Higher Vibrations in Higher Education

How to Find Your Way in Academia with PhD Candidate Lauren Mason

Lauren Mason is the creator and academic behind the platform Lauren Finds a Way.  Her academic Instragram includes curated content while her youtube channel shows more of the day-to-day PhD student vibes. Her goal is to share nuance behind the beauty of education. Lauren encourages us to embrace all parts of you and reminders to create patterns and habits that help you ground and find stillness within the ebbs and flows of academic life.
We also talk about:
"From my experience, I had a vision in my mind what is an academic, what is someone with a PhD like. I weighed myself against that and thought, I don’t fit that mold…We don’t all look the same or act the same…that’s one of the benefits of academia right now"
Now (through social media) we have access to a huge group of people pursuing a similar path
Loving the emphasis on learning in academia
We’re arriving at a time where people are becoming more transparent about experiences in academia (we get access daily to so many experiences)
Journalism major, decided to switch to psychology … wanted to gain expertise in something and then write about it rather than various topics
As an undergrad research assistant one of the things that helped me stand out was bringing research to them
When we have aspects of ourselves that people think “oh people with a PhD don’t have that” when we share it inspires others to take the chance, and not feel shame
When we compare ourselves to others it robs us of opportunity to shed our own light
The goal is to try to maintain balance—off balance in PhD journey for sure. One thing she's strict about (and shares openly) is that she doesn’t work on the weekend… Structured time away from work is one of the healthiest things she's done for herself
"And I think out of everything, all the lifestyle changes I’ve made to try to help with mental health, I think movement has been the best one, and the most impactful"
Lauren challenges herself to be authentic- sometimes we have highs and are acknowledge for our work but sometimes there are lows—along the way, transparent and authentic promotes health in the community
I get to choose how I want to use my time today, how I want to be creative today
Too many things on the plate in one day, not achieving very much at all…grant ourselves the ability to focus on one thing actually increases our productivity
Maintain health: sometimes we get out of balance, strategies to get back into it. Have grace with ourselves… let it go when you haven’t achieved or made a mistake
"Find myself gasping throughout the whole day, can’t catch my breath, mind is racing"… journals and lists help her find limits
Becoming more conscious (that we’re not taking care of ourselves); small challenges to do it, 5 min break, feels difficult reinforces it’s ok to take up space, change situation that you’re uncomfortable in and make yourself more comfortable
Learning to say no during PhD has been a journey; say yes to any opportunity that comes your way… pressure with developing your CV, you should take it and run with it… that isn’t working for me anymore
Start to rethink "I’m doing enough to meet my requirements… saying no has become liberating"
"Academia has a way of breaking you down… no one is going to build me back up, I have to build myself back up"
End of PhD is almost an identity crisis... we don’t even know what we know anymore Identify your skill set instead of parts that are missing
Remind yourself what you do, what you’re capable of doing. You have an idea of those things (skills) and you can communicate that with others
Flourishing: Waking up excited for the day is a good sign… feeling calm… feeling connected with those around me and in my community…laughing a lot, and in a lighthearted way
Writing, sharing, connecting, sharing your light with others…
More at:
https://www.instagram.com/laurenfindsaway/
https://www.youtube.com/@laurenfindsaway

