Agile Unemployment: Normalizing the Way We Talk About Being Out of Work

Reviewing the Forecast: How My 2025 Predictions Met Reality

Episode Overview
In this end-of-year episode, Sabina Sulat goes back to the predictions she made at the close of 2024 and holds them up against the reality of 2025. Rather than offering hot takes or new speculation, this episode is a thoughtful review of what held up, what shifted, and what none of us fully anticipated.
From federal layoffs and prolonged job searches to AI, hybrid work, and the growing strain on social safety nets like SNAP, Medicaid, and Medicare, this episode explores what the job market actually felt like—and what both job seekers and workplaces need to do differently heading into 2026.
This is an episode about accountability, systems, and learning in public.
Key Sections & Talking Points
🔹 The State of Unemployment Now
Why unemployment numbers don’t reflect lived experience
Longer job searches and fewer confident job moves
Declining quits as a signal of uncertainty, not complacency
The emotional and cognitive toll of prolonged waiting
Key takeaway:The market didn’t collapse—but it quietly tightened.
🔹 2025 Stories That Shaped the Job Market
Federal hiring freezes and layoffs—and the ripple effects into contractors, nonprofits, and regulated industries
The stress placed on workers navigating unemployment alongside stricter SNAP work requirements
Ongoing challenges accessing Medicaid and Medicare during job transitions
Why instability in the safety net directly impacts job-search outcomes
Key takeaway:Unemployment is never just about work—it’s about stability, dignity, and bandwidth.
🔹 Reviewing the 2025 Predictions
Hybrid Work
Became common, but often poorly designed
Returned to offices without rethinking how work actually happens
AI & Automation
Adoption accelerated rapidly
Productivity expectations rose faster than reskilling or guardrails
Skills-Based Hiring
Talked about widely
Implemented inconsistently, especially in ATS-driven hiring
Portfolio Careers
Increased, often out of necessity
Stability replaced passion as the primary motivator
Well-Being at Work
Language expanded
Integration lagged behind lived reality
Tech-Driven Job Search
AI reshaped resumes and sourcing
Blockchain credentialing largely failed to materialize
Global Talent
Expanded unevenly due to legal and compliance barriers
IP Ownership
Conversation grew
Policy change remained slow
Key takeaway:The direction of change was right. The pace—and accountability—were not.
Action Items for People Out of Work
Stop using labor headlines as self-assessment
Measure progress by traction, not timelines
Build visible proof of skills (portfolios, projects, case studies)
Use AI as a support tool, not a substitute for thinking
Treat all work—contract, freelance, exploratory—as legitimate
Protect your energy, mental health, and sense of agency
What Workplaces Must Do Differently in 2026
Shorten and clarify recruiting processes
Hire for actual skills and capability—not wish lists
Design the employee engagement cycle as one continuous experience
Make offboarding humane and dignified
Run stay and exit interviews through neutral third parties and act on the data
Key takeaway:Data without action is theater.
Closing Reflection
2025 didn’t break work.It tested it.
Reviewing the forecast isn’t about being right—it’s about learning, adjusting, and doing better.

Renaissance: Believing in Yourself Finding Your Confidence Again in a Season That Asks Us to Believe in Magic

