Defend, Publish & Lead Podcast
Defend, Publish & Lead (formerly Defend & Publish) offers a weekly podcast designed to help get you started (or restarted) on your academic writing projects. Episodes feature a range of topics on writing productivity, including writing project management, strategies for managing writer’s block, dissertation advice for students and committee members, pandemic writing strategies, techniques for balancing parenting and writing, promoting your writing and research, and more. Every podcast offers strategies to try and resources to check out.
info_outline
DP&L Episode 262: Five Tweaks to Streamline Your Teaching
01/10/2026
DP&L Episode 262: Five Tweaks to Streamline Your Teaching
In Episode 262, host Christine Tulley offers practical strategies for faculty to optimize their spring semester teaching while protecting their scholarly writing time. She presents five countdown tweaks: Establishing and knowing your teaching, grading, and prep schedule Implementing pattern teaching to save preparation time Identifying grading-heavy weeks and adding extra writing time beforehand Reducing student complaints by providing assignment models and maintaining a bank of common explanations Selecting one specific teaching improvement goal for the semester (like better organizing course management systems) Tulley emphasizes that these adjustments are designed to make teaching more efficient without sacrificing quality, particularly during the spring semester when faculty typically have less preparation time than in the fall. Resource Mentioned: by Jennie Young DPL Resources Last Call for HOLIDAY COACHING HOURS - All hours at lowest prices for the year Tuesday Toolbox - contact christine@defendpublishandlead.com for subscription information Set your writing goals with us! Try us out in a free consultation. Check out our current and past workshops at Eventbrite for writing support content. A FREE webinar is posted each month. Missed a workshop? Request a workshop or webinar recording from christine@defendandpublish.com Don't forget about the wonderful resources at Textbook and Academic Authors Association. The organization can be found at: New to TAA? Join for just $25 using discount code DP25! You will also receive a copy of the eBook, Guide to Making Time to Write: 100+ Time & Productivity Management Tips for Textbook and Academic Authors.
/episode/index/show/defendandpublish/id/39672615
info_outline
DP&L Episode 261: Five Decisions to Make about Your Writing in 2026
01/03/2026
DP&L Episode 261: Five Decisions to Make about Your Writing in 2026
In Episode 261, Christine Tulley, President and Executive Writing Coach at Defend, Publish & Lead, presents five key questions for academics to consider about their writing in 2026: whether to commit to or abandon zombie writing projects that have stalled, clearing out outdated writing debris like old files and emails, deciding how many hours per week to dedicate to writing given other obligations, developing strategies to actively promote published work beyond initial publication, and identifying one priority project to complete during the year. Throughout the episode, she draws on examples from her work as an executive writing coach and emphasizes making intentional, low-pressure decisions about writing habits and projects for the new year, while also promoting the Textbook and Academic Authors Association's upcoming institute and her own coaching services. Resource Mentioned: DPL Resources Last Call for HOLIDAY COACHING HOURS - All hours at lowest prices for the year Tuesday Toolbox - contact christine@defendpublishandlead.com for subscription information Set your writing goals with us! Try us out in a free consultation. Check out our current and past workshops at Eventbrite for writing support content. A FREE webinar is posted each month. Missed a workshop? Request a workshop or webinar recording from christine@defendandpublish.com Don't forget about the wonderful resources at Textbook and Academic Authors Association. The organization can be found at: New to TAA? Join for just $25 using discount code DP25! You will also receive a copy of the eBook, Guide to Making Time to Write: 100+ Time & Productivity Management Tips for Textbook and Academic Authors.
/episode/index/show/defendandpublish/id/39595870
info_outline
DP&L Episode 260: Celebrate Wins
12/27/2025
DP&L Episode 260: Celebrate Wins
In Episode 260, Christine Tulley, President and Executive Writing Coach at Defend, Publish & Lead, emphasizes the importance of celebrating writing wins as the holiday season approaches, arguing that CVs often function more as stress-inducing evaluation documents than celebratory records of accomplishments. She demonstrates her approach using (a free digital writing journal that she loves but is not a sponsor), walking through how she reviews her Fall 2025 Semester Writing Project Mix to assess what she actually completed—discovering she finished 3 out of 4 planned projects, including two chapters of her sabbatical book and presentation slides, while her "yucky writing project" remained incomplete. She highlights unexpected wins like her Inside Higher Ed article on who owns faculty writing (co-written with Jennifer Ahern-Dodson) that she had forgotten about from her Summer 2025 plans, reframes the 3 out of 4 completion rate as a success focused on movement and completion rather than perfection, and encourages listeners to celebrate broader wins beyond publications (such as consistently hitting 8 hours of writing per week) while using this reflection to inform planning for 2026. She concludes by mentioning her coaching services and the resources available through podcast sponsor Textbook and Academic Authors Association. Resource Mentioned: “” (Inside Higher Ed) DPL Resources HOLIDAY COACHING HOURS - All hours at lowest prices for the year Tuesday Toolbox - contact christine@defendpublishandlead.com for subscription information Set your writing goals with us! Try us out in a free consultation. Check out our current and past workshops at Eventbrite for writing support content. A FREE webinar is posted each month. Missed a workshop? Request a workshop or webinar recording from christine@defendandpublish.com Don't forget about the wonderful resources at Textbook and Academic Authors Association. The organization can be found at: New to TAA? Join for just $25 using discount code DP25! You will also receive a copy of the eBook, Guide to Making Time to Write: 100+ Time & Productivity Management Tips for Textbook and Academic Authors.
/episode/index/show/defendandpublish/id/39535150
info_outline
DP&L Episode 259: When Do You Start Writing After the Holidays?
12/20/2025
DP&L Episode 259: When Do You Start Writing After the Holidays?
