#81 — Periodically directing your gaze inward can clarify your current position, past journey, and future aspirations. In this episode of The Happy Scientist , explore the vital practice of taking a self-inventory. Hear how to conduct this introspection effectively—steering clear of overly positive illusions, harsh self-criticism, and potential disappointment. Plus, get practical strategies for maintaining a balanced and honest self-assessment. What you learn will ultimately foster personal grow...
Mar 14, 2025•42 min•Ep. 81
Ever feel a mix of frustration and nostalgia when you see new faces in the lab, fresh and full of questions? Are you the kind of person who takes them under your wing, or does their naivety annoy you and get in the way of your lab work? It’s easy to forget that we all started somewhere, and mentoring these budding scientists is the key to advancing not only their careers but also science as a whole. In this episode of The Happy Scientist , we explore the vital role of mentorship in the lab. Disc...
Feb 14, 2025•40 min•Ep. 80
Naked ambition is a powerful characteristic, yet it can easily become overpowering—for you and your colleagues. This could endanger your work connections and harm your reputation, especially in situations where teamwork is highly valued. In this episode of The Happy Scientist , explore the potent quality of ambition and how to use it most effectively to create accomplishment regarding tasks, projects, and career advancement. Watch or Listen to all episodes of The Happy Scientist podcast here: ht...
Jan 17, 2025•34 min•Ep. 79
#78 — In this episode of The Happy Scientist , we dive into the emotional patterns that hinder the smooth operation of any to-do list system. These emotional barriers can sabotage even the most well-crafted to-do lists. Let's get to the root of these emotional barriers and empower you to work more effectively. Join us as we explore the psychological factors that influence our productivity and learn strategies to overcome them. Watch or Listen to all episodes of The Happy Scientist podcast here: ...
Nov 13, 2024•44 min•Ep. 78
Is your to-do list downstream of your work style, or your work style downstream of your to-do list? Do you prefer to write down everything you need to do for the day and then execute as many tasks as possible? Or do you prefer to get stuck in for the day, and then decide what you need to do? Your to-do list is your daily plan and sometimes an alarm clock. It gets you closer to your objectives by defining tasks. But, to be effective, it needs to match your working style and define what you actual...
Nov 12, 2024•40 min•Ep. 77
#76 — At the heart of the scientific method lies the idea that perspectives are not static—they evolve, shift, and intersect as we tackle scientific problems from different perspectives and uncover new ground truths. Yet, for most of us, daily science boils down to fine details such as the particulars of experimental design, the caveats to our experiments, producing enough data to satisfy the boss, exporting your data in the correct format, and leaving the instrument ready for the next user. The...
Oct 18, 2024•42 min•Ep. 76
#75 — We're told from a young age that patience is a virtue. But does that hold up to scrutiny? In some respects, it seems so, given that impatience can be annoying to experience and make you unbearable to the people you're waiting on. But what are the consequences of excessive patience? Does it become a pathological trait that results in excess tolerance and forbearance, which, in turn, stop you from getting what you want and perhaps make you afraid to stand up for yourself? And remember, scien...
Sep 13, 2024•39 min•Ep. 75
#74 — How we feel about completing certain tasks and the people they involve have a massive impact on whether or not we do those tasks or how quickly and carefully we get them done. You know—when a job involves dealing with that person, sending that email, or dealing with that instrument. Or when your stress levels build up so much that you lay out a heap of things you want done and tell everyone involved in an ill-tempered way. And we all respond differently to people who nag, condescend, and m...
Aug 16, 2024•34 min•Ep. 74
#73 — Why do you do science? Is it your passion, is it to make an impact, is it just the way you make your living, or something else? Whatever the reason, having a clear sense of your purpose matters. It can help you deal with major and minor challenges, cope with setbacks, and help you reflect on the professional success and value of your career choices to sustain your development. Or perhaps you feel dispassionate about doing science. And if you do, is it just a temporary phase or a sign that ...
Jul 19, 2024•42 min•Ep. 73
#72 — Freedom is not having lots of options—it's choosing between them. You are free to choose. Now think about that in the context of your research project and career. Are there any decisions you would approach differently? Is there anything you tend to avoid because you worry it will limit your options in the future? You might worry that specializing in a specific technique or instrument makes you less widely employable. Or you might worry about the consequences of taking projects in the same ...
Jun 14, 2024•37 min•Ep. 72
#71 — Tara Nylese was a career scientist and formerly a Regional Market Development Manager at Thermo Fisher Scientific. She left her Market Development Manager job to focus on other workplace wellness activities, and launched her book, Mindfulness in Everyday Life , which hit the #1 Best-selling new release in Business Health & Stress on Amazon. She is passionate about mental and emotional well-being at work and is certified in Applied Positive Psychology and as a Meditation Instructor. Tar...
