We had the chance to ask Dr. Stinson a few questions to get to know the Editor-in-Chief of ATSA's journal, Sexual Abuse (http://sax.sagepub.com), a little bit better. Her responses were thought provoking, surprising, and intriguing, but mostly they made us so happy to have her as part of the ATSA team.

Dr. Stinson answered our questions from East Tennessee State University where she is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and the Chair of the University's IRB.

Twitter: @JillDStinson

What's a hobby or passion you pursue outside of work that brings you joy?

Well, the first thing I should mention is the piano. I am a classically trained pianist, though it wasn’t something I wanted to make into a full-time career. Now, I enjoy being a regular church pianist, piece arranger, accompanist, and event musician in my off time. I also love reading and strive for 1-2 books per week. I hike, swim, and garden, and my favorite time of year is when I can grow many different types of tomatoes in my backyard and make really tasty meals from them.

Can you share a piece of advice that has significantly impacted your life or career?

I remember one time being very nervous about a presentation at a conference. As I was going down an unnecessary little anxiety spiral, a friend gave me a reality check. She said, “No one is going to point and laugh at you during your talk. Worry about a real threat like bears or global warming.” It’s a nice bit of perspective I carry with me today.

Is there a skill or talent you've always wanted to master, and why?

I have always wanted to be sophisticated and smooth, and I’m just not. I’m still that awkward teen goth girl who felt “weird” and out-of-place. I have colleagues who are poised, prepared, and do it all in designer heels. They know what to say to reporters and how to command a room. I envy them. That’s just not me, and I’m learning to live with that.

What was a pivotal "A-HA" moment in your career that changed your perspective or approach?

I was told by an early advisor that I had a “prosecutorial spirit.” He meant it as a compliment – he saw perseverance and equated it with a willingness to go after the “bad guy” and all. But it was crushing to me. I didn’t see myself that way. It really changed how I approached my work and conversations about my work so that people could see the kindness and empathy that I valued more.

Are there any books or podcasts you're currently/recently enjoying that you'd recommend to our members?

I only recently started listening to podcasts, and I listen to too many true crime/murder podcasts to be good for anyone’s mental health and well-being. I find a kinship there – they get why this stuff matters. We care about what happens to people. In terms of books, I love reading, but it’s all over the map. I’ll list a recent few that I loved so much I loaned them to friends: Damnation Island, How to Keep House While Drowning, Big Feelings, The House in the Cerulean Sea, and The Hike.

Can you describe a failure or setback that ultimately led to significant personal growth or success?

After grad school, I aspired for an academic faculty position. I had written a book, published a number of papers, and I thought it would be enough. It wasn’t. A recession had started, and tenured faculty positions were being cut. The competition was fierce. I received immediate rejections from every job I applied to. Ultimately, it led me to stay in my position at a hospital for a longer period of time, allowing me to develop and pilot my treatment manual, and to really find my fit with my chosen clinical population.

What's the most unique or meaningful item on your desk, and what's the story behind it?

My son made me a tiny origami dragon for Mother’s Day a few years ago. It took a lot of his time and patience to make it. It cheers me up and makes me smile every time I look at it.

What's one thing you've learned in your career that you wish you knew when you started?

Sometimes things don’t work out as planned, and that can be even better. It’s hard to let go of what you thought it should be, but it’s worth trying. You just have to have faith in yourself that you will make what’s best of what you have.

How do you see your field evolving in the next 5-10 years, and how are you preparing for those changes?

This is a tough question. From my view, the field is evolving in its inclusion of individual perspectives and experiences, particularly involving those who have been historically marginalized and viewed as “outliers” in our work. I see us moving toward ways of reframing our perspective and not just focusing on the groups we’ve always focused on. For me, I’m trying to learn as much as I can about other methodological approaches, innovative and new programs, or new ways of thinking about my work.

What's a recent professional accomplishment you're proud of, and why?

This may be an obvious one, but I’m really proud of recently taking on the Editor-in-Chief role at Sexual Abuse. It still surprises me that I was even in the running, and even more so that I was selected. At times, it’s a little scary to think about, honestly, but I’m really enjoying this new role.