The Truth About Honorary Doctorates: Legitimacy, Labels, and Leadership

Ep. 231 Ever hovered over a checkout page for an honorary doctorate and felt that pit in your stomach like, “Something about this doesn’t sit right…” — you’re not alone. In this episode of Healing Her Within, Maryann Rivera- unpacks the rise of honorary doctorates in social media and coaching spaces — and the blurred line between recognition and status chasing. As someone who actually holds an honorary doctorate and earned academic degrees, Maryann speaks candidly about the ethics, the pressure to look “credible,” and the quiet discomfort many feel when titles start doing more talking than truth. This conversation isn’t about judgment. It’s about clarity. Hot Takes: Honorary doctorates are recognition, not earned degrees Accredited institutions matter Paying for ceremonies ≠ , buying titles Misrepresentation can cause legal and ethical issues Transparency protects your credibility Integrity always outlives titles 🌐 Resources: 👉 Maryann’s Website👉 Instagram👉 Facebook👉 TikTok📖 New book: The Liberated Woman’s Voice: 365 Affirmations for the Mind, Body, & Soul 📖 Book: From Limitation to Liberation Chapters: 0:00 The Truth About Honorary Doctorates 2:00 Why Everyone Suddenly Wants to Be Called “Doctor” 3:31 Dropping Out, Starting Over, and Redefining Success 4:44 Honor vs. Credentials: What an Honorary Degree Really Means 14:03 The Real Cost of Higher Education No One Talks About 17:51 When Titles Become Traps Instead of Tools 23:05 Integrity Over Image: The Ethics of Using Honorary Titles 31:00 Choosing Self-Worth, Financial Wisdom, and True Empowerment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices