Welcome to this new episode of Papa PhD Gold! Here’s the big takeaway from this excerpt from my conversation with scientific writing expert Anna Clemens: Selling isn’t a dirty word in academia – it’s all about communicating your research in a way that connects with people, even if they aren’t specialists in your field. If you approach editors, funders, or stakeholders with clarity, enthusiasm, and a strong story, you’re not being sleazy, you’re making your hard work accessible and impactful. So,...
Jul 10, 2025•9 min•Season 6Ep. 42
Welcome to this new episode of Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD! In this one, host David Mendes sits down with Daria Levina, Harvard-educated lawyer, academic, author, and founder of Harvard State of Mind. Daria shares her experience navigating international graduate applications, the challenges of securing funding, and how resilience is key to overcoming academic setbacks. Their conversation dives deep into the technical and psychological hurdles of applying to master’s and PhD programs, offerin...
Jul 03, 2025•51 min•Season 6Ep. 46
Bienvenue à ce nouvel épisode d’Au-delà de la thèse avec Papa PhD, le podcast qui explore toutes les facettes de la vie après le doctorat ! Cette semaine, David Mendes accueille Assia Asrir, docteure en immunologie et figure engagée dans l’accompagnement des parcours scientifiques vers le secteur privé, nommément par le biais de la communauté Résalience. Au long de la conversation, Assia partage les résultats d’une étude qu’elle a co-mené sur la perception des doctorants par les entreprises fran...
Jun 26, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Season 6Ep. 45
In this episode, host David Mendes sits down with Tina Persson, a PhD in organic chemistry turned career coach, recruiter, and author, to dive into the reality behind making the leap from academia to industry. During the conversation Tina shares her personal journey, from her PhD and climbing the academic ladder, to discovering that professorship wasn’t the right fit for her ambitions and personality. David and Tina reflect on the unique challenges PhDs face when transitioning to the corporate w...
Jun 20, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 6Ep. 44
Welcome to this new episode of Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD! In this episode, host David Mendes sits down with Morgan Foret, who brings a fresh perspective on navigating the journey from academia to industry. Morgan shares her personal story, beginning with her undergraduate studies in cell biology, an international research internship in Germany, and her PhD in pharmacology at McGill University , where she focused on Alzheimer’s disease. Now working in regulatory affairs at Thermo Fisher , M...
Jun 12, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 6Ep. 43
Welcome to a brand new episode of Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD! In this conversation, host David Mendes sits down with Dr. Colleen Kelly, a seasoned chemistry professor, researcher, and now award-winning author of children’s chemistry comic books. With a PhD in chemistry from Penn State, Colleen’s career has spanned environmental toxicology, medicinal chemistry, and decades of teaching at the University of Arizona. But it’s her mission to transform “molecular literacy” for learners ages eight...
Jun 05, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 6Ep. 42
Welcome to another episode of Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD. This week, host David Mendes sits down with Dr. Rob Lion, professor of Human Resource Development at Idaho State University, expert in culture, leadership development, and organizational performance, and co-owner of Black River Performance Management. With over two decades of experience guiding individuals and organizations, Rob shares his personal journey from early leadership roles to consulting, and how his curiosity led him to fo...
May 29, 2025•57 min•Season 6Ep. 41
Welcome to another episode of Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD. In this episode, David Mendes sits down with Sylvie Lahaie, a neuroscientist, yoga and meditation teacher, and expert in stress management and burnout prevention. Sylvie shares her compelling journey through academia, detailing both the pressures and rewards of graduate research, and candidly opens up about her personal struggle with chronic burnout during her master’s program. But Sylvie didn’t just overcome adversity—she transforme...
May 22, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Season 6Ep. 40
Bienvenue dans ce nouvel épisode d’Horizon PhD! Aujourd’hui, nous partons à la découverte des horizons insoupçonnés du doctorat, en poussant les portes de la diplomatie scientifique avec notre invitée Anne-Marie Pilote. Docteure en communication politique de l’UQAM, Anne-Marie occupe aujourd’hui le poste de directrice adjointe des études, volet recherche et innovation, au Cégep de Jonquière. Au long de l’entrevue, elle nous raconte comment la pandémie a bouleversé son parcours, l’amenant à saisi...
May 15, 2025•50 min•Season 6Ep. 39
Bienvenue dans cet épisode spécial du balado « Au-delà de la thèse avec Papa PhD» produit en collaboration avec l’équipe ÉOA hors les murs de l’École d’orthophonie et d’audiologie de l’université de Montréal, au long duquel nous vous invitons à plonger dans une conversation inspirante et authentique enregistrée en direct devant public, où notre animateur David Mendes anime un panel d’invités aux parcours post-PhD aussi inspirants que diversifiés. Ensemble, ils lèvent le voile sur la fameuse ques...
