Academic Writing Amplified

On today's bonus podcast episode, I'm revisiting the Ideal Week and explaining an up-leveled way to use it to create the career (and life) you want.   If you want spaciousness in your calendar, time to think and read and write, then this bonus podcast episode is for you!   When you create your Ideal Week in our Navigate program, you do so after you have worked through our Activities Alignment proc...

Michelle Espino is an alumna of our Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap® 12-week program. On today's episode, Michelle shares her experience in the Navigate!  More about Michelle: Dr. Michelle M. Espino (she/ella) is a first-generation college student and an associate professor in the Higher Education, Student Affairs, and International Education Policy program at the University of Maryland. She invest...

In today's episode, I review Cal Newport's latest book, Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout. I loved his book Deep Think and recommend it often. I was excited to read his newest work and wanted to relay my thoughts and insights to you!   In Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout, Cal addresses the challenges knowledge workers face surroundin...

In the age of "productivity hacks" and "there's an app for that," you might be pursuing tools for time and project management instead of the actual skills needed for better time and project management.   In Navigate, we teach mission-guided time and project management skills. You will refine your self-trust, self-knowing, and academic mission. These are the basis for the skills you will build in N...

Cindy Cordoba Arroyo is an alumna of our Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap® 12-week program. On today's episode, Cindy shares her experience in the Navigate August 2023 Cohort.    More about Cindy: Cindy Cordoba Arroyo, Ph. D., is an Assistant Professor in the Apparel Merchandising and Management (AMM) Department at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Holding a Ph. D. in Fiber Science an...

Today's episode tackles a topic weighing on my mind: how the sale of attention impacts our writing and publishing endeavors. I delve into the intricate ways social media platforms and apps are designed to capture and retain our attention, often at the expense of our productivity and focus.    Smartphones and streaming services have made access to content constant, posing significant challenges whe...

In today's episode, I discuss embracing seasonality in academia. As academics, we are so lucky that our careers have a natural seasonality, and it's time to leverage it! Whether it's the slow beginnings of a new term or the whirlwind of activity leading up to finals - instead of seeing these ebbs and flows as obstacles, I share why we should embrace them as opportunities for growth and success.  ...

The waitlist for the next cohort of Navigate opens on March 25th! If you have been a frequent podcast listener or are a professor ready to change your relationship with writing and publications, now is the time to get on the Navigate waitlist so that you can be the first to apply to our next cohort!   Today's episode is a Navigate information session. I cover everything from program eligibility to...

In this episode, I explore the universal struggle of managing writing time in academia. Learning how to accurately estimate how long it takes to complete a paper is one obstacle academics must overcome to publish more.    First, I highlight the two non-negotiables for effective writing project management. Then, I present two distinct methods to help you estimate the time required to complete a tas...

In a previous episode, I underscored the importance of cultivating project management skills before investing in a project management tool. Today, I shift focus to those who need to implement a tool into their workflow. I give tips on how to know if you are ready to use a tool and guidelines for selecting the right tool for your needs. A project management tool can be instrumental if you oversee m...

Have you ever found yourself on autopilot, cruising through familiar roads without consciously realizing it? I recently had one of those moments, and it got me thinking about the power of default mode. Our brains love defaults – those ingrained habits and routines that save energy and reduce decision-making.   But here's the catch – default mode isn't just about driving; it extends to our writing...

I am back to working as the primary writing coach in our Navigate Program, and that shift has sparked some new thoughts about writing and academic writing practice. In today's episode, I cover everything from defining the components of an enduring writing practice to the role of writing retreats in clearing out your backlog of papers. So tune in to hear new ideas on:   Defining and developing a wr...

In today's episode, I share the role of writing retreats within the context of the Soaring System—a method I've developed for cultivating a sustainable and relationship-based writing practice. I highlight the significance of writing retreats in the Soaring writing system, addressing common misconceptions and showcasing how they can be a powerful catalyst for deep, focused work. I emphasize the ben...

I am officially launching my new mission statement for Scholar's Voice™! After reflecting on my experiments and expertise over the past seven years, I decided it was time to redefine the purpose, goals, and future of Scholar's Voice™ so I can make long-lasting and impactful changes to the culture of academia.   So, here it is - My mission is to change the culture of academia by radically altering...

Peer-reviewed publications can propel your career. What you choose to publish directly affects your impact on your field. However, the number one problem early academics and tenure-track professors face is pressure to publish as much as possible. Lack of discernment causes overwork and burnout and dilutes your impact.   In today's episode, I'm unlocking the secrets to creating a powerful career im...

Whether it's funding for our Summer Retreat or the upcoming Navigate Program, asking your university to invest in your professional development isn't just about finances – it's about unlocking a world of possibilities for your growth and success as an academic. Too often, professors view asking for funding as a weakness, but I want you to consider how asking can be powerful.    In this episode, I...

In today's episode, I'm serving up some tough love. Too many academics are drenched in victimhood, and in 2024, victimhood isn't the place to be!   So, I am exposing those negative thoughts that keep academics trapped in a victim mentality and sharing ways to transform them into empowering agentive beliefs. We only get to have one working life, and what a privilege it is to do something we are wel...

Finding more time to write will not solve your publication pipeline problem! If you struggle to balance writing and publications, this episode is for you!   Today, I talk about the relationship between writing and your career. There is a strong correlation between publication count and career advancement in academia. If you are listening to this podcast, you were probably looking for a writing coa...

Happy New Year! As we enter 2024, it is the perfect time to revisit my philosophy about creating a 90% awesome career. I accept nothing less than a fantastic career, and this is a privilege available to all professors. Everyone deserves the best career possible, and I want you to be inspired to create a great academic career.    In today's episode, I share the five things that need to be in place...

Welcome to the final podcast episode of 2023! Today, I wanted to connect the podcast's focus on professional development, project management skills, and writing practice development to holiday gift giving. Whether you are searching for the perfect gift for a colleague, graduate student, friend, or family member, my shortlist of book reviews has you covered!   Tune in as I share my five favorite bo...

Have you tried project management tools like Trello, Asana, or Monday but still struggle to get publications out on time? Project management tools will not solve your project management problems. First, you need to develop a robust set of project management skills.    In today's episode, I break down the difference between project management skills and project management tools. I highlight five es...

Are you an academic who is struggling to get articles published? You only need to spend two hours per week writing to clear your publication pipeline. I know two hours doesn't seem like enough time, but trust me - this method is more effective than your current writing strategy!   In this episode, I share why two hours of writing a week is enough. First, I demystify common beliefs about writing th...

Academics come to Scholar's Voice™ and the Navigate program seeking a solution to escape a binge-and-bust writing cycle, redefine their academic mission statement, and clear out their publication pipeline. Writing every day or in long panicked stretches is not sustainable and makes consistent publications impossible.   But today, I want to share how binging can help your writing practice! Scholar'...

Are you looking forward to the upcoming break to catch up on writing? Many overwhelmed professors imagine the break between semesters as a chance to push through their publication pipeline. But avoiding rest by committing to full days of writing is unrealistic and unsustainable.   This episode is a re-release of episode 164 of the podcast and in this episode, I talk about what you can do to elimin...

Dealing with relational drama and toxic relationships is a drain on your energy and inevitably slows your writing and publications. Unfortunately, managing toxicity is a common challenge for professors because the sociocultural structures within academia reward relational drama.    In today's episode, I address the common causes of relational drama in academia. I explain how transitioning from app...