Episode 43 - Finding Freedom: The Art of Balancing Structure and Spontaneity on a Career Break
In 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 — it’s a necessary part of becoming more human, creative, and connected to ourselves.
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.
Timestamps
00:50 – Welcome Back
02:10 – Structure vs. Freedom: The Music Analogy
03:11 – What Structure Really Means on a Break
06:05 – How Much Structure Do You Need?
07:55 – The Power of “Glimmers”
10:10 – Giving Yourself Permission
12:39 – The Fear of Boredom
19:29 – Why Americans Don’t Take Time Off
21:35 – Vacation Anxiety and the Sunday Scaries
24:38 – Freedom Over Structure
25:16 – Wrap-Up
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 - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en
🎧 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 — even if nobody else believes you should.
Timestamps
00:50 – Welcome to Episode 42: When Nobody Wants You To Take a Career Break
01:00 – Katrina explains the inspiration behind this episode and a powerful LinkedIn message that sparked it
02:00 – What happens when everyone in your life says “don’t do it” — including your spouse
03:30 – The truth about resistance: why it’s rarely about you and often about others’ fears
06:00 – How clarity and purpose can transform fear into understanding
07:00 – Building your “purpose statement” and “themes” to define your break with confidence
08:30 – How to communicate your vision so your loved ones can finally see what you see
09:30 – Katrina’s client story: from skeptical spouse to biggest supporter
11:00 – The emotional turning point: how clarity creates permission and peace
12:10 – Katrina’s “Good, Better, Best” framework for taking your break
17:20 – The hardest milestone: actually giving notice to your employer
18:40 – Why emotional support and belief in your vision are essential
20:45 – Levels of accessibility — from podcast to book, to BreakSpace, to coaching
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 - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en
🎙️ It’s Never Too Late to Take a Career Break: An Inspiring Story with Katrina McGhee
In this week’s episode, James Hammond sits down with career break coach and author Katrina McGhee to explore one of the most empowering truths about work and life — it’s never too late to change direction. Fresh off celebrating her 46th birthday, Katrina shares how a chance encounter with an inspiring woman in her late fifties reminded her — and all of us — that age should never be a barrier to reinvention.
From leaving behind a stable career in finance at 49 to becoming a thriving holistic esthetician and business owner, this real-life story is proof that courage, clarity, and self-belief can transform your path at any stage of life. Together, James and Katrina dive deep into what it really means to take a career break, how to navigate fear and uncertainty, and why redefining success can open the door to true fulfillment.
This episode is packed with insight for anyone who’s ever felt “too old” or “too far along” to pivot, take a midlife career break, or chase a long-buried dream. Katrina also shares her wisdom on the emotional side of change — from dealing with external expectations to rediscovering your joy, energy, and purpose outside of work.
If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s possible to step away from the grind, find your spark again, and build a life that feels more aligned, this episode will give you the motivation (and permission) to do it.
Join us for a heartfelt conversation that challenges the myth of “too late” — and reminds you that your next chapter could be your brightest yet.
Get Involved
💬 Got your own career break questions? DM us or email (links in show notes) and Katrina may answer them in a future episode.
🎧 Follow Taking A Career Break With Katrina McGhee for more weekly tips, stories, and guidance.
🌍 Share this episode with someone who’s been talking about needing a break — it might give them the courage to finally do it.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction – Why it’s never too late to take a career break
02:15 Katrina’s birthday reflections and what sparked this episode
05:00 Real stories of reinvention: From finance to facialist
10:40 Courage to pivot: How to walk away from security
14:00 Finding purpose and joy beyond your career
18:30 Why waiting until retirement might cost you more than you think
22:45 Redefining success, happiness, and validation
25:00 Final thoughts – what it really means to live a brighter life
Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.
🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!
📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us today to begin your journey.
BreakSpace - www.gobreakspace.com
Schedule a call with Katrina - https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php
Order Katrina's book - https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book
Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en
Episode 40 - Escaping the 9-to-5: Proving Worth vs. Finding Devotion
In this episode of the podcast Taking a Career Break with Katrina McGhee, Katrina reflects on one of the biggest questions people face when considering a break from their careers: Are you working to prove your worth, or are you devoting yourself to what truly matters?
Katrina shares how this powerful question surfaced during her own moments of reflection as a digital nomad and life coach. She unpacks the difference between chasing external validation—through promotions, salaries, and titles—and choosing to live with intentional devotion to freedom, fulfilment, and joy.
This conversation goes beyond the surface of taking time off. It’s about rethinking the cultural scripts that tell us success is only found in constant striving. Katrina explores how devotion can look different for everyone, from parenting to travelling the world to creating sustainable businesses. She emphasises that the key is making a conscious choice about where to devote your time, energy, and focus—rather than unconsciously trying to prove you’re “enough.”
If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in the 9-to-5 grind, wondering if all your effort is leading to true happiness, this episode will give you permission to pause, reflect, and reconsider your path. Katrina offers both practical wisdom and personal stories to help you see that a career break isn’t about weakness—it’s about courage, self-awareness, and living intentionally.
Get Involved
💬 Got your own career break questions? DM us or email (links in show notes) and Katrina may answer them in a future episode.
🎧 Follow Taking A Career Break With Katrina McGhee for more weekly tips, stories, and guidance.
