Episode 1: The Shock of Slowing Down

After nearly three decades at Microsoft, Joy Chik finally pauses.In this first episode of The Knowing Moments, Joy Chik shares the story behind her decision to take a 12-week career sabbatical — not from burnout, but from a quieter realization that something needed to change.Leading a large team and responsible for mission-critical systems, stepping away wasn’t an easy or obvious choice. Joy reflects on the resistance, the responsibility, and the internal courage it took to pause — and what the first few weeks of slowing down revealed.From the mental “withdrawal” of constant stimulation to rediscovering curiosity and redefining productivity without constant output, this episode explores what happens when we finally slow down.Because sometimes the first step toward clarity isn’t action.It’s creating the space to listen.For email updates signup here.For video episodes, visit our podcast on YouTube or Spotify.Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.Send your feedback and suggestions for future episodes to feedback@theknowingmoments.com Logo and other art courtesy of Andy Reddout