Why We Left BuzzFeed | Kitchen & Jorn
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- Опубликовано: 3 дек 2020
- Trigger warning: We discuss suicidal ideation and depression in this video. Please take care of yourselves!
Resources for folks experiencing similar things:
suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
translifeline.org/hotline/
In which Kristin and Jen discuss why they left BuzzFeed. ALSO: We are in a quarantine bubble! Wear your masks!
Subscribe to our Patreon: / kitchenandjorn
Video edited by: Mia Barnett ( / miapagebarnett )
Video captioned by: Arielle Stewart
Title cards by: Oliver Rogue ( / oxrstudios )
Channel Art by: Sarah Day (sarahdayarts.com)
New videos every Friday!
We never supported Buzzfeed, it was you guys who we supported
Whom*
I also liked the unsolved mysteries channel.
@@rhpinkpop96 "that" also works.
@@keptins doesn't matter.
facts
I feel like Buzzfeed is this weird cult that occasionally people escape from and tell their story
its exactly like scientology lol
Add Disney too :P
like that show escaping polygamy
buzzfeed is internet scientology.
And, oddly, some of the fan-made FB groups turn into weird cults, too.
What bothers me is I've watched so many of these "why i left buzzfeed" type videos about how terrible a company it was and how overworked everyone is, and yet when I was younger watching those buzzfeed videos I remember being like "wow I want to work in a place like buzzfeed" because everyone made it look so fun.
same
It is kind of sad if you think about it though. That the goal in life is to just find a job that doesn't seem like it suck. That just being happy for the majority of your day and working with friends if the attractive part of a job.
So true
foreal! I just saw a job I wanted to go for but these videos remind me of the truth behind the brand
I used to think the exact same thing, but if you go back now and watch videos as they’re walking thru offices or work stations most people there look absolutely miserable until they realize the camera is around. Some don’t even care then.
"I'm lucky I still have a job" sounds like an abused woman who is just grateful to have a "partner."
In our society sadly thats reality. 😔 You gotta push all of the bad aside because you got mouths to feed or bills to pay. Not many people have the gumption or energy to look for other work and get mental state under control.
Were all working to die-
That's capitalism for ya
Yup 👍🏽 work culture is toxic as hell.
Well if people call greenpace once they saw you at the beach maybe you should #free the whales
@@BrittanyIttany gender study didnt pay off, weird
Honestly, buzzfeed is the type of kid who says "I'm not homophobic, I have gay friends".
Or the "I can't be racist! I know like, 3 black people!" types of people.
@@jess1033919 “Im not racist my cousins daughters friends dog is black”
this is literally all their videos trying to be "woke"
I'm not homophobic guys!! my uncle's hamster is pan!!!!!!!!
"Oh you're left handed? My cousin's best friend is left handed too!"
the fact that so many people who basically carried buzzfeed had to leave is concerning
like huge red flags?
Rightttt
I heard they're limited to collaborating with only buzzfeed channels
I wish they were allowed to name names... who are the problematic executives? How can fans ask for accountability if they have no clue who is responsible. What can you do? Glad they got out...
safia nygard (probably spelt it wrong) was the biggest red flag .
I stg if Shane and Ryan leave-- I don't know what I'll do
The fact that the American bar is so low that people think “ you have health insurance, why are you complaining” thoughts from a canada who has not had to be scared of that, so not right
I remember my friend being laughed at by his boss when asking for health insurance during his annual review at an architecture firm. I also got a laugh when interviewing with an architecture firm in NYC when I asked "does your office have a healthcare plan?"
Unfortunately we incur costs elsewhere. Dental, eye care, mental and physical therapy. It's better here for sure, but it's far from perfect.
Oh, and if we switch jobs, there is usually a 90 day period before the new insurance begins.
@@dufgirl that makes sense cause people totally control when they get sick *sarcasm*
My friend and I plan to move to Canada when we graduate. Free healthcare, no politics. What could be better than that?
YOU'RE TELLING ME THAT MOST OF LADYLIKE HAS LEFT BUZZFEED? SAFIYA, KRISTEN, DEVON, JEN, CANDACE, CHANTEL??!?
AND all the try guys!!!
@@arielyounger1513 really???
@@emmaanderson4732 yes???? did u miss that whole thing??
@@emmaanderson4732 years ago. They have their own company now.
@@allisonmb1930 I had no idea! I immediately wondered about their situation as I watched this video...I feel relieved that they are independent now.
When a company uses the “we’re family”when you are miserable, that’s a red flag.
Yup
that's some emotional manipulation shit right here
I remember feeling this.
I dont know if you watch wisecrack, but they did a video about the "dark side" of Michael Scott that talks about this. Also yeah, my shittiest jobs had that mentality lol
THE MEME
"buzzfeed was a company i would walk into hell for. their response was 'oh, can you grab a couple things for me while you're there?'" that.
My partner, who works in a completely different industry works for a company that is very similar in that ‘we don’t care about out employees’ attitude for him, it’s awful to watch and go through with him.
I felt this quote so hard.
Honestly, the same can be said for any retail company ever.
Lush is another company that relies heavily on this kind of dynamic
Sounds like a few horse trainers I know. I watch one woman get fired because she wanted to go to her mother's funeral.
I’ve never heard a “Why I Left” with this much detail. It’s crazy because it makes so much sense. I never realized how overworked you guys were
It's brilliant because they're voicing so much of what makes working for media and entertainment so problematic
Ik bc that's a common problem everyone says
I rarely watch Buzzfeed videos but I remember hearing about them being overworked a lot a while back while they were about to fall. I remember they used to get plenty of views and just right now when I searched them up right now they barely had views.
It makes sense, looking at how many videos they made a day/week. Some were more in depth while others weren't, but it still takes time to shoot and edit.
It’s almost like you had survivors guilt when you didn’t get laid off
that's EXACTLY what it was
Yes...I've gone through that a few times at a few different jobs. I'm 44, and I've actually managed to never get fired or laid off, so it's always uncomfortable when there's a "cutting of losses."
Been there.done that. I'd never been fired in the 15+ years I'd been in the workforce...then almost my entire department at a major insurace co. was terminated including me! And I cut my maternity leave short to try to keep my job! I had a 2 yr old and a 6 week old and I went into a deep depression.