May 08, 2025•1 hr 37 min•Season 6Ep. 38
Welcome to another episode of Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD—a podcast where we dive deep into what happens after the PhD and how you can leap from academia into a diverse universe of fulfilling careers. This week, host David Mendes sits down in-person with Rayana Luna, a seasoned expert in medical affairs with over a decade of experience spanning multiple leadership roles, industry transitions, and a consulting business: Your MSL Coach. In this in-depth conversation, Rayana shares her journey ...
May 01, 2025•1 hr 31 min•Season 6Ep. 37
Welcome to a special collaborative episode of “Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD” featuring Sarah McClusky, host of the Research Adjacent podcast. In this conversation, David Mendes sits down with Sarah to explore the often overlooked world of research-adjacent careers—the roles, paths, and opportunities for PhDs and researchers beyond traditional academic tracks. Sarah draws on her extensive experience as a freelance consultant, trainer, and facilitator, sharing her journey from plant pathology a...
Apr 24, 2025•56 min•Season 6Ep. 36
Bienvenue à ce nouvel épisode d’Au-delà de la thèse avec Papa PhD ! Dans ce nouvel épisode d’« Au-delà de la thèse avec Papa David Mendes reçoit Nayana Guerrero, chercheuse en sciences sociales et directrice associée au département de gestion et de leadership au Tecnologico de Monterrey. Nayana, titulaire d’un doctorat en sciences administratives de l’UNAM, a également enrichi sa formation à Sciences Po Paris et à l’American University. Spécialisée dans l’intelligence artificielle, le genre et l...
Apr 17, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Season 6Ep. 35
In this episode of Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD, host David Mendes is joined by Isabelle Koller, an assistant professor at VU Amsterdam and the founder of NextMinds. Isabelle shares her passion for helping early career researchers navigate the complexities of academia, from enhancing their well-being during their PhDs to planning the next steps in their careers. Throughout the conversation, Isabelle and David explore the challenges facing PhD students, particularly as they look to transition ...
Apr 10, 2025•1 hr 18 min•Season 6Ep. 34
Bienvenue dans ce nouvel épisode d’Horizon PhD! Dans cette entrevue, je t’apporte Julie Ducharme, une scientifique passionnée qui entame sa deuxième année en tant que scientifique en résidence à la délégation du Québec à Los Angeles. Au cours de l’entrevue, Julie explique en détail son parcours, depuis ses débuts en science jusqu’à son expérience actuelle, en passant par ses études doctorales en chimie à l’Université McGill et son post-doctorat à Caltech. Ensemble, nous explorons le concept de d...
Apr 03, 2025•43 min•Season 6Ep. 33
Welcome to the second episode of Papa PhD Gold! In this riveting conversation, we have the pleasure of delving into the world of gig workers with Professor Sue Ashford from the University of Michigan, as she shares her insightful research on how these workers maintain their identity and vitality in a professional world full of uncertainties. Sue introduces us to the four key connections that experienced gig workers build to manage anxieties and thrive in their careers. This includes building sup...
Mar 27, 2025•20 min•Season 6Ep. 32
Cette semaine sur Au-delà de la thèse avec Papa PhD, je t’apporte un épisode spécial Podcasthon 2024, où je te présente une association dont la mission est de créer un environnement et une communauté propices à la rédaction de thèse et d’articles – Thèsez-vous. Née en 2015, lors de la première retraite de rédaction organisée par et pour les étudiant.e.s, Thèsez-vous a pour mission la mise en place d’environnements physiques et humains réfléchis pour faciliter la rédaction universitaire. L’équipe...
Mar 20, 2025•52 min•Season 6Ep. 31
Bienvenue au tout nouveau format d’Au-delà de la thèse – les Pépites Papa PhD. Dans cet épisode, David Mendes s’entretient avec Manon Fantino-Lalonde, une doctorante entrepreneure qui réussit à jongler entre son projet doctoral et son entreprise naissante pour parler de “La clé de l’entrepreneuriat étudiant – Bien s’entourer”. Manon nous dévoile comment elle a démarré son projet entrepreneurial inspiré par un problème médical diagnostiqué lors de son master et parle de l’importance de créer des ...
Mar 13, 2025•13 min•Season 6Ep. 30
Welcome to a brand-new Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD experience – the “Papa PhD Gold” format, where we dive into a past episode of the show to explore the intersection of science, communication, and personal growth as a researcher. In this episode, we are joined by Elodie Chabrol, a passionate advocate for science communication and a scientist who emphasizes the importance of stepping back to view the “big picture” in research. Elodie and David Mendes discuss how engaging in science communicat...
Mar 06, 2025•7 min•Season 6Ep. 29
Welcome to another episode of Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD! In this positivity-charged conversation, we’re joined by Ashley Moses, a PhD candidate in neurosciences at Stanford University. Ashley is not only advancing her own research but she’s also created a precious resource, for herself and for her fellow graduate students – PhD Paths – where she shares the journey and career paths of over a hundred PhDs she’s interviewed and who have transitioned into non-academic jobs. During our conversa...
