Over season 1 of the Science with Impact Podcast, we've interviewed 46 incredible scientists, educators, and entrepreneurs who are reshaping how we think about STEM careers and science communication.

All 46 of the incredible scientists we interviewed in season 1!

Looking back through these conversations, we noticed powerful patterns emerging—uncomfortable truths about academia, creative solutions to funding challenges, and new ways to think about representation and mentorship.

One quote that stopped us in our tracks:

"Everything is sales. As academics, we're conditioned to feel bad about selling anything. That's a limiting, problematic mindset."

In this season recap episode, we've curated the most impactful moments from our guests—the insights that challenge conventional thinking and offer practical wisdom for navigating today's science landscape.

What You'll Learn

This episode distills wisdom from 15 guests into actionable insights you can apply to your own science career and communication efforts:

🎯 Why "Selling" Your Science Isn't Dirty—It's Essential

  • How academics are conditioned to feel guilty about asking for value in return
  • Why everything from grant writing to teaching is actually "sales."
  • The mindset shift that unlocks entrepreneurial success for scientists

💡 Rethinking the "Scientific Method" Myth

  • Why teaching one monolithic scientific method limits who sees themselves in science
  • How diverse approaches and "verbing science" better represent real research
  • The power of showing students that science looks different for everyone

🤝 Mentorship Beyond Money: Supporting Students Through Uncertainty

  • How to be a mentor (not just a supervisor) when funding disappears
  • Creative strategies for supporting graduate students beyond financial resources
  • Why emotional support and intellectual resources matter more than ever

🌍 Representation That Goes Beyond Demographics

  • How sharing your unique journey creates connection points that demographics can't capture
  • Why storytelling is the key to inclusive STEM outreach
  • Using social media to show "day in the life" content that wasn't accessible before

🎵 Making Science Trustworthy Through Unexpected Collaborations

  • How integrating music and science creates compelling experiences that build trust
  • Why entertainment collaborations help reach broader audiences
  • The role of curiosity and wonder in science communication

📚 Innovative Approaches to Science Education

  • Using phenomena-driven inquiry to let students ask their own questions
  • How comic books can scaffold complex chemistry concepts
  • The "Side Journeys" framework that maps diverse scientific processes

💼 Navigating Career Transitions and Funding Challenges

  • Building support networks in science policy for underrepresented groups
  • Diversifying funding sources when traditional grants become harder to secure
  • What to unlearn when leaving academia for industry or entrepreneurship

🎓 The Power of One-on-One Relationships

  • A "Fraction Foo Fridays" success story that built resilience and proficiency
  • Why depth of impact often matters more than breadth
  • How to create safe spaces for students to struggle and grow

This episode includes insights from:

  • Jocelyn Bosley – Research Impact Coordinator, University of Nebraska Lincoln
  • David Ibbett – Assistant Teaching Professor, Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Director, Multiverse Concert Series
  • Lennart Nacke – University Research Chair and Professor, University of Waterloo
  • Ayanna Lynch – Science Communication Professional, American Chemical Society
  • Paul Faronbi (IncrediPaul) – Chemical Engineer; Founder, NALA STEM
  • Carmen Banks – Cell and Molecular Biologist; Founder & CEO, Melanin Science
  • Zack Valdez – Science Policy Expert; Former Chief of Staff, Department of Energy
  • Stephanie Pazos – Assistant Professor; Co-owner & Chief Scientist, Heroica Technologies
  • Checo Colon-Gaud – Professor of Biology, Georgia Southern University
  • Matt Wilkins – Evolutionary Biologist; Founder, Galactic Polymath
  • Colleen Kelly – Creator, Chemistry Comic Book Series
  • César R. Nufio – HHMI BioInteractive
  • Jeff Koslofsky – Marketing Strategist, University of Rochester School of Medicine
  • Aneesa Valentine – Computational Genomics Scientist
  • Vernetta K. Mosley – Communication & Academic Skills Trainer

Timestamps

  • 00:00 – Introduction
  • 00:15 – Why Everyone Likes Science (They Just Don't Know It Yet)
  • 02:45 – Academia & the Fear of "Selling" Your Work
  • 05:30 – Representation Beyond Demographics
  • 07:15 – Diversifying Funding & Building Support Networks
  • 10:45 – Mentorship Beyond Money in Tough Times
  • 15:30 – Making Science Trustworthy Through Music
  • 20:00 – Impact Through Role Models & "Verbing Science"
  • 25:15 – The Power of One-on-One Mentoring
  • 28:45 – Chemistry Comics & Phenomena-Driven Learning
  • 31:30 – Leaving Academia & Unlearning the Guilt
  • 34:00 – What's Next for Science with Impact

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🙏🏽 Thank You

Huge thanks to all our incredible Season 1 guests for sharing their wisdom, challenges, and innovative approaches to making science more impactful and accessible.

What resonated most with you from this episode? Reply and let us know—we read every message.