Episodes

  • When Your Sabbatical Meets a Global Crisis: Navigating a Career Break During COVID with Gaëlle Deschamps

    When Your Sabbatical Meets a Global Crisis: Navigating a Career Break During COVID with Gaëlle Deschamps
    Apr 16 2026
    In this episode of Sabbatical Stories, we speak with executive leadership trainer, TEDx speaker and confidence coach Gaëlle Deschamps about taking a sabbatical at the exact moment the world shut down.After a 27-year global corporate career spanning L’Oréal, SABMiller and The Coca-Cola Company, Gaëlle made the intentional decision to pause. Her career break was meant to be a period of rest, reflection and renewal, a chance to step back before her next chapter.She began her sabbatical on March 1st, 2020.By March 18th, her birthday, the world went into lockdown.What was meant to be travel, celebration and spaciousness became uncertainty, disruption and confinement. In this conversation, Gaëlle shares how she navigated the emotional shift from control to surrender, how the pandemic reshaped her sabbatical experience, and what it taught her about identity, resilience and leadership.We dive into:The decision to take a sabbatical after decades in corporate leadershipPlanning a career break with intention and structureStarting a sabbatical just weeks before global lockdownManaging disappointment when plans unravelIdentity beyond corporate titlesLessons leaders can take from disruptionTimestampsTo followOther episodes you may enjoy: Discovering Inner Wisdom Through a Career Break: Danielle Dacunha-Howarth’s Sabbatical JourneyHow a career break can prepare you for emigration: Liz Ferguson’s sabbatical storyGet in touch: If you are interested in sharing your sabbatical story, we would love to hear from you. Buzz us a DM on Instagram - ⁠@Sabbatical_Stories⁠ or reach out on LinkedIn - ⁠Bex Thomas.⁠Career transition, sabbatical and career break coaching: As a career transition, sabbatical, and career break coach, I inspire, challenge, and support people like you to create a life that feels deeply aligned with your values, dreams, and authentic self. Whether you’re craving a new direction, a chance to pause, or the courage to pursue what really matters, I’m here to guide you toward your own version of success on your terms.Together, we’ll break free from societal blueprints, rewrite the rules, and design a future you’re excited to wake up to. Learn more ⁠here⁠💫 Ready to make the most of your time away from work? Download my free guide, "5 Ways to Maximise Your Career Break" 👉 Grab your free copy ⁠here⁠Guest bio: Gaelle is a TEDx speaker, certified executive coach, leadership trainer and Founder of G Force, a company dedicated to shaping the next generation of confident, values-led leaders. With executive education from Harvard and London Business School, she brings over 27 years of corporate and entrepreneurial experience, having held senior leadership roles at L’Oréal, SABMiller and The Coca-Cola Company. Today, Gaëlle delivers keynote talks and transformational programmes including The Art of Confidence©️ and The Art of LeadHERship©️, empowering women and young people to step into leadership with authenticity and impact. A passionate advocate for better role models in workplaces, communities and families, she combines global business expertise with contagious energy and a deep commitment to helping others show up confidently and create meaningful change. With special thanks to: Aunty B at The Flaxen, our amazing, talented and patient producer whose expertise helps make this podcast shine. Nicky Sweetland, our brilliant creative force behind all things social media and visual, whose eye for detail and design brings the podcast to life beyond the mic.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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    41 mins
  • Using a Career Break to Redefine Success: Cultural Expectations, Sabbaticals & Life Chapters with Namrata Singh

    Using a Career Break to Redefine Success: Cultural Expectations, Sabbaticals & Life Chapters with Namrata Singh
    Apr 9 2026
    In this episode of Sabbatical Stories, Bex speaks with Namrata, founder of Sing & Tea, about navigating personal transitions, cultural expectations and the power of a career break to redefine success on your own terms.Namrata and her husband chose not to over-optimise her sabbatical. Instead, they embraced what she calls thematic living, allowing a guiding focus, such as health or exploration, to shape their decisions rather than rigid goals. Namrata shares openly about cultural norms and expectations and how carving her own path alongside her husband was not the most common or encouraged route within their cultural context. Taking a career break, stepping away from conventional timelines and choosing exploration over certainty required courage. It meant redefining stability, success and identity outside traditional expectations.We