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PUBLISHING ACADEMIC RESEARCH | Complete Your Scholarship, Thesis, or Dissertation and Maintain Your Mental Health
PUBLISHING ACADEMIC RESEARCH | Complete Your Scholarship, Thesis, or Dissertation and Maintain Your Mental Health
This podcast helps graduate students and academics navigate the publishing process while maintaining mental health. Hosted by Dr. Kyle Rudick, a full professor at the University of Northern Iowa, it offers practical strategies for writing, publishing, and building a sustainable research program. Topics include completing theses and dissertations, boosting writing productivity, and increasing scholarly visibility.
Episodes
Writing Resaerch when You Don't Want To | Ep. 55
Why is it so hard to start writing when you know exactly what needs to be done? What if your lack of progress is a perfectly normal human response to difficult cognitive and emotional work?
Hey co-authors! In this episode, we explore the psychology behind writing resistance and uncover why reluctance is not a sign that you're a bad writer, but a predictable part of the creative process. You'll lea
Applying for Tenure and/or Promotion with Confidence | Ep. 54
How do you apply for tenure and/or promotion with confidence when so much of the process feels uncertain? What if the biggest obstacle to a successful application isn't your record, but the story you're telling yourself about it?
Hey co-authors! In this episode, we explore one of the most significant milestones in an academic career: applying for tenure and/or promotion. The process is a deeply pe
Being Bored as a Path to Productivity | Ep. 53
What if the moments when you're not writing are actually the moments that make your writing better? Could stepping away from your research sometimes be more productive than forcing yourself to stay at the keyboard?
Hey co-authors! In this episode, we challenge one of the most deeply ingrained myths in academia: the belief that productivity is measured solely by visible output. Many scholars feel g
Recovering when Someone Else Publishes Your Idea | Ep. 52
What do you do when you discover someone else has already published the idea you've been developing for months or even years? How do you recover when a project that once felt groundbreaking suddenly feels redundant?
Hey co-authors! In this episode, we tackle one of the most discouraging experiences in academic life: discovering that someone else published on what you thought was your idea. For man
Creating Order from Chaos in the Writing Process | Ep. 51
How does a pile of disconnected notes become a polished dissertation chapter, article, or book? Why does every successful research project seem to have to pass through a stage that feels completely out of control?
Hey, co-authors! In this episode, we explore one of the most misunderstood realities of academic writing, the role of chaos. Many students assume strong writing begins with clarity, con
Podcasting as Research | Ep. 50
Have you ever thought about developing a podcast as a part of your scholarship? Do you worry about what others might say if you’re not doing so-called “real” research?
Hey co-authors! In this episode, I talk about my journey from my doctoral program into podcasting. I look into some of the problems that might face you if you are thinking of starting a podcast or other types of social media scholar
Starting a Research Agenda as a New Professor | Ep. 49
Have you ever wondered why your research seemed to move effortlessly in graduate school, only to stall once you became a professor? Have you been recently hired or are looking to go on the market soon and want to know how your research will be a part of your job?
Hey co-authors! In this episode, we explore one of the biggest transitions in an academic career: starting a research agenda as a new pr
Reading Scholarship like a Researcher | Ep. 48
Have you ever felt like no matter how much you read you still feel behind? Or have you ever finished an article and realized you understood the content, but had no idea how to integrate it into your own argument?
Hey co-authors! In this episode, we explore one of the biggest hidden shifts in writing: learning to read like a researcher instead of a student. We unpack why many scholars drown in read
Creating Clear Research: Interview with Dr. Jack Baker | Ep. 47
Do you get told to “write for your reader” but don’t really know what that means? Have you given a presentation that you felt hit all the right details, but didn’t seem to interest the audience?
Hey Co-authors! Today I get a chance to talk with Stanford Professor Jack Baker, on his new book : Communication by Design: An Engineer's Guide to Sharing Your Research. Whether you’re in engineering, STEM
Generating Doable Research Projects | Ep. 46
Have you ever felt stuck trying to choose a research topic, not because you lack interest, but because it seems like you want to study everything? Or have you been told your ideas are too big for a single article, thesis, or dissertation?
