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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.
90 Episodes
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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 ...
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 ...
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 yo...
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. ...
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 m...
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 s...
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 gi...
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 opp...
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 likeHow to shift from a productivity mindset to a purpose-driven planPractical ways to balance recovery and research goalsWhat to do if you’...
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.&...
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 Disa...
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 ✅ ...
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...
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 ...
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.YourWordsUn...
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 se...
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...
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 par...
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 set...
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 o...
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