Social media makes self care look easy, beautiful, and unattainable. What if we could release the aesthetic of perfection and half-ass our self care instead? In this episode, we explore practical, low-stakes approaches to several evidence-based self care practices: journaling, gratitude, meditation, and creativity. If you’re skeptical of self care, or despair of finding time or energy for self care activities, this conversation is for you! Find the transcript for Episode 18, “Half-Assed Self Care for Weary Academics” here. Lots of great ideas referenced in this episode! Pooja Lakshmin, Real Self Care / Interview on NPRLeah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha, Care WorkJournaling: Pennebaker on expressive writing (content warning: sexual assault referenced); Katherine May, “How to Keep a Writer’s Notebook” Gratitude: Bartlett on gratitudeMeditation: the APA’s overview and bibliography of research on meditation Creativity and process art: (SmartHistory on Process Art); my conversation about creativity with Mariglynn Edlins; Artful Parent is a rich resource for process art, pitched to parents andcaregivers but worthwhile for adults, too Petra Kuppers Sign up here to get on the list for my email newsletter! Connect with me on my website / Instagram / or LinkedIn.
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23:52
Kaleidoscope Shift
What tiny shifts could create more spaciousness and satisfaction in your academic life? The breathing space between semesters is a great time to get a bird’s-eye view of your everyday life, on and off campus. In this episode, I guide you through my “Wheel of Academic Life” tool for figuringout your own tiny change, and I share some examples of gentle and meaningful kaleidoscope shifts.Find the transcript for Episode 17, “Kaleidoscope Shift” here. Mentioned in this episode:--Download my Wheel of Academic Life here. --I’m always inspired by Natalie M. Houston’s coaching! --Find more details on Kaleidoscope Shift sessions, or schedule your session here.Sign up here to get on the list for my email newsletter! Connect with me on my website / Instagram / or LinkedIn.
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Finding Presence with Liz Norell
A conversation with Liz Norell about her new book, The Present Professor: Authenticity and Transformational Teaching. We talk about why presence matters in our teaching, how trauma disrupts learning (for our students and for us), and what might unfold when we soften in our academic lives. Liz shares her playful approach to building communities, and her commitment to practicing yoga as a tool for presence.
Find the transcript for Episode 16, “Finding Presence with Liz Norell” here.
Mentioned in this episode:
--Find Liz’s new book here: The Present Professor: Authenticity and Transformational Teaching.
--Follow Liz on social media @liznorell: LinkedIn, Bluesky, Instagram, and at her website, www.liznorell.com.
--Sarah Rose Cavanaugh’s most recent book is Mind over Monsters.
Sign up here for my email newsletter! Connect with me on my website / Instagram / or LinkedIn.
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46:43
Academic Grief with Chinasa Elue
A discussion with Chinasa Elue, grief researcher and grief coach, about the many ways that grief shows up in academic life. We talk about assuming that grief is present on campus and embracing the awkwardness of tending to grief, and we explore what grief leadership could look like on campus (and why academic leaders should cry if they feel like it). Chinasa shares the small actions we can take to create more grief-conscious academic spaces. And throughout it all, we laugh a lot!
Find the transcript for Episode 15, “Academic Grief with Chinasa Elue” here.
Mentioned in this episode:
Listen to Chinasa’s podcast, “Grieving in Color,” visit her website (www.drchinasaelue.com), and follow her on Instagram @drchinasaelue and LinkedIn.
Sign up here to get on the list for my newly-redesigned email newsletter! Connect with me on my website / Instagram / or LinkedIn.
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50:41
What Could We Be Instead of Productive?
What could be possible for us if we let go of productivity as a goal? In this episode, I reframe productivity in
terms of being rather than doing, consider the “Laziness Lie,” and daydream about alternative measures for success this semester.
Find the transcript for Episode 14, “What could we be instead of productive?” here.
Mentioned in this episode:
Devon Price, Laziness Does Not Exist (2021) / NPR interview
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Ireland