- 19
- Episodes
- 2026
- First episode
About Crayons In My Manuscript
Crayons in My Manuscript is a writing productivity inspiration podcast for early-career academics whose lives don’t fit the ivory tower mold. Whether you’re parenting, serving, translating your thoughts into your second language, or blazing a First Generation trail into academia, we’ll tackle the challenges, scribbles, and meltdowns (yours or your child’s!) that come between you and your manuscript. Hosted by Stacey Garrepy, a fellow Ph.D., mom, and scholar who’s been there, each episode offers practical tips, mindset shifts, and real talk about making real progress on your writing, even amid life’s chaotic scribbles. Because meaning is often best found in the margins of our busy, messy, drafts.
- Publisher
- Stacey Ann Garrepy
- Category
- education
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 13 Feb 2026
- Latest episode
- 17 Jul 2026
Latest episodes
19 episodes in the feed.
17 Jul 2026
SS Ep7: Fell Behind On Your Writing? Start Here
Have you ever looked up and realized weeks (or even months) have gone by since you last opened your writing project? You're not lazy or failing, and you definitely haven't stopped being a scholar just because of an unexpected break. In this episode of Crayons in My Manuscript, I'm sharing the exact three-step reset I use when life derails my writing. Whether you've been buried under work, family responsibilities, summer schedules, or just feel stuck, these simple steps can help you rebuild momentum without relying on motivation or marathon writing sessions. In this episode you'll learn:💥 Why binge-writing usually backfires➡️ Why motivation follows action—not the other way around✍️ A simple three-step reset to get back into your project🤦♀️ How to respond when guilt and shame show up 💬 I'd love to hear from you:What's *one* small thing you're going to do today to restart your writing? Leave a comment below and let's encourage one another. If this episode helped you, consider subscribing for more encouragement and practical strategies for academics and writers trying to build a sustainable writing life.
17 Jul 2026
SS Ep6: Why Writing a Research Paper Feels So Emotionally Exhausting
If writing a research paper leaves you feeling anxious, overwhelmed, frustrated (or suddenly reorganizing your entire kitchen instead of writing), then you are not alone. The emotional roller coaster of graduate writing isn't a character flaw, but instead a part of being human. In this episode of Crayons in My Manuscript, we'll explore the psychology behind why writing feels so emotionally exhausting, why procrastination is often an emotional response rather than a time-management problem, and how understanding your "Window of Tolerance" can help you approach writing with more curiosity and less self-criticism. We'll cover:• Why academic writing feels so vulnerable• How past academic experiences can shape your writing today• What happens when we ignore difficult emotions• Why procrastination is often your brain trying to protect you• A simple mindset shift that changed the way I approach writing• Practical strategies for recognizing your emotional triggers and returning to a regulated state If you've ever wondered, "What's wrong with me?" while trying to write, I hope this episode helps you replace that question with a kinder one: "What might this emotion be trying to tell me?" 📚 Resources mentioned:• Digital Resource: The Daily Wellness, Window of Tolerance Workbook (www.thedailywellness.com).• Stephen Porges, The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-Regulation (2011; W.W. Norton).• Daniel Siegel, The Developing Mind (1999; Guilford Press). ✨ I'd love to hear from you in the comments:Which emotion from Inside Out visits you most often when you're writing? #GraduateSchool #AcademicWriting #ResearchWriting #WritingProcess #GraduateStudent #FirstGenerationStudent #WritingMotivation #Procrastination #AcademicLife
17 Jul 2026
SS Ep5: Why Parent Scholars STRUGGLE to Write (It's NOT About Time)
You finally get the house quiet. Your toddler is down for a nap. The laptop is open. The calendar says you have two uninterrupted hours to write. So why won't your brain cooperate? In this episode of "Crayons in My Manuscript," I share the perspective shift that changed how I think about productivity as a parenting scholar. After countless nap struggles, teething meltdowns, and days spent juggling the invisible work of parenting, I realized my biggest writing obstacle wasn't a lack of time, but was a lack of cognitive and emotional capacity. Enter Spoon Theory. 🥄 We'll explore why traditional productivity advice often falls short for parents, how invisible labor quietly drains our executive function, and why matching your writing tasks to the energy you actually have can make academic writing more sustainable. In this episode, we'll discuss: 🧠 Why having time isn't the same as having the capacity to write 🎒 The invisible mental load parent scholars carry every day 🥄 What Spoon Theory is, and how it applies to academic writing 🔋 Low-energy writing tasks that still move your research forward ⏱️ How to measure productivity by more than hours alone If you've ever opened your manuscript only to realize your brain has nothing left to give, I hope this conversation reminds you that you're not failing; you may simply be carrying more than anyone else can see. 💬 I'd love to hear from you: What gives you spoons these days? What tends to take them away? Share your thoughts in the comments. One of the most healing things we can do as academics is stop pretending we all begin each day with the same amount of energy. If this episode encouraged you, subscribe to "Crayons in My Manuscript," where we explore the messy, meaningful intersection of academia, creativity, and parenthood.
