The PhD Journey Unplugged

In this educational segment, Dr. Gordon steps back into the heart of her doctoral research — “Exploring Exercise Motivations and Perspectives of Successful Aging with Older Triathletes.” Framed within Self-Determination Theory, this work examined how the basic psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness shape not only exercise behavior, but identity formation and the experience of...

Growth sounds inspiring — but in real life, stepping outside your comfort zone can feel unsettling. In Episode 47 of The PhD Journey Unplugged, Dr. Sarah Gordon and Dr. Rehan Tahir explore the psychology of growth, the anxiety that often accompanies new beginnings, and how to develop a true growth mindset when facing uncertainty. Through an honest and research-informed conversation, they discuss:...

Is enjoyment just a bonus — or is it the foundation of sustainable performance? Have you ever noticed how much easier it is to stay consistent with something you actually enjoy? In Episode 46 of The PhD Journey Unplugged, Sarah Gordon and Andrew Schubauer explore why enjoyment is not the opposite of discipline, but the mechanism that sustains it. Together, they unpack the difference between pleasu...

In this solo episode of The PhD Journey Unplugged Podcast, Dr. Sarah Gordon introduces The Philosophical Pause — a reflective space to step away from performance and reconnect with meaning. Inspired by a simple park bench and her poem “The Bench,” this episode explores the power of stillness in a world driven by constant motion. Through themes of reflection, recovery, and human performance, Dr. Go...

In Episode 44 of The PhD Journey Unplugged, Dr. Sarah Gordon sits down with Dr. Gregory Gibbons, MD, PhD — physician, emergency medicine specialist, human performance expert and researcher, 16-time Ironman finisher, Kona World Championship Finisher, and overall endurance athlete — to explore “Building Health Equity: The Long Game of Human Performance.” This conversation reframes health as more tha...

"What if fulfillment came from doing things that felt true to yourself, where you felt more aligned, and when your motivation came from within - not imposed on you by others? What if finding confidence came from moving your life forward towards autonomy, competence, and relatedness - despite obstacles that may lie in your path?" In this episode, Dr. Sarah Gordon is joined by Dr. Candace...

In this episode of The PhD Journey Unplugged, Sarah and Andrew explore the power of self-efficacy—our belief in our ability to take action and follow through on what matters to us. Self-efficacy isn’t about being perfect or fearless; it’s about believing, even on hard days, that you can take the next step. We reflect on questions that help activate meaningful behavior change: What do I need to suc...

Welcome to Episode 41 and the launch of a new season of The PhD Journey Unplugged . As we step into 2026, this episode marks more than just a new year—it marks a moment of reflection, growth, and intentional living shaped by the lessons of the PhD journey. In this episode, Dr. Sarah L. Gordon shares hard-earned wisdom rooted in health, wellness, and health promotion, drawn from her lived experienc...

Welcome to the final episode of The PhD Journey Unplugged Podcast for 2025—a bittersweet moment that marks the close of an incredible year of growth. What began as a small idea has evolved into a meaningful platform, and while this podcast is still in its infancy, its foundation is rooted in purpose, reflection, and connection. As we look ahead to 2026, the excitement for continued growth and deep...

Welcome to Episode 39 of The PhD Journey Unplugged. In this reflective closing episode of 2025, Dr. Sarah L. Gordon shares a heartfelt message of gratitude and optimism as she looks back on a year of growth and community-building and ahead to the possibilities of 2026. As a new voice in the health promotion space, Dr. Gordon expresses sincere appreciation to the listeners who have supported, engag...

Welcome to The PhD Journey Unplugged Podcast. In this special episode, Dr. Sarah Gordon welcomes back her friend and former classmate, Dr. Ezequiel Benavides, for a reflective and forward-looking conversation on their shared doctoral journeys and what lies ahead beyond the finish line. Sometimes life presents ironies too hard not to notice or even laugh at, as Dr. Benavides and Dr. Gordon push thr...

In this brief and heartfelt episode, Dr. Sarah Gordon reflects on how heartbreak can hurt deeply—but it doesn’t have to sideline you. Drawing from her experiences as a doctoral student, she shares insights on how to keep your light shining, even in the face of unexpected setbacks and emotional challenges. Through a mental, physical, and social-emotional health lens, Dr. Gordon offers a genuine and...

