The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

The Life-Changing Power of a Sabbatical

Aug 17, 2026 · 48m

Summary

Dr. Laurie Santos interviews Harvard Business School professor DJ DeDonna about the transformative power of sabbaticals, drawing from his book *Big Time Off*. They discuss how extended breaks differ from vacations, debunking myths that they are merely midlife crises or costly for employers. DeDonna shares his personal journey and research showing that sabbaticals boost creativity, confidence, and company resilience. The episode offers practical advice on overcoming financial and logistical barriers to taking intentional time off.

Topics discussed

Intro and Ad Breaks Introduction to DJ Dodonna and Sabbaticals DJ's Burnout Story and Sabbatical Definition History and Prevalence of Sabbaticals Sabbaticals vs. Vacations and Company Benefits Ad Breaks and Mid-Roll Ads Personal Benefits: Healing, Identity, and Regret Insurance Employer Benefits: Retention, Innovation, and Culture Ad Breaks and Mid-Roll Ads Overcoming Barriers: Optics, Family, and Finances Structural Solutions and Pre-Badicals How to Plan and Execute a Sabbatical Parting Thoughts and Final Ads
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