send a textThis week we’re talking to Joe Fenti—comedian, content creator, and the guy who applied to 200 jobs on LinkedIn and got zero responses (relatable, right?). Joe ditched the corporate grind to pursue comedy full-time, and now he’s cracking jokes about insufferable bosses and the absurdity of job hunting on LinkedIn. We dive into how he balances stand-up with social media, why creative contracts make or break a brand deal, and the surprising lessons he learned after accidentally competing in a drag queen show at age 10.Discover:Drag, but make it accidental – Yes, Joe’s first stage performance was a drag show. No, he didn’t plan it.Job applications: 200. Responses: 0 – A LinkedIn nightmare that somehow turned into comedy gold.Quitting corporate to chase comedy – Because sometimes “pivoting” means running in the opposite direction.Brand deals without selling your soul – Joe’s figured out how to make partnerships easy and keep his creative freedom. Go Joe!The fine art of roasting the job market – If you can’t beat the system, at least you can make fun of it.If you’ve ever hit “Easy Apply” 50 times in one sitting or wondered how to turn rejection into a creative career, Joe’s got you covered. Plus, you’ll learn why building a comedy community is essential—and how keeping your content fresh keeps you sane.Support the show

Send a textWorkplace horror story incoming! Syd and Brit are joined by special guest Pete Langway to break down the wild saga of Ashley, a marketing employee just trying to survive corporate chaos. Between her toxic boss (hi, Eric), office crush, and viral fanfiction, Ashley’s journey takes a turn no one saw coming. We’re talking HR nightmares, workplace gossip gone wrong, and the fine line between venting and getting fired. Buckle up, besties—this one’s a rollercoaster.Discover:Marketing firm or psychological thriller? You decide. Eric is the WORST. Like, truly.Ashley writes fanfiction—and let’s just say it hits a little too close to home.When a work crush complicates things (relatable).Gossiping at work? Risky business. Just ask Jen.Read the HR policies, people. They will come for you.Creative expression = free therapy. Until it’s not.Sometimes, losing your job is the plot twist you needed.Support the show

Send a textWe found a real one, and we’re gatekeeping—just a little. We talk about finally finding a good recruiter and what that actually looks like compared to all the duds sliding into your LinkedIn comments and DMs. Okay, so this episode isn’t exactly groundbreaking, but sometimes the only things that happen during unemployment are interviews and getting dragged to a destination wedding you can extend by two extra days—because, well, no job.Discover:We’re back and we’re yappin’Surprise! Offer letters are now meaningless Some interesting advice to follow after you accept the gigNegotiations are always on the tableFinding a good recruiter is hard, don’t be jealous Confirming suspicions about dropping it down low in the comment sectionWe have some inside insightTrying to manage a realistic amount of hope during grueling interview process Get the details up frontSometimes you just gotta ask the right questionsSelfies with a cat are always an option Support the show

Send a textWe’re burning it all down… still! But today, we’re reading our first ever on air interview horror story emailed directly from new outtie Jessica. We regale you with our most recent Linkedin drama, talk about all the government layoffs and share some exciting news for LinkedOut! Let’s gooooooo!Discover:Build your brand with honesty; get your job with liesPeople are afraid of one of us (guess who?)Sometimes it pays to be the squeaky wheelPutting the system, not the people, on blast LinkedIn is the weirdest social media platform ever VHS tapes + Arnold Schwarzenegger = run Pouring one out for mass layoffs Exciting news for LinkedOut!Support the show

Send a textThe letter of the week is, apparently, L. L for losing our shit. L for taking an L on LinkedIn. L for laughing maniacally. L for lots of thoughts and feelings. Ok, you get the picture! We’re talking our shit per usual and burning it down. Buckle up, besties. Discover:New listeners in unlikely placesYappin’ for changeGoing LinkedIn viral lolJamie Dimon, the billionaire CEO of Chase, says get f*ckedRecruiters asking the wrong questionsThat one Super Bowl commercialA little advice for our employed friends New fan nickname idea…!Support the show

