Laughing Through The Uncomfortable

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In a world where communication often falters, Jeff and Julie confront the uncomfortable realities of dyslexia and the social challenges that come with it. Join them on this candid journey of self-discovery, as they share personal stories and insights that resonate deeply with anyone navigating the complexities of connection and trust.  
  
The episode kicks off with a heartfelt discussion about the importance of communication during hectic times. Jeff opens up about his experiences with dyslexia, revealing how it has shaped his interactions and the way he perceives social situations. Julie, his insightful co-host and mother, provides a supportive counterpoint, emphasizing the universal need for personal growth and understanding.  
  
You'll discover:  
- The four key aspects that contribute to feeling overstimulated and how to manage them.  
- Personal anecdotes about overcoming bullying and its lasting effects on social confidence.  
- The importance of stepping out of your comfort zone, illustrated by Julie's recent dating event experience that led to unexpected encounters and valuable lessons.  
  
Why does this matter? In an age where mental health and social skills are more vital than ever, recognizing the nuances of dyslexia and personal challenges can transform how we connect with others. This episode not only sheds light on the struggles but also offers a roadmap to resilience and deeper connections.  
  
Perfect for anyone grappling with similar issues or those who simply want to understand the dynamics of personal growth in uncomfortable situations, this episode is essential listening. Tune in and find inspiration in their shared experiences, and remember: we all have work to do.

New episodes every two weeks. Follow us on Spotify, iHeart, and Apple Podcasts!

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Ben is back in the studio and this week on Laughing Through the Uncomfortable we are going ALL the way in on a topic that affects every single one of us — social masking 

Julie clears up the difference between code switching and social masking once and for all — because spoiler alert they are not the same thing — and explains why what Jeff has been describing all along actually has a name that most people have never heard.

We get into how social masking shows up at work — Jeff managing a team while holding back his true reactions 😂 Ben navigating uncomfortable situations with someone who just does not fit the culture — and why being hard to read is not always a bad thing

Then the conversation takes a turn into something so many of us feel but rarely talk about — outgrowing your friends as an adult 💔 Is it normal? Is it okay? And how do you make NEW friends when you are a grown adult with a full time job and zero energy?

Julie shares the seven year friend theory Ben reflects on high school versus college versus work friendships and Jeff makes a very important announcement — he is officially taking applications for new friends.

If you have ever felt like you have to be a different person in every room you walk into — or like you have simply moved past people who used to mean everything to you — this episode is for you.

Got questions or want to apply for Jeff's friend group? 😂 Email us at [email protected] and find us on Facebook and Instagram at Laughing Through the Uncomfortable 🎙️

New episodes every two weeks. Follow us on Spotify, iHeart, and Apple Podcasts!

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What happens when your new job feels like a chaotic mess right from day one? In this episode of "Laughing Through the Uncomfortable," Julie and Jeff dive into Jeff's tumultuous transition to a new position that quickly turned into a whirlwind of drama and unexpected challenges. If you've ever felt overwhelmed in a new role, this candid conversation is for you.

Julie and Jeff unpack Jeff's experience of starting a new job that was supposed to be a fresh start but instead came with a side of chaos. With an internet connection worse than his previous job and devices that don’t cooperate, it’s a comedic yet relatable look at the struggles many face when entering unfamiliar territory. You'll discover how Jeff's initial optimism gave way to confusion and frustration, along with the unexpected lessons he's learned along the way.

You’ll hear them discuss how to navigate workplace drama, the importance of keeping a bird's eye view when everything feels chaotic, and how sometimes, simply staying silent can be the best approach when you're still figuring things out. Jeff shares his realization that he’s not just a newbie but a mid-manager, highlighting the significance of recognizing your own worth in a new environment.

But why does this matter? The truth is, many people find themselves in roles that feel overwhelming, and understanding how to cope with the stress of new situations can lead to personal growth and resilience. This episode serves as a reminder that it’s okay to feel out of your depth and that laughter can be a powerful tool in navigating uncomfortable transitions.

