Taking a Career Break: Sabbatical Planning and Career Break Strategy

🎙️Episode 41 -  It’s Never Too Late to Take a Career Break: An Inspiring Story with Katrina McGhee

In this week’s episode, James Hammond sits down with career break coach and author Katrina McGhee to explore one of the most empowering truths about work and life — it’s never too late to change direction. Fresh off celebrating her 46th birthday, Katrina shares how a chance encounter with an inspiring woman in her late fifties reminded her — and all of us — that age should never be a barrier to reinvention.

From leaving behind a stable career in finance at 49 to becoming a thriving holistic esthetician and business owner, this real-life story is proof that courage, clarity, and self-belief can transform your path at any stage of life. Together, James and Katrina dive deep into what it really means to take a career break, how to navigate fear and uncertainty, and why redefining success can open the door to true fulfillment.

This episode is packed with insight for anyone who’s ever felt “too old” or “too far along” to pivot, take a midlife career break, or chase a long-buried dream. Katrina also shares her wisdom on the emotional side of change — from dealing with external expectations to rediscovering your joy, energy, and purpose outside of work.

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s possible to step away from the grind, find your spark again, and build a life that feels more aligned, this episode will give you the motivation (and permission) to do it.

Join us for a heartfelt conversation that challenges the myth of “too late” — and reminds you that your next chapter could be your brightest yet.

Get Involved

💬 Got your own career break questions? DM us or email (links in show notes) and Katrina may answer them in a future episode.

🎧 Follow Taking A Career Break With Katrina McGhee for more weekly tips, stories, and guidance.

🌍 Share this episode with someone who’s been talking about needing a break — it might give them the courage to finally do it.

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction – Why it’s never too late to take a career break
02:15 Katrina’s birthday reflections and what sparked this episode
05:00 Real stories of reinvention: From finance to facialist
10:40 Courage to pivot: How to walk away from security
14:00 Finding purpose and joy beyond your career
18:30 Why waiting until retirement might cost you more than you think
22:45 Redefining success, happiness, and validation
25:00 Final thoughts – what it really means to live a brighter life

Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.

🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!

📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us today to begin your journey.

BreakSpace - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email - [email protected]

Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en⁠⁠

Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠

Episode 40 - Escaping the 9-to-5: Proving Worth vs. Finding Devotion

In this episode of the podcast Taking a Career Break with Katrina McGhee, Katrina reflects on one of the biggest questions people face when considering a break from their careers: Are you working to prove your worth, or are you devoting yourself to what truly matters?

Katrina shares how this powerful question surfaced during her own moments of reflection as a digital nomad and life coach. She unpacks the difference between chasing external validation—through promotions, salaries, and titles—and choosing to live with intentional devotion to freedom, fulfilment, and joy.

This conversation goes beyond the surface of taking time off. It’s about rethinking the cultural scripts that tell us success is only found in constant striving. Katrina explores how devotion can look different for everyone, from parenting to travelling the world to creating sustainable businesses. She emphasises that the key is making a conscious choice about where to devote your time, energy, and focus—rather than unconsciously trying to prove you’re “enough.”

If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in the 9-to-5 grind, wondering if all your effort is leading to true happiness, this episode will give you permission to pause, reflect, and reconsider your path. Katrina offers both practical wisdom and personal stories to help you see that a career break isn’t about weakness—it’s about courage, self-awareness, and living intentionally.

Get Involved

💬 Got your own career break questions? DM us or email (links in show notes) and Katrina may answer them in a future episode.

🎧 Follow Taking A Career Break With Katrina McGhee for more weekly tips, stories, and guidance.

🌍 Share this episode with someone who’s been talking about needing a break — it might give them the courage to finally do it.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Worth vs. Devotion

02:18 The Reflection on Breaks and Commitment

04:51 Proving Worth vs. Demonstrating Devotion

08:44 Personal Journeys and Life Choices

11:02 The Importance of Time and Intentionality

13:39 Reframing Goals and Devotion

17:49 Seasons of Life and Balance

19:47 Join BreakSpace

Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.

🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!

📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us today to begin your journey.

BreakSpace - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email - [email protected]

Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en⁠

Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠

Episode 39 - Katrina Reflects on BreakSpace: What 100+ Members Taught Us About Career Break Success

In this episode of Taking A Career Break With Katrina McGhee, Katrina reflects on the first year of running BreakSpace, the community she co-founded with her partner Lyndall to support people in taking intentional and transformative career breaks. Over the past twelve months, more than 100 members have joined BreakSpace, creating a space for coaching, connection, and growth. Katrina shares what she has learned from leading this community and offers honest reflections on what truly makes a break successful.

Throughout the conversation, Katrina explains that career breaks are not just about saving money, planning logistics, or booking flights. The deeper work often comes from learning to rest, setting boundaries, and giving yourself permission to slow down. She highlights the surprising impact of members witnessing each other’s experiences—showing that listening, reflecting, and sharing journeys within a supportive group can be just as transformative as one-to-one coaching.

Katrina also dives into the importance of structure, revealing how her Break Blueprint has helped members approach their time off with clarity and purpose. She reflects on the courage it took to release this framework into the world and how it has since become a cornerstone of the BreakSpace experience. Her story illustrates why being brave enough to share your work and ideas can change lives, not just your own but those of the people you serve.

Another key insight is that the greatest struggles members face are not external but internal. Feelings of guilt about resting, difficulty setting boundaries, and the fear of not doing enough often emerge. Katrina normalizes these emotions and shares how working through them can make the difference between a career break that feels wasted and one that becomes a profound turning point.

Most striking of all, Katrina has observed that nearly everyone who takes a break ends up wanting to redesign their life. Even those who enjoy their jobs often see their time away as an opportunity to reimagine how they want to live and work going forward. This realization inspired the creation of BreakSpace’s Design Your Life course, helping members build lives that prioritize well-being, joy, and balance.

Finally, Katrina emphasizes the undeniable power of community. For many, simply joining a call with others who “get it” provides immense relief and validation. Taking an unconventional step like a career break can feel isolating, but BreakSpace has proven that being surrounded by a supportive group makes the journey easier, more joyful, and far more impactful.

To learn more about joining the BreakSpace community, visit www.gobreakspace.com.

Get Involved

💬 Got your own career break questions? DM us or email (links in show notes) and Katrina may answer them in a future episode.

Timestamps

00:00 Celebrating One Year of BreakSpace

05:46 The Power of Community in Coaching

09:41 Overcoming Internal Struggles During Breaks

14:21 Redesigning Life: A Common Desire

16:03 The Importance of Community in Break Journeys

Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.

🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!

📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us today to begin your journey.

BreakSpace - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email - [email protected]

Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en

Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠

Episode 38 - Katrina Answers Your Questions on Career Breaks: Money, Mindset & Stigma

Welcome back to Taking A Career Break With Katrina McGhee! In this episode, Katrina answers your questions about career breaks, from how much money you really need to budget to how to ask your employer for a sabbatical, and even how to overcome the stigma that still surrounds taking time off work.

Katrina is a certified life coach, author, and career break expert who has guided countless professionals through planning and enjoying successful breaks. Together, we explore the financial, emotional, and personal side of pausing your career, while also discussing why the career break movement is rapidly growing around the world.

Throughout this conversation, Katrina explains how to approach your employer with confidence, how to create a realistic budget for three, six or twelve months away, and how to work through the fear and self-doubt that often stop people from following through with their plans. She also shares her perspective on the worst advice about career breaks, what you should actually do during your time off, and why taking a break now might be one of the best decisions you ever make.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer picture of what it really takes to plan a successful break, why it matters for your wellbeing and career, and how to use this time to reconnect with yourself, heal from burnout, and return with clarity and renewed energy.

Why Listen?

