Sabbatical Stories

Written by: Rebecca Thomas
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  • Summary

  • Unlock the power of taking a break with Sabbatical Stories, a podcast hosted by Rebecca Thomas from Feel Good Getaways. Through insightful and engaging discussions, Rebecca explores the motivations behind career breaks and sabbaticals, debunks myths, and highlights their invaluable benefits. With a mission to inspire courage and normalise taking time off for personal growth, Sabbatical Stories is a beacon for those seeking inspiration, encouragement, and guidance on their journey to self-discovery. Tune in to learn how taking a break can transform your life and career.
    Rebecca Thomas
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Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
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Episodes
  • The Truth About Career Breaks: Insights from PhD Researcher Patrick Mazzocco

    The Truth About Career Breaks: Insights from PhD Researcher Patrick Mazzocco
    Feb 20 2025
    In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Patrick Mazzocco, an academic whose PhD research dives deep into the motivations, experiences, and outcomes of career breaks. Having taken multiple career breaks himself, Patrick brings both academic insight and personal experience to the conversation. His work sheds light on the emotional journey of stepping away from work, the myths surrounding career breaks, and the evolving nature of career identity.Our conversation explores the diverse reasons people step away from work, the gap between expectations and reality, and the importance of personal reflection in navigating these transitions. We also discuss the courage it takes to carve out your own path—especially in the face of societal pressures. Together, we explore:The diverse experiences of career break takers—expectations, transformative moments, and the impact on identity.The emotional highs and lows of career breaks, common myths, and the importance of redefining career identity.Why identity crises are common during career breaks as individuals reassess their self-worth.The surprising number of participants who found contentment in simply doing nothing.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Sabbatical Stories01:30 Patrick's Transformative Career Breaks05:24 Navigating Family Expectations and Pushback11:27 Researching Career Breaks: A New Perspective17:43 Understanding the Decision-Making Process20:11 Debunking Myths About Career Breaks21:55 Identity Crisis During Career Breaks25:51 The Reality of Career Breaks34:50 Exploring Career Identity43:09 The Impact of Career Breaks on Identity45:18 Debunking Myths About Career BreaksGuest bio: Patrick Mazzocco is a doctoral candidate and Programmes Coordinator at the University of Otago, specialising in career transitions and career breaks. His PhD research explores the motivations, experiences, and outcomes of individuals who take career breaks without employer sponsorship or a guaranteed return to their previous roles. Originally from Indianna, Patrick is an educator and career development professional with more than 10 years of experience and a strong history of success in programme development, curriculum design, and interdepartmental collaboration.Connect with Patrick on LinkedIn Other episodes you may enjoy: How to Master the Art of Sabbaticals and Career Breaks with Katrina McGheeHow a Career Break helped Steve Duke Pivot Professionally and Rediscover FunGet in touch: If you are interested in sharing your sabbatical story, we would love to hear from you. Buzz us a DM on Instagram - @Sabbaticalstoriespodcast or reach out on LinkedIn, I’m Bex Thomas.Career transition, sabbatical and career break coaching: I’m a coach who supports individuals through pivotal moments of transition in both their personal and professional lives. I support those who are facing a crossroads to discover clarity. Working with you I empower you to invest in a future version of yourself that will make you proud. Through personalised coaching sessions and my signature career transition and sabbatical programs I aim to provide a supportive and nurturing environment for you to explore your values, strengths and goals. More importantly I coach you to intentionally design your next chapter by redefining what success looks like to you and then implementing it.Feel Good Getaways - https://feelgood-getaways.com/With special thanks to: Aunty B at the Flaxen, our amazing, talented and patient producer whose expertise helps make this podcast shine. Joanna Cooke, whose soulful blend of smooth vocals we are lucky enough to use throughout the show. Listen and connect with Joanna via your favourite medium:https://open.spotify.com/artist/7EyKy53TsVFLJFZFyYzBZQ?si=HaCSIRCETS2uYB3LBLcrWAWebsite - https://joannacooke.co.ukYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/joannacookeInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/joanna.cooke/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/joannacookemusic/
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    56 mins
  • From Management Consultant to Travel Agent; Susie Chau’s Career Break Story

    From Management Consultant to Travel Agent; Susie Chau’s Career Break Story
    Feb 13 2025

    Episode description: In this episode, Susie Chou shares her transformative experience of taking a year-long sabbatical with her husband, traveling to all seven continents. Susie reflects on the personal growth and relationship building that occurred during their travels, as well as the challenges of transitioning back to work after such a significant break. She also offers valuable tips for anyone considering a sabbatical, emphasising the importance of understanding one's intentions and slowing down to fully appreciate the experience. Together, we explore:

    • The decision-making process, the planning involved, and the financial considerations that make a career break or sabbatical possible.
    • How returning back to the corporate world can be hard.
    • How her break gave her the confidence to break away from the standard American blueprint of life and do something different.
    • Why travel throughout her break contributed to her changing career and starting her own travel agency.
    • Entrepreneurial life, the twists and turns, the challenges but why she would never go back.

    Timestamps

    00:00 Introduction and Acknowledgment

    01:31 Suzy Chow's Sabbatical Journey

    10:05 Planning the Sabbatical

    19:07 Experiences Across Seven Continents

    23:54 Transitioning Back to Work

    28:02 Starting a New Venture

    33:09 Top Tips for Taking a Sabbatical

    Guest bio: Susie Chau is a former IT Management Consultant who took a transformative year-long career break with her husband, traveling across all seven continents. Inspired by her journey, she returned to the corporate world but soon felt the pull to help others experience the power of travel. In 2016, she launched her travel agency as a side hustle, and by 2018, she took the leap into full-time entrepreneurship. Since then, she has helped hundreds of people explore the world. In 2023, Susie expanded her mission beyond vacations—she now helps professionals live abroad for a month or more, shifting their focus from work mode to life mode.

