The Layoff Playbook: Healing, Strategy & Ownership for Career Rebirth

This week on the Power of Owning Your Career Podcast, host Simone Morris interviews Steve Jaffe—San Diego native, veteran marketer, and author of The Layoff Journey. Steve's story is a testament to resilience and reinvention, showing that setbacks can spark your greatest professional pivots. From launching his career in journalism to shaping iconic campaigns like "What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas," Steve enjoyed 25+ successful years in advertising, in-house marketing, and consulting before confronting—and thriving through—not one but four career layoffs.

In this heartfelt and practical discussion, Steve gets candid about how professionals can reclaim their power, purpose, and confidence after a job loss. He introduces his actionable "Grieve, Grow, and Go" framework, providing insights into the emotional and strategic realities of layoffs, and challenges listeners to bet on themselves—no matter how daunting the circumstances may be. Steve shares how aligning with your values and passions, adopting a learning mindset, and bravely taking risks are the keys to stepping into the driver's seat of your career, not simply riding along.

Whether you're currently navigating a layoff, worried about job security, or looking to get proactive about your career direction, this episode brings validation, encouragement, and tactical advice you can use right now. Steve also walks through the seven stages of grief and explains how understanding them can help any professional—whether laid off or not—move forward with clarity and confidence.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

• The Layoff Journey by Steve Jaffe (book)
• Steve Jaffe's website: thestevejaffe.com
• LinkedIn: Steve Jaffe
• Instagram: @thestevejaffe
• Steve's Substack blog
• Studies on the five stages of grief by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Episode Time Stamp:

00:00 "Reclaiming Power After Job Loss"

05:07 "Taking Control of My Career"

07:05 "Layoffs as Growth Opportunities"

12:02 Turning Layoffs Into Lessons

13:21 Career Proactivity and Resilience

17:45 "Let Go, Look Forward"

21:04 "Phoenix Rising: Reclaiming Yourself"

23:20 "Taking Risks for Success"

28:06 "Own Your Career Journey"

Connect & Learn More:

• Host Simone Morris: LinkedIn | Become a Guest on the Show | 52 Tips for Owning Your Career
• Steve Jaffe: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Substack

Follow & Subscribe:

• Join us on IG at @simonemorrisent for career inspiration
• Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, and visit Simone Morris Enterprises for more resources

From practical frameworks to stories of transformation, this episode will empower you to let go of shame, lean into your strengths, and write the next bold chapter of your career—wherever you're starting out.