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

Jan 15, 2026

Dr. Cara Gormally, a professor, researcher, and cartoonist, dives into the depths of chronic busyness in academia and the transformative power of storytelling in their graphic memoir. They discuss how trauma can manifest as a relentless work ethic and the journey through therapy towards healing. Gormally emphasizes the significance of radical self-acceptance and the art of comics in expressing complex emotions. They highlight the importance of community support and reflect on the challenging yet rewarding process of personal transformation, urging listeners to reconsider the 'work harder' mentality.

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INSIGHT

Overwork As A Trauma Response

Overwork can function as a trauma response that numbs painful feelings and seeks external validation.
Cara Gormally shows this pattern through daily habits of hypervigilance and constant productivity.

ANECDOTE

Comics Began As Diary Practice

Cara began making comics in grad school as diary practice and later integrated science and fertility experiences.
Creating comics helped her cope with uncertainty during attempts to have a baby.

ADVICE

Persist In Finding The Right Therapist

Keep searching until you find a therapist who fits and expect rapport to take time to build.
Stay in therapy through hard moments because deeper work requires ongoing commitment between sessions.

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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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