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Higher Education

These posts consider matters of teaching and learning, career discernment, and equity in education. As a former professor, I share my experiences in school and my decision to leave academia to pursue public writing and community education.

Meaningful Writing Doesn’t Always Make Its Way into Writing Portfolios

Filed Under: Everyday Feminism, Higher Education By Beth Godbee July 30, 2025 Leave a Comment

Above a college reads "Writing Portfolio for Beth Godbee, Ph.D.". A collage with seven images: an orange rectangular logo for Inside Higher Ed, a stack of various books, a purple book titled, "Pedagogy;" a pink square with "Ms." written inside, a mauve book cover for "Performing Antiracist Pedagogy in Rhetoric, Writing, and Communication," a blue, white, and red cover for the book "Best of the Journals in Rhetoric and Composition 2021," and a rectangular, black and white image of young people standing outside of a bus with the words "Reflections, A Journal of Community-Engaged Writing and Rhetoric" across the image. The word "reflections" is reflected under the title as well. Below the collage reads, " My publications range from peer-reviewed to popular press, from poetry to prose."

I recently created a new writing portfolio, which I am excited to share! Because my SelectedWorks page was sunsetted this summer, I needed a new way to share publications. The portfolio highlights some, while linking to a fuller list (what I’d share as part of an academic CV). I start with academic publications and then share pieces from public and community writing. And I include a final section of meaningful writing that doesn’t always (or even often) make its way ... Read more ...

New Article: “Because We’re Going to Mess Up”: Practices for Accountability—Not a Piecemeal Approach

Filed Under: Emotional Literacies, Everyday Feminism, Higher Education, Racial Justice By Beth Godbee March 24, 2025 Leave a Comment

The first page of '"Because We're Going to Mess Up": Practices for Accountability-- Not a Piecemeal Approach.' Above the bolded title are the names of the authors, Beth Godbee and Rasha Diab. The article begins, "What are we in rhetoric, writing, and literacy..."

With gratitude, I write to share a new article: “‘Because We’re Going to Mess Up’: Practices for Accountability—Not a Piecemeal Approach” co-authored with good friend and frequent co-author Rasha Diab and published in College Composition & Communication (CCC). This piece has been a long time coming. We started drafting in 2019; first submitted in 2020; and have been revising, reshaping, and attempting to bring it to life these past 5+ years. The article arises, as ... Read more ...

Q&A with Candace Epps-Robertson, Ph.D.: Introducing Full Circle Writing, LLC

Filed Under: Everyday Feminism, Higher Education, Interviews By Beth Godbee March 9, 2025 Leave a Comment

A colorful collage background that has black text reading, “Q&A with Candace Epps-Robertson, Ph.D.: The Launch of Full Circle Writing, LLC; In collaboration with Heart-Head-Hands: Everyday Living for Justice.” In the bottom right corner is the pink-purple Heart-Head-Hands logo and the blue and purple Full Circle Writing, LLC logo.

Many of you know Candace Epps-Robertson, Ph.D., a collaborator with Heart-Head-Hands, facilitator of writing groups, and co-creator of pathways through burnout. Candace has previously shared her work through the Q&A blog post “On Seasons of Life, Writing, and Career.” In January, Candace made a career transition, leaving her faculty position and launching Full Circle Writing, LLC. So, this Q&A blog post shares her business launch and new offerings to support ... Read more ...

Why Don’t I Center “Academic” in My Work?

Filed Under: Contemplative Practices, Everyday Feminism, Higher Education By Beth Godbee January 7, 2025 Leave a Comment

A light purple square with drawings of stars decorating it reads "Characteristics of Writing Groups and the Writers Who Join" on the left side. Separating the halves of the image is a small vertical line with four dots. On the right side of the image is three text boxes, each with a short blurb of text beneath them. The boxes read "Deeply Relational," "Joyfully Redefining," and "Unapologetically Feminist." In the lower right corner of the image "Heart-Head-Hands: Everyday Living for Justice" is written in a mauve.

You probably notice that when I talk about writing support and spaces -- from coaching to writing groups to retreats and workshops -- I don't describe the work as "academic writing support" or name explicitly "academic writing." This is despite the fact that many, MANY of the writers I work with and many of my closest people are doing academic projects, hold affiliations with academic institutions, and of course, are trained in academic ways. Me too!  Similarly, ... Read more ...

Writing Retreats Are for All Sorts of Writing

Filed Under: Contemplative Practices, Everyday Feminism, Higher Education By Beth Godbee December 19, 2024 Leave a Comment

A collage, made by Phoenix Robertson, leans against a gray wall. The canvas is covered in clippings of magazines and the background is painted gold. The collage shows three hands, each in different directions, and from them spring snippets of art, nature, and text.

Writing retreats are for writers creating across genres, at any stage, and for various audiences, including ourselves. But so often, even when we spend our lives working with words, we bracket what counts as “writing,” and we find it hard to claim the role of “writer.” This blog post combines reflections from two of us, Beth and Phoenix, about the experience of one-day, online writing retreats. Together, we want to affirm that, truly: writing is expansive, and writing ... Read more ...

