Your Words Unleashed: Recent Episodes
Leslie Wang
Your Words Unleashed Podcast, hosted by author and writing coach Dr. Leslie Wang, helps women scholars master their writing habits and publish a book that matters.
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Academic writing often asks us to keep ourselves out of the story. Memoir asks us to do the opposite.
In this episode, I talk with sociologist and intersex scholar-activist Georgiann Davis about her new book, Five Star White Trash, a research-driven memoir that weaves together personal narrative and sociological analysis. We discuss what it means to write about deeply personal experiences as an academic, how memoir can help readers understand larger social issues, and why storytelling can be a powerful form of scholarship.
Georgiann shares her journey from middle school dropout to professor, the challenges of writing openly about family trauma and identity, and how sociological concepts helped her make sense of her own experiences. We also discuss audience, accessibility, and the possibilities that emerge when scholars move beyond traditional academic genres.
If you've ever wondered what memoir can offer that other forms of academic writing cannot, this conversation provides a thoughtful exploration of the connections between lived experience, research, and public scholarship.
Support the show
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you with coaching & developmental editing:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out! If you're interested, shoot me an email at ...
Send us Fan Mail
Many academics postpone thinking seriously about money until they have a "real job." But the habits and systems you build long before that point can have a significant impact on the choices available to you later.
In this episode, I talk with Dr. Emily Roberts, founder of Personal Finance for PhDs, about the financial challenges that graduate students and postdocs often face. We discuss scarcity mindset in academia, the relationship between money and personal values, and why financial literacy is about much more than budgeting. Emily also shares practical strategies for building financial awareness, preparing for career transitions, and creating structures that support long-term goals.
This conversation is especially useful if you're trying to make career decisions while navigating the uncertainty of academia today.
Support the show
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you with coaching & developmental editing:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out! If you're interested, shoot me an email at ...
Send us Fan Mail
Many academics reach a point where they start wondering whether they can continue doing this work in the same way for the rest of their career. But even when those questions start surfacing, leaving academia can still feel almost impossible to imagine.
In this episode, I talk with my friend Dr. Saher Selod about her transition from tenured professor and department chair to Director of Research at the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU). We discuss the emotional reality of leaving academia and the fear and uncertainty that often comes with it. We also talk about how burnout, institutional change, and shifting priorities shape one's decision to explore something different.
We also talk about how academic skills translate into policy and nonprofit work, what it means to make research more accessible and publicly impactful, and why many academics underestimate the value of the work they already know how to do. This is a conversation about career transitions, but also about identity and rethinking what meaningful work can look like beyond the academy.
Support the show
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you with coaching & developmental editing:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out! If you're interested, shoot me an email at ...
Send us Fan Mail
What helps some academic authors finish their books while others remain stuck for years? In this solo episode, Leslie explores the question she has been pondering throughout her coaching career: what truly creates writing success?
Drawing on her experience working with hundreds of scholarly authors, she challenges common assumptions about productivity, motivation, and time management.
Leslie shares a practical framework for understanding why writing progress often stalls and what allows authors to keep moving forward despite busy schedules, competing demands, and inevitable setbacks. If you're working on a book manuscript, this episode offers deep insight and a fresh perspective.
Support the show
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you with coaching & developmental editing:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out! If you're interested, shoot me an email at ...
Send us Fan Mail
In this episode, I’m joined by Sarah Russo, founder of Page One Media, to talk through how these campaigns work and how they differ from what presses are able to do on their own. We discuss what publicity actually involves, how it connects to marketing and sales, and why the timeline and goals for a campaign matter so much.
We also talk about how to think about platforms in a more expansive way, what authors can do to keep momentum going after publication, and how to approach publicity as part of a longer-term investment in your work.
If you’re navigating book publicity and not sure what to expect or what’s worth investing in, this episode may help you think through those decisions.
Support the show
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you with coaching & developmental editing:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out! If you're interested, shoot me an email at ...
Send us Fan Mail
A lot of graduate students—especially those who are first-generation or come from underrepresented backgrounds—enter academia without really knowing how it works behind the scenes. So many expectations are unspoken and timelines can feel fuzzy. A lot of what shapes success is never clearly explained.
In this episode, I’m talking with Dr. Yvette Martinez-Vu, the founder of Grad School Femtoring, about how to navigate grad school with more clarity and support. She shares her own journey through academia and how it led her to support first-gen, BIPOC, and non-traditional students in the work she does today.
We talk about:
-the “hidden curriculum” of graduate school
-why so many students struggle with all the ambiguity
-and what faculty and institutions can do differently to better support them.
Yvette also speaks to the importance of values, community, and sustainable ways of working—and how confidence often grows when expectations are clearer and you can actually see your own progress.
So whether you work with graduate students or are in grad school yourself, this conversation will give you a new way to think about support, structure, and what sustainable progress can look like.
Support the show
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you with coaching & developmental editing:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out! If you're interested, shoot me an email at ...
Send us Fan Mail
Turning a published article into a book chapter can feel daunting—but it’s also one of the smartest ways to build momentum on your manuscript. In this episode, I walk you through how to repurpose your existing work without simply copying and pasting. You’ll learn how to rethink your article as part of a larger narrative, clarify its role in your book’s overall argument, and shift your writing to engage a broader audience beyond your subfield.
I also address common concerns about self-plagiarism and how much previously published material you can realistically include in a monograph. Finally, I share practical revision strategies—what to cut, what to expand, and how to reshape your structure—so your chapter feels cohesive, compelling, and purposeful.
If you’re ready to stop starting from scratch and make meaningful progress on your book, this episode will give you a clear path forward.
Support the show
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you with coaching & developmental editing:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out! If you're interested, shoot me an email at ...
Send us Fan Mail
Many PhDs who are considering careers beyond academia struggle with a simple question: how do you explain what you do to people outside your field?
In this episode, I talk with David Mendes, host of Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD, about science communication, career transitions, and how PhDs can start telling clearer stories about their work and their skills. David shares how his own experience navigating life after the PhD led him to create a podcast that highlights the many different paths researchers take beyond academia.
We discuss why academic training often makes it difficult to communicate with broader audiences, how storytelling can help researchers explain their work more effectively, and why building relationships outside the academic bubble is so important. David also offers practical advice on networking, especially for introverts, and how small, authentic conversations can open doors to unexpected career opportunities.
If you’re exploring possibilities beyond academia, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at how to broaden your perspective, communicate your work in new ways, and start building connections beyond your department.
Support the show
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you with coaching & developmental editing:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out! If you're interested, shoot me an email at ...
Send us Fan Mail
As political attacks on colleges and universities accelerate across the United States, what’s happening in higher education is increasingly a warning sign for democracy itself.
In this episode, Leslie speaks with Alison Gash, Professor and Department Head of Political Science at the University of Oregon, about coordinated efforts to undermine academic freedom—from curriculum bans and anti-DEI policies to broader attempts to weaken critical inquiry. Together, they examine why universities have become such a central political target, and what is at stake when spaces devoted to evidence, debate, and learning are constrained.
The conversation also explores how faculty, students, and education leaders are responding through collective advocacy. Alison shares how networks like We Are Higher Ed emerged, why letter-writing campaigns have become a powerful organizing tool, and how community-based resistance can counter the isolation that authoritarian systems depend on.
Listeners interested in learning more or getting involved can explore the resources and advocacy efforts at We Are Higher Ed.
Support the show
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you with coaching & developmental editing:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out! If you're interested, shoot me an email at ...
Send us Fan Mail
Have you achieved a lot in your academic career — but something still feels off? In this episode, I explore the identity shifts that often hit academics in mid-career, especially around getting tenure.
Drawing on Arthur Brooks' provocative Atlantic essay on professional change, I unpack why purpose naturally evolves over time — and why that's nothing to fear. I talk about the post-tenure slump no one warns you about, the quiet fear of becoming irrelevant, and why academia's narrow definition of success can leave mid-career scholars feeling stuck.
I also dig into the different kinds of intelligence and how that distinction can help you stop seeing change as decline and start seeing it as evolution.
If you've been wondering how to make your career fit who you are today, this episode is for you!
Support the show
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you with coaching & developmental editing:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out! If you're interested, shoot me an email at ...
Send us Fan Mail
Many women in academia are diagnosed with ADHD later in life, often after years of burnout, shame, and being told they’re “just anxious” or “not organized enough.” In this episode, you’ll hear why that experience is so common, and why it has far more to do with systems than with personal failure.
I talk with Karen Costa, author of An Educator’s Guide to ADHD, about what ADHD actually is (and isn’t), how deficit-based assumptions shape classrooms and feedback culture, and why ADHD learners are often some of the most creative and engaged students when teaching is designed with neurodiversity in mind.
We also dig into practical, realistic ways to support ADHD students without overhauling your entire course, from externalizing information to rethinking how feedback is given.
If you teach, mentor, write, or work in academic spaces, this conversation will help you see attention, creativity, and inclusion in a new way.
Support the show
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you with coaching & developmental editing:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out! If you're interested, shoot me an email at ...