Join us for this insightful and humorous discussion that’s perfect for anyone starting a new job or facing changes in their career. Tune in to find out how to embrace the chaos and laugh through the uncomfortable moments. Don't miss out on this essential listening that could transform your approach to new challenges!

New episodes every two weeks. Follow us on Spotify, iHeart, and Apple Podcasts!

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Navigating the complexities of relationships and career transitions can be tricky, but in this episode, Julie tackles the challenges head-on in a heartfelt and humorous way. She shares insights from her own life while reflecting on the summer highlights of the podcast, offering a fresh perspective that anyone grappling with change will relate to.  
  
Join Julie as she reminisces about the pivotal moments from the past episodes, including her son Jeff's journey as he embarks on a new job. With a mix of laughter and introspection, she dives into the intricacies of relationships, like why significant others sometimes resist their partner's need for time with friends. You'll discover Julie's thoughts on the importance of communication and boundaries, along with the unexpected challenges that come with new beginnings.  
  
You'll hear Julie break down:  
- Jeff’s experience of feeling overqualified in his job hunt and the common struggle many face in the job market.  
- The concept of cross-functional partnerships that Jeff explained during a recent interview, which can shift your approach to teamwork.  
- A candid discussion about dyslexia, ADHD, and the humorous self-diagnosis many of us navigate in our lives.  
- The powerful metaphor of the 'cheerleader vs. bully inner voice' and how you can transform your self-talk for better mental health.  
- The importance of embracing discomfort as a catalyst for growth, illustrated through Jeff's journey to securing his desired position in the fashion industry.  
  
This episode is essential listening for anyone facing transitions in their personal or professional life. Julie's relatable storytelling and the lessons she shares are not only entertaining but also deeply insightful. If you've ever felt lost or uncertain about your path, this episode offers both the encouragement and the practical takeaways you need to keep moving forward.  
  
Perfect for anyone seeking to navigate their own uncomfortable moments with humor and grace, tune in and find out how laughter can truly help us through life's challenges.

New episodes every two weeks. Follow us on Spotify, iHeart, and Apple Podcasts!

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After months of rejections ghostings and hitting his head against the same wall — he finally got the job 

And the plot twist? He went into the interview not even wanting it!

This week on Laughing Through the Uncomfortable we celebrate a HUGE win and break down exactly what changed — from finding a career coach who actually spoke his industry's language to fixing his resume to walking into an interview with zero attachment to the outcome and somehow nailing it anyway.

We also get real about what advice actually works for people who are grinding through a tough job market — hint it is not just being persistent and Jeff learns that lesson in real time on this episode.

Julie shares advice for parents of neurodivergent adults watching their kids struggle through interviews and why the five whys exercise might be the most powerful thing you can do to help them find their voice.

If you have been grinding and wondering when things are finally going to click — this episode is for you.

Got questions for Jeff, Ben, and Logan? Email us at [email protected] — we are almost ready for the big brothers episode!

New episodes every two weeks. Follow us on Spotify, iHeart, and Apple Podcasts!

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You asked and we delivered! 🎙️

Several of our listeners reached out wanting to know what happened with Jeff's interviews — and this week on Laughing Through the Uncomfortable we are giving you the full update 

The dream company? Ghosted him after two rounds. The parent company menswear role? Also a no. The follow up emails asking for feedback? Ghosted again. But here is the thingm, he is not giving up and he is not the same person who walked into those first interviews either 💪

This week Jeff connects with a brand new career coach — this time one who actually speaks the language of buying and merchandising — and she changes everything. From rebuilding his resume to asking the one question nobody had asked him before — why do you actually want to work for this brand? — she gives him a roadmap that finally makes sense 🎯

Plus Jeff lands a LinkedIn mentor who vibes with him immediately and gets flagged to HR at a new company within two hours of sending an email using his new coach's template 🔥

We also tease what is coming up — a very special guest who works with neurodivergent kids (when we can coordinate schedules), the long awaited dating app update and the three brothers Q&A that our listeners have been asking for 👀

If you have been grinding through a tough job search and wondering when it is going to click — this one is for you ❤️

Got questions for Jeff, Ben and Logan? Email us at [email protected] — we have been collecting them and we cannot wait 🎙️

New episodes every two weeks. Follow us on Spotify, iHeart, and Apple Podcasts!

