How a Career Break Sparked My Podcast Journey – Why I Started the Sabbatical Stories Podcast

What does a sabbatical mean? For me, it was the moment everything changed.

In 2016, I took a life-changing career break. Like many people stepping away from traditional work, I felt excited and overwhelmed by the possibilities. While travelling, I decided to prototype a new career in web design by building my own travel blog. It seemed like the perfect fit for a nomadic lifestyle.

Spoiler alert: I hated every second of it.

But something powerful happened anyway. That blog may not have sparked a career in design, but it did unlock something else. I began to write and share updates from the road, enter my second career prototype: travel blogger and writer.

However, yet again, the spark didn’t quite stick.

Over the years, I tried hard to force the writing. I took creative writing courses, hired a coach who specialised in PR and travel media, and collected dozens of half-finished drafts. I was determined to get my message across through traditional blog posts but the magic never came. Writing felt like pressure. Publishing felt like a chore. And the flow I craved stayed out of reach.

At the same time, I started to fall out of love with travel itself. A moment of crisis. Surely this wasn’t how it was supposed to feel.

But there was one thing I remained deeply passionate about: sabbaticals, career breaks, and helping people build lives with more intention. After that pivotal career break, I knew I wanted to talk about this more. I just hadn’t found the right way to express it, that is until two conversations with friends changed everything.

One said, “As a recruiter, you talk for a living and interview people daily. Why aren’t you doing a podcast?”

Within the same week, another shared they were prototyping their own creative side project and looking to practice podcast production – did I know anyone?

In that moment, something clicked. I’ve spent my career listening deeply, holding space for real human stories, and asking powerful questions. Podcasting wasn’t just a new idea it felt comfortable.

And just like that, Sabbatical Stories was born.

From Writing Struggle to Conversational Flow

From the very first recording, I felt the shift. Podcasting didn’t feel like work it felt like alignment. I could sit and talk for hours about career breaks, sabbaticals, and personal transformation. These weren’t stiff interviews. They were vibrant conversations filled with humour, honesty, and heart.

So, why I started the Sabbatical Stories podcast is simple:

• Because talking to people about what happens when they step away from work and reconnect with themselves lights me up.
  
• Because the stories we tell about our breaks are just as important as the work we return to.
  
• Because real change often begins when we pause.
  

Sharing Stories That Matter

Each episode of Sabbatical Stories is a celebration of what’s possible when we make space for reflection and redefine success on our own terms. Whether you’re dreaming of a sabbatical, navigating the return, or simply curious about what happens when people say yes to themselves this podcast is for you.

I can’t believe we’re entering Season 3 in September, which means 34+ meaningful conversations out in the world to inspire, encourage, and bust the myths about career breaks and sabbaticals.

➡️ Curious? Listen to the latest episode here or subscribe on your favourite platform.

And if you’re considering a break or wondering how to integrate after one check out my Purposeful Pause Program or book a free discovery session here. I’d love to support your journey.