Episode: Renaissance: Believing in Yourself — Finding Your Confidence Again in a Season That Asks Us to Believe in MagicPodcast: Agile Unemployment with Sabina SulatRuntime: 30 minutes
Episode Summary
At a holiday party filled with toy cars and twinkling lights, a six-year-old girl announced with perfect confidence:
“I’m going to be really good at racing.”
Her certainty sparked a question that stayed with me for weeks:
When did we stop believing in ourselves?
In this season that asks us to believe in wonder, possibility, and magic, it’s worth asking why so many adults lose the ability to believe in their own potential.
This episode is about the quiet erosion of self-belief — and its rebirth.
Through storytelling, reflection, and a deeply personal moment I’ve never shared publicly, we explore where belief goes, why it slips away so gradually, and how to bring it back before we step into a new year.
If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your confidence, your ambition, or your sense of identity, this episode is your invitation to rediscover yourself.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
🌟 1. The holiday moment that inspired this conversation
A child’s certainty meets an adult’s cynicism — and reveals something about all of us.
🌟 2. How self-belief erodes slowly over time
Workplaces, culture, and expectations quietly reshape how we see ourselves.
🌟 3. Why unemployment often becomes a renaissance
How losing a job removes external definitions and forces you to meet your true self again.
🌟 4. My own reckoning with lost self-belief
The moment I looked in the mirror and didn’t recognize myself — and how that became the beginning of everything I do now.
🌟 5. A framework for rebuilding belief from the inside out
The Accomplishment InventoryThe Want ListThe Daily DeclarationWhy these practices work — and how to start today.
🌟 6. A holiday invitation to reconnect with your younger self
Because this season isn’t only about believing in magic — it’s about believing in you.
Key Quotes From the Episode
“Belief doesn’t disappear — it erodes, quietly, over time.”
“Unemployment doesn’t define you. It reveals you.”
“Your seven-year-old self wasn’t naïve — she was telling the truth about who you could be.”
“This is the season of believing in magic. Let some of that belief return to yourself.”
Your Holiday Assignment
This week, give yourself the gift of belief:
✨ Find a childhood photo✨ Write a letter from that child to your current self✨ Name a professional goal that scares you✨ Declare it aloud — because what you speak, you begin to believe
If You Feel Lost Right Now
You are not broken.You are becoming.
The person who used to believe without hesitation is still inside you — waiting.
This is your renaissance.This is your season of return.
Connect With Sabina
Website: ReWorking.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sabinasulat
Podcast: Agile Unemployment
Programs: C2C — College to Career
Books: Agile Unemployment and more coming soon
If This Episode Moved You
Please share it with someone who needs a reminder that belief isn’t lost — it’s buried.And this season is the perfect time to let it shine. 

Replaceable: Why AI Is, and You’re Not

The AI fear is real—but it’s not the full story.
In this episode, Sabina breaks down the growing anxiety around artificial intelligence and job security. Spoiler: AI might take over some tasks, but it can’t replace you. Not your judgment. Not your empathy. Not your leadership. Not your humanity.
Whether you're in tech, healthcare, customer service, or logistics—this conversation will help you understand how to future-proof your career without losing your identity.
What You’ll Learn:
Why AI is powerful—but ultimately predictable
How to identify the human advantage in any job
Why emotional intelligence, adaptability, and decision-making are your greatest career insurance
What to do if your job feels mechanical—but your impact is anything but
How to partner with AI, not panic over it
Key Quote:
“AI is a cover band. It can play the hits. But it doesn’t create new music. It doesn’t feel the notes. You do.”
This Episode Is For You If:
You're afraid of being replaced by automation
You’ve lost a job and are wondering what comes next
You work in a technical role and want to stay relevant
You’re tired of hearing doom-and-gloom AI headlines
Call to Action:
👉 Listen. Reflect. Share.Then ask yourself: Where do I add value no bot could replace?
🎧 Available now on all platforms.🔗 [Insert podcast link here]
#AgileUnemployment #AI #Replaceable #FutureOfWork #HumanSkills 
#AIisACoverBand

