The Faculty Lounge: A Conversation with Alden Jones

The Faculty Lounge: A Conversation with Loleen Berdahl

We often talk about fixing what’s wrong in higher ed—but what if we started by noticing what brings us joy?In this episode, I talk with Dr. Loleen Berdahl—professor, author, and 3M National Teaching Fellow—about The Joy of Learning [https://universityaffairs.ca/career-advice/bring-more-joy-into-your-teaching/] journal [https://universityaffairs.ca/career-advice/bring-more-joy-into-your-teaching/], a tool she co-created to help faculty reflect on the why behind their teaching. We discuss finding joy amid the grind, using reflection to improve learning, and building community around teaching practice. Loleen Berdahl, PhD, is a Professor of Political Studies at the University of Saskatchewan and currently serving as Executive Director, Johnson Shoyama Graduate School for Public Policy and Director, Diefenbaker Canada Centre for the Study of Canada. Through her research, writing, and outreach, she supports Canadian higher education in serving the public good. She is the author of the University Affairs column “The Skills Agenda [https://universityaffairs.ca/category/career-advice/the-skills-agenda/]” and the popular Academia Made Easier [https://open.substack.com/pub/loleen] newsletter. Her most recent book is For the Public Good: Reimagining Arts Graduate Programs in Canadian Universities [https://secure-web.cisco.com/1ULIYTRPiEX5OLtr_aK4n1t-sA6FK8uN7fm7MS_zi88RN837JgSQOBY6n3d79bCSvM29pPcD_ufPYKtq6562GgQzMDERwgoksYh1CtywWyHopk1sDj_QYZlnW2mI02Y9SKnXWefditA29Xm3zybbzz2XSXDhSkRSqrd2MVAHCOn9rZvWQMF0kxWQkJmfiog8g5HAFPlp9yz4PqPrFw2CqpV5NXaFAMYpXFE7uxMD6O-lJWsXnp_mmHT0DRDfcivRFgt-Ut8XYcineZBgxyiqCNeH60YdZv84kJWQcRB1QKrC9o4YdsFlHY0hWgXICcEafPg-vssdTmwtA8UIm-_T3KUbzUWxc8qVYU_UNWXst8jKh5G7WN1vIgVadafC6IJeZQ8KDRlAcKnfcWx3G81MhYZhg_taqQvDCLeCqASoGexI/https%3A%2F%2Fualbertapress.ca%2F9781772127423%2Ffor-the-public-good%2F]. © 2025 Tips for Teaching Professors This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit higheredpraxis.substack.com/subscribe [https://higheredpraxis.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

The Faculty Lounge: A Conversation with Dr. Janel Seeley

In this episode, Dr. Janel Seeley [https://www.linkedin.com/in/janel-seeley-ph-d-53138a40/]—director of the Ellbogen Center for Teaching and Learning [https://www.uwyo.edu/ctl/about-us/staff/index.html] at the University of Wyoming—shares her approach to critical reflection as a collaborative, dialogic practice. We explore how verbal processing, intentional dialogue, and a willingness to be vulnerable can deepen reflection and build community among educators. Janel also offers insights into using reflective dialogue in both in-person and online classrooms, as well as practical advice for getting started with collaborative communication [https://www.uwyo.edu/science-initiative/lamp/active-learning-spectrum/_files/documents/collaborative_communication.pdf]. Seeking Guests: If you know someone - or you are that someone! - who would be great for a future episode of The Faculty Lounge, I would love to hear from you! Happy listening! © 2025 Tips for Teaching Professors This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit higheredpraxis.substack.com/subscribe [https://higheredpraxis.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

The Faculty Lounge: A Conversation with Alden Jones

In this episode, I speak with Alden Jones [https://alden-jones.com/about], an award-winning author, educator, and Fulbright Specialist whose work spans memoir, fiction, travel writing, and critical pedagogy. In this conversation, Alden brings honesty and depth to a wide-ranging discussion about critical reflection—not just as a classroom tool, but as a personal and ethical practice. Get full access to Tips for Teaching Professors at higheredpraxis.substack.com/subscribe [http://higheredpraxis.substack.com/subscribe] Music by Quinn Bonds. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit higheredpraxis.substack.com/subscribe [https://higheredpraxis.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Welcome to the Podcast!

Welcome to the Tips for Teaching Professors [https://higheredpraxis.substack.com/p/summer-2025-series-on-crafting-a] Summer 2025 Series on Crafting a Critically Reflective Practice! Subscribe to the newsletter for weekly podcasts: higheredpraxis.substack.com [http://higheredpraxis.substack.com]. Music by Quinn Bonds [https://pixabay.com/users/quinnk1n-38247156/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=222988]. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit higheredpraxis.substack.com/subscribe [https://higheredpraxis.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]