Fired While Pregnant: Turning a Layoff Into a New Beginning with Megan Tobler

In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Megan Tobler—entrepreneur, podcast host, and founder of the Together community for mompreneurs—about navigating job loss during pregnancy and redefining what “safety” and “success” mean in the world of modern motherhood and entrepreneurship. Megan shares her story of being laid off while pregnant, pivoting from a high-achieving corporate sales career to building her own business and supportive network for mothers with big ambitions and little kids.

About the Guest:

Megan Tobler is the host of the Self StartHER podcast, and founder of TogetHER a vibrant community designed for women who are building businesses while balancing life at home. As someone who transformed her own journey into a thriving space for connection and growth, Megan has firsthand experience navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship and life. She’s passionate about empowering women to pursue their ambitions unapologetically, sharing relatable advice, actionable strategies, and real-life stories. Through Self StartHER, Megan has cultivated a space where women can find the tools, inspiration, and confidence to thrive in both business and life.

Main Topics Covered:

• Navigating a mass layoff while pregnant and its impact on career direction
• Why traditional job security isn’t always as “safe” as it seems
• The emotional rollercoaster of job loss—sickness, panic, and unexpected relief
• Building a business (and a podcast) in uncertain times, including through her husband’s industry strike
• The realities of American maternity leave, benefits, and job search when expecting
• How Megan reframed risk, empowerment, and fulfillment from corporate to entrepreneurship
• The importance of supportive communities for women in similar seasons of life
• Embracing imperfection, adaptability, and rethinking what it means to “have it all”

Quote from the Episode:

“For me, the safety was betting on myself. I knew that I had the work ethic, I knew that I had the savings in place because I was making a really great salary and my husband, the two combined, we had savings in place... There was no safety [in corporate]. The companies no longer viewed the employees like a long term part, like piece of the family. It was just like, who's going to help take me to the next level and then you’re disposable when you’re no longer going to help them get there.” — Megan Tobler

Timestamps: [00:00:03] Warm-up, weather, and what makes Megan smile

[00:03:02] Losing her job while pregnant—mass layoff, details, and emotions

[00:05:22] Explaining the company’s pivot and layoff reasoning

[00:06:06] Megan’s corporate and entertainment journey; work/life balance dilemmas

[00:12:25] The timeline: layoff during pregnancy and the emotional response

[00:13:15] Finding support, aggressive networking, and realizing it’s not time to go back to corporate

[00:16:40] Launching the Self Starter podcast and building a side-hustle foundation

[00:19:36] Rethinking job security and reframing safety as empowerment

[00:23:24] Taking risks, family finances, and lessons from multiple layoffs

[00:25:10] Why Megan launched her business full-time instead of as a side hustle

[00:28:56] The Together community: what it is, who it’s for, and how to join

[00:32:50] Community, motherhood, and lessons that translate across adult life

[00:35:11] Rapid fire: motherhood surprises, bucket lists, and thermostat wars

Special Offer from the Guest:

This is a community for moms building businesses while juggling life at home. We provide networking and learning opportunities that fit the busy and complicated (in the best way) lives of these women.. Visit www.selfstarther.com/together for more details.

Note from the show: Guest offers are often limited-time and limited quantity. If you have an issue redeeming the guest offer please reach out to the guest or vendor directly.

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