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The Bold PhD Podcast

Gertrude Nonterah, Ph.D.

A Career Podcast for PhDs, by a PhD. PhDs should NEVER feel stuck in the job market. On the Bold PhD Podcast, host Dr. Gertrude Nonterah discusses tools and resources to help PhDs and academics design and thrive in their careers.

About the Host

Dr. Gertrude Nonterah holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University. She knows the journey of career design and reinvention because she’s lived it. As the Founder of The Bold PhD Consulting and host of The Bold PhD Podcast (streamed in over 50 countries), she helps fellow PhDs navigate life beyond the ivory tower. Her practical, story-driven advice through keynote talks and workshops on personal branding, networking, and career design has reached audiences at 30 universities and professional organizations. Her mission is simple: to empower PhDs to design and build careers without losing their identity and impact along the way.

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#63
September 18 · 21 min
63: I'm begging you. Don't turn your PhD into a prison.
*Get a copy of my new book: https://theboldphd.com/navigate/ *Invite me to speak: https://theboldphd.com/speaking/ *Join 3000+ academics who receive my weekly newsletter: https://theboldphd.com/careerslist Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe and leave a review!
#62
August 12 · 27 min
62: Tenured faculty laid off. Universities closed. Here's how to protect yourself.
A few weeks ago, I came across a story about a university laying off faculty and staff, including tenured professors. It reinforced something I’ve been thinking about for years: Your job should not be your only source of career security. I was laid off from my postdoc in 2018 when our lab ran out of funding. Then, in 2025, I experienced another layoff in biotech. Those experiences changed how I think about career resilience. Join 3000+ on the newsletter: https://theboldphd.com/newsletter/ Get Navigating the PIVOT: https://theboldphd.com/navigate/ Speaking: https://theboldphd.com/speaking/
#61
July 11 · 40 min
61: The Quiet Struggles Every International PhD Student faces in the U.S.A. (with Dr. Sonali Majumdar)
In this episode of The Bold PhD Podcast, Dr. Gertrude Nonterah chats with Dr. Sonali Majumdar about the quiet struggles of international students. Dr. Sonali also shares tools to help international students thrive in spite of the challenges. Learn more about Dr. Majumdar's book: https://sonalimajumdar.com/book Get Navigating The PIVOT: https://theboldphd.com/navigate/ Join 3000+ PhDs and academics on the Bold PhD Newsletter: https://theboldphd.com/newsletter/ Full podcast episodes: https://theboldphd.com/podcast/
#60
June 26 · 40 min
60: Desperate to change careers? LISTEN to this before you quit your job! (with Dr. Matthew Betts)
Get Navigating The PIVOT: https://theboldphd.com/navigate/ Join 3000+ PhDs and academics on the Bold PhD Newsletter: https://theboldphd.com/newsletter/ Learn how career experiments can help you test new professional paths without the risk of quitting your current job immediately. In this episode of The Bold PhD Podcast, Dr. Matthew Betts breaks down why career experiments are essential for gaining clarity before making a major move. Instead of focusing on immediate job applications, this approach prioritizes learning and hypothesis testing to see if a role actually fits your skills and interests. This video is for anyone feeling stuck in their current role but unsure about their next steps. By treating your career exploration as a series of low-stakes tests, you reduce the anxiety often associated with professional transitions.
#59
June 12 · 41 min
59: Your presentation skills may be killing your job prospects. Here's the fix. (with Dr. Tiffany Green)
In this episode, I chat with Dr. Tiffany Green on a skill that is often overlooked in our job search processes - learning how to give a captivating presentation - whether that looks like an actual presentation that involves a PowerPoint and several people in a room, or an interview where we are chatting with one person. Dr. Green's website: https://thestorytellingprofessor.com/ Get your copy of Navigating the PIVOT: https://theboldphd.com/navigate/ Join 3000+ academics and PhDs on The Bold PhD Newsletter: https://theboldphd.com/newsletter/
#58
May 28 · 14 min
58: The BORING LinkedIn "strategy" that made a CEO offer me a job without an interview
In this episode, Dr. Nonterah discusses 4 LinkedIn habits that have helped her win multiple job offers, 30+ university speaking invitations, a book contract, and so much more. Get Navigating the PIVOT: https://theboldphd.com/navigate Join 3000+ PhDs and academics on The Bold PhD Newsletter: https://theboldphd.com/newsletter/ Have a business inquiry? Email Dr. Nonterah at hello@theboldphd.com Leave a rating and review if you enjoyed this episode.
#57
May 14 · 35 min
57: Leaving academia, starting a business, and fixing your money mindset as a PhD. (with Dr. Andrew Churchill)
