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Career Pivots

Career Pivots

By: Your next chapter deserves intention
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Summary
 Career Pivots is where career disruption becomes your competitive advantage. Every month, host Serena Forde sits down with professionals who've successfully reinvented their careers not by luck, but by strategy. They share the real story: the missteps, the breakthroughs, and the decisions that made the difference. Whether you're facing an unexpected layoff, feeling stuck in a role that no longer fits, or ready to chase something bigger, this podcast gives you the playbook. Real transitions. Real tactics. Real results. Because your next chapter deserves intention

serenaforde.substack.comSerena Forde Career Success Economics Leadership Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • 2½ Years Unemployed: How to Keep Going When the Job Search Won’t End

    2½ Years Unemployed: How to Keep Going When the Job Search Won’t End
    4 Nov 2026
    Career Pivots Show NotesInterview TypeCareer Pivot / Author / Patient AdvocatePrimary GoalShare an honest story of navigating long-term unemployment while demonstrating how resilience, faith, financial discipline, and career reinvention can help someone continue moving forward when the job search takes far longer than expected.GuestKaren McMeoPublished Author, Patient Advocate, Freelance Editor & Creative-Writing CoachEpisode SummaryHost Serena Forde speaks with Karen McMeo, a published author and patient advocate, about navigating two and a half years of unemployment and the emotional and financial toll of a prolonged job search.Karen shares how what she initially expected to be a three-to-four-month transition became a much longer journey that forced her to rethink not only how she looked for work, but also how she viewed herself and her career.Through faith, supportive relationships, financial discipline, and a structured daily routine, Karen continues moving forward while pursuing opportunities in program coordination, freelance editing and writing, substitute teaching, and temporary work. She is also writing a memoir about raising her daughter with intellectual disabilities.Karen’s story is a reminder that a career pivot does not always happen on the timeline we expect. Sometimes the period between what was and what comes next becomes an opportunity to rediscover our strengths and create a new path forward.Key Topics* The emotional reality of long-term unemployment* Managing anxiety and uncertainty during an extended job search* Navigating automated screening systems and repeated rejections* Rediscovering accomplishments and transferable skills through the resume-writing process* Moving from an established career into program coordination* Rebuilding freelance editing and creative-writing work* Exploring substitute teaching and temporary employment* Writing a memoir inspired by Karen’s experience raising and advocating for her daughter with intellectual disabilities* Balancing career transition with caregiving and family responsibilities* Managing finances through savings, gig work, and intentional spending* Challenging employers’ perceptions when pivoting into a different field* The importance of faith, networking, exercise, relationships, and routine* Treating unemployment as a sabbatical and an opportunity to reassess what comes nextPractical Takeaways· Create structure.Treat the job search like work by establishing defined hours and a daily routine rather than searching constantly.· Protect your mental health.Take breaks when you need them, including stepping completely away from the job search for a day.· Reassess your finances.Separate wants from needs and look closely at subscriptions and expenses you may no longer need.· Recognize your accomplishments.Looking objectively at what you have achieved can help rebuild confidence after repeated rejection.· Use the transition to explore.An unexpected career pause can provide space to reconsider your direction, develop new skills, and pursue different types of work.· Remember that one opportunity can change everything.Karen continues to approach each day believing her circumstances can change.Memorable Quotes· “My faith kept me going.”· “I was impressed with myself with the skills I had.”· “I basically operate on autopilot.”· “I’m stronger than I thought I was. I’m resilient. I’ll make it no matter what.”· “Look at this time as a sabbatical.”· “Remember it takes only one yes for your situation to change for the better.”· “Looking for a job is a full-time job in and of itself.”Sound Bites* “It gave me time, like a sabbatical.”* “I basically operate on autopilot.”* “Remember, it takes only one yes.”About Karen’s BookSincerely Yours by Karen McMeoDiscover Sincerely YoursSincerely Yours: Letters from the heart is a raw and provocative exploration of one woman’s romantic relationships. Sharice Daniel revisits her past by writing letters to her former loves. In the process of writing, Sharice begins to understand and to embrace the being that she is. Through her experiences, we discover our true selves and learn to bask in our own essence while enjoying the gift of discovery that Sharice shares with us.Website: Sincerely YoursPublishing & Editing ServicesEditing by KMKaren is rebuilding her freelance work through Editing by KM, offering editing and writing support.Need Help With Your Writing?Visit editingbyKM.com to learn more about Karen’s publishing, editing, and creative-writing services.Website: www.editingbyKM.comChapters00:00 Karen’s two-and-a-half-year job search and changing expectations02:52 Resume confidence, ATS barriers, and waiting for an interview05:16 When unemployment prompts a career pivot08:17 Balancing job searching with caregiving responsibilities09:35 Savings, gig work, and cutting back on spending11:51 Faith, routines, and finding hope in uncertain times13:14 ...
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    19 min
  • Season 2 of Career Pivots: The Space Between What Was and What’s Next

