An Unconventional Life

Mark Metry is a 24-year-old entrepreneur, author, creator, mental health advocate, coach, teacher, keynote speaker, podcast host, and loving human being. Mark has interviewed over 300+ top leaders around the world from billionaire philanthropists, to neuroscientists, professional athletes, New York Times bestselling authors, philosophers, and innovative disrupters on his Top 100 Humans 2.0 podcast, which NASDAQ, and Yahoo Finance placed in the "Top 21 Growing Podcasts you must listen to..” Now, Mark hosts the Social Anxiety Society podcast and is the bestselling author of Screw Being Shy: Learn How to Manage Social Anxiety and Be Yourself in Front of Anyone! Mark has been featured in Forbes, TEDx, HuffPost, Mindvalley, Inc and many more. Mark‘s been mentioned alongside Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos and can be found speaking at Universities like Rutgers to Nonprofits like Coptic Orphans, to conferences and high schools across the nation.   In this episode… In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Mark Metry shares with Dr. Russell Strickland his story of growing up as an introvert who went through social anxiety, and eventually, social isolation. His struggles pulled a trigger that made him realize he didn't want to be merely a statistic and felt 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. And if you haven't heard yet, your gut microbiome is a lot more connected with anxiety than you are aware. Interesting, isn't it? Metry explains this unique perspective and some more helpful insight on overcoming anxiety. Mark Metry once couldn't speak to people without the gut-wrenching aftermath of a panic attack, but now he has spoken with and for people who need his words the most.  There's nothing wrong with you for having anxiety, and Mark can empower you with this episode.

Dr. Suzana E. Flores is clinical psychologist specializing in pop culture, mythology, and social media addiction, Keynote Speaker and author of "Untamed: The Psychology of Marvel's Wolverine" (McFarland Publishing, 2018) and "Facehooked: How Facebook Affects Our Emotions, Relationships, and Lives" (Reputation Books, 2014) with international book deals in South Korea and Poland. She currently works as a trauma specialist at Ochsner Healthcare System in New Orleans.   In this episode… 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, and consequently, through writing about her experiences, she has connected with people that resonated with her story of survival. Dr. Flores also discusses another book she wrote, “Facehooked,” which talks about the psychological effect of social media. She discovered many profound realizations about the younger generation's dependence on social media, one of which is their utter discomfort in conversational pauses. Having the first name “Doctor” has opened up opportunities for Dr. Flores, and she's prepared to seize some more. Life certainly doesn't get easier, but you get strong and ready enough to face whatever comes your way. Learn about resilience and more from Dr. Suzana Flores.

As a child, you were probably asked multiple times about your dreams. And, as a child your answer was probably something fantastical: firefighter, ballerina, football player, and, maybe, doctor. Dr. Derichard McCoy is a Charlotte, NC native. He attended Livingstone College in Salisbury NC where he received a BS in Sport Management. He then went on to receive his MS in Education specializing in Sports Management from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale FL. Dr. McCoy earned his Doctorate of Education in Sports Management with an emphasis in Sport Leadership from the United States Sports Academy in Daphne, AL. He is currently the Athletic Director and Health/Physical Education Teacher at Mountain Island Lake Academy and the Varsity Defensive Line Coach at Providence Day School. Dr. McCoy consults with the Group of 5 college football coaches, helping them to better compete with the Power 5 programs within the Football Bowl Subdivision.   In this episode… 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. A first-generation college student, 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. Now that he's finally done, he gives his heartfelt advice to students on finishing what they started. Many life circumstances compel us to take a different route. Dr. McCoy may not have ended up as the football player he had dreamed to be, but he certainly created his own destiny and took his football dreams to the next level. Are you ready to create yours? Helmets on as Dr. McCoy shares how to run your own route to success!

Have you been in a situation where just getting this one thing done seems impossible? It could be getting through step one of your workout routine, reading the first ten pages of a book, or writing one sentence for your diissertation. But dreams and goals don't work unless you do, so what are you delaying? Dr. Greg Cason is best known as “Dr. Greg” from the Bravo series LA Shrinks, the controversial docu-series that showed what happens in the therapist's office and in his real life.  He appears regularly as a psychological expert on The Nancy Grace Show and has also appeared a large variety of TV programs including The Jeff Probst Show, The Tyra Banks Show, Extra, Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, and several news features. Dr. Cason's expertise was also featured in documentaries specifically about the gay community such as The Butch Factor, The Adonis Factor, and The Gift. Most recently, he provided expert psychological analysis in The Secret Tapes of the O.J. Case: The Untold Story. His writing includes an often irreverent psychology column for the gay community called “Off The Couch” in print and on-line versions of Frontiers magazine and his sometimes controversial views have been featured about in The Huffington Post, The Advocate, People, and several other publications. Dr. Cason currently teaches in the psychiatric residency at UCLA and is a licensed psychologist and  Diplomate in the Academy of Cognitive therapy with a private practice in Los Angeles specializing in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy & the LGBT community.   In this episode… In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Gregory Cason shares with Dr. Russell Strickland his dream of becoming a psychologist. Starting as a Theatre Arts major and making his way to Psychology despite the obstacles along his way, Dr. Cason says that plans never worked out the way he wanted, but all that matters is you push through it. Dr. Cason is deeply involved with the LGBT community and advocating for mental health. 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. And his advice on pushing through your dissertation? Build success even for as little as fifteen minutes each day. When you set your mind to your end goal, completing the required tasks is no longer a burden. When you know your why, even the most arduous task is a joy, because it brings you closer to your goal. Be inspired by Dr. Cason and embark on your journey to success!

Do you consider yourself to be a lifelong learner? How do you leverage that learning to benefit yourself, your family, and your community? Dr. Michael Levittan is an accomplished and recognized expert on domestic violence, anger management, child abuse, trauma, PTSD, and suicide.  He is a licensed psychotherapist, director of T.E.A.M. - a state-certified batterers' treatment program, serves as an Expert Witness in court, teaches seminars and courses at UCLA Extension, National Alliance on Mental Illness, International Conference on Violence, Abuse, and Trauma, L.A. Superior Court, Inter-Agency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect, California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, U.S. Marines, Women's Shelters, etc. Dr. Levittan's media work as an expert includes the Tyra Banks Show, ABC-TV News, Starting Over, Bad Girls Club, Montel Williams, Robert Irvine Show, Politico.com, Hollywood 411, and radio, on-line, and print publications.  He has contributed a chapter to the International Handbook on Interpersonal Violence, "The History of Infanticide;" a chapter in Violence in Our Society; and a chapter on Domestic Violence in “Her Story, His Story.” Dr. Levittan appears in the newly-released documentary on parenting, "The Golden Opportunity of Child Development."  He also recently completed the soon-to-be-published “Essentials of Anger Management.”  Dr. Levittan is currently appearing as a Relationship Expert on the “Frangela” TV show.  As an Executive Board member of the NPEIV Think Tank (National Partnership to End Interpersonal Violence), he launched the GLOBAL PEACE COMMITTEE in order to promote peaceful, humane solutions to societal problems.  Recently, he has completed podcasts on “Fathers Raising Daughters,” the “Me Too” movement, and “Gender Expectations in the 21st Century.”  Dr. Levittan appears in the soon-to-be released documentary “Chains.”  His passion comes across in his writings, presentations, and media appearances.   In this episode… 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. Dr. Levittan also shares his favorite career story, which you simply must hear for yourself! Sometimes it's tempting to abandon your goals rather than pursue them. Taking the responsibility to create something may scare you quite a bit, but that is exactly what growth means and what being a real expert entails. Dr. Michael Levittan can help you become the expert you are meant to be.

Sandra Long is a global LinkedIn expert, consultant, author, and speaker. She is a professional member of the National Speakers Association and received her Certified Virtual Presenter designation from espeakers. Her best-selling book is LinkedIn for Personal Branding, The Ultimate Guide.  Sandra presented the first-ever TEDx talk about LinkedIn in 2019. The 11-minute speech is called, "LinkedIn Community: A Super Power Hiding in Plain Sight," and is available on YouTube. Sandra and her company Post Road Consulting focus 100% on LinkedIn education and thought leadership. Their clients include sales teams, corporate C-Level executives, HR teams, universities, job seekers, and business owners.   In this episode… In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Sandra Long discusses with Dr. Russell Strickland why and how she chose LinkedIn as her expertise. 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. The LinkedIn expert also shares some interesting tips in building a strategic network and her personal hobbies when she is not knee-deep in the professional platform. Even in the digital world, making a difference in people's lives is the greatest measure of success. Before you can begin to make a difference, you need to build yourself a great LinkedIn profile. Not sure how? Sandra Long, the LinkedIn Expert, has got you covered!

