Taking a Career Break with Katrina McGhee – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Episode 21: What Most Career Coaches Get WRONG About Career Breaks

This episode is a rant with purpose. Katrina McGhee is back on the mic to call out the outdated, fear-driven, and downright misguided advice often handed out by traditional career coaches when it comes to taking a career break.

From staying “relevant” to upskilling nonstop and obsessing over your resume during a break — Katrina and James tear into these myths and explain why it’s time to re-center your break around YOU, not your job.

If you’ve ever felt guilty for wanting time off, or unsure how to “justify” your break, this episode is the permission slip and pep talk you didn’t know you needed.

🧠 Key Takeaways

• You’re not taking a break to become a better cog in the machine — you’re taking it to live a better life.

• Let go of productivity guilt and give yourself permission to truly disconnect.

• Reframing your career break as a life investment shifts the whole narrative.

• Not every moment of your break needs to serve your next job — it should serve you.

🎧 In This Episode

• Why career coaches often give bad advice about career breaks

• The problem with “staying connected to your network” during time off

• Why obsessing over your resume and professional development defeats the purpose of a break

• The myth of “falling behind” in your industry — and what to focus on instead

• How to deal with unsolicited job offers or pressure from your LinkedIn network

• The power of real rest, reflection, and self-guided growth

• Why you don’t need to justify your break to anyone

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Intro: Welcome to the Rant Episode
James and Katrina set the tone for today’s discussion—myth-busting common (and harmful) career break advice.

01:28 – The Truth About “Staying Connected” to Your Network
Why trying to stay visible on LinkedIn during your break is a mistake—and what to do instead.

04:56 – Dealing with Job Offers and Messages While on Break
How to handle messages from recruiters or coworkers while you’re trying to disconnect.

07:05 – The “Stay Up to Date” Trap
Why obsessing over your industry during your break defeats the purpose—and how to reframe what “falling behind” really means.

10:07 – The Pressure to Upskill Immediately
Katrina unpacks why you don’t need to jump into courses or certifications right away—and how to tell if self-improvement is coming from fear or curiosity.

14:37 – Resume Justification is Overrated
Stop designing your break for your future boss—what to do instead of chasing resume-worthy activities.

17:30 – Final Thoughts: Center Yourself, Not Your Job
Katrina’s closing message about why you deserve a break centered on you—not productivity, optics, or career milestones.

19:53 – BreakSpace Community Call-Out
Find your people! Katrina introduces BreakSpace, her career break coaching and community platform.

🔔 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

Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.com

🎙️ Episode 20 – How to Talk About Your Career Break
📘 Hosted by James Hammond & Katrina McGhee, Career Break and Sabbatical Coach

Show Summary:
In this episode, Katrina McGhee, author of Taking a Career Break for Dummies and co-founder of BreakSpace, joins host James Hammond to dive deep into a challenge many career breakers face—how to talk about your career break confidently and authentically. Whether you're planning a break, currently on one, or returning to the workforce, this episode explores powerful mindset shifts and strategies to overcome judgment, doubt, and social pressure.

From pre-break anxiety and awkward conversations to managing "What’s next?" questions during the break, Katrina shares real-world tips and a proven 4-step framework for navigating difficult conversations. Tune in for empowering advice that helps you own your decision and find the right words to articulate your break with clarity and pride.

💡 Key Takeaways & Topics Covered:

• How to prepare for conversations before, during, and after a career break

• Why career breaks feel unconventional—and why that’s okay

• The psychology behind fear of judgment and self-doubt

• What to do when people give unsolicited advice about job searching

• Using intentional language to own your decision

• The power of a “purpose statement” and identifying your themes

• How to answer “What’s next for you?” when you don’t have all the answers

• Reframing curiosity as opportunity, not judgment

• Building inner confidence before external conversations

🧠 Katrina’s 4-Step Framework to Navigate Career Break Conversations:

• Build your confidence and conviction – Understand why you took the break and its benefits.

• Own your decision – Speak with intention, not apology.

• Craft your go-to statement – Use your break's purpose to explain your choice clearly.

• Avoid waiting for validation – Surround yourself with supportive communities like BreakSpace.

⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro to the show and topic
01:30 – Why talking about your career break is so challenging
03:50 – Common fears: judgment, shame, and uncertainty
05:40 – Navigating pushback before you start your break
09:30 – What to say when people ask, “What do you do?”
11:00 – Dealing with unsolicited advice and job suggestions
13:30 – How people’s reactions reflect their own limiting beliefs
15:00 – Katrina’s 4-step framework for confidently talking about your break
18:50 – Why you don’t need external validation
20:40 – Final thoughts and mindset reminders

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

Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.com

Thanks for listening!

