Academic Woman Amplified

Welcome to another segment of the podcast series about writing practices and establishing sustainable writing habits in academia. Today, I am discussing how to make and keep a writing date.  As a scholar, you juggle many responsibilities, and it can be challenging to say no when things come up that interfere with your writing date. We allow these "urgent" requests to overshadow the importance of your writing. There will always be something or someone pulling at our time, and we need to learn how to say "no" and prioritize our writing practice. I share strategies to help you build a consistent writing practice by scheduling writing dates in small time blocks during your most productive time of the week. I also emphasize the importance of self-accountability and strengthening your time and project management skills. Finally, I explain how professional development can help establish boundaries around your time and give your writing the importance it deserves. If you struggle to make and keep writing dates, this

I am excited to introduce a new podcast series focused on writing practices. Throughout the series, I will share insights on redefining what writing means in academia, dispel myths about writing, and offer practical advice to help you cultivate a sustainable writing practice. In today’s episode, I explore the true definition of writing. I share why I believe writing is more than just words on a page and how the steps we take to prepare to write are essential parts of our writing practices. I also discuss how mindset impacts writing and give you an exercise to help you start cultivating a more positive relationship with your writing.  If you want to transform your writing practice from a dreaded chore to a sustainable and joyful activity, this episode is for you. Tune in to explore how to make writing a more fulfilling and enjoyable part of your academic career. For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast/240.   CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Our 12-week Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap® program helps tenu

I have worked with many academic women and nonbinary, and a recurring challenge about their writing is that no matter what habits or methods they try, their writing practice is never sustainable. The problem is that sustainable practices are a moving target. Writing habits you relied on during grad school no longer work as you juggle the demands of faculty life, including teaching, committee work, and personal responsibilities.  Today's episode kicks off the new podcast series about writing practices. I discuss what makes any practice and life change sustainable. Through insights inspired by life coach Brooke Castillo, I emphasize how our thoughts influence our feelings, which in turn shape our actions and results. Then, I guide you through a reflective exercise to identify negative thoughts about your writing and work toward replacing those with positive affirmations.  By changing your mindset, you can create a healthier relationship with your writing and foster a more sustainable writing practice. For full

Today’s episode is a re-release of episode 5 of the podcast.  Do you feel excited, happy, and encouraged when you think about writing? Or do you feel guilty, sad, and overwhelmed? Creating a good relationship with your writing doesn’t happen by accident. The secret to writing and publishing more is turning your writing practice into a joyful and positive experience. As part of the Emotions and Writing podcast series, I've chosen to rerelease an earlier segment that explores behaviors that can foster a positive relationship with writing. Throughout the Emotions and Writing series, I've highlighted the detrimental effects of negative emotions on writing, such as guilt, overwhelm, and grief. Today, I'm excited to share strategies that can reignite positive feelings about academic writing and your writing practice, offering you the potential for a transformative shift in your relationship with writing. Tune in to learn three behaviors that lead to a positive relationship with writing. I'll guide you on how to ad

Today’s episode is a re-release of episode 13 of the podcast.  Listen in as I discuss how our jobs as professors are designed to pull us in different directions, making it hard to focus on one thing. Simultaneously working on multiple projects is the default nature of working in academia. When we struggle to manage competing priorities, we experience a perpetual cycle of guilt and overwhelm. In today’s episode of the ‘Emotions and Writing’ series, I dive into dealing with overwhelm and its impact on academic writing. I review the characteristic signs of overwhelm in academia and offer techniques to combat and overcome overwhelm so you can get your writing practice back on track.  Professors, especially female and non-binary scholars, hold themselves to incredibly high standards. This internal pressure, combined with institutional pressure to publish, creates unrealistic expectations. Combatting overwhelm means lowering the bar to realistic standards, planning in advance, and giving yourself grace. If overwhel

Today’s episode is a re-release of episode 12 of the podcast.  Listen in as I explore one of the most challenging emotional obstacles to academic writing: guilt.  Guilt is the biggest killer of writing productivity. When you feel guilty about something, all inspiration or motivation to complete that task evaporates. Who wants to spend time working on something that makes us feel bad? Academics, particularly women, often grapple with the overwhelming burden of guilt when they fall short of their writing goals. In this episode, I not only shed light on the pervasiveness of this guilt but also provide practical strategies to transform your mindset and make writing a more positive and fulfilling part of your academic career. I also review the importance of an Academic Mission Statement as a tool to help reframe your relationship with writing. By clearly articulating the change you want to make in the world through your work, you can start to see writing not as an obstacle but as a central and motivating part of y

