The Terrifying but Exhilarating Pursuit of a PhD with Dr. Angela Swain
Dr. Angela Swain [21:14]
Yeah. And I think, to that point too, Russell, sometimes, like, you know, as students, we’re thinking, when we graduate, oh, my God, we haven’t done enough. We haven’t accomplished much, right? What they’re looking at, oh, my gosh, look at all you’ve accomplished. Right. Right. You have a doctorate. That’s big, but we feel just the opposite. In many ways. And so to your point, sometimes we do shy away, but the fact that we have it does say a lot to other people.
Dr. Russell Strickland [21:41]
100%. And the reason why, you look at it, like I haven’t done enough, is because you knew you’d win. So you know, you’re still a Little Angie to you. Yes. Dr. Swain.
Dr. Angela Swain [21:56]
Exactly, exactly.
Dr. Russell Strickland [21:58]
You start doing it, you start playing the part and it’s not playing a part it is you but you start doing more of it, you get to be more comfortable with it. Yeah. But some parts of you still identifies as Little Angie. And that’s always going to be the way it is. I know on my 50th birthday, and I still do not think I’m partly an adult much less getting older. And math would tell me I am definitely getting older at this point.
Dr. Angela Swain [22:24]
Right? I understand. Definitely. Yeah.
Dr. Russell Strickland [22:28]
Well, I know that you got a book launch coming up very soon. In fact, unless folks are catching this right away, the book will probably be launched by the time folks are listening. But tell me tell me a little bit about what you’re doing there. Because I we have fun working with folks on that part of the project, as well. folks that want to write their own kind of expert book after they graduate. What’s the launch look like? For you? How How’s it? How’s that been going for you?
Dr. Angela Swain [22:51]
It’s a lot of details. So I say that I’m going to see of details right now, which is exciting and terrifying, right? So similar to the experience I had going into the PhD program. So right now, my book ebook launch, will be in two weeks, July 15. It’s actually a launch day special sale of 99 cents, just one day. I have a workbook with it, that whole thing. And then the paper version will probably be launched about a month later. But yes, definitely on Amazon. And I’m hoping to get it into target and Walmart and Barnes and Noble, wherever, we’re so, that’s my that’s my next goal is to start envisioning that process and getting more information about what that looks like.
Dr. Russell Strickland [23:38]
So the the going up on Amazon, as soon as we can get a copy of that link, we’ll put that in our in our blog so that folks can can run out and get that and yeah, like I said, if you’re listening to the podcast right away, it is again, you tell me July 15?
Dr. Angela Swain [23:55]
Yes, ebook July 15.
Dr. Russell Strickland [23:58]
Go out and get it at a special discount, which is not uncommon. A lot of folks do that. So they can get some traction and get people talking about their books. So if you if you do get the book for 99 cents, do her a favor, read a chapter or two, and then go on Amazon, and tell her how great it was. Because I know Angela, I’m sure it’s going to be a really good book. I can’t wait to to check it out myself. But, but definitely that’s the reason why you get that discount in the first day or so is to start getting that interest drummed up so that other folks know about this, because this is not your dissertation. You want people to see that you want people to read this, on the committee. Right?
Dr. Angela Swain [24:37]
It’s like nobody wants to read my dissertation. What? No, they don’t.
Dr. Russell Strickland [24:42]
I had a conversation with one guy at one point. I told I was trying to tell him this. And and he was trying to argue with me. I said, how many people do you think are going to read your dissertation after you graduate? He says, I know one, has thought for like two seconds. Like, are you talking about your mom? He was like yes, your mom’s not going to read your dissertation and you’re not going to quiz her about the dissertation. You both will just like the green never to say anything about it again quietly. Say, yes, of course I read that honey, I’m so proud.
Dr. Angela Swain [25:14]
Exactly.
Dr. Russell Strickland [25:16]
The dedication, she’s like, damn, I didn’t get to the dedication.
Dr. Angela Swain [25:22]
That is so true. That is so true.
Dr. Russell Strickland [25:24]
It’s just it’s a different thing. It’s so but don’t despair. If you’re working on your dissertation right now. And you’re like, well, what is it all for? It does a lot of heavy lifting, right? Because now you’re able to do all these fun things. Because it changed your first name to Doctor. Right?
Dr. Angela Swain [25:38]
Yeah. So yeah, it does. It does matter. It may not seem like it, but it does.
Dr. Russell Strickland [25:43]
Yeah. So it’s what I like to tell folks is that is for the most for most people out there, your dissertation doesn’t matter. Getting it done does. So yes, once you finished
Dr. Angela Swain [25:54]
Well said,
Dr. Russell Strickland [25:55]
You, you’ve got, you’ve got an asset, you’ve got an accomplishment. And it took me out, it gives you that credential being doctor. And now all the other things happen. But But yet, don’t put the blood sweat and tears into the dissertation thinking that this is going to be your legacy or any of those sorts of things. This is going to be you know, it’s the school project. I mean, that’s what it is. Let me know. And how many of your other school projects has anybody paid any attention to? So there’s a few people yeah, you get do your science project, and it goes out and wins Westinghouse or something. But that didn’t happen a lot. For most everybody. Exactly. Very fully successful dissertation that nobody ever reads. And it’s perfectly fine.
Dr. Angela Swain [26:35]
Yes, a good dissertation is a done dissertation.
Dr. Russell Strickland [26:39]
That’s over and over. Absolutely. Well, Dr. Swain, I want to thank you so much for joining me here today. Tell folks, you know, if they’re interested, we already know we’re gonna send them to Amazon for the book. But if they’re interested in, in following up with you some of the things that you’re doing and leadership and so forth, what’s the best way for them to reach out to you?
Dr. Angela Swain [26:57]
Sure, the best way to contact me is my website at AngelaLSwain.com. And the or they can email me at info@angelalswain.com.
Dr. Russell Strickland [27:13]
All right. And are you on LinkedIn, Facebook? Oh, sure. So sorry. Yes. on LinkedIn, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. On there as We will get all of that stuff into into our show notes. So if folks want to wherever you’re hearing the podcast, if you go to dissertation.com/blog, you can find Dr. Swain’s episode there. And we’ll have show notes that include all of those points of contact, including links to the book, the ebook right away, and hopefully, you’re going to remind me to switch out and put the paperback in there when that’s launched too. Yeah,
Dr. Angela Swain [27:51]
Absolutely. That a deal.
Dr. Russell Strickland [27:54]
Awesome. Well, again, I want to remind folks that today’s episode has been brought to you by Dissertation Done, at dissertation done we help adult doctoral students through the dissertation process. So if that’s something you think you might be interested in, reach out to us at DissertationDone.com/done. You and I’ll have a conversation, see if we might be able to help you through this thing. Get you to graduation a little bit quicker. And if you want to launch your own book like Dr. Swain here, again, we we take folks from a blank page to becoming a published author in much less time than you think. You would need a DissertationDone.com/book is how you can book a conversation so we can find out a little bit more about that. Again, Dr. Swain, thank you so much for being here. I’m so happy we got to connect.
Dr. Angela Swain [28:37]
Thank you so much. It’s awesome. Thank you again.
Dr. Russell Strickland [28:40]
You are quite welcome. Everyone else, have a wonderful day, and go out there and live your unconventional life.
Outro [28:53]
This has been An Unconventional Life. Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed today’s episode, subscribe now to keep getting inspirational stories of unconventional lives as soon as they’re released. Until then, go out and live your best unconventional life.
