The Semi-Professional Academic Podcast

Today I am joined by Harley Powell!! In this episode Harley and I discuss being summer birthdays, anxieties about turning 25, how she did clinical hours between undergrad and PA school to get more experience, the growing recognition of PA as a career, her path through undergrad and how she found her passion for being a physician’s assistant, her desire to go into medicine, our mutual love of Grey’s Anatomy, 2020-2021 Grey’s TikTok,...

In this episode I am joined by PhD Student Camille Pushman! In this episode we discuss  first-gen students, going to Indiana University, Camille's path through undergrad, the privilege within academia, unwritten rules in academia, the grad school application process, importance of being a person outside of science, being gen Z in lab, academic twitter, my unique personality classification system, classes in grad school, and th...

In this episode I am joined by one of my own professors from my Alma mater Dr. Natalia Hubbs! In this episode Dr. Hubbs and I discuss how she came to the US at two from Poland, her path to undergrad, how she got started in research, her first “quarter-life crisis”, going up for tenure, struggling with impostor syndrome, having strong female role models in STEM, being a mentor to undergrads, the grad school application process, how ...

Today I am joined by Chemistry PhD student Allison Reardon. In this episode we talk about Allison's path to studying chemistry, what undergrad was like, graduating in 2020 during the pandemic, the glory days of twitter (now called "X"), using her classical studies minor in real life, the benefits of going to a liberal arts school, the grad school application process, the necessity of finding work-life balance, and th...

Today I am joined by the wonderful Kailey Fugate. In this episode Kailey and I discuss our origin story,  Midwest culture, the winter months, Kailey navigating academia with Dyslexia, how she got involved in media projects in undergrad, her extent in the podcast realm, what motivated her to pursue graduate school, the importance of trying and taking criticism for improvement, the value in collaborating in groups to accomplish a goa...

I am joined by my good friend and Bryophyte legend in the making Kristen Hillegas. In this episode Kristen and I discuss her interest in herbalism, bryophytes, finding her path after graduation, getting experience in her field, what motivated her to pursue a PhD, her inspirations for doing a PhD instead of a masters, finding grad school programs, the grad school application process, and the importance of queer representation in aca...

Today I am joined by the hilarious Reece Hunter. In this episode we lean into the "semi" of The Semi-Professional Academic Podcast where Reece and I discuss undergrad experiences, what it was like growing up in rural communities, pursuing higher education, importance of queer representation, importance of having supportive mentors, being gay in STEM,  path of pursuing vet school, finding the right vet school, doing a grad...

Due to record errors I originally believed this episode was lost. In it's loss I filmed a new episode with Sydney Claypoole and silently mourned the loss. Upon the discovery of  finding this gem I was elated but decided to keep in the vault. However, given the fact its the podcast's 1 year anniversary, I figured you all deserve something special. So in my first episode I am releasing from from the vault I am joined by my ...

Chemistry PhD student and Organic Chemistry legend in the making Caroline Millard is this week's special guest. In this episode we talk about how Caroline graduated in the pandemic, what motivated her to pursue graduate school, moving to a new city, combating impostor syndrome, the importance of having a supportive mentor, and so much more! You DO NOT want to miss this! 

Follow us!

Facebook: The Semi-Professional Acad...

In this episode Jesse tells us about his journey through undergrad, why its important to know if you’re ready to pursue a degree, doing a postdoc position online, coming to the US from Canada, his experience in the application process, teaching at an R1 institution, his gratitude to his partner who has supported his endeavors in academia, and the importance of being kind. 

Follow us!

Facebook: The Semi-Professional Academi...

Today I am joined by the wonderful Madeline Lucas. In this episode we discuss Madeline's path to college, what motivated her to transfer, her journey through finding her way in the medical field, and so much more!

Follow us! 
TikTok: @tspapod
Instagram: @tspapod
Bluesky: @tspapod.bsky.social
Twitter: @tspapod
Threads: @tspapod
Facebook: The Semi-Professional Academic Podcast

Follow Mad...

Happy Mid-Season Premiere! Today I am joined by the one and only Tim Cunningham! Tim is a former professor who is currently pursuing a career in industry. In this episode we discuss his path to chemistry,  the road to grad school, becoming a professor, teaching during the pandemic, becoming a father during the pandemic, and why he ultimately stepping away from academia to pursue a career in industry. 

Follow Us:

T...

Happy Mid-Season Finale!!! Today I am joined by the wonderful Nick Schmitt. In this episode we discuss Nick’s journey through undergrad, switching majors from Biology to Psychology, transferring his Junior year, his career pivots, how he met his husband, our mutual admiration of Taylor Swift, how he got interested in data analytics, and the importance of building community. 

Follow Us:

TikTok: @tspapod
Instagr...

Today I am joined by the college athlete turned med student Katie Perry. We discuss Katie's private school upbringing, being a student in STEM, being a college athlete, the realities of impostor syndrome, importance of finding a mentor whose mentorship style matches what you need, and so much more. 

Follow Us:

TikTok: @tspapod
Instagram: @tspapod
Twitter: @tspapod
Threads: @tspapod
Facebook: T...

Today I am joined by the outstanding Olivia Waldridge. Tune in as we discuss her Floridian origin, her journey to her undergrad institution, the importance of having a supportive mentor in grad school, the reality of battling impostor syndrome, the validation in publications, and the fulfillment you get once you allow yourself to switch your interests. 

Follow Us:

TikTok: @tspapod
Instagram: @tspapod
Twitt...

Today I am joined by the hilarious, talented, and passionate Alexis VandenBerg. In this episode we talk about Alexis’ journey through undergrad, our friendship, how she found her masters program, her current job, her thoughts on her future her interests in field work, and her feelings on gizzard shad. 

Follow Us:

TikTok: @tspapod
Instagram: @tspapod
Twitter: @tspapod
Threads: @tspapod
Facebook: The...

The best people in life are free and this week’s guest is no exception. Today I am joined by my childhood bestie Skyler Coomer Leightner. On this week’s episode we discuss our friendship, healthy competition, the importance of learning the art of not caring, how Skye had to navigate being a first year teacher in the pandemic, how she’s pursuing her masters while working full-time, and how she is learning to do things for herself an...

Today I am joined by the wonderful and talented Cyla Walls. Today Cyla and I discuss her pre-health journey in undergrad, how she switched her major, how she found an accelerated nursing program, the importance of taking care of yourself, finding an outlet for fun away from work and school, and to not place limits on yourself. 

Follow us!

Facebook: The Semi-Professional Academic Podcast
Tiktok: @tspapod
Twitter: @t...