@@MsVorpalBlade not even close.
@@toriward3800 still not survivors guilt. I'm sorry that happened to you.
I left my toxic job last year, my husband's response was "Good, I want my wife back" because the truth was, I wasn't me anymore.
❤️
Good job!!
so sweet
Proud of you ❤
I was in a toxic job environment for all of about 38 days.. because of these videos and people sharing their stories I was able to flag my irritability and anxiety right away. Got fired from that job - but honestly? I feel so much relief because if I had continued that position, I would've definitely been fatigued.
You know things are bad at a company when HR can't even stand it any more. Oof.
🤭
When HR needs HR....
as an HR major and professional, it has to be batshit horrible for us to leave:(
@@IKKI264 😭
@@IKKI264 💀💀😭 that is why I quit my hr job
Your story describes corporate America perfectly. Most of my colleagues are medicated and we joke about how we’re drowning daily but should be thankful to be employed. People leave and their positions are eliminated with the work spreading among the rest of the team.
yep their stories describe EXACTLY how my dad feels working at this company he despises. It's literally jeopardizing his mental and physical health yet he feels obligated to stay in that damn job :(
As a person who works for a corporation this hit me hard because I tried to take a two week mental health break and was told I couldn't because it was right next to a "peak time" for my job. I was able to get five days but literally had a mental breakdown during that "peak time". Thankfully we got a new hr person but it's still a constant struggle
Not just America. Corporate in general. Sadly.
@@ebonybelt6050 "human resouces management" is really just a way to make people a source of extraction. I think this company was exploiting its workers' guilt over 'other people are suffering', and that's horrible, because that's not their fault (that's unchecked capitalism's fault, same as caused their suffering) 'I'm so privileged because I could be suffering more' is such a manipulative and American coulture thing. You take for granted that you could be suffering immensely and your fellow citizens are. Even things that Europeans think are basic dignities, like having a work-life-balance and paid built-in holidays and paid sick-leaves.
Someone here defended 'recognizing your privilege' and I agree it's important to mention occasionally but at the same time I see here on this video guilt for complaining about their own needs. Which is not the same as recognising privilege. It's guilt-tripping yourself like your boss guilt-tripped you. I think Buzzfeed is exploiting 'diverse' employees psychologically in that way, that 'little kids looking up to you, because you give them representation that's so important' and that makes you not want to leave, among other things, even if you're treated like shit, and not like a human.
Working @ Disneyland
the way that jen looks at kristin with so much empathy and affection is the kind of frienship and support i aspire to have
They love each other so much
Alternative title: "Buzzfeed is still abusive to its employees"
All the former Buzzfeed creators that go off on their own are happier and healthier and their content is SO MUCH BETTER than it ever was on Buzzfeed.
So is Disney World :). I don't want to take attention away from their story. It is 100% terrible. Just speaking from my own experiences.
@@ashleydickson7874 Yep. I used to work there and it was not pleasant...happiest place on earth except for the workers LOL
it's really hypocritical how buzzfeed was obsessed with the news of ellen being abusive to her staff when there are dozens of YT videos of former buzzfeed employees sharing the same sentiments. it never sat right with me.
I have a question is lady like working with buzzed? Are they the same?
can we start a new better company called buzzfreed that actually cares and invite everyone that left buzzfeed
THIS!
They'll probably get sued for the name being too similar
@@permafrost0979 true and I don’t think I wanna visit a site that has their name
call it feedbuzz
Cool concept but the problem is the fact its a company and big corp don't care about your feelings. No ethical consumption under capitalism and all that.
This makes my heart so sad. Y’all got me through 2 pregnancies & 2 miscarriages 🥺 y’all were my digital support team
you’re so strong
@@ErenYeager-qb1gd aww thank you so much🥺
Wow! I could never. That is very impressive. You are very strong and you should be proud of yourself! Have a great day!
@@bulldogswinston3417 awww you are so sweet! Thank you🥰🥺
Aww I’m sorry :( I hope you’re doing better now 💕 sending lots of love!
The way Jen held back her tears when Kristin talked about her story is so heart breaking
As a non-American, the fact that having health insurance is considered "privilege" truly breaks my heart
As an American, it is. It's so disheartening to know that my health is based on money.
@Don K Unfortunately, you end up owing the government money. It's basically a loan to pay for your insurance and you'll have to pay it back when tax time comes. 😥
Hi, yes, we're suffering quite a lot in this country
@Don K I don't remember if they charge you the full amount or if it's just a percentage (it's been a few years since I've had to use the tax credit) but I would definitely do some research so you can be prepared. I'm sorry our government sucks so bad 😣
It truly is a privilege. My dad has had something truly wrong with his hip/leg/something in that area for over a year and can’t afford to do anything about it cuz no job and he gonna get it looked at tomorrow cuz he 65 and can get old person healthcare now.
The only reason I stayed watching watching BuzzFeed after the try guys this is because of these ladies
I found Buzzfeed through Ladylike and Try Guys, and they were the only channel I'd watch. I still love The Try Guys and Ladylike, and I hope that all of them will continue to thrive.
I still watch unsolved 🤓
SAME
I hope a ladylike reunion happens!
Same
I feel like now all the BuzzFeeders I used to watch have now officially moved onto their own projects. Good on you guys 🙂
I have to simply say this, no company is a family, the people you meet become part of yours. A company is just that, work. I’m glad y’all are still together as friends and took back your life to be the best you.
Yes! That’s always a red flag bc it means yiu will be used and abused with nothing in return.
I’m 45 and I think one of the wisest things I ever heard is “just because he has a broken leg doesn’t mean your broken finger doesn’t hurt”. Sure. There is ALWAYS someone worse off but it doesn’t mean your struggle doesn’t exist. Take care of yourselves!
Exactly!
This is such an important thing to remember (and actually live by). Before the pandemic, I would start driving to work at 6:30, sometimes as early as 6:15. I live half and hour away from my job and my contracted hours don't start until 8 a.m. It was killing me. Working from home was honestly a life saver and has helped me realized that I was slowly twisting myself into someone who wasn't myself just for my job. But I was convinced that [because I don't have kids, because I don't have family nearby, because I'm not ill, because I love my job], I could just keep going and going and going. I still haven't taken a day off since July. Hopefully that's something I'll be able to do after the holidays.
