284: Emotions and Leadership

What happens when the most challenging part of leadership isn’t the work, but the weight of emotions you’re expected to carry? In this episode, I dive into the hidden emotional labor of leadership, sharing stories from my own life—both at home and in professional settings—to explore how leaders, especially women, navigate the delicate balance of awareness, empathy, and action.  I reflect on moments when stress and frustration threatened to derail me, and I show how cultivating self-coaching and grounding practices can help turn emotional turmoil into clarity and calm.  If you’ve ever felt the weight of others’ emotions in your work or questioned how to stay centered while guiding a team, this episode offers both validation and practical insight into leading with presence, perspective, and poise. For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast.   We're receiving applications for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap®. Check out the program details and start your application process here.   CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Our 12-week Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap® program helps tenure-track womxn and nonbinary professors to publish their backlog of papers so that their voice can have the impact they know is possible. Apply here! Cathy’s book, Making Time to Write: How to Resist the Patriarchy and Take Control of Your Academic Career Through Writing is available in print! Learn how to build your career around your writing practice while shattering the myths of writing every day, accountability, and motivation, doing mindset work that’s going to reshape your writing,and changing academic culture one womxn and nonbinary professor at a time. Get your print copy today or order it for a friend here! If you would like to hear more from Cathy for free, please subscribe to the weekly newsletter, In the Pipeline, at scholarsvoice.org. It’s a newsletter that she personally writes that goes out once a week with writing and publication tips, strategies, inspiration, book reviews and more.   CONNECT WITH ME:  LinkedIn Facebook YouTube

In today's special episode, I share a conversation with my friend and fellow writing coach, Dr. Anna Clemens. Anna helps scientists write their articles, and she invited me to join a live stream on her YouTube channel to discuss the benefits of creating an intentional writing season. Anna and I explore how to transform writing from a source of anxiety into a manageable, enjoyable part of your scholarly career. Learn practical strategies for building positive writing habits, navigating the challenges of work-life balance, and creating intentional writing seasons that fit the demands of your career and personal life. Whether you’re an early-career researcher or a tenure-track professor, this conversation will give you fresh perspectives and actionable tools to boost your writing confidence and productivity. Tune in to learn how to engineer your academic writing practice for success — and reclaim your passion for writing. For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast.   We're receiving applications for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap®. Check out the program details and start your application process here.   CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Our 12-week Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap® program helps tenure-track womxn and nonbinary professors to publish their backlog of papers so that their voice can have the impact they know is possible. Apply here! Cathy’s book, Making Time to Write: How to Resist the Patriarchy and Take Control of Your Academic Career Through Writing is available in print! Learn how to build your career around your writing practice while shattering the myths of writing every day, accountability, and motivation, doing mindset work that’s going to reshape your writing,and changing academic culture one womxn and nonbinary professor at a time. Get your print copy today or order it for a friend here! If you would like to hear more from Cathy for free, please subscribe to the weekly newsletter, In the Pipeline, at scholarsvoice.org. It’s a newsletter that she personally writes that goes out once a week with writing and publication tips, strategies, inspiration, book reviews and more.   CONNECT WITH ME:  LinkedIn Facebook YouTube

If you’ve ever thought “it’s not just about time—I don’t have the energy” when it comes to your writing, you are not alone.  In this episode, Dr. Abigail Hogan joins me to talk about how she’s learned to align her writing practice with her energy patterns, and why doing so has been transformational for both her scholarship and her well-being. Dr. Hogan shares what drew her to the Navigate program after participating in Amplify, and how she used the tools and coaching support to break through perfectionism, release the emotional weight of a long-stalled paper, and publish with confidence.  Whether you're mid-project, mid-semester, or just feeling a bit stuck, Abby’s story will leave you reflecting on how to approach your writing with more intention, clarity, and self-compassion. For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast. We're receiving applications for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap®. Check out the program details and start your application process here.   CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Our 12-week Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap® program helps tenure-track womxn and nonbinary professors to publish their backlog of papers so that their voice can have the impact they know is possible. Apply here! Cathy’s book, Making Time to Write: How to Resist the Patriarchy and Take Control of Your Academic Career Through Writing is available in print! Learn how to build your career around your writing practice while shattering the myths of writing every day, accountability, and motivation, doing mindset work that’s going to reshape your writing,and changing academic culture one womxn and nonbinary professor at a time. Get your print copy today or order it for a friend here! If you would like to hear more from Cathy for free, please subscribe to the weekly newsletter, In the Pipeline, at scholarsvoice.org. It’s a newsletter that she personally writes that goes out once a week with writing and publication tips, strategies, inspiration, book reviews and more. CONNECT WITH ME:  LinkedIn Facebook YouTube

