Beyond the White Coat

Alex and Abdul
  • 0.0 (0)
  • PERSONAL JOURNALS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Beyond the White Coat is a podcast about the human side of life in science, tech, and healthcare. Hosted by Alex, a health tech creative and HCPC registered biomedical scientist, and Abdul, a PhD student at University of York studying antibiotic resistance, the podcast blends real talk, career pivots, and personal growth in STEM. Through honest conversations and guest interviews, we explore career journeys both in and beyond the lab, challenge the status quo, and reflect on what it really means to build a meaningful life in science and healthcare. Collabs: alex@biomedicalmentor.com

  1. Ep. 26 Should Healthcare Professionals Create Content or Does it Hurt Their Careers? + Research Funding News, Maintaining Professional Identity, Opportunities Through Social Media

    FEB 6

    Ep. 26 Should Healthcare Professionals Create Content or Does it Hurt Their Careers? + Research Funding News, Maintaining Professional Identity, Opportunities Through Social Media

    In this conversation, Alex and Abdul discuss the current state of research funding in the UK, the impact of recent funding cuts on researchers, and the role of social media in healthcare and research. They explore the challenges of content creation for healthcare professionals, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and credibility in online communication. The discussion also touches on the balance between professionalism and personal expression on social media, and the potential career benefits of building a personal brand online. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Current Events in Research Funding 04:41 Impact of Funding Cuts on Research and Researchers 08:12 The Role of Social Media in Healthcare and Research 17:05 Navigating the Challenges of Content Creation 24:22 The Importance of Authenticity and Credibility in Content 31:24 Balancing Professionalism and Personal Expression on Social Media 39:19 Conclusion: The Future of Healthcare Professionals on Social Media Keywords: research funding, healthcare professionals, social media, content creation, science communication, funding cuts, biomedical science, authenticity, credibility, career development

    45 min
  2. Ep. 25 Inside the Reality of Becoming a Psychologist: NHS, Private Practice & Why ‘Anyone’ Can’t Be a Psychologist

    JAN 20

    Ep. 25 Inside the Reality of Becoming a Psychologist: NHS, Private Practice & Why ‘Anyone’ Can’t Be a Psychologist

    In this conversation, Dr. Jane, a chartered counseling psychologist, shares her journey into the field of psychology, discussing her motivations, the importance of proper training and registration, and the nuances of therapy. She emphasizes the significance of finding the right therapist, the challenges of working in mental health, and the evolving landscape of mental health awareness. The discussion also touches on the importance of proper assessments for conditions like ADHD and the misconceptions surrounding therapists. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Counseling Psychology 02:49 The Journey to Becoming a Psychologist 05:03 Understanding Therapy Duration and Expectations 07:44 Types of Psychology and Their Importance 09:58 The Importance of HCPC Registration 12:59 Securing a PhD in Psychology 15:37 Group Therapy vs. Individual Therapy 18:21 The Demands of Doctoral Training 20:45 The Transition from Training to Practice 23:46 Navigating Post-PhD Career Paths 27:14 The Shift to Remote Therapy 30:26 Understanding Mental Health Awareness 33:59 Transitioning to Private Practice 37:59 Evolving Career in Psychology 39:48 The Importance of Qualified Assessments Keywords: counseling psychology, mental health, therapy, HCPC registration, PhD in psychology, private practice, ADHD assessment, group therapy, misconceptions about therapists, career progression Follow Dr Jane: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dr.janehalsall/TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.janehalsall?lang=en-GBLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dr-jane-halsall-psychology-practice/posts/?feedView=all Visit her website linktr.ee/drjanehalsall

    28 min
  3. Ep. 24 Should Scientists Have Side Hustles or Does It Hurt Their Careers? Squiggly Careers, Microshifting & Side Quests

    JAN 13

    Ep. 24 Should Scientists Have Side Hustles or Does It Hurt Their Careers? Squiggly Careers, Microshifting & Side Quests

    In this episode, we explore the growing rise of side hustles in science and healthcare and whether they actually help or hurt your career. From PhD life, academia, and NHS careers to content creation, science communication, and advocacy, we unpack what it really means to be multi-passionate as a scientist. Alex shares her journey creating educational content alongside a full-time healthcare role, while Abdul reflects on balancing a PhD workload, research pressures, and creative side projects like photography and science outreach. Keywords: side hustles in science, scientists and side hustle, PhD life, academia burnout, healthcare careers, science communication, content creation for scientists Follow Us on Social Media The podcast page on IG Follow Alex on IG Follow Abdul on LinkedIn