@Christina Thank you! Alot of people needed to hear this. Thank you, Genuienly. You helped my day.
I am 30 and I just learned this lesson. It's SO true. ❤️
I had to get in the mindset that someone else’s struggle does not devalue my struggle. Everyone has a different threshold and if it’s too much for me then it’s too much. I also had to get out the habit of comparing current me to old me who could handle all the shit.
buzzfeed is genuinely a neoliberal late capitalist hellscape. “look at this diverse and empowered group of under-compensated, overworked, depressed #bossbabes 😍😍😍”
Like working for Amazon. 😳
Neoliberalism is so manipulative.
Imagine taking cool concepts and using them for clout and hiding how miserable your employees are ( ╹▽╹ )
I think Buzzfeed is just capitalism disguising itself as a progressive company. It isn't really progressive at all but it knows that image sells. Its not being honest with itself.
@@Friedacat You use the word capitalism but it's clear you're not actually sure what it means.
Toxic work environments can literally kill you. I had to quit a job that I once loved to save my life, so it doesn't sound weird to me when Kristin says it. The day I quit, my blood pressure was 210/130 and my blood sugar was over 350. The toxicity of the entire work environment and the abuse from my supervisors was absolutely killing me. Thank you for speaking out about this. We need many, many more conversations about toxic jobs and abusive bosses.
I left a job because it was making me miserable, without another job lined up. People thought I was nuts. I ended up getting onto a much better/happier/healthier path. Thank you for sharing your story!
I had been looking for a new job prior to leaving a job I hated , too many broken promises. Anyways after 3 years I ended up saying f*it and actually got a part time job paid all my credit cards and left, went to a random country and ended up falling in love and now I'm happily married
Ok you must have had funds saved up in order to do this right? (Both commenters)
@@blueskies773 I'm leaving a job without another lined up NEXT WEEK, and Indy it was a decade in the making financially. I paid off all of my considerable credit card debt while basically running a marathon for corporate America. I have about three months bills saved up AND am privileged enough to be living rent free already as I moved in with parents mid-pandemic. FYI I'm 35 and could afford to live on my own, so living rent free gives me a ton of financial flexibility. Not sure what others experience is, but it did take a lot of planning and some luck to make quitting a toxic job without another 9-5 lined up possible.
I did the same. We were near penniless and I had to go. I cried to my husband every day of my job. And I found an amazing job after that. 💕
This!!! I want to quit so badddd because I’m miserable.... but my bills need to be paid so I feel stuck lol...
buzzfeed is like that one friend that goes "i'm not racist, i have black friends"
Exactly
Reminds me of Test kitchen
im sorry this is out of context but hi moa🥺
Or "I'm not homophobic, some of my best friends are gay."
@@deka209 hello
When theres this many "why I left buzzfeed" videos it genuinly makes me a bit worried for the people still there
Pretty much all major companies have hundreds or thousands of people who have quit and have a huge list of justifiable reasons why. Buzzfeed just happens to get the most visibility cause it’s a company full of media people, video producers, and people with fans and platforms
@@okthanks4792 yeah
me too. (this is off topic but when I saw your profile pic it made me happy cuz Matthias.)
@@daphodill101flower2 hahhaha yessss
Also because as they said, “it’s a privilege to be able to quit my job”
Throw an advertisement in this b so I can help pay ya’ll !
Absolutely, get some ad revenue we know the deal.
They were prolly afraid of Big Buzz coming after them for it or people criticizing them for “monetizing their story” or some other BS. They 100% deserve the money, but there’s sadly a plethora of reasons to not monetize this specific video.
Oh my God, the fact that you had to take a Xanax EVERYDAY just to function is absolutely horrible. I've been in similar situations, but being that far away from home while suffering like that? You are amazing Kristin. Thank you so much for sharing this story with us, it must have been so, so, hard. I'm so glad that you were able to save yourself and leave while being in such a difficult situation. Stay strong. ❤️
All corporations use “were a family” to ask unrealistic and unethical tasks of its lower, physical labourers.
Hell, even actual family members that say "We're family" before asking something of you are ones to watch out for.
Yes, a 'family', until the top feels that you do not contribute enough to their finances.
💯
Mhhmm
Exactly. It’s toxic manipulation.
Buzzfeed low key sounding like a cult, put your people on a treadmill at the highest speed and wait for them to crumble, and then call it a family and a friendly environment
Seems very much the treadmill scenario. I say that watching a fair few of these ‘why I left buzzfeed’ they seem too restricted with creativity and pushed too hard.
starbucks lol
Thank you for telling your stories about company culture. I experienced similar mental turned into physical situations with the industry I was in. I now make half the money doing what some people may think is a menial job but I'm happier ! You ladies live your best lives. Xoxo
A lot of companies that throw out words like "driven," "creative," "team-oriented," "fun," etc., are looking for idealistic people to exploit.
@@thepresence365 exactly. we are machines to break
Right as Jen said "I love meds, take your meds" the alarm for my meds went off.
Shit be spooky
Just because something is psychosomatic or “all in your head” doesn’t mean you aren’t experiencing physical symptoms. It means you’ve ignored some other problem in your body (mental or physical) that your brain is just flipping every alarm bell it can find because the regular alarm bells aren’t working anymore.
Yep, I was told suedo seizures were the way your body keeps from shutting down. All the fun of a seizure, awake. But no lasting damage.
@@RWorley3sl i have those too! they are caused by my severe anxiety. just celebrated being 10 months seizure free:)
I’ve had several physical breakdowns because I didn’t have access to the treatment I needed for my mental illnesses. The longest one was near two months and I physically unable to do any type of work without falling apart and I was only 17.
Exactly. I don't understand why people think that "not acting on it" is okay. So when is it? When you wake up in an ER? Sooner or later something may happen.
@@jordanvanni339 congratulations 🎉
Now I need a colaboration with everyone who left buzzfeed in the last 4 years(Safiya, The Try Guys, Michelle, etc..)
YESSSSSSSSSS
God... I would love that... and just call it a BuzzCut.
That would insane because it's pretty mich all their top creators now all of the original Ladylike including Saf, The Try Guys, Shane & Ryan brought in so much of Buzzfeeds audience
@@AddyAddyO Patent that shit!