In Episode 259, Christine Tulley, President and Executive Writing Coach of Defend Publish & Lead, addresses the common question of when to start writing after the holiday break, emphasizing the importance of making this decision ahead of time rather than letting it remain nebulous as the calendar year flips. She shares her personal approach of designating January 5th as her first official day back to writing (separate from her first day of class), blocking out specific time slots in her calendar (9:00-11:30 AM on January 5th, 6th, and 7th for a total of seven and a half hours that week), and color-coding this time as brown to protect it from competing demands. She recommends preparing for this first writing day by treating it like the first day of school—cleaning out your laptop bag, restocking essential supplies like hard drive connector cords and extra headphones, gathering any articles you'll need, and perhaps choosing a favorite coffee shop instead of the library. Christine emphasizes that setting up special elements for your first writing session can infuse it with new energy, mentions her holiday playlist of writing episodes, and concludes by offering a free Textbook and Academic Authors Association membership giveaway to the first person who emails her at christine@defendpublishlead.com along with her coaching practice's ongoing holiday pricing special. Resources Mentioned DPL Resources HOLIDAY COACHING HOURS - All hours at lowest prices for the year Tuesday Toolbox - contact christine@defendpublishandlead.com for subscription information Set your writing goals with us! Try us out in a free consultation. Check out our current and past workshops at Eventbrite for writing support content. A FREE webinar is posted each month. Missed a workshop? Request a workshop or webinar recording from christine@defendandpublish.com Don't forget about the wonderful resources at Textbook and Academic Authors Association. The organization can be found at: New to TAA? Join for just $25 using discount code DP25! You will also receive a copy of the eBook, Guide to Making Time to Write: 100+ Time & Productivity Management Tips for Textbook and Academic Authors.
/episode/index/show/defendandpublish/id/39475990
info_outline
DP&L Episode 258: Skill Up Future You
12/13/2025
DP&L Episode 258: Skill Up Future You
In Episode 258, Christine Tulley, President and Executive Writing Coach of Defend Publish & Lead, discusses the importance of planning ahead for summer 2026 writing opportunities and skill development, even though it's only December 2025, because many programs open registration in January. She recommends several writing retreats and institutes she's personally experienced or researched, including Bard College's Institute for Writing and Thinking (a five-day immersive summer program focused on writing and teaching), Writing in Depth Academic Writing Retreat (a productive long weekend in rural Ohio where she made significant progress on her book), Bowling Green State University's Summer Faculty Writing Retreat (strategically timed for late July before the fall semester ramps up), and Hollins University's Tinker Mountain winter retreat in February for those who can't wait until summer. She particularly highlights the new virtual Textbook and Academic Authors Institute as an affordable option for those who can't travel, emphasizing that skill development is important at every career stage, and concludes by mentioning her coaching practice's holiday special discount. Writing Opportunities Resources HOLIDAY COACHING HOURS - All hours at lowest prices for the year Tuesday Toolbox - contact christine@defendpublishandlead.com for subscription information Set your writing goals with us! Try us out in a free consultation. Check out our current and past workshops at Eventbrite for writing support content. A FREE webinar is posted each month. Missed a workshop? Request a workshop or webinar recording from christine@defendandpublish.com Don't forget about the wonderful resources at Textbook and Academic Authors Association. The organization can be found at: New to TAA? Join for just $25 using discount code DP25! You will also receive a copy of the eBook, Guide to Making Time to Write: 100+ Time & Productivity Management Tips for Textbook and Academic Authors.
/episode/index/show/defendandpublish/id/39372500
info_outline
DP&L Episode257: 2025 Gift Ideas for Writers and Yourself
12/06/2025
DP&L Episode257: 2025 Gift Ideas for Writers and Yourself
Christine Tulley, President and Executive Writing Coach of Defend Publish & Lead, presents her annual holiday gift guide for writers. This year the list focuses on budget-friendly items all priced at $50 or less. Here is her countdown of the Top 10 gift items for 2025 for writers or yourself: 10) 9) 8) 7) 6) 5) 4) 3) 2) 1) Resources Mentioned: Resources: HOLIDAY COACHING HOURS - All hours at lowest prices for the year Tuesday Toolbox - contact christine@defendpublishandlead.com for subscription information Set your writing goals with us! Try us out in a free consultation. Check out our current and past workshops at Eventbrite for writing support content. A FREE webinar is posted each month. Missed a workshop? Request a workshop or webinar recording from christine@defendandpublish.com Don't forget about the wonderful resources at Textbook and Academic Authors Association. The organization can be found at: New to TAA? Join for just $25 using discount code DP25! You will also receive a copy of the eBook, Guide to Making Time to Write: 100+ Time & Productivity Management Tips for Textbook and Academic Authors.
/episode/index/show/defendandpublish/id/39291510
info_outline
DP&L Episode 256: Keep an Origin Story of Your Writing
11/29/2025
DP&L Episode 256: Keep an Origin Story of Your Writing
Christine Tulley, President and Executive Writing Coach, explores the concept of maintaining an "origin story" for academic writing projects in the context of surveillance, power dynamics, and emerging technologies—the theme of the 2025 Big Rhetorical Podcast Carnival. She examines how various stakeholders (universities, publishers, plagiarism detection software, AI tools, and tenure committees) have claims to or surveillance over faculty writing, raising questions about ownership and originality. Tulley offers four practical strategies for documenting the development of writing projects: maintaining dated drafts, using version control systems like GitHub, creating process documentation through blogs or social media, and sharing work-in-progress through conference presentations and public scholarship venues. She emphasizes the importance of tools like ORCID IDs for tracking authorship and highlights the Textbook and Academic Authors Association's upcoming webinar about claiming damages in the lawsuit against Anthropic for unauthorized use of academic work by AI tools, framing documentation of writing origins as a protective measure and a meaningful way to capture the creative process. The Big Rhetorical Podcast Past Carnival Episodes Resources Mentioned: (December 1st annual webinar) Resources: HOLIDAY COACHING HOURS - All hours at lowest prices for the year Tuesday Toolbox - contact christine@defendpublishandlead.com for subscription information Set your writing goals with us! Try us out in a free consultation. Check out our current and past workshops at Eventbrite for writing support content. A FREE webinar is posted each month. Missed a workshop? Request a workshop or webinar recording from christine@defendandpublish.com Don't forget about the wonderful resources at Textbook and Academic Authors Association. The organization can be found at: New to TAA? Join for just $25 using discount code DP25! You will also receive a copy of the eBook, Guide to Making Time to Write: 100+ Time & Productivity Management Tips for Textbook and Academic Authors.
