Self-Compassionate Professor

I discuss how to begin practicing self-compassion and argue that the deep inner work of self-compassion is essential to re-orienting along a self-compassionate career path. Additionally, drawing on Dr. Kristin Neff's work, I discuss the essential elements of taking a self-compassion break: a) acknowledging your suffering, b) noticing that you are not alone on this difficult human journey, c) showi...

In this episode, I offer an update about Dr. Matthew Goodman's unfolding entrepreneurial career now that he has stepped out of his academic position as well as re-release the interview we did prior to his exit. Based on Dr. Kristin Neff's research in Mindful Self-Compassion, Matthew defines self-compassion, describes its power, the benefits and challenges of practicing self-compassion, and he even...

Dr. Rose Aslan describes the intense burnout she experienced as both a single mother and as a Muslim scholar of Islam during the tumultuous Trump years. She explains how deep rest transformed her relationship to her body, her work, and her life. She now experiences great freedom as a business owner who lives in the city of her dreams. Rose urges others to see the possibilities in their own lives....

I discuss the "space-conscious" philosophy of my one-year group coaching program for academics as well as the ways I help you create daily, seasonal, and even physical space so you can access your inner wisdom, answer difficult career questions, and take focused, values-aligned action toward your big (and often scary) career goals. Registration closes October 5, 2022 (TOMORROW!!!). Program objecti...

Both music faculty, Dr. Emily Martin and Elizabeth McDonald realized their students needed better career guidance than their departments were providing. In response, they founded em2CONNECT to facilitate career clarity, confidence, and connection in artists at all stages of career. Emily and Elizabeth also share about their own career stories as well as their collaborative and process-centered app...

Dr. Isabeau Iqbal describes the characteristics of perfectionism, tells us how perfectionism has shown up in her own life, and explains what we can do to navigate perfectionism so that it doesn't negatively impact our work and personal lives. Should we see ourselves in this description of perfectionism, Isabeau stresses the importance of self-compassion. Find Dr. Isabeau Iqbal here .  (Regist...

In this episode, I explain how staying grounded in your body paves the way to setting boundaries with ease. I explain also how to know when you have unhealthy boundaries, describe how to practice healthy boundary setting, and offer a meditation to begin your practice. Additionally, I discuss what to expect from the Sabbatical Program, which opens its doors again for enrollment on September 22. 

In this all new episode, Dr. Erin McTigue explains how the rigidity of academic structures have created a loss of academic soul. She also discusses  her commitment to finding an academic writing process that is light and enjoyable, her work as a mentor, teacher, and coach of writing, as well as ways to personify your inner wisdom, set boundaries, and turn into your values. Find Dr. Erin McTig...

Last in the "August 2022 choosing wellness series," I re-release my conversation with Dr. Kerry Ann Rockquemore. After having earned tenure, left academia, and built a wildly successful company (the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity), Kerry Ann retired at the age of 45. In this episode, she shares her deep wisdom about how she grew into a life grounded in purpose and health:...

Fourth in the "August 2022 choosing wellness series," I re-release my conversation with Dr. Alissa Ackerman. Alissa describes the healing power of finding her own personal voice within her academic work—a change that facilitated deeper connections to her research, her students, and herself. Having built deeper connections, Alissa found herself better positioned  to offer healing to a wider pu...

Third in the "August 2022 choosing wellness series," I re-release my conversation with Dr. Lauren Broyles. Lauren speaks honestly and openly about the problem of addiction among academic women. As a former addiction researcher and a woman in recovery from both alcohol use disorder as well as work addiction, she speaks about the pervasive problem in academia where women often "outsource" their emot...

Second in the "August 2022 choosing wellness series," I re-release my conversation with Dr. Malik Boykin. Malik discusses the important role "self-authorization" has played in his career as both an academic and hip hop artist. That is, rather than allowing others to direct his path, he authorizes himself to do the things that are important to him: setting big career goals, prioritizing his mentors...