Send us Fan Mail
In this episode, Leslie sits down with Jennifer Polk, PhD—career coach, educator, and founder of From PhD to Life—to talk about what it really takes to leave academia and build a fulfilling career beyond the tenure track.
Jen shares why the hardest part of career transition often isn’t strategy, but mindset: the stories academics tell themselves about stability, meaningful work, and whether they’re “enough” for roles outside higher ed. Together, they unpack common misconceptions about non-academic jobs, the emotional weight of career change, and how to reconnect with your values before jumping into applications.
They also explore practical first steps, including informational interviews, redefining networking as research, and identifying the skills academics often overlook.
If you’re feeling burned out, uncertain, or curious about what else is possible, this conversation will help you start with clarity and confidence.
Support the show
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you with coaching & developmental editing:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out! If you're interested, shoot me an email at ...
Send us Fan Mail
In this milestone 100th episode of Your Words Unleashed, I reflect on my podcasting journey and share one of the most courageous pieces of writing I’ve ever published: “The Case for Radically Inclusive Writing.”
After more than four years of podcasting—and major life and career transitions along the way—I look back on how using my voice consistently has shaped my values, my work, and my willingness to speak candidly about what’s broken when it comes to academic writing.
The heart of this episode is my recent opinion piece for Contexts Magazine, where I argue that the future of academic publishing depends on radically inclusive and accessible writing. I unpack why jargon, gatekeeping, and exclusivity limit the impact of scholarly ideas—and why clarity is not the enemy of rigor.
This episode is about writing as connection, not performance. It's time to use our writing to build bridges beyond the Ivory Tower.
Here’s to the next 100 episodes!
Support the show
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you with coaching & developmental editing:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out! If you're interested, shoot me an email at ...
Send us Fan Mail
Many academic authors have little sense of what happens once a book is finished, especially when it comes to publicity.
In this episode, I talk with Amanda Ice, a senior publicist at Harvard University Press, about what happens behind the scenes once a book is finished and why so much of that work is invisible to authors.
We walk through the publicity timeline, what authors can realistically expect from a university press, and why collaboration with your publicist matters more than most people realize. Amanda also shares common challenges academics face when promoting their work, including translating specialized ideas for broader audiences and deciding where to invest time and energy.
If you’re publishing a scholarly or academic trade book, this episode will help you approach publication with clearer expectations and better decision-making.
Support the show
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you with coaching & developmental editing:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out! If you're interested, shoot me an email at ...
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you with coaching & developmental editing:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out! If you're interested, shoot me an email at ...
Send us Fan Mail
As another intense year in academia comes to a close, you might be feeling equal parts relieved and completely wiped out.
In this episode, I’m reflecting on what 2025 looked like in my business and why I intentionally chose to do less—and felt better for it. Then I’ll walk you through a simple, low-pressure reflection that can help you figure out how to do just 10% less next semester without blowing up your career or your conscience.
This isn’t about quitting your job or radically changing your life overnight. It’s about small, strategic shifts that protect your energy and make your work feel more sustainable.
If you’re craving a gentler way to start the new year, this episode is for you.
Support the show
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you with coaching & developmental editing:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out! If you're interested, shoot me an email at ...
Send us Fan Mail
In this episode, Leslie talks with Dr. Abbie E. Goldberg—Professor of Clinical Psychology at Clark University and a leading scholar on LGBTQ+ families—about writing, research, and staying motivated when academic life feels overwhelming. Abbie reflects on how she came to see research as a form of storytelling and why life transitions for more than two decades.
They dive into the realities of academic writing: how to decide when a project no longer fits, why setting something aside isn’t failure, and how focusing on process rather than product can create more sustainable careers. The conversation also explores collaboration—what makes it work, what makes it painful, and how to spot mismatches early.
Despite all of the burnout and uncertainty in higher education, Abbie's thoughtful strategies for maintaining curiosity and finding hope through writing provide much-needed inspiration!
Support the show
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you with coaching & developmental editing:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out! If you're interested, shoot me an email at ...
Send us Fan Mail
In this deeply moving conversation, Leslie talks with Dr. Katherine In-Young Lee, a higher ed coach and former tenured professor, about what happens when academic life and caregiving collide. After her father’s stroke, Katherine became a full-time caregiver for both her parents—a journey that reshaped her understanding of productivity and purpose.
Together, they discuss the emotional, cultural, and institutional challenges that come with caring for aging parents while sustaining an academic career. Katherine shares hard-earned wisdom about things like navigating leave policies, finding support, and giving oneself grace through a demanding season of life.
This episode offers a rare, honest look at the realities of elder care in academia and the clarity that can emerge when life’s priorities shift. It’s a conversation for anyone balancing their own academic careers with profound personal responsibility—and seeking a more compassionate way forward.
Support the show
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you with coaching & developmental editing:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out! If you're interested, shoot me an email at ...
Send us a text
In this episode, Leslie explore the surprising perspectives people only gain after leaving academia. After three years outside higher ed, I’ve noticed unexpected shifts in my own habits, mindset, and relationships—so I asked thousands of former academics what changed for them once they left, too. Nearly 100 people responded, sharing candid reflections about work, health, identity, and what they thought they’d miss…but didn’t.
Today, I walk you through the top themes that emerged from their stories—insights that are hard to recognize when you’re still on the inside. We’ll talk about how expectations around work, community, and purpose evolve, and why so many former academics say the same surprising thing about their post-academic lives.
If you’re considering leaving, already on the other side, or simply curious what life beyond the academy actually feels like, this episode offers honest, thought-provoking food for thought—without spoiling all the details.
Support the show
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you with coaching & developmental editing:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out! If you're interested, shoot me an email at ...
Send us a text
What would you do if your inbox filled with threats, your home address was posted online, or your university launched an “investigation” after a viral tweet?
In this episode, Dr. Heather Steffen, director of Faculty First Responders, joins Leslie to reveal how professors can protect themselves from doxxing, harassment, and politically motivated attacks.
Dr. Steffen shares:
- The anatomy of a smear campaign—and how they spread through right-wing media
- The essential digital safety steps every academic should take now
- Why collective action and peer networks are key to preserving academic freedom
- How to build a campus support system before you need one
If you’ve ever worried about speaking out, teaching controversial topics, or just being too visible online, this conversation will give you the tools—and hope—you need to stay safe, supported, and heard.
🎧 Listen now to learn how to safeguard your digital presence and your career.
Support the show
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you with coaching & developmental editing:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out! If you're interested, shoot me an email at ...
Send us a text
In this episode, Leslie welcomes back book publishing expert Dr. Laura Portwood-Stacer, author of The Book Proposal Book and the new release Make Your Manuscript Work: A Guide to Developmental Editing for Scholarly Writers. Laura shares her practical, step-by-step approach to developmental editing and how she helps authors create manuscripts that truly resonate with presses and readers. She discusses the most common mistakes scholarly writers make, how to clarify your goals, and why thinking like an editor can empower your publishing journey.
We also talk about the realities of balancing writing with work, family, and life demands, and how authors can view their books as investments in their future careers. Whether you’re working on your first book or revising a manuscript after peer review, this episode offers invaluable guidance from one of the field's top developmental editors.
Support the show
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you in 2025:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Zoom Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out on my website and if you are interested in any of these, please shoot me an email at ...
Send us a text
Feeling drained, scattered, or like your brain is running on fumes? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to give up on your writing. In this episode, Leslie shares what to do when your capacity is at rock bottom but you still want to keep your research alive.
This episode includes strategies for protecting your mental space, rethinking what “counts” as writing, and tracking small wins that actually build momentum. Writing doesn’t have to be big or impressive to matter—it just needs to keep you connected to your ideas.
Along the way, Leslie invites you to reflect on what truly deserves your attention and rediscover writing as both resistance and renewal in challenging times.
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed or guilty about not doing “enough,” this episode will help you find gentler ways to move forward. Remember that every little bit counts!
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you in 2025:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Zoom Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out on my website and if you are interested in any of these, please shoot me an email at ...
Send us a text
How do you keep teaching with integrity when the ground beneath higher education is constantly shifting? In this episode, I talk with Dr. Brielle Harbin—political scientist, award-winning educator, and founder of Your Cooperative Colleague. Brielle helps scholars, especially women and nonbinary faculty of color, create values-aligned academic lives that resist burnout and grind culture.
We get into what it takes to build classrooms rooted in trust, courage, and respect in these polarized times. Brielle shares the practices she uses to sustain her teaching, from reflection rituals to her “mission filter” for staying aligned with core values. We also talk about how teaching and research can actually strengthen each other, and how to find hope in a time when academia feels especially fraught.
If you’ve been looking for a way to reconnect with your purpose in the classroom, this conversation is for you.
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you in 2025:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Zoom Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out on my website and if you are interested in any of these, please shoot me an email at ...
Send us a text
In this episode of Your Words Unleashed, I’m getting back to basics—the kind of writing advice that makes the biggest difference for scholars who want their work to actually connect. Too often, academic writing gets stuck in old habits that make our ideas harder (and way less fun) to read.
