In this episode of Higher Ed Happy Place, host Kris McPeak addresses the audience with an apology for not maintaining the podcast as intended. McPeak, with over 30 years of experience in higher education, reflects on the changes in the sector, particularly the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the shift towards technology and remote work. Although still passionate about higher education, McPeak expresses disillusionment with current trends and the feeling of loss of faith in the system. The episode announces a shift in the podcast's direction, aiming to discuss and critique issues in modern college campuses, while seeking solutions. This change includes plans for a new show concept, format, and possibly a new title, signaling an intent to address the 'atrocities of our times' in higher education. This is billed as the last episode under the 'Higher Ed Happy Place' title.

00:00 Welcome Back & An Apology

00:21 A Journey Through Higher Education

00:56 Questioning the Passion for Higher Ed

02:10 The Changing Landscape of Higher Education

02:40 The Impact of COVID-19 on Education

03:29 Personal Reflections and Future Directions

04:18 A New Vision for the Podcast

06:16 Signing Off and Looking Forward

Well - I guess I got a little TOO excited about that Winter Break thing because I had all these plans and ideas and goals...and it all went to hell.

I was for sure not in a Higher Ed Happy Place - nor really any happy place, I guess.

And for sure, this stuff happens.  Particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic, menopause, and leadership changes at your institution, among other things.  Sometimes it's just too much, and because you haven't taken good care of yourself, you begin to shut down.  

Don't get me wrong - I am still very committed to my job and my institution...and I still consider myself working in my dream job and for my dream supervisor.  But I needed to have a serious reboot and work on my priorities. 

That's what this episode is about.  And hopefully a journey back to really focusing on what I consider my Happy Place to really be.  

OH - MY - GOD!  I look forward to this time of year SO MUCH that it's a non-negotiable for any higher ed job that I've ever taken - if you don't close for the time between fall and spring semesters, I'm NOT fucking working here!!!

So here we are - it's after Christmas (because that's what I celebrate) and not quite New Year's yet, but there's time off and I have some thinking and reflecting to do.  There's the standard Winter Break Project at my house, there's the reflecting on the previous year, and most importantly - there is the process of coming up with my goals and wishes for the next year, what I've borrowed from Gretchen Rubin as "23 Things for 2023."  In past years, it's "18 Things for 2018" and so forth...and someday the years will be too big for a reasonable list of goals, LOL.  But for now, I can still live with 23 things.  And I am SO excited to talk about it!

This episode is just a short kick-off...I'm going to get into more detail as the break goes on AND I plan to host a webinar and challenge to help all of y'all come up with your own lists.  So stay tuned!  This is just the beginning!!!