dive into:Why you shouldn’t over-optimise your sabbaticalThe power of living thematically during a career breakCultural expectations around stability, marriage and careerCarving your own path when it’s not the cultural normHow time away creates clarity for your career and life in generalOpenness, identity and redefining successHow their break led to launching Sing & Tea, a soft rebellion against small talkTimestampsto followOther episodes you may enjoy: From Career Break to Creative Passion: How Santosh Mahale Rediscovered Art During His SabbaticalTiny Detour on Career Breaks, Breaking the Blueprint & Currency HackingGet in touch: If you are interested in sharing your sabbatical story, we would love to hear from you. Buzz us a DM on Instagram - ⁠@Sabbatical_Stories⁠ or reach out on LinkedIn - ⁠Bex Thomas.⁠Career transition, sabbatical and career break coaching: As a career transition, sabbatical, and career break coach, I inspire, challenge, and support people like you to create a life that feels deeply aligned with your values, dreams, and authentic self. Whether you’re craving a new direction, a chance to pause, or the courage to pursue what really matters, I’m here to guide you toward your own version of success on your terms.Together, we’ll break free from societal blueprints, rewrite the rules, and design a future you’re excited to wake up to. Learn more ⁠here⁠💫 Ready to make the most of your time away from work? Download my free guide, "5 Ways to Maximise Your Career Break", packed with practical tips and soulful insights to help you pause with purpose and return with clarity. Whether you're dreaming, planning, or already on sabbatical, this is your essential companion.👉 Grab your free copy ⁠here⁠Guest bio: Namrata is a Lead Product Manager with over 11 years of experience building and scaling subscription, payments and monetisation platforms across both consumer and B2B products. During her sabbatical, Namrata channelled her product expertise into entrepreneurship, founding Sing & Tea, a pop-up series that brings 6 strangers together in cozy corners of Bengaluru for unfiltered heart-to-heart conversations over Chia.With special thanks to: Aunty B at The Flaxen, our amazing, talented and patient producer whose expertise helps make this podcast shine. Nicky Sweetland, our brilliant creative force behind all things social media and visual, whose eye for detail and design brings the podcast to life beyond the mic.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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    40 mins
  • Why Community Matters on a Sabbatical or Career Break and how Breakspace Supports You Through Time Off

    Why Community Matters on a Sabbatical or Career Break and how Breakspace Supports You Through Time Off
    Apr 6 2026
    In this very special bonus episode of Sabbatical Stories we welcome back Katrina McGee and Lyndall Farley. Joining Bex, three of the most respected minds and coaches in the sabbatical and career break space explore why community, accountability and shared experience are often the missing ingredients in a truly transformative career break.Listeners get instant access to join BreakSpace here:👉 https://www.gobreakspace.com/join/You’ll also receive 30% off your first month when you use the code:BEX30Be sure to enter BEX30 at checkout, this not only gives you the discount but also allows the BreakSpace team to track your membership back to Sabbatical Stories.TimestampsTo followOther episodes you may enjoy: How to take a career break like a pro: Katerina McGee, The Queen of time offFrom Career Break to Creative Passion: How Santosh Mahale Rediscovered Art During His SabbaticalGet in touch: If you are interested in sharing your sabbatical story, we would love to hear from you. Buzz us a DM on Instagram - ⁠@Sabbatical_Stories⁠ or reach out on LinkedIn - ⁠Bex Thomas.⁠Career transition, sabbatical and career break coaching: As a career transition, sabbatical, and career break coach, I inspire, challenge, and support people like you to create a life that feels deeply aligned with your values, dreams, and authentic self. Whether you’re craving a new direction, a chance to pause, or the courage to pursue what really matters, I’m here to guide you toward your own version of success on your terms.Together, we’ll break free from societal blueprints, rewrite the rules, and design a future you’re excited to wake up to. Learn more ⁠here⁠💫 Ready to make the most of your time away from work? Download my free guide, "5 Ways to Maximise Your Career Break", packed with practical tips and soulful insights to help you pause with purpose and return with clarity. Whether you're dreaming, planning, or already on sabbatical, this is your essential companion.