In this episode of Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD, I talk with Michelle Niemeyer - speaker, coach, and former attorney - about how to stay sharp, productive, and joyful without burning out. After experiencing burnout herself during her legal career and facing a life-changing health diagnosis, Michelle developed The Art of Bending Time: a framework to help professionals align their work, life, and purpose.

Together, we explore:

Why traditional “time management” often fails, and what to focus on instead

The hidden costs of multitasking and how to protect your energy

How small sparks of joy can prevent burnout and fuel your productivity

Why “work-life balance” is a myth and what to aim for instead

Practical tools (like the Clarity Exercise and SWORD Analysis) you can use today to refocus and reclaim your time

Whether you’re a graduate student, postdoc, or early-career professional, Michelle’s story and strategies will inspire you to rethink how you spend your time and how you define success.

👉 To access Michelle’s free tools, text CLARITY to 33777 (US only) or visit michelleniemeyer.com.

How do you go from scientist to science-informed coach helping women in STEM manage stress and avoid burnout?

In this powerful episode of Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD, I sit down with Lexi Reid - a former plant biologist and regulatory affairs specialist who found herself emotionally depleted after years in academia, government, and the medical device industry. Lexi shares her deeply personal and transformative journey of confronting burnout and rediscovering purpose through creativity, neuroscience, and mindfulness.

Now a certified coach and founder of MIND+ART+WELLNESS, Lexi supports high-achieving women in science to reconnect with themselves using accessible, evidence-based tools. Her story is a reminder that a PhD doesn't just prepare you for research - it can also guide you toward reinvention and well-being.

🎧 You’ll learn:

🖥️ Learn more about Lexi’s work: mindartwellness.com

🔗 More career transition stories: PapaPhD.com/subscribe

What happens after you land your first job post-PhD? For many researchers, the transition from academia is just the beginning. In this episode of Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD, Katerina Thomas joins David Mendes to explore how mentorship, self-awareness, and internal motivation shape the next stages of a PhD’s career journey.

Drawing from her own experience as a PhD in the life sciences now thriving in industry, Katerina reflects on redefining success beyond titles, finding mentors aligned with your values, and the importance of stepping into discomfort to grow. Whether you're still in academia or have already made the leap, this conversation will help you think more intentionally about your career path and about what truly drives you.

💡 You’ll learn:

How to navigate career growth after leaving academia

The role of values-based mentorship in professional development

Why inner work is essential in career transitions

Strategies for making deliberate, fulfilling career choices

This episode is packed with career clarity insights for PhDs seeking purpose beyond their degrees.

👉 Listen and share with someone navigating their own post-PhD transition.

Dans cet épisode d’Au-delà de la thèse avec Papa PhD, je reçois l’essayiste et professeur Mathieu Bélisle. Ensemble, nous revisitons son parcours universitaire marqué par des doutes, des abandons et une reconquête progressive du sens à travers l’enseignement collégial. Ce témoignage nuancé aborde la pression académique, la fatigue mentale en doctorat, et la quête de sens qui pousse parfois à sortir des sentiers battus de l’université.

🎓 Vous entendrez :

Pourquoi le début du doctorat peut être plus difficile que la fin

Comment alléger les attentes peut sauver un parcours doctoral

Les dessous politiques du monde académique

Ce que le cégep peut offrir aux esprits critiques et passionnés

Un épisode introspectif pour quiconque se questionne sur l’avenir postdoctoral, la valeur d’un doctorat en dehors de l’université, et les choix professionnels alternatifs comme l’enseignement collégial. 🎙️

👉 Abonnez-vous pour des récits de parcours variés et des stratégies concrètes de transition professionnelle.

🎙️ This week on Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD, Lucia Juarez, PhD, academic coach and creator of the SmartPhD system, joins us to talk about how PhD students can reclaim their time, boost academic confidence, and finish faster without sacrificing their wellbeing.

Drawing from her own journey through burnout, motherhood, and academic overwhelm, Lucia shares how she shifted from “just work harder” to a smarter, more human approach to research. Her strategies blend mindset work, intentional rest, and productivity tools like the Pomodoro technique, all tailored to the realities of grad school.

💡 In this episode:

Why mindset shifts are critical to academic resilience

How to adapt productivity tools like Pomodoro to your real life

Tips for managing burnout and avoiding toxic productivity

How to create joy, not just survival, in your PhD journey

Whether you're in the early stages or nearing the finish line, this conversation is packed with practical, heartfelt advice to help you thrive in grad school and beyond.

