When Melanie Ehrenkranz started her ‘Laid Off’ Substack newsletter in August 2024, she had no idea it would blossom into a thriving community of more than 11,000 readers in under a year. What began as a resource for unemployed workers quickly evolved into a supportive network, especially as Ehrenkranz expanded the community to a private Discord server for paid subscribers.
This digital gathering space offers more than just job hunting tips—it’s a place where people can connect, share experiences, and help each other navigate the uncertainty of unemployment in 2025. The challenges are especially pronounced now, with sweeping layoffs, the disruptive rise of AI, persistent inflation, and a job market still reeling from pandemic-era changes.
“There’s a heaviness to this moment,” Ehrenkranz shared with Salon. “It’s not just about losing a job anymore—people are being ghosted by employers, left hanging after multiple interviews, and some are facing their second, third, or even fifth layoff.”
Community member Magenta Fox, who’s been out of work since 2023, says this round of unemployment feels unlike any she’s experienced before. “This time, I’ve invested in resume rewrites and interview coaching—things I never needed before,” Fox explained. “And there’s no clear end in sight. During the Great Recession, at least it felt like there was some government effort to help.”
Fox also noticed a sharper edge to her interactions with recruiters, describing missed calls and curt emails—behavior she’d never encountered in her career. This kind of treatment, along with the uncertainty of job hunting, takes a toll on mental health.
Dio Martins, a New Yorker who recently landed a remote job after being laid off, found that simple gestures—like a supportive text from a friend—made a big difference. “Just knowing you’re not alone, that someone’s rooting for you, helps you keep going,” he said.
The numbers paint a grim picture: By late May 2025, U.S. employers had cut nearly half a million jobs, a staggering 93% increase from the previous year. Major companies across sectors—Chevron, JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft, Meta, Walmart, and more—have all announced significant layoffs.
Inspired by other online communities, Ehrenkranz wanted to create a space that removed the stigma of unemployment and encouraged camaraderie. “I saw people using Substack Chat to share stories and advice, so I wanted to offer a more layered space for connection,” she said. “The Discord is about making people feel less alone, destigmatizing layoffs, and maybe even having some fun.”
Members use the Discord to swap advice on everything from crafting the perfect LinkedIn post about a layoff to prepping for Zoom interviews and dealing with ghosting from employers. Some even organize virtual meetups or in-person gatherings, finding comfort in shared experiences.
For many, these online communities provide the kind of support and understanding that’s hard to find elsewhere. “We share tips and rejection stories,” Fox said. “It’s a place I can vent without feeling like a downer.”
As more people turn to Substack, Reddit, Discord, and TikTok to process their layoffs, they’re discovering that solidarity, however virtual, makes the journey a little less lonely.
When Melanie Ehrenkranz started her ‘Laid Off’ Substack newsletter in August 2024, she had no idea it would blossom into a thriving community of more than 11,000 readers in under a year. What began as a resource for unemployed workers quickly evolved into a supportive network, especially as Ehrenkranz expanded the community to a private Discord server for paid subscribers.
This digital gathering space offers more than just job hunting tips—it’s a place where people can connect, share experiences, and help each other navigate the uncertainty of unemployment in 2025. The challenges are especially pronounced now, with sweeping layoffs, the disruptive rise of AI, persistent inflation, and a job market still reeling from pandemic-era changes.
“There’s a heaviness to this moment,” Ehrenkranz shared with Salon. “It’s not just about losing a job anymore—people are being ghosted by employers, left hanging after multiple interviews, and some are facing their second, third, or even fifth layoff.”
Community member Magenta Fox, who’s been out of work since 2023, says this round of unemployment feels unlike any she’s experienced before. “This time, I’ve invested in resume rewrites and interview coaching—things I never needed before,” Fox explained. “And there’s no clear end in sight. During the Great Recession, at least it felt like there was some government effort to help.”
Fox also noticed a sharper edge to her interactions with recruiters, describing missed calls and curt emails—behavior she’d never encountered in her career. This kind of treatment, along with the uncertainty of job hunting, takes a toll on mental health.
Dio Martins, a New Yorker who recently landed a remote job after being laid off, found that simple gestures—like a supportive text from a friend—made a big difference. “Just knowing you’re not alone, that someone’s rooting for you, helps you keep going,” he said.
The numbers paint a grim picture: By late May 2025, U.S. employers had cut nearly half a million jobs, a staggering 93% increase from the previous year. Major companies across sectors—Chevron, JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft, Meta, Walmart, and more—have all announced significant layoffs.
Inspired by other online communities, Ehrenkranz wanted to create a space that removed the stigma of unemployment and encouraged camaraderie. “I saw people using Substack Chat to share stories and advice, so I wanted to offer a more layered space for connection,” she said. “The Discord is about making people feel less alone, destigmatizing layoffs, and maybe even having some fun.”
Members use the Discord to swap advice on everything from crafting the perfect LinkedIn post about a layoff to prepping for Zoom interviews and dealing with ghosting from employers. Some even organize virtual meetups or in-person gatherings, finding comfort in shared experiences.
For many, these online communities provide the kind of support and understanding that’s hard to find elsewhere. “We share tips and rejection stories,” Fox said. “It’s a place I can vent without feeling like a downer.”
As more people turn to Substack, Reddit, Discord, and TikTok to process their layoffs, they’re discovering that solidarity, however virtual, makes the journey a little less lonely.