128 Comments

Keep doing it, dude. I lost my job and was blindsided. I started my own company shortly after in 2018. I don’t make the income I did before, but I love my clients, my work, the variety, the freedom of being my own boss. Life is full of “seasons”. I’m enjoying this season. Also, thank you for what you do. You are one of the few resources I trust to tell us the reality of our fragile democracy.

Expand full comment
author

Thanks, Kim. You are right about life's seasons.

Expand full comment

Just so you know, Chris, I still miss you on CNN. I’ve started watching MSNBC a little more, though I enjoy seeing Dana Bash, Jake Tapper, Wolf Blitzer, at al. I very much appreciate your Substack account, and Iook forward to the notices I get that there’s another piece of great journalism from you.

More than anything, I appreciate your optimism and your grace and the good common sense which shines through everything you write.

Expand full comment
author

Thanks, Dennis. Sometimes over this past year it's been hard to find that optimism. Writing has always helped me do it.

Expand full comment

I miss you too, Chris, I loved your videos that you did on CNN. They were my favorite part. - Dana B, not so much , tapper is usually good, but I hope they never ever ever put him on a debate again. That was embarrassing.

I subscribe to you on Substack and it’s very enjoyable. I watched you a lot during the election. Keep up the good work.

Expand full comment

A year ago I was devastated when I read that CNN had “let you go”. I was so happy when I found you again! I love your writing! I love this Substack! Keep it up! You are terrific!

Expand full comment
author

Thanks, Janet!

Expand full comment

CNN blew it. It was part of the whole Chris Licht experiment that produced nothing but chaos and dismay. I LOVED your takes on Donald Trump and his “speeches”. I couldn’t wait to read them. AND AWAY WE GO! CNN lost big. And your Substack and future endeavors are going to crush it.

Expand full comment
author

Thanks, Julie. I really appreciate the vote of confidence.

Expand full comment

Collin Powell had this great quote: "Don't let your ego get too close to your position, so that if your position gets shot down, your ego doesn't go with it."

You and I and many others have often fell in this hole BUT managed to move to another level! Keep up the phenomenal writing!

Expand full comment
author

Good advice, Mike. And thanks.

Expand full comment
Nov 28, 2023·edited Nov 28, 2023

Chris - had two immediate reactions - 1. Pleased you wrote the piece - well written, and showing you have learned a great deal from the experience. 2. Pop Culture reference - reminded me of the scene in The Lion King where Simba realises he must go back to Pride Rock and face his past. Rafiki immediately hits Simba in the head with his Bakora Staff.

Simba asks, “What was that for?”

Rafiki says, “Doesn’t matter - it’s in the past”

Simba says, “Yes, but it still hurts.”

And Rafiki replies, “Ah yes, the past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it.”

Clearly, you have chosen the Rafiki path, and it appears to be very good for you, and selfishly, good for your readers.

All you can do is keep moving forward. Wallowing in the past is a terrible waste of physical and emotional energy. We cannot change the past - that story is written (something Trump and his MAGA friends should maybe take note?) - moving forward is the story yet to be written, and one which you can mold, shape and have an impact on the plot, the characters, and the ending.

Cannot wait to learn what happens next!

Expand full comment
author

Everything I need to know in life I learned from "The Lion King."

Expand full comment

😉

Expand full comment

Really well written! And looking forward to your insight and thoughts as we head into 2024!

Expand full comment
author

Thanks, Robert. Please spread the word!

Expand full comment

I applaud you for sharing such candid thoughts about your experience. It can help others. As a retired guy, I tell my kids and other younger people two things: 1) your job will never love you and 2) unrequited love is a losing game. Keep up your excellent work!

Expand full comment
author

Your job will never love you. WELL said.

Expand full comment

Reading your reflection on the anniversary of your layoff put this thought into my head. CNN was like the booster stage of a rocket. Its job to lift you into the public eye finished, it has now gone on its own way, no longer needed. It's not a perfect analogy, I suppose. But, my point is that I discovered you because of CNN. But I rediscovered you and reconnected with your writing despite CNN jettisoning aside. I'm still with the Cellizza project, heading to the stars.

