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  • Content Creation Systems

    Content Creation Systems
    Jan 26 2026

    Check out our website for additional resources: www.futureproof-you.com

    We get asked this all the time: "How do you find the time to post consistently?" This episode is the answer. We talk through how we actually do it—what works, what doesn't, and how we've each built something sustainable.

    How we got here:


    Dan started with email chains on Wall Street. John was networking his way through grad school. Aaron was filming himself in front of a green screen for reasons he's still not sure about. We all came to content from different angles, and none of us had a plan.


    What we talk about:

    Getting past the early awkwardness of posting. Why you need somewhere to dump ideas the moment they hit—not when you finally sit down to write. How to figure out what you should actually post about by mashing up what you know with what you're into. (Pop culture, career pivots, Friday drink recipes—whatever.)

    We also get into platform stuff: why commenting matters as much as posting, how to share links without tanking your reach, and why it's better to treat posts like experiments than finished products.

    Topics:

    Why we started posting in the first place

    How to build a routine when you're scared to hit publish

    Where to put ideas so you don't lose them

    Figuring out your content lanes (like Pop Culture Friday)

    How to look like a real person to the algorithm

    Green screens, screenshots vs. links, and batching

    Time Stamps for Chapters:

    00:00 - Intro: Content Systems

    01:08 - Why Start Posting?

    03:14 - John's Motivation

    04:22 - Aaron's Origin Story

    07:34 - Building a Routine

    12:08 - Idea Capture System

    15:01 - Content Pillars

    16:34 - Pop Culture Friday

    23:08 - Friday Drink Recipes

    27:17 - Platform Strategy

    31:19 - External Links Strategy

    33:24 - Green Screen Technique

    35:25 - Parting Advice

    38:14 - Outro


    We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL.

    IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:
    Simplify and streamline technology
    Save teachers’ time
    Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
    Improve student performance on state assessments
    🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.
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    41 Min.
  • New Year New Career

    New Year New Career
    Jan 19 2026

    New Year, New Career

    We talk about what the 2026 job market actually looks like and what to do if you're thinking about switching careers or jobs this year.

    What we cover:

    Latest labor stats: jobless claims ticked up, job openings dropped by 300K, and white-collar roles are still getting hit hardest.

    We run through which job titles are popping up for 2026: most involve AI implementation, integration, or scaling. AI engineer, data annotator, AI trainer. These are entry points for people switching fields if they're willing to learn new tools.

    Nurse practitioners and sales pros are still doing fine. Turns out emotional intelligence and people skills matter more when AI handles the rest.

    From a recruiter lens: we watch product manager openings and recruiter job postings as leading indicators. When those move, the broader market usually follows.

    We talk about "job hugging" during bonus season. Q1 is weird because budgets open up and hiring picks up, but a lot of candidates are still hesitating. If you're ready, you can move faster than most.

    For job seekers: holidays are over, so now's the time to actually network. Host something. Attend something. Stop relying on "easy apply."


    Our habit picks for 2026:

    Dan says "yes, and"—try industries you'd normally ignore.

    John says talk to people in your network before you need something from them.

    Aaron says pick a content format you like and actually stick with it.


    The takeaway: Habits beat resolutions. You can't control when opportunities show up, but you can be ready when they do.


    Resources:

    LinkedIn Quickstart Guide and other downloadable classes at www.futureproof-you.com.
    Use code NEWYEAR for 50% off.

    0:38 — Labor Market Statistics
    2:04 — Emerging Job Titles & AI Impact
    5:43 — Hiring Indicators & Recruiter Insights
    8:14 — Job Hugging & Bonus Season
    11:37 — Advice for Job Seekers
    22:56 — Best Habits for Career Success
    34:11 — What We're Working On
    39:15 — Closing Thoughts


    We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL.

    IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:
    Simplify and streamline technology
    Save teachers’ time
    Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
    Improve student performance on state assessments
    🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.
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    44 Min.
  • Layoffs

    Layoffs
    Dec 22 2025

    In this episode, Aaron Makelky, Dan Yu, and John Lovig cover how to navigate layoffs, whether you're watching them happen around you or going through one yourself.

    Dan shares the numbers: over 1.1 million layoffs in 2025, a 54% jump year-over-year, making it the worst since COVID and the 2008 financial crisis. Tech, telecom, retail, airlines, and food service have all been hit. Amazon, Verizon, IBM, Starbucks, Meta, Microsoft, and UPS have made cuts, and seasonal hiring is down by about half compared to previous years.

    The hosts offer practical advice for those seeing colleagues get let go. Dan recommends downloading your contacts, performance reviews, and any kudos emails while you still have access. These documents become critical when job searching. John emphasizes starting to network before you need to: coffee chats, reaching out to recruiters, or posting content on LinkedIn. Aaron's mental test: ask yourself what you'd wish you were doing right now if it had been you on that list.

    John introduces the concept of "layoff fatigue"—the psychological and emotional toll of either enduring a prolonged job search or surviving multiple rounds of cuts at your company. The hosts discuss how this fatigue shows up in interviews (recruiters can spot cynicism immediately) and offer strategies for combating it, including finding joy outside of work, getting accountability partners, and maintaining perspective on what's actually within your control.

    The episode wraps with a discussion on outplacement services—what they actually provide, the right questions to ask, and how to maximize their value, including the tip to pause services during slow hiring periods like the holidays.

    For more resources, visit futureproof-yu.com.

    Timestamps

    0:00 – Intro
    0:49 – The state of the 2025 job market: 1.1 million layoffs, 54% year-over-year increase
    2:08 – Which job market numbers to trust (government data vs. ADP reports)
    3:10 – Industries hit hardest: tech, telecom, retail, airlines, federal government
    4:29 – Seasonal hiring down by half—what it signals about consumer spending
    5:10 – What to do when you see colleagues get laid off
    5:59 – Download your contacts, performance reviews, and KPIs while you can
    7:32 – Start networking before you need to
    9:25 – The difference between a transactional reach-out and a genuine one
    11:10 – Dan's story: calling a laid-off client every few weeks for 18 months
    13:02 – Take your laid-off boss out for a drink
    13:51 – Update your LinkedIn profile during any company change
    14:59 – Keep a file of thank-you notes for tough days
    15:51 – What is "layoff fatigue"?
    17:30 – Finding joy outside of work to reduce stress
    18:33 – Layoff buddies: accountability partners for your job search
    19:35 – Start a corporate alumni networking group on LinkedIn
    20:28 – Can recruiters spot layoff fatigue in interviews? (Yes, immediately)
    22:30 – "Bitter, angry, sad, and despondent is not sexy"
    24:00 – Separating your identity from job search outcomes
    25:40 – Locus of control: what you can and can't hold yourself accountable for
    27:26 – Increasing your surface area for good things to happen
    27:49 – Give LinkedIn recommendations as "lotto tickets with extra juice"
    29:00 – Outplacement services: what they actually do (and don't do)
    31:17 – Questions to ask about outplacement: success rates, coaching, databases
    32:22 – Tip: pause outplacement services during slow hiring periods
    32:35 – Outro and wrap-up


    We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL.

    IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:
    Simplify and streamline technology
    Save teachers’ time
    Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
    Improve student performance on state assessments
    🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.
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    35 Min.
  • Q4 Hiring Trends

    Q4 Hiring Trends
    Nov 15 2025

    Join recruiters Dan Yu and John Lovig as they share insights from the trenches on Q4 2025 hiring trends, AI's impact on recruitment, and essential strategies for job seekers navigating today's market.

    Timestamps & Topics

    [0:00] Introduction & Q4 Hiring Trends Overview

    Aaron introduces the episode topic and the team discusses what's happening in Q4 hiring across the market.

