In this Between the Seasons episode of Why Does It Feel So Wrong to Be Human at Work?, hosts Pinaki Kathiari and Chris Lee are joined by Executive Producer Bree Bartos to try a new format: reading and reacting to real Reddit posts about work.

The episode centers on a Reddit story from an IT professional who was laid off and then asked to train their replacement. As the conversation unfolds, Pinaki, Chris, and Bree dig into the emotional weight of layoffs, including anger, grief, humiliation, and the sense of being discarded after years of contribution.

Bree brings her own recent layoff experience into the discussion, reflecting on how raw these moments can feel and how difficult it is to separate identity from work when income, stability, and self-worth are suddenly disrupted. Together, they examine why layoffs often feel personal, even when organizations insist they are not.

The conversation also turns toward leadership and organizations. What responsibility do companies have once someone is laid off? How can layoffs be handled with more empathy and care? And what does it look like to offboard people in ways that acknowledge both the business reality and the human impact?

In this episode, they discuss:

• Why layoffs are emotionally disruptive and often traumatic
• Being asked to train your replacement after being laid off
• Power, choice, and negotiation during offboarding
• Why “not taking it personally” is unrealistic in moments like this
• The emotional gap between organizational decisions and employee experience
• What more compassionate layoff and offboarding practices could look like

This episode offers an honest look at a reality many people are facing right now and a reminder that how organizations handle endings leaves a lasting impression.

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to Between the Seasons

00:40 – Introducing the Reddit reaction format

01:10 – Reading the layoff and replacement training story

02:20 – Emotional reactions to the post

03:45 – Power and negotiation after a layoff

05:15 – Bree reflects on her own layoff experience

07:30 – Why layoffs feel personal and humiliating

09:40 – Leadership blind spots during layoffs

11:30 – Rethinking offboarding and support

13:30 – What more human leadership could look like

14:50 – Closing reflections

Connect with Us

Pinaki Kathiari – LinkedIn | Local Wisdom

Chris Lee – LinkedIn | Gallagher Communication

Bree Bartos – LinkedIn | Local Wisdom

Special thanks to digital communication agency Local Wisdom (www.localwisdom.com) for really believing in our mission and making this podcast possible.

If this episode made you think differently, laugh, or even yell out loud, we want to hear about it! Connect with us on LinkedIn, and don’t forget to rate, review, and share – maybe with your work bestie… or even your boss if you're feeling bold.

We also bring these important conversations to conferences and private workshops, creating space for real, meaningful change. Take the first step at www.whydoesitfeelsowrong.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This Between the Seasons episode marks the start of a new chapter for Why Does It Feel So Wrong to Be Human at Work?

Hosts Pinaki Kathiari and Chris Lee introduce Bree Bartos, the new Executive Producer and Editor of Human at Work and Marketing Manager at Local Wisdom. Before diving into Bree’s story, Pinaki and Chris share what listeners can expect from these new, weekly Between the Seasons episodes.

Bree then opens up about her path into marketing and storytelling, her experience being laid off alongside her husband, and the shock of losing not just a job, but a sense of identity. Together, they reflect on burnout, rest, and why so many of us tie our worth to our work.

In this episode, they discuss:

• Why Between the Seasons exists and what listeners can expect
• The value of unscripted, honest conversations
• What it feels like to be laid off without closure
• How work can quietly become identity
• The importance of rest, reflection, and reconnecting with yourself
• Why staying human at work starts with empathy
• It’s a grounding, vulnerable start to Between the Seasons and a reminder that behind every role, title, and podcast is a human first.

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to Between the Seasons

01:00 – Why this new format exists

02:30 – Introducing Bree and her role behind the pod

04:10 – Bree’s path into storytelling and marketing

07:40 – Being laid off and losing a sense of identity

11:30 – Burnout, rest, and redefining self-worth

13:00 – What’s coming next for Between the Seasons

Stay Human, Stay Curious

What part of this conversation resonated with you?

Have you ever tied your identity to your job more than you realized?

Share the episode, tag us, rate and review, or send it to someone who might need this reminder right now.

Connect with Us

Pinaki Kathiari – LinkedIn | Local Wisdom

Chris Lee – LinkedIn | Gallagher Communication

Bree Bartos – LinkedIn | Local Wisdom

Special thanks to digital communication agency Local Wisdom (www.localwisdom.com) for really believing in our mission and making this podcast possible.

If this episode made you think differently, laugh, or even yell out loud, we want to hear about it! Connect with us on LinkedIn, and don’t forget to rate, review, and share – maybe with your work bestie… or even your boss if you're feeling bold.

We also bring these important conversations to conferences and private workshops, creating space for real, meaningful change. Take the first step at www.whydoesitfeelsowrong.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We might be between seasons… but we still have lots to say 🤭

Introducing Between the Seasons – a new, weekly series featuring shorter episodes, honest reactions, and real, unscripted conversations.

🚨 Episode 1 drops next week! Tune in on Thursday, Jan. 15 on your podcast app of choice or on YouTube where you'll finally we able to watch along 🎉

📺 YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gmqaU9Ea
🍎 Apple Podcast: https://lnkd.in/g8nMsp_k
🟢 Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gig4-d2h
✨ Everywhere else: https://lnkd.in/e633AD2q

Connect with Us

Pinaki Kathiari – LinkedIn | Local Wisdom

Chris Lee – LinkedIn | Gallagher Communication

Bree Bartos – LinkedIn | Local Wisdom

Special thanks to digital communication agency Local Wisdom (www.localwisdom.com) for really believing in our mission and making this podcast possible.

If this episode made you think differently, laugh, or even yell out loud, we want to hear about it! Connect with us on LinkedIn, and don’t forget to rate, review, and share – maybe with your work bestie… or even your boss if you're feeling bold.

We also bring these important conversations to conferences and private workshops, creating space for real, meaningful change. Take the first step at www.whydoesitfeelsowrong.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.