Dr. Felicia Clark graduated from Pepperdine University. She took graduate school courses at night while working in a full-time demanding management position during the day. She was able to keep up with her studies until a death in the family made it impossible for her to focus on her studies. Dr. Clark sought the support she needed to complete her dissertation and graduate.   Since graduation, Dr. Clark has presented her work at national conferences. She has developed curricula for mathematics, including text books and tests for teachers. Dr. Clark also led a team of math coaches who produced the highest growth in the nation's largest math reform initiative in the United States.   While in grad school, Dr. Clark also was a plus size cover model under contract with the top modeling agency in the United States. Dr. Clark now combines her two passions,  mathematics curriculum development and modeling to help women break up with body shame and express the Goddess within. She hosts a pageant like no other kind and is a frequent media guest on topics related to body shame.   Dr. Clark speaks to college students, women's groups, and counseling organizations to show data on how extreme beauty standards control a woman's sexual energy while consuming wealth, health and time. Check out her TEDx talk "The BS in Beauty Standards."     In this episode… 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. Dr. Clark refused to let life's challenges prevent her from finishing her PhD. For persistent folks, Like Dr. Clark, life has a strange way of working things out eventually. Be inspired to finish what you started by this moving story of adversity and reward.

Dr. Diane Hamilton is a nationally syndicated radio host, award-winning speaker, author, and educator. She is a thought leader in the fields of leadership, sales, marketing, management, engagement, personality, curiosity, and motivation. To help improve relationships in the workplace — and performance as a result — Dr. Hamilton draws on her decades of work experience in software, computers, corporate training, pharmaceuticals, real estate, mortgage lending, social media, education, and publishing. A sought-after expert in emotional intelligence, Dr. Hamilton's research has been published widely in peer-reviewed journals.    She is the creator of the Curiosity Code Index® and Perception Power Index, as well as the author of five books sold worldwide: Cracking the Curiosity Code, The Power of Perception, The Online Student's User Manual, How to Reinvent Your Career, and It's Not You, It's Your Personality. Her book regarding personalities was required reading at an Arizona-based university, where she was also nominated for an honorary doctorate in addition to her traditionally-obtained Ph.D. in Business Management.     In this episode… 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. Not all those who wonder are lost. In fact, they're right about staying curious. Dr. Diane Hamilton will encourage you to lean into your questions to get you to where you're supposed to be.

Dr. Stefanie Boyer, Professor of Marketing at Bryant University, is the Co-Founder of RNMKRS, a virtual platform for training and assessing sales talent. Dr. Boyer is a TEDx speaker, the recipient of the prestigious American Marketing Association Sales Educator of the Year Award and coauthor of The Little Black Book of Social Media, Strategies to Ignite Your Business, Influencer, and Professional Brand.   Her vast experience with previous professions such as firefighting, US Customs, and selling financial services have led her to a path of understanding how to help herself and others find their voice, build confidence, and make the most out of their lives while growing their business. In this episode… 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. We have all been there—the frustration and panic that come from not knowing where to go or what to do when you have a long list right in front of you. Well, it's time you learn to take things one day at a time with Dr. Stefanie Boyer.

Making the choice of getting a doctoral degree can be as terrifying as it is exciting. In fact, only one percent of the population successfully navigates this unconventional path. What's holding you back? Dr. Angela L. Swain is a business psychologist, executive coach, researcher, and author. As an expert in organizational behavior she believes in creating positive workplace cultures through leadership development professionally and personally. Dr. Swain served as a researcher and moderator for The Emotional Intelligence Leadership Institute in Chicago where she conducted training programs for managers to discuss team membership, meaning, and empowerment and a senior consultant with Open Door Advisors, Inc., an organizational development consulting firm serving social enterprise leaders and consultant, coach. Currently, she is an adjunct faculty member for Theological Reflection and a ministerial coach and faculty member for the Thriving Together program at Catholic Theological Union, a seminary for both lay and religious leaders. Recently she began her tenure as Director for the Office of Human Dignity and Solidarity with the Archdiocese of Chicago. She is the author of “Kitchen Table Talks with Dad: 5 Simple Tools to Become a Transformative Leader,” a book aimed at helping business leaders and entrepreneurs cultivate emotional intelligence and improve communication with their employees. In this episode… 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. Taking the journey toward your doctoral degree will require plenty of courage and resilience. But the thing is, you are not alone. Dr. Swain will inspire you to get started and keep going.

Do you find yourself navigating obstacles, battling excuses, and wondering, “Will I ever get there?” Melody Bacon, PhD has taught in the MFT program at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology for over 10 years and in graduate programs for over 20 years.  She has an expertise in Bowen Family Systems therapy as well as Jungian Analytic Psychology. Dr. Bacon has had a long interested in the confluence of art and the human psyche, and how, this in turn reflects the larger culture. She has led a study abroad program to Zurich, Switzerland on Spirituality and Addiction which explores the ideas of C.G. Jung and how this is applied to the nature of substance use disorders. In addition to teaching, she also has a private practice specializing in relationship issues and is the author of two books, The Grace-Filled Divorce (2012) and Family Therapy and the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders (2019). Dr. Bacon is co-founder of The Family Matters program, an online program for families struggling with substance use disorders. She has presented at numerous conferences and workshops including AAMFT, International Family Therapy Association (IFTA), California Consortium of Addiction Program and Professionals (CCAPP) and the Raise Foundation Conference. In this episode… In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Melody Bacon inspires us by sharing her experience in getting started with her doctoral degree and getting to the finish line. She briefly discusses her book Grace Filled Divorce and how she found inspiration to write it. Dr. Bacon reveals how to ensure the guilt-trip card never hold you back, how to maintain commitment to your passion, and how hoarding a mountain of courage is critical to actually following through on achieving your goals. The “getting there” part is always the hardest. Real obstacles and made-up excuses will conspire against you, but Dr. Melody Bacon will give you the nudge you need to not only get started but also get done.

What did you tell yourself today? Are you going to be better than yesterday? Or are you going to stay the same? With over 20 years of expertise helping people transform their lives and careers, Dr. Colleen Georges is a Positive Psychology life and career coach, TEDx speaker, founder of RESCRIPT Your Story LLC, and author of the 8-time award winning book, RESCRIPT the Story You're Telling Yourself: The Eight Practices to Quiet Your Inner Antagonist, Amplify Your Inner Advocate, & Author a Limitless Life. She is also a Rutgers University Lecturer in counseling and women's leadership. Prior to running RESCRIPT Your Story LLC, Dr. Colleen served as Director of the Rutgers University TRIO Student Support Services & McNair Programs, which serve first-generation, low-income students and provide academic retention, career development, and doctoral preparation services. She is also a three-time Rutgers graduate, earning her B.A. in Psychology from Douglass College and M.Ed. and Ed.D. in Counseling Psychology from the Graduate School of Education. Dr. Colleen's expertise has been featured in various media including News12, RVNTV, Huffington Post, Thrive Global, Forbes, Mashable, and New Jersey Family Magazine. She lives in Piscataway, New Jersey with her husband José, son Joshua, and two cat daughters, Kitty and Sweetie. In this episode… In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Colleen Georges shares her journey of becoming her authentic self throughout her doctoral and postdoctoral experience with Dr. Russell Strickland—from being burnt out and not knowing what's next to knowing her “why” and moving on with her passion. Dr. Georges believes having a sense of self-worth is important to achieving your goals and—ultimately—helping others achieve theirs. After helping someone fulfill their passion is a feeling like no other. Don't let the conversations in your head hold you back from becoming the truest and best versions of yourself. Rescript them! Dr. Colleen Georges can show you how.

Have you listened to your body today? What is on your body's mind? Rachel Allyn, PhD is a licensed clinical psychologist, certified yoga instructor, public speaker, and author. She is the founder of YogaPsych, PLLC, a psychotherapy practice for adults that blends Western medicine with Eastern philosophy, and connects the mind with the body. She has been in private practice for fifteen years working with individuals and couples dealing with sexuality, intimacy, and relationship problems as well as trauma, depression, anxiety, and loss. Dr. Allyn is a TEDx speaker and author of the forthcoming book "The Pleasure Is All Yours: Reclaim Your Body's Bliss and Reignite Your Passion for Life" drawing on her method of bodyfulness, a more dynamic version of mindfulness that incorporates the body's wisdom and capacity for healing. She's been quoted in books and magazines including Yoga Journal, Women's Health, Outside, Good Housekeeping, and Cosmopolitan. In this episode… In this episode of the Unconvential Life, Dr. Rachel Allyn talks about her motivation in pursuing her doctoral degree with Dr. Russell Strickland. She also shares about her book The Pleasure Is All Yours in which she redefines pleasure and emphasizes the importance of mind-body integration to connect with others and find your purpose. She also briefly discusses her experience as a TEDx speaker.  “Movement is medicine,” highlights Dr. Allyn. So for those of you are burned out and losing focus, this episode is will get you moving in the right direction.