    [0:36] AI's Impact on Hiring

    • Tech companies hiring for AI-enabled roles
    • AI-first recruiting: companies seeking candidates who use AI in their workflows
    • Executive-level searches indicating company growth
    • Surge in tech recruiter postings

    [2:13] Seasonal Hiring Patterns & Budget Spending

    • Q4 as a strategic hiring period
    • Budget constraints driving year-end hiring decisions
    • "No fire, no hire" trend discussion
    • Companies becoming more mindful about talent acquisition

    [4:25] Job Hugging Trend Explained

    • Definition: Doing anything to stay in your current job
    • Behaviors: Taking on extra work, managing up, demonstrating value
    • Connection to AI adoption and productivity increases
    • Importance of being prepared for unexpected layoffs

    [6:00] LinkedIn Profile Optimization for AI Search

    • Building a robust LinkedIn presence
    • Documenting accomplishments publicly
    • Downloading contacts and memorializing achievements
    • Preparing for potential career transitions

    [8:00] Agentic AI in LinkedIn Recruiting

    • LinkedIn's new AI agents for candidate search and messaging
    • How AI search differs from traditional recruiting methods
    • Importance of profile visibility for AI algorithms
    • Risk of being overlooked without proper optimization

    [9:39] Keyword Strategy for Visibility

    • Using ubiquitous, industry-standard keywords
    • Balancing specific and common terminology
    • Keyword frequency and recency matter
    • Strategic placement in current role and about section

    [10:01] Using Pinned Posts Effectively

    • Three pinned posts appear prominently on profiles
    • Confirming expertise through content
    • Recruiter attention span: 6-8 seconds to engage
    • Examples of strategic post pinning

    [11:11] LinkedIn Profile Knockout Mistakes

    • Creative roles without portfolio examples in posts
    • Missing professional profile pictures for client-facing roles
    • Lack of background/banner images
    • Not showcasing work you're proud of

    [13:10] Closing & Course Information

    • LinkedIn optimization live course: November 6th
    • Downloadable/asynchronous course options available
    • Visit futureproofyou.com for more information

    Key Takeaways

    1. AI skills are becoming essential across roles, not just technical positions
    2. Q4 is an active hiring period driven by budget cycles
    3. Your LinkedIn profile must be AI-search optimized with strategic keywords
    4. Recruiters spend 6-8 seconds scanning profiles—make every element count
    5. Document your accomplishments and maintain an up-to-date professional presence

    Resources Mentioned

    • FutureProofYou.com - Course information and resources
    • LinkedIn Optimization Course - Live (Nov 6) and downloadable formats

    Connect with the Hosts

    Find Dan Yu, John Lovig, and Aaron Makelky on LinkedIn to learn more about hiring trends and career optimization strategies.



    We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL.

    IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:
    Simplify and streamline technology
    Save teachers’ time
    Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
    Improve student performance on state assessments
    🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.
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    14 Min.
  • EP 19 Career Pivots with Terri Dien

    EP 19 Career Pivots with Terri Dien
    Sep 1 2025

    Terri Dien went from White House Press Office to campaign wins to culinary school at 30-something, then stacked skills across restaurants, teaching, corporate dining, four cookbooks, and now voiceover. We cover: how to test and iterate, translate strengths into new lanes, use networks instead of blind applying, design better learning with simple takeaways, and why failing in public is often the fastest teacher. Speed round at the end (Zuni roast chicken fans, unite).

    • 00:00 Intro

    • 02:00 White House → campaigns

    • 07:00 Burnout + food as signal

    • 13:00 Culinary school pivot

    • 20:30 Imposter syndrome → street cred

    • 23:00 How she designs classes that stick

    • 26:30 Risk and safety nets

    • 28:00 Networking > applying

    • 31:00 Mentors + “permission to fail”

    • 33:30 Advice if you feel stuck

    • 36:00 Voiceover 3- and 5-year plan

    • 41:00 Cookbooks

    • 44:00 Bon Appétit opportunity

    • 48:00 400 kids/day, food safety

    • 51:30 Speed round

    Check out futureproof-you.com for free resources to help you take control of your career today!



