Sabbatical 101

Bethany Wilinski Coaching
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Insight and inspiration for planning your academic sabbatical

  1. 4 FEB

    46. How to set boundaries for your sabbatical

    Setting boundaries is definitely not the most fun part of sabbatical planning, but it's incredibly important. Boundaries are the guardrails that help you preserve your time and energy on sabbatical, so you can accomplish the goals you set and not get bogged down in with meetings and other commitments. In this episode I share why setting boundaries before your sabbatical starts is so important, and I give you strategies for determining your boundaries, communicating those boundaries, and holding your boundaries. Setting and communicating boundaries is a critical part of planning a successful sabbatical and requires some time and thought. If you're on sabbatical and haven't set boundaries or if you're planning a sabbatical, I encourage you to listen and follow these steps for setting and communicating boundaries. Need more support? I can help! Learn more about my sabbatical planning services here and schedule your free consultation today! If you'd prefer to read about boundary-setting, check out this blog post.

    35 min

  2. 21 JAN

    45. Live coaching: Multiple sabbaticals, competing priorities with Kathryn Temple

    In this live coaching session, I’m joined by Kathryn Temple, professor of law & humanities at Georgetown University, to explore the practical and emotional dimensions of sabbatical life. Drawing from her extensive experience, Kathryn shares why it’s crucial not to romanticize sabbaticals as total escapes from life’s responsibilities. We talk candidly about planning for disruptions, setting priorities, managing boundaries, and embracing the messiness of the process. Kathryn also shares what’s on her plate for her upcoming sabbatical—including an academic book, a poetry collection, and a new writing coaching venture to support non-traditional students. Whether you’re planning your first or fifth sabbatical, this conversation offers grounded insights for making the most of your time away. If you’re wondering how to figure out what to prioritize during your sabbatical, click here to download my free Sabbatical Clarity Toolkit!

    51 min

  3. 7 JAN

    44. How to make the most of a pre-tenure sabbatical

    In this episode, I talk with historian and Denison University assistant professor Julie Mujic about her pre-tenure sabbatical—and how she designed it during a moment of deep burnout and family transition. Julie shares how she balanced the pressure of moving her scholarship forward on a tight tenure timeline while staying present for her high-school–aged daughters. We discuss the boundaries she set, the opportunities she learned to say no to, and how she reconnected with her identity as a writer. Julie also reflects on what it looked like to recover from burnout while still making meaningful, decisive progress on her work. This conversation is especially for scholars who are pre-tenure, caregiving, or simply exhausted by the grind of academic life—and looking for a more sustainable way forward. Looking for sabbatical planning support? Whether you have a pre- or post-tenure sabbatical, I can help you figure out your sabbatical priorities and build a plan that combines restoration and productivity. Learn more and book a free consultation here: https://bethanywilinski.com/services/reignite/

    35 min

  4. 22/12/2025

    43. From sabbatical to CEO: My sabbatical coaching journey

    Wondering why I became a sabbatical coach and how I started my business? I was a guest on the podcast Leaving Academia: Becoming a Freelance Editor with Paulina Cossette, PhD, and today I'm re-airing that episode. If you're curious about working with me, this episode will give a behind-the-scenes glimpse at why I do what I do. If you're thinking about starting your own academia-adjacent side-business, you'll get insight into how I started my business, including: -how I defined my niche and identified the problem I solve for clients, -how I found my first clients, -when and how I created my website, -and how I've continued to attract clients (over 30 as of this broadcast!) while balancing my business with my academic job and life as a mom-without getting burned out. To learn more about my signature coaching program, Reignite, check out my website: www.bethanywilinski.com.

