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

Do you ever stare at a half-written literature review paragraph and think, “Where the heck am I going with all of this?” Do you ever worry that your paragraphs are either too convoluted or just an endless stream of summaries? Hey co-authors! In this episode, we dig into how to write crisp, compelling paragraphs in your literature review. We’ll unpack the common traps and then walk through a clear, three-step approach for crafting paragraphs with purpose. You can also access an annotated example through this Google Drive link or at the bottom of this description. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Start each paragraph with a strong analytical claim, not a description. Synthesize studies using patterns, agreements, and contradictions—not one-study summaries. Add reasoning and transitions that highlight consequences, contradictions, or gaps. Check your work with quick diagnostics. Follo Tune in to learn how to write paragraphs that argue, connect, and build momentum—one clear, intentional claim at a time. Want to Connect? Email: publishingacademicresearch@gmail.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/c-kyle-rudick-59a040a7 Schedule a Free, 30-Minute Consultation: https://calendly.com/publishingacademicresearch/30min Google Drive Materials: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WndswDWt6FLeh92Do59ciEH7re-Ej3Gf?usp=sharing

Are you teaching all week, grading at night, and going to endless committees in between? Have you never taken a real vacation or enjoyed a weekend because you spend them “catching up” on research? Hey co-authors! In this episode, we’re talking about how to manage your energy—not just your time—so your writing life becomes sustainable. Academia often rewards output over balance, but overwork doesn’t make us better scholars. Producing better does…and “better” takes time, rest, and energy. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Recognize the hidden traps of academic overwork, from poor deadline management to becoming the “default helper” in your department. Identify how burnout disguises itself as busyness—and how it limits creativity, collaboration, and innovation. Audit your energy to understand when your focus peaks and dips, so you can match writing tasks to your natural rhythms. Use practical energy management tools like the “One Major Thing” rule, recovery rituals, and calendar strategies to protect your bandwidth. Spot and resist predatory academic behavior that thrives on your exhaustion and blurred boundaries. Protecting your time and energy starts with you, but it can’t end there. Real change sometimes requires asking for institutional support or even walking away from environments that don’t value your well-being. Want to Connect? Email: publishingacademicresearch@gmail.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/c-kyle-rudick-59a040a7 Schedule a Free, 30-Minute Consultation: https://calendly.com/publishingacademicresearch/30min

Do you arrive at your qualitative discussion section so tired and burned out that it feels like a slog to put anything on paper? Do you keep getting feedback that says that your discussion isn’t doing enough to interpret your findings? Hey co-authors! In this episode, we’ll discuss how to develop a discussion section for your qualitative research that highlights your scholarly contribution while honoring the commitments to qualitative inquiry. We’ll talk about how to weave your insights and literature together to make your writing go from merely descriptive to evocative and engaging. In this episode, you’ll learn: Interpret findings instead of repeating them. Connect results to theory and purpose with clarity. Write meaningful implications without overreaching. Craft confident, balanced conclusions that sound like scholarship, not summaries. Listen in to find out how to write a discussion section that interprets, extends, and inspires, so your work lands with clarity and purpose. Want to Connect? Email: publishingacademicresearch@gmail.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/c-kyle-rudick-59a040a7 Schedule a Free, 30-Minute Consultation: https://calendly.com/publishingacademicresearch/30min

Do you ever walk into an academic conference and feel a knot in your stomach because of the pressure to sound brilliant, network flawlessly, and not accidentally embarrass yourself in front of your field’s big names? You’re not alone. Hey co-authors! In this episode, we’re unpacking how to make a strong, authentic impression at academic conferences without losing your mind. From your presentation style to hallway conversations, we’ll talk about how to replace performance anxiety with purpose and how to connect with others in ways that actually matter. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Prepare presentations that communicate clearly and confidently (including the 10/20/70 rule for balance). Navigate the social side with authenticity and grace. Make a lasting impression by being curious, kind, and collaborative and not just performative. The goal isn’t to be the smartest person in the room, it’s to leave people thinking, “I’d love to talk to them again.” Tune in to learn how to show up as your authentic self, share your work with confidence, and walk away from your next conference feeling connected. Want to Connect? Email: publishingacademicresearch@gmail.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/c-kyle-rudick-59a040a7 Schedule a Free, 30-Minute Consultation: https://calendly.com/publishingacademicresearch/30min

