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Victors in Grad School

Victors in Grad School

Di: Dr. Christopher Lewis
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Victors in Grad School explores what you can do to find success in your own graduate school journey no matter what you plan to do. Through experts and individual interviews you will be introduced to what it means to find success and tips on achieving success in graduate school.2024
Episodi
  • From Military Service to Pharmacy Leader: Tim Ekola's Path to Graduate Success

    From Military Service to Pharmacy Leader: Tim Ekola's Path to Graduate Success
    Oct 19 2026
    On the latest episode of "Victors in Grad School," Dr. Christopher Lewis welcomes Tim Ekola, a pharmacist and accomplished leader, to share his inspiring journey through military service, pharmacy, and graduate education. Their conversation unpacks the evolving path of a lifelong learner, the power of relationships, and actionable advice for anyone considering the next step in their academic or professional journey. Embracing the Educational Journey Dr. Christopher Lewis opens the episode by acknowledging that everyone's educational journey is unique, filled with transitions and decisions that shape future success. Tim Ekola exemplifies this, having moved from military service to undergraduate studies, and eventually earning both a PharmD and an MBA. This nonlinear path serves as a powerful reminder that learning never really ends and it's never too late to pursue further education. Recognizing the Need for Growth Throughout his career, Tim Ekola noticed that progressing into leadership demanded more than clinical pharmacy skills—it required a broader understanding of management, finance, and organizational development. This realization prompted him to seek graduate programs that would equip him with the necessary tools to lead effectively. By emphasizing the importance of self-assessment and readiness to grow, the conversation encourages listeners to reflect on their own career needs and aspirations. Finding the Right Fit Selecting the right graduate program is crucial, and Tim Ekela shares his approach of evaluating options that align with a busy professional life. He highlights the importance of flexibility, supportive faculty, and a diverse peer group, praising the University of Michigan-Flint's MBA program for its blend of in-person and online opportunities and the varied professional backgrounds of his classmates. These factors contributed not only to his academic success but also enriched his experience, underscoring the value of environment and community. The Power of Relationships A significant theme is the importance of building relationships with peers, faculty, and mentors. Tim Ekola emphasizes that relationships are often more valuable than credentials alone when it comes to career advancement and personal fulfillment. The bonds he formed during graduate school continue to support him professionally and personally, offering opportunities and friendships that extend well beyond graduation. Advice for Aspiring Graduate Students The episode closes with practical advice for anyone considering graduate school: have honest conversations with family and employers, prepare financially, develop strong time-management skills, and persevere even when the workload feels overwhelming. Above all, building a supportive network is key. Ready for More? If you're contemplating graduate school or searching for inspiration to take the next step, this episode delivers honest insights and encouragement. Hear more about Tim Ekola's journey and get actionable tips by tuning in to this episode of "Victors in Grad School." Don't miss out on the wisdom that could shape your future! TRANSCRIPT Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:01]: Welcome to Victors in Grad School, where we have conversations with students, alumni, and experts about what it takes to find success in graduate school. Welcome back to Victors in Grad School. I'm your host, Dr. Christopher Lewis, Director of Graduate Programs at the University of Michigan Flint. Really excited to have you back again this week. And as always, every week, you and I are on a journey together. I call it a journey because it truly is a journey, because every person goes on a different path. To their education, to their future education. Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:32]: And no matter where you are right now, you are on a journey to your future. And that's why you're here, because for you, you have decided that at some point in the future that you have an interest in continuing your education. This show is here to be able to help you, to be able to give you some hints, some tips, some tricks, some things that can help you in that journey to help you find success in graduate school. So whether you are at the very beginning and just starting to think about this, whether you've already applied, maybe you've already heard and gotten that admission decision, maybe you're in graduate school, doesn't matter. There are things that you can do right now as you are preparing, as you are getting ready, as you're going through graduate school to continue and have success in this journey that you're on. Every week, I love being able to bring you different guests, different people with different experiences that can help you to be able to see what they had to do in that journey to be able to find success for themselves. Today, I'm really excited to be able to have Tim Ekola with us today. And Tim is a pharmacist, but he also has had many different things that he has done over his life. Dr. ...
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    25 min
  • Balance and Boundaries: Thriving in Graduate School

