Intentional Pause: Career Breaks and Self-Discovery with the Former CMO of Facebook

In this episode I sit down with an incredible guest, the former CMO of Facebook at Meta, and mom to two, Samantha Wu. A powerhouse marketing executive, Sam has a rich background spanning multiple continents with roles at tech and financial giants like Meta, Amex, and Visa. Not to mention, she even took a detour to attend culinary school, adding a unique flavor to her already impressive background. During our chat, she opens up about what pushed her to take a step back from her fast-paced career, and shares how an intentional pause is giving her a much needed break to reset and focus on herself. 

Tune in to hear Sam’s take on…

🌟 The Catalyst for Taking a Pause: Sam discusses the personal and professional experiences that led her to take an intentional break from her career, including the impact of the pandemic, family losses, and the need for a reset after years of nonstop work.

🧘‍♀️ Self-Discovery and Personal Growth: She shares how this pause allowed her to focus on her physical health, reconnect with old friends, and explore new interests, highlighting the importance of investing in oneself.

💡 Lessons from Culinary School: Hear about her decision to attend culinary school amidst her marketing career, and how this seemingly unrelated experience enriched her professional life with new perspectives on leadership, organization, and creativity.

🏡 Necessity of Support Systems: Discussion on the necessity of robust support networks, including childcare strategies like the au pair system, and how these support structures are crucial for managing a demanding career and family life.

🤝 Redefining Success and Career Goals: Sam talks about how motherhood has reshaped her career ambitions, shifting her focus from external validation to personal growth, learning, and making meaningful contributions.

🗣️ Effective Communication and Advocacy: Tips on how to communicate career transitions and personal needs confidently, both to oneself and to others, including the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive peers and mentors.

🔄 Navigating Career Transitions: Practical advice on making career pauses and transitions work in your favor, including being realistic about the challenges and trade-offs involved, and planning for a smooth reentry into the workforce.

🏆 The Impermanence of Challenges: A powerful reminder that all challenges are temporary and that time will always bring new perspectives and opportunities for growth.

Whether you're contemplating a career break or looking to realign your priorities, this episode is packed with wisdom and actionable insights from a seasoned executive who has successfully navigated these waters. Tune in for a candid conversation about the realities of balancing a high-powered role with personal fulfillment and family life.

Don’t miss out on this inspiring episode – it might just be the nudge you need to take that intentional pause and discover a renewed sense of purpose in your career and life.

For exclusive bonus tools and takeaways from this guest, subscribe to the newsletter: newmodernmom.com/subscribe

Follow Sam on LinkedIn here.

Follow Barbara:

• On Instagram here
• On LinkedIn here

Get the latest resources on pregnancy, postpartum, family travel and working motherhood on newmodernmom.com

About New Modern Mom: You know the dream of having it all – a thriving career, an active social life, present time with your kids, and