What really happens when a highly educated person leaves academia—not just in career, but in identity?

In this deeply reflective episode, Dr. Melissa Robinson-Winemiller sits down with executive coach, leadership mentor, and founder of The PhD Academy, Don Beck, to unpack the emotional and cultural dissonance that comes with transitioning from the ivory tower to industry, leadership, and a more human-centered world of work.

Don shares powerful insights from his own journey—from academia to high-level executive and nonprofit leadership—and the work he now does helping PhDs reframe their identities, expand their leadership potential, and bridge the gap between scholarly rigor and practical impact.

Listen in any of your favorite podcast platform:

► APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-empathic-leader/id1796715528

► SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ChVQGgl5l1jqAfxdoR0EG?si=1wRZC3DbS9KvhLYTggkuhg

► AMAZON: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0158b2cb-7bec-4135-a2c0-2f594d21109b/the-empathic-leader

Subscribe to the Show ► @theempathicleader

CONNECT WITH ME:

► Instagram: @empathyqueen.eq

► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eqviaempathy

► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-melissa-a-robinson-winemiller-author-speaker-trainer/

Connect with Don Back:

Website: https://www.phdcareeracademy.com/about/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-back/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.back.5851127

About Don:

Don Back, PhD, MBA is an executive coach, leadership mentor, and founder of The PhD Academy. After starting his career in academia—with a PhD, postdoc experience, and a faculty position—Don realized the traditional path no longer aligned with his passion for meaningful, applied work. Leaving academia was both isolating and eye-opening, revealing how unprepared most PhDs are for career transitions.

Since then, Don has built a dynamic career across industry, venture capital, and innovation leadership. He’s helped launch startups, advised research centers, and guided high-achieving professionals in redefining success beyond academic walls.

Today, through The PhD Academy, Don empowers others to navigate career pivots with confidence and clarity. His step-by-step coaching framework helps PhDs and technical experts translate their expertise, communicate their value, and build purposeful, fulfilling careers.

► About Dr. Robinson-Winemiller:

What do empathy and a treadmill have in common? Both need action to deliver results.

Quiet quitting. Resenteeism. Post-pandemic stress. AI. Modern leaders face challenges unimaginable in the past, and the pace of change is relentless. The old command-and-control leadership style is obsolete. Leaders today must evolve or risk irrelevance. But leadership now goes beyond dashboards and spreadsheets—so, what’s the answer?

Melissa Robinson-Winemiller is the answer. With over 20 years of leadership experience, two doctorates (including one focused on empathy in leadership), an MBA, and multiple certifications in change management and DEI, she helps leaders achieve greater profits, retention, productivity, and innovation.

Her mission? To elevate leadership through the often-overlooked power of EQ and empathy. As a coach and consultant, Melissa draws on expertise, data-driven insights, and proven results to guide leaders through today’s complexities.

► Disclaimer:

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide professional, medical, or clinical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional or licensed provider with any specific and personal questions you may have regarding personal or professional concerns.