From exploring the Great Barrier Reef to riding in tuk-tuks in Thailand and reuniting three generations of family in Ghana, the global sabbatical became what Charles calls a deliberate pause—and a transformative one.
Back home in Canada, Charles turned their story into , a book that’s part travel memoir, part how-to guide for families dreaming of their own big adventure.
From dream to decision
The family’s sabbatical wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision—it was a dream sparked during Charles and Janice’s honeymoon in Brazil in 2011. What began as a wild idea to one day travel the world with their future children slowly evolved into a decade-long plan. “We started saving, simplifying, and making small but deliberate choices until one day the dream didn’t really feel wild anymore,” says Charles.
Even as life moved forward and Charles thrived in leadership roles across the public, private, and philanthropic sectors, a quiet restlessness stirred. “I began asking myself, ‘is this it?’ but more in a curious, searching way,” he describes. I wasn’t looking for more accolades or a fancier title, but I wanted to know if I was living as fully and as intentionally as I could be.”
Travel had always been core to Charles and Janice’s relationship, and their daughters inherited that spirit of exploration. “Kasia’s first steps were in Istanbul and Ayana’s first trip abroad was to Croatia,” says Charles. “We’re a family that never owned a car, so the joke is that they’ve spent more time in airplanes than they have in cars.”
With the world opening up after the pandemic and their daughters at the perfect age, 2024 felt like the right moment to bring their global sabbatical dream to life. Equipped with carry-on suitcases and backpacks, the family of four set off to explore the world. One of the unforgettable highlights for Charles was in Jordan’s Arabian desert, where they camped under the stars with a nomadic family.
The journey presented opportunities to see a new side to his daughters’ personalities and deepened his connection with self: “I’m much more introspective than I’ve ever been in my life. Before, my reflections were always about what comes next instead of what’s going on around me. But life is meant to be experienced, not just endured.”
Charles also learned to let go of what he cannot control, including the unexpected loss of his job when he returned to Canada. “That affected me significantly,” admits Charles. “But as I went through the grieving process I realized, why am I upset? I just had the most amazing experience with my family.”
Sharing lessons from the road
After blogging throughout the family’s journey, friends encouraged Charles to turn his stories into a book. Around the World in Family Days was published by Lucky Book Publishing in early 2025.
Each chapter explores a different country through a central theme, with “pause and reflect” sections inviting readers to apply the lessons of Charles’ experience to their own lives. The book also covers practicalities like budgeting and logistics.
One theme Charles hopes to drive home is that having a family or kids is not a limiting factor when it comes to making a bold life choice. “We often use our families and kids as a crutch to say that we can’t do these things without really even exploring the possibility,” he expands.
And while Around the World in Family Days centres on Charles’ family journey, its lessons apply equally to the professional realm. For example, the book encourages business leaders to prioritize inner well-being alongside productivity and offers strategies for how to work in a way that minimizes burnout. Inspired by his travels and career, he also shares simple strategies to help professionals “reclaim their calendar” by building more micro-pause moments into their day.
Beyond the book, Charles is now Executive in Residence with Capacity Canada and continues to share his family’s story and business tactics through and podcasts. His message, whether to those audiences or fellow 糵 alumni, is consistent: “The most meaningful lives are often built by people who are willing to take a detour. Those who pause, and truly listen, not just to others, but to yourself.”