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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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Begin the New Year with a Writing Group

Filed Under: Everyday Feminism, Higher Education By Beth Godbee December 17, 2022 Leave a Comment

This image shows a writing scene (coffee, flowers, blank page, and pen against wooden planks) and shares information: “Writing groups start again on Jan. 7th. Register for 2 or 4 months: Jan-Feb or Jan-Apr. Many registration options: Heart-Head-Hands.com.”

Registration is open for writing groups starting in January! Writing groups can support us in many ways—from holding creative space to building community with other writers. I’m excited about a few new things: There are now options to join the weekly group on Tuesdays, Fridays, or both days. Dr. Candace Epps-Robertson is joining as a facilitator. There are expanded sliding-scale registration options. Registration includes a one-day writing retreat for every two-month ... Read more ...

Reflections on Writing Groups

Filed Under: Everyday Feminism, Higher Education By Beth Godbee February 3, 2021 Leave a Comment

Image shares one writing group reflection: “many life changes happen through writing, especially when writing brings attention to our built-in assumptions and ways of being in the world” in pink text against a pink background. A notebook, thermos, pens, and papers are also part of the pink background.

It’s been a full year of facilitating online writing groups, so I’ve been reflecting on why these groups have felt and continue to feel so supportive, especially through the pandemic’s early days, escalation, and continued intensity. Typically, I share that online writing groups have the potential to: Hold creative space for incubating, developing, and completing writing projects Build and strengthen relationships among writers across distance Maintain momentum for ... 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.”

Categories

  • Contemplative Practices (74)
  • Emotional Literacies (99)
  • Everyday Feminism (132)
  • Higher Education (63)
  • Interviews (13)
  • Racial Justice (72)
  • Recipes (22)
  • Why Vegan? (12)

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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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