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The Academic Life

Christina Gessler
Higher Education
Education
Mental Health
Sociology
Immigration
Sustainability
Gender Studies
College Radio
Writing Process
Student Engagement
Witch Trials
Death Penalty
Rehearsals For Dying
Academic Publishing
Cancer Care Industry
Project Management
Confederate Monuments
Witchcraft
Criminal Justice System
Community Engagement

A podcast for your academic journey—and beyond! Created and produced by Dr. Christina Gessler, the Academic Life podcast is inspired by today’s knowledge-producers around the world, working inside and outside the academy. Support our show by becoming a premium member! newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/academic-life

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes343Founded6 years ago
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BooksArtsEducation

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Artwork for The Academic Life

Latest Episodes

When American fascists suddenly goose-stepped down Main Street in the 1930s, fascism was seen by the rest of the country as a terrifying and radical new European import. It was not. It didn’t come from abroad. Nor was it new or radical. The seed of A... more

How Girls Achieve points out a simple and overlooked truth: most schools never had girls in mind to begin with. That is why the world needs what Dr. Sally Nuamah calls “feminist schools,” deliberately designed to provide girls with achievement-orient... more

Featuring personal essay, manifesto, creative nonfiction, and poetry, Tsunami: Women’s Voices From Mexico (Feminist Press, 2025) gathers the multiplicity of voices being raised in Mexico today against patriarchy and its buried structures. Tackling ge... more

Whether you’re hoping to publish your first book or you’re a seasoned author with an unfinished proposal languishing on your hard drive, The Book Proposal Book provides honest and invaluable advice on how to overcome common sticking points and get yo... more

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Recent Guests

Laura Portwood-Stacer
Author of The Book Proposal Book; editor/consultant
Manuscript Works (self-employed) and Princeton University Press (publisher of her book)
Episode: Laura Portwood-Stacer, "The Book Proposal Book: A Guide for Scholarly Authors" (Princeton UP, 2021)
Betty Lai
Author of The Grant Writing Guide, A Road Map for Scholars
Boston College (Associate Professor, Counseling Psychology)
Episode: The Grant Writing Guide: A Road Map for Scholars
Dr. Jen Polk
PhD career coach
PhD Career Coach (Toronto)
Episode: Thinking About Leaving Academia?
Amy Wilson
Author of Happy to Help, Adventures of a People Pleaser
Author, Happy to Help
Episode: Happy to Help: Adventures of a People Pleaser
Irene Vega
Author of Bordering on Indifference, Immigration Agents Negotiating Race and Morality
University of California, Irvine
Episode: Bordering On Indifference: Immigration Agents Negotiating Race and Morality
Ann Blair
Author of In the Scholar's Workshop, Hidden Histories of Collaboration and Authorship
Harvard University
Episode: In The Scholar’s Workshop: Hidden Histories of Collaboration and Authorship
Domhnall Mitchell
Longtime Dickinson scholar, co-editor on The Letters of Emily Dickinson edition
University of Massachusetts? (co-editor)
Episode: The Letters of Emily Dickinson
Cristanne Miller
Editor of The Letters of Emily Dickinson
University of Buffalo? (editor)
Episode: The Letters of Emily Dickinson
Joe Margulies
Professor and author of Cast Out, A Call For A Forgiving Society In An Age Of Incarceration
Cornell University
Episode: Cast Out: A Call For A Forgiving Society in an Age of Incarceration

Host

Christina Gessler
Host and producer of The Academic Life

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 22 ratings
  • Answers the questions you didn’t know you have!

    You know that feeling after you finish an interesting book and have a million questions you want to ask the author? This podcast asks those questions. Dr. Gessler does a close read and stands in for the reader with thoughtful questions. I can visualize her coming to the interviews, her copy of the book about to burst with sticky notes! I’ve read so many books that I never would have found without This Academic Life.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Alli-Dee
    United States6 months ago
  • Engaging interviews

    Dr. Gessler is such an engaging interviewer. Her guests are varied, covering all aspects of life as an academic. She brings out the best in every guest.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rebecca DB
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The host asks thoughtful questions and probes deeply with guests.
Interviews are engaging and span a wide range of academic disciplines.
Guests bring strong expertise and practical insights for scholars and educators.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#21
Denmark/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#80
Denmark/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#230
Hong Kong/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Thinking About Leaving Academia?
Q: Before we dive in, can you tell listeners about yourself?
Jen Polk introduces herself as a PhD career coach based in Toronto who specializes in helping professors, postdocs, and other PhDs change careers.
The Grant Writing Guide: A Road Map for Scholars
Q: What encouraged you to write The Grant Writing Guide?
Betty Lai explains she had been looking for a comprehensive resource for grant writing for about 15 years, realized many existing books started from different assumptions, and saw a clear need for a practical guide that helps scholars identify what to fund and how to navigate the process from the ground up.
Bordering On Indifference: Immigration Agents Negotiating Race and Morality
Q: Before we do that, will you please tell us about yourself?
Dr. Vega describes her background as an Associate Professor of Sociology focusing on the implementation of immigration law, with a personal connection to the US-Mexico border informing her research interests.
Heart-Centered Connections: Seven Essential Skills for Helping Neurodiverse and Marginalized Children Thrive
Q: To start us off, will you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Dr. Elliott describes her background as a former elementary teacher and current clinical professor who has dedicated her career to supporting neurodiverse children and families, including adopting her son and turning personal experience into professional mission.
Cast Out: A Call For A Forgiving Society in an Age of Incarceration
Q: What is the way forward?
The host challenges the guest to articulate a practical path: recognize there's a story behind every action, judge with a forgiving spirit, and apply this approach broadly to understand humanity.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Academic Life

What is The Academic Life about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful, scholarship-focused series that features in-depth conversations with authors, editors, and researchers across humanities, social sciences, and education. Episodes explore editing practices, book histories, pedagogy, DEI, and policy-relevant topics, often blending historical context with contemporary implications. Notable strengths include meticulous host interviewing, emphasis on primary sources and editorial process, and guests who bring both scholarly rigor and practical insight. Listeners likely include academics, graduate students, educators, and policy-minded professionals seeking detailed intellectual exploration and actionable ideas for teaching, research, and reform.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Academic Life?

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How many listeners does The Academic Life get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Academic Life?

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How many subscribers and views does The Academic Life have?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Academic Life?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Academic Life:

1. The Ezra Klein Show
2. The Daily
3. The Curiosity Shop with Brené Brown and Adam Grant
4. Good Hang with Amy Poehler
5. Fresh Air

How many episodes of The Academic Life are there?

The Academic Life launched 6 years ago and published 343 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Academic Life?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Academic Life?

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What guests have appeared on The Academic Life?

Recent guests on The Academic Life include:

1. Laura Portwood-Stacer
2. Betty Lai
3. Dr. Jen Polk
4. Amy Wilson
5. Irene Vega
6. Ann Blair
7. Domhnall Mitchell
8. Cristanne Miller

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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