🌍 Share this episode with someone who’s been talking about needing a break — it might give them the courage to finally do it.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Worth vs. Devotion
02:18 The Reflection on Breaks and Commitment
04:51 Proving Worth vs. Demonstrating Devotion
08:44 Personal Journeys and Life Choices
11:02 The Importance of Time and Intentionality
13:39 Reframing Goals and Devotion
17:49 Seasons of Life and Balance
19:47 Join BreakSpace
Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.
🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!
📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us today to begin your journey.
BreakSpace - www.gobreakspace.com
Schedule a call with Katrina - https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php
Order Katrina's book - https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book
Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en
Episode 39 - Katrina Reflects on BreakSpace: What 100+ Members Taught Us About Career Break Success
In this episode of Taking A Career Break With Katrina McGhee, Katrina reflects on the first year of running BreakSpace, the community she co-founded with her partner Lyndall to support people in taking intentional and transformative career breaks. Over the past twelve months, more than 100 members have joined BreakSpace, creating a space for coaching, connection, and growth. Katrina shares what she has learned from leading this community and offers honest reflections on what truly makes a break successful.
Throughout the conversation, Katrina explains that career breaks are not just about saving money, planning logistics, or booking flights. The deeper work often comes from learning to rest, setting boundaries, and giving yourself permission to slow down. She highlights the surprising impact of members witnessing each other’s experiences—showing that listening, reflecting, and sharing journeys within a supportive group can be just as transformative as one-to-one coaching.
Katrina also dives into the importance of structure, revealing how her Break Blueprint has helped members approach their time off with clarity and purpose. She reflects on the courage it took to release this framework into the world and how it has since become a cornerstone of the BreakSpace experience. Her story illustrates why being brave enough to share your work and ideas can change lives, not just your own but those of the people you serve.
Another key insight is that the greatest struggles members face are not external but internal. Feelings of guilt about resting, difficulty setting boundaries, and the fear of not doing enough often emerge. Katrina normalizes these emotions and shares how working through them can make the difference between a career break that feels wasted and one that becomes a profound turning point.
Most striking of all, Katrina has observed that nearly everyone who takes a break ends up wanting to redesign their life. Even those who enjoy their jobs often see their time away as an opportunity to reimagine how they want to live and work going forward. This realization inspired the creation of BreakSpace’s Design Your Life course, helping members build lives that prioritize well-being, joy, and balance.
Finally, Katrina emphasizes the undeniable power of community. For many, simply joining a call with others who “get it” provides immense relief and validation. Taking an unconventional step like a career break can feel isolating, but BreakSpace has proven that being surrounded by a supportive group makes the journey easier, more joyful, and far more impactful.
To learn more about joining the BreakSpace community and exploring career break resources, visit www.gobreakspace.com.
Get Involved
💬 Got your own career break questions? DM us or email (links in show notes) and Katrina may answer them in a future episode.
Timestamps
00:00 Celebrating One Year of BreakSpace
05:46 The Power of Community in Coaching
09:41 Overcoming Internal Struggles During Breaks
14:21 Redesigning Life: A Common Desire
16:03 The Importance of Community in Break Journeys
20:22 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 - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en
Episode 38 - Katrina Answers Your Questions on Career Breaks: Money, Mindset & Stigma
Welcome back to Taking A Career Break With Katrina McGhee! In this episode, Katrina answers your questions about career breaks, from how much money you really need to budget to how to ask your employer for a sabbatical, and even how to overcome the stigma that still surrounds taking time off work.
Katrina is a certified life coach, author, and career break expert who has guided countless professionals through planning and enjoying successful breaks. Together, we explore the financial, emotional, and personal side of pausing your career, while also discussing why the career break movement is rapidly growing around the world.
Throughout this conversation, Katrina explains how to approach your employer with confidence, how to create a realistic budget for three, six or twelve months away, and how to work through the fear and self-doubt that often stop people from following through with their plans. She also shares her perspective on the worst advice about career breaks, what you should actually do during your time off, and why taking a break now might be one of the best decisions you ever make.
By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer picture of what it really takes to plan a successful break, why it matters for your wellbeing and career, and how to use this time to reconnect with yourself, heal from burnout, and return with clarity and renewed energy.
Why Listen?
By tuning in, you’ll:
✅ Learn how to budget and plan for your break with confidence.
✅ Discover ways to communicate with your employer.
✅ Gain tools to overcome stigma and fear.
✅ Feel inspired by real-life examples of career break transformations.
Get Involved
💬 Got your own career break questions? DM us or email (links in show notes) and Katrina may answer them in a future episode.
🎧 Follow Taking A Career Break With Katrina McGhee for more weekly tips, stories, and guidance.
🌍 Share this episode with someone who’s been talking about needing a break — it might give them the courage to finally do it.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Rapid Fire Questions
02:27 How to Ask for a Sabbatical
06:27 Financial Planning for a Career Break
10:03 The Growing Career Break Movement
13:09 Overcoming Stigma Around Career Breaks
14:59 Identifying Blockers to Taking a Career Break
16:47 Misconceptions About Career Breaks
19:52 What to Do on Your Career Break
Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.
🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!
📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us today to begin your journey.
BreakSpace - www.gobreakspace.com
Schedule a call with Katrina - https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php
Order Katrina's book - https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book
Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en
Episode 37 - Career Break Mindset: Overcoming Guilt, Finding Joy & Redefining Success
Taking a career break isn’t just about money, logistics, or checking off boxes—it’s about mindset. In this episode of the Winging It Travel Podcast, James Hammond sits down with career break coach Katrina McGhee to dive into the mental and emotional side of stepping away from work.
