Stupid Genius PhD Podcast

PhDoireann joins Stupid Genius to dive into the ever-important topic of finding balance during a PhD. Doireann, a PhD student and advocate for work-life balance, shares her insights on self-care, overcoming guilt, and making time for life outside academia. Tune in for lots of laughs as they discuss why balance matters and how to achieve it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informati...

This week on Stupid Genius, Emily talks all about accountability—specifically, how it helps writers, like you, stay on track. Whether you're writing a PhD thesis, a novel, or just trying to get that blog post done, accountability can make a huge difference. Emily talks about how to set up systems that keep you motivated, how to bounce back when you’ve fallen behind, and why accountability isn’t ab...

On this week of Stupid Genius, Emily and Mollie tackle a popular academic competition that sounds simple but can be deceptively challenging: the Three Minute Thesis, or 3MT. Mollie shares her experience as she won her faculty heats /(twice!) and went on to compete at the university level. They also break it down into what the 3MT is and where it comes from, how to write a great 3MT, and how to per...

The incredible Kenkie Brenna @kenziebrenna joins Emily and Mollie to chat about her less-than-perfect experience with an education system not designed for her, her inspiring untraditional route into academia and how she now, in her thirties, finds herself a student all over again and loving every aspect of that crazy, beautiful learning journey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more info...

This week on Stupid Genius, Emily and Mollie are diving into a juicy, cathartic topic that I think every grad student and academic will appreciate: Am I the Asshole? PhD Edition . They're reacting to posts from Reddit where people spill their academic grievances and try to figure out who’s really at fault. Are you ready for some drama? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Stupid Genius, Emily and Mollie welcome the very first PhD advice session. This is a series on Stupid Genius where you send in your current dilemmas or anything that you want advice on (via Instagram), and Emily and Mollie give you their unprofessional advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week of Stupid Genius, Emily and Mollie are tackling one of the most soul-crushing aspects of academic life: publishing fails. If you’ve ever faced a desk rejection, felt gutted by peer-review comments, or wondered if anyone else struggles with endless cycles of rejection—you’re not alone. You have Mollie. Today Emily interviews Mollie about her experiences navigating the turbulent world of a...

In this episode of Stupid Genius, Emily interviews the brilliant Dr. Jessica Steinberg. Jessica shares her journey from academic research to entrepreneurial success, turning her PhD expertise into a consultancy business in legal cannabis markets. She discusses starting her business, balancing consultancy with research, and how academics can monetize their skills, providing practical insights for t...

Emily and Mollie discuss whether or not new resolutions are a good thing. They talk about what theirs were for 2024, whether they achieved them, and they share an exciting announcement for 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's episode of Stupid Genius, Emily and Mollie talk about taking a break, and they play some fun festive games to get everyone in the mood for a break. This will be the last episode of 2024, and you won't want to miss it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you ready to unwrap the truth behind our festive fun? In this thought-provoking episode of Stupid Genius, Emily and Mollie delve into the world of consumerism at Christmas. From its humble origins to the present day, they explore the grip consumerism holds on Christmas. The Stupid Geniuses discuss the impact of the rise of commerce and consumerism at Christmas on society and the environment. T...

In this week of Stupid Genius, Emily and Mollie are diving into something Emily has been experimenting with for the past two weeks—reducing her screen time. Spoiler: it’s been a rollercoaster. Emily has been testing a bunch of strategies to spend less time on her phone and Mollie has question - about her process, what worked, and what didn’t. Join them as they explore how this two-week detox went....

In this week of Stupid Genius, Emily and Mollie discuss whether AI should be used in academia and PhD research (spoiler alert: they are more than a little sceptical!). They dive into the dark side of AI from ethical concerns and bias issues to the massive environmental impact using AI has on the planet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode of Stupid Genius, Emily and Mollie talk about one of the key parts of a PhD—attending conferences. Conferences are great for networking, presenting your work, and staying up-to-date in your field. But the big question is: how do you even find them? They break it down into four strategies, with tips, tricks, and even some potential pitfalls to avoid. Hosted on Acast. See acas...

This week on Stupid Genius, Emily and Mollie discuss their red flags when it comes to PhD students. From overworking and burnout to struggling to celebrate others' successes. Join them as they chat about the warning signs that can make or break your PhD journey! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week of Stupid Genius, Emily chatted with Martina, a second-year veterinary student in her 30s, who made the bold decision to leave her PhD after realising it wasn't the right path for her. She shares her journey from completing a master's in forensic science and anthropology, navigating the challenges of self-doubt, and ultimately pursuing her lifelong dream of becoming a vet. Tune in to...

In this Halloween special of Stupid Genius, Emily and Mollie explore the scariest PhD horror stories from real students, featuring advisor nightmares, ghosting supervisors, and experimental disasters. Tune in for a chilling episode full of shocking tales from academia and tips on surviving your PhD nightmares. Happy Halloween! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Stupid Genius, Emily and Emily's partner - Vincent explore the key differences between motivation and dedication, and why dedication is the real driver of academic success. They share practical tips on how to build discipline, maintain progress, and stay consistent, even when motivation is low. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode of Stupid Genius, Mollie shares her top 12 VIVA tips one year after successfully passing hers. Emily and Mollie discuss key questions like whether you need to dress to impress, how to choose your examiners, and how best to prepare mentally and physically. Tune in for practical advice and reflections on Mollie’s VIVA experience. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...

Warning: this episode contains unpopular opinions PhD students might find offensive. Is a PhD *actually* hard? Are some PhDs harder than others? Does having money make your PhD easier? Tune in as Emily and Mollie share and discuss some unpopular PhD opinions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this catch-up episode, Mollie shares baby updates and discusses life as a new mum, while Emily catches you up on her summer adventures as a fourth-year PhD student. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Stupid Genius, Emily and Mollie dive into the world of Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) with Dr Amanda Bates. They discuss how PPI is changing research by putting the voices and needs of patients and the public at the forefront of scientific inquiry, highlighting Amanda’s personal experiences and insights from the field. Tune in to discover the impact of PPI on both research...

Emily and Mollie explore the increasingly popular sober curious movement and its potential benefits for PhD students. They delve into the history and rise of the movement, and they discuss how reducing or eliminating alcohol can lead to many potential benefits for PhD students. Sharing their personal experiences, Emily and Mollie provide practical tips for embracing a sober curious lifestyle that...

In this week's episode of Stupid Genius, Emily and Mollie are back sharing their top recommendations for items they don't regret buying as PhD students. They discuss the benefits of loafers, interview transcription services, and a hairbrush...yes a hairbrush. Tune in for a comprehensive guide to making smart, impactful purchases during your PhD journey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for m...

In this highly requested episode, Emily and Mollie delve into the often daunting world of academic publishing. They are joined by a special guest, Professor Claire Hannibal, an award-winning researcher with extensive publishing experience. Professor Hannibal shares invaluable insights and answers listener questions on various aspects of the publish or peril culture in academia. Tune in to learn ab...