👉 Grab your free copy ⁠here⁠Guest bio: If you’re thinking of taking a sabbatical, you don’t have to do it alone. BreakSpace is the community for Career Breakers and Sabbatical Takers that gives you a complete support system to make the most of your sabbatical. It gives you access to supportive coaches, step-by-step courses and resources, expert-led masterclasses and a community of people who ‘get it’. It’s everything you need to plan your break, recharge, design what’s next and return to a career and life you love.We have a special deal for Listeners as wellWe can give you INSTANT access (skip the waitlist!) and get a 30% discount on your first month.Use this link to skip the waitlist and instantly join - https:https://www.gobreakspace.com/join/And use this code at checkout for your 30% discount - BEX30With special thanks to: Aunty B at The Flaxen, our amazing, talented and patient producer whose expertise helps make this podcast shine. Nicky Sweetland, our brilliant creative force behind all things social media and visual, whose eye for detail and design brings the podcast to life beyond the mic.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/🎁 Exclusive Offer for Sabbatical Stories Listeners
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    31 mins
  • How to Stay Healthy on a Sabbatical: Using a Career Break to Heal & Navigate a Life Time Goal with Amy Savage

    How to Stay Healthy on a Sabbatical: Using a Career Break to Heal & Navigate a Life Time Goal with Amy Savage
    Apr 2 2026
    In this episode of Sabbatical Stories, Bex speaks with nutritionist Amy Savage about her journey through multiple sabbaticals and how prioritising health became the foundation for both personal recovery and career reinvention.After experiencing a serious accident, Amy was forced to reassess everything: her pace, her priorities and her wellbeing. What followed were intentional career breaks that allowed her to heal, reflect and ultimately pursue studies in nutrition.This conversation explores the powerful connection between health, career break decisions and long-term career change. Amy shares how stepping away from full time work gave her the space to rebuild physically and mentally.We also dive into the practical side of maintaining your wellbeing during a sabbatical especially when travel, disrupted routines and uncertainty can easily derail healthy habits.We dive into:The concept of taking multiple sabbaticals for different life seasonsHow a serious accident reshaped Amy’s relationship with healthWhy self-care isn’t indulgent, it’s foundationalTransitioning back to work after a career breakHow a sabbatical can create clarity for a personal goal and building a purpose-led businessHow to maintain energy and gut health while travellingSupplements and simple nutrition strategies during a sabbaticalHow to create small, sustainable health habits that last beyond your breakTimestampsto followOther episodes you may enjoy: How to take a career break like a pro: Katerina McGee, The Queen of time offHow Life-Changing Sabbaticals and Career Breaks Helped Host Bex Transition from Corporate to CoachingGet in touch: If you are interested in sharing your sabbatical story, we would love to hear from you. Buzz us a DM on Instagram - ⁠@Sabbatical_Stories⁠ or reach out on LinkedIn - ⁠Bex Thomas.⁠Career transition, sabbatical and career break coaching: As a career transition, sabbatical, and career break coach, I inspire, challenge, and support people like you to create a life that feels deeply aligned with your values, dreams, and authentic self. Whether you’re craving a new direction, a chance to pause, or the courage to pursue what really matters, I’m here to guide you toward your own version of success on your terms.Together, we’ll break free from societal blueprints, rewrite the rules, and design a future you’re excited to wake up to. Learn more ⁠here⁠💫 Ready to make the most of your time away from work? Download my free guide, "5 Ways to Maximise Your Career Break", packed with practical tips and soulful insights to help you pause with purpose and return with clarity. Whether you're dreaming, planning, or already on sabbatical, this is your essential companion.👉 Grab your free copy ⁠here⁠Guest bio: Amy is a qualified nutritionist and the founder of The Signature Program, a 4-week self-guided course supporting weight management, sleep, stress and gut health. Her work focuses on helping busy, high-achieving individuals build small, sustainable habits that improve energy, resilience and long-term wellbeing. Amy’s expertise has been featured in Marie Claire and Women’s Health Australia, where she has contributed recipes and practical nutrition insights.With special thanks to: Aunty B at The Flaxen, our amazing, talented and patient producer whose expertise helps make this podcast shine. Nicky Sweetland, our brilliant creative force behind all things social media and visual, whose eye for detail and design brings the podcast to life beyond the mic.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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    39 mins
