Stupid Genius PhD Podcast

In this week's episode of Stupid Genius, Emily and Mollie tackle the art of having difficult conversations in academia and the importance of nurturing positive relationships throughout your PhD journey. Emily and Mollie explore practical strategies for approaching tough discussions, like the COIN model, and emphasise the importance of active listening and mutual understanding to resolve conflicts....

Emily and Mollie share the three most important skills you need to develop and demonstrate throughout your PhD to make you the ideal job candidate. They chat about how your PhD is a perfect environment to showcase these important skills to future employers, and they give some ideas of how you can work on improving them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emily and Mollie tackle the practical and often overlooked topic of Gantt charts for project management of the PhD. They explain the history, structure, and benefits of using Gantt charts, especially in organising a PhD timeline. They provide a step-by-step guide on creating and effectively utilising Gantt charts, discussing everything from listing tasks to setting realistic deadlines and managing...

Join Emily and Mollie on this episode of Stupid Genius as they unravel the validation myth that holds many professionals back. Discover the steps to overcome the need for approval from others and build a genuine sense of self-worth in the workplace. Learn how to navigate your career confidently and authentically, free from the pressure of seeking validation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...

Have you ever thought of yourself as a hero? Well, maybe it's time you should. In this episode, Emily and Mollie discuss the hero's journey, and how understanding where you are on yours might just be what you need to push your PhD to the next level. Join the stupid geniuses as they chat about answering your call, overcoming challenges, being on the brink of a breakthrough, and much more. Hosted on...

In this week's episode of "Stupid Genius," Emily and Mollie share their top recommendations for items they don't regret buying as PhD students. They discuss the benefits of overhead headphones for focused studying, the comfort of linen trousers, and the practicality of a good rucksack. Tune in for a comprehensive guide to making smart, impactful purchases during your PhD journey. Hosted on Acast....

Writing is an essential part of being a PhD student and academic. Yet, many of us suffer from writer's block and a lack of motivation when it comes to putting pen to paper or words to screen. We may also find we are distracted easily and struggle with writing anxiety. In this episode, Emily and Mollie discuss some useful techniques to help you overcome these challenges and help you get those creat...

In this week's episode of Stupid Genius, Emily and Mollie delve into the essential skill of saying no effectively in professional and academic settings. They discuss the importance of recognising when to decline opportunities to avoid burnout and ensure optimal productivity. They provide practical advice on how to say no effectively, manage the emotional aspects of say no, and offer real-life exam...

University of Oxford DPhil student and online content creator, Katie Hutchinson aka @phdwithkatie, shares her secrets on how to successfully self-fund your PhD - and enjoy it! Katie discusses the biggest challenges self-funding can bring along with her greatest moments, and she gives some fantastic tips on how to effectively and efficiently manage the self-funding process. Hosted on Acast. See aca...

In this episode of Stupid Genius, Emily and Mollie discuss the common issue of overthinking during a PhD, exploring its psychological roots and sharing practical strategies to manage it effectively. Listeners will gain insights into breaking the cycle of overthinking and learn techniques to stay focused and productive in their academic journey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more infor...

In this episode of Stupid Genius, Emily and Mollie tackle the ultimate PhD question: is doing a PhD worth your time? If you’re considering a PhD or you’re in the midst of studying for one already then this is the episode for you. Tune in to rediscover your motivation, learn more about what a PhD can bring to you both personally and professionally and understand why doing a PhD is worth your time…...

In this week's episode, Emily and Mollie delve into the science and strategies behind charismatic behaviour, exploring how it can significantly enhance influence and collaboration in both personal and professional settings. Learn how traits like authenticity and trust can be cultivated to boost your charisma and inspire those around you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emily and Mollie delve into the unique experiences of parenting while pursuing a PhD. They discuss the challenges and joys of balancing parenthood and academic pursuits, and are joined by two incredible guests, Bridgette Glover and Dr. Michelle Gibbs, who share their personal experiences and insights. Together, they explore the support available for parenting PhD students, the role of institutions...

In this week's episode, Emily and Mollie explore the importance of research logs and reflexivity in the academic journey, highlighting how keeping a detailed research journal can enhance productivity and self-awareness. They share personal experiences and practical tips on maintaining these logs to track progress, manage stress, and support overall well-being during a PhD. Hosted on Acast. See aca...

Emily and Mollie discuss whether collaboration is important for researchers or whether it's ok to go it alone. They chat about the potential drawbacks of choosing to work in a research team before addressing the value that can be gained from collaborating. They give some tips and tricks on how you can repsond to the potential challenges that might arise when working with others on research project...

This week Emily and Mollie explore playfulness during the PhD. They discuss how incorporating playfulness into academic and professional settings can enhance creativity, reduce stress, and foster collaboration. They highlight the benefits of maintaining a positive mindset, infusing humour into interactions, and gamifying tasks, and they chat through some of the common misconceptions and challenges...

What is toxic resilience and why is it rife in academia, especially for PhD students? Join Emily and Mollie as they discuss the workplace trend that we could all do without. On this episode, they share their own and their listeners' experiences of dealing with toxic resilience and they discuss ways we might work towards combatting toxic resiliience. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...

Join Emily and Mollie in this episode of Stupid Genius where they explore the realities of PhD funding, from understanding timeframes to the challenges of not finishing on time and how that can affect you personally and professionally. They share stories from those facing funding constraints and they offer some insights on practical solutions. Emily and Mollie chat critically about the different o...

In this eye-opening episode, Emily and Mollie dive deep into the unspoken challenges of conceiving and navigating pregnancy while pursuing a PhD. From the startling lack of resources and support to the societal taboos that surround this topic, Mollie shares her journey with raw honesty and vulnerability. Join Stupid Genius as they shed light on an overlooked aspect of academia and advocate for a m...

Join Emily and her partner, Vincent for an intimate conversation as they explore the intricacies of maintaining a long-distance relationship while one partner pursues a PhD. In this episode, they delve into the joys and challenges of navigating differences in academic and non-academic lifestyles, sharing personal anecdotes and insights along the way. From scheduling conflicts to emotional connecti...

The Stupid Geniuses are back! Join them for life updates, lots of stupidity and a side order of genius. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The stupid geniuses are joined by the incredible Dr Bee Hughes to discuss the topic of gender inclusivity. Dr Hughes shares their own experiences as a nonbinary person and insights from their research on embodied experiences and the feminist tradition of self-examination. Learn about fostering inclusive spaces and the impact of small daily practices in promoting gender inclusivity and visibility....

In this episode of Stupid Genius, Emily and Mollie explore the history and evolution of the PhD. From its ancient origins in Greece to its modern-day significance, they delve into the first official award of the PhD, tracing its development across Europe and beyond. They celebrate notable milestones, such as the emergence of the research-focused PhD in 19th century Germany and its adoption by univ...

In this episode, Emily and Mollie discuss the peer-review process including what it is, what to do, what not to do, and everything in between. As researchers, engaging in peer-reviewing is a key part of our role and yet, it can be tricky to know how to start and it can also ignite that pesky imposter syndrome as we question if we are good enough to review someone else's work. But Stupid Genius has...

Join the Stupid Geniuses as they discuss gender equality in academia and the importance of allyship. With International Women's Day approaching, they explore some of the issues facing women in the academic sphere and they share some statistics that might surprise you! They share some inspiring stories of amazing women who are breaking barriers in this often challenging environment. They also hear...