PUBLISHING ACADEMIC RESEARCH | Writing, Mental Health, and Productivity Tips for Your Scholarship, Thesis, or Dissertation

Do you ever find yourself with a paper you’re excited about, only to realize there’s no journal where it quite fits? Have you felt the frustration of pouring your energy into an idea, only to shelve it because you couldn’t find the right scholarly home?

Hey co-authors! In this episode, we talk about how to find journals that are a good fit for your work. We’ll walk through how you can avoid the traps that keep you from finding your...

Have you ever sat down at your desk, opened your laptop, and felt like you had absolutely nothing left to give? Do you find yourself staring at the screen, exhausted because you’ve been running on empty for too long?

Hey co-authors! In this episode, we’re going to talk about writer’s block: what it looks like, why it happens, and how to restore the energy you need to keep moving forward. We’ll explore how a lack a clarity may be ki...

Have you ever felt like you’re your own worst critic? Do you read your own work and only think about why it’s not good enough?

Hey co-authors! In this episode, we’ll talk about identifying when your inner negative critic rears its ugly head and how to manage and overcome it. We’ll talk about how to recognize the voice of self-doubt, manage it, and move forward with clarity and focus in your writing. By understanding and addressing ...

Do you keep getting desk rejections? Does it feel like your best ideas never make it past the editor’s decision?

Hey co-authors! In this episode, we’ll dig into the most common reasons submissions get desk rejected and, more importantly, what you can do to fix them. Along the way, I’ll also share some behind-the-scenes insights from the editor’s chair and practical strategies to get your work past the editor’s desk and into the rev...

What if I told you your literature review should be the most compelling part of your paper? How would you change your writing or citation?

Hey co-authors! In this episode, we explore the three most common pitfalls in literature reviews and show you how to transform your review into a focused, engaging narrative. You’ll learn why tone and structure matter just as much as content, and discover practical tools to map the scholarly con...

Are you knee-deep in your thesis or dissertation and wondering how you’ll make it through? Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the process whether it’s navigating formatting rules, managing technology, or just finding the motivation to keep going?

Hey co-authors! In this episode, I sit down with Kellen Schmidt, our university’s Thesis and Dissertation Services Coordinator, to unpack what really goes on behind the scenes of finishing gr...

Do you find that you are rewriting yourself out of your work just to get published? Can you handle harsh reviews and hold onto your purpose?

Hey co-authors! In this episode, we unpack the challenges you face in the review and editorial process and then share concrete practices to turn feedback into forward momentum. We'll talk about how to develop the ability to handle productive, but uncomfortable, feedback while not giving up you...

Is academic writing supposed to feel this lonely…or have we just accepted it as normal? What if the real barrier to writing isn’t motivation, but isolation?

Hey co-authors! In this episode, we explore why so many scholars feel cut off from others when writing and how that loneliness undercuts our productivity, passion, and well-being. We uncover the social, institutional, and cultural forces that keep us isolated—and share concrete...

Do you struggle writing that first sentence of your project? Does it seem like your introductions are messy or unfocused no matter what you do?

Hey co-authors! In this episode, we unpack the art of crafting an introduction that  informs your reader of what your research is as well as convinces them it impact and value. You’ll learn to avoid the most common pitfalls and discover a clear, discipline-flexible structure to draw readers...

Do you find yourself agonizing over every paragraph, sentence, or word as you write? Do you get so exhausted writing your first draft that you can't bring yourself to go back and edit?

Hey co-authors! In this episode, we explore how to transform a fledgling draft into a polished, compelling manuscript that guides readers effortlessly through your arguments and insights. Join us as we dive deep into the art of editing and uncover wh...

Are you still waiting for imposter syndrome to disappear before you write? What if you didn’t have to?

Hey co-authors! In this episode, we take a hard look at how imposter syndrome shows up in academic writing—not just as a feeling, but as behaviors that sabotage your progress. Changing our reactions with imposter syndrome is the first step to taking control of our writing and protecting our mental health. 

If imposter syndrome is ...

What if writing wasn’t something to dread—but something to look forward to?

Hey co-authors! In this episode, we explore the often-overlooked joys of academic writing. We’ll uncover three powerful ways researchers find meaning, motivation, and even delight in the writing process—from discovery and curiosity, to community and sharing, to the deep satisfaction of publication and recognition.

You’ll learn how to:

• Reframe writing ...

Welcome to the Publishing Academic Research Podcast, a space for scholars who want to turn strong ideas into published work. Whether you're working on a thesis, finishing a dissertation, building your CV, or aiming for tenure and promotion, this podcast offers practical strategies to help you write with purpose, publish with confidence, and thrive in the process.

Join me in this podcast to learn about: – Developing a sustainable re...