17 Jul 2026
SS Ep4: I Thought Student Loans Were Just My Problem (They Weren't)
For years, I believed my student loans were proof that I had failed, that I'd made the wrong choices or somehow fallen behind everyone else. The deeper I looked, the more I realized my story wasn't unique. In this episode of "Crayons in My Manuscript," I explore the shame that often surrounds student debt, what changed when I stopped carrying it alone, and why the stories we tell ourselves can become heavier than the debt itself, and can impact out writing. This isn't financial advice. Instead, it's a personal essay about identity, isolation, and discovering that some burdens become lighter when we realize they're shared. If you've ever felt alone because of debt, disappointment, or the sense that everyone else figured life out before you, I hope this conversation reminds you that you're not as alone as you think. #CrayonsInMyManuscript #StudentLoans #Parenting #PersonalEssay #Storytelling #LifeLessons
19 Jun 2026
SS Ep3: The Best Writing Advice I Ever Got Came from "Bluey”
If you're a parent, you've probably watched more Bluey than you ever expected. And we all know that it’s full of life lessons. But what surprised me is that some of the most meaningful lessons and advice I've learned about writing, research, rejection, and academic life have come from…a cartoon dog. In this episode of Crayons in My Manuscript, I share six unexpected lessons from Bluey that have shaped the way I think about scholarship, productivity, and what it means to live well as a writer and researcher. We'll talk about: 📚 Why your work should never become more important than your life (Rug Island) 🔍 How curiosity is one of the most important research skills we can cultivate (Calypso) 🤝 Why writing and research are team sports (Seesaw) ⏳ The importance of boundaries, rest, and asking for what you need (Sheepdog) 🍃 How to navigate manuscript rejections, failed applications, and academic disappointment (Stickbird) ✨ Why protecting your sense of wonder may be the most important scholarly habit of all (Born Yesterday) Whether you're a doctoral student, faculty member, researcher, academic parent, or simply someone trying to sustain a writing practice amid the demands of life, I hope these reflections encourage you. Because sometimes the things we're learning through parenting aren't distractions from scholarship—they're making us better scholars. 🎙️ Crayons in My Manuscript: Writing support for academics with full plates and even fuller hearts. #AcademicWriting #ResearchLife #PhDLife #AcademicProductivity #Bluey #WritingMotivation #ScholarParent #GradSchool #FacultyLife #AcademicLife #WritingCommunity
13 Jun 2026
SS Ep2 I Have the Ph.D. I Don’t Have the Title.
