In this special wrap-up episode, Bex and Aunty B reflect on the most powerful moments from Season 2. Together, they explore expert insights, inspiring personal stories, and the unexpected lessons learned from people who took time out of traditional work to reset, travel, grow, and reconnect.

Whether you're planning a sabbatical, dreaming of a mid-career break, or wondering how to return to work after time away, this episode brings together the best of what Season 2 offered.

We dive into:

• Debunking common myths about career breaks and sabbaticals and what the latest research really says

• Why identity is a central theme in understanding career breaks.

• How it's essential to solve for the 'why' behind a sabbatical.

• Planning and financial preparation for a successful break.

• How timing plays a significant role in when to take a sabbatical.

• The fact that many people find life post-break to be better than pre-break.

• Why expectations of a sabbatical may not always align with reality.

• How prototyping life allows individuals to experiment with new directions.

• The fact that courage is needed to embrace change and new paths.

Timestamps

Will follow soon!

Other episodes you may enjoy: 

• How volunteering in Africa can change your perspective with Jackson Lindsay-Egan

• Taking a career break to change professional direction and find fun again with Steve Duke

Get in touch: If you are interested in sharing your sabbatical story, we would love to hear from you.  Buzz us a DM on Instagram - ⁠@Sabbatical_Stories⁠ or reach out on LinkedIn - ⁠Bex Thomas.⁠

Career transition, sabbatical and career break coaching: 

As a career transition, sabbatical, and career break coach, I inspire, challenge, and support people like you to create a life that feels deeply aligned with your values, dreams, and authentic self. 

Whether you’re craving a new direction, a chance to pause, or the courage to pursue what really matters, I’m here to guide you toward your own version of success on your terms.

Together, we’ll break free from societal blueprints, rewrite the rules, and design a future you’re excited to wake up to. Learn more ⁠here⁠

💫 Ready to make the most of your time away from work? Download my free guide, "5 Ways to Maximise Your Career Break", packed with practical tips and soulful insights to help you pause with purpose and return with clarity. 

Whether you're dreaming, planning, or already on sabbatical, this is your essential companion.

👉 Grab your free copy ⁠here⁠

With special thanks to: 

Aunty B at the Flaxen, our amazing, talented and patient producer whose expertise helps make this podcast shine. 

Joanna Cooke, whose soulful blend of smooth vocals we are lucky enough to use throughout the show. Listen and connect with Joanna via your favourite medium:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/7EyKy53TsVFLJFZFyYzBZQ?si=HaCSIRCETS2uYB3LBLcrWA

Website - https://joannacooke.co.uk

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/joannacooke

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/joanna.cooke/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/joannacookemusic/

In this special episode of Sabbatical Stories, host Bex Thomas takes the guest seat while "Aunty B" steps in as interviewer!

Bex dives deep into her personal journey through three transformative sabbaticals, reflecting on the invaluable lessons learned, the power of intentionality, and how these experiences inspired her shift from a corporate career to coaching.

Join Aunty B and Bex as they explore themes like defining your purpose, crafting a life of freedom and fulfilment, and navigating pivotal transitions. This episode is filled with insights for anyone curious about using sabbaticals as a tool for personal growth and career reinvention.

● How sabbaticals can be life-changing experiences that help redefine personal and professional goals.

● Why intentionality in planning a sabbatical is crucial for its success.

● How prototyping life changes can help clarify future aspirations.

● Why integration techniques post-sabbatical are essential to retain the lessons learned

● How visualisation and planning can streamline the transition back to work.

● How coaching can simplify the process of transitioning into a new career.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Sabbatical Stories

01:49 The Journey of Three Sabbaticals

05:48 Lessons from the First Sabbatical

09:50 Intentionality in the Second Sabbatical 13:58 Prototyping Life Changes

17:49 The Importance of Travel and Reflection 22:10 Integration Techniques Post-Sabbatical 25:52 The Role of Visualization and Planning 29:59 Transitioning to a Career Coach

34:08 Top Tips for Taking a Career Break

Guest bio: Bex is the host of Sabbatical Stories podcast and a career transition coach who guides individuals through pivotal life and career changes.

