When you finally receive that long-awaited email announcing tenure, you expect it to change everything—less stress, more freedom, and the chance to finally pursue the big dreams you've been putting on hold. But what happens when the reality doesn't live up to the hype?

In this episode of the Mid-Career Series, I share my own post-tenure story. From the anticlimactic certification letter to the realization that tenure didn't automatically bring clarity, impact, or balance. Instead, I found myself stuck at the top of the promotion ladder in the middle of a financial crisis, still overworked and unsure of what was next.

If you've ever thought tenure would be the turning point that finally allowed you to regain control of your academic career, this conversation may feel uncomfortably familiar. But it also opens the door to imagining something bigger for your career, on your own terms.

Listen now to hear my story about securing tenure and discover how you can start building the academic career you truly want now, without letting a prospective promotion hold you back.

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.

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Earning tenure is often treated as the finish line of an academic career—but what if it's actually the start of a whole new set of challenges?

This episode is part of our Mid-Career Series, where I discuss what life really looks like post-tenure.

Too often, scholars expect tenure to mean lighter workloads, more freedom, and clearer direction. In reality, many find themselves juggling even more demands with fewer guideposts for what comes next.

I unpack five common myths about the post-tenure career stage and reveal what's really waiting on the other side of promotion. You'll hear why tenure can feel both more demanding and more liberating, and how to approach this stage of your career with clarity and purpose.

If you're post-tenure or preparing for it, don't miss this myth-busting conversation. Listen now for a fresh perspective on shaping your next chapter 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:

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I am excited to kick off the brand-new Mid-Career Podcast Series, where I dive into the realities of academic life after tenure.

Mid-career is the longest stretch of the academic journey, often 15 to 20 years, and while it brings stability and experience, it can also feel like uncharted territory. Many academics discover that the freedoms they imagined post-promotion are replaced with heavier workloads, shifting priorities, and the lingering question of what's next.

In this first episode, I lay the groundwork for what mid-career really looks like and why it matters. I'll talk about the gap between expectation and reality, the identity shifts that happen when the tenure track drive fades, and the surprising ways burnout shows up even after achieving major milestones.

Most importantly, I'll introduce how to think about mid-career not as a plateau, but as a phase filled with opportunities to realign, reset, and build skills that sustain your academic life for the long haul.

Tune in to start reframing mid-career on your own terms and hear sneak peeks of the insights and stories I will share throughout this series.

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:

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• Facebook

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What should take priority in your academic career right now: rewriting grant proposals or getting your papers published? In this episode, I offer a hot take that might make you pause—and rethink – how you're spending your precious writing time.

Grants are, of course, essential for research. They fund our projects, sustain our labs, and provide the indirect costs universities depend on. But in today's climate—especially with the instability of many federal grant programs—pouring endless hours into resubmitting proposals may not be the most strategic move. At the same time, your publications are what amplify your scholarly voice, shape your reputation in the field, and ultimately strengthen your future grant applications.

That tension between funding and publishing is one every scholar deals with. But what if, for this season, the smarter choice is to lean into writing papers rather than rewriting rejected grants?

Tune in to learn why that pivot matters, how to balance the relationship between grants and publications, and why prioritizing papers right now may be the best investment in your academic career.

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 ever sat down to write and felt completely stuck, frustrated, or drained—wondering why it feels so much harder than any other part of your academic work?

In this episode, I dive into the reality that writing is hard because it's meant to be. The intellectual work of interpreting data, structuring arguments, and expressing your ideas clearly is inherently challenging. I explore why the very things that make writing feel difficult are exactly what make it meaningful, impactful, and essential to your scholarly growth.

Listen in to reframe your relationship with writing, honor the difficulty of the process, and embrace the hard work as a sign you're doing it right.

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:

• LinkedIn

• Facebook

• YouTube

Have you ever found yourself buried under the weight of the very success you worked so hard to achieve?

Winning a giant grant or getting the opportunity to head your own research center are amazing accomplishments. With success comes new responsibilities that demand unique skillsets – good problems to have, but ones you need to manage to avoid burnout and overwhelm.

Today, I am offering a sneak peek from the Scholar's Voice® Alumni Podcast, an exclusive feed available only to academics who have taken Navigate 12-week program, Elevate, Amplify, or Leading Now.

In this episode, I share a coaching story about a client whose incredible research accomplishments left her managing multiple large projects without the systems or support to handle them. Together, we'll explore what happens when achievement outpaces infrastructure, and why the skills that get you to the next level aren't always the ones that help you thrive there.

Listen in to learn how to stop suffering from your own success so you can lead with more clarity, confidence, and sustainability.

For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast.

We're receiving applications for our next cohort of Leading Now. 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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What happens when the most challenging part of leadership isn't the work, but the weight of emotions you're expected to carry?

In this episode, I dive into the hidden emotional labor of leadership, sharing stories from my own life—both at home and in professional settings—to explore how leaders, especially women, navigate the delicate balance of awareness, empathy, and action.

I reflect on moments when stress and frustration threatened to derail me, and I show how cultivating self-coaching and grounding practices can help turn emotional turmoil into clarity and calm.

If you've ever felt the weight of others' emotions in your work or questioned how to stay centered while guiding a team, this episode offers both validation and practical insight into leading with presence, perspective, and poise.

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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In today's special episode, I share a conversation with my friend and fellow writing coach, Dr. Anna Clemens. Anna helps scientists write their articles, and she invited me to join a live stream on her YouTube channel to discuss the benefits of creating an intentional writing season.

Anna and I explore how to transform writing from a source of anxiety into a manageable, enjoyable part of your scholarly career. Learn practical strategies for building positive writing habits, navigating the challenges of work-life balance, and creating intentional writing seasons that fit the demands of your career and personal life.

Whether you're an early-career researcher or a tenure-track professor, this conversation will give you fresh perspectives and actionable tools to boost your writing confidence and productivity.

Tune in to learn how to engineer your academic writing practice for success — and reclaim your passion for writing.

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:

• LinkedIn

• Facebook

• YouTube

If you've ever thought "it's not just about time—I don't have the energy" when it comes to your writing, you are not alone.

In this episode, Dr. Abigail Hogan joins me to talk about how she's learned to align her writing practice with her energy patterns, and why doing so has been transformational for both her scholarship and her well-being.

Dr. Hogan shares what drew her to the Navigate program after participating in Amplify, and how she used the tools and coaching support to break through perfectionism, release the emotional weight of a long-stalled paper, and publish with confidence.

Whether you're mid-project, mid-semester, or just feeling a bit stuck, Abby's story will leave you reflecting on how to approach your writing with more intention, clarity, and self-compassion.

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:

• LinkedIn

• Facebook

• YouTube

If you've ever said, "I'd love to join Navigate, but I just don't have the time," this episode is for you.

Today, I'm joined by Dr. Janet McCabe, who brings honesty and real-world insight into what it looks like to invest in your writing during a busy and emotionally challenging season. We talk about her initial hesitation to join Navigate, the fear of adding one more thing to her plate, and how she ultimately found structure, clarity, and unexpected ease in her academic writing process.

Whether you're mid-career, managing administrative responsibilities, or simply struggling to reconnect with your research, Janet's reflections offer perspective and encouragement. Janet's experience is a powerful reminder that your writing doesn't need perfect conditions—it needs attention, structure, and a willingness to begin.

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:

• LinkedIn

• Facebook

• YouTube