Taking a Career Break with Katrina McGhee

Episode 58 - How to Start Your Career Break the Right Way (What to Do in Your First Week)What should you actually do in the first week of a career break?In this episode, career break and sabbatical coach Katrina McGhee and co-host James Hammond break down how to start your break the right way — without pressure, guilt, or rushing into the next thing.Drawing on real examples from the BreakSpace community and Katrina’s own deeply personal experience, this conversation explores why the first week of a career break is about decompression, permission, and reclaiming your time — not productivity.You’ll hear practical, realistic ideas for how to celebrate the start of your break (from naps and puzzles to solo road trips and freedom days), along with five powerful guidelines to help you decide what your first week should look like.Furthermore, this doesn't have to be limited to the first week; this could be the first two weeks, three weeks or even a month into your career break. This all depends on yourself and what you feel comfortable with, and this episode is there to get you started!This episode is especially for you if:You’re burned out and about to start a career break or sabbaticalYou’ve just quit your job and feel unsure how to slow downYour break didn’t start in “perfect” circumstancesYou want permission to rest without feeling lazy or behindWhether your break begins with excitement, grief, relief, or all three — this episode reminds you that there is no wrong way to begin.Timestamps00:00 – Welcome to Taking a Career Break00:51 – Why the first week of a break really matters02:20 – The physical and emotional adjustment after quitting work03:39 – Why you need a buffer before travel or big changes05:28 – Real examples of how people celebrate starting a break06:00 – Puzzles, cake, and permission to be “silly”06:47 – Naps: how much rest is normal (and why guilt is unnecessary)09:26 – Doing absolutely nothing (and why that’s okay)10:36 – Reclaiming your space after leaving work11:25 – Celebrating with friends, drinks, and meaningful rituals12:17 – Solo trips and the power of being alone14:08 – What BreakSpace is and how it supports career breaks15:12 – Laughter, creativity, and live experiences16:23 – When your break starts with grief or mixed emotions18:22 – Katrina’s “freedom day” and reclaiming autonomy20:31 – Why the first two weeks of a break are pure magic22:44 – What not to do: scrolling and energy leaks23:54 – The 5 guidelines for starting your break well25:32 – How to know if something is truly heart-expanding27:05 – Doing things with intention (even naps)28:51 – Final reflections on slowing down and setting the toneListen 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.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.comInstagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠

Episode 57 - How To Overcome The Uncertainty Of Taking A Career BreakUncertainty 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.Timestamps00:00 Navigating Uncertainty in Career Breaks03:13 The Impact of Instant Information on Uncertainty06:26 Worry vs. Planning: Understanding the Difference09:08 The Power of Language: Searching vs. Discovery21:36 The Journey of Discovery24:56 Embracing Uncertainty in Career Breaks27:03 Making Decisions: Right vs. Making It Right33:36 Building Tolerance for Uncertainty42:06 Join BreakSpaceListen 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.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.comInstagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠

Episode 56 - Why Job Searching Too Early Can Ruin Your Career BreakTaking 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 backfiresThe hidden cost of straddling a break and a job searchHow resistance and resentment are signals — not failuresWhen extending your break might be the smarter moveWhy fully unplugging from work leads to better reentry outcomesIf 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.Timestamps00:00 The Temptation of Early Job Searching03:56 Understanding Breaks and Job Search Energy06:40 The Mixed Emotions of Reentering the Workforce09:50 Straddling Two Worlds: The Dangers of Half-Commitment13:28 The Importance of Fully Embracing Breaks16:18 Mindset Shifts: From Scarcity to Abundance in Job Searching22:22 Join BreakSpaceListen 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.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.comInstagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠

Episode 55 - Why Celebrating Your Wins Matters More Than You ThinkIn 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 winsHow focusing on what’s missing leads to burnout and self-doubtThe difference between celebrating milestones vs. celebrating consistentlyHow celebration builds momentum during career breaks and big life changesWhy progress matters more than perfectionA simple weekly practice to start celebrating your wins without guiltWhether 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.Timestamps00:00 – 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 confidence14:30 – A real coaching example: recognizing growth you can’t see yourself 19:30 – How to build a simple, consistent celebration practiceListen 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.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.comInstagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠

