In this episode, host David Mendes sits down with Tina Persson, a PhD in organic chemistry turned career coach, recruiter, and author, to dive into the reality behind making the leap from academia to industry. During the conversation Tina shares her personal journey, from her PhD and climbing the academic ladder, to discovering that professorship w…

Welcome to this new episode of Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD! In this episode, host David Mendes sits down with Morgan Foret, who brings a fresh perspective on navigating the journey from academia to industry. Morgan shares her personal story, beginning with her undergraduate studies in cell biology, an international research internship in German…

Welcome to a brand new episode of Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD! In this conversation, host David Mendes sits down with Dr. Colleen Kelly, a seasoned chemistry professor, researcher, and now award-winning author of children’s chemistry comic books. With a PhD in chemistry from Penn State, Colleen’s career has spanned environmental toxicology, med…

Welcome to another episode of Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD. This week, host David Mendes sits down with Dr. Rob Lion, professor of Human Resource Development at Idaho State University, expert in culture, leadership development, and organizational performance, and co-owner of Black River Performance Management. With over two decades of experience…

Brethren: The courageous story of Black soldiers who fought for the Union cause. They were formed in St. Louis in Benton Barracks, which is currently Fairground Park. The 62nd and 65th not only fought for the right to become American citizens, but were the founders of Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri.…

Welcome to another episode of Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD. In this episode, David Mendes sits down with Sylvie Lahaie, a neuroscientist, yoga and meditation teacher, and expert in stress management and burnout prevention. Sylvie shares her compelling journey through academia, detailing both the pressures and rewards of graduate research, and ca…

Bienvenue dans ce nouvel épisode d’Horizon PhD! Aujourd’hui, nous partons à la découverte des horizons insoupçonnés du doctorat, en poussant les portes de la diplomatie scientifique avec notre invitée Anne-Marie Pilote. Docteure en communication politique de l’UQAM, Anne-Marie occupe aujourd’hui le poste de directrice adjointe des études, volet rec…

On Mother’s Day, we’ll reflect on what it means to live (and care) in an imperfect world. In a time when division, cruelty, and unrealistic ideals dominate the headlines, Humanism offers something grounding: the courage to repair, the strength to hope, and the wisdom to know that mending what matters is sacred work. Louise will explore how Humanist…

Bienvenue dans cet épisode spécial du balado « Au-delà de la thèse avec Papa PhD» produit en collaboration avec l’équipe ÉOA hors les murs de l’École d’orthophonie et d’audiologie de l’université de Montréal, au long duquel nous vous invitons à plonger dans une conversation inspirante et authentique enregistrée en direct devant public, où notre ani…

Welcome to another episode of Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD—a podcast where we dive deep into what happens after the PhD and how you can leap from academia into a diverse universe of fulfilling careers. This week, host David Mendes sits down in-person with Rayana Luna, a seasoned expert in medical affairs with over a decade of experience spanning…

Get ready to take your next step—whether that's marching, voting, organizing, or simply asking better questions. Let's disrupt with purpose, build with care, and move forward together. Bring a friend who's ready to stir up some necessary trouble.

Welcome to a special collaborative episode of “Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD” featuring Sarah McClusky, host of the Research Adjacent podcast. In this conversation, David Mendes sits down with Sarah to explore the often overlooked world of research-adjacent careers—the roles, paths, and opportunities for PhDs and researchers beyond traditional ac…

Artificial intelligence (specifically large language models that generate "original" writing) have radically rocked the world of higher education. This presentation will offer an overview of how these generative AI tools work, why they've thrown educators into a panic, and how we've been adapting to this new landscape, especially when it comes to w…

Bienvenue à ce nouvel épisode d’Au-delà de la thèse avec Papa PhD ! Dans ce nouvel épisode d’« Au-delà de la thèse avec Papa David Mendes reçoit Nayana Guerrero, chercheuse en sciences sociales et directrice associée au département de gestion et de leadership au Tecnologico de Monterrey. Nayana, titulaire d’un doctorat en sciences administratives d…

In this episode of Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD, host David Mendes is joined by Isabelle Koller, an assistant professor at VU Amsterdam and the founder of NextMinds. Isabelle shares her passion for helping early career researchers navigate the complexities of academia, from enhancing their well-being during their PhDs to planning the next steps …

The Saint Louis University Prison Education was founded in 2007 at the Eastern Reception and Diagnostic Correction Center in Bonne Terre, MO. Since then, it has reached over 4,500 incarcerated individuals through an accredited associate of arts Program, an arts program, and a college preparatory program. The Program has transformed the lives of man…