Together, we unpack the hidden challenges many professionals face when they finally hit pause: identity struggles, guilt over rest, and the discomfort of simply “being” instead of constantly “doing.” Katrina shares her expertise on how to shift your perspective so that your break becomes a time of joy, growth, and true self-care, rather than stress or second-guessing.
From tackling the fear of stillness to exploring how health, travel, and business can coexist during a sabbatical, this episode is full of practical wisdom and inspiring insights. Whether you’re planning your first career break or rethinking what rest means in your life, this conversation will help you create space for wellness, joy, and purpose.
If you’ve ever felt guilty about slowing down—or worried that you won’t “use your time off productively”—this episode is for you. Katrina explains how to build your joy muscle, let go of outdated work-driven validation, and design a break that actually restores you.
Timestamps
00:00 Embracing the Break: The Importance of Enjoyment
03:22 Mindset Shift: From Numbers to Enjoyment
06:39 Internal Challenges: Identity and Self-Worth
09:56 Overcoming Internal Barriers: Permission to Be
13:11 Reconditioning for Joy: Building a Joy Muscle
15:58 Navigating Stillness: The Challenge of Being
18:46 Real-Time Journey: Preparing for a Career Break
19:10 Taking A Career Break Outro
👉 In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why mindset is just as important as money when planning a break
How to separate your self-worth from your job title
Why rest doesn’t need to be “earned” through struggle
The hidden challenges most career-breakers face (and how to overcome them)
How to give yourself permission to enjoy rest, travel, or simply stillness
✨ If you’re curious about how to truly make the most of your career break—and not just survive it—this episode will give you the tools and confidence to redefine what success looks like.
Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.
🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!
📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!
If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch today to start your journey!
BreakSpace - www.gobreakspace.com
Schedule a call with Katrina - https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php
Order Katrina's book - https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book
Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en
Episode 36 - The Cost of Waiting: A Powerful Story on Dreams Deferred and Why You Shouldn't Wait For Retirement
In this powerful and profoundly moving episode, James Hammond sits down with career break coach and author Katrina McGhee to explore the true cost of waiting to chase your dreams. Katrina shares a personal and emotional story about one of her earliest clients — a man who had big plans for travel and adventure, but kept postponing his career break for what he considered the “perfect time.” Sadly, he never got the chance to realise those dreams.
This story is a wake-up call for anyone deferring their passions, whether it’s travel, a career shift, or simply taking time for themselves. James and Katrina reflect on why waiting for perfect conditions can be dangerous, the hidden risks of tying joy to retirement timelines, and the importance of creating space for sabbaticals or mini-escapes. They also discuss how to balance financial security with living life fully and offer practical ways to stop delaying your dreams.
More than just a conversation about career breaks, this episode is about living intentionally, embracing opportunities now, and ensuring you don’t look back with regret. If this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who might need a little nudge to stop waiting and start living.
Got questions or stories to share? Reach out to us via email, Instagram, or LinkedIn (links are available in the show notes).
Just a final note to say that this episode may cause you to be upset, and it certainly was a difficult one to record. However, we passionately believe that the key message here is to take action on your career break or pursue your dreams. Don't take getting to retirement for granted, as you may not reach it. Take action and work towards that goal.
Katrina and James
Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome + introduction to Katrina McGhee
01:00 – Why this story matters and setting the scene
02:30 – Katrina shares her crisis of confidence while writing her book
04:00 – The story of an early client who dreamed of a career break
06:00 – Discovering what happened to him and the impact on Katrina
08:00 – A life deferred: waiting for retirement and missed opportunities
10:00 – Reflections on work, money, and the “escape plan” mindset
12:30 – The heartbreaking lesson on health, life, and timing
14:00 – Why “perfect conditions” rarely arrive
15:30 – Living with urgency: how to stop waiting and start now
17:00 – Final reflections and how listeners can apply this story to their own lives
Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.
🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!
📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!
If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch today to start your journey!
BreakSpace - www.gobreakspace.com
Schedule a call with Katrina - https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php
Order Katrina's book - https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book
Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en
Episode 35 - Sabbatical vs. Career Break: What Kind of Break Do You Need and For How Long?
In this episode of the Winging It Travel Podcast, James Hammond sits down with career break coach Katrina McGhee to explore one of the biggest questions professionals face: what type of break should I take—and how long should it last?From stacking paid time off for a mini reset to negotiating a leave of absence or planning a full career break, Katrina shares the pros, cons, and practicalities of each option.
We unpack the real difference between a sabbatical and a career break, why “mini retirements” might not be the best term, and how some people use breaks as a stepping stone into semi-retirement or early retirement. Katrina explains why clarity on your purpose is key, how to decide on the right length of time off (from a few weeks to over a year), and why the average break her clients take is around 11 months.
James and Katrina also dive into financial planning, workplace policies, and even health care considerations when taking extended time away from work. They share real-life stories of employees negotiating paid leaves, examples of short versus long breaks, and the steps you can take to design a break that actually works for your life and career goals.
If you’ve ever wondered whether you need a sabbatical, career break, or just an extended vacation—and how to figure out the timing—this episode is packed with insights to help you create space for rest, reflection, and freedom.
Timestamps
00:00 – Intro: What kind of break should you take and how long should it last?
