Higher Vibrations in Higher Education

Dr. Viola Lanier is the epitome of a healthy form of busy-- working as a medical liaison, leading a non-profit, and being present with her family. Each of these roles lights her up and lets her know she's using her degree to be of service to others. We dive into the mis-education society has around different terminal degrees and the roles each type of "doctor" plays in your cancer journey. We spec...

Lauren Mason is the creator and academic behind the platform Lauren Finds a Way.  Her academic Instragram includes curated content while her youtube channel shows more of the day-to-day PhD student vibes. Her goal is to share nuance behind the beauty of education. Lauren encourages us to embrace all parts of you and reminders to create patterns and habits that help you ground and find stillness wi...

Stacy Hemingway is a yoga teacher, practitioner, and philosopher who deeply engages in the ancient aspects of yoga in a modern (but contemplative!) space: the K-12 classroom. Her goal is to equip young people with yoga for the inquiry of the classroom of life—to learn who we are, stay in the seat of the learner, and grow. Stacy developed a 12-module yoga curriculum that aligns with the Social Emot...

Dr. Maike Neuhaus is a digital nomad and flourishing coach who aims to help us identify “what am I happy to struggle with” to guide us into a growth mindset. Her research background is in positive psychology and self-leadership. She helps individuals and organizations understand what humans need to flourish to create impacts that excite them in life or at work. She broadens our minds in terms of d...

Dr. Alison Miller is an academic entrepreneur with a PhD in clinical psychology. Over the last 23 years, she has served graduate students by helping them learn to "work in a way that works." We have a heart-centered and candid conversation about the psychologically damaging aspects of the academy that can be changed, one dissertation at a time.  Dr. Miller knew she was allergic to academic culture...

Don't wait until you hear permission to be yourself from someone else. Don't wait for graduation, promotion, rewards, grants, publications or any other external validation of who you are to step into your work, fully you, fully alive. Happy wrap of season 1. Can't wait to see how we flourish.

Fionna Boyle is a professional Mariner and naval officer—and also my cousin. She helped me revamp my entire calendar and perspective of work—in October of 2021. It’s taken over two years to get to a place of balance. We've learned a lot along the way and share some anecdotes here, in this episode. Overall, we discuss the influence of each person—their experiences, their grief, their values, their...

May these practices help you show up who, what, & how you want to be. Start "A" practice Be ready to evolve, slowly Define or redefine what "it" means to you (it: health, yoga, success) Bonus tip: Create your own rules; embrace intimacy (in to me see) with yourself.  

Noelle Whittington, E-RYT500, YACEP, has been a yoga Teacher since 2006, is the author of Morning and Evening Affirmation Journal, creator of Soul Alchemy Course, and has been a Yoga Teacher Trainer and mentor for Yoga studios since 2012. She wrote, produced, and performed the Mother Ocean theme song for HVHE. We do a deep dive into the layers and aspects of yoga that have helped us reach our curr...

Physically, mentally, and socially creating compassion for self and others. An introduction to the heart chakra associate with the color green and the element of air... And the practices of compassion for self and others. We can use the metta (Pali word for benevolence, friendliness, affection, or kindness) meditation to radiate love for self, loved ones, people we don't know, and people who chall...

Borsika Rabin, PhD, MPH, PharmD* is a leader in the field of Dissemination and Implementation Science. When asked to explain the science, she shares that we are focused on “why certain solutions get used or not used in practice.” We talk about solutions to building connection, acceptance, and a culture of health—within academia, across sectors, and in our own conversations and hearts.  Highlights...

Sarah Wang is a dual MD-PhD student at the University of Virginia. She is also a patient advocate for the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), where we met. I was instantly impressed by her thoughtfulness and contributions to the advisory board on which we serve: Clinical Effectiveness and Decision Science (CEDS). In this episode, Sarah shares about a loved one's cancer diagnosis...

Ever have a "got a sec" turn in to 10 min diatribe or a 60-min zoom call running 6 over- back-to-back-to-back so there's no transition time? (Shout out to Dr. Alyssa Gatto in "Trip, fall, and leap into your next step, and let the transition time be gentle" (episode 4).   A reminder to use your throat chakra to get on the same page with your colleagues. Only have 50 min? Tell them. And maybe more t...

