PUBLISHING ACADEMIC RESEARCH | Complete Your Scholarship, Thesis, or Dissertation and Maintain Your Mental Health

C. Kyle Rudick, PhD | Academic Writing Coach
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**********Top 5% Globally Ranked Podcast********** Whether you're a graduate student staring down a thesis/dissertation, a junior scholar building your research agenda, or a seasoned academic ready to level up, this podcast is here to help you write smarter, publish more, and thrive in the process. I’m Dr. Kyle Rudick, full professor at the University of Northern Iowa. I’ve published dozens of articles, chapters, books, and essays, and edited for some of the top outlets in my field. Along the way, I’ve learned a lot (sometimes the hard way), and now I’m here to help you navigate the publishing world with more clarity, confidence, and joy. Each episode is packed with practical strategies to: Build a sustainable and impactful research program Finish your thesis or dissertation Boost writing productivity and make the most of your time Get published and increase your scholarly visibility Navigate job searches, tenure and promotion, and grant success And most importantly, stay sane, healthy, and motivated along the way If you're ready to quiet the inner critic, write with purpose, and finally get your work out into the world, then you’re in the right place. Let’s get your research published! And, keep Reviewer Two from ruining your day! Want to Connect? Email: publishingacademicresearch@gmail.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/c-kyle-rudick-59a040a7 Schedule a Free 30-minute Consultation: https://calendly.com/publishingacademicresearch/30min  

  1. 5d ago

    Starting a Research Agenda as a New Professor | Ep. 49

    Have you ever wondered why your research seemed to move effortlessly in graduate school, only to stall once you became a professor? Have you been recently hired or are looking to go on the market soon and want to know how your research will be a part of your job? Hey co-authors! In this episode, we explore one of the biggest transitions in an academic career: starting a research agenda as a new professor. While new faculty are often hired for their potential, they quickly find themselves balancing teaching, service, advising, and the demands of a new institutional culture. We examine why building a sustainable scholarly life requires intentionality, clarity, and an honest understanding of the institution where you work. We walk through: How different institutional types create different expectations for faculty success. Why many new faculty experience feelings of inadequacy because they are measuring themselves against the wrong standards. How to create and defend a non-negotiable weekly research block that keeps scholarship moving forward despite competing demands. How to establish a research-oriented professional identity that helps manage service expectations and signals your scholarly priorities to colleagues and students. If you're a new professor trying to balance the realities of academic life with your scholarly ambitions, this episode gives you the structure and next steps to move from survival mode to a sustainable research agenda built on deliberate choices rather than constant hustle. Want to Connect? Email: publishingacademicresearch@gmail.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/c-kyle-rudick-59a040a7 Schedule a Free, 30-Minute Consultation: https://calendly.com/publishingacademicresearch/30min

    26 min

  2. Jun 2

    Reading Scholarship like a Researcher | Ep. 48

    Have you ever felt like no matter how much you read you still feel behind? Or have you ever finished an article and realized you understood the content, but had no idea how to integrate it into your own argument? Hey co-authors! In this episode, we explore one of the biggest hidden shifts in writing: learning to read like a researcher instead of a student. We unpack why many scholars drown in reading and detail how researchers read to extract the rhetorical, methodological, and conceptual decisions that make scholarship work. We walk through a step-by-step process to explore: How treating every article like a textbook chapter creates overwhelm, slows progress, and keeps students trapped in “learning mode” rather than contribution mode. Why academic articles feel so difficult to navigate, including the hidden assumptions scholars make about prior knowledge, debates, and disciplinary vocabulary. How experienced researchers strategically skim rather than reading every word linearly. How to read with your own research contribution in mind so every article becomes a tool for answering your project. If you’re overwhelmed by reading or struggling to turn reading into writing, this episode gives you the structure and next steps to shift from content absorption to move extraction so you can read faster, smarter, and more strategically. Want to Connect? Email: publishingacademicresearch@gmail.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/c-kyle-rudick-59a040a7 Schedule a Free, 30-Minute Consultation: https://calendly.com/publishingacademicresearch/30min