If you’ve ever said, “I’d love to join Navigate, but I just don’t have the time,” this episode is for you.  Today, I’m joined by Dr. Janet McCabe, who brings honesty and real-world insight into what it looks like to invest in your writing during a busy and emotionally challenging season. We talk about her initial hesitation to join Navigate, the fear of adding one more thing to her plate, and how she ultimately found structure, clarity, and unexpected ease in her academic writing process. Whether you're mid-career, managing administrative responsibilities, or simply struggling to reconnect with your research, Janet’s reflections offer perspective and encouragement. Janet’s experience is a powerful reminder that your writing doesn’t need perfect conditions—it needs attention, structure, and a willingness to begin.  For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast.   We're receiving applications for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap®. Check out the program details and start your application process here. CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Our 12-week Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap® program helps tenure-track womxn and nonbinary professors to publish their backlog of papers so that their voice can have the impact they know is possible. Apply here! Cathy’s book, Making Time to Write: How to Resist the Patriarchy and Take Control of Your Academic Career Through Writing is available in print! Learn how to build your career around your writing practice while shattering the myths of writing every day, accountability, and motivation, doing mindset work that’s going to reshape your writing,and changing academic culture one womxn and nonbinary professor at a time. Get your print copy today or order it for a friend here! If you would like to hear more from Cathy for free, please subscribe to the weekly newsletter, In the Pipeline, at scholarsvoice.org. It’s a newsletter that she personally writes that goes out once a week with writing and publication tips, strategies, inspiration, book reviews and more.   CONNECT WITH ME:  LinkedIn Facebook YouTube

Do you want to take on new projects or tackle more writing and publications but feel like the number one thing holding you back is time?  What if I told you capacity isn’t fixed, you can build it?  Today, I’m sharing what capacity building means and how intentionally growing your capacity can help you do more of the work that matters without burning out. In this episode, I share my own experiences juggling personal and professional responsibilities. I share vivid, real-life examples of how my capacity expanded over time, from parenting multiple children to managing a large farm business alongside my academic coaching career. I’ll also address common fears about timing big career moves, especially the myth that you have to wait until you have more capacity before committing to growth. If you’ve been hesitating to push forward with your writing or career goals because you feel maxed out, this episode is for you. Listen in to shift your mindset around capacity, learn practical ways to grow it, and get inspired to take action now because waiting for the “perfect” time only holds you back. For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast.   We're receiving applications for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap®. Check out the program details and start your application process here. CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Our 12-week Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap® program helps tenure-track womxn and nonbinary professors to publish their backlog of papers so that their voice can have the impact they know is possible. Apply here! Cathy’s book, Making Time to Write: How to Resist the Patriarchy and Take Control of Your Academic Career Through Writing is available in print! Learn how to build your career around your writing practice while shattering the myths of writing every day, accountability, and motivation, doing mindset work that’s going to reshape your writing,and changing academic culture one womxn and nonbinary professor at a time. Get your print copy today or order it for a friend here! If you would like to hear more from Cathy for free, please subscribe to the weekly newsletter, In the Pipeline, at scholarsvoice.org. It’s a newsletter that she personally writes that goes out once a week with writing and publication tips, strategies, inspiration, book reviews and more. CONNECT WITH ME:  LinkedIn Facebook YouTube  

