"I don't believe in PhDs" and Other Fantastical Tales
Release Date: 03/02/2021
Making Friends with Fear
An Unconventional Life
In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Mark Metry shares with Dr. Russell Strickland his story of growing up as an introvert. His struggles made him realize that he needed to speak up for the sake of his younger self, thus came the book, “Screw Being Shy.” The best-selling author talks about the many opportunities that built off each other when he put his authentic self out there for the world to meet. He also discusses the three biggest things he learned to overcome anxiety.
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Turning Pain into Purpose
An Unconventional Life
In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Suzana Flores speaks with Dr. Russell Strickland about the story of how she unexpectedly ended up in the comic book world as she recovered from pain and trauma. The author of “Untamed: The Psychology of Marvel’s Wolverine” shared how the X-Men character helped her turn pain into purpose. Having the first name “Doctor” has opened up opportunities for Dr. Flores, and she’s prepared to seize some more.
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Realizing the Dream...with a Twist
An Unconventional Life
In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Derichard McCoy shares with Dr. Russell Strickland how his childhood dreams were always about football and how these dreams motivated him to ultimately earn his doctorate in sports management. Derichard took football as far as he could on the field before he made an unlikely transition... effectively getting his doctorate in football. Dr. McCoy talks about how he found Dissertation Done and got the help he needed to push through to graduation.
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When Having the Smarts Is Not Enough
An Unconventional Life
In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Gregory Cason shares with Dr. Russell Strickland his dream of becoming a psychologist. Starting in Theater Arts and making his way to Psychology, Dr. Cason says that plans never worked out the way he wanted, but all that matters is you push through. Although his dissertation process wasn’t as easy as he thought it’d be, setting his mind to his goal of graduating eventually did the trick.
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Passion, Grit, and Initiative
An Unconventional Life
In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Michael Levittan talks to Dr. Russell Strickland about his journey as a student, transitioning to being a renown expert. Everybody has different goals in their dissertation process, but Dr. Levittan says that it was passion that carried him through. He also discussed the profound experience of becoming peers with your mentors, highlighting the transition from student to expert that every doctoral student undertakes during the dissertation process.
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Your LinkedIn Profile: It’s Not About You
An Unconventional Life
In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Sandra Long discusses with Dr. Russell Strickland why she chose to become a LinkedIn expert. She talks about her book LinkedIn for Personal Branding: The Ultimate Guide and also emphasizes the importance of maintaining a friendly and approachable online profile so you can build connections and help more people. Sandra also shares some interesting tips in building a strategic network and her personal hobbies when she is not knee-deep in the professional platform.
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From the Catwalk to the Commencement Stage
An Unconventional Life
In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Felicia Clark speaks with Dr. Russell Strickland about life’s ups and downs and how she braved through her PhD journey despite a significant loss. She credits having a hand to hold and a shoulder to lean on as critical to getting her dissertation done. She also talks about her passion for mathematics, her modeling career, and her upcoming book on debunking women’s beauty standards, "Beauty and the Beastly Standards."
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What’s Your Next Challenge?
An Unconventional Life
In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Diane Hamilton shares with Dr. Russell Strickland how curiosity has motivated her to pursuit of her PhD. The author of multiple books such as Cracking the Curiosity Code and The Power of Perception discusses her postdoctoral journey, the many doors of opportunities that opened along the way, and her experience in writing for people outside academia.
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Getting Through Your PhD One Day at a Time
An Unconventional Life
In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Stefanie Boyer shares with Dr. Russell Strickland about taking things one day at a time, and the experiences that prepared her for her doctoral journey. She talks about the importance of having a support network to get you by, and the opportunities that came her away after making it through. Dr. Boyer also discusses about her book “The Little Black Book of Social Media,” and gives a piece of advice to doctoral students going through this unconventional path
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The Terrifying but Exhilarating Pursuit of a PhD
An Unconventional Life
In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Angela Swain shares with Dr. Russell Strickland the story of the one thing she knows she was meant to pursue—her doctoral degree. She talks about transitioning from writing her dissertation to writing her book, "Kitchen Table Talks With Dad," and her experience becoming a doctor, author, and coach. Dr. Swain highlights the challenges in getting comfortable with change and the opportunities that came her way after earning her PhD.
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It's funny, the way life works out sometimes. We make plans, and reality intrudes. But, that doesn't mean that we shouldn't plan...
In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Kathy Gruver lays out the breadcrumbs of her career for Dr. Russell Strickland. From massage therapist to naturopath. Along the way she met a client working to finish her Ph.D in a field that she hated, a man who didn't "believe in Ph.D.s," and Dr. Phil! She's now a public speaker, coach, and multiple author. The journey didn't quite go as planned, but she wouldn't have it any other way!
Dr. Gruver admits that she's "one to say 'yes' for things." This proclivity has earned her a Ph.D., her own TV show, and a life at least somewhat beyond her dreams. What are you saying 'yes' to?