Six dozen rats and months of literally wandering in the woods taught Dr. Rachel Herz what she didn't want out of life... Rachel Herz, Ph.D. is a neuroscientist and world leading expert on the psychological science of smell. She has been conducting research on the senses, emotion, perception, motivated behavior and cognition since 1990.  Dr. Herz is a TEDx speaker, has published over 95 original research papers, received numerous awards and grants, co-authored scholarly handbooks, and is an adjunct professor in the Medical School of Brown University and part-time faculty in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Boston College. She is also a professional consultant to various industries regarding scent, taste, food and flavor, and is frequently called upon as an expert witness in legal cases involving olfaction.  Dr. Herz is the author of several academic and popular science books including the leading college textbook on Sensation & Perception (Oxford University Press) now in its 6thedition, The Scent of Desire: Discovering Our Enigmatic Sense of Smell (2007; Harper Collins), which was selected as a finalist for the “2009 AAAS Prize for Excellence in Science Books,” and That's Disgusting: Unraveling the Mysteries of Repulsion (2012; W.W. Norton & Co), which analyzes the emotion of disgust from culture to neuroscience, and was listed as a New York Times Book Review “Editor's Choice”.  Her latest book Why You Eat What You Eat: The Science Behind Our Relationship with Food (2018; W.W. Norton & Co) explores how our senses, brain and psychology govern our perception of food, and the experiences and consequences of eating. Why You Eat What You Eat was a finalist for the “2018 Readable Feast Awards” and listed among the “Best Food Books of 2018” by The Smithsonian and The New Yorker. In this episode… In this episode of Unconventional Life, Dr. Rachel Herz shares her story of discovery with Dr. Russell Strickland. She discusses how her early academic experiences taught her what she didn't like and how she was able to find nuggets from each of those experiences to craft her eventual career. Dr. Herz goes on to her describe "the hardest thing" she's ever done (and, no, it wasn't her dissertation) and what it was like to turn science into a story for her first book. Learn what you don't like early, so that you can mine the gold from your experiences and build a life you will treasure!

Dr. Debra Warner is a leading forensic psychologist, TEDx speaker, trauma expert, training professional, and author. She addresses diverse topics including PTSD, multicultural therapeutic techniques, gang intervention, prison reform, human trafficking, violence against women, substance abuse, relationships and mental health.  She currently is a Professor for the Los Angeles campus of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology's Psy.D. in Clinical Forensic Psychology. Dr. Warner is a sought out expert witness, psychological evaluator, and consultant. Dr. Warner is also a male trauma expert, spouse of a male survivor and author of His History, Her Story, a Survival Guide for Spouses of Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse and Trauma and Barbara and My Boys.  She has devoted her professional efforts to helping men and their loved ones confront and conquer their long term effects of trauma on the male psyche. She frequently addresses issues related to the #Mentoo movement, and challenging masculinity stereotypes and dismantling stigmas related to male trauma. Dr. Warner completed her doctorate in Forensic Psychology from Alliant International University in Fresno, California.. She received her Master of Arts and Master of Education in counseling psychology from Columbia University, Teachers College, in New York City, and has served as an adjunct professor for several universities and as Lead Faculty for Chapman University's Marriage and Family Therapy program. Dr. Warner has also served as Special Assistant to the Dean of Academic Affairs: Diversity and Community Engagement and Lead Faculty for the Forensic Psychology department for Los Angeles and Irvine. Some of her other professional assignments have included the Department of Homeland Security, Los Angeles Police Department, C.U.R.E.-A Better Los Angeles, the Department of Defense, the Department of Corrections and Regional Center. For these assignments she designed the program elements related to mental health and evaluation. Moreover, she served and clinical supervisor relating to human trafficking, trauma, PTSD and multicultural therapeutic techniques. In this episode… Are you a lone wolf? Do you work best when you go it alone? Not so fast... In this episode of Unconventional Life, Dr. Debra Warner shares her doctoral journey with Dr. Russell Strickland. She discusses her experience with not having a mentor and the direction in which she was headed until she met the right person at the right time. With the proper guidance, Dr. Warner gained the confidence needed to set her target higher, resulting in her earning her doctoral degree. Despite the odds and negative perspectives of others, doors of opportunity were opened, and her educational journey continued. Believe and invest in yourself, possibilities are endless. Ask Dr. Warner!

With 22 years of experience in business and education, Jeffrey J. Darville, Ph.D. is an insightful professor, keynote speaker, and researcher. Currently as Professor of Business at La Roche University and formerly MBA Director and Assistant Professor in the College of Business Administration at the American University in the Emirates, Dubai, UAE, Jeff has taught Marketing, Negotiations, Change Management, OB, and Leadership. Jeff serves on committees, publishing, leading the MBA program, SACS and AACSB member accreditation efforts. Through collaborative organizational leadership and strategic marketing, Jeff has implemented changes, built programs, orchestrated profitable growth, and improved curricula.  As an employee and consultant, he has worked for Verizon, AIG, PPG, Alcoa, Sony, Bayer, and Siemens-Westinghouse and well as SME businesses and start-ups. Completing his B.S. in Marketing and Management from Grove City College in 2000, Jeff gained his M.S. in Organizational Leadership from Geneva College in 2008, and his Ph.D. in Organizational Learning and Leadership from Gannon University in 2017. Jeff has published his models on Kinetic Leadership, Value-Added Services and Historical leadership. His research interests are in Strategic decision-making, the use of rationality and intuition, Top Management Teams, Servant Leadership, HRM, Corporate Social Responsibility, and Intercultural communication. In this episode… Do you know where you want to go? Do you have a plan to get there? In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Jeffrey Darville shares his unconventional career path with Dr. Russell Strickland. From working for large companies to real estate business to technology business to startups. There were stumbling blocks along the way, which led Dr. Darville to the start of his doctoral journey. Determination was the fuel and driving force to earning his Ph.D. and pursuing his dreams—entrepreneurship and travel. He visualized a plan and set it in motion. Dr. Jeffrey Darville will inspire and fuel your mind with ideas to move forward!

Dr. Louis L. Fletcher is the Director of Culture and Services for El Paso County Colorado School District 49. He is responsible for developing and implementing district-wide education, outreach, and training to promote a culture of inclusion, equity, and respect. Prior to coming to District 49, he was the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Webster University's Denver Metro Campus where he led programs that resulted in active duty and retired veterans successfully achieving graduate degrees. He is also formerly the Regional Director for the Western Region of Troy University where he was responsible for leading the academic programs offered at 10 campuses in the western United States and Northeast Asia. Dr. Fletcher served as an officer in the United States Air Force for 20 years in locations such as Korea, Greece, France, Germany, and various locations in the US; his final assignment was the founding dean of the Advanced Space Operations School in Colorado Springs. Dr. Fletcher is a restorative practices instructor and advocate who has presented on the discipline nationally and internationally. His goal is to free people from the disputes they have with each other and the world at-large, so that they can find peace, respect, and love in their lives. In this episode… Are you a doctoral learner that has hit the wall and productivity has come to a halt?    In this episode of An Unconventional Life, expect to gain invaluable insight from Dr. Louis Fletcher as he reveals to Dr. Russell Strickland the challenges that motivated him to embark on his doctoral journey. He shares the tragic loss of his brother, becoming an instant parent of two children, and the departure of two dissertation chairs. His experiences were the driving forces by which he achieved his goals. The Drs. discuss inner strength, passion, and emotional discipline as motivators—staying power. Dr. Fletcher's heroic story will inspire you to keep moving forward and prosper!

Chaz Austin, Ed.D. is an expert in self marketing for the gig economy. He works with private clients around the world to develop their own personal brand. Dr. Austin teaches courses for Los Angeles Pierce College. He also has developed courses for the Beacon House Association of San Pedro.   Dr. Austin is a TEDx speaker. His work is featured on LinkedIn Learning. And, his most recent book is 101 Ways to Find Work and Keep Finding Work for the Rest of Your Career.  In this episode… In the 21st Century jobs don't last forever. Increasingly, they're not even called jobs anymore. We now live in a Gig Economy, and Dr. Chaz Austin is here to show you how to survive and thrive, gig after gig. In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Chaz Austin and Dr. Russell Strickland talk about the Gig Economy and the freedom it can create for folks with doctoral degrees. Dr. Austin demonstrates how workers in the Gig Economy are de facto businesses. In this paradigm, workers now have two distinct responsibilities: to do their work and to find more work. Although this may seem more complicated, Dr. Austin makes the case that gig work offers far more autonomy and freedom than employment. With entire sectors of our economy switching over to gig mode, it's critical that you adapt now before you find yourself priced out of employment and unable to win a gig.

  Dr. Dawn Graham is a career switch coach, TEDx Speaker, LinkedIn Learning Instructor and Host of the popular call-in show “Dr. Dawn on Careers” on SiriusXM Radio (channel 132). She is also a regular contributor to Forbes.com under the leadership channel, and the Career Director for the Executive MBA Program at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Her latest book “Switchers: How Smart Professionals Change Careers and Seize Success” combines her experience as a Career Coach, Licensed Psychologist, and former Corporate Recruiter to give career switchers the strategies to break through obstacles and land the job they want. In this episode… Congratulations, Dr. You! Now what? For many new doctoral graduates, what comes next is switches careers. Dr. Dawn Graham is here to help. In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Dawn Graham shares the story of her doctoral journey with Dr. Russell Strickland. She discusses the value of waiting to pursue a doctoral degree, the importance of mapping out your route, and the need to remain committed to the process despite the many false summits in will encounter on the way to graduation. The author of Switchers also shares her top strategy for finding the right career fit for you and your new credential. It is not uncommon for people to have ten or more distinct careers throughout their lifetime. Isn't time that we all learned how to make the Switch smoothly without great mountains of stress and frustration?