Resisting the Resume Robot: AI Is a Tool, Not a Replacement

🎙️ Resisting the Resume Robot: AI Is a Tool, Not a Replacement
 
📝 Episode Description:
In a world of instant resumes and algorithmic screening, it’s easy to let AI take the wheel. But at what cost?
In this episode, I revisit one of my most requested topics: how to use AI in your job search without losing your voice, value, or visibility.
We dive into:
What’s changed in AI job search tools since 2024
Why “AI is a cover band”—and why you’re the headliner
The 5-step model for using AI as an assistant, not a crutch
Real examples from clients who broke through the algorithmic silence
What hiring teams still want—and how to make sure they see you
Whether you’re applying cold, refining your resume, or wondering why the bots ghosted you—this episode is your roadmap.
🎧 Key Quotes:
“AI is a cover band. You’re the headliner.”
“The ATS is a filter. Not a judge of your value.”
“Use AI to assist, not to replace your voice.”
“You are not a prompt. You are the original.”
📣 
Listen now and learn how to reclaim your job search in the age of automation.Then tag a friend who needs to hear this—because no one should let a bot decide their worth.
🔖
#JobSearch2025 #AIinHiring #ResumeTips #ATS #CareerDevelopment #ChatGPTforCareers #JobSearchStrategy #FutureOfWork #AIandCareers #ReclaimYourCareer #HumanOverAI #CareerClarity #AgileUnemployment
 

Restoring SNAP: Why We Must Stop the Madness Around SNAP and Take Politics Out of It

What happens when the safety net fails?
In this episode, host Sabina Sulat breaks down the unfolding SNAP crisis — how the government shutdown threatens to halt food assistance for more than 41 million Americans, including furloughed federal workers.
Sabina shares her own vulnerable story of relying on SNAP when she was unemployed, explaining how food stability restored not just her health and finances but her self-worth.
She also debunks common myths about SNAP, reveals its surprising role as an economic driver, and offers practical ways listeners can take action — from volunteering locally to contacting their representatives.
This isn’t a political conversation. It’s a human one.Because food isn’t a privilege — it’s the foundation that lets us rebuild.
🕓 Timestamps
00:00 – 02:30 | IntroductionSabina introduces the SNAP crisis, the USDA’s funding pause, and why food stability matters to everyone.
02:30 – 06:30 | What SNAP Is & How It WorksExplanation of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), how it operates through state systems, and who it serves.
06:30 – 09:30 | Furloughed Workers & the Shutdown ImpactHow federal employees caught in the shutdown are facing immediate hardship — and why applying for SNAP is both necessary and legitimate.
09:30 – 15:00 | Sabina’s Personal StoryA vulnerable reflection: growing up around program abuse, swearing never to take aid, and the transformative experience of receiving SNAP while unemployed.How it changed her emotionally, physically, and professionally.
15:00 – 19:00 | Myths vs. Facts: The Economics of SNAP✔️ Myth: SNAP drains taxpayer money✔️ Fact: Every $1 in SNAP = $1.50 in local economic growth (USDA ERS, 2019)✔️ Myth: It’s for people who don’t work✔️ Fact: Most recipients do work or are between jobs
Sabina reframes SNAP as economic infrastructure, not charity.
19:00 – 25:00 | How to Help (and Why It Matters)Practical, compassionate steps:
Invite someone over for dinner
Give grocery gift cards or cash
Volunteer or donate at local food banks
Join Sabina at Bread and Butter Kitchen in Annapolis for Furlough Fridays supporting affected workers
Remember small acts — even an Instacart delivery can restore hope
25:00 – 29:00 | Civic Action: What We Can Do TogetherContact your members of Congress and state representatives.Push for immediate release of SNAP funds.Food insecurity is a human issue — not a partisan one.
29:00 – 30:00 | ClosingA reflection on community, dignity, and responsibility:
“SNAP doesn’t just feed people; it feeds our economy, our neighborhoods, and our shared humanity.”
🧾 Key Takeaways
SNAP is not just a social program — it’s an economic engine that benefits everyone.
When benefits pause, the ripple effects hit local stores, schools, and jobs.
Asking for help is strength, not shame.
Helping others can be as simple as sharing a meal or a grocery card.
Real change happens when we move from empathy to action.
🧠 Resources Mentioned
USDA Economic Research Service: SNAP’s Economic Multiplier Effect
Reuters: USDA Will Not Use Emergency Funds for November SNAP Benefits
Bread and Butter Kitchen – Furlough Fridays: [Website / Instagram link if available]
Feeding America Food Bank Finder: https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank
Contact Congress: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
💬 Call to Action
If this episode resonated with you:
Share it with someone who’s furloughed or struggling.
Post about it — use #AgileUnemployment and share your story of resilience.
Take one action this week: help a neighbor, donate food, or call your representative.
Because hunger doesn’t wait for politics.And when we feed each other, we strengthen the whole nation.

Rescues Will Take Hours: A Podcast for Federal Workers Ready to Take Control of What Comes Next

Episode Details
A hard-hitting, honest conversation for federal workers facing furloughs, layoffs, and career uncertainty—and anyone waiting for a rescue that needs to start with themselves.
This weekend, a park ranger's safety warning became an unexpected metaphor: "Rescues will take hours." It's where so many of us are right now—waiting for someone else to fix what's broken, to recognize our value, to restore what was taken.
But what if the rescue you're waiting for is coming from the least likely source? What if it's already here, and it starts with you?
In this episode, we separate federal employees from federal bureaucracy, honor the mission-driven work that often goes unseen, and provide three actionable steps you can take right now to move from "on hold" to "in motion."
Your rescue is coming. It starts now. And the sooner you prepare, the quicker it will be.
Key Topics Covered
The Reality Check [3:00 - 7:30]
Why federal employees are NOT the federal bureaucracy
The story of Grayson, the park ranger who turned a stamp into a ceremony
Understanding what gets lost when mission-driven people are furloughed
Your value doesn't diminish because someone failed to recognize it
The Trap of Waiting [7:30 - 12:00]
Why waiting for rescue keeps you stuck the longest
The difference between hope and wishful thinking
How passivity in crisis becomes a choice to let circumstances control you
Understanding that rescues might take hours—or might never come
The Illusion of Dependence [12:00 - 16:30]
The lie we've all been sold: your career depends on other people's decisions
Why we look externally for validation instead of internally for clarity
The truth about transferable skills, powerful networks, and portable value
Shifting from external validation to internal clarity
What You Can Do Right Now [16:30 - 21:30]
1. Reclaim Your Sense of Agency
Reframe from "this happened TO me" to "I get to decide what comes next"
Start with micro-moments of control
Rebuild your sense of power through small, consistent decisions
2. Build Internal Clarity Before External Certainty
Why applying everywhere immediately keeps you stuck
Questions to ask yourself before you start your search
How clarity becomes magnetic for the right opportunities
3. Shift From "On Hold" to "In Motion"
Understanding that your career is not paused
Ways to stay in motion: learning, consulting, freelancing, building
Why the strongest negotiating position is when you're already moving
The Truth About Loyalty [21:30 - 25:00]
Processing the betrayal of broken reciprocal loyalty
Understanding that your loyalty was to the mission, not the organization
Why your dedication is portable and goes with you
How your loyalty built you into who you are today
You Are The Rescue [25:00 - 30:00]
Why rescue IS coming—from the least likely source: you
Your rescue starts now, not when conditions are perfect
The sooner you prepare, the quicker your rescue arrives
How every action you take compounds and accelerates your progress
Understanding that you've always had the power to navigate difficult terrain
Quotable Moments
"Federal employees are not the federal bureaucracy. You are mission-driven, dedicated human beings who show up every day to do work that matters."
"Your value does not diminish because someone else failed to recognize it."
"The people who wait for rescue are the ones who suffer the longest. Not because they're weak, but because waiting is passive."
"You are not dependent on a single employer, a single job title, or a single career trajectory that someone else designed for you. You never were."
"Your loyalty was never misplaced. It was just misaddressed. You weren't loyal to an organization. You were loyal to a mission."
"Your rescue will come from the least likely source—You. The person you've been conditioned to believe needs saving."
"The sooner it starts, the sooner you prepare, the quicker it will be."
"Rescues may take hours. But you don't need one. You never did."
Action Steps for Listeners
Immediate Actions (Today)
Make one small decision and follow through on it
Reach out to one person in your network (not to ask for anything, just to reconnect)
Spend 30 minutes learning something new or working on a project you've put off
This Week
Write down what you actually loved about your work (the work itself, not the job)
Identify 3-5 skills you have that you've been underutilizing
List what you would do differently if you could design your next chapter yourself
This Month
Start one project that puts you "in motion" (consulting, freelancing, volunteering, creating)
Have conversations with 5 people about what they do and what opportunities they're seeing
Build something that demonstrates your value independent of your previous role
Resources Mentioned
Shenandoah National Park - Where the "rescues will take hours" message originated
Junior Ranger Program - Example of mission-driven work that creates lasting impact
Who This Episode Is For
Federal workers who have been furloughed or laid off
Government employees facing career uncertainty
Anyone who feels stuck waiting for external circumstances to change
Professionals who have tied their identity to their job title or employer
People who are loyal, mission-driven, and feel betrayed by broken systems
Anyone who needs permission to rescue themselves
About This Podcast
This episode is part of a series exploring career transitions, professional identity, and the power of taking control of your narrative when systems fail you.
Host: Sabina SulatRuntime: 30 minutesRelease Date: 10/21/25
Connect & Share
If this episode resonated with you:
Share it with someone who needs to hear this message
Leave a review to help other federal workers find it
Tag us on social media with your takeaways using #RescuesWillTakeHours
Need support with your career transition? Visit reworkingworks.com or Sabina Sulat | LinkedIn for resources, coaching, and community.
Disclaimer
This podcast is for informational and motivational purposes. It is not a substitute for professional career counseling, financial advice, or mental health support. If you're struggling, please reach out to qualified professionals who can provide personalized guidance.

