“I’m desperate for work...redundancy triggered a mental illness in me”, with Joe Emery

What happens when a successful career suddenly disappears overnight? In this frank conversation, we explore the hidden reality of job loss in today's brutal employment market and its devastating impact on mental health, identity, and self-worth.

Joe built a thriving career as a copywriter for major brands before being made redundant alongside thousands of others in the tech industry bloodbath. What followed was an eye-opening journey through the modern job market that would challenge everything he thought he knew about finding work.

Instead of staying silent, Joe chose honesty. He began sharing his story on LinkedIn: the frustration, the toll of rejection, the impact on his financial, physical and mental health. One post went viral with millions of views, sparking conversations far beyond his own experience. His openness has brought him support, but also abuse - often from other men - shining a light on the toxic silence that surrounds male vulnerability.

Why You Should Listen

This episode pulls back the curtain on:

• The shocking reality of applying for 5,000+ jobs with minimal response.
• How the modern recruitment process has become dehumanised and exploitative.
• The mental health crisis hidden behind LinkedIn's highlight reel.
• Why toxic masculinity prevents men from seeking help when they need it most.
• Practical strategies for maintaining mental health during career setbacks.

What You'll Learn

About the Job Market Reality:

• Why experienced professionals are struggling to find work despite their skills.
• How companies are asking for days of unpaid work before interviews.
• The prevalence of ghosting and template rejections in recruitment.

About Mental Health & Identity:

• How job loss can trigger severe depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
• The connection between career identity and self-worth.
• Why men struggle more to admit vulnerability and seek help.
• The physical toll of prolonged unemployment.

Practical Coping Strategies:

• The power of radical honesty on professional platforms.
• Why hypnotherapy and mindfulness can be game-changers.
• The importance of staying connected to people who care about you.
• How to reframe rejection and maintain confidence.

This is a raw but ultimately hopeful conversation about resilience, self-worth, and the power of speaking up. If you’ve ever questioned your value after setbacks or wondered why so many men feel they have to suffer in silence, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicidal thoughts, psychiatric care, and the mental health impact of unemployment. If you are struggling, please reach out to your GP or a support service such as:

• UK & Ireland – Samaritans: 116 123 
• USA – Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988 
• Canada – Talk Suicide: 1-833-456-4566
• Australia – Lifeline: 13 11 14 
• Ireland – Samaritans: 116 123
• International – Find a local helpline via https://findahelpline.com.

You can reach out to Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeemerywrites-forbondfansonly/.