/episode/index/show/defendandpublish/id/39200470
info_outline
DP&L Episode 255: On Location Conference Strategies
11/22/2025
DP&L Episode 255: On Location Conference Strategies
Christine Tulley, President and Executive Writing Coach, shares practical strategies for maximizing conference value while attending the POD (Professional and Organizational Development) conference in San Diego. Rather than focusing on pre-conference planning or post-conference follow-up, this episode addresses the often-overlooked middle phase: what to do once you're actually at the conference. She introduces a goal-setting framework to help academics be intentional about their conference experience, balancing networking, presentations, professional development, and personal priorities within tight time and budget constraints. Episodes Mentioned: Resources Mentioned: (December 1st annual webinar) Resources: HOLIDAY COACHING HOURS - All hours at lowest prices for the year Tuesday Toolbox - contact christine@defendpublishandlead.com for subscription information Set your writing goals with us! Try us out in a free consultation. Check out our current and past workshops at Eventbrite for writing support content. A FREE webinar is posted each month. Missed a workshop? Request a workshop or webinar recording from christine@defendandpublish.com Don't forget about the wonderful resources at Textbook and Academic Authors Association. The organization can be found at: New to TAA? Join for just $25 using discount code DP25! You will also receive a copy of the eBook, Guide to Making Time to Write: 100+ Time & Productivity Management Tips for Textbook and Academic Authors.
/episode/index/show/defendandpublish/id/39127015
info_outline
DP&L Episode 254: Four Tweaks for Academic Writing Month 2025
11/15/2025
DP&L Episode 254: Four Tweaks for Academic Writing Month 2025
Christine Tulley, President and Executive Writing Coach, explores how to use Academic Writing Month (November) not to add more work, but to improve your writing habits and practices. She shares four strategic tweaks that can help academic writers become more satisfied with their work as the calendar year closes: finding one ideal writing day, creating a dream project list, taking stock of nine satisfaction areas, and taking advantage of free learning opportunities. Rather than pushing harder, these tweaks focus on reconnecting with what makes academic writing fulfilling. Resources Mentioned: (Dec 1 from 12pm to 1pm EST) Resources: HOLIDAY COACHING HOURS - All hours at lowest prices for the year Tuesday Toolbox - contact christine@defendpublishandlead.com for subscription information Set your writing goals with us! Try us out in a free consultation. Check out our current and past workshops at Eventbrite for writing support content. A FREE webinar is posted each month. Missed a workshop? Request a workshop or webinar recording from christine@defendandpublish.com Don't forget about the wonderful resources at Textbook and Academic Authors Association. The organization can be found at: New to TAA? Join for just $25 using discount code DP25! You will also receive a copy of the eBook, Guide to Making Time to Write: 100+ Time & Productivity Management Tips for Textbook and Academic Authors.
/episode/index/show/defendandpublish/id/39026785
info_outline
DP&L Episode 253: How I Used AI to Make a Book Writing Plan
11/08/2025
DP&L Episode 253: How I Used AI to Make a Book Writing Plan
Christine Tulley, President and Executive Writing Coach, shares her experience using AI (Claude) to create a comprehensive writing plan for her upcoming book on sabbaticals, commissioned by Princeton University Press for their Skills for Scholars series. With a deadline of February 20th and only 18,000 of 65,000 words written, she demonstrates how AI can be a powerful project management tool for academic writers while maintaining ethical boundaries about what content to share with AI platforms. Episodes Mentioned: Resources HOLIDAY COACHING HOURS - All hours at lowest prices for the year - contact christine@defendpublishandlead.com for subscription information Set your writing goals with us! . Check out our current and past workshops at for writing support content. A FREE webinar is posted each month. Missed a workshop? Request a workshop or webinar recording from christine@defendandpublish.com Don't forget about the wonderful resources at Textbook and Academic Authors Association. The organization can be found at: New to TAA? Join for just $30 using discount code TAA70 for 70% off!!! Returning TAA members can use the coupon code TAADP10 for $10 off an annual membership. You will also receive a copy of the eBook, Guide to Making Time to Write: 100+ Time & Productivity Management Tips for Textbook and Academic Authors.
/episode/index/show/defendandpublish/id/38955385
info_outline
DP&L Episode 252: How to Decide if You Have a Viable Idea
11/01/2025
DP&L Episode 252: How to Decide if You Have a Viable Idea
Christine Tulley, President and Executive Writing Coach, discusses how academics can determine whether they have a viable publication idea by examining four key factors: first, whether you can execute the project with available resources including time, materials, and access to necessary data; second, whether the idea fits with a target journal or publication outlet and potentially a backup option; third, how the idea aligns with your scholarly positioning, expertise, and research agenda; and fourth, whether the idea has potential impact with an identifiable audience who would actually read and engage with the work. Tulley emphasizes that ideas should be tested through conversations with colleagues and conference presentations, and she provides practical examples from her own career transitions, noting that some ideas may be too small for full articles or too broad to execute effectively. She concludes by promoting her writing coaching services' holiday special for faculty who want help developing their publication ideas. Resources HOLIDAY COACHING HOURS - All hours at lowest prices for the year - contact christine@defendpublishandlead.com for subscription information Set your writing goals with us! . Check out our current and past workshops at for writing support content. A FREE webinar is posted each month. Missed a workshop? Request a workshop or webinar recording from christine@defendandpublish.com Don't forget about the wonderful resources at Textbook and Academic Authors Association. The organization can be found at: New to TAA? Join for just $30 using discount code TAA70 for 70% off!!! Returning TAA members can use the coupon code TAADP10 for $10 off an annual membership. You will also receive a copy of the eBook, Guide to Making Time to Write: 100+ Time & Productivity Management Tips for Textbook and Academic Authors.
