Great Life Experiment Podcast

DJ DiDonna defines a sabbatical as "intentional extended leave from your job." DJ is a Harvard Business School senior lecturer and the author of Big Time Off: The Transformative Power of Sabbaticals and How to Take One, out now.

Planning one, on leave, heading back, leaving to build something new, or facing a re-org you didn't ask for? Monique and DJ talk about sabbatical vs. vacation, regret insurance, and what to do if time off finds you first.

Ideas to try

• Journal before, during, and after your time away.
• Spend 30 to 60 minutes alone, no phone, no music, writing what your life wouldn't feel complete without. Then ask: am I making time for this?
• Picture yourself five to ten years from now. What would you regret not doing? What story do you want to tell your grandkids?
• Find someone who has taken extended leave.

Timestamps

• (00:00) - Welcome and DJ's background
• (02:24) - What is a sabbatical, and how is it different from a vacation?
• (03:53) - What does DJ want to debunk about sabbaticals?
• (06:04) - Why is a sabbatical "regret insurance"?
• (09:54) - What are the common catalysts that lead people to step away?
• (11:27) - When time off is forced on you, how do you reframe it?
• (14:40) - Monique's 12 weeks off: was that a sabbatical?
• (18:02) - DJ's answer: functional workaholism and the power of exemplars
• (21:25) - Why do people resist time off for themselves, even when sabbaticals are normalized?
• (24:09) - Can you work on a sabbatical, and what counts as work?
• (27:28) - What if you're driven and need to go now? Do you still need time off?
• (32:13) - Type A and the gift of time: getting out of your head and into your body
• (37:41) - Quiet reflection or community: what did the research find?
• (39:23) - What has evolved in DJ's thinking since writing the book?
• (44:50) - What first steps can people try?

Links

• Get the book, Big Time Off: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1668060892
• DJ DiDonna: https://www.djdidonna.com
• The Sabbatical Project: https://www.thesabbaticalproject.org
• Ask Monique: https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8
• Connect with Monique on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniqueschafer
• The Great Life Experiment: https://greatlifeexperiment.com/

There's no one right way. Let's experiment together.

"You are too old to hire and too young to retire."

That's the line a friend used with Monique that sparked this week's episode, recorded (as always) from the car. It's a worry a lot of people in their 40s and 50s are starting to have. If you're feeling caught in that in-between - too experienced for more junior roles or ones that consume your whole life, yet you are not ready (or not able) to stop working - then this one's for you.

Monique unpacks where that feeling comes from, why it's more common than you'd think among people with 15-20+ years of experience, and shares one practical exercise you can start today to reconnect with the value you already bring with no resume rewrite required today.

In this episode:

• The real story behind "too old to hire, too young to retire" conversation
• Why feeling stuck hits hardest right when you're most experienced
• How to face the market reality (skills, industries changing) without spiraling
• Why you're not actually "behind" on AI, even though it feels that way
• One tactical daily exercise to reconnect with your value
• Why your soft skills — and being multi-passionate — aren't a liability

If this resonates, share it with a friend who's in the thick of it, and subscribe so you never miss an episode.

PART 3 OF "NAVIGATING CAREER CHANGES": This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the messy middle of career transitions, whether you're contemplating leaving a job or grappling with identity loss after a layoff.

Dr. Fishman, a psychologist and former tech researcher, shares his personal journey of grappling with his identity after being laid off from Facebook and his decision to walk away for another 'successful' career that was no longer fulfilling.

He emphasizes the importance of embracing your emotions without judgment and recognizing that feeling unfulfilled is a common human experience. You’ll discover how to confront your fears about leaving a stable job, and why prioritizing your happiness is crucial not just for you, but for those you care about.

In this enlightening conversation, you’ll gain insights on:

- The psychological implications of career transitions and how they affect your identity.

- Strategies for navigating feelings of grief and loss associated with leaving a job.

- The importance of experiencing joy in the ordinary and redefining what fulfillment looks like.

- How to shift your mindset and recognize that your current life may already hold the happiness you seek.

Dr. Evan Fishman is a psychologist, former Meta researcher, and founder of The Beloved Institute. After years studying motivation—from academia to Silicon Valley—he realized that many of the world's highest achievers weren't searching for another strategy, they were searching for themselves.