Jackie Lapin is a leader in helping leaders, authors, coaches, speakers and entrepreneurs connect with their next followers around the globe. An expert at aiding them to GET BOOKED, she provides strategies, guidance and direct leads through her SpeakerTunity®  programs, tip sheets and regional directories that get changemakers booked for speaking engagements, radio shows, podcasts, virtual summits, TEDx events and virtual networking across North America.SpeakerTunity® also offers a speaker-one sheet graphic design service, booking systems and training to fill up your speaking calendar. SpeakerTunity® is The Ultimate Speaker's Tool Box. Her internationally acclaimed Conscious Media Relations Radio/Podcast Tours have helped nearly 200 luminaries, leaders, filmmakers and authors grow their businesses, sell more books, create viewership and change more lives by introducing them to up to 9000 radio shows and podcasts, including such clients as Don Miguel Ruiz, Dr. Joe Vitale, James Twyman, Denise Linn, Arielle Ford, Hay House and more. In this episode… So, you've got a message to share with the world. But, how do you get it out there? Jackie Lapin, of Speakertunity, has helped thousands of experts do just that. In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Jackie Lapin reveals to Dr. Russell Strickland how experts can get their message out to their ideal audience by appearing on stages, summits, podcasts, radio, TV, and more. She shares insider secrets on accessing the 9,000 professional speaking opportunities available in the U.S. and Canada each day and navigating often confusing process of getting chosen for the spotlight. Appearing on summits, podcasts, TEDx stages, radio, TV, and more can get your message to thousands of right-fit customers, clients, and patients, expand your authority, and grow your business.

Dr. Russell Strickland is the founder and CEO of Dissertation Done, author of Fast-Track Your Dissertation, and host of An Unconventional Life Podcast with Dr. Russell Strickland. In 2018, Dr. Strickland established National Dissertation Day on April 26th as a day to acknowledge and appreciate the hard work and sacrifice many of our best and brightest undertake in their pursuit of making the world a better place. Through Dissertation Done, Dr. Strickland and his doctoral students create actionable plans in order to complete their dissertations in a timely and effective manner. His coaches guide students through each step of the process removing much of the stress, confusion, and frustration through a comprehensive system of support, guidance, and accountability. Dr. Strickland also serves expert coaches, consultants, counselors, and those who aspire to be through his Expand Your Authority Expert Author Program, in which he guides experts through the process of becoming published authors with a unique focus on landing more customers, clients, and patients. Before becoming a renowned teacher, coach, and mentor, Dr. Strickland received his master's degree in Astronomy and Astrophysics from the University of Chicago and his doctoral in Organization and Management from Capella University. Over the past 20 years, he has mentored thousands of students, and his process has been proven to vastly reduce times to graduation and significantly improve graduation rates. In this episode… Want to launch a book? Think about giving and serving, too In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Strickland has a lot to celebrate. It's our 50th episode! And, Dr. Strickland is launching his book! And, National Dissertation Day is coming up! And, Dr. Strickland is hosting a 25-Doctor summit. Oh, and there's a huge fundraiser, too. Listen in as Dr. Strickland breaks it all down, so that you can get your ticket to join in on the fun! Dr. Strickland's philosophy of win-win-win comes through, again. Discover what it's like to help me, help you, help them.

Francisca Enih, Ed.D. was born in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. The first of eleven children. Growing up, she was fascinated with taking care of the needy, and this interest led to some early exposure to Saint Vincent De Paul Society, since she was drawn to stories related to caring. During the devasting Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, Dr. Enih served as the President of the Nigerian Catholic Ministry at Saint Albert of Trapani Catholic Church in Houston, Texas. One the missions was to help the needy and those affected by the hurricane. Within the ministry we provided hot meals to the individuals displaced by the hurricane. Later, Dr. Enih, who now teaches Skills for Living and Learning at the middle school level, developed a passion for ideas. She took professional developments in science, technology, mathematics and engineering and in 2007-2008 school year was name Houston Geological Society Earth Science Teacher of the Year from Rice University, Houston, Texas and Houston Independent School District Cream of the Crop in 2007. In 2008 and 2009 she was elected Holland Middle school Special Education Teacher of the Year. Also, she is certified to teach English as a Second Language. Dr. Enih, who lives in Houston, Texas has been an educator since 1997. She earned her Doctorate degree from Texas Southern University, Houston, Texas and her dissertation title is “The Relationship Between Parental Involvement and Middle School Student Achievement in Mathematics”. She is currently the Parish Pastoral Council member of St. Albert Catholics Church, Texas. Her goal is to uphold human self-esteem, to always be patient, and to promote fairness and kindness. In this episode… What do you want to do when you graduate? Dr. Francisca Enih became a published author, and she couldn't be happier. In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Francisca Enih and Dr. Russell Strickland discuss her experience in developing academically successful children. Dr. Enih is quick to point out her view that excellence is not just about academics. She relates stories, with equal pride, of the student who helped his fallen classmate up from the ground and the former student who is currently attending Harvard University. Dr. Enih has distilled her process of instilling excellence in children and poured it into her new book, 15 Minutes a Day. Dr. Enih's infectious enthusiasm is evident throughout this episode, but never mores than we she lifts her new book for our YouTube viewers to see. Discover what it's like to truly follow your dreams, and then get back to it yourself!

Todd Dewett, Ph.D. is a best-selling leadership and success author and educator.  He's been a consultant, an award-winning professor, a three-time TEDx speaker, an Inc. Magazine Top 100 Leadership Speaker, and the creator of an educational library of courses enjoyed by millions of professionals around the world.  His latest book is Live Hard, a collection of twenty inspiring stories packed with advice about living and achieving more fully.  His clients are a who's who of global organizations including Microsoft, Google, ExxonMobil, and State Farm.  His advice has been cited by the New York Times, Forbes, CNN, and hundreds of additional outlets. In this episode… Do you want to be a professional expert? Well, expert expert, Dr. Todd Dewett, can tell you how to get there. In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Todd Dewett shares his story with Dr. Russell Strickland. They discuss the importance of utilizing each experience to target, refine, and confirm your big why. Dr. Dewett discovered his passion one piece at a time with stints in big-box consulting at Accenture and Ernst & Young, high-level research at Texas A&M, and college "professoring" with Wright State University. These experiences led Dr. Dewett to finding his calling as a speaker, author, and storyteller extraordinaire. According to Dr. Dewett, the most important thing you should learn from your education is how little you actually know. Carrying that attitude and understanding into your career as an expert will keep you motivated, ever improving, and keep you out of untold amounts of trouble!

Jennifer Gardella, Ph.D. works with a select group of clients supporting them with weekly blogging and daily social media. Using her time-tested strategies she positions her clients as experts and their business as the go-to place for their goods and services.  And, for clients who grew up with the phone attached to the kitchen wall, Dr. Gardella get them out of overwhelm using her superpower of explaining things in small pieces for understanding.   Dr. Gardella has had quite an interesting path to success and will share some of that story with us today.  The highlights include earning a PhD in Educational Psychology from Rutgers University, starting her business from scratch at the age of 45, blogging for the Huffington Post, presenting a TEDx Talk, and speaking at the PA Conference for Women.  Dr. Gardella was raised in New Jersey by New Yorker parents and appreciates relationships built on integrity, loyalty, and shared sarcasm.  She now resides in Bucks County, PA while her three daughters are launching into the world.  In her spare time you can find her exercising, writing her blog, breaking bread with her circle of trust, and working on her golf game.  She is an avid goal setter with three simple ones for this year - feel free to reach out and ask her what she's working on. In this episode… What are your goals? Do you have too many? What the reason behind each goal? Knowing your why is perhaps the single most important spect of intentionality. After all, you can't get anywhere if you don't know where to want to be. In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Jennifer Gardella and Dr. Russell Strickland discuss how busy you can be "doing nothing," the power of focus, and making bunny slippers a lifestyle choice. Dr. Gardella's doctoral dream began after raising her three kids to school age and being challenged by the university's admissions to prove that she'd done anything over the past decade. Research, relationships, and resiliency took Dr. Gardella from there to graduation and beyond. She now runs her own business where is guides business owners through the straits of social media to the open seas of exposure, visibility, and profits. According to Dr. Gardella, goal-setting muscles are great, but so are restraint and focus. When she had twenty simultaneous goals, she found it hard to be productive. Now, she has just three goals for the year and feels like her clarity and focus are much better. What are you focussed on right now?

Zina Jarrahi Cinker, Ph.D. is a globally recognized Graphene expert, R&D strategist, and condensed matter physicist. She currently serves as the founder and Director General of Advanced Material Future Preparedness Taskforce (AMPT) -- an international, public interest organization of over 20 country chapters, orchestrating the global use of Advanced Materials to solve humanity's most immediate challenges--. Dr. Cinker earned a PhD in the field of Condensed Matter Ultrafast Spectroscopy from Vanderbilt university and has spent the past decade expediting the commercialization of Graphene and advanced materials from breakthrough to industrialization. She previously served as the Executive Director of the U.S. National Graphene Association, the main organization and body in North America of over 5,000 international members and organizations. As a Deep Tech advocate and system-change activist, Dr. Cinker's recent initiatives focus on building an international infrastructure to enable material science and technologies to solve complex challenges of global magnitude where strategic dialogue and world-wide action among spheres of science, industry governments and civil societies are needed. In this episode… What do you want to be when you grow up? When you ask a child, you expect the answer to be cute...and transitory. It's important to not stop asking yourself this question as you do "grow up," because, for most people, the answer continue to evolve throughout their lives. In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Zina Jarrahi Cinker and Dr. Russell Strickland geek out on physics, the role of science in society, and the psychology of effective communication. Dr. Cinker's dream of growing up to be an astrophysicist, and Bill Gates(!), eventually settled on astrophysics. But, when she arrived at Vanderbilt, the allure of graphene seduced her to leave the very big for the very small. Dr. Cinker shares stories about Bill Gates, talking with U.S. Senators on Capitol Hill, and Tom...Somebody. Dr. Cinker leveraged her doctoral degree into a magical ride around the periphery of science. From industry to policy and research to advocacy, Dr. Cinker's career has taken her from the Halls of Academia to the Halls of Power. Where will yours take you?

