A-Ay Ay Ay: Our SXSW 2026 Recap

Surviving the Layoff, Part 4: The HR Files

We did it. The final episode of our Surviving the Layoff series is here, and it's the one we've been building toward. Getting HR reps to talk to us was not easy. They take confidentiality seriously (and honestly, we respect it). We still interviewed multiple HR professionals (anonymously) across advertising, software, and direct-to-consumer product industries and compiled everything they shared into this episode. If you've ever wondered what's actually happening behind the scenes when layoffs go down, this is the episode. In this episode, Amanda and Katie cover: What's driving the current wave of layoffs and why companies are still reluctant to name AI as the reason Warning signs to watch for (and why there may be none at all) How layoff lists actually get made: the 3-6 month planning process, the legal review, and who has final say Whether you can opt in to a layoff and when it actually makes sense to raise your hand The WARN Act (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act) explained: which companies it applies to, what notice employees are owed, and how to check if your company has filed The OWBPA (Older Workers Benefit Protection Act): your review and revocation rights if you're 40+ including the 7-day window you can never waive Severance packages: what's standard, what's negotiable, and why HR reps say many people sign without reading the agreement carefully enough What happens to bonuses, equity, and unvested shares and why you have to advocate for yourself Unemployment in Texas: how it works, how it's calculated, how employers pay into it, and why your tax bill in April might surprise you COBRA and health insurance: what the transition looks like and why missing enrollment windows is a costly mistake Final advice from HR themselves: stay composed, don't post, don't burn bridges Resources mentioned: Check your state's WARN Act filings at [dol.gov [http://dol.gov]] and the layoff checklist available at lessthanexpert.com [http://lessthanexpert.com] Podcast Sponsors/Discounts: Cozy Earth — 21% off with code LTE at cozyearth.com [http://cozyearth.com] Copper North — 15% off with code LTE at coppernorth.com [http://coppernorth.com] Zivo Life — 30% off with code LTE at zivo.life [http://zivo.life] Love Indus — 21% off with code LTE at loveindus.com [http://loveindus.com] Tona Active — 16% off with code LTE at tonaactive.com [http://tonaactive.com] Akila Sunglasses — 10% off with code LTE at akila.la [http://keela.la] Mantra Matcha — 15% off with code LTE at mantramatcha.com [http://mantramatcha.com] Handful — 30% off with code LTE at handful.com [http://handful.com]

Surviving the Layoff, Part 3: A Financial Advisor Enters the Chat

What does a financial advisor actually do when you're staring down a layoff...or trying to avoid one? In this bonus episode of our Surviving the Layoff series, Katie and Amanda sit down with Tina Hoang, a Northwestern Mutual financial advisor with over a decade of experience. Spoiler: she's part financial planner, part career coach, part therapist. Honestly, we could all use a Tina. We talk through the money moves you should be making before anything goes wrong, what NOT to do the second you get that pink slip (put down the 401k, we mean it), and why Tina's approach to financial planning goes way beyond the numbers. IN THIS EPISODE: * The financial basics everyone should have in place — layoff or not * How to figure out your "safe zone" * What mistakes people make after a layoff — and the 401k move that could cost you 40% * Whether you should negotiate your severance * How to evaluate a job offer beyond just the salary number * When to reach out to a financial advisor — and how to find one you actually click with * Why Tina calls herself a "saver from yourself" * The in-service distribution rule at age 55 that most people have never heard of ABOUT TINA HOANG: Tina Hoang is a financial advisor with Northwestern Mutual based in Dallas, Texas. With over ten years of experience, she specializes in comprehensive financial planning — covering both the defensive side (insurance, risk planning) and the offensive side (wealth accumulation and investments). Before financial advising, Tina spent a decade as a personal trainer, which explains a lot about how she coaches clients through the emotional side of money. CONNECT WITH TINA: Phone/Text: 972-663-7237 Email: Tina.T.Hoang@nm,com MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: * HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit) — borrowing against your home asset * 401(k) in-service distributions at age 55 * Roth IRA vs. pre-tax vs. after-tax contributions * The "mega backdoor Roth" and why most people are confusing it with something else * Myers-Briggs and culture index assessments This episode is part of our Surviving the Layoff series. Catch up on all episodes at lessthanexpert.com [http://lessthanexpert.com]. AD PARTNERS: Use Code LTE Botox in a Tube by Love Indus: 21% OFF https://loveindus.com/discount/LTE [https://loveindus.com/discount/LTE] AKILA Sunglasses: 10% OFF https://akila.la/discount/LTE [https://akila.la/discount/LTE] Copper North: 15% OFF https://www.coppernorth.com/discount/LTE [https://www.coppernorth.com/discount/LTE] Cozy Earth Bedding: 21% OFF https://cozyearth.com/discount/LTE [https://cozyearth.com/discount/LTE] TONA Activewear: 16% OFF https://tonaactive.com/discount/LTE [https://tonaactive.com/discount/LTE] Mantra Matcha: 15% OFF https://mantramatcha.com/discount/LTE [https://mantramatcha.com/discount/LTE] Handful Sports Bra: 30% OFF https://handful.com/discount/LTE [https://handful.com/discount/LTE]

