After months of rejections ghostings and hitting his head against the same wall — he finally got the job 

And the plot twist? He went into the interview not even wanting it!

This week on Laughing Through the Uncomfortable we celebrate a HUGE win and break down exactly what changed — from finding a career coach who actually spoke his industry's language to fixing his resume to walking into an interview with zero attachment to the outcome and somehow nailing it anyway.

We also get real about what advice actually works for people who are grinding through a tough job market — hint it is not just being persistent and Jeff learns that lesson in real time on this episode.

Julie shares advice for parents of neurodivergent adults watching their kids struggle through interviews and why the five whys exercise might be the most powerful thing you can do to help them find their voice.

If you have been grinding and wondering when things are finally going to click — this episode is for you.

Got questions for Jeff, Ben, and Logan? Email us at laughingthroughuncomfortable@gmail.com — we are almost ready for the big brothers episode!

New episodes every two weeks. Follow us on Spotify, iHeart, and Apple Podcasts!

You asked and we delivered! 🎙️

Several of our listeners reached out wanting to know what happened with Jeff's interviews — and this week on Laughing Through the Uncomfortable we are giving you the full update 

The dream company? Ghosted him after two rounds. The parent company menswear role? Also a no. The follow up emails asking for feedback? Ghosted again. But here is the thingm, he is not giving up and he is not the same person who walked into those first interviews either 💪

This week Jeff connects with a brand new career coach — this time one who actually speaks the language of buying and merchandising — and she changes everything. From rebuilding his resume to asking the one question nobody had asked him before — why do you actually want to work for this brand? — she gives him a roadmap that finally makes sense 🎯

Plus Jeff lands a LinkedIn mentor who vibes with him immediately and gets flagged to HR at a new company within two hours of sending an email using his new coach's template 🔥

We also tease what is coming up — a very special guest who works with neurodivergent kids (when we can coordinate schedules), the long awaited dating app update and the three brothers Q&A that our listeners have been asking for 👀

If you have been grinding through a tough job search and wondering when it is going to click — this one is for you ❤️

Got questions for Jeff, Ben and Logan? Email us at laughingthroughuncomfortable@gmail.com — we have been collecting them and we cannot wait 🎙️

New episodes every two weeks. Follow us on Spotify, iHeart, and Apple Podcasts!

We got an email from a listener after our last episode asking us to go deeper on the inner voice conversation and honestly she was right because we barely scratched the surface 😂

So this week on Laughing Through the Uncomfortable we went ALL the way in 

Julie finally opens up about her imposter syndrome and admits her inner voice is less of a cheerleader and more of a negative Nancy who needs to find a new place to live 😂 Jeff goes deeper into his inner voice — Dean Winchester is still showing up and apparently he is the same guy everywhere whether it is a date a job interview or a rescheduled meeting that keeps getting pushed back 😂

We also get into something that does not get talked about enough — how neurodiversity and ADD affect the inner voice and what it actually feels like when your nervous system gets overstimulated and you just need to get out. Plus code switching — is it just a new label for something we have all been doing our whole lives?

And we both make a commitment at the end that our listeners can make too 🎯

If your inner voice has ever told you that you are not good enough smart enough or worth someone's time — this one is for you ❤️

Got a topic you want us to go deeper on? Email us at laughingthroughuncomfortable@gmail.com — we read every single one 🎙️

New episodes every two weeks. Follow us on Spotify, iHeart, and Apple Podcasts!

Things are heating up on this week's Laughing Through the Uncomfortable! 🎙️

Jeff is in the middle of the most exciting chapter of his job hunt yet — two companies are looking at him at the same time and he walked into his dream job interview as the only candidate who actually showed up in a suit 👔 We get into the callback from the California brand he has been chasing for four years, the New Jersey recruiter who keeps it completely unfiltered, the question that caught him off guard and why name dropping his old mentor may have been the smartest move he made 😂

Plus — a listener reached out with a game changing suggestion for reading with dyslexia, we finally dig into the inner voice conversation and what the book Jeff has been reading says about the different voices in our heads 🧠

Oh and the dating apps are back 😂 because of course they are

And the analogy of the episode — interviewing is exactly like dating There is ghosting, there are callbacks, and there are a whole lot of no's before you find the one 🎯

Stay tuned because next week we find out if he makes it to the final round 🔥

New episodes every two weeks. Follow us on Spotify, iHeart, and Apple Podcasts!

Things are moving fast on this week's Laughing Through the Uncomfortable! 