How to use yoga as an inquiry for the classroom of life with Stacy Hemingway

Stacy Hemingway is a yoga teacher, practitioner, and philosopher who deeply engages in the ancient aspects of yoga in a modern (but contemplative!) space: the K-12 classroom. Her goal is to equip young people with yoga for the inquiry of the classroom of life—to learn who we are, stay in the seat of the learner, and grow. Stacy developed a 12-module yoga curriculum that aligns with the Social Emotional Learning objectives that are at the cornerstone of many K-12 curricula as a model for holistic learning.
We also dive into:
Our own observations, gaps, and experiences can lead us to develop a product that can be used
Yoga is so dynamic and complex, it’s our job to glean from and simplify this work
200-hour yoga teacher training simply starts an inquiry, a foundation of understanding
Conscious Classroom Yoga: What is it? It speaks to yoga and mindfulness and meditation and how we practice those in our daily life
Yoga as one of many options to explore what it means to be human
Contemplate, try multiple forms, reflect on experience—holistic and well-rounded learning experience—learn by doing; emodiment
How to achieve enlightenment or who to thank for your existence: the message is the same. We are a gift, and we are given the gift of embodiment so we share that in the world
Once you have enough fuel from rest and nourishment, then we really can focus on intentionally educating
Wake up every morning, and ask, “What will you stand for? What will you fall for? What’s your impact?”
The only constant is change, but people and systems resist
Standardize what we would like to teach while standing up for what we believe in without standing in judgement of others
Contemplate: Who am I (personal reality = personality)
Simplifying can make things easier for ourselves but also our community partners
“I planted the seed and I’m” waiting – if you have an idea, bring it forth!
 
More at: https://consciousclassroom.yoga/

How to Flourish Instead of Languish with Dr. Maike Neuhaus

Dr. Maike Neuhaus is a digital nomad and flourishing coach who aims to help us identify “what am I happy to struggle with” to guide us into a growth mindset. Her research background is in positive psychology and self-leadership. She helps individuals and organizations understand what humans need to flourish to create impacts that excite them in life or at work. She broadens our minds in terms of different opportunities for what to do with a psychology background. Tune in for a number of gems, including, but not limited to:
I want to keep it real here for your listeners—I couldn’t find my purpose early on—I’ve been struggling with it the greater part of my life.
I leveled up and skilled up—learning about positive psychology and self-leadership—and created my own business...and while it looks nice and flourishing, it didn't feel that way all the time.
Research started with the curiosity that there are those who are flourishing those who are languishing
Positive psychology as a way to explore what’s happening rather than just pathology of “what’s wrong”
I used to be an expert once...admitting that is uncomfortable...but in a PhD you start to understand all the things we don't know. You carry the risk of not being right... (and remember) your intention is to be of service.
Languishing, isn’t defined as the opposite of progress; but it has to do with stagnation. Flourishing is fully alive and with purpose
Why is academia great: Forefront of knowledge; explore and expand our knowledge base; pleasure and privilege
How is it most failing: Academia lost time to just think, converse, and have headspace
Direct quote, “academy crushed my soul”
My favorite self-care activity—now habit—is to ask myself, "what do I need right now?" Ask first thing when you wake up: how am I? What do I need right now? Repeat throughout the day.
More at: https://www.theflourishingdoc.com/

How to work in a way that works with Alison Miller the Dissertation Coach

Dr. Alison Miller is an academic entrepreneur with a PhD in clinical psychology. Over the last 23 years, she has served graduate students by helping them learn to "work in a way that works." We have a heart-centered and candid conversation about the psychologically damaging aspects of the academy that can be changed, one dissertation at a time. 
Dr. Miller knew she was allergic to academic culture, so she developed The Dissertation Coach. She saw that students were struggling, people were leaving without degrees, and that they did not have enough institutional support for graduate students-- and she could fill that gap with process-oriented project management, accountability, and heart-centered support. Ultimately, challenging and changing the relationship to academic work.
We specifically talk about:
- People (including those in the position of power) are under-mentored or mis-mentored
- We need co-working spaces to not feel alone on this journey
- She wants students to be better able to manage the doubt and desire to leave
- How do we work in academia as a human
- Teach people to know and learn how to work and do so that works for us as human beings
- It’s 2023, it’s time for academic culture to upgrade itself, it’s stuck in a different era
- Students are experiencing trauma (loss of parent, miscarriages, major health crises) and the typical response is callousness
- There is hope, it can get better
- More people in academia waking up; more aware of themselves, that they impact other people—if you are conscientious that people are on the receiving end of the manner in which you mentor
- Some people think they've been granted permission to treat students poorly
- Institutional betrayal- example learning about empathy in a psychology department but the students aren’t being met with empathy
- Writing is a practice, it takes work, it's a skill and craft that we gain over time
- We should banish “you should know this" from your vernacular
- You are working in a system that is not awake and conscious yet. You’re not rewarded for that. People aren’t hired on their people skills 
- Let’s make this system better, thrive to learn while they're here. We’re responsible for making the change where you aren’t brutalized for years getting your degree
- Our #1 priority is regulating our own nervous systems.
- Om nama nama- bow to something greater than yourself
- You don’t need to fix anything, you’re not broken. How am I now? What version of me has shown up here? What am I trying to do? Are they compatible with the work I need to do? Can the answer be grounded in the reality of my unfolding experience
More at: https://www.thedissertationcoach.com/team/alison-miller-phd-dissertation-coach-owner-and-founder-of-the-dissertation-coach/
 