Do you ever worry that your qualitative research results section just isn’t doing justice to your participants’ stories? Or that your analysis ends up being either too thin, too cluttered, or scattered for your readers to make sense of? Hey co-authors! In this episode, we’re talking about how to write a rigorous and evocative qualitative research results section, one that captures peoples’ lived experiences with rigor, empathy, and clarity. We’ll discuss how to turn raw data into a compelling, credible, and human-centered narrative. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Build results sections that balance participants’ voices with your analytical insight. Avoid the common pitfalls of over-quoting, over-telling, or drifting from your research question. Organize themes and subthemes in ways that show depth, coherence, and theoretical saturation. Honor your ethical responsibility as a caretaker of others’ stories through strategies like member checks and reflexive writing. Tune in to learn how to craft qualitative results that reveal, resonate, and respect—the kind of work that lets your participants’ voices shine while showing your readers what it truly means to see through data. Want to Connect? Email: publishingacademicresearch@gmail.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/c-kyle-rudick-59a040a7 Schedule a Free, 30-Minute Consultation: https://calendly.com/publishingacademicresearch/30min

Have you ever looked at your CV and thought, “I did all that…but who was it all for?” Have you chased deadlines, won awards, and met every metric, but feel further from the ideas that first inspired you? Hey co-authors! In this episode, we’re talking about how to protect your academic identity and purpose in a system that all-too-often rewards output over authenticity. We’ll unpack the pressures that push scholars to toward unfulfilling productivity and how to resist them without losing your momentum. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Reconnect with your intellectual identity and rediscover what drew you to research in the first place. Set “aligned output” goals that track progress in ideas, not just publication counts. Say “no” strategically to projects that don’t serve your long-term scholarly purpose. Define what enough looks like for you, so your academic path reflects who you are—not just what’s rewarded. Tune in to learn how to preserve your purpose, realign your goals, and keep your scholarship centered on what truly matters to you. Want to Connect? Email: publishingacademicresearch@gmail.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/c-kyle-rudick-59a040a7 Schedule a Free, 30-Minute Consultation: https://calendly.com/publishingacademicresearch/30min

Do you feel like everyone around you is getting published, winning grants, and stacking accolades? Have you seen colleagues celebrate on social media and felt that quiet sting of “why not me?” Hey co-authors! In this episode, I talk about the culture of comparison in academia and how it can drain joy from our work and even turn colleagues against each other. We’ll discuss why this culture exists and how it harms us, but more importantly, how we can resist it.  We’ll explore: Why academic comparison is so pervasive. How comparison can become toxic, both to our own well-being and our community. How to reframe envy into motivation and make candid choices about what success means to you. At the end of the day, scholarship should be a refuge and a way to pursue curiosity, connect with others, and build meaningful conversations. Let’s talk about how to safeguard joy in your work, even when the culture around you feels competitive or harsh. Want to Connect? Email: publishingacademicresearch@gmail.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/c-kyle-rudick-59a040a7 Schedule a Free 30-minute Consultation: https://calendly.com/publishingacademicresearch/30min

Do you feel crushed when a rejection email lands in your inbox? Do you spiral into self-doubt, avoidance, or shame, unable to moving forward? Hey co-authors! In this episode, we dive into dealing with rejection in academic publishing. We’ll unpack why rejection cuts so deeply and how you can respond in healthier, more productive ways. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Recognize and interrupt unhelpful reactions like catastrophizing, avoidance, or over-personalizing feedback. Reframe reviewer comments so you can find opportunities for growth instead of shame spirals. Assess whether rejection is about your project or simply the wrong journal—and adjust your path forward. Tune in to learn how to navigate rejection without losing your confidence, your voice, or your joy in scholarship.  Want to Connect? Email: publishingacademicresearch@gmail.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/c-kyle-rudick-59a040a7 Schedule a Free, 30-Minute Consultation: https://calendly.com/publishingacademicresearch/30min  