Today's episode is part of the Emotions and Writing podcast series. I delve into the topic of grief and its impact on academic work. This episode explores three key areas where grief can manifest in research and academic roles: Loss of Research: I examine how losing access to a research site or experiencing other research disruptions can profoundly affect academic writing. Institutional Loss: This segment discusses the emotional challenges associated with changes in academic institutions, such as mergers or reorganizations. Loss of Colleagues: I cover the grief of losing colleagues and mentors, including the difficulties of continuing collaborative projects or publications after a co-author's passing. Throughout the episode, I share real-life examples from coaching clients and offer insights on how to navigate these challenging situations. I underscore the importance of addressing grief and seeking support to navigate loss. Finally, I offer practical advice for managing grief and its impact on writing

Join me as I continue the conversation about emotions and writing! Today's episode focuses on something we all struggle with: motivation. There is a popular notion that creativity is sparked by a grand moment of inspiration. But that isn't really how academics or creative writers complete projects. I am refuting the idea that writing needs motivation and instead arguing that systems and processes are the key to a sustainable writing practice.  First, I'll clarify the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and offer a checklist to help you identify the root of your motivational issues. Then, I introduce a framework of systems and processes to combat waning motivation.  If you are waiting around for motivation, you will be waiting a long time! By setting up a consistent writing routine and creating an environment conducive to productivity, you can better manage your writing projects and stay on track. So don't wait around for motivation to strike. Tune in to learn practical systems and processes

Welcome to the second episode of the ‘Emotions and Writing’ podcast series. Today, we are tackling procrastination. Procrastination is usually associated with negative self-talk, like laziness or ineptitude. But the real reason behind it is emotional. I start the episode by discussing how academics think about procrastination and why that mindset backfires. Then, I share a framework to help you get out of the cycle of procrastination around a writing project. There is a very close connection between procrastination and emotions. Procrastination isn’t about productivity; it’s about feelings. If you struggle with procrastination and want to get to the heart of the problem, this episode is for you. Tune in and learn how to break through procrastination and get your writing project back on track!   For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast/233.   CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Our 12-week Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap® program helps tenure-track womxn and nonbinary professors to publish their backlog of

I am launching a new podcast series,' Emotions and Writing.' In this series, we will cover the most common emotions people struggle with when writing in their academic careers. After the strong response to our episode, 'You Can't Write When You're Mad,' I was inspired to delve deeper into how emotions influence writing practice.  In today's episode, we discuss the significance of recognizing and addressing your emotions and their impact on your writing. Writing is inherently emotional, and it's difficult to write academic papers when feeling stressed, sad, or overwhelmed. Acknowledging these emotions and understanding their effects humanizes the academic experience.  After discussing the effects of emotions on writing, I outline the topics we'll tackle throughout this series and encourage you to think about how you want your writing practice to feel. Join me on the journey of intentionally creating positive feelings about your writing practice, so you can build the career you want, be more inspired, and maint

On today's bonus episode I'm addressing a thought that might be keeping you from applying or enrolling in Navigate. Fear that you may fail at Navigate? Join me as I address this common fear.    We're receiving applications for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap®! Check out the program details and start your application process here.   CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Our 12-week Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap® program helps tenure-track womxn and nonbinary professors to publish their backlog of papers so that their voice can have the impact they know is possible. Apply here! Cathy’s book, Making Time to Write: How to Resist the Patriarchy and Take Control of Your Academic Career Through Writing is available in print! Learn how to build your career around your writing practice while shattering the myths of writing every day, accountability, and motivation, doing mindset work that’s going to reshape your writing, and changing academic culture one womxn and nonbinary professor at a time. Get your p

The Navigate program takes about two hours per week over the course of 12 weeks: one hour to watch the recorded material and do the exercises, and one hour to attend the live call. Instead of investing in the program, should you just write for two more hours a week? Catch today's bonus episode to hear more about this.   We're receiving applications for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap®! Check out the program details and start your application process here.   CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Our 12-week Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap® program helps tenure-track womxn and nonbinary professors to publish their backlog of papers so that their voice can have the impact they know is possible. Apply here! Cathy’s book, Making Time to Write: How to Resist the Patriarchy and Take Control of Your Academic Career Through Writing is available in print! Learn how to build your career around your writing practice while shattering the myths of writing every day, accountability, and motivation, doing mindset w

You deserve to have the best career possible. If you are struggling with writing and a clogged pipeline, don’t wait for it to get better.  In today’s episode, I discuss why academics don’t get professional development or writing help because they wait for circumstances to change. When you say, “I’ll wait until it gets better,” you are really saying, “I’ll wait until it gets worse.” The “it” is stress, overwork, and obligations.  It isn’t your circumstances that are the problem; it’s your approach to those circumstances. Getting tenure or lessening your teaching load will not change your decision-making process. You have the power now to shift from being reactive to being proactive in your career. Saying, “I’ll wait until it gets better,” is a passive way to approach your career. You spend most of your time at work, so let’s make work 90% awesome. Tune in and get inspired to take action to improve your career experience right now.   For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast/231.   CONTINUE THE CONVER