01:00 – Katrina joins the conversation and shares her thoughts on “hump day” culture
02:20 – Types of breaks overview: PTO blocks, leaves of absence, sabbaticals, and career breaks
03:30 – Stacking PTO for a mini reset vs. a true break
05:30 – Leaves of absence explained: burnout, caregiving, relocation, or higher education
07:45 – What a sabbatical really is (outside academia)
08:20 – Defining career breaks, gap years, and why “mini retirement” doesn’t sit right
09:40 – Career breaks as a transition into semi-retirement or early retirement
12:20 – Rethinking retirement: freedom, semi-retirement, and doing work you love
14:30 – Redefining “work” and finding purpose beyond a paycheck
17:20 – Why waiting until your 70s for fun isn’t realistic—spreading joy across decades
19:00 – Step 1: Clarifying your goal and why you need a break
20:30 – Step 2: Deciding how much time you actually need
22:40 – Step 3: Examining options—handbooks, finances, and healthcare
24:40 – Real stories of employers offering unexpected leave and flexibility
25:40 – Data points: average 11-month breaks, shortest 5 weeks, longest 2 years
26:45 – James shares his own sabbatical experience and company offer
27:30 – Risks and realities of negotiating breaks with your employer
28:50 – Wrapping up: practical advice, final reflections, and the “awkward endings” joke
Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.
🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!
📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!
If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch today to start your journey!
BreakSpace - www.gobreakspace.com
Schedule a call with Katrina - https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php
Order Katrina's book - https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book
Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.com
Episode 34 - Burn the Bridge: The Mindset Shift You Need to Finally Take Your Career Break
In this episode of Taking a Career Break with Katrina McGhee, we dive into one of the most powerful mindset shifts you can make when you’re dreaming about – but not actually taking – your career break. It’s called “burning the bridge,” and it’s about removing the escape hatch that lets you walk away when things feel hard, uncertain, or uncomfortable. Katrina shares the personal story of how this philosophy helped her push through imposter syndrome and write her book Taking a Career Break for Dummies, one of the most challenging projects of her professional life.
You’ll hear how her initial doubts nearly led her to quit, the turning point conversation that changed everything, and the mental and practical steps she took to commit fully. Along the way, we explore why so many aspiring sabbatical-takers delay their plans for months or even years, how fear of failure and the discomfort of “being seen trying” holds people back, and why a bold, no-turning-back decision can be the key to finally making your break happen.
James and Katrina also talk about the difference between easy answers that keep you safe and the harder choices that move you toward your goals. They share examples from their own lives where burning the bridge – whether by giving notice at work, booking a non-refundable ticket, or investing in personal growth – created the accountability needed to follow through. This episode will inspire you to reflect on the resources you already have, the future you want to create, and the one decisive step you can take right now to commit fully to your dream. If you’ve been stuck on the fence, this conversation is your call to set the match, light the fire, and cross into the life you’ve been imagining.
Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome to the episode and introduction to “burn the bridge”
01:00 – Katrina sets the stage: a personal meets life-advice episode
01:12 – The book deal that sparked the lesson
02:23 – Imposter syndrome and overwhelm in writing the first chapter
04:50 – Considering quitting before the book even began
06:20 – The pivotal advice: you have to burn the bridge
08:05 – The sample chapter feedback that changed everything
09:30 – Committing 100% and removing the option to quit
10:46 – James on failure, trying hard things, and public perception
11:23 – The discomfort of being seen trying
12:16 – Why passion, willpower, and consistency matter
13:15 – How delaying your break is often fear in disguise
14:50 – Practical ways to burn the bridge for your career break
16:48 – James on “the easy answer is no” vs. the hard choice to commit
18:16 – Katrina on mental shifts, accountability, and personal transformation
20:10 – The closing quote: burn the bridge and learn to fly
20:25 – Final reflections and wrap-up
20:54 – Invitation to join BreakSpace
Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.
🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!
📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!
If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch today to start your journey!
BreakSpace - www.gobreakspace.com
Schedule a call with Katrina - https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php
Order Katrina's book - https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book
Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.com
🎙️ From $0 to $120K: What People Actually Spend on a Career Break
Episode 33 | Taking a Career Break with Katrina McGhee
How much does a career break really cost? In this eye-opening episode, Katrina McGhee and James Hammond unpack the actual numbers behind taking time off work—ranging from breaks that cost absolutely nothing to those that hit the $120,000 mark. Whether you're just beginning to think about a sabbatical or already mapping out your finances, this conversation offers clear, practical insights into what you might realistically spend.
Drawing from Katrina’s experience coaching over 100 clients, you’ll hear how break budgets vary dramatically depending on lifestyle choices, travel preferences, and financial responsibilities. She explains how some people manage to take meaningful breaks without adding to their expenses at all, while others choose high-end travel and continue supporting large monthly commitments. The average monthly spend lands around $3,700, but that number is influenced by many factors—from passive income and living arrangements to debt and family needs.
You’ll also hear Katrina’s take on the often-taboo subject of taking a break while still carrying debt, and how smart planning can make it entirely possible. James shares personal experiences too, and together they offer a wealth of tips for budgeting better, cutting down on unnecessary expenses, and aligning your spending with your purpose for the break.
This episode is full of real talk—no fluff or generic advice. It’s designed to help you feel empowered to make informed financial decisions that support your break, rather than delay or cancel it. Katrina outlines how lifestyle audits, mindset shifts, and even simple day-to-day spending changes can drastically increase your savings and make a break feel within reach.
Whether you’re planning to travel, stay local, or reinvent your lifestyle during your break, you’ll come away from this episode with a clearer sense of what’s financially possible. If you're curious about how people actually fund their breaks—and how to budget for your own—this is a must-listen.