🎯 Your PhD doesn’t have to cost your health. 📱🎧 Tune in now.

Bienvenue dans ce nouvel épisode d’Horizon PhD!

Dans cet épisode, nous partons à la rencontre de Geneviève Rolland, déléguée générale du Québec à Munich, pour mieux comprendre le rôle des scientifiques en résidence au sein des délégations du Québec à l’étranger.

Au fil de l’entretien, Geneviève partage son expérience au sein du programme, explique le quotidien de ces jeunes scientifiques qui mettent leurs compétences multidisciplinaires au service du rayonnement international du Québec, et revient sur l’importance de la curiosité, de l’adaptabilité et du réseautage dans ces carrières hors du laboratoire. Ensemble, ils démystifient la transition entre le milieu académique et celui des représentations diplomatiques, et livrent des conseils précieux à celles et ceux qui hésitent encore à franchir ce pas.

Envie d’en savoir plus ou tenté·e de postuler ? N’hésite pas à écouter l’épisode, à explorer le programme Horizon PhD, ou à contacter celleuxs qui sont déjà passés par là – tout commence par une conversation ! .

Si tu veux en savoir davantage sur les programmes « Scientifiques en résidence » des Fonds de Recherche du Québec, rends-toi sur :

Bonne écoute et bonne exploration !

Anne-Marie Pilote – Valoriser son doctorat en tant que scientifique en résidence : PapaPhD.com/horizon-phd-ampilote

Julie Ducharme – Être scientifique en résidence À Los Angeles : PapaPhD.com/horizon-phd-julie-ducharme

Horizon PhD – Le conseil scientifique dans un ministère : PapaPhD.com/horizon-phd-darine-ameyed

Horizon PhD – Être scientifique en résidence auprès d’un ministère : PapaPhD.com/horizon-phd-alexandra-gelle

🎓 Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD is the podcast that helps researchers, graduate students, and PhDs explore career possibilities beyond academia.

Hosted by David Mendes, each episode shares real stories of PhDs who have successfully transitioned into diverse roles across industry, government, communication, and entrepreneurship. With over 300 interviews and listeners in 100+ countries, this show is a treasure trove for anyone navigating the challenges of life after grad school.

In this trailer, discover what the podcast is all about and why it’s become a top destination for PhDs seeking career clarity, inspiration, and strategies for thriving outside the ivory tower.

👉 Follow Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts to start your journey from PhD to purpose-driven career.

Welcome back to Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD! In this episode, host David Mendes sits down with Jillian Rilley – founder, writer, keynote speaker, and consultant whose decades of work focus on helping people navigate change and accelerate learning, especially in disruptive times. Drawing on her experiences across Africa, Asia, and Central Europe, Jillian shares her personal journey of making bold transitions, including her pivotal move from academia in the U.S. to South Africa during a historic turning point.

ogether, David and Jillian dive deep into the concept of “the 10 Permissions,” the subject of Jillian’s upcoming book, offering guidance for anyone feeling stuck on their current path or struggling with the weight of external expectations. The conversation takes an honest look at the discomfort and growth that comes from choosing a non-linear, self-directed life—especially relevant for graduate students, early career researchers, and anyone stepping off the well-trodden academic or career path.

They discuss concrete practices for building “discomfort tolerance,” the power of self-permission, and the importance of cultivating a diverse portfolio of experiences—both for personal satisfaction and future adaptability. If you’ve ever faced doubt, disappointment, or confusion from your support network over career decisions, or are simply looking to make your journey more intentional, this episode is filled with insight and practical advice for you.

Discomfort Tolerance is a Superpower: Learning to distinguish between discomfort and danger is crucial. Most growth happens when we venture into the unfamiliar, so don’t let discomfort masquerade as danger and hold you back from essential, uncomfortable conversations or bold decisions.

Approval is Desirable, Not Essential: Especially when making “novel” decisions that disappoint or surprise family and close ones. Your path won’t always be easily understood by others, but their approval isn’t a requirement for action. Back yourself, be your own permission giver.

Diversify Your Experiences: Academia often encourages tunnel vision, but Gillian urges building a “portfolio of capabilities.” Explore beyond your specialization – network, revive old hobbies, join communities, and experiment. This adaptability and broad perspective are key assets in today’s chaotic (yet possibility-filled) world.

