Episode 57 - How To Overcome The Uncertainty Of Taking A Career Break

Uncertainty is one of the biggest barriers stopping people from taking a career break—and it doesn’t just show up before you leave.

In this episode, James and Katrina unpack why uncertainty feels so uncomfortable, why trying to eliminate it never works, and how learning to sit with the unknown can actually transform your life.

Katrina shares four powerful mindset shifts that help high achievers stop overthinking their career break and start trusting themselves. From understanding how instant information has weakened our tolerance for uncertainty, to reframing worry as unproductive imagination, this conversation challenges the way we’ve been taught to make decisions about work and life.

You’ll also hear why a career break isn’t about finding the “right” answer—but about committing to a decision and making it right through adaptability, self-trust, and discovery. If you’re stuck in analysis paralysis, worried about what comes next, or trying to predict every possible outcome before stepping away from work, this episode will help you let go of certainty and move forward with confidence.

This episode also explores how building tolerance for uncertainty can improve your mental health, confidence, and long-term career satisfaction. Katrina shares practical ways to strengthen this skill—both in everyday life and during a career break—so you’re not constantly chasing reassurance, control, or perfect timing.

Whether you’re contemplating a break, already on one, or preparing for re-entry, this conversation will help you feel more grounded, capable, and confident navigating whatever comes next.

Timestamps

00:00 Navigating Uncertainty in Career Breaks

03:13 The Impact of Instant Information on Uncertainty

06:26 Worry vs. Planning: Understanding the Difference

09:08 The Power of Language: Searching vs. Discovery

21:36 The Journey of Discovery

24:56 Embracing Uncertainty in Career Breaks

27:03 Making Decisions: Right vs. Making It Right

33:36 Building Tolerance for Uncertainty

42:06 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 56 - Why Job Searching Too Early Can Ruin Your Career Break

Taking a career break or sabbatical is meant to restore your energy, clarity, and sense of purpose — but what happens when job searching sneaks in too early?

In this episode, James and career break coach Katrina McGhee unpack one of the most common (and sneakiest) mistakes people make during a break: starting the job search before they’re truly ready. What feels like being “responsible” or “playing it safe” can actually sabotage the entire purpose of taking time off.

Through real client stories from BreakSpace, Katrina explains why straddling two worlds — being half on a break and half in job-search mode — drains your energy, reinforces burnout, and creates unnecessary pressure and self-doubt. You’ll learn why fully disconnecting from work is essential, how to recognize resistance as valuable data, and when it might actually be time to extend your break rather than push through.

If you’re currently on a career break, planning one, or feeling tempted to “just browse jobs,” this episode will help you rethink reentry, protect your time off, and come back to work restored, confident, and aligned — instead of rushed and resentful.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why early job searching feels safe but often backfires

• The hidden cost of straddling a break and a job search

• How resistance and resentment are signals — not failures

• When extending your break might be the smarter move

• Why fully unplugging from work leads to better reentry outcomes

If you’re dreaming of a career break or navigating one right now, you don’t have to do it alone. Resources for Katrina’s coaching, book, and BreakSpace community are linked in the show notes.

Timestamps

00:00 The Temptation of Early Job Searching

03:56 Understanding Breaks and Job Search Energy

06:40 The Mixed Emotions of Reentering the Workforce

09:50 Straddling Two Worlds: The Dangers of Half-Commitment

13:28 The Importance of Fully Embracing Breaks

16:18 Mindset Shifts: From Scarcity to Abundance in Job Searching

22:22 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 55 - Why Celebrating Your Wins Matters More Than You Think

In this episode, James Hammond is joined by career break and sabbatical coach Katrina McGhee to unpack one of the most overlooked tools for sustainable success: celebration.

High achievers are often wired to move the goalposts, downplay progress, and focus on what’s missing rather than what’s working. Katrina explains why this mindset fuels burnout, dissatisfaction, and self-sabotage — and how learning to consistently celebrate wins can completely change the way you experience work, career breaks, and life transitions.