What happens when your vocation outlives your job? In this episode of Crayons in My Manuscript, I share a personal confession: I still live like a scholar, even though I don't currently hold an academic post. After earning my PhD and turning down two visiting assistant professor positions during a season of major life changes, I've had to wrestle with questions of identity, vocation, scholarship, and belonging. What happens when you still think, research, write, and contribute like a scholar—but no longer have the institutional title, resources, or recognition that often come with it? In this conversation, we'll talk about: The hidden challenges of life outside academia• Why losing institutional support can feel surprisingly personal• The difference between a job and a vocation• Reframing your identity when your career path changes• Continuing meaningful scholarship in the midst of real life Whether you're between academic positions, pursuing scholarship independently, balancing research with parenting, or navigating a career transition, I hope this conversation reminds you that your calling is bigger than any title. I'd love to hear from you in the comments:Have you ever carried an identity that the world didn't quite know what to do with? ☕ Support the channel: https://coff.ee/staceygarrepy 📚 Subscribe for more conversations about writing, scholarship, productivity, and building meaningful work within a full and beautiful life. #Scholarship #Academia #PhDLife #AcademicWriting #LifeAfterAcademia #IndependentScholar #WritingCommunity
4 Jun 2026
SS1 Ep1 Why Can't I Just START?!
Why is it so hard to start writing in summer, even though you finally have the time? In this Summer Office Hours episode of Crayons in My Manuscript, I'm getting honest about a question that haunts graduate students, faculty, adjuncts, working professionals, and nontraditional scholars alike: "Why can't I just start?!" If you've ever stared at a blank document, avoided opening your dissertation chapter, delayed a conference paper, or spent an entire writing day doing everything except writing, this episode is for you. We'll unpack the hidden reasons behind writing procrastination in summertime, including: ✏️ Changes in caregiving rhythms✏️ Lack of structured time✏️ Fears that emerge✏️ Why struggling to start isn't always a discipline problem, but rather a case of the “should”s. You'll also hear a personal reflection on my own writing procrastination and a simple reframe that has helped me begin projects when motivation is nowhere to be found. Because sometimes writing doesn't start with what we think of as “writing.” Rather, sometimes it starts with opening the document, annotating a source, drafting one terrible sentence, or simply admitting what's making the work feel difficult. 💬 I'd love to hear from you in the comments:What barriers do you face when you start writing? 🎙️ Crayons in My Manuscript is a writing productivity podcast for graduate students, faculty, first-generation scholars, military-connected academics, parents in higher education, and anyone trying to build a sustainable scholarly life. If you're looking for practical writing advice, academic productivity strategies, dissertation support, and honest conversations about life in academia, subscribe and join us. #AcademicWriting #WritingProductivity #GraduateSchool #DissertationWriting #AcademicLife #WritingTips #Procrastination #FacultyLife #PhDStudent #ResearchWriting #ScholarlyWriting #AcademicProductivity #HigherEducation #NontraditionalStudent #FirstGenerationScholar #CrayonsInMyManuscript
20 May 2026
S1 Ep10 I Thought Procrastination Was About Discipline. I Was Wrong.