So today, I’m sharing my top writing pet peeves: the little quirks I see over and over that keep brilliant scholars from sounding like themselves. I’ll talk about why these habits show up, why they’re a problem, and most importantly, how to break them. This episode will give you a fresh perspective and some practical fixes.
Give yourself permission to speak truth to power by writing words that actually sound like you!
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you in 2025:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Zoom Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out on my website and if you are interested in any of these, please shoot me an email at ...
Send us a text
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you in 2025:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Zoom Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out on my website and if you are interested in any of these, please shoot me an email at ...
Send us a text
Feeling the weight of the upcoming semester? You’re not alone. In this episode, I explore why so many academics head into fall already exhausted—and how you can change that.
I share a simple but powerful three-step approach to reduce your teaching load without sacrificing student learning. You’ll hear why it’s essential to put your own priorities at the center of your semester planning and how a few intentional choices now can save you from burnout later.
Whether you’re facing large classes, heavy grading, or endless course prep, these strategies will help you reclaim time for your own well-being. If you’ve ever wished you could teach less but still feel good about it, this conversation will show you that it’s not only possible—it’s necessary.
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you in 2025:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Zoom Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out on my website and if you are interested in any of these, please shoot me an email at ...
Send us a text
Acquisitions editors, developmental editors, copy editors... How many different kinds of editors are there? What do they even do? And what are they looking for in a project?
On this episode I chat with Alison Kalett, Editorial Director at Princeton University Press, where she supports a team of six science editors and acquires books in biology. She's been their science editor since 2007, and prior to this, she was editor for American History at Cornell University Press.
In this episode, Alison gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the world of scholarly publishing. As a non-scientist who acquires science books, she lends a useful and unique perspective that will help all scholars figure out the academic publishing world.
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you in 2025:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Zoom Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out on my website and if you are interested in any of these, please shoot me an email at ...
Send us a text
Have you ever asked yourself, “How much time do I actually need to write in order to make progress?” If so, then this episode is for you. Whether you’ve been struggling to find time to write this summer or gearing up for the fall semester, you’ll find practical insights and compassionate advice to help you move forward.
Leslie explores the pros and cons of popular strategies and gives tips to help you protect your writing time, build momentum, and break tasks into manageable steps. You'll walk away with clarity on how to adjust your writing routine to fit your life, without guilt.
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you in 2025:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Zoom Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out on my website and if you are interested in any of these, please shoot me an email at ...
Send us a text
In this powerful episode, Dr. Cullen C. Merritt, Associate Professor and Research Director at the University of Maryland, joins me to unpack the often-overlooked issue of service shaming in academia. Drawing from his eye-opening op-ed in Inside Higher Ed, Cullen explains how universities publicly promote service as a core mission—yet internally discourage faculty from engaging in it, especially when it comes to mentoring students or serving communities.
He shares moving stories from his research, including faculty who’ve faced emotional and even physical consequences for prioritizing service. We explore why service matters, how it strengthens research and teaching, and what institutions must do to truly value it. Whether you're a current or future faculty member, this conversation offers vital insights for anyone invested in improving higher education.
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you in 2025:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Zoom Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out on my website and if you are interested in any of these, please shoot me an email at ...
Send us a text
In this episode, Leslie chats with Dr. Jennifer Reich—sociologist, author, and TEDx speaker whose talk has racked up over 1 million views! Jennifer shares the fascinating (and often misunderstood) reasons some parents choose not to vaccinate their kids—and what that reveals about trust, privilege, and how families navigate public health systems.
She also opens up about her journey through academia, how she finds the heart in her research, and what it was really like to give a TED Talk in front of thousands of people. This one’s all about connecting research to real life and how to share your ideas in a way that actually makes people listen and learn. If you're into science communication, public engagement, or just love a good behind-the-scenes story, you’ll love this one.
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you in 2025:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Zoom Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out on my website and if you are interested in any of these, please shoot me an email at ...
Send us a text
In this re-released episode, I explore a radically different way to think about time and procrastination—one that offers more freedom, not less. Inspired by Oliver Burkeman’s book Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, this episode dives into why most time management advice fails us, and what to do instead.
You’ll learn how to “procrastinate better” by focusing on what truly matters, how to avoid falling into the Planning Fallacy trap, and why saying “no” to good opportunities might be the key to real progress.
Whether you’re heading into summer with big writing goals or just trying to get through your to-do list without burning out, this episode offers thoughtful, practical strategies to help you do less—and accomplish more.
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you in 2025:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Zoom Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out on my website and if you are interested in any of these, please shoot me an email at ...
Send us a text
Feeling burned out before your sabbatical even begins? Dr. Bethany Wilinski shares how to design a sabbatical that actually heals, restores, and reignites your passion for work. From mindset shifts to practical planning, learn how to make your time off truly transformative.
You’ll learn:
- Why burnout changes what your sabbatical should look like
- How to shift from a productivity mindset to a purpose-driven plan
- Practical ways to balance recovery and research goals
- What to do if you’re halfway through sabbatical and feel totally off track
Whether you're planning your dream sabbatical or wondering how to salvage one that’s not going as planned, Bethany’s insights offer both relief and a roadmap.
Mentioned in this episode:
- Bethany’s coaching programs and “Sabbatical Rescue” offer
- Her podcast: Sabbatical 101
- Learn more at bethanywilinski.com
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you in 2025:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Zoom Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out on my website and if you are interested in any of these, please shoot me an email at ...
Send us a text
In Episode 80 of Your Words Unleashed, Leslie Wang walks you through one of her favorite tools for getting unstuck: a simple but powerful future self visualization. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed or uncertain—about your career, your writing, or just life in general—this exercise can help you reconnect with what really matters.
Leslie shares how imagining a single day in her life 10 years into the future gave her clarity and even helped her make a long-held dream come true.
You don’t need to have it all figured out—just a notebook, a little time, and a willingness to imagine something better.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why future self journaling is so effective (and fun!)
- A step-by-step guide to writing your vision
- How imagining your “worst case” can actually be calming
- Ways to use your vision to guide real-life choices
- Why this works even if it feels a little woo-woo
Grab your pen and get inspired. Full transcript and links at YourWordsUnleashed.com/80.
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you in 2025:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Zoom Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out on my website and if you are interested in any of these, please shoot me an email at ...
Send us a text
What if everything you thought you knew about disability… missed the point?
In this deeply powerful episode, I’m joined by Dr. Stephanie Cawthon—educational psychologist, author, and founder of the National Disability Center for Student Success at UT Austin. Stephanie is a force of nature when it comes to challenging the status quo in higher ed and beyond.
We dive into her personal journey as a Deaf scholar navigating academia, why she chose to self-publish her latest book Disability Is Human, and the everyday moments where ableism sneaks into our systems—and our minds.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How growing up Deaf shaped Stephanie’s mission—and her research.
- The story behind her bold decision to self-publish (and how she did it in just one year!).
- Real-life examples of ableism in higher ed that will stop you in your tracks.
- What healthcare pros, HR teams, and university staff are learning from Disability Is Human.
- Her smart and beautiful take on branding, building community, and showing up authentically online.
Whether you're in education, leadership, healthcare—or just want to be a better ally—this conversation is for you.
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you in 2025:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Zoom Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out on my website and if you are interested in any of these, please shoot me an email at ...
Send us a text
Are you an academic thinking about leaving the ivory tower but unsure of your next step? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Ashley Ruba, a developmental psychologist turned UX researcher, career coach, and founder of After Academia. Ashley shares her personal journey of leaving academia, the challenges she faced, and how she successfully transitioned into the industry.
We dive deep into:
✅ The reality of the academic job market and why so many PhDs are leaving
✅ How to recognize and translate your academic skills into industry roles
✅ The power of personal branding and how social media can accelerate career growth
✅ Common fears that hold academics back—and how to overcome them
✅ Why job applications fail and what PhDs can do to stand out
Ashley’s story is both inspiring and practical, packed with actionable insights for academics considering a career change. Whether you’re actively job searching or just starting to think about your options, this episode will give you clarity, confidence, and a roadmap for success.
🎧 Listen now and start shaping your future beyond academia!
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you in 2025:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Zoom Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out on my website and if you are interested in any of these, please shoot me an email at ...
Send us a text
Why do so many academics cringe at the thought of self-promotion? In this episode, I dive into why scholars struggle to share their work—and why keeping quiet isn’t neutral anymore.
With higher education under attack and misinformation everywhere, I truly believe researchers have a moral obligation to make their insights accessible. But self-promotion doesn’t have to feel like bragging or selling out. Instead, it can be a powerful way to connect, make an impact, and ensure that your work reaches the people who need it most.
In this episode, I cover: the three biggest reasons academics avoid self-promotion, two simple mindset shifts to help you share about your work with more confidence, and how self-promotion, when done right, is actually a form of academic activism.
If you’ve ever hesitated before posting about your ideas and accomplishments, this episode is for you. And stay tuned for Part 2, where I’ll talk about how to self-promote without losing self-respect.
📌 Links & Resources:
🔹 Free workshop: Writing as Resistance – How to Maintain Focus in Chaos (April 4)
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you in 2025:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Zoom Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out on my website and if you are interested in any of these, please shoot me an email at ...
Send us a text
Is it possible for women of color and other marginalized faculty to be successful in the increasingly toxic culture of the academy? How do we survive without sacrificing personal wellness and well-being?
In this episode, Dr. Roxanne Donovan and I explore these crucial questions and discuss some practical ways we can bring social justice values to our work as teachers, scholars, and practitioners.
A licensed psychologist, professor, and founder of Well Academic, Roxanne has been a huge trailblazer and source of inspiration in promoting wellness and social justice. She has dedicated her career to helping faculty navigate academia in a way that is both fulfilling and sustainable.
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you in 2025:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Zoom Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out on my website and if you are interested in any of these, please shoot me an email at ...
Send us a text
Feeling overwhelmed and mentally exhausted? In this episode, I share how tuning into your body can quiet your mind and restore balance. You’ll learn two simple, powerful exercises to reconnect with your body’s wisdom.
These practices are quick, easy, and don’t require any special equipment. If you’re ready to move from stress to clarity, this episode is for you. For more tips and the full transcript, visit YourWordsUnleashed.com/75.
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you in 2025:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Zoom Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out on my website and if you are interested in any of these, please shoot me an email at ...
Send us a text
Feeling overwhelmed and stretched too thin? You’re not alone! In this episode, I chat with Dr. Brandy Simula—executive coach, leadership expert, and former professor—about how to set boundaries, avoid burnout, and align your work with what really matters.
Brandy shares her own journey from academia to coaching, the six biggest causes of burnout, and why “work-life balance” isn’t the goal—we should aim for work-life alignment instead. Plus, she offers super practical tips for setting priorities (without guilt!) and protecting your time while still showing up for others.
If you’ve ever felt stuck in the grind, this episode is for you. Tune in for some real talk and actionable strategies to help you work and live with more purpose.
Connect with Brandy on LinkedIn or at brandysimula.com.
Listen now and take back your time!
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you in 2025:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Zoom Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out on my website and if you are interested in any of these, please shoot me an email at ...
Send us a text
In this episode, I open up about the power of taking risks in writing and why it’s essential for creating meaningful, lasting impact. A recent conversation with my mom inspired me to reflect on the importance of sharing personal and political perspectives—even when it feels scary or uncomfortable.
I explore two big reasons why stepping outside your comfort zone can transform your writing. Taking a clear stance in your writing isn’t about stirring up controversy—it’s about being true to yourself and inspiring change. Whether it’s framing your work through your values or sharing what’s at stake for you personally, I hope this episode encourages you to embrace courage in your writing.
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you in 2025:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Zoom Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out on my website and if you are interested in any of these, please shoot me an email at ...
Send us a text
Why on earth have I invited a financial planner onto a podcast that is mostly focused on writing?
It's because academics need more financial literacy and often don't know where to go for solid advice. I've seen many people take a head-in-the-sand approach to topics like money, loans, income, and retirement savings. This avoidance becomes especially pronounced in academia where jobs are scarce and low-paying. It's a space where financial uncertainty can feel overwhelming and paralyzing.
This is why I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Inga Timmerman PhD, CFP® onto Your Words Unleashed podcast. She's an assistant professor of finance and a certified financial planner. Inga offers financial planning and investment management services specifically tailored for mid-career academics navigating job changes or transitioning out of academia. Listen in for practical financial advice for academics at all stages of their careers!
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you in 2025:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Zoom Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out on my website and if you are interested in any of these, please shoot me an email at ...
Send us a text
In this final episode of 2024, I pause to reflect on the past year and prepare for the next. This episode focuses on the power of reflection through 10 thought-provoking questions that guide you to celebrate your successes, identify challenges, and set meaningful intentions for 2025. Whether you’re assessing professional wins, grappling with setbacks, or reconnecting with your values, I provide a framework to process your year with clarity and intention.
Grab a notebook and settle into a quiet space. Use these prompts to close out the year with gratitude and set yourself up for a focused, fulfilling new chapter!
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you in 2025:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Zoom Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out on my website and if you are interested in any of these, please shoot me an email at ...
Send us a text
Public scholarship is near and dear to my heart, which is why I’m super excited to welcome Dr. Kevin McClure as my guest in this episode.
An expert on college leadership, management, and workplace culture especially at broad-access institutions, Kevin’s public scholarship covers a wide range of topics. His latest book, The Caring University: Reimagining the Higher Education Workplace After the Great Resignation, will be released with Johns Hopkins University Press in 2025.
In our conversation, Kevin shares plenty of advice for academics who want to do more public scholarship, including how to write op-eds.
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you in 2025:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Zoom Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out on my website and if you are interested in any of these, please shoot me an email at ...
Send us a text
This episode dives into the single most transformative mindset shift that academics can make: moving away from a success/failure binary. We often get caught up in meeting others’ expectations and trying to adhere to narrow definitions of success in the academy. But what might be possible if you created your own definition of success that didn't rely on outcomes or performance? I give you three steps to start moving away from a lens of success versus failure and towards a mindset that embraces process, non-linearity, and imperfection. This episode brings you back in touch with your own inner guidance and intuition so you can move forward with more confidence.
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you in 2025:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Zoom Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out on my website and if you are interested in any of these, please shoot me an email at ...
Send us a text
On today's episode I’m thrilled to welcome Dr. Cathy Mazak, founder of Scholars Voice and host of the Academic Writing Amplified podcast, for an insightful conversation on the unique challenges that mid-career academics face. Cathy shares her expertise on how tenured scholars—particularly women and non-binary faculty—can redefine their goals and build meaningful support networks in this transformative career stage.
Listen in to gain practical strategies for tackling unfinished projects, balancing administrative responsibilities, and sustaining a productive writing practice. Whether you’re looking to rekindle your scholarly passion or refine your focus post-tenure, this episode offers really valuable guidance!
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you in 2025:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Zoom Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out on my website and if you are interested in any of these, please shoot me an email at ...
Send us a text
In this episode, I dive into why writing in plain language is a game-changer for academics. Instead of feeling pressured to use fancy jargon, imagine connecting with readers by simply saying what you mean. I share a client’s story that shows how clear writing can make research more engaging and powerful. You'll also get tips on figuring out who your audience is, avoiding the trap of assuming everyone knows what you know, and why simplicity is actually the harder (yet more effective) option. The big takeaway? Writing in plain language doesn’t mean dumbing things down—it’s actually a way to make your work more impactful and accessible to everyone.
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you in 2025:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Zoom Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out on my website and if you are interested in any of these, please shoot me an email at ...
Send us a text
When I left the academy roughly two years ago, I had many challenging emotions to navigate. I felt angry, sad, and afraid of what would come next in my life and new business. I was surprised by the depth of these emotions because I had been working diligently towards leaving my faculty position for several years. I also knew I wasn’t the only one.
So, in this fourth installment of my series on Leaving Academia, I am thrilled to have someone with extensive knowledge of how to navigate these complex emotions. Dr. Chinasa Elue is a professor, grief coach, and host of the Grieving in Color podcast. Our conversation will give you great insight into the emotions academics experience when they leave the academy (through their own choice or not). We talk through how to grieve the loss of one's identity as an academic and move towards finding new purpose.
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you in 2025:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Zoom Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out on my website and if you are interested in any of these, please shoot me an email at ...
Send us a text
Have you ever wanted to quit writing your book but felt intense shame and embarrassment about it? In today's episode, I tackle this rarely discussed, but crucial, topic. I share my own personal experiences of stepping back from a significant book project and talk about how the act of quitting can sometimes be the most positive, empowering choice you can make.
I offer three key times when it might be wise to consider walking away from a book project (this is, of course, after you've done everything possible to get it done!) Ultimately, quitting can open up space for new, more fulfilling pursuits. So if you're doubting whether you should continue struggling to write your book, this episode's for you!
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com!
The three ways Leslie can help you in 2025:
#1: Six-month Your Words Unleashed signature book writing coaching program. Through 8 hour-long sessions tailored to your own needs and goals, we will pinpoint what’s keeping you stuck. We’ll figure out personalized solutions and strategies so you can create direction and lasting momentum with your book writing. I’ll also provide detailed feedback on your writing throughout
#2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academicswho want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more.
#3: Group Zoom Workshopsthat balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting.
Check everything out on my website and if you are interested in any of these, please shoot me an email at ...
Send us a text
One of the biggest dilemmas academic authors face, particularly when their topic has broad appeal, is the decision of whether or not to publish with a trade press. This is further complicated by how hard it is to find answers, as the trade publishing industry is a whole different ballgame from scholarly publishing.
Luckily for you, my amazing guest in this episode, educator, author, speaker, and race and education scholar, Dr. OiYan Poon, will help demystify the process and give you a sense of direction!
Dr. Poon is the author of the new book, Asian American is Not a Color: Conversations on Race, Affirmative Action, and Family published by Beacon, a trade/crossover press.