    39 min
  4. Ep. 23 From Scientists to Startups: 3 Health Tech Innovations Changing Modern Healthcare: Flok Health, Stiloton, Co-Mind

    12/16/2025

    Ep. 23 From Scientists to Startups: 3 Health Tech Innovations Changing Modern Healthcare: Flok Health, Stiloton, Co-Mind

    In this episode Abdul and Alex break down what health tech really is and why it’s becoming one of the most exciting and impactful areas in modern healthcare. The conversation dives into real-world health tech innovations, including digital physiotherapy platforms, eye-imaging photonic chips, and non-invasive brain monitoring tools, while also addressing critical challenges such as accuracy, user experience, health inequality, and data reliability across different populations. Whether you’re a scientist, healthcare professional, student, or someone curious about health tech careers, this episode offers an accessible, honest look at where the industry is heading and the questions we should be asking as innovation accelerates. Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 01:00 – Why Talk About Health Tech Now? 02:40 – What Is Health Tech? (Explained Simply) 04:40 – Wearables, Apps & Everyday Health Data 06:40 – Are Health Wearables Actually Useful? 09:00 – Why Health Tech Is Growing So Fast 11:20 – UK Health Tech & Innovation Ecosystem 12:30 – Health Tech Example #1: Digital Physiotherapy (Flok Health) 15:20 – Health Tech Example #2: Eye Imaging & Photonic Chips 18:00 – Health Tech Example #3: Non-Invasive Brain Monitoring 20:10 – Accuracy, Bias & Health Inequality in Health Tech 23:00 – The Importance of User Experience in Medical Technology 24:30 – Future Episode Ideas & Closing Thoughts Links EEG podcast episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2UbfqpaUDKUsU2DdvyiKSx?si=1exsBc7HTE20weHufxRI0g Keywords: Health tech, health tech innovations, healthcare technology, digital health, medical technology, health tech explained, wearable health devices, AI in healthcare, medical devices, home health monitoring, NHS innovation, preventative healthcare, health tech startups, scientists in industry, health tech careers, what is health tech, how technology is changing healthcare, health tech for patients, digital healthcare explained, health tech UK, inequality in health technology, wearables accuracy skin tone, future of healthcare technology

    23 min
  5. Ep. 22 The Recruiter Behind Pinterest, Facebook & Amazon on What it Takes to Secure a Job in Big Tech & Health Tech

    12/09/2025

    Ep. 22 The Recruiter Behind Pinterest, Facebook & Amazon on What it Takes to Secure a Job in Big Tech & Health Tech

    Today I’m excited to welcome my colleague and friend Emma to the show. Emma is a seasoned talent and events professional with deep experience across startups and big tech. She’s worked on high-growth hiring at companies like Amazon, Pinterest, and HeliosX, as well as two global VFX studios, giving her a uniquely broad perspective on what it takes to scale teams, stand out as a candidate, and navigate competitive hiring environments. Outside of the 9–5, Emma is equally impressive, she’s finishing her M.A. in Creative Writing, has multiple writing certifications, a degree in Food Science, and is working on her first novel. She’s also a runner, weight-trainer, beach-lover, cook, pianist, and overall creative powerhouse. Today we’ll dive into her career journey, what she’s learned from recruiting across industries, how people can distinguish themselves in today’s job market, and what makes hiring in health tech different from big tech. And of course, we’ll talk about her creative life and why having side projects may actually make you a stronger candidate.  Chapters 00:00nIntroduction to Emma's Career Journey 03:17 Navigating the Job Market: Insights from a Recruiter 12:08 Understanding Top Talent: What Employers Look For 17:15 The Importance of Data in Recruitment 20:14 Following the Candidate's Journey Post-Hire 21:38 Misconceptions in Job Applications 25:11 The Importance of Customization 26:47 Navigating Career Pivots 29:31 Understanding Hiring Signals 31:19 Differences in Health Tech Hiring 33:26 Balancing Side Projects and Work 37:15 The Value of Curiosity and Side Hustles 39:19 Defining Success in Careers Amazon, Pinterest, HeliosX, Facebook, Technicolor, VFX Studios, Health Tech, Big Tech, Startups, Recruitment, Creative Writing, Talent Acquisition, Compliance and Regulatory, Film Industry, Social Media, Healthcare Industry

    45 min
  6. Ep. 21 The Life of a P&G Scientist. The Scientists Behind the Detergent Team at Fairy, Lenore, Tide & Much More.

    11/20/2025

    Ep. 21 The Life of a P&G Scientist. The Scientists Behind the Detergent Team at Fairy, Lenore, Tide & Much More.