@@tallhannah98 Ryan and Shane still work there though
“Being able to quit your job is a privilege”
Man .... you hit that on the head 🤦♀️
Anyone can leave a job it’s more of “being able to quit your job comfortably is a privilege” too much miscommunication
Isn't that a really toxic way to frame it though, honestly? Yeah other's might not be in that position so I have to feel bad when I leave a toxic enviroment? What is that achieving? It just builts up this constant guilt for people that try to better their lives or will even prevent people from changing their lives for the better to avoid the guilt. Either way safe road towards depression. Extremely unhealthy.
@@annnoying5513 just because they said something is a privilege doesn’t mean you have to feel bad about it. No one is asking you or expecting you to feel bad because you can comfortably quit your job. It’s just true that it’s a privilege for someone to be able to quit their job.
@@annnoying5513 Givin me “I don’t have white privilege! I grew up poor!” vibes
@@annnoying5513 The problem is that the statement is true. Not everyone has the ability to leave their jobs. People need healthcare, shelter, food, etc for themselves and their families. People need money to survive, and if your job is your only way to receive the money you need, quitting it is not always feasible, and is oftentimes nearly impossible to do and still survive.
But it's the very fact that this statement is true that makes it so easy to be used in a toxic way. It sounds right, so it can easily be used as a form of manipulation to keep people in bad situations. This manipulation isn't always blatant. It can be planted with small seeds over a long period of time and can be very hard to catch. This type of toxic mindset is used far too often in many different ways. It is an extremely easy form of manipulation. Easy enough that people don't always realize when they are using it, whether against others or themselves.
The thing about this toxic mindset, however, is that it is based on false logic. One person's pain is not invalidated by the pain of others. Pain is not a competition. Even if it were (which it isn't, but just for argument's sake) there are far to many variables to make any comparison between people's pain logically sound. An accurate comparison simply can't be made.
So, as you said, a person should never feel bad for trying to better their situation if they have the means to do so. The fact that others may have it worse is never reason to willingly keep yourself in a toxic situation. It can just be very hard to realize that when you have been manipulated to believe otherwise.
when i was in high school my life plan was graduate-go to college-intern at buzzfeed- work at buzzfeed because everyone seemed so happy and this just proves how different things are off camera. thank you for shining light even brighter than it was
i remember being around 10-12 years old and being obsessed with buzzfeed, i was so desperate to work there 😪
Stop apologizing for your "privilege". You're experienced shouldn't be diminished because "it could be worse." I'm sorry it was so bad. I started watching LadyLike videos because of the two of you and will continue to watch your content on whatever platform. Love you both and all the Ladylike ladies. Hugs
Same for trauma
They didn’t apologize for it, they recognized it. Poor choice of words on your part
@@abelle173 you know they choose not to get it intentionally lol
That's not at all what privilege is about and they didn't apologise even once or minimise their own feelings due to their privilege.
Being able to point out that there are others who need help and are still at buzzfeed is amazing of both of them ❤️
@@abelle173 they reconised it as a way to apologise.
So buzzfeed is like that boyfriend we all had in high school that just takes and takes and takes until there’s nothing left then moves onto the next best thing. Well damn, no wonder why they’re dying
Sound like my ex wife.
Its more a 21st century 'liberal' corporate culture
This hit too hard lol
@ yeah, I had a gf and a bf like that in high school. They’re like the human version of a tick
@ indeed, we can just say partner i suppose
To be completely honest, I could tell throughout the years that Jen wasn't having as much fun at BuzzFeed. She was starting to look less happy and less enthusiastic in her later videos.
At 25:05 when Jen starts talking about how she felt she was becoming a bad person, I FELT that so deeply. I was on the path towards adopting my two children after so many struggles and yet because of my job I just kept feeling more resentful, bitter, and self-loathing. A bad work environment totally changes how you feel on the inside and it eventually shows on the outside. 😢
Yeah, i only ever watched one episode of ladylike, and it was the greek episode. I had to click away because she was clearly not having a good time at all and it hurt to watch.
I agree, I feel like the Ladylike crew should have left all together like the TryGuys when Saf left, I think Saf left before all hell got lose, and she's got a crazy successful channel. I'm glad Jen and Kristen have started a channel together, and they're back to being their happy bubbly selves. Now we just need to have an ex-Ladylike collab!
Honestly I even noticed it in this video while Kristen kept interrupting her. And when Kristen spent most of the time talking I noticed Jen seems very uncomfortable.
Anyone remember the video where she refurbished a knife? That was the moment for me
this was also my experience when i got my dream job, ended up in therapy crying constantly and having a massive breakdown. i work a less glamorous job now but the company looks out for me and it's 10x better. getting on meds and in a better environment helped SO much
you're supposed to be compensated for the hours you work. but if you really look at the hours you work at these kinds of jobs, it ends up being far less than minimum wage
and as a poc woman, the companies i work for tend to try and push me out there a lot to highlight their diversity when if you look at upper management, none of it reflects it and i'm making less than my male peers
@@k.6028 Yeah they hire you to stick you on the company brochure but not to give you any meaningful influence there (i.e. promotions/ opinions etc).
I hadn't even realised you guys left buzzfeed bc of the fact that I stopped watching buzzfeed altogether, but I'm glad you're both doing your own thing now and don't have the pressure of a contract and what not on your shoulders anymore
Just because other people are going through something “worse” than you doesn’t mean your pain is invalid.
So true!! All emotions are valid. It's ok to be in pain.
💯
I totally agree I don't know what I was watching but I had made a comment that included some traumatic things that I endured in my past and it's left me a little messed up and I now have professional help as well as medication to help deal with this and I told my story and people were like well went through this you know and mine was worse so basically your story or what you been through wasn't that bad so stop making a big deal out of it I'm like it's not a competition I wasn't saying my situation was worse than yours I'm just saying what I went through was traumatic for me and that person's situation I felt bad for him I told them I said I'm sorry you went through that but I'm not making a competition out of traumatic events for people on this comment thread. I wish people could just be kind to others it would solve so much in the world
I love this saying! I was going through the worst thing a parent can go through this last year and my friends would be too afraid to vent to me because "their problems weren't as big as mine" and that's not what friendship is. Just because your not going through as awful of a time doesn't mean it isn't awful, it doesn't mean your not stressed.
