What happens when you start a PhD at 20, discover your path mid-dissertation, and spend the next 30 years helping leaders unlock their potential?

In this week’s ConnectED episode, we welcome Dr. Dan Hiltz, founder of Leadership Squared and longtime leadership development expert. With a PhD in sociology from the University of Notre Dame, Dan has designed and led programs for organizations like the US Navy Blue Angels, Harvard Business School, Twitch, and Mastercard.

In this episode, we explore:

• How starting a PhD with no roadmap led to a lifetime of leadership work
• His three-part framework for choosing a dissertation topic (that works for careers too!)
• What early career teaching in corporate settings revealed about pedagogy and people
• Advice for PhDs looking to break into leadership development
• Why leadership is personal—and what new managers get wrong

Resources Mentioned:

• Book: The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas Kuhn
• Book: It’s Your Ship by Mike Abrashoff
  
• 
  Leadership Squared – leadershipsquared.com
  

Connect with Dr. Dan Hiltz:

• LinkedIn – Dan Hiltz, PhD
  

Stay Connected with Me:

• Instagram – @connected_phd
• LinkedIn – Haille Trimboli, PhD
• YouTube – @TheConnectEDNetwork
• Spotify – ConnectED

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your PhD or leadership-curious crew.

#ConnectED #LeadershipDevelopment #PhDJourney #PhDToIndustry #AltAc #AcademicTransitions #PhDCommunity #LifelongLearning

How do you go from writing about colonial desert borderlands to managing complex programs in the logistics industry?

In this week’s episode of ConnectED, we meet Dr. Morgan Veraluz, a historian turned program manager who now works at Expeditors, blending his love of research and analysis in a new professional space.

We discuss:

What inspired his deep dive into environmental and indigenous histories of the Chihuahuan borderlands

• How archival research and environmental data shaped his academic work
• The grief and growth of transitioning from academia to industry
• How to translate PhD skills—like writing, research, and systems thinking—into real-world value

• His candid reflections on classism, imposter syndrome, and managing your mentors

Resources Mentioned:

• ⁠The Middle Ground by Richard White⁠
• ⁠Playing Indian by Philip Deloria⁠
• ⁠The Center for Southwest Research at UNM⁠

• ⁠Dissertations and Theses⁠

Connect with Dr. Morgan Veraluz:

• LinkedIn – ⁠Morgan Veraluz, PhD, PMP⁠

Stay Connected with Me:

• Instagram – ⁠⁠@connected_phd⁠⁠
• LinkedIn – ⁠⁠Haille Trimboli, PhD⁠⁠
• YouTube – ⁠⁠@TheConnectEDNetwork⁠⁠
• Spotify – ⁠⁠ConnectED⁠

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share with fellow academic on the fence about what’s next.

#ConnectED #PhDToIndustry #HumanitiesPhD #AcademicLife #CareerPivot #AltAc #PostPhD

What happens when a global security leader managing crisis across 60+ countries decides to pursue a PhD in the middle of a pandemic?
In this episode of ConnectED, we sit down with Daniella Bove-LaMonica, Director of Crisis Management and Global Emergency Response at MetLife and doctoral candidate in Global Leadership & Change at Pepperdine University.
In this candid and insightful conversation, Daniella shares:
• How her experience in post-9/11 government work shaped her research focus
• The moment three margaritas and a pandemic sparked her PhD journey
• Why she’s investigating resilience strategies in corporate security teams
• Tips for balancing full-time leadership, parenting, and doctoral work
• How she’s applying academic tools like systems thinking and research design to influence corporate decisions
Resources Mentioned:
• Global Leadership: Research, Practice, and Development – Edited by Mendenhall
• Leadership: Theory and Practice by Peter Northouse
Connect with Daniella Bove-LaMonica:
• LinkedIn – Daniella Bove-LaMonica
Stay Connected with Me:
• Instagram – @connected_phd
• LinkedIn – Haille Trimboli, PhD
• YouTube – @TheConnectEDNetwork
• Spotify – ConnectED
Enjoyed this episode? Share it with someone navigating a PhD or career in corporate leadership. Subscribe and leave a review!
#ConnectED #PhDJourney #CrisisLeadership #CorporateResilience #WomenInLeadership #SecurityProfessionals #AcademicJourney #PhD #PhDJourney #academia #dissertation #gradschool

What happens when your PhD research collides with TikTok trends, chronic pain threatens your academic journey, and your mission becomes saving lives?

