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Laverne McKinnon

@lavernemckinnon

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Grief Mentor | TEDx Speaker | Career Strategist
Helping you navigate professional loss + what’s next
👇🏻This Is Grief Too

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Years ago, when I was fired from my role at CBS, I never imagined I’d be sitting in a hotel room in Manila getting glammed up for my first TEDx Talk on career grief at @tedxforbespark.

Back then, after the job ended, I thought my inability to “bounce back” meant I was failing. My confidence was gone. My energy never fully returned. I kept questioning myself long after the role was over.

What I didn’t understand yet was this:
That wasn’t failure. That was career grief.

Career grief isn’t just about layoffs.
It’s about the loss of identity, belonging, and meaning that happens underneath the visible loss of a title or salary.
It’s the professional blunder you replay at 2 in the morning.
The version of yourself you thought you were becoming and quietly had to let go of.

You can replace a job.
But if you don’t grieve the hidden losses—confidence, purpose, trust in yourself—your nervous system stays in survival mode, even years later.

This TEDx Talk is about naming that grief, honoring it, and creating a good goodbye so your next chapter isn’t built on self-blame, but on clarity and completion.

Catch the full talk via the link in my bio.

#careergrief #tedxtalks #tedxspeaker by @lavernemckinnon

When I was fired from my job, I honestly thought that my life was over.

I lost my sense of community, belonging, purpose, identity, confidence.

What I didn't know then that I know now, is that career grief is real and it's not just about being fired or laid off or downsized. It can encompass a project stolen out, a marketing mishap, a professional embarrassment, but you don't have to suffer because there's a way through it, and I talk about it in a TEDx talk that I gave in Manila in early December.

It's now available to watch, and if you feel like you might be experiencing career grief or someone that you love is experiencing it, please give it a listen.

Give it a watch, share, comment, like... I think it could help you.

The link is in the bio.

#careergrief #TEDxTalk #TEDxTalks by @lavernemckinnon

I know I’m technically on a social media break, but I so appreciate everyone weighing in to help me choose which dress to wear for my @tedxforbespark Talk.

There was a very clear winner and I felt good wearing it. Not too restrictive, I was able to breathe, and honestly the love I felt from y’all helped me to feel confident.

Thank you and lots more to come!! by @lavernemckinnon

Have you ever stepped away for a break, only to spend the whole time feeling guilty about what you’re not doing?

I think about this a lot because, from the outside, resting and avoiding can look exactly the same. But on the inside, they’re doing two completely different things to your energy.

When you’re truly resting, you’re creating space to recover. But when you’re in avoidance mode, you’re actually expending energy to stay away from the hard thing—all while carrying that quiet hum of background anxiety.

It’s something I’ve had to pay attention to in my own life, and the question I keep coming back to is simple: Is this break giving you energy, or taking it away?

If you’re navigating a career transition and trying to figure out what you need right now, the full episode of This is Grief Too is linked in my bio. I’d love for you to give it a listen.

#CareerGrief #RestVsAvoidance #BurnoutRecovery #SelfCompassion #CareerTransitions #SolidGround #ThisIsGriefToo by @lavernemckinnon

One of the things I’ve learned during seasons of uncertainty is that pleasure doesn't have to be earned by solving all your problems first.

When you're navigating professional heartbreak or waiting around in doctor's offices, the "hurry up and wait" cycle can drain your energy fast. For me, stepping back into the driver's seat of my time meant re-reading murder mystery novels on my phone.

It takes me out of 24/7 worry and gives me a familiar world to return to when my own feels unpredictable. It’s a reminder that we’re allowed to pause, rest, and step away from problem-solving.

What’s your pocket of escape right now? I’d love to know.

#CareerGrief #Burnout #GriefAndLoss #IdentityCrisis #CareerCoach #Boundaries #SelfCare by @lavernemckinnon

One of the things I love about the Moonshot Collective is that it’s designed to meet you wherever you are in your career—and wherever you are in your workload.

Whether you need to dial down your involvement while you're in active production and jump back in during post and distribution, or you're looking to pivot your skills into a new lane, the collective shifts with you. We regularly see experienced producers—like commercial veterans—use the support, education, and network of the group to build their long-form slates and seamlessly transfer their expertise into new sectors.

Because growth in this industry isn't always linear. Sometimes it’s about making that powerful sideways shift into the work you've been wanting to do next.

We’re putting together the 2027 Collective now. If you’re a mid-career producer or filmmaker ready to evolve your career surrounded by a community that has your back, visit the link in my bio to learn more and schedule a chat with me.

