Intentional Pause: Career Breaks and Self-Discovery with the Former CMO of Facebook

New Modern Mom Podcast

In this episode I sit down with an incredible guest, the former CMO of Facebook at Meta, and mom to two, Samantha Wu. A powerhouse marketing executive, Sam has a rich background spanning multiple continents with roles at tech and financial giants like Meta, Amex, and Visa. Not to mention, she even took a detour to attend culinary school, adding a unique flavor to her already impressive background. During our chat, she opens up about what pushed her to take a step back from her fast-paced career, and shares how an intentional pause is giving her a much needed break to reset and focus on herself.

Tune in to hear Sam’s take on…

🌟 The Catalyst for Taking a Pause: Sam discusses the personal and professional experiences that led her to take an intentional break from her career, including the impact of the pandemic, family losses, and the need for a reset after years of nonstop work.

🧘‍♀️ Self-Discovery and Personal Growth: She shares how this pause allowed her to focus on her physical health, reconnect with old friends, and explore new interests, highlighting the importance of investing in oneself.

💡 Lessons from Culinary School: Hear about her decision to attend culinary school amidst her marketing career, and how this seemingly unrelated experience enriched her professional life with new perspectives on leadership, organization, and creativity.

🏡 Necessity of Support Systems: Discussion on the necessity of robust support networks, including childcare strategies like the au pair system, and how these support structures are crucial for managing a demanding career and family life.

🤝 Redefining Success and Career Goals: Sam talks about how motherhood has reshaped her career ambitions, shifting her focus from external validation to personal growth, learning, and making meaningful contributions.

🗣️ Effective Communication and Advocacy: Tips on how to communicate career transitions and personal needs confidently, both to oneself and to others, including the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive peers and mentors.

🔄 Navigating Career Transitions: Practical advice on making career pauses and transitions work in your favor, including being realistic about the challenges and trade-offs involved, and planning for a smooth reentry into the workforce.

🏆 The Impermanence of Challenges: A powerful reminder that all challenges are temporary and that time will always bring new perspectives and opportunities for growth.

Whether you're contemplating a career break or looking to realign your priorities, this episode is packed with wisdom and actionable insights from a seasoned executive who has successfully navigated these waters. Tune in for a candid conversation about the realities of balancing a high-powered role with personal fulfillment and family life.

Don’t miss out on this inspiring episode – it might just be the nudge you need to take that intentional pause and discover a renewed sense of purpose in your career and life.

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About New Modern Mom: You know the dream of having it all – a thriving career, an active social life, present time with your kids, and adventures in travel. But how the F can we actually do it all? Host Barbara Mighdoll chats with other working mom executives on the raw truth behind their support systems, self-identity shifts, productivity, infertility and pregnancy loss, mom guilt, partner dynamics, childcare and even imposter syndrome. We’re exploring how these incredible women are translating their professional superpowers into their personal lives. Because we believe you can have it all, you just cannot do it all. Together, we’re building the playbook for the new modern mom.

The New Modern Mom Podcast is produced by Barbara Mighdoll, Ali Alquiza, and Em Roberts.