More Money Podcast Financial Freedom Through Mini-Retirements - Author of Retire Often, Jillian Johnsrud
Dec 18, 2025
Jillian Johnsrud, an author and coach passionate about mini-retirements, shares her insights on redesigning life to include breaks rather than waiting until retirement age. She discusses the importance of treating careers like interval training to prevent burnout. Jillian provides practical tips on negotiating time off, managing logistics for families, and even how taking time away can enhance future career trajectories and earnings. With a focus on planning and self-advocacy, she reveals how mini-retirements can transform work-life balance.
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Careers As Interval Training
- Mini-retirements let you achieve life goals without waiting for age 65.
- Jillian treated careers as interval training to avoid burning out and sustain long-term productivity.
Define A Mini-Retirement
- Do plan mini-retirements of a month or longer and step away from your primary career.
- Focus that time on something meaningful to you, like travel, projects, or skills development.
Negotiate Or Time Your Breaks
- Try negotiating extended leave with your employer using a structured conversation.
- If negotiation fails, consider timing breaks between jobs or using formal leave (FMLA) where available.