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My guest today is Laura Nguyen, a burnout coach and author of Career Break Compass: Navigating Your Path to a Balanced Life Through Intentional Time Off. While her book focuses on taking career breaks by choice, we tackle a question that hits close to home for many creatives right now: What happens when the career break chooses you?

Laura and I address the overlooked idea that even a lack of work can lead to burnout—how the uncertainty, panic, and self-doubt that follow job loss can weigh just as heavily as being overworked. We examine the root of this panic, often tied to feelings of shame and embarrassment, and how these emotions can intensify the experience.

In our conversation, Laura offers actionable steps to regain balance and a sense of purpose, even when downtime feels overwhelming. We also discuss why creatives are especially prone to burnout—exploring the emotional exhaustion, dissatisfaction, and self-imposed pressure. More importantly, Laura reveals the mindset shifts that can make a real difference in moving forward.

Whether you're navigating an unexpected break, feeling stuck, or simply looking for new ways to manage burnout, this episode is packed with insights to help you take your next step with clarity and intention.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

• The moment of burnout recognition for both Zack and Laura and the important realization that it can teach us
• How overwork and self-sacrifice is normalized and how they changed expectations
• How to prioritize self-care in a way that's productive and meaningful
• The difference between voluntary and involuntary career breaks
• Why people can be burned out even when they're not working
• How to get past the panic phase of an involuntary career break
• The different types of burnout and where does creative burnout fit in
• How rest relates to the type of burnout you experience
• Signs of burnout and Laura's burnout questionnaire
• Why creatives are more prone to burnout
• Why Laura believes finding your “purpose” is overrated
• What is the Judgment Backpack and how it helps manage your inner critic
• What are Anti Goals and why should you set them
• What is a Career Matrix and when to use it
• Why it's essential to have a coach
• The importance of community when dealing with burnout

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Career Break Compass: Navigating Your Path to a Balanced Life Through Intentional Time Off - Laura Nguyen

The Burnout Quiz

I Was Tired of Putting My Kids to Bed via FaceTime Every Night. Here’s What I Did About It.

Continue to Listen & Learn

Ep 264: The Dumpster Fire of 2024, Predictions for 2025, and The Future of Creativity | with Zack Arnold

Ep255: Managing the Burnout, Anxiety, & Depression Created By Your “Busy Brain” | with Dr. Romie Mushtaq

Ep254: The Ugly Truth About Burnout (Even When You’re Unemployed), and How to Build Immunity From It | with Dr. Kandi Wiens

Ep170: How to Avoid Burnout and Live a More ‘Effortless’ Life | with Greg McKeown

Severance Is Not Only the Dystopian Future of Workplace Burnout…In Many Ways We’re Already There

Ep232: How to Future-Proof Your Creative Career, Avoid Burnout, and Build a Life Bigger Than Your Résumé | with Christina Wallace

Ep47: The Ugly Side of Depression, Burnout, and Imposter Syndrome | with Gen Malone

Ep64: [CASE STUDY] Overcoming Burnout and Imposter Syndrome | with Chryss Terry

Ep147: [CASE STUDY] From Total Burnout to Shooting for the Moon (Literally) | with David J. Turner

Ep03: The Science Behind Success and Creative Burnout (And Why You’re Approaching Both Mostly Wrong) | with Eric Barker

How I burned out as a burnout coach (and then bounced back)

[CASE STUDY] “What should I do when I’ve been fired from a gig?” with Chris Salters

Guest Bio:

Laura Nguyen

Laura Nguyen is an experienced marketing executive and entrepreneur with an extensive background in data-driven marketing, digital marketing and communications for Fortune 500 companies. She is the founder of Solle Solutions, a marketing consultancy. Laura is also a certified executive coach, helping mid-career, high-achieving leaders go from burned out to balanced through her coaching program and online community.

Laura received her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science at Truman State University, and her Master in Business Administration from Rochester Institute of Technology. She lives in Des Moines, Iowa, with her family.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).