First in the "August 2022 choosing wellness series," I re-release my conversation with Dr. Stacey Wieland. Stacey discusses losing her tenured position to covid, how she has grieved and begun to heal, as well as how the experience has opened her to new insights about her strengths as well as new career possibilities. Stacey discusses the importance of being able to hold both grief and hope simulta...

Last, but definitely not least in the "July 2022 vision series," I re-release my interview with Dr. Liz Smith. Liz explains how women often discount their own potential to run for public office, the necessity for women to be surrounded by a supportive community when taking the leap into a political career, and the challenges of running a campaign. Liz also talks about being called to run for offic...

Third in the "July 2022 vision series," I re-release my interview with Dr. Amani Said. Amani teaches us that doing the inner work of observing and changing our thoughts is key not only to finding peace, joy, and gratitude in the present, but also necessary for paving a dream career. She describes her own career transition journey, explaining that it was not until she became content in her present...

Second in the "July 2022 vision series," I re-release my interview with Dr. Kemi Doll. Kemi explains that we need to clear our own compasses so that we know how to navigate our academic careers with meaning and purpose. She describes how she keeps her own compass clear with self-care, self-examination, taking time with herself, as well as planning and prioritizing her academic work according to he...

First in the "July 2022 vision series," I re-release my episode about career wellness and the nervous system. In this solo episode, drawing on elements of Polyvagal Theory, I discuss how self-care anchors you in a calm and connected nervous system state. I also discuss how for many of us, after a long semester, our nervous  systems become dysregulated and as a result, we become not only  disconnec...

Happy Solstice! During this seasonal transition, I discuss the importance of going inward to process the past, notice where you are presently, as well as imagine where you might want to go in the future. Over the next few days, spend some time processing regrets, longings, and other emotions (and do so with self-compassion!). In the next episode, I'll show you how to conduct your own vision quest...

As we begin to talk vision in the upcoming vision quest episode as well as the upcoming vision workshop on July 13, I re-release my interview with Dr. Jennifer Scott. Jennifer tells her story about turning down her dream job for her  "dream life." She also discusses how her love for teaching sustained her while she was on the difficult academic job market and describes how her post-ac job pre...

So often, when we try to create more space for our needs, wants, and values, our efforts feel overly abstract, slippery, and unsustainable. But in this episode, I explain how--through regular self check-ins--creating space for ourselves can actually be very simple, tangible, and actionable. I show how this disciplined daily practice bleeds into weeks, months, and years, ultimately leading to a lif...

Since being on the show almost two years ago (in Episode 36), Dr. Eric Stephens offers an update about his entrepreneurial journey. At the time of his first interview on the podcast, due to covid, he had lost his job in higher education and was trying to find stability after great upheaval. Two years later, Eric has founded Educators. Network, providing support to educators who are making career p...

Dr. Barbi Honeycutt explains what it takes to be a good teacher, arguing that approaching your students authentically, being willing to learn with a teaching community, and working on your mindset are key pieces among others. Barbi also shares her own career story and what motivated her toward entrepreneurial work. We also talk about teaching and perfectionism, simple assessment, and communication...

The second part of a two-part series, Dr. Sara Taylor explains that academia was a perfect container for her trauma and makes a convincing case for all of us to do the deep inner work required to release trauma, arguing that it affects our career decisions among every other aspect of our lives. In this piece of her interview, she offers examples, questions, and truths to consider as you begin this...

The first of a two-part series, Dr. Sara Taylor describes the work she does today as a therapeutic life coach and shamanic practitioner as well as the ways her academic career was shaped by early trauma. While not conscious of it at the time, with a lot of work, she came to put together her larger life puzzle and understand the bigger picture about why she chose academia and why she eventually lef...

Dr. Melanie Peffer passionately argues for a change in the ways our society navigates pregnancy loss, asserting that as academics, we can use our professional status to open conversation. Melanie shows how she has done this in her own classroom, in her pedagogical research, and on her blog. She also talks about the necessity of feeling and talking about the grief experienced after pregnancy loss,...