This is something I wish everyone knows
Tbh I stopped watching Buzzfeed after The Try Guys left
Agreed. The fact that they left and now these two is no longer surprising now. BuzzFeed is just a terrible company to work with
FACTS!!
try guys, lady like, and shane and ryan were the only things giving buzzfeed views honestly
For me, I didn’t watch it as much when Safiya left. I only watch sometimes because of Jen and maybe a few others, but then I just stopped watching entirely, even before this video was dropped.
I did after saf left
Me: *forgetting I subbed already*
Jen: “please subscribe we need to keep affording our Prozac”
Also me: *accidentally unsubs while trying to sub*
I did that too lol :)
I’m just now watching this video and as I lay in my tub, fighting another headache, all I am hearing is my own story. Different industry, same disregard from the top that just is destroying me. Thank you for sharing this.
People MUST remember that it’s called “work” not “struggle”. When you are struggling against your own sanity, please know you don’t deserve that, that isn’t what a job, relationship, etc should be.
Oooft I perhaps needed to read this more than I realised thank you! Xoxo
Wow, you are so right!
Legit screenshot this
this comment was SO eye opening to me. wow thank you
I left a TOXIC job because it became exactly that, a daily STRUGGLE..I would get panic attacks on Sundays just thinking of the week ahead...your comment encapsulates 100% what work SHOULDN'T BE
The straight up fact that they were a part of one of the biggest things of buzzfeed and they still had like 2000 dollars in their accounts shows how buzzfeed treats their employees
I’m sure that their travel and places they stayed during the empty suitcase show were out of pocket. FUCK BUZZFEED
Yeah I was thinking that too... or she was living outside her means?
@@ConcreteAngelx3 how out of ones means does someone have to live to have 2k as a grown adult. Come on
@@MsAstroBanan that's a really ignorant and unnecessary judgment.
@@ConcreteAngelx3 If you're not partnered up or splitting rent/mortgage, I honestly don't know how people can survive. The rent is too damn high. The tax is too damn high. I save up 1/4th of my check for safety net. My boyfriend on the other hand can't afford to after all the Bill's are split and usually breaks even.
The way Kristen talks about buzzed......like is almost akin to a cult believer realising there's no end game.
And Jenn omg the compassion just radiating off of you is so encouraging. I'm so happy you two had one another.
I watched a lot of buzzfeed YT videos throughout college, but that viewership declined as I got older and saw a lot of content changing. Glad to know now the BTS of what that was happening and happy to know both of you are doing so much better now. Most of the OG BF content creators I watched have moved on, and now that I’ve heard so many of the “Why I left BF stories”, I would say I commend all of you who left and are continuing to make content that supports a healthier lifestyle while still doing something you love.
The reality that this company gave Kristin anxiety to the point of panic attacks and agoraphobia??? Holy shit.
What's agoraphobia?
@@haeymzmdlcccc Agoraphobia is the "fear of places and situations that might cause panic, helplessness, or embarrassment." "Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder that often develops after one or more panic attacks."
@@haeymzmdlcccc In laymen's terms it causes you to be terrified to leave your home.
Yes that is really disturbing, I had severe panic attacks that led to agoraphobia and I almost lost my job and relationships but I didn't even care because I didn't want to be alive most days. IT IS HELL. I wish so much love, light, recovery, joy, and peace to anyone going through panic disorder or severe anxiety.
The fact that Buzzfeed preaches so much about mental health and is “leftist” attitude and is actually the opposite makes me sick
It really shows the hypocrisy of the left.
@@julius1787 No, it shows that the company is a cooperate conglomerate who’s based in California, a very blue left leaning state, so even though their workers are probably gonna be left leaning, that doesn’t mean the CEO and other higher ups have a left Californian view
@@julius1787 or maybe they aren't really leftist...?
@@julius1787, the entire video they talked about how the workers were amazing (the workers being more left) and the people at the top causing the problems....
@@julius1787 no this is the punishment for performative leftist. they wanted to seem woke but don't want to put in the work
I'll see what's on Buzzfeed every now and then, but I was obsessed with it from 2014-2018.
I miss the OG Buzzfeed staff like Gaby, Allison, Kenny, Chris Reinacher, Andrew, Brittany, Quinta, Zack, Justin, etc.
Seeing videos like this shows how broken a society is that doesn't offer people unemployment benefits and health insurance. It creates these circles of reliability on one specific employer
we've created a society where people are convinced they are lucky and should be grateful they have jobs that make them want to be dead.
Also I really hope you get to do your own empty suitcase bc I really really loved it ❤️
You are 100% right. In America, this experience is unfortunately really common. So many companies expect our entire lives, expect our whole identity to be our jobs, and give us little to nothing for it. I've never heard someone say they are at a company because leadership or the values they espouse--it's always either for the people or the money.
YES
Holy shit y'all are incredibly ungrateful for what our history has given us. I'm lucky, as a nurse, I get to give my life and get paid well for it. Y'all are lazy and have no idea how good you have it. Try a labor camp in North Korea... Get a grip.
@@saraherget5089 shut up
Do I need an OG Ladylike reunion with Jen, Kristin, Devin, Chantel, Freddie and Safiya? Why yes, yes I do. (If everyone feels comfortable of course)
FREDDIEEEEE
she mah fav
This!
They have some RUclips videos together (pre Christmas)!
It’s the untitled lady show!
@Leona Morrissey how comes
I finally watched this catching up on RUclips subscriptions. I was teary eyed through the whole thing because I related so much esp during the job I quit a few months ago due to many reasons similar to this. Thank you for making this 💕
Thank you for speaking up! I felt this way at my last job for almost 2 years and I thought it was all me.
With the support of my therapist I left and I now no longer have that feeling every day of my life. Thank you for using your platform to share this experience.
I feel like Buzzfeed was using Kristen and Jen’s identities as their “token” for the videos they were in. Like “oh were inclusive look at these people working for us!!!”
100%! The Lesbian & The Fat One (I’m saying this as a fat woman myself). People are so much more than their bodies and identities that it would’ve been so nice to see the other ways in which they were valued outside of those simple facts that don’t tell us anything about their personalities or the types of people they are. I’m glad they left.
Agree so much, I LOVE their videos now that they left.. Looking back, I can totally see how they could have exploited them(specifically Kristen) due to their identity:( So sad.