🎙 Episode 11: Scared-Cited – The Emotion of Taking Big Risks

Welcome back to the podcast! In this short but powerful episode, host James Hammond and career break expert Katrina McGhee dive into the concept of "Scared-Cited"—a mix of being scared and excited at the same time. If you're facing a big life decision, a career break, or a major shift, this episode will help you understand why this feeling is completely normal.

🔹 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔️ What is "Scared-Cited"? – Understanding the mix of fear and excitement when taking big leaps.

✔️ Real-Life Examples – Katrina shares how she felt "scared-cited" when quitting her job to travel and when launching a business partnership.

✔️ James' Take – A surprising realization about why he's rarely felt scared and how that might change.

✔️ Why It's a Good Sign – How "Scared-Cited" means you’re growing, pushing boundaries, and betting on yourself.

✔️ The Money vs. Time Debate – Why success can become a trap and how time is the ultimate currency.

🛑 Thinking about taking a big leap? Whether it's quitting your job, traveling the world, or making a major life change, feeling "scared-cited" is completely normal—and even a good thing!

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

Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.com

🚀 Next Episode: Episode 12 – How to tell you are on a fake break?

💬 Join the Conversation! Got career break questions or success stories? Please drop a comment or send us a message or email!

🎧 Subscribe & Leave a Review – If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow us and share with a friend!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎙 Episode 10: The 3B Framework – How Burnout, Betrayal, and Blossom Shape Career Breaks

Welcome back to the podcast! In this episode, host James Hammond sits down with career break and life coach Katrina McGhee to discuss the 3B Framework—Burnout, Betrayal, and Blossom. If you've ever felt the urge to take a break but weren’t sure why or how, this episode is for you!

🔹 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

✔️ Burnout – Why modern life makes burnout the default and how taking a break can help you reset.

✔️ Betrayal – The hidden cost of staying in misaligned careers and how to reclaim your values.

✔️ Blossom – Why stepping away can help you create a richer, more fulfilling life.

✔️ The "Mega B" Factor – How balance ties everything together and why it’s the key to sustainable success.

✔️ Travel & Career Breaks – Where does travel fit into the 3B Framework?

🛑 Feeling burned out, stuck, or unfulfilled? This conversation will help you understand your motivations and take the first step toward meaningful change.

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

Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.com

🚀 Next Episode: Episode 11 – Is it a privilege to be on a career break?

💬 Join the Conversation! Got career break questions or success stories? Please drop a comment or send us a message or email!

🎧 Subscribe & Leave a Review – If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow us and share with a friend!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

📖 Featured Topic: Page 284 of Taking a Career Break by Katrina McGhee

After taking time off, what happens next? In this episode, James and Katrina discuss the biggest fears people face when returning from a career break: money, perception, and career. They also discuss practical strategies for financial planning, dealing with self-doubt, and making a successful career comeback. Plus, Katrina shares real-life client stories of people who turned their career breaks into life-changing opportunities—some even doubling their salaries!

✅ Money Matters After a Break – How to plan financially, avoid debt, and set up a reentry fund

✅ Handling Perception & Judgment – What will people think when you return? How to frame your break as an asset, not a setback

✅ Career Break Success Stories – Inspiring examples of people who landed better jobs, career changes, and flexible work setups after a break

✅ Lessons Learned from Taking a Break – Why resistance isn’t always bad, and how to trust your instincts when new opportunities arise

📊 66% of career breakers return to the same field – but with more clarity, confidence, and sometimes a higher salary!

💡 Many career breakers land unexpected dream jobs, start their own businesses or create flexible work-life setups they never imagined

🛠 Tactical Tips – How to prepare for reentry, maintain financial stability, and handle career uncertainty

Thinking about a career break? Write down 25 benefits you’d gain from stepping away—even small ones like getting better sleep or reconnecting with family. This exercise can help you see the value of taking time off.

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

Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.com

🚀 Next Episode: Episode 10 – The Three Big B’s Framework (Teaser: It’s a mindset shift that changes how you approach life and work!)

💬 Join the Conversation! Got career break questions or success stories? Please drop a comment or send us a message or email!

🎧 Subscribe & Leave a Review – If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow us and share with a friend!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lyndall and Katrina have opened the second-ever sign-up to BreakSpace, and this is your chance to join this new, exciting group for your break.

Head to BreakSpace to reserve your spot today!

At the time of recording, you have until Sunday, 8th December EOD, to sign up, but if you miss the boat, don't worry. There will be more openings next year, but you will need to watch this space!

Need help with your break? Katrina’s got you covered. Book a coaching session today, join BreakSpace - the new career break community, or check out Katrina's book below. 

