Are you constantly being asked to do more than your role requires because others around you aren’t stepping up? You might be getting pulled into a leadership vacuum. In this final episode of the Leadership Series, I define what a leadership vacuum is and explain why so many mid-career academics—especially those in middle-management roles—get pulled into these gaps. Whether you’re a department chair, PI, or program director, it’s easy to start taking on responsibilities that aren’t technically yo...
Jul 01, 2025•19 min•Season 11Ep. 276
We’re in the middle of a series on academic leadership, and today, I focus on the foundation: leading yourself. In this episode, I unpack what self-leadership really means: making decisions grounded in your mission and values that shape who you become, not just what you produce. I’ll explain why embracing seasonality—intentionally focusing on writing during specific periods while scaling back other commitments—is a powerful way to adapt to the challenges many academics face today, like frozen gr...
Jun 24, 2025•20 min•Season 11Ep. 275
Writing and publishing might feel like individual, behind-the-scenes tasks. But what if your ability to lead in academia starts with how you show up for your own writing? In this episode, I discuss why taking control of your writing and publishing is not merely about checking off boxes for tenure or seeking validation. It’s about developing the leadership skills necessary for success in academia—regardless of whether you have an official title. I examine how consistently committing to your writi...
Jun 17, 2025•16 min•Season 11Ep. 274
Do you cringe at the idea of being a manager in academia? You’re not alone, but it’s time for a mindset shift. In this new podcast series on leadership in academia, I’m making the case that becoming a manager isn’t just likely -- it’s inevitable. In fact, it’s a sign that your academic career is growing, your influence is expanding, and your work is making an impact. In this first episode, I’m laying the groundwork for the series by diving into why academic leadership must include management—and...
Jun 10, 2025•22 min•Season 11Ep. 273
Ever feel like you should know how long a writing task will take, but somehow, it always takes longer (or shorter) than you expected? If so, this bonus episode is for you! After coaching dozens of academics one-on-one in our Navigate program this past year, I’ve developed a brand-new concept that’s transforming how academic writers plan, prioritize, and stick to their writing timelines: the difference between writing problems and writing tasks. I’m so excited to bring this concept into the curri...
Jun 03, 2025•12 min•Season 11Ep. 271
Have you ever looked at your calendar, blocked out a few hours to write, and then… nothing? The blank screen stares back, your cursor blinks mockingly, and you start wondering—how long should this take? Why is this so hard to estimate? In this episode, I’m talking all about one of the biggest hidden obstacles to academic writing success: estimating how long writing tasks actually take. Whether it’s a book chapter, a literature review, or a single figure caption, understanding time-to-task is cru...
May 27, 2025•29 min•Season 11Ep. 271
You’ve developed the project management skills, but now the question is: how do you know when it’s time to introduce a project management tool into your workflow? In this episode, I guide you through determining when you’re ready for a project management tool. I discuss what to look for, how to choose one that addresses your specific needs, and the essential steps to ensure your writing process will benefit from the tool. Building on the skills I covered last week in part one, I’ll help you unde...
May 20, 2025•21 min•Season 11Ep. 270
Are you stuck in a cycle of trying out new project management tools—Trello, Asana, Notion—only to abandon them weeks later? You're not alone. No tool will save your writing or publication pipeline if you haven't first developed core project management skills. In this episode, I explain why building project management skills must come before adopting a project management tool. If you're feeling overwhelmed with your writing tasks, due dates, or collaborative projects, it’s not because you haven’t...
May 13, 2025•31 min•Season 11Ep. 269
Welcome to a brand-new series on Academic Writing Amplified - project management for academic writing! Over the next few episodes, I’ll guide you through how to treat your writing like the complex, ongoing project it truly is. I’ll show you how to build systems that help you manage multiple due dates, balance competing responsibilities, and stay in control of your writing pipeline—without burning out or constantly reinventing the wheel. In this first segment, I’m laying the foundation. I walk yo...
May 06, 2025•28 min•Season 11Ep. 268
Dr. Lauren McCubbins shares her journey inside the Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap® 12-week program. She discusses the importance of continuous learning and the value of a supportive community. 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 back...