By tuning in, you’ll:
✅ Learn how to budget and plan for your break with confidence.
✅ Discover ways to communicate with your employer.
✅ Gain tools to overcome stigma and fear.
✅ Feel inspired by real-life examples of career break transformations.

Get Involved

💬 Got your own career break questions? DM us or email (links in show notes) and Katrina may answer them in a future episode.
🎧 Follow Taking A Career Break With Katrina McGhee for more weekly tips, stories, and guidance.
🌍 Share this episode with someone who’s been talking about needing a break — it might give them the courage to finally do it.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Rapid Fire Questions

02:27 How to Ask for a Sabbatical

06:27 Financial Planning for a Career Break

10:03 The Growing Career Break Movement

13:09 Overcoming Stigma Around Career Breaks

14:59 Identifying Blockers to Taking a Career Break

16:47 Misconceptions About Career Breaks

19:52 What to Do on Your Career Break

Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.

🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!

📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us today to begin your journey.

BreakSpace - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email - [email protected]

Instagram - ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en

Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠

Episode 37 - Career Break Mindset: Overcoming Guilt, Finding Joy & Redefining Success

Taking a career break isn’t just about money, logistics, or checking off boxes—it’s about mindset. In this episode of the Winging It Travel Podcast, James Hammond sits down with career break coach Katrina McGhee to dive into the mental and emotional side of stepping away from work.

Together, we unpack the hidden challenges many professionals face when they finally hit pause: identity struggles, guilt over rest, and the discomfort of simply “being” instead of constantly “doing.” Katrina shares her expertise on how to shift your perspective so that your break becomes a time of joy, growth, and true self-care, rather than stress or second-guessing.

From tackling the fear of stillness to exploring how health, travel, and business can coexist during a sabbatical, this episode is full of practical wisdom and inspiring insights. Whether you’re planning your first career break or rethinking what rest means in your life, this conversation will help you create space for wellness, joy, and purpose.

If you’ve ever felt guilty about slowing down—or worried that you won’t “use your time off productively”—this episode is for you. Katrina explains how to build your joy muscle, let go of outdated work-driven validation, and design a break that actually restores you.

Timestamps

00:00 Embracing the Break: The Importance of Enjoyment

03:22 Mindset Shift: From Numbers to Enjoyment

06:39 Internal Challenges: Identity and Self-Worth

09:56 Overcoming Internal Barriers: Permission to Be

13:11 Reconditioning for Joy: Building a Joy Muscle

15:58 Navigating Stillness: The Challenge of Being

18:46 Real-Time Journey: Preparing for a Career Break

19:10 Taking A Career Break Outro

👉 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why mindset is just as important as money when planning a break

• How to separate your self-worth from your job title

• Why rest doesn’t need to be “earned” through struggle

• The hidden challenges most career-breakers face (and how to overcome them)

• How to give yourself permission to enjoy rest, travel, or simply stillness

✨ If you’re curious about how to truly make the most of your career break—and not just survive it—this episode will give you the tools and confidence to redefine what success looks like.

Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.

🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!

📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!

If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch today to start your journey!

BreakSpace - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email - [email protected]

Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en

Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠

Episode 36 - The Cost of Waiting: A Powerful Story on Dreams Deferred and Why You Shouldn't Wait For Retirement

In this powerful and profoundly moving episode, James Hammond sits down with career break coach and author Katrina McGhee to explore the true cost of waiting to chase your dreams. Katrina shares a personal and emotional story about one of her earliest clients — a man who had big plans for travel and adventure, but kept postponing his career break for what he considered the “perfect time.” Sadly, he never got the chance to realise those dreams.

This story is a wake-up call for anyone deferring their passions, whether it’s travel, a career shift, or simply taking time for themselves. James and Katrina reflect on why waiting for perfect conditions can be dangerous, the hidden risks of tying joy to retirement timelines, and the importance of creating space for sabbaticals or mini-escapes. They also discuss how to balance financial security with living life fully and offer practical ways to stop delaying your dreams.

