PhD Lounge – Details, episodes & analysis

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PhD Lounge

Luis Maia de Freitas

Education

Society & Culture

Frequency: 1 episode/33d. Total Eps: 58

Late-night podcast where I speak with PhDs about their research subjects, their decision on studying it and its importance throughout academic life. A podcast of entertainment and education, whose aim is to approach students and graduates who want to go through their future careers inside or outside of academia with a PhD and for those who are on a moment of uncertainty in continuing their studies further, as if we are having a drink and talk about PhD culture at a lounge on a late-night summer.

https://www.phdlounge.co.uk
@phdlmf
luismaia@phdlounge.co.uk

Thank you for tuning in, it's been a pleasure!

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https://www.phdlounge.co.uk
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https://www.phdlounge.co.uk/donate
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RSS feed quality

Good

Score global : 79%

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Late-Night Talk: Shellee Howard. College Ready. You Can Graduate Debt Free If You Plan Early

Season 1 · Episode 57

Wednesday, August 26, 2026 • Duration 01:04:24

Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe

Students and Graduates!

Shellee Howard is the founder and CEO of College Ready, the 2026 Global Educational Consultant of the year, a college admissions and financial strategist, and two-time best selling author. Shellee has helped families worldwide earn top-choice acceptances and over $80 million in scholarships. Shellee has been featured on FOX, NBC, CBS, U.S. News & World Report, and Next Level CEO with Daymond John and is a sought-free after voice on strategic, debt-free college planning. She has been featured on the 2026 top 100 Women to KNOW in America.

Website: https://collegereadyplan.com/

Thank you all for tuning in, share it with a friend, and it's been a pleasure!

Support the show

Website: https://www.phdlounge.co.uk

Email: luismaia@phdlounge.co.uk

Buzzsprout subscription - https://www.buzzsprout.com/1808542/support

Instagram: @phdlmf

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luismaia94/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/phdloungepodcast

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Late-Night Talk: Joic Majo. If Multiple Sclerosis Is So Personal Why Treat It Broadly

Season 1 · Episode 56

Wednesday, August 19, 2026 • Duration 01:10:53

Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe

Students and Graduates!

Joic Majo is a PhD Candidate researching multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic neurological disease that affects over 2.5 million people globally. Joic's research interests falls in neuropathology, the microscopic study of the brain and spinal cord tissue and their perturbances in disease. He analyses the donated postmortem brain tissue from over 300 MS cases to understand how different patterns of damage can have an impact on someone with MS. His background is in medical biochemistry (BSc) and in structural bioinformatics (MSc by Research). When not researching, Joic plays football, sings and plays guitar.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joic-majo-4a54941b1/

Thank you all for tuning in, share it with a friend, and it's been a pleasure!

Support the show

Website: https://www.phdlounge.co.uk

Email: luismaia@phdlounge.co.uk

Buzzsprout subscription - https://www.buzzsprout.com/1808542/support

Instagram: @phdlmf

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luismaia94/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/phdloungepodcast

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Late-Night Talk: Ambrogio Caiani, PhD. When Catholicism flirts with Evil

Season 1 · Episode 55

Wednesday, August 12, 2026 • Duration 01:43:52

Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe

Students and Graduates!

Ambrogio A. Caiani, PhD, is currently Senior Lecturer in Modern European History at the University of Kent in Canterbury and lives in Southwark. He is the author of four books which have focused on European History, especially the French Revolution, Napoleon and Catholicism's fraught relationship with modernity. His second book, To Kidnap a Pope: Napoleon and Pius VII 1800-1815, was published by Yale University Press in April 2021, just before the bicentenary of Napoleon’s death and won the 2021 Franco-British Book Prize. His newest book is: Flirting with Evil, The Catholic Church in the Age of Total War and Globalisation. It is a candid portrait of the Faustian pacts made with totalitarian dictatorships and the many scandals (both sexual and financial) that have plagued the Roman church. Despite this litany of poor choices, the book also celebrates the Second Vatican Council and its message of renewal and hope. Indeed, after a pretty dire twentieth century, thanks to the Pontificates of Francis I and Leo XIV, Catholics can look to the twenty-first century in a spirit of hope and renewal.

Buy Flirting with Evil: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H36FFBX8

Ambrogio's website: https://ambrogioacaiani.com/

Thank you all for tuning in, share it with a friend, and it's been a pleasure!