/episode/index/show/defendandpublish/id/38859525
info_outline
DP&L Episode 251: Overwhelmed as an Academic Parent
10/25/2025
DP&L Episode 251: Overwhelmed as an Academic Parent
Christine Tulley, President and Executive Writing Coach, addresses the mounting pressures academic parents face as they juggle grading, writing deadlines, children's activities, caregiving responsibilities, and the approaching holiday season. She offers four practical strategies for managing overwhelming periods, including leaving margin in your schedule, connecting with other academic parents for support, and seeking guidance from those who have successfully navigated similar challenges. While acknowledging that opting out is always an option, this episode focuses on resources for those who want to stay in academia while maintaining their well-being. Episodes Mentioned Books Mentioned Resources - contact christine@defendpublishandlead.com for subscription information Set your writing goals with us! . Check out our current and past workshops at for writing support content. A FREE webinar is posted each month. Missed a workshop? Request a workshop or webinar recording from christine@defendandpublish.com Don't forget about the wonderful resources at Textbook and Academic Authors Association. The organization can be found at: New to TAA? Join for just $30 using discount code TAA70 for 70% off!!! Returning TAA members can use the coupon code TAADP10 for $10 off an annual membership. You will also receive a copy of the eBook, Guide to Making Time to Write: 100+ Time & Productivity Management Tips for Textbook and Academic Authors.
/episode/index/show/defendandpublish/id/38761160
info_outline
DP&L Episode 250: My Top 5 Favorite Episodes
10/18/2025
DP&L Episode 250: My Top 5 Favorite Episodes
Christine Tulley, President and Executive Writing Coach, counts down her favorite episodes in this 250th episode of the Defend, Publish & Lead podcast. Starting at number five, she highlights "Your Writing Project Mix" (Episode 108), which helps academic writers strategically plan which projects to tackle each semester. Number four covers "5 Steps for Effective Writing and Research Collaborations" (Episode 43), featuring advice on contingency planning when co-authors fall behind. Number three discusses "Reasons for Source Support" (Episode 62), based on the book "How Scholars Write," which explains the specific functions of scholarly citations. Number two features an interview with author Bec Evans about maintaining writing motivation (Episode 122). Her top pick is "How I Used 4 Hours of Writing Time" (Episode 196), a behind-the-scenes look at what actually happens during a scholarly writing session. Episodes Mentioned Episode 108 - Your Writing Project Mix | Episode 43 - Five Steps to Effective Writing and Research Collaborations | Episode 62 - Reasons for Source Support | Episode 122 - Interview with Bec Evans -Written: How to Keep Writing | Episode 196 - How I Used 4 Hours of Writing Time | Books Mentioned by Bec Evans & Chris Smith by Aaron Ritzenberg and Sue Mendelsohn Resources - contact christine@defendpublishandlead.com for subscription information Set your writing goals with us! . Check out our current and past workshops at for writing support content. A FREE webinar is posted each month. Missed a workshop? Request a workshop or webinar recording from christine@defendandpublish.com Don't forget about the wonderful resources at Textbook and Academic Authors Association. The organization can be found at: New to TAA? Join for just $30 using discount code TAA70 for 70% off!!! Returning TAA members can use the coupon code TAADP10 for $10 off an annual membership. You will also receive a copy of the eBook, Guide to Making Time to Write: 100+ Time & Productivity Management Tips for Textbook and Academic Authors.
/episode/index/show/defendandpublish/id/38609210
info_outline
DP&L Episode 249: Keep Writing Top of Mind
10/11/2025
DP&L Episode 249: Keep Writing Top of Mind
This episode shares three ways to keep thinking about scholarly writing when you are not actually doing it. Recommendations for podcasts and books on academic writing are shared, along with suggestions for joining an organization or other initiative where regular contact with your writing is encouraged. Episodes Mentioned Books Mentioned: by Leonard Cassuto by Bec Evans by Thomas Deetjen Resources: - contact christine@defendpublishandlead.com for subscription information Set your writing goals with us! . Check out our current and past workshops at for writing support content. A FREE webinar is posted each month. Missed a workshop? Request a workshop or webinar recording from christine@defendandpublish.com Don't forget about the wonderful resources at Textbook and Academic Authors Association. The organization can be found at: New to TAA? Join for just $30 using discount code TAA70 for 70% off!!! Returning TAA members can use the coupon code TAADP10 for $10 off an annual membership. You will also receive a copy of the eBook, Guide to Making Time to Write: 100+ Time & Productivity Management Tips for Textbook and Academic Authors.
/episode/index/show/defendandpublish/id/38543435
info_outline
DP&L Episode 248: Don’t Let Grading Steal Your Writing Time
10/04/2025
DP&L Episode 248: Don’t Let Grading Steal Your Writing Time
In Episode 248 Christine Tulley, President and Executive Writing Coach AT Defend, Publish & Lead, shares four practical strategies for managing grading responsibilities while protecting writing time: front-loading writing at the beginning of the semester before grading intensifies, leaving detailed notes after each writing session to facilitate re-entry after breaks, prioritizing writing before grading whenever possible to ensure it happens and to capitalize on fresh mental energy, and proactively blocking backup writing slots in future weeks to compensate for reduced productivity during heavy grading periods. She emphasizes that balance isn't always realistic—some weeks will be more grading-heavy while others allow for more writing—and encourages listeners to stay connected to their scholarly work even during demanding teaching periods, suggesting resources like the Tuesday Toolbox video series as a way to keep writing skills sharp when time is limited. Episodes Mentioned Resources: - contact christine@defendpublishandlead.com for subscription information Set your writing goals with us! . Check out our current and past workshops at for writing support content. A FREE webinar is posted each month. Missed a workshop? Request a workshop or webinar recording from christine@defendandpublish.com Don't forget about the wonderful resources at Textbook and Academic Authors Association. The organization can be found at: New to TAA? Join for just $30 using discount code TAA70 for 70% off!!! Returning TAA members can use the coupon code TAADP10 for $10 off an annual membership. You will also receive a copy of the eBook, Guide to Making Time to Write: 100+ Time & Productivity Management Tips for Textbook and Academic Authors.
/episode/index/show/defendandpublish/id/38460140
info_outline
DP&L Episode 247: Do You Need a Restart?
09/27/2025
DP&L Episode 247: Do You Need a Restart?
