On the reg

This is my only review of a podcast, despite actively listening to dozens. Yes, it is that good. The podcast is geared towards graduate students and professors in higher education who are looking to remain productive, healthy and engaged with their disciplines and their students. Far too often, graduate programs fail to prepare candidates with the necessary skill sets to effectively manage the tsunami of information and requests that are part and parcel of academia. My own Ph.D. training, while excellent in terms of my field of study, did little to prepare me for the realities of faculty service work, using technology to assist and manage academic output, managing the certification and accreditation issues for programs and providing practical tips on how to manage large class sizes without. This area is where On The Reg steps in to help. Inger and Jason have a wonderful rapport, and the first twenty to thirty minutes of each podcast feel like you are eavesdropping in on a conversation with two good friends. That in of itself is fun to get caught up on the developments in their respective lives, but where this Pod really sings is providing tips on how to keep your head above water as an academic, how to remain productive so that the 'extra' time gained does not get re-invested back into your work. Suggestions are practical, results-focused, and avoid all the toxic positivity usually associated with empty, upper management adages like 'work smarter, not harder.' Much of the podcast is technology-focused, with applications such as Omnifocus, Obsidian, Text Expander, and Timing taking a prominent role. That said, there are also tips for techies and non-techies alike. If you are an academic who is wondering if there is a better way to do things, this podcast is for you. I recommend episode 2023-10-15, 'The Meat Grinder,' if you are feeling despondent about the state of higher education. You are not alone.

I’ve gone and done it. I’ve binged your Podcast and now I have ZERO left in my unplayed list. What am I going to do with my life, now? I’ll tell you what I’m going to do. I’m going to listen to them all over again. Yep. Sure, I listen to other pods but this one tops them all. I’m in academia in the US (Research project management in special education) and I have learned and laughed SO MUCH listening to you two. I’m not one that only listens to the first 20 min. Nor am I the one to snip-itty-do-da past the first part. I’m an all-in-er. Keep up the amazing work! In the meantime, I’m going back to the beginning. Ready? 5-4-3-2-1 GO!! With lots of love from North Carolina!

I first learned about your podcast from hearing you on the Omni Groups podcast and you two were delightful. As an academic myself, and a fellow productivity hacker who is always trying to find external supports to help my ADHD brain do tricks it wasn’t designed for, I have fallen in love with what you are doing with On the Reg. I’m now actually excited about accreditation because of your Obsidian episode! On a different note, your podcast makes me feel less alone in that so many of the people around me don’t seem to acknowledge that so much of what we do in academia is tedious and nonsensical (like doing 2 or3 full-time jobs at the same time for half of what someone in one of those jobs in the business world would be paid), but you, Ingrid and Jason, say the quiet part out loud and I’m so grateful to you for doing that. You’ve got a fan over here, and I hope you’re not averse to getting a coffee with me if we can be in the same city at the same time. Thanks for being there for me! Bryan