Jasmine Escalera, Ph.D. is a confidence coach and career strategist for women of color. She has proven coaching programs that help her clients beat self-doubt so they can own their worth and boss-up in their careers or business. Dr. Escalera was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, and fell in love with chemistry in high school and went on to receive her bachelor's degree in biochemistry from Pace University and PhD in Pharmacology from Yale. Since earning her PhD, she has held high-level management positions within hospitals and non-profits, designing programs that increase the quality of life and healthcare options for underserved populations. In this episode… It's easy to see the world as black-or-white, this-or-that. But, when you have your Ph.D., it certainly doesn't have to be! In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Jasmine Escalera speaks with Dr. Russell Strickland about the identity crisis she experienced while pursuing her Ph.D. in pharmacology from Yale University. Knowing that there were two typical paths for students in her program, and not wanting to follow either of them, led her to the brink quitting her Ph.D. Fortunately, Dr. Escalera's a-ha moment came when an advisor told her that she could do anything after she earned her Ph.D. Overcoming the tyranny of the Or empowered Dr. Escalera to experience the amazing array of opportunities her Ph.D. provides. You're just one dissertation away from being able to to do the same!

Erin L. Kelley, Ph.D. is a Professor of English at Dallas College in Dallas, Texas.  Prior to completing her doctorate in Literature, Dr. Kelley earned a Juris Doctorate degree at Texas Tech University School of Law and worked in the Criminal District Attorney's Office in Lubbock, Texas. She is a TEDx speaker and author of multiple academic journal articles. Dr. Kelley is a first-generation college graduate. She began her postsecondary studies at the community-college level. Those studies culminated with earning her Ph.D. as a full-time student while also balancing a full-time career. She now teaches community-college students beginning their own academic journeys. Dr. Kelley has practiced martial arts throughout her life. She enjoys instructing her students, speaking at conferences, and writing about how law and literature teach us about who we are, as a society. In this episode… So, you're a lawyer, and a Ph.D.? You must be an elitist, right? Well, not if you're a kid from Muleshoe, Texas! In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Erin Kelley shares with Dr. Russell Strickland the fascinating story of her unlikely journey from small town to law school; the gentle nudge the bar exam provided, again and again; and how she ultimately found her true calling by uniting her two passions. It's easy to look at some folks and think that they've got the world on a string. Well, Dr. Kelley wants you to know that making it look easy doesn't come easy! The real search sometimes begins when you think you've reached your goal. That's OK, because the rewards far exceed the effort! To paraphrase Dr. Kelley, think about who you were, who you are, and who you want to be. Keep striving for your goals, and before you know it, people will be wondering how you make it look so easy!

Kathy Gruver, Ph.D. is an award-winning author, professional speaker, and former actor with over 30 years of experience in mind/body medicine and human behavior. An entertainer and educator imbuing all of her programs with practicality and passion.   With a West Coast mentality and an East Coast delivery, her humorous, down to earth and engaging style has captivated audiences on four continents, three cruise ships and a handful of islands. It's been her true honor to have delivered two TEDx talks.   Dr. Gruver has written eight books which have garnered 12 awards, hosted a TV series based on her first book, developed a stress reduction program for the US military, and cohosts the Fire and Earth Podcast. She has penned countless articles and appears regularly as a guest on radio, TV and in in print media. She recently appeared on the Dr. Phil Show. She has earned her PhD in natural health and has studied mind-body medicine at the famed Benson Henry Institute for Mind-Body Medicine at Harvard. Kathy currently lives in Santa Barbara, California with her boyfriend, her guinea pig, Listo, and her cat, Aleister. For fun and stress relief Kathy does flying trapeze and plays dungeons and dragons. In this episode… 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?

Darin Detwiler, LP.D., is the Assistant Dean at Northeastern University's College of Professional Studies and the Lead Faculty of the Master of Science in Regulatory Affairs of Food and Food Industries. As an Associate Teaching Professor of food regulatory policy, he has specialized in food safety, global economics of food and agriculture, Blockchain, and food authenticity. Dr. Detwiler is also the founder and CEO of Detwiler Consulting Group, LLC. He is an internationally recognized and respected food policy expert with over 25 years' experience in shaping federal food policy, consulting with corporations, and contributing thought leadership to industry events and publications, advising industry, NGOs, and government agencies, and addressing food safety and authenticity issues in the U.S. and abroad. In addition to serving in various educational, editorial, and advisory capacities, his committee work includes appointments to two terms as a member of the USDA's National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection, where his work improved standards and policies related to risk-based sampling. As the senior policy coordinator for a national food safety organization, he evaluated pertinent regulatory issues for the USDA and the FDA as a consumer advocate in their stakeholder advisory group. His work supported the FDA's efforts for implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act. He later served as a council member for the Conference for Food Protection, identifying and addressing emerging problems of food safety to influence model laws and regulations among all government agencies. Dr. Detwiler is the author of FOOD SAFETY: Past, Present, and Predictions (Elsevier, 2020); and Building the Future of Food Safety Technology (Elsevier, 2020). In this episode… When his middle school student asked him why he was here, Dr. Detwiler thought, "You're right," and walked out of the room George-Costanza-style, figuratively, at least. In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Darin Detwiler shares with Dr. Russell Strickland the heart-breaking story about the loss of his son at 16 months and how it fueled his mission in life to make our food safer for everyone. His doctoral journey began with a moment of epiphany when one of his middle school students asked why are you here. His immediate (subvocalized) response was, "I quit." But quitting was just the beginning, as is so often the case. Dr. Detwiler went on to become an assistant dean at his doctoral university so quickly that he actually hooded himself at commencement! Dr. Detwiler acknowledges that lifelong learning, ingrained in him throughout his doctoral journey, "has served me well in terms of trying to achieve what I can for my mission." How will your doctoral degree serve your mission?

Fergus Connolly, Ph.D. is a coach, teacher, mentor, author, speaker and student of success and resilience. Dr. Connolly  has worked with some of the world's leading sports, military, and business teams including Verizon, the San Francisco 49ers, University of Michigan, Liverpool FC and multiple Special Forces units. Fergus has applied performance science with leading sports, military, and business teams. He is the only coach to have full times roles in every major sport, including soccer (Liverpool, Bolton Wanderers), professional and college football (San Francisco 49s and University of Michigan), rugby (Welsh national team) and elite military units. Dr. Connolly is the author of the bestselling book "Game Changer - The Art of Sports Science." He is one of the world's foremost human potential thought leaders and influencers. Dr. Connolly is happy to share his personal story of success, authenticity, and the power of empathy among leaders. In this episode… What's keeping you from reaching your goals? Why are you letting that stand in your way? In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Fergus Connolly and Dr. Russell Strickland get into your head!Since your are unique and special, Dr. Connolly figures that your approach to your dissertation should be, too. It's all about being intentional, discovering your "why," and then being true to that truth. But, as special as you are, you're not perfect. Coming to terms with this fact early in the dissertation process is perhaps the most important thing you can do for your sanity...and your graduation. According to Dr. Connolly, becoming a doctor is all about learning how to learn. It doesn't mean you won't continue to make mistakes...just don't make the same mistakes twice!

Adi Jaffe, Ph.D. is a #1 best-selling author (The Abstinence Myth) and a nationally recognized expert on mental health, addiction, relationships and shame. He lectured in the UCLA Psychology department for the better part of a decade and was the Executive-Director and Co-Founder of one of the most progressive mental health treatment facilities in the country - until he started IGNTD. Through IGNTD, Dr. Jaffe is changing the way people think about, and deal with mental health issues. He is passionate about exposes the role of shame in destroying lives. The driving philosophy behind IGNTD Recovery is to greatly reduce the stigma of addiction and mental health. Dr. Jaffe's views on addiction and his research on the topic have been published widely in both academic journals and popular magazines and websites. He has been featured in CNN, The Huffington Post, Bustle, Los Angeles Times, KTLA. Dr. Jaffe has also appeared on several television shows including Good Morning America, The Dr. Oz Show, The Doctors and Larry King Now and in numerous documentaries discussing current topics in addiction. He has also been the guest on notable podcasts including Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness, Almost Thirty, Dr. Drew, Cleaning Up the Mental Mess with Dr. Caroline Leaf and many more. In this episode… What's keep ing you from reaching your goals? Why are you letting that stand in your way? In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Adi Jaffe and Dr. Russell Strickland blow the doors of your excuses. Dr. Jaffe was an addict, drug dealer, and convicted felon when his doctoral journey began. He went from graduating with his bachelors degree on a technicality, to convincing his master-level professors to go to bat for him when he applied for doctoral studies. Clearly, Dr. Jaffe had all of the excuses one could ever need to not earn his doctor degree and make a positive impact on the world. But, he completely wasted all of these excuses, instead becoming a doctor, an author, interviewing with Larry King, and building an amazing community to support addiction recovery. So, don't worry that you aren't completely comfortable with what you're doing. In fact, Dr. Jaffe said, "I actually urge you to put yourself in more places where you have imposter syndrome." That's how you make a dent in the world!

