Laid Off? Here’s What to Do First

Worried You’re Next? How to Stay Ready After a Layoff Round

Layoffs happened and you’re still here. Now what? It’s an awkward place to be. You’re relieved… but also anxious, maybe even a little guilty? This week’s Work in Progress episode is for the ones left behind. We’re talking survivor’s guilt, role security, and how to prep for what’s next without burning out. Learn how to: * Interpret the why behind your company’s layoffs * Quietly recession-proof your resume, finances, and strategy * Turn this moment of fear into future leverage

Laid Off? Here’s What to Do First

Layoffs are everywhere right now—from Big Tech to companies you thought were rock solid. And even if it hasn’t hit you yet, it could. If you’ve been laid off and you’re not sure what to do next, you’re not alone. In this episode of Work in Progress, we walk through three steps to help you get back on your feet—from navigating the emotional fallout, to getting your finances in order, to finding momentum again.

The Hidden Cost of Being the Only Woman on the Team

What happens when you speak up about harassment—and the team goes silent? In this episode, guest host Elsie Rodriguez joins CJ to talk about what it’s really like to be the only woman in a male-dominated workplace. From second-guessing yourself to being punished for standing up, this is the conversation that too many women are having quietly. We’re saying it out loud. Connect with us on social! Instagram: workinprogressthepodcast [https://www.instagram.com/workinprogressthepodcast/?hl=en#] Threads: workinprogressthepodcast [https://www.instagram.com/workinprogressthepodcast/?hl=en#] Connect with Elsie and Nothing But Love on Spotify, Apple or over on Instagram: nothingbutlov3_ [https://www.instagram.com/nothingbutlov3_/?hl=en#]

Career Boosting Hobbies | Skill Stacking for Corporate

Hobbies can super-charge your career. Guest co-host Yvonne Pearson joins CJ to show how museums, concerts and content creation translate into real corporate skills—discipline, delegation and data-driven marketing included. How can museum hopping, concert stalking, and content creation make you a sharper operator at work? In this episode of Work in Progress, guest co-host Yvonne Pearson (Coffee With Yvonne / Pink Dollhouse Marketing) joins CJ to unpack the hidden career ROI of their favorite “side-quests.” From podcasting workflows that streamline delegation to SZA’s pop-up lip-gloss launch that nails experiential marketing, we draw a straight line between play and professional payoff. We cover: * Why hobbies build transferable skills—discipline, project management, creative resilience—and how to talk about them in performance reviews. * The art-museum cheat code: using gallery walks to spark campaign ideas and inclusive storytelling. * Concerts as masterclasses in brand experience (feat. Kendrick Lamar & SZA’s vegan beauty drop). * Leveraging AI tools (ChatGPT, Riverside “magic clips”) to automate busywork and protect creative energy. * Practical pushback tactics: discovery calls, marketing briefs, and killing misaligned “fun” ideas before they burn budget.  Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your shows, and hit follow for sharp takes on thriving inside corporate walls.

Networking with Coworkers: The Practical Guide

Flying solo, CJ Jennings-Hope unpacks why carefully-crafted relationships—not oversharing—fast-track your promotions. She introduces the Cup-of-Sugar Rule for knowing when a coworker bond is strong enough to swap favors, then shares a two-topic conversation hack that lets even introverts build strategic visibility without spilling their life story. Stick around for a special announcement on the new formats coming to Work in Progress—and how they’ll help you thrive at work even faster.