Clarity vs Complexity – Branding for Researchersh With Michael Dargie

If your academic credentials are being met with confusion – or worse, silence – outside the ivory tower, it might be time for a branding reframe.

In this episode, David Mendes speaks with Michael Dargie – international speaker, brand strategist, and author of Brandjitsu. Known for helping creative rebels go from “meh” to memorable, Michael unpacks what PhDs and researchers often get wrong about self-promotion and how to reposition their story without feeling that they are selling out.

Michael Dargie
Michael Dargie is a sought-after international speaker, founder of Make More Creative, author, director, and host of the multi-award-nominated RebelRebel Podcast (200+ episodes in 85+ countries). A black belt in Japanese jujitsu, advanced scuba diver, motorcycle expert, and creative rebel, Michael combines decades of brand strategy experience with an infectious energy for helping others “do cool and weird shit with cool and weird people.”

🔍 In this episode

  • How to talk about your PhD experience without overwhelming your audience.

  • The 20% principle: why less is more when communicating your value.

  • Why understanding your audience is branding’s secret weapon.

  • Reframing your narrative from chaos to clarity.

  • Practical ways to overcome impostor syndrome in your career pivot.
🎯 If this episode helped shift how you think about your story, share it with a colleague transitioning out of academia. Tune in now! 📱🎧 See the resources section below for Michael’s links!

This episode’s resources:

Thank you, Michael Dargie!

If you enjoyed this conversation with Michael, let him know by clicking the link below and leaving him a message on Linkedin:

Send Michael Dargie a thank you message on Linkedin!

Click here to share your key take-away from this interview with David!

You might also like the following episodes:

Sheena Howard – Demystifying Academic Branding Career

Samantha Lynch – Leveraging Your Personal Brand in Academia

Gertrude Nonterah – Keeping Balance in Graduate School

Chris Humphrey – Rebranding the PhD

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