Have you ever read a research article where the findings seemed interesting, but the method section left you with more questions than answers? Have you ever wondered how much detail is really necessary to convince readers that your qualitative research is rigorous and credible? Hey co-authors! In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most important but often overlooked parts of qualitative research writing: the method section. We’ll unpack why a clear, detailed, and transparent methods section is essential in building trust with your reader. I’ll walk you through what reviewers and editors are looking for and how to avoid the common traps that weaken good qualitative work. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Write method sections that build trust and credibility with your readers. Recognize how to include context and reflexivity. Avoid the pitfalls of vague or incomplete descriptions that can sink your article. Tune in to learn how to strengthen your qualitative methods, demonstrate rigor, and give your findings the solid foundation they deserve.  Want to Connect? Email: publishingacademicresearch@gmail.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/c-kyle-rudick-59a040a7 Schedule a Consultation: https://calendly.com/publishingacademicresearch/30min

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 scholarly community and start publishing with intention. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Develop your scholarship to align with the communities the journal serves. Identify journals that reflect the communities you want to join. Build fulfilling relationships with scholarly communities instead of chasing prestige. Tune in to learn how to match your work with the right outlets, invest in communities that will support your scholarship, and find joy (yes, joy!) in the process of publishing. Want to Connect? Email: publishingacademicresearch@gmail.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/c-kyle-rudick-59a040a7 Schedule a Consultation: https://calendly.com/publishingacademicresearch/30min               

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 killing your writing momentum and practical strategies for recharging your creativity when it feels completely drained. In this episode, you’ll learn: How a lack a clarity may be killing your writing momentum. How exhaustion and overwhelm stop you from writing. How to restart your writing and build momentum again. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer understanding of how to protect your energy, recognize the warning signs of writer’s block, and create sustainable writing habits that help you finish strong. Want to Connect? Email: publishingacademicresearch@gmail.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/c-kyle-rudick-59a040a7 Schedule a Consultation: https://calendly.com/publishingacademicresearch/30min

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 your inner critic, you can create space for consistent, confident, and productive writing In this episode, you'll learn how to: Recognize the signs that your inner critic is holding you back from writing effectively Separate your self-worth from your writing output to reduce anxiety and self-doubt Use practical techniques to quiet negative self-talk and maintain momentum By the end of this episode, you’ll have actionable tools to transform self-criticism into constructive feedback and keep moving forward with your writing projects. Transform the tension of self-criticism into actionable strategies that help you make steady progress on your work. Want to Connect? Email: publishingacademicresearch@gmail.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/c-kyle-rudick-59a040a7 Schedule a Consultation: https://calendly.com/publishingacademicresearch/30min

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 review pipeline. In this episode, you'll learn how to: Spot the hidden differences between a solid paper and a publishable article Avoid the five most common pitfalls that lead to instant desk rejection Position your work so editors and reviewers see its value from the start Desk rejections can feel like a gut punch, but they can also but they’re also an opportunity to improve.  If you’ve ever felt stuck at the desk-reject stage, this episode will help you understand what’s going on, how to adjust your approach, and how to position your writing so that it gets the attention it deserves. Want to Connect? Email: publishingacademicresearch@gmail.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/c-kyle-rudick-59a040a7 Schedule a Consultation: https://calendly.com/publishingacademicresearch/30min  

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 conversation, stay organized, and guide your reader from big-picture problem to specific research questions. In this episode, you'll learn how to: Avoid turning your review into an endless series of standalone summaries Establish a clear through-line that connects introduction, theory, and research purpose Structure your review and keep each section concise, coherent, and engaging. Ready to elevate your literature review from rote survey to persuasive argument? Tune in now, subscribe for more academic writing insights, and share your biggest lit-review win with us in the comments! Want to Connect? Email: publishingacademicresearch@gmail.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/c-kyle-rudick-59a040a7 Schedule a Consultation: https://calendly.com/publishingacademicresearch/30min  

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 graduate-level work. Kellen shares the most common struggles students face and dive into the emotional that too often accompany graduate study. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Navigate the technical hurdles of formatting, citations, and file types. Use AI responsibly (and cautiously) in your academic writing. Build a support network that will advocate for you through the hardest stretches. Protect your well-being while staying on track with your degree. Tune in for a candid conversation about what it really takes to finish strong and why finding your people, giving yourself grace, and even treating yourself once a day might be the best academic advice you’ll ever get. Want to Connect? Email: publishingacademicresearch@gmail.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/c-kyle-rudick-59a040a7 Schedule a Consultation: https://calendly.com/publishingacademicresearch/30min