Specialising in crossroads moments, she helps clients find clarity and direction, empowering them to invest in a future self they can be proud of.

Through personalised coaching sessions and signature programs focused on career transitions and sabbaticals, Bex creates a supportive, nurturing space where clients explore their core values, strengths, and goals.

She goes beyond coaching, helping you redefine success on your own terms and equipping you to implement that vision in your next chapter with confidence and purpose.

Learn more ⁠⁠here⁠⁠

Get in touch: If you are interested in sharing your sabbatical story, we would love to hear from you.  Buzz us a DM on Instagram - ⁠@Sabbatical_Stories⁠ or reach out on LinkedIn - ⁠Bex Thomas.⁠

💫 Ready to make the most of your time away from work

Download my free guide, "5 Ways to Maximise Your Career Break", packed with practical tips and soulful insights to help you pause with purpose and return with clarity. 

Whether you're dreaming, planning, or already on sabbatical, this is your essential companion.

👉 Grab your free copy ⁠here⁠

With special thanks to: 

Aunty B at the Flaxen, our amazing, talented and patient producer whose expertise helps make this podcast shine.

⁠Joanna Cooke⁠, whose soulful blend of smooth vocals we are lucky enough to use throughout the show. Listen and connect with Joanna via your favourite medium:

Website - ⁠https://joannacooke.co.uk⁠

YouTube - ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/joannacooke⁠

Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/joanna.cooke/⁠

Facebook - ⁠https://www.facebook.com/joannacookemusic/⁠

In this episode, we dive into the extraordinary journey of Kat Sforcina, a serial entrepreneur, NED, and former C-suite executive turned initiated shaman. Kat shares how she bridges the corporate and spiritual worlds to help leaders and individuals embrace the Power of Connection, Soul, and the Sacred in their lives and work.

This season, we wanted to bring you something a little different, inspiration for what’s possible on a sabbatical, and this conversation is exactly that. Kat takes us through her work with Wild Tribes and Transforming Tribes, which focuses on personal and corporate transformation through nature connection, rites of passage, and self-awareness. Together, we explore:

• How and why it’s important to explore deeper meanings during a sabbatical

• The significance of rites of passage and vision quests as transformative experiences

• Why creating safe spaces for transformation is crucial

• How addressing root causes of dissatisfaction leads to lasting change

• The power of nature connection for self-awareness and growth

• How addiction to routine can hinder personal growth and transformation

• Ways indigenous wisdom can guide modern leadership practices

• Why sabbaticals can be opportunities for profound personal insights

• The ongoing journey of self-discovery and personal evolution

  
  

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Sabbatical Stories

01:12 Meet Kat: From Executive to Shaman

06:05 The Nature of Transformation

09:47 Rites of Passage and Vision Quests

14:14 The Call for Change

19:46 Personal Journeys and Insights

25:52 The Power of Nature and Self-Discovery

31:24 Advice for Contemplating a Vision Quest or Sabbatical

Guest bio: Kat Sforcina is a serial entrepreneur, NED and c-suite executive turned initiated shaman now bridging these worlds together to bring the Power of Connection, Soul and the Sacred to the future of life, leadership, innovation & Impact.

Connect with Kat on LinkedIn and learn more about her work at Transforming Tribes and Wild Tribes

Get in touch: If you are interested in sharing your sabbatical story, we would love to hear from you.  Buzz us a DM on Instagram - ⁠@Sabbatical_Stories⁠ or reach out on LinkedIn - ⁠Bex Thomas.⁠

Career transition, sabbatical and career break coaching: 

As a career transition, sabbatical, and career break coach, I inspire, challenge, and support people like you to create a life that feels deeply aligned with your values, dreams, and authentic self. 

Whether you’re craving a new direction, a chance to pause, or the courage to pursue what really matters, I’m here to guide you toward your own version of success on your terms.