  • Career Change after a Career Break: From the UN to animal welfare, A Humanitarian Sabbatical Story with Ana Izvorska

    Career Change after a Career Break: From the UN to animal welfare, A Humanitarian Sabbatical Story with Ana Izvorska
    Mar 26 2026
    In this Season 4 episode of Sabbatical Stories, Ana Izvorska shares her powerful career break and sabbatical journey after nearly two decades working in humanitarian crisis response with the UN and Red Cross. After years in high-intensity humanitarian environments, Ana chose to step back and take a sabbatical because she needed space to re-evaluate what impact meant for her next chapter. We explore what motivates someone to pause a mission-driven career, how to plan a meaningful sabbatical, and what happens when returning to work doesn’t unfold as expected. Ana shares how volunteering in animal welfare became a way to prototype future career possibilities, how she mapped out different professional pathways during her break, and why stepping away ultimately reshaped her understanding of freedom, identity and long-term impact. We dive into:What sparked her decision to take a career break after years in humanitarian workHow she created a visual “career map” during her sabbaticalUsing volunteering as a low-risk way to test a potential career changeNavigating the uncertainty of returning to work post-sabbaticalWhat happens when a career transition doesn’t go to planRedefining professional identity beyond titles and organisationsWhy her sabbatical reshaped her view of freedom, exploration and impactTimestampsTo follow Other episodes you may enjoy: Career Break to Career Change: How Steve Duke Pivoted and Rediscovered Joy at WorkHow Life-Changing Sabbaticals and Career Breaks Helped Host Bex Transition from Corporate to CoachingGet in touch: If you are interested in sharing your sabbatical story, we would love to hear from you. Buzz us a DM on Instagram - ⁠@Sabbatical_Stories⁠ or reach out on LinkedIn - ⁠Bex Thomas.⁠Career transition, sabbatical and career break coaching: As a career transition, sabbatical, and career break coach, I inspire, challenge, and support people like you to create a life that feels deeply aligned with your values, dreams, and authentic self. Whether you’re craving a new direction, a chance to pause, or the courage to pursue what really matters, I’m here to guide you toward your own version of success on your terms.Together, we’ll break free from societal blueprints, rewrite the rules, and design a future you’re excited to wake up to. Learn more ⁠here⁠💫 Ready to make the most of your time away from work? Download my free guide, "5 Ways to Maximise Your Career Break", packed with practical tips and soulful insights to help you pause with purpose and return with clarity. Whether you're dreaming, planning, or already on sabbatical, this is your essential companion.👉 Grab your free copy ⁠here⁠Guest bio: Ana is a humanitarian professional with nearly two decades of international experience across the Red Cross, United Nations and now FOUR PAWS. Working in complex environments including Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, Armenia and Mozambique her career has focused on migration, displacement, crisis response and protecting vulnerable communities, often operating at the frontline of global emergencies. Driven by purpose and impact, Ana has dedicated her professional life to serving those affected by conflict and instability.With special thanks to: Aunty B at The Flaxen, our amazing, talented and patient producer whose expertise helps make this podcast shine. Nicky Sweetland, our brilliant creative force behind all things social media and visual, whose eye for detail and design brings the podcast to life beyond the mic.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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    49 mins
  • Career Break to Self-Leadership: Overcoming Burnout & Redefining Success, A Sabbatical Story with Sophia Mikelionis

    Career Break to Self-Leadership: Overcoming Burnout & Redefining Success, A Sabbatical Story with Sophia Mikelionis
    Mar 19 2026
    To kick off Season 4 of Sabbatical Stories, Sophia Mikelionis shares her journey from high-performing finance leader to speaker and facilitator helping women lead with clarity, capacity and sustainable power.After years of being celebrated for performance while privately running on empty, Sophia made the decision to take a career break and sabbatical not because she lacked ambition, but because burnout had become unsustainable.We explore what happens when success on paper no longer feels aligned, how hustle culture quietly erodes identity, and why stepping away can be the most strategic leadership move you make.We dive into:The moment she realised high performance was masking burnoutWhy a career break became a leadership decision not an escapeHow hustle culture disconnects women from their identitySmall, strategic habit shifts that rebuild energy and capacitySetting boundaries without sacrificing ambitionThe emotional reality of transitioning from corporate to entrepreneurshipNavigating reintegration after a sabbaticalLeading with presence instead of productivityWhy self-leadership is the foundation of sustainable successTimestampsto followOther episodes you may enjoy: The Power of Sabbaticals: Ritual & Renewal with Nele VandersmissenDiscovering Inner Wisdom Through a Career Break: Danielle Dacunha-Howarth’s Sabbatical JourneyGet in touch: If you are interested in sharing your sabbatical story, we would love to hear from you. Buzz us a DM on Instagram - ⁠@Sabbatical_Stories⁠ or reach out on LinkedIn - ⁠Bex Thomas.