Libsyn Directory

256: Pipeline + Practice = Flow

Release Date: 02/11/2025

Bonus: "My Situation Is Unique But Our Problems Are The Same”: Finding Community In Navigate

Academic Writing Amplified

Katelyn joined Navigate under unusual circumstances: she was trying to figure out the transition into her assistant professor role, after having been a doctoral student and a full-time researcher at the same institution. She wanted support figuring out her academic mission (especially how it would be different from her advisor’s and P.I.’s), and how she could publish her backlog of papers while carving out her own research area. Within the supportive Navigate group, she found that. Though her circumstances were different, her core problems were the same as the other in her cohort: clarity...

266: You Are Equipped To Meet This Moment

Academic Writing Amplified

In a time when higher ed feels like it’s unraveling—when grant freezes, ideological pressures, and job insecurity are shaking the foundations of academia—it’s easy to feel helpless. But you are not powerless. You are equipped for this moment, even if it doesn’t feel like it yet. In this episode, I offer a grounded, honest, and empowering message for academics navigating today’s tumultuous social and political climate. This isn’t about toxic positivity—it’s about recognizing the real threats facing our institutions and careers while reclaiming our agency, skills, and purpose....

Bonus: Your Relationship With Your Institution In 2025

Academic Writing Amplified

Universities have been around for over a thousand years. They’ve persisted through war, famine, plague, natural disasters, vast shifts in people’s beliefs about them and what they are for. That’s because universities are self-preserving. They adapt. Look right now at how your university is adapting. Are they partnering with you to solve problems? Are they saying “keep your heads down and pivot”? Are they saying “don’t worry we’ve got this” but aren’t actually in conversation with you about how? Are they placing the burden of adapting squarely on YOUR...

265: Using Navigate To Transition Out Of Admin And Back To Faculty: Client Case Study With Anne Vo

Academic Writing Amplified

In this bonus episode, I share a featured interview with Navigate program alumni, Dr. Anne Vo. She reflects on her experience transitioning from an administrative role to faculty and how the Navigate program helped her rediscover her academic focus. Anne’s story is a powerful reminder that career transitions—whether leaving or returning to academic life—can be challenging but incredibly rewarding when supported with structure, community, and tools for success. Anne shares her personal insights on overcoming fears, setting boundaries, and reclaiming time for scholarly work. If you’re...

264: Funding Freezes

Academic Writing Amplified

In this episode, I dive deeper into the ongoing impact of the current U.S. administration on higher education, particularly focusing on the financial pressures universities face due to federal funding freezes. I discuss how these cuts are threatening the foundation of academic research and what academics can do to take charge of their careers amid this uncertainty. Rather than fueling fear, I aim to provide practical strategies for overcoming these challenges. I encourage you to stay connected to your purpose and mission in academia, even if it means adapting to new ways of doing your work....

263: [Should I Quit Academia Series] Should I Leave Academia Now That T***P Is President?

Academic Writing Amplified

In the concluding episode of the podcast series, Should I Quit Academia, I address how the current US president and administration are impacting higher education. From federal cuts affecting grants and research to reductions in funding to institutions and students, a lot of disruption is happening in academia. During this time of uncertainty, it may seem like quitting academia is more appealing than ever. I give you a series of questions to ask yourself to see if a career pivot is the right choice. My goal is to help you make a decision based on a belief in your value, not fear. The...

262: [Should I Quit Academia Series] On Writing And Becoming A Book Coach With Jennie Nash

Academic Writing Amplified

Have you ever wondered about careers outside of academia? Or are you considering leaving the world of research and teaching behind? Transitioning from academia to a writing-focused career or exploring new ways to get your voice into your industry can be exciting and overwhelming. In today's episode, I am joined by Jennie Nash. Jennie is the CEO of Author Accelerator, a book coaching certification program that works with coaches and writers all over the world. We delve into the power of writing—whether for academic papers, books, or other forms of storytelling—and the importance...

261: [Should I Quit Academia Series] Why Changing Universities Isn’t The Answer To Your Publishing Problems (Re-Release EP 163)

Academic Writing Amplified

Are you struggling with publications and wondering if changing universities will solve your writing problems? Think again! In this episode, I dive into the truth behind the misconception that a new university position will magically unclog your publication pipeline. I’ve worked with professors from various institutions who have held every type of position. I’ve seen first-hand that the real key to unlocking your writing success is not in your external circumstances but in how you approach your writing practice and time management. Lessening your teaching load or switching to a more...

260: [Should I Quit Academia Series] Choosing to Leave Academia and Create Something New: An Interview with Jane Jones (Re-Release EP 40)

Academic Writing Amplified

Ready to discover alternative career paths in academia? My latest podcast series celebrates the inspiring journeys of diverse academic women who have created success on their terms. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jane Jones, and she shares her journey from academia to becoming a successful writing coach. With a Ph.D. in sociology, Jane secured a tenure-track position, but after facing several challenges in academia, she decided to leave. Today, she runs a thriving writing coaching business specializing in helping scholars write books. Her story highlights the realities of academia,...

259: [Should I Quit Academia Series] Higher Ed Is In Crisis - It’s Time To Make Your Move [Re-Release EP 56]

Academic Writing Amplified

Higher education is in crisis! In today's episode, I explore how academia has been entangled in a fast-paced capitalist model, exploiting faculty and prioritizing output over meaningful academic work. I challenge professors to confront these unsustainable practices and take action to remake and reform their careers. As a scholar, you can break free from the constraints and burnout cycle, redefine your academic mission, and focus on the creation of knowledge rather than institutional requirements. I encourage you to reflect on your values and focus on developing systems that align with...

More Episodes

In this episode, I explain how pipeline + practice = flow. Learn how having a clear, organized publication pipeline and a well-defined writing practice can help you consistently move your projects forward and get them out into the world. I’ll dive into why both of these elements are crucial for academic scholars to master and how having a clear plan for your projects alongside an intentional approach to your writing can unlock productivity and creativity. I’ll also talk about an exciting opportunity, my Spacious Writing Retreat. This intimate retreat is designed to help you refine your publication pipeline and writing practice in a supportive, immersive setting.

If you’re a professor struggling to balance multiple projects, feeling stuck in your writing routine, or looking to bring more flow and consistency to your work, this episode is for you. Whether you’re looking for actionable strategies or are curious about the writing retreat experience, I will give you the tools and inspiration to address the problems with your writing practice and publications head-on.

Click here to get all the retreat details and submit an interest form!

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Our 12-week Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap® program helps tenure-track womxn and nonbinary professors to publish their backlog of papers so that their voice can have the impact they know is possible. Get on the waitlist here!
Cathy’s book, Making Time to Write: How to Resist the Patriarchy and Take Control of Your Academic Career Through Writing is available in print! Learn how to build your career around your writing practice while shattering the myths of writing every day, accountability, and motivation, doing mindset work that’s going to reshape your writing,and changing academic culture one womxn and nonbinary professor at a time. Get your print copy today or order it for a friend here!
If you would like to hear more from Cathy for free, please subscribe to the weekly newsletter, In the Pipeline, at scholarsvoice.org. It’s a newsletter that she personally writes that goes out once a week with writing and publication tips, strategies, inspiration, book reviews and more.

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