Taking a Career Break: Sabbatical Planning and Career Break Strategy

Katrina McGhee | Career Break and Sabbatical Coach
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You’ve climbed the career ladder, but success at work no longer feels worth it. You’re questioning your path, but switching tracks, let alone stepping away to take a break, feels reckless. In this show, Katrina McGhee, career break and sabbatical coach and author of Taking a Career Break for Dummies, shows high achievers how to take an intentional break, including deciding to quit or take a leave, planning, budgeting, using your time well, and returning to work (or reinventing entirely). Practical episodes, a fresh perspective, and real stories from people who took the leap themselves.

  1. Oct 21

    How Quitting Corporate Life and Traveling the World Sparked a Career Break Movement on the Winging It Travel Podcast

    Episode 82 - How Quitting Corporate Life and Traveling the World Sparked a Career Break Movement on the Winging It Travel Podcast Ever wonder where it all began? In this special vault episode, we turn back the clock to the very first time Katrina McGhee appeared as a guest on James Hammond’s Winging It Travel Podcast—long before books, bestseller lists, or Taking a Career Break even existed. Join us as Katrina shares her raw, unfiltered story of hitting emotional rock bottom in her corporate career, saving $40,000 to quit her job, and embarking on a transformative 20-month solo journey across Colombia, Argentina, France, Italy, and Vietnam that changed her life forever. Listen to last week's episode where Katrina came on for a second time on Winging It to talk about her book deal, more career break chat and how she assessed the movement at that time. Episode 81 - https://open.spotify.com/episode/7v0TvSGlIIA8tUtlCAicB0?si=q3bvOZW2RQec8Ul0UXBxZA Check out Winging It Travel Podcast here - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-travel-podcast/id1559489384 https://open.spotify.com/show/6ruzP0SCwPEOIchzbl10P8?si=4d48800d19db4d6f Enjoying the podcast? ⭐ Follow or subscribe on your favourite podcast app so you never miss an episode! 💬 If the show has helped or inspired you, leaving a quick 5-star review genuinely makes a huge difference and helps more people discover the podcast. 📲 And if you know someone feeling burned out, stuck in their career, or dreaming about taking a career break, share this episode with them — it might be exactly what they need to hear. ❤️ Your support helps us continue creating honest conversations, practical advice, and inspiring stories for people ready to make a change. ▶️ Watching on YouTube? Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss future episodes and career break conversations - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@TakingaCareerBreakwithKatrina⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Katrina’s introduction: Where it all began 03:36 – From corporate life to a 20-month worldwide adventure 08:43 – Feeling like an outsider and wanting to explore the world 12:49 – Hitting rock bottom, planning a career break and saving $40,000 18:28 – Planning a three-month road trip across the USA 20:04 – Starting the international adventure in Colombia 22:27 – First impressions of Medellín and Colombia’s incredible hospitality 26:47 – Argentina, Buenos Aires and a missed Bitcoin opportunity 32:12 – Late-night dinners and Argentine culture 33:45 – France, food challenges and discovering Avignon 37:57 – Getting lost in Italy and overcoming solo travel fears 40:00 – Why Vietnam became one of Katrina’s favourite countries 44:21 – Falling in love with Turkey and embracing the unexpected 46:35 – Grief, difficult days and the emotional roller coaster of travel 47:59 – What is the purpose of travel? 49:03 – Dream destinations, favourite countries and places to live 50:45 – Choosing one view for the rest of your life 52:19 – How many countries has Katrina visited? 53:41 – Adrenaline, fear of heights and ziplining in Costa Rica 56:09 – Advice for anyone dreaming of taking a career break and travelling 57:09 – Final thoughts: Why travel can help you fall in love with life again Ready to stop "running on empty" and start running toward a life you actually love? 🫶🏼Join the BreakSpace community - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎁Order Katrina's book (w/ special bonus!) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience. 🎧Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com

    How Quitting Corporate Life and Traveling the World Sparked a Career Break Movement on the Winging It Travel Podcast

  2. Oct 14

    Taking a Career Break with Katrina McGhee Interview on the Winging It Travel Podcast

