Shows
Sienna & SlateLife Beyond the Ph.D and Celebrating Non-Academic Achievements with Jennifer PolkIn 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...2024-05-171h 30Sienna & SlateShortcast - Be As Good A Student As You Are A TeacherThis 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...2024-04-1509 minSienna & SlateCrossing the Race Line with Dr. Melvin Murphy & Lukas VelushThis 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...2024-04-121h 01Sienna & SlateThe Unyielding Grips of BurnoutWelcome 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 n...2024-04-0409 minSienna & SlateFinding Purpose in the Struggle: Dr. Nicholas Hartlep on Race, Faith, and EducationThis 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...2024-03-1446 minSienna & SlateRising above the Chaos - with Dr. Rick WallaceLet 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 c...2024-02-2358 minSienna & SlateUncovering Hidden Stories: Empowering Families for Growth and EquityIn 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 o...2024-02-0154 minSienna & SlateNavigating Academia: A Journey of Disruption, Identity, and EmpowermentGreetings 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 w...2024-01-1806 minSienna & SlateDr. Rose Aslan’s Journey: Embracing Transformation and CompassionJoin me in this captivating episode as I speak to Dr. Rose Aslan, a transformational life coach and academic. Dr. Rose shares her personal journey of leaving academia and finding a slower, more intentional life. We explore her academic background and the challenges she faced, including a lack of support and moments of doubt. Through perseverance and self-discovery, she found her unique path to success.
In our conversation, Dr. Rose emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and embracing imperfections. She shares her insights on cultivating compassion for oneself and letting go of guilt associated with unfinished p...2024-01-1051 minSienna & SlateUnveiling the Triumph Triad: A Journey through Neurodiverse Coaching with Dr. Norrine RussellJoin me, Dr. Keo, in this inspiring episode alongside the incredible Dr. Norrine Russell, founder of Vessel Coaching for Students. Driven by innovation, she has crafted a unique coaching approach for neurodiverse students, transforming challenges into triumphs.
Dr. Russell's journey, from university-level teaching to founding the largest student coaching practice, Russell Coaching, is a testament to the power of bridging gaps for neurodiverse middle and high school students. Her commitment to restoring wellness, confidence, and family harmony shines through in every coaching session.
We explore the unique challenges neurodiverse students face in academic spaces, and...2024-01-0536 minSienna & SlateThe Art of Being You: Embracing Authenticity in Holiday Social SettingsHey there, welcome to Sienna and Slate! We've been blown away by the love for our podcast, and you've asked for more chats on genius, resilience, and well-being. So, here's a quick episode where I open up about feeling a bit out of place during a recent event, a feeling that many of us might get during the holidays.
I chat about the importance of embracing your authentic self and finding joy in imperfect moments. Plus, a bit on mindfulness and gratitude to make those holiday gatherings more enjoyable.
I share some reflective prompts for...2023-12-2213 minSienna & SlateReconnecting with What Matters Most this Holiday SeasonAs we continue our week-long series on the common mistakes that can derail an academic's hopes for a rejuvenating and realigning holiday break, let's take a moment to recap our journey so far. On Day 1, we explored the challenge of "The Holiday Hustle," where we discussed the pitfalls of overworking during the holidays. Day 2 brought us "The Time Tension," underlining the significance of effective time management for a fulfilling break. Day 3 was all about the essential concept that "Self-Care is not Selfish," emphasizing the necessity of self-care.
Today, on Day 4, we confront a common issue that many...2023-12-1305 minSienna & SlateRejuvenation Begins with Self-CareIn this week's series, we've been diving into the common mistakes that can thwart an academic's holiday intentions of rejuvenation and realignment. On Day 1, we talked about "The Holiday Hustle," exploring the challenge of overworking during the holidays. On Day 2, we tackled "The Time Tension," discussing the importance of well-structured time management for a fulfilling holiday break. Today, on Day 3, we dive headfirst into "Neglecting Self-Care," or as we like to put it, "Self-Care is not Selfish." This topic is relevant not only to academics but to anyone who constantly juggles responsibilities in their daily life.
2023-12-1306 minSienna & SlateMastering Your Time: Overcoming Time TensionAs we continue our journey through the common mistakes that can hinder academics' intentions of using the holidays for rejuvenation and realignment, we've arrived at the secon pitfall: "Poor Time Management" or what we're playfully calling "The Time Tension" 🕰️.
In case you missed our first email on Overworking During the Break, also known as "The Holiday Hustle," where we tackled the challenge of overworking during the holidays, I encourage you to catch up either by watching the reply on Facebook or Instagram to ensure you're getting the full picture of how to make the most of your holid...2023-12-1003 minSienna & SlateBreaking the Holiday Hustle: Prioritizing Your Well-BeingHello there, this week are talking about the Five mistakes that can sabotage academics' intentions of using the holidays for rejuvenation and realignment:
The first mistake that we are going to talk about is Overworking During the Break or what we are calling breaking the holiday hustle.
I’m Keondria McClish Boyd and having been in academia for years I became an academic well-being coach to tackle topics such as these and help other academics navigate these sticky situations in academia that affect our overall well-being.