Connect with Dr. Evan Fishman

LinkedIn | TikTok | Website

Connect with Monique Schafer:

LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube | Website

In this week's episode of the Great Life Experiment, Monique interviews

Keri-Lynne (KL) Shaw who shares her journey from corporate CHRO to entrepreneur, emphasizing the importance of proactive negotiation, understanding total compensation, and strategic exit planning. This episode offers practical insights for high performers and anyone looking to maximize their career and financial potential.

Key discussions in this episode:

• The importance of negotiation at every career stage
• How to assess and maximize total compensation
• Strategies for proactive exit planning and negotiations
• Lessons from corporate leadership on salary and equity
• Overcoming fears and limiting beliefs around money and career
• The role of coaching and community in career success
• The impact of market disruptions on career trajectories
• Building a business after leaving corporate roles

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Keri-Lynne Shaw and her mission

01:56 Keri-Lynne's career journey from HR to founder of The Salary Bump

03:30 A pivotal moment during the pandemic: realizing her salary was undervalued

05:56 How to have a conversation about salary and equity with confidence

08:06 The importance of understanding total compensation and benefits

11:50 Debunking myths about negotiating later in your career

17:09 Practical steps to prepare for salary negotiations

22:10 Questions to ask during the interview to gauge compensation

26:58 Strategies for proactively exiting a role with a package

32:56 The differences between proactive exits, reorganizations, and layoffs

36:55 Overcoming fears and mindset blocks around negotiation

40:05 Building a community and support system for career growth

44:08 The power of sharing behind-the-scenes and authentic stories

48:04 Final advice for high performers feeling stuck or undervalued

• LinkedIn | TikTok | Instagram | Website | Youtube | Podcast | TV Show

• LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube | Website

Got a question that's keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem? 

'Ask Monique' is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let's dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together. 

https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8

In this week's episode of the Great Life Experiment, Monique interviews

Keri-Lynne (KL) Shaw who shares her journey from corporate CHRO to entrepreneur, emphasizing the importance of proactive negotiation, understanding total compensation, and strategic exit planning. This episode offers practical insights for high performers and anyone looking to maximize their career and financial potential.

Key discussions in this episode:

• The importance of negotiation at every career stage
• How to assess and maximize total compensation
• Strategies for proactive exit planning and negotiations
• Lessons from corporate leadership on salary and equity
• Overcoming fears and limiting beliefs around money and career
• The role of coaching and community in career success
• The impact of market disruptions on career trajectories
• Building a business after leaving corporate roles

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Keri-Lynne Shaw and her mission

01:56 Keri-Lynne's career journey from HR to founder of The Salary Bump

03:30 A pivotal moment during the pandemic: realizing her salary was undervalued

05:56 How to have a conversation about salary and equity with confidence

08:06 The importance of understanding total compensation and benefits

11:50 Debunking myths about negotiating later in your career

17:09 Practical steps to prepare for salary negotiations

22:10 Questions to ask during the interview to gauge compensation

26:58 Strategies for proactively exiting a role with a package

32:56 The differences between proactive exits, reorganizations, and layoffs

36:55 Overcoming fears and mindset blocks around negotiation

40:05 Building a community and support system for career growth

44:08 The power of sharing behind-the-scenes and authentic stories

48:04 Final advice for high performers feeling stuck or undervalued

• LinkedIn | TikTok | Instagram | Website | Youtube | Podcast | TV Show

• LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube | Website

Got a question that's keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem? 

'Ask Monique' is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let's dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together. 

https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8

Many of us move through life believing our future has already been decided—by our upbringing, our circumstances, our career path, or the rules we’ve been taught not to question. 

But what if those limitations aren’t fixed at all?

In this episode, Monique sits down with Jacob Warwick, known as the “Billion Dollar Man,” to explore how negotiation is really about changing the way we think. Together, they unpack why curiosity is more powerful than confrontation, how challenging predetermined beliefs opens doors to new possibilities, and why the stories we tell ourselves often become the biggest obstacle to creating the life we truly want. 

Whether you’re navigating compensation negotiation, a career transition, advocating for yourself, or simply wondering what’s possible beyond the limits you’ve accepted, this conversation will inspire you to rethink what’s negotiable—not just in business, but in life. 

