

Academic Writing Amplified
Cathy Mazak, PhD
The podcast for academic womxn who want to write and publish more while rejecting the culture of overwork in academia.
Cathy Mazak, PhD, helps you create the career (and life) you want by centering your writing. Kick guilt and overwhelm to the curb and amplify your voice to make a real impact on your field--without breaking down or burning out.
Cathy Mazak, PhD, helps you create the career (and life) you want by centering your writing. Kick guilt and overwhelm to the curb and amplify your voice to make a real impact on your field--without breaking down or burning out.
Episodes
Mentioned books

13 snips
May 6, 2025 • 28min
268: [Project Management Series] How To Approach Your Writing Like A Project Manager (Re-Release EP 3)
Discover how to manage your academic writing like a pro! Learn essential project management skills, from breaking down big goals into bite-sized tasks to estimating how long those tasks will take. Gain insights into creating effective systems that keep your writing projects on track, even during the busiest times. Say goodbye to stress and hello to real progress as you streamline your writing process and boost productivity!

May 1, 2025 • 29min
Bonus: The Importance Of Navigate In Late Career With Lauren McCubbins
Dr. Lauren McCubbins shares her journey inside the Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap® 12-week program. She discusses the importance of continuous learning and the value of a supportive community. We're receiving applications for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap®! Check out the program details and start your application process here. CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Our 12-week Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap® program helps tenure-track womxn and nonbinary professors to publish their backlog of papers so that their voice can have the impact they know is possible. Apply here! Cathy’s book, Making Time to Write: How to Resist the Patriarchy and Take Control of Your Academic Career Through Writing is available in print! Learn how to build your career around your writing practice while shattering the myths of writing every day, accountability, and motivation, doing mindset work that’s going to reshape your writing,and changing academic culture one womxn and nonbinary professor at a time. Get your print copy today or order it for a friend here! If you would like to hear more from Cathy for free, please subscribe to the weekly newsletter, In the Pipeline, at scholarsvoice.org. It’s a newsletter that she personally writes that goes out once a week with writing and publication tips, strategies, inspiration, book reviews and more. CONNECT WITH ME: LinkedIn Facebook YouTube

Apr 29, 2025 • 16min
267: Community In The Midst Of Chaos
If academia has ever made you feel isolated, overwhelmed, or like you are the only one struggling to "figure it all out," you're not alone. In this episode, I dive into the deep-rooted loneliness that many academics experience, particularly around writing and publishing. With years of experience coaching academic women and non-binary scholars, I explore how vulnerability and community are essential for sustainable success in academia. If you’ve ever felt like you’re drowning in writing due dates, unsure how to unclog your publication pipeline, or just tired of doing it all alone, this episode is your invitation to reimagine what’s possible when scholars come together. Community is closer than you think. Tune in to discover how building connections in academia is essential for creating the career you want. For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast. We're receiving applications for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap®. Check out the program details and start your application process here. CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Our 12-week Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap® program helps tenure-track womxn and nonbinary professors to publish their backlog of papers so that their voice can have the impact they know is possible. Apply here! Cathy’s book, Making Time to Write: How to Resist the Patriarchy and Take Control of Your Academic Career Through Writing is available in print! Learn how to build your career around your writing practice while shattering the myths of writing every day, accountability, and motivation, doing mindset work that’s going to reshape your writing,and changing academic culture one womxn and nonbinary professor at a time. Get your print copy today or order it for a friend here! If you would like to hear more from Cathy for free, please subscribe to the weekly newsletter, In the Pipeline, at scholarsvoice.org. It’s a newsletter that she personally writes that goes out once a week with writing and publication tips, strategies, inspiration, book reviews and more. CONNECT WITH ME: LinkedIn Facebook YouTube

Apr 24, 2025 • 17min
Bonus: "My Situation Is Unique But Our Problems Are The Same”: Finding Community In Navigate
Katelyn Carr, an Assistant Professor at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, dives into her transition from doctoral student to tenure-track faculty. She candidly discusses the challenges of defining her academic mission and the struggle to publish her work. Through the Navigate program, she found community support that helped her tackle common academic hurdles like writing tasks and maintaining boundaries. Katelyn emphasizes the importance of collaboration and shared experiences in overcoming feelings of isolation in academia.