More than just a conversation about career breaks, this episode is about living intentionally, embracing opportunities now, and ensuring you don’t look back with regret. If this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who might need a little nudge to stop waiting and start living.

Got questions or stories to share? Reach out to us via email, Instagram, or LinkedIn (links are available in the show notes).

Just a final note to say that this episode may cause you to be upset, and it certainly was a difficult one to record. However, we passionately believe that the key message here is to take action on your career break or pursue your dreams. Don't take getting to retirement for granted, as you may not reach it. Take action and work towards that goal.

Katrina and James

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome + introduction to Katrina McGhee
01:00 – Why this story matters and setting the scene
02:30 – Katrina shares her crisis of confidence while writing her book
04:00 – The story of an early client who dreamed of a career break
06:00 – Discovering what happened to him and the impact on Katrina
08:00 – A life deferred: waiting for retirement and missed opportunities
10:00 – Reflections on work, money, and the “escape plan” mindset
12:30 – The heartbreaking lesson on health, life, and timing
14:00 – Why “perfect conditions” rarely arrive
15:30 – Living with urgency: how to stop waiting and start now
17:00 – Final reflections and how listeners can apply this story to their own lives

Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.

🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!

📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!

If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch today to start your journey!

BreakSpace - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email - [email protected]

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en

Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠

Episode 35 - Sabbatical vs. Career Break: What Kind of Break Do You Need and For How Long?

In this episode of the Winging It Travel Podcast, James Hammond sits down with career break coach Katrina McGhee to explore one of the biggest questions professionals face: what type of break should I take—and how long should it last?From stacking paid time off for a mini reset to negotiating a leave of absence or planning a full career break, Katrina shares the pros, cons, and practicalities of each option.

We unpack the real difference between a sabbatical and a career break, why “mini retirements” might not be the best term, and how some people use breaks as a stepping stone into semi-retirement or early retirement. Katrina explains why clarity on your purpose is key, how to decide on the right length of time off (from a few weeks to over a year), and why the average break her clients take is around 11 months.

James and Katrina also dive into financial planning, workplace policies, and even health care considerations when taking extended time away from work. They share real-life stories of employees negotiating paid leaves, examples of short versus long breaks, and the steps you can take to design a break that actually works for your life and career goals.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you need a sabbatical, career break, or just an extended vacation—and how to figure out the timing—this episode is packed with insights to help you create space for rest, reflection, and freedom.

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro: What kind of break should you take and how long should it last?
01:00 – Katrina joins the conversation and shares her thoughts on “hump day” culture
02:20 – Types of breaks overview: PTO blocks, leaves of absence, sabbaticals, and career breaks
03:30 – Stacking PTO for a mini reset vs. a true break
05:30 – Leaves of absence explained: burnout, caregiving, relocation, or higher education
07:45 – What a sabbatical really is (outside academia)
08:20 – Defining career breaks, gap years, and why “mini retirement” doesn’t sit right
09:40 – Career breaks as a transition into semi-retirement or early retirement
12:20 – Rethinking retirement: freedom, semi-retirement, and doing work you love
14:30 – Redefining “work” and finding purpose beyond a paycheck
17:20 – Why waiting until your 70s for fun isn’t realistic—spreading joy across decades
19:00 – Step 1: Clarifying your goal and why you need a break
20:30 – Step 2: Deciding how much time you actually need
22:40 – Step 3: Examining options—handbooks, finances, and healthcare
24:40 – Real stories of employers offering unexpected leave and flexibility
25:40 – Data points: average 11-month breaks, shortest 5 weeks, longest 2 years
26:45 – James shares his own sabbatical experience and company offer
27:30 – Risks and realities of negotiating breaks with your employer
28:50 – Wrapping up: practical advice, final reflections, and the “awkward endings” joke

Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.

🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!

📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!

If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch today to start your journey!