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

Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, James and Katrina discuss their personal updates, the growing movement around career breaks, and the success of BreakSpace. They explore how the pandemic has shifted perspectives on work-life balance and the increasing acceptance of taking breaks. Katrina shares exciting news about BreakSpace's growth and the positive impact it's having on its members. The conversation concludes with a reflection on the podcast's growth and listener engagement.

Note—this was recorded on a whim while James was in Antigua, Guatemala, so James's sound is not 100%, but Katrina sounds great.

Takeaways

• There's a growing movement around taking career breaks.
• COVID has shifted perspectives on work-life balance.
• People are realizing the benefits of taking breaks.
• BreakSpace has seen significant growth and engagement.
• The community aspect of BreakSpace is impactful.
• Katrina and her partner sold out their first cohort in two days.
• 100% retention rate indicates strong member satisfaction.
• More people are planning for breaks in their lives.
• The podcast is gaining traction and breaking into charts.
• Listeners are resonating with the themes of the podcast.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates

02:15 The Growing Movement of Career Breaks

07:18 BreakSpace: Updates and Success Stories

12:32 Podcast Growth and Listener Engagement

Need help with your break? Katrina’s got you covered. Book a coaching session today, join BreakSpace - the new career break community, or check out Katrina's book below. 

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

Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Katrina McGhee and James Hammond discuss the importance of establishing a morning routine during a career break, emphasizing the need for self-care and personal pleasure. They explore how to structure free time effectively, balance productivity with rest, and the significance of celebrating small achievements to foster a sense of success and fulfilment.

Takeaways

A morning routine sets the tone for your day.

It's essential to create a practice that feels nurturing and accessible.

Self-care should be about what feels good, not what you feel you should do.

Pleasure should be integrated into your morning routine.

Rest is a crucial part of productivity and creativity.

Celebrating small achievements helps reinforce a sense of success.

Structuring free time can help balance productivity and relaxation.

Time allotments can help manage responsibilities and personal projects.

It's important to be honest with yourself about your needs and desires.

Finding joy in the process is key to maintaining motivation.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Career Breaks and Morning Routines

10:10 Structuring Free Time and Balancing Productivity

18:09 The Importance of Rest and Celebration in Productivity

Need help with your break? Katrina’s got you covered. Book a coaching session today, join BreakSpace - the new career break community, or check out Katrina's book below. 

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

Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Katrina McGhee discusses the essential aspects of taking a career break, focusing on what not to do. She emphasizes the importance of fully disconnecting from work, setting intentions for the break, allowing oneself to rest without guilt, and reframing the break as a valuable asset rather than a red flag. The conversation provides insights into making the most of a career break for personal growth and fulfilment.

Takeaways

Don't stay connected to work during your break.

Set aside time to reflect on your break and goals.

You don't have to earn your right to rest.

Your break can be an asset, not a liability.

Take time to understand your new non-negotiables.

Disconnecting fully allows for true restoration.

A reentry period is crucial for clarity.

Reflect on what you learned during your break.

Your break can make you a more interesting candidate.

Embrace your break as a positive experience.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Career Breaks

00:30 The Importance of Disconnecting from Work

05:04 Setting Intentions for Your Break

07:55 The Right to Rest

12:03 Reframing Your Break as an Asset

Need help with your break? Katrina’s got you covered. Book a coaching session today, join BreakSpace - the new career break community, or check out Katrina's book below. 

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.breakspacecrew.com

Purchase Taking a Career Break for Dummies - https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book

Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of 'Taking a Career Break with Katrina McGhee', Katrina discusses the transformative power of taking a career break and the importance of sharing your news with others. She emphasizes the need for a purpose statement to articulate the reasons behind the break and how to frame the conversation positively. The episode includes real-life experiences and insights on how to navigate the process of giving notice at work, ensuring a smooth transition while maintaining relationships.

Takeaways

• Sharing your news helps set a positive tone for your break.
• A purpose statement is essential for articulating your reasons for taking a break.
• Focusing on what you want to move towards invites support from others.
• Framing your break positively can help you maintain good relationships.
• Giving ample notice is crucial for leaving on good terms.
• Real-life experiences show that giving notice often goes better than expected.
• Being honest about your needs can lead to unexpected opportunities.
• Aligning your actions with your words builds a solid foundation for your exit.
• Encouragement from others can inspire you to take the leap.

Need help with your break? Katrina’s got you covered. Book a coaching session today, join BreakSpace - the new career break community, or check out Katrina's book below. 

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.breakspacecrew.com

Purchase Taking a Career Break for Dummies - https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book

Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.