Meet Dr. Emily Pfender, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Pennsylvania studying maternal health and how social media is shaping reproductive behavior.

In this thought-provoking episode of ConnectED, we explore:

• How Instagram influencers are reshaping conversations about birth control
• What it’s like navigating a PhD while living in chronic pain
• Why Dr. Pfender says “Never pay for a PhD”—and what to consider when funding your journey
• Her research trips to Tanzania and how she’s building health literacy through women’s circles
• The power of boundaries, gratitude, and choosing research that lights you up

Resources Mentioned:

• Book: Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini
  

Connect with Dr. Emily Pfender:

• Instagram – @emilypfender
• LinkedIn - Emily Pfender, PhD

Stay Connected with Me:

• Instagram – @connected_phd
• LinkedIn – Haille Trimboli, PhD
• YouTube – @TheConnectEDNetwork
• Spotify – ConnectED

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone navigating their PhD or passionate about women’s health!

#ConnectED #PhDLife #WomensHealth #ReproductiveJustice #AcademicJourney #HealthCommunication

What happens when a high-powered tech executive walks away from a 20-year career to start a PhD?

In this inspiring episode of ConnectED, Dr. Karin Moore shares her courageous pivot from corporate burnout to researching and advocating for women and girls in STEM.

We cover:

• Why she left the tech industry to pursue a PhD
• How she built her dissertation around women’s lived experiences in STEM
• Her insights on the real barriers women face in male-dominated fields
• The launch of her business, The STEM Woman, and what she’s doing now
• Advice for anyone considering a bold career change into academia

Resources Mentioned:

• Cooper (2022) – ROI Analysis of Graduate Programs
• Book: Full Catastrophe Living by Jon Kabat-Zinn
• Hidden Brain
• Fresh Air (NPR)
• Huberman Lab
• Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Connect with Dr. Karin Moore:

• Website – https://thestemwoman.com
• LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinmoore

Stay ConnectED with Me:

• Instagram⁠
• ⁠LinkedIn⁠
• Watch on YouTube⁠
• Listen on Spotify

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone in your PhD or STEM community!

#ConnectED #PhDLife #WomenInSTEM #CareerPivot #STEMLeadership #AcademicJourney #PhD #PhDJourney #academia #dissertation #gradschool

Ever wondered how to transition from academia to industry? Or how a PhD in Learning Design & Technology translates into corporate research?
In this episode of ConnectED, Dr. Natalie Perez shares her unexpected journey from aspiring English professor to research scientist at Amazon. We discuss:
✨ How she transitioned from academia to industry
✨ The skills from her PhD that helped her stand out
✨ How she successfully pitched a research project to leadership
✨ Her best advice for PhDs looking to enter industry
🔗 Resources Mentioned:
📖 Creswell’s Mixed Methods Research
💼 Connect with Dr. Natalie Perez:
🔗 LinkedIn
🎧 Stay Connected:
📸 Instagram
💼 LinkedIn
🎥 Watch on YouTube
🎧 Listen on Spotify
💡 Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your PhD community!

#ConnectED #PhDToIndustry #AcademicLife #TechAndResearch #GradSchoolLife #PhD #Academia #Dissertation

How does a PhD in adult learning and leadership development translate into real-world impact?

