educated but confused

Yassine Filali, Avery Van De Water & Val Soto

We are three friends who also happen to be Neuroscience Ph.D. students. If you are interested in neuroscience, grad school, or just listening to people talk about random science stuff, this podcast is for you. As people who are educated but also confused, we aim to bring on guests to elaborate on their experiences, providing a non-academic space to talk about science. We mean that this is a space to have organic conversations surrounding science, as if you’re chatting with a friend in a coffee shop, rather than a conference room. To maintain the integrity of the topics covered in this podcast, we will do a fact check at the end of each episode. Consider this podcast the intersection where good science meets good conversation. Get connected: Contact us for educated thoughts or general confusions at educatedbutconfused@gmail.com & follow us on instagram @ebcpod :) Support us by joining our patreon! patreon.com/educatedbutconfused

  1. The first, first author publication; prediction accuracy; and reflecting

    1d ago

    The first, first author publication; prediction accuracy; and reflecting

    Hello ebc crew- We are back again! We hope you are well! Welcome to episode 2 of season 5 where we share our current research updates, talk about our lives outside of the lab, and have a deep conversation about how we can become better humans. More specifically, Avery speaks upon pushing out their current manuscripts in preparation, preparing the dissertation, and advice on the writing process. Yassine discusses his follow up experimentation, quality controlling and preprocessing datasets, and working with undergraduates. Outside of the hectic research lifestyle, Avery and Yassine have a discussion of their love of coffee shops and reflect upon their personal growth and philosophy on listening for others. Bonus: We tease our goals for career transitions after the PhD. More to come. We hope you enjoy the episode! Get connected with us: Contact us for educated thoughts or general confusions at educatedbutconfused@gmail.com & follow us on instagram @ebcpod :) Support us by joining our patreon! patreon.com/educatedbutconfused Resources— Books mentioned: How to Win Friends and Influence People

    56 min
  2. Living in the oasis of the 5th year in a neuroscience PhD

    Jun 1

    Living in the oasis of the 5th year in a neuroscience PhD

    Hello ebc listeners– Are you still there? We certainly hope so, and we really miss y’all! Welcome to season 5! It’s been a long minute since we have posted, excuse us as we are both in the middle of some pretty intense times in the PhD :) However, the mics are scorching hot again, with some brand new updates and insights. In today’s episode, Avery and Yassine talk about some confusions that have crept up during the middle of their 5th years. These include communication and clarity in team-oriented conversations, putting together manuscripts, and prioritizing difficult tasks. This then leads into a conversation on the more exciting aspects of science and research, unpacking the big and small moments that keep one going despite failures. Finally, we talk about our evolution in our expertise within our fields of social cognition and migraine, respectively, and make predictions of where these fields are headed in the future. Bonus: we talk about post-doc transitions and coming up with new research projects, questions, and incorporating new techniques. You don’t want to miss out! Get connected with us: Contact us for educated thoughts or general confusions at educatedbutconfused@gmail.com & follow us on instagram @ebcpod :) Support us by joining our patreon! patreon.com/educatedbutconfused Resources— Books mentioned: Native Sun by Richard Wright Research studies: “Virtual Embodiment of White People in a Black Virtual Body Leads to a Sustained Reduction in Their Implicit Racial Bias”

    1h 1m

  3. 08/17/2025

    academia on fire

    Is science even real anymore? What is real? And do people still believe in science? Just when we thought grad school couldn’t get more chaotic, the NIH funding landscape threw us a curveball. This week, Avery and Yassine dive into the messy realities of pursuing science in uncertain times, from funding struggles to the bigger question of how we connect research to real-world impact. We also check in on our PhD journeys... and yes, we have updates on Avery’s dating life too. 🧠 -As always, stay educated and seek confusion! Connect with us: 📩 educatedbutconfused@gmail.com 💸 Support: patreon.com/educatedbutconfused

    1h 17m
  4. Fourth Year Confessions: Grants, Goals, and the Glorious NeeDoh Gumdrop

    03/19/2025

    Fourth Year Confessions: Grants, Goals, and the Glorious NeeDoh Gumdrop

    It's Year 4 for the Educated But Confused podcast! Join Yassine and Avery for personal and professional updates, a deep dive into the challenges of transitioning after grant work or big deadlines, and the inside scoop on fourth year. Plus, we're spilling the tea and de-stressing with NeeDoh Gumdrops. As always, stay educated and seek confusion! Get connected with us: Contact us for educated thoughts or general confusions at educatedbutconfused@gmail.com Support us by joining our patreon!patreon.com/educatedbutconfused

