After experiencing 126 Days of unemployment after an unexpected lay off, Shannon Weatherly began to document what she learned and lived as a result of losing her job.  Many said, "You should turn this into a book", but instead....it's a podcast.  In this episode, Shannon details her experience of unemployment, lessons learned, and sets the stage for what's to come with the launch of 126 Days:  Stories on Life & Work. 

In this episode, you'll hear Shannon talk about how 126 days of unemployment solidified her understanding of how privilege plays into what people experience during hard times.  She details specific events where she was challenged and her eyes opened to seeing what unemployment could teach her about herself, but mostly about those who are less resourced.  Realizing so many have a story about unemployment, underemployment, workplace trauma and challenges faced in workplaces, Shannon launched her podcast, 126 Days:  Stories on Life & Work. 

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In this episode, Shannon talks with her current boss, Zaidoon Al-Zubaidy, about her reemergence from the "pink dungeon" and where she is today in terms of life & work.  Zaidoon also details his own story of life & work from being born in Iraq, growing up in England and eventually starting his own company in the pharmaceutical industry.  Zaidoon is quite the storyteller even detailing the time his own mother faced Saddam Hussein.

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In this episode, Shannon talks to a former co-worker, Alli,  who worked in the same place that laid her off.  The conversation leads to discussion of workplace trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, and how both were affected and remain affected by the experience of Shannon's 126 days of unemployment

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The day Shannon started her 126 days of unemployment, her second phone call was to her best friend, Mary.  In this episode, Shannon and Mary discuss the day it all started, how Shannon copes with stress and her recovery from the experience of job loss.

Additionally, we discuss Mary's long career with the same company, highlights of how she has experienced life & work and how "abnormal" it is for people to remain at the same place of employment long-term....unless you're Mary.

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Episode 5 features THE Molly Barker, Founder of Girls on the Run International, The Red Boot Way, and a thousand other things.  Molly talks about childhood trauma, her search for safe places, her own recovery and where she is today.  A recap is provided of the founding of Girls on the Run International and our own project with the Twin Oaks Rehousing Project.  Molly is amazing and wild and has THE best stories of how life & work intermingly, mix and mash up.

TRIGGER WARNING:  THIS EPISODE INCLUDES DISCUSSION OF SUICIDE, UNEXPECTED DEATH, MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES & OTHER SENSITIVE ISSUES.  PLEASE LISTEN WITH CAUTION.  If you need assistance, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.  

Shannon's middle school friend, Jonathan Ewart is still living his dream.  Despite experiencing some of the most traumatic life events a person can face, Jonathan has never given up on living into his highest potential.  His life has certainly been difficult, but Jonathan continues to work toward his own level of greatness.  

In this episode, Shannon & Jonathan talk about the highs and serious lows of Jonathan's life.  They also discuss his career and life choices after losing multiple family members to suicide & unexpected death.  Jonathan starred as Kenny's hairdresser in HBO's Eastbound & Down.  Prior to that, he was featured in "The Foot Fist Way", Jodi Hill's first movie filmed in our hometown, Concord, North Carolina.  He can be seen in Budweiser's Bud Seltzer commercials, as well as NC Lottery and a recent one for Harrah's Cherokee Casino.  

It will be easy to find inspiration in this episode to keep on keeping on even in the hardest dances of life because Jonathan is proof you can get through anything.

In episode 7, Shannon talks to James (Jim) Copple, Founder of many things with the most recent being SAI, LLC.   Strategic Applications International is home to numerous projects (find them at sai-dc.com) ranging from community policing to water projects across the US and in Africa.  

In this episode, Shannon and Jim talk about Jim's career path which was basically spent creating jobs for Shannon to do 25 years later.  Shannon and Jim talked about their crossing of paths over many years spent in Washington, DC.  

Jim hosts a podcast, The Legacy Project, found on all major podcast platforms, where he focuses on legacy, the one we inherit and the one we can create.

In episode 8, Shannon interviews Carrie Blum about her winding road of life and work where she has experienced tough employment, the twists and turns of interviewing, but never being chosen, but she still persists today trying to find her right spot in the work world.

If  you're looking for your next coaching, marketing, social media and sales team member, hit Carrie up on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/carriemblum/.