May 01, 2025•29 min
If academia has ever made you feel isolated, overwhelmed, or like you are the only one struggling to "figure it all out," you're not alone. In this episode, I dive into the deep-rooted loneliness that many academics experience, particularly around writing and publishing. With years of experience coaching academic women and non-binary scholars, I explore how vulnerability and community are essential for sustainable success in academia. If you’ve ever felt like you’re drowning in writing due dates...
Apr 29, 2025•16 min•Season 11Ep. 267
Katelyn joined Navigate under unusual circumstances: she was trying to figure out the transition into her assistant professor role, after having been a doctoral student and a full-time researcher at the same institution. She wanted support figuring out her academic mission (especially how it would be different from her advisor’s and P.I.’s), and how she could publish her backlog of papers while carving out her own research area. Within the supportive Navigate group, she found that. Though her ci...
Apr 24, 2025•17 min
In a time when higher ed feels like it’s unraveling—when grant freezes, ideological pressures, and job insecurity are shaking the foundations of academia—it’s easy to feel helpless. But you are not powerless. You are equipped for this moment, even if it doesn’t feel like it yet. In this episode, I offer a grounded, honest, and empowering message for academics navigating today’s tumultuous social and political climate. This isn’t about toxic positivity—it’s about recognizing the real threats faci...
Apr 22, 2025•29 min•Season 11Ep. 266
Universities have been around for over a thousand years. They’ve persisted through war, famine, plague, natural disasters, vast shifts in people’s beliefs about them and what they are for. That’s because universities are self-preserving. They adapt. Look right now at how your university is adapting. Are they partnering with you to solve problems? Are they saying “keep your heads down and pivot”? Are they saying “don’t worry we’ve got this” but aren’t actually in conversation with you about how? ...
Apr 17, 2025•33 min
In this bonus episode, I share a featured interview with Navigate program alumni, Dr. Anne Vo. She reflects on her experience transitioning from an administrative role to faculty and how the Navigate program helped her rediscover her academic focus. Anne’s story is a powerful reminder that career transitions—whether leaving or returning to academic life—can be challenging but incredibly rewarding when supported with structure, community, and tools for success. Anne shares her personal insights o...
Apr 15, 2025•26 min•Season 11Ep. 265
In this episode, I dive deeper into the ongoing impact of the current U.S. administration on higher education, particularly focusing on the financial pressures universities face due to federal funding freezes. I discuss how these cuts are threatening the foundation of academic research and what academics can do to take charge of their careers amid this uncertainty. Rather than fueling fear, I aim to provide practical strategies for overcoming these challenges. I encourage you to stay connected t...
Apr 08, 2025•33 min•Season 11Ep. 264
In the concluding episode of the podcast series, Should I Quit Academia, I address how the current US president and administration are impacting higher education. From federal cuts affecting grants and research to reductions in funding to institutions and students, a lot of disruption is happening in academia. During this time of uncertainty, it may seem like quitting academia is more appealing than ever. I give you a series of questions to ask yourself to see if a career pivot is the right choi...
Apr 01, 2025•31 min•Season 11Ep. 263
Have you ever wondered about careers outside of academia? Or are you considering leaving the world of research and teaching behind? Transitioning from academia to a writing-focused career or exploring new ways to get your voice into your industry can be exciting and overwhelming. In today's episode, I am joined by Jennie Nash. Jennie is the CEO of Author Accelerator, a book coaching certification program that works with coaches and writers all over the world. We delve into the power of writing—w...
Mar 25, 2025•49 min•Season 11Ep. 262
Are you struggling with publications and wondering if changing universities will solve your writing problems? Think again! In this episode, I dive into the truth behind the misconception that a new university position will magically unclog your publication pipeline. I’ve worked with professors from various institutions who have held every type of position. I’ve seen first-hand that the real key to unlocking your writing success is not in your external circumstances but in how you approach your w...
Mar 18, 2025•23 min•Season 11Ep. 261
Ready to discover alternative career paths in academia? My latest podcast series celebrates the inspiring journeys of diverse academic women who have created success on their terms. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jane Jones, and she shares her journey from academia to becoming a successful writing coach. With a Ph.D. in sociology, Jane secured a tenure-track position, but after facing several challenges in academia, she decided to leave. Today, she runs a thriving writing coaching business...