Episode 54 - From 3am Work Calls to a Life Rebuilt: A Career Break Client Success StoryWhat 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 sufferingHow fear and identity keep people stuck in careers they’ve outgrownWhat a supported career break can look like in practiceHow reframing guilt and “selfishness” can unlock real changeWhy taking a break can lead to a more sustainable and fulfilling life — not career failureWho This Episode Is For:Burned-out professionals and high achieversAnyone considering a career break, sabbatical, or extended time offListeners feeling trapped by responsibility, finances, or fear of letting others downThose seeking real, human stories — not just productivity adviceTimestamps00:00 Introduction to the Client Story01:44 Understanding Burnout and Fear of Taking a Break03:32 The Role of Support in Overcoming Challenges07:16 The Journey Begins: Coaching and Transformation14:00 Addressing Fears and Reframing Self-Care16:24 The Client's Break and Reclaiming Life18:40 The Positive Outcomes of Taking a Break22:38 Join BreakSpaceListen 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.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.comInstagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Produced 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 offYou’re returning from a career break or sabbatical and feel stuckYou don’t want to fall back into the same grind you leftYou’re unsure whether to return to work, change careers, or redesign your lifeIf 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 thinkThe emotional impact of returning to work after travel or time offHow to process fear, burnout, frustration, and uncertainty without judgmentThe importance of finding a new motivating goal after your breakHow to return to work with more purpose, clarity, and intentionWhy work after a career break doesn’t have to look like work before itIf 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.Timestamps00:00 – Welcome + today’s listener question01:20 – Why dreading the end of a career break is so common03:10 – Career break vs sabbatical: why returning feels different05:00 – Step 1: Feeling the emotions instead of fighting them07:40 – Why fear, frustration & dread are useful signals09:50 – Katrina’s experience returning from her own career break12:00 – Step 2: Finding a new motivating “why” after your break14:40 – Reframing money, security & healthcare as intentional choices17:00 – When “shoulds” push you back to work too soon18:50 – Step 3: Reimagining work after a career break21:00 – How returning to work doesn’t have to mean returning to burnout22:30 – Final reflections + what to do if you’re still unsureListen 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.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.comInstagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠

Episode 52 - Revisiting Episode 21 - What Most Career Coaches Get WRONG About Career BreaksThis 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 TakeawaysYou’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.Timestamps00:00 The Importance of Taking Breaks03:46 The Importance of Taking a Career Break06:34 Staying Connected vs. Disconnecting09:46 The Myth of Staying Updated in Your Industry13:14 The Pressure to Upskill During a Break16:16 Justifying Your Career Break19:00 Centering Yourself on Your Break23:37 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.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.comInstagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠

Episode 51 - Revisiting Episode 12 - Are You On A Career Break Or A Fake BreakIn 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!Timestamps00:00 Introduction to Fake Breaks02:54 Understanding the Concept of a Fake Break04:58 Signs of a Fake Break: Job Searching06:55 Signs of a Fake Break: Networking08:48 Signs of a Fake Break: Overscheduling11:46 Signs of a Fake Break: Chores and Errands16:09 Signs of a Fake Break: External Validation23:15 Consequences of a Fake Break24:13 How to Resolve Fake Break SignsListen 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.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.comInstagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Produced 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 NumberWelcome 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 NumberWhat 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.Timestamps00:00 The Importance of Breaks01:27 Understanding the Three-Month Rule02:51 Introduction and Personal Updates06:55 Understanding Expectations During Career Breaks12:13 The Three-Month Mark: A Turning Point16:08 Navigating Changing Expectations22:15 Avoiding Unrealistic Expectations24:31 Join BreakSpaceListen 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.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.comInstagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Produced 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.Timestamps00:00 Exploring the Topic of Money and Career Breaks02:28 Budgeting for Your Career Break14:45 Can You Afford a Break?21:15 Join BreakSpaceListen 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.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.comInstagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠

Episode 48 - The Future of Career Breaks in 2026: Trends, Data & Why More People Are Taking SabbaticalsIn 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.Timestamps00:00 — Welcome00:49 — How accepted are career breaks heading into 2026?02:20 — What LinkedIn’s Career Break feature tells us04:00 — The role of seeing someone else take a break06:00 — Why the great resignation accelerated the trend08:10 — Burnout, bore-out, and why work is becoming unsustainable09:21 — BreakSpace: the community supporting hundreds of breaks10:00 — The power of real personal stories (and our 2026 mini-series)12:40 — Why everything feels impossible until someone else does it15:00 — How Katrina supports people through coaching and BreakSpace17:30 — Looking ahead to 2026 and what’s coming on the podcast19:00 — A preview of James’s trip to BhutanListen 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.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.comInstagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠

Episode 47 - The 5 Essential Ground Rules for a Successful Career BreakIn Episode 47 of Taking a Career Break with Katrina McGhee, Katrina and James sit down in person to explore the five essential ground rules for creating a successful, fulfilling, and regret-free career break.Together, they walk through what it truly means to define a personal version of success, why planning the re-entry phase before the break even begins can transform the experience, and how understanding the financial side of a break brings clarity and confidence. They also dig into the emotional reality of disconnecting from work in a hyper-connected world and discuss why bringing focus back onto oneself remains the cornerstone of a meaningful break.Katrina shares insights from coaching more than 200 clients, including real examples of navigating uncertainty, emotional lows, financial fears, and the pressure to stay productive. The conversation highlights how a well-structured break can help listeners step out of burnout and step into a healthier, more intentional life.This episode is designed for anyone considering a break, planning one, or struggling to make sense of time away from work. With a mix of practical advice and heartfelt honesty, James and Katrina offer a roadmap to make any career break purposeful, aligned, and transformative.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.Timestamps00:00 – Welcome to Episode 4700:50 – Why ground rules matter for a career break02:10 – Rule #1: Create your own definition of success06:40 – Can your definition of success change mid-break?07:55 – Why your purpose should remain consistent10:30 – Rule #2: Plan for your re-entry period13:00 – What happens when you don’t feel ready to return to work16:40 – How Katrina landed 5 job offers in 5 weeks20:00 – Rule #3: Know your numbers25:00 – Budgeting vs saving — and how it impacts your break27:30 – Extending your break with smart financial planning31:10 – Rule #4: Disconnect from the working world34:20 – Why LinkedIn is the enemy of a peaceful break37:00 – Managing FOMO, comparison, and work-related anxiety41:00 – Rule #5: Put the focus back on yourself45:15 – Setting boundaries with others and with yourself48:00 – Bringing your break back to your purpose50:30 – Why the final five ground rules are in the book51:20 – Wrap-up and takeaway messageListen 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.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.comInstagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠

BLACK FRIDAY SPECIAL ALERT!If you've been thinking about joining BreakSpace, the global community for current and aspiring career breakers and sabbatical takers, get ready for an amazing deal. We're offering 40 % off your first month for the first 20 people who sign up. This means you'll be welcomed into the BreakSpace community with full access to our courses, live coaching, and expert-led master classes for just $29. But unlike most Black Friday purchases, this investment will pay dividends for the rest of your life. So make sure you're on the wait list and be the first in line to snag one of those 20 spots. Join the wait list today - https://www.gobreakspace.comListen 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.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.comInstagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠

Episode 46 - There Were Signs: How We Learned to Break the Status Quo and Lessons in Courage, Authenticity, and Going Your Own WayIn this reflective and deeply personal episode, Katrina and James explore the moments in their lives when the signs were there all along—the nudges, red flags, and inner whispers that pointed them away from the status quo and toward a more aligned, authentic life. These are the stories that shaped who they became, long before a career break was even on the horizon.Katrina opens up about her early career choices and the unmistakable moments when she knew she didn’t quite fit into the mold around her. From turning down a “safe” corporate job despite external pressure, to boldly choosing time over money at just twenty-four, she shares the decisions that signaled she was a square peg refusing to squeeze into a round hole. She also recounts a pivotal, vulnerable moment in business school—standing in front of a room of high-achieving MBA students and choosing authenticity over conformity—that ultimately reinforced her belief in staying true to herself.James mirrors these stories with his own path, including the unconventional decisions that pulled him away from expectation and toward possibility. He reflects on turning away from the typical academic route, choosing music over traditional subjects, discovering the world of long-term travel, and how those early experiences shaped the life he eventually built. His story of working relentlessly to fund a two-year adventure—and the shift years later toward building a sustainable, purpose-driven career—reveals just how powerful it can be to raise the bar for your own life.Together, they explore how these moments add up: the subtle knowing, the brave choices, the course corrections, and the willingness to disappoint others in order not to disappoint yourself. This conversation is for anyone standing at a crossroads, sensing that something in their life no longer fits, and wondering whether they dare to choose something different.If you’re feeling the pull toward a career break, a lifestyle shift, or a version of life that aligns more deeply with who you are, this episode will remind you that honouring those signs can open the door to possibilities you haven't even imagined yet. You’re not meant to fit into every space—sometimes the life you want starts with simply admitting the shape of who you are.Timestamps00:00 Introduction to Status Quo Breakers01:53 Courage to Follow Your Own Path03:48 Personal Stories of Career Decisions09:50 Defining Success on Your Own Terms16:33 The Importance of Vulnerability22:34 Navigating Life's Seasons25:22 Final Thoughts on Time and AlignmentListen 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.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.comInstagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠

Episode 45 - How to Build Your Break Blueprint: 5 Elements of a Successful Career BreakIn this episode of Taking a Career Break with Katrina McGhee, we’re laying the foundation for your most successful break yet. Katrina walks through her signature framework — the Break Blueprint — revealing the five essential elements that help you plan, live, and return from your career break with purpose and clarity. From defining your “why” and setting themes that guide your time off, to creating a wish list that actually fuels your growth, Katrina and James unpack what it really takes to design a fulfilling and financially sound break. You’ll also learn how to plan for reentry, avoid burnout at the finish line, and carry the lessons of your time off into your next chapter.Whether you’re just considering a break, actively planning one, or getting ready to return to work, this episode will give you a roadmap to do it with confidence and intention. Katrina also shares how you can access extra support — from her Break Blueprint Course inside Break Space, to her book Taking a Career Break for Dummies and private coaching for one-on-one guidance.Tune in, take notes, and start building your blueprint today. Subscribe, leave us a five-star review, and share this episode with someone who’s dreaming of taking a career break — it might be the nudge they need to make it happen.Timestamps00:00 – Welcome and episode intro01:00 – Reflecting on 45 episodes and planning for 202602:20 – Listener feedback, upcoming mini-series, and why your input matters03:25 – Introducing the Break Blueprint: the foundation of a successful career break04:45 – Element 1: Defining your purpose — your big “why”05:30 – Element 2: Creating themes to anchor your break06:20 – Element 3: Building your wish list (and why it’s not a to-do list)07:45 – Element 4: Planning for reentry — time, money, and mindset09:50 – Element 5: Key details — start date, budget, and break length11:50 – How to use the blueprint at different stages of your journey13:45 – Applying the blueprint if you’re already on a break or nearing reentry15:30 – Framing your break story for future opportunities16:30 – Katrina’s resources: the book, Break Space, and coaching options17:40 – Final thoughts: following the plan with confidence18:10 – James and Katrina wrap up and share where to learn moreListen 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.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.comInstagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠Produced by Winging It Productions - https://www.wingingitproductions.com

