Everything Is Fine, I'll Just Work Harder: Confessions of a Former Badass

Jan 15, 2026

Dr. Cara Gormally, a professor and cartoonist, dives into the intense journey of creating their graphic memoir, exploring themes like chronic busyness and trauma in academia. Cara shares how overwork can be a trauma response and discusses the transformative power of therapy. They reflect on the challenges of finding the right therapist and the emotional labor of healing. With a unique blend of art and science, Cara illustrates the journey of reconnecting with the body and the importance of community in the creative process.

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ANECDOTE

Comics Helped During Fertility Uncertainty

Cara describes making comics as a vital outlet during the anxiety of trying to have a baby.
Comics let her integrate reproductive science and autobiography to cope with uncertainty and lack of control.

INSIGHT

Overwork As A Trauma Response

Overwork can be a trauma response, not just ambition or poor time management.
External productivity praise masks internal lack of worth and fuels a self-reinforcing gerbil wheel.

ADVICE

Prioritize Therapist Fit And The Between-Session Work

Find a therapist you fit with and accept it will take time to build rapport.
Commit to the hard in-between work, not just sessions, if you want deep change.

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In Everything Is Fine, I’ll Just Work Harder: Confessions of A Former Badass (Street Noise Books, 2025), Professor Cara Gormally draws us into the familiar academic world of chronic busyness. In panel after panel, Cara brings us into a life numbed by overwork. Then, as this graphic memoir shows us, during an ordinary early-morning run, Cara’s watch dings with a Facebook friend request. Their rapist wants to “friend” them.

Cara always had a long to-do list; always had many projects; always was busy. But as their rapist continued to send friend requests and tried to reconnect with them, they began to lose their grip on their work, projects, and relationships. But then Cara connects with a therapist who guides them through a long but powerful process of healing. And Cara works to desensitize, reprocess, excavate and relive the old wounds in order to move past them and heal.

This episode explores: Cara’s path to academia; how she discovered her love of science; how art and writing can help us heal; the work of going to therapy; what radical self-acceptance is; why overwork can be a sign of a trauma response; the risks and rewards of changing; and the importance of writing communities.

This episode does not discuss sexual assault.

Our guest is: Dr. Cara Gormally (they/them), who is a professor at Gallaudet University, in Washington, D.C. Their interdisciplinary research focuses on questions related to making science relevant and accessible to increase students' belonging in STEM. Their new book is Everything Is Fine, I’ll Just Work Harder: Confessions of a Former Badass.

Our host is: Dr. Christina Gessler, who is an academic writing coach and editor. She is the producer and host of the Academic Life podcast.

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