What if 2026 wasn't the year you tried to do everything, but the year you finally did the thing that most aligns with your academic mission statement?

In this episode, I'm officially inviting you to make 2026 your writing year. I've been planting this seed for a while now, especially as we collectively move through ongoing funding uncertainty and career volatility. Today, I want to slow down and really explain what I mean by a "writing year," why so many scholars are choosing this path right now, and how you can begin making this shift in a practical and sustainable way.

I walk you through what a writing year looks like, how it can become a powerful decision-making framework, and how I'll be supporting scholars throughout 2026 with free workshops, coaching series, and a newly redesigned podcast format. I also share details about my Navigate program.

If you're ready to lead your academic career with intention and make real progress on the academic papers that matter most, this episode is your starting point

For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast.

We're receiving applications for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap®. Check out the program details and start your application process here.

1. 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. Apply here!

2. 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!

3. 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.

CONNECT WITH ME:

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Today we're celebrating a milestone: Episode 300. Instead of doing a big party episode, I wanted to share a more grounded, honest reflection as we wrap up 2025, a year that has been one of the most professionally disruptive years for academics.

This episode is all about wrapping up, embracing seasonality, and entering winter break with a mindset of restoration rather than burnout, guilt, or the urge to "catch up." If you've been feeling behind, overwhelmed, stretched thin, or like your writing has been pushed into the margins of your life, this is for you.

I walk you through the metaphors and practices I use to design an intentional pause rather than defaulting into the binge-and-bust cycle that academia encourages.

You'll also hear how I'm thinking about 2026, a sneak peek of my new approach to the podcast, and why restoration is an essential part of your writing system.

For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast.

We're receiving applications for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap®. Check out the program details and start your application process here.

1. 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. Apply here!

2. 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!

3. 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.

CONNECT WITH ME:

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2025 has been a year of funding uncertainty in academia, and I know many of you have been asking yourself how to keep your research moving forward when grant opportunities are unpredictable.

Today, I'm pulling back the curtain on a mini-lesson from my Round 2+ Navigate program: Scaling Research Through Writing. I make the case for why 2026 should be a writing year for you. I walk you through how writing and publishing help expand your research's reach, deepen collaborations, and even enhance your mentorship.

I also share practical strategies for working with grad students, post-docs, and early-career faculty to develop their writing skills, because when you teach writing, you multiply the impact of your research and your team. If you've been thinking about how to make your scholarly work matter more, this episode is full of ideas to help you scale your research program without waiting for grants to come through.

Tune in to learn how to shift your mindset about academic writing and how to leverage it as a strategic tool for growth and influence in your field.

And don't miss Episode 300 next week, it's our special wrap-up for 2025!

For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast.

We're receiving applications for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap®. Check out the program details and start your application process here.

CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION:

1. 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. Apply here!

2. 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!

3. 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.

CONNECT WITH ME:

• LinkedIn

• Facebook

• YouTube

Guilt, shame, and fear around academic writing show up far more often than we admit. And for many academics, those emotions become so intertwined with our identity that even seeing the phrase "making time to write" can trigger a full-body "Nope!"

I was reminded of this last week during the National Women's Studies Association conference in Puerto Rico. The conference was beautifully integrated with local scholars, activists, and artists, creating a powerful space for community and reflection.

What surprised me most, though, was the range of reactions people had when they walked by our booth and saw my book. Some people laughed; some avoided eye contact and literally walked (or ran!) away; others said, "You're making me feel so bad."

That emotional recoil is exactly why today's episode exists.

This week, I'm diving deep into what guilt, shame, and overwhelm around writing really reveal—not about you as an individual, but about the sociocultural and institutional contexts you're working within. If you've internalized the idea that your inconsistent writing practice is a personal flaw, this discussion will help you understand why that narrative is wrong, and how to reclaim the sense of agency you absolutely do have.

If you've ever thought, "I should be writing," and immediately felt terrible, this one's for you. Tune in, and let's talk about what's really holding back your academic writing and how to move through it.

For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast.

We're receiving applications for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap®. Check out the program details and start your application process here.

CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION:

1. 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. Apply here!

2. 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!

3. 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.

CONNECT WITH ME:

• LinkedIn

• Facebook

• YouTube

The holiday season is here, and what better way to celebrate than with some great books?

In this special 2025 holiday book review episode, I'm sharing some of my favorite reads from the past year, plus one highly anticipated pre-order for 2026.

Reading has always been a way for me to pause, reflect, and explore worlds beyond my own, whether through nonfiction that deepens understanding of our shared humanity, literary fiction that transports you across time and place, or romance and fantasy that just makes your heart smile.

I'll give you a quick overview of each book, why it stood out to me, and what makes it worth adding to your own bookshelf. You'll find titles that challenge your thinking, invite empathy, and offer unforgettable stories, including books that span genres from historical fantasy to creative nonfiction. And I'll highlight one pre-order that I'm particularly excited about, a timely, important, and deeply engaging book that I know will resonate with a wide audience.

So grab your cup of tea, settle in, and join me as I walk through my favorite 2025 reads. Whether you're giving books this holiday season or asking for a few for yourself, there's something here for everyone.

For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast.

