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Artwork for The Academic Life

The Academic Life

Christina Gessler
Immigration
Writing Process
Academic Publishing
Book Arguments
Manuscript Revision
Dissertation-To-Book Workbook
Evidence-Based Questions
Grief
Academic Struggles
Academic Writing
Before and After the Book Deal
Border Safety
Crime Rates
Mexico
Sociology
Remittances
Identity
White Christian Nationalism
Public Markets
Mental Health

A podcast for your academic journey—and beyond! Created and produced by Dr. Christina Gessler, the Academic Life podcast is inspired by today’s knowledge-producers around the world, working inside and outside the academy. Support our show by becoming a premium member! newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/academic-life

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes308Founded5 years ago
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Artwork for The Academic Life

Latest Episodes

Despite reform efforts that have grown in scope and intensity over the last two decades, the machine of American mass incarceration continues to flourish. In Ghost in the Criminal Justice Machine: Reform, White Supremacy, and an Abolitionist Future... more

Overturning Roe unleashed a wave of urgent threats to abortion and bodily autonomy, fueled by overt white supremacy, racial and anti-immigrant hatred, and support for traditional gender roles and sexual identities. But the resistance is fierce, led b... more

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 ... more

Your brain is the most remarkable thing in the known universe. Always trying to mend itself, and always trying to protect you, it’s in a constant state of flux — adapting, reconfiguring, finding new pathways. And it has an astonishing capacity for re... more

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Recent Guests

Dr. Loretta Ross
Associate professor at Smith College, human rights and social justice activist for over 50 years
Smith College
Episode: Abortion and Reproductive Justice: An Essential Guide for Resistance
Dr. Marlene Fried
Emeritus professor at Hampshire College, scholar-activist focused on women's rights and reproductive health
Hampshire College
Episode: Abortion and Reproductive Justice: An Essential Guide for Resistance
Dr. Cara Gormally
Author of 'Everything Is Fine, I'll Just Work Harder'
Episode: Everything Is Fine, I'll Just Work Harder: Confessions of a Former Badass
Rachel Barr
Neuroscientist and author of How to Make Your Brain Your Best Friend
Episode: How to Make Your Brain Your Best Friend
Dr. Alex Ketchum
Associate professor at the Institute for Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies at McGill University, author focused on organizing inclusive events.
McGill University
Episode: How to Organize Inclusive Events and Conferences
Dr. Rebecca Jumper Matheson
Author of Artisans and Designers, American Fashion Through Elizabeth and William Phelps.
Episode: Sustainability, Identity, Artisans and Designers
Professor Lara Hope Schwartz
Professor at American University and author of 'Try to Love the Questions'
American University
Episode: Try to Love the Questions: From Debate to Dialogue in Classrooms and Life
Dr. Sophia Kimmig
An ecologist and behavioral biologist focused on nighttime ecology and evolution.
Episode: Living Night: On the Secret Wonders of Wildlife After Dark
Dr. Aria Halliday
Associate professor and author of Black Girls and How We Fail Them
University of Kentucky
Episode: Black Girls and How We Fail Them

Host

Dr. Christina Gessler
Producer and host focused on the intersection of academia, education, and social justice.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 19 ratings
  • Engaging interviews

    Dr. Gessler is such an engaging interviewer. Her guests are varied, covering all aspects of life as an academic. She brings out the best in every guest.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rebecca DB
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the engaging interviews and diverse range of guests covering various academic and social topics.
The host is recognized for her ability to bring out insightful discussions with her guests, providing value to both academic and general audiences.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#96
Singapore/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#127
Norway/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#211
Singapore/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Abortion and Reproductive Justice: An Essential Guide for Resistance
Q: What do you hope this episode sparks for listeners?
Resistance and the determination to create a better world while spreading knowledge about self-managed abortion and the importance of not playing by existing oppressive rules.
Abortion and Reproductive Justice: An Essential Guide for Resistance
Q: What inspired you to write the book?
We started the book in the first Trump administration, and we were bothered by the political climate, particularly regarding how many white women voted for Trump while claiming to care about the rights his administration was trying to dismantle.
How to Make Your Brain Your Best Friend
Q: Can you explain the importance of delight in our lives?
Delight serves as a small reprieve from stress and a reminder of life's worth, helping us reconnect with ourselves and the world, especially during difficult times.
How to Make Your Brain Your Best Friend
Q: Can you describe what the book is about and what inspired you to write it?
The book aims to change the conversation around mental health and wellness, noting that public discussions often don't align with scientific understanding. Rachel shares her personal experiences with mental health in her family as a motivation to help others, promoting self-care without the capitalistic pressures of optimization.
How to Organize Inclusive Events and Conferences
Q: What do you hope listeners take away?
Dr. Ketchum hopes listeners feel empowered to organize events, acknowledging that making mistakes is part of the learning process.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Academic Life

What is The Academic Life about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Content focuses on the challenges and triumphs of navigating the academic environment and the broader implications of education in contemporary society. Guests include scholars, authors, and practitioners who share insights drawn from their research and real-world experiences across various topics, such as social justice, the impact of technology on education, and the importance of equity and representation. Notably, the podcast often highlights voices advocating for change within the academic landscape, aiming to inspire listeners in their own educational pursuits and personal development.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Academic Life?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Academic Life. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Academic Life and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Academic Life get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Academic Life?

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How many subscribers and views does The Academic Life have?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Academic Life?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Academic Life:

1. Up First from NPR
2. The Daily
3. The LRB Podcast
4. This American Life
5. The Holy Post

How many episodes of The Academic Life are there?

The Academic Life launched 5 years ago and published 308 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Academic Life?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Academic Life?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Academic Life from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on The Academic Life?

Recent guests on The Academic Life include:

1. Dr. Loretta Ross
2. Dr. Marlene Fried
3. Dr. Cara Gormally
4. Rachel Barr
5. Dr. Alex Ketchum
6. Dr. Rebecca Jumper Matheson
7. Professor Lara Hope Schwartz
8. Dr. Sophia Kimmig

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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