Hmm I think this is a tough comment because I’m certainly not pro buzzfeed here but if we criticize media companies who hire and promote diversity as tokenizing, how will we ever accept or demand change?
Same!!!! ☕️
@@tessarodes companies can be inclusive without having token employees. There is a diverence between actually including people and using them to seem inclusive.
One is respectfull. And is the morally right thing to do, to treat everyone as equal. The outher is more of a "see we did it, we hired a few non white skinny cis straight people, can we get a pat on the back now?
You know the company is bad when literally every single person who gives you content has left your company.
Now their dependent on the tasty squad, after that, no one will watch
them
@@maryamnaveed2392 😬 they’ve always been like “oh you are black? Come on in *whispers* we fired the last one and we need diversity”. A lot of companies are like that but at least they can keep their employees
Example Bon Appetit
honestly, there’s only buzzfeed unsolved, Hannah and the tasty team left, let’s see what happens
If you listen to most of the “I left buzzfeed” stories, most if not all state their goal was basically to use buzzfeed as a stepping stone (eg ultimately I wanted my own channel and buzz feed was a way to do that).... I think that attributes a lot to the culture- the company isn’t stupid- they realize (even if ppl don’t say it) that they are trying to gain clout on the company’s dime 🤷🏼♀️
Dude I’m watching this a year after it was posted and it’s the message I needed to hear so bad. Rn in school I’m at the breaking point like she was during her show and I am so close to breaking and this is kinda making me want to take a little break and focus on me for a little bit so thanks Kitchen and Jorn for sharing this and being strong enough to take care of yourselves
My favorite part of this video was hearing that you guys are doing better. It was so easy to see that folks at your old company were overworked and undervalued, and with how social media allows followers to “know” creators (or at least feel like they do,) it really hurts to know y’all were treated this way. Keep up the healing, it’s a LONG process. And if you feel like keeping us in the loop sometimes, feel free! But know you aren’t obligated to make content and exploit your personal lives for views anymore. Much love 💛
“I’m here... but I’m not happy... and I have $2k in my bank, so it’s not like I can just leave”... you’ve just described most of my adult working life.
"Most adults working lives" .... Reality in any form of that is upsetting. 2k in a coastal state vs a Midwest or western state... It's a huge difference
i think its CRAZY how little they paid you, i thought buzzfeed creators made so much money
Mine too.
Mine too
Lol ive never had 2k in my account. Thats most peoples adult experience.
Everyone has left buzzfeed, the try guys all left too.
yeppp! the greatest and kindest ones left
@Perfect Events fr I wish they did but I love their series 😕 so it’s all mixed feelings
@Perfect Events they have left last year and are making the last season of Unsolved on a contract basis.
variety.com/2019/digital/news/watcher-entertainment-buzzfeed-steven-lim-ryan-bergara-shane-madej-1203427669/
@Perfect Events Shane, Ryan, and Steven have a channel called Watcher ruclips.net/channel/UCircJf-FlToBNjuy9xG-i5A
Good for them
as someone who has agoraphobia, i can’t tell you how much i relate. literally overnight i started feeling weird in the car and it progressed into being pretty much housebound. please just take it at your own pace and reach out to someone if you need to. the heart rate, dizziness, feeling like you’re going to throw up, etc. is awful.
Wow, watching this reminded me of my job in 2010. I literally walked out. I decided that my life and mental health were more important than the job. Looking back, it saved my life. Thank you both for sharing your stories. 💖
This mentality is more intense in the US than it is in Europe. Americans work themselves to death and say thank you.
@UCpIOj65DBre-0BWUYGkknVg mostly protestant work ethics, slavery came later. Read Weber.
Litterally had the rubber band snap after getting myself through a college that didnt have their shit together. Recovery varies from this burnout and let me tell ya it's taking more than 2 months for me and I feel like her experience was more intense. A lot of great minds are just being taken advantage of w the expectation that there will be a payoff and when it doesnt happen reality breaks and you lose all hold of what's real and what you want. Taking time for yourself is absolutely worth it. Dont let people take advantage of your awesomeness.
@@user_75148 also started having panic attacks and didnt realize what they were.
You are not wrong. At all.
Our culture is all about living to work, especially nowadays.
Y’all straight up are describing an abusive relationship. They were gaslighting you SO hard.
I was literally just about to say this!!!!
Whats gaslighting? ( i genuinely dont know)
@@yowhazup9928 it’s when someone manipulates a person by making them question their thoughts/memories/ the events that take place around them. Like making you question/doubt your own version of reality
@@yowhazup9928 it’s a way of manipulating people I think. Like if someone threw something at you and when you tried to confront them about it, they denied it and made you feel crazy for it, does that make sense?
@Laressa Winters & Strawberry shortcake, oOo thank you guys 💞
I watched you guys in my teen years and I just want to say that the content mattered to me and I enjoyed watching you. It felt like having older sisters. I’m so sorry to hear everything that was going on behind the background.
I have always loved your videos! You have phenomenal ideas, especially the empty suitcase one! I also work in media and understand how overwhelming it can be shooting constantly with such high demands and how often you feel lucky to even have a job in the industry. I am glad you’re in a better place to move forward now ♥️ I can’t wait to see what you’ll be putting out next!
A bad job will give you PTSD for YEARS. I was viciously bullied at a previous job and it has affected my self-esteem.
I’m sorry you had to go through that
i just quit my job this morning =((
Debra Mitchell thanks for being brave to share that. 😭it can be an isolating experience. you are not alone. Praying you’re able to work thru the trauma. Hugs.
I'm so sorry you had to go through this and I can relate so well. It's horrible how people want you to work for them, treat you like crap and expect you to be happy the whole time.
I'm so sorry to hear that. I'm going through that right now and it's the worst. This video made me feel some solidarity for sure though. You will get through this and hopefully I will too! 🧡❤💙
"We're a family here" is one of the biggest red flags in a company.
Amen; I worked at 2 different places that were all "we are just a big family" and it was all bullshit.
Exactly! My current job has this, and even if it's well-intended it ends up manipulating everyone. A job is transactional, I only owe to it what I was employed to do. The same is not true for my family, and a job should never require the level of commitment that a family does.
I hate this idea, because it assumes that a family is always loving and functional - newsflash, it's not like that all the time! "Being a family" is not automatically a good thing!
