The Happy Scientist

#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...

#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...

#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...

#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 fac...

#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 her...

#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 superpowe...

#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. Wa...

#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 obj...

#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...

#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...

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...

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 id...

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 S...

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-...

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 e...

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...

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? Chec...

Unless we’re wrong, having to be right all the time will lead to lots of problems. (See what we did there?) In this episode, we will explore the risky nature of needing to be right all the time. Also check: Principles by Ray Dalio — https://www.principles.com/ Episode 41 — Do You Listen? — https://thehappyscientist.bitesizebio.com/episodes/ep-41-do-you-listen Episode 31 — What You Don't Know You D...

Early on, you discovered you liked science class better than other classes, say composition, or history, or literature. There is nothing wrong with preferences. You may even have liked some of those non-science classes, if not as much. But some classes, you hated. Maybe you could avoid gym class or drama class. But there was no hiding from math. And it keeps showing up in your scientific environme...

While it’s easy to complain about what’s lacking, it’s productive to focus on what’s going for you, what’s working for you, and what’s supporting you. Awareness of the pluses offers you opportunities to capitalize on the assets available to you. So this episode will shine a light on some things that you might not be noticing, or may even be hidden to you—until now. Listen to all episodes of The Ha...

If it wasn’t for the tasks, the people, the bureaucracy or the pressure, you would love your job. After all, no other careers have these demands… Hmm, perhaps your expectations need a tune up. But let’s say you got dismally realistic – how can you face all of the barriers to a successful and satisfying career, especially in the rarified air of science? Listen to all episodes of The Happy Scientist...

And the blind shall see! It’s easy to acknowledge we don’t know everything but it can be hard to admit we don’t know when things get specific. It’s even harder when we don’t know what we are missing. In this episode we will discuss our human reactions to our blind spots and how to get past them. Check Episode 31 ( https://bitesizebio.com/podcast/episo... ) and the article "There's No Such Things A...

Ah, reason. It can be so comforting. But to the uninitiated it can be quite frightening. In this episode, learn how to spread your hard won reason without causing a panic or making enemies. Check the articles http://veraclaritas.com/escape-the-tr... and http://veraclaritas.com/you-cant-thin.... Listen to all episodes of The Happy Scientist podcast: https://thehappyscientist.bitesizebio.com/ If you...

Freedom has been associated with politics, philosophy, lifestyle, morality, relationships, even guns. But what about science? In this episode, we will posit the importance of freedom in science, and the forces that would make it not so. Listen in! Check out Episode 16 — The Challenge of Differentiating Between Science & Scientific Opinion - https://thehappyscientist.bitesizebio.com/episodes/ep...

Ah, the elusive fantasy of work — life balance. Think about it, can you name anyone who consistently delivers on it? If you have ever experienced a magical moment that looked like it, were you able to sustain it? Since work — life balance seems to be as rare as leprechauns mounted on unicorns, perhaps something more achievable is in order. In this episode we will discuss something more effective a...