Mindful Academy

In the final 2025 episode of Mindful Academy , host Jennifer Askey is joined by consultant and academic life coach Mya Andersen of Student Empowered. The discussion delves into the challenges and transformations faced by first-year college students, emphasizing skills like self-authorship and self-advocacy. Maya shares insights from her work helping students and their families prepare for and thri...

In this episode of The Mindful Academy, host Jennifer Askey interviews Lisa Leander, the founder and CEO of WiBE. Initially launched as the Women in Business Education Network, WiBE has pivoted to a more inclusive mission focusing on where imagination builds excellence. Leander shares her journey of founding WiBE during the pandemic, growing its membership, and the recent pivot to include both men...

In this episode of The Mindful Academy, host Jennifer Askey speaks with Dr. Steve Haberlin from the University of Central Florida. Dr. Haberlin discusses his extensive background in meditation and mindfulness, beginning with his martial arts training in the 1980s, and how these practices have influenced his academic journey. The conversation delves into the integration of mindfulness into educatio...

In this episode of the Mindful Academy interview series, host Jennifer Askie engages in an illuminating conversation with Dr. LaNysha Adams, author and survivor of sudden cardiac arrest, who joins from Albuquerque. They discuss LaNysha's book, her survival story, and the significant leadership lessons derived from her ordeal. The conversation expands into a broader discussion on the principle...

Creating Cultures of Safety and Alignment in Academia In this episode of The Mindful Academy, host Jennifer Askey delves into the importance of psychological safety and alignment within academic institutions. Building on her previous discussion about coaching skills for leaders, Jennifer explores how creating a culture of respect and excellence can enhance psychological safety for staff and facult...

In this episode of Mindful Academy, Jennifer Askey discusses the importance of coaching skills for academic leaders. Drawing on her recent experience with department chairs at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Jennifer explains how incorporating coaching techniques can alleviate the burden of being the sole problem-solver. She introduces key coaching practices like waiting before responding, as...

Stepping into leadership in higher education often comes without a roadmap. In this episode of The Mindful Academy Podcast , host Jennifer speaks with Angela Pashia - coach, former tenured academic librarian, and founder of Lead With Curiosity . Angela shares why every library leader needs a coach , and how adopting a coaching mindset transforms leadership. From breaking free of “vocational awe” t...

In this solo episode of Mindful Academy, Jennifer recaps a series of nine interviews with professionals who have transitioned from traditional academic roles to various supportive and entrepreneurial positions. She discusses the common themes and valuable lessons drawn from these conversations, emphasizing the importance of community, available resources, and the potential for academics to success...

In this episode of the Mindful Academy, host Jennifer Askey interviews Michelle Thompson, Esquire, a coach who assists both academics and lawyers in achieving their professional goals without compromising their personal well-being. They discuss the similarities between the challenges faced by academics and lawyers, particularly concerning overwork and the need to please others. Michelle shares her...

In this episode of The Mindful Academy, host Jennifer converses with Jo Van Every, a veteran in helping academics refine their writing. They discuss Jo's background, career transitions, and her move from Canada to the UK. Jo explains her work with the Academic Writing Studio, emphasizing her methods with neurodivergent clients and her approach to accommodating different writing styles and nee...

In this episode of The Mindful Academy Podcast, Jennifer chats with career coach Jen Polk of From   PhD to Life . Together, they unpack the evolving landscape of academic careers and explore the challenges and opportunities facing faculty, postdocs, and PhDs considering a pivot out of academia.  Jen shares insights from over a decade of coaching scholars as they clarify their values, redefine succ...

How do you bring your whole self into the academy? In this episode, Dr. Raquel Wright-Mair—associate professor, scholar of higher ed equity, and yoga teacher—joins Jennifer to talk about the intersections of justice, leadership, and embodied wellness in academic spaces. They discuss: The realities of navigating higher education as a racially minoritized scholar Why burnout, grief, and stress must...

In this inspiring conversation, coach and creative professional Chris Mitchell joins Jennifer to explore how creatives—especially those also working in academia—can better support and sustain their creative practices. From designing personalized structure to redefining professional identity beyond institutional roles, Chris shares her experience working with artists, performers, designers, and aca...