    The conversation explores the critical role of research and development (R&D) in the consumer goods industry, particularly focusing on how companies like P&G and Unilever leverage incremental innovations to enhance their market share. It highlights that while consumers may not notice significant differences in products, the ongoing tweaks and improvements in formulations contribute to overall performance and competitiveness. 00:00 Introduction and Hiatus 03:00 Guest Lecture on Malaria 09:00 Nanotherapeutics and Research 15:00 Placement Experience at P&G 21:00 Role of Enzymes in Detergents 27:00 Impact of COVID-19 on Placements 33:00 Exploring New Interests Keywords: R&D, consumer goods, market share, technology development, incremental innovation, P&G, scientist, detergent, protease team, fairy, Lenore, tide, Unilever

    35 min
  7. Ep. 20 How to Become A Biomedical Scientist. HCPC, Registration Portfolio, NHS placements, Diagnostic Labs & More.

    10/14/2025

    Ep. 20 How to Become A Biomedical Scientist. HCPC, Registration Portfolio, NHS placements, Diagnostic Labs & More.

    In this episode, Alex and Abdul discuss recent breakthroughs in gene therapy, particularly for Huntington's disease, and delve into the importance of the HCPC for biomedical scientists. They share personal experiences from their NHS placements, highlighting the challenges and learning opportunities within the lab environment. The conversation also touches on the dynamics between students and employees, the significance of teamwork, and the financial considerations that influence career choices in the healthcare sector. Ultimately, they reflect on the journey of self-discovery and the transition from scientific roles to corporate positions, emphasizing the importance of finding one's identity beyond a job title. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and News Segment 02:53 Breakthrough in Gene Therapy for Huntington's Disease 05:33 Understanding HCPC and Biomedical Scientist Registration 08:35 Placement Experience in a Diagnostic Lab 11:24 Navigating NHS Lab Placements 14:09 Histopathology: The Role and Responsibilities 17:03 Working with Precious Samples in Histopathology 20:18 Navigating the Lab Environment 24:03 The Student vs. Employee Experience 27:36 The Role of Locums in Biomedical Science 31:31 Repetitiveness and Personal Growth 35:07 Identity and Career Reflection 39:01 Financial Considerations in Career Choices Keywords: gene therapy, Huntington's disease, biomedical science, HCPC, NHS placement, lab experience, career choices, corporate roles, financial considerations, healthcare professions, IBMS, Institute

    39 min
  8. Ep. 19 Life-Science Conferences 101. Which to Choose, Where to Find Them, Networking Tips & Presentation Tips

    09/30/2025

    Ep. 19 Life-Science Conferences 101. Which to Choose, Where to Find Them, Networking Tips & Presentation Tips

    In this episode of Beyond the White Coat, Abdul shares his experiences from a recent international conference focused on the biology and physics of prokaryotic chromosomes. He discusses the importance of networking, presenting research, and engaging with attendees. The conversation covers tips for creating effective research posters, strategies for initiating conversations, and the significance of follow-ups after conferences. Abdul emphasizes the value of both peer networking and connecting with senior researchers, while also providing insights on how to find and choose the right conferences to attend. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Conference Overview  02:42 Research Presentation and Poster Creation 05:22 Engaging with Conference Attendees 08:20 Networking and Building Connections 10:56 Reflections on Networking and Follow-Up Strategies 22:45 Finding Conferences and Networking Opportunities 25:08 Evaluating Conference Worthiness 27:54 The Social Aspect of Conferences 29:59 Choosing Between Conference Sizes 30:49 Starting Conversations at Conferences 37:49 Networking Strategies: Peers vs. Senior Researchers Keywords: conferences, networking, research, presentations, academic growth, poster sessions, collaboration, early career researchers, public speaking, scientific community Useful Links Biochemical Society WebsiteBioSci Toolkit WebsiteFLEX tool - https://excitinginstruments.com/ei-flex/

    42 min
See All (26)

About

Beyond the White Coat is a podcast about the human side of life in science, tech, and healthcare. Hosted by Alex, a health tech creative and HCPC registered biomedical scientist, and Abdul, a PhD student at University of York studying antibiotic resistance, the podcast blends real talk, career pivots, and personal growth in STEM. Through honest conversations and guest interviews, we explore career journeys both in and beyond the lab, challenge the status quo, and reflect on what it really means to build a meaningful life in science and healthcare. Collabs: alex@biomedicalmentor.com

Information

  • Creator
    Alex and Abdul
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Alex and Abdul
  • Show Website
    Beyond the White Coat

You Might Also Like