Freelance journalist, Meredith Lindemon, reached out to me for my first Virginia Living feature about the Blue Zones—places where the highest proportion of people 100+ years of age live—the article is taking off and bringing new opportunities with numerous organizations. I thought you might want to hear some tips for this dissemination option, too. Know yourself: Are you funny? Be funny! If you’re...

Pull up a chair to join future Dr. Emma Kange and I as we talk about medical school, yoga, and balancing life. My favorite line is, "Doing your best doesn’t mean doing the most." Grad and med school (or work) are demanding, but give yourself permission to take time away—perhaps on the mat, handling errands, or eating a nourishing meal Family and trusted others can help guide us on our paths Be ope...

An introduction to the solar plexus: Associated with fire, the color yellow, self-discipline, and core work. A time to recommit to work life balance. - Niyama: Tapas, fire, discipline, commitment - A perfect time to re-investigate yearly intentions, resolutions, etc. - To resolve means to do something steadfastly. Can you rest steadfastly as well? Take breaks? Create boundaries? - I share an excer...

Dr. Ahlishia Shipley embodies her roles within Family and Consumer Sciences and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) when she posits that, to invest in a healthier society, we start with families: “Families are (one of) the most important piece to society. That’s where people are built.” Yes. Yes, indeed. More about the people, policies, and programs within this episode. Key takea...

Babe- if you need a permission slip to rest, let this be it. You are allowed to take time away from work. True time away from work. Nobody at the end of life said they wish they worked harder. Overworking before you leave work isn’t taking rest The fact that you have a lot to do when you return is called job security Asteya (yama- ethical principles) of non-stealing ... from yourself and your fami...

Dr. David Buys is an associate professor of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion and state specialist for Mississippi State University. His expertise spans farmer stress and health to opioid misuse and participatory research. I left with so many take-aways but two in particular: There’s opportunity to “open our minds and our hearts” and, no matter where you are on your life or career journ...

The sacral chakra is associated with creativity, birthing ideas, sensuality, connection. Some of these terms can seem "not for me". Suggestions for rethinking the narrative- we're all creative beings. Create but let go of outcome—even if your lecture flops, ok. If your grant doesn’t get funded. Ok. You are still ok. I share a bit about my infertility journey as it relates to vibrational energy, re...

This 5 minute reminder and meditation to check in on the notions that: - Most people are just trying to figure it all out - "We're all divine having a human experience" - We'll do things imperfectly - Support is a healing modality - A moment of rest and breathing might help you check in with what you need, ask for help where needed - Someone on your team might need help, too. Does this fit within...

Dr. Jacqueline Kerr is in the top 1% of most cited scientists worldwide. But in 2018, she experienced severe burn out. To survive and start to thrive, she shifted out of academia. Now, she is using this burn out to fuel change in her career, her messaging, and what she's offering to other scientists, especially to moms in research. Some key takeaways are related to: Advocating for multilevel burn...

The chemical factory that is my body is so stimulated. I talked to my husband for hours about how to fix my schedule. It’s only webconferencing that’s the problem. I can be endlessly fueled by my work if it’s not on back-to-back Zooms. I’m breaking the cycle going forward. But, in the meantime, when I have to be on I will: Acknowledge that our bodies haven’t caught up with technology. When we’re o...

Dr. Deborah (Debby) Good is tenured faculty of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise at Virginia Tech. She embodies the tripartite (three-part) mission of land-grant universities via her research, teaching, and outreach. We dive into insecurities in being “on” (looks, words, deeds) in web-conferencing, in front of the classroom, and in any community with which we interact. The conversation walks us...

Dr. Justine Dowd wants you to "heal from the inside out"...and it all started with her own journey. In this episode we discuss that: - Your PhD teaches you how to think and earns you freedom - There is a healing-- recovery and rest-- that most of us need during and after pursuing a PhD. Self-compassion can be a large part of that process - We all might benefit from being careful with commitments s...