Taking a Career Break with Katrina McGhee – Details, episodes & analysis
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Taking a Career Break with Katrina McGhee
James Hammond
Frequency: 1 episode/10d. Total Eps: 74

Hey there! Welcome to Taking a Career Break with Katrina McGhee - a veteran career break coach and author of Taking a Career Break for Dummies.
This is your go-to podcast for all things ‘career break’ where each week, we’ll break down insider strategies, create meaningful mindset shifts and share real-life examples so you’ll feel clear and confident about taking a break.
Whether you're dreaming, planning, or in the middle of a break—you’re in the right place to create a restorative, transformative experience. Ready? Let’s dive in!
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.
Recent rankings
Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.
Apple Podcasts
🇬🇧 Great Britain - careers
03/06/2026#67🇬🇧 Great Britain - careers
02/06/2026#89🇨🇦 Canada - careers
01/06/2026#78🇨🇦 Canada - careers
31/05/2026#51🇬🇧 Great Britain - careers
21/04/2026#87🇨🇦 Canada - careers
17/03/2026#57🇬🇧 Great Britain - careers
22/02/2026#100🇨🇦 Canada - careers
18/01/2026#99🇬🇧 Great Britain - careers
09/12/2025#98🇬🇧 Great Britain - careers
08/12/2025#57
Spotify
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See allRSS feed quality and score
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See allScore global : 63%
Publication history
Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.
Introduction And What To Expect From The Podcast
Episode 1
mercredi 9 octobre 2024 • Duration 11:58
In this inaugural episode of 'Taking a Career Break With Katrina McGhee', host James Hammond introduces Katrina McGee, a career break and sabbatical coach. They discuss the unsustainable pace of work culture, Katrina's transformative 20-month career break, and the motivation behind her book. The podcast aims to provide insights and real-life examples to help listeners navigate their own career breaks, emphasizing the importance of mental and logistical preparation. James shares his background and the collaborative nature of the podcast, which is designed to be both informative and engaging.
Takeaways
- High achievers often feel burned out and unfulfilled.
- Katrina took a 20-month career break that changed her life.
- The podcast aims to help listeners navigate career breaks.
- Conversations can be more impactful than reading.
- Katrina's book shares client stories and actionable insights.
- The podcast will explore various aspects of taking a break.
- James has travelled extensively and shares his experiences.
- The vibe of the podcast is upbeat and fun.
- Listeners can expect anecdotes and structured advice.
- The goal is to keep episodes fresh and engaging.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Career Breaks
03:13 Katrina's Journey and Motivation
06:02 The Purpose of the Podcast
08:55 James's Background and Perspective
10:47 Conclusion and Future Episodes
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.
Trailer
lundi 7 octobre 2024 • Duration 00:33
Welcome to the Taking a Career Break with Katrina McGhee podcast trailer.
Each week, there will be episodes on the different facets of taking a career break from Katrina's book with Dummies entitled - Taking a Career Break for Dummies.
We will dissect one little portion of a specific chapter or subchapter to dive deep into crucial topics for you to plan your career break.
If you need help, no need to worry—Katrina is at hand. Book a coaching session today or simply check out Katrina's website and book below.
If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch today to start your journey!
Katrina McGhee's website - https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/
Book your coaching sessions - https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php
Taking a Career Break for Dummies - https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book
BreakSpace - https://www.beyondabreak.com/breakspace
Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Pain Tolerance & Career Breaks: How Much Can You Handle?
Episode 16
mercredi 2 avril 2025 • Duration 24:47
Are you stuck in grind culture, pushing through exhaustion, and ignoring the signs that your pain tolerance might be holding you back from taking a much-needed career break? Many professionals pride themselves on resilience, endurance, and mental toughness, but when does persistence turn into burnout? If you've ever felt guilty about stepping away from work or worried about how a career sabbatical could impact your future, this episode is for you.
We’re diving into the psychology of pain tolerance and career decisions, exploring why high achievers often struggle with taking breaks, even when their physical, emotional, and mental health are at risk.
We’ll break down:
✅ How pain tolerance, resilience, and workaholism are interconnected
✅ The hidden dangers of pushing through exhaustion and ignoring burnout
✅ Why some people feel guilty about taking a sabbatical or career pause
✅ The impact of mental toughness on work-life balance and long-term success
✅ Real-life stories of professionals who took a career break and came back stronger
✅ Practical steps to assess your limits and know when it’s time to step back
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Career Breaks
02:49 Understanding Pain Tolerance
06:14 The Importance of Self-Awareness
09:02 The Consequences of High Pain Tolerance
11:52 Personal Stories of Pain Tolerance
15:09 Strategies for Building Self-Awareness
18:01 The Role of Breaks in Health and Well-being
Whether you’re considering a career transition, gap year, job hiatus, or full career reset, understanding your pain threshold and mindset is key to making healthy career decisions. If you’ve been hesitating to take time off, this conversation will help you reframe career breaks as a power move, not a setback.
🔔 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
Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Is It Selfish to Take a Career Break? The Truth About Rest & Renewal
Episode 15
mercredi 26 mars 2025 • Duration 14:12
🎙️ Featuring: Katrina McGhee & James Hammond
Is taking a break from work a selfish act, or is it actually one of the best things you can do for yourself—and those around you? In this episode, career break coach Katrina McGhee challenges the guilt and stigma surrounding sabbaticals. We dive into why so many professionals struggle with the idea of stepping away, how career breaks can actually strengthen relationships, and why prioritizing your well-being isn’t selfish—it’s necessary.
🔥 In This Episode, We Discuss:
✔️ Why people feel guilty about taking career breaks
✔️ How taking time off can improve your relationships, career, and mental health
✔️ The surprising role partners and families play in career break decisions
✔️ Real stories of people who took sabbaticals—and how it changed their lives
✔️ The mindset shift you need to stop feeling guilty about rest
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
00:41 The Guilt Around Taking a Career Break
02:06 Reframing Selfishness: The Royal Inheritance Analogy
04:51 Real-Life Testimonial: The Client Who Changed His Family's Life
06:47 Gender Dynamics in Career Breaks
11:18 The Ripple Effect of a Career Break
12:36 Final Thoughts: Career Breaks Are a Gift, Not a Luxury
💡 Key Takeaway: Taking care of yourself doesn’t just benefit you—it creates a ripple effect that positively impacts your family, career, and community.
🎧 Listen now and start thinking differently about work, rest, and balance!
🔗 Resources & Links:
👉 Follow Katrina McGhee – Career Break Coach
👉 Join the BreakSpace Community – A support network for people planning sabbaticals
👉 Connect with James Hammond – Podcast Host
📢 Loved this episode? Share it with a friend who needs to hear this! Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review.
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.
How to structure your morning routine and free time
Episode 7
jeudi 21 novembre 2024 • Duration 20:00
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.
Three things NOT to do on your career break
Episode 6
mercredi 13 novembre 2024 • Duration 13:40
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.
How to share the news of your career break
Episode 5
mercredi 6 novembre 2024 • Duration 18:56
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.
Can you afford a career break?
Episode 4
jeudi 31 octobre 2024 • Duration 19:12
In this episode, Katrina and James discuss the importance of budgeting for a career break, emphasizing the need for a well-thought-out financial plan that includes emergency funds and ongoing expenses. They explore the concept of viewing a career break as an investment in personal well-being and fulfilment, encouraging listeners to reflect on their financial readiness and the true costs of taking a break. The conversation highlights the significance of intentional spending and the necessity of preparing for the break and reentry into the workforce.
Takeaways
Budgeting is crucial for a successful career break.
Consider all potential expenses, including emergencies.
Separate your finances into different buckets for clarity.
Discipline in spending helps maintain your budget.
View your career break as an investment in yourself.
Prepare for the reentry period after your break.
Intention in spending can lead to better financial decisions.
Reflect on what you truly want from your career break.
Emergency funds are essential for unexpected situations.
It's important to ask if you can afford a break.
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.
What to do on your career break and travel tips
Episode 3
jeudi 24 octobre 2024 • Duration 14:00
In this episode of Taking a Career Break with Katrina McGee, podcast host James Hammond and career break coach Katrina dive into the essentials of planning your time off. They discuss how to decide what to do on your career break, the importance of aligning your goals with your personal priorities, and offer practical travel tips for those looking to take an extended trip. Katrina emphasizes the value of creating a clear purpose and themes for your break to ensure it’s meaningful and successful. They also explore the financial implications of fast vs. slow travel and how careful planning can help make a career break more affordable. This episode is the first part of a two-part series, with the second half focusing on budgeting for your break. Tune in for tips on how to make your career break a fulfilling and cost-effective experience!
Takeaways
- Social media can create unrealistic expectations about career breaks.
- Mid-career individuals may feel financially constrained from taking breaks.
- Having a plan is crucial for a successful career break.
- Understanding personal goals helps in deciding activities for the break.
- Prioritizing experiences can enhance the quality of the break.
- Slow travel can significantly reduce costs.
- Researching destinations helps in budgeting effectively.
- Accommodations can vary greatly in price depending on the season.
- Joining a community can provide support for career breakers.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Career Breaks
01:03 Understanding the Financial Implications
04:46 Deciding What to Do on Your Break
07:35 The Importance of Travel Planning
12:00 Budgeting for Your Travel Experience
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.
Embarking on a new career path or becoming self-employed
Episode 2
mercredi 16 octobre 2024 • Duration 18:06
In this episode, Katrina McGhee and James Hammond discuss the transformative power of taking a career break. They explore the reasons why individuals seek new career paths or self-employment, particularly in the wake of COVID-19. The conversation delves into the potential opportunities that arise during a break, including professional development, networking, and self-employment. They also address the risks of combining passion with work and outline various post-break options for achieving a fulfilling career.
Takeaways
- Many people seek change when their current path no longer fulfills them.
- COVID-19 intensified feelings of burnout and dissatisfaction.
- A career break can provide time for reflection and exploration.
- Professional development should be a focus during a break.
- Networking can lead to new opportunities and ideas.
- Self-employment can be explored during a career break.
- Combining passion with work can lead to challenges.
- Post-break options include part-time work and semi-retirement.
- It's important to prioritize rest and restoration at the beginning of a break.
- Life is too short to remain in unfulfilling jobs.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Career Breaks
01:23 The Desire for Change
05:24 Exploring New Possibilities
10:09 Navigating Self-Employment
14:38 Post-Break Options and Strategies
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.