Drawing from her coaching practice and personal experience, Katrina shares how celebrating progress (not perfection) builds momentum, confidence, and self-belief — especially during career breaks, periods of uncertainty, or major life change. This conversation is a powerful reminder that success isn’t just about pushing harder, but about noticing how far you’ve already come.

If you’re feeling burned out, stuck in a cycle of never-enough, or struggling to enjoy your achievements, this episode offers a simple but transformative shift you can start using immediately.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why high achievers struggle to celebrate their wins
• How focusing on what’s missing leads to burnout and self-doubt
• The difference between celebrating milestones vs. celebrating consistently
• How celebration builds momentum during career breaks and big life changes
• Why progress matters more than perfection
• A simple weekly practice to start celebrating your wins without guilt

Whether you’re planning a career break, already on one, or simply feeling stuck in hustle mode, this episode will help you reframe success and reconnect with a healthier, more sustainable way forward.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction & why celebration is often overlooked by high achievers 

04:30 – How focusing on what’s missing fuels burnout and self-sabotage 

09:45 – Why celebrating progress (not perfection) builds momentum and confidence

14:30 – A real coaching example: recognizing growth you can’t see yourself 

19:30 – How to build a simple, consistent celebration practice

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 54 - From 3am Work Calls to a Life Rebuilt: A Career Break Client Success Story

What does it really take to step away from a career when burnout feels overwhelming and stopping feels impossible?

In this powerful client story episode, career break and sabbatical coach Katrina McGhee is joined by James Hammond to unpack a real-life journey from chronic burnout to a completely reimagined life. The episode explores the experience of a mid-career professional who was trapped in constant responsibility, on-call work demands, and a deep fear that everything would fall apart if he stepped away.

Through this honest conversation, listeners hear how burnout can quietly escalate into a serious health and wellbeing crisis — and why taking a career break is often not a luxury, but a necessity.

Katrina walks through her coaching process, sharing how fear, financial anxiety, identity tied to work, and feelings of guilt can keep high achievers stuck. The episode also highlights the importance of building the right support system, reframing “selfishness,” and designing a break that leads to long-term life change — not just temporary relief.

This episode is especially relevant for professionals in their 40s and 50s who feel trapped by responsibility, leadership roles, or financial pressure, and who secretly wonder if life could look different on the other side of burnout.

In This Episode, Listeners Will Learn:

• What real burnout looks like beyond “just being tired”

• Why many high achievers feel unable to stop working — even when their health is suffering

• How fear and identity keep people stuck in careers they’ve outgrown

• What a supported career break can look like in practice

• How reframing guilt and “selfishness” can unlock real change

• Why taking a break can lead to a more sustainable and fulfilling life — not career failure

Who This Episode Is For:

• Burned-out professionals and high achievers

• Anyone considering a career break, sabbatical, or extended time off

• Listeners feeling trapped by responsibility, finances, or fear of letting others down

• Those seeking real, human stories — not just productivity advice

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to the Client Story

01:44 Understanding Burnout and Fear of Taking a Break

03:32 The Role of Support in Overcoming Challenges

07:16 The Journey Begins: Coaching and Transformation

14:00 Addressing Fears and Reframing Self-Care

16:24 The Client's Break and Reclaiming Life

18:40 The Positive Outcomes of Taking a Break

22:38 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 53 - What happens when your career break is coming to an end… and instead of feeling refreshed or excited, you feel dread?

In this episode, James Hammond and career break & sabbatical coach Katrina McGhee respond to a powerful listener question:

What if you’re dreading going back to work at the end of your career break — and don’t know why?

Together, they unpack the emotional crash many people experience after time away from work, especially after a long career break or sabbatical. Whether you’re facing the return to the same job, starting a job search, or questioning everything you thought you wanted, this episode offers clarity, reassurance, and practical guidance.

Katrina shares her 3-step framework for navigating the fear, frustration, and uncertainty of returning to work — and explains why these feelings are not a failure, but valuable information. You’ll learn how to process the emotions you’re experiencing, reconnect with a motivating “why,” and reframe what work can look like after a break.

