Best Fifty Percent Podcasts (2025)

1
How PhDs Can Earn Fifty to Seventy Five Percent More: Elena Hoffer’s Not-So-Academic Story 36:22

Play Pause

21d ago36:22

36:22

Send us a text In this international edition of Academics and Their Money, Inga Timmerman and Neeka Miremadi sit down with Elena Hoffer, a German scientist living in Sweden who completed her PhD in immunology at the Karolinska Institute. Elena shares her journey from academic research to entrepreneurship and explains why she ultimately stepped away…

1
Episode 53: Trust your Gut and Read What You Want PLUS our Best Books of the Year 42:13

2d ago42:13

42:13

Hello, hi, and “Welcome back to Medium Lady Reads! This is Episode 53, “Trust your Gut and Read What You Want PLUS our Best Books of the Year.” As always, Erin and Jillian have new book recommendations to share! We’re so happy you’re here—especially in this cozy, end-of-year stretch. Whether you’ve been listening all along or you’re finding us for …

1
Care Closer to Home: EvergreenHealth Neurosciences Expands to Monroe

6d ago

—

On November 3, 2025, the EvergreenHealth neurosciences division completed its expansion to the Monroe location and began seeing patients. Monroe-area community members can expect the same level of care they've experienced in Kirkland, now at a more convenient location closer to home. Join us as we discuss this expansion of care access with Dr. Dani…

1
Not Financially Optimal, But Right: Inside the Australian Academic System with Roxy Pebdani 35:40

7d ago35:40

35:40

Send us a text In this episode of Academics and Their Money, Neeka Miremadi and Inga Timmerman sit down with Roxy Pebdani to explore what it really looks like to build an academic career across borders, systems, and life stages, while keeping money, equity, and values in view. Roxy shares her personal and professional journey as the child of Irania…

1
Episode 52: Romantasy VS Your English Lit degree 44:53

16d ago44:53

44:53

Hello, hi, and “Welcome back to Medium Lady Reads! This is Episode 52, “Romantasy VS Your English Lit Degree.” As always, Erin and Jillian have new book recommendations to share! We’re really glad you’ve joined us today. As we ease deeper into the holiday season, maybe your reading life feels steady and cozy… or maybe it’s a little chaotic. Either …

1
Episode 51: Cozy Christmas Reads 2025 51:43

1M ago51:43

51:43

Hello, hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads. This is episode 51 - A VERY special episode, our FIFTH annual Cozy Christmas Reads! This is the perfect time of year for some emotional junk food in book form! We are celebrating the fifth season of our annual Cozy Christmas Reads episode. Here are the links to 2021, 2022 and 2023 and 2024. For those who…

1
The Academic Roadmap: Promotion (Money First!), Tenure, and Money Mindsets with Philip Gibson 33:06

1M ago33:06

33:06

Send us a text In this episode of Academics and Their Money, hosts Neeka Miremadi and Inga Timmerman sit down with Philip Gibson professor of finance, associate dean at Winthrop University, and founder of ElationWealth LLC to explore money mindsets, academic career strategy, and teaching the next generation about finances. Philip begins by sharing …

1
Episode 50: Celebrating Fifty Episodes plus the Book Review We've All Been Waiting For 44:37

2M ago44:37

44:37

Hello, hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads. This is episode 50 - “Celebrating Fifty Episodes plus the Book Review We’ve All Been Waiting For.” As always, Erin and Jillian have new book recommendations to share! We’re so happy you’re tuning in for episode 50!! The days are getting a little shorter, the reading spots a little cozier, and we’ve got s…

1
Fifty Percent Relief: How Intracept Permanently Relieves Low Back Pain

2M ago

—

In 2021, EvergreenHealth became the first health center in the Pacific Northwest to offer a novel chronic low back pain treatment called Intracept. The minimally-invasive procedure targets a specific nerve inside vertebrae three, four or five, permanently deactivating it. And the results are promising – “Most patients can expect about fifty percent…