    We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL.

    IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:
    Simplify and streamline technology
    Save teachers’ time
    Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
    Improve student performance on state assessments
    🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    55 Min.
  • The Seasons of Hiring

    The Seasons of Hiring
    Aug 24 2025
    FutureProof You Podcast — EP 18: “Seasons of Hiring”One‑linerWhen should a job seeker push hard versus play the long game? Aaron Makelky, John Lovig, and Dan Yu map the hiring year—late summer slowdown, Q4 surge, bonus-season churn, and spring steadiness—and give a practical playbook for each.TL;DR TakeawaysLate summer is slower (vacations, back‑to‑school), so expect longer response times—use the window to upgrade the profile, post consistently, and pre-seed networking for September.Signals that the market’s waking up: more job postings, noticeable LinkedIn activity, and companies hiring recruiters (hiring follows recruiters).Q4 moves fast: “use‑it‑or‑lose‑it” budgets, pockets of holiday slowdowns—win with “politeful pestering,” clear availability, and transparent timing across parallel processes.Year‑end to Q1: bonus visibility and payouts trigger candidate movement; January is quiet, then momentum builds—by March through May, hiring is steady and planned.Always be networking and creating social proof (content, recommendations); the work done today often pays off quarters later.Chapter Guide00:00 — Welcome + why “seasons of hiring” matter01:07 — Late summer slowdown: vacations, back‑to‑school, two‑week decision drag02:30 — What to do now: still apply to active roles, and always apply on the company site (ATS searchable)04:05 — Signs of the turn: more postings, more LinkedIn activity, recruiter job counts as a health gauge05:24 — Q4 dynamic: budgets, “use it or lose it,” and holiday slowdowns to plan around07:08 — Content still works in “dead zones” (algorithms serve later); prep for the fall push08:30 — Natural holiday networking + plotting the rest of the year09:16 — Client win: from placeholder profile to offer in ~60 days through optimization + posting12:00 — Social proof: help your network (and yourself) with better profiles and recommendations17:20 — October tactics: “time kills all deals,” sequence outreach to newly hired recruiters19:19 — “Politeful pestering,” follow‑ups, and being mindful of varied holiday calendars20:32 — Share real timing across processes to create urgency (without games)22:00 — “Sell to the no”: fast no beats a slow maybe23:03 — Bonus season timing: when movement spikes and how to plan24:33 — Q1/Q2 cadence: January quiet → March–May steady, with quarterly headcount plans27:03 — The long game: groundwork in Q3 pays off in Q4/Q1/Q228:00 — Parting mindset: network when you have a job as if you don’tThe Seasonal PlaybookLate Summer (now → early September)Expect slower scheduling; keep applying where signals are active (recent views, engaged recruiters).Always apply on the corporate site in addition to Easy Apply to get searchable in the ATS.Post consistently—algorithms will surface good content when the audience returns.Pre‑seed September: identify target teams, warm up intros, and reconnect with recruiters.Fall/Q4 (late September → mid‑December)Budgets drive urgency; hiring velocity increases.Sequence outreach to newly hired recruiters: congrats note → light check‑in week 2/3 → request informational.“Politeful pestering”: short, specific follow‑ups with ready‑to‑book availability to reduce friction.Be transparent about timelines if in mid‑rounds elsewhere; it gives partners permission to accelerate.Plan around holiday gaps (e.g., Thanksgiving week and other cultural/faith calendars).Year‑End/Bonus Season (late Dec → Q1)Understand bonus timing in the target industry; movement often starts at visibility, spikes post‑payout.If moving, get pipelines warmed ahead of payout so interviews land just‑in‑time.Q1/Q2 (Jan → May)January is quiet but directional; executive and strategic hires form early.By March–May, hiring is steady and planned across quarterly headcount—network before roles post.Social Proof & Profile MovesUpgrade from “placeholder” to discoverable: banner, headline, outcomes in experience, relevant skills, and consistent posting.Give and request recommendations to create undeniable social proof.“Conference commando” strategy: follow speakers, send thoughtful pre‑event DMs, and be top‑of‑mind offline.Power Lines to Steal“Time kills all deals.”“Politeful pestering.”“Sell to the no.”“Use‑it‑or‑lose‑it budgets.”“The algorithm will serve good content when the audience returns.”HostsAaron Makelky - John Lovig - Dan YuCall to ActionWant help tuning up a LinkedIn profile, building a simple content engine, or navigating interviews the way recruiters actually work? Find FutureProof You on LinkedIn and grab our 5‑step profile spring‑clean checklist.For coaching, workshops, and courses on career pivots and AI‑powered job search, connect with the FutureProof You team on our website: https://futureproof-you.com We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive ...
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    31 Min.
  • Developing an AI First Mindset