    Balance and Boundaries: Thriving in Graduate School
    Oct 12 2026
    Navigating graduate school is a rewarding but often challenging journey, filled with competing demands on your time, energy, and emotional wellness. In the episode "Finding Support and Setting Boundaries" from the Victors in Grad School podcast, Dr. Christopher Lewis is joined by Reilly Chabie, a counselor and outreach coordinator with Counseling and Psychological Services at the University of Michigan Flint, to break down what it truly means to find balance and set effective boundaries as a grad student. Reilly Chabie brings her expertise and a compassionate approach to guide listeners through understanding the unique pressures faced during graduate studies. She introduces the concept of the 8 dimensions of wellness – a holistic framework that includes emotional, physical, financial, environmental, spiritual, and other domains – and emphasizes how each area shifts in importance depending on one's priorities. When one area falters, others can quickly follow, making self-awareness and attentiveness to balance absolutely vital. A central theme in this episode is the reality of imbalance and burnout. Reilly Chabie normalizes these experiences, discussing how burnout can affect not only our physical health but also our mental clarity, motivation, and relationships. She reminds us that recognizing the signs of burnout early is crucial to resetting and rediscovering a sustainable equilibrium. The heart of Reilly Chabie's message is actionable: cultivate self-compassion and understand that balance is not a one-size-fits-all process. She encourages listeners to use self-checks to measure where their balance lies and adapt accordingly. Through tools like the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding method and the practice of radical acceptance, students can regain presence and reduce overwhelm. Setting boundaries, a pivotal skill discussed in detail, is positioned as an act of kindness both to oneself and to those around us. Reilly Chabie walks through practical steps: define your personal limits, communicate them clearly, and reinforce them consistently—whether with friends, professors, or even yourself. The message is empowering: it's OK to say no, and even more, it's necessary for long-term success and well-being. If you're embarking on or searching for ways to thrive in graduate school, this episode is packed with expert advice, relatable stories, and practical tools. Tune in to hear how Dr. Christopher Lewis and Reilly Chabie tackle common struggles and provide resources and reassurance to help you maintain your balance (and sanity!) throughout your academic journey. Ready to reclaim your grad school experience? Listen now to "Finding Support and Setting Boundaries" on Victors in Grad School. TRANSCRIPT Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:01]: Welcome to Victors in Grad School, where we have conversations with students, alumni, and experts about what it takes to find success in graduate school. Welcome everyone. I'm Dr. Christopher Lewis, Director of Graduate Programs here at the University of Michigan Flint. I am so excited to welcome you and to— I'm so excited for you to start your graduate school journey. Today we've got a really important topic, and I know I say that every time, but it is true. This is another really important topic. Today we have a new friend with us that is going to be talking about another important topic. Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:37]: Reilly Chaby is with us, and Reilly is talking about the importance of finding support and setting boundaries. Where is that limit for yourself and being able to set those limits for you and for other people that know you? Because it's not just you. You have to be able to set the limits to be able to set those parameters for yourself to be able to be successful in graduate school. And Reilly's going to be talking to you about that. So I'm really excited to have her here. I'm gonna turn it over to her. Reilly, thanks so much for being here. Reilly Chabie [00:01:05]: Welcome in. I am grateful to be here. Thank you for the introduction, Dr. Lewis. As he mentioned, my name is Reilly Chaby. I am one of the CAPS counselors and the outreach coordinator for Counseling and Psychological Services. And as mentioned, I'm here to talk to you today about really finding that balance as you are a grad student here at U of M Flint, because we have a lot going on in our personal lives, in our work lives, in our school lives. So we're gonna talk a little bit about what to consider, how to notice when you feel out of balance in certain aspects, although I'm sure we already do to some respect. Reilly Chabie [00:01:39]: And I'm going to give you some tips and ideas on how you can kind of maintain that balance while you're here pursuing your degree. What I'm going to be talking to you about applies to all of our experiences. And the unique part about this is that we're going to talk about that individual experience, right? So I appreciate you interacting and kind of telling me a little ...
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    40 min
  • Understanding and Conquering Imposter Syndrome in Graduate School