Walmart in a nutshell - one big family
Why’s that?
It hurt to hear Jen call herself such bad names and to hear how hurt Kristen was with anxiety.
Im happy that today they are both happy and healthy💗
It strikes me that one of the things that a lot of people are missing is that workers of the past fought really hard not only to get decent wages, but also to get limits to the work day, and that our current work environment has thrown out the limits to work days. Whether a job pays well or not, people are expected to work themselves to death for a company. What's even more mind boggling is that the people at the top are making even MORE in comparison than the workers in their company than back when our ancestors were fighting for basic labor rights.
I can't tell you to not feel bad about how you weren't able to do enough or that you were privileged and were sad and burnt out any way, because you are going to feel what you feel. But, I want to tell you that those feelings are pressed on you by a system that doesn't value your work enough. You are wonderful, and your work is valuable.
I'm glad that you guys have started your own thing. I hope that you are able to build an environment where you can support each other properly, share the income from the work across your workforce fairly, and do the work that allows you to bring the best version of yourselves to the world while also giving space to protect yourselves and build yourselves up.
Much love to you and to all the people watching this video who recognize all those same factors in their own workplaces. We CAN build better workplaces and a better world together.
"Anyways, I'm still a lesbian, and I'm still on Prozac." -Jen
Big mood
jen for president 2024👨🏻🌾
That’s iconic
@@annarose3470 2026
SAME
Buzzfeed is a social experiment (phenomena) that someone truly needs to research/ study. So many people have left this company with so much trauma.
It sounds like a tech startup to be honest. Big promises, tight deadlines, constant fear of being let go.
@@ninaelle2003 I’ve had the same experiences with a startup ad agency. It’s a terrible industry
Always be closing
ninaelle2003 same I worked for a tech start up for almost four years and this was my exact experience.
Nah it's really just like any other corporate. people leave corporates, there are deadlines in corporates, shit happens in corporates. the only difference is how BuzzFeed portrays itself to be this "fun", "happy", "enjoyable" place where you won't feel like you're working, just hanging out. that bit is the problem
Your experience with panic attacks and agoraphobia were exactly like mine. I’m SO happy you were able to find a way out of that place. Thank you for being so vulnerable and authentic.
This is how I’ve felt about every job I’ve ever had. Seems like our generation is cursed with this kind of work environment.
Lol
You are cursed alright!
buzzfeed is a content farm, and calling it what it is might help enlighten people to what's going on.
It is indeed! No shame at enjoying Buzzfeed content (I mean, most of the people working there are so talented and I myself enjoy it too), but you gave it the most accurate label.
This. They farm out the videos to the producers. And they don't care how those people are DOING. There's always a new person to fill that role.
Hello...👏🏽
Oooh, nice comparison. Like an Industrial chicken farm Versus the individual farmer with their own small flock.
why you think try guys, lady like and um i forgot who else left? same thing with everyone else, it is a content farm, shane and ryan and safiya
Whenever one job tells you "this is like a family", run forest ruuun.
They will manipulate a genuine desire for community until you're all used up. Honestly.
Not necessarily, especially if you’re getting a decent salary and benefits: Just take what they say with a big grain of salt. Remember that you are more than your job. Also remember that the only constant is change and that you have the power to change your circumstances.
Not true. Many professions create a family like culture . It’s still a job but your coworkers become a family
I run a little too late... After 9 years and 10 months. 😅. I love my job but the politics is oh my God! You really need to latch on (kiss their ass) an upper person to survive or get up the ladder. I understand Kristin in a way because I'm a fat woman too and the amount of people making fun of me.... 2019 was the hardest, I lost the people that I cared and this manager said that "now I didn't need to take holiday off because I don't have anyone to go back home to" my dad passed in 2016 , a very good friend of mine in 2017 and my older brother in 2018. I kept on burning myself with work so I don't think about them and in 2019, I thought I wanted to take eid fitr off so I can visit their graves and to hear your "just appointed " manager who's also a junior of yours that's sleeping (yeah. We all pretended to not know) with the HOD hurts... You know...
The amount of time I passed out at home due to stress. The times I took 1 hour drive home from work with my mind constantly thinking "I should just die.. It's better that way ". Those times that I get sudden panic attacks and anxiety that I had to pull over and talk myself out of it and the self harms.... These memories I suppressed at the back of my thoughts.. Can't believe I'm crying again. I swear 2019, I was gonna kill myself. A friend at work pulled me out of it. She really stayed with me until 5am since 11pm the night before, I drove so far away and she reminded me to always turn around. I was really out.
It's been a year now... I asked her months ago why did she stayed with me and she told me that I saved her months earlier when she got through a bad break up and some family problems. She told me that I was the only one who reached out and talked to her and really listened (which, if I can be totally honest here... I don't even know I helped her. She was acting f
Different than usual... So I thought bringing her out to eat and see the beach would let off some steam) and then she said that for the past week, I had been acting off that's why she wanted to stay and helped me as I "helped" 'her.
I'm jobless now. I don't think I can survive past 6 months with the money I have but quitting from the job I love but is hurting me..... I still feel it's the best thing I've done even though the timing is wrong. It's either I live long enough to try again and find my peace or stay and kill myself.
This "we are family" at work only works if you are an ass kisser because you know, the bosses got the job goal from you and if you fcked up, you're still save because there are other (upright) staffs will get the blame...all because they don't believe in ass kissing
If they really are creating a family environment, they don't have to tell you it's a family environment, you'll know it because people will give a shit when you're struggling. When they tell you over and over and over, it's because they are brainwashing you without having to create a culture of caring and support. If they have to tell you it's family, it's b.s.
So glad this randomly came up in the feed! You gals have so much and created a great bond! I’m excited to watch and subscribe to your new content!!
Thank you - you lovely ladies for sharing these stories. As someone who always waited for your videos to post, I definitely saw the difference in attitudes towards the end. So happy to have happened to upon your new channel! Hugs and positive vibes!
How did I JUST find out abt this channel like i-
SAME
Riding the same boat
Saaaaame!!!
Samee...oh my goodness lol
Same?!? They are my favorite so how did I miss this?!?
I can't believe that buzzfeed literally gave y'all survivors guilt
Yeahhhhh...
Capitalism will do that to you. A lot.
this is 100% an accurate description. I'm betting right now there are a bunch of people going through survivor's guilt at work as well.
Wow I didn't even know that was a thing. Thanks for sharing!
@@NishaWinchester
Kristin, I love you. And Jen of course! Your experiences are so totally valid. I worked myself way too hard for a few years and my body revolted. I had vertigo for a year and a half. The doctors acted like I was faking it. I’m so sorry you had to go through that. I’m so excited to see what you two do on your channel!! I love you two!
There has definitely been a noticeable shift in Buzzfeed as many of my favourite content creators have moved on. I commend you both for prioritizing your wellness and speaking out about how you were directly impacted by the pervasive toxic work environment, something that many of us can relate to. This work culture that perpetuates doing more with less is very damaging and higher-ups should take heed to the concerns that have been expressed and reflect on their approaches to practice. Thank you for sharing your experiences. Always go where you are celebrated and valued!!
“...to a time honored Buzzfeed tradition; the ‘Why I left Buzzfeed video” killed me, the timing, the SHADE
Everything that Kristin was talking about and how she felt when she was overworked and having panic attacks is exactly the way I felt in 7th grade and no one would believe me and thought I was making it up. I went to endless emergency rooms and every time they said I was fine but I knew i wasn’t. I was being bullied, loosing friends, and having a hard time in school. It all built up and I felt the same way. Just thought I would put that out there to let u know that u aren’t alone. So glad you and I both are in a better place now!!!
This makes me so sad, thank you for sharing. I waited a long time to watch this video because I knew it was going to be hard to watch and it is. Thank you for your story and your vulnerability. We will always support you in anything you do, you’ve helped me so much, and I look out for those I care about.
Companies saying "we give you healthcare, and a check and you should be so greatful" while over working employees is the same as "but at least he doesn't hit you"
The thought that getting health insurance by the employer is supposed to be a “bonus” sounds really scary now that I think about it. It’s never crossed my mind before, how dependent it can make the employee, when beside everything else they have to consider before quitting they have to even think about how to stay insured without the company.
The only reason I stayed at my previous job was because I couldn’t afford to lose my healthcare. Paying for healthcare through your employer is a trap to keep you working hard for them.
What also bothers me is that opportunities for career advancement/promotions/etc should also be a bare minimum. And health and happiness! We live in one of the wealthiest countries in the world and people in what would be considered like middle class-level jobs are being told the message that they should be grateful for SURVIVING.
It’s so strange for me as a Swede to hear people saying that they needed to stay just to get health insurance. It just sounds so sad and unfair. Obviously people have bad jobs in Sweden as well that they/we stay at for far too long but never because of health insurance... I love free healthcare even more now.
The level of guilt you feel even now on this shows how much they drilled it into you
If a job plays that “we are family here”, RUNN because 9/10 the “family” is toxic and expects you to keep all of their secrets but the second you slip up you’re disposable
@@crt1848 I live by a soldiers home and the same thing happened there so many preventable deaths took place due to no one taking the right Precautions and it took people calling to talk to their family and not being allowed to for people to realize something was up it was sick and I’m sorry you have to work in a place like that you should really say something but I understand if you don’t because times are hard and losing a job makes it so much harder. Stay strong❤️
I just learned this exact thing recently at a job. They said they were "family" and that "you either fit in or you don't"... I learned quickly that it was a "family" I want NO part of!! 🙅👎🚫
Omg my work also does the family thing and I can tell, family has major favorism 😂
So many big company’s are like this, for a huge example, the post office.
I work for a government agency and when i tell you i want to jump out the window after every meeting!
The minute you start talking about what the real issues are you are ostracised and accused of backstabbing and partaking in office politics. I stopped smiling in the meetings and i was told i was not a team player despite having high production levels
I'm so glad to hear that you both are doing better. I loved both of you on the Empty Suitcase Show and if you can ever bring it back I would be ecstatic. Stay safe!
Adore you ladies! Thank you for sharing your struggle. I’ve been in that situation and worked myself into the worst anxiety too. Congratulations on getting away from that toxic environment. I wish you both all the success 💕
Safiya was the first warning. Try guys the second. And you guys the third. Ironically when I was younger I always wanted to work for this company
And buzzfeed unsolved/watcher
@@janeashley5829 buzzfeed unsolved??? What happened?
@@Brooklynishere__ Shane, Ryan & Steven Lim left Buzzfeed last year to create their own company (Watcher Entertainment). They still work on Unsolved & Worth It but as contracted employees iirc
@@asecretgoth wow I had no idea
Matt Bellassai aka the guy from "Wine about it" segments from Buzzfeed also left years ago. Once he left, they put a woman instead to do the same concept as Matt's but from a mom's perspective. It wasn't as funny as Matt's.
You saying "Being able to quit your job is a privilege." means more than you know. It's so true. That's all I can say. Thanks for putting this out.
I just heard her say that literally as I read it😂😂, but yes, it’s very true
Lol. White privilege. Must be terrible.
@@geminixx523 Not a white privilege necessarily. More of a financial/class privilege. Having enough savings to fall back on or having another job opportunity lined up are both privileges that not everyone has.
I agree! Oh how I wish I could but I definitely think it’s time for me to look for new opportunities else where and even that is a privilege in its self
@@HeyGuysItsDeath I think she meant it both ways though. Not all POC have the same opportunities or privileges as a white person in America. Something as minimal as having an ethnic name can get someone’s resume or application thrown in the trash (I say this cause I’ve seen it happen at previous companies I’ve worked for)
Thank you so much for sharing your stories! Being brutally honest about that part of your life must have been really hard. I'm glad I found this channel and can watch your videos again!
I feel like you're telling my story, Kristen. Step by step it's all exactly what happened to me through my job. I left in July. I'm still medicated but I'm healing .. glad you are doing better and are so supportive of each other 💗
Honestly it's so sad that they don't own the rights to this massive thing that they built. Ladylike will forever be there's idgaf what Buzzfeed says.
Wait so how did the try guys get the rights
I’m pretty sure they bought the rights, which I’m sure was expensive.
This isn't news. Safiya left for the same reason.
@@orange_leaf4913 they bought the rights. It cost them a lot of money.
@DonKingKong and that's a bad and wrong way to do it. workers should own what they make.