May 10, 2024•41 min•Ep. 71
#70 — Academia can seem like nothing but deadlines. Experiments, people, reports, and objectives compete for our immediate attention. Sometimes, rightly so. But you can't physically do everything at once. And when rushing becomes the rule rather than the exception, all your well-reasoned priorities can be totally derailed, leaving you feeling like you are always playing catch-up. Plus, rushing usually has a negative impact on the quality of your work. So what steps can you take to stop urgency f...
Apr 12, 2024•40 min•Ep. 70
#69 — Challenging people. You get them everywhere. Your lab—and beyond. There's the one who block-books instruments for two weeks straight. There's the one who barely shows up and seems to get by doing far less work than you. There are data thieves and god complexes, post-it note warriors, and everything in between. Heck, labs can be real frontier towns. Some challenging people might be irritating fellow scientists, which you can mostly avoid. Others are so colossally awful that they make you dr...
Feb 23, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 69
#68 — Respect is an interesting measure of a career. We all know colleagues we respect personally, or professionally, or intellectually. Sometimes one person captures more than one or even all of these measures. In fact, they can feed each other in an upward spiral. Here we will consider the micro and the macro ways to expand our respectability. We'll also explore how you can cultivate respect—on multiple levels—and how it enables enduring professional connections. Watch or Listen to all episode...
Jan 26, 2024•45 min•Ep. 68
#67 — Staying motivated while doing research is hard! It can be repetitive, with bouts of frequent failure and some complete dead ends. But your research is beneficial and does matter—even if you're momentarily struggling to see the bigger picture—so it's critical to have an arsenal of ways to stay motivated when times get rough. In this episode of The Happy Scientist , we explore some habits and techniques you can adopt to keep the flame burning. Whether you face demanding research hurdles or n...
Dec 04, 2023•48 min•Ep. 67
#66 — Do you ever think: "I don't love science anymore"? Many of us have doubts during our scientific career and question whether the passion or enthusiasm is still there, but is it really true that we don't love science anymore, or is it that we don’t love the machine, the politics, the funding apparatus, or the people we work with? In this episode of The Happy Scientist , let's go back to where it all started and figure out when the “real world” got in the way. Discover how to apply your hard-...
Nov 06, 2023•46 min•Ep. 66
#65 — Do you feel awkward responding when someone genuinely compliments your work? Have you ever had a backhanded compliment or dubious praise? It seems like it can be hard to know what to say when your accomplishments get noticed—especially when it's your boss, a VIP, or even a celebrity. In this episode of The Happy Scientist , get the tools you need to make you confident and gracious in the face of that often uncomfortable experience—receiving praise. By applying what you learn, you'll know h...
Oct 09, 2023•33 min•Ep. 65
#64 — Catalysts aren't just for chemists anymore! The best practices you bring to the bench can be invaluable tools beyond it. In this episode of The Happy Scientist , discover how to repurpose best lab practices to recognize new opportunities, accelerate your career progression, and extract value from your professional experience. Watch or Listen to all episodes of The Happy Scientist podcast here: https://thehappyscientist.bitesizebio.com #Podcast #BitesizeBio #TheHappyScientist If you enjoyed...
Sep 25, 2023•39 min•Ep. 64
#63 — Discover the art of focus. Dive into its macro and micro applications. Begin with the bigger picture—your career, then ripple inward to your organization, team, and current tasks. But the order you put these in is yours to shape. Make your priorities guide your focus. Tune in to this episode of The Happy Scientist to explore how priorities and focus intertwine and redefine your lab superpower! Watch or Listen to all episodes of The Happy Scientist podcast here: https://thehappyscientist.bi...
Sep 11, 2023•51 min•Ep. 63
#62 — Looking out for number #1 was fashionable in the 80s. Now it's almost a rude comment. But if you're not looking out for yourself, who is? And what's the best balance between collaboration and prioritizing your individual goals? Discover ways to balance your interests and those of the people around you and how service to all can be of service to you, in this episode of The Happy Scientist. Watch or Listen to all episodes of The Happy Scientist podcast here: https://thehappyscientist.bitesiz...
Jul 10, 2023•51 min•Ep. 62
#61 — Join in this episode of The Happy Scientist podcast for a conversation with Dr. Brandon Vaidyanathan, Associate Professor at the Catholic University of America and lead scientist on a fascinating study that examines the role of beauty in science as well as the impact of beauty on the well-being of scientists. It turns out that whether one is drawn to the subjective side of science or the objective side, beauty plays a major role in one's satisfaction in the field. Learn more about the stud...