⁠Career transition, sabbatical and career break coaching: As a career transition, sabbatical, and career break coach, I inspire, challenge, and support people like you to create a life that feels deeply aligned with your values, dreams, and authentic self. Whether you’re craving a new direction, a chance to pause, or the courage to pursue what really matters, I’m here to guide you toward your own version of success on your terms.Together, we’ll break free from societal blueprints, rewrite the rules, and design a future you’re excited to wake up to. Learn more ⁠here⁠💫 Ready to make the most of your time away from work? Download my free guide, "5 Ways to Maximise Your Career Break", packed with practical tips and soulful insights to help you pause with purpose and return with clarity. Whether you're dreaming, planning, or already on sabbatical, this is your essential companion.👉 Grab your free copy ⁠here⁠Guest bio: Sophia is a former finance leader who after living the cycle of overdelivering and burnout, learned to lead differently and now teaches other women to do the same. Sophia partners with HR teams, ERG leaders, and L&D departments to deliver workshops, keynotes, and reintegration support that teach women to lead with clarity, capacity, and sustainable power. Her work isn't about adding more to your plate. Her programs focus on small, strategic shifts, tiny habits that help women rebuild capacity, lead with conviction, and perform without overextending.Get in touch with Sophia on LinkedIn or using the links below:gearingtogether.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@GearingTogetherWith special thanks to: Aunty B at The Flaxen, our amazing, talented and patient producer whose expertise helps make this podcast shine. Nicky Sweetland, our brilliant creative force behind all things social media and visual, whose eye for detail and design brings the podcast to life beyond the mic.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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    43 mins
  • Top tips for sabbaticals & career breaks: Highlights from Season 3

    Top tips for sabbaticals & career breaks: Highlights from Season 3
    Jan 22 2026
    In this special New Year wrap-up episode, Bex and Aunty B sit down to reflect on the most meaningful moments from Season 3 of Sabbatical Stories, a season that explored what happens when we step away from work and give ourselves permission to question the blueprint.Across these conversations, we heard deeply human stories about family, identity, money, purpose, and growth. From financial planning and prototyping future lives, to motherhood, fatherhood, ritual, renewal, and building something new on the other side of a break, Season 3 showed that career breaks are rarely just about rest. They’re about recalibration.Whether you’re considering a sabbatical, navigating a career pause, or figuring out how to integrate what you’ve learned back into work and life, this episode brings together the most powerful insights from the season.We dive into:How financial planning can create peace of mind and expand what’s possible on a sabbaticalWhy prototyping life during a career break can unlock clarity and confidenceThe role of gratitude, reflection, and perspective when stepping away from workHow identity shifts through parenthood, and major life transitionsWhat career breaks can teach us about building businesses, brands, and careers that truly fitThe power of ritual, renewal, and intentionally breaking away from inherited career blueprintsWhy time away often fuels deeper growth — personally, professionally, and with relationshipsOther episodes you may enjoy: The truth about career breaks: Research insights from PhD scholar Patrick MazzoccoHow a career break can prepare you for emigration: Liz Ferguson’s sabbatical storyGet in touch: If you are interested in sharing your sabbatical story, we would love to hear from you. Buzz us a DM on Instagram - ⁠@Sabbatical_Stories⁠ or reach out on LinkedIn - ⁠Bex Thomas.