Ep. 80 - Design Your Dream Life in Three Simple Steps
Send us a textIn 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. You don’t need to have it all figured out—just a notebook, a little time, and a willingness to imagine something better.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why future self journaling is so effective (and fun!)A step-by-step guide to writing your visionHow imagining your “worst case” can actually be calmingWays to use your vision to guide real-life choicesWhy this works even if it feels a little woo-wooGrab your pen and get inspired. Full transcript and links at YourWordsUnleashed.com/80.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 #2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academics who want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more. #3: Group Zoom Workshops that balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting. Check everything out on my website and if you are interested in any of these, please shoot me an email at ...
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Ep. 79 - What Academia Gets Wrong About Disability—And How to Fix It (with Dr. Stephanie Cawthon)
Send us a textWhat 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 Disability Is Human, and the everyday moments where ableism sneaks into our systems—and our minds.In this episode, you’ll hear:How growing up Deaf shaped Stephanie’s mission—and her research.The story behind her bold decision to self-publish (and how she did it in just one year!).Real-life examples of ableism in higher ed that will stop you in your tracks.What healthcare pros, HR teams, and university staff are learning from Disability Is Human.Her smart and beautiful take on branding, building community, and showing up authentically online.Whether you're in education, leadership, healthcare—or just want to be a better ally—this conversation is for you.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 #2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academics who want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more. #3: Group Zoom Workshops that balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting. Check everything out on my website and if you are interested in any of these, please shoot me an email at ...
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Ep. 78 - Leaving Academia, Part 5: Using Social Media to Build a Compelling Personal Brand (with Dr. Ashley Ruba)
Send us a textAre 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 ✅ How to recognize and translate your academic skills into industry roles ✅ The power of personal branding and how social media can accelerate career growth ✅ Common fears that hold academics back—and how to overcome them ✅ Why job applications fail and what PhDs can do to stand outAshley’s story is both inspiring and practical, packed with actionable insights for academics considering a career change. Whether you’re actively job searching or just starting to think about your options, this episode will give you clarity, confidence, and a roadmap for success.🎧 Listen now and start shaping your future beyond academia!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 #2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academics who want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more. #3: Group Zoom Workshops that balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting. Check everything out on my website and if you are interested in any of these, please shoot me an email at ...
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Ep. 77 - Why Academics Hate Self-Promotion (But Need to Do It Anyway)
Send us a textWhy 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 your work reaches the people who need it most.In this episode, I cover: the three biggest reasons academics avoid self-promotion, two simple mindset shifts to help you share about your work with more confidence, and how self-promotion, when done right, is actually a form of academic activism.If you’ve ever hesitated before posting about your ideas and accomplishments, this episode is for you. And stay tuned for Part 2, where I’ll talk about how to self-promote without losing self-respect.📌 Links & Resources: 🔹 Free workshop: Writing as Resistance – How to Maintain Focus in Chaos (April 4)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 #2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academics who want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more. #3: Group Zoom Workshops that balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting. Check everything out on my website and if you are interested in any of these, please shoot me an email at ...
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Ep. 76 - How to Succeed in Academia without Sacrificing Your Well-Being (with Dr. Roxanne Donovan)
Send us a textIs 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 has been a huge trailblazer and source of inspiration in promoting wellness and social justice. She has dedicated her career to helping faculty navigate academia in a way that is both fulfilling and sustainable.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 #2: Four-month Career Reset Program for Overwhelmed Academics who want to reconnect with purpose. Over the course of 6 hour-long sessions, we’ll clarify your personal career vision, create space for what matters, overcome internal obstacles to change, and define what success means on your own terms so you can work less and live more. #3: Group Zoom Workshops that balance personal well-being with writing productivity. Topics include transforming your dissertation into a book; connecting to the deeper purpose of your work; as well as boundary setting. Check everything out on my website and if you are interested in any of these, please shoot me an email at ...
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.
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