Together, we’ll break free from societal blueprints, rewrite the rules, and design a future you’re excited to wake up to.

Learn more ⁠here⁠

💫 Ready to make the most of your time away from work

Download my free guide, "5 Ways to Maximise Your Career Break", packed with practical tips and soulful insights to help you pause with purpose and return with clarity. 

Whether you're dreaming, planning, or already on sabbatical, this is your essential companion.

👉 Grab your free copy ⁠here⁠

With special thanks to: 

Aunty B at the Flaxen, our amazing, talented and patient producer whose expertise helps make this podcast shine.

⁠Joanna Cooke⁠, whose soulful blend of smooth vocals we are lucky enough to use throughout the show. Listen and connect with Joanna via your favourite medium:

Website - ⁠https://joannacooke.co.uk⁠

YouTube - ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/joannacooke⁠

Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/joanna.cooke/⁠

Facebook - ⁠https://www.facebook.com/joannacookemusic/⁠

In this episode of Sabbatical Stories, Iuliana Marchian shares her transformative journey from a teaching assistant in Romania to a travel coach and writer. She discusses her first long-term solo trip to Morocco, the impact of travel on her personal development, and how Couchsurfing helped her connect with her inner courage.

Together, we explore:

• How taking a sabbatical doesn't have to be a year-long commitment.

• Solo travel, the challenges she faced, including language barriers and self-doubt. 

• Why transformative experiences often come from stepping out of comfort zones.

• How traveling regularly helps maintain personal growth and prevents regression.

• The challenges that come with a shift in career and how to overcome them. 

• The importance of taking baby steps and listening to oneself and not rushing into big changes.

• Why ignoring negative opinions from others is crucial for personal growth.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Sabbatical Stories

01:59 luliana's Transformative Journey Begins

10:30 The Power of Solo Travel

17:36 Life After Morocco: Embracing Change

20:34 Overcoming Challenges in Career Transition

25:06 Balancing Work and Travel

32:54 Lessons Learned and Tips for Future Travelers

Guest bio: Iuliana Marchian is a certified transformational solo travel coach and the founder of Authentic Travels - a community of people who connect to their authentic self through solo travel. Iuliana went from codependency and a depressive personality to traveling solo over the world for +10 years to completely transforming herself on a mental, emotional and psychological level. She strongly believes that each of us has their own authentic travel style and that solo travel is the fastest and most efficient way to find that, including personal and spiritual development. This led her to becoming the first certified travel coach in Romania, and managing the first business in Romania with a focus exclusively on travel coaching. 

As a travel writer, she has written for various worldwide outlets such as Inside Himalayas, Matador Network and Culture Trip. Her transformational memoir “Balak! Balak! - Six weeks in Morocco'' is the first one in a book series planned to be continued with more motivational and inspirational stories from her solo trips.

Connect with Iuliana on LinkedIn 

Get in touch: If you are interested in sharing your sabbatical story, we would love to hear from you.  Buzz us a DM on Instagram - ⁠@Sabbatical_Stories⁠ or reach out on LinkedIn - ⁠Bex Thomas.⁠

Career transition, sabbatical and career break coaching: 

As a career transition, sabbatical, and career break coach, I inspire, challenge, and support people like you to create a life that feels deeply aligned with your values, dreams, and authentic self. 

Whether you’re craving a new direction, a chance to pause, or the courage to pursue what really matters, I’m here to guide you toward your own version of success on your terms.

Together, we’ll break free from societal blueprints, rewrite the rules, and design a future you’re excited to wake up to.

Learn more ⁠here⁠

💫 Ready to make the most of your time away from work

Download my free guide, "5 Ways to Maximise Your Career Break", packed with practical tips and soulful insights to help you pause with purpose and return with clarity. 

Whether you're dreaming, planning, or already on sabbatical, this is your essential companion.

👉 Grab your free copy ⁠here⁠

With special thanks to: 

Aunty B at the Flaxen, our amazing, talented and patient producer whose expertise helps make this podcast shine.