Is the next academic year a writing season for you? A mentoring season? An administrative season? Too often, scholars fall into the trap of trying to do everything at once—writing, grant-getting, mentoring, teaching, program-building—on full blast. But sustainable success comes from focused seasons, not constant hustle. In this episode, I introduce the concept of “academic seasonality” and walk you through how to select your next season with purpose. Whether you're heading into a writing-intensive fall, supporting graduate students, or bracing for a new admin role, this mindset shift will help you take control of your academic path without burning out. If you’re ready to move into your next academic season with clarity and intention, this episode is for you. Tune in now to reframe how you approach your year and discover a more sustainable way to thrive in your academic career. For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast. We’ve opened the waitlist for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap®. Check out the program details and get on the waitlist here. CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Our 12-week Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap® program helps tenure-track womxn and nonbinary professors to publish their backlog of papers so that their voice can have the impact they know is possible. Get on the waitlist here! Cathy’s book, Making Time to Write: How to Resist the Patriarchy and Take Control of Your Academic Career Through Writing is available in print! Learn how to build your career around your writing practice while shattering the myths of writing every day, accountability, and motivation, doing mindset work that’s going to reshape your writing,and changing academic culture one womxn and nonbinary professor at a time. Get your print copy today or order it for a friend here! If you would like to hear more from Cathy for free, please subscribe to the weekly newsletter, In the Pipeline, at scholarsvoice.org. It’s a newsletter that she personally writes that goes out once a week with writing and publication tips, strategies, inspiration, book reviews and more. CONNECT WITH ME:  LinkedIn Facebook YouTube

Are you struggling to get back into academic writing after a break? Or maybe you’re afraid to change your writing schedule because you think you’ll lose momentum. In this episode, I’ll show you how to step away from your writing without derailing your progress and how to return to it without losing your rhythm. In this episode, I explore the concept of writing off-ramps and on-ramps—a metaphor (and practical toolset) for how to put your writing down with intention and pick it back up with ease. Whether you’re heading into a planned vacation or returning from an unexpected pause, learning to manage transitions is a key part of building a sustainable academic writing practice. You’ll learn how to exit your writing flow gently, leave strategic breadcrumbs for your future self, and design a smooth, flexible re-entry that supports your long-term goals without burnout or self-judgment. If you're craving a writing practice that feels stable, resilient, and empowering, this episode is a must-listen. Stop treating breaks like setbacks, and learn the tools and mindset you need to turn your writing pauses into powerful pivots. And don’t forget: our next Navigate information session is happening on July 23, 2025. To get all the details, make sure you’re on my email list—sign up at scholarsvoice.org. For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast. We’ve opened the waitlist for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap®. Check out the program details and get on the waitlist here.   CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Our 12-week Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap® program helps tenure-track womxn and nonbinary professors to publish their backlog of papers so that their voice can have the impact they know is possible. Get on the waitlist here! Cathy’s book, Making Time to Write: How to Resist the Patriarchy and Take Control of Your Academic Career Through Writing is available in print! Learn how to build your career around your writing practice while shattering the myths of writing every day, accountability, and motivation, doing mindset work that’s going to reshape your writing,and changing academic culture one womxn and nonbinary professor at a time. Get your print copy today or order it for a friend here! If you would like to hear more from Cathy for free, please subscribe to the weekly newsletter, In the Pipeline, at scholarsvoice.org. It’s a newsletter that she personally writes that goes out once a week with writing and publication tips, strategies, inspiration, book reviews and more.   CONNECT WITH ME:  LinkedIn Facebook YouTube