(00:00) – Introduction

(01:05) – Meet Jacob Warwick: The Billion Dollar Man

(04:32) – Why Jacob wants to teach negotiation without using the word "negotiation"

(13:39) – The biggest mistakes people make before negotiating

(18:45) – Internal promotions, confidence, and advocating for your value

(24:54) – The "Predetermined" mindset and challenging invisible rules

(26:15) – Curiosity as your greatest negotiation advantage

(32:30) – Why "No" is often where the real negotiation begins

(35:57) – The hidden cost of success and redefining wealth

(39:48) – Jacob's extraordinary personal story and rewriting his own future

(48:04) – Responsibility, resilience, and choosing your own path

• Substack Publication | https://www.predetermined.com/ 
• Website | https://www.thinkwarwick.com/ 

• Website | https://greatlifeexperiment.com/ 
• Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast
• Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer 
• YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment 

Got a question that's keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem? 

'Ask Monique' is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let's dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together. 

https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8

A quick look at what's coming on the Great Life Experiment Podcast.

After weeks of conversations with executives and leaders navigating change—at a breakfast with 40 SVP and C-suite folks in San Francisco, connecting with her network, and a tech and media industry council event—Monique kept hearing the same theme: careers, businesses, and personal lives are all in transition, and none of it is linear.

This preview introduces an upcoming series digging into that messy, exciting, exhausting reality. Here's the lineup:

1. Negotiation & Influence — with Jacob Warwick (out August 6th)
2. Career Pivots — reinventing and changing direction
3. Exits — what happens when you transition out of a company
4. New Careers — branching out and building something of your own
5. Time Off — sabbaticals, breaks, and the space in between

No one's story is linear. They're all messy, full of a wide range of emotions—and this series brings together the tactical, the personal, and the mental models to meet you wherever you are.

Have a topic you keep wrestling with, a guest suggestion, or a book recommendation? Reach out at [email protected] or find Monique on Instagram and LinkedIn.

• Website | https://www.greatlifeexperiment.com
• Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast
• Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer 
• YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment 

Burnout doesn’t happen overnight.

Long before we reach exhaustion, our emotions, our relationships, and even our bodies begin telling us that something is out of alignment. The question is: are we paying attention?

In this episode, Monique welcomes multi-time CEO, Six Sigma Black Belt, and Heartnomics founder Hanna Bauer to explore a new way of thinking about leadership - one that builds resilience before burnout even takes hold. 

Drawing from her experience surviving childhood heart diseases, leading organizations through constant transformation, and helping teams thrive through change, Hanna introduces Hearnomics — a leadership philosophy that brings heart and execution together. Rather than seeing emotions as distractions, she explains why they’re some of the most valuable data leaders have, and how learning to listen to them can create healthier people, stronger teams, and more resilient organizations. 

Together, Monique and Hanna unpack why sustainable leadership isn’t about pushing harder. It’s about building the kind of resilience that allows both people and performance to flourish long before burnout becomes the cost of success.

Whether you’re leading a business, a team, or simply navigating a demanding season of life, this conversation will challenge the way you think about success and what it truly means to lead well. Because the strongest leaders aren’t the ones who wait until they’re burned out to change. They’re the ones who build a life and a leadership that make burnout far less likely in the first place. 

In this episode:

(03:16) - Understanding Heartnomics: The Intersection of Emotion and Execution

Got a question that's keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem? 

'Ask Monique' is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let's dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together. 

https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8

You don’t always need more discipline to find your creative spark again. Sometimes, all you need is one conversation. 

In this episode, Monique reflects on what happens when creative energy begins to fade under the weight of a full, demanding life, and how, unexpectedly, one conversation can shift everything. 

What starts as a reflection on corporate pressure, survival mode, and creative depletion becomes a powerful reminder: creativity is often reawakened through connection, not isolation. And the real shift happens when you stop trying to push through alone, and instead start paying attention to the people, conversations, and environments that bring you back into alignment with your energy, clarity, and creative spark. 

(01:31) - The Tension Between Corporate Demands and Creative Energy

Got a question that's keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem? 

'Ask Monique' is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let's dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together. 

https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8

AI is moving fast, and the pressure to keep up can feel even faster.

In this episode, Monique unpacks the quiet guilt many professionals are experiencing as AI reshapes workflows, product strategy, and the future of work. From internal company initiatives to the endless stream of LinkedIn hot takes, it’s easy to feel like everyone else has already figured out the tools, the language, and the pace of change. 

But the reality is far more nuanced. 

Monique shares what teams are actually seeing inside product and business environments — the gap between compelling demos and scalable execution, the tension between speed and business value, and why the real differentiator is not fluency alone but clarity on the outcomes you’re solving for. 

(00:53) - March catch-up, full seasons, and operating through personal and professional intensity

Got a question that's keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem? 

'Ask Monique' is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let's dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together. 

https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8