So, there is an illusion of freedom of...2023-12-0904 minSienna & SlateUnlocking Holiday Joy: Navigating the Academic Hustle with Keondria McClish BoydHi there, as the leaves change and the air turns crisp, we find ourselves really on the brink of the holiday season. For many of us academics, this time of year can be a whirlwind of stress and competing demands, leaving little room to plan and enjoy the holiday season.
The holidays can often be stressful due to overwhelming to-do lists and competing demands and desires. We try to finish the semester strong and get a head start on planning next semester, all while trying to enjoy the festivities, meet the expectations of friends and family, and f...2023-12-0803 minSienna & SlateBreaking Barriers: The Inspiring Stories of Trailblazers in the Space ProgramIn this captivating episode of Sienna and Slate, join me, Dr. Keo, as I have the pleasure of sharing space with an extraordinary individual who made history at NASA. We welcome Sharon McDougal, the first black woman to serve as a spacesuit technician, crew chief, and space shuttle crew escape equipment process department manager.
Our conversation is filled with excitement as we delve into the deep and intergenerational stories of these remarkable trailblazers. We explore the challenges they faced, the wisdom they gained, and the inspiration they offer to future and past generations.
Here are...2023-11-291h 00Sienna & SlateEmbracing Authenticity and Balancing Life - A Journey of Creativity and WellnessIn this inspiring podcast episode, I am joined by the talented music artist, Mackenzie Morrow, hailing from South Carolina. Mackenzie’s music journey began as an instrumentalist, but it was through the power of songwriting that she found her authentic voice as an artist. She shares with us her deep connection with music as a therapeutic medium. Together, we delve into Mackenzie's creative journey as she navigates the process of writing her book and releasing her album "Black Butterfly." With authenticity as her driving force, Mackenzie shares valuable insights about the creative process, reminding us all not to be ov...2023-11-1548 minSienna & SlateEpisode 4: Water Your Plants ShortcastIn our latest episode, we dive deep into the metaphor of "watering our plants" as a profound reflection of personal growth and our interconnectedness as a collective. Join us as we explore this powerful analogy that resonates deeply with our existence, both as individuals and as part of a broader community.
The journey began with a simple moment of watching "Survival of the Fittest" on Netflix, and tending to my beloved houseplants. As we nurture our plants, we discover the intricate parallels between their growth and our own lives.
Just as there's more happening beneath...2023-11-0204 minSienna & SlateNurturing Our Souls: The Profound Wisdom of Watering Our PlantsIn our latest episode, we dive deep into the metaphor of "watering our plants" as a profound reflection of personal growth and our interconnectedness as a collective. Join us as we explore this powerful analogy that resonates deeply with our existence, both as individuals and as part of a broader community.
The journey began with a simple moment of watching "Survival of the Fittest" on Netflix, and tending to my beloved houseplants. As we nurture our plants, we discover the intricate parallels between their growth and our own lives.
Just as there's more happening beneath...2023-11-0204 minSienna & SlateEpisode 4: Unveiling the Layers: Exploring the Intersection of Identity, Imagination, and Education with Kerry ConnellyIn this captivating episode of our podcast, come join us for an incredible journey with Kerry Connelly. She's not just a scholar; she's a soul deeply dedicated to justice, spirituality, and the beauty of intersecting the two. Kerry, an author, podcaster, blogger, and spiritual worker, warmly welcomes us into her world, sharing her personal odyssey in this enlightening conversation.
As we dive in, Kerry's presence wraps us in wisdom and grace, setting the stage for a heartfelt exchange. We explore the twists and turns of her spiritual evolution, a journey marked by pivotal moments, transformative encounters, and...2023-10-2550 minSienna & SlateEpisode 3: Embracing Imperfection and Creating Space for Creative Connection with Justine HwangJoin me in this episode as I welcome Justine Hwang, a social impact calligrapher and creative workshop host. I'm thrilled to have Justine as my guest, as she brings a light and inspiration to the world through her work. We dive deep into her journey and explore the transformative power of embracing imperfection and creating spaces for vulnerability and creativity.
Through our conversation, you'll discover how Justine's work not only inspires but also encourages individuals to tap into their creative potential and foster meaningful connections through self-expression.
During our discussion, we touch upon various topics...2023-10-1153 minSienna & SlateEpisode 2: Empowering the Next Generation: A Journey of Entrepreneurship and EducationIn this captivating podcast episode, I sit down with Dana Cannon Bryson, a dynamic individual who wears many hats: founder of Building Young Moguls, instructor, children's book author, and more. Dana shares her inspiring journey, navigating through different academic backgrounds and discovering her passion for teaching and empowering young minds.
Key Takeaways:
Dana's journey showcases the power of following one's curiosity and exploring various avenues before finding true passion and purpose.
Building Young Moguls is a nonprofit organization focused on transforming underestimated youth through entrepreneurship education. Dana discusses the impact of empowering young minds and creating...2023-09-2754 minSienna & SlateEpisode 1: Exploring Academic Well-being with Sienna & SlateWelcome to the first episode of the Sienna & Slate podcast! I'm Keondria McClish-Boyd, the founder of Sienna & Slate—an academic well-being company. Join me as we embark on a journey to uncover the essence of academic wellness and its connection to our identities, scholarship, and resilience.
Join me and my guests as we share stories of faith, wisdom, and practical techniques like meditation. Subscribe to join the academic well-being movement and your journey of self-care and growth.
2023-08-2403 min