Bienvenue dans ce nouvel épisode d’Horizon PhD! Dans cette entrevue, je t’apporte Julie Ducharme, une scientifique passionnée qui entame sa deuxième année en tant que scientifique en résidence à la délégation du Québec à Los Angeles. Au cours de l’entrevue, Julie explique en détail son parcours, depuis ses débuts en science jusqu’à son expérience a…

Is what you believe true? In a world filled with information (and misinformation), the ability to discern truth is crucial. This talk introduces a simple yet effective thought experiment with six key questions designed to help you critically examine your beliefs and protect yourself from being fooled by inaccurate or misleading information.…

Welcome to the second episode of Papa PhD Gold! In this riveting conversation, we have the pleasure of delving into the world of gig workers with Professor Sue Ashford from the University of Michigan, as she shares her insightful research on how these workers maintain their identity and vitality in a professional world full of uncertainties. Sue in…

Cette semaine sur Au-delà de la thèse avec Papa PhD, je t’apporte un épisode spécial Podcasthon 2024, où je te présente une association dont la mission est de créer un environnement et une communauté propices à la rédaction de thèse et d’articles – Thèsez-vous. Née en 2015, lors de la première retraite de rédaction organisée par et pour les étudian…

Felix Adler believed that philosophy should speak to everyone, not only scholars. At its heart, ontology—the study of being—is about exploring what it means to exist and how we find our place in the world. For Adler, this exploration was the foundation of ethical Humanism, a philosophy grounded in naturalism, reason, and empathy. These values help …

Bienvenue au tout nouveau format d’Au-delà de la thèse – les Pépites Papa PhD. Dans cet épisode, David Mendes s’entretient avec Manon Fantino-Lalonde, une doctorante entrepreneure qui réussit à jongler entre son projet doctoral et son entreprise naissante pour parler de “La clé de l’entrepreneuriat étudiant – Bien s’entourer”. Manon nous dévoile co…

Great Rivers Greenway, your regional public agency connecting together three counties with greenway trails, turns 25 this year! Hear about how a greenway is brought to life with and for our communities, and how the agency has evolved over their first 25 years, deepening their impact and exploring what else greenways can do for our region. Join us i…

Welcome to a brand-new Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD experience – the “Papa PhD Gold” format, where we dive into a past episode of the show to explore the intersection of science, communication, and personal growth as a researcher. In this episode, we are joined by Elodie Chabrol, a passionate advocate for science communication and a scientist wh…

Welcome to another episode of Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD! In this positivity-charged conversation, we’re joined by Ashley Moses, a PhD candidate in neurosciences at Stanford University. Ashley is not only advancing her own research but she’s also created a precious resource, for herself and for her fellow graduate students – PhD Paths – where …

Welcome to another episode of Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD, where we’re diving deep into the world of academia with Dr. Vikki Wright. Dr. Wright, the founder of The PhD Life Coach, joins David Mendes to share her journey from a full professorship at the University of Birmingham to becoming a life coach empowering PhD students and academics to th…

Through the development of artistic venues, studios and workspaces, short and long-term residencies, and community-based programming, the Kranzberg Arts Foundation provides essential infrastructure for the arts to thrive in the St. Louis region.

Inez Bordeaux was born in St. Louis but lived abroad as the child of an Army Veteran. She moved back to South City St Louis in 1999, where she married and is raising her four kids. Inez has been a public servant for all of her adult life, first in healthcare, working as an LPN for 18 years, having started as a CNA. Then, as Manager of Community Col…

Welcome to another episode of Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD!In this episode of Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD, your host David Mendes sits down for a meaningful chat with Claudia, who just wrapped up her PhD and is now stepping into the pharmaceutical industry. They explore Claudia's experiences during her time in graduate school, including her …

Evolutionary Biologist Jonathan Losos will discuss some recent developments in how scientists study evolution and then discuss the relationship between evolution in the natural world and human ethics.

Bienvenue dans cet épisode spécial d'Au-delà de la thèse avec Papa PhD où je pars derrière le rideau d'un événement unique en son genre : "Dans les coulisses de la recherche".Dans cet épisode spécial, j'accueille dans un format table ronde Sophie-Andrée Blondin, animatrice de l'émission Les Années Lumière sur ICI Première, Thomas Milan, communicate…

This talk will touch upon three questions. First, what does the concept of justice mean within an American context? Second, what do we know about the extent and depth of poverty and economic inequality in the United States? And third, why do the high levels of poverty and economic inequality that we find in the U.S. undermine the notion of American…

Welcome back to Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD!I'm your host, David Mendes, and today, we delve deep into the art of pivoting professionally without fear. In this episode we are joined by two extraordinary guests, Kelly Gunther and Dr. Keri Ohlrich, cofounders of Abbracci Group and cohosts of the Breakout podcast. In this episode, we explore the c…