In this episode, we compare her experience publishing her book with Beacon versus the books she published with more traditional scholarly presses. She shares all the lessons she learned (and all the mistakes she made) throughout the process.
Listen in for tips for how to navigate this journey!
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com
Send us a text
Are you an academic struggling with writing or feeling isolated in your scholarly journey?
In this episode I welcome my friend and writing coach, Dr. Michelle Boyd, to talk about the magic of writing retreats. These retreats provide not only time and space but also a supportive community and practical skills that can transform your writing experience. Michelle is the founder and director of Inkwell Academic Writing Retreats, a transformative program designed to help scholars overcome their writing fears.
Michelle also shares about going from an award-winning tenured professor to a writing coach who helps academics unlock their natural writing processes.
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com
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Are you scared to death about how you're going to be able to get any writing done this fall? If so, join the club!
In this episode I'm going to offer you some ideas to help you focus on your own research when you're juggling a million other responsibilities. I'll give you three surprisingly simple questions you can ask yourself to create useful writing strategies throughout the semester.
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com
Send us a Text Message.
Are you a woman of color in academia searching for strategies to help you thrive? What is some practical advice on handling department politics without jeopardizing your career? Look no further!
In this episode, I talk with Dr. Katherine Lee, a Higher-Ed Coach, Career Strategist, and founder of Rise With Clarity. We talk about her journey from being a tenured professor to now coaching women of color faculty members to. We discuss the unique challenges folks from marginalized communities face in academic spaces. Katherine also shares the supportive community she's co-created called the Compassionate Cohort, which focuses on the needs of faculty members who are leaving the academy.
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com
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Do you feel like perfectionism gets in the way of your happiness or achieving your goals? Perfectionism is usually seen as a big problem. What if, instead, it was actually a superpower? In this episode, I'm going to give you some ideas on how to do this, based on the book The Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control: A Path to Peace and Power by therapist Katherine Morgan Schafler, PhD. Listen in for the reasons why we need to rethink perfectionism and ideas for transforming it into a source of joy and personal success!
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com
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What do acquisitions editors do at scholarly presses? What things make a book project stand out? When is the best time to contact presses and editors? Why is it incredibly useful to work with a developmental editor?
In this episode, I welcome Jenny Gavacs, a developmental editor who specializes in sharpening arguments and improving the flow of academic books. We discuss all of these questions and so much more. Jenny shares insights from her extensive experience in acquisitions at top university presses and highlights the multifaceted role that editors play.
We also discuss the three different types of scholarly arguments, the importance of developmental editing, and how early engagement with editors can enhance the overall success of your book.
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com
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In this exciting episode of Your Words Unleashed, Leslie sits down with Dr. Angélica Gutiérrez, esteemed scholar and one of the world's best business professors under 40. Dr. Gutiérrez shares her fascinating journey through academia and her eye-opening research on imposter syndrome and impostorization--a term she coined that refers to how the environment makes certain people feel like impostors. She opens up about her own struggles with feeling inadequate and reveals the environmental factors that often contribute to these feelings, especially among women and people of color.
Tune in as Leslie and Angélica dive into the ins and outs of imposter syndrome, the concept of the "glass cliff," and why creating inclusive environments is so crucial. This episode is packed with valuable insights, personal stories, and practical tips on overcoming imposter syndrome and building more supportive, equitable workplaces. You won't want to miss it!
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com
Send us a Text Message.
Writing a book is a daunting task, often exacerbated by our own negative thoughts and beliefs. But what if changing the way you think about writing is the key to getting unstuck?
In today’s episode, I give four mindset shifts that can help you break through writer’s block. These simple but transformative mental reframes can turn a deeply stressful process into a more fulfilling, creative journey. So tune in to discover how changing your thoughts can help you reignite your passion for writing and help build a world you want to inhabit.
Also, in this episode I announce my new one-on-one coaching program, the Career Reset, designed specifically for overwhelmed academics. This program will help you clarify your career vision, create space for what truly matters, and align your work with your internal purpose, all in just six hour-long sessions over four months. Whether you’re looking to re-energize your academic career or contemplating a significant change, this program offers the guidance and support you need. Check out all the details on my website at YourWordsUnleashed.com.
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com
Send us a Text Message.
Finding the right balance between work and life in academia can be a never-ending struggle. That's why in this episode I'm chatting with accomplished professor and author of the popular Academia Made Easier online newsletter, Dr. Loleen Berdahl.
Loleen has a wealth of knowledge about academic professional development. Her strategies for balancing work and life provide invaluable insight as we discuss things like setting achievable goals, implementing boundaries, and focusing on self-care to avoid burnout to make it through the semester in one piece.
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com
Are you feeling completely exhausted and depleted at the end of this long school year? Join the club! If you're like most academics, you love what you do. The problem is that the work has become way TOO MUCH. Today I will re-air one of my most downloaded episodes. In it, I give 3 actionable steps to heal from burnout so that you can recuperate to the fullest this summer and redesign your job to work for you.
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com
Academia can sometimes feel like a world locked away in an ivory tower, but what happens when scholarly research breaks free and speaks to the heart of society? My guest in this interview, Dr. CJ Pascoe, does just that in her crossover books, Dude, You're a Fag and Nice is Not Enough.
CJ is an associate professor of sociology at the University of Oregon whose research focuses on inequality, youth, sexuality, and schools. CJ and I discuss the intricacies of inequality in schools, the process of writing books that resonate with both academic and public audiences, and the challenges of balancing a demanding career with personal life.
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com
When you get negative feedback on your work, do you feel disappointed, hurt, and personally attacked?
What if there was a way to avoid taking harsh critiques of your work personally?
In today's episode, I'm going to give you five different ways to do this so you can keep moving forward without losing confidence in your work or your abilities.
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com
Do you ever wish someone could just tell you exactly how to find the right publisher for your book? As academic writers, we sometimes tend to make things a lot more complicated than they need to be. In this first-ever guest episode of the podcast, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Dr. Laura Portwood-Stacer, a developmental editor and publishing consultant. Laura and I discussed the practicalities of navigating the book publishing process and finding the best press for a manuscript.
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com
This is the third installment of my series on leaving academia. I’m going to share five powerful, commonly accepted beliefs or assumptions that I think keep academics stuck in place. By stuck, I mean stuck in certain dysfunctional behavior patterns around work and/or stuck in difficult or toxic workplace situations. I’ll name them so you can start considering ways to free yourself of them and putting your own needs and priorities first.
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com
If you’re struggling in your daily life, as many academics are, it’s imperative to take a deeper look at what you believe to be true about your situation. Once you know which underlying beliefs are operating, you can choose to reframe them or to take action to change things for the better. Therefore, today’s episode presents the top 4 beliefs scholars must question and unlearn if they want to be happier in academia or they want to leave it in an emotionally healthier place.
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com
Who is your ideal reader? It’s a tricky question for academics. Now that I’ve been a book coach for some time, I can tell you that the vast majority of authors never stop to think about who they are actually writing the book for. If you don’t know who this audience is, or if the default audience is Reviewer #2, then it completely shows through in your writing. In this episode, I share with you a simple set of questions you can use to figure out who your ideal reader is so that your own unique voice can shine through
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com
Does it feel like pulling teeth to get yourself to work on your book or an important article? Do you find yourself doing just about anything else to avoid writing? Internal resistance to writing is something that nearly every author feels at some point.
It’s not a problem in and of itself. Where it gets to be a problem is when you realize months have gone by and you haven’t made any progress on your work
In this episode, I give you 4 different strategies to help you stop dreading writing, or at the very least, to bring down your resistance so you can start moving things forward.
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com
In this first episode of the new year, I help you connect with a version of your own future self who you can use as a source of wisdom and perspective.
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com
Many of the writers I work with started off with a bang in September and then their writing slowed down to a mere trickle or stopped altogether. It’s okay and, actually, to be expected given everything going on in the world and in peoples’ lives right now.
For this episode, I wanted to give you something inspiring to reignite your desire to get back to writing, when you are ready. I'm sharing five of my favorite prompts from #AcWriMoments, a writing initiative I participated in during November.
Some are more serious, and some are more whimsical. But they all include strategies and exercises to help you reconnect to yourself and to the deeper purpose of your work. I hope they will fan the flame of desire to help you get back to your own writing after you take a much-deserved break!
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com
Hi writers! I've been putting off talking about leaving academia for a long time now, but it can no longer wait. My clients are consistently asking for coaching on this, as are participants in my workshops. I decided to record this episode in the hopes of helping more people who may be trying to figure out how to navigate this really difficult career and life transition.
Today I’m going to primarily focus on how to assess whether or not you really want to leave the academy. I give my own story of how and why I left a tenured faculty position. And I end with some questions you can ask yourself to figure out whether it’s your specific job that’s the problem or whether it’s the profession itself that’s the problem.
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com
Today's episode is inspired by a recent breakthrough I had with one of my writing coaching clients. Incidentally, she’s an article writer and not a book writer, although it doesn't really matter for our purposes.