Katrina also shares resources from her book Taking a Career Break for Dummies and invites listeners into her supportive coaching space at GoBreakSpace.com.
Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome and episode overview
01:00 – Why money is one of the biggest concerns around taking a break
02:15 – The real cost of Katrina’s 20-month break
03:00 – Career breaks that cost $0 — how it’s possible
04:00 – The most expensive breaks Katrina’s clients have taken
06:15 – How travel style dramatically affects your budget
07:30 – Lifestyle audits that save thousands
08:40 – The hidden impact of lifestyle creep on your finances
10:15 – How one client cut expenses by 40% in under two months
12:30 – Making trade-offs: saving for a break vs. spending now
14:00 – Spending intentionally when planning your break
16:00 – Should you take a break if you have debt?
18:30 – Katrina’s story: taking a break with $42K in student loan debt
20:30 – The average monthly cost of a career break revealed
21:00 – Factors that shape your break budget: income, responsibilities, and travel
24:00 – Most common spending range Katrina sees with clients
25:20 – Final thoughts and how to dive deeper into budgeting with Katrina’s book
Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.
🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!
📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!
If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch today to start your journey!
BreakSpace - www.gobreakspace.com
Schedule a call with Katrina - https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php
Order Katrina's book - https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book
Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.com
Episode 32 - Career Break Travel Hacks: Bucket Lists, Upskilling Abroad & Phone Boundaries
Thinking of taking a career break or sabbatical? This episode is packed with practical tips and mindset shifts to help you make the most of your time away from the 9–5 grind. Katrina McGhee, sabbatical coach and author of Taking a Career Break for Dummies, joins James Hammond to talk about how to turn your break into a purposeful journey—without burning out or getting lost in endless scrolling. Whether you're planning three months in Europe or slow traveling across continents, this conversation will help you design an experience that aligns with your goals, values, and curiosity.
Katrina and James get real about what it takes to balance adventure and rest while traveling long-term. They share personal stories about how fast and slow travel each play a role, how to plan around bucket list goals while leaving space for spontaneity, and why being intentional about your phone usage can radically improve your overall experience. Katrina explains how the themes of your break—whether you're seeking growth, healing, joy, or exploration—should guide how you plan your trip. James shares examples from his own career break and global adventures, emphasizing the value of mixing big, exciting activities with restorative downtime.
They also explore the idea of upskilling while abroad, like taking a short course or learning a new language, and how that can add a layer of meaning or future benefit to your break. Plus, they discuss the real-life challenges of being present when you're tempted to document everything for social media or keep up with work emails. Toward the end, they each share their evolving bucket list goals—from seeing polar bears in Canada and dancing in Ibiza, to chasing paradise in French Polynesia and exploring new parts of Greece. It’s an honest, practical, and inspiring look at how to design a travel experience that truly serves you, rather than just filling your calendar.
Whether you’re on the road or just starting to plan, this episode will give you permission to slow down, dream big, and take control of your time. And if you want community and support while you do it, Katrina shares how you can join BreakSpace, her one-of-a-kind global network for career breakers and sabbatical takers.
Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome & Episode Overview
01:00 – Building Variety into Your Career Break
03:30 – Aligning Travel Plans with Break Themes
05:20 – The Power of Rest Stops While Traveling
07:00 – Spontaneity and Flexible Planning
09:00 – One-Way Tickets and Serendipitous Moments
11:00 – Upskilling and Learning While Abroad
13:30 – Digital Discipline and Phone Boundaries
15:30 – Staying Present as a Traveler and Creator
16:10 – Bucket List Reflections: What’s Left to Do?
19:00 – James’ Travel Bucket List Goals
20:10 – Final Thoughts & BreakSpace Community Invitation
Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.
🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!
📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!
If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch today to start your journey!
BreakSpace - www.gobreakspace.com
Schedule a call with Katrina - https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php
Order Katrina's book - https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book
Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.com
Episode 31 - Mixing It Up: Smart Ways to Keep Travel Fresh on Your Career Break
In this episode of Taking a Career Break with Katrina McGhee, we dive into the challenge many travellers face during extended trips: boredom and burnout. Katrina and James share honest stories about moments of travel fatigue—from cathedral overload in Europe to quiet days in Thailand—and offer smart strategies to keep your career break exciting and meaningful.
We explore the importance of switching up experiences, planning for spontaneity, staying connected with locals, and even how hobbies (or the lack of them!) can impact your down days. Plus, hear a hilarious couchsurfing story from Katrina’s road trip and learn why variety really is the spice of travel life.
Katrina reflects on her time in Thailand, a country she loved, but where she experienced several days that felt surprisingly mundane. She describes wandering aimlessly, unsure what to do with her time, occasionally sitting in hostel lobbies just reading or people-watching. These were quiet, uneventful days—far from the highlight reels we often see online—but they were real. And for Katrina, they revealed something important: boredom is not a sign that something’s gone wrong. It’s part of the rhythm of life, even on the road.
James adds his own experience from an interrailing trip through Europe, where city after city began to blur together. By the time he reached the final stops, the once-exciting buzz of cathedrals and squares started to lose its magic. The repetition was wearing him down, and that prompted a pivot—shifting the itinerary to include nature, mountains, and more immersive travel styles. That shift was key in keeping the journey fresh, inspiring, and emotionally engaging.
Throughout the episode, the conversation keeps returning to a core idea: variety in your experiences helps you stay present and appreciative. Katrina shares how seeing dozens of cathedrals in Europe eventually numbed her to their beauty. Though she marvelled at places like the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, by the time she had seen countless others, they began to feel indistinguishable. That burnout still lingers—she now avoids visiting churches when she travels. The lesson is clear: switching up your pace, environment, and activities not only prevents burnout but also helps preserve a sense of awe and wonder.
