On the reg

Can't be bothered with email or speak pipe? Text us!What would a bullet journal look like if you designed it specifically for doing a PhD?In this episode, Inger and Jason crack open a brand-new bullet journal and build one from scratch. Jason tries to narrate as we go, but this one is probably a lot more enjoyable on Youtube, where you can see what we are doing... watch it hereThey cover the basics — daily logs, monthly spreads, collections, indexing and threading — then start adding tools specifically for researchers.Along the way they explore concept maps, the “bedraggled daisy” for finding your research niche, reading metadata, supervision notes, tracking academic service and expenses, and creating a master index across years of notebooks.They also get distracted by AI and learning, supervision calendars, stickers, small dogs, Rococo ladies and the surprisingly important question of whether fleas explain the invention of the lapdog.Links and things mentioned in this episode:The official Bullet Journal websiteKirsten Luker — Salsa Dancing into the Social SciencesWriting Partners / Shut Up & WriteIsabel’s guide to DOIsZenodoYap: A Short History of Small DogsLatte’s Instagram: @coton_lattemewburnGot something to add to the mailbag? Email us at [email protected] thoughts and feel pinions? Want to ask a question? You can email us on <[email protected]> -  Leave us a message on www.speakpipe.com/thesiswhisperer. -  See our workshop catalogue on www.ontheregteam.com. You can book us via emailing Jason at [email protected]  Subscribe to the free, monthly Two Minute Tips newsletter here (scroll down to enter your email address) - We're on BlueSky as @drjd and @thesiswhisperer (but don't expect to hear back from Jason, he's still mostly on a Socials break).- Read Inger's stuff on www.thesiswhisperer.com.  - If you want to support our work, you can sign up to be a 'Riding the Bus' member for just $2 a month, via our On The Reg Ko-Fi site

Playful puppy interruptions and remote-work pet antics set a light tone. Deep dives into ClickUp, automating reports with Claude, and plain-text writing tools like Typst. Practical tips for ADHD-friendly bullet journaling, hybrid note systems, and managing collaborative research. A long debate on generative AI in doctoral education, covering bans, assessment reform, appendices and oral exams.

They chat about a new research-project management book and why it was written. Wardrobe apps, reselling clothes and cost-per-wear get a lively spotlight. Device lifecycles, from scanners to fridges, and practical digital hygiene come up. AI's effects on jobs, architecture and image editing spark debate. Mailbag tips include a neat TextExpander workaround and other quick productivity hacks.

They explore using fashion-influencer methods to plan a productive 2026, translating wardrobe styling ideas into career and project frameworks. Bullet journals, yearly themes and practical planning rituals get attention. Tech tips, shopping-style metaphors and a three-word styling method are used as tools to reduce decision fatigue and audit commitments.

They dig into how large language models discover and cite web content, including when ChatGPT shows up as a referrer. Conversation covers retrieval-augmented generation, why structured web text helps visibility, and practical steps like metadata, ORCID and plain-language summaries. They also discuss risks like prompt injection, differences between small and large LLMs, and durable audience-building through email and newsletters.

The hosts dive into the concept of boredom at work, exploring how PhDs might train tolerance for it. They reflect on personal triggers of boredom and the societal impacts of diminished attention spans. There's an interesting discussion on 'bore out'—a new term for exhaustion from boredom—in contrast to burnout. They also examine the role of technology in exacerbating or alleviating boredom and whether AI might alleviate tedious tasks. Inger recommends some light reads, including a romance set in academia.

Join the lively discussion as the hosts share Jason's adventures in New Zealand and his AI-driven keynote speech. Inger opens up about the emotional fallout from university restructuring and the anticipation of her new puppy. The chat shifts to comparing AI tools like Perplexity, Claude, and ChatGPT, providing insights on effective workplace integration. With productivity tips and personal anecdotes sprinkled throughout, listeners get a humorous yet informative take on navigating life and technology.

Inger and Jason delve into the intriguing world of analog productivity, on a quest to determine the value of a thought-provoking book. They share humorous travel tales and reflections on their academic journeys, alongside listener insights on entrepreneurship. A lively discussion on navigating finances in a subscription economy sheds light on digital product strategies. Plus, the hosts explore the struggles of email management, the magic of bullet journaling, and the intricacies of research ethics, all while managing to keep the conversation both engaging and educational!

In this lively discussion, the hosts tackle the challenges and joys of blending work with family legacies, highlighting personal anecdotes from workshops and fishing traditions. They delve into productivity tools, from bullet journaling to Gantt charts, while humorously critiquing the latter's practicality. The conversation shifts to the ethical implications of AI in academia and the emotional hurdles of goal-setting. Ultimately, they advocate for embracing small experiments in life, fostering flexibility over traditional expectations.

A humorous dive into the challenges of higher education opens the discussion. The hosts share innovative AI-driven approaches to streamline research workflows and literature reviews. They reflect on the emotional complexities of job searching and the shift towards entrepreneurship in academia. The integration of technology in productivity and the ethical implications of AI in research are thoroughly explored. Personal anecdotes and casual listener interactions keep the conversation relatable, blending insights with entertainment.