A ‘Good Death’ Demands Communication
The year? 2003. Senior year of college. I was visiting Orlando for a conference with a bunch of dear friends, most of …
On actually achieving goals
A few years ago, I read a short article about how of the people who make resolutions in January, more than half will …
When your go-to burnout management strategies stop working
“Have you become cynical or critical at work?” Well, my self-appointed nickname is Cynical Shawna. “Do you drag yourself to work and …
On teaching the day after the election
I’ve never really dreaded my job before. I’ve been more and less excited to teach, of course. Handing back bad grades or …
Emotional states of a last-minute conference submission
One of the most painful post-graduate school realizations is that procrastination doesn’t magically heal itself and homework NEVER GOES AWAY. Case in …
Best final ever: The Org Comm Amazing Race!
During my senior year of college, I took a class on creativity and communication. I vividly remember our final exam involving food …
Sky Ops Surprise: That one time I was an under-cover agent
The goddamned rivets blew my cover. For nine months, I ran a quiet operation. I blended in, asked around a little, mostly …
An introvert in the classroom
Stock photo used with permission. Last night when I rolled in near 9:30, it was all I could do to get to …
I’m tired of the ugly talk about Ferguson
Photo used with permission from SplitShire. “It means they’re treating us like we’re terrorists.” One of my students said this yesterday when …
I didn’t care about Trayvon until Ferguson: Why we need more empathy in America.
We need more empathy in America, which is the ability to “walk a mile in another’s person’s shoes.” “But he was aggressive …