Note: Throughout this late-night talk, there were several cuts due to internet interference, but which it did not affect the overall talk and Ambrogio's arguments. I apologise for this situation.

Support the show

Website: https://www.phdlounge.co.uk

Email: luismaia@phdlounge.co.uk

Buzzsprout subscription -

Solo Session: Your PhD Does Not Have To Lead Every Chat

Season 1 · Episode 54

Wednesday, August 5, 2026 • Duration 04:52

Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe

Students and Graduates!

PhD life has a way of leaking into everything, especially conversation. You meet friends for a simple coffee, but the moment there is a pause you fill it with your dissertation, your supervisor feedback, your deadline anxiety, or the latest problem in your methods. Talking about research outside working hours feels normal because the PhD consumes eight or nine hours a day and often stretches into weekends. Yet constant PhD talk can quietly erode your work life balance, weaken friendships, and keep your mind trapped in the same stress loop that makes progress harder.

In this late-night solo session, I share three big forces behind the habit.

— Perfectionism: The pressure to produce “perfect” research can turn normal feedback and rough drafts into a threat to your confidence, and that anxiety often spills into social conversation as reassurance-seeking.

— Academic culture: The jump to independent research, the deadlines, and the overwork mindset can crowd out wellbeing and make it hard to mentally switch off, which can lead to psychological distress and weaker connections if you over-explain your academic world.

— Incuriosity: When you stop asking about sport, films, dating, work, or the everyday joys your friends want to share, closeness fades and invitations can quietly dry up.

I also share practical ways to reset without pretending your PhD does not exist: Give a short summary instead of a deep dive, choose the right moment to share, and rebuild the habit of asking better questions.

Thank you all for tuning in, share it with a friend, and it's been a pleasure!

Bibliography:

Casey, C., Taylor, J., Knight, F., & Trenoweth, S. (2023). Understanding the Mental Health of Doctoral Students. Encyclopedia, (4), 1523-1536.

Late-Night Talk: Katie Rees, PhD. Personalised Nutrition Through Genetics And Coaching

Season 1 · Episode 53

Wednesday, July 29, 2026 • Duration 01:29:37

Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe

Students and Graduates!

Katie Rees holds a PhD in genetics from the Cardiff Metropolitan University, is a Welsh professional swimmer competitor, certified Neuroscience Coach, and the founder of Bioelevate.

At Bioelevate, Katie delivers personalised and science-backed wellness programmes tailored for every client's biology with the latest research and a holistic approach.

Katie has presented Bioelevate across different industry networking events, including Tramshed Tech Barclays and Wenvoe Castle Golf Club Limited, and was featured at BBC Radio Wales.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katierees03?skipRedirect=true

Instagram: @katierees_98

Bioelevate: https://www.bioelevate.co.uk/

Bioelevate's Instagram: @bio_elevate

Thank you all for tuning in, it has been a pleasure!

Support the show

Website: https://www.phdlounge.co.uk

Email: luismaia@phdlounge.co.uk

Buzzsprout subscription - https://www.buzzsprout.com/1808542/support

Instagram: @phdlmf

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luismaia94/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/phdloungepodcast

Late-Night Talk: Andrea Grandi, PhD. A Former Postdoc Explains How To Land Your First Industry Role

Season 1 · Episode 52

Wednesday, July 22, 2026 • Duration 01:10:27

Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe

Students and Graduates!

Andrea Grandi, PhD, holds a PostDoc in Pharma at the University of Parma and former Corporate R&D Scientist at Chiesi Group.

He is the founder of Dr G Development, helping PostDocs in Pharma and related STEM fields to transition and land Pharma/Biotech industry roles with his 8-week accelerator program.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-grandi-phd-a09b4687/

Website: https://drgrandiphd.vercel.app/

Instagram: @drgrandiphd

Thank you all for tuning in, it has been a pleasure!

Support the show

Website: https://www.phdlounge.co.uk

Email: luismaia@phdlounge.co.uk

Buzzsprout subscription - https://www.buzzsprout.com/1808542/support

Instagram: @phdlmf

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luismaia94/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/phdloungepodcast

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Solo Session: A World Cup 11 of Academic Footballers

Season 1 · Episode 51

Friday, July 17, 2026 • Duration 08:48

Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe

Students and Graduates!

A World Cup XI where everyone did their homework: PhDs, MBAs, and BAs across the pitch. In this World Cup 2026 final where Spain and Argentina are playing for the prestigious trophy that will add another star to their kits.