1
Ovarian Awareness: A Conversation with Dr. Zainab Alnoor

2M ago

—

Join Dr. Zainab Alnoor as she empowers women with vital knowledge on ovarian health, covering cancer risks, symptoms, screening, and when to be concerned about cysts. Awareness starts here.By EvergreenHealth

1
Side Hustles, Stashes, and Salary Truths: The Academic Life of Nik Volkov 29:22

2M ago29:22

29:22

Send us a text In this episode of Academics and Their Money, hosts Neeka Miremadi and Inga Timmerman sit down with Nik Volkov, Associate Professor of Finance at Mercer University, to trace his path into academia and the money lessons learned along the way. Nik shares how a frugal upbringing shaped his financial discipline, the mindset shift that ca…

1
Episode 49: The First Ten Percent of a Book is the Worst 43:00

2M ago43:00

43:00

Hello, hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads. This is episode 49 - “The First Ten Percent of a Book is the Worst!” As always, Erin and Jillian have new book recommendations to share! Grab your beverage of choice, find your coziest corner, and join Jillian and Erin for their latest reads. They love having you as their honorary third reader, and who k…

1
‘It’s Like Dealing with Kindergartners’: Pieter De Jong on the Realities of Academic Life 30:38

2M ago30:38

30:38

Send us a text In this episode of Academics and Their Money, hosts Neeka Miremadi and Inga Timmerman talk with Pieter De Jong, who shares his unconventional journey from physical therapist to finance professor. Pieter reflects on growing up poor in the Netherlands, moving to the U.S. with nothing, and pursuing an MBA and PhD while raising a family,…

1
Episode 48: Five Stars, Please. 39:04

2M ago39:04

39:04

Hello, hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads. This is episode 48 - “Five Stars, Please.” As always, Jillian and Erin have a fresh batch of book recommendations they’re excited to share. So pour yourself something warm, grab a blanket, and let’s talk about what we’ve been reading lately. Erin and Jillian always want you to feel like the third reader …

1
'Witch You Would' by Lia Amador 58:00

3M ago58:00

58:00

Katey and Abigail read "Witch You Would" by Lia Amador, a great kickoff to October reads. Other topics include supporting your local newspaper, adjunct professor slander in romance novels and vending machine condoms. Also: Our episodes come out on Fridays now!

1
You Can’t Pay Rent with Passion: Why Ashley Ruba Left Academia 36:09

3M ago36:09

36:09

Send us a text “Clarity often follows action. You don’t really know what you like until you try it.” — Ashley Ruba In this episode of Academics and Their Money, hosts Inga Timmerman and Neeka Miremadi talk with Ashley Ruba. After getting a PhD in developmental psychology, she left academia to pursue a career in user experience (UX) research and now…

1
'August Lane' by Regina Black 1:08:21

3M ago1:08:21

1:08:21

Katey and Abigail read “August Lane” by Regina Black, a new-to-them author who ripped their hearts out with this book. Other topics include some recording shenanigans while Abigail dogsits her mom’s dogs, the first cold front of the year, “Mad Max: Fury Road” and war movies, why you SHOULDN’T punch through windows, Ted Bundy and how they’ll be work…

1
Money Gives You Options: Emily Roberts on Finances in Grad School 35:26

3M ago35:26

35:26

Send us a text In this episode of Academics and Their Money, Neeka Miremadi and Inga Timmerman sit down with Emily Roberts, founder of Personal Finance for PhDs. Emily shares her journey from pursuing a PhD in biomedical engineering at Duke to building a career as a financial educator for graduate students and postdocs. She opens up about how savin…

1
Episode 47: Is Romantasy Just a Marketing Ploy 41:05

3M ago41:05

41:05

Hello, hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads. This is episode 47 - “Is Romantasy Just a Marketing Ploy?” Time to set up a fresh TBR for fall, and Jillian and Erin are ready to help you pick your next perfect read. Fall is here, and there’s just something about this season that makes reading feel a little more magical. The days are shorter, the air i…

1
PCOS Insights with Dr. Semonti Hossain, MD

3M ago

—

Dr. Semonti Hossain explains PCOS symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and fertility impact. Learn more about Semonti Hossain, MDBy EvergreenHealth

1
'Beg, Borrow, Or Steal' by Sarah Adams 57:15

4M ago57:15

57:15

Katey and Abigail read Sarah Adams’ “Beg, Borrow, Or Steal,” a third in a series but a great standalone nonetheless. Other topics include The Perfect Notebook (as deemed by Abigail), The Valley and Vanderpump Rules, trucks, unwanted (or wanted!) feedback and Trader Joe’s pumpkin candles.

