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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 😊
After my job loss a guy I had done real professional battle called me. He said when you stop feeling sorry for yourself WE will start your new job search.
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.
While I enjoy your writing in general, what resonates the most with me is your very public grappling with being laid off and your journey as your navigate through what comes after.
I was laid off three times in two years around a decade ago and it was a jarring experience. The market for unemployed journalists in their early fifties is not promising. But I freelanced whenever I could, while building a successful website and now a reasonably successful Substack.
It's been brutal, but you're right. It's a journey of self-discovery. And while I won't say being laid-off was a good thing, it helped clarify me in a way that is a net positive for me and my family.
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.
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.
Thanks, Kim. You are right about life's seasons.
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.
Thanks, Dennis. Sometimes over this past year it's been hard to find that optimism. Writing has always helped me do it.
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!
Thanks, Janet!
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!
Everything I need to know in life I learned from "The Lion King."
😉
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!
Good advice, Mike. And thanks.
Really well written! And looking forward to your insight and thoughts as we head into 2024!
Thanks, Robert. Please spread the word!
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!
Your job will never love you. WELL said.
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.
That is an AWESOME analogy. I hope I can make good on it, Andy.
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.
Thanks, Julie. I really appreciate the vote of confidence.
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.
Yes yes yes! That is so kind. Thank you.
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.
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. 😊
After my job loss a guy I had done real professional battle called me. He said when you stop feeling sorry for yourself WE will start your new job search.
Yup. You have to go through the pity stage. And find a way out the other end.
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.
That's right, Marcy. Just keep getting up in the morning and doing what makes you happy!
While I enjoy your writing in general, what resonates the most with me is your very public grappling with being laid off and your journey as your navigate through what comes after.
I was laid off three times in two years around a decade ago and it was a jarring experience. The market for unemployed journalists in their early fifties is not promising. But I freelanced whenever I could, while building a successful website and now a reasonably successful Substack.
It's been brutal, but you're right. It's a journey of self-discovery. And while I won't say being laid-off was a good thing, it helped clarify me in a way that is a net positive for me and my family.
Even the hard things in life have lessons to teach us. If we can just get out of the way.
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.