What Will I Be When I Grow Up?

Life transitions can feel like setbacks, but they are often just opportunities to redefine your path. Thanaselan Rajendran opens up about navigating his lowest professional points and how a "last-minute" decision to study abroad in Sheffield became the critical reset that bridged his past in the civil service to his future in social innovation.

We are all craving connection, and trainee counsellor Alina Nazri knows how deeply that shapes our lives. She sits down with us to unpack the role of community in wellbeing, and why moving past surface-level small talk to real vulnerability is the most courageous (and rewarding) thing we can do.

Ever felt intimidated by art galleries? Feng is on a mission to change that. He’s breaking down institutional walls to ensure everyone (not just the "art crowd") feels they belong! Hit play, as we discuss taking risks to make art a seamless experience for all.

Is softness a liability? Not at all. This International Women’s Day, Sharifah Hani Yasmin and Aisha Hassan (Dia Guild) share how knowledge and connections fuel clarity, courage, and community, proving women thrive by lifting each other. And of course, there’s the joy of simply being girls together!

Ashley Robinson spent years believing she wasn't smart enough for law school… until she realised capability was never the issue. Hear how changing universities twice, making labels in law firms, and finally enrolling at 39 (with two children in tow!) taught her that the only race that matters is against yourself.

Who shapes the cities we live in, and who gets left out? Dr. Katerina Antonopoulou from the Liverpool School of Architecture invites us to rethink the traditional top-down approach to urban design. She reveals why architects need to step off the map and step into real communities to understand how people actually live, move, and belong in a space. Discover why great architecture isn’t just about s...

From cleaning rat cages to exploring the complexities of addiction, Dr. Lisa Wallace’s journey is a testament to the power of proving doubters wrong. Along the way, pharmacology taught her unexpected lessons about empathy, resilience, and the human side of science. She reflects on why stubbornness can be a hidden strength, how setbacks often redirect us toward greater opportunities, and why the lo...

The daydreaming boy who took hours to walk home grew up to decode focus. Dr Carmel Mevorach reveals why we’re brilliant at filtering distractions, how devices hijack our attention, and why neurodivergent minds offer unique strengths. This is truly a conversation that changes how you think about potential.

How can seemingly small moments shape an entire career? Professor Jeremy Simpson, Dean of Science at University College Dublin, shares how his journey was transformed by moments as simple as attending a lecture on oil-eating microbes or discovering the glow of jellyfish proteins. He opens up about the power of curiosity, the unexpected paths that define a life in science, and why pursuing what gen...

Why do high achievers self-sabotage? According to York’s Professor Paul Bishop, the answer lies deeper than motivation or discipline. His research uncovers how shame can quietly derail even the most capable students - manifesting as writer’s block, procrastination, or avoidance. He also reveals why lecture attendance carries different levels of impact depending on a student’s year of study, and ho...

After over 15 years in the corporate world, Dr. Caroline Chaffer went from PwC chartered accountant to University of York Associate Dean. Her story reveals how a promotion offer sparked a complete career pivot and why “being good at math” isn’t enough for success today.

What’s it really like to swap Malaysia’s sunshine for the UK’s famously unpredictable weather? MARA scholar Izz Irfan shares his honest take on adjusting to life at the University of Birmingham - from the cold and halal food hunts to making campus feel like home.

NMIT’s (Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology) Ali Kahwaji proves that true innovation doesn’t happen in isolation. In this episode, he shares how culture, connection, and compassion drive his mission to design systems that serve people - not just products or technology.

What happens when you ditch the "safe path"? Meet three Malaysian scholars at the University of Birmingham who took the leap. From science to philosophy to activism, they share candid stories of forging their own way without a clear map. As it turns out, getting a little lost might just lead you exactly where you need to be.

What if taking a break wasn’t falling behind, but finding your way? Dr Nick Turnbull from The University of Manchester shares how an eight-year detour shaped his path to academia, and why there’s no such thing as being “off track” when you’re learning who you are.

This is no joke — from cold-calling blood donors to becoming a surprisingly talented water filter salesperson, Devina's unconventional career path takes center stage in this April Fool's special. Join us as MABECS' Executive Director switches chairs and reveals how her quirky journey through odd jobs watered (pun intended) the seeds of leadership in education and publishing. Who knew selling water...

What if the biggest breakthroughs in your career came from the paths you never planned? Professor Brad MacKay of the University of St Andrews didn’t set out to become a global voice in academia, but a research detour into Scottish independence changed everything. In this episode, he shares how embracing uncertainty and following unexpected turns can lead to lasting impact—and why your next career...

Journey through financial history with University College Dublin's Don Bredin as he unravels how economic crises shape our world. Drawing from his firsthand experiences as an Irishman navigating Ireland's tumultuous 1980s to today's dynamic global markets, he reveals how a deep understanding of historical financial trends can inspire innovative solutions, paving the way for a more incl...

From solicitor to professor, Paul McConnell shares invaluable insights on navigating legal careers globally. Join us as we explore how work experiences shape career decisions, debunk legal profession myths, and discover why your international background might be your greatest asset in the legal world.

From studying Alzheimer’s to decoding how our brain's "GPS" works, Exeter’s Dr Jon Brown’s research is on its journey to shape the future of neuroscience. Discover how his research seeks to improve these neuronal connections, potentially alleviating early symptoms of Alzheimer’s such as disorientation.

Is there a loneliest time in a person’s life? Can you be in solitude in a crowd? Dr Jennifer Lay from the University of Exeter discusses her niche research on solitude and loneliness, where she uncovers the intersection of solitude and loneliness in our hyperconnected world.

“History is not just about facts, figures and people - it’s about learning where we came from,” says Queen Mary lecturer in Cold War History, Dr Rowena Abdul Razak. Dr Rowena posits that history gives you that edge and ability to see forward because you know what happened before. Tune in to learn more about why history so fascinated Dr Rowena from young and why corporate companies are now recruiti...

The climate crisis is real, and it is already affecting our future, including the jobs it is creating and will create. The key to looking for a successful, sustainable career is asking questions that are environmentally related - as Dr Phil Murphy elaborates fascinatingly in this episode.

“I started off with no real clear direction,” Dr Eoin Jordan confessed about his career journey. But as we listen, his non-linear career journey is anything but unclear. What if clarity is really a process rather than a destination? That’s what we’ve learnt as we listen to Dr Jordan’s illustrious work journey across his travels in the UK, Canada, Japan and China.

If you’re an audiophile, you might have heard of Warwick Acoustics, which its director, Professor Duncan Billson claims to make the “world’s best headphones by a long way”. Duncan, a Professor at the University of Warwick, takes us through the highs and lows of his career, advising students to “always do something a little scary in life”.