⁠Joanna Cooke⁠, whose soulful blend of smooth vocals we are lucky enough to use throughout the show. Listen and connect with Joanna via your favourite medium:

Website - ⁠https://joannacooke.co.uk⁠

YouTube - ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/joannacooke⁠

Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/joanna.cooke/⁠

Facebook - ⁠https://www.facebook.com/joannacookemusic/⁠

In this conversation, Sahara Rose shares her transformative journey from a broke college student to the founder of the Travel Coach Network.

Sahara emphasises the importance of community, personal growth, and the challenges she faced while building her business. She offers valuable advice for those considering a career break or looking to start their own entrepreneurial journey encouraging aspiring entrepreneurs to trust their instincts.  Together, we explore:

• How travel after College turned into a 10-year sabbatical to travel the world

• Her unconventional approach of taking a career break before her career had even really begun

• The financial strategies she employed to support her travels

• How her experiences led her to create a unique niche in travel coaching

• Why she created the world's first ICF accredited travel coaching program

• The power of knowing what you don’t want in order to design a life that truly fits.

•  How all that is between you and creating a career that doesn't exist is mind set.

  
  

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Sabbatical Stories and Sahara Rose

03:06 Sahara Rose's Journey: From College to Travel Coach

05:49 The Decision to Take a Sabbatical

09:05 Financial Strategies for Long-Term Travel

11:53 The Evolution of Travel Intentions

15:10 Researching the Travel Coaching Industry

18:09 Defining Travel Coaching

21:14 The Growth of Sahara's Business

23:56 Building a Global Community of Travel Coaches

26:55 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

29:47 The Future of Travel in Sahara's Life

32:46 Top Three Tips for Taking a Sabbatical

Guest bio: Sahara Rose De Vore is a visionary in the travel industry, reshaping how we view, plan, and experience travel. After spending a decade traveling solo to 84 countries, she discovered a missing piece in the industry, the need to approach travel with deeper intention and purpose. 

This realisation led her to found The Travel Coach Network (TCN), a global community of travel professionals who believe in the transformative power of travel. She also launched the world’s first and only ICF-accredited Travel Coach Certification Program, bridging the gap between travel and personal development.

Sahara’s expertise has been featured in Forbes, Conde Nast Traveller, Business Insider, CNN Travel, USA Today, and more. She is also a TEDx speaker and the author of Hey You, Just Go!

Connect with Sahara on LinkedIn 

Get in touch: If you are interested in sharing your sabbatical story, we would love to hear from you.  Buzz us a DM on Instagram - ⁠@Sabbatical_Stories⁠ or reach out on LinkedIn - ⁠Bex Thomas.⁠

Career transition, sabbatical and career break coaching: 

As a career transition, sabbatical, and career break coach, I inspire, challenge, and support people like you to create a life that feels deeply aligned with your values, dreams, and authentic self. 

Whether you’re craving a new direction, a chance to pause, or the courage to pursue what really matters, I’m here to guide you toward your own version of success on your terms.

Together, we’ll break free from societal blueprints, rewrite the rules, and design a future you’re excited to wake up to.

Learn more ⁠here⁠

💫 Ready to make the most of your time away from work

Download my free guide, "5 Ways to Maximise Your Career Break", packed with practical tips and soulful insights to help you pause with purpose and return with clarity. 

Whether you're dreaming, planning, or already on sabbatical, this is your essential companion.

👉 Grab your free copy ⁠here⁠

With special thanks to: 

Aunty B at the Flaxen, our amazing, talented and patient producer whose expertise helps make this podcast shine.

⁠Joanna Cooke⁠, whose soulful blend of smooth vocals we are lucky enough to use throughout the show. Listen and connect with Joanna via your favourite medium:

Website - ⁠https://joannacooke.co.uk⁠

YouTube - ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/joannacooke⁠

Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/joanna.cooke/⁠

Facebook - ⁠https://www.facebook.com/joannacookemusic/⁠

In this episode, we sit down with Kyle as he shares his transformative journey of taking a career break to travel the world.