Hey, co-authors. In this episode, we explore why many authors unknowingly have weak topics that end up creating friction across every stage of a project, from th
Preventing Narrative Tension Collapse in Your Writing | Ep. 45
Have you ever read an academic article or chapter that technically said all the right things, but still felt impossible to keep reading? Or have you ever looked at your own writing and wondered why it feels flat, repetitive, or disconnected?
Hey co-authors! In this episode, we explore the concept of narrative tension in scholarly writing, that invisible force that pulls readers from one paragraph,
Overcoming the Productive Procrastination Trap | Ep. 44
Have you ever spent an entire day “getting ready” to write… and somehow ended the day without writing a single paragraph? Have you spent four hours reorganizing Zotero folders instead of writing?
Hey Coauthors! In this episode, we explore one of the most pernicious forms of avoidance: productive procrastination. We discus how preparation feels often feels like the responsible, strategic, and commi
Creating a Scholarly Monograph | Ep. 43
Have you ever had what seemed like a dozen ideas for a book, but never moved past the title? Or have you had your heart set on one idea, but just can’t seem to make meaningful progress on it?
Hey co-authors! In this episode, we talk about the scholarly monograph as a focused intellectual project built on clarity of argument, strong positioning, and a clear scholarly identity. And, we discuss how t
Overseeing an Edited Textbook | Ep. 42
Have you ever wondered why so many edited volumes fall apart before they’re ever submitted? And what does it actually take to turn a strong idea into a coherent, collaborative collection?
Hey co-authors! In this episode, we explore how to create, submit, and publish edited volumes We discuss how the challenge of the edited collection is its emphasis on organization, coordination, and management. W
Proposing and Writing a Commercial Textbook | Ep. 41
Have you ever wondered what actually makes a textbook sell or why so many well-written ones never take off? Do you worry about how to balance writing about what you love with what instructors will adopt?
Hey co-authors! In this episode, we unpack why textbooks succeed not just on quality, but on market fit and usability. We discuss textbook writing as an intellectual, scholarly, and economic endea
Writing Your Thesis/Dissertation Pt. 10: From Thesis/Dissertation to Articles | Ep. 40
Have you ever wondered why do so many strong theses or dissertations never turn into a single publication? Do you worry that once you finish your project, it will only go to collect dust on the shelf?
Hey co-authors! In this episode, we reframe the dissertation or thesis project from being a standalone document, to viewing it as a portfolio of publishable work waiting to be refocused. We walk thro
Writing Your Thesis/Dissertation Pt. 9: Overcoming the Post-defense Crash | Ep. 39
Have you ever wondered what life is supposed to feel like after the thesis or dissertation defense? And what it might mean if the moment you worked toward for years doesn’t feel as triumphant as you expected?
Hey co-authors! In this episode, we talk about the post-defense emotional crash, the common feeling of being emotionally drained, unfocused, or unfulfilled once the defense is over. We explor
Writing Your Thesis/Dissertation Pt. 8: Navigating the Prospectus/Final Defense | Ep. 38
Do you find yourself looking for ways to prepare for a dissertation defense, but feel like you don’t even know what your committee will ask? Have you ever wondered what separates a stressful thesis or dissertation defense from a successful one?
Hey co-authors! In this episode, we demystify both the prospectus defense and the final dissertation defense, explaining what committees are actually looki
Writing Your Thesis/Dissertation Pt. 7: Preparing Your Results and Discussion | Ep. 37
Do you feel like you’re hopelessly lost in a maze of tables, quotes, and statistics in your results or discussion section? Or, that you’ve never been further away to completing your thesis or dissertation, even though you’re right at the finish line?
Hey co-authors! In this episode, we tackle one of the most difficult transitions in your thesis or dissertation writing: developing compelling result
Writing Your Thesis/Dissertation Pt. 6: Breaking Out the Writing Slump | Ep. 36
Have you ever sat down to write and realized something just isn’t working, but you can’t quite tell why? Do you keep trying the same tricks to “get unstuck,” only to find that nothing seems to help?
