To get back on my feet quickly, I rushed into a new role at Tumblr, where I was tasked with ensuring the success of an acquisition. As corporate procedures clashed with the culture of a low key start up, I started to feel less engaged at work. To ease the growing pain of past rejections, I turned to numbing behaviors, counterfeit connections, and lashing out at the office.

This episode discusses themes of substance abuse. If you or someone you love is struggling, please reach out for support. Help is available and healing is possible.

• U.S. Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call or text 988 or visit ⁠988lifeline.org⁠⁠
• Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) — 24/7 helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
• ⁠The Trevor Project⁠⁠ (for LGBTQ+ youth) — 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678

Theme song: “Breaking Out” by ⁠Nick Deutsch⁠

Produced + edited: Rikki Gunton⁠

Connect: Follow the journey on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠LinkedIn⁠

Want to bring this kind of real talk to your company or stage? Book Julio to speak, coach, or consult at letsgowithjulio.com⁠

(0:00) Take Care of Yourself as You Listen

(0:54) Beau – Hiding a Truth From My Best Friend

(2:33) Rejection Started to Wear on Me

(3:02) Tumblr – A Big Change of Pace

(5:04) Don – Your Resume Intimidated People

(10:05) Numbing My Pain

(12:21) Beau – Work Hard Play Hard

(14:00) We All Struggle

(15:25) Desperate For An Escape

(16:21) Mom – We Must Be Able To Feel

(20:04) Not Why the Addiction, But Why the Pain

(21:27) Bottling Up Pain Only Works for So Long

(23:17) Yet Another Performance Improvement Plan

(25:22) Don – Be Careful With Your Tone

(33:26) The Power of Vulnerability and Reconciliation

(34:28) I Kept Missing the Lesson