Episode 44 - I Might Get Bored… or Love It Too Much: Two Unexpected Career Break FearsAre you secretly worried you’ll be bored on a career break — or even worse, that you’ll love it too much to ever go back?In this week’s episode of Taking A Career Break with Katrina McGhee, Katrina and James unpack two surprising fears that stop people from taking the break they’ve been dreaming about. These aren’t your typical money or career worries — they’re emotional, subtle, and surprisingly common.Katrina shares real stories from her coaching clients, her own experience taking a 20-month break, and what happens when you finally give yourself permission to slow down. Together, she and James explore why boredom can actually fuel creativity, how overstimulation makes rest feel uncomfortable, and what it really means if you’re scared to “like your break too much.”Then, the conversation turns to that second, almost funny but very real fear — what if you love your break so much you never want to go back? Katrina shares her own experience of not wanting her 20-month break to end, while James reflects on his cycles of working, travelling, and finding meaning beyond the 9–5 grind. Together, they explore what this fear really reveals about our relationship to freedom, fulfilment, and work.You’ll hear honest reflections on what happens when the fear of freedom meets the reality of modern work, plus practical advice for navigating your return — or redefining what work looks like next.Expect laughter, honesty, and plenty of aha moments — including why “tasting the good life” can raise your standards and inspire lasting change.⏱ Timestamps00:00 – Intro01:20 – Common vs. surprising fears02:00 – Fear #1: Being bored on a break04:00 – Client insights on stillness06:00 – Boredom, creativity, and overstimulation09:50 – James on boredom and creativity10:50 – Wrapping up fear #111:00 – Fear #2: Loving the break too much13:30 – What this fear really means15:00 – James on work, travel, and purpose16:30 – Katrina on returning to work and debt freedom17:40 – The “pool” analogy20:00 – Raising your standards after a break21:10 – Dating analogy for raising the bar22:18 – Taking action and final reflectionsListen 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.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.comInstagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠

Episode 43 - Finding Freedom: The Art of Balancing Structure and Spontaneity on a Career BreakIn this episode, James and Katrina dive deep into one of the most common and misunderstood challenges people face when they finally decide to step away from work: how much structure do you actually need when you take time off?We’ve been conditioned to think freedom means doing whatever we want, whenever we want — but what happens when the complete lack of structure starts to feel overwhelming? Katrina, creator of The Break Blueprint, believes that structure and freedom aren’t enemies at all. In fact, the right kind of structure can become a powerful ally, helping you create space for self-discovery, rest, and exploration without falling into the trap of overplanning.Throughout the conversation, James and Katrina unpack the tension between control and curiosity — how to balance a desire for routine with the need to let go. Katrina explains how “guardrails” can guide your journey without turning it into an itinerary, and why the version of you three months into a break is wiser, calmer, and more open than the one who started it. They explore the mindset shifts needed to embrace flexibility, listen to your intuition, and build a break that evolves as you do.The episode also delves into the reality of high achievers — those who are used to constant productivity and goal-setting — and why they often struggle to rest. Katrina shares her advice on how to work with that inner voice that demands results, and how to use a blueprint not to restrict yourself, but to give yourself permission to explore what truly lights you up. From following “glimmers” — those small, joyful sparks that point toward fulfillment — to rediscovering your capacity for play, the conversation reveals how clarity, purpose, and freedom can coexist beautifully.They also discuss the Sunday Scaries, unused vacation days, and the American work culture that makes people feel guilty for slowing down. Katrina breaks down how our nervous systems adapt to constant doing, and why it takes intentional time and compassion to recalibrate. It’s a conversation that reminds us rest isn’t a reward for productivity.By the end, the message is clear: freedom doesn’t come from abandoning structure entirely — it comes from creating enough of it to support your spontaneity, while trusting yourself to follow what feels right. Whether you’re taking your first career break, planning time away to recharge, or simply rethinking how you use your weekends, this episode will leave you with practical insight, emotional clarity, and a renewed sense of what’s possible when you finally step off the treadmill.Timestamps00:50 – Welcome Back02:10 – Structure vs. Freedom: The Music Analogy03:11 – What Structure Really Means on a Break06:05 – How Much Structure Do You Need?07:55 – The Power of “Glimmers”10:10 – Giving Yourself Permission12:39 – The Fear of Boredom19:29 – Why Americans Don’t Take Time Off21:35 – Vacation Anxiety and the Sunday Scaries24:38 – Freedom Over Structure25:16 – Wrap-UpListen 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.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.comInstagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠

🎧 Episode 42 – When Nobody Supports Your Career Break (Do It Anyway!)What happens when everyone around you — your friends, your colleagues, even your partner — tells you not to take a career break? In this powerful and honest conversation, I sit down with Katrina to explore what it really takes to follow your intuition when no one else understands your decision.Katrina shares a moving story about a client whose entire support system was against her dream of stepping away from work. Even her spouse begged her not to do it. Faced with burnout and exhaustion, she felt torn between what she knew she needed and what everyone else thought was “safe.” Together, we unpack the emotional side of this crossroads — fear, resistance, guilt, and the deeply personal reasons why people react so strongly when someone they love decides to step away.We dive into why this pushback often isn’t about you at all, but rather a reflection of other people’s limiting beliefs and anxieties. Katrina explains how clarity — not just confidence — becomes your most powerful tool when the world is telling you no. By crafting a clear purpose statement and defining the themes behind your break, you can start to transform fear into understanding. This episode also explores Katrina’s three paths to clarity and confidence — whether you’re doing it solo with her book Taking a Career Break for Dummies, joining her BreakSpace community for group support, or diving into one-on-one coaching. Whatever level you’re at, Katrina’s guidance helps you build a plan, a purpose, and the courage to take that first step.If you’ve ever felt burned out, stuck, or unsupported in your dreams, this episode will remind you that your break isn’t reckless — it’s restorative. You’ll learn how to reclaim your story, protect your energy, and lead with conviction, even when no one else gets it yet.Whether you’re still in the daydreaming phase, quietly researching, or standing at the edge of giving notice, this conversation will help you find strength, clarity, and permission to move forward.Timestamps00:50 – Welcome to Episode 42: When Nobody Wants You To Take a Career Break01:00 – Katrina explains the inspiration behind this episode and a powerful LinkedIn message that sparked it02:00 – What happens when everyone in your life says “don’t do it” — including your spouse03:30 – The truth about resistance: why it’s rarely about you and often about others’ fears06:00 – How clarity and purpose can transform fear into understanding07:00 – Building your “purpose statement” and “themes” to define your break with confidence08:30 – How to communicate your vision so your loved ones can finally see what you see09:30 – Katrina’s client story: from skeptical spouse to biggest supporter11:00 – The emotional turning point: how clarity creates permission and peace12:10 – Katrina’s “Good, Better, Best” framework for taking your break17:20 – The hardest milestone: actually giving notice to your employer18:40 – Why emotional support and belief in your vision are essential20:45 – Levels of accessibilityListen 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.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.comInstagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠

🎙️Episode 41 -  It’s Never Too Late to Take a Career Break: An Inspiring Story with Katrina McGheeIn 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.Timestamps00:00 Introduction – Why it’s never too late to take a career break02:15 Katrina’s birthday reflections and what sparked this episode05:00 Real stories of reinvention: From finance to facialist10:40 Courage to pivot: How to walk away from security14:00 Finding purpose and joy beyond your career18:30 Why waiting until retirement might cost you more than you think22:45 Redefining success, happiness, and validation25:00 Final thoughts – what it really means to live a brighter lifeListen 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.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.comInstagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en⁠⁠Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠

Episode 40 - Escaping the 9-to-5: Proving Worth vs. Finding DevotionIn 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.Timestamps00:00 Introduction to Worth vs. Devotion02:18 The Reflection on Breaks and Commitment04:51 Proving Worth vs. Demonstrating Devotion08:44 Personal Journeys and Life Choices11:02 The Importance of Time and Intentionality13:39 Reframing Goals and Devotion17:49 Seasons of Life and Balance19:47 Join BreakSpaceListen 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.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.comInstagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en⁠Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