Netflix layoffs, Victoria’s Secret casting drama, and my first Friday off in forever (it felt illegal)

A former Victoria’s Secret Angel got the corporate ghosting treatment we all know too well, Netflix cut 1,000 jobs while insisting everything’s fine, and Spotify wants to charge you for your favorite podcast.

Let’s get into it.

A former Victoria’s Secret Angel got ghosted after the interview, and it’s way too relatable

The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show happened this weekend and the internet has not stopped talking about the show’s casting choices. Kylie Jenner’s runway debut wearing the $50 million Fantasy Bra (the most expensive one ever) despite the fact she’s not exactly a career runway model was certainly a choice. Meanwhile, Romee Strijd, one of the most famous Angels from 2014 to 2018, revealed on TikTok that she wasn’t cast in this year’s show, and the way she found out is giving every bad job search I’ve ever had. She went to the casting in September, got put on a “maybe” list, heard nothing for five weeks while still preparing and training for the big night, and only learned it was a no days before the show (after her agency followed up). Her verdict: the rejection was fine, but the runaround and the lack of straight answers were worse. If a supermodel can get ghosted from a job she helped make iconic, it’s worth wondering if the rest of us waiting to hear back after a final-round interview can expect any better. Just tell people no, it’s free!

Netflix cutting 1,000 jobs including senior leadership, but don’t worry, business is great

Netflix is laying off about 6% of its workforce, roughly 1,000 people, in its biggest round of cuts since 2022. And seniority wasn’t a shield: the VP of Film and a handful of director-level TV execs were let go, including one who’d been there a full decade, and the company’s chief content officer and head of film have since exited too. Most of the cuts are hitting product, tech, legal, and even HR. You know it’s bad when the people who usually deliver the layoff news are getting laid off too. But the co-CEOs’ memo seems to be rewriting this particular episode of corporate layoffs, saying business is strong and they just need to be “disciplined” about where they put people. An interesting way to describe people put out of a job. The real story: Netflix’s stock is down more than 40% over the past year because we’re all apparently watching a little less, and it’s scrambling to win back our attention with live sports, video podcasts, and YouTubers’ shows. Earnings come out this week, so expect a lot of “investing in high-impact areas” talk. Moral of the story: If your company starts using the word “disciplined” in all-hands, update your resume (sorry, I don’t make the rules).

Your favorite podcast can now charge you a monthly membership

Spotify just launched paid podcast memberships, where creators can bundle perks like ad-free episodes, early access, and bonus content into tiers fans pay for. Shows like The Sculpt Society and Two Hot Takes are among the first to offer memberships, so the wellness girlies and the reality TV girlies are both covered. And while another subscription is the last thing any of us needs (my bank statement is already a graveyard of free trials I forgot to cancel), it’s worth noting this could be a great way to support your favorite independent creators as the benefits are really in their favor. Creators keep 90% of the money, which is a genuinely good deal by platform standards. Smaller shows can get in on it too, since the bar to qualify is just 100 listeners, 100 hours of listening, and three episodes. So if you’ve been noodling on an audio-based idea but thought you missed the boat, take this as your sign to explore your podcasting possibilities.

I’m taking Friday off this week and it feels SO wrong but SO right. After working basically every weekend for the past month, my body has fully forgotten what Saturdays are for. Turns out I don’t have an off switch, which my fiancé could have told me for free. Sleeping in? Never heard of her. So here’s my attempt at actual R&R: mountain views, my favorite people, and a party bus to the ND football game (very restful, very spa-like, I know). If you need a sign to use your Friday accordingly, this is it. The inbox will still be there Monday… unfortunately.

HAPPY FALL Y’ALL! The second it dipped below 70 degrees, I took it as my official permission slip to dress for the season. Am I the only one getting full Sherlock Holmes from this plaid blazer? It’s all I can see and honestly, I love it. I love a statement coat. And I also love some layers. This chocolate brown Ann Taylor mock neck is SO cozy for the 9am conference room, where facilities has apparently set the thermostat to “meat locker.” Cute, professional and functional? Consider this case closed.

Daylight saving time ends on November 1, which means it’ll be pitch black by the time you log off and your body will start asking why you’re awake at all. Less sunshine messes with your energy, sleep, and mood, so the hack is to get ahead of it now instead of waiting until you’re eating cereal for dinner in the dark at 5pm (been there).

Get outside within an hour of waking up, even for 10 minutes. Morning light helps reset your internal clock, and it counts even when it’s cloudy. Walk to get your coffee instead of making it at home, or take your first call of the day on a lap around the block.

If you work from home and don’t leave the apartment until 3pm, move your desk next to the brightest window you have and open the blinds before you open Slack. And if your place gets zero natural light (NYC studio dwellers, I see you), look into a light therapy lamp. The ones labeled 10,000 lux are the standard, and 20 to 30 minutes in front of one while you answer emails is the move.

If you can swing stepping away from your desk, set a recurring “go outside” reminder for lunchtime, since midday is when the sun is strongest. Two minutes to set up, and future you will thank you in January.

It also helps to put one thing on the calendar every week between now and the holidays that you’re actually excited about, like a dinner, a class, or a movie night with friends. The dark months feel way shorter when there’s always something coming up. Once you’re home for the night, turn off the harsh overhead lights after dinner and switch to lamps. Your apartment will feel cozier, and your brain gets a clearer signal that it’s time to wind down, which helps when the early darkness starts wrecking your sleep.

And remember, if the blues start feeling heavier than just a little sluggish, that’s worth bringing up with your doctor. Seasonal depression is real and very treatable.

Thanks for reading!