    Episode 81 - Taking a Career Break with Katrina McGhee Interview on the Winging It Travel Podcast Welcome to Taking a Career Break with Katrina McGhee! In this episode, we share an interview that Katrina had on Winging It with host by James Hammond to revisit their journey since 2022, discuss the massive success of her best-selling book Taking a Career Break For Dummies, and dive deep into what it really takes to step away from the corporate grind. Whether you are trying to figure out if a break is right for you, figuring out how to manage your finances, or working up the courage to give your notice, Katrina shares personal anecdotes and practical frameworks to help high achievers find clarity. In this episode, we cover how an unexpected email from Wiley & Sons turned into a For Dummies book deal in under a year. We explore why the first three chapters of the book focus on giving yourself permission to prioritize your well-being. Katrina discusses the money mindset shift involving rethinking savings, diverting future-focused funds into present life utility, and paying off debt after a break. You will also hear practical tips on giving your notice with transparency, confidence, and leaving your job on great terms, followed by a look at managing the emotional transition back into routine during re-entry. Dreaming of your own career break or sabbatical? Head over to https://www.gobreakspace.com/join to join the Break Space community for courses, live coaching, and a global support network! Enjoying the podcast? ⭐ Follow or subscribe on your favourite podcast app so you never miss an episode! 💬 If the show has helped or inspired you, leaving a quick 5-star review genuinely makes a huge difference and helps more people discover the podcast. 📲 And if you know someone feeling burned out, stuck in their career, or dreaming about taking a career break, share this episode with them — it might be exactly what they need to hear. ❤️ Your support helps us continue creating honest conversations, practical advice, and inspiring stories for people ready to make a change. ▶️ Watching on YouTube? Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss future episodes and career break conversations - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@TakingaCareerBreakwithKatrina⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction: The core message of the book as a "permission slip"  01:40 – Welcome back to the show: Catching up with Katrina McGhee on the success of her For Dummies book  06:31 – The behind-the-scenes reality of writing a book with strict publisher templates  11:32 – Part One: Deciding if a career break is right for you and overcoming objections  18:32 – Part Two: Planning your break, budgeting, and shifting your mindset around present-day spending 23:57 – Break Space Community Spotlight  28:15 – Part Three: Sharing the news with your employer and giving your notice with confidence  37:04 – Part Four: Navigating your break, avoiding burnout, and slow travel  42:28 – Part Five: Exiting with grace, managing re-entry, and adjusting to routine  46:09 – Part Six: Decoding the classic For Dummies "Part of Tens"  47:09 – Where to find Taking a Career Break For Dummies Ready to stop "running on empty" and start running toward a life you actually love? 🫶🏼Join the BreakSpace community - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎁Order Katrina's book (w/ special bonus!) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience. 🎧Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com

    Taking a Career Break with Katrina McGhee Interview on the Winging It Travel Podcast

  3. Oct 7

    Announcing the BreakSpace Backstage Pass: Inside the Community with Katrina and Lyndall

    Episode 80 - Announcing the BreakSpace Backstage Pass: Inside the Community with Katrina and Lyndall In this special crossover episode, Katrina welcomes special guest and business partner Lyndall Farley to announce the Breakspace Backstage Pass. The hosts introduce the podcast and dive into the inspiration behind creating a curated, two-hour immersive live event designed to open the doors to the Breakspace community. The conversation covers a high-level walkthrough of what attendees can expect, including an exploration of the nine-step career break journey that helps sabbatical-takers understand where they are and what step comes next. Katrina and Lyndall explain how to use the Purpose Matrix and build a powerful purpose statement to serve as an essential compass before and during time away. They also share a preview of joint drop-in coaching, detailing how expert guidance unlocks fast breakthroughs, cuts through surface-level stress, and normalizes the emotional challenges of career breaks. The hosts outline who will benefit most from the event—whether listeners are still exploring the idea, preparing for day one, or feeling lost midway through. Finally, they emphasize why attending live is crucial due to unrecorded confidential breakout rooms and coaching, and wrap up with details on launching from Australia, a first-time special pricing offer, and how to RSVP. Sign up here - https://www.gobreakspace.com/backstage Enjoying the podcast? ⭐ Follow or subscribe on your favourite podcast app so you never miss an episode! 💬 If the show has helped or inspired you, leaving a quick 5-star review genuinely makes a huge difference and helps more people discover the podcast. 📲 And if you know someone feeling burned out, stuck in their career, or dreaming about taking a career break, share this episode with them — it might be exactly what they need to hear. ❤️ Your support helps us continue creating honest conversations, practical advice, and inspiring stories for people ready to make a change. ▶️ Watching on YouTube? Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss future episodes and career break conversations - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@TakingaCareerBreakwithKatrina⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to a Special Crossover Episode 00:54 Show Intro and Welcome 01:46 Announcing the Breakspace Backstage Pass 06:05 High-Level Event Overview 09:16 The 9-Step Career Break Journey 12:13 The Purpose Matrix 14:00 Mastering Your Purpose 16:36 Inside Drop-In Coaching 21:13 Who Is the Backstage Pass For? 28:12 Why You Must Attend Live 30:00 Bonus Reveals, Special Pricing, and Closing Thoughts Ready to stop "running on empty" and start running toward a life you actually love? 🫶🏼Join the BreakSpace community - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎁Order Katrina's book (w/ special bonus!) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience. 🎧Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com

