Academic Writing Amplified

• 298: Confronting Feelings Of Shame, Fear, And Guilt About Writing

  Guilt, shame, and fear around academic writing show up far more often than we admit. And for many academics, those emotions become so intertwined with our identity that even seeing the phrase "making time to write" can trigger a full-body "Nope!"  I was reminded of this last week during the National Women's Studies Association conference in Puerto Rico. The conference was beautifully integrated with local scholars, activists, and artists, creating a powerful space for community and reflection.  What surprised me most, though, was the range of reactions people had when they walked by our booth and saw my book. Some people laughed; some avoided eye contact and literally walked (or ran!) away; others said, "You're making me feel so bad." That emotional recoil is exactly why today's episode exists. This week, I'm diving deep into what guilt, shame, and overwhelm around writing really reveal—not about you as an individual, but about the sociocultural and institutional contexts you're working within. If you've internalized the idea that your inconsistent writing practice is a personal flaw, this discussion will help you understand why that narrative is wrong, and how to reclaim the sense of agency you absolutely do have. If you've ever thought, "I should be writing," and immediately felt terrible, this one's for you. Tune in, and let's talk about what's really holding back your academic writing and how to move through it. For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast. 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 print copy today or order it for a friend here! If you would like to hear more from Cathy for free, please subscribe to the weekly newsletter, In the Pipeline, at scholarsvoice.org. It's a newsletter that she personally writes that goes out once a week with writing and publication tips, strategies, inspiration, book reviews and more.   CONNECT WITH ME:  LinkedIn Facebook YouTube  

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• 297: Cathy's Holiday Book Review

  The holiday season is here, and what better way to celebrate than with some great books? In this special 2025 holiday book review episode, I'm sharing some of my favorite reads from the past year, plus one highly anticipated pre-order for 2026.  Reading has always been a way for me to pause, reflect, and explore worlds beyond my own, whether through nonfiction that deepens understanding of our shared humanity, literary fiction that transports you across time and place, or romance and fantasy that just makes your heart smile.  I'll give you a quick overview of each book, why it stood out to me, and what makes it worth adding to your own bookshelf. You'll find titles that challenge your thinking, invite empathy, and offer unforgettable stories, including books that span genres from historical fantasy to creative nonfiction. And I'll highlight one pre-order that I'm particularly excited about, a timely, important, and deeply engaging book that I know will resonate with a wide audience. So grab your cup of tea, settle in, and join me as I walk through my favorite 2025 reads. Whether you're giving books this holiday season or asking for a few for yourself, there's something here for everyone. For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast. 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 print copy today or order it for a friend here! If you would like to hear more from Cathy for free, please subscribe to the weekly newsletter, In the Pipeline, at scholarsvoice.org. It's a newsletter that she personally writes that goes out once a week with writing and publication tips, strategies, inspiration, book reviews and more.   CONNECT WITH ME:  LinkedIn Facebook YouTube  

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• 296: [Mid-Career Series] Using Navigate to Plan for Full: Client Case Study with Michelle Espino (Re-Release BONUS)

  When you reach mid-career in academia, it can feel like you should have everything figured out. But often, that's when the real questions begin.  In this episode, I sit down with Michelle, a mid-career scholar and second-round participant in our Navigate program, to talk about what happens after tenure and how she's redefining success on her path to full professorship.  Michelle shares how Navigate helped her regain her sense of freedom, recalibrate her time and energy, and reconnect to her purpose as a scholar and leader. If you have considered applying to Navigate or if you feel frustrated on the path to tenure, this episode is for you. Listen in to hear how Michelle is creating a more human, grounded, and community-centered version of academic success. For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast. 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 print copy today or order it for a friend here! If you would like to hear more from Cathy for free, please subscribe to the weekly newsletter, In the Pipeline, at scholarsvoice.org. It's a newsletter that she personally writes that goes out once a week with writing and publication tips, strategies, inspiration, book reviews and more.   CONNECT WITH ME:  LinkedIn Facebook YouTube

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• 295: [Mid-Career Series] Leading for Legacy (Re-Release EP 105)

  After tenure, it can feel like everyone is depending on you, from students to your junior colleagues, your co-authors, and even your family.  In this episode, I explore what it really means to lead for legacy at this stage in your academic career. Leadership isn't about taking on more work or moving into administration. It's about how you show up for others while also taking care of yourself. I'll share how to lead in a way that sustains both you and the people who look to you for guidance.  Then, I break down why it is okay to focus your energy on your academic mission and cementing your legacy, even if that means saying no to people who helped you reach tenure. From prioritizing your wellbeing to reshaping your career to be what you want, I challenge you to shift your mindset on leadership. Listen in to learn how to lead for legacy without burning out, and how to model a new kind of success in academia. For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast. 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 print copy today or order it for a friend here! If you would like to hear more from Cathy for free, please subscribe to the weekly newsletter, In the Pipeline, at scholarsvoice.org. It's a newsletter that she personally writes that goes out once a week with writing and publication tips, strategies, inspiration, book reviews and more.   CONNECT WITH ME:  LinkedIn Facebook YouTube  

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• 294: [Mid-Career Series] What Academic Leadership Really Means (Re-Release EP 94)

  Have you been told to "step into leadership" on your campus, only to realize what they really meant was taking on more admin work?  In this episode, I'm breaking down one of academia's biggest myths: that leadership and administration are the same thing. They're not, and understanding the difference can transform how you approach your academic career. As part of our Mid-Career Series, this episode explores what real leadership looks like beyond the tenure track. I share what I've learned about leading without losing yourself to bureaucracy and why leadership is less about hierarchy and more about vision, collaboration, and identity.  You'll also hear what I learned firsthand from stepping briefly into administration and how it reshaped my understanding of what academic leadership really is. Tune in now to learn how to leverage your leadership to build influence, impact, and a meaningful legacy without getting lost in admin work. For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast.   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 print copy today or order it for a friend here! If you would like to hear more from Cathy for free, please subscribe to the weekly newsletter, In the Pipeline, at scholarsvoice.org. It's a newsletter that she personally writes that goes out once a week with writing and publication tips, strategies, inspiration, book reviews and more.   CONNECT WITH ME:  LinkedIn Facebook YouTube  

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