    30 min

  3. May 26

    Creating Clear Research: Interview with Dr. Jack Baker | Ep. 47

    Do you get told to “write for your reader” but don’t really know what that means? Have you given a presentation that you felt hit all the right details, but didn’t seem to interest the audience? Hey Co-authors! Today I get a chance to talk with Stanford Professor Jack Baker, on his new book : Communication by Design: An Engineer's Guide to Sharing Your Research. Whether you’re in engineering, STEM, or the humanities, his book is full of great ideas for making sure your research has the greatest impact, on the most people. Want to Connect? Email: publishingacademicresearch@gmail.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/c-kyle-rudick-59a040a7 Schedule a Free, 30-Minute Consultation: https://calendly.com/publishingacademicresearch/30min

    34 min

  4. May 19

    Generating Doable Research Projects | Ep. 46

    Have you ever felt stuck trying to choose a research topic, not because you lack interest, but because it seems like you want to study everything? Or have you been told your ideas are too big for a single article, thesis, or dissertation? Hey, co-authors. In this episode, we explore why many authors unknowingly have weak topics that end up creating friction across every stage of a project, from the literature review to the methods to the motivation itself.  We focus on how a good research idea is one that is carefully shaped through narrowing, clarification, and problem identification. We walk through a step-by-step process to explore: Why broad domains are not researchable topics, but starting points that still need refinement. How poorly shaped topics create endless literature review spirals, unclear methods, weak contributions, committee confusion, and burnout. How to turn broad interests into relationships between variables, constructs, or experiences that can actually be studied. How drafting a question, hypothesis, and purpose statement together can force precision and strengthen the intellectual core of your project. If you’re struggling to move from curiosity to a focused research direction, this episode gives you the structure and next steps to reshape broad interests into researchable questions that generate clarity, confidence, and momentum. Want to Connect? Email: publishingacademicresearch@gmail.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/c-kyle-rudick-59a040a7 Schedule a Free, 30-Minute Consultation: https://calendly.com/publishingacademicresearch/30min

    23 min

  5. May 12

    Preventing Narrative Tension Collapse in Your Writing | Ep. 45

    Have you ever read an academic article or chapter that technically said all the right things, but still felt impossible to keep reading? Or have you ever looked at your own writing and wondered why it feels flat, repetitive, or disconnected? Hey co-authors! In this episode, we explore the concept of narrative tension in scholarly writing, that invisible force that pulls readers from one paragraph, section, and chapter to the next. We unpack why this isn’t about “creative writing,” drama, or flair, but about maintaining intellectual momentum so readers feel engaged throughout your work. We’ll explore: What narrative tension actually means in academic writing. How narrative tension collapses and constantly violates or resets the reader’s attention. Why many scholars unintentionally weaken their writing by mistaking dullness of writing for objectivity or repetition for reasoning. How to rebuild momentum using practical techniques so your writing maintains intentionality, progression, and intellectual energy. If your writing feels structurally correct but somehow lifeless, or if you want readers to stay engaged from introduction to conclusion, this episode gives you the tools and next steps to rebuild narrative tension and create scholarly writing with real momentum. Want to Connect? Email: publishingacademicresearch@gmail.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/c-kyle-rudick-59a040a7 Schedule a Free, 30-Minute Consultation: https://calendly.com/publishingacademicresearch/30min Free Example Paragraphs Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_p7xTF4Ev4jSOrF8GnfEtAxbFul_wZ2U/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=112366141907300349810&rtpof=true&sd=true