Working closely with Navigate clients in both Round 1 and Round 2 of the program, breaking writing projects into tasks and estimating how long it will take to finish those tasks has been a consistent sticking point. And finally, a few months ago, I had an “ah-ha” breakthrough to address this sticking point. In today’s bonus episode I explain the latest update to Navigate-which officially joins the curriculum for the Fall Cohort.   We're receiving applications for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap®! Check out the program details and start your application process here.   CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Our 12-week Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap® program helps tenure-track womxn and nonbinary professors to publish their backlog of papers so that their voice can have the impact they know is possible. Apply here! Cathy’s book, Making Time to Write: How to Resist the Patriarchy and Take Control of Your Academic Career Through Writing is available in print! Learn how to build your career around your

In today’s bonus episode I answer the most frequently asked questions about our Navigate program. I explain the structure, content, and benefits of Navigate, including the coaching sessions, writing support, and the application process. If you're considering joining, I'll guide you through what to expect and how to make the most of the program. Join me as I answer common questions and share insights to help you decide if Navigate is the right fit for you.   We're receiving applications for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap®! Check out the program details and start your application process here.   CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Our 12-week Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap® program helps tenure-track womxn and nonbinary professors to publish their backlog of papers so that their voice can have the impact they know is possible. Apply here! Cathy’s book, Making Time to Write: How to Resist the Patriarchy and Take Control of Your Academic Career Through Writing is available in print! Learn how to bui

In this next segment of the co-authoring series, I address common thoughts and problems academics have when writing with students. Working with students is a learning process, a part of the professorship that no one teaches you how to do. The guidelines for co-authoring with students are the same as for co-authoring with colleagues. The main difference is the teaching and mentorship elements, which can complicate the project. Co-authoring with mentees or students offers many opportunities but also comes with many challenges. In this episode, I review the top reasons academics say co-authoring with students slows their pipeline. I advise navigating these obstacles to create a positive experience for you and your students. I also outline the importance of teaching how to write an article. If you are co-authoring with a student and frustrated with the project, this episode is for you!  For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast/230.   CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Our 12-week Navigate: Your Writing Roadm

If you’re a long-time listener, you might be considering the Navigate program, but also wondering, “What else could you possibly have to teach me, Cathy?” In today’s bonus episode I explain why Navigate is right for you even if you have heard every podcast episode.   We're receiving applications for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap®! Check out the program details and start your application process here.   CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Our 12-week Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap® program helps tenure-track womxn and nonbinary professors to publish their backlog of papers so that their voice can have the impact they know is possible. Apply here! Cathy’s book, Making Time to Write: How to Resist the Patriarchy and Take Control of Your Academic Career Through Writing is available in print! Learn how to build your career around your writing practice while shattering the myths of writing every day, accountability, and motivation, doing mindset work that’s going to reshape your writing, and changing

In today’s bonus podcast episode, hear Dr. Noor Sayed as she reflects on the connections she made during the Navigate program and how they helped her face some of the most difficult moments in her career so far. If you are looking for other academics who share your desire to publish your backlog of papers and to live a fulfilling life and career, Navigate is the program for you.   More about Noor: Dr. Noor Syed (she/her) is an Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator of Applied Behavior Analysis, as well as the founding Director of the Center for Autism Advocacy: Research, Education, and Supports (CAARES) with SUNY Empire State University. She has also been named the Turben Director of Autism Advocacy. CAARES' primary initiative is to help SUNY Empire become a fully inclusive and supportive college for those who identify as neurodiverse through a multi-tiered system of support framework; the university was recently designated an Autistic Supportive institution. In addition, Dr. Syed is director of Anderson

Today’s episode is another segment in the co-authoring series. Many academics attribute a clogged pipeline to working on a project with a co-author. This episode is dedicated to discussing the potential obstacles of co-authoring with a colleague and how to avoid delays in publishing team projects. First, I will give an overview of the definition of a publication pipeline. Then, I dive into the reasons academics find it difficult to overcome a clogged pipeline when working with a co-author who is a colleague. I offer practical advice and strategies to navigate colleague relationships while underscoring the importance of refining time and project management skills. Mastering co-authorship is an essential part of academic writing. Tune in to learn how to keep your publication pipeline flowing when co-authoring with a colleague.   For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast/229.   CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Our 12-week Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap® program helps tenure-track womxn and nonbinary profes

Welcome to the new podcast series on co-authoring! Each week, I will tackle a new topic related to co-authoring so you can confidently navigate collaborations and avoid publication backlogs. Today's episode is the cornerstone of our series, Co-Authoring 101. I provide a 'co-author checklist' and detail essential steps you should take before writing with a co-author. I explain the importance of getting to know your co-author, the framework of an effective pre-project meeting, and how to handle ending a co-author relationship. Tune in to learn how to get your co-authoring project off to a good start, maintain momentum, and achieve due dates. Learning to collaborate with colleagues effectively is essential to your academic writing career. Maximize time and minimize stress with these preliminary setup and communication tips!   For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast/228.   CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Our 12-week Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap® program helps tenure-track womxn and nonbinary professors