⁠Career transition, sabbatical and career break coaching: As a career transition coach and career break coach, I inspire, challenge, and support people like you to create a life that feels deeply aligned with your values, dreams, and authentic self. Whether you’re craving a new direction, a chance to pause, or the courage to pursue what really matters, I’m here to guide you toward your own version of success on your terms.Together, we’ll break free from societal blueprints, rewrite the rules, and design a future you’re excited to wake up to. Learn more ⁠here⁠💫 Ready to make the most of your time away from work? Download my free guide, "5 Ways to Maximise Your Career Break", packed with practical tips and soulful insights to help you pause with purpose and return with clarity. Whether you're dreaming, planning, or already on sabbatical, this is your essential companion.👉 Grab your free copy ⁠here⁠Guest bio: Laura is a seasoned marketing leader turned fractional Head of Marketing with over 15 years’ experience building strategy, process, and campaigns for startups and scaling teams.After a transformative five-month sabbatical across Europe, she traded the corporate grind for a career that offers true freedom helping growing businesses solve big marketing challenges while living life on her own terms.When she’s not leading strategy sessions or supporting clients with marketing, Laura can be found sipping coffee in new cities, dancing at family weddings, or soaking up the Connecticut sunshine with her loved ones.👉 Connect with Laura on LinkedInWith 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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    32 mins
  • Designing a Life Full of Flexibility and Connection after a Career Break with Laura Blagys

    Designing a Life Full of Flexibility and Connection after a Career Break with Laura Blagys
    Nov 20 2025
    In this conversation, Laura shares her honest and inspiring journey from corporate marketing to building a thriving fractional business that gives her the freedom to live and work from anywhere.After 15+ years in full-time marketing roles, Laura hit pause and set off on a five-month “Eat, Pray, Love”-style adventure around Europe. What started as a soul-searching sabbatical became the catalyst for a complete career and lifestyle redesign.Back in Sydney, the idea of returning to a traditional role no longer felt right. Through reflection, courage, and a few key conversations, Laura transitioned into life as a fractional Head of Marketing working part-time with multiple clients, aligning work with joy, and designing a life full of flexibility, purpose, and connection.We dive into:What prompted Laura to take her five-month sabbatical across EuropeThe personal and professional shifts that unfolded during her breakHow she navigated the uncertainty of returning home and job hunting post-sabbaticalThe turning point that inspired her to start her own businessWhat it really means to work as a fractional Head of MarketingLessons in confidence, courage, and creating a life you truly want to liveOther episodes you may enjoy: How to take a career break like a pro: Katerina McGee, The Queen of time offHow a career break can prepare you for emigration: Liz Ferguson’s sabbatical storyGet in touch: If you are interested in sharing your sabbatical story, we would love to hear from you. Buzz us a DM on Instagram - ⁠@Sabbatical_Stories⁠ or reach out on LinkedIn - ⁠Bex Thomas.⁠Career transition, sabbatical and career break coaching: As a career transition coach and career break coach, I inspire, challenge, and support people like you to create a life that feels deeply aligned with your values, dreams, and authentic self. Whether you’re craving a new direction, a chance to pause, or the courage to pursue what really matters, I’m here to guide you toward your own version of success on your terms.Together, we’ll break free from societal blueprints, rewrite the rules, and design a future you’re excited to wake up to. Learn more ⁠here⁠💫 Ready to make the most of your time away from work? Download my free guide, "5 Ways to Maximise Your Career Break", packed with practical tips and soulful insights to help you pause with purpose and return with clarity. Whether you're dreaming, planning, or already on sabbatical, this is your essential companion.👉 Grab your free copy ⁠here⁠Guest bio: Laura is a seasoned marketing leader turned fractional Head of Marketing with over 15 years’ experience building strategy, process, and campaigns for startups and scaling teams.After a transformative five-month sabbatical across Europe, she traded the corporate grind for a career that offers true freedom helping growing businesses solve big marketing challenges while living life on her own terms.When she’s not leading strategy sessions or supporting clients with marketing, Laura can be found sipping coffee in new cities, dancing at family weddings, or soaking up the Connecticut sunshine with her loved ones.👉 Connect with Laura on LinkedInWith 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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    38 mins