Sienna & Slate

Life Beyond the Ph.D and Celebrating Non-Academic Achievements with Jennifer Polk

In this episode of the Sienna and Slate podcast, Jennifer Polk discusses how to transition to life after the Ph.D., why it's important to celebrate things you achieve outside of your studies or work, and how to find ways to bring more happiness into your life, even when you're busy with your career.
Key Points:
Finding Safe Spaces: The conversation begins by highlighting the need for spaces where we can be ourselves and celebrate who we are as a whole person.
Beyond Academic Achievements: It challenges the tendency to solely celebrate academic accomplishments like publications. The speaker argues for acknowledging and celebrating personal victories like taking a day off or spending time with family.
Social Media and Human Connection: Social media's potential for showcasing the human side of academics is discussed. Seeing professors share aspects of their personal lives (families, hobbies, etc.) can help humanize them and foster a sense of connection.
Integrating Joy into Work: The core message is about finding ways to incorporate joy and personal fulfillment into our work lives, regardless of whether those achievements end up on a CV.
The Importance of Non-Academic Skills: The speaker, a historian who transitioned to coaching, emphasizes the value of developing non-academic skills. These skills can become valuable tools throughout your career and if you are looking to venture into other industries outside of academia.
This episode is for you if you feel pressure to focus solely on achieving academic success or are interested in learning about navigating life beyond the Ph.D. It encourages us to embrace a more holistic approach to life and to see that there are opportunities outside of academia that we can celebrate and focus on. 

Shortcast - Be As Good A Student As You Are A Teacher

This thought-provoking shortcast is all about the importance of lifelong for educators.
The inspiration for this shortcast came from a conversation that I had with a mentor who said we can't be innovative in our teaching or thoughts when we have stopped learning and growing. This emphasizes the need for educators to be not only excellent teachers but also exemplary students. This resonated for two reasons:
Lifelong learning is essential. Learning shouldn't stop after formal education. We acquire knowledge and skills formally and informally throughout our lives.
Stagnant learning hinders growth. If we stop seeking knowledge from unexpected places, we cease to develop and grow.
argues that simply being in an academic setting doesn't guarantee growth.  Observing and imitating bad behaviors can be detrimental.  In fact, some academics become stagnant in their learning and growth.
The impact of this stagnation goes beyond the individual. It affects colleagues, students, and the entire higher education system.
There's a lot happening in the world - new knowledge is emerging at every turn and educators must be proactive in staying informed about these critical issues.
There are two key aspects of fostering a growth mindset:
Cultivate a culture of growth: Encourage students and colleagues to take risks and explore new ideas.
Embrace lifelong learning: Commit to continuous learning and growth to shape a better future.
This requires collaboration and collective effort.  We must be open to new ideas and listen to diverse perspectives.
Key takeaways:
Lifelong learning is essential for educators to stay relevant and effective.
Educators must embrace a growth mindset and create a culture of learning for themselves and their students.
Collaboration and open-mindedness are crucial for creating a more sustainable and equitable learning environment.
Academics face many challenges struggling to survive in demanding environments that may not prioritize well-being.  These environments may even violate their core values.
The reasons for staying in such settings can vary from financial security, tenure, recognition, or simply because it's the only familiar option.
All of this is true, but it is also important to recognize the importance of an academic's role in shaping a positive and inclusive academic culture.
So, how can educators become better lifelong learners?
Here are a few  suggestions for self-reflection:
What narratives are you clinging to that are no longer serving you?
Who are you in the academic space, and who do you aspire to be?
Does your current academic environment align with your aspirations?
What do you need to learn or unlearn to reach your full potential?
Use these prompts as a starting point for journaling and self-discovery. We’d love to hear your thoughts on this. 

Crossing the Race Line with Dr. Melvin Murphy & Lukas Velush

This episode features Dr. Keo in conversation with Dr. Melvin Murphy and Lukas Velush about their book, "Crossing the Race Line: One Murder, Two Strangers, and a Journey to Healing and Change."
The Spark of Connection:
The conversation begins by introducing Melvin and Lukas, who met while working at Microsoft.
The book's backstory emerges from the murder of George Floyd and the global response.
A Turning Point:
Lukas describes the emotional turmoil following George Floyd's death and the pressure he felt as a white person navigating conversations about race.
Melvin, one of the few Black people at his workplace, highlights the constant burden Black people face in such situations.
In a pivotal moment, Dr. Murphy flips the script, asking Lukas how he's doing instead of the other way around.
From Discomfort to Dialogue:
Dr. Murphy's act of turning the tables opens a door for deeper conversation.
Lukas, a writer by training, starts processing his emotions by writing a letter to Dr. Murphy.
The letter explores Lucas's privilege, inaction, and desire to be a meaningful ally.
Listen to this episode to explore the exchanges Dr. Murphy and Lukas had and see how their story unfolds.
Subscribe, share with friends, and leave a review to support the show and continue the transformative work being done.
 
