8: Resisting the "Catch-up" Mentality

Many early-career academics believe that once they secure tenure, the pressure eases, writing gets easier, and work magically fits into a reasonable workday. In this episode, I explain why that belief doesn't hold up and how to take control of your career before a major milestone or promotion. Tenure is an impressive achievement. While it is a big step in your career, it doesn't automatically undo years of overwork, binge-and-bust work patterns, or unsustainable writing and publishing habits. That's why I invited Dr. Filomena Garcia to join me for a candid conversation about her experience as a mid-career academic and why she chose to join Navigate. Filomena and I discuss her journey navigating institutional change while parenting three young children, and her realization that "being mid-career" wasn't enough to give her the academic life she wanted. You'll hear how she used Navigate to gain new skills, publish stalled work, and take back control of her time, without relying on nights and weekends. If you're mid-career and realizing that "more experience" isn't the same as better systems, this episode will help you rethink what's possible. 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

27 Jan 22min

What happens when your research agenda is disrupted by forces completely outside your control?  In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Lauren Woodard, an assistant professor of anthropology in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, for a thoughtful conversation about career pivots, research transitions, and writing through uncertainty. After a year marked by funding instability, forced pivots, and shifting academic priorities, this conversation feels especially timely. Lauren shares her experience overcoming major transitions in her career and inspired her to join Navigate. We talk candidly about what it looks like to continue writing and publishing during periods of disruption, how to manage book and article projects simultaneously, and how Navigate supported Lauren as she clarified her publication pipeline and planned her next season of academic work. We also explore how parenting, caregiving, and seasonality shape writing practices, particularly during the early career years. If 2026 feels like a year to intentionally reset your approach to writing, publishing, and career design, this episode is for you! 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

20 Jan 44min

Are you committed to making 2026 an academic writing year?  In this episode, I share information on the upcoming Navigate cohort, my 12-week writing and publishing program for academics who are ready to finally move their backlog of papers toward submission, without burnout. If you've been telling yourself that you just need more time, more motivation, or fewer collaborators to publish consistently, this episode challenges those assumptions. I walk you through the single biggest mindset shift that unlocks publication progress, the most common mistakes academics make when trying to "fix" their writing problems, and what actually works instead. Then, I share how the tools and skills you will learn in Navigate provide a clearer framework for designing a more intentional academic career and sustainable writing practice. Learn how publication pipelines, decision-making, and sustainable writing practices fit together, especially for scholars juggling leadership roles, caregiving, and increasing demands on their time. Listen to discover how to stop reacting to your academic workload and start designing an academic career that supports your research, your mission, your writing, and your well-being. 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

13 Jan 49min

What if 2026 wasn't the year you tried to do everything, but the year you finally did the thing that most aligns with your academic mission statement? In this episode, I'm officially inviting you to make 2026 your writing year. I've been planting this seed for a while now, especially as we collectively move through ongoing funding uncertainty and career volatility. Today, I want to slow down and really explain what I mean by a "writing year," why so many scholars are choosing this path right now, and how you can begin making this shift in a practical and sustainable way. I walk you through what a writing year looks like, how it can become a powerful decision-making framework, and how I'll be supporting scholars throughout 2026 with free workshops, coaching series, and a newly redesigned podcast format. I also share details about my Navigate program. If you're ready to lead your academic career with intention and make real progress on the academic papers that matter most, this episode is your starting point For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast.   We're receiving applications for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap®. Check out the program details and start your application process here.   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

6 Jan 29min

Today we're celebrating a milestone: Episode 300. Instead of doing a big party episode, I wanted to share a more grounded, honest reflection as we wrap up 2025, a year that has been one of the most professionally disruptive years for academics. This episode is all about wrapping up, embracing seasonality, and entering winter break with a mindset of restoration rather than burnout, guilt, or the urge to "catch up." If you've been feeling behind, overwhelmed, stretched thin, or like your writing has been pushed into the margins of your life, this is for you. I walk you through the metaphors and practices I use to design an intentional pause rather than defaulting into the binge-and-bust cycle that academia encourages. You'll also hear how I'm thinking about 2026, a sneak peek of my new approach to the podcast, and why restoration is an essential part of your writing system. For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast. We're receiving applications for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap®. Check out the program details and start your application process here.   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

16 Dec 202527min

2025 has been a year of funding uncertainty in academia, and I know many of you have been asking yourself how to keep your research moving forward when grant opportunities are unpredictable.  Today, I'm pulling back the curtain on a mini-lesson from my Round 2+ Navigate program: Scaling Research Through Writing. I make the case for why 2026 should be a writing year for you. I walk you through how writing and publishing help expand your research's reach, deepen collaborations, and even enhance your mentorship.  I also share practical strategies for working with grad students, post-docs, and early-career faculty to develop their writing skills, because when you teach writing, you multiply the impact of your research and your team. If you've been thinking about how to make your scholarly work matter more, this episode is full of ideas to help you scale your research program without waiting for grants to come through. Tune in to learn how to shift your mindset about academic writing and how to leverage it as a strategic tool for growth and influence in your field.  And don't miss Episode 300 next week, it's our special wrap-up for 2025! For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast. We're receiving applications for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap®. Check out the program details and start your application process here.   CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: 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

9 Dec 202519min

Guilt, shame, and fear around academic writing show up far more often than we admit. And for many academics, those emotions become so intertwined with our identity that even seeing the phrase "making time to write" can trigger a full-body "Nope!"  I was reminded of this last week during the National Women's Studies Association conference in Puerto Rico. The conference was beautifully integrated with local scholars, activists, and artists, creating a powerful space for community and reflection.  What surprised me most, though, was the range of reactions people had when they walked by our booth and saw my book. Some people laughed; some avoided eye contact and literally walked (or ran!) away; others said, "You're making me feel so bad." That emotional recoil is exactly why today's episode exists. This week, I'm diving deep into what guilt, shame, and overwhelm around writing really reveal—not about you as an individual, but about the sociocultural and institutional contexts you're working within. If you've internalized the idea that your inconsistent writing practice is a personal flaw, this discussion will help you understand why that narrative is wrong, and how to reclaim the sense of agency you absolutely do have. If you've ever thought, "I should be writing," and immediately felt terrible, this one's for you. Tune in, and let's talk about what's really holding back your academic writing and how to move through it. For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast. We're receiving applications for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap®. Check out the program details and start your application process here.   CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: 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

2 Dec 202528min

The holiday season is here, and what better way to celebrate than with some great books? In this special 2025 holiday book review episode, I'm sharing some of my favorite reads from the past year, plus one highly anticipated pre-order for 2026.  Reading has always been a way for me to pause, reflect, and explore worlds beyond my own, whether through nonfiction that deepens understanding of our shared humanity, literary fiction that transports you across time and place, or romance and fantasy that just makes your heart smile.  I'll give you a quick overview of each book, why it stood out to me, and what makes it worth adding to your own bookshelf. You'll find titles that challenge your thinking, invite empathy, and offer unforgettable stories, including books that span genres from historical fantasy to creative nonfiction. And I'll highlight one pre-order that I'm particularly excited about, a timely, important, and deeply engaging book that I know will resonate with a wide audience. So grab your cup of tea, settle in, and join me as I walk through my favorite 2025 reads. Whether you're giving books this holiday season or asking for a few for yourself, there's something here for everyone. For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast. We're receiving applications for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap®. Check out the program details and start your application process here.   CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: 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

25 Nov 202519min