Jennifer Askey - coach

Academics spend so much time in their heads that we often forget the body is part of our intelligence system too.

In the latest episode of The Mindful Academy, Dr. Steve Haberlin shared something that felt both surprising and deeply true. He said that the mind and body are always in conversation. Every breath pattern, every muscle held tight, every flutter in the gut is sending information to the brain.

When we ignore that conversation, we cut ourselves off from intuition and presence.

When we learn to listen, we gain access to clarity and capability we did not know we had.

Steve and I talked about how practices like breathing, gentle movement, and even paying attention to small physical cues can help academics teach, lead, and communicate with more steadiness and insight.

If you have ever wondered why you feel disconnected or scattered even when you know your material inside out, this episode offers a powerful explanation and real tools to shift that experience.

Listen: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2264945/episodes/18265087
Watch: https://youtu.be/5myYATUPbE4?si=1gTZVrGriF5CyTtj

What if meditation is not about getting better at the practice but about getting better at living?

In this week’s conversation with Dr. Steve Haberlin, he shared something beautifully simple and surprisingly powerful. When you change your breath, you change your mind. That single shift can transform how you show up in your day, in your work, and in your relationships.

Steve talked about introducing a sound bowl and a short breathing practice to his stressed undergraduates. Within weeks their learning space felt completely different. They were calmer, more present, and more capable of absorbing what was in front of them.

This episode is a gentle invitation to explore meditation in a way that fits your actual life. No perfection. No pressure. Just accessible practices that help you feel more like your best self.

🎧 New episode of The Mindful Academy is live!
Listen: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2264945/episodes/18265087
Watch: https://youtu.be/5myYATUPbE4?si=1gTZVrGriF5CyTtj

If you’ve been enjoying The Mindful Academy Podcast, here is a gentle reminder:
Full video episodes are now available on YouTube.

If you like to see the conversation unfold, to take in the expressions, the pauses, and the presence, you can now watch every episode in its entirety on our YouTube channel.

It is a meaningful way to deepen your connection with the ideas, practices, and stories we explore together.

You can find all the videos here: https://www.youtube.com//videos

While you are there, I would appreciate if you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Here is to showing up with intention, curiosity, and a little more spaciousness in your day.

If you have ever felt stretched thin by competing demands, the Mindful Action Pyramid can help you refocus.

This tool guides you to clarify your values, name your purpose, define what success feels like, and choose the high-impact projects that move you toward that vision.

Most people can do a thousand things, but only a few truly matter. The MAP exercise shows you how to choose the right ones and create habits that support consistent progress.

Download the MAP exercise and start building your next chapter with clarity and intention: https://www.jenniferaskey.com/resources/

Most of us have an inner Advice Monster that jumps in to fix or solve. It feels helpful, but it usually limits learning and ownership.

Curiosity creates better conversations. Try asking:
• What is on your mind?
• What is the real challenge for you?
• What would help?

For feedback, shift from downloading to dialogue:
• What went well and what was challenging?
• May I tell you what I noticed?
• What might you try next time?

This week, simply notice when you jump to advice. Then choose one curious question instead.

Ready to practice these skills and lead with more ease and clarity?
👉 Schedule your discovery call today: https://www.jenniferaskey.com/contact/

Ever leave a meeting thinking, “We talked for an hour, but did anything really shift?”

That’s the difference between hearing and listening.
Hearing is sound.
Listening is attention, energy, and presence.

True coaching and effective leadership begin when you stop trying to fix and start listening beneath the words:

- For content: what’s being said.
- For emotion: what’s felt but unspoken.
- For possibility: what’s emerging but not yet visible.

When we pause our “advice monster,” insights surface.
Try this small practice:
In your next meeting, wait three seconds before responding. Notice what happens in that silence.

The most powerful leaders don’t have all the answers; they create space for new ones to arise.

Ready to strengthen your coaching presence?
Book your coaching conversation » https://www.jenniferaskey.com/contact/

Most academics build their careers on momentum instead of meaning.

The Mindful Action Pyramid (MAP) starts differently, with your values and purpose as the foundation.

When you know what truly matters to you, decisions get easier, goals feel lighter, and work aligns with who you are.

If you haven’t named your core values lately, the MAP guide walks you through it step-by-step.

Ready to start with clarity instead of chaos? Get the full Mindful Action Pyramid activity here: https://www.jenniferaskey.com/resources/

Have you ever left a meeting feeling like you spent an hour and nothing really shifted? That’s surface listening.

True leadership begins with presence: the ability to fully listen, to notice what’s unfolding, and to stay in that moment without jumping in to fix it.

When we listen deeply on the level of content (what’s said), emotion (what’s felt), and possibility (what’s trying to emerge), we open the door to insight, connection, and aligned action.

Here’s a simple practice to try:
In your next conversation, pause. After the person finishes, count to three, then respond. See what changes in the conversation.

If you’re ready to build your coaching presence and lead more effectively, let’s explore how a one on one session might support you: https://www.jenniferaskey.com/contact