Episode 11 | Book Review: Procrastination Proof by Jon Acuff I used to think procrastination was a discipline problem, that if I just had more willpower, I’d get things done. After reading Jon Acuff’s Procrastination Proof, I came to the realization that I was wrong. In this episode, I unpack some of my biggest insights from the book, including: Why procrastination may have less to do with laziness than we think• The hidden beliefs that keep us stuck• Practical mindset shifts that can help writers, creatives, and professionals move forward• My honest takeaways from reading Procrastination Proof If you’ve ever struggled to finish what matters (or if you’ve wondered why procrastination feels so hard to overcome) this conversation might help. 📚 Book discussed: Procrastination Proof by Jon Acuff (2026)🎙️ Welcome to Crayons in My Manuscript, a place for reflections on writing, creativity, books, and the habits that shape our lives. #bookreview #procrastination #jonacuff #productivity #personaldevelopment
8 May 2026
S1 Ep09: You Only Need 10 Minutes to Write (Pomodoro Method)
Struggling to write, even when you finally sit down to do it? You’re not lazy. Yo u don’t need more willpower. What you need is a system. In this episode of Crayons in My Manuscript, Dr. Stacey Garrepy breaks down the Pomodoro Method—a simple, powerful way to overcome writing anxiety, silence your inner critic, and actually get words on the page. Whether you're a busy parent, first-gen scholar, or balancing writing with a full life, this method helps you make progress in as little as 10 minutes at a time. ✨ In this episode, you’ll learn: Why writing anxiety keeps you stuck How the Pomodoro Method works (and how to customize it) How to stop procrastinating and start writing A real story of writing 2 pages in under 30 minutes How to build momentum—even on your busiest days 🎯 Your challenge:Try 2 Pomodoros today and see what happens. 📲 Share your win on Instagram: @crayonsinmymanuscript☕ Support the show: https://coff.ee/staceygarrepy. Remember: One paragraph today becomes a page tomorrow. Credits: https://www.vecteezy.com/free-videos/elephant by Tom K Elephant Stock Video by Vecteezy
27 Apr 2026
S1 Ep08 I traveled with a toddler to an international academic conference: it nearly broke me.
In this episode, Dr. Stacey Garrepy shares the real story of taking a 2-year-old on an international conference trip, delving into the good and the surprisingly sweet, to the exhausting, chaotic, and downright overwhelming moments (yes, including that flight 😅). If you’re an academic, writer, or working parent trying to balance your career with family life, this is for you. We’ll talk about: What actually works when traveling with a toddler The biggest challenges no one prepares you for What I would do differently next time Why I still believe it’s worth it ✨ Because building your career and raising a family don’t have to be mutually exclusive. 👇 I’d love to hear from you:Have you ever traveled with young kids for work or had your kids in the room while you were lecturing? What was your experience like?
7 Apr 2026
S1 Ep07 You’re Not Bad at Writing! This Is Why It Feels So Hard…
Writing sucks sometimes. Actually… a lot of the time. If you’ve ever stared at a blank page, questioned your ability, or felt completely stuck in your research, just know you’re not alone. In this episode of Crayons in My Manuscript, Dr. Stacey Garrepy breaks down: Why writing feels so hard (even for experienced scholars) How your inner critic is holding you back 5 simple strategies to keep moving forward (even especially when you don’t feel like it) Whether you’re a first-generation student, a parent who is balancing deadlines, or navigating academia in a second language, this episode is for you. ✨ Remember: You’re not bad at writing. You’re doing deep, hard work. ⏱ Try this today:Write for just 10 minutes. That’s it. 📲 Connect with me:Instagram: @crayonsinmymanuscriptFacebook: CIMM Podcast ☕ Support the channel:https://coff.ee/staceygarrepy 👍 If this helped, like & subscribe for more support on writing, research, and academic life.
26 Mar 2026
S1 Ep06 Why This 1 Ritual Makes Writing So Much Easier
Struggling to focus when you sit down to write? You’re not alone, and the solution might be simpler than you think. In this video, I’ll share how simple writing rituals (yes, even lighting a candle!) helped me to stop my procrastination loop and start writing with more ease and clarity. But here’s the truth: It’s not about the candle. Instead, it’s about how your brain responds to patterns, cues, and rituals. ✨ In this video, you’ll learn: Why writing rituals actually work (it’s brain science-y) How to reduce decision fatigue and start writing faster 3 simple writing rituals you can try today 3 common mistakes that make rituals ineffective So whether you’re a busy academic, parent (or both!) trying to find focus in a full life, these strategies are designed to help you write more efficiently without burning out. 👋 Hi, I’m Dr. Stacey GarrepyI help busy writers and researchers with full lives build sustainable writing habits, stay energized, and actually enjoy the process. 🎯 Resources Mentioned: 📺 Watch next: How to Beat the Blank Page: https://youtu.be/-NTDLL7ghhc?si=VevetBUR1J-onqyx ✍️ Free writing prompts: https://land.staceygarrepy.com/12prompts 💬 Let’s connect: Instagram: @crayonsinmymanuscript Facebook Community: CIMM Podcast ☕ Support the channel:Buy Me a Coffee → https://coff.ee/staceygarrepy 👍 If this helped you, don’t forget to like & subscribe!