Kyle opens up about the motivations behind his decision, the challenges he faced during the transition, and the profound insights he gained through travel. From navigating mental health struggles to embracing uncertainty, his story is a testament to the power of stepping away to gain clarity.

Together, we explore:

• Why Kyle took a leap and left his career to travel

• The role of mental health in his decision and journey

• How travel broadened his perspective on life and work

• The balance between planning and embracing flexibility

• How stepping outside of routine fosters resilience and adaptability

• The challenges of returning from a career break and what comes next

• Why prioritising mental well-being is key to sustainable success

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Adult Gap Years

02:07 Kyle's Journey to a Career Break

06:02 Planning for the Break

09:58 The Importance of Travel

14:02 Lessons Learned During Travel

17:57 Self-Reflection and Support

19:50 Reevaluating Work and Personal Growth

22:52 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Judgment

25:48 Navigating the Transition to a New Lifestyle

29:00 Realisations from Global Travel

32:14 Pushing Through Challenges

36:12 Top Tips for Taking a Career Break

Guest bio: Kyle is an experienced leader in customer contact centres, operational strategy, and business transformation. With a strong background in financial services, he has led large teams to drive customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, and business growth in companies such as ING Australia and NAB. Kyle has worked at the intersection of customer experience and business operations, influencing change at all levels. After taking a well-earned career break, he now focuses on equipping leaders with the skills to thrive in customer-centric environments.

As the Founder of The Frontline Leader, Kyle is dedicated to empowering frontline managers with the tools, strategies, and mindset to lead high-performing teams. His expertise spans:

• Contact centre leadership, overseeing large teams in lending, wealth, and hardship support

• Business-wide transformation, aligning customer, business, and employee priorities

• Strategic decision-making, leveraging data and trends to optimise performance

Connect with Kyle on LinkedIn 

Get in touch: If you are interested in sharing your sabbatical story, we would love to hear from you.  Buzz us a DM on Instagram - ⁠@Sabbatical_Stories⁠ or reach out on LinkedIn - ⁠Bex Thomas.⁠

Career transition, sabbatical and career break coaching: 

As a career transition, sabbatical, and career break coach, I inspire, challenge, and support people like you to create a life that feels deeply aligned with your values, dreams, and authentic self. 

Whether you’re craving a new direction, a chance to pause, or the courage to pursue what really matters, I’m here to guide you toward your own version of success on your terms.

Together, we’ll break free from societal blueprints, rewrite the rules, and design a future you’re excited to wake up to.

Learn more ⁠here⁠

💫 Ready to make the most of your time away from work

Download my free guide, "5 Ways to Maximise Your Career Break", packed with practical tips and soulful insights to help you pause with purpose and return with clarity. 

Whether you're dreaming, planning, or already on sabbatical, this is your essential companion.

👉 Grab your free copy ⁠here⁠

With special thanks to: 

Aunty B at the Flaxen, our amazing, talented and patient producer whose expertise helps make this podcast shine.

⁠Joanna Cooke⁠, whose soulful blend of smooth vocals we are lucky enough to use throughout the show. Listen and connect with Joanna via your favourite medium:

Website - ⁠https://joannacooke.co.uk⁠

YouTube - ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/joannacooke⁠

Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/joanna.cooke/⁠

Facebook - ⁠https://www.facebook.com/joannacookemusic/⁠

In this conversation, Santosh Mahale shares his unique sabbatical journey, taking a break from a career he loves as a management consultant, to pursuing his passion for art and oil painting.

He discusses the origins of his interest in painting, the decision to take a sabbatical, and the challenges and successes he faced along the way.

Santosh emphasises the importance of having clear goals, the need for balance in life, and the unexpected support he received from his international network. He also reflects on the creative process behind his artwork and offers valuable advice for those considering a sabbatical to pursue a creative passion.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Sabbatical Stories

01:15 Santosh's Journey: From Engineer to Artist

02:44 The Tipping Point: Why Take a Sabbatical?