    Announcing the BreakSpace Backstage Pass: Inside the Community with Katrina and Lyndall

  4. Sep 30

    How to Evaluate a Career Break When You’re Close to FIRE

    Episode 79 - How to Evaluate a Career Break When You’re Close to FIRE Are you close to achieving your FIRE (Financially Independent, Retire Early) goals, but feeling completely burned out, exhausted, and ready to quit? You are not alone. In this episode of Taking a Career Break with Katrina, career break and sabbatical coach Katrina McGhee and producer James Hammond dive into the intersection of the FIRE community mindset and taking a purposeful career break. While saving aggressively and striving for financial freedom is admirable, many high-achievers fall into the trap of delaying their life until a future date that isn't guaranteed—sacrificing their health, youth, and experiences today. Tune in as we unpack how to look beyond a one-dimensional mathematical equation, weigh the 360-degree risks of not taking a break, and ensure your money serves your best life rather than holding you hostage. Key Takeaways: The Peak Earning vs. Peak Living Trap: Why focusing entirely on your accumulation phase can cause you to neglect the only years your body and energy are truly primed for adventure. Defining Freedom Now: How to build a financial cushion that allows you to make choices without money dictating your every move. The 360-Degree Risk Assessment: How to evaluate what is actually at stake if you don't take a break, versus just looking at the financial cost. The Power of Purpose & Themes: Why your brain needs something as concrete as a well-defined break plan to combat the fear of losing money. Enjoying the podcast? ⭐ Follow or subscribe on your favourite podcast app so you never miss an episode! 💬 If the show has helped or inspired you, leaving a quick 5-star review genuinely makes a huge difference and helps more people discover the podcast. 📲 And if you know someone feeling burned out, stuck in their career, or dreaming about taking a career break, share this episode with them — it might be exactly what they need to hear. ❤️ Your support helps us continue creating honest conversations, practical advice, and inspiring stories for people ready to make a change. ▶️ Watching on YouTube? Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss future episodes and career break conversations - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@TakingaCareerBreakwithKatrina⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction: I’m Close to FIRE. Do I Keep Working or Take a Break?  01:00 – Welcome to Taking a Career Break with Katrina  01:44 – What is the FIRE Movement? Understanding Financial Independence and Freedom  04:21 – The Big Worry: Missing Out on Youth, Health, and Life Experiences  09:30 – The Real Problem: Your Peak Earning Years Are Also Your Peak Living Years  13:47 – Strategy #1: The Importance of Purpose Statements and Themes for Your Break 15:45 – Strategy #2: Doing a 360-Degree Risk Assessment (What Happens If You Don't Take a Break?)  18:23 – Bonus Insight: The Value of Location-Independent, Laptop-Based Skills  20:37 – The Ultimate Analogy: "You’re Too Busy Driving to Stop for Gas Ready to stop "running on empty" and start running toward a life you actually love? 🫶🏼Join the BreakSpace community - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎁Order Katrina's book (w/ special bonus!) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience. 🎧Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com

