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Artwork for The Academic Life

The Academic Life

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes322Founded5 years ago
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Artwork for The Academic Life

Latest Episodes

Mainstream psychology has long accepted that some people (like those with autism) are naturally more logical and unemotional, while others (like so-called empaths) intuitively experience the feelings of those around them as deeply as their own. But t... more

Caroline Bicks became the first scholar granted extended access by Stephen King to his private archives, a treasure trove of manuscripts that document the legendary writerʼs creative process—most of them never before studied or published. The year sh... more

What exactly is career services? If you don’t know, you aren’t alone. Most of us operate from a limited or outdated idea of what career services offers, why it’s necessary, and how soon you should start consulting with a career advisor [hint: as soon... more

Each year, police officers kill over 1,000 people they’ve sworn to protect and serve. While some cases, like George Floyd’s and Sandra Bland’s, capture national attention, most victims remain nameless, their stories untold. The Coroner’s Silence: De... more

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Recent Guests

Dr. Pryal
Author, speaker, law professor, and expert in mental health and neurodiversity
University Press of Kansas
Episode: A Light in the Tower: A New Reckoning with Mental Health in Higher Education
Dr. Eunji Kim
Assistant Professor of Political Science at Columbia University
Columbia University
Episode: The American Mirage: How Reality TV Upholds the Myth of Meritocracy
Dr. Laura Tedesco
Political scientist and author of How Government Killings and Kidnappings in Argentina Drove Mothers to Resist and Revolt
Saint Louis University, Madrid campus
Episode: The Power of the State: Madres de la Plaza de Mayo, and Minneapolis
Emile Suotonye DeWeaver
Author and former incarcerated person who advocates for social justice
Episode: Ghost in the Criminal Justice Machine
Dr. Loretta Ross
Associate professor at Smith College, human rights and social justice activist for over 50 years
Smith College
Episode: Abortion and Reproductive Justice: An Essential Guide for Resistance
Dr. Marlene Fried
Emeritus professor at Hampshire College, scholar-activist focused on women's rights and reproductive health
Hampshire College
Episode: Abortion and Reproductive Justice: An Essential Guide for Resistance
Dr. Cara Gormally
Author of 'Everything Is Fine, I'll Just Work Harder'
Episode: Everything Is Fine, I'll Just Work Harder: Confessions of a Former Badass
Rachel Barr
Neuroscientist and author of How to Make Your Brain Your Best Friend
Episode: How to Make Your Brain Your Best Friend
Dr. Alex Ketchum
Associate professor at the Institute for Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies at McGill University, author focused on organizing inclusive events.
McGill University
Episode: How to Organize Inclusive Events and Conferences

Host

Dr. Christina Gessler
Producer and host on academic topics, primarily tied to the Academic Life and New Books Network.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 21 ratings
  • 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.

Listeners appreciate the engaging, varied interviews with scholars and authors.
The host draws out nuanced insights and makes academic topics accessible.
Guests bring diverse perspectives across education, policy, and social issues.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#80
Argentina/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#141
Argentina/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The American Mirage: How Reality TV Upholds the Myth of Meritocracy
Q: Can you say more about how reality TV affects people's belief in the importance of social safety nets?
If you think anyone can succeed on their own, you're less likely to support policies that help others in need, as it places the responsibility entirely on the individual.
A Light in the Tower: A New Reckoning with Mental Health in Higher Education
Q: What do you hope this episode sparks?
I hope it encourages people to think about how they can support neurodivergent colleagues and students and foster a sense of community.
A Light in the Tower: A New Reckoning with Mental Health in Higher Education
Q: Can you talk about the importance of screening students for autism?
Yes, there has been research showing that many students are underdiagnosed, and screening could help identify those who need support.
The Power of the State: Madres de la Plaza de Mayo, and Minneapolis
Q: What do you hope listeners will take away?
Awareness of the potential for state power to undermine rights and the necessity to control it through democratic institutions.
The Power of the State: Madres de la Plaza de Mayo, and Minneapolis
Q: Can you talk a little bit about the experiences in Argentina with state repression and its impact?
Dr. Tedesco reflects on her personal experiences during the dictatorship and how it evokes fear similar to contemporary happenings in the U.S.

Audience Metrics

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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, researcher-led series that centers education, mental health, social justice, and culture through in-depth conversations with scholars, authors, and practitioners. Episodes frequently explore higher education dynamics, activism, and systemic issues, often framed around personal experiences and historical contexts. Noteworthy is the blend of academic rigor with accessible storytelling, including graphic memoirs, media effects, and global perspectives on democracy and justice. This makes the show especially compelling for listeners who want rigorous ideas presented clearly and are curious about how theory translates into real-world impact.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Academic Life?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Academic Life. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Academic Life and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

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?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Academic Life has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Academic Life?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Academic Life:

1. Unexplainable
2. Life Kit
3. Hidden Brain
4. The NPR Politics Podcast
5. Consider This from NPR

How many episodes of The Academic Life are there?

The Academic Life launched 5 years ago and published 322 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?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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. Dr. Pryal
2. Dr. Eunji Kim
3. Dr. Laura Tedesco
4. Emile Suotonye DeWeaver
5. Dr. Loretta Ross
6. Dr. Marlene Fried
7. Dr. Cara Gormally
8. Rachel Barr

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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