Great Life Experiment Podcast

DJ DiDonna defines a sabbatical as "intentional extended leave from your job." DJ is a Harvard Business School senior lecturer and the author of Big Time Off: The Transformative Power of Sabbaticals and How to Take One, out now.Planning one, on leave, heading back, leaving to build something new, or facing a re-org you didn't ask for? Monique and DJ talk about sabbatical vs. vacation, regret insurance, and what to do if time off finds you first.Ideas to tryJournal before, during, and after your time away.Spend 30 to 60 minutes alone, no phone, no music, writing what your life wouldn't feel complete without. Then ask: am I making time for this?Picture yourself five to ten years from now. What would you regret not doing? What story do you want to tell your grandkids?Find someone who has taken extended leave.Timestamps(00:00) - Welcome and DJ's background(02:24) - What is a sabbatical, and how is it different from a vacation?(03:53) - What does DJ want to debunk about sabbaticals?(06:04) - Why is a sabbatical "regret insurance"?(09:54) - What are the common catalysts that lead people to step away?(11:27) - When time off is forced on you, how do you reframe it?(14:40) - Monique's 12 weeks off: was that a sabbatical?(18:02) - DJ's answer: functional workaholism and the power of exemplars(21:25) - Why do people resist time off for themselves, even when sabbaticals are normalized?(24:09) - Can you work on a sabbatical, and what counts as work?(27:28) - What if you're driven and need to go now? Do you still need time off?(32:13) - Type A and the gift of time: getting out of your head and into your body(37:41) - Quiet reflection or community: what did the research find?(39:23) - What has evolved in DJ's thinking since writing the book?(44:50) - What first steps can people try?LinksGet the book, Big Time Off: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1668060892DJ DiDonna: https://www.djdidonna.comThe Sabbatical Project: https://www.thesabbaticalproject.orgAsk Monique: https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8Connect with Monique on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniqueschaferThe Great Life Experiment: https://greatlifeexperiment.com/There's no one right way. Let's experiment together.

"You are too old to hire and too young to retire."That's the line a friend used with Monique that sparked this week's episode, recorded (as always) from the car. It's a worry a lot of people in their 40s and 50s are starting to have. If you're feeling caught in that in-between - too experienced for more junior roles or ones that consume your whole life, yet you are not ready (or not able) to stop working - then this one's for you.Monique unpacks where that feeling comes from, why it's more common than you'd think among people with 15-20+ years of experience, and shares one practical exercise you can start today to reconnect with the value you already bring with no resume rewrite required today.In this episode:The real story behind "too old to hire, too young to retire" conversationWhy feeling stuck hits hardest right when you're most experiencedHow to face the market reality (skills, industries changing) without spiralingWhy you're not actually "behind" on AI, even though it feels that wayOne tactical daily exercise to reconnect with your valueWhy your soft skills — and being multi-passionate — aren't a liabilityIf this resonates, share it with a friend who's in the thick of it, and subscribe so you never miss an episode.

PART 3 OF "NAVIGATING CAREER CHANGES": This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the messy middle of career transitions, whether you're contemplating leaving a job or grappling with identity loss after a layoff.Dr. Fishman, a psychologist and former tech researcher, shares his personal journey of grappling with his identity after being laid off from Facebook and his decision to walk away for another 'successful' career that was no longer fulfilling.He emphasizes the importance of embracing your emotions without judgment and recognizing that feeling unfulfilled is a common human experience. You’ll discover how to confront your fears about leaving a stable job, and why prioritizing your happiness is crucial not just for you, but for those you care about.In this enlightening conversation, you’ll gain insights on:- The psychological implications of career transitions and how they affect your identity.- Strategies for navigating feelings of grief and loss associated with leaving a job.- The importance of experiencing joy in the ordinary and redefining what fulfillment looks like.- How to shift your mindset and recognize that your current life may already hold the happiness you seek.Dr. Evan Fishman is a psychologist, former Meta researcher, and founder of The Beloved Institute. After years studying motivation—from academia to Silicon Valley—he realized that many of the world's highest achievers weren't searching for another strategy, they were searching for themselves.Connect with Dr. Evan FishmanLinkedIn | TikTok | WebsiteConnect with Monique Schafer:LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube | Website