    Season 2 of Career Pivots: The Space Between What Was and What’s Next
    28 Oct 2026

    Season 2 of Career Pivots is about that space between what was and what’s next.

    And if you’re in that space right now, remember:

    You’re not starting over. You’re starting from experience.

    🎙️ Season 2 premieres November 4, with new episodes every other week.

    Subscribe and join me for conversations about career reinvention, resilience, layoffs, purpose, leadership, second acts, and creating what’s next.

    I’m Serena Forde, and welcome to Season 2 of Career Pivots.

    You don’t need to have the whole story figured out. You just need the courage to turn the page.



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit serenaforde.substack.com
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    2 min
  • Dare, Dream & Pivot

    Dare, Dream & Pivot
    2 Sep 2026

    Guests: Serena & Anastasia Forde Content Type: Interview Primary Goal: Educational

    ✨ Episode Summary

    In this heartfelt episode, Serena opens up about her inspiring career journey — from early roles in retail and healthcare to navigating layoffs, embracing reinvention, and stepping into national leadership. Joined by her daughter Anastasia, the conversation becomes a powerful family reflection on resilience, intentional living, and the courage required to pivot. Together, they explore how education, mentorship, and daring to dream can shape a fulfilling career path.

    🔑 Keywords

    career pivots • resilience • leadership • healthcare • podcasting • personal growth • career change • success stories • family insights

    🎧 Key Topics Covered

    * Serena’s early career beginnings in retail and healthcare

    * How layoffs shaped her perspective and sparked pivotal transitions

    * The role of education and continuous learning in career advancement

    * Launching Career Pivots as a platform for connection and growth

    * The influence of family, mentorship, and support systems

    * Intentional living and designing a career aligned with purpose

    💡 Major Takeaways

    * Resilience fuels reinvention — setbacks can become strategic turning points.

    * Your network is a lifeline during transitions; lean on mentors and supporters.

    * Continuous learning unlocks new opportunities and keeps you adaptable.

    * Dream boldly and take risks — fulfillment often lives on the other side of fear.

    * Every pivot is a chance to realign with your goals and values.

    🧭 Key Frameworks Discussed

    * Resilience in career pivots

    * Networking and support systems

    * Continuous learning and adaptability

    * Intentional living and goal setting

    🎙️ Sound Bites

    * “Even if I do fail, success could be coming right behind that.”

    * “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.”

    * “People should lean on their networks and have clarifying conversations.”

    ⏱️ Chapters

    00:00 — Introduction and Serena’s career overview

    02:10 — Serena’s childhood and early career in healthcare

    04:11 — The importance of education and career growth

    07:45 — Serena’s experience with layoffs and pivots

    10:23 — Transition to national leadership and travel

    12:10 — Reflections on future career and podcasting

    14:43 — Starting the Career Pivots podcast

    17:20 — The journey of podcasting and personal growth

    20:47 — Family insights and the value of perseverance

    24:00 — Encouragement to dare, dream, and pivot

    28:30 — Closing thoughts and season wrap-up

    Thanks for listening! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit serenaforde.substack.com
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    29 min
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