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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 ...

Q&A with Sarah Gettel: Consultant, Operations Support, and Capacity Coach for Heart-Head-Hands

Filed Under: Everyday Feminism, Interviews, Racial Justice By Beth Godbee May 30, 2025 Leave a Comment

Sarah Gettel sits at her desk wearing a white sweater and clear-rimmed glasses. Turning back to look at the camera, she smiles while petting her large dog, Wilbur, while her two cats, Puck, a black and white cat; and Atticus, a grey cat; sit next to her chair.

I am excited to introduce Sarah Gettel, a good friend and accountability partner who’s been working behind the scenes with Heart-Head-Hands: Everyday Living for Justice.  Sarah and I met in 2019, soon after I’d left my faculty career, through mutual contacts engaged in racial justice organizing in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. We deepened our relationship in the early days of the pandemic, forming an accountability pod and meeting regularly with Rasha Diab ... 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 ...

Coaching as a Way of Working with Fears

Filed Under: Contemplative Practices, Emotional Literacies, Everyday Feminism By Beth Godbee February 25, 2025 Leave a Comment

Beth in her childhood years stands in a purple skirt and white shirt in a grassy, mountain-surrounded field near her father who holds smoking fireworks.

Recent coaching sessions have been addressing fear in one way or another. Surely, fear is pronounced in these times -- with threats coming from many directions; with uncertainty, suffering, and crisis amplified; and with cruelty, cuts, and a coup all central to everyday experiences. In this week's writing group, one member said that they're having to make decisions about how to show up at their institution, and this question aligned with questions I'm hearing in ... 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 ...

“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 ...

Q&A with Candace Epps-Robertson: On Seasons of Life, Writing, and Career

Filed Under: Everyday Feminism, Higher Education, Interviews, Racial Justice By Beth Godbee September 15, 2023 Leave a Comment

Photo shows a close-up of Candace Epps-Robertson, Ph.D. with head tilted to the side and smiling.

This interview introduces Candace Epps-Robertson, Ph.D., a collaborator with Heart-Head-Hands, facilitator of writing groups, and co-creator of the new offering, “Pathways Through Burnout: A Cohort Experience.”  Candace is a writer, researcher, and educator with deep commitments to justice and more than twenty years of experience in literacy education. She is also Associate Professor of English at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she ... Read more ...

Can Registration Be Relational? How I’m Longing for Sliding-Scale Registration to Work

Filed Under: Emotional Literacies, Everyday Feminism, Racial Justice By Beth Godbee May 13, 2023 Leave a Comment

This image is a compilation of 7 photos shared from writing group members. Clockwise from the upper left: screenshot of Elaine Richardson (Dr. E) during conversation; carnation to accompany the related poem from Ruth Nicole Brown; “you are loved” mug that I use during groups; Cate Denial at her dining-room table, where she wrote for most of the pandemic; picture of Candace Epps-Robertson’s desk set-up for writing retreats; three generations at a beloved feminist bookstore shared from Jenny Veninga; and creative writing space with homemade pottery made by Briana Mohan.

This raw reflective post shares what I have been struggling to put into words: a desire for relationship and recognition, even during transactional moments like registration. Specifically, I’m reflecting on what I’m learning and how I’m longing for sliding-scale registrations to be a form of relationality itself—where all people are recognized and resourced. Can registration be relational? What would that mean, especially when money is involved and we live within the ... Read more ...

Behind the Scenes: What’s Changing with Heart-Head-Hands

Filed Under: Everyday Feminism By Beth Godbee October 22, 2022 Leave a Comment

This photo (from recent hiking in New York) shows me sitting on a cliff’s edge, surrounded by fall colors: trees in various shades of green, yellow, orange, and red. I share this photo because it feels like I’m on edge right now, nearing something new.

October has been a BIG behind the scenes month. I’ve been making small shifts, acting on the recognition that I need more space and time for creativity and contribution. These shifts involve going slower, pulling back from activities, holding questions about capacity, practicing meditation, and prioritizing writing toward a collaborative book project. These shifts feel exciting—like they support me in showing up more fully, vulnerably, and with presence. And these shifts ... 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.

Subscription Options

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.

Featured Offerings

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 ...”

This ad reads: “Time to write! Writing Retreats. Learn more @ Heart-Head-Hands.com.” A white coffee mug and table appear in the foreground, with golden chairs and walls in the background.

This image shows a writing scene (coffee, flowers, blank page, and pen against wooden planks) and shares information: “Weekly writing groups. Write in community. New groups open seasonally. Many registration options: Heart-Head-Hands.com.”

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.”

This image shows a scene of wrapped packages, a pine cone, and evergreen branches. A white text box shares the circular logo for Heart-Head-Hands: Everyday Living for Justice, and another text box reads: “gift cards available.”

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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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