But I want to talk about why you need to do less, both in actual practice, as well as on a mental level. In other words, I'm going to try to convince you why you need to stop striving for perfection and let things go earlier.
Hopefully, by the end of this episode, you will see that striving for 100% in your writing, or in your life for that matter, is never the way to go.
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com
Today I’m going to talk about something that I believe is a really important part of good scholarly writing.
And that is the power of storytelling.
I'll discuss how you can harness the power of storytelling in your own writing, regardless of the subject matter.
I’m also going to read a few pages from my first book to illustrate some of these points.
And I’ll give you some tips for how you can start incorporating storytelling into your writing in the most effective and enjoyable ways possible.
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com
I don’t need to tell you how heavy things are feeling across the globe right now.
Like most of you, I've been watching disaster unfold in Israel and Gaza from a privileged position of security and safety.
In this era of the 24-hour news cycle and the ability to document and share our every movement in real-time, we’ve been flooded with images of human beings much like ourselves and children much like our own undergoing unimaginable suffering.
So how do we maintain equilibrium and move forward with our daily lives and routines in the face of so much tragedy?
I’m going to give you a few ideas on ways to get through the day in one piece.
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com
The scholarly book proposal is truly an art form that is very difficult to master. It's THE most important part of getting a book contract. And yet there’s so much conflicting information out there that it can be hard for people to write one in a way that truly puts their best foot forward.
On today’s episode, I talk about the top 5 most common mistakes I see scholarly authors make in their proposals. If you can avoid making these mistakes, you are that much more likely to be taken seriously by editors and get a book contract!
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com
I've made it to my 40th episode! In fact, podcasting is not something I ever seriously considered before I created my coaching business less than two years ago. It blows me away that I’ve reached this milestone. So this week I want to share with you my reflections about podcasting and the four main lessons it has for YOUR scholarly writing projects.
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com
Today I’m going to go in-depth about one of the very best and most important things you can possibly do to improve your book. And this is to host a manuscript workshop! If you’ve never heard of these before, they’re like a best-kept secret in academia. These are essentially a half-or-full day event where you discuss a draft of your book with other experts in your field before you ever submit it to the press for review. The goal is to work out any major issues with the book and get a jumpstart on addressing, or even prevent, many of the potential critiques you may receive from peer review.
This episode talks about the pros and cons of manuscript workshops as well as answers the most common questions about how to organize one effectively. By the end of this episode, you’ll hopefully be convinced why a manuscript workshop is one of the best things you can do for your book.
Check out Leslie's website at www.YourWordsUnleashed.com
This episode is focused on something that plagues many of us: procrastination! A lot of the guidance out there on dealing with procrastination is not that useful. This is because it often tends to put all procrastinators into one camp based solely on their avoidance of taking action in a timely way. They don’t address the varied reasons WHY people put things off. This episode describes 6 different kinds of procrastinators and gives a couple of simple strategies for making positive change.
If you want to keep your own mental, physical, and emotional health and well-being at the forefront this semester, this means SAYING NO to things that do not serve you. This episode helps listeners figure out what to say 'yes' and 'no' to and how to do so with grace and dignity. I give four different strategies to help you figure out what to prioritize in your work while keeping all of your professional relationships intact.
Today’s episode will be focused on how you can consciously design your courses to help you attain your own goals. I’ll talk about why you need to drop your standards when it comes to teaching. I’ll also share some critical questions to ask yourself as you’re planning your courses, along with some different strategies for how you can use teaching to enhance your own research and writing. In short, teaching and writing do not have to be at odds with one another!
In this episode, I talk about why academics have such a hard time getting straight to the point in their writing and offer suggestions on how to change it.
Remember, it's up to YOU as the author to tell the audience what to focus on, not put the responsibility on them to figure out!
This past academic year has been a beast! Since summer’s just beginning, here’s your chance to take stock of the past school year. This episode will help you reflect on what’s been working well for you, what hasn’t, and what you want to change so you can create a more satisfying and sustainable life and career.
Summer is around the corner and you know you need to do something major to reclaim the parts of yourself you have lost this past academic year. You want to take advantage of this time out of the classroom to push your projects forward so that you can start the fall semester in a calm and confident place. The problem with all of this planning is that many of you are likely burnt out. The question is, if you’re burnt out as a result of a job and a workplace that probably won’t change very much, what can you actually do about it as an individual? That’s what I’m going to cover in today’s episode. I’ll give you 3 steps for dealing with and, hopefully, overcoming burnout. Here’s a quick preview—it’s about putting your own needs and your well-being first.
How do you know if you're truly burnt out? In this episode (and the next), I delve into this topic and what you can do about it. Although this term seems like it’s everywhere, in this episode I define what it is and how to know if you actually are burnt out. I define the 3 main qualities of burnout and list the 7 characteristics of a high burnout organization so you can figure out if you are, in fact, suffering from burnout. And then next time, I'll give you strategies to deal with and overcome it.
A lot of the authors I work with are junior scholars very early on in their careers, and their book will be the primary stepping stone to their dream job or to achieving tenure.
Others are quite established scholars, some of whom already have tenure and who have spent the majority of their careers focused on publishing journal articles.
They’ve become really good at article writing but, for various reasons, have decided they want to take on the challenge of writing a book.
Today’s episode will be addressing the needs of this second group.
For established scholars in article fields, the decision to write a book is often motivated by more personal reasons.
However, making the shift from writing articles to a much lengthier, wider-ranging book doesn’t come naturally to most.
So on today’s episode I’m going to talk about the top 5 challenges that article writers face when it comes to book writing, along with some strategies for resolving them.
If you’re like me, you’re constantly try to find ways to get more efficient at things so you can cram more into your day and feel some sense of control over your life!
It’s so easy to lose momentum with your writing when things gets too hectic.
On today’s episode I’m going to be talking about a different, and potentially better, way to think about time and how we can release ourselves from fixating on efficiency and productivity.
It’s inspired by the book by Oliver Burkeman called Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals.This episode will tell you why this book has completely turned the concept of time management on its head for me plus give you some unique strategies for using your time more effectively.
This episode talks about something that strikes fear into the heart of many introvert academics: promoting your own book!
Although your press will do some amount of marketing of your book, the brunt of promotion is primarily on YOU.
So this episode addresses how to reframe the fear of self-promotion, followed by 6 different effective strategies for letting people know about your new book.
After all, after doing this much work, it's only fair to YOU to let people know how they can get their hands on it.
In this episode I talk about something that can have a major positive impact on your work, your writing process. and the amount of writing you are able to produce.
And that is the power of “priming” your mind.
Priming basically refers to how being exposed to one stimulus can affect your reaction to another stimulus later on.
In essence, your mind is constantly storing information and then using it to create thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that come later.
When it comes to your work, one of the most important things you can do is to prime your mind to have positive associations with writing so that you are more likely to want to do it and feel good WHILE you’re doing it.
How do I suggest you do this? By using writing mantras.
Now, before you discount mantras as being too New Agey, give me a chance to explain why they can play a critical role in helping you reach your goals and become the writer you’ve always wanted to be.
I’ll talk about what they are, why you should use them, and help you create some that are tailored to your own individual needs
Well, the time has come for me to talk about one of the—if not THE—most important part of getting a scholarly book contract.
And that is the book proposal!
A couple of weeks ago, I did a workshop for faculty at Rutgers University on this topic, and it was amazing how many questions people had about it.
This is also an area that I work with my clients in a very hands-on way.
Typically, after someone gives me a full rough draft, it still takes 3-4 more rounds of tailored feedback and revision to get it to a place where it’s ready to be sent out to presses.
This is concerning because most people don’t have this kind of support, which means that they’re likely underselling the importance of their projects and potentially not getting a contract.
So, on today’s episode I’m going to break it all down for you piece by piece.
One of the biggest challenges my clients face is figuring out how to write during semesters when they are also teaching.
It’s not just a matter of trying to fit writing into their schedules—which is a huge challenge in and of itself.
But it’s also about the difficulty of balancing the short-term, hard deadlines of teaching with the longer-term, seemingly lower stakes deadlines that are usually attached to book writing.
The former feels urgent while the latter does not.
So with that in mind, I decided to devote today’s episode to talking about the similarities between book writing and teaching.
My hope is that once you start seeing these activities as aligned rather than as completely different kinds of projects, it will be easier to incorporate writing your book into your teaching schedule.
In today's episode I clear up the question: should you submit your materials for review to more than one press at the same time?
I talk about whether you should meet with multiple editors at the same time.
I also go into detail about the process of simultaneous review--what the ethics are and the three main points to keep in mind if you want to go down this path.
Ultimately, this episode will clear up any misperceptions about your obligations to a press once you’ve started talking with them and smooth your way to a book contract!
Today I’m going to be re-releasing one of my favorite podcast episodes, which helps you set clear and sustainable boundaries with your job.
It is based on an exercise I call “Semester Absolutes” that is best to do at the very beginning of your semester before things get overly hectic and you start just saying yes to everything.