A-Ay Ay Ay: Our SXSW 2026 Recap

AI was everywhere at SXSW 2026, and honestly? A little “ay ay ay” was warranted. In this episode, Amanda and Katie break down the biggest themes from the festival, including the rise of AI in branding, creativity, work, accessibility, healthcare, and infrastructure. From Amy Webb’s now-iconic funeral for the annual trend report to powerful conversations about the hidden environmental cost of data centers, this year’s SXSW made one thing clear: the future is moving faster than most of us are ready for. The good news? Not every takeaway was bleak. We also found real examples of AI being used to make products better, experiences more inclusive, and creative work more human. In this episode, we cover: * Why AI was the dominant theme at SXSW 2026 * Amy Webb’s warning about the “unlimited workforce” * How AI is changing creativity, branding, and real-time marketing * The overlooked environmental cost of AI and data centers * Why accessibility and empathy need to be part of the tech conversation * The SXSW highs, lows, and weird logistical quirks Bottom line: AI is here. The bigger question is what kind of world we’re building around it. Read the companion articles: A-Ay Ay Ay and The Future of Health Is Connected: Skin, Brain, Microbiome on LessThanExpert.com [http://LessThanExpert.com] Panels mentioned in this episode: * Better Leadership Starts with Understanding the Stressed Brain * Featured Session: Amy Webb Launches 2026 Emerging Tech Trend Report * The Next Digital Wave Excludes Millions. Let’s Fix it. * Dirty Data: The Hidden Climate Cost of Our Digital Lives * Why Will AI Make Brands Feel More Human and Not Less Discounts & Ad Partners: Promo Code LTE * Zivolife - Superfood! 30% OFF https://zivo.life/discount/LTE [https://zivo.life/discount/LTE] * Love Indus - 21% OFF https://loveindus.com/discount/LTE [https://loveindus.com/discount/LTE] * AKILA - Sunglasses, eyewear - 10% OFF https://akila.la/discount/LTE [https://akila.la/discount/LTE] * Copper North - Silk pillowcases - 15% OFF https://www.coppernorth.com/discount/LTE [https://www.coppernorth.com/discount/LTE] * Cozy Earth - Bamboo sheets, pajamas, & more - 21% OFF https://cozyearth.com/discount/LTE [https://cozyearth.com/discount/LTE] * TONA Activewear - Athleisure - 16% OFF https://tonaactive.com/discount/LTE [https://tonaactive.com/discount/LTE] * Mantra Matcha: Japanese Matcha - 15% OFF https://mantramatcha.com/discount/LTE [https://mantramatcha.com/discount/LTE] * Handful - Sports Bras - 30% OFF https://handful.com/discount/LTE [https://handful.com/discount/LTE]