    42 min

  5. 10/12/2025

    42. Live coaching: Creating structure and connection during sabbatical with Paul Fleming

    Paul Fleming is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Behavior & Health Equity at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. He partners with community based organizations to work on projects that help identify the root causes of racial health inequities and how to address pressing health issues. He is a father of three and his new book is titled Imagine Doing Better: Why policies backfire and how prevention thinking can change everything. In this live coaching session, we discuss: -Balancing multiple priorities during sabbatical -Creating a structure for sabbatical that allows time for writing and creating as well as more focused connection with family -How identifying a vibe you want for your sabbatical can help support the planning process -Being intentional about our habits and the ways they do (and do not) support our personal and professional priorities I think you’ll find a lot in here that will help you think about your own sabbatical. I hope you enjoy the episode! If you'd like to talk more about your sabbatical and learn about how I can help, you can schedule a Free Consultation here.

    39 min

  6. 26/11/2025

    41. When sabbatical leads to a career change

    My guest for this episode is Tom Mullett, a former UK record label manager turned passionate foreign language teacher. Tom took a sabbatical in South America in 2018 and never left. He developed a love for teaching English during sabbatical, so much so that in 2023 he designed his own accredited TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) course, and now trains budding TEFL teachers from around the world. In this episode we talk about what drove Tom to his sabbatical, how he found purpose during his sabbatical teaching English, and why he ended up staying in Colombia instead of going back to his previous life in the UK. Even though Tom isn't an academic, there's a lot in this conversation that will resonate with academics. Tom's sabbatical gives us a firsthand view of the importance of knowing the purpose of your sabbatical and underscores the importance of developing the elements of your identity that are not connected to your work or career. You can learn more about Tom's TEFL course here: https://precisiontefl.com/ If you’re wondering how to figure out what to prioritize during your sabbatical, click here to download my free Sabbatical Clarity Toolkit! If you're planning a family sabbatical away from home, check out my Family Sabbatical Program. It's a step-by-step guide that will take you through all the steps you need to plan and prepare for your time away!

    32 min

  7. 12/11/2025

    40. Live coaching: Pivoting your sabbatical plan with Jamie Lawler

    Jamie Lawler is a clinical and developmental psychologist with expertise in early life stress, self-regulation, and mental health interventions for children. She is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Eastern Michigan University. Jamie's research program is grounded in developmental psychopathology and focuses on the impact of early life stress on the socio-emotional development of children and on interventions to promote resilience. Jamie was awarded her first post-tenure sabbatical and decided to apply for a Fulbright to go to Greece, where she had made connections with a psychology department that was interested in her expertise. However, changes in her personal life and the ever-changing political climate in early 2025 made her increasingly less confident that she would be able to spend her sabbatical in Greece. In this episode we discuss why she needs to pivot her plan and how she can make the most of a sabbatical at home that she wasn't planning to take. For more about having a transformative stay-battical, check out this blog post: https://bethanywilinski.com/cultivating-new-rhythms-during-a-stay-battical/ If you need to re-think your sabbatical plan, I'd love to support you. Click here to schedule a free consultation.

    32 min

  8. 29/10/2025

    39. Running a lab during a research leave or sabbatical

    Monika Gulia-Nuss is an Associate Professor in the department of Biochemistry and Molecular biology at the University of Nevada – Reno. In the spring of 2025, she had a Fulbright and spent 3 months in Urugay. Monika used her time to collaborate with colleagues around the study of ticks that affect the cattle population in Uruguay. In this episode, we talk about the impetus for applying for a Fulbright, how Monika managed her lab of 16 people while she was away, and how being away from home and her lab helped her reflect on her career and realign her work with her personal and professional priorities. If you’re someone who runs a lab and you’re wondering how you might be able to leave your lab during sabbatical, I think this episode will give you hope and some good ideas for how to make it happen. Learn more about the Fulbright Scholar Program: https://fulbrightscholars.org/ Learn more about my sabbatical planning programs: https://bethanywilinski.com/services

    28 min
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About

Insight and inspiration for planning your academic sabbatical

Information

  • Creator
    Bethany Wilinski Coaching
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    46
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Bethany Wilinski Coaching
  • Show Website
    Sabbatical 101