May 15, 2023•47 min•Ep. 61
#60 — Have you been wronged? Are you righteously indignant? Are you that most popular of characters today: a Victim? In this episode, we will give you the keys to set you free. Then you can decide whether you prefer grudges or freedom. Listen to all episodes of The Happy Scientist podcast: https://thehappyscientist.bitesizebio.com/ If you enjoyed this episode and want more practical tips on being a happy and successful scientist, we can help. Download The Happy Scientist Reference Pack today, an...
Oct 14, 2022•30 min•Ep. 60
#59 — “It’s always been done that way.” Maybe that works for double-entry accounting (which hasn’t changed in a thousand years), but not in the lab. We humans may love the security of things we can count on, things like protocols and management, axioms and HR. But you are a scientist, and curiosity and discovery define your world. So buckle up: we are going after the status quo. Also check: There Is No Such Thing As A comfort Zone - http://www.veraclaritas.com/theres-no-such-thing-as-a-comfort-z...
Sep 16, 2022•22 min•Ep. 59
Rene Descartes famously wrote, “I think therefore I am.” Have you cleverly upgraded that to “I science therefore I am”? It turns out that might not be the shining achievement you thought it was. Join me in conversation with Dr. Laura Grassie, Ph.D. molecular biologist and full-time wife and mother as we discuss the benefits of decoupling your identity and your work. Listen to all episodes of The Happy Scientist podcast: https://thehappyscientist.bitesizebio.com/ If you enjoyed this episode and w...
Aug 19, 2022•28 min•Ep. 58
Remember when you were a wide-eyed child and you dreamed of being the person who would invent some world-changing gizmo? You had lots of ideas back then. But now that you’re all grown up and worse yet, EDUCATED, have you run out of notions? Or have you found you have them but you can’t produce them in a clutch? Don’t worry; that dream machine is still in there. In this episode, we will turn the idea fountain back on. Also check: How to Foster Imagination - https://bit.ly/foster-imagination What ...
Jul 15, 2022•40 min•Ep. 57
In this episode, we interview the Ph.D. pharmacologist and biocurator, who became Senior Managing Editor for Bitesize Bio, Dr. Adam Pawson. How did he escape the lab, and overcome his fear of being exposed after over 25 years of academic and professional scientific success? See how competence and success ultimately triumph over fear and self-doubt. Also Check: Episode 10 — Getting Past Imposter Syndrome - https://thehappyscientist.bitesizebio.com/episodes/ep-10-getting-past-imposter-syndrome Epi...
Jul 01, 2022•30 min•Ep. 56
Is your lab a pressure cooker? You’re not a pot roast, so such an environment is not for you. But can you do anything about it? Fortunately, yes! This episode will unpack the many tools at your disposal to make your workday and your career far more serene and productive. Also check: Episode 11 — The Art of Going Slow - https://thehappyscientist.bitesizebio.com/episodes/episode-11-the-art-of-going-slow Episode 12 — Managing Your Energy - https://thehappyscientist.bitesizebio.com/episodes/ep-12-ma...
Jun 17, 2022•26 min•Ep. 55
In this episode, we will offer you a simple test that will clarify the proper priority for any item on your to-do list – or reveal that it shouldn’t be on your list at all. View the quadrants here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iQOoct6QjdID0fU4OaHpmq2LQTsGZ1S7/view?usp=sharing Listen to all episodes of The Happy Scientist podcast: https://thehappyscientist.bitesizebio.com/ If you enjoyed this episode and want more practical tips on being a happy and successful scientist, we can help. Download...
Jun 03, 2022•32 min•Ep. 54
Who was that wise, compassionate, brilliant person who decided for you what is comfortable and what isn’t? Oh, they weren’t so wise, compassionate, or brilliant? And their identity is not at all clear? Before you make an appointment with your therapist, your hairdresser, and your bartender, let’s talk. This episode will dispel the common presuppositions about comfort. Listen to all episodes of The Happy Scientist podcast: https://thehappyscientist.bitesizebio.com/ If you enjoyed this episode and...
May 20, 2022•23 min•Ep. 53
Maybe you think there is too much to know about science without having to incorporate other fields. In fact, your own sub-sub-specialty is overwhelming enough! But this is the whole point. Why not draw on others who have already done all the heavy lifting, made all the mistakes, and overcame them? Why not use functional, proven methods and systems; but use them for your own elevated purposes? Check out the books discussed in this episode below: The Martian by Andy Weir — https://www.amazon.com/T...
May 06, 2022•45 min•Ep. 52