Do you feel like you are behind on your summer writing goals? You’re not alone, and you’re not failing. It’s time to normalize readjusting your summer writing plans without shame. In this episode, I guide you through a midsummer writing check-in. This flexible process will help you reassess your academic writing goals and realign them with your current capacity. Whether you mapped out a detailed summer writing plan back in May or are just now trying to make progress, I will walk you through how to revisit your calendar, evaluate your remaining time, and match it with what’s left on your writing to-do list. Re-planning isn’t a failure; it’s a core skill that every academic writer needs to learn. Tune in to learn how to move from unrealistic expectations to a sustainable academic writing progress without burnout, shame, or overwhelm. If you’re ready to improve your academic writing practice and finally clear your publication backlog, enrollment for the next round of my Navigate program opens soon! Get on the waitlist today. For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast. We’ve opened the waitlist for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap®. Check out the program details and get on the waitlist here.   CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Our 12-week Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap® program helps tenure-track womxn and nonbinary professors to publish their backlog of papers so that their voice can have the impact they know is possible. Get on the waitlist here! Cathy’s book, Making Time to Write: How to Resist the Patriarchy and Take Control of Your Academic Career Through Writing is available in print! Learn how to build your career around your writing practice while shattering the myths of writing every day, accountability, and motivation, doing mindset work that’s going to reshape your writing,and changing academic culture one womxn and nonbinary professor at a time. Get your print copy today or order it for a friend here! If you would like to hear more from Cathy for free, please subscribe to the weekly newsletter, In the Pipeline, at scholarsvoice.org. It’s a newsletter that she personally writes that goes out once a week with writing and publication tips, strategies, inspiration, book reviews and more.   CONNECT WITH ME:  LinkedIn Facebook YouTube

Are you constantly being asked to do more than your role requires because others around you aren’t stepping up? You might be getting pulled into a leadership vacuum. In this final episode of the Leadership Series, I define what a leadership vacuum is and explain why so many mid-career academics—especially those in middle-management roles—get pulled into these gaps. Whether you’re a department chair, PI, or program director, it’s easy to start taking on responsibilities that aren’t technically yours, particularly when leadership above you is weak or absent. I share how to recognize the vacuum, why scholars are especially vulnerable to it, and, most importantly, how to set boundaries that preserve your energy, time, and mission-driven focus. If you’ve ever felt overextended in your academic role, this episode is for you. Learn how to define your position and hold your boundaries with clarity and confidence. For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast. We’ve opened the waitlist for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap®. Check out the program details and get on the waitlist here.   CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Our 12-week Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap® program helps tenure-track womxn and nonbinary professors to publish their backlog of papers so that their voice can have the impact they know is possible. Get on the waitlist here! Cathy’s book, Making Time to Write: How to Resist the Patriarchy and Take Control of Your Academic Career Through Writing is available in print! Learn how to build your career around your writing practice while shattering the myths of writing every day, accountability, and motivation, doing mindset work that’s going to reshape your writing,and changing academic culture one womxn and nonbinary professor at a time. Get your print copy today or order it for a friend here! If you would like to hear more from Cathy for free, please subscribe to the weekly newsletter, In the Pipeline, at scholarsvoice.org. It’s a newsletter that she personally writes that goes out once a week with writing and publication tips, strategies, inspiration, book reviews and more.   CONNECT WITH ME:  LinkedIn Facebook YouTube

We’re in the middle of a series on academic leadership, and today, I focus on the foundation: leading yourself.  In this episode, I unpack what self-leadership really means: making decisions grounded in your mission and values that shape who you become, not just what you produce. I’ll explain why embracing seasonality—intentionally focusing on writing during specific periods while scaling back other commitments—is a powerful way to adapt to the challenges many academics face today, like frozen grant programs and shifting research priorities. Finally, I share practical tools and mindset shifts you need to lead yourself through a writing season with clear boundaries, effective time management, and focused energy. If you’re ready to take control of your writing and academic career by mastering self-leadership, this episode is for you. Tune in to learn how leading yourself is the secret to writing more intentionally and productively. For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast. We’ve opened the waitlist for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap®. Check out the program details and get on the waitlist here.   CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Our 12-week Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap® program helps tenure-track womxn and nonbinary professors to publish their backlog of papers so that their voice can have the impact they know is possible. Get on the waitlist here! Cathy’s book, Making Time to Write: How to Resist the Patriarchy and Take Control of Your Academic Career Through Writing is available in print! Learn how to build your career around your writing practice while shattering the myths of writing every day, accountability, and motivation, doing mindset work that’s going to reshape your writing,and changing academic culture one womxn and nonbinary professor at a time. Get your print copy today or order it for a friend here! If you would like to hear more from Cathy for free, please subscribe to the weekly newsletter, In the Pipeline, at scholarsvoice.org. It’s a newsletter that she personally writes that goes out once a week with writing and publication tips, strategies, inspiration, book reviews and more.   CONNECT WITH ME:  LinkedIn Facebook YouTube