Lisa Orbé-Austin, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist and executive coach, with a focus on career advancement and leadership development. She is a co-founder and partner of Dynamic Transitions Psychological Consulting, a career and executive coaching consultancy, where she works mostly with high potential managers and executives. She earned her doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Columbia University. Her views about career advancement, job transitions, leadership, and diversity & inclusion are regularly sought by the media and she has appeared in outlets such as The New York Times, NBC News, Forbes, The Huffington Post, Refinery29, Business Insider, and Insight Into Diversity. She has also been honored as a Top Voice on LinkedIn in the area of Job Search and Careers. Dr. Orbé-Austin recently gave a TEDx talk entitled "The Impostor Syndrome Paradox." She regularly consults with organizations in the private sector, non-profits, and educational institutions in supporting their employees and senior leadership teams to address gender bias, diversity, equity, & inclusion concerns, leadership development, effective communication, team cohesion, and managing conflict. Her practice also consults to universities on the reorganization & evaluation of their career centers to enhance their efficacy and metrics, in order to improve service delivery, data analysis, and student career outcomes. Her book, Own Your Greatness: Overcome Impostor Syndrome, Beat Self-Doubt, and Succeed in Life (Ulysses Press, 2020) co-authored with her partner, Dr. Richard Orbé-Austin, was released in April 2020. In this episode… Do you feel like you're a fraud, a sham, a pretender to your own throne? Are you sure that any day now someone is going to find you out and expose you? In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Lisa Orbé-Austin shares her traumatizing doctoral experience with Dr. Russell Strickland. Having a difficult advisor always makes the dissertation journey longer and more perilous. But having an absentee advisor? An advisor who then threatens to sue you when you finally switch to another advisor? For Dr. Orbé-Austin, the experience added two years to her doctoral studies and sent her careening into a dead-end job that was only tenuously connected to her degree. Fortunately, an epiphanous moment at work jolted her into leaving that job behind, without knowing what might lie ahead. This leap is faith was rewarded with a more fulfilling job, that gave her time to grow her private practice, which motivated her to grow a vibrant community through public appearances, speaking, and writing. As Dr. Orbé-Austin put it, "there are a lot of really great opportunities for academics." You simply have to get out there, "just really be human," and the opportunities will flow.

  Sharon Belden Castonguay, Ed.D. is an adult developmental psychologist and the Executive Director of the Gordon Career Center at Wesleyan University, where she is also the instructor for Career Decisions: From Insight to Impact on Coursera and the host of the podcasts Careers by Design: The Interviews and First Year Out. She currently serves as President of the Liberal Arts Career Network, a consortium of top liberal arts colleges and universities across the United States. Her TEDxWesleyanU talk, The Psychology of Career Decisions, considers themes of identity, culture, and decision making. Her career advice has been featured on Forbes.com, Inc.com and Apple News. She received her doctorate in Human Development & Psychology from Harvard, where her research focused on how businesspeople make career decisions. She also holds an MA in Education from the University of Michigan and a BA in Government from Smith College. In this episode… Most doctoral students identify as doctors in their hearts long before holding the diploma in their hands. In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Sharon Belden Castonguay and Dr. Russell Strickland discuss the importance of identity when it comes to choosing your doctoral program, your doctoral advisors, and your postdoctoral career. Dr. Castonguay began advising doctoral students who choose not to pursue academia on career options while still pursuing her own doctoral degree. She shares an amazing technique for setting your career direction using comparative professional-identity introspective exercises. In our careers, and our lives, serendipity and intentionality both contribute to outcomes. Carefully reflecting on your own identity prepares you to pursue the right opportunities when they present themselves. Dr. Castonguay advises that career success is found at "the intersection of luck and hard work." You can do it!

Marlo Rencher, Ph.D. is an entrepreneur, anthropologist, and educator with over two decades of experience in startup and small business development. Currently, she is TechTown Detroit's director of technology-based programs. She is a co-founder at Commune Angels, an inclusive network of angel investors. She is the founder of Tech Founders Academy, which helps Black and Brown women reinvent themselves as Tech Founders. She has also founded or co-founded three other tech startups. Dr. Rencher was the co-author of digitalundivided's 2016 #ProjectDiane report, which provided groundbreaking insight into the funding gap for Black women tech founders. She is currently engaged in research on developing inclusive tech accelerators, incubators, co-working spaces and entrepreneurial hubs. Dr. Rencher previously served as vice president of innovation, entrepreneurship, and diversity at Cleary University. She also served as the faculty chair of the entrepreneurship department at the business-focused university. Dr. Rencher frequently speaks on technology entrepreneurship and inclusion and has been a presenter at TedxDetroit, Princeton University, and SXSW. She is the co-author of the forthcoming book Hard Reset: Framing Inclusion as the New Normal. In this episode… What would Indiana Jones do if the treasure map he discovered was an entrepreneur's business plan for a new start-up? In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Marlo Rencher and Dr. Russell Strickland discuss the importance of fitting in...in your doctoral program, in your village, and in your professional community. Dr. Rencher brings the unique perspective of an anthropologist to her work with businesses, particularly in the tech start-up space with Tech Town in Detroit. Entrepreneurs must cross a chasm from having conversations about making the world a better place and helping people to making money making the world a better place and helping people. As Dr. Rencher puts it, "I'm interested in people making lots of money and employing people," because that's how a good idea not only serves customers, but lifts communities.

Katherine Anderson Rosselot, Ph.D. contends that one of the essential elements in developing nursing knowledge and critical thinking skills is today's educational technologies. Dr. Rosselot is passionate about the integration of technologies into nursing education. As a nursing professor and online nursing tutor/editor,  education technologies are her primary tools for helping nursing students of all levels succeed in their educational pursuits. Dr. Rosselot created basic medical terminology adjunctive education for assisting nursing students in improving their academic performance. Dr. Rosselot is driven to leverage her experience in nursing, nurse education, and extensive training in educational technology to mentor, inspire, and help develop the critical thinking skills of nursing students and future nursing educators. Her teaching philosophy is student-centered, facilitates the achievement of advanced education, instills a culture of lifelong learning, and promotes the practice of professional nursing. As a survivor of multiple life circumstances, Dr. Rosselot always remembers to appreciate little things in life, but her two teenage children and their activities often require her to remember to just breathe!  In this episode… When life hands you lemons, sometimes you have to suck it up and just keep going! In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Katherine Rosselot and Dr. Russell Strickland talk life, loss, and to how to outlast the challenges that come your way. Dr. Rosselot's doctoral journey began in response to am aggressive cancer that robbed her of a career she was passionate about. The journey was punctuated with suicidal ideations (not hers), a recurrence of cancer, and the loss of her husband. Dealing with this issues could bring anyone's life to a screeching halt or send it careening off a cliff. But Dr. Rosselot managed to maintain her focus on her goals while shepherding her family through the tumult. Dr. Rosselot's dissertation research ultimately led her to help nursing students make the extraordinarily difficult task of mastering medical jargon more accessible. She has gone on to teach, write, and currently serves as peer-reviewer for articles in her area of expertise. Happy endings for those who persevere!

Jocelyn McDonald, Ph.D. is an Educational Technologist, Podcaster, Blogger, and Technology Integration Specialist for professional learning and small businesses. She is a proud advocate for social change in education and is dedicated to making a positive impact.  She holds a Bachelors in Chemistry, Masters in Curriculum and Instruction in Instructional Technology, and a Ph.D. in Educational Technology. With 15+ years in education, she is passionate about supporting the transformation of education through technology for equitable access to 21st century education. While she makes strong efforts to use her influence to impact achievement in schools and communities by building relationships with various stakeholders, she still looks forward to continuing to develop professionally as she develops and learns from others.  In this episode… In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Jocelyn McDonald and Dr. Russell Strickland discuss the myriad opportunities available after you earn your doctoral degree. Dr. McDonald talks about starting her own podcast and how she has used it to help public educators manage technology in their classrooms during the pandemic. And, in our continuing feature, "Doctors, they're just like you," Dr. Mac discusses the challenges she faced during her dissertation journey and how surrounding herself with the right people made all of the difference. As Dr. Mac says, "Give yourself permission to be great," by following the proven path to get your dissertation done and leverage your new title to serve those you are called to serve!

Dr. Jamie Ball, Ed.D. is a core dissertation faculty member at an online college of education where she serves as a full-time as a professor, dissertation chair, and doctoral research reviewer.  Dr. Ball is a quantitative researcher and owner of a small business that provides research services, dissertation coaching, and editing. Dr. Ball completed all of her higher education online. Her degrees include a doctorate of education in organizational leadership with emphasis in behavioral health, a master of science in business organizational leadership, and a bachelor of science in entrepreneurship.  Dr. Ball's experience as an online student greatly informs her teaching and mentoring. She also leverages the platform provided by her doctoral degree to advocate for social issues including abused and neglected children. Dr. Ball maintains a small hobby farm and assists in running her husband's small business.  She has conducted research to help identify business opportunities for others and taught others how to utilize peer-reviewed research articles to aid in their decision-making processes. In this episode… In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Jamie Ball and Dr. Russell Strickland compare doctoral students to bakers and Olympic athletes. Dr. Ball covers the types of advice students often request and what happens they refuse to follow it! She also share three major dissertation stumbling blocks that you want to be sure to avoid. Dr. Strickland reveals the most important three letters you'll ever encounter...and they're NOT Ph.D. Discover how to make your transition to doctor, from a couple of experts who made the transition themselves, and then helped hundreds of other students to do the same thing!