In Episode 247 Christine Tulley, Defend, Publish & Lead President and Executive Writing Coach, shares multiple strategies for a resetting a day, a week, a project, a mode of writing, and more. Resources: - contact christine@defendpublishandlead.com for subscription information Set your writing goals with us! . Check out our current and past workshops at for writing support content. A FREE webinar is posted each month. Missed a workshop? Request a workshop or webinar recording from christine@defendandpublish.com Don't forget about the wonderful resources at Textbook and Academic Authors Association. The organization can be found at: New to TAA? Join for just $30 using discount code TAA70 for 70% off!!! Returning TAA members can use the coupon code TAADP10 for $10 off an annual membership. You will also receive a copy of the eBook, Guide to Making Time to Write: 100+ Time & Productivity Management Tips for Textbook and Academic Authors.
/episode/index/show/defendandpublish/id/38358440
info_outline
DP&L Episode 246: Three Lessons from Tuesday Toolbox
09/20/2025
DP&L Episode 246: Three Lessons from Tuesday Toolbox
In Episode 246 Christine Tulley, Defend, Publish & Lead President and Executive Writing Coach, shares three insights the Tuesday Toolbox writing initiative including: Academic writing benefits from formulas as starting points, writing sessions need single focuses beyond project selection (like argument clarity or sentence variety), and surprisingly, academic writers lack opportunities to regularly refresh their writing skills. Christine encourages listeners to actively seek ways to strengthen their craft through resources and continuous learning. Related Episodes Resources Mentioned: - contact christine@defendpublishandlead.com for subscription information Set your writing goals with us! . Check out our current and past workshops at for writing support content. A FREE webinar is posted each month. Missed a workshop? Request a workshop or webinar recording from christine@defendandpublish.com Don't forget about the wonderful resources at Textbook and Academic Authors Association. The organization can be found at: New to TAA? Join for just $30 using discount code TAA70 for 70% off!!! Returning TAA members can use the coupon code TAADP10 for $10 off an annual membership. You will also receive a copy of the eBook, Guide to Making Time to Write: 100+ Time & Productivity Management Tips for Textbook and Academic Authors.
/episode/index/show/defendandpublish/id/38284920
info_outline
DP&L Episode 245: Leave Margin
09/13/2025
DP&L Episode 245: Leave Margin
This episode describes the critical importance of building adequate margin into academic schedules. After a week that went "off the rails" due to unexpected emergencies including children's health issues, emergency dental work, and even a mouse invasion, Christine Tulley, President and Executive Writing Coach at Defend, Publish & Lead, discovered that while she thought she had built sufficient 30-minute buffers into her daily schedule, she hadn't accounted for how tightly stacked her days were against each other. When one day explodes due to emergencies, there's insufficient margin in subsequent days to absorb the ripple effects. The episode offers practical strategies for creating true margin in overpacked academic lives, including asking for help, moving non-urgent tasks, shortening meetings, saying no when possible, and building in extra travel time to prevent the stress and errors that come from rushing. Related Episodes: Resources Mentioned: - contact christine@defendpublishandlead.com for subscription information Set your writing goals with us! . Check out our current and past workshops at for writing support content. A FREE webinar is posted each month. Missed a workshop? Request a workshop or webinar recording from christine@defendandpublish.com Don't forget about the wonderful resources at Textbook and Academic Authors Association. The organization can be found at: New to TAA? Join for just $30 using discount code TAA70 for 70% off!!! Returning TAA members can use the coupon code TAADP10 for $10 off an annual membership. You will also receive a copy of the eBook, Guide to Making Time to Write: 100+ Time & Productivity Management Tips for Textbook and Academic Authors.
/episode/index/show/defendandpublish/id/38193105
info_outline
DP&L Episode 244: Make a Weekly Template and Adjust
09/06/2025
DP&L Episode 244: Make a Weekly Template and Adjust
This episode demonstrates the importance of creating realistic weekly templates rather than making assumptions about available writing time and compares before and after templates after first mapping an ideal week and then making real time adjustments based on the semester’s workload, demonstrating how templates require ongoing refinement based on actual workflow patterns rather than theoretical scheduling. Related Episodes: Previous episodes on 242 and 237 Resources Mentioned: Weekly template download - available in show notes for creating personalized schedules (save as Microsoft Word) - contact christine@defendpublishandlead.com for subscription information Set your writing goals with us! . Check out our current and past workshops at for writing support content. A FREE webinar is posted each month. Missed a workshop? Request a workshop or webinar recording from christine@defendandpublish.com Don't forget about the wonderful resources at Textbook and Academic Authors Association. The organization can be found at: New to TAA? Join for just $30 using discount code TAA70 for 70% off!!! Returning TAA members can use the coupon code TAADP10 for $10 off an annual membership. You will also receive a copy of the eBook, Guide to Making Time to Write: 100+ Time & Productivity Management Tips for Textbook and Academic Authors.
/episode/index/show/defendandpublish/id/38112165
info_outline
DP&L Episode 243: Just Look (and Notice with a Comment)
08/30/2025
DP&L Episode 243: Just Look (and Notice with a Comment)
In this gentle re-entry strategy episode, DP&L President and Executive Writing Coach, Christine Tulley shares a low-pressure approach for returning to scholarly writing after extended breaks, particularly useful at the beginning of semesters when writers feel disconnected from their projects. Her “just look and notice” method involves reading through manuscripts without committing to write new content, simply observing structural issues, incomplete sections, or organizational problems, then using the comment function to leave targeted notes and generative questions that create manageable entry points for future writing sessions. Resources: - contact christine@defendpublishandlead.com for subscription information Set your writing goals with us! . Check out our current and past workshops at Eventbrite for writing support content. A FREE webinar is posted each month. Missed a workshop? Request a workshop or webinar recording from christine@defendandpublish.com Don't forget about the wonderful resources at Textbook and Academic Authors Association. The organization can be found at: New to TAA? Join for just $30 using discount code TAA70 for 70% off!!! Returning TAA members can use the coupon code TAADP10 for $10 off an annual membership. You will also receive a copy of the eBook, Guide to Making Time to Write: 100+ Time & Productivity Management Tips for Textbook and Academic Authors.