Leaving academia, preparing better presentations and fixing your money mindset as a PhD? That is the conversation Dr. Nonterah is having with PhD-turned-entrepreneur Dr. Andrew Churchill of PresentBetter.org Links in the episode: Get your copy of Navigating the P.I.V.O.T: https://theboldphd.com/navigate/ Join 3000+ PhDs on the newsletter: https://theboldphd.com/newsletter/ Find all of Andrew's resources: https://www.presentbetter.org/
#56
May 1 · 22 min
56: You left academia for industry. Here's how you will grow.
Get Navigating The PIVOT: https://theboldphd.com/navigate/ Join 3000+ PhDs and academics on the Bold PhD Newsletter: https://theboldphd.com/newsletter/ In this episode, I answer I question from a PhD who emailed me this question: "Once you transition into industry, it's not always clear what you have to do to grow and get to the next step. What advice would you give someone who is 2-3 years in industry and wants to grow? Where do you start? More certifications? Networking? What else?" Here's the original LinkedIn Post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/geenonterah_i-have-an-answer-to-a-recent-question-a-phd-activity-7422339350434209792-pDLK?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAB4xQBABLI3FVpiIy0pfXrTXHt07yVZ9rRY
#55
April 15 · 11 min
55: 3 habits of PhDs who successfully leave academia.
Your PhD is no longer a competitive advantage. And PhDs like you are finding this out every day. After interviewing over 100 PhDs, here are 3 habits of PhDs who successfully transition out of academia…in spite of the job market we have. Navigating the PIVOT book: https://theboldphd.com/navigate/ Join 3000+ on the newsletter: https://theboldphd.com/newsletter/ Business inquiries? Email me at hello@theboldphd.com Episode with Jenna Osterlund-Oltmanns: https://theboldphd.com/academia-to-industry-interview-hacks/
#54
April 2 · 11 min
54: Why PhDs keep leaving academia
For decades, the dream path for many scientists looked like You complete a PhD. Get a post-doc. Become a professor who runs your own lab. But something has changed. Today, more and more PhDs are walking away from academia. So what's happening? Listen to Dr. Nonterah discuss it in this week's episode of The Bold PhD Podcast. Navigating the PIVOT: https://theboldphd.com/navigate/ Join 3000+ on the newsletter: https://theboldphd.com/newsletter/ Business inquiries? Email me at hello@theboldphd.com
#53
March 16 · 21 min
53: 93% of PhDs say they are not prepared for the job market. That's sad.
Resources mentioned in this episode: Navigating the PIVOT: https://theboldphd.com/navigate/ The Entrepreneurial Scholar: https://amzn.to/4bvmoew Free Agent Nation: https://amzn.to/4svMCoB Only 17% of PhDs get a tenure-track position: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4309283/ Join 3000+ on The Bold PhD Newsletter: https://theboldphd.com/newsletter/
#52
February 24 · 16 min
52: For the PhD who is disappointed with how life turned out.
In this solo episode, I share reflections for the PhD who might be feel disillusioned with how life turned out...after you assumed your education would unlock your dream life. Get Navigating the P.I.V.O.T.: https://theboldphd.com/navigate/ Join 3000+ on The Bold PhD Newsletter: https://theboldphd.com/newsletter/ Book recommendations for your career (Amazon affiliate link): https://theboldphd.com/bookrecs
#51
February 17 · 34 min
51: AI founder says we have less than five years. I disagree PLUS 3 ways to prepare.
A recent viral post by an AI CEO and investor called Matt Shumer, has ignited further discussion about the role of AI in our workforce and society. In this podcast episode, we will delve into Schumer's insights and explore what they mean the future of work, things I disagreed with as well as my opinions on what each of us should be doing to prepare. The post has 83 million views as I was recording this episode. Original article by Matt Shumer: https://x.com/mattshumer_/status/2021256989876109403?s=20 Join 3000+ PhDs on the Bold PhD Newsletter: https://theboldphd.com/newsletter/
#50
January 5 · 48 min
50: 25 career strategies that could change EVERYTHING for you this year.
Looking to shine in your career in 2026? In this episode, Dr. Nonterah shares 25 CAREER STRATEGIES that could change EVERYTHING for you this year. Focus on 1-3 of these to level up your career this year. I elaborate on a lot of the ideas in my most recent book Navigating the P.I.V.O.T.: https://theboldphd.com/navigate/ Here are all the ideas: 1 - Study the job description. 2 - All you’ve done is not all you can do. 3- Separate your identity from your job. 4 - Practice concise and clear communication. 5 - Understand the impact your work creates. It's easy to get lost in the weeds. 6 - Create optionality so no single job has power over you. 7 - Build career-building relationships before you need them. 8 - Treat LinkedIn like a long-term career asset, not just a job board. 9 - Build a portfolio for the career you want. It's undeniable proof. 10 - Don’t optimize for titles. Optimize for the skills and knowledge that will carry you to the next phase. 