Laid Off by the Government: Justin’s Story of Loss, Resilience, and the Hidden Cost of Policy Decisions
How One Public Servant’s Unexpected Job Loss Reveals the Human Side of Government Layoffs
The Moment that Changed it ALL
I never thought I’d find myself on a podcast, discussing a job loss as if I were some case study. But there I was, sitting across from Angela Rye on the Native Land Podcast, speaking words I never imagined I’d have to say: I was furloughed due to Executive Order Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid.
It wasn’t just a job. It was purpose. Stability. Identity. And in a matter of minutes, it was gone.
The System I Believed In No Longer Believed in Me
I dedicated my education and early professional career to ensuring I ended up in a prestigious public service role, not just because it paid the bills but because I believed in something bigger than myself. Government work—at its best—means standing up for people, solving problems, and making real change. That was the social contract I signed up for.
But what happens when the government decides you’re expendable? When funding freezes and contract terminations reduce you to a number on a spreadsheet, a line item to be erased? That’s when reality hits:
The bigger picture doesn’t see individuals—it only sees budgets.
The system you serve faithfully doesn’t always serve you back.
Your security is only as strong as the political climate allows.
The Hidden Cost of a Layoff
People talk about layoffs in terms of *economic impact—numbers, percentages, fiscal strategies. But no one talks about the mental toll of suddenly being told you’re no longer needed. The self-doubt creeps in, making you wonder if you did something wrong, if you weren’t good enough, if you should have seen it coming.
And beyond that, there’s the community impact. I wasn’t just a worker; we were public servants. When we lost our jobs, our services didn’t just disappear—they were left unattended, underfunded, and uncertain. The very people we worked to protect and uplift? They lost, too.
Angela Rye and the Conversation That Needed to Happen
Being on the Native Land Podcast with Angela Rye was more than an interview. It was a chance to say what many of us are thinking. This isn’t just about me, my job, or my career; it’s about how we value public service in this country. It’s about who gets left behind when decisions are made behind closed doors.
Angela’s platform gave me space to say what I needed to say: We can’t continue treating government workers like disposable parts in a machine. We can’t continue assuming that the people affected by these cuts will “just bounce back.” The truth is, not everyone does.
What Comes Next?
I’m still figuring that out. Maybe I’ll land on my feet. Maybe I’ll take this moment to pivot, to reinvent, to find a new path. But what about the next person? The next layoff? The next round of budget cuts?
If nothing changes, this will continue. And the people who serve, sacrifice, and dedicate their lives to something bigger than themselves will continue to be discarded.
I don’t have all the answers, but I do know this: we have to start valuing the people behind the policies. If we don’t, we risk losing not just jobs—but the very soul of public service itself.
🎧 Watch the full conversation with Angela Rye on the Native Land Podcast:
Click Here to Watch
Notes:
*Economic impact - Economic data on unemployment from March 2022 until January 2025. At the time of this article, America is still under the Trump Administration’s aggressive 100 Days and unemployment rates are higher than during the COVID-19 pandemic.