Welcome to the first guest episode of the Sequel to a PhD Podcast! 

Dr. Bryan Quoc Le is a food scientist, food industry consultant, and author of the book, 150 Food Science Questions Answered. He earned his PhD in Food Science from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and now runs a food science consulting business where he acts as a scientific advisor and consulting food scientist for numerous food companies. 

In this conversation we talk about: 

• Bryan's fascinating story of combining disparate interests to chart his own unique career track
• How an emerging interest in writing turned into publishing a book (while also writing his dissertation!) 
• How that book set the stage for making connections and establishing his food science consulting business
• Using a set-up in his garage to do the food science work/testing for his consulting clients
• His strategy for using cold emails to connect with new clients and grow his business 
• Learning to trust your gut in decision-making and staying open to every possibility

To learn more about Bryan, visit https://www.bryanquocle.com
Or check out his book at 150 Food Science Questions Answered

Thank you for listening!

Want to connect directly with me? Find me on Instagram and send me a message!

Check out other resources from Sequel to a PhD: www.sequeltoaphd.com

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Welcome back to the podcast!

In this episode, we talk about: 

• My personal story from the past two years of shifting my approach to work and what I want to do.
• How a recent moment of stress flipped around and became a symbol of living out my values and dreams from several years ago.
• Recognizing the small steps that have moved me further into my dream life.
• The energy and possibility that comes from approaching work/life from a mindset of "how can I make this even better?"
• This episode goes further than usual into my lived experience, and I appreciate you listening!

Want to connect directly with me? Find me on Instagram and send me a message!

Check out other resources from Sequel to a PhD: www.sequeltoaphd.com

Rate and review the podcast: The Sequel to a PhD Podcast

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Welcome back to the podcast!

In this episode, we talk about: 

• Why looking at job postings is not the right place to start when thinking about career change choices
• A three-part framework for exploring what's next based on who you are now
• Approaching career shifts based on personal values and what you want vs. qualifications and expectations
• Using "what if's" to explore the impact you would like to achieve with your work
• Contextualizing the action steps of career change 
• Permission to step outside of the conditioning from the past to follow what feels meaningful and fulfilling now

Thank you for listening!
 
Want to connect directly with me? Find me on Instagram and send me a message!

Check out other resources from Sequel to a PhD: www.sequeltoaphd.com

Rate and review the podcast: The Sequel to a PhD Podcast

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Welcome back to the podcast!

In this bonus episode, we talk about: 

• Reframing what's actually happening when you show up with less than 100% effort, and why these phases are critical to get to where you're heading

Thank you for listening!
 
Want to connect directly with me? Find me on Instagram and send me a message!

Check out other resources from Sequel to a PhD: www.sequeltoaphd.com

Rate and review the podcast: The Sequel to a PhD Podcast

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Welcome back to the podcast!

In this episode, we talk about: 

• A super simple technique for making progress on that big, overwhelming, or intimidating thing you really want to do
• Real-life examples of how I use this tool in my own life on a daily basis
• An example of how this tool might be used in the setting of applying for that new job (that you may or may not be convinced you're qualified for yet)
• Why the feelings that come with accomplishing super small, easy steps is important in the context of the bigger picture question of "how do I want my work to feel?"
• How the accumulation of tiny actions over time can lead to momentum and really significant change, whatever the objective

Thank you for listening!
 
Want to connect directly with me? Find me on Instagram and send me a message!

Check out other resources from Sequel to a PhD: www.sequeltoaphd.com

Rate and review the podcast: The Sequel to a PhD Podcast

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Support the show

Welcome back to the podcast!

In this episode, we talk about: 

• Why uncertainty can keep us stuck and stop us from moving forward, even towards something we really want
• How to shift that "stuck-ness" by changing our lens on what uncertainty represents
• How applying an experiment framework to our career decisions, both past and current, can help contextualize our experiences, inform what we want now, and provide permission to try something new
• Adapting a potential scientist "superpower" of intimate familiarity with the experimental process and applying it to our careers (vs. viewing results as a measure of our personal success or worth - we all know that experiments failing sometimes is just a part of science!)
• Using a series of mini-experiments to make big picture decisions more approachable
• How this podcast is an example of incorporating experimentation into my own journey

Thank you for listening!
 
Want to connect directly with me? Find me on Instagram and send me a message!

Check out other resources from Sequel to a PhD: www.sequeltoaphd.com

Rate and review the podcast: The Sequel to a PhD Podcast

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Support the show

Welcome to the podcast! 

In this first episode, we talk about: 

• This podcast as an experiment in allowing imperfection and expression
• Experiences and conditioning that can make it hard for us, as scientists or academics, to remember that it's okay to want something different
• The relationship between fulfillment, flow, happiness (i.e., being more of ourselves) and the impact of our work
• How to approach the potential overwhelm associated with giving ourselves permission to want something different
• Viewing permission to step outside of our conditioning and external expectations as a starting point for navigating change

Want to connect directly with me? Find me on Instagram and send me a message!
Check out other resources from Sequel to a PhD: www.sequeltoaphd.com

Rate and review the podcast: The Sequel to a PhD Podcast

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Support the show

Coming soon: The Sequel to a PhD Podcast!

Equipping PhDs to make inspired career and life moves

As PhDs, we often define our career, identity, ambitions based on the story we wrote for ourselves before starting our PhD. But what happens when we discover along the way that that story we created for ourselves back then no longer feels right? How do we walk away from something we’re good at, that defines us, that makes us feel like we’re contributing something important to the world, even if it no longer fulfills us?

Through The Sequel to a PhD Podcast, we will share personal stories, strategies, perspectives, and lessons learned to facilitate change towards a career path that feels right for who you are now. Hosted by Shirley Markant, PhD, a scientist-oriented career mentor, former cancer research scientist, self-employed oncology medical writer, and mom of two young kids. For more, visit www.sequeltoaphd.com.

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