The conversation then shifts into something even more relatable in the digital age: how phone use affects travel. James calls it out directly—the phone is a nightmare.
🕒 Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome + What to Expect This Episode
01:29 – Seasonal Joy: Summer Favourites + Travel Vibes
03:37 – Can Travel Get Boring? Personal Stories from Europe & Thailand
06:35 – The Church Burnout: When Everything Starts Looking the Same
07:50 – How to Mix It Up: Rotating Travel Styles for a Better Experience
08:48 – Why Variation Helps Appreciation While Traveling
09:15 – Hobbies on the Road: Struggles & Creative Solutions
10:09 – Beware the Phone Trap: Being Present vs. Scrolling
10:55 – Meeting People to Keep Travel Social & Fun
11:11 – Katrina’s Couchsurfing Story in New Orleans: Biking, Dancing & Awkward Coins
13:39 – Couchsurfing in Iran: A Tale of Connection & Culture
16:08 – Wrap-Up + How to Connect with Us
16:45 – Bonus Plug: What Is BreakSpace?
Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.
🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!
📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!
If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch today to start your journey!
BreakSpace - www.gobreakspace.com
Schedule a call with Katrina - https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php
Order Katrina's book - https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book
Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.com
Episode 30 - Why Routines Matter on a Career Break: Find Balance, Create Bedtime Habits & Have Regular Check-Ins
Taking a break from your career can feel expansive and freeing — but sometimes that much freedom can also feel overwhelming. In this episode, Katrina and I dive into the importance of routines and rhythms while on a career break or sabbatical. Whether you're a structure-loving planner or a go-with-the-flow traveller, adding a few intentional practices into your day can help you feel more grounded, present, and fulfilled.
We talk about the power of a solid morning routine, how to create bedtime habits that actually support your rest, and why checking in with yourself regularly can make your break more meaningful. We also share personal stories of what works (and doesn’t work) for us, and how to stay flexible and experiment with routines without losing the spontaneity of your time off.
Whether you're just starting your break or deep in the journey, this episode is packed with practical tools and insights to help you feel more balanced and intentional with your time.
Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome to Episode 30!
01:00 – Celebrating podcast milestones (and dreaming of cake)
03:40 – Introducing today’s topic: routines and rhythms on a career break
04:30 – Why routines matter, even for the free-spirited
05:45 – The 3 key elements Katrina recommends for structure on a break
06:10 – Element 1: Morning routines – building small wins into your day
08:30 – Setting the tone for your day (and avoiding the doom scroll)
09:45 – Masculine vs. feminine energy approaches to mornings
12:20 – Morning routine tips: experiment, don’t overdo it, add pleasure
14:50 – Element 2: Bedtime habits & why your evening sets up your next day
15:45 – Tips for evening routines that support better sleep and rest
17:30 – Device boundaries and winding down without screens
19:30 – James shares his own nighttime routine (and love of TV)
20:00 – Katrina’s rule: the phone doesn’t go in bed!
21:00 – Element 3: Check in with yourself – reflect, observe, improve
22:30 – How to schedule check-ins and track what really matters to you
24:10 – What lessons is your break teaching you?
25:00 – A challenge to listeners: how solid is your routine?
25:30 – Share your routine with us – we’d love to hear it!
Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.
🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!
📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!
If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch today to start your journey!
BreakSpace - www.gobreakspace.com
Schedule a call with Katrina - https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php
Order Katrina's book - https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book
Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.com
Episode 29 - Why Career Breaks Are the Key to Mental Health, Wellness & Radical Prioritization
In this honest and inspiring episode, Katrina McGhee and James Hammond dive deep into the emotional and physical realities of taking a career break to reclaim your mental health and overall wellness.
Katrina shares her powerful story of investing $6,000 into a health coaching program, losing 21 pounds, and building a life-changing routine centered on radical prioritization. From overcoming perimenopause symptoms to recovering from serious injuries, she reveals how focusing on health became her ultimate act of self-care.
James also opens up about his own wake-up call after a health scare led him to rethink his lifestyle and eating habits. Together, they reflect on how career breaks are not always about travel—they can be an essential tool to reset, heal, and build a better future.
If you’ve ever felt stuck, burned out, or overwhelmed, this conversation will show you how raising the stakes and aligning your values can help you take that first powerful step. Whether you're dreaming of a break or already on one, you'll walk away with insight, motivation, and a few laughs along the way.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro to the show and episode overview
01:12 – Katrina shares how she’s really feeling lately
02:26 – Why inspiration and escape still matter in heavy times
03:27 – James becomes a Canadian citizen and reflects on the long journey
05:06 – Katrina's major health and wellness update begins
07:01 – The reality of perimenopause, setbacks, and self-doubt
08:43 – Health as a reason to take a break and Katrina’s client examples
09:34 – The importance of resetting your baseline for wellness
11:10 – Injuries, frozen shoulder, and the road to physical recovery
13:54 – Radical prioritization and sacrifice to achieve a big goal
15:45 – Why investing in yourself raises the stakes
18:57 – James shares his cholesterol scare and new fitness journey
21:22 – Different ways to raise the stakes to achieve life-changing results
24:34 – Aligning values, money, and mindset for your break
26:19 – Final thoughts and gratitude to listeners
27:28 – Join the BreakSpace community for your own transformative break
Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.
🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!
📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!
If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch today to start your journey!
BreakSpace - www.gobreakspace.com
Schedule a call with Katrina - https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php
Order Katrina's book - https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book
Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.com
🎙 Episode 28 – When to Job Hunt on a Career Break: Timing Your Reentry Right
In this insightful episode, Katrina McGhee and James Hammond explore one of the most common pitfalls for career breakers: job searching too soon. Drawing on Katrina’s experience as a career break and sabbatical coach, and James’s practical wisdom from years of international job hopping, this conversation gets honest about what it truly means to be ready to reenter the workforce.
Katrina shares her proven “1 for 6” rule, helping you understand how much time you should dedicate to reentry based on the length of your break. They also discuss how early job searching can create unnecessary stress and derail the purpose of your break entirely.
Whether you're currently on a sabbatical, planning one, or feeling anxious about what comes next, this episode is packed with practical strategies on compartmentalising your job search, building a reentry plan, managing expectations, and setting clear metrics to avoid burnout.
🎯 What You’ll Learn:
Why starting the job hunt too early can backfire
How to know when you’re actually ready to reenter
The 1-for-6 reentry planning strategy
Why “pray and spray” job applications don’t work
How to compartmentalise job search energy
Tools and mindset tips for navigating rejection
The power of networking during reentry
Practical advice for job seekers in today’s AI-driven world
📌 Resources Mentioned:
Katrina’s community + course: GoBreakSpace.com
Book: Taking a Career Break for Dummies
Timestamps
00:50 – Episode Introduction
02:30 – The Trap of Starting Too Early
04:50 – The Toxic Spiral of Early Searching
06:45 – Recommended Job Search Timeline
08:30 – Making Career Pivoting Part of Your Break Theme
10:15 – Reentry Tips: Start with Clear Metrics
12:00 – Managing Rejection and Silence
14:15 – Why “Pray and Spray” Job Applications Don’t Work
16:00 – The Power of Networking Over Cold Applications
18:00 – Updated Job Search Tools & AI Advice
20:00 – Wrap Up
Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.
🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!
📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!
If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch today to start your journey!
BreakSpace - www.gobreakspace.com
Schedule a call with Katrina - https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php
Order Katrina's book - https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book
Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.com
Episode 27 – Overcoming the Fear of Taking a Career Break
In this insightful and practical episode of Taking a Career Break with Katrina McGhee, we explore one of the most common roadblocks to pursuing a meaningful break: fear.
Whether it's fear of damaging your career, financial insecurity, public perception, or simply not knowing how to structure your time away from work, these concerns are valid—but they don’t have to be roadblocks. Katrina breaks down the psychological roots of these fears and shares a three-step framework to help you shift from paralyzed to empowered.
Key discussion points include:
The four major fears career breakers face—and how to identify your own
Why fear is a natural part of the process and how to use it as a guide, not a barrier
Katrina’s “Backseat Driver” strategy for reframing fear’s role in your decisions
How to find clarity by “searching for the truth” and understanding your real financial numbers
Using real-life proof—stories, communities, and data—to normalize your decision and build confidence
A powerful real-world story of transformation from someone who overcame deep fear to finally take her dream trip to Peru
Whether you’re a high-achiever planning your first sabbatical or someone already on the edge of burnout, this episode will help you rethink fear, reframe your mindset, and take action with purpose.
Resources Mentioned:
Taking a Career Break for Dummies by Katrina McGhee
GoBreakSpace.com – A community and course platform for career breakers
The Break Blueprint course
Real examples from Katrina’s coaching clients
Takeaways:
Fear will always be present, but it doesn't have to lead.
Clarity comes from action, not overthinking.
Community, data, and small wins build momentum.
Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.
🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!
📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!
If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch today to start your journey!
Book a coaching session - https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php
Join the waitlist for the BreakSpace community - www.gobreakspace.com
Purchase Taking a Career Break for Dummies - https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book
Episode 26: Key Components of Rest: How to Heal, Recharge, and Not Just Stay Busy
In this episode of Taking a Career Break with Katrina McGee, we dive deep into a topic that’s too often overlooked when planning time away from work: true rest.
Rest isn’t just about sleep or doing “nothing.” It’s about intentional choices that allow your body, mind, and nervous system to recover from burnout and recalibrate toward a more fulfilling life. Drawing on a powerful recent coaching session, Katrina unpacks how one client’s packed sabbatical plan lacked the very thing it needed most: genuine rest.
Katrina shares the five personalized components of rest her client identified — including good sleep hygiene, unstructured time, and nature walks — and expands with 15 research-backed strategies you can incorporate into your own break. Whether you’re deep into your sabbatical, planning for one, or simply needing better boundaries in everyday life, this episode offers real, practical support.
You’ll learn:
Why fun and fulfilment aren’t always the same as rest
How to recognise over-scheduling disguised as “productive” time off
Simple ways to build rest into your break intentionally
How to create personal “guardrails” to protect time for restoration
The power of boundaries — especially the ones we set with ourselves
Plus, Katrina shares tools like journaling for emotional release, forest bathing, daily walks of awe, and the importance of silence and solitude in our hyper-connected world.
If you’ve ever said, “I’ll rest once everything’s done,” this episode is for you.
👉 To learn more about Katrina’s proven career break coaching and access her step-by-step blueprint, visit GoBreakSpace.com.