BreakSpace - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email - [email protected]

Episode 34 - Burn the Bridge: The Mindset Shift You Need to Finally Take Your Career Break

In this episode of Taking a Career Break with Katrina McGhee, we dive into one of the most powerful mindset shifts you can make when you’re dreaming about – but not actually taking – your career break. It’s called “burning the bridge,” and it’s about removing the escape hatch that lets you walk away when things feel hard, uncertain, or uncomfortable. Katrina shares the personal story of how this philosophy helped her push through imposter syndrome and write her book Taking a Career Break for Dummies, one of the most challenging projects of her professional life.

You’ll hear how her initial doubts nearly led her to quit, the turning point conversation that changed everything, and the mental and practical steps she took to commit fully. Along the way, we explore why so many aspiring sabbatical-takers delay their plans for months or even years, how fear of failure and the discomfort of “being seen trying” holds people back, and why a bold, no-turning-back decision can be the key to finally making your break happen.

James and Katrina also talk about the difference between easy answers that keep you safe and the harder choices that move you toward your goals. They share examples from their own lives where burning the bridge – whether by giving notice at work, booking a non-refundable ticket, or investing in personal growth – created the accountability needed to follow through. This episode will inspire you to reflect on the resources you already have, the future you want to create, and the one decisive step you can take right now to commit fully to your dream. If you’ve been stuck on the fence, this conversation is your call to set the match, light the fire, and cross into the life you’ve been imagining.

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to the episode and introduction to “burn the bridge”
01:00 – Katrina sets the stage: a personal meets life-advice episode
01:12 – The book deal that sparked the lesson
02:23 – Imposter syndrome and overwhelm in writing the first chapter
04:50 – Considering quitting before the book even began
06:20 – The pivotal advice: you have to burn the bridge
08:05 – The sample chapter feedback that changed everything
09:30 – Committing 100% and removing the option to quit
10:46 – James on failure, trying hard things, and public perception
11:23 – The discomfort of being seen trying
12:16 – Why passion, willpower, and consistency matter
13:15 – How delaying your break is often fear in disguise
14:50 – Practical ways to burn the bridge for your career break
16:48 – James on “the easy answer is no” vs. the hard choice to commit
18:16 – Katrina on mental shifts, accountability, and personal transformation
20:10 – The closing quote: burn the bridge and learn to fly
20:25 – Final reflections and wrap-up
20:54 – Invitation to join BreakSpace

Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.

🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!

📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!

If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch today to start your journey!

BreakSpace - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email - [email protected]

Episode 33 - From $0 to $120K: What People Actually Spend on a Career Break

How much does a career break really cost? In this eye-opening episode, Katrina McGhee and James Hammond unpack the actual numbers behind taking time off work—ranging from breaks that cost absolutely nothing to those that hit the $120,000 mark. Whether you're just beginning to think about a sabbatical or already mapping out your finances, this conversation offers clear, practical insights into what you might realistically spend.

Drawing from Katrina’s experience coaching over 100 clients, you’ll hear how break budgets vary dramatically depending on lifestyle choices, travel preferences, and financial responsibilities. She explains how some people manage to take meaningful breaks without adding to their expenses at all, while others choose high-end travel and continue supporting large monthly commitments. The average monthly spend lands around $3,700, but that number is influenced by many factors—from passive income and living arrangements to debt and family needs.

You’ll also hear Katrina’s take on the often-taboo subject of taking a break while still carrying debt, and how smart planning can make it entirely possible. James shares personal experiences too, and together they offer a wealth of tips for budgeting better, cutting down on unnecessary expenses, and aligning your spending with your purpose for the break.

This episode is full of real talk—no fluff or generic advice. It’s designed to help you feel empowered to make informed financial decisions that support your break, rather than delay or cancel it. Katrina outlines how lifestyle audits, mindset shifts, and even simple day-to-day spending changes can drastically increase your savings and make a break feel within reach.