Send a textCan you believe it? We actually got a recruiter on the line! And tbh this episode might actually help you get a job (which we know is somewhat off brand). We’re asking Gabe the Recruiter all of our burning questions and he’s not shying away from any of them. We stan!Discover:Recruiting tears, sorry, tiers*F*ck a cover letterRecruiting is a cultIs there such a thing as a “bad” candidate?ATS! AI! SOS!#NotAllRecruitersWhy recruiters do LinkedIn cattle calls Employers fake hiring to get free work sighHelp us help you! “Ask a Recruiter” coming soon…Support the show

Send a textWe’re covering a lot of ground this week, both metaphorically and literally. The TikTok economy, AI ruminations, the lost art of subtlety, internet gems, and new hobbies – what won’t these b*tches talk about? Also, a word of advice: do as we say not as we do… or just do whatever you want and let us know how it works out. Nothing matters weeee!Discover:Our official petition to bring back MySpaceWYR: be stuck in a toxic job or be unemployed?AI don’t think we’re using this rightDigital panhandling on LinkedIn: a bleak sign of the timesOur ego deathsHow long can a company drag out hiring? FOR.EV.ER.FYI your interview projects are being stolen by the companyAliyah Jones’s LinkedIn CatfishS/O Leah VernonWe can do hard things! Get out of your comfort zone! Rule of threes!Support the show

Send a textIt’s out with the old year, in with the new... rejections? Coming to you live from our first “business” trip, we’re taking stock of what we’ve learned in 2024 and heading into 2025 with clear eyes and full hearts (begrudgingly). Discover:The interview feedback you’ll never get Why you probably shouldn’t sign that severance packageAn ode to RedditLegislators taking note of ghost jobs (finally)To rapid fire apply or not?Our new reality TV pod idea Are we journalists now?Coach Taylor vibes The symptoms of using LinkedIn Support the show

Send a textShaking things up with Garen Orr! Garen’s path from touring musician to music supervisor unfortunately included a pit stop on LinkedIn. Like so many of us, he started experimenting with it in college. And we’re taking our metaphors to new heights (possibly lows), laughing amidst the turmoil, and finding pivot inspo in unlikely places.Discover:The ick factor of self-promotion on LinkedInOnce again it’s not what you know but who Don’t lose your IP in the cattle calls Resume coaches will hoodwink you every timeIs there a thirstier platform than LinkedIn? Unequivocally no.Negotiating against yourselfMusicians will always work for free (and beer)Premium: mo’ money, less swaggy Jerry Springer, the mayor of Cincinnati!Support the show

Send a textCircling back is so last year. We’re circling forward and chipping away at the behemoth iceberg that is corporate greed, false metrics, and the impending doom of white collar employment. Fun! Is everyone else using LinkedIn to look up their exes and other random people from their pasts? No? Ok, cool. And if you’re paying for that gold badge, is it worth it? Speaking of money, we’re ready to start shilling!Discover:Fantasizing about normal life “The Rot Economy” by Ed Zitron More LinkedIn career hacks aka buy my masterclass Where have all the good recruiters gone? No but literally.Naming names, setting boundaries, and unsubscribing This week in scamming: remote work is an easy target Ghosted with two Ds for those seeking retributionKeeping coworker relationships, past and present, alive and well Our new motto: what are you bringing to the table?Ch-ch-changes in social media, our personalities, but not our employment statusesSupport the show

Send a textSyd and Brit unpack the strangest interview questions to date. And, as preliminary requirements get more and more demanding, companies are squeezing more and more free labor out of candidates to ensure they’re “right for the job.” Also the weekly job follow up on yet another rejection to realize things like, maybe don’t wait for a job and just make your own. Because jobs come and go but friends are forever, awww.Discover:Jobs asking you to pay to take a personality test? Personally I don’t want toThe weirdest job interview question everShould you lie on a mandatory personality test during an interview? Yes.Checking in with the sea of fake jobsOur weekly Reddit diveBeing type B IRL but finding your inner A for the interviewJumping off a soapbox (and then getting back on it)Two beers and a puppy + a smidge of vulnerabilitySupport the show