Writing Support for Your Campus? The Case of the UNT CLASS WRite Program

Filed Under: Everyday Feminism, Higher Education By Beth Godbee September 6, 2024 Leave a Comment

A square, beige image with two smaller squares inside. The image on the left hand side shows Beth, in a black cardigan and dark red shirt, and the image on the right shows a computer next to a white cup of coffee on a brown wooden table. At the top of the image text reads “Tailored Writing Support.” Below the pictures is written “Reach out for a combination of writing groups, retreats, workshops, and coaching.” Below that text is “www.heart-head-hands.com.”

This fall, I am beginning the second year of a faculty writing and mentoring program with the University of North Texas (UNT)’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS). The program was proposed by Priscilla Ybarra, Ph.D. (Associate Professor, Department of English) and is sponsored by Steve Cobb, Ph.D. (Associate Dean, CLASS). I share a description of the program here to give a sense of what’s possible for tailored writing support: support customized to meet ... Read more ...

Reflection Questions for Sabbaticals (and Transitional Seasons of Life)

Filed Under: Contemplative Practices, Emotional Literacies, Everyday Feminism, Higher Education By Beth Godbee July 2, 2024 Leave a Comment

This image shows the central text “Reflection Questions for Sabbaticals” with arrows pointing to four questions: (1) What have I been longing for or missing in my life? (2) How do I want to feel during sabbatical? (3) What is my body signaling as non-negotiable? (4) What might I call this season of life? The background is pinkish brown, and each question is in a different color. Source credit: Heart-Head-Hands.com.

My coaching practice often involves questions about sabbaticals and how to move through these transitional times in intentional, reflective ways. Questions include: How do I find a different pace, a pace that’s more my own? How do I mark this new season of life or new season of career? How do I set boundaries with colleagues, family, and friends? What if I want to consider a career change? How do I make writing a priority when it’s been deprioritized for so long? What if ... Read more ...

Mentoring Writers Well? 3 Assumptions about Mentoring Writing

Filed Under: Emotional Literacies, Everyday Feminism, Higher Education, Racial Justice By Beth Godbee March 31, 2024 Leave a Comment

This image shares the blog post title “Mentoring Writers Well?” and 3 assumptions: “1. We are writers! 2. When it comes to academic writing, we are navigating minefields of harm. 3. As mentors, we care about not invalidating writers.” Background includes raindrops, a plant sprouting, and the web address Heart-Head-Hands.com.

What is involved in mentoring writers well? How can mentors support writers and writers’ various projects and aspirations? What are starting points for learning to mentor writing? So many of us (especially in higher education, literacy education, community education, and adjacent fields) are involved in mentoring and coaching writers. But, typically, we don’t have much training when it comes to mentoring. And much less for mentoring writing! Back in February, I ... Read more ...

How Mentors Can Support Writers and Counter Epistemic Injustice

Filed Under: Everyday Feminism, Higher Education, Racial Justice By Beth Godbee February 8, 2024 Leave a Comment

This flyer shares the same text in this blog post: the workshop title, sponsors, description, photo, and bio of the presenter, Dr. Beth Godbee, Public Educator & Writer. The workshop is Monday, February 12, 2024, 12-1:30pm, Zoom. Background is red and white and includes the logo of Ball State University.

You’re invited to an interactive workshop I’ll be facilitating on Monday, February 12th at 12:00-1:30pm ET titled “How Mentors Can Support Writers and Counter Epistemic Injustice.” The workshop is free and open to the public. This workshop is sponsored by the Ball State University Graduate School and the Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and is part of the Building Mentoring Capacities Workshop Series. Thanks especially to Dr. Robin Phelps-Ward, Associate ... Read more ...

“Is This Burnout?” New Article Asking and Answering the Question

Filed Under: Contemplative Practices, Emotional Literacies, Everyday Feminism, Higher Education By Beth Godbee January 26, 2024 Leave a Comment

Screenshot of the article’s start with the title (I AM EDITOR: Is This Burnout? You Aren’t Alone in Asking the Question), author names (Beth Godbee, Ph.D. and Candace Epps-Robertson, Ph.D.), and tagline (Though burnout can feel like such an isolating experience, it doesn’t have to be.). The article begins with a photo of Beth and Candace, a disclosure statement, and an invitation to reach out to the authors personally. Background is coral and white with strips of teal.

“Is this burnout or…? So many of us are asking this question and wondering if what we’re feeling is burnout. Is it burnout or exhaustion? Burnout or anxiety? Burnout or worker exploitation? Burnout or unreasonable expectations? Burnout or toxic workspace? Burnout or I’m 100% in caregiver mode? Burnout or over-capacity? Burnout or the world is on fire? Burnout or a breaking point? Burnout or …?”  This is the opening inquiry of a collaborative article that Candace ... Read more ...