Feb 27, 2025•57 min•Season 6Ep. 28
Welcome to another episode of Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD, where we’re diving deep into the world of academia with Dr. Vikki Wright. Dr. Wright, the founder of The PhD Life Coach, joins David Mendes to share her journey from a full professorship at the University of Birmingham to becoming a life coach empowering PhD students and academics to thrive in their careers. In this episode, we’ll explore how she transitioned from a research-focused role to a teaching and coaching path, emphasizing t...
Feb 20, 2025•59 min•Season 6Ep. 27
Welcome to another episode of Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD!In this episode of Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD, your host David Mendes sits down for a meaningful chat with Claudia, who just wrapped up her PhD and is now stepping into the pharmaceutical industry. They explore Claudia's experiences during her time in graduate school, including her struggles with impostor syndrome, and the proactive steps she took to get ready for life after her thesis. David and Claudia dive into the significanc...
Feb 13, 2025•1 hr 18 min•Season 6Ep. 26
Bienvenue dans cet épisode spécial d'Au-delà de la thèse avec Papa PhD où je pars derrière le rideau d'un événement unique en son genre : "Dans les coulisses de la recherche". Dans cet épisode spécial, j'accueille dans un format table ronde Sophie-Andrée Blondin, animatrice de l'émission Les Années Lumière sur ICI Première, Thomas Milan, communicateur scientifique et fondateur de l'événement, ainsi que Laurence Côté, doctorante à l'IRIC et participante à l'évènement. Ensemble, on a discuté de l'...
Feb 06, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 6Ep. 25
Welcome back to Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD!I'm your host, David Mendes, and today, we delve deep into the art of pivoting professionally without fear. In this episode we are joined by two extraordinary guests, Kelly Gunther and Dr. Keri Ohlrich, cofounders of Abbracci Group and cohosts of the Breakout podcast. In this episode, we explore the complex and often challenging process of stepping out of life's predestined boxes—the expectations set by society, family, and even ourselves. Kelly an...
Jan 30, 2025•58 min•Season 6Ep. 24
Bienvenue à ce nouvel épisode d'Au-delà de la thèse avec Papa PhD ! Aujourd'hui, on vous apporte la récente conversation de David Mendes avec Myriam Beaudry, nutritionniste de formation et travailleuse autonome, sur son parcours académique et sur les défis qui l'ont menée à prendre la décision difficile d'arrêter son doctorat.Myriam nous parle de la suspension de session, un mécanisme universitaire permettant de faire une pause sans quitter le programme, et de l'importance de prendre soin de sa ...
Jan 23, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Season 6Ep. 23
Welcome back to Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD!I'm your host, David Mendes, and today, I'm thrilled to dive into an enlightening conversation with Matteo Tardelli, a seasoned professional in the biotech sector and an advocate for aligning career choices with personal values. In this episode, Matteo opens up about the intricate process of uncovering one's core values and how they play a pivotal role in making fulfilling career decisions.We'll explore his journey from academia to industry, touchi...
Jan 16, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Season 6Ep. 22
Welcome to another enlightning episode of Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD!This week, I delve into the intricacies of fear and courage with my guest, Mary Poffenroth. During this discussion about navigating the fear of change, especially relevant for graduate students and early-career professionals facing uncertainty about the future, Mary shares her rich experiences, from studying at Imperial College London to her groundbreaking work on fear and bravery, which has graced the pages of major publi...
Jan 09, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 6Ep. 21
Join the Beyond the Thesis Skool community! Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD! I took some time in the middle of my family vacations to record a very short minisode and send you my 2025 wishes of a year full of enriching conversations!Listen through and you will also find a great reading recommendation for this coming year and a call for listener 2025 wishes! Episode Transcript Welcome to Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD, the podcast that delves into ...
Jan 02, 2025•8 min•Season 6Ep. 20
Join the Beyond the Thesis Skool community! The holiday season is here and you may be struggling with anxiety, the fear of evaluation, or just feeling overwhelmed and far from your family or friends. You're not alone.Join host David Mendes with special guest Dr. Jessica Schleider, asociate psychology professor at Northwestern University, as they dive deep into the mental health challenges faced by graduate students around the world, today, in one of the most powerful episodes of Season 5. Jessic...
Dec 26, 2024•48 min•Season 6Ep. 19
Join the Beyond the Thesis Skool community! Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD! In this episode I delve into the art of building authority by finding your audience with Tony Stubblebine, CEO of Medium, who brings a wealth of experience in helping academics and professionals reach broader audiences. During our conversation, we explored the transformative power of blogging as a low-barrier method to share expertise and enhance writing skills.We discusse...
Dec 19, 2024•57 min•Season 6Ep. 18
