Hi friend.

When I was fired from a job I cared about deeply, I was devastated.

At the time, I didn’t have language for what I was experiencing. I thought I needed to get back on the horse, get a thicker skin, and get over it. It took me ten years to realize that I was carrying grief.

Career grief.

Once I understood that, I got unstuck. I gave myself permission to mourn what had happened and all that had been lost alongside my job title.

Today, I’m writing a book with the working title This is Grief, Too, and am fortunate to be represented by awesome agents at Peters Fraser + Dunlop. The book draws not only from my experiences but also from the hundreds of clients, students, and professionals I’ve met over the years who have experienced their own forms of professional heartbreak.

Now I’d love to hear from you.

I’m looking for stories about career setbacks, disappointments, endings, mistakes, missed opportunities, layoffs, firings, failed projects, dreams that didn’t unfold the way you hoped, or any professional loss that still lingers in your heart and mind.

The ones that changed something.

The ones that you think about from time to time. Or all the time.

The ones that shaped how you see yourself, your work, or your future.

If you’re willing, I’d be grateful if you would complete a comprehensive questionnaire and share your story with me. With your permission, portions of your experience may be considered for inclusion in the book and related research. You can participate anonymously if you prefer.

After reviewing submissions, I’ll invite up to twenty people to participate in individual 90-minute recorded coaching and research interviews. These one-on-one conversations will help inform the book and may, with your additional consent, be considered for inclusion in future book or audiobook materials.

More than anything, my hope is that this work helps us become grief literate.

Because what happens to us at work matters.

The losses we experience matter.

And learning how to acknowledge and mourn professional heartbreak may be one of the most important skills we can develop for a long and meaningful career.

Questionnaire Link

Thank you for considering it. I’d be honored to hear your story.

The gremlins tend to get loudest when we’re standing at the edge of change.

That’s why this month’s Solid Ground lesson is called Meet Your Gremlins. We’ll explore the inner voices that fuel self-doubt, second-guessing, and hesitation, and how to keep them from making decisions for you.

Solid Ground Community is my monthly practice for people navigating career transitions, setbacks, and stretch seasons. Paid subscribers receive a video lesson, worksheet, and live coaching session each month.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com/subscribe