/episode/index/show/defendandpublish/id/38025975
info_outline
DP&L Episode 242: Teaching Overload
08/23/2025
DP&L Episode 242: Teaching Overload
This episode provides practical strategies for systematic organization through visual systems (using color-coding in Canvas to distinguish primary sections from copies) and strategic time blocking for competing priorities (dedicating specific days to writing, grading, and administrative tasks). Christine Tulley, President and Executive Writing Coach of Defend, Publish & Lead, demonstrates creating sustainable rhythms during overload semesters by establishing non-negotiable time blocks: Mondays for writing (6-8 hours weekly), Tuesday/Thursday for grading and student responses, Wednesday mornings for additional writing time, Friday mornings for weekly planning and logistics, and Sunday afternoons for teaching preparation while watching football. The episode emphasizes that even during demanding teaching semesters, protecting writing time requires intentional scheduling and organizational systems that prevent multiple sections from derailing scholarly productivity. Resources Mentioned: - contact christine@defendpublishandlead.com for subscription information Set your writing goals with us! . Check out our current and past workshops at Eventbrite for writing support content. A FREE webinar is posted each month. Missed a workshop? Request a workshop or webinar recording from christine@defendandpublish.com Don't forget about the wonderful resources at Textbook and Academic Authors Association. The organization can be found at: New to TAA? Join for just $30 using discount code TAA70 for 70% off!!! Returning TAA members can use the coupon code TAADP10 for $10 off an annual membership. You will also receive a copy of the eBook, Guide to Making Time to Write: 100+ Time & Productivity Management Tips for Textbook and Academic Authors.
/episode/index/show/defendandpublish/id/37928060
info_outline
DP&L Episode 241: Write the First Week of Class (Again)
08/16/2025
DP&L Episode 241: Write the First Week of Class (Again)
This episode emphasizes establishing scholarly writing habits during the first week of classes before semester demands overwhelm available time and energy. Acknowledging the natural tendency to prioritize immediate teaching concerns over scholarly writing, Christine Tulley, President and Executive Writing Coach, provides a strategic framework for habit formation through early commitment (establishing writing routines by week three when semester patterns solidify) and contextual project matching (aligning writing projects with realistic time constraints and energy levels). She advocates for using early semester weeks to assess available writing time honestly and select achievable projects, sharing her example of completing conference proposals, book chapters, and presentations during a fragmented semester by matching project types to available time slots rather than abandoning writing altogether. Related Episodes: Resources Mentioned: Set your writing goals with us!. . Check out our current and past workshops at for writing support content. A FREE webinar is posted each month. Missed a workshop? Request a workshop or webinar recording from Don’t forget about the wonderful resources at Textbook and Academic Authors Association. The organization can be found at: New to TAA? Join for just $30 using discount code TAA70 for 70% off!!! Returning TAA members can use the coupon code TAADP10 for $10 off an annual membership. You will also receive a copy of the eBook, .
/episode/index/show/defendandpublish/id/37826485
info_outline
DP&L Episode 240: The Tuesday Toolbox
08/09/2025
DP&L Episode 240: The Tuesday Toolbox
This episode introduces the innovative Tuesday Toolbox, a new weekly writing support initiative designed to provide academic writers with practical, immediately usable tools and strategies throughout the semester. Recognizing that faculty need consistent writing support but lack time for lengthy resources, the Tuesday Toolbox delivers 5-minute video lessons every Tuesday for 14 weeks each semester (fall starting August 25th, spring starting January 26th), covering writing techniques, productivity strategies, paragraph construction, methodology development, and revision approaches that writers can implement immediately in their current projects, with bonus access to monthly faculty writing retreats and curated resource links. Program Details: 14-week delivery schedule per semester (avoiding final exam periods) 5-minute video lessons with practical writing tools and strategies Flexible usage - watch on Tuesday mornings or use to kick off writing sessions Bonus monthly writing retreats with DPL coaches for subscribers Curated resource links accompanying each weekly tool Subscription Options: Institutional membership: $250 annually Individual subscriptions: Available (contact for pricing) Discounts available for current DPL coaching clients DPL RESOURCES Set your writing goals with us!. . Check out our current and past workshops at for writing support content. A FREE webinar is posted each month. Missed a workshop? Request a workshop or webinar recording from Don’t forget about the wonderful resources at Textbook and Academic Authors Association. The organization can be found at: New to TAA? Join for just $30 using discount code TAA70 for 70% off!!! Returning TAA members can use the coupon code TAADP10 for $10 off an annual membership. You will also receive a copy of the eBook, .
/episode/index/show/defendandpublish/id/37742500
info_outline
DP&L Episode 239: Professional Development Funding
08/02/2025
DP&L Episode 239: Professional Development Funding
This episode addresses a challenging landscape of academic professional development funding in 2025, offering a priority-based framework for maximizing limited resources amid budget cuts and funding uncertainty. Christine’s systematic approach begins with the "number one priority test" (identifying resources you'd pay for personally), moves to immediate commitments like fall conference registrations and organizational memberships, then productivity tools and resources such as specialized software or methodology training, and concludes with strategic remainder spending on non-expiring resources like coaching hours or PDF guides, emphasizing the critical importance of spending allocated funds before potential budget clawbacks while prioritizing investments that directly advance scholarly productivity and writing progress. Resources Mentioned: - Membership under $100 with writing tools, videos, and professional resources Defend, Publish & Lead coaching hours - Currently on special pricing, stackable and non-expiring - email or and schedule a free consultation. Etsy academic resources - PDF guides for writing logs, dissertation organization, and scholarly productivity tools (for one example, ) Professional development consultation - at defendpublishandlead.com
/episode/index/show/defendandpublish/id/37635120
info_outline
DP&L Episode 238: When You Can't Do Revisions That Are Requested
07/26/2025
DP&L Episode 238: When You Can't Do Revisions That Are Requested
In this nuanced revision strategy episode, President and executive writing coach Christine Tulley addresses the complex decision-making process academics face when confronted with revision requests they cannot or will not complete. Drawing from extensive client experience and personal examples, she provides a systematic framework for evaluating revision feedback that honors both scholarly integrity and practical publishing realities, while acknowledging that sometimes walking away from a publication opportunity represents the most appropriate professional choice. Related Episodes: Defend Publish & Lead Resources: Set your writing goals with us!. . Check out our current and past workshops at for writing support content. A FREE webinar is posted each month. Missed a workshop? Request a workshop or webinar recording from Don’t forget about the wonderful resources at Textbook and Academic Authors Association. The organization can be found at: New to TAA? Join for just $30 using discount code TAA70 for 70% off!!! Returning TAA members can use the coupon code TAADP10 for $10 off an annual membership. You will also receive a copy of the eBook, .