At the Ethical Society of St. Louis, pledges of financial support from our Members and Friends enable everything we do – everything from maintaining our beautiful building to equitably paying our valued staff, welcoming excellent musicians and speakers to our stage, supporting ethical action in the community, offering meaningful, inclusive, and hum…

Bienvenue à ce nouvel épisode d'Au-delà de la thèse avec Papa PhD ! Aujourd'hui, on vous apporte la récente conversation de David Mendes avec Myriam Beaudry, nutritionniste de formation et travailleuse autonome, sur son parcours académique et sur les défis qui l'ont menée à prendre la décision difficile d'arrêter son doctorat.Myriam nous parle de l…

From our speaker, Dr. Aimee James, “I will talk about what we can do to reduce cancer risk, including recommendations for cancer screening and early detection. The talk will address current recommendations for cancer prevention and early detection, and some of the evidence behind the recommendations. It will touch on how we can navigate health info…

Welcome back to Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD!I'm your host, David Mendes, and today, I'm thrilled to dive into an enlightening conversation with Matteo Tardelli, a seasoned professional in the biotech sector and an advocate for aligning career choices with personal values. In this episode, Matteo opens up about the intricate process of uncoverin…

"Gateway to a New Life" tells the story of Afghan refugees forced to flee their country as it fell under the control of the Taliban. Many new arrival Afghan families have settled in St. Louis, a struggling city that needs–and wants–the energy and spirit of new immigrants.

Welcome to another enlightning episode of Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD!This week, I delve into the intricacies of fear and courage with my guest, Mary Poffenroth. During this discussion about navigating the fear of change, especially relevant for graduate students and early-career professionals facing uncertainty about the future, Mary shares he…

Join the Beyond the Thesis Skool community!Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD! I took some time in the middle of my family vacations to record a very short minisode and send you my 2025 wishes of a year full of enriching conversations!Listen through and you will also find a great reading recommendation f…

Join the Beyond the Thesis Skool community!The holiday season is here and you may be struggling with anxiety, the fear of evaluation, or just feeling overwhelmed and far from your family or friends. You're not alone.Join host David Mendes with special guest Dr. Jessica Schleider, asociate psychology professor at Northwestern University, as they div…

Join the Beyond the Thesis Skool community!Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD! In this episode I delve into the art of building authority by finding your audience with Tony Stubblebine, CEO of Medium, who brings a wealth of experience in helping academics and professionals reach broader audiences. During…

Dans cet épisode d'Au-delà de la thèse, j'accueille Alexandra Gellé, première scientifique en résidence au sein du comité consultatif sur les changements climatiques du ministère de l'Environnement. Ayant récemment terminé son doctorat en chimie verte, Alexandra partage son expérience fascinante dans un poste qui allie recherche, politique publique…

"Main Character Energy" is another way to describe hyper-individualism, or the erroneous idea that there is separation between us as human beings. Building strong community means reconsidering each of our individual needs, wants, and desires and instead focusing on what is best for the community. Let's think about bringing more "Supporting Cast Ene…

Join the Beyond the Thesis Skool community!Welcome to another episode of Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD, the podcast that explores unconventional career paths for PhD graduates.In today's episode, "How to Position Yourself Outside Academia," our host David Mendes engages in a captivating conversation with Alessandra Wall, an esteemed executive coa…

We will provide an overview of the Ethical Society of St. Louis’ history of support for Humanist schools in Uganda in cooperation with the Uganda Humanist Schools Trust (UHST), then provide updates on progress and challenges at the schools during the past year, and finish with a call for our community to continue our support for the students and sc…

Bienvenue à ce nouvel épisode d'Au-delà de la thèse avec Papa PhD ! Dans cet épisode intitulé "Le doctorat : une odyssée émotionnelle," David Mendes reçoit Estefania Dominguez, formatrice et docteure en didactique des langues et cultures.Forte de son expérience diversifiée, de vendeuse à universitaire, Estefania partage les hauts et les bas de son …

Members of the Board of Trustees take to the Platform to answer questions from the congregation.

Join the Beyond the Thesis Skool community!Welcome to another episode of Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD, the podcast that explores unconventional career paths for PhD graduates.!In today's episode, titled "Outside-the-Box Career Paths Post-PhD," our host David Mendes sits down with Sara Thompson, a seasoned public speaking coach and nonprofit prof…

Cette semaine, j'ai le plaisir de partager avec toi ma récente conversation avec Darine Ameyed dans le cinquème épisode épisode de la série spéciale "Horizon PHD".Au cours de notre conversation, Darine, qui est actuellement cheffe intelligence artificielle et automatisation au Ministère des transports et de la mobilité durable (MTMD), partage son p…