Rewritten: How Agile Unemployment Became a Global Lifeline

In this special anniversary episode, host Sabina Sulat reflects on four years since the launch of Agile Unemployment. What began as a deeply personal book has grown into a global movement, trusted by organizations, labor departments, and job seekers across 70+ countries.
But this isn’t just a celebration—it’s a candid look at the raw, real, and often unexpected journey of turning lived experience into lasting impact.
Sabina shares:
The truth behind writing Agile Unemployment—and the moment her editor asked, “Do you want to sound like a victim?”
How a stranger’s InMail became the sign she needed to keep going
Why being trolled online was actually a turning point
What job seekers really need beyond tips and tactics
Three core lessons that apply to anyone navigating uncertainty
What’s next: group coaching, a second edition, and a new way to lead this movement forward
Whether you're out of work, building something new, or in between seasons—this episode is for you.
Join the Anniversary Community Call on Sept 18 at 1PM ET – a free, safe space to reflect, connect, and be reminded: you're not alone. 
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82012438145?pwd=zgNUXaKJ6MEW8kbR4jmPmbB1bK70wv.1

Remodeling Work: Why the Old Model No Longer Fits And What To Do About It

 
“Work isn’t broken. It’s the lens we’ve been taught to use that’s cracked. When you rethink work as a partnership instead of punishment, you reclaim your power.”
Resources & Next Steps:
📖 Book: Agile Unemployment by Sabina Sulat
📖 Book Mentioned: Human First, Leader Second by Massimo Backus
✍️ Read more: Substack article → Why Work Feels Broken (and How to Rethink It)
📅 Join the Conversation: Agile Unemployment Community Call — Sept 18 @ 1PM ET: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82012438145?pwd=zgNUXaKJ6MEW8kbR4jmPmbB1bK70wv.1
If this episode resonated with you:
Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode.
Share it with a friend who needs to hear they are not broken.
Comment or message Sabina with your thoughts: Is work broken — or is it time we rethink how we see it?

