In this inspiring episode of Speak Shame, Dr Connie Kerali interviews Jennifer Schroeder, who at 58 was told her skills were “obsolete” and faced systemic age bias after hundreds of rejections. Jennifer recounts a planned 15-minute meeting where she was threatened with a performance improvement plan or severance, describing shock, shame, anger, and an out-of-body feeling, followed by months of replaying the event and noticing earlier signs like being excluded from meetings. Needing income, she tried various jobs while recovering for 12–18 months. She later posted videos on LinkedIn and TikTok, sparking thousands of responses from others experiencing similar discrimination, and grew The Unobsolete to support both HR leaders and professionals. Her key advice is to pay attention, document workplace issues, and remember you are not powerless or obsolete.

01:14 Introducing Jennifer Schroeder

03:21 A Career Turned Upside Down

04:43 Shock and Out of Body

06:27 The Walk of Shame

08:51 Red Flags in Hindsight

11:50 Aftermath at Home

15:11 Rebuilding After the Blow

18:49 Birth of The Unobsolete

20:48 Stories From the Community

23:17 Turning Posts Into a Mission

26:59 Practical Survival Advice

29:48 Where to Find Jennifer

30:39 Purpose From Pain

31:48 Not Powerless

33:27 A Remarkable Woman Tribute

JENNIFER SCHROEDER

Linkedin: Jennifer Schroeder

TikTok: @TheUnobsolete

Instagram: @TheUnobsolete

YouTube: Coming Soon

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From "Obsolete" to Unstoppable: Jennifer Schroeder Exposes Workplace Age Bias