Samma Says: Don’t Wait

Don't wait until you hear permission to be yourself from someone else. Don't wait for graduation, promotion, rewards, grants, publications or any other external validation of who you are to step into your work, fully you, fully alive.
Happy wrap of season 1. Can't wait to see how we flourish.

Propelling Forward: Work Culture Shifts for our Interconnected World

Fionna Boyle is a professional Mariner and naval officer—and also my cousin. She helped me revamp my entire calendar and perspective of work—in October of 2021. It’s taken over two years to get to a place of balance. We've learned a lot along the way and share some anecdotes here, in this episode. Overall, we discuss the influence of each person—their experiences, their grief, their values, their strategies to let off steam—all influence the workplace culture.
Some key takeaways include:
Time is our greatest currency: There’s no such thing as multitasking (handle/maneuver), be present
Everyone has different schedules, routines, social norms, expectations
Everyone experiences grief through some form or another I may never have this moment with someone again
We are the teachers but also the students, everywhere we go
FEAR: face everything and rise OR face everything and run
I know what I know, but we’re going to grow and learn together. Then, we dance with cycles of fear and courage to build confidence and competence
We do things sometimes because they’re comfortable, familiar, doesn’t mean it’s best
I’ve been rushing to an elbow patch to be taken seriously. Presently, I am 36 and I keep saying I'm "almost 40"... what is that?
1 degree shift of our whole culture lab, ship, etc. we can shift our energetics and end up somewhere different
Industry agnostic: caring about the people who have your back
If you’re parroting someone who isn’t healthy- how does that help us create health in our culture
Being a valued member of a team is not a natural byproduct—as a leader, you can facilitate togetherness
The pulse of the world is interconnected
Keep singing in the lifeboats. We rise together.
Industry or career cycle
New, rolling sleeves, gung-ho- learning and receiving mode
Middle management- 8-10 years—commitment, reflection, transition – what am I doing here do I want to stay
Salty dogs- 10,000 hours master in your craft- time to pass on to others
Training and dissemination of everything we have learned
More from Fionna here:
https://www.maritimemomentum.com/
https://www.instagram.com/maritimemomentum/

Samma Says: Some advice for your evolution

May these practices help you show up who, what, & how you want to be.
Start "A" practice
Be ready to evolve, slowly
Define or redefine what "it" means to you (it: health, yoga, success)
Bonus tip: Create your own rules; embrace intimacy (in to me see) with yourself.
 