    Understanding and Conquering Imposter Syndrome in Graduate School
    Oct 5 2026
    In the latest episode of Victors in Grad School, Dr. Christopher Lewis and Darien Wilkerson tackle a challenge nearly every graduate student faces: imposter syndrome. Through a thoughtful conversation, the episode explores what imposter syndrome looks like, why it happens, and—most importantly—how you can manage it to foster success throughout your graduate experience. Defining Imposter Syndrome Right from the start, Darien Wilkerson clarifies that imposter syndrome isn't a mental health disorder, but rather a common "thinking error"—a cognitive distortion that leads capable, accomplished people to doubt their worth or believe their success is due to luck. If you've ever questioned whether you truly deserved an achievement, wondered when others would "find out" you're not as competent as they think, or attributed accomplishments to external factors, you're not alone. Many students, regardless of their background or experience, feel this way at some point. Recognizing the Signs and the Cycle The conversation delves into the broader impacts of imposter syndrome: chronic anxiety, burnout, perfectionism, and the need for external validation. Darien Wilkerson draws attention to how these feelings can create a repeating cycle—doubt leads to over-preparation, achievement brings only brief relief, and then the process repeats itself. Crucially, the episode discusses different "types" of imposter syndrome, based on research by Dr. Valerie Young: the perfectionist, the expert, the soloist, the natural genius, and the superhuman. Recognizing your own tendencies in these categories can be the first step to addressing them. Why Does It Happen? Many factors contribute: family and cultural expectations, pre-existing mental health challenges, negative comparisons to others, new or unfamiliar environments, and even being part of a minority group in an academic setting. Understanding the root causes can help frame your feelings and set the stage for effective strategies to manage them. Practical Strategies for Management Most empowering, the episode offers actionable steps for listeners. Darien Wilkerson encourages acknowledging feelings without judgment, challenging negative self-talk, celebrating accomplishments (even small ones), and embracing a growth mindset. Simple exercises—like naming your achievements or reframing negative thoughts—can shift your perspective and boost confidence. Listen and Grow This episode isn't just an exploration—it's a toolkit for students, offering both understanding and real-world steps to thrive, not just survive, in grad school. If you've ever struggled with doubt or the pressure to be perfect, tune into this episode of Victors in Grad School for practical guidance and a reminder: you absolutely belong. TRANSCRIPT Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:01]: Welcome to Victors in Grad School, where we have conversations with students, alumni, and experts about what it takes to find success in graduate school. Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:11]: Tonight we're going to be talking about the imposter syndrome and understanding imposter syndrome. It's definitely something that most graduate students are going to have happen to them at some point, and it's important to have some some hints, some tricks, some things that you can do to be able to prepare yourself, but also to know what to do when it happens. And I'm excited to be able to have another colleague friend from our university here. Darien Wilkerson is with us. Darien is with our Counseling and Psychological Services Office. You're also gonna hear it called CAPS, and that is our Counseling and Psychological Services Office on campus. And they're here to support you. And I know that Darien will talk about that as well. Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:54]: So I'm gonna turn it over to Darien. Darien, thanks so much for being here tonight. Darien Wilkerson [00:00:57]: Yeah, likewise. Thank you, Dr. Lewis. And again, welcome everyone who's about to be joining U of M Flint in your graduate studies here. So my role this evening is just going to be walking you guys through understanding imposter syndrome just a little bit. So having a little bit more context, ideas, and some strategies, because like Dr. Lewis said, at some point, whether that's in the program or beyond, we're going to potentially navigate Or go through our own process of this phenomenon, right? And just trying to figure out how do we work through it? What do we do? So we will jump into that. So some quick learning objectives. Darien Wilkerson [00:01:35]: Again, we're gonna understand that defining that definition of imposter syndrome, identify those self-patterns associated with imposter syndrome. So as we're going through this PowerPoint, start to really reflect on yourself currently. What could be possible? What's currently happening right now? Getting into graduate program in itself can feel like that too, right? So just really start to reflect currently where you're at ...
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    21 min
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