    How to Evaluate a Career Break When You’re Close to FIRE

  5. Sep 23

    Hitting the Career Break Wall? Don't Fall For This Midpoint Trap

    Episode 78 - Hitting the Career Break Wall? Don't Fall For This Midpoint Trap Feeling the urge to pack it in and go back to work right in the middle of your career break? You aren't alone. In this episode, Katrina McGhee and James Hammond dive deep into the hidden "trapdoor" that trips up high achievers around the midpoint of their break. Once the initial bucket list items and big adventures are checked off, a wave of discomfort, existential questioning, and the familiar urge for productivity can hit hard. Katrina breaks down why your brain panics when faced with spaciousness, the massive costs of returning to work too early, and a simple 3-step framework to help you push through the discomfort and completely transform your life. In this packed conversation, we explore why default living and decades of hustle culture trick your nervous system into believing that being busy equals being a good person. You will learn how to spot the early warning signs of the midpoint slump, why your brain desperately seeks the familiar comfort of a job, and how a former client successfully handled a sudden job offer without breaking the commitment she made to herself. To overcome this tricky phase, Katrina outlines her actionable, no-nonsense solution built around defining your core purpose and themes, establishing temporary targets, and creating a grounded morning routine. By leaning into structure and intention instead of defaulting back to autopilot, you give yourself the vital mental space needed to reshape your relationship with work and rest. Whether you are currently on a career break, planning a sabbatical, or dreaming of stepping away from burnout, this episode gives you the exact blueprint you need to master your time without regret. Enjoying the podcast? ⭐ Follow or subscribe on your favourite podcast app so you never miss an episode! 💬 If the show has helped or inspired you, leaving a quick 5-star review genuinely makes a huge difference and helps more people discover the podcast. 📲 And if you know someone feeling burned out, stuck in their career, or dreaming about taking a career break, share this episode with them — it might be exactly what they need to hear. ❤️ Your support helps us continue creating honest conversations, practical advice, and inspiring stories for people ready to make a change. ▶️ Watching on YouTube? Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss future episodes and career break conversations - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@TakingaCareerBreakwithKatrina⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to the show: What happens after the bucket list? 02:00 – The Career Break Trapdoor: Why the midpoint is the danger zone 04:15 – Should you pace your bucket list items or dive right in? 08:50 – The painful spaciousness: Why your brain craves the comfort of a job 12:20 – The uncomfortable questions you're trying to avoid 16:00 – The true cost of returning to work too early 19:00 – The alternative: Rethinking work, retirement, and default living 21:40 – The 3-Step Framework to save your break: Purpose & Themes, Targets, and Morning Routines 28:10 – Real-life coaching story: How a former client handled a sudden job offer Ready to stop "running on empty" and start running toward a life you actually love? 🫶🏼Join the BreakSpace community - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎁Order Katrina's book (w/ special bonus!) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience. 🎧Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com

    Hitting the Career Break Wall? Don't Fall For This Midpoint Trap

  6. Sep 16

    Does a Career Break Mean You're Not Ambitious Anymore?

