In this episode, Michael Dargie talks with David Mendes, a bilingual podcaster, medical writer, and creator of Papa PhD. Originally from Portugal, raised in Belgium, and now based in Montreal, David shares his journey through academia, translation, and eventually podcasting as a form of rebellion and reinvention.

This episode is sponsored by my new book BRANDJITSU, helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world.

After completing his PhD in biology, David faced the all-too-familiar crossroads many graduate students encounter: a lack of academic jobs, identity loss, and the anxiety of "what now?" Instead of pushing harder on a path that didn't feel right, he started talking to other postgrads—scientists, entrepreneurs, creatives—about what came after their degrees. Those conversations became Papa PhD, a podcast now more than 300 episodes strong.

David opens up about the evolution of the show, from a passion project to a growing community of global listeners navigating career uncertainty. He shares how podcasting transformed his sense of self, taught him how to connect, and gave him the confidence to speak onstage.

Along the way, they talk about creative rituals, the magic of sci-fi and philosophy, Portuguese comfort food, Japanese art, and the importance of laughing with other humans. David's insights on imposter syndrome, over-pedalling, and finding your own flavour of success are deeply honest and profoundly useful.

His advice to rebels in waiting: don't compare, don't wait until you're "ready"—just get in the game. The world needs your version of the thing.

Quoteable Quotes

"Sometimes just doing more is not the solution." — David Mendes
"You're depriving the world of your flavour of the thing." — David Mendes
"It's the unknown that brings up imposter feelings." — David Mendes
"The world needs more Rebecca, Rebecca." — Michael Dargie
"Sometimes you've got to stop pedalling and look around." — David Mendes

Episode Highlights

Academic Reboot | Why David created Papa PhD for grad students
From Language to Life Science | Medical writing and translation work
Permission to Pivot | Letting go of the professor path
Podcast Confidence | How speaking into a mic changed everything
Science Meets Art | Supporting a PhD student's neuron-inspired paintings
VIP Guest List | Who David dreams of getting on the podcast
Slow Down | The over-pedalling analogy that explains burnout
Food of Home | Portuguese codfish and egg tarts
Cultural Curiosity | Why Japan and Bhutan top his travel list
Advice to Rebels | Don't compare—do your version of the thing
Imposter Syndrome | Talk to it, but don't let it drive

Links From Episode

Papa PhD Website (https://papaphd.com/)
David on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmendesdasilva/)
David on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/PapaPhD)
David on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/papaphdpodcast/)
Threads (https://www.threads.com/@papaphdpodcast)
X (https://x.com/PapaPhDPodcast)

Get Your Copy of Michael's Book:
"BrandJitsu™: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable"
Indigo | Barnes & Noble | MichaelDargie.com

What happens when a former scientist becomes Canada's first pro blogger, publishes four books, and now builds custom AI marketing tools for fun? In this episode, I talk with Tris Hussey about curiosity, content, and building a life around technology that empowers people.

This episode is sponsored by my new book BRANDJITSU, helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world.

In This Episode

In this episode, Michael Dargie talks with Tris Hussey, a lifelong technologist, educator, author, and self-described curiosity-driven geek. Based in Chilliwack, BC, Tris has worn many hats: paleontology-obsessed kid, research scientist, blogger, podcaster, marketing strategist, university instructor, and now an AI-enabled marketer.

Tris shares how his career evolved from studying fossilized pollen and running labs at Duke University, to becoming Canada's first professional blogger in 2003. He eventually authored four books—including WordPress Absolute Beginner's Guide—and made it his mission to democratize technology for everyone.

He opens up about the joy of teaching, writing overly long prompts, and helping small businesses understand and use AI without fear. He calls it "vibe coding"—rapid prototyping powered by curiosity. Tris doesn't just talk tech; he lives it. From building tools with his 10-year-old daughter to analyzing podcast data with custom Python scripts, he's all in.

The conversation moves from page builders and WordPress bloat to LEGO, Solitaire, and building a substack called "Generally AI." Through it all, Tris keeps coming back to one idea: learning is the most important skill we've got—and it's never too late to start.