I'd love to hear where you want to take your work next. by @lavernemckinnon

What if you don't have to figure it all out right now?

We spend so much time in this industry feeling like every hard season needs to turn into a lesson or a breakthrough. But sometimes, simply staying afloat is enough.

Lately, my morning green tea and a good book have been my floatie—a reminder that pleasure and rest don't have to be earned by solving all our problems first.

That spirit of permission is a huge part of what we're building at the Moonshot Collective: a space for mid-career producers and filmmakers to navigate this business, share the weight, and figure things out together.

What's keeping you afloat right now?

Read the full essay at This Is Grief Too or visit the link in my bio to learn more about the 2027 Collective and schedule a chat with me. by @lavernemckinnon

“Mid-career” shows up on fellowship applications, lab applications, and grant guidelines, and a lot of people read it and self-select out.

Here’s how I think about it. It’s not a credit count. It’s knowing enough to know what you don’t know. Maybe you’ve spent years in development and you’re ready to be hands-on. Maybe you’ve been selling scripts and you’re done handing them off before production. Maybe you’ve made several shorts and you’re working out what changes at feature scale. Different routes, same awareness of where your gaps are.

The Moonshot Collective is a year-long professional development community for mid-career producers and filmmakers. Part skill-building, part a cohort of peers you trust enough to ask when you don’t have the answer. Laverne McKinnon and I are co-leading it in 2027.

It’s built for people who already know what they’re missing. Between guest speakers, learning segments, and a room of fellow members where it’s safe to ask anything, this is the place to fill those gaps.

Not sure if you’re a fit? Book a free intro call with Laverne and me through the link in bio. It’s a conversation about where you are and what you’re looking for, and a chance to ask us anything.

The group is capped at twenty, seats are already being claimed, and early bird pricing is the better deal.

#indieproducer #filmproducer #filmmaking #producerbrain #filmmakercommunity by @lavernemckinnon

Ever feel like the world is moving too fast, and you’re just trying to hold on?

I’ve been there. Standard career advice tells us to bounce back, turn adversity into opportunity, and keep pushing. But when your capacity is depleted, you don't have to force yourself to swim. Staying afloat is enough.

For me right now, that looks like my morning hot green tea. When so much is outside my control, this small, predictable pleasure takes on disproportionate importance. It’s a quiet anchor in the middle of a chaotic season.

What’s keeping you afloat today? I’d love to hear in the comments.

#CareerGrief #CareerTransitions #BurnoutRecovery #GriefSupport #MidcareerPivot #NervousSystemSafety #SelfCareInCrisis by @lavernemckinnon

I've never walked into a project knowing everything it would need. Every project is different, the industry keeps moving, and I'm always doing something for the first time while still being responsible for doing it well.

I've made peace with that. What I need is a place to keep learning, and people to lean on when I feel unmoored.

For me, that's the Moonshot Collective. The Moonshot Collective is a year-long professional development community for mid-career producers and filmmakers. Part skill-building, part a cohort of peers you trust enough to ask when you don't have the answer. Laverne McKinnon and I are co-leading it in 2027.

If you're wondering whether it's a fit, you can book a free call with Laverne and me. It's a conversation, not coaching. Bring your questions and we'll figure out together whether this is the right room for you.

The group is capped at twenty, and seats are already being claimed. Early bird pricing is the better deal, so if you're leaning yes, sooner is better.

Link in bio.

#indieproducer #filmproducer #filmmaking #producerbrain #filmmakercommunity by @lavernemckinnon

Warm, loving accountability—that’s the phrase that always sticks with people when they talk about the Moonshot Collective.

In our meetings, every member gets a dedicated spotlight to bring whatever they’re facing to the table. A tough problem to solve, a win to celebrate, or a key introduction they need. No rigid rules or intense pressure—just consistent, compassionate support designed to keep your project moving forward with real momentum.

Because staying accountable to your goals doesn't have to feel cold or transactional. It can feel like having a room full of people genuinely cheering you on and helping you figure out the next step.

We’re putting together the 2027 Collective now. If you’re a mid-career producer or filmmaker looking for a community that keeps you inspired and accountable, head to the link in my bio to learn more and schedule a chat with me. by @lavernemckinnon

When what feels like a personal failure is actually a systemic industry challenge, having the right people in your corner changes everything.

The Moonshot Collective is a year-long community for mid-career producers and filmmakers looking to advance their careers through practical strategy, shared resources, and genuine emotional support. It’s a cohort of peers who act as your sounding board, cheerleaders, and strategic partners so you never have to navigate this business alone.

Applications for 2027 are open. Tap the link in bio to book a consultation. by @lavernemckinnon