Episode 132

July 13, 2026

DJ DiDonna

How Time Away Can Change Your Future | DJ DiDonna

How Time Away Can Change Your Future | DJ DiDonna

Burnout, career uncertainty, and midlife stuckness have become increasingly common, but stepping away may be the key to moving forward.

In this episode, Chip Conley sits down with DJ DiDonna, Harvard Business School senior lecturer, entrepreneur, and author of Big Time Off. After reaching burnout while running his dream company, DJ took a four-month sabbatical that transformed his perspective on work, success, and life.

In this conversation, DJ shares:

  • Why burnout is often a sign that something needs to change
  • How sabbaticals create space for clarity, growth, and reinvention
  • The role of travel, pilgrimage, and reflection in personal transformation
  • Why midlife is the perfect time to reassess your priorities
  • Practical advice for planning a sabbatical, even if it feels out of reach

If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or ready for a new chapter, this conversation offers a powerful reminder that sometimes the most important step forward is taking a step back.

Listen now and discover the transformative power of time away.

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