🎧 Listen now and redefine what rest means to you.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Career Breaks
03:09 The Importance of Rest
06:09 Key Components of Rest
09:12 Setting Boundaries for Rest
11:49 15 Ideas for Rest and Restoration
18:00 Practical Takeaways and Conclusion
🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!
📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!
If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch today to start your journey!
Book a coaching session - https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php
Join the waitlist for the BreakSpace community - www.gobreakspace.com
Purchase Taking a Career Break for Dummies - https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book
Episode 25 - Pre-Trip Planning for Career Breaks: How to Prepare for Life-Changing Travel
Ready to take the leap into the unknown with a career break but not sure how to get started with travel planning? In this special role-reversal episode of Taking a Career Break with Katrina McGee, Katrina takes over as host and interviews podcast co-creator and travel expert James Hammond, host of Winging It Travel Podcast. Together, they dive deep into everything you need to know before your big departure, offering practical guidance, seasoned travel wisdom, and inspiring personal stories.
This is Part 1 of a special three-part travel series that unpacks the before, during, and after phases of travel during your career break. This episode focuses on pre-planning and preparation, helping you figure out what to do in the weeks and months leading up to your trip.
Whether you're a career professional planning a bold sabbatical or a burned-out high achiever ready for a long-overdue reset, this episode is your go-to travel prep playbook.
🎒 What you’ll learn in this episode:
How to choose your destinations based on your personal goals and values (not Instagram envy)
Why pushing outside your comfort zone creates the most powerful travel memories
The difference between travel budgets vs. total career break budgets—and how to structure both
Tools like BudgetYourTrip.com to estimate daily spending by country
Why slow travel and location flexibility are your secret weapon for long-term travel success
How to prepare logistically with travel insurance, VPNs, eSIMs, and accommodation booking hacks
Insider tips on managing phone plans abroad (hello, Google Fi and GigSky!)
The must-have packing list items people often forget but absolutely need
How to mentally transition into travel mode before you even leave home
Why it’s crucial not to overplan—and how to leave space for spontaneity, rest, and personal evolution
💥 Plus:
Learn how James saved money and stayed flexible while traveling through Central America, Asia, and North America.
Katrina shares a deeply honest take on why your break doesn’t have to be epic to be valid—and how your version of freedom might look very different from others.
This episode is packed with actionable advice, budget breakdowns, mindset shifts, and real-world tips for anyone wondering, “What should I actually be doing before I go?”
🌍 Planning a career break that includes travel? This is your essential first step.
🎧 Tune in now and get ready to turn your dreams of travel into a concrete departure plan—with clarity, confidence, and a bit of cheeky fun.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Travel Planning
01:09 Defining Your Travel Goals
04:04 Budgeting for Your Career Break
07:55 Accommodation and Travel Style
12:03 Essential Travel Preparations
18:02 Planning Flexibility and Itinerary
21:02 Final Tips and Things Not to Do
🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!
📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!
If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch today to start your journey!
Book a coaching session - https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php
Join the waitlist for the BreakSpace community - www.gobreakspace.com
Purchase Taking a Career Break for Dummies - https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book
Episode 24 - Why ‘Variation Creates Appreciation’—Essential Advice for Sabbatical Travel
In this episode of Taking a Career Break with Katrina McGhee, we dive into one of the most overlooked secrets of long-term travel: “Variation creates appreciation.” Katrina, career break coach and author of Taking a Career Break for Dummies, joins travel expert and podcast host James Hammond to discuss how embracing change, pacing yourself, and building intention into your travels can make your sabbatical or career break more enjoyable and sustainable.
We explore the real challenges of extended travel, from burnout and boredom to unexpected health issues and travel fatigue. Katrina shares her own experiences from the road, including that moment when even the most beautiful cathedrals started to blur together—and what she did to regain her sense of wonder. We also discuss the importance of varying your environment, whether that involves alternating between hostels and hotels or taking “real life” days off from sightseeing to relax, reset, and reconnect.
James offers his insights from years of constant travel, including a hilarious story of a friend who beat burnout in Bangkok by locking himself in a hostel with a video game console for two weeks. From practical tips on getting good rest and staying healthy while abroad, to the mindset shifts that help you appreciate the journey, this conversation is full of helpful takeaways for anyone planning a break from work to travel.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by too much adventure or wondered how to pace your travels during a sabbatical, this episode will give you tools to create more meaning, more balance, and yes—more appreciation through variation.
Plus, Katrina invites you to BreakSpace, her supportive new online community for career breakers and sabbatical takers. Join the crew at BrakeSpaceCrew.com and start planning a break that works for you, not against you.
In this episode, we cover:
What “variation creates appreciation” really means for long-term travel
How to avoid travel fatigue and burnout during your sabbatical
The importance of mixing up hostels, hotels, and solo downtime
How to maintain your physical and mental health while abroad
Strategies for building intention and balance into your travel plans
Funny real-life stories from James and Katrina’s own travel breaks
Why taking “real life” days off from sightseeing can actually enhance your journey
Tools and mindsets that help make your break more joyful and sustainable
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Career Breaks
00:32 Travelling During a Career Break
01:53 Avoiding Travel Fatigue and Burnout
04:54 Incorporating Regular Life into Travel
07:15 Setting Intentions for Travel Days
08:23 Health Considerations While Traveling
11:58 Avoiding Boredom and Indifference
🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!
📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!
If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch today to start your journey!
Book a coaching session - https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php
Join the waitlist for the BreakSpace community - https://www.beyondabreak.com/breakspace
Purchase Taking a Career Break for Dummies - https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book