If you enjoyed this conversation with Jillian, let her know by clicking the link below and leaving her a message on Linkedin:

Send Jillian Reilly a thank you message on Linkedin!

Click here to share your key take-away from this interview with David!

Daria Levina – Behind the Scenes of Graduate Admissions

Morgan Foret – Demystifying Industry Careers

Al Zdenek – From Graduate School to Financial Freedom

Sylvie Lahaie – Navigating Stress and Anxiety in Graduate School

Welcome back to Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD! In this week’s episode, host David Mendes is joined by Al Zdenek—a seasoned entrepreneur in the wealth management industry, acclaimed author, and passionate advocate for financial literacy. With over 40 years of experience as a CPA, personal financial specialist, and now co-founder of K Club, Al brings invaluable insights to academics navigating the often daunting shift from the structured world of academia to the uncharted waters of industry and business.

Together, David and Al dive deep into practical strategies for salary negotiation, understanding job offers, and mastering the critical financial decisions that come with career transitions. Al reflects on the importance of self-awareness, preparation, and communication, sharing both personal stories (like taking up classical piano at the age of 66!) and professional wisdom to empower graduate students and researchers making their next big move.

Whether you’re on the verge of leaving academia, struggling with financial fears, or simply curious about negotiating for your true worth, this episode is packed with advice and real talk that will help you prepare for, and thrive in, your next chapter. Tune in for a blend of actionable finance tips, empathy, and encouragement—plus get the inside scoop on tools like the K Club app that can support you every step of the way.

Do Your Financial Homework: Treat your job search like a research project—do the same kind of prep you would for a thesis. Understand salary ranges, benefit packages, student loan repayment options, and even company stock programs before your first interview.

Ask Strategic Questions: Don’t hesitate to inquire about stock options, loan repayment assistance, work hours, and advancement opportunities. Bringing a well-prepared list of questions makes you look savvy and helps you negotiate from a position of strength.

Embrace Growth and Flexibility: Expect and accept initial setbacks—rejection is normal, and it’s part of the learning curve. Practice your communication skills, seek mentorship, and don’t be afraid to pivot in your career path. Real-world success is built on flexibility and continuous learning.

If you enjoyed this conversation with Al, let him know by clicking the link below and leaving him a message on Linkedin:

Send Al Zdenek a thank you message on Linkedin!

Click here to share your key take-away from this interview with David!

Daria Levina – Behind the Scenes of Graduate Admissions

Morgan Foret – Demystifying Industry Careers

Karina Machado – Being a Young Scientist in the Global South

Sylvie Lahaie – Navigating Stress and Anxiety in Graduate School

In this episode of Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD, host David Mendes sits down with Dr. Karina do Santos Machado, a trailblazing young scientist from Brazil whose journey exemplifies the power of collaboration and open science in the global South. Karina shares her path from a childhood fascination with computers to becoming a principal investigator leading cutting-edge drug discovery research with global impact, all from her home base in Rio Grande.

Facing the challenges of limited funding, infrastructure hurdles, and fewer resources common to universities in developing countries, Karina highlights how resourcefulness and community spirit have been fundamental to her success. Collaboration is not only a choice but a necessity in the Brazilian scientific landscape. By building networks both within her institution and internationally, Karina has leveraged open science initiatives to propel her team onto the world stage, including successful participation in global drug discovery challenges such as Conscience's CACHE initiative for COVID-19 therapeutics.

As Karina explains, open science has been key in providing access to critical data, software, and partnerships, democratizing opportunities for smaller labs like hers. Her story is a testament to how determined scientists, even from under-resourced environments, can foster innovation and make tangible contributions to global health.

Three Inspiring Take-aways from my conversation with Karina:

Karina's journey proves that with innovation, community, and openness, you can thrive and lead in science, no matter where you start.

 If you’re curious about AI, biosciences, or just want to see how resilient, creative science happens outside the “usual” power centers, this episode is a must-listen.

Reach out to Karina on LinkedIn, and check out the episode for more wisdom! Let’s build a more open, global scientific community together. 

If you enjoyed this conversation with Karina, let her know by clicking the link below and leaving her a message on Linkedin:

Send Karina Machado a thank you message on Linkedin!

Click here to share your key take-away from this interview with David!

Daria Levina – Behind the Scenes of Graduate Admissions

Morgan Foret – Demystifying Industry Careers

Tina Persson –Leaving Academia and Embracing Industry

Sylvie Lahaie – Navigating Stress and Anxiety in Graduate School