    59 min
  5. Mentorship & Legacy with Dr. Daniel Tranel: A Standing Ovation

    03/12/2025

    Mentorship & Legacy with Dr. Daniel Tranel: A Standing Ovation

    Hello, listeners— It is with the deepest honor, respect, and gratitude that we, Avery and Yassine, bring you this truly special episode. Our guest is none other than Dr. Daniel Tranel—Professor of Neurology, Psychological and Brain Sciences, Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Senior Director of the Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship, and Director of the Neuroscience Graduate Program at the University of Iowa. These titles barely scratch the surface of his contributions to science and mentorship, for which we owe him immense gratitude. Join us in this meaningful conversation as we celebrate Dr. Tranel’s impact on the scientific community, unpack his 2024 Carver College of Medicine Distinguished Mentor Award, explore his passion for mentorship, discuss the importance of scholarship, reflect on major scientific milestones, and gather invaluable advice for students. And if that wasn’t special enough—this episode was recorded to the minute on Dan’s birthday. Enjoy the magic of the Iowa Vibes! -As always, stay educated and seek confusion! Get connected with us: Contact us for educated thoughts or general confusions at educatedbutconfused@gmail.com & follow us on instagram @ebcpod :) Support us by joining our patreon!patreon.com/educatedbutconfused

    1h 24m
  6. gritty but berated

    03/05/2025

    gritty but berated

    In today’s episode, Yassine and Avery wrap up their third year of grad school, reflecting on key lessons learned and setting intentions for the year ahead. Join us as we look back, plan forward, and embrace the chaos and clarity of academic life. —As always, stay educated and seek confusion! 💡 Get in touch: 📩 Email us at educatedbutconfused@gmail.com 🎙️ Support the show: Join our Patreon at patreon.com/educatedbutconfused

    1h 10m
  7. "The Guts and the Will" with Val Soto

    11/13/2024

    "The Guts and the Will" with Val Soto

    In this episode, Avery and Yassine catch up with Val, one of the original hosts of educated but confused who co-founded the show with them before leaving last year after completing his Master’s in Neuroscience at the University of Iowa. Val is now teaching at Southern Oregon University, and we dive into his journey and all the new directions he’s taken in life and work since stepping away from academia. We start off strong with Yassine's thought-provoking question: What are Val’s views on the gut microbiome, and how does it impact brain function, free will, and determinism? Val shares his insights, bridging science with philosophy in a discussion that’s both mind-expanding and full of practical implications. Next, we explore: How has Val’s sleep research from grad school influenced his teaching? Val tells us about a course he developed and taught called “Explorations of Foundational Health.” From neuroscience-informed stress management to exploring sleep, consciousness, and the nature of free will, Val brings a unique and holistic perspective to health and well-being. Finally, we ask: How has life shifted from the pressures of grad school to the world of professional teaching? Val reflects on the highs, challenges, and personal growth that have defined his transition from student to educator. Tune in to this inspiring episode that brings us full circle with an OG host, diving deep into the big questions and practical lessons on health, consciousness, and the future of science and education! -As always, stay educated and seek confusion! Get connected with us: Contact us for educated thoughts or general confusions at educatedbutconfused@gmail.com & follow us on instagram @ebcpod :) Support us by joining our patreon!patreon.com/educatedbutconfused

    32 min
  8. A Day in a life of Neuroscience Graduate Students: Forming Routines and Habits

    11/06/2024

    A Day in a life of Neuroscience Graduate Students: Forming Routines and Habits

    Hello ebc crew- Routines, repetitive behaviors, habits, good juju, whatever you want to call it, let’s unpack what exactly we do on our day-to-days as graduate students. In this episode, Avery and Yassine take a deep dive into evaluating their current routines, open up about adapting to changes in behaviors due to seasonal shifts, emotional states, and environmental influences, the importance of sticking with non-negotiables, implementing positive habits, and so much more. We also bring back the drinks of choice, so we hope you have your favorite beverage in hand, and invite you to take a sip with us as we all evaluate our personal growth in our routines. -As always, stay educated and seek confusion! Get connected with us: Contact us for educated thoughts or general confusions at educatedbutconfused@gmail.com & follow us on instagram @ebcpod :) Support us by joining our patreon! patreon.com/educatedbutconfused

    1h 44m
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Trailer

About

We are three friends who also happen to be Neuroscience Ph.D. students. If you are interested in neuroscience, grad school, or just listening to people talk about random science stuff, this podcast is for you. As people who are educated but also confused, we aim to bring on guests to elaborate on their experiences, providing a non-academic space to talk about science. We mean that this is a space to have organic conversations surrounding science, as if you’re chatting with a friend in a coffee shop, rather than a conference room. To maintain the integrity of the topics covered in this podcast, we will do a fact check at the end of each episode. Consider this podcast the intersection where good science meets good conversation. Get connected: Contact us for educated thoughts or general confusions at educatedbutconfused@gmail.com & follow us on instagram @ebcpod :) Support us by joining our patreon! patreon.com/educatedbutconfused

Information

  • Creator
    Yassine Filali, Avery Van De Water & Val Soto
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Yassine Filali, Avery Van De Water & Val Soto 2022
  • Show Website
    educated but confused