Do you feel like everyone around you is getting published, winning grants, and stacking accolades? Have you seen colleagues celebrate on social media and felt that quiet sting of “why not me?” Hey co-authors! In this episode, I talk about the culture of comparison in academia and how it can drain joy from our work and even turn colleagues against each other. We’ll discuss why this culture exists and how it harms us, but more importantly, how we can resist it.  We’ll explore: Why academic comparison is so pervasive. How comparison can become toxic, both to our own well-being and our community. How to reframe envy into motivation and make candid choices about what success means to you. At the end of the day, scholarship should be a refuge and a way to pursue curiosity, connect with others, and build meaningful conversations. Let’s talk about how to safeguard joy in your work, even when the culture around you feels competitive or harsh. Want to Connect? Email: publishingacademicresearch@gmail.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/c-kyle-rudick-59a040a7 Schedule a Free 30-minute Consultation: https://calendly.com/publishingacademicresearch/30min