This conversation is especially relevant if:

• You feel anxious or resistant about going back to work after time off

• You’re returning from a career break or sabbatical and feel stuck

• You don’t want to fall back into the same grind you left

• You’re unsure whether to return to work, change careers, or redesign your life

If you’ve ever wondered “Why do I feel like this?” or “Is it normal to dread going back to work after a career break?” — this episode is for you.

• Why dreading the end of a career break is more common than you think

• The emotional impact of returning to work after travel or time off

• How to process fear, burnout, frustration, and uncertainty without judgment

• The importance of finding a new motivating goal after your break

• How to return to work with more purpose, clarity, and intention

• Why work after a career break doesn’t have to look like work before it

If you’re navigating life after a career break and wondering what comes next, this episode will help you move forward with more confidence — even if you don’t have all the answers yet.

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome + today’s listener question
01:20 – Why dreading the end of a career break is so common
03:10 – Career break vs sabbatical: why returning feels different

05:00 – Step 1: Feeling the emotions instead of fighting them
07:40 – Why fear, frustration & dread are useful signals
09:50 – Katrina’s experience returning from her own career break

12:00 – Step 2: Finding a new motivating “why” after your break
14:40 – Reframing money, security & healthcare as intentional choices
17:00 – When “shoulds” push you back to work too soon

18:50 – Step 3: Reimagining work after a career break
21:00 – How returning to work doesn’t have to mean returning to burnout
22:30 – Final reflections + what to do if you’re still unsure

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 52 - Revisiting Episode 21 - What Most Career Coaches Get WRONG About Career Breaks

This week, in the final episode of our revisited series, we look back at Katrina’s second appearance on the podcast—Episode 21—and a conversation that’s more relevant than ever.

At the time, Katrina noticed a surge of career break advice coming from media-facing career coaches, much of it well-intentioned but not always trustworthy. While many career coaches excel at helping people re-enter the workforce, change careers, or polish a résumé, that doesn’t automatically make them experts in taking a career break.

In this episode, Katrina explains why working with a dedicated career break coach—someone who understands the realities, risks, and opportunities of stepping away—can make all the difference when planning time off work and setting yourself up for what comes next.

🧠 Key Takeaways

• You’re not taking a break to become a better cog in the machine — you’re taking it to live a better life.

• Let go of productivity guilt and give yourself permission to truly disconnect.

• Reframing your career break as a life investment shifts the whole narrative.

• Not every moment of your break needs to serve your next job — it should serve you.

Timestamps

00:00 The Importance of Taking Breaks

03:46 The Importance of Taking a Career Break

06:34 Staying Connected vs. Disconnecting

09:46 The Myth of Staying Updated in Your Industry

13:14 The Pressure to Upskill During a Break

16:16 Justifying Your Career Break

19:00 Centering Yourself on Your Break

23:37 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 51 - Revisiting Episode 12 - Are You On A Career Break Or A Fake Break

In this week's episode we are revisiting James' second episode choice and it is Episode 12.

Are you really on a career break or are you faking it?

This is one of the most hard-hitting episodes as it brings home the reality to people when they assess their own career break. Katrina gets a lot of messages from people about this episode which triggers something in them to re-evaluate.

It is always great to dive into the early episodes and for the first time you get to watch this one too.

Enjoy!

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Fake Breaks

02:54 Understanding the Concept of a Fake Break

04:58 Signs of a Fake Break: Job Searching

06:55 Signs of a Fake Break: Networking

08:48 Signs of a Fake Break: Overscheduling

11:46 Signs of a Fake Break: Chores and Errands

16:09 Signs of a Fake Break: External Validation

23:15 Consequences of a Fake Break

24:13 How to Resolve Fake Break Signs

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 50 - Revisiting Episode 19 - Letting Go of Career Break Expectations: Why 3 Months Is the Magic Number

Welcome to Episode 50, and as we approach the end of the calendar year, Katrina and James are going to pick two episodes each from our catalogue that people should definitely check out. 