Whether you’re planning to travel, stay local, or reinvent your lifestyle during your break, you’ll come away from this episode with a clearer sense of what’s financially possible. If you're curious about how people actually fund their breaks—and how to budget for your own—this is a must-listen.

Katrina also shares resources from her book Taking a Career Break for Dummies and invites listeners into her supportive coaching space at GoBreakSpace.com.

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome and episode overview
01:00 – Why money is one of the biggest concerns around taking a break
02:15 – The real cost of Katrina’s 20-month break
03:00 – Career breaks that cost $0 — how it’s possible
04:00 – The most expensive breaks Katrina’s clients have taken
06:15 – How travel style dramatically affects your budget
07:30 – Lifestyle audits that save thousands
08:40 – The hidden impact of lifestyle creep on your finances
10:15 – How one client cut expenses by 40% in under two months
12:30 – Making trade-offs: saving for a break vs. spending now
14:00 – Spending intentionally when planning your break
16:00 – Should you take a break if you have debt?
18:30 – Katrina’s story: taking a break with $42K in student loan debt
20:30 – The average monthly cost of a career break revealed
21:00 – Factors that shape your break budget: income, responsibilities, and travel
24:00 – Most common spending range Katrina sees with clients
25:20 – Final thoughts and how to dive deeper into budgeting with Katrina’s book

Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.

🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!

📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!

If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch today to start your journey!

BreakSpace - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email - [email protected]

Episode 32 - Career Break Travel Hacks: Bucket Lists, Upskilling Abroad & Phone Boundaries

Thinking of taking a career break or sabbatical? This episode is packed with practical tips and mindset shifts to help you make the most of your time away from the 9–5 grind. Katrina McGhee, sabbatical coach and author of Taking a Career Break for Dummies, joins James Hammond to talk about how to turn your break into a purposeful journey—without burning out or getting lost in endless scrolling. Whether you're planning three months in Europe or slow traveling across continents, this conversation will help you design an experience that aligns with your goals, values, and curiosity.

Katrina and James get real about what it takes to balance adventure and rest while traveling long-term. They share personal stories about how fast and slow travel each play a role, how to plan around bucket list goals while leaving space for spontaneity, and why being intentional about your phone usage can radically improve your overall experience. Katrina explains how the themes of your break—whether you're seeking growth, healing, joy, or exploration—should guide how you plan your trip. James shares examples from his own career break and global adventures, emphasizing the value of mixing big, exciting activities with restorative downtime.

They also explore the idea of upskilling while abroad, like taking a short course or learning a new language, and how that can add a layer of meaning or future benefit to your break. Plus, they discuss the real-life challenges of being present when you're tempted to document everything for social media or keep up with work emails. Toward the end, they each share their evolving bucket list goals—from seeing polar bears in Canada and dancing in Ibiza, to chasing paradise in French Polynesia and exploring new parts of Greece. It’s an honest, practical, and inspiring look at how to design a travel experience that truly serves you, rather than just filling your calendar.

Whether you’re on the road or just starting to plan, this episode will give you permission to slow down, dream big, and take control of your time. And if you want community and support while you do it, Katrina shares how you can join BreakSpace, her one-of-a-kind global network for career breakers and sabbatical takers.

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome & Episode Overview
01:00 – Building Variety into Your Career Break
03:30 – Aligning Travel Plans with Break Themes
05:20 – The Power of Rest Stops While Traveling
07:00 – Spontaneity and Flexible Planning
09:00 – One-Way Tickets and Serendipitous Moments
11:00 – Upskilling and Learning While Abroad
13:30 – Digital Discipline and Phone Boundaries
15:30 – Staying Present as a Traveler and Creator
16:10 – Bucket List Reflections: What’s Left to Do?
19:00 – James’ Travel Bucket List Goals
20:10 – Final Thoughts & BreakSpace Community Invitation

Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.

🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!

📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!

If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch today to start your journey!

BreakSpace - ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠

Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email - [email protected]