Academics and Their Money
Ever feel like you’ve got a PhD in your field but only a 101-level understanding of your finances? Welcome to Academics and Their Money, the podcast where we make money talk as smart—and as entertaining—as you are. Because let’s be honest: knowledge is powerful, but a well-earned paycheck doesn’t hurt either. Whether you’re a fresh PhD navigating that first real paycheck, a tenured professor pondering what’s next, or a former academic with some ‘unique’ insights—this show dives into making your intellect work for you, tackling the financial quirks of academic life, and uncovering the untold money stories behind the ivory tower.
If you’re a fan of Planet Money, Freakonomics Radio, or HerMoney with Jean Chatzky, you’ll feel right at home here. But fair warning: this isn’t another boring money podcast. We keep it real, relatable, and just a bit irreverent to make finance feel fresh. Let’s get smarter about money—and wealthier—together!
Academics and Their Money
Your Sabbatical Is Not a Productivity Challenge: How Bethany Wilinski Helps Academics Recover From Burnout and Fall Back in Love With Their Work
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What if your sabbatical wasn’t about accomplishing more, but about creating the space you actually need to recover, reflect, and reconnect with your work?
In this episode of Academics and Their Money, we sit down with Bethany Wilinski, professor, researcher, and sabbatical coach, to talk about burnout, money mindset, and how academics can design sabbaticals that truly support the life they want to build.
Bethany shares her journey from elementary school teacher to professor at Michigan State University, including how her own experience with burnout after earning tenure changed the way she approached her sabbatical. Instead of pursuing the ambitious research plan she originally envisioned, Bethany realized she needed to ask a different question: What does she actually need from this time away?
That shift led her to create a sabbatical focused on rest, family, and renewal, including spending part of her sabbatical in Bordeaux, France with her family. After seeing how transformative that experience was, she created her sabbatical coaching business to help other academics plan intentional breaks that balance personal priorities with professional goals.
We also talk about the financial side of academic life, including how Bethany’s perspective on money evolved, why academics often struggle to prioritize financial security, and how earning more money can coexist with wanting to make a meaningful impact.
Bethany shares practical advice for academics preparing for a sabbatical, including:
- Why trying to maximize productivity can lead to sabbatical regret
- How to set boundaries with colleagues, students, and service commitments
- Why rest can actually make you more effective in your career
- How to redefine what “productive” means during a sabbatical
- How to create intentional breaks even when a formal sabbatical is not available
Whether you are planning your own sabbatical, feeling burned out, or simply looking for ways to create more space in your academic career, this episode offers a thoughtful conversation about money, work, rest, and designing a life aligned with your values.
Learn more about Bethany here:
Website: https://bethanywilinski.com
Podcast: Sabbatical 101: https://bethanywilinski.com/sabbatical101/
If you’ve got questions, suggestions for future topics, or just want to say ‘hello,’ you can reach us at https://attainablewealthfp.com/schedule-a-call/.
Any product or financial recommendations provided by Academics and Their Money, Inga, or Neeka are made solely in the author’s opinion and do not constitute professional financial or legal advice. All content is for educational purposes only.