Trust me, if you set your limits ahead of time and then truly commit to honoring them, you will vastly lower your chances of exhausting yourself and burning out.
Right now, I’m visiting my family in California, so I’ve decided to re-release the very first episode of my podcast.
It also happens to be my most listened-to episode of all time.
For those of you who started tuning in later, I introduce myself and explain why I became a book writing coach.
I also talk about how your thoughts and mindset influence your writing and give you an exercise that will change the way you think about your own possibilities as an author
This episode will give you some questions that will help you process the roller-coaster of 2022 in all its glory and reflect on everything you’ve accomplished!
You can get reacquainted with your own priorities and the things you value, and bring them front and center again moving forward.
By the end of the year, we forget so much of what happened, especially since we’re all still managing the toll that the pandemic has taken on our mental health and well-being.
You might even think that the year went really badly in terms of achieving your writing goals.
However, after you reflect on the following questions, you will likely realize you did much more than you’re giving yourself credit for.
Furthermore, being intentional about what has happened and envisioning what you would like to happen inspires motivation and helps you design meaningful new goals and create plans to meet them.
Today’s episode is inspired by a lively webinar I participated in recently called “How Writing Coaches Get Unstuck” that helped kick off Academic Writing Month for Sage Publishing.
The webinar featured myself, Michelle Boyd, and Cathy Mazak. We’re all writing coaches and published authors and were also there to celebrate the publication of Michelle’s wonderful new book with Sage, which is called Becoming the Writer You Already Are (https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Writer-You-Already-Are/dp/1483374149) .
Michelle runs Inkwell Retreats, which are online and in-person week-long scholarly writing retreats, and Cathy runs various group coaching programs for women and non-binary academic writers.
The webinar garnered huge interest from around the world. We were asked to give our best tips about ways to get unstuck when you’re working on a long-term project like a book and are feeling frustrated or unmotivated.
I wanted to provide four of these tips for you today.
Today’s podcast episode is inspired by a workshop I recently ran for mid-career faculty at Rutgers University. The topic was the challenges of writing your second book.
They asked me to run this because most book writing advice—and let’s admit, job advice in general—is geared towards helping junior faculty.
This makes sense in a lot of ways because junior scholars have the most to learn about the rules, both written and unwritten, of publishing and of their institutions that will move their careers forward.
But by the time you get tenure, there’s an assumption that you have it all figured out and the mentorship often stops or at least gets pared back significantly.
And if you’ve managed to publish a book during that time, the expectation is that you will definitely be able to do it again. Why wouldn’t you?
Today, I’m going to talk about the reasons why that’s not necessarily the case.
I’ll also give you a reflective exercise to think through ways to make the process of writing your second book more manageable.
And for those of you who are working on your first book and think that this topic might not apply to you, you’ll still get value from taking a sneak peak into what’s in store for you in the future!
Today I am going to try to clear up some misconceptions about book contracts and clarify whether or not it’s in your best interests to obtain an advance contract for your manuscript.
In a nutshell: it depends! And I’ll explain all the reasons why and help you sort this out for yourself.
On today’s episode we are going to talk about a topic that is somewhat taboo in academia, and that’s money.
Specifically, I’m going to give you some ideas for how to get writing coaching and other kinds of professional development funded by your institution.
But more broadly, I’m going to talk about the concept of money mindsets and why we need to view spending money on ourselves as good and necessary investments.
Hiring an expert to help you get through the process of writing your manuscript is one of the most surefire ways to make sure your book gets published.
But how do you know whether you would benefit more from working with a coach or an editor? When should you hire one or the other? Or is it better to hire both?
One of the most common questions I’m asked by potential clients is whether I will do extensive editing of their manuscripts or give them detailed feedback on their ideas.
Because I’ve had to explain the differences between coaching and editing so many times, I thought I would devote today’s podcast to clarifying these issues.
Hi writers! I bet that things are really starting to ramp up in your work weeks.
Not that summer is a lazy time for academics, by any means, but at least you have more flexibility with your schedule.
Now that the semester’s up and running again, you need to focus and prioritize your book writing time much, much more.
That is, if you hope to get anything done besides teaching, service, and the writing projects you’ve committed to that have clear deadlines.
So today I’m going to be talking about a really common question that comes up for authors, which is: how do you juggle multiple research projects at the same time?
Today I’m going to be talking about something that comes up a lot with my coaching clients, and that is ways to manage fears around writing.
My view is that fear arises when your inner critic is trying to protect you and keep you safe.
As I’ve talked about before, your inner critic has positive intentions even when it’s making you feel anxiety and self-doubt by telling you horrible things about yourself and your writing.
The truth is that you can’t fully get rid of your inner critic.
Also, there are times when it’s been extremely useful to you and helpful in getting you to where you are now.
So knowing this, this episode talks about four strategies you can use to manage your fear rather than try to rid yourself of it entirely.
Today’s episode is meant to help you figure out what to prioritize in your work this semester.
I want you to keep your own mental, physical, and emotional health and well-being at the forefront, and this means SAYING NO to things that do not serve you.
When I talk about saying no to requests, I’m especially referring to service and committee work that can be extremely tiring and time-consuming, but not necessarily valued much by your institution or by academia in general.
What I’m going to talk about today pairs really well with the third episode of this podcast that was called “Create Bulletproof Boundaries with Your Job.”
Listening to these together will help you make a solid plan for the next few months that will allow you to keep your own writing and life goals front and center.
Prioritizing your own needs—which sometimes could mean disappointing others—is the best way to ensure that you don’t burn out by giving away too much.
So I’ll be giving you two different strategies to help you assess whether or not you want to accept a new request.
I’ll also give some examples of wording you can use in emails to gracefully and tactfully turn down requests that won’t benefit you much.
This is so important because you want to protect your precious time and energy while still maintaining good professional relationships. And it’s a delicate balance.
On today’s episode I’m going to be talking about how important it is to be part of writing groups and how to run them.
This is always true, but especially so when you’re working on your first book.
When you have the support and accountability, you will not only write more, but you’ll feel a lot better while doing it.
And who doesn’t want that?
On today's podcast episode I thought I would do something a little bit different. Rather than giving tips or advice about writing, I’d like to help you create a sense of internal calm with a short guided meditation.
When you’re in a calm, curious, and collected space, much more is possible in every realm of life.
In thedays ahead, with their many challenges, you can use this technique at any time to still your mind, knowing that in a few simple moments you can feel completely calm again.
So in the last episode I talked about some of the reasons why transforming your dissertation into a book is an emotionally complex process.
It’s possible you’ve outgrown your topic and need to find ways to reconnect to your original sources of inspiration to keep going.
You also need to bid farewell to your earlier grad student self and move forward into the next stage of your intellectual journey as an expert, and I gave you a little exercise you could do to move this process along.
Today’s episode is going to be all about practical application. I’m going to give some really useful and specific tips and tricks that will help you revise your dissertation into a book.
Recently I was asked by a large research university to put together a workshop for junior faculty about transforming your dissertation into a book.
It’s made me reflect on the very long and painful process I went through writing my first book, which I started working on soon after I graduated with my PhD in 2010.
In this episode I’m going to focus on WHY revising your dissertation is such an emotionally fraught process.
I’ll give you an exercise at the end to help you reflect on your journey from graduate student to full-fledged expert.
And in the next episode, I will give some specific and practical tips and tricks to help you as you work on revising.
In the last episode I talked about when you should start reaching out to scholarly presses and setting up meetings with acquiring editors to talk about your book project.
The moral of the story is that there is no one-size-fits-all model to getting your book published. As I’ll tell you about later in this episode, even my own two books had vastly different journeys to publication.
Therefore, today’s episode builds on the last one, by answering another set of pressing questions that first-time authors often have:
How do you determine the best press for your manuscript? And, once you decide that you are ready to contact editors, how do you actually do it?
You can find the full transcript of this episode at YourWordsUnleashed.com/7.
Publishing a book involves a hidden curriculum of knowledge that some have more access to than others—especially those who went elite institutions or whose advisors are well-known and well-connected.
One of the primary goals of this podcast is to help equalize the playing field for academic authors by creating more transparency about each step of the book writing and publishing process.
I want to shine a light on areas that are often obscured from public view and that you can’t find satisfactory answers to just by googling. I wish it could be that easy! And in fact, it should be that easy, but I digress.
My hope is to give everyone—particularly folks from marginalized communities and first-generation scholars—the tools and information to fulfill your book writing dreams.
So today I’m going to address one of the most common questions I get asked as a writing coach, which is “When is the best time to contact presses and start talking to editors?”
On this episode I’ve got answers to this burning question and more!
You can find the full transcript of this episode at YourWordsUnleashed.com/6.
Today I’m going to talk about something that affects nearly all book writers—and let’s be honest, pretty much all people—at one point or another, and that’s overwhelm.
I’ll be giving you four tips to help you overcome these feelings when they arise so that you can feel calmer and more confident to move forward with your writing.
To find the full transcript of this episode, go to YourWordsUnleashed.com/5.
