The Reboot Era
Layoffs. Burnout. Reinvention. Welcome to the messy middle of career change — and the community that's not afraid to talk about it.
Hosted by Dray Jankowski, a former tech program manager laid off in 2025, The Reboot Era is part unfiltered storytelling, part emotional support group, and part career comeback plan. Through weekly solo episodes and candid guest interviews, we explore what it really means to rebuild your life — professionally, emotionally, and financially.
We’re not here to sell you hope. We’re here to tell the truth — with humor, heart, and a little chaos.
Each episode dives into one of our seven pillars:
• Layoffs & Unemployment
• Motivation & Momentum
• Strategy & Income
• Redirection & Reinvention
• Mental Health & Renewal
• Closure & Reflection
• Identity & Calling
If you’ve ever screamed into a throw pillow after reading a rejection email — this is your place.
🎧 New episodes every week.
💬 Got a story of your own? Come tell it. This isn’t just my era — it’s ours!
The Reboot Era
Reboot 02 | SI1 - Rebooting and Rebuilding
In this episode of The Reboot Era, Dray sits down with two guests—Fredrico Salianga and Jake Lender—who share powerful, honest stories of navigating life after layoffs. From scammy interviews to side hustle wins, freelance struggles to career pivots, this conversation is packed with lessons, laughter, and real talk about what it means to rebuild after getting knocked down by the job market.
🔗 Topics We Cover:
- The emotional rollercoaster after getting laid off
- When recruiters ghost you (or worse—fake you out)
- Turo, side hustles & making it work while unemployed
- Consulting vs. full-time: pros, cons & real-life struggles
- Using ChatGPT & AI tools to save time & build smarter
- Certifications that matter (and how to pick the right ones)
- Networking, resilience, and redefining success post-layoff
🎙️ Whether you're unemployed, pivoting, or just tired of the BS in corporate hiring, this episode will leave you feeling seen—and maybe even a little inspired to take your next leap!
🔗 Connect with the guests:
- Fredrico Salianga (check him out on Turo in the Boston area!)
- Jake Lender - https://www.jakelender.com/
💥 The Reboot Era is your go-to space for career reinvention, raw stories, and rebuilding with purpose. Subscribe, rate, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.
👉 Follow on TikTok
👉 Subscribe on YouTube
👉 Connect on LinkedIn
👉 Buy me a coffee or leave a tip to support the show 💸
🎧 All links: https://linktr.ee/draycation
Thanks for supporting The Reboot Era — every follow, share, and tip helps me keep making content for anyone navigating layoffs, pivots, and everything in between.
Everything shared on this podcast is based on personal experience and opinion. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, no content should be considered professional, legal, or career advice. Any mention of companies, products, or individuals is done in a personal capacity and does not represent the views or endorsements of those organizations or people. If a sponsorship or paid partnership is ever included, it will be clearly disclosed during the episode.
