In this episode, I share more about my podcasting and adult autism diagnosis journey. I open up about how this podcast and my recent adult autism diagnosis have helped me with finding my voice. I share insights into my childhood struggles, the importance of self-discovery, and the value of advocacy. Tune in to hear more about my story and gain inspiration to pursue your own forms of self-discovery and live life on your terms. If you liked what you heard, check out my episodes on surviving colleg...
Dec 27, 2024•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I am joined by Carla Santamaria, a formerly undocumented Honduran immigrant who more than doubled her salary in 10 months by job hopping from higher ed to healthcare to tech. We discuss the challenges and strategies for transitioning careers, the importance of networking, mindset shifts, and the intricacies of navigating new professional environments. Carla also shares her personal journey, offering invaluable advice on overcoming limiting be...
Dec 20, 2024•56 min•Ep 299•Transcript available on Metacast This episode offers strategies for exploring career options for PhD professionals. I reflect on my post-grad school journey and the challenges I faced when transitioning from academia to alternative careers. I also offer some lessons I learned about what I would do differently when exploring career options; this includes sharing valuable strategies for PhD professionals to explore career options outside of academia. Tune in to learn about how to discover new career paths through learning about y...
Dec 13, 2024•25 min•Ep 298•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, our guest Kara Perez, founder of Bravely Go and author of Green Money, highlights the importance of discussing finances with family, sustainability in investing, and cultural influences on financial decisions. Kara is a financial educator who focuses on bringing actionable, intersectional and accessible financial education to people who never learned the language of money. Kara shares her personal journey with money as a white Latina, practical advice for first-gen BIPOC individ...
Dec 06, 2024•37 min•Ep 297•Transcript available on Metacast This episode discusses strategies for managing the holiday season when you are a spoonie and have limited energy. Addressing chronically ill and disabled individuals, I share personal experiences and practical tips on honoring your culture and legacy without sacrificing your wellbeing. The episode highlights the importance of setting boundaries, delegating tasks, and adapting traditions to fit your capacity. I also encourage you to identify nonnegotiables and prioritize self-care to ensure you w...
Nov 29, 2024•36 min•Ep 296•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I share 10 monthly reflection questions designed to help you track and achieve your goals effectively. You’ll learn how and why I developed these questions to promote personal and professional development, combat imposter syndrome, and reinforce a growth mindset. You’ll also gain tips for consistent practice and strategies to make the exercise enjoyable and rewarding. Right on time for holiday season, consider treating yourself to a FEMTOR mug or sweater from my merch shop. If y...
Nov 22, 2024•28 min•Ep 295•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I welcome Dr. Ramon Goings to discuss strategies for thriving in academia and building a consulting business. Dr. Goings shares his journey from music education to becoming an associate professor and entrepreneur, highlighting the importance of finding mentors, leveraging transferable skills, and seeking help. We also address all things related to the dissertation writing process, offering practical advice and emphasizing the value of community support for grad students. Tune in...
Nov 15, 2024•38 min•Ep 294•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, originally aired on March 2023, I share six ways to overcome dissertation writing anxiety. First, I share common obstacles like procrastination, lack of motivation, time management issues, research struggles, handling feedback, and dealing with imposter syndrome. Then, I offer practical advice, personal anecdotes, and motivational tips to help graduate students in particular to better navigate their dissertation writing process. Click here to learn read more about how to overcom...
Nov 08, 2024•32 min•Ep 293•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I share exciting news about winning a Signal Award and reflect on the power of visibility, community, and consistency. I discuss my podcasting journey, the encouragement and support I’ve received that led to the award, the significance of representation in media and awards, and the lessons that I’ve gained in setting intentions and embracing opportunities even while experiencing moments of doubt. Click here to learn more about the Signal Award that we won! Right on time for holi...
Nov 01, 2024•29 min•Ep 292•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I welcome my guest Dana James, a feedback and visibility coach, who addresses the importance of psychological safety and effective feedback in professional and non-profit spaces. Dana shares her journey from singing and performance to the non-profit sector, emphasizing the significance of feedback loops in fostering trust and improving engagement. Our conversation also touches on topics of cultural literacy, overcoming workplace trauma, and the need for reciprocal and constructi...
Oct 25, 2024•43 min•Ep 291•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I share practical advice for nontraditional students applying to grad school. Key topics include the importance of involving family in decision-making, leveraging work and life experiences, and selecting programs with robust support systems that align with your lifestyle and priorities. If you’ve decided that now is your time to go back to school after taking a break or gap years, then you’ll want to listen to this episode. Sign up here and use code FEMTORING to get 10% off my u...
Oct 18, 2024•20 min•Ep 290•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I share my personal journey with mental health challenges and navigating grief starting as early as middle school and going on through college, grad school, and my professional career. I also share the grief I’m currently experiencing after experiencing the recent loss of my therapist. I address the importance of mental health advocacy, therapy, and the care strategies I implement to help me manage my mental health. Sign up here and use code FEMTORING to get 10% off my upcoming ...