07:01 Establishing an Art Style and First Exhibition

12:25 Navigating the Sabbatical Experience

15:06 Finding Balance in Life and Art

18:09 Expectations vs. Reality of a Sabbatical

27:32 Unexpected Success and Support

32:49 Top Tips for Taking a Sabbatical

Guest bio: Santosh is a management consultant with over 20 years experience in the industry.  Recently he has transitioned to working independently as a freelance consultant, while also pursuing his long-standing passion for fine art professionally Find Santosh and his art at these links:

https://santoshmahale.com/

https://www.instagram.com/santoshmahale.art/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/santoshmahale/

Get in touch: If you are interested in sharing your sabbatical story, we would love to hear from you.  Buzz us a DM on Instagram - ⁠@Sabbatical_Stories⁠ or reach out on LinkedIn - ⁠Bex Thomas.⁠

Career transition, sabbatical and career break coaching: 

As a career transition, sabbatical, and career break coach, I inspire, challenge, and support people like you to create a life that feels deeply aligned with your values, dreams, and authentic self. 

Whether you’re craving a new direction, a chance to pause, or the courage to pursue what really matters, I’m here to guide you toward your own version of success on your terms.

Together, we’ll break free from societal blueprints, rewrite the rules, and design a future you’re excited to wake up to.

Learn more ⁠here⁠

💫 Ready to make the most of your time away from work

Download my free guide, "5 Ways to Maximise Your Career Break", packed with practical tips and soulful insights to help you pause with purpose and return with clarity. 

Whether you're dreaming, planning, or already on sabbatical, this is your essential companion.

👉 Grab your free copy ⁠here⁠

With special thanks to: 

Aunty B at the Flaxen, our amazing, talented and patient producer whose expertise helps make this podcast shine.

⁠Joanna Cooke⁠, whose soulful blend of smooth vocals we are lucky enough to use throughout the show. Listen and connect with Joanna via your favourite medium:

Website - ⁠https://joannacooke.co.uk⁠

YouTube - ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/joannacooke⁠

Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/joanna.cooke/⁠

Facebook - ⁠https://www.facebook.com/joannacookemusic/⁠

In this conversation, Martina McDermott shares her sabbatical journey, reflecting on her experiences traveling through the Americas and the motivations behind taking time off from her career. She discusses the importance of defining what a sabbatical means, the triggers that led her to take a break, and the challenges of preparing for such a significant life change.

Martina also explores the concepts of boredom and burnout, the financial strategies she employed to save for her travels, and the lessons learned about being present and intentional during her time away. 

Upon returning to work, she reflects on the reality of her situation and the need to align her values with her career goals.Martina shares her experiences of finding her 'mojo' after a break, the lessons learned from her career transitions, and the importance of preparation when starting a new business.

Chapters 

00:00 Introduction and Acknowledgment

01:27 Martina's Background and Early Career

03:09 The First Sabbatical Experience

06:37 Triggers for Taking a Break

09:39 The Role of Boredom and Burnout

12:26 Preparing for the Sabbatical

15:01 Saving for the Sabbatical

16:15 Intentions Behind the Sabbatical

19:15 Reflection and Journaling

21:49 Returning to Work After the Sabbatical

24:21 Reality Check: Returning to the Same Role

27:18 Challenges Faced Post-Sabbatical

30:01 Unexpected Joys of Travel

30:56 Lessons Learned for Future Breaks

32:32 Building a New Business

34:09 Top Tips for Career Breaks

Guest bio: Martina helps life sciences companies hire exceptional people. With 25+ years in life sciences recruitment across pharma, biotech, medical devices, diagnostics, OTC, and health tech she has built a reputation for rigour, depth, and never cutting corners.
Find Martina and Peridot Life Sciences Recruitment at the following links:

https://www.weareperidot.com.au/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinamcdermott

Get in touch: If you are interested in sharing your sabbatical story, we would love to hear from you.  Buzz us a DM on Instagram - ⁠@Sabbatical_Stories⁠ or reach out on LinkedIn - ⁠Bex Thomas.⁠

Career transition, sabbatical and career break coaching: 

As a career transition, sabbatical, and career break coach, I inspire, challenge, and support people like you to create a life that feels deeply aligned with your values, dreams, and authentic self. 