Mar 11, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 11Ep. 260
Higher education is in crisis! In today's episode, I explore how academia has been entangled in a fast-paced capitalist model, exploiting faculty and prioritizing output over meaningful academic work. I challenge professors to confront these unsustainable practices and take action to remake and reform their careers. As a scholar, you can break free from the constraints and burnout cycle, redefine your academic mission, and focus on the creation of knowledge rather than institutional requirements...
Mar 04, 2025•29 min•Season 11Ep. 259
In today's episode, I want to challenge how we think about our academic careers. For many of us, our professional lives are heavily defined by the rules of the institution or "container" through which we work—whether it's a graduate program, a tenure-track position, or unreasonable requirements from the university. I want you to flip that way of thinking altogether. Instead of letting your institution or the promise of tenure dictate your path, you can apply your scholarly work to a container th...
Feb 25, 2025•26 min•Season 11Ep. 258
If you're feeling burnt out, overwhelmed, or questioning your place in the academic world, you may have thought about quitting. But you worked so hard and invested so much time into becoming a professor. Are you really ready to move on to a new career? In this episode, I discuss the challenges of deciding whether it's time to quit academia. I share how to assess your current situation, identify the root causes of your dissatisfaction, and explore if there’s a way to make your academic career mor...
Feb 18, 2025•25 min•Season 11Ep. 257
In this episode, I explain how pipeline + practice = flow. Learn how having a clear, organized publication pipeline and a well-defined writing practice can help you consistently move your projects forward and get them out into the world. I’ll dive into why both of these elements are crucial for academic scholars to master and how having a clear plan for your projects alongside an intentional approach to your writing can unlock productivity and creativity. I’ll also talk about an exciting opportu...
Feb 11, 2025•19 min•Season 11Ep. 256
Retreating and binge-writing may seem similar at first glance, but one supports your creative flow, while the other can derail it. So, what's the real difference between these two approaches, and why is one a tool while the other is a crutch? In this episode, I break down the key distinctions between binge-writing and writing retreats. I'll explore the deeper implications of each, explaining why binge-writing often leads to burnout while retreats provide the spaciousness and support needed for s...
Feb 04, 2025•27 min•Season 11Ep. 255
In today's episode, I welcome Dr. Becky Dawson back to the podcast. Dr. Becky has chosen to direct her academic work to public scholarship. She's one of my most inspiring clients, and her journey shows how public-facing scholarship can be a career-defining move and a way to make real, tangible impacts on the community. From regular TV segments to hosting live Q&A sessions on social media, Dr. Becky has built a reputation as a trusted voice in epidemiology and public health. Dr. Becky shares ...
Jan 28, 2025•42 min•Season 11Ep. 254
If you have been eyeing Navigate but thinking “I did NCFDD, I should have solved my writing and publishing problem by now!” you are not alone. NCFDD offers an introduction to managing your academic career. Navigate is a deeper dive, based on a philosophy of self-compassion, self-trust, and sustainability. To transform your writing and publishing, you are never “done” or “fixed.” Writing is a practice, and publication pipeline management changes as YOU change and mature in your career. In fact, e...
Jan 22, 2025•9 min
Academia is evolving, and the upcoming administrative and political shifts in 2025 can lead to feelings of fear and uncertainty. While we don't know the impact of these changes yet, it's important to acknowledge that your relationship with academia and your career may look different over the next four years. Whether you're a researcher, a professor, or in another academic role, how you relate to your work—and how you take care of yourself in the process—will be key to adapting to these changes. ...
Jan 21, 2025•31 min•Season 11Ep. 253
Often, the career of academia can be dehumanizing. Listen to catch the tools that we use in Navigate to humanize your experience in academia. 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 impa...
Jan 16, 2025•14 min
Do you struggle to keep to your writing or project due dates? In today’s episode, I discuss the common problems academics have with setting and meeting due dates. Then, I outline how to set due dates more effectively. By building confidence around these skills, you will get better at setting due dates based on facts and data, not just when you want to turn something in. I encourage you to take the time to reflect on your writing practice. Think about the areas you can develop and get better at i...
Jan 14, 2025•23 min•Season 11Ep. 252
