Your Words Unleashed

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever asked yourself, “How much time do I actually need to write in order to make progress?”  If so, then this episode is for you. Whether you’ve been struggling to find time to write this summer or gearing up for the fall semester, you’ll find practical insights and compassionate advice to help you move forward.  Leslie explores the pros and cons of popular strategies and...

Send us Fan Mail In this powerful episode, Dr. Cullen C. Merritt, Associate Professor and Research Director at the University of Maryland, joins me to unpack the often-overlooked issue of service shaming in academia. Drawing from his eye-opening op-ed in Inside Higher Ed , Cullen explains how universities publicly promote service as a core mission—yet internally discourage faculty from engaging in...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Leslie chats with Dr. Jennifer Reich—sociologist, author, and TEDx speaker whose talk has racked up over 1 million views! Jennifer shares the fascinating (and often misunderstood) reasons some parents choose not to vaccinate their kids—and what that reveals about trust, privilege, and how families navigate public health systems.  She also opens up about her journe...

Send us Fan Mail In this re-released episode, I explore a radically different way to think about time and procrastination—one that offers more freedom, not less. Inspired by Oliver Burkeman’s book Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals , this episode dives into why most time management advice fails us, and what to do instead. You’ll learn how to “procrastinate better” by focusing on what...

Send us Fan Mail Feeling burned out before your sabbatical even begins? Dr. Bethany Wilinski shares how to design a sabbatical that actually heals, restores, and reignites your passion for work. From mindset shifts to practical planning, learn how to make your time off truly transformative. You’ll learn: Why burnout changes what your sabbatical should look like How to shift from a productivity min...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 80 of Your Words Unleashed , Leslie Wang walks you through one of her favorite tools for getting unstuck: a simple but powerful future self visualization. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed or uncertain—about your career, your writing, or just life in general—this exercise can help you reconnect with what really matters. Leslie shares how imagining a single day in her l...

Send us Fan Mail What if everything you thought you knew about disability… missed the point? In this deeply powerful episode, I’m joined by Dr. Stephanie Cawthon—educational psychologist, author, and founder of the National Disability Center for Student Success at UT Austin. Stephanie is a force of nature when it comes to challenging the status quo in higher ed and beyond. We dive into her persona...

Send us Fan Mail Are you an academic thinking about leaving the ivory tower but unsure of your next step? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Ashley Ruba , a developmental psychologist turned UX researcher, career coach, and founder of After Academia . Ashley shares her personal journey of leaving academia, the challenges she faced, and how she successfully transitioned into the industry. We div...

Send us Fan Mail Why do so many academics cringe at the thought of self-promotion? In this episode, I dive into why scholars struggle to share their work—and why keeping quiet isn’t neutral anymore. With higher education under attack and misinformation everywhere, I truly believe researchers have a moral obligation to make their insights accessible. But self-promotion doesn’t have to feel like bra...

Send us Fan Mail Is it possible for women of color and other marginalized faculty to be successful in the increasingly toxic culture of the academy? How do we survive without sacrificing personal wellness and well-being?   In this episode, Dr. Roxanne Donovan and I explore these crucial questions and discuss some practical ways we can bring social justice values to our work as teachers, scholars,...

Send us Fan Mail Feeling overwhelmed and mentally exhausted? In this episode, I share how tuning into your body can quiet your mind and restore balance. You’ll learn two simple, powerful exercises to reconnect with your body’s wisdom. These practices are quick, easy, and don’t require any special equipment. If you’re ready to move from stress to clarity, this episode is for you. For more tips and...

Send us Fan Mail Feeling overwhelmed and stretched too thin? You’re not alone! In this episode, I chat with Dr. Brandy Simula—executive coach, leadership expert, and former professor—about how to set boundaries, avoid burnout, and align your work with what really matters. Brandy shares her own journey from academia to coaching, the six biggest causes of burnout, and why “work-life balance” isn’t t...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I open up about the power of taking risks in writing and why it’s essential for creating meaningful, lasting impact. A recent conversation with my mom inspired me to reflect on the importance of sharing personal and political perspectives—even when it feels scary or uncomfortable. I explore two big reasons why stepping outside your comfort zone can transform your...