His advice for rebels in waiting? Stay curious. Stay learning. And if you don't know how to do something, just ask one question at a time.

Quoteable Quotes

"Everyone should be able to use technology. It shouldn't be hard." — Tris Hussey
"If you want better prompts, have the AI write your prompt for you." — Tris Hussey
"Just learn more." — Tris Hussey
"Just fine doesn't have to be less than." — Michael Dargie
"Curiosity is what keeps me moving forward." — Tris Hussey

Episode Highlights

Corn vs Tabor | Chilliwack pride and Bookman trivia
Canada's First Blogger | From science to blogging in 2003
Pollen and Oil | His academic roots in palynology
Lab Coats & Fume Hoods | Why he left research for tech
Blogging for Business | Before content marketing was a thing
Teaching Tech | Making tools accessible to everyone
The Worst Book | Foursquare in 10 Minutes—glad it was paid up front
Best Work | Democratizing WordPress for beginners
AI Marketing | Solving brand and content problems with AI
Vibe Coding | Building tools with ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini
Prompt Structure | RACE and Casino models for better AI output
Learning by Challenge | Why problem-solving is his teaching method
Solitaire & ADHD | How it helps him focus during calls
LEGO & Cooking | What fills Tris's creative tank
Teaching AI to Kids | Helping families learn AI the right way
Advice to Rebels | Stay curious, ask questions, and just keep learning

Links From Episode

Tris Hussey Website (https://www.trishussey.com/)
Tris on Facebook (https://www.linkedin.com/in/trishussey/)

Get Your Copy of Michael's Book:
"BrandJitsu™: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable"
Indigo | Barnes & Noble | MichaelDargie.com

In this episode, Michael Dargie talks with Rebecca Prejean, an artist, instructional designer, and fierce advocate for neurodivergent people in corporate learning. Based just outside Austin, Texas, Rebecca brings her lived experience as a mother of an autistic child into her work—designing training that's inclusive, accessible, and actually usable by everyone, especially folks with ADHD, autism, and dyslexia.

She shares the deeply personal story of her son's diagnosis, how doctors told her he would never walk or talk, and how that experience shaped everything that came after. From early struggles to find support and community, to recognizing the same barriers in adult workplaces, Rebecca's path became clear: build better systems that work for more people.

They talk about art, chameleons, wild turkeys, cassette tapes, music as a sanctuary, and even egg carving (yes, really). Rebecca reveals her love of coloured pencils, her shifting subject matter—from jungle cats to intimate insects—and how those themes reflect her mission to uplift the unseen.

The conversation gets into deep truths about dehumanization, systemic failure, and how families often carry the burden alone. Through it all, Rebecca is real, grounded, and wise beyond the algorithm.

Her message to rebels in waiting: "The rebellion is never about you. You're doing it so that others can get the things they need."

Her podcast The Quirk Factory is on its way—because the world needs more spaces where quirks don't just belong, they thrive.

"The rebellion is never about you." — Rebecca Prejean
"We're all people first." — Rebecca Prejean
"Even if I don't agree with someone, I should still see them as human." — Rebecca Prejean
"The world needs more Rebecca, Rebecca." — Michael Dargie
"Egg carving is a thing. And there's a whole expo." — Rebecca Prejean

People First | Designing corporate training for neurodivergent minds
Parenting Changed Everything | From diagnosis to advocacy
Built Different | Saying what she thought—even as a kid
Art as Outlet | How pencils became her safe space
From Surgeon to Storyteller | Why that career pivot happened
Chameleons & Small Creatures | Drawing the intimate, overlooked animals
Authenticity & Protection | Telling her family's story, with care
Egg Carving | Yes. Emu eggs. With a Dremel.
Musical Escapes | Cassette tapes, clarinet solos, and orchestral joy
Travel as a Teacher | Why global perspective matters
Launching a Podcast | The Quirk Factory is coming soon
Advice to Rebels | It's not about you—it's about the people who need you

Rebecca Prejean on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rbprejean/)
Website (https://www.ebgc.net/)