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About This Site

Embodied knowledge matters. So do commitments. And especially acting on commitments as part of everyday life, BIG and small. This website—a mix of blog posts and research writing, courses and offerings—shares ongoing efforts toward everyday living (feeling, thinking, and doing) for justice.

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Six subscription options are available, offering a range of support ~ from participation in writing retreats and workshops to one-with-one coaching.

This image shows six subscription options through Momence, beginning at $5+ per month. Six subscription options are available, offering a range of support ~ from participation in writing retreats and workshops to one-with-one coaching.

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This e-course announcement shows a yellow sunflower and blue sky. It includes a textbox with the following information: “E-COURSE AVAILABLE NOW! Career Discernment for Academics: Aligning Career with Commitments. Self-paced study, exercises, coaching, and more ...”

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This image shows a blazing campfire in a mountain setting at dusk. It shares workshop information: “Practices for Navigating Burnout. Interactive Small-Group Workshops. Offered by Beth Godbee, Ph.D. & Candace Epps-Robertson, Ph.D.”

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This summer, caregiving and family responsibilitie This summer, caregiving and family responsibilities have taken me through the Appalachian Mountains ~ from North Carolina to Tennessee and through Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. In some moments, I’ve felt so unmoored, unsure of where and when I am. But in others, I’ve felt the mountains holding me and reminding me that home is all around.

So, here’s photographic evidence that I grew up in the Appalachian Mountains and even learned to clog at a young age. I found this photo during a family conversation about learning to dance. Yes, I still love to dance. Though, like crocheting stitches, most of the clogging steps are long forgotten—maybe to be remembered?

(And here are a few accompanying recent photos from the mountains.)
It's a wonderful thing to return home to affirming It's a wonderful thing to return home to affirming emails. Here's one about a job offer aligned with commitments! 

From email, shared with permission: 
"I just wanted to send you a quick note to say that I accepted a job offer as _____ at _____! This was one of the roles we looked at in one of our sessions, and I'm very excited that I was able to get a position at a company I feel a strong sense of alignment with. Thank you for your coaching! You were a big part of the process that led to me getting this job!"

It is an incredible honor to be involved in career transitions. And it is incredibly rewarding to witness movement toward more supportive and aligned everyday conditions. 

When so much in the world is hard, coaching still feels like a strong yes. <3

#coaching #careercoach #careercoaching #careerdiscernment #commitments #livingoutcommitments #goodnews #strongyes
There’s so much I want to say about my love for There’s so much I want to say about my love for DC and my anger over this move toward federal control. Please support local organizing and follow calls for how to show up in solidarity in the days to come. 💛

#Repost @freedcproject with @use.repost
・・・
For our friends across the country asking how you can help, this one’s for you.

What’s happening in DC right now is not the first time this administration and its allies have attacked our communities. In March, Congress froze $1.1 billion of DC’s local budget. In addition to the current police escalation, Congress is also trying to overturn several critical local laws.

We want your members of Congress to do everything in their power to stand down federal forces DC, and stop attacks on DC communities for good. Send a letter to your Senators and Representative telling them to stop to it: freedcproject.org/allies (link in bio)
There’s so much I want to say about my love for There’s so much I want to say about my love for DC and my anger over this move toward federal control. Please support local organizing and follow calls for how to show up in solidarity in the days to come. 💛

#Repost @mvmnt4blklives with @use.repost
・・・
Earlier today Donald Trump announced that he is placing MPD under federal control and plans to deploy the National Guard to DC.

This is a dangerous escalation for our communities. But our people have been through things like this before.

Here are three ways everyone can help DC weather what’s ahead, starting tonight.

Repost via @freedcproject
This summer, amid many pulls away from writing, I This summer, amid many pulls away from writing, I was able to create a new writing portfolio.

Because my SelectedWorks page was sunsetted this summer, I needed a new way to share publications. The portfolio highlights some, while linking to a fuller list (what I’d share as part of an academic CV). I start with academic publications and then share pieces from public and community writing. And I include a final section of meaningful writing that doesn’t always (or even often) make its way into writing portfolios.

Certainly, publications are part of my writing story. But they aren’t the full story. I reflect on that here: https://heart-head-hands.com/meaningful-writing-in-writing-portfolios/

And share the portfolio here: https://heart-head-hands.com/writing-portfolio/ 

May we tell fuller stories about our writing and ourselves as writers—toward well-lived writing lives. <3

<Image shows the start of my portfolio page with a mix of academic and public publications.>
One thing about my partner Jonathan’s dad is tha One thing about my partner Jonathan’s dad is that he loved Pittsburgh. Here are some photos of the city he loved — with gratitude for walks to help navigate the emotions and many to-dos following his passing. <3
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About Beth Godbee

I'm an educator and former writing studies professor who believes our fully embodied selves matter in the world. We can’t just think our way out of the incredible injustices, dehumanization, violence, and wrongdoing that characterize everyday life. We must feel and act, too. [Pronouns: she/her.] Read more ...

This image shows books alongside the words: courses, coaching, consulting. learning + unlearning.

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