Expand full comment
author

That is an AWESOME analogy. I hope I can make good on it, Andy.

Expand full comment

Chris, I always sought out your opinion pieces on CNN because of your thoughtful, insightful, often inspiring words. You are still that same person. You are you no matter where you work. Great future ahead of you and a great family to go with it.

Expand full comment
author

Yes yes yes! That is so kind. Thank you.

Expand full comment

I followed you on CNN, Twitter (X), and here. Let me tell you, I have always found you a breath of fresh air. I like hearing your opinion. We do not always have to agree on everything and quite honestly, disagreement creates dialogue and makes one think (hopefully). I have been laid off from two high paying jobs at corporations the size of CNN, and in fact, one was a competitor to the parent company of CNN. It sucks, it affects the ego, and makes you question so much. But you know what, you are right, you realize it does not define you and at some point you move on. It only natural to wallow in it a bit. I know I did! Keep doing what you do Chris, I am a big fan.

Expand full comment
author

Thanks, August. I know a lot of people have had experiences like mine. It helps to know you are not alone.

Expand full comment

As a longtime recruiter and human resources consultant, I think you need to re-frame your perspective. You were caught in a corporate downsizing and landed on the wrong side of the equation, along with many others. Your work probably had little or nothing to do with the decision, rather it was how much money could be saved by cutting you and was a there a corporate sponsor higher up the chain willing to be an advocate to keep you and even that doesn't always help. That's a far different thing than being fired for cause of some kind and way farther from being a failure. You have only to look at your work product to know that isn't true. I would add that I interviewed many who were downsized or truly fired. Almost everyone, certainly the competent ones, said that, in hindsight, it was the best thing that could have happened. Reading your recent musings, I suspect you coming to a similar conclusion. I hope this helps and sorry I didn't share these thoughts sooner. Final thought: you can't be all bad; I'm sending you money every month. 😊

Expand full comment

In 1993, in the course of 2 weeks I was promoted, went on vacation, came back to find out my department had a new boss, and was laid off! I had been with the company a long time. What I was told by someone at the time, and it looks like you were not, was that this is like any other big loss and you WILL go through the five stages of grief. I did realize finally that it was not me (I also found out while I was on vacation, a part-timer had lobbied for me to be on the layoff list!). Here I am 30 years later. I found other jobs/contracts. I learned new skills. I was valued in other pursuits. My income webt up and down through the years. And I've been able to comfortably retire - to pursue yet other things. Life goes on, and so have you.

Expand full comment
author

That's right, Marcy. Just keep getting up in the morning and doing what makes you happy!

Expand full comment

Think of that day as the first day of the rest of your life, Chris. That will lead you to do even more of what you're doing, which from my perspective of having been down a similar road is a good thing.

As a writer of dramatic fiction (movies), an idea came to me this morning of a novel only a guy like you could write. A political thriller. Definitely not The Great American Novel, but few things are. Set in Washington and New York. In a world run by Not The Second Trump Administration, But Close. Hero finds "damaging information" that could Have An Effect. You can take it from there. Just do what writers do - write what you know. The idea is commercial enough your agent should be able to sell it, and if you do it right and leave room for sequels, then you'll be on the Popular Fiction Writer's Road to Success, or at least paying the bills on time.

Expand full comment

Thanks, Chris. I always love your more personal posts. I have read your work for years ... but in the last 365 days I feel like I have much more of a sense of who you are, and that makes your writing richer and more thought provoking for me.

I love that we are a smaller group here, and that you interact with us ... but I wish for you the kind of success that means you never think twice about this being your calling, and that you don't think further on career trade offs you need to make.

Thanks for your honesty. It is a moment of clarity, daily. Appreciate you.

Expand full comment

Great article! I too was laid off. Unfortunately, it happened in my early 60’s and thus has made it very difficult to get back in. The biggest thing is I hate that they got to create my end date. Thankfully, I am a saver so there are no money problems and I have traveled, volunteered etc but I still would have liked to say goodbye to my work colleagues and retire on my own terms.

Expand full comment