/episode/index/show/defendandpublish/id/37550915
info_outline
DP&L Episode 237: New Year Academic Writing Goals
07/19/2025
DP&L Episode 237: New Year Academic Writing Goals
This episode presents a comprehensive four-component framework for setting meaningful academic writing goals for the new year. This includes conducting an annual productivity assessment to evaluate completed projects and realistic time allocation (Component 1), strategic schedule architecture that involves proactive calendar blocking and identifying optimal writing windows (Component 2), continuous learning integration through weekly exposure to writing development resources and techniques (Component 3), and holistic writing load management that considers all academic writing tasks including teaching materials and service obligations to prevent screen fatigue and optimize energy distribution throughout the week (Component 4). Join us for our (missed this workshop? Email christine@defendpublishlead.com) Resources Mentioned: - Regular writing inspiration and technique development - Comprehensive academic writing resource Tuesday Toolbox Newsletter - Weekly video lessons and curated writing resources (available for individual or institutional subscription - email Christine at for details) Summer Professional Development: Defend Publish & Lead offers multiple free webinars and seminars designed for faculty developers, graduate students, and academics at all career stages, available through their . Need personalized support for academic writing goal setting or systematic productivity assessment? Contact Defend, Publish & Lead for individual coaching focused on sustainable writing practice development. Email christine@defendpublish.com for consultation information.
/episode/index/show/defendandpublish/id/37458515
info_outline
DP&L Episode 236: Favorite Writing and Thinking Podcasts
07/12/2025
DP&L Episode 236: Favorite Writing and Thinking Podcasts
This podcast episode features Christine Tulley, president and executive writing coach at , sharing her top 5 favorite podcasts for academic writing and thinking. She discusses "Academic Aunties," a monthly podcast offering advice to new academics from experienced faculty; "Deep Questions with Cal Newport," which explores productivity and deep work techniques for academic research; "Don't Wait to Write," a discontinued podcast that provided short writing prompts and practical tips; "The New Books Network," featuring in-depth interviews with authors about their scholarly works and writing processes; and "This is Research," an innovative podcast examining theoretical and methodological approaches to modern research. Tulley explains why she finds each podcast valuable, noting how some provide quick inspiration while others offer deeper exploration of scholarly writing. She emphasizes the variety of formats and approaches, from short episodes to longer deep dives, and how each serves different needs for academic writers and researchers. The episode concludes with information about discount codes for the Textbook and Academic Authors Association membership, which Tulley recommends as a cost-effective professional development resource. SLIDES FOR THIS EPISODE PODCASTS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE DEFEND PUBLISH & LEAD RESOURCES Set your writing goals with us!. . James Lang is one of our writing coach and can be hired to develop projects. Email christine@defendpublishlead.com to learn more. Are you a faculty developer? Check out our l Check out our current and past workshops at for writing support content. A FREE webinar is posted each month. Missed a workshop? Request a workshop or webinar recording from Don’t forget about the wonderful resources at Textbook and Academic Authors Association. The organization can be found at: New to TAA? Join for just $30 using discount code TAA70 for 70% off!!! Returning TAA members can use the coupon code TAADP10 for $10 off an annual membership. You will also receive a copy of the eBook,
/episode/index/show/defendandpublish/id/37374490
info_outline
DP&L Episode 235: Give Yourself a Conference Maintenance Day
07/05/2025
DP&L Episode 235: Give Yourself a Conference Maintenance Day
In this practical summer organization episode, President and executive writing coach Christine Tulley introduces a systematic approach to managing academic conference logistics, planning, and participation. She shares her streamlined method for transforming the often chaotic world of conference attendance into a manageable, strategic process that saves time and reduces stress throughout the academic year. Christine opens by acknowledging the common academic struggle with conference management chaos - missed deadlines for desired conferences, last-minute scrambling for hotel reservations, lost abstracts, and the tendency to attend conferences out of habit rather than strategic professional development. Her solution emerged from recognizing that summer provides the ideal window for systematic conference planning when academic schedules allow for thoughtful decision-making. As someone who attends approximately four conferences annually, all requiring travel and significant logistical coordination, Christine developed this maintenance system to ensure she presents at conferences aligned with her current research interests while avoiding the stress of deadline-driven panic decisions. She emphasizes that this process typically requires only about an hour of focused work, making it accessible even for busy academics. Tools Mentioned: - Free project management software for idea tracking Email search functions - For CFP and acceptance management Calendar blocking - Strategic scheduling protection Airline alerts - Automated flight price monitoring Related Episodes: Resources from Defend, Publish & Lead: Summer Professional Development: Defend Publish & Lead offers multiple free webinars and seminars designed for faculty developers, graduate students, and academics at all career stages, available through their . Free Resources Available: Visit defendpublish.com and click "Events" to access comprehensive faculty development programming including writing group facilitation, administrative writing support, and dissertation writing strategies. Need help developing systematic approaches to conference planning or other professional development organization? Contact Defend, Publish & Lead for personalized coaching support. Email Christine directly at christine@defendpublish.com for guidance on creating sustainable academic organization systems.
/episode/index/show/defendandpublish/id/37283375
info_outline
DP&L Episode 234 - Are You Behind This Summer?
06/28/2025
DP&L Episode 234 - Are You Behind This Summer?