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We got an email from a listener after our last episode asking us to go deeper on the inner voice conversation and honestly she was right because we barely scratched the surface 😂

So this week on Laughing Through the Uncomfortable we went ALL the way in 

Julie finally opens up about her imposter syndrome and admits her inner voice is less of a cheerleader and more of a negative Nancy who needs to find a new place to live 😂 Jeff goes deeper into his inner voice — Dean Winchester is still showing up and apparently he is the same guy everywhere whether it is a date a job interview or a rescheduled meeting that keeps getting pushed back 😂

We also get into something that does not get talked about enough — how neurodiversity and ADD affect the inner voice and what it actually feels like when your nervous system gets overstimulated and you just need to get out. Plus code switching — is it just a new label for something we have all been doing our whole lives?

And we both make a commitment at the end that our listeners can make too 🎯

If your inner voice has ever told you that you are not good enough smart enough or worth someone's time — this one is for you ❤️

Got a topic you want us to go deeper on? Email us at [email protected] — we read every single one 🎙️

New episodes every two weeks. Follow us on Spotify, iHeart, and Apple Podcasts!

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Things are heating up on this week's Laughing Through the Uncomfortable! 🎙️

Jeff is in the middle of the most exciting chapter of his job hunt yet — two companies are looking at him at the same time and he walked into his dream job interview as the only candidate who actually showed up in a suit 👔 We get into the callback from the California brand he has been chasing for four years, the New Jersey recruiter who keeps it completely unfiltered, the question that caught him off guard and why name dropping his old mentor may have been the smartest move he made 😂

Plus — a listener reached out with a game changing suggestion for reading with dyslexia, we finally dig into the inner voice conversation and what the book Jeff has been reading says about the different voices in our heads 🧠

Oh and the dating apps are back 😂 because of course they are

And the analogy of the episode — interviewing is exactly like dating There is ghosting, there are callbacks, and there are a whole lot of no's before you find the one 🎯

Stay tuned because next week we find out if he makes it to the final round 🔥

New episodes every two weeks. Follow us on Spotify, iHeart, and Apple Podcasts!

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Things are moving fast on this week's Laughing Through the Uncomfortable! 

After working with a professional career coach Jeff walked into his first interview at his dream company and got pushed through to round two! We break down exactly what happened, chatted about the mirror practice sessions, the behavioral questions nobody warned him about, the salary negotiation tennis match, and why telling the recruiter you want to open your own brand in five years is never the right answer 😂

Then things get real. Jeff has his sights set on relocating with a target city in mind, an apartment that costs half of what he pays now, and a timeline that has his mom doing the math in real time 😂

Plus, the dating apps are officially deleted until further notice, the LinkedIn profile needs an urgent update, and somehow we end up talking about homemade pasta sauce and Trader Joe's meatballs 😂❤️

If you are job hunting, navigating interviews, thinking about relocating or just need a good laugh this week this one is for you 🎙️

And if you want the contact information for the professional career coach Jeff worked with email us at [email protected] and we will send you her social media details!

New episodes every two weeks. Follow us on Spotify, iHeart, and Apple Podcasts!

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Jeff is back from finals and ready to dive back in and he did not come back empty handed! 🎙️

This week on Laughing Through the Uncomfortable, a blast from the past calls Jeff out of nowhere during his lunch break and drops some unexpected news, she is moving close by and apparently Abby has been causing drama again 😂

Then the conversation gets real fast. Jeff has been grinding for four years trying to land his dream job at his pinnacle company in the Bay Area. We get into the nightmare of phone interviews when you are neurodivergent, accidentally calling a female recruiter sir 😂 the mystery of ghost job postings, salary negotiation anxiety, and what happens when 94 people apply for the same position five days after you did!

And we tease what is coming next  a conversation about the voices in our heads and imposter syndrome that is going to hit close to home for a lot of people 🎙️

Real talk, real laughs and a dog named Oakley who tried to end the podcast early!

New episodes every two weeks. Follow us on Spotify, iHeart, and Apple Podcasts!