Kasandrea Sereno, Ed.D. is a speaker, author, and consultant from Tampa Florida. Dr. Sereno currently works as a certified career counselor and academic advisor at USF. In 2015 she founded HigherEdSocial, the world's largest professional society for social media managers, and enjoys collaborating with colleagues on best practices and creating trainings to help universities better leverage social media to increase their student retention and satisfaction. Dr. Sereno has spoken at professional, higher-ed, and technology conferences around the world and regularly presents on college campuses about Generation Z, and to students on how to use social media to build a personal brand and get hired in a competitive job market. She puts those words into action as founder of MyAdvisorSays.com, an organization that helps students earn admission into college. In this episode… In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Kasandrea Sereno and Dr. Russell Strickland wax philosophical about higher education and the educational system in the U.S. Their discussion touches on the causes of attrition in higher education, what's missing in secondary education, and how post-secondary education could do better branding itself. Dr. Sereno discusses the strange sense of grief she felt after defending her dissertation and the joy of helping her advisees achieve their own academic goals.  Dr. Sereno is proof positive of the wonderful opportunities available and waiting for you on the other side oof your dissertation.

Dr. Russell Strickland is the founder and CEO of Dissertation Done, a company that helps doctoral students create actionable plans in order to complete their dissertations in a timely and effective manner.  Before becoming a renowned teacher, coach, and mentor, Dr. Strickland received his master's degree in Astronomy and Astrophysics from the University of Chicago and his doctoral in Organization and Management from Capella University. Over the past 20 years, he has mentored thousands of students, and his process has been proven to vastly reduce times to graduation and significantly improve graduation rates. In this episode… Are doctoral students smart? Of course! Right? Well, my daughter's not so sure. Join Dr. Russell Strickland of Dissertation Done in this episode of An Unconventional Life as he talks with Dr. Jeremy Weisz of Rise25 Media about his daughter's insights on doctoral students. He goes on to reveal his own insights as they relate to the need to create structure in the dissertation process, the opposing paradigms doctoral students follow in trying to complete their degrees, and the instinct for doctoral students to try to be heroic. Tune in to this quick-hitting episode to make sure that you're working smarter rather than harder.

Pensacola Jefferson, Ed.D. has served as counselor, speaker, and teacher with churches in Arizona, Alabama, Tennessee, Texas, Japan, and Maryland - through bible study, retreats, conferences, and professional counseling sessions. She has written extensively, with over 90 books available on Amazon. Dr. Jefferson served as the Director of Counseling and Clergy care with Nekadesh Farm Retreat Center in Maryland from 2010-2014. Her counseling style focuses on the relationship with God through Christ while helping clients process through personal issues and concerns. This kind of counseling encourages spiritual growth and development of the whole person by placing emphasis on the interior life of individuals. The Believer works on supernatural transformation through real life application by relying on the divine enabling of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Dr. Jefferson's favorite scripture that best describe her deepest hope for herself and her brothers and sisters-in-Christ: “….They (you and I) might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ (the WORD), whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3 KJV). In this episode… You don't have to know it all to earn a doctoral degree...or to hold one! In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Pensacola Jefferson and Dr. Russell Strickland discuss doctoral students' desire to be influential by serving others. Dr. Jefferson reveals how her doctoral degree has empowered her to serve as a counselor and prolific author. Dr. Jeffferson credits her doctoral degree for the confidence she has developed since graduation. Her confidence has enabled her to freely admit her own limits and comfortably operate in her area of expertise. Dr. Jefferson's humility and down-to-earth style serve as shining examples of how to earn a doctoral degree and a real shot in the arm for your own confidence.

Janice Weaver, Ph.D. is an experienced communicator and has used that ability to encourage, validate, and support people who are striving to discover their untapped potential. She has worked with people of all ages as a professional counselor and group facilitator. Dr. Weaver has been invited to speak on multiple occasions at a local college psychology honor society toe share her expertise of how the knowledge of psychology can increase one's understanding of human behavior. Dr. Weaver's passion is using her doctorate to expand her influence in supporting, encouraging, and guiding other doctoral students. She serves as an adjunct dissertation chair where she is committed to using her experiences and knowledge to expand her influence to her students, and the larger public, with the goal of assisting students to finish the grueling dissertation process, and earn their doctorate so they can better their lives, and the lives of others. In this episode… In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Janice Weaver reveals to Dr. Russell Strickland how her struggles with her dissertation chair motivated her to become the dissertation chair she wishes she had during her own doctoral journey. The Drs. discuss the critical importance of having both logistical and emotional support for your dissertation. Dr. Weaver stresses how risky it can be to begin your dissertation without a detailed completion plan. Of course, life poses a myriad of risks which do not abate simply because one is pursing a doctoral degree. Dr. Weaver makes the case for the therapeutic benefits of the dissertation to cope with life's greatest challenges. Dr. Weaver's unique perspective as a recent doctoral graduate and a current dissertation chair could be just the advantage you need to Get Your Dissertation Done!

D. Anthony Miles, Ph.D. is an entrepreneur, award-winning researcher, award- winning professor, statistician, legal expert witness, business expert and best- selling author. Dr. Miles is a nationally known startup and marketing expert. He is also a forensic marketing expert. He has appeared in the national media for his expertise. He is CEO and Founder, of Miles Development Industries Corporation®, a consulting practice and venture capital acquisition firm. He is also host and executive producer of Game On Business Talk® Radio Show. He was a Visiting Professor. He has presented his research at conferences around the country. Most notably he has presented at Stanford University. He was invited to Harvard University by the Harvard Business School (HBS). In this episode… So you've finally got that shiny, new doctoral degree. What's next? In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. D. Anthony Miles and Dr. Russell Strickland swap war stories about what it takes to be successful in the doctoral degree process and after graduation. How do you best showcase your expertise and leverage it into the career of your dreams? Dr. Miles reveals how to position yourself as an expert to attorneys so that you can generate revenue as a professional expert witness. He also discusses his experiences in writing and publishing a book for the popular press and how to start getting calls from media outlets for interviews on blogs, podcasts, radio, and television. Dr. Miles is dropping gold in this episode about how to build a career as a professional expert and have the time of your life doing it!

Dr. Russell Strickland is the founder and CEO of Dissertation Done, a company that helps doctoral students create actionable plans in order to complete their dissertations in a timely and effective manner.  Before becoming a renowned teacher, coach, and mentor, Dr. Strickland received his master's degree in Astronomy and Astrophysics from the University of Chicago and his doctoral in Organization and Management from Capella University. Over the past 20 years, he has mentored thousands of students, and his process has been proven to vastly reduce times to graduation and significantly improve graduation rates. In this episode… There are significant costs, financial and otherwise, that students have to take into consideration when they commit to earning their doctoral degrees. From tuition fees to years of investment, these costs have a direct impact on a student's odds of graduating.  Statistics show that doctoral students only have a 50/50 chance of completing their dissertations, which Dr. Russell Strickland refers to as the “dissertation coin flip.” Fortunately, Dr. Strickland has some expert advice on how to reduce the costs hindering your success so that you can achieve what you set out to accomplish. In other words, he's here to ensure that your dissertation coin flip comes up heads.  Join Dr. Russell Strickland of Dissertation Done in this episode of An Unconventional Life as he talks to Dr. Jeremy Weisz of Rise25 Media about overcoming the low statistical odds of completing your dissertation.  Dr. Strickland discusses how to create an insurance policy to boost your chances, when to invest in external support and guidance, and how you know you've reached the “magical tipping point” that ensures your success. Stay tuned.

Thomas Joseph, Ph.D. was born in Dominica, an island in the Caribbean. Dr. Joseph is an expert in effectively training employees on relevant products, services, and procedures, helping deliver high standards of customer service coupled with established objectives and KPIs. His unique style to training development results in actual change, saving companies time and money. Dr. Joseph has been engaged in higher education as an Instructor in Business Management and Leadership courses for several years. He holds a PhD in Organization and Management. As an educator, Dr. Joseph fosters positive learning, incites students' passion for learning, and creates a sound and genuine basis for life-long learning. His teaching style exemplifies the role of mentor, consistent with his primary focus on student success.  Dr. Joseph's professional passion is applying a collaborative leadership style for designing and implementing programs that create improved organizational performance, talent and succession planning, strategy implementation and processes.  He has published his work in various scholarly journals and is also the author of the book, Notes to Self.  Dr. Joseph continues his desire for knowledge through research, higher learning, and inspiring others to live their best life and work towards achieving their goals. In this episode… What does it mean to succeed...and what does it take to get there? In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Thomas Joseph tells Dr. Russell Strickland about the ins and outs of the dissertation journey from his experience as a student and an educator. He discusses the importance of motivation and measurable goals in overcoming a pessimistic advisor and how a delicate balancing act of pushback with his dissertation committee chair led to a better working relationship... and a done dissertation! Since graduation, Dr. Joseph has availed himself of many opportunities to become a university faculty member and a published author...all in the name go helping students be successful in following their own motivations to achieve their own goals. Dr. Joseph's story will inspire you to recommit and succeed!