 
Linkedin (Dr Melvin Murphy): https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-melvin-murphy/Linkedin (Lukas Velush): https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukas-velush-5573762/
Twitter (Lukas Velush): https://twitter.com/luvelush

The Unyielding Grips of Burnout

Welcome to this shortcast episode. Today, we're diving deep into the ever-present struggle of burnout.
We all know the feeling: caught in a relentless cycle of expectations, responsibilities, and societal pressures. This constant grind can lead to a debilitating state – burnout.
Research on burnout is vast, and the personal stories are even more so. Burnout is real, and the feelings associated with it are agonizing. It impacts our lives, minds, and spirits.
Many describe burnout as feeling utterly drained – bone tired, heart tired, muscle tired, brain tired, and soul tired. It's the consequence of neglecting our humanity for too long.
Imagine carrying a thousand stones in a bag, constantly weighing you down, making it impossible to catch your breath in this relentless struggle to keep pace with a demanding and ever-changing world.
But burnout isn't just about exhaustion. It's about losing yourself in the noise of demands, losing touch with your passions and who you truly are.
A typical response to someone saying they're tired is, "Get some rest." But how do we rest our hearts and souls? Sleep alone doesn't cure burnout.
For some, simply lying on the couch isn't enough. The mind races, replaying anxieties and to-do lists. It's a vicious cycle.
I've been there. I'm a frequent visitor to this place. You might even begin to resent the things you once loved. You question your passions, priorities, and purpose, wondering how you ended up here.
This feeling of running on autopilot with constant brain fog, unable to slow down and process information, is all too familiar. We comfort ourselves with thoughts like, "If I can just get out of this month..."
Burnout thrives when cortisol, the stress hormone, takes control. Prolonged stress floods our bodies with cortisol, leading to high blood pressure, inflammation, weight gain, and emotional turmoil.
Sound familiar? We all yearn for a semblance of balance, a reprieve.
Life requires a delicate dance between our various identities, each vying for attention in a world that often demands conformity. Be a researcher, an academic, a scholar, be smart, be productive – these labels become overwhelming.
What does it all mean? What does it look like?
The search for balance becomes essential as we wrestle with not only competing demands but also understanding and embracing our multifaceted identities.
Scholar Lisa Boleg reminds us there's no single reality when it comes to our intersecting identities. It's a tapestry woven from multiple experiences.
We struggle to maintain our authenticity under the weight of academic expectations. We're not just one thing in a siloed space. We bring our whole selves to this space, and when we don't, we feel fragmented.
There's hope, though. Paths to liberation and healing exist, but it starts with getting in tune with ourselves, listening to our bodies, and acknowledging all our interconnected aspects.
What does your body need right now? This is a holistic question with a powerful potential for self-discovery and empowerment.
Burnout can be a transformative force if we listen closely enough. It can break down barriers and foster growth. To counter burnout's grip, we can leverage oxytocin, the love hormone. Connect with others – go for a walk with a colleague, share a meal with a friend, and laugh together.
We're human, wired for connection.
Here are some additional tips:
Integrate yoga and meditation practices.
Move your body! Listen to music and dance.
Get outside and breathe fresh air.
Do something kind for someone else.
Set boundaries – emotional, mental, and physical.
Reclaim your time and redefine success on your terms.
Let's journal together! Consider these prompts:
Describe how you're feeling right now – physically, emotionally, and mentally.
Explore the sources of your burnout. What aspects of work and personal life contribute to your exhaustion?
Take time to process these prompts. Write them down. Give yourself space to navigate this journey.
Remember, we've all been through a lot – the pandemic, racial injustices, social unrest. We need to come together and create sustainable change.
Burnout thrives when we feed it. It takes courage and compassion to break free from its shackles.
We can redefine success and build a future free from burnout, loneliness, and isolation. Connection is the catalyst for change, but it begins with ourselves.
With compassion and grace, we can create a world that prioritizes well-being.