In this week's episode of the Great Life Experiment, Monique interviewsKeri-Lynne (KL) Shaw who shares her journey from corporate CHRO to entrepreneur, emphasizing the importance of proactive negotiation, understanding total compensation, and strategic exit planning. This episode offers practical insights for high performers and anyone looking to maximize their career and financial potential.Key discussions in this episode:The importance of negotiation at every career stageHow to assess and maximize total compensationStrategies for proactive exit planning and negotiationsLessons from corporate leadership on salary and equityOvercoming fears and limiting beliefs around money and careerThe role of coaching and community in career successThe impact of market disruptions on career trajectoriesBuilding a business after leaving corporate rolesChapters00:00 Introduction to Keri-Lynne Shaw and her mission01:56 Keri-Lynne's career journey from HR to founder of The Salary Bump03:30 A pivotal moment during the pandemic: realizing her salary was undervalued05:56 How to have a conversation about salary and equity with confidence08:06 The importance of understanding total compensation and benefits11:50 Debunking myths about negotiating later in your career17:09 Practical steps to prepare for salary negotiations22:10 Questions to ask during the interview to gauge compensation26:58 Strategies for proactively exiting a role with a package32:56 The differences between proactive exits, reorganizations, and layoffs36:55 Overcoming fears and mindset blocks around negotiation40:05 Building a community and support system for career growth44:08 The power of sharing behind-the-scenes and authentic stories48:04 Final advice for high performers feeling stuck or undervaluedConnect with KLLinkedIn | TikTok | Instagram | Website | Youtube | Podcast | TV ShowConnect with Monique:LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube | WebsiteAsk MoniqueGot a question that's keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem? 'Ask Monique' is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let's dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together. https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8

Many of us move through life believing our future has already been decided—by our upbringing, our circumstances, our career path, or the rules we’ve been taught not to question. But what if those limitations aren’t fixed at all?In this episode, Monique sits down with Jacob Warwick, known as the “Billion Dollar Man,” to explore how negotiation is really about changing the way we think. Together, they unpack why curiosity is more powerful than confrontation, how challenging predetermined beliefs opens doors to new possibilities, and why the stories we tell ourselves often become the biggest obstacle to creating the life we truly want. Whether you’re navigating compensation negotiation, a career transition, advocating for yourself, or simply wondering what’s possible beyond the limits you’ve accepted, this conversation will inspire you to rethink what’s negotiable—not just in business, but in life. In this episode:(00:00) – Introduction(01:05) – Meet Jacob Warwick: The Billion Dollar Man(04:32) – Why Jacob wants to teach negotiation without using the word "negotiation"(13:39) – The biggest mistakes people make before negotiating(18:45) – Internal promotions, confidence, and advocating for your value(24:54) – The "Predetermined" mindset and challenging invisible rules(26:15) – Curiosity as your greatest negotiation advantage(32:30) – Why "No" is often where the real negotiation begins(35:57) – The hidden cost of success and redefining wealth(39:48) – Jacob's extraordinary personal story and rewriting his own future(48:04) – Responsibility, resilience, and choosing your own pathConnect with Jacob:Substack Publication | https://www.predetermined.com/ Website | https://www.thinkwarwick.com/ Connect with Monique:Website | https://greatlifeexperiment.com/ Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcastInstagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment Ask MoniqueGot a question that's keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem? 'Ask Monique' is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let's dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together. https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8

Burnout doesn’t happen overnight. Long before we reach exhaustion, our emotions, our relationships, and even our bodies begin telling us that something is out of alignment. The question is: are we paying attention? In this episode, Monique welcomes multi-time CEO, Six Sigma Black Belt, and Heartnomics founder Hanna Bauer to explore a new way of thinking about leadership - one that builds resilience before burnout even takes hold.  Drawing from her experience surviving childhood heart diseases, leading organizations through constant transformation, and helping teams thrive through change, Hanna introduces Hearnomics — a leadership philosophy that brings heart and execution together. Rather than seeing emotions as distractions, she explains why they’re some of the most valuable data leaders have, and how learning to listen to them can create healthier people, stronger teams, and more resilient organizations.  Together, Monique and Hanna unpack why sustainable leadership isn’t about pushing harder. It’s about building the kind of resilience that allows both people and performance to flourish long before burnout becomes the cost of success. Whether you’re leading a business, a team, or simply navigating a demanding season of life, this conversation will challenge the way you think about success and what it truly means to lead well. Because the strongest leaders aren’t the ones who wait until they’re burned out to change. They’re the ones who build a life and a leadership that make burnout far less likely in the first place.  In this episode: (03:16) - Understanding Heartnomics: The Intersection of Emotion and Execution (06:53) - Emotions as Data in Business (09:30) - The Role of Emotions in Organizational Health (14:24) - Identifying Signals of Disengagement and Burnout (17:38) - The Importance of Human Connection in Leadership (21:45) - Why Self-Care Is One of Your Greatest Leadership Responsibilities (23:29) - The Power of Deceleration (35:15) - The Heart Framework: How Heartnomics Turns Values Into High-Performing Teams (36:10) - The BEAT Method: Turning Awareness into Action (39:11) - How Resilient Leaders Turn Failure Into Forward Momentum (42:01) - How to Lead with Purpose Instead of Constant Presence Links and Resources: The HEARTnomics CORE Alignment Diagnostic - Free Audit | https://heartnomics.com/#audit  Connect with Hanna: Website | https://heartnomics.com/  LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/bauerhanna/  Connect with Monique: Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/  Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer  YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment  Ask Monique Got a question that's keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem?  'Ask Monique' is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let's dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together.  https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8