Apr 22, 2025 • 29min
266: You Are Equipped To Meet This Moment
In a time when higher ed feels like it’s unraveling—when grant freezes, ideological pressures, and job insecurity are shaking the foundations of academia—it’s easy to feel helpless. But you are not powerless. You are equipped for this moment, even if it doesn’t feel like it yet. In this episode, I offer a grounded, honest, and empowering message for academics navigating today’s tumultuous social and political climate. This isn’t about toxic positivity—it’s about recognizing the real threats facing our institutions and careers while reclaiming our agency, skills, and purpose. I unpack how your past experiences, values, and professional expertise prepare you to move forward—deliberately, powerfully, and with integrity. If you’re feeling stuck, discouraged, or unsure how to move forward, this episode is for you. Listen in to reconnect with your academic mission, clarify your values, and remember just how much strength you already carry. For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast. CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Our 12-week Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap® program helps tenure-track womxn and nonbinary professors to publish their backlog of papers so that their voice can have the impact they know is possible. Apply here! Cathy’s book, Making Time to Write: How to Resist the Patriarchy and Take Control of Your Academic Career Through Writing is available in print! Learn how to build your career around your writing practice while shattering the myths of writing every day, accountability, and motivation, doing mindset work that’s going to reshape your writing,and changing academic culture one womxn and nonbinary professor at a time. Get your print copy today or order it for a friend here! If you would like to hear more from Cathy for free, please subscribe to the weekly newsletter, In the Pipeline, at scholarsvoice.org. It’s a newsletter that she personally writes that goes out once a week with writing and publication tips, strategies, inspiration, book reviews and more. CONNECT WITH ME: LinkedIn Facebook YouTube

Apr 17, 2025 • 33min
Bonus: Your Relationship With Your Institution In 2025
Universities have survived countless crises by adapting to changing times. As 2025 approaches, it’s crucial for academics to assess their relationships with institutions. Fund cuts and political pressures highlight the importance of personal agency. Participants are encouraged to evaluate their values against those of their schools. The Navigate program offers structured support to enhance academic careers and management skills. In this turbulent landscape, individuals must determine how much effort to invest in their institutions.

Apr 15, 2025 • 26min
265: Using Navigate To Transition Out Of Admin And Back To Faculty: Client Case Study With Anne Vo
In this bonus episode, I share a featured interview with Navigate program alumni, Dr. Anne Vo. She reflects on her experience transitioning from an administrative role to faculty and how the Navigate program helped her rediscover her academic focus. Anne’s story is a powerful reminder that career transitions—whether leaving or returning to academic life—can be challenging but incredibly rewarding when supported with structure, community, and tools for success. Anne shares her personal insights on overcoming fears, setting boundaries, and reclaiming time for scholarly work. If you’re considering a career shift or simply want to boost your productivity and reclaim your academic time, this conversation is a must-listen! Tune in and hear more about Anne's journey and how the tools she learned in Navigate empowered her to thrive in her academic career. For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast. CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Our 12-week Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap® program helps tenure-track womxn and nonbinary professors to publish their backlog of papers so that their voice can have the impact they know is possible. Apply here! Cathy’s book, Making Time to Write: How to Resist the Patriarchy and Take Control of Your Academic Career Through Writing is available in print! Learn how to build your career around your writing practice while shattering the myths of writing every day, accountability, and motivation, doing mindset work that’s going to reshape your writing,and changing academic culture one womxn and nonbinary professor at a time. Get your print copy today or order it for a friend here! If you would like to hear more from Cathy for free, please subscribe to the weekly newsletter, In the Pipeline, at scholarsvoice.org. It’s a newsletter that she personally writes that goes out once a week with writing and publication tips, strategies, inspiration, book reviews and more. CONNECT WITH ME: LinkedIn Facebook YouTube

