On Change with Petro du Pisani

Moving from a fear mindset to a world of opportunity.

Episode 10 of a series of podcasts on taking conscious breaks from work.

In this episode, Petro du Pisani speaks to Sas Wessels, a seasoned mechanical engineer and business improvement professional in the mining industry, about his recent sabbatical from corporate life.

After years of facing numerous company restructures, Sas shares what led him to take this intentional break, including his initial fears around financial security and the planning that went into it.

He describes how the sabbatical is allowing him to explore options like consulting, further studies, and personal passions, shifting his mindset from fear to opportunity. Sas reflects on the transformative impact the experience had on his work-life balance and priorities. More about Petro du Pisani and On Change here · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts · Solid Gold Podcasts

First Love Yourself.

Episode 9 of a series of podcasts on taking conscious breaks from work.

In this episode, Petro du Pisani speaks to career and leadership coach Briony Liber about her sabbatical after 25 years in the corporate world. She took a sabbatical after experiencing burnout due to a lifetime of not managing boundaries, overworking, and people-pleasing.

Briony shares her journey of self-reflection through baking, traveling, journaling, and studying coaching. Briony highlights the importance of work-life balance, setting boundaries, and taking breaks before getting to the point of burnout.

After her break, Briony reinvented herself as a coach and business owner. Her story underscores the value of purposeful time off for personal and professional growth. More about Petro du Pisani and On Change here · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts

From Doing to Being.

Episode 8 of a series of podcasts on taking conscious breaks from work.

In this episode, Petro du Pisani speaks with Dr Zaheera Soomar about her transformative sabbatical after 20 years in the corporate world. Zaheera shares her journey of overcoming self-doubt, regaining a sense of purpose, and finding balance through reflection, adventure, and completing her doctoral thesis. She reflects on the importance of breaks, work-life alignment, and prioritising values as she prepares to re-enter the workforce with a renewed perspective.

This inspiring conversation emphasises the value of intentional pauses for self-discovery and long-term well-being. More about Petro du Pisani and On Change here · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts · Solid Gold Podcasts

A story of personal healing, self-discovery, and a bold new way of being.

Episode 7 of a series of podcasts on taking conscious breaks from work.

In this episode, freelance writer and editor Louise Rapley opens up about her transformative sabbatical. During this time, Louise transitioned from a textbook editor to writing her memoir, confronting her past traumas, and embracing self-discovery.

She shares how the sabbatical allowed her to heal, set boundaries, connect with, and understand her inner child. Though her memoir remains unpublished, the experience led to profound personal growth and a new perspective on work-life balance. More about Petro du Pisani and On Change here · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts · Solid Gold Podcasts

From overwork to self-care and career pivots.

Episode 6 of a series of podcasts on taking conscious breaks from work.

In this episode, Petro du Pisani speaks to Dr Gargi Mishra about taking career breaks or sabbaticals.

Gargi shares her experience of taking an intentional break during the COVID-19 pandemic when she realized she was overworking and neglecting her health. During the break, she re-skilled herself and eventually pivoted to being a futurist.

She discusses the importance of planning finances, being patient for the right opportunity, setting boundaries between work and personal life, and practicing self-care habits like exercise and mindfulness.

When this episode was recorded, Gargi was on a mini-break seeking opportunities aligned with her interests in strategy, foresight, and academia. More about Petro du Pisani and On Change here · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts · Solid Gold Podcasts

Pausing with Purpose: Giving back, Parenthood, and Resilience.

Episode 5 of a series of podcasts on taking conscious breaks from work.

In this episode, Petro du Pisani speaks to Thea Weeks who shares her transformative journey of taking three significant career breaks. In her breaks, Thea worked for an NGO for 5 years, focused on her new baby, and had to adapt to life and work after losing hearing in one ear.

Thea offers deep insights into the motivations behind each break, how she prepared, and the challenges she faced both personally and professionally.

Throughout the conversation Thea highlights the importance of listening to your body's signals and knowing when to pause. She emphasizes the invaluable support from mentors and coaches and she shares the lessons learned on adaptability and maintaining a support network.

Thea also emphasises the value of taking smaller breaks regularly to avoid burnout and incorporating work-life balance practices like hybrid work environments. More about Petro du Pisani and On Change here · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts

Health First: The Power of taking a Career Break for Self-Care.

Episode 4 of a series of podcasts on taking conscious breaks from work.

In this episode, Petro du Pisani speaks to Ntseiseng Lephole about her experience of taking a career break to focus on health issues and to further her studies. Ntseiseng highlights the importance of self-care, reflection, and finding a work-life balance. She emphasizes the need to listen to one's body and prioritize health over work demands. After her break, Ntseiseng returned to the workforce but faced challenges in managing stress levels again. She eventually found a better balance by incorporating healthy habits like exercise, journaling, and meditation into her routine.

The conversation underscores the value of taking breaks for personal growth, rejuvenation, and reassessing priorities. More about Petro du Pisani and On Change here · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts · Solid Gold Podcasts

The transformative power of a sabbatical.

Episode 3 of a series of podcasts on taking conscious breaks from work. In this episode, Petro du Pisani speaks to Hermien Uys, a corporate lawyer in the mining industry.

Hermien took a sabbatical in 2017-2018. She discusses her motivations for taking the break which include a desire for travel and personal enrichment.

During her sabbatical, Hermien traveled to India, volunteered with underprivileged children, took a wine course, and spent time reading and reflecting on mindfulness and meaningfulness.

The key takeaway is the value of taking a career break for personal growth and finding fulfilment beyond professional success. More about Petro du Pisani and On Change here · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts · Solid Gold Podcasts

Self-care, adventure, and realignment to purpose.

Episode 2 of a series of podcasts on taking conscious breaks from the rat-race.

In this episode, Dr. Lizette Spangenberg shares her experiences of taking two sabbaticals from work. The first sabbatical was for a month in 2017 to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and travel through Kenya and Tanzania. The second sabbatical was for three and a half months in 2022 after completing her PhD, during which she took a break from work, traveled, planned her wedding, and reflected on her career path. Lizette emphasises the importance of self-care and seeking professional help when needed. The interview also touches on her passion for design, healthcare, and helping others through her work. More about Petro du Pisani and On Change here · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts · Solid Gold Podcasts

Rediscovering balance between meaningful work and personal fulfilment.

Episode 1 of a series of podcasts on taking conscious breaks from the rat-race.

Fatima Collins, Women in Mining Project Manager (Sibanye-Stillwater), shares her experiences of taking four different breaks throughout her career for different reasons, including travel, self-discovery, studying, and grieving. She emphasises the importance of introspection, finding meaningful work, and maintaining a balance between work and personal fulfilment. The conversation explores the motivations, challenges, and benefits of taking breaks, as well as strategies for reintegrating into the workforce afterwards. Key takeaways include the value of self-reflection, the pursuit of purpose, and the ability to design a life aligned with one's values. More about Petro du Pisani and On Change here · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts