Small Talk with Myself
zhengzuduo
Hi there—welcome to Small Talk with Myself, a podcast for PhD students and early-career academics.
I’m your host, Zuduo Zheng. I’m an award-winning researcher and educator, and also a university professor, which basically means - I get paid to ask questions and - occasionally pretend I know the answers.
I try to support you by sharing my experiences—or, sometimes, by openly exposing my ignorance. By the end of each episode, I hope you’ll feel a bit smarter, a bit happier—or, at the very least, entertained by my accent.
For more information about my research, please visit: http://www.connectedandautonomoustransport.com/
I’d love to hear from you — questions, feedback, ideas. If you have thoughts to share, I’m all ears. You can reach me anytime by email: zhengzuduo@gmail.com.
I make this podcast in my free time, and everything is shared for free—in the true spirit of open science and reproducible research. If you suspect this isn’t a complete waste of my evenings and weekends, I’d love your support: share it with your network, leave a comment, and drop a rating. It might even help me convince my wife and kids. Thank you!
生活不止眼前的苟且，还有诗和远方的田野.
I’m your host, Zuduo Zheng. I’m an award-winning researcher and educator, and also a university professor, which basically means - I get paid to ask questions and - occasionally pretend I know the answers.
I try to support you by sharing my experiences—or, sometimes, by openly exposing my ignorance. By the end of each episode, I hope you’ll feel a bit smarter, a bit happier—or, at the very least, entertained by my accent.
For more information about my research, please visit: http://www.connectedandautonomoustransport.com/
I’d love to hear from you — questions, feedback, ideas. If you have thoughts to share, I’m all ears. You can reach me anytime by email: zhengzuduo@gmail.com.
I make this podcast in my free time, and everything is shared for free—in the true spirit of open science and reproducible research. If you suspect this isn’t a complete waste of my evenings and weekends, I’d love your support: share it with your network, leave a comment, and drop a rating. It might even help me convince my wife and kids. Thank you!
生活不止眼前的苟且，还有诗和远方的田野.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 26, 2026 • 32min
How to become a good PhD supervisor (Part II: Dos and Don’ts)
This is Part 2 of how to become a good PhD supervisor.
I'll share 4 dos. 3 don’ts.
And one uncomfortable truth about PhD supervision most people avoid talking about.
Mar 12, 2026 • 30min
How to become a good PhD supervisor (Part I - The What, the Why, and the Who)
A concise guide to what good PhD supervision involves and why it matters. Short profiles of five supervisor styles and their strengths and risks. Tips for choosing students wisely and interview questions that reveal resilience, fit, and work habits. A quick self-survey to spot your supervision style and advice on balancing adaptation with consistent expectations.
Feb 25, 2026 • 55min
Small Talk With Prof Markos Papageorgiou
Markos Papageorgiou, academic and control engineer known for traffic and transportation systems and major awards, reflects on a career shaped by chance and choice. He discusses how small decisions steer paths. He talks about balancing research, teaching, and private life. He recounts making research practical and memorable successes like ramp metering and real-world collaborations.
Feb 11, 2026 • 34min
How to work with international students
This episode — this conversation — comes from a personal place. My experience as someone who once sat on the international student side of the table… and now sits on the supervisor side.
I make this podcast in my free time, and everything is shared for free—in the true spirit of open science and reproducible research. If you suspect this isn’t a complete waste of my evenings and weekends, I’d love your support: share it with your network, leave a comment, and drop a rating. It might even help me convince my wife and kids. Thank you!
Jan 28, 2026 • 23min
7 habits for achieving excellence in academia (Part III)
Habit 6: Self-care is self-improvement;
Habit 7: Build a thick skin for failure and embarrassment — and stop comparing, stop over-thinking.
Plus some embarrassing stories.
Jan 13, 2026 • 25min
Episode 2: 7 habits for achieving excellence in academia – Part II
This episode covers three habits:
Habit 3: Discipline executes. Consistency transforms.
Habit 4: Stay positive, stay confident, and don’t quit.
Habit 5: Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you.
Dec 31, 2025 • 24min
7 habits for achieving excellence in academia (Part I)
7 habits for achieving excellence in academia.
Part I: the first two habits.
Dec 31, 2025 • 6min
Why I started this podcast
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.