Apr 8, 2025 • 33min
264: Funding Freezes
In this episode, I dive deeper into the ongoing impact of the current U.S. administration on higher education, particularly focusing on the financial pressures universities face due to federal funding freezes. I discuss how these cuts are threatening the foundation of academic research and what academics can do to take charge of their careers amid this uncertainty. Rather than fueling fear, I aim to provide practical strategies for overcoming these challenges. I encourage you to stay connected to your purpose and mission in academia, even if it means adapting to new ways of doing your work. Are you ready to regain control of your academic career and navigate these tumultuous times with confidence? Tune in for valuable insights and actionable advice. For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast. CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Our 12-week Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap® program helps tenure-track womxn and nonbinary professors to publish their backlog of papers so that their voice can have the impact they know is possible. Get on the waitlist here! Cathy’s book, Making Time to Write: How to Resist the Patriarchy and Take Control of Your Academic Career Through Writing is available in print! Learn how to build your career around your writing practice while shattering the myths of writing every day, accountability, and motivation, doing mindset work that’s going to reshape your writing,and changing academic culture one womxn and nonbinary professor at a time. Get your print copy today or order it for a friend here! If you would like to hear more from Cathy for free, please subscribe to the weekly newsletter, In the Pipeline, at scholarsvoice.org. It’s a newsletter that she personally writes that goes out once a week with writing and publication tips, strategies, inspiration, book reviews and more. CONNECT WITH ME: LinkedIn Facebook YouTube

Apr 1, 2025 • 31min
263: [Should I Quit Academia Series] Should I Leave Academia Now That T***P Is President?
In the concluding episode of the podcast series, Should I Quit Academia, I address how the current US president and administration are impacting higher education. From federal cuts affecting grants and research to reductions in funding to institutions and students, a lot of disruption is happening in academia. During this time of uncertainty, it may seem like quitting academia is more appealing than ever. I give you a series of questions to ask yourself to see if a career pivot is the right choice. My goal is to help you make a decision based on a belief in your value, not fear. The stability of academia is an illusion, and recognizing it will help you protect yourself and move forward with clarity and intention. Do I think higher ed is going anywhere? No. However, it is clear that significant changes are happening and will continue to happen during this presidential term. I encourage you to reflect on my questions in this episode and think about how you want to impact your field and get your voice out into the world. For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast. CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Our 12-week Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap® program helps tenure-track womxn and nonbinary professors to publish their backlog of papers so that their voice can have the impact they know is possible. Get on the waitlist here! Cathy’s book, Making Time to Write: How to Resist the Patriarchy and Take Control of Your Academic Career Through Writing is available in print! Learn how to build your career around your writing practice while shattering the myths of writing every day, accountability, and motivation, doing mindset work that’s going to reshape your writing,and changing academic culture one womxn and nonbinary professor at a time. Get your print copy today or order it for a friend here! If you would like to hear more from Cathy for free, please subscribe to the weekly newsletter, In the Pipeline, at scholarsvoice.org. It’s a newsletter that she personally writes that goes out once a week with writing and publication tips, strategies, inspiration, book reviews and more. CONNECT WITH ME: LinkedIn Facebook YouTube

Mar 25, 2025 • 49min
262: [Should I Quit Academia Series] On Writing And Becoming A Book Coach With Jennie Nash
Have you ever wondered about careers outside of academia? Or are you considering leaving the world of research and teaching behind? Transitioning from academia to a writing-focused career or exploring new ways to get your voice into your industry can be exciting and overwhelming. In today's episode, I am joined by Jennie Nash. Jennie is the CEO of Author Accelerator, a book coaching certification program that works with coaches and writers all over the world. We delve into the power of writing—whether for academic papers, books, or other forms of storytelling—and the importance of defining your purpose and audience. We also explore the role of a book coach, offering insights into how they help writers shape their ideas, navigate challenges, and find their voice. If you’re looking to refine your writing and connect with your reader more effectively, this episode is for you. Listen in to discover how to turn your ideas into impactful publications. For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast. CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Our 12-week Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap® program helps tenure-track womxn and nonbinary professors to publish their backlog of papers so that their voice can have the impact they know is possible. Get on the waitlist here! Cathy’s book, Making Time to Write: How to Resist the Patriarchy and Take Control of Your Academic Career Through Writing is available in print! Learn how to build your career around your writing practice while shattering the myths of writing every day, accountability, and motivation, doing mindset work that’s going to reshape your writing,and changing academic culture one womxn and nonbinary professor at a time. Get your print copy today or order it for a friend here! If you would like to hear more from Cathy for free, please subscribe to the weekly newsletter, In the Pipeline, at scholarsvoice.org. It’s a newsletter that she personally writes that goes out once a week with writing and publication tips, strategies, inspiration, book reviews and more. CONNECT WITH ME: LinkedIn Facebook YouTube