Jenna Fischer explains leaving lead TV roles to reclaim time and launch a podcast

Jenna Fischer reveals she stepped away from lead TV roles after The Office because grueling hours (around 65–70 hours per week) and motherhood made balancing work with family untenable. She chose a steadier, more flexible path through podcasting with former co-star Angela Kinsey (Office Ladies), giving her time for school runs and family while maintaining income. Since then she’s taken on supporting roles (including Mean Girls 2024 and Nimrods) and is cancer-free after a 2023 breast cancer diagnosis.,