Recapping the Summer of '25 and What it Means for Your Unemployment

In this episode, we unpack the perfect storm of fear hitting today’s job seekers—from federal layoffs and tax reform to AI disruption and confusing labor reports.
But here’s the truth: chaos doesn’t mean “stop.” It means listen differently.
You’ll learn how to:
Turn overwhelming news into job search feedback
Use AI anxiety as a spark for upskilling, not shutdown
Shift industries without starting over
Stay strategic when it feels like everything’s changing at once
Because when the world feels out of control, you can still control your strategy.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Why panic-parsing the news sabotages smart decisions
A simple question to reframe your reaction to scary headlines
The #1 mindset shift job seekers need right now
Practical pivots you can make this week to future-proof your career
🎧 Listen If You’re:
Tired of feeling reactive in your job search
Unsure what AI or federal layoffs really mean for your path
Ready to feel calm, informed, and in control again

Reclaim Your Weekend Turning Sunday Scaries into Strategy Sessions

Episode Summary
Transform your Sunday anxiety into your biggest career advantage. Learn why that familiar Sunday afternoon dread isn't your weakness—it's your secret weapon for strategic job searching.
Key Takeaways
The Sunday Scaries Decoded
Inventory Anxiety: Your brain tallying job search "failures"
Future Spiral: Catastrophic thinking about career prospects
Productivity Shame: The voice saying you should be doing more
Truth: These feelings mean you care, not that you're failing
Why Sunday Is Your Career Superpower
Sunday = Strategic thinking vs. Monday-Friday reactive mode
Space for big picture planning instead of tactical responses
Time to build relationships and identify opportunities
Most job searchers waste Sunday or avoid it entirely
The 20-Minute Sunday Reset System
Minutes 1-7: Strategic Relationship Move
Reach out to one person for genuine reconnection
Focus on THEM, not your job search needs
Research their recent work/achievements first
Quality connection over quantity applications
Minutes 8-14: Competitive Advantage Upgrade
One specific improvement to your toolkit
Options: Resume bullet point, LinkedIn headline, interview practice
Small improvements compound over time
Action dissolves anxiety
Minutes 15-20: Strategic Application
Quality over quantity - one thoughtful application
Research the company and hiring manager
Customize for their specific needs
Strategic beats generic every time
Success Stories Featured
Sarah: Marketing director who turned Sunday anxiety into systematic strategy
Marcus: Used "Sunday Strategy Sessions" to land 3 interviews in 4 weeks
Rachel: HR director who went from 8-month struggle to dream job in 6 weeks
David: Software engineer who shifted from victim to creator identity
Identity Transformation
From "Victim Identity" → "Creator Identity"
From reactive job searching → proactive opportunity creation
From helpless anxiety → strategic action
Sunday Scaries become your career fuel, not your prison
Action Items for Listeners
This Sunday: Set 20-minute timer and complete the reset system
Every Sunday: Repeat the process consistently
Identity shift: See yourself as opportunity creator, not victim
Boundary: When timer ends, job search is done for the day
Notable Quotes
"The Sunday Scaries aren't your enemy. They're your wake-up call."
"Sunday is strategy day. Monday through Friday is reaction day."
"Your career isn't something that happens to you. It's something you create."
"Twenty minutes of strategic action beats twenty hours of anxiety every time."
Resources Mentioned
Sunday Strategy Sessions framework
LinkedIn optimization strategies
Strategic networking approach
Cover letter customization techniques
Episode Duration
30 minutes
Target Audience
Active job searchers experiencing Sunday anxiety
Career changers feeling overwhelmed by the process
Professionals wanting to be more strategic about career moves
Anyone who dreads Sunday evenings due to work/career stress
Next Steps
Implement the 20-minute Sunday reset system immediately. Don't wait for next week or until you feel "ready." Your career transformation starts with your next 20 minutes of strategic action.