
This podcast is about researchers and their journey through the challenges of today's academia. In this episode, we meet Camilla, a multidsciplinary globetrotter with a determination to become a university professor. Someone who has always seen higher education as the way out of her past, a way to independence. Blessed with the capacity for great insight, Camilla is someone who really knows what works for her as an academic - and what doesn't.
Camilla's story is interesting, because she is someone with an acute awareness of her own weaknesses and struggles, as well as of her strengths and potential. She is critical of academia today, but the insightful person she is, she also knows what she brings to the table. Camilla admits having suffered from mental health issues almost all of her life, and she was recently diagnosed with ADHD. Her story reminds us that while academia should not be such a toxic environment as to BREAK healthy people that walk into it, it should aactually be so healthy to accommodate people with a history of (not extreme) mental health issues. In a way, after all, who doesn't have, or who hasn't had, a rough time where they didn't quite have it all together? And this is a good time to remember that our focus should only be on mental health (as in absence of pathologies) but on well-being, which is a condition where people thrive - not survive, not get by, not manage to meet a deadline without a full blown meltdown - but THRIVE.
I am Federica Bressan, host and producer of this podcast. Join me on this journey.
Nov 15, 2021
25 min

This podcast is about researchers and their journey through the challenges of today's academia. In this episode we meet Dilara, a PhD student who found herself confused and isolated during the writing of her master thesis. Finally someone stepped forward and helped her through that difficult time, and now, as she is busy with the PhD thesis, she makes a point of connecting with younger colleagues and always offering them support and a safe place to be heard.
Dilara's story is inspiring because of the strength of her spirit, her determination to help herself, to never give up, and to rarely place the blame on others, even when she could. And to keep calm through it all. But no matter how strong you are, you can always use some help. When you're stuck, when no one reaches out a hand or seems to care or understand what we're going through, sometimes you meet someone who gives you exactly what you need, and they turn your whole situation around. For all intents and purposes, that person is the angel in your life.
I am Federica Bressan, host and producer of this podcast. Join me on this journey.
Nov 8, 2021
23 min

This podcast is about researchers and their journey through the challenges of today's academia. In this episode we meet Carla, a postdoc, a mother of two, and someone who once had the courage to say enough and to leave a toxic situation, as well as her PhD. She eventually went back, finished her PhD and decided that science is what she really wants to do, but without the toxicity. I am Federica Bressan, host and producer of this podcast. Join me on this journey.
Oct 28, 2021
24 min