Whether you’re craving a new direction, a chance to pause, or the courage to pursue what really matters, I’m here to guide you toward your own version of success on your terms.

Together, we’ll break free from societal blueprints, rewrite the rules, and design a future you’re excited to wake up to.

Learn more ⁠here⁠

💫 Ready to make the most of your time away from work

Download my free guide, "5 Ways to Maximise Your Career Break", packed with practical tips and soulful insights to help you pause with purpose and return with clarity. 

Whether you're dreaming, planning, or already on sabbatical, this is your essential companion.

👉 Grab your free copy ⁠here⁠

With special thanks to: 

Aunty B at the Flaxen, our amazing, talented and patient producer whose expertise helps make this podcast shine.

⁠Joanna Cooke⁠, whose soulful blend of smooth vocals we are lucky enough to use throughout the show. Listen and connect with Joanna via your favourite medium:

Website - ⁠https://joannacooke.co.uk⁠

YouTube - ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/joannacooke⁠

Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/joanna.cooke/⁠

Facebook - ⁠https://www.facebook.com/joannacookemusic/⁠

In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Patrick Mazzocco, an academic whose PhD research dives deep into the motivations, experiences, and outcomes of career breaks. Having taken multiple career breaks himself, Patrick brings both academic insight and personal experience to the conversation. His work sheds light on the emotional journey of stepping away from work, the myths surrounding career breaks, and the evolving nature of career identity.

Our conversation explores the diverse reasons people step away from work, the gap between expectations and reality, and the importance of personal reflection in navigating these transitions. We also discuss the courage it takes to carve out your own path—especially in the face of societal pressures. Together, we explore:

• The diverse experiences of career break takers—expectations, transformative moments, and the impact on identity.

• The emotional highs and lows of career breaks, common myths, and the importance of redefining career identity.

• Why identity crises are common during career breaks as individuals reassess their self-worth.

• The surprising number of participants who found contentment in simply doing nothing.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Sabbatical Stories

01:30 Patrick's Transformative Career Breaks

05:24 Navigating Family Expectations and Pushback

11:27 Researching Career Breaks: A New Perspective

17:43 Understanding the Decision-Making Process

20:11 Debunking Myths About Career Breaks

21:55 Identity Crisis During Career Breaks

25:51 The Reality of Career Breaks

34:50 Exploring Career Identity

43:09 The Impact of Career Breaks on Identity

45:18 Debunking Myths About Career Breaks

Guest bio: Patrick Mazzocco is a doctoral candidate and Programmes Coordinator at the University of Otago, specialising in career transitions and career breaks. His PhD research explores the motivations, experiences, and outcomes of individuals who take career breaks without employer sponsorship or a guaranteed return to their previous roles.  

Originally from Indianna, Patrick is an educator and career development professional with more than 10 years of experience and a strong history of success in programme development, curriculum design, and interdepartmental collaboration.

Connect with Patrick on LinkedIn 

Get in touch: If you are interested in sharing your sabbatical story, we would love to hear from you.  Buzz us a DM on Instagram - ⁠@Sabbatical_Stories⁠ or reach out on LinkedIn - ⁠Bex Thomas.⁠

Career transition, sabbatical and career break coaching: 

As a career transition, sabbatical, and career break coach, I inspire, challenge, and support people like you to create a life that feels deeply aligned with your values, dreams, and authentic self. 

Whether you’re craving a new direction, a chance to pause, or the courage to pursue what really matters, I’m here to guide you toward your own version of success on your terms.

Together, we’ll break free from societal blueprints, rewrite the rules, and design a future you’re excited to wake up to.