After working with a professional career coach Jeff walked into his first interview at his dream company and got pushed through to round two! We break down exactly what happened, chatted about the mirror practice sessions, the behavioral questions nobody warned him about, the salary negotiation tennis match, and why telling the recruiter you want to open your own brand in five years is never the right answer 😂

Then things get real. Jeff has his sights set on relocating with a target city in mind, an apartment that costs half of what he pays now, and a timeline that has his mom doing the math in real time 😂

Plus, the dating apps are officially deleted until further notice, the LinkedIn profile needs an urgent update, and somehow we end up talking about homemade pasta sauce and Trader Joe's meatballs 😂❤️

If you are job hunting, navigating interviews, thinking about relocating or just need a good laugh this week this one is for you 🎙️

And if you want the contact information for the professional career coach Jeff worked with email us at laughingthroughuncomfortable@gmail.com and we will send you her social media details!

New episodes every two weeks. Follow us on Spotify, iHeart, and Apple Podcasts!

Jeff is back from finals and ready to dive back in and he did not come back empty handed! 🎙️

This week on Laughing Through the Uncomfortable, a blast from the past calls Jeff out of nowhere during his lunch break and drops some unexpected news, she is moving close by and apparently Abby has been causing drama again 😂

Then the conversation gets real fast. Jeff has been grinding for four years trying to land his dream job at his pinnacle company in the Bay Area. We get into the nightmare of phone interviews when you are neurodivergent, accidentally calling a female recruiter sir 😂 the mystery of ghost job postings, salary negotiation anxiety, and what happens when 94 people apply for the same position five days after you did!

And we tease what is coming next  a conversation about the voices in our heads and imposter syndrome that is going to hit close to home for a lot of people 🎙️

Real talk, real laughs and a dog named Oakley who tried to end the podcast early!

New episodes every two weeks. Follow us on Spotify, iHeart, and Apple Podcasts!

Jeff is hitting the books for finals so this week we are taking a walk down memory lane through our favorite moments from the first 12 episodes of Laughing Through the Uncomfortable! 🎙️

From Jeff navigating the city with all its sounds and smells, to red flags he completely missed while dating, to the resting bitch face incident at the wine tasting, to finally understanding what a compliment on your eyes actually means — and what it definitely does not mean 😂

We also revisit the dating fatigue that comes with swiping left and right for months, the moment Jeff realized he attracts people who need healing, and of course Logan setting the record straight on what gaslighting actually is 😂❤️

If you are new to the podcast this is the perfect place to start. If you have been here from the beginning — welcome back to all the moments that made you laugh through the uncomfortable 🎙️

New episodes return in two weeks when Jeff is done with finals! 😂

New episodes every two weeks. Follow us on Spotify, iHeart, and Apple Podcasts!

This week on Laughing Through the Uncomfortable the youngest brother Logan finally joins the conversation — and he did not hold back! 😂

We pick up where we left off diving into whether a girl complimenting your eyes really means what you think it means, why resting bitch face is killing your approachability, and how dating app fatigue is real and exhausting.

Logan drops some straight up honest advice — delete the apps, put the phone down and just go talk to people. Plus the crew gets into gaslighting, old sayings nobody understands anymore, the guy who swiped two million times on Tinder and still got stood up, and why going to the gym alone might be more distracting than helpful 😂

Real talk, little brother wisdom and a lot of laughs. This one is a good one. 🎙️

New episodes every two weeks. Follow us on Spotify, iHeart, and Apple Podcasts!

Julie and Jeff are back and nothing is off limits. This week Jeff spots something on BART that he absolutely cannot unsee, we dissect the fine art of ghosting back someone who ghosted you first, and Julie breaks down why a compliment about your eyes might actually be an invitation for a conversation— if you know how to read it.

Plus — is Jeff's resting bitch face keeping him from meeting his person? And does dressing well actually work against you? Mom weighs in, as always, with zero filter.

Grab your wine, order the pizza, and laugh through the uncomfortable with us. 

New here? Start with Episode 7 — the "You embarrassed me" episode that started it all.

New episodes every two weeks. Follow us on Spotify, iHeart, and Apple Podcasts!

Ever have one of those weeks where everything hits at once? This week on Laughing Through the Uncomfortable we are getting real about the messy, exhausting and sometimes hilarious side of adulting. 

A long overdue switch from PC to a brand new Mac turns into a full on customer service nightmare — two unhelpful employees, a laptop hitting the floor on day one, and somehow still walking out with a smile. 

Then the conversation gets real. Navigating a tough job market with a master's degree, why being overqualified can actually work against you, managing disabilities in the real world, and how to keep going when life just feels heavy.

And somewhere in between all of that… Chardonnay. In 90 degree heat. Out of a wine bottle repurposed as a water bottle, because why not.

If you have ever had a week where all you can do is laugh through it — pull up a chair and join the conversation. New episode out now! 

New episodes every two weeks. Follow us on Spotify, iHeart, and Apple Podcasts!

Last week Jeff went on a coffee date and thought it was a disaster. This week, guest Ben calls in to set the record straight. In part two of our dating app saga, Ben breaks down why that lingering hug and five-to-seven seconds of silence was actually a green light Jeff completely missed. 

Plus — Jeff discovers a dating app message he never saw because his notifications were off (all while complaining about being ghosted), Ben shares how he met his wife Katie on Tinder in two days flat, and the crew recaps a wine tasting where Jeff tuned out the history lesson… until four glasses of wine kicked in. If you haven't listened to last week's episode yet, go back and start there — then come right back for this one.

New episodes every two weeks. Follow us on Spotify, iHeart, and Apple Podcasts!

Ever been on a date so awkward it felt like a live episode of Big Bang Theory? This week, Julie and her neurodivergent son Jeff are back and spilling ALL the tea — literally. Jeff breaks down his most recent dating app disaster, including a first date with a biomedical engineer, a $3 cup of tea, an hour and a half of painfully pulled conversation, and the most awkward goodbye handshake you'll ever hear about. Plus, Mom and Jeff dive deep into the wild world of dating apps — the ghosting, the one-word answers, the dopamine chasers, and why 1,500 men slid into his friend's DMs in less than 24 hours. If you're single, have ever BEEN single, or just love laughing at the beautiful disaster that is modern dating — this one's for you.

New episodes every two weeks. Follow us on Spotify, iHeart, and Apple Podcasts!

In this episode of Laughing Through the Uncomfortable, Julie and Jeff unpack a friendship situation that’s been sitting heavy for months: a night out with two friends, a comment that Jeff “embarrassed” someone… and then radio silence for eight months. The conversation highlights the complexities of relationships and the necessity of addressing difficult topics directly to foster understanding and connection.

Jeff shares what happened, how it felt to hear the feedback secondhand, and why unclear communication can hit harder when you’re neurodivergent and already working overtime to “read the room.” Julie offers real-world mom advice: when to address it directly, when to keep it polite, and how to protect your peace without burning bridges.

If you’ve ever been left confused by mixed signals, ghosted friendships, or people who avoid hard conversations, this one will feel very familiar.

Listen now—and tell us: do you text back… or let it go?

Takeaways

• Communication is key in friendships to avoid misunderstandings.
• It's important to express feelings directly rather than talking behind someone's back.
• Understanding social cues can be challenging for some individuals.
• Friendship dynamics can change based on shared experiences and communication.
• Difficult conversations are necessary for maintaining healthy relationships.
• Being honest about feelings can prevent future conflicts.
• It's okay to seek advice from trusted friends when navigating social situations.
• Recognizing the value of friendships can help in decision-making.
• Emotional intelligence plays a significant role in interpersonal relationships.
• Taking time to reflect on friendships can lead to personal growth.
  
  
  

New episodes every two weeks. Follow us on Spotify, iHeart, and Apple Podcasts!

In this episode of Laughing Through the Uncomfortable, Julie and Jeff go back to Jeff’s college experience—living in the dorms during COVID, navigating social cues, and trying to build friendships in a world that suddenly made connection… complicated.

From scented candles and RA run-ins, to awkward roommates, unexpected “bodyguard duty,” and the emotional reality of being left out, this conversation gets real about what it feels like to try to belong when you experience the world a little differently.

They reflect on feelings of exclusion, the importance of friendships, and the lessons learned from these experiences, ultimately highlighting personal growth and the need for kindness in social interactions.

If you’ve ever felt like you were trying harder than everyone else to connect—or like you didn’t quite fit the mold—this episode will hit home.

Listen in and laugh with us through the uncomfortable.

takeaways

• COVID stripped away social interactions for many students.
• Living in dorms can be challenging due to differing personalities.
• Building confidence is essential in social settings.
• Age differences can complicate relationships in college.
• Feeling excluded can impact one's self-esteem.
• It's important to engage with others and break the ice.
• Friendships can be formed through shared experiences.
• Understanding social cues is crucial in group dynamics.
• Personal growth often comes from uncomfortable situations.
• Kindness and inclusivity should be prioritized in social interactions.