We're receiving applications for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap®. Check out the program details and start your application process here.

CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION:

1. 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. Apply here!

2. 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!

3. 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.

CONNECT WITH ME:

• LinkedIn

• Facebook

• YouTube

When you reach mid-career in academia, it can feel like you should have everything figured out. But often, that's when the real questions begin.

In this episode, I sit down with Michelle, a mid-career scholar and second-round participant in our Navigate program, to talk about what happens after tenure and how she's redefining success on her path to full professorship.

Michelle shares how Navigate helped her regain her sense of freedom, recalibrate her time and energy, and reconnect to her purpose as a scholar and leader.

If you have considered applying to Navigate or if you feel frustrated on the path to tenure, this episode is for you. Listen in to hear how Michelle is creating a more human, grounded, and community-centered version of academic success.

For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast.

We're receiving applications for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap®. Check out the program details and start your application process here.

CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION:

1. 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. Apply here!

2. 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!

3. 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.

CONNECT WITH ME:

• LinkedIn

• Facebook

• YouTube

After tenure, it can feel like everyone is depending on you, from students to your junior colleagues, your co-authors, and even your family.

In this episode, I explore what it really means to lead for legacy at this stage in your academic career. Leadership isn't about taking on more work or moving into administration. It's about how you show up for others while also taking care of yourself. I'll share how to lead in a way that sustains both you and the people who look to you for guidance.

Then, I break down why it is okay to focus your energy on your academic mission and cementing your legacy, even if that means saying no to people who helped you reach tenure. From prioritizing your wellbeing to reshaping your career to be what you want, I challenge you to shift your mindset on leadership.

Listen in to learn how to lead for legacy without burning out, and how to model a new kind of success in academia.

For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast.

We're receiving applications for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap®. Check out the program details and start your application process here.

CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION:

1. 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. Apply here!

2. 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!

3. 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.

CONNECT WITH ME:

• LinkedIn

• Facebook

• YouTube

Have you been told to "step into leadership" on your campus, only to realize what they really meant was taking on more admin work?

In this episode, I'm breaking down one of academia's biggest myths: that leadership and administration are the same thing. They're not, and understanding the difference can transform how you approach your academic career.

As part of our Mid-Career Series, this episode explores what real leadership looks like beyond the tenure track. I share what I've learned about leading without losing yourself to bureaucracy and why leadership is less about hierarchy and more about vision, collaboration, and identity.

You'll also hear what I learned firsthand from stepping briefly into administration and how it reshaped my understanding of what academic leadership really is.

Tune in now to learn how to leverage your leadership to build influence, impact, and a meaningful legacy without getting lost in admin work.

For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast.

We're receiving applications for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap®. Check out the program details and start your application process here.

CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION:

1. 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. Apply here!

2. 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!

3. 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.

CONNECT WITH ME:

• LinkedIn

• Facebook

• YouTube

Are you feeling stuck, unmotivated, or wondering what happened to the joy you once felt in your academic work? You're not alone. Today, I'm tackling one of the most common and least discussed challenges in the scholarly journey: the mid-career slump.

This episode is part of our Mid-Career Series, where I am exploring what it really takes to thrive after tenure. If you've hit that milestone and expected relief, only to feel even more frustrated and overwhelmed, this conversation is for you.

I unpack how the academic system sets you up to sprint toward tenure, pushing yourself harder and harder in pursuit of safety and validation, and why, when you finally get there, that safety often feels like an illusion. You'll hear why the habits, mindsets, and patterns that got you to tenure can easily lead to burnout afterward, and how to shift them now, whether you're pre-tenure and want to avoid the slump, or mid-career and ready to reclaim joy, purpose, and balance in your work.

If you've ever thought, "Is this really what I worked so hard for?", this episode will help you find your way back to a sustainable and meaningful academic career.

Tune in to hear why mid-career burnout isn't inevitable, and how to realign your choices, priorities, and time so your academic life actually supports your wellbeing, not drains it.

For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast.

We're receiving applications for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap®. Check out the program details and start your application process here.

CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION:

1. 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. Apply here!

2. 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!

3. 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.

CONNECT WITH ME:

• LinkedIn

• Facebook

• YouTube

My Mid-Career Series is all about redefining success after tenure and building a career that feels as meaningful as it looks on paper. In this segment, I share one of the hardest truths about the academic journey — what got you here won't get you there.

I explore how the habits, priorities, and systems that helped you earn tenure may actually hold you back from becoming a full professor or advancing in new directions.

If you've been feeling like you're working just as hard but not making meaningful progress. Or, if you're wondering why your post-tenure years feel less clear than the path that got you here, this episode is for you. I share insights from my own experience and from coaching hundreds of scholars through this exact phase of their careers, helping you see where your energy might be better spent and what needs to evolve as you move forward.

It's time to rethink your mid-career strategy, make space for the next stage of your scholarly life, and get clear on how to achieve your academic mission without burning out.

For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast.

We're receiving applications for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap®. Check out the program details and start your application process here.

CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION:

1. 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. Apply here!

2. 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!

3. 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.

CONNECT WITH ME:

• LinkedIn

• Facebook

• YouTube