Episode Details A hard-hitting, honest conversation for federal workers facing furloughs, layoffs, and career uncertainty—and anyone waiting for a rescue that needs to start with themselves. This weekend, a park ranger's safety warning became an unexpected metaphor: "Rescues will take hours." It's where so many of us are right now—waiting for someone else to fix what's broken, to recognize our value, to restore what was taken. But what if the rescue you're waiting for is coming from the least likely source? What if it's already here, and it starts with you? In this episode, we separate federal employees from federal bureaucracy, honor the mission-driven work that often goes unseen, and provide three actionable steps you can take right now to move from "on hold" to "in motion." Your rescue is coming. It starts now. And the sooner you prepare, the quicker it will be. Key Topics Covered The Reality Check [3:00 - 7:30] Why federal employees are NOT the federal bureaucracy The story of Grayson, the park ranger who turned a stamp into a ceremony Understanding what gets lost when mission-driven people are furloughed Your value doesn't diminish because someone failed to recognize it The Trap of Waiting [7:30 - 12:00] Why waiting for rescue keeps you stuck the longest The difference between hope and wishful thinking How passivity in crisis becomes a choice to let circumstances control you Understanding that rescues might take hours—or might never come The Illusion of Dependence [12:00 - 16:30] The lie we've all been sold: your career depends on other people's decisions Why we look externally for validation instead of internally for clarity The truth about transferable skills, powerful networks, and portable value Shifting from external validation to internal clarity What You Can Do Right Now [16:30 - 21:30] 1. Reclaim Your Sense of Agency Reframe from "this happened TO me" to "I get to decide what comes next" Start with micro-moments of control Rebuild your sense of power through small, consistent decisions 2. Build Internal Clarity Before External Certainty Why applying everywhere immediately keeps you stuck Questions to ask yourself before you start your search How clarity becomes magnetic for the right opportunities 3. Shift From "On Hold" to "In Motion" Understanding that your career is not paused Ways to stay in motion: learning, consulting, freelancing, building Why the strongest negotiating position is when you're already moving The Truth About Loyalty [21:30 - 25:00] Processing the betrayal of broken reciprocal loyalty Understanding that your loyalty was to the mission, not the organization Why your dedication is portable and goes with you How your loyalty built you into who you are today You Are The Rescue [25:00 - 30:00] Why rescue IS coming—from the least likely source: you Your rescue starts now, not when conditions are perfect The sooner you prepare, the quicker your rescue arrives How every action you take compounds and accelerates your progress Understanding that you've always had the power to navigate difficult terrain Quotable Moments "Federal employees are not the federal bureaucracy. You are mission-driven, dedicated human beings who show up every day to do work that matters." "Your value does not diminish because someone else failed to recognize it." "The people who wait for rescue are the ones who suffer the longest. Not because they're weak, but because waiting is passive." "You are not dependent on a single employer, a single job title, or a single career trajectory that someone else designed for you. You never were." "Your loyalty was never misplaced. It was just misaddressed. You weren't loyal to an organization. You were loyal to a mission." "Your rescue will come from the least likely source—You. The person you've been conditioned to believe needs saving." "The sooner it starts, the sooner you prepare, the quicker it will be." "Rescues may take hours. But you don't need one. You never did." Action Steps for Listeners Immediate Actions (Today) Make one small decision and follow through on it Reach out to one person in your network (not to ask for anything, just to reconnect) Spend 30 minutes learning something new or working on a project you've put off This Week Write down what you actually loved about your work (the work itself, not the job) Identify 3-5 skills you have that you've been underutilizing List what you would do differently if you could design your next chapter yourself This Month Start one project that puts you "in motion" (consulting, freelancing, volunteering, creating) Have conversations with 5 people about what they do and what opportunities they're seeing Build something that demonstrates your value independent of your previous role Resources Mentioned Shenandoah National Park - Where the "rescues will take hours" message originated Junior Ranger Program - Example of mission-driven work that creates lasting impact Who This Episode Is For Federal workers who have been furloughed or laid off Government employees facing career uncertainty Anyone who feels stuck waiting for external circumstances to change Professionals who have tied their identity to their job title or employer People who are loyal, mission-driven, and feel betrayed by broken systems Anyone who needs permission to rescue themselves About This Podcast This episode is part of a series exploring career transitions, professional identity, and the power of taking control of your narrative when systems fail you. Host: Sabina Sulat Runtime: 30 minutes Release Date: 10/21/25 Connect & Share If this episode resonated with you: Share it with someone who needs to hear this message Leave a review to help other federal workers find it Tag us on social media with your takeaways using #RescuesWillTakeHours Need support with your career transition? Visit reworkingworks.com or Sabina Sulat | LinkedIn for resources, coaching, and community. Disclaimer This podcast is for informational and motivational purposes. It is not a substitute for professional career counseling, financial advice, or mental health support. If you're struggling, please reach out to qualified professionals who can provide personalized guidance.