So, onto overwhelm. You definitely know what I’m talking about. This was always a tough issue for writers, but it’s gotten a lot worse during this seemingly never-ending pandemic.
This is especially true for women who generally have to give much more of their time and energy to care for their families and their students’ emotional needs, leaving them with almost nothing at the end of the day for themselves or their own work.
Overwhelm is not quite the same as burnout, although it’s related. But for scholarly authors, it’s that feeling like you’re drowning in too many ideas and too much data and you have no clear path forward. It can make you feel panicked and like time is running out.
And these feelings, which are based in fear, often slow your writing way down or can even cause you to avoid it altogether.
I mean, how many people do you know who put off writing for entire semesters while they’re teaching, thinking that when summer or a research leave comes they will jump right back into it and get so much done? I know I have!
But then when they finally get to sit down and write, they become so overwhelmed that they accomplish very little despite having all that unstructured time.
Feeling overwhelmed by writing your book is not just an emotional issue, it’s also physical. It can literally feel like a heavy burden, an actual weight that sits on your shoulders, causing you to hunch down into yourself, or on your chest, making your breath shallow and preventing you from taking in enough oxygen.
Or it can manifest as tension and distress in the pit of your stomach. For many years I had chronic stomach issues that would flare up in times of acute stress, which would then become a reason why I didn’t have the ability to get my work done.
When you’re feeling overwhelmed, the idea of finishing your manuscript or getting a contract with a press you admire or having your book be published and read by people out in the world can seem like a distant dream.
It’s way too easy to use your writing as an opportunity to harshly judge yourself. Like maybe you see these as good things that only happen to other people who have their acts together and you can’t visualize it for yourself.
So, with all of this in mind, I’d like to offer four tips to help you navigate your way out of overwhelm so that you can stop spinning your wheels and start moving forward again in a way that feels good—and not like torture.
In this episode we're going to dig into a topic that is critical to your success in getting your book published, but it's also something that's really difficult for a lot of first-time authors to achieve--and this is how to develop your own distinct voice and writing style in your manuscript.
You can find the full transcript for this episode at YourWordsUnleashed.com/4.
Wouldn’t you agree that these days boundaries have become such a buzzword? All the time, we hear experts talking about how we need to maintain strong personal and professional boundaries if we want to protect our limited time and energy and put it towards the things that matter to us most. But, on the other hand, I’ve noticed that there’s very little good advice or practical strategies on how to actually do this.
On today’s episode I’ll be giving you an exercise with an exact formula that will help you create bulletproof boundaries with your job.
How do you maintain consistent progress on your book manuscript? What are the best ways to stay motivated to write? What goes into a strong book proposal, and how in the world do you get a book contract?
Hi! I’m author and writing coach Dr. Leslie Wang, and I’m going to answer these questions and more on my brand-new podcast Your Words Unleashed.
Focused on the challenges faced by women scholarly book authors, the Your Words Unleashed podcast will feature episodes on creating healthy writing habits, clarifying your book’s vision, finding your authentic voice, and demystifying the academic publishing world.
We’ll also explore strategies to tame down your pesky inner critic and overcome imposter syndrome. Some episodes will include interviews with published authors as well as academic publishing industry experts.
In the meantime, start listening to episodes. Go to YourWordsUnleashed.com/1. And don’t forget to subscribe on your favorite podcast app so you don’t miss a thing. Get ready to change the world with your ideas. Happy writing!
Thanks so much for joining me today! Today I’ll be talking about one of the biggest challenges that first-time scholarly book authors face, which is maintaining the motivation to write, day in and day out. You can find the full transcript of this episode at YourWordsUnleashed.com/2.
When the semester is going full force, writing is often the first thing to drop off your to-do list. And then when summers and holidays finally arrive, you just want to rest and recharge and not think about work at all, which is completely justified and utterly necessary for a healthy life!
In this episode, I’m going to talk about one relatively simple, but very effective, way to maintain internal motivation to keep working on your book manuscript no matter what else is going on in your life. And although it’s a pretty straightforward concept, it’s not one that gets talked about enough.
So if you’ve been struggling to maintain momentum, I suggest that you close your laptop for a moment and put aside your planners, your time-tracking tools, your Excel spreadsheets, and all the different strategies you’ve been using to try to get your writing done.
Instead, I invite you to do something you might never have consciously thought to do before, and that is to direct your attention inward to locate the deeper, more personally meaningful reasons why you are writing a book.
As a writing coach for women scholars, many of my clients’ main goal is to publish a sole-authored book with a reputable academic press. But when I ask them why they want to publish a book, they often say things like “I need it to get tenure” or “I need it to prove myself as an expert in my discipline” or just more generally, “I have to write my book or else!”
Now, don’t get me wrong, these are perfectly logical motivations. Book publication is often a key to moving forward in your career. It can propel you closer to the things you’ve worked so hard for and invested so many years to attain like getting a job, getting awards, getting known, and getting tenure, to name a few.
But what do you notice about these reasons? Well, the fact is that they’re all externally based and they’re also rooted in fear—usually fear of failing. When authors frame their book writing in this way, this tends to suck out the inspiration.
And in order to keep writing consistently in a way that feels good to you despite the many challenges you face every day, you need to be inspired by your work!
Particularly for first-time authors, having such pressure-filled goals can provoke endless anxiety. Fear can stop you cold in your tracks as you think things like, “I’ve never done this before. I have no idea what I’m doing!” “I’m a total imposter!” or “Who am I to be writing a book?!”
So here’s a thought exercise: when you sit down to work and what’s running through your mind is something like, “I have to write my book,” how does that make you feel? What actions do you take in response?
On a scale of 1-10, how motivated are you to continue working on your manuscript that day, and the next, and the next?
Rather than speeding us up, thoughts like these exert an insane amount of pressure that can make writing feel like a heavy burden and slow you way down. If you’re not careful, writing can become an obligation instead of a fulfilling way to get your unique ideas and voice out into the world.
I know, because that’s exactly how I felt during the five plus years I spent writing my first book, which was based on another three plus years that I spent writing my dissertation! Looking back, trying to motivate myself to publish a book for external, career-related reasons wasn’t very rewarding to me and actually made it even more difficult to maintain momentum.
I wasted huge amounts of time sit
Welcome to the very first episode of Your Words Unleashed Podcast! I’m so excited to be here with you, sharing everything I know as a book author, writing coach, and publishing strategist. Find the full transcript for this episode at yourwordsunleashed.com/1.
Today I’ll walk you through how your thoughts about writing can either help speed your manuscript along or slow you way down. I’ll also introduce you to some empowering beliefs that will help you produce quality writing with greater ease and satisfaction.
But before we get into that, I’d like to share a bit about my story and the reasons why I decided to create a podcast to help women scholars like you who want to write and publish your first book.
We academics know the power of research and how it can transform the ways people think and behave. By now you’ve likely invested years into your project, and your ideas are ready to be unleashed into the world.
You truly deserve to be a powerful agent of social change. But you might be swamped with so much work and extra personal commitments that it can feel downright impossible to carve out the time and mental energy you need to write your manuscript, let alone to fully enjoy your life.
I started this podcast because I’ve been there! A little bit about me: I’m a sociologist and feminist ethnographer who has published two books with university presses. My first book, Outsourced Children: Orphanage Care and Adoption in Globalizing China, was published by Stanford University Press in 2016 and came out of my dissertation.
Although publishing it was a happy event, by the time it came out I was utterly exhausted from writing it, which I can only describe as an incredibly drawn-out, frustrating, and isolating experience.
As a first-time author fresh out of grad school, I was clueless about the publishing world and plagued by self-doubt and perfectionism. Due to fears of being judged, as well as having to uproot my life three times in three years for different professional positions, I held onto my manuscript for much longer than necessary.
And, looking back, what was even worse was that, down deep, I believed I had to sacrifice my own personal happiness to get it all done.
For my second book, Chasing the American Dream in China: Chinese Americans in the Ancestral Homeland, which was published by Rutgers University Press in 2021, I vowed to do things very differently. So I applied lessons that I learned the first time around and didn’t put the rest of my life on hold while I was working on the project.
In fact, over the course of writing my manuscript I received tenure, completed a 9-month-long life coaching certification program, got married, and had a baby.
Now, this wasn’t a super simple or linear path, but ironically because I was doing so many things that meant a lot to me personally, my writing also felt more intentional. In the end, I enjoyed a much smoother process that led to fairly quick publication with a press that worked hard to meet all of my needs.
Over the course of my career, I’ve seen too many deserving scholars, especially women of color and first-generation folks, not attain professional opportunities or get tenure because they weren’t able to get their book out.
Not only does the academy and future generations of students lose out on their unique talents and abilities, but their groundbreaking ideas also never find an audience. I want to change all that!
Writing your first book is no easy feat, in part because it’s a huge undertaking that you’ve never accomplished before AND because there is no centralized place to find out the information you need to publish your manuscript once you’ve written it.
The world of academic book publishing can be opaque and difficult-to-navigate. The lack of useful infor