New episodes every two weeks. Follow us on Spotify, iHeart, and Apple Podcasts!

Dating is hard. Dating after COVID is weirder. Dating on apps—when you’re also trying to decode unspoken rules about texting, timing, and “not looking needy”—can feel like a full-time job.

In Episode 5, Julie and her son Jeff get real about:

• Why “reading the room” is hard enough… and reading the digital room is worse
• The texting games people play (and why Jeff refuses to play them)
• Ghosting, red flags, and learning the hard way what to walk away from
• The moment a group of women told Jeff he sounded “too nice” — and why that hit deep
• What Jeff actually wants: something simple, steady, and real… and why that seems “boring” to some people

It’s funny, blunt, and unexpectedly heartfelt—especially if you’ve ever been labeled “too much,” “too nice,” or “not mysterious enough.”

New episodes every two weeks. Follow us on Spotify, iHeart, and Apple Podcasts!

In this episode, we talk honestly about what it’s like to grow up neurodivergent in a system built for one kind of learner. From being labeled “lazy” or “unmotivated” to quietly carrying the belief that something must be wrong with you, we unpack the moments school missed — and the impact that still lingers into adulthood.

This isn’t a teacher-bashing conversation. It’s a real one.
 About effort without understanding.
 About kids trying their best without the language to explain why it wasn’t working.
 And about what changes when we finally name the difference between not trying and not being supported.

If you’ve ever felt misunderstood in school — as a student, a parent, or an educator — this conversation is for you.

New episodes every two weeks. Follow us on Spotify, iHeart, and Apple Podcasts!

In this episode of Laughing Through the Uncomfortable, Jeff and Julie welcome special guests Ben and Katie to talk about what really happens when family lives together as adults.

What starts as a practical decision, in saving money after college; quickly becomes a crash course in boundaries, communication, neurodivergence, and emotional growth. From moldy bread and grocery-store blind spots to sensory sensitivities and difficult conversations, this episode explores how good intentions can still lead to tension and how honesty, patience, and love can bring people closer.

Together, they unpack:

• The difference between being roommates vs. being family
• How neurodivergence shows up in daily life and shared spaces
• Why hard conversations matter (and how to have them without burning bridges)
• The role of siblings, partners, and protectors in growth and independence
• What everyone learned by navigating discomfort instead of avoiding it

This episode is for anyone who has ever lived with family, moved in with others, struggled to communicate needs, or grown through uncomfortable—but necessary—change. Because no one has it all figured out… and sometimes the best way forward is to laugh through it together.

New episodes every two weeks. Follow us on Spotify, iHeart, and Apple Podcasts!

In this episode of Laughing Through the Uncomfortable, Julie and her son Jeff continue the conversation about social connection—what it means to be “social,” why interactions can feel unexpectedly hard, and how misunderstandings happen when communication styles don’t align.

Jeff shares what it’s like to feel overwhelmed in everyday settings: tracking the conversation, filtering background noise, reading cues, and trying to respond—all at the same time. Julie reflects on how common this experience can be, even for people who don’t talk about it, and why naming what’s happening matters more than “fixing” it.

Together, they explore how social skills can be built through practice—sometimes by intentionally stepping into uncomfortable situations—and how humor, awareness, and curiosity can help create more genuine connection.

New episodes every two weeks. Follow us on Spotify, iHeart, and Apple Podcasts!

In this inaugural episode of 'Laughing Through the Uncomfortable', Julie and her son Jeff explore the complexities of social interactions, personal growth, and the challenges of navigating relationships. They discuss the importance of feeling connected in a disconnected world, share personal anecdotes about uncomfortable social situations, and reflect on how friendships evolve over time. The conversation emphasizes the value of self-awareness and learning from experiences, setting the stage for future episodes that will delve deeper into these themes.

Takeaways

The podcast originated from a desire to address common social issues.
Julie prefers giving advice from a maternal perspective rather than from her sons.
Many people struggle with social cues and feeling comfortable in various situations.
Self-awareness is crucial in recognizing one's discomfort in social settings.
Friendships can change significantly over time, often cycling every seven years.
It's important to learn from uncomfortable experiences and grow from them.
Julie and Jeff emphasize the importance of emotional intelligence in conversations.
Navigating social interactions can be overwhelming, especially in crowded environments.
The podcast aims to create a sense of community and connection among listeners.
Humor can be a powerful tool in dealing with uncomfortable situations.

New episodes every two weeks. Follow us on Spotify, iHeart, and Apple Podcasts!