Sarabeth Berk, Ph.D. is a personal branding strategist, career advisor, TEDx speaker, author, and the leading expert in hybrid professional identity. Dr. Berk calls herself a Creative Disruptor because she blends her artist, researcher, educator, and designer identities together to lead and create innovation strategies that radically connect resources and people in new ways. Dr. Berk's work in hybrid professional identity was inspired by her own professional identity crisis. As a result, she discovered that she was a hybrid and that concept revolutionized her career path. Now, Dr. Berk is obsessed with changing the way we see the workforce and helping professionals realize that their unique value lies at the intersections of their multiple identities. In this episode… Multiple people have multiple identities. And you probably do, too... In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Sarabeth Berk tells Dr. Russell Strickland about the identity crisis she underwent when starting her doctoral program and becoming a student, again. This experience led her to the concept of hybrid professional identities and her unique title of creative disruptor. Dr. Berk now helps other "jacks of all trades" master their understanding of their unique contributions to the world. Join us as Dr. Berk shares her journey as author, TEDx speaker, and burgeoning entrepreneur. Discover how your unique identities come together in the intersection of you.

Seth François, DBA is the founder and CEO of Imaginetainment, Inc., an NPO providing mentoring and internships in the areas of music production programs, film production programs, broadcasting programs, and other programs associated with the arts. Dr. François has over 35 years management & leadership experience encompassing contract negotiation & representation, staff training, gifts & endowments, running political campaigns, security management, mail processing & delivery management, and housing development management. Dr. François is an accomplished public speaker, author, music producer, songwriter, & lyricist. He has also published a self-help book titled, A Woman's Handbook for a Successful Relationship, The Business of Love. Dr. François is gearing up for his talk show “The Business of Love” 105.5 Internet Radio. In this episode… Can your handwriting determine whether you're a good candidate for a doctoral degree? Probably not, but Dr. Seth didn't let that stop him... In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Seth François takes Dr. Russell Strickland through his dissertation journey. They discuss the hows, the whys, and the whatnots of the dissertation process, touching on the most important word to use to keep all of your self-talk positive and productive, the importance of dissertation buddies, and the most critical decision: quant or qual. Dr. Seth also shares the many exciting new opportunities his doctoral degree has brought to him. Tune in, take notes, and get your dissertation done!

Justin Goldston, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Project and Supply Chain Management at Penn State University. Dr. Goldston has over 20 years of experience working with organizations around the world, such as Intel, Siemens, and Blue Buffalo on business performance improvement, organizational change, and enterprise-wide digital transformation initiatives. Dr. Goldston is the author of multiple peer-reviewed journal articles on supply chain management and innovative technologies, of Critical Success Factors in ERP Implementations, and is a five-time TEDx speaker where he discussed emerging technologies such as blockchain and Artificial Intelligence. Dr. Goldston has also led and assisted in developing Supply Chain Management and Business Analytics programs at Georgetown University, Texas A&M University, North Carolina Wesleyan College, and has evaluated programs for the Department of Higher Education while serving on the Management Advisory Board at various higher education institutions. In this episode… After decades of experience with supply-chain management in industry, Dr. Justin Goldston decided that he wanted in moved into academia to serve the next generation of leaders. In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Justin Goldston and Dr. Russell Strickland discuss "Reasons Why" and mentors. Having a sense of direction and guidance are equally important when courting success in any endeavor. Dr. Goldston recounts his experience in railing against systems and the wisdom of accepting those systems and working from within to achieve your goals. Their conversation takes a winding course through dreams, choices, impact, income, and more! Dr. Goldston's happy to share, happy to serve, and just plain happy! This episode will put a smile on your face.

Dr. Heidi Stieglitz Ham is a social entrepreneur, autism researcher, adjunct professor at Rice University, and founder of Spectrum Fusion. After listening to parents across multiple continents share their concerns regarding the lack of opportunities and positive outcomes for their adult children on the autism spectrum, she created a vision to shape the future of neurodiversity by creating a model grounded in sense-of-belonging, community, embracing the science of hope, and empowering adults on the spectrum to reach their full potential. Dr. Stieglitz Ham founded Spectrum Fusion in 2014 in Australia, and in 2017 she launched the Reactor Room Program: ‘A Shark Tank' for Adults on the Autism Spectrum designed to create new and innovative opportunities for individuals providing them access to important connections. Currently, Dr. Stieglitz Ham is the Principal Investigator on a research study at Rice University assessing the effectiveness of traditional assessment measures that employers typically administer in adults on the autism spectrum. In this episode… Dr. Heidi Stieglitz Ham is motivated to change the world for the better, and she found that becoming an agent of Change from Without was the right fit for her. In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Heidi Stieglitz Ham and Dr. Russell Strickland discuss their multinational and remote doctoral journeys. Dr. Ham's globetrotting lead her to discover that parents of adults on the autism spectrum, along with the adults themselves, had the same concerns and the same sense of urgency, which was not being served by academia. Through Spectrum Fusion, Dr. Ham has helped adults on the spectrum get noticed by the television show, The Voice, launch a jewelry business, earn a personal trainer certification, become a professional videographer and invaluable member of her own team, overcome homelessness to become self-sufficient as a welder, and more! Dr. Ham's success stories will restore your faith in humanity and renew your drive to make the world a better place.

Angela Pearson, Ph.D. serves as the President and CEO of OD Synergistics Consulting LLC, which was founded in 2019. She is a trusted Advisor to business leaders in successful companies in the US, working with them to assess organizational issues, reshape structures and processes, and build depth of management capability. She is a skilled diagnostician who helps her clients to understand organizational strategies and systems to make comprehensive decisions. In addition to her consulting work, Angela is a Navy and Army veteran and a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Coach. In her career, she has worked for many well-known companies in roles such as Operations Leader, Human Resources Generalist, Training Manager, and Environmental Health and Safety Manager. In this episode… Dr. Angela Pearson is humbled to count herself as the first Ph.D. in her family. Getting there wasn't easy, though... In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Angela Pearson and Dr. Russell Strickland swap war stories about their doctoral journeys. Like working full-time, being part-time military, and raising four kids...while earning a doctoral degree! And that time when Dr. Pearson changed her dissertation topic --- twice! And that time when one of Dr. Strickland's candidacy exam professors posted elaborate rules about how faculty members can win an oral exam...by laying the student out flat on the floor! The anecdotes keep flying throughout this laugh-to-keep-from-crying episode.

Catherine Barton is a "Business Scientist," a Ph.D. candidate, and owner of Future Thinking Consulting - a consulting firm that works with entrepreneurs all the way to large corporations. Her goal is always to increase production numbers, professional skillsets and confidence levels – ethically. Catherine enjoys working with companies that actually want to make money! Top finalist of an international United Nations challenge, Catherine revealed her ability to develop and devise large scale plans to empower an entire sector of a population…in this case it was the female population. In this episode… Catherine Barton's career began in psychology, but it is her self-styled title of "Business Scientist" that suits her best. In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Future Dr. Catherine Barton and Dr. Russell Strickland discuss the ups and downs of the doctoral journey. Catherine reveals how she has begun to take advantage of the opportunities her doctoral degree offers, even though she is still ABD. For example, she has led a mastermind of entrepreneurs to increase their collective revenues by more than half a million dollars! Catherine has also found that applying the science she learned during her doctoral classes to consulting engagements with large corporate clients has put her at a tremendous advantage. Catherine and Dr. Strickland also discuss how love-hate relationships are standard operating procedure for entrepreneurs in the expert service space. This is one of our more "science-y" episodes to date. I loved it, and I'm sure you will, too!

Preston Cherry, Ph.D. serves as Assistant Professor of Finance in the Austin E. Cofrin School of Business at the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay. Dr. Cherry is the Founder & President of Concurrent Financial Planning, LLC, a comprehensive financial planning firm serving households and business owners across generational lines. In his 14+ years of industry experience, Dr. Cherry has served in lead and internal financial planning roles, institutional retirement sales, and as RIA co-investment manager with $120M in firm assets. He has been published in the Wall Street Journal, ThePennyHoarder.com, The New York Magazine blog The Cut, and the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. In addition, Dr. Cherry writes poetry; plays tennis; hikes; and enjoys his vinyl music collection, board games, and “good” films. He loves to smile and laugh, and according to his niece, "is the best uncle in the world.” In this episode… Dr. Preston Cherry's early career in the financial sector brought a number of successes, but he felt his true calling was elsewhere. As he thought about his future, he began "dreaming up." He wanted to be a speaker, a researcher, a business owner, and he decided the best path to achieving his dreams went through a doctoral program. In this episode of An Unconventional Life, Dr. Preston Cherry discuss the variety of goals and objectives he has observed in his students and colleagues, the importance being true to your own goals (and not comparing yourself to others), and the necessity of intentionality in pursuing your goals and objectives. Dr. Cherry and Dr. Strickland also discuss their experiences with negative feedback during their doctoral studies and how they learned to learn from it. Don't miss our 20th episode. And, if you haven't subscribed yet, do it now!