    Developing an AI First Mindset
    Jul 1 2025

    Adapting to the AI-First Era: Trends, Tools, and Strategies

    Check out the Futureproof-You website for more resources, courses, and our free guide: 5 Tips to Improve Your LinkedIn Profile

    In this episode of Future Proof You podcast, hosted by Dan Yu, John Lovig, and Aaron Makelky, the focus is on the growing impact of AI in the business world. The hosts discuss the transition from AI experimentation to an 'AI-first' strategy, emphasizing the importance of integrating AI deeply into business processes. They share insights on the evolving job market, particularly the demand for AI fluency and emotional intelligence. Specific examples from marketing and job roles highlight the rapid adoption of AI. The hosts also talk about their favorite AI tools and upcoming workshops designed to help individuals and companies embrace an AI-first mindset.

    00:00 Introduction to the Future Proof Use Podcast
    00:43 Understanding the AI Transition
    02:14 Real-World Examples of AI Integration
    05:13 The Importance of AI Fluency in Hiring
    10:31 Tools and Trends in AI
    16:55 Final Thoughts and Resources

    Don't forget to check out the Futureproof-You website for more resources, courses, and our free download: 5 Tips to Improve Your LinkedIn Profile


    We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL.

    IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:
    Simplify and streamline technology
    Save teachers’ time
    Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
    Improve student performance on state assessments
    🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    20 Min.
  • 6 Job Search Myths

    6 Job Search Myths
    May 30 2025

    Debunking Job Search Myths: Insights from Recruiters

    Check out the Futureproof-You website for more resources, courses, and our free resource: 5 Tips to Improve Your LinkedIn Profile

    In this episode of the Future Proof You podcast, hosts Aaron Makelky, Dan Yu, and John Lovig demystify common myths in the job search process. They address six myths: AI in applicant tracking systems causing quick rejections, the effectiveness of the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn, the importance of quantity over quality in applications, identifying ghost jobs, ageism affecting job opportunities, and the value of proactive networking. The hosts share insights from their recruiting experience and offer practical advice on how to navigate the job market effectively.

    00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
    01:13 Myth 1: AI in Applicant Tracking Systems
    04:27 Myth 2: The Easy Apply Button on LinkedIn
    07:07 Myth 3: Quantity Over Quality in Applications
    10:47 Myth 4: Identifying Ghost Jobs
    14:45 Myth 5: Ageism in the Job Market
    19:16 Myth 6: The Importance of Networking
    25:21 Conclusion and Resources

    Check out the Futureproof-You website for more resources, courses, and our free resource: 5 Tips to Improve Your LinkedIn Profile


    We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL.

    IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:
    Simplify and streamline technology
    Save teachers’ time
    Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
    Improve student performance on state assessments
    🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    28 Min.