10 Mar 2026
S1 Ep 05 Missed a Writing Deadline? Here's What Every Academic Needs to Hear
Have you ever had that awful moment at 11:00 pm when you realize… you’re not going to finish your chapter in time? 😱 If you’re a grad student, early-career academic, or scholar balancing research with a full life, you intimately know and feel the pressure of writing deadlines. In this episode of Crayons in My Manuscript, Dr. Stacey Garrepy shares a personal story about missing her own review article deadline, and what it taught her about time management, perfectionism, and academic writing. If you’ve ever thought:• “Maybe I’m not cut out for this.”• “There’s not enough time to write the way I want to.”• “What if I don’t finish in time?” This episode is for you. In today’s conversation we talk about:• Why academic writing deadlines feel overwhelming• Perfectionism’s hidden role in missed deadlines• Building a sustainable writing system (even especially with a busy life)• Time-blocking and the Pomodoro Technique for academic writing• Reassessing deadlines with honesty and self-compassion Whether you’re writing during nap time, juggling teaching and research, or navigating academia as a first-gen scholar, you belong here. Your voice matters. Your scholarship matters. Every sentence you write counts. 📌 Connect with the community:Instagram: https://instagram.com/crayonsinmymanuscriptFacebook Group: CIMM Podcast ☕ Support the podcast:Buy Me a Coffee: https://coff.ee/staceygarrepy 👍 If this episode helped you, please like, subscribe, and leave a review; it helps more scholars find the channel.
10 Mar 2026
S1 Ep04 I’m a First-Gen Academic… and I Still Feel Like a Fraud
If you’ve ever wondered whether you truly belong in academia, whether getting in was luck, timing, or some kind of fluke, I want you to know you’re not alone. In this deeply personal episode of Crayons in My Manuscript, I’m sharing the fear I don’t often say out loud: that one day someone will “find me out,” see how messy my journey has been, and decide I don’t measure up. From rejected grad school applications and changing programs mid-PhD, to NICU motherhood and rebuilding my career on my own terms, this is an honest conversation about imposter syndrome, resilience, and what it means to navigate academia as a First-Generation scholar. This episode is for the first-gen, the parenting scholar, the nontraditional academic, the one quietly questioning themselves. We talk about:• The fear of being “found out”• Why success doesn’t automatically quiet self-doubt• Pivoting when the plan falls apart• Redefining what belonging and success look like for us You don’t have to have it all together to be worthy of being here. We’re building honesty, knowledge, and support in this community. Your story and your research matters. 🔗 Resources Mentioned: 👉 Join the Crayons in My Manuscript community: https://facebook.com/cimmpodcast. 📸 Follow on Instagram: @crayonsinmymanuscript☕ Support the show: https://coff.ee/staceygarrepy ✨ Major Takeaway:Don’t try to be someone else. Your story is your strength, and it might just light the way for someone coming after you. #CrayonsInMyManuscript #ImposterSyndrome #FirstGenAcademic #AcademicParenting #PhDJourney #WritingMotivation #GradSchoolTruths #AcademicResilience
24 Feb 2026
S1 Ep03c Start Writing When You're STUCK at the Blank Page
✨ Free Resource:Download my 10 Writing Prompts to Beat the Blank Page → https://staceygarrepy.net/prompts If the sight of a blank page sends you into a mild panic (or a full-blown spiral), you are so not alone, friend. In this episode of Crayons in My Manuscript, we’re tackling the fear of the blank page head-on. I’ll share 6 real, doable strategies to get you unstuck and writing again. As a First-Gen, parenting academic and writing coach, I know firsthand how hard it can be to write when your brain feels fried, your time is limited, and perfectionism is whispering SHOUTING in your ear. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to wait for inspiration or perfect conditions to start. You need some tweaks in your mindset, as well as a toolkit that works for real life to paraphrase a popular anthropomorphized Australian Blue Heeler (parents, iykyk). In this episode, we’ll talk about🖊️ The real reasons we freeze at the blank page (hint: it’s not laziness).🎯 How perfectionism and comparison feed writing anxiety.💡 Why “never start with a blank page” is the best writing advice you’ll ever get.🪄 Six practical ways to start writing right now—even if you only have 10 minutes.🌈 How to transform your anxiety into creative momentum. Whether you’re a doctoral student, young professor, or nontraditional academic juggling kids, shift work, or military life—this episode is for you. 🎧 Listen and learn how to stop fearing the blank page and start writing with courage, clarity, and joy. ☕ Support the show: https://coff.ee/staceygarrepy 📺 Subscribe for more: Writing support for academics with full plates and even fuller hearts. #AcademicWriting #WritingAnxiety #ProductivityForParents #CrayonsInMyManuscript #PhDLife #FirstGenAcademics
24 Feb 2026
S1 Ep03b When Your Laptop Crashes Before a Submission Deadline
You’re in the flow, revising an article. Your deadline is tomorrow. And just then, your laptop freezes. Work lost. 😱 This episode explores 7 tips for how to respond calmly, protect your work, and build a writing practice that doesn’t collapse when technology does. 📔 Download the cheat sheet – 12 Writing Prompts to Bust Through Academic Writer’s Block! https://www.staceygarrepy.net/prompts 😊 📱 Follow me on Instagram: Instagram.com/crayonsinmymanuscript. 📱 Follow me on Facebook: facebook.com/cimmpodcast. ☕ Want to say thanks? A cup of coffee is the quickest way to this academic’s heart! You can buy me one here: https://buymeacoffee.com/staceygarrepy.
13 Feb 2026
S1 Ep01 How to STOP Procrastinating Your Writing (Even When Life Is Chaotic)
Dr. Stacey Garrepy explains why we procrastinate: our brains crave finished loops, need rest to process ideas, and avoid the vulnerability of writing. She reassures listeners that procrastination is not laziness. She offers practical strategies, namely: naming and befriending your feelings, trying an imposter or "worry hour" to get them out, set tiny, achievable goals (even one paragraph), and use grounding changes to reset your brain so you can make steady writing progress. Want to support the channel? A cup of coffee is the quickest way to an academic’s heart! You can buy her one here: https://buymeacoffee.com/staceygarrepy.
13 Feb 2026
S1 Ep02 Tame the Inner Critic: Conquer Writing Anxiety
Dr. Stacey Garrepy explores writing anxiety and the inner critic, sharing a personal story about harsh feedback and the physical, emotional toll it can take on academic writers. She offers practical strategies—self-compassion, mindfulness (5-4-3-2-1), creating a supportive environment, short regular writing sessions, reframing the inner critic as a coach, and celebrating small wins—to help writers move from paralysis to progress. This episode normalizes writing anxiety, addresses challenges faced by nontraditional and non-native English writers, and gives clear tools to reclaim confidence and momentum in scholarly work. Want to support the channel? A cup of coffee is the quickest way to an academic’s heart! You can buy her one here: https://buymeacoffee.com/staceygarrepy.
13 Feb 2026
S1 Ep03a Launching Anyway: Writing Through Technical Difficulties
Launch day is here! 🎉 I originally planned to release three full episodes today, but my final one encountered technical rendering issues on my current computer. Rather than delay the entire launch, I’m releasing two full episodes now — and next Tuesday you’ll hear a minisode on what to do when your writing tech fails you (a very timely topic). Welcome to Crayons in My Manuscript — where real academic life meets sustainable writing.
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