The healing powers of music and mantra: om mani padme hum

Noelle Whittington, E-RYT500, YACEP, has been a yoga Teacher since 2006, is the author of Morning and Evening Affirmation Journal, creator of Soul Alchemy Course, and has been a Yoga Teacher Trainer and mentor for Yoga studios since 2012. She wrote, produced, and performed the Mother Ocean theme song for HVHE. We do a deep dive into the layers and aspects of yoga that have helped us reach our current selves, including the gem that "to flourish [is] to take a breather from the human experience and lean into the cosmic." Stick around for the live performance at the end. 
Some of the key takeaways include:
If you’re being your true, authentic self, you’ll (potentially learn) that you’re not for everyone
Everyone is trying to be connected and respected, choose where you want to be.
When you grow, you can’t take everyone with you
You might find yourself on the other side of heartbreak
Mindfulness practices the earlier the better—integrating yoga principles in education!—and also, better late than never
Yoga can be all the things—playful asana and quietude to find yourself.
We all experience trauma, and some of us have the circumstance to process this, including the Homes of Hope Orphans who, who reach out for touch, connection, and love—a partial inspiration for the “ocean refuses no river”
Love and acceptance through small gestures
Some connections with people are not positive, but they are important
If we want to get free, no one can be left behind
Don’t rely on social media for reality—
“We are human, and we are divine.”
Learn the differences between discernment and discipline, and watch your practice grow
Tending to the needs of your body are challenging
What is fulfilling and unfulfilling? Non-judgement for your day, practices, or the past-- just move forward in the present moment
Sound and music helps embody rhythm, mantra is a way to quell anxiety
Mantra is a practice tool; manas (linear thoughts of the mind) tra (to cross over, or bridge)
Inhale: please; Exhale: thank you
Congruence and harmony versus "balance"
Om Mani Padme Hum: We are always That radiant jewel of infinite compassion
The practice is forgetting and remembering
More at: http://narayanishakti.com/

Healing the heart space: at work, off your mat, in your car

Physically, mentally, and socially creating compassion for self and others. An introduction to the heart chakra associate with the color green and the element of air... And the practices of compassion for self and others. We can use the metta (Pali word for benevolence, friendliness, affection, or kindness) meditation to radiate love for self, loved ones, people we don't know, and people who challenge us.*
- A reason to physically open our hearts, shoulders, and chest
- Guided breathwork and visualization
- Metta meditation in four parts
- Mantra for the days and years to come
Enjoy!
*This is for educational purposes only. Please select the level of challenge that suits you, today. These practices are for acute issues. Please seek additional mental and/ or physical health expertise if any of these practices seem to be superficial or disregard a deeper wound, injury, illness, or need.    

Valuing and Creating a Culture of Health in Academia

Borsika Rabin, PhD, MPH, PharmD* is a leader in the field of Dissemination and Implementation Science. When asked to explain the science, she shares that we are focused on “why certain solutions get used or not used in practice.” We talk about solutions to building connection, acceptance, and a culture of health—within academia, across sectors, and in our own conversations and hearts.  Highlights include:
Dissemination and Implementation Science is so challenging because we’re talking about a whole system of people doing something differently, together
Culture exists within an organization, country, or part of a country. There is power in the culture. How can we leverage that for good?
System change relies on shared culture, meaning, and priorities of groups. Any kind of behavior change means a cultural shift.
Lab is all over the US and beyond—not a full integrate, physical space. Lab- "isn’t a physical space, it’s who I work with"
Stop micromanaging, delegate. Let it go.
International student interested in studying in US: if there’s a local opportunity (workshop, training, conference). Key: Tailor your email for potential mentor
A yes to something is a no to something else. Heart is so big, time is so limited.
If you had one more hour a day, what would you do with it? Borsika says walking!
Find the beauty in imperfection, we don’t have to be constantly improving ourselves. Can we have more moments where we’re just ourselves?
System of flow state can be a serotonin rich experience
"I have to say no to things I’d love to do, my heart is so big but time is so limited"
Dissemination and Implementation Science is topic agnostic, just enjoy the projects and people along the way
Beautiful to feel competent and learner—great way to spend the day 
 
*Dr. Rabin’s primary positions include: Associate Professor Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, Co-Director, Dissemination and Implementation Science Center, UC San Diego and Co-Director, ACCORDS Dissemination and Implementation Science Graduate Certificate Program.
More about Dr. Rabin’s work here: https://dissemination-implementation.org/