The Semi-Professional Academic Podcast

On this week episode of the pod I chat with my fellow undergrad and international travel homie Kaylee Smith. We discuss the origin of our friendship, Kaylee's childhood, how Kaylee got interested in science, the spice of life (trauma), and how through believing and being confident in herself Kaylee has grown into a more fully realized and secure version of herself. 

This week I am joined by new graduate Alli Andrews as we discuss her journey to discovering education as her passion,  the many routes you can take as a 20 year old, the post grad experience, and prepping for her first year of teaching. 

Welcome everyone to our Season 2 debut! To kick off our sophomore season we are joined by the wonderful, talented, and lovely Louis Holbrook. In this episode we discuss being intent with our time, our attempt at an ASMR career, our friendship, spring break, and the transition into adulthood from undergrad. 

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IT IS SEASON FINALE!!! Enjoy this short episode of both unaired clips and some of my favorite moments from the season. Blame my computer for deleting my footage haha. Thank you for supporting the podcast! I'll see yall back in the fall for season 2!!!

Today I am joined by my international travel gal pal Alex Wible. We discuss the origins of our friendship, me playing Cupid for her, the importance of action in the workplace by administration, and of course our tales of our many castles in Ireland iykyk. 

This week I am joined by the TSPAPod super fan and my fellow 812 homie Torri Boldery. We discuss growing up in Southern Indiana, pursuing higher education, the challenges ones faces doing so, thesis, and Taylor Swift. 

Today I am joined by my good friend Josh Poland. In classic Jake and Josh fashion we get sidetracked about random things, Josh forgets what show we're on, and I laugh at way too may things but somehow we get a good interview in. We talk about Josh's academic career, his thesis, applying for graduate school, and what he hopes for the future. Tune in to this funny, chaotic, and somehow helpful episode. 

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Today I'm joined by the Ohio native, hilarious, and talented Valerie "Val" Thompson. In this episode we discuss her softball career, how she grew up being taught the value of being a steward to the environment, how she decided upon doing her masters, how she has made the most of her time during graduate school, and reflecting upon the lessons she's learned along with the growth she has had as both a scientists and person. 

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For this episode I am joined by the wonderful CJ Karns. We discuss her time with community college , undergrad experiences, many awards, battle with imposter syndrome, being co-advised by professors in two different departments, and the importance of supporting other researchers. 

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In this episode I am joined by my good friend Grace Phillips as we discuss their journey through academia, how Grace used school and extracurriculars to cope with their anxiety, being a double major with a double minor, pursuing graduate school while working, the importance of diverse voices, and that prioritizing your own happiness and mental health is always the right decision. 

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On this week's episode of the podcast I am joined by good friend and Fraternity brother Dionicio "Dio" Sierra-Visoso. We discuss Dio's childhood, how we became friends, his undergrad journey and stories, what it was like going to school and working in the pandemic, and his plans for the future.

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Today I am joined by an old friend Katrina "Kat" Christian. For this episode Kat tells us what it is like growing up in a small town, earning an Associate's Degree while still in high school, the pressures of being a college athlete, how she found peace as well as growth in her vulnerability in undergrad, the plan she has for her education in her Master's program, how attending an HBCU has allowed her to find peace, growth, and also solidarity, and why you must move in the belief of yourself.

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In this episode of the podcast I sit down with Abigail, or as I call her "Gail", Estes. With us both being from undergrad and having First-Year 101 together we talk about our relationship as day 1 friends, the experiences in undergrad, adjusting to the global pandemic in both work and academic settings, the importance of being there for others, and also the importance of showing up for ourselves. 

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In this episode I sit down with my undergrad homegirl Maddie Foley. In part two of this two part series we finish the story about the Spontaneous Minnow Duplication Theory, Maddie being my lifeline during quarantine, being neurodivergent in academia, importance of putting your health first, and the Jakeb & Maddie signature McDonald's order.

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In this episode I sit down with my undergrad homegirl Maddie Foley. In part one of this two part series we reminisce about our friendship, academic goals, undergrad stories, motivations for working, life in industry, and the introduction of the Spontaneous Minnow Duplication Theory. 


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My good friend Carly Nau joins us for our second episode! We dive into her growing up in Manhattan, IL, her motivation for pursuing psychology, and her plans for the future! Join us as we discuss the importance of utilizing your resources, taking your wins, and embracing your losses. 

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Hello everyone and welcome to The-Semi Professional Academic Podcast. I am your host Jakeb Watts and I'm joined by good friend Savannah Ettien for our maiden voyage of the podcast. Come along as we explore expectations of academia, growing up in rural areas, and the many side quests in our journies so far!

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Wanting to know more about academia but tired of all the unnecessary formality?  Then welcome to The Semi-Professional Academic Podcast. Here  we sit down with students from undergrad to PhD, professors, instructors, teachers, and even those who left academia and education behind entirely to pursue other careers. Don't worry we're not going to be using obscure theories or make you feel like you need to have a five-page works cited page to answer a question. We keep it respectful, cool, clear, fun, but only semi-professional because, let's be real, we're all busy! So wether you're wanting input on what a college or graduate degree can do for your career or wanting to know what it is like in a career in academia we got you covered! So be sure to save and like this podcast and join us as we keep it academic and only semi-professional!