Welcome to Episode 30 of The PhD Journey Unplugged Podcast. Episode 30 explores the transformative power of creative expression.

In this episode, host Dr. Sarah L. Gordon invites accomplished poet John. M. Doherty to talk about his journey from law enforcement to poetry.

With his 30-year career as a law enforcement officer serving his community and prior military service, John brings a unique perspective to the podcast, demonstrating how a growth mindset can be transformative in life.

John's discipline has carried him through a remarkable career, a fulfilling life shared with his college sweetheart, Jeanne, and a thriving life, surrounded by his family, grandchildren, and friends.

With now 18 published poems, both nationally and internationally, John shares how he found poetryin the later years of his life, and how having a creative outlet has helped him age with a positive mindset. He also shares how joining a martial arts community has given him opportunities to maintain his physical fitness inaging.

In this candid and open conversation about balancing life, both John and Sarah offer listeners opportunities to think about ways to put things in their lives in perspective through outlets to express themselves and find meaning andpurpose. This story is interesting because law enforcement and poetry are very different worlds - one grounded in procedure, and the other in emotion and reflection. John shares how these worlds evolved and how they both created a formula for successful aging.

All information in this podcast is for general informational purposes only, based on the experiences of the host and guests, and should not be deemed as professional advice.