    Episode 77 - Does a Career Break Mean You're Not Ambitious Anymore? Are you worried that stepping away from the daily grind means losing your edge? In this episode of Taking a Career Break, hosts Katrina McGhee (career break and sabbatical coach) and James Hammond tackle a heavy stigma: the idea that taking a career break or sabbatical means you are no longer ambitious. Inspired by recent client discussions and a viral Substack reflection titled "I lost my ambition in Europe," Katrina and James unpack the traditional, work-centric definition of ambition and why it often leads to burnout. They explore the difference between ambition and motivation, discuss the societal pressure to tie your self-worth to a corporate ladder, and offer a powerful reframe. Tune in to discover why taking a career break isn't a sign of laziness—it's the ultimate act of being ambitious about your life, your well-being, and living a truly rich existence. Enjoying the podcast? ⭐ Follow or subscribe on your favourite podcast app so you never miss an episode! 💬 If the show has helped or inspired you, leaving a quick 5-star review genuinely makes a huge difference and helps more people discover the podcast. 📲 And if you know someone feeling burned out, stuck in their career, or dreaming about taking a career break, share this episode with them — it might be exactly what they need to hear. ❤️ Your support helps us continue creating honest conversations, practical advice, and inspiring stories for people ready to make a change. ▶️ Watching on YouTube? Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss future episodes and career break conversations - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@TakingaCareerBreakwithKatrina⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction: How a Substack newsletter sparked this episode's debate on losing ambition. 01:42 – Welcome to the Show: Setting the stage for high achievers feeling burned out and ready for a change. 03:44 – Is Not Being Ambitious a Bold Statement? Exploring different definitions of ambition. 05:08 – The "Lost My Ambition in Europe" Insight: Unpacking why high-achievers feel a shift during sabbaticals. 08:11 – Ambition vs. Motivation: What does Miriam Webster say about the true meaning of ambition? 10:17 – BreakSpace Announcement: Your launchpad for a life-changing career break. 12:06 – Why We Default to Work-Centric Ambition: The primitive drive for safety, status, and financial reward. 14:58 – Is Being Unambitious Bad? Challenging the societal stigma of being "lazy" or "not driven." 18:42 – The Ultimate Reframe: Becoming ambitious about life and living well, rather than just a career. 21:11 – Why Taking a Career Break is Actually Hugely Ambitious. 22:02 – Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up. Ready to stop "running on empty" and start running toward a life you actually love? 🫶🏼Join the BreakSpace community - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎁Order Katrina's book (w/ special bonus!) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience. 🎧Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com

    Does a Career Break Mean You're Not Ambitious Anymore?

  7. Sep 9

    What 10 Life-Changing Sabbaticals Proved Wrong About Career Breaks

    Episode 76 - What 10 Life-Changing Sabbaticals Proved Wrong About Career Breaks In this episode, Katrina and James catch up after the summer break to reflect on the inspiring stories shared throughout the Summer Series. They dive deep into the 10 core beliefs and fears that almost stopped 10 high achievers from taking a sabbatical—and how their real-life experiences proved every single one of those beliefs wrong. From navigating the fear that "everything will collapse without me" to unlearning the idea that rest has to be earned, this episode recaps the biggest mindset shifts that make a career break truly life-changing. Plus, Katrina and James announce exciting new ways for listeners to get involved, including upcoming listener Q&A episodes and live on-air coaching opportunities! Key Takeaways & Resources Have a question for Katrina and James? Drop a comment on Spotify to be featured in an upcoming episode! Want 15–20 minutes of free live coaching with Katrina on air? Reach out to us via Spotify by leaving a comment or by visiting Katrina's website Ready to plan your break instead of just dreaming about it? Book a free consult with Katrina: https://kmcgheecoaching.com/book-a-consultation🎙️  Enjoying the podcast? ⭐ Follow or subscribe on your favourite podcast app so you never miss an episode! 💬 If the show has helped or inspired you, leaving a quick 5-star review genuinely makes a huge difference and helps more people discover the podcast. 📲 And if you know someone feeling burned out, stuck in their career, or dreaming about taking a career break, share this episode with them — it might be exactly what they need to hear. ❤️ Your support helps us continue creating honest conversations, practical advice, and inspiring stories for people ready to make a change. ▶️ Watching on YouTube? Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss future episodes and career break conversations - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@TakingaCareerBreakwithKatrina⁠⁠⁠⁠ Timestamps 00:00 Welcome back & post-summer catch-up 00:40 Podcast intro & framework recap 01:35 Behind the scenes: Katrina’s stressful summer story 03:25 James shares his summer health scare 04:46 Reflecting on the success of the Summer Series 07:16 How to submit your listener questions for a future episode 08:57 Big announcement: Want to get coached live on the show? 11:26 10 Beliefs That a Break Proved Wrong (Overview) 12:54 Beliefs 1 & 2: "There's never a good time" & "It will all fall apart without me" (Britney & Jessica) 15:00 Beliefs 3 & 4: "Taking a break is selfish" & "It's a childish dream" (John & Juliana) 17:45 GoBreakSpace.com mid-roll 18:21 Deep dive: Why society views playing and rest as "childish" 21:15 Beliefs 5, 6, & 7: "Job is who I am," "I can't afford it," & "You don't quit a good job in your 50s" (Ellie, Karen, & Henriette) 25:04 Beliefs 8, 9, & 10: Unlearning that rest must be earned & fear of returning to the same life (Keisha, Heidi, & Nicole) 28:37 Key Takeaway: You can't think your way through a break 31:02 Final thoughts & wrap-up Ready to stop "running on empty" and start running toward a life you actually love? 🫶🏼Join the BreakSpace community - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎁Order Katrina's book (w/ special bonus!) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience. 🎧Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com