In this episode of The Mindful Academy Podcast , host Jennifer sits down with Lisa Munro, an academic publication consultant, to discuss the essential yet often overlooked skill of academic writing. Lisa shares her journey from historian to writing coach and dives into the structural challenges of publishing, particularly for women and scholars of color. They explore argument formation, the intric...

In this insightful episode, Jennifer talks with Anna Clemens , a PhD chemist turned writing coach, about her journey from science journalism to founding the Researchers’ Writing Academy . Anna shares how her love of writing during her challenging PhD years inspired her to help other academics write and publish more efficiently—particularly those aiming for high-impact journals.  Show Notes: Learn...

In this episode of the Mindful Academy podcast, Jennifer Askey chats with Jennifer Van Alstyne, an expert who helps academics enhance their online presence. They discuss moving beyond the typical, bland faculty website to create dynamic and authentic online spaces that reflect individual research and personalities.  Jennifer Van Alstyne shares her entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing mindful self-...

As we transition from the Year of the Dragon to the Year of the Snake, we embrace what my friend calls the Do-Over New Year —a second chance to realign our goals and intentions. In this episode, we dive into the idea of alignment —ensuring that the work we do and the ways we spend our time truly reflect our values and desired impact. Joining me is Carole Chabries who is crystal clear about their b...

In our latest Mindful Academy podcast episode, we explore the critical need for institutional change in higher education with Rebecca Pope, author and faculty development expert. Learn about her appreciative inquiry programs and her books, including 'Unraveling Faculty Burnout.'  Rebecca's books: https://theagileacademic.com/books/ Nick Petrie on Burnout: https://nicholaspetrie.com/...

In this episode of The Mindful Academy, Carol Chabries and Jennifer discuss academic leadership. Carol is the founder of the Clario Group, which supports leaders in higher education. They talk about originality and the need for leaders to embrace templates and simplicity. They also discuss the post-pandemic world and the need for leaders to interrupt themselves and give themselves space to think....

In this episode of The Mindful Academy , I dive into the critical topic of mental health in academia, inspired by a recent Nature article that sheds light on the struggles PhD students face. Drawing on my experiences as a coach and former professor, I reflect on how systemic challenges—like financial pressures, isolation, competitiveness, and difficult supervisor relationships—can lead to anxiety,...

In this episode of The Mindful Academy , we explore insights from Dr. Amy Edmondson’s book, The Right Kind of Wrong , on embracing intelligent failure in volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environments.  Learn how persistence, reflection, accountability, and apology can transform failure into growth and foster compassionate leadership. Perfect for leaders, learners, and anyone navi...

In this episode, I share insights from the Institute of Coaching Conference in Boston, featuring Dr. Alicia Moreland-Capuia's impactful work on trauma-aware organizations. Dr. Moreland-Capuia, a neuroscientist, emphasizes the need for compassion in healthcare and leadership, offering a powerful takeaway: trauma-informed support means "hear me, protect me, prepare me, support me, care for...

In this episode of The Mindful Academy , I discuss the role of a coach as a facilitator, specifically focusing on how coaches can assist teams and departments in academia. Drawing on a recent Mayo Clinic Proceedings study, I outline how facilitative coaching differs from traditional corporate training, emphasizing collaboration and mutual growth. The episode explores three key ways coaches can fac...

In today's episode, I discuss how lessons from entrepreneurship can apply to academia, particularly in terms of personal development and overcoming self-limiting beliefs related to marketing and networking. I emphasize that promoting one's work is crucial even in academia, where the quality of scholarship or teaching may not automatically gain recognition without active promotion. I shar...

Episode 5 of the Mindful Action Pyramid Planning Challenge focuses on the practical implementation of the previously discussed planning stages. It emphasizes the importance of habits and routines in achieving goals.  The episode highlights the use of calendars, time management techniques like the Pomodoro Method, and email management strategies to optimize productivity.  It also underscores the si...