1
Annual Benefit Enrollment Explained: Making the Most of Your Workplace Benefits as an Academic 22:51

4M ago22:51

22:51

Send us a text It’s not a set-it-and-forget-it type thing, annual enrollment is the one time each year to really make sure your benefits still fit your life. In this episode of Academics and Their Money, Neeka Miremadi and Inga Timmerman break down the key considerations for annual enrollment season. Too often, employees let benefits roll over with…

1
Episode 46: End of Summer Reading Slump 47:12

4M ago47:12

47:12

Hello, hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads this is episode 46 - “End of Summer Reading Slump.” Erin and Jillian are so glad you’re here with them once again! As always, they’ve got a fresh batch of book recommendations they’re excited to share. Whether you’re squeezing out the last moments of summer or excited to update your TBR for fall, Jillian …

1
Abigail takes a journey through her TBR 44:08

4M ago44:08

44:08

In her solo episode debut, Abigail went through her shelves to find some books the have been languishing in her TBR for perhaps no real reason, from romance to the classics. She also (of course) talks about the upcoming Royal Wedding of Tayvis, childhood pop stars, missing being in school, and the next book she and Katey are reading for the podcast…

1
Academia Won’t Love You Back: Rebecca Pope-Ruark on Money, Burnout, and Balance 25:03

4M ago25:03

25:03

Send us a text “We imagine professors in leather chairs thinking big thoughts, but the reality is—it’s a workplace that won’t love you back if you’re not producing.” In this episode of Academics and Their Money, Neeka Miremadi and Inga Timmerman sit down with Rebecca Pope-Ruark, Director of Faculty Professional Development at Georgia Tech, author o…

1
'The Life of A Showgirl' reaction and predictions 38:37

4M ago38:37

38:37

We WERE going to talk about a book this week, but then Taylor Swift announced her new album "The Life of a Showgirl" and all our plans went out the window. Topics MOSTLY include Taylor Swift, but also tasteful boob jobs, the differences between podcast and print interviews, Katey's fantasy football team, whether this is ACTUALLY Taylor's "tight 12,…

1
The Currency of Life: How Academics Can Build Financial Freedom with Sam Hosseini 30:31

5M ago30:31

30:31

Send us a text "Money is not a piece of paper in your purse. It's your life. It's your youth. It's your precious hours that you gave away to earn that money. Spend it wisely." What if money isn’t just currency but the very time and energy of your life, especially when you’re navigating the unique challenges of an academic career? Sam Hosseini, a bi…

1
Episode 45: Welcome to Season 3 of Medium Lady Reads 41:29

5M ago41:29

41:29

Hello, hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads this is episode 45 - can you believe it? Season 3 is here! And, Erin and Jillian are excited to be back on mic. Summer is in full swing, and if your brain is already in back to school mode, this episode is perfect for you. Even if you’re stealing 10 minutes for yourself, books are your permission slip to …

1
Make Sense of Your Sinuses with ENT Expert

5M ago

—

Galit Almosnino, MD, from EvergreenHealth ENT + Head & Neck Surgical Care unpacks everything you should know about your sinuses but probably don’t. From understanding what sinuses actually do, to spotting the signs that it’s time to ditch the decongestants and see a specialist, we’re covering it all. You’ll learn about the most common sinus conditi…

1
Katey's favorite reads of 2025 (so far) 36:40

5M ago36:40

36:40

Abigail's on a work trip, so Katey's yappin' solo about her favorite reads of 2025 so far. She's also desperate for tips on organizing her home library, if anyone's got any!