    What 10 Life-Changing Sabbaticals Proved Wrong About Career Breaks

  8. Sep 2

    Summer Series #10 – From Survival Mode to World Travel: Nicole’s Family Career Break

    Summer Series #10 – From Survival Mode to World Travel: Nicole Starling’s Family Career Break In the final installment of the Summer Series, host Katrina McGhee sits down with Nicole Starling to explore the transformative power of taking an extended family sabbatical. After facing consecutive family losses, caregiver responsibilities, and corporate burnout, Nicole and her husband decided to pause, pivot, and take their two children on a world-schooling adventure. Nicole shares the raw reality of planning a global trip, overcoming deep-seated career and financial fears, and managing decision fatigue on the road. She also breaks down how stepping away allowed her family to reconnect, how her kids gained life-changing perspectives, and how she successfully re-entered the workforce—landing a promotion and a raise with her former employer. Episode Takeaways Breaks don't have to be "earned" Rest and space are essential parts of the human lifecycle, not something you only get after burning out. Realized fears aren't total failures Returning to your home state or former company doesn't mean you didn't grow; internal transformation changes how you experience your reality. Kids thrive in the ordinary The most meaningful memories from family travel often come from everyday interactions, local parks, and simple community connections—not expensive tourist attractions. Sabbaticals can enhance market value Stepping away gives you the clarity to recognize your professional worth and negotiate stronger compensation upon re-entry. Connect with Nicole on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unboundwithnicole/ 🎙️ Enjoying the podcast? ⭐ Follow or subscribe on your favourite podcast app so you never miss an episode! 💬 If the show has helped or inspired you, leaving a quick 5-star review genuinely makes a huge difference and helps more people discover the podcast. 📲 And if you know someone feeling burned out, stuck in their career, or dreaming about taking a career break, share this episode with them — it might be exactly what they need to hear. ❤️ Your support helps us continue creating honest conversations, practical advice, and inspiring stories for people ready to make a change. ▶️ Watching on YouTube? Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss future episodes and career break conversations - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@TakingaCareerBreakwithKatrina⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Timestamps 00:00 – Intro: Life in survival mode, compounding grief, and feeling non-sustainable 05:40 – Coming up for air and confronting the loss of identity in a high-achieving career 10:59 – Facing core fears 14:20 – The turning point 17:08 – The logistics of preparing: Spreadsheets, school alignment, and 3 months' work notice 20:30 – Defining the break's core purpose: Reconnecting, living with less, and cultural immersion 22:28 – Diving in: The reality of early-stage culture shock and transitioning into homeschooling 29:10 – Pivoting on the road: Celebrating major holidays across Mexico, Southeast Asia, and Europe 34:28 – Overcoming decision fatigue and learning that there are no "wrong" choices 38:20 – How vulnerability shifted family dynamics and brought the kids up as equals 45:45 – Re-entry success 51:00 – Looking back at pre-work reflections and realized vs. unrealized fears 1:05:25 – Advice from Nicole’s kids on the magic of ordinary moments Ready to stop "running on empty" and start running toward a life you actually love? 🫶🏼Join the BreakSpace community - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎁Order Katrina's book (w/ special bonus!) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience. 🎧Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com

    Summer Series #10 – From Survival Mode to World Travel: Nicole’s Family Career Break
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14 Ratings

About

You’ve climbed the career ladder, but success at work no longer feels worth it. You’re questioning your path, but switching tracks, let alone stepping away to take a break, feels reckless. In this show, Katrina McGhee, career break and sabbatical coach and author of Taking a Career Break for Dummies, shows high achievers how to take an intentional break, including deciding to quit or take a leave, planning, budgeting, using your time well, and returning to work (or reinventing entirely). Practical episodes, a fresh perspective, and real stories from people who took the leap themselves.

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