This week, it is Katrina's turn, and she picks Episode 19 - Letting Go of Career Break Expectations: Why 3 Months Is the Magic Number

What happens when your career break doesn’t go as planned?

You take time off expecting to feel restored, get fit, maybe write that book, or finally tick off a bucket list goal… but a few months in, you’re still exhausted, overwhelmed, or nowhere near those expectations.

In this episode, James sits down with career break coach Katrina McGhee to unpack the emotional rollercoaster of taking time off — and why letting go of rigid expectations is the key to actually enjoying and growing from the experience.

Timestamps

00:00 The Importance of Breaks

01:27 Understanding the Three-Month Rule

02:51 Introduction and Personal Updates

06:55 Understanding Expectations During Career Breaks

12:13 The Three-Month Mark: A Turning Point

16:08 Navigating Changing Expectations

22:15 Avoiding Unrealistic Expectations

24:31 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 49 - Revisiting Episode 4 - Can You Afford A Career Break?

Welcome to Episode 49, and as we approach the end of the calendar year, Katrina and James are going to pick two episodes each from our catalogue that people should definitely check out.

This week, it is James' turn and he picks Episode 4 - Can You Afford A Career Break?

If we are honest with ourselves, any subject relating to money like a career break, a holiday, a house, a car or an expensive purchase, the first thing that comes to mind is can you afford it?

With a career break, this is no different.

Katrina shares her story of clearing debts and saving money at the same time to go on a career break and James shares his stories from working low paying job but still being able to travel long term afterwards.

An intriguing episode and one you should definitely listen to, check it out and let us know what you think.

Timestamps

00:00 Exploring the Topic of Money and Career Breaks

02:28 Budgeting for Your Career Break

14:45 Can You Afford a Break?

21:15 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 48 - The Future of Career Breaks in 2026: Trends, Data & Why More People Are Taking Sabbaticals

In this episode, James and Katrina explore an important question as 2026 approaches: Are career breaks becoming more accepted and normalised, or is the movement slowing down? The conversation reveals a clear answer — the momentum behind sabbaticals is stronger than ever.

James invites Katrina to break down the real trends she’s seeing through her coaching, BreakSpace community, and the growing volume of research on the topic. Katrina explains why the demand for sabbaticals keeps increasing, how major platforms like LinkedIn and Harvard Business Review have validated the trend, and why people are feeling more empowered to take intentional time off.

They also discuss the most powerful driver behind the rise of career breaks — seeing other real people do it. Whether through personal networks or storytelling, this visibility creates a ripple effect that encourages others to take the leap.

The episode touches on burnout, shifting work culture, and why more professionals are questioning the traditional path. James and Katrina also share details about a new 2026 mini-series featuring powerful, real career break stories from individuals Katrina has supported first-hand.

For anyone considering a sabbatical, dealing with burnout, or simply curious about the future of the movement, this episode offers clarity, inspiration, and practical insight. Katrina also shares resources and ways listeners can begin exploring their own break.

A reflective, energizing, and forward-looking episode as the show heads toward an exciting 2026.

As always, if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave us a 5-star rating, share this episode with someone who needs to hear it, and subscribe so you never miss a new conversation.

Timestamps

00:00 — Welcome
00:49 — How accepted are career breaks heading into 2026?
02:20 — What LinkedIn’s Career Break feature tells us
04:00 — The role of seeing someone else take a break
06:00 — Why the great resignation accelerated the trend
08:10 — Burnout, bore-out, and why work is becoming unsustainable
09:21 — BreakSpace: the community supporting hundreds of breaks
10:00 — The power of real personal stories (and our 2026 mini-series)
12:40 — Why everything feels impossible until someone else does it
15:00 — How Katrina supports people through coaching and BreakSpace
17:30 — Looking ahead to 2026 and what’s coming on the podcast
19:00 — A preview of James’s trip to Bhutan

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