In this reflective Fieldnotes episode, Dr. Mildred Boveda and Dr. Venus Evans-Winters pause to share how they’ve been showing up for themselves this summer. From the beaches to the quiet corners of our homes, we discuss the intentional self-care rituals that grounded us, restored us, and helped us reconnect with our purpose as educators, scholars, and Black women navigating layered commitments. We also offer a brief update on what’s ahead for the podcast and how our creative and scholarly energies are aligning for the upcoming season. Whether you're holding space for rest, reinventing your wellness routine, or simply curious about how two Black feminist scholars find balance—this episode is for you. 🌀 Tune in and take what you need.

In this episode of Writing What I Like: Fieldnotes of a Black Woman Scholar, Dr. Mildred Boveda (YouTube: @mboveda) and I are joined by Dr. Raymond Adams, a Black male social work professor whose research sheds critical light on prostate cancer and the health experiences of Black men. Dr. Adams brings a powerful voice to the intersection of public health, wellness, and academic life—unpacking the ways that systemic inequities shape Black men’s access to care, and how his scholarship is both a personal and political act of resistance. Together, we explore how Black men navigate wellness in the context of racialized medicine, how Dr. Adams brings his research into the classroom to shape a new generation of social workers, and why education must contend with the embodied realities of the communities it aims to serve. This conversation reminds us that health justice is, in fact, educational justice, and that the academy must be a space where both can thrive. Tune in as we talk research, resistance, and rewriting the script on Black men's wellness—one fieldnote at a time.

In this episode, Dr. Venus Evans-Winters and Dr. Mildred Boveda (Youtube @mboveda) sit down with Dr. Erica McCray—educator, researcher, and leader—to discuss the powerful roles of mothering and daughtering in shaping our work and wellness in academic spaces. Together, they explore how intergenerational care and personal identity influence educational leadership, equity-focused research, and the pursuit of balance in high-pressure environments. Dr. McCray reflects on her lived experiences and shares how she integrates care, legacy, and advocacy into her scholarship and professional life. This is a rich, intimate conversation for anyone invested in justice, healing, and the ways Black women lead and nurture across generations. Listen in as we honor the unseen and transformative labor of Black women in education and beyond.

Reflection questions: 

1. How have your experiences as a mother or daughter (or son/father) shaped your values and vision in education and leadership?
2. In what ways does your personal identity influence your approach to research, especially around equity and inclusion?
3. What practices help you maintain wellness and balance while supporting others in academic spaces?
4. What legacy do you hope to pass on to those who see you as a mentor or academic mother?

In this episode, we journey into the heart of Black feminist research and healing through the lens of storytelling. Together, we, Dr. Mildred Boveda and Dr. Evans-Winters, reflect on the power of narrative as a method of resistance, a source of knowledge, and a sacred tool for personal and collective transformation. Drawing from our own lives and the legacies of Black feminist scholars and creators, we explore how storytelling shows up in our work and why it matters now more than ever. We also turn inward with a conversation about journaling—how it anchors our thoughts, reveals our truths, and supports the deep inner work required to write, research, and resist. Whether you're a writer, scholar, educator, or seeker, this episode invites you to pick up the pen and begin again. Tune in for reflection, laughter, and a few words from Mildred (@mboveda on YouTube) and me as we ask: What stories are we still afraid to tell? And what becomes possible when we write anyway?

Journaling Prompt: “Write about a time you reclaimed your voice through telling your story.”

Graduate school can be a physically and mentally isolating experience, but building a supportive community is essential for academic success and personal well-being. ‪@DrVenusEvansWinters‬ discusses strategies for fostering meaningful connections among graduate students through collaboration, mentorship, and collective care. Strategies include navigating academic power dynamics, forming writing and accountability groups, and prioritizing mental wellness through community care. I highlight how students can bridge disciplines, uplift marginalized voices, and use writing as a tool for connection. Additionally, digital platforms and virtual networks are explored as resources for fostering academic solidarity beyond institutional walls. Hosted by a professor, researcher, writer, and clinical therapist specializing in trauma, this series offers insights and practical tools for creating a strong, affirming, and engaged graduate student community. Join the conversation and reimagine academia as a space of shared growth, resilience, and transformation.

In this episode of Writing What I Like: Fieldnotes of a Black Woman Scholar, we explore how toxic work environments and systemic oppression impact mental health and creativity. Discover how writing can be a transformative tool to process these challenges, resist burnout, and reclaim your voice. Join me, Dr. Venus Evans-Winters, as I share practical exercises and strategies to empower you to turn your experiences into powerful narratives of resilience and resistance.

Recently, in our culture, there has been an overemphasis on writing for public consumption and profit. Academic writing privileges content that addresses "somebody else's problem" instead of writing for personal growth and imagination. This trend can overshadow the profoundly transformative potential of writing when it's approached as a tool for personal healing and authentic relationship building. Mindfulness awareness allows us to write from a place of authenticity and presence. As we observe our thoughts and emotions, we gain insights into our true selves, much like how staying present in the moment helps us navigate life's complexities. Dr. Venus Evans-Winters shares three questions to consider when researching and writing for personal awareness and social change. Grab your journals and pens for this episode.

"Post" Pandemic Welcome Back! Dr. V discusses her journey over the last months and years after deciding to reclaim rest. She provides insights into her commitment to Collective Healing, Learning, and Laboring. Listen to learn some of the strategies she implemented as a professor, clinician, and solo-entrepreneur to bounce back from the pandemic and heal in the midst of it all.

Create your writing goals with the SMART method. Learn how to set SMART writing goals and starting setting writing goals that are stated in a way that is specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely. Dr. V walks you through her method of setting SMART writing goals. Grab your writing journal and pen and set your writing goal today!