You don’t always need more discipline to find your creative spark again. Sometimes, all you need is one conversation.  In this episode, Monique reflects on what happens when creative energy begins to fade under the weight of a full, demanding life, and how, unexpectedly, one conversation can shift everything.  What starts as a reflection on corporate pressure, survival mode, and creative depletion becomes a powerful reminder: creativity is often reawakened through connection, not isolation. And the real shift happens when you stop trying to push through alone, and instead start paying attention to the people, conversations, and environments that bring you back into alignment with your energy, clarity, and creative spark.  In this episode: (01:31) - The Tension Between Corporate Demands and Creative Energy (02:11) - The Subtle Signs You’re Becoming Disconnected (03:18) - The Power of One Conversation (04:08) - Why Community and Connection Matter More Than You Think (04:51) - Simple Ways to Reconnect with Your Creative Spark Connect with Monique: Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/  Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer  YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment  Ask Monique Got a question that's keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem?  'Ask Monique' is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let's dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together.  https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8  

AI is moving fast, and the pressure to keep up can feel even faster. In this episode, Monique unpacks the quiet guilt many professionals are experiencing as AI reshapes workflows, product strategy, and the future of work. From internal company initiatives to the endless stream of LinkedIn hot takes, it’s easy to feel like everyone else has already figured out the tools, the language, and the pace of change.  But the reality is far more nuanced.  Monique shares what teams are actually seeing inside product and business environments — the gap between compelling demos and scalable execution, the tension between speed and business value, and why the real differentiator is not fluency alone but clarity on the outcomes you’re solving for.  In this episode: (00:53) - March catch-up, full seasons, and operating through personal and professional intensity (03:15) - The growing pressure professionals feel around AI fluency (05:12) - The truth about AI adoption: everyone is still learning (07:11) - The difference between compelling demos and scalable enterprise execution (08:13) - Governance, trust, collaboration, and the reality of implementation (10:33) - Why outcomes and business value matter more than the tools themselves (11:41) - How leaders can build confidence through experimentation (12:43) - Progress not perfection Links and Resources:   AI Daily Podcast | https://open.spotify.com/show/32wqFTVolFKfKZ6kPVmHoD   Connect with Monique: Website | https://www.greatlifeexperiment.com Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer  YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment  Ask Monique Got a question that's keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem?  'Ask Monique' is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let's dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together.  https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8

So often we find ourselves frustrated at work, in teams, in family, or in friendships, because someone else isn’t showing up the way we think they should. We get stuck waiting for them to act, to decide, and to fix things. And in that waiting, we surrender the control that’s always been ours.  In this episode, Monique dives deep into the concept of reclaiming your agency, emphasizing the importance of reclaiming personal power in various aspects of life, including relationships and workplace dynamics. Whether it’s navigating constant urgent requests at work, negotiating expectations with a team, or stepping back from relationships that no longer align with your values, this episode is a reminder that you always have a choice, and real change comes when you take action.  In this episode: (01:16) - Understanding “Agency”: The Power of Choice (02:18) - Waiting for Others to Change (And Why That Fails) (03:13) - Identifying and Addressing Agency in Group Dynamics (05:43) - Protecting Your Energy and Structuring Your Time (06:29) - Negotiation as a Leadership Tool (07:17) - Resentment as a Signal You’ve Lost Control (09:00) - When Values Are Fundamentally Misaligned (10:32) - Taking Action: Your Right to Change Links and Resources: Book - Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself | https://a.co/d/01s96IQB  Connect with Monique: Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/  Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer  YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment  Ask Monique Got a question that's keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem?  'Ask Monique' is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let's dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together.  https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8

Leadership isn’t about doing it all. It’s about making clear decisions, defining accountability, and protecting your team’s energy. In this episode, Monique draws insights from a quarterly business review to explore how leaders can prevent cognitive overload while maximizing team performance. She highlights the power of clear roles, well-defined accountability, and strategic prioritization - not just to keep projects on track, but to protect people, sustain productivity, and drive meaningful outcomes.  In this episode: (00:54) - Quarterly Business Review and Leadership Accountability (02:21) - Too Many Ideas, Not Enough Boundaries (03:52) - Action Steps for Clarity & Accountability (06:25) - Delegation and Ruthless Prioritization Connect with Monique: Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/  Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer  YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment  Ask Monique Got a question that's keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem?  'Ask Monique' is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let's dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together.  https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8