Small Talk with Myself Why I started this podcast
Dec 31, 2025
A candid look at doubts, late-night uncertainty, and feeling out of place in academia. Practical gaps are highlighted, from clear thinking and professional writing to handling rejection and staying motivated. Extra challenges for international researchers learning new systems, culture, and language are discussed. The format promises honest reflections, mistakes, and advice for PhD students and early-career researchers.
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Common Quiet Doubts In Academia
- Academia often feels uncertain despite abundant information and learning-on-the-go resources.
- Zuduo Zheng describes late-night doubts and imposter feelings that persisted even after becoming a professor, showing uncertainty is common.
Late Night Doubts That Didn’t Vanish After Promotion
- Zuduo Zheng recalls sitting at his desk late at night feeling behind and wondering if he belonged in academia.
- He admits those doubts didn't fully disappear after promotion, only easier to ignore once tenure concerns were gone.
Name The Quiet Moments And Talk About Them
- Talk about quiet doubts and normalize the invisible stretches where progress feels nil.
- Zuduo Zheng created this podcast specifically for those moments and encourages open discussion rather than silent suffering.