Join Helen and Kate as they open their secret diary live from the Vivensa Foundation Annual Symposium 2026 with a very special guest, Dr Sophia Amenyah! Sophia joins Kate and Helen on stage to share confessions of a new research group leader, or principal investigator (PI). Note: This is not a detective podcast. 

Credits: Sponsored by the Vivensa Foundation, produced by Dr Eva Higginbotham, music by Professor Chris Plack, and hosted at Lancaster University, UK.

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Kate and Helen are back and re-opening their secret diary of academic life for Season 2 of Drs Confess! 

Have you ever struggled with imposter syndrome, felt worried about publications, or experienced the sting of academic rejection? Don't worry, us too! You're not alone. Join us for new confessions in Season 2 as we continue to normalise the ups and downs of academic life. Expect stories about starting your own research group, how to handle going for promotion, or even how to run a whole university!

Credits: Sponsored by the Vivensa Foundation, music by Professor Chris Plack, produced by Dr Eva Higginbotham, and hosted at Lancaster University, UK.

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Join Helen, Kate, and two fabulous guests: Professor Bob Lauder and Dr Jess Pepper, for a chat about the moment every PhD student is waiting for (and maybe dreading). If you've ever thought, "What even is the Viva?" "How do I prepare?!" "What will actually happen?!", or maybe it's been a while since your own viva and you are a supervisor or examiner, then this episode is for you. Listen to our top tips and leave feeling a little better. This episode was created in collaboration with Liverpool Neuroscience Group. 

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Join Helen and Kate as they quiz each other on their 2025 highs and lows, their New Year's resolutions, and finally resolve who gets to be Glinda and and who gets to be Elphaba?! 

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Join Helen and Kate for a sit down chat with a celebrity of auditory science, Professor Kevin Munro! Tune in for an unfiltered discussion all about the highs and lows of leadership. And remember to "keep your head when all about you are losing theirs". 

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It's been a while, dear listeners! Helen and Kate are back with a little light relief, some updates, and A GOOD OLD CHINWAG. Enjoy the singing. 

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Join Helen and Kate live from CHSCOM 2024 with very special guests Professor Ingrid Johnsrude and Thorge Haupt! Ingrid and Thorge join Helen and Kate on stage to talk about the weird and wonderful experience of academic conferences. 

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In this week's episode we welcome our first ever guest, Dr Hannah Stewart! Hannah joins Helen to lift the lid on academic mum life and talk about all the ups and downs it brings. Expect tears (from the mums!), tantrums, and everything in between.

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In this week's episode Helen discovers that this is a comedy podcast, Kate goes from stiff to pliable, and we embrace the importance of vulnerability in work life. 

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Helen and Kate drink one too many coffees and ask each other "are we friends?". In this episode, our hosts discuss friendship without payroll, thoughts on the Delay Send email function, and the meaning of life in the Sims. 

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