Hey co-authors! In this episode, we take a closer look at writing slumps during the thesis or dissertation. We explore five common “slump archetypes” and articulate why each one calls for a different w
Writing Your Thesis/Dissertation Pt. 5: The Method(ology) Chapter | Ep. 35
Have you ever sat down to write the method x`chapter of your thesis or dissertation and felt like you were supposed to justify every decision you’ve made since childhood? Or stared at your draft wondering why it reads more like a list of tasks than a clear explanation of how you conducted your study?
Hey co‑authors! In this episode, we unpack why the method chapter feels so intimidating and show y
Writing Your Thesis/Dissertation Pt. 4: The Intro. and Literature Review Chapters | Ep. 34
Have you ever opened a blank document for your literature review and immediately felt like no matter how much you’ve read, it’s never quite enough? Or felt like with every reading, your project becomes less and less clear, until you’re uncertain what your project is actually about?
Hey co-authors! In this episode, we demystify the introduction and literature review chapters and talk about why this
Writing Your Thesis/Dissertation Pt. 3: Designing a Sustainable Writing Process | Ep. 33
Have you ever told yourself you'll write when you finally have a free full day? Or notice that you only make real progress on your thesis or dissertation when a deadline forces you into a writing sprint.
Hey, co-authors! In this episode we talk about how to reach, maintain, and succeed in a steady rhythm of writing. We'll discuss how to:
Develop your motivation, locus of control, and self-efficac
Writing Your Thesis/Dissertation Pt. 2: Choosing Your Topic | Ep. 32
Do you keep getting told that your thesis or dissertation project is too big? Do you ever feel like your project’s topic is easy to see in your mind but almost impossible to detail to another person?
Hey co-authors, in this episode, we talk about the difference between an interesting idea and a sustainable research project, including the common traps of over-curiosity, overcompensation, and mistak
Writing Your Thesis/Dissertation Pt. 1: Picking an Advisor | Ep. 31
Have you ever hesitated to reach out to a potential advisor because you’re worried they will turn out to be a bad fit once it’s too late to change? Do you find yourself vacillating between choosing an advisor that you like interpersonally and the one that’s the most prestigious?
Hey co-authors! In this episode, we’re starting a series on how to develop your thesis or dissertation starting with the
Writing Research in a Chilling Political Climate | Ep. 30
Have you sat down to write, and before the words arrive, you ask, “Is this safe to say?” or Is this worth the risk? Have you noticed that you second-guess your prose or are more hesitant with some ideas?
Hey co-authors! In this episode, we talk about what it means to keep writing your research when scrutiny feels sharper, stakes feel higher, and self-censorship can quietly replace curiosity. This
Writing Research the Way You Teach | Ep. 29
Have you ever noticed how clear, patient, and intentional you are when you teach and how dense, guarded, or overly cautious your writing can feel? Have you ever wondered why the skills you use effortlessly in the classroom seem to disappear once you open a blank document?
Hey co-authors! In this episode, we’re talking about what it means to write research the way you teach. We explore why scholars
Managing the Uncertainty of Revise and Resubmit Decisions | Ep. 28
Have you ever opened an email from a journal, seen the words “Revise and Resubmit,” and felt relief and panic hit at the exact same time? Have you found yourself rereading reviewer comments over and over, unsure whether or how to start revising?
Hey co-authors! In this episode, we’re talking about R&R anxiety—that strange in-between space where your work isn’t rejected, but it’s not accepted e
Developing your Voice when Engaging with Others’ Past Scholarship | Ep. 27
Have you ever wondered what reviewers actually mean when they ask you to “build on past scholarship”? Have you ever been told that your tone is antagonistic or belligerent?
Hey co-authors! In this episode, we’re unpacking what it really means to engage prior research in ways that reviewers recognize as credible, thoughtful, and genuinely contributory. We move beyond the idea that good writing has
Appreciating the Joys of Publishing Pt. 2 | Ep. 26
Have you ever received an unexpected email from a reader, student, or colleague saying your work helped them think differently, teach differently, or feel less alone? Have you ever paused and realized that a single article can influence ideas in the future in ways you never imagined?