Finding Purpose in the Struggle: Dr. Nicholas Hartlep on Race, Faith, and Education

This episode of the Sienna and Slate podcast features Dr. Nicholas D. Hartlep, who chairs the Education Studies Department at Berea College. Dr. Hartlep discusses his journey as a person of color in academia and his experiences with battle fatigue.
Here are the key points:
Early Experiences of Race and Education: Dr. Hartlep discusses his personal experiences of being adopted and how they inform his scholarship on race and education.
The Path to Becoming an Educator: Initially interested in becoming a teacher, Dr. Hartlip pursued a Ph.D. and eventually a career in educational administration to continue the important work of equity, justice, and inclusion in education.
Battle fatigue in academia: As a person of color in a historically white institution, Dr. Hartlip discusses the challenges faced by faculty, the importance of institutional change, and the endurance required to keep working towards change.
Finding the right fit: Dr. Hartlep discusses how the institution's environment significantly impacts the experience of faculty, especially faculty of color, and what we can do to make it more welcoming.
The episode explores the challenges faced by people of color in academia and Dr. Hartlep's strategies for overcoming battle fatigue and staying motivated in the fight for equity and justice.
Connect with Dr. Nicholas Hartlep:
Website
Twitter
Dr. Nicholas D. Hartlep - YouTube

Rising above the Chaos - with Dr. Rick Wallace

Let me introduce Dr. Rick Wallace, who is the CEO and founder of Visionatics Institute. he is a personal life enhancement advisor, life strategist, consultant, and counselor. His works include 26 profound books on societal issues like The World of Black Wealth, The Undoing of the African American Mind, and much more.
Here are a few takeaways from our conversation:
The importance of knowing one's "why" for being in the academic space suggests that it should be a compelling and meaningful reason to endure the challenges and competition. 
Acknowledge the perseverance required in academia, especially when facing criticism and the need for constant improvement.
Continue to encourage men to learn emotional control, understand the power of their decisions, and embrace the five Ps—Protector, Provider, Promoter, Prayer, and Prophet.
Reinforce the impact of positive environments on mental health and well-being.
Disseminate knowledge gained through extensive reading and research to others.
The Importance of being intentional in academic pursuits.
The pursuit of education should be driven by personal commitment and passion rather than external pressures.
The importance of self-awareness, gratitude, and positive energy in maintaining balance

Uncovering Hidden Stories: Empowering Families for Growth and Equity

In this inspiring episode of "Sienna and Slate," I had the pleasure of conversing with the remarkable Dr. Luz Casquejo Johnston, an esteemed educator with extensive experience in various educational roles. From being a teacher and charter school principal to becoming a professor at St. Mary's College of California, Dr. Luz has devoted herself to the field of education, specializing in human development and the Montessori approach.
 
During our captivating discussion, Dr. Luz shared her passion for empowering parents to recognize their parenting superpowers and cultivate the family life they've always envisioned. As a woman of color in academia, she offered unique insights into her personal challenges and triumphs, serving as an inspiration to many.
 
Moreover, we delved into the concept of privilege and how it impacts our ability to navigate setbacks. Dr. Luz acknowledged her privileges, including a supportive network, financial stability, and the perception of being a hard worker based on her racial background. We shed light on how race and gender can shape our experiences, discussing personal encounters of being racialized and the challenges faced in academic and professional settings.
 
Additionally, we explored the intersection of Montessori education and social justice. She shared my transformative experience with Montessori for Social Justice and emphasized the importance of inclusivity and addressing various forms of oppression within the Montessori movement. We discussed her transition from academia to consulting and coaching in the Montessori community, aiming to bridge the gap and promote conversations about race, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
 
Furthermore, we discussed her passion for working with parents and empowering them as primary teachers in their children's lives. She shared insights into my parenting strategy, helping parents explore their own life purpose to create a holistic environment for their children's development.

Navigating Academia: A Journey of Disruption, Identity, and Empowerment

Greetings from Sienna & Slate again! We address a sincere query from a community member who is struggling to balance their dejected need to alter the system from within with the toll it has taken on their identity as a researcher in this special episode.
Join us as we explore the depths of cognitive dissonance, straddling borders, and negotiating identities within the oppressive framework of academia. Drawing inspiration from thought leaders like Gloria Anzaldúa, we discuss the challenges of being both disruptors and survivors in a system that often disregards our well-being.
We acknowledge the weight of contradictions on the souls of many in academia, recognizing the difficulty of navigating a system that may not always treat individuals with the respect they deserve. Our host empathizes with the struggle, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing mental and emotional well-being.
Discover the power you hold as a thorn in the side of a system that attempts to break you down. While acknowledging the challenges, we explore ways to be disruptors and forces of transformation within academia. If the journey becomes unsustainable, we encourage you to explore paths aligning with your values and aspirations.
In this episode, we provide reflective journaling prompts to help you redefine your identity as a scholar and challenge stereotypical characteristics associated with academia. Remember, your worth as a researcher is not confined to any institution, and there are myriad ways to make meaningful contributions beyond traditional spaces.
Join us on this journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Share this episode with those who need to hear it, and connect with us on social media @siennaandslate to share your reflections. Remember, you are deserving of compassion and respect. Wishing you a well-intentioned, well-balanced, and well-grounded journey. Until next time.