Sabbatical Stories

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, inspir...

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 ye...

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 aspirin...

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 conce...

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 b...

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 sabbat...

In this inspiring episode of Sabbatical Stories, we’re joined by Lyndall Farley, a global expert in sabbaticals and the founder of Beyond a Break. With a passion for helping individuals and organisations embrace career breaks, Lyndall shares her remarkable journey from a thriving consulting career in a BIG4 firm to becoming a sabbatical coach. Lyndall opens up about her eleven sabbaticals, includi...

To kick off a brand-new season of Sabbatical Stories, we’re joined by Amanda, whose powerful and deeply relatable journey began with a layoff from a tech company. In this episode, Amanda shares the toll burnout had taken on her life and how an unexpected pause became the catalyst for reevaluating her priorities, reconnecting with herself, and focusing on her mental health. Her story is a poignant...

Our host Bex and producer Auntie B reflect on the key themes and insights from Season One of Sabbatical Stories. They discuss the common threads among guests including: Triggers for taking a career break or sabbatical The importance of financial planning The impact of support systems Myths surrounding career breaks and sabbaticals The significance of intentionality  The ripple effect of a career b...

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 explor...

Danielle joins us to share her sabbatical story that was prompted by her husband's health challenges.  Danielle shares how they planned their sabbatical, the importance of setting intentions, and the adventures they experienced while reconnecting as a couple. We discuss amongst other topics:   Why reconnecting as a couple was so important after a period of health issues How reverse engineering...

Laura Marson shares her sabbatical story of leaving her life and career as a chef in Charleston, South Carolina, to embark on a year-long backpacking trip around the world. 7 years later and she’s still traveling. Having lived in various countries and experiencing incredible adventures Laura emphasises the importance of being open to opportunities and embracing the unexpected. We discuss amongst o...

Liz Ferguson shares her sabbatical story, including her experiences with travel and taking a career break before emigrating. She discusses the motivations behind her travels, the challenges of traveling with a partner, and the lessons she learned from her sabbaticals. Liz also talks about the importance of planning and financial stability during a break, the value of self-reflection and personal g...

Jennifer Anderson shares her experience as the wife of someone who took a career break. She discusses the signs that indicated her husband needed a break, the value of a career break coach, and how they navigated the break as a family. Jennifer emphasises the importance of normalising career breaks and supporting loved ones in taking time off. She also highlights the need for flexibility and evolu...

Lucy shares how her messy and unplanned 8 week career break  led to a major transition in her life.  Lucy knew where she wanted to be physically but needed time to work out how to get there.  She emphasises the importance of knowing what makes you tick and how she believes it’s the foundation of living a good life.  We chat about why and how her break gave her the space and time to reinvent hersel...

Tanya Saker shares her sabbatical story of leaving corporate America after 15 years and returning to the UK. She initially took a summer off and worked in pubs and restaurants in her childhood village. Through various steps, she ended up extending her sabbatical and starting two new lifestyle businesses: pet sitting and career coaching. We discuss amongst other topics: How to build a nomadic and v...

Jackson shares how he took a break after realising that his values didn't align with his job in agency recruitment. His time volunteering in Africa exceeded his expectations and he learned a lot from the people he met. Returning with a renewed sense of purpose he now works in a role that allows him to make a positive difference in people's lives.  Practical tips for a career break around f...

In this episode, we are joined by Anika Stokes.  Anika wears two hats today as someone who has personally experienced the benefits of two career breaks and as a recruiter and hiring manager. Anika talks us through her two career breaks both of which involved the magic of travel yet luckily only one a near death experience!  We discuss amongst other topics: Perceptions of employers when it comes to...

Juliana Moreira shares her courageous journey of taking a career break and stepping into her own truth. She discusses the challenges of gaining support from loved ones, overcoming the inner critic, and finding clarity and purpose during her break. Juliana emphasises the importance of honoring your desires, sharing your intentions with supportive people, and hiring a career break coach for accounta...

In this episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of Steve Duke. He shares how redundancy prompted him to take a career break, allowing him to reassess and discover his true professional passions.  Steve's story is a testament to the power of sabbaticals in shaping successful careers and creating a life you love.  We discuss amongst other topics: The impact of redundancy and the decision to...

In this debut episode, we are joined by Katrina McGhee, author of "Taking a Career Break for Dummies." Katrina shares her personal journey, insights from her book, and practical advice for those considering a career break. Learn how taking time off can lead to personal growth and professional rejuvenation. We discuss amongst other topics: Katrina’s personal 20 month career break  Top tips on takin...

Unlock the power of taking a break with Sabbatical Stories, a podcast hosted by Rebecca Thomas from Feel Good Getaways. Join Rebecca as she explores the transformative journeys of individuals who have dared to step off the beaten path and embrace the beauty of sabbaticals and career breaks.  Through insightful and engaging discussions, Sabbatical Stories delves into the motivations behind taking b...