1
The $48K Wake-Up Call: Lessons in Money and Academia with Tanya Golash-Boza 35:49

5M ago35:49

35:49

Send us a text What happens when your first raise kicks you off state healthcare? Tanya Golash-Boza learned the hard way that more money doesn’t always mean more breathing room. In this episode, we talk with Tanya about the financial wake-up calls that shaped her academic career—from losing food stamps after a small negotiation win, to realizing th…

1
'Sounds Like Love' by Ashley Poston 1:12:53

5M ago1:12:53

1:12:53

Abigail and Katey revisit one of their faves, Ashley Poston, and discuss her latest romance novel “Sounds Like Love.” Other topics include how badly they wish the Marge was real, the colors of the Teletubbies (which they got wrong), the “realism” of magical realism, “Freaky Friday” and healthy resting heart rates.…

1
Academia as a Business: Side Hustles, Strategy, and Salary with Ramon Goings 32:29

5M ago32:29

32:29

Send us a text “Get the Bag, Not Just the Title” — Ramon Goings What would you do differently if you could start your academic career over? Ramon Goings has a few answers—and he’s not holding back. In this episode, we chat with the founder of Done Dissertation about the biggest financial lessons he’s learned as a professor, business owner, and scho…

1
'Finders Keepers' by Sarah Adler 1:13:07

6M ago1:13:07

1:13:07

Katey and Abigail read the latest book from friend of the pod Sarah Adler, "Finders Keepers." Discussion topics include writing and reading dual timelines, defining success, authorial intent, men wearing gray sweatpants, the bright-colored comforters of the aughts and whether or not they should create merch, question mark?…

1
Part 2: Starting a New Academic Job? Breaking Down Your Retirement Plan’s Investment Choices—Without the Jargon 14:31

6M ago14:31

14:31

Send us a text In this second installment of our two-part series on workplace retirement plans, host Neeka Miremadi helps academics navigate the next step after choosing between plan types—evaluating the investments within those plans. Whether you're comparing 403(b) and 457 plans or just want to make better use of your current retirement account, …

1
Episode 44: The Reading Goals We Forgot About 39:53

6M ago39:53

39:53

Hello, hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads this is episode 44 - can you believe it? Erin and Jillian are so happy you’re here. Jillian and Erin have six new book recommendations to share with you today, plus all the cozy, nerdy, bookish vibes you know and love. So grab a drink, get comfy, and it’s time to dive in! In This Episode: It’s time to sta…

1
'Slow Burn Summer' by Josie Silver 1:02:28

6M ago1:02:28

1:02:28

Katey and Abigail return from their European travels and read "Slow Burn Summer" by Josie Silver. Other topics include writing grief, Book of The Month's recent scandal, summer resolutions to increase attention span and deciding not to be dumb.

1
Starting a New Academic Job? Here's How to Pick the Right Retirement Plan 13:39

6M ago13:39

13:39

Send us a text Starting a new academic job? One of the biggest—and most overwhelming—financial decisions you'll face is choosing a workplace retirement plan. In this episode of Academics and Their Money, Neeka Miremadi walks you through a clear, approachable framework to help you understand your options and make a confident choice. This is Part 1 o…

1
Episode 43: Our Best Recommendations for Your Summer Reading Pile 40:10

7M ago40:10

40:10

Hello, hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads. This is episode 43, “Our Best Recommendations for Your Summer Reading Pile.” Summer is just around the corner, and that means it's time to talk about the books that’ll keep you company on park benches, road trips, backyard loungers—or wherever your sunny days might take you. Whether you’re deep in your T…

1
Leaving Academia: Janine Sam on Giving Up Tenure for Industry 28:43

7M ago28:43

28:43

Send us a text In this episode of Academics and Their Money, we talk with Janine Sam—a former professor turned financial planner—about her transition from academia to industry, and all the financial lessons she picked up along the way. Janine opens up about the realities of academic workload, the myth of flexibility in higher ed, and what ultimatel…

1
'Flirting Lessons' by Jasmine Guillory 41:06

7M ago41:06

41:06

Abigail and Katey read “Flirting Lessons” by Jasmine Guillory, a romance OG whom they haven’t read in years. They also discuss being editors, burlesque shows, the joys of gardening, and whether or not they think they’re good at flirting.

