Your Words Unleashed

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Leslie explore the surprising perspectives people only gain after leaving academia. After three years outside higher ed, I’ve noticed unexpected shifts in my own habits, mindset, and relationships—so I asked thousands of former academics what changed for them once they left, too. Nearly 100 people responded, sharing candid reflections about work, health, identity,...

Send us Fan Mail What would you do if your inbox filled with threats, your home address was posted online, or your university launched an “investigation” after a viral tweet?  In this episode, Dr. Heather Steffen, director of Faculty First Responders , joins Leslie to reveal how professors can protect themselves from doxxing, harassment, and politically motivated attacks. Dr. Steffen shares: The a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Leslie welcomes back book publishing expert Dr. Laura Portwood-Stacer, author of The Book Proposal Book and the new release Make Your Manuscript Work: A Guide to Developmental Editing for Scholarly Writers . Laura shares her practical, step-by-step approach to developmental editing and how she helps authors create manuscripts that truly resonate with presses and r...

Send us Fan Mail Feeling drained, scattered, or like your brain is running on fumes? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to give up on your writing. In this episode, Leslie shares what to do when your capacity is at rock bottom but you still want to keep your research alive. This episode includes strategies for protecting your mental space, rethinking what “counts” as writing, and tracking small w...

Send us Fan Mail How do you keep teaching with integrity when the ground beneath higher education is constantly shifting? In this episode, I talk with Dr. Brielle Harbin—political scientist, award-winning educator, and founder of Your Cooperative Colleague . Brielle helps scholars, especially women and nonbinary faculty of color, create values-aligned academic lives that resist burnout and grind c...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Your Words Unleashed , I’m getting back to basics—the kind of writing advice that makes the biggest difference for scholars who want their work to actually connect . Too often, academic writing gets stuck in old habits that make our ideas harder (and way less fun) to read. So today, I’m sharing my top writing pet peeves: the little quirks I see over and over  th...

Send us Fan Mail Support the show Check out Leslie's website at www. YourWordsUnleashed.com ! The three ways Leslie can help you with coaching & developmental editing: #1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program . Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized soluti...

Send us Fan Mail Feeling the weight of the upcoming semester? You’re not alone. In this episode, I explore why so many academics head into fall already exhausted—and how you can change that.  I share a simple but powerful three-step approach to reduce your teaching load without sacrificing student learning. You’ll hear why it’s essential to put your own priorities at the center of your semester pl...

Send us Fan Mail Acquisitions editors, developmental editors, copy editors... How many different kinds of editors are there? What do they even do? And what are they looking for in a project? On this episode I chat with Alison Kalett, Editorial Director at Princeton University Press, where she supports a team of six science editors and acquires books in biology. She's been their science editor...

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...