Hey co-authors! In this episode, we continue our joy-forward reframing of academic publishing by focusing on what h
Appreciating the Joys of Publishing Pt. 1 | Ep. 25
Have you ever opened an article you published and felt the rush of joy to see your name in print? Does your stomach still get a little flutter when you get an “Accepted” decision?
Hey co-authors! In this episode, we intentionally shift the focus onto the joys of publishing academic research. In a field where publishing is often framed as exhausting, stressful, or joyless, it’s easy to forget that
Listening to Your Inner Wisdom with Dr. Danielle De La Mare | Ep. 24
Hey, co-authors! I'm really excited today because I get the chance to talk with Dr. Danielle De La Mere, who is the founder of Self-Compassionate Coaching and the podcast creator and host of the Self-Compassionate Professor podcast. She has over 200 episodes featuring guests who have paved, creative and self-compassionate career paths, both within and outside of academia after struggle.
Tune into
Dealing with Chronic Stress while Publishing Academic Research | Ep. 23
Have you ever sat down to write and immediately felt your chest tighten, your mind go blank, or your motivation evaporate? Has it seemed like forever since you haven’t had a day of foggy, vague, or unmotivated thinking?
Hey co-authors! In this episode, we explore what’s actually happening in your brain and nervous system when writing (and everything else!) feels a bit overwhelming. We break down h
Knowing when Your Research is Ready for Submission | Ep. 22
Have you ever gotten glowing feedback from a professor or advisor and wondered, “Is this really good enough to publish?” Have you ever hovered over that “Submit” button wondering whether you are ready for what the decision may be?
Hey co-authors, in this episode we break down the most common indicators that your manuscript isn’t quite submission-ready as well as the markers for success. You’ll lea
Reviewing Others' Scholarship without becoming Reviewer Two | Ep. 21
Do you ever dread that journal review request hitting your inbox? Do you get worried you’ll either spend way too long on it or, worse, become Reviewer 2 in the process?
Hey co-authors! In this episode, we’re talking about how to review other people’s work without becoming Reviewer 2, the condescending, nitpicky, or ego-driven academic villain we’ve all encountered (and, if we’re honest, sometimes
Developing Perfect Paragraphs for Literature Reviews | Ep. 20
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,
Managing Energy for Publishing Academic Research | Ep. 19
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’
BONUS EPISODE: Writing a Compelling Qualitative Discussion Section | Episode 18
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 h
Impressing Others at Academic Conferences (Without Losing Your Mind) | Ep. 17
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
BONUS EPISODE: Crafting an Evocative Qualitative Results Section | Ep. 16
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 e
Preserving Your Academic Identity and Purpose | Ep. 15
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 t
Challenging the Culture of Academic Comparison | Ep. 14
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 a
Handling Rejection when Publishing Academic Research | Ep. 13
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
Bonus Episode: Composing a Credible Qualitative Research Methods Section | Ep. 12
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 re
Finding the Right Journal for Publishing Your Academic Research | Ep. 11
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 tr
Breaking Writer’s Block when Publishing Academic Research | Ep. 10
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 exp
Defeating Your Inner Critic when Publishing Academic Research | Ep. 9
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 writin
Overcoming Desk Rejection when Publishing Academic Research | Ep. 8
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
Crafting Compelling Literature Reviews when Publishing Academic Research | Ep. 7
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 pract
BONUS EPISODE: Interview with Thesis and Dissertation Services Coordinator Kellen Schmidt
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 o
Navigating Peer Reviews when Publishing Academic Research | Ep. 6
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 uncomfortabl
Managing Loneliness when Publishing Academic Research | Ep. 5
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
Creating Compelling Introductions when Publishing Academic Research | Ep. 4
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
Mastering the Editing Process when Publishing Academic Research | Ep. 3
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 int
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome in Publishing Academic Research | Ep. 2
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 menta
Finding Joy in Publishing Academic Research | Ep. 1
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 l
The Publishing Academic Research Podcast Trailer
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 a
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