    Learn more about Susie by visiting herwebsite or connecting with her onLinkedIn

    Episode transcript:

    Other episodes you may enjoy:

    • How to Master the Art of Sabbaticals and Career Breaks with Katrina McGhee
    • How a Career Break helped Steve Duke Pivot Professionally and Rediscover Fun

    Get in touch: If you are interested in sharing your sabbatical story, we would love to hear from you. Buzz us a DM on Instagram -@Sabbaticalstoriespodcast or reach out onLinkedIn, I’m Bex Thomas.

    Career transition, sabbatical and career break coaching:

    I’m a coach who supports individuals through pivotal moments of transition in both their personal and professional lives. I support those who are facing a crossroads to discover clarity. Working with you I empower you to invest in a future version of yourself that will make you proud. Through personalised coaching sessions and my signature career transition and sabbatical programs I aim to provide a supportive and nurturing environment for you to explore your values, strengths and goals. More importantly I coach you to intentionally design your next chapter by redefining what success looks like to you and then implementing it.

    Feel Good Getaways - https://feelgood-getaways.com/

    With special thanks to:

    Aunty B at the Flaxen, our amazing, talented and patient producer whose expertise helps make this podcast shine.

    Joanna Cooke, whose soulful blend of smooth vocals we are lucky enough to use throughout the show. Listen and connect with Joanna via your favourite medium:

    https://open.spotify.com/artist/7EyKy53TsVFLJFZFyYzBZQ?si=HaCSIRCETS2uYB3LBLcrWA

    Website -https://joannacooke.co.uk

    YouTube -https://www.youtube.com/c/joannacooke

    Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/joanna.cooke/

    Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/joannacookemusic/
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    41 mins
  • Lessons from 11 Sabbaticals and Career Breaks with Lyndall Farley

    Lessons from 11 Sabbaticals and Career Breaks with Lyndall Farley
    Feb 6 2025
    In this inspiring episode of Sabbatical Stories, we’re joined by Lyndall Farley, a global expert in sabbaticals and the founder of Beyond a Break. With a passion for helping individuals and organisations embrace career breaks, Lyndall shares her remarkable journey from a thriving consulting career in a BIG4 firm to becoming a sabbatical coach. Lyndall opens up about her eleven sabbaticals, including her life-changing experience in Antarctica, which became a pivotal moment in redefining her career and personal priorities. Together, we explore: The myth of overnight success and why experimentation and failure are part of finding your path. How the journey of failing first, failing fast and experimentation is key to finding what truly works for you Challenges in transitioning from a corporate career to entrepreneurship—and how to overcome them. Why fast travel can hinder true reflection and recharge, and how to balance exploration with self-care. The benefits of designing sabbaticals to fit your unique life stage and goals. How sabbaticals are more than just extended vacations—they’re intentional breaks that can reshape your life. Why prioritising yourself is not selfish; it’s essential for long-term success and happiness. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to episode 2 01:41 Meet Lyndall Farley: A Sabbatical Coach 03:35 The Transformative Power of Sabbaticals 09:29 Finding Confidence and Purpose 12:45 The Journey to Starting her own business Beyond a Break 19:57 The Myth of Overnight Success 22:03 Lessons from Past Sabbaticals 25:30 Designing Your Break with Intention 26:22 The Creation of BreakSpace Guest bio: Lyndall is a global expert in sabbaticals and the founder of Beyond a Break, where she helps individuals and organisations harness the transformative power of extended time off. Having taken multiple sabbaticals herself, Lyndall is passionate about guiding others to design and implement meaningful breaks that rejuvenate, inspire, and drive long-term fulfillment. With a wealth of experience in coaching and consulting, she empowers professionals to reconnect with their purpose and return to work re-energised. Lyndall is also the co-founder of Breakspace: the launchpad community for life-changing career breaks & sabbaticals. Episode transcript: Other episodes you may enjoy: How to Master the Art of Sabbaticals and Career Breaks with Katrina McGhee How a Career Break helped Steve Duke Pivot Professionally and Rediscover Fun Get in touch: If you are interested in sharing your sabbatical story, we would love to hear from you. Buzz us a DM on Instagram - @Sabbaticalstoriespodcast or reach out on LinkedIn, I’m Bex Thomas. Career transition, sabbatical and career break coaching: I’m a coach who supports individuals through pivotal moments of transition in both their personal and professional lives. I support those who are facing a crossroads to discover clarity. Working with you I empower you to invest in a future version of yourself that will make you proud. Through personalised coaching sessions and my signature career transition and sabbatical programs I aim to provide a supportive and nurturing environment for you to explore your values, strengths and goals. More importantly I coach you to intentionally design your next chapter by redefining what success looks like to you and then implementing it. Feel Good Getaways - https://feelgood-getaways.com/ With special thanks to: Aunty B at the Flaxen, our amazing, talented and patient producer whose expertise helps make this podcast shine. Joanna Cooke, whose soulful blend of smooth vocals we are lucky enough to use throughout the show. Listen and connect with Joanna via your favourite medium: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7EyKy53TsVFLJFZFyYzBZQ?si=HaCSIRCETS2uYB3LBLcrWA Website - https://joannacooke.co.uk YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/joannacooke Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/joanna.cooke/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/joannacookemusic/
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    34 mins

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