PODCAST

Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD

David Mendes, PhD

Real PhDs. Real Journeys. Beyond Academia.

business careers

All Episodes

33:21

Mental Health, Motivation, and Meaning in the PhD...

Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD ·

2025/11/13

Why do we really pursue a PhD—and what happens when the reason no longer feels valid? In this honest and powerful conversation, host David Mendes is joined by Dr. Agnieszka Piotrowska—founder of The Scholars Mentor—to unpack the psychological and emotional challenges PhD students face, especially those studying abroad.Drawing on her background in psychoanalysis and decades in higher ed, Agnieszka discusses the quiet crisis many international and doctoral students go through: anxiety, isolation, and

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34:25

From NASA to Nexus: Turning Science Into Impact with...

Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD ·

2025/11/07

How do you turn a PhD in astrophysics into a career making science accessible to everyone?In this inspiring episode, Arnaud Stiepen - science communicator, TV host, and founder of Nexus by Arnaud Stiepen - joins David Mendes to share his journey from NASA collaborations to building a science-communication business. 💡 Topics include: Building a meaningful career in science communication Overcoming the “shame of money” in academia What entrepreneurship looks like for scientists Mentorship,

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80:07

L’avenir après les études supérieures – Table ronde...

Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD ·

2025/11/04

Dans cet épisode spécial enregistré en direct à l’UQAR lors des Journées de la relève en recherche 2025 de l’ACFAS, David Mendes anime la table ronde d’ouverture intitulée « L’avenir après les études supérieures : parcours inspirants ». Laissez-vous inspirer par les partages de cinq panélistes qui partagent leurs trajectoires professionnelles au-delà du doctorat, illustrant la diversité de carrières possibles après les études supérieures: Valérie Bélanger, directrice régionale Rimouski / Bas

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46:24

From Executive to Passionpreneur – Career Reinvention...

Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD ·

2025/10/24

What happens when a high-powered executive walks away from a billion-dollar corporate role to build a life of passion-driven ventures? In this episode of Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD, David speaks with George Appling – former McKinsey partner turned “passionpreneur,” festival founder, and author of Don't Settle: A Pick-Your-Path Guide to Intentional Work.George shares his transformative pivot from strategy consulting and telecom leadership to launching a medieval theme park, a summer camp rooted

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40:05

Clarity vs Complexity - Branding for Researchers With...

Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD ·

2025/10/16

What if your academic CV is working against you? This week on Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD, creative strategist and branding expert Michael Dargie joins David Mendes to reframe how researchers can become memorable in non-academic spaces.Drawing from his new book Brandjitsu, Michael shares his unique approach to personal branding, designed for introverts and extroverts alike. Learn why showcasing only 20% of your experience can be more powerful than oversharing, and how to shift the spotlight

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30:35

Débuter en diplomatie scientifique - Sept profils de...

Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD ·

2025/10/09

Dans cet épisode spécial d'Horizon PhD, je t’emmène à la rencontre de sept PhDs qui ont choisi une voie peu connue, mais pleine de sens : devenir scientifique en résidence dans une délégation du Québec à l’étranger.À Toronto, New York, Mexico, Rabat, Paris, Rome et à Séoul, ces jeunes scientifiques mettent leurs compétences au service de la diplomatie scientifique et de la coopération internationale au sein du programme de résidences scientifiques du Fonds de recherche du Québec. Leur point commun

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56:38

Bending Time, Beating Burnout, and Building a Career...

Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD ·

2025/10/02

In this episode of Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD, I talk with Michelle Niemeyer - speaker, coach, and former attorney - about how to stay sharp, productive, and joyful without burning out. After experiencing burnout herself during her legal career and facing a life-changing health diagnosis, Michelle developed The Art of Bending Time: a framework to help professionals align their work, life, and purpose.Together, we explore: Why traditional “time management” often fails, and what to focus on

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63:16

From Burnout to Balance – Lexi Reid on Healing and...

Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD ·

2025/09/25

How do you go from scientist to science-informed coach helping women in STEM manage stress and avoid burnout?In this powerful episode of Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD, I sit down with Lexi Reid - a former plant biologist and regulatory affairs specialist who found herself emotionally depleted after years in academia, government, and the medical device industry. Lexi shares her deeply personal and transformative journey of confronting burnout and rediscovering purpose through creativity,

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63:27

PhD to Industry – Navigating Career Growth &...

Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD ·

2025/09/18

What happens after you land your first job post-PhD? For many researchers, the transition from academia is just the beginning. In this episode of Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD, Katerina Thomas joins David Mendes to explore how mentorship, self-awareness, and internal motivation shape the next stages of a PhD’s career journey.Drawing from her own experience as a PhD in the life sciences now thriving in industry, Katerina reflects on redefining success beyond titles, finding mentors aligned with

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77:31

Enseigner au Cégep - Indépendance, rigueur et...

Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD ·

2025/09/11

Dans cet épisode d’Au-delà de la thèse avec Papa PhD, je reçois l’essayiste et professeur Mathieu Bélisle. Ensemble, nous revisitons son parcours universitaire marqué par des doutes, des abandons et une reconquête progressive du sens à travers l’enseignement collégial. Ce témoignage nuancé aborde la pression académique, la fatigue mentale en doctorat, et la quête de sens qui pousse parfois à sortir des sentiers battus de l’université.🎓 Vous entendrez : Pourquoi le début du doctorat peut être

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62:20

Finish Your PhD Faster and Healthier – Time...

Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD ·

2025/09/04

🎙️ This week on Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD, Lucia Juarez, PhD, academic coach and creator of the SmartPhD system, joins us to talk about how PhD students can reclaim their time, boost academic confidence, and finish faster without sacrificing their wellbeing.Drawing from her own journey through burnout, motherhood, and academic overwhelm, Lucia shares how she shifted from “just work harder” to a smarter, more human approach to research. Her strategies blend mindset work, intentional rest, and

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40:22

Être déléguée générale du Québec à Munich avec...

Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD ·

2025/08/28

Bienvenue dans ce nouvel épisode d’Horizon PhD!Dans cet épisode, nous partons à la rencontre de Geneviève Rolland, déléguée générale du Québec à Munich, pour mieux comprendre le rôle des scientifiques en résidence au sein des délégations du Québec à l’étranger. Au fil de l’entretien, Geneviève partage son expérience au sein du programme, explique le quotidien de ces jeunes scientifiques qui mettent leurs compétences multidisciplinaires au service du rayonnement international du Québec, et

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01:28

Season 7 Trailer - Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD

Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD ·

2025/08/28

🎓 Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD is the podcast that helps researchers, graduate students, and PhDs explore career possibilities beyond academia. Hosted by David Mendes, each episode shares real stories of PhDs who have successfully transitioned into diverse roles across industry, government, communication, and entrepreneurship. With over 300 interviews and listeners in 100+ countries, this show is a treasure trove for anyone navigating the challenges of life after grad school. In this trailer,

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59:19

Daring to Go Astray: Jillian Reilly Shares the Power...

Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD ·

2025/08/21

Welcome back to Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD! In this episode, host David Mendes sits down with Jillian Rilley – founder, writer, keynote speaker, and consultant whose decades of work focus on helping people navigate change and accelerate learning, especially in disruptive times. Drawing on her experiences across Africa, Asia, and Central Europe, Jillian shares her personal journey of making bold transitions, including her pivotal move from academia in the U.S. to South Africa during a

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01:12:40

From Research to Financial Freedom – Al Zdenek on...

Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD ·

2025/08/14

Welcome back to Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD! In this week’s episode, host David Mendes is joined by Al Zdenek—a seasoned entrepreneur in the wealth management industry, acclaimed author, and passionate advocate for financial literacy. With over 40 years of experience as a CPA, personal financial specialist, and now co-founder of K Club, Al brings invaluable insights to academics navigating the often daunting shift from the structured world of academia to the uncharted waters of industry

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51:32

Being a Young Scientist in the Global South with...

Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD ·

2025/08/07

In this episode of Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD, host David Mendes sits down with Dr. Karina do Santos Machado, a trailblazing young scientist from Brazil whose journey exemplifies the power of collaboration and open science in the global South. Karina shares her path from a childhood fascination with computers to becoming a principal investigator leading cutting-edge drug discovery research with global impact, all from her home base in Rio Grande.Facing the challenges of limited funding,

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10:22

Pépite Papa PhD : Surmonter les rejets après la thèse...

Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD ·

2025/07/31

Dans cette nouvelle Pépite Papa PhD, Nathalie Nguyen-Quoc Ouellette, astrophysicienne et communicatrice scientifique passionnée, nous raconte comment, après son doctorat, elle a osé sortir du parcours traditionnel pour se lancer dans la vulgarisation scientifique, surmontant de nombreux refus avant de trouver sa voie. Nathalie souligne l’importance de la résilience, de l’apprentissage face à l’adversité et du fait de suivre sa passion, même quand le chemin n’existe pas encore. Pour tous ceux

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11:20

Papa PhD Gold: From Bird Brains to Broadcasts - Dr....

Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD ·

2025/07/24

Welcome back to Beyond the Thesis! This week, host David Mendes sits down with Dr. Kirsten “Kiki” Sanford, a science communicator with an unconventional path from bird neuroscience to the front lines of science storytelling. In this episode, Dr. Kiki shares behind-the-scenes stories of launching “This Week in Science,” collaborating with mentors like Leo Laporte, and mastering new technologies – much of it self-taught. She reflects on the real-world skills her PhD provided, the power of

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07:25

Pépite Papa PhD : Oser prendre la parole en tant que...

Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD ·

2025/07/17

Bienvenue dans cette nouvelle Pépite Papa PhD ! Dans cet excerpt de mon entrevue avec Olivier Bernard, pharmacien et vulgarisateur reconnu, il parle de comment communiquer efficacement la science, même face à la pseudoscience et aux sujets polarisants. On a parlé de l’importance de l’empathie, de la nuance et de surmonter la peur de prendre la parole publiquement. Le message à retenir : 95% des gens sont prêts à entendre la vérité, alors ose partager tes connaissances et prends ta place dans

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09:07

Papa PhD Gold: Rethinking Selling and Storytelling in...

Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD ·

2025/07/10

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

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Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD

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