1
Episode 42: Thaw your Reading List and Get Ready For Summer 39:17

7M ago39:17

39:17

Hello, hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads. This is episode 42, “Thaw your Reading List and Get Ready For Summer.” Whether you're building your summer TBR, looking for something to dive into on a sunny afternoon, or just hoping to discover a story that sticks with you, Erin and Jillian got something that might just become your next favorite. So se…

1
Tenure, Textbooks, and the Long Game with Melisa Galvan 25:15

7M ago25:15

25:15

Send us a text In this episode of Academics and Their Money, we’re joined by Melisa Galvan—professor, textbook author, and all-around academic powerhouse—to talk about what she wishes she'd known before starting her academic career. From the high-stakes stress of negotiating as a new PhD, to managing a 4–4 teaching load in Los Angeles, Melisa share…

1
2025 summer romance release roundup 34:21

7M ago34:21

34:21

It’s SUMMERTIME and that means reading in the pool ignoring how hot it is. Katey and Abigail read the blurbs for some summer-y reads, and discuss their plans for Europe, the one thing Abigail always wants to do on a trip, and how somehow all these books are about divorce.

1
Episode 41: A Real Dud of a Thriller... plus What is a Novella And Do we Like Them 39:40

8M ago39:40

39:40

Hello, hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads. This is episode 41, “A Real Dud of a Thriller... plus What is a Novella And Do we Like Them?” Erin and Jillian are so happy to be back with you this week—and of course, they've got more great books to share that they think you'll love! Whether you're looking for your next cozy read, something to make you…

1
'Big Fan' by Alexandra Romanoff 1:12:00

8M ago1:12:00

1:12:00

Abigail and Katey discuss their first 831 Stories novella, “Big Fan” by Alexandra Romanoff. Other topics include a very special cupcake surprise, how often Katey uses her Alamo Draft Pass (to the movie theater, not the historical site), Abigail’s longtime crush on “American Idiot”-era Billie Joe Armstrong, book merch, trinkets and their immediate n…

1
Unraveling Money Mindsets & Adjunct Academia with Shannah Game 31:54

8M ago31:54

31:54

Send us a text In this episode of Academics and Their Money, we sit down with Shannah Game—host of Everyone's Talking Money and author of Unraveling Your Relationship with Money—to explore the often-overlooked emotional side of finances. We dive into the challenges of adjunct teaching, misconceptions about academic salaries, and the mental baggage …

1
'Great Big Beautiful Life' by Emily Henry 1:04:43

8M ago1:04:43

1:04:43

Abigail and Katey get in their feelings about “Great Big Beautiful Life,” romance queen Emily Henry’s latest book. Topics include the book’s dual timeline structure, its difference from the other EmHens, writing good journalist characters and how they could never sign NDAs because they’re bad at keeping secrets (especially from each other).…

1
The Rise of Cesarean Deliveries: What It Means for Mothers and Babies

8M ago

—

Join Dr. Maheen Fallah and Dr. Lauren Swords from EvergreenHealth OB/GYN as they delve into the social, economic, and cultural factors influencing primary cesarean sections. They discuss the unintended consequences for both mothers and babies, the associated neonatal risks, and the benefits of vaginal delivery. This insightful conversation aims to …

1
Gratitude & the Side-Eye: Nicole Pulliam on Making Peace—and Money—Beyond Academia 36:44

8M ago36:44

36:44

Send us a text In this deeply honest and empowering episode of Academics and Their Money, we’re joined by Nicole Pulliam—tenured professor, certified coach, and unapologetic truth-teller—as she shares her unexpected journey through academia, the power of belief, and the real talk no one gives you about money in higher ed. Nicole opens up about what…