    28 min

  6. May 5

    Overcoming the Productive Procrastination Trap | Ep. 44

    Have you ever spent an entire day “getting ready” to write… and somehow ended the day without writing a single paragraph? Have you spent four hours reorganizing Zotero folders instead of writing? Hey Coauthors! In this episode, we explore one of the most pernicious forms of avoidance: productive procrastination. We discus how preparation feels often feels like the responsible, strategic, and committed thing a writer should do, but differentiate where strong preparation becomes a substitute for the difficult intellectual labor of actually drafting ideas. We talk about: The trap of “writing when I’m ready” mindset. The causes of procrastination and their emotional roots. The difference between writing with uncertainty and uncertain writing. Practical tips for how to stop wasting your time and start getting your writing done. Scholars get trapped in perpetual preparation and by the time they realize it their timely contribution can get scooped by someone else. Don’t let procrastination get in your way of being on the cutting edge of your discipline. Want to Connect? Email: publishingacademicresearch@gmail.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/c-kyle-rudick-59a040a7 Schedule a Free, 30-Minute Consultation: https://calendly.com/publishingacademicresearch/30min

    26 min

  7. Apr 28

    Creating a Scholarly Monograph | Ep. 43

    Have you ever had what seemed like a dozen ideas for a book, but never moved past the title? Or have you had your heart set on one idea, but just can’t seem to make meaningful progress on it? Hey co-authors! In this episode, we talk about the scholarly monograph as a focused intellectual project built on clarity of argument, strong positioning, and a clear scholarly identity. And, we discuss how to stay anchored when distractions inevitably arise. We walk through a step-by-step process to explore: How to move beyond the “idea trap” by recognizing why ideas feel exciting but projects become difficult. How to target the right publisher by identifying presses that align with your work. How to write with both readability and authority. How to move from contract to completion by building sustainable writing habits. If you’ve been circling a book idea without traction (or struggling to turn a contract into a completed manuscript), this episode will give you the structure and next steps to get you across the finish line. Want to Connect? Email: publishingacademicresearch@gmail.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/c-kyle-rudick-59a040a7 Schedule a Free, 30-Minute Consultation: https://calendly.com/publishingacademicresearch/30min

    33 min

  8. Apr 20

    Overseeing an Edited Textbook | Ep. 42

    Have you ever wondered why so many edited volumes fall apart before they’re ever submitted? And what does it actually take to turn a strong idea into a coherent, collaborative collection? Hey co-authors! In this episode, we explore how to create, submit, and publish edited volumes We discuss how the challenge of the edited collection is its emphasis on organization, coordination, and management. We walk through a step-by-step process to explore: How to validate your idea by ensuring a unified theme, determining whether the project truly needs multiple voices, and positioning it within a timely scholarly conversation. How to build your contributor team by balancing anchor scholars and emerging voices while maintaining both diversity of perspective and coherence of argument. How to manage the workflow by setting realistic deadlines, creating clear communication systems, and navigating inevitable challenges like late submissions, dropouts, and uneven chapters. This episode gives you the structure and next steps to move from idea to execution, emphasizing planning and organization as the route to getting your work out into the world. Want to Connect? Email: publishingacademicresearch@gmail.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/c-kyle-rudick-59a040a7 Schedule a Free, 30-Minute Consultation: https://calendly.com/publishingacademicresearch/30min

    34 min
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**********Top 5% Globally Ranked Podcast********** Whether you're a graduate student staring down a thesis/dissertation, a junior scholar building your research agenda, or a seasoned academic ready to level up, this podcast is here to help you write smarter, publish more, and thrive in the process. I’m Dr. Kyle Rudick, full professor at the University of Northern Iowa. I’ve published dozens of articles, chapters, books, and essays, and edited for some of the top outlets in my field. Along the way, I’ve learned a lot (sometimes the hard way), and now I’m here to help you navigate the publishing world with more clarity, confidence, and joy. Each episode is packed with practical strategies to: Build a sustainable and impactful research program Finish your thesis or dissertation Boost writing productivity and make the most of your time Get published and increase your scholarly visibility Navigate job searches, tenure and promotion, and grant success And most importantly, stay sane, healthy, and motivated along the way If you're ready to quiet the inner critic, write with purpose, and finally get your work out into the world, then you’re in the right place. Let’s get your research published! And, keep Reviewer Two from ruining your day! Want to Connect? Email: publishingacademicresearch@gmail.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/c-kyle-rudick-59a040a7 Schedule a Free 30-minute Consultation: https://calendly.com/publishingacademicresearch/30min  

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