For this late-night solo session, I launch an 11-a-side squad, with some illustrious players on the bench and a manager to manage the 90 minutes with a 4-3-3 formation. This roster features players who earned academic degrees during and after their careers.

Thank you all for tuning in, it has been a pleasure!

Support the show

Website: https://www.phdlounge.co.uk

Email: luismaia@phdlounge.co.uk

Buzzsprout subscription - https://www.buzzsprout.com/1808542/support

Instagram: @phdlmf

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luismaia94/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/phdloungepodcast

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Late-Night Talk: Louise O'Brien, PhD. What If Your Career Plan Needs A Plan B

Season 1 · Episode 50

Wednesday, July 8, 2026 • Duration 01:28:55

Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe

Students and Graduates!

Louise O’Brien is an Egyptologist and Ancient Historian specialising in Roman Egypt.

Her research interests focus on portraiture in the ancient world, cultural interactions, and hybrid visual and material culture. She completed her PhD at the University of Liverpool in 2025, and most recently has worked with the University of Tübingen Institute for Ancient and Near Eastern Studies on the project Die Bildostraka aus Athribis, researching artistic precedents of pictorial ostraca from the Middle Egyptian site of Athribis.

Louise's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louiseobrien343/

Louise's Instagram: @egypto_lou_gist

Thank you all for tuning in, it's been a pleasure.

Support the show

Website: https://www.phdlounge.co.uk

Email: luismaia@phdlounge.co.uk

Buzzsprout subscription - https://www.buzzsprout.com/1808542/support

Instagram: @phdlmf

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luismaia94/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/phdloungepodcast

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Late-Night Talk: Jack Cooper, PhD. Megalodon, Myths, And Modern Shark Science

Season 1 · Episode 49

Monday, June 29, 2026 • Duration 01:38:38

Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe

Students and Graduates!

Jack Cooper, PhD, is a Paleobiologist from Swansea University, science write and public communicator.

His research expertise is about the Megalodon, a pre-historic shark that went extinct 3 Million years ago.

Jack Cooper has been featured in various documentaries about sharks, including a Ted Ed animated video, Channel 5’s Monsters of the Deep with Steve Backshall, and Giants by Off the Fence.

Jack Cooper's website: https://www.drjackacooper.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jack-cooper-00333613b/

Instagram: @cooperpalaeo

Thank you all for tuning in, it has been a pleasure!

Support the show

Website: https://www.phdlounge.co.uk

Email: luismaia@phdlounge.co.uk

Buzzsprout subscription - https://www.buzzsprout.com/1808542/support

Instagram: @phdlmf

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luismaia94/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/phdloungepodcast

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Solo Session: The only Footballer to play a World Cup and hold a PhD

Season 1 · Episode 48

Wednesday, June 24, 2026 • Duration 04:52

Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe

Students and Graduates!

As the World Cup 2026 is underway, did you know there is only one professional footballer who played a World Cup and obtained a PhD?

I introduce to you Turid Knaak, PhD, a former German professional footballer who had 16 caps* for Germany's female national team and played the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France, and top tier clubs such as Arsenal, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Atlético Madrid and VfL Wolfsburg where she retired from professional football in 2022.

What is also brilliant along her footballing career is that she obtained a PhD at the University of Köln in Children's Special Needs Education in 2021 while still playing for Atlético Madrid. Her dissertation research was about the complex learning of basic text production for years 3 and 7 pupils, exploring learning and diagnostic methods and exercises including spelling, oral lexicon and multi-component storytelling to argue the advantages and limitations in the improvement of school marks in pupils' vocabulary, knowledge of the grammar and high quality written language.

Dr Turid Knaak currently works as a football pundit, commentator and tactical expert for DAZN and Sky, and as football analyst at IMPECT.

Thank you all for tuning in, it has been a pleasure!

*2:36: Apologies for my mistake on the video as I noticed on her football profile that she had 16 caps for Germany and not 15 after editing this session.

Bibliography:

bravery.reports. (2021, August 19). Profi Fußballerin Turid Knaak über ihre Karriere in der Bundesliga und der Nationalmannschaft. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bnx7ciUqMdI

Doeker, E. (2021, June 11). Turid Knaak: A Doctor who scores goals. Football Engine. https://www.footballengine.net/post/turid-knaak-a-doctor-who-scores-goals

PhD Lounge – Details, episodes & analysis

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PhD Lounge – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

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Other90

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Latest published episodes

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Other90

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