Send a textSyd and Brit discuss how to navigate awkward job conversations with your fam, both extended and immediate. They also get into their weekly job rejection check ins, more insights on why LinkedIn is the absolute worst, and some hard truths on the realities of unemployment. Discover:Navigating family job intrusionBending the truth so you don’t bring down the function You wanna talk finances?Are portfolio schools still a good idea?The market is as cooked as a Thanksgiving turkeyTrying really hard not to name namesWhy you should never be too open with recruitersGetting really real about home life balance while unemployed and rolling with the punchesSupport the show

Send a textSyd and Brit are still wondering how people get jobs, and are getting better at making a podcast? You tell us. No, really. Tell us. Getting deeper into why you shouldn’t show all your cards aka enter your social security number into a job application, and lamenting the days of finding a job IRL. Discover:Is TrustPilot trustworthy? Who can we trust?Brit can’t get a word in with an interviewerMore interviewing and dating parallelsObvi LinkedIn sucks it’s owned by MicrosoftWords to live by from a real housewife Another day, another job scam The internet is fully cooked, and so are weA lesson in protecting your privacy The phone lines (aka our email) is open for your storiesMore super “helpful” tipsBrit gets duped into signing up for Facebook (again)Support the show

Send a textWe’re still begrudgingly applying to jobs (well, Brit is at least) and putting on our fakest smiles for interviews. Call it field research! Looking for some hot negotiating tips? We have some really obvious ones. And whatever you do, just remember: recruiters are not your friends. Discover:A wholesome interaction with a (debatably) A-list celebA very brief history of processed food & women in the workforce To garden or not to garden?Syd gets closer to a job…but will it actually happen?People are born everyday and yet employers continue to punish birthing people #makeitmakesenseScared money don’t make money (but we’ll take whatever we can get)Why LinkedIn doesn’t even work for the people trying to hire you And why we would be the best recruiters ever Is anyone actually reading cover letters? What if it was written by a sad Victorian boy?How to avoid moving to Florida, salary ranges and more…!Support the show

Send a textSyd and Brit go a little further down the LinkedIn rabbithole when they discover just how much money LinkedIn rakes in from corporate subscriptions. LinkedIn may benefit more from you being unemployed. If you get a job, they lose your engagement. Diabolical. Discover: A cold bitch crying over the joys of motherhood Trading a dog for a pack of cigarettes LinkedIn is making billions from company subscriptions and we’re all getting screwed Getting auto-rejected for an internship when you have nearly a decade of experienceTrying to “get it up” for your bajillionth job interview Being a slut when recruiters text “you up” at last call Best and only advice we'll ever give for job interviews…. LIE LIE LIE Mr. Dogpoop is hiring but the pay is shitThe medieval nature of freelancingSupport the show

Send a textSyd and Brit dive into the weirdest jobs they’ve ever had while delving deeper into the job search, sharing some new developments on recruiters and the tactics companies use to reel in potential suckers—I mean, applicants. They uncover some unexpected stats and wrap things up on a high note.Discover: Bachelorette parties are both a job and a scam Some people think their jobs are more important than they are You’re not Tree PaineGetting into the odd jobs of it all More dunking on LinkedIn, man we really hate LinkedIn The longer you’re unemployed the shittier of a job you’ll settle for and companies are banking on itHow to turn weird fetishes into cash the easy way The unemployment stats aren’t adding up End on a high note Support the show

Send a textSyd and Brit recount their last week of hopeless job hunting. If looking for a job wasn’t bad enough, now we have ghost jobs and job scams to worry about. This podcast still won’t help you get a job but it can help you recognize ghost jobs and scam jobs. Discover: Diving headfirst into momhoodGetting our hearts broken and our dreams crushed with one single email Busting job scams wide open and how to avoid getting gotDunk on capitalism and creative directors Exploring ghost jobs, rebranding to mirage jobs Tales from unemployment r/recruitinghell RedditThe workforce hates women but despises moms Pregnant Then Screwed The joys of pivotingGood news from Waffle HouseSupport the show