11 - Practice how to explain your work to people outside your field. 12 - Practice communicating the problems you solve, not just your research or the methods you used. 13 - Learn to negotiate everything, not just salary. There’s always more. 14 - Design a career that works with your life, not against it. 15 - It’s hard, but treat rejection as data, not a verdict on your ability. 16 - Don’t assume or expect people to understand the value you bring to their organization. Spell it out. 17 - Document your thinking on how you solve problems. Not just your achievements. 18 - Speaking of achievements, keep and update a “brag document” with your achievements—big or small—monthly. They can be shockingly easy to forget! 19 - Say yes to rooms where you might feel under-qualified. Watch and learn everything in those rooms. 20 - Choose work environments that pour back into you and build your confidence. 21 - Ask for the informational interview. 22 - Make at least 1–2 connections with recruiters or senior people within your field each week. Nurture those connections. 23 - Invest in ONE skill this year that’s new to you. 24 - Publish your ideas. LinkedIn. A podcast. Instagram. Substack. There are many platforms. Pick ONE and publish ONE idea weekly. 25 - Never leave an interview without asking this question: “What’s the number 1 thing you expect the person who fills this role to be able to accomplish in their first 90 days?”
#49
Dec 29, 2025 · 20 min
49: How to survive a layoff without losing your confidence or sense of self
Being laid off doesn’t just mess with your paycheck. It messes with your identity. Over the last ten years, I’ve been laid off twice. And I won’t sugarcoat it: each time was humiliating and it made me seriously question my worth. But those experiences taught me several life-changing lessons on how to survive and thrive mentally, financially, from a deep place internally so that so that no company ever again gets to decide how powerful or confident I feel. If you’ve just been laid off, or you’re living with the fear that you might be, stay with me. In this video, we’ll about surviving and rebuilding after a layoff in a way so you cannot be broken or shaken by a company’s decision ever again. Get your copy of Navigating The P.I.V.O.T, a handbook for PhDs and academics looking for fulfilling careers outside academia: https://theboldphd.com/navigate/ Join 3000+ PhDs and academics on The Bold PhD Newsletter: https://theboldphd.com/careerslist Invite Dr. Nonterah to speak: https://theboldphd.com/speaking/
#47
Dec 22, 2025 · 27 min
48: How I manage my money 10 years after my Ph.D. (solo episode with Dr. Nonterah)
In this solo episode, Dr. Nonterah reveals how she manages her money 10 years after graduating from her Ph.D. Get Dr. Nonterah's book on landing high-paying jobs outside academia: https://theboldphd.com/navigate/ Invite Dr. Nonterah to speak to your audience: https://theboldphd.com/speaker-main/ Join 3000+ PhDs on The Bold PhD Newsletter: https://theboldphd.com/podcast/
#48
Dec 15, 2025 · 52 min
47: How the top 1% of PhDs manage their money (with Dr. Emily Roberts)
In this episode, Dr. Nonterah chats with Dr. Emily Roberts of the Personal Finance for PhDs Podcast. They discuss 9 money moves every PhD student and postdoc should be making right now and which they should consider as they progress in their career. Get Dr. Nonterah's book, Navigating the PIVOT: https://theboldphd.com/navigate/ Invite Dr. Nonterah to speak: https://theboldphd.com/speaking/ Connect with Dr. Roberts: https://pfforphds.com/
#46
Dec 5, 2025 · 43 min
46: Planning on making a career move in 2026? Listen to this episode (with Dr. Irina Cozma)
In this episode, Dr. Nonterah chats with Dr. Irina Cozma about career change and why PhDs have more options available to them than they realize! Grab your copy of my new book Navigating the P.I.V.O.T. by going to https://theboldphd.com/navigate/
#45
Nov 17, 2025 · 38 min
45: The Big Lie About ‘Safe’ Jobs: Ex-Professor Explains Why She Finally Walked Away (with Dr. Jen Harrison)
Grab your copy of Dr. Nonterah's new book, Navigating The P.I.V.O.T. In this episode, Dr. Nonterah chats with Dr. Jen Harrison of ReadWritePerfect.com about losing her job as an adjunct professor during COVID and figuring out that running her own business provided better job security that being a professor. Dr. Jen Harrison's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-harrison-rwp/ Dr. Jen Harrison's website: https://readwriteperfect.com/
#44
Nov 7, 2025 · 35 min
44: If you're afraid AI will take your job, LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE! (with. Dr. Bolu Oladini)
Navigating the P.I.V.O.T. is live! Get your copy here: https://theboldphd.com/navigate/ In this episode, Dr. Nonterah interviews Dr. Bolu Oladini who is an AI Content Lead in the pharmaceutical industry. Apart from exploring that career path, Drs. Nonterah and Oladini talk about the reality of AI taking jobs and what you can do to prepare. Dr. Oladini's website: https://www.boluoladini.com/

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