In this 36th episode of The PhD Journey Unplugged, Dr. Sarah Gordon invites Andrew Schubauer on to the show to talk about how to take a kinder path towards self-fulfillment. As the founder of Mountain Wisdom, LLC, Andrew provides "one-on-one" coaching within a framework of neuro-linguistic and emotional intelligence coaching. Andrew's work as a self-efficacy coach is shaped by over 1...

Welcome to The PhD Journey Unplugged Podcast. A quick reminder: all information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. In this short and heartfelt check-in, Dr. Sarah Gordon connects with listeners as she prepares for upcoming travel. She reflects on her recent experience with burnout and how she’s intentionally reclaimin...

Welcome to Episode 34 of The PhD Journey Unplugged Podcast. All information in this episode is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. In this Thanksgiving 2025 episode, Dr. Tahir and Dr. Gordon explore the role of hope in their lives and throughout their PhD journeys. They share personal reflections on how hope provided motivation, resilience, and a sense...

Welcome to Episode 33: Maintenance Matters of The PhD Journey Unplugged Podcast. In this episode, Dr. Sarah Gordon explores why maintenance is an essential—and often overlooked—part of working toward any goal. Not every day will feel inspiring or productive. Some days require leaning into discipline and consistency to create momentum when motivation is low. Drawing from her own PhD experience, Dr....

Welcome to The PhD Journey Unplugged Podcast, Episode 32: Sound Healing. In this episode, Host, Dr. Sarah Gordon, sits down with sound healing practitioner and longtime yoga instructor Lori Roe for a thoughtful conversation about how sound can support our mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Lori shares her personal transition from teaching movement to working with sound and vibration, offe...

Welcome to The PhD Journey Unplugged Podcast, a platform to talk about mental, physical, and social-emotional health based on Dr. Sarah L. Gordon's PhD journey. In Episode 31, Dr. Gordon discusses the value of building social connections within the context of a sense of community and the magic that happens when you open yourself up to those connections. She shares her experiences as a doctoral stu...

Welcome to Episode 30 of The PhD Journey Unplugged Podcast. Episode 30 explores the transformative power of creative expression. In this episode, host Dr. Sarah L. Gordon invites accomplished poet John. M. Doherty to talk about his journey from law enforcement to poetry. With his 30-year career as a law enforcement officer serving his community and prior military service, John brings a unique pers...

In Episode 29, Dr. Sarah L. Gordon welcomes back Dr. Marilyn Ward and their friend, Laura Rossetti, to talk about Laura's journey to the “2025 Ironman World Championship in Kona.” (If you missed it, Episode 19 tells her story of getting to Kona and her remarkable triathlon career.) In this fun and genuine interaction amongst three friends, listeners will hear lessons Laura learned focused on p...

In Episode 28, Dr. Sarah L. Gordon draws on her trip to Assateague State Park, a state park where horses roam. She uses the metaphor of "Wild Horses" to discuss mental, physical, and social-emotional health. She also shares in this episode how the PhD journey taught her tremendous lessons to help others live their best lives in overcoming obstacles. Dr. Gordon holds a PhD in Leadership f...

In Episode 27, Dr. Sarah Gordon shares the importance of allowing yourself time to find clarity in choosing the path forward. She reflects on her own journey and how making hard choices often requires courage and strength in pushing yourself outside your comfort zone. She reads Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken" and uses this poem to launch a discussion about growth and a positive m...

In Episode 26, Dr. Sarah Gordon wraps up her episodes (E22, E23, E24, E25) where she shares her poetry published during her PhD journey. In this episode, she reads a poem about "Searching for Home" and how important it is to find time when pursuing goals for the people in our lives who are important. She shares some trials and challenges and uses those experiences to encourage a growth m...

In Episode 25, Dr. Sarah Gordon talks about how overcoming fears can help us grow. She draws on her personal experiences from her PhD journey to share strategies and wisdom on how to overcome fears. In this episode, she continues to integrate the poetry she published during her doctoral journey, and how, in retrospect, it mirrored some of the issues and challenges of that journey. In this mid-week...

In Episode 24, Dr. Sarah Gordon continues to read from the poetry she published during her doctoral journey. Starting in Episode 22, 23, and now 24, these poetry readings share with her listeners how, through creative writing, she was able to balance the challenges and obstacles that came with pursuing a doctoral degree. These episodes are designed to encourage others to find meaningful outlets in...