In this episode of ConnectED, Dr. Magali Balayn Lelong shares her journey from academia to consulting, the challenges of a PhD, and how she applies her research to leadership development and organizational transformation.
She dives into:
✨ The burning question that led her to pursue a PhD
✨ The biggest misconceptions about writing a dissertation
✨ How to balance research, consulting, and business
✨ The importance of conferences and community in academia
✨ Practical strategies for leveraging experiential knowledge in the workplace
🔗 Resources Mentioned:
📖 The Logic of Inquiry by John Dewey
💼 Connect with Dr. Magali Balayn Lelong:
🔗 LinkedIn
🎧 Stay Connected:
📸 Instagram
💼 LinkedIn
🎥 Watch on YouTube
🎧 Listen on Spotify
💡 Enjoyed this episode?

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your PhD community!

#ConnectED #PhDJourney #AcademicLife #LeadershipDevelopment #GradSchoolLife #Dissertation #PhD

How does a PhD lead to national conversations on housing, gentrification, and social inequality?

In this episode, Dr. Kfir Mordechay shares his unexpected path into academia, the challenges of a PhD program, and how he uses data to uncover critical issues shaping cities and communities.

From navigating imposter syndrome to making research accessible beyond academia, this episode is packed with insights for PhD students, early-career researchers, and anyone passionate about using knowledge for impact.

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

📖 Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

📌 Connect with Dr. Kfir Mordechay

🏫 Dr. Kfir Mordechay’s Website

💼 Connect with Dr. Mordechay on LinkedIn

🌟 Stay ConnectED for More PhD Stories & Career Insights:

📸 Instagram: @ConnectedPhD

🔗 LinkedIn: ConnectED

📺 YouTube: ConnectED

🎧 Spotify: Listen to More Episodes Here

👉 Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your PhD community!

#ConnectED #PhDJourney #AcademicLife

The PhD journey is more than just research and dissertations—it’s about resilience, growth, and redefining what’s possible. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Nelu Nedelea, Systems VP of Mission and Ministry at Mercy, to talk about his unconventional path, from growing up in Romania under communism to navigating the highs and lows of a PhD program while balancing work and family life.

We dive into:
✅ Why he pursued a PhD in Global Leadership & Change
✅ How he discovered his research focus (and why you don’t need to have it all figured out from day one!)
✅ The challenges of imposter syndrome, work-life balance, and staying motivated
✅ The real-world impact of his dissertation on leadership and belonging in healthcare
✅ What life looks like after a PhD—career shifts, public speaking, and continuous learning

Book Recommendations from Dr. Nelu Nedelea:
📖Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell
📖 The 5 AM Club: Own Your Morning. Elevate Your Life. by Robin Sharma
📖 The Book of Joy by Dalai Lama & Desmond Tutu

Connect with Dr. Nelu Nedelea:
🔗 LinkedIn: Nelu Nedelea

Follow ConnectED for More PhD Stories & Career Insights:
📸 Instagram:@ConnectedPhD
🔗 LinkedIn:Haille Trimboli
📺 YouTube:ConnectED Podcast
🎧 Spotify:Listen Here

If this episode resonated with you, let us know! Drop a comment or DM and share with a fellow PhD navigating this journey. 🚀✨

We talk about:

• Why he chose to pursue a PhD in political science
• The biggest surprises and challenges of his PhD journey
• His dissertation findings on terrorist groups and strategic decision-making
• How PhD students can stay motivated when tackling complex and intense topics
• Life after the PhD—how he’s using his research to make an impact

📚 Recommended Reads from Dr. Goldenberg:

• Toms Comments: Advice for (and from) Young Political Scientists – Read online for free
• The Professor Is In – Explore the website

📲 Follow Dr. Samuel Goldenberg:

• Website:https://www.samuelkgoldenberg.com
• LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelkgoldenberg
• Twitter/X:https://x.com/SK_Goldenberg
• Bluesky:https://bsky.app/profile/skgoldenberg.bsky.social

🎧 Tune in now, and don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful PhD stories!

📲 Follow ConnectED for more PhD journeys:

• Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/connected.phd/
• YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@TheConnectEDNetwork
• LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/connected-phd/