Learn more ⁠here⁠

💫 Ready to make the most of your time away from work

Download my free guide, "5 Ways to Maximise Your Career Break", packed with practical tips and soulful insights to help you pause with purpose and return with clarity. 

Whether you're dreaming, planning, or already on sabbatical, this is your essential companion.

👉 Grab your free copy ⁠here⁠

With special thanks to: 

Aunty B at the Flaxen, our amazing, talented and patient producer whose expertise helps make this podcast shine.

⁠Joanna Cooke⁠, whose soulful blend of smooth vocals we are lucky enough to use throughout the show. Listen and connect with Joanna via your favourite medium:

Website - ⁠https://joannacooke.co.uk⁠

YouTube - ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/joannacooke⁠

Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/joanna.cooke/⁠

Facebook - ⁠https://www.facebook.com/joannacookemusic/⁠

In this episode, Susie Chou shares her transformative experience of taking a year-long sabbatical with her husband, traveling to all seven continents. Susie reflects on the personal growth and relationship building that occurred during their travels, as well as the challenges of transitioning back to work after such a significant break. She also offers valuable tips for anyone considering a sabbatical, emphasising the importance of understanding one's intentions and slowing down to fully appreciate the experience. Together, we explore:

• The decision-making process, the planning involved, and the financial considerations that make a career break or sabbatical possible.
• How returning back to the corporate world can be hard.
• How her break gave her the confidence to break away from the standard American blueprint of life and do something different. 
• Why travel throughout her break contributed to her changing career and starting her own travel agency.
• Entrepreneurial life, the twists and turns, the challenges but why she would never go back. 

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Acknowledgment

01:31 Suzy Chow's Sabbatical Journey

10:05 Planning the Sabbatical

19:07 Experiences Across Seven Continents

23:54 Transitioning Back to Work

28:02 Starting a New Venture

33:09 Top Tips for Taking a Sabbatical

Guest bio: Susie Chau is a former IT Management Consultant who took a transformative year-long career break with her husband, traveling across all seven continents. Inspired by her journey, she returned to the corporate world but soon felt the pull to help others experience the power of travel. In 2016, she launched her travel agency as a side hustle, and by 2018, she took the leap into full-time entrepreneurship. Since then, she has helped hundreds of people explore the world. In 2023, Susie expanded her mission beyond vacations—she now helps professionals live abroad for a month or more, shifting their focus from work mode to life mode.

Learn more about Susie by visiting herwebsite or connecting with her onLinkedIn 

Get in touch: If you are interested in sharing your sabbatical story, we would love to hear from you.  Buzz us a DM on Instagram - ⁠@Sabbatical_Stories⁠ or reach out on LinkedIn - ⁠Bex Thomas.⁠

Career transition, sabbatical and career break coaching: 

As a career transition, sabbatical, and career break coach, I inspire, challenge, and support people like you to create a life that feels deeply aligned with your values, dreams, and authentic self. 

Whether you’re craving a new direction, a chance to pause, or the courage to pursue what really matters, I’m here to guide you toward your own version of success on your terms.

Together, we’ll break free from societal blueprints, rewrite the rules, and design a future you’re excited to wake up to.

Learn more ⁠here⁠

💫 Ready to make the most of your time away from work

Download my free guide, "5 Ways to Maximise Your Career Break", packed with practical tips and soulful insights to help you pause with purpose and return with clarity. 

Whether you're dreaming, planning, or already on sabbatical, this is your essential companion.

👉 Grab your free copy ⁠here⁠

With special thanks to: 

Aunty B at the Flaxen, our amazing, talented and patient producer whose expertise helps make this podcast shine.

⁠Joanna Cooke⁠, whose soulful blend of smooth vocals we are lucky enough to use throughout the show. Listen and connect with Joanna via your favourite medium:

Website - ⁠https://joannacooke.co.uk⁠

YouTube - ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/joannacooke⁠

Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/joanna.cooke/⁠

Facebook - ⁠https://www.facebook.com/joannacookemusic/⁠