Legendary Lunch #2 Two Talks + Unconference for People in Transition (Portland)
Legendary Lunch #2 is where unexpectedly unemployed professionals and early-stage entrepreneurs meet each other at the moment when plans are still forming.
This is not a motivational event and not a career wake. It’s real people in real space having honest conversations about what comes next.
We believe opportunity still moves through people in rooms, not platforms and feeds. Legendary Lunch is designed as an open field of possibility at human scale: you show up willing to share what you’re trying to figure out next or who and what you’re seeking and the room helps you move.
What to expect
Networking-first (you’ll meet people quickly, without awkward “so what do you do?” loops)
Two short talks to give the room shared context
An unconference where attendees shape the sessions, discussions, and collaborations
Who it’s for
Unexpectedly unemployed professionals
Early-stage entrepreneurs, builders, and operators
Anyone in a career transition who wants clarity, collaborators, or the next door to knock on
What to bring
You don’t need a pitch or a polished plan. Bring one of these:
What you’re trying to figure out next
Who/what you’re seeking (a role, a person, a collaborator, a resource)
If you’re willing to help and willing to ask for help, you’ll fit right in.
Agenda / schedule
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Lunch Session (Two 30-minute talks)
Surj Patel: What’s Ahead for AI in 2026
A practical look at what’s likely to change next, what signals matter, and what to pay attention to now.Shashi Jain: English Is the New Programming Language
Why natural language is becoming the interface, and what that changes for builders, teams, and careers.
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Unconference + Open Networking + Collaboration
The room opens into a true unconference format: open networking, self-organized discussions, impromptu working groups, and small collaborations that form around shared interests, needs, and ideas. You can stay as long as you like this is where the most durable connections tend to happen.
Featured unconference session
Town Hall: The Employment Environment (Layoffs + what’s next)
Hosted by Kristin Wolff, a policy analyst who has worked with the Department of Labor. Grounded, practical conversation about what’s aheadand how to think clearly when things feel unstable.
Timing will be posted on the unconference board day-of.
Unconference prompt
During the unconference, you can propose:
A problem you’re stuck on
A tool you’re testing
An idea you want feedback on
A collaboration you want to start
A role you want to move into
A resource (or person) you’re seeking
Community boundary
One firm boundary: if a topic is offensive, overtly political, or intentionally polarizing, we’ll ask you to refrain. If the tone becomes mean-spirited or disingenuous, we’ll intervene.
If it’s open, encouraging, grounded, useful, or exploratory, it’s welcome. This room is for constructive public thinking, not ideological combat.