In this timely mid-summer episode, President and executive writing coach Christine Tulley addresses the universal academic experience of feeling behind on summer projects. Recording at the end of June, she provides practical strategies for reassessing summer goals, managing academic guilt, and making strategic decisions about competing priorities when time feels scarce. Christine opens by acknowledging the extra layer of summer guilt that academics experience - the pressure to "catch up" during months supposedly dedicated to research and writing progress. She shares her personal summer project list using Penzu, an online notebook tool, demonstrating transparency about her own challenges with staying on track while managing multiple writing commitments. Her summer, which officially began June 2nd when her children finished school, included successfully completing major deadlines including conference proposals and a book proposal for an upcoming sabbatical guide. However, unexpected project revisions and new professional obligations have shifted her timeline, creating the familiar feeling of being behind despite objective progress. Christine introduces several strategic frameworks for summer project management. First, she advocates for conducting a "consequences audit" - honestly assessing what actually happens if certain projects remain incomplete. For tenured faculty, delayed personal writing projects may have minimal immediate impact, while those on the tenure track or job market face more significant career implications from lost productivity time. She demonstrates the power of strategic elimination, considering whether to reduce her planned Inside Higher Education articles from two to one, allowing focus on her persistently delayed "yucky writing project" - that half-finished article that continually gets pushed to future semesters. This decision-making process illustrates how academics can move from overwhelming task lists to manageable priorities. A key insight emerges around timing-sensitive projects. Christine emphasizes that book promotion work for her spring publications cannot be indefinitely delayed without losing marketing opportunities, while other projects offer more flexibility. This distinction helps writers identify which delays have real consequences versus those driven primarily by perfectionist tendencies. The episode addresses holistic summer planning beyond writing projects. Christine shares her success with restorative activities - pleasure reading, guitar playing, outdoor time, and family workout classes - noting that maintaining these practices often indicates healthy work-life integration even when writing productivity feels insufficient. She acknowledges one unmet goal: visiting the art museum, demonstrating realistic self-assessment without harsh self-judgment. Christine introduces the concept of decision deadlines, giving herself until July 1st to finalize her revised summer plan. This approach prevents endless rumination while ensuring thoughtful priority-setting for remaining summer weeks. She challenges listeners to recognize areas where they might actually be ahead of schedule, encouraging academics to claim credit for deep work that took longer than anticipated but produced higher-quality results. This reframing counters the academic tendency toward perpetual dissatisfaction with productivity levels. The episode concludes with practical encouragement: counting remaining summer weeks reveals substantial time for meaningful progress. Christine calculated six weeks remaining until her semester begins, reframing "behind" feelings into opportunities for strategic focus and realistic goal adjustment. TOOLS MENTIONED ● Penzu - Free online notebook for project planning and tracking (link in show notes) UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES: DPL Writing Classes - Join upcoming free workshops at including: ● Paragraphing Workshop - Transform paragraph construction skills ● Sentence-Level Writing Workshop - Master academic prose at the sentence level Summer Faculty Development - Multiple free workshops available through Eventbrite designed for faculty developers, covering writing group facilitation and low-cost professional development programming. Coaching Support Available - Individual coaching sessions are readily available during summer months and never expire. Coaching supports manuscript development, writing practice refinement, and specific challenges like dissertation methodology feedback.
/episode/index/show/defendandpublish/id/37168675
info_outline
DP&L Episode 233 - Paragraphing
06/21/2025
DP&L Episode 233 - Paragraphing
In this focused writing craft episode, President and executive writing coach Christine Tulley explores the fundamental structure that drives successful scholarly communication. Christine reveals how understanding paragraph architecture can transform academic writing from scattered thoughts into compelling, publishable scholarship that resonates with readers and reviewers alike. Christine introduces the concept that scholarly paragraphs function as miniature essays, each containing their own complete argument arc within the larger framework of academic discourse. This understanding shifts how writers approach paragraph construction, moving beyond simple topic sentences to crafting sophisticated micro-arguments that build toward larger scholarly conclusions. Drawing on insights from Eric Hayot's The Elements of Academic Style, Christine discusses what Hayot terms "The Uneven U" structure - a reliable framework where effective academic writing begins with broad contextual statements, narrows to present specific evidence and analysis, then expands again to draw wider implications and connections. This pattern creates the rhythmic flow that characterizes polished academic prose. The episode demonstrates a practical revision technique for assessing paragraph effectiveness: extracting the final sentence from each paragraph or concluding paragraph from each section to evaluate whether the writing demonstrates progressive intellectual development. Christine explains how this diagnostic reveals whether arguments are genuinely building momentum or simply repeating the same level of analysis without advancement. She emphasizes that strong academic paragraphs don't merely present information but actively engage in scholarly conversation, with each paragraph contributing a distinct piece to the overall intellectual puzzle. The concluding sentences of well-crafted paragraphs should collectively reveal an upward trajectory of thinking, moving from specific observations toward broader theoretical insights. Christine connects this paragraph-level attention to the larger project of scholarly publication success, noting how editors and reviewers can quickly assess manuscript quality by examining paragraph structure and flow. Writers who master these foundational elements significantly improve their chances of acceptance and positive reception within their academic communities. The discussion highlights common challenges academics face when translating complex research into clear, compelling prose, particularly the tendency to front-load paragraphs with evidence while neglecting the crucial interpretive work that transforms data into meaningful scholarly contribution. RELATED EPISODES: : Academic Article Writing Norms UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY: Join Christine for an intensive workshop designed to elevate your scholarly writing through strategic paragraph construction: Thursday, June 26 This hands-on session will provide concrete techniques for implementing the architectural principles discussed in this episode, offering participants the opportunity to workshop their own writing while learning systematic approaches to paragraph revision and refinement. Summer Professional Development: Defend Publish & Lead offers multiple free webinars and seminars designed for faculty developers, graduate students, and academics at all career stages, available through their . https://www.eventbrite.com/o/defend-and-publish-20030111125 Free Resources Available: Visit defendpublish.com and click "Events" to access comprehensive faculty development programming including writing group facilitation, administrative writing support, and dissertation writing strategies. Need help developing stronger paragraph-level writing skills or implementing systematic revision strategies? Contact Defend, Publish & Lead for personalized coaching support tailored to your scholarly writing goals.
/episode/index/show/defendandpublish/id/37093345