Surviving the Layoff, Part 2: Strategizing the Cut

Last week we talked about the emotional side of layoffs. This week? We’re talking strategy. In Part 2 of our Layoff Survival Series, Katie and Amanda break down some of the latest layoff stats in corporate America, and get very honest about what’s happening inside our own jobs. Then Amanda walks through exactly what she’s doing to prepare — financially, professionally, and mentally — in case the worst happens. We also go down a small but important rabbit hole: Is AI replacing us… or repositioning us? If you’ve ever thought, “Am I behind?” or “How do I prepare without spiraling?” This episode is for you. No doom or panic. Just practical moves. What We Cover * Quick recap of Part 1 of the Layoff Series * Recent layoff trends in corporate America * What we’re seeing inside our own roles * Amanda’s real-life preparation strategy: * Emergency fund upgrades * Resume refresh + quiet networking * Skill stacking * Income diversification * Mental reframing * The AI sidebar: * Is AI eliminating jobs? * Who is actually most at risk? * How to future-proof your skill set * Why doing nothing is the riskiest move of all Visit lessthanexpert.com [http://lessthanexpert.com] for more tactical steps and tips! Discounts & Ad Partners: Zivolife - Exclusive patented superfood! Get 30% OFF | Promo Code: LTE https://zivo.life/discount/LTE [https://zivo.life/discount/LTE] Botox in a Tube - by Love Indus - Freedom of Expression: Erase your lines! Get 21% OFF | Promo Code: LTE https://loveindus.com/discount/LTE [https://loveindus.com/discount/LTE] AKILA - Sunglasses, eyewear Get 10% OFF | Promo Code: LTE https://akila.la/discount/LTE [https://akila.la/discount/LTE] Copper North - Silk pillowcases w/copper for skin/hair Get 15% OFF | Promo Code: LTE https://www.coppernorth.com/discount/LTE [https://www.coppernorth.com/discount/LTE] Cozy Earth - Luxurious bamboo sheets, pajamas, & more Get 21% OFF | Promo Code: LTE https://cozyearth.com/discount/LTE [https://cozyearth.com/discount/LTE] TONA Activewear - Designer Gym Leggings Get 16% OFF | Promo Code: LTE https://tonaactive.com/discount/LTE [https://tonaactive.com/discount/LTE] Mantra Matcha: Blends With Benefits - Premium Japanese Matcha Get 15% OFF | Promo Code: LTE https://mantramatcha.com/discount/LTE [https://mantramatcha.com/discount/LTE] Handful - All Day Flattering Sports Bra Get 30% OFF | Promo Code: LTE https://handful.com/discount/LTE [https://handful.com/discount/LTE]

Surviving the Layoff, Part 1: The Personal Story

Surviving the Layoff, Part 1: The Personal Story In Part 1 of our Surviving the Layoff series, we sit down with writer and career coach Allison McNearney to talk about what really happens after you hear, “We regret to inform you…” Allison was laid off in 2024 — and while the experience was destabilizing, it was also clarifying. In this episode, we talk about: * The emotional whiplash of being laid off * How job loss impacts identity and self-worth * The financial fear that follows * What surprised her most about the process - including financial and healthcare watchouts * How she reframed the experience * The lessons she now shares with clients * What resilience actually looks like in real life Whether you’ve been laid off, fear you might be, or want to support someone who has, this conversation is for you. About Our Guest Allison McNearney is a writer, editor, and creative mindset coach. She has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing for publications including The New York Times, The Daily Beast, and National Geographic. After experiencing a layoff herself in 2024, she brings first-hand experience to conversations about career pivots, identity, and rebuilding. In her coaching work, Allison helps writers, artists, and entrepreneurs discover their purpose and passion, move from stuck to creatively fulfilled, and tell more powerful stories. You can contact her at allison.mcnearney@gmail.com [allison.mcnearney@gmail.com] or on her website: allisonmcnearney.com [http://allisonmcnearney.com]. Ad Partners - use code LTE ZivoLife — 30% OFF https://zivo.life/discount/LTE [https://zivo.life/discount/LTE] Love Indus – 21% OFF https://loveindus.com/discount/LTE [https://loveindus.com/discount/LTE] AKILA Eyewear — 10% OFF https://akila.la/discount/LTE [https://akila.la/discount/LTE] Copper North — 15% OFF https://www.coppernorth.com/discount/LTE [https://www.coppernorth.com/discount/LTE] Cozy Earth — 41% OFF https://cozyearth.com/discount/LTE [https://cozyearth.com/discount/LTE] TONA Activewear — 16% OFF https://tonaactive.com/discount/LTE [https://tonaactive.com/discount/LTE] Mantra Matcha — 15% OFF https://mantramatcha.com/discount/LTE [https://mantramatcha.com/discount/LTE] Handful — 30% OFF https://handful.com/discount/LTE [https://handful.com/discount/LTE] Podcast Resources * Unemployment Resources: https://www.usa.gov/unemployment-benefits [https://www.usa.gov/unemployment-benefits] * ATX Gastroenterologist: https://tddctx.com/lilah-mansour/ [https://tddctx.com/lilah-mansour/]