Send us Fan Mail Why on earth have I invited a financial planner onto a podcast that is mostly focused on writing? It's because academics need more financial literacy and often don't know where to go for solid advice. I've seen many people take a head-in-the-sand approach to topics like money, loans, income, and retirement savings. This avoidance becomes especially pronounced in aca...

Send us Fan Mail In this final episode of 2024, I pause to reflect on the past year and prepare for the next. This episode focuses on the power of reflection through 10 thought-provoking questions that guide you to celebrate your successes, identify challenges, and set meaningful intentions for 2025. Whether you’re assessing professional wins, grappling with setbacks, or reconnecting with your val...

Send us Fan Mail Public scholarship is near and dear to my heart, which is why I’m super excited to welcome Dr. Kevin McClure as my guest in this episode. An expert on college leadership, management, and workplace culture especially at broad-access institutions, Kevin’s public scholarship covers a wide range of topics. His latest book, The Caring University: Reimagining the Higher Education Workpl...

Send us Fan Mail This episode dives into the single most transformative mindset shift that academics can make: moving away from a success/failure binary. We often get caught up in meeting others’ expectations and trying to adhere to narrow definitions of success in the academy. But what might be possible if you created your own definition of success that didn't rely on outcomes or performance...

Send us Fan Mail On today's episode I’m thrilled to welcome Dr. Cathy Mazak, founder of Scholars Voice and host of the Academic Writing Amplified podcast, for an insightful conversation on the unique challenges that mid-career academics face. Cathy shares her expertise on how tenured scholars—particularly women and non-binary faculty—can redefine their goals and build meaningful support netwo...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I dive into why writing in plain language is a game-changer for academics. Instead of feeling pressured to use fancy jargon, imagine connecting with readers by simply saying what you mean. I share a client’s story that shows how clear writing can make research more engaging and powerful. You'll also get  tips on figuring out who your audience is, avoiding the...

Send us Fan Mail When I left the academy roughly two years ago, I had many challenging emotions to navigate. I felt angry, sad, and afraid of what would come next in my life and new business. I was surprised by the depth of these emotions because I had been working diligently towards leaving my faculty position for several years. I also knew I wasn’t the only one. So, in this fourth installment of...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wanted to quit writing your book but felt intense shame and embarrassment about it? In today's episode, I tackle this rarely discussed, but crucial, topic. I share my own personal experiences of stepping back from a significant book project and talk about how the act of quitting can sometimes be the most positive, empowering choice you can make. I offer three ke...

Send us Fan Mail One of the biggest dilemmas academic authors face, particularly when their topic has broad appeal, is the decision of whether or not to publish with a trade press. This is further complicated by how hard it is to find answers, as the trade publishing industry is a whole different ballgame from scholarly publishing. Luckily for you, my amazing guest in this episode, educator, autho...

Send us Fan Mail Are you an academic struggling with writing or feeling isolated in your scholarly journey? In this episode I welcome my friend and writing coach, Dr. Michelle Boyd, to talk about the magic of writing retreats. These retreats provide not only time and space but also a supportive community and practical skills that can transform your writing experience. Michelle is the founder and d...

Send us Fan Mail Are you scared to death about how you're going to be able to get any writing done this fall? If so, join the club! In this episode I'm going to offer you some ideas to help you focus on your own research when you're juggling a million other responsibilities. I'll give you three surprisingly simple questions you can ask yourself to create useful writing strategi...

Send us Fan Mail Are you a woman of color in academia searching for strategies to help you thrive?  What is some practical advice on handling department politics without jeopardizing your career? Look no further! In this episode, I talk with Dr. Katherine Lee, a Higher-Ed Coach, Career Strategist, and founder of Rise With Clarity. We talk about her journey from being a tenured professor to now coa...