Oct 11, 2024•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I am joined by our returning guest Dr. Lauren Mason Carris, a first-generation scholar turned human-centered digital product leader. We discuss into the concepts and praxis of femtorship and career mapping beyond academia. Lauren shares insights from her 20-year journey across multiple industries, highlighting the importance of translating skills, obtaining real feedback, and seeking intentional mentorship, femtorship, and sponsorship. She al...
Oct 04, 2024•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast Listen to this episode if you’re struggling to secure and maintain mentors. I share strategies for first-gen and BIPOC students and professionals to learn how to find mentors and strengthen their mentoring relationships. I also emphasize the importance of taking initiative and regularly checking in with your mentors, among other lessons. Tune in to get all the insights and advice that I wish I had received when I was a student and early career professional. Sign up here and use code FEMTORING to...
Sep 27, 2024•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this replay, which was originally aired in November 2021, I discuss the topic of the adjunctification of academia as well as how and why it’s important to plan for a career outside of the tenure-track. Believe it or not, you likely have had a professor who earns wages that are below the poverty line, relies on public assistance, and/or struggles to meet their basic needs. If you are being trained to become a tenure-track professor, the grim reality is that there’s a good chance you won’t land...
Sep 20, 2024•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I share intentional rituals that can boost your focus, particularly on challenging tasks. I also explore the importance of identifying personal triggers, differentiating between rituals and habits, and implementing small, manageable practices to maintain both productivity and clarity. With a combination of flexibility, planning, and the critical role of community and mental health support for grad students and professionals, you can develop your own rituals to help you get throu...
Sep 13, 2024•28 min•Ep 285•Transcript available on Metacast For today’s episode, our guest, Dr. Aeriell Armas discusses insider tips for success in grad school admissions. Originally from Queens, New York, Dr. Aeriell has brought a multicultural perspective to her work in mental health disparities in the Latine community, intimate partner violence (IPV), and digital therapeutics. Aeriell is most notably the founder of Grad Life Grind, through which she focuses on increasing access to higher education and frequently mentors BIPOC and first-generation coll...
Sep 06, 2024•55 min•Ep 284•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode I share essential tips for preparing for PhD oral exams, especially for first-generation BIPOC students. Among all the tips, I emphasize the importance of reviewing your prospectus, anticipating questions, connecting to a broader discourse, and managing stress. Additionally, I discuss the significance of practicing with peers and being open to feedback. To learn more, check out this blog post on the same topic of preparing for your PhD oral exam. Support our free resources with a...
Aug 30, 2024•26 min•Ep 283•Transcript available on Metacast In this bonus episode, I share five crucial growth lessons I’ve learned from five years of podcasting. I provide updates on slight changes I’m making to the podcast. I also share insights on trying new things, trusting your intuition, honoring your values, knowing what to accepting or letting go, and following your energy. Sign up here to access my recent pre-recorded workshop, "Your Confidence is Inevitable: Cultivating Your Story and Systems." Support our free resources with a ...
Aug 28, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode we have Allison Barham who shares her journey from a healthcare professional to MBA graduate and podcaster, discussing the challenges and motivations behind her career pivots. Allison is the host of the podcast "Allison's Corner.” She hails from Atlanta, has a passion for yoga, reading, and exploring diverse perspectives, and aims to create a space for listeners to connect, learn, and grow through her insightful, curiosity-driven conversations. We delve into her DEI advocacy, pro...
Aug 23, 2024•35 min•Ep 281•Transcript available on Metacast In this solo episode, I discuss the popular topic of dealing with perfectionism in grad school. I explore the systemic roots of perfectionism and how it impacts first-gen BIPOC students. I also offer practical strategies to set realistic goals, embrace a growth mindset, and practice self-compassion. The book I referenced on this episode is the Self-Compassion Skills Workbook by Tim Desmond (2017). I also wrote an accompanying blog post on "Overcoming Perfectionism" which you can read here. Click...
Aug 16, 2024•38 min•Ep 280•Transcript available on Metacast Today I’m joined by Dr. Pau Abustan and Dr. Shayda Kafai to discuss the intersections of queerness, disability justice and mentorship for BIPOC scholars. The episode covers the principles of disability justice, personal strategies for self-care, and the importance of building supportive communities and mentorship networks. Our guests also open up about the challenges that queer, crip, BIPOC scholars face and provide insights into advocating for inclusive and accessible educational spaces. Get my...
Aug 09, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode I introduce you to the concepts of top down and bottom up thinking and how your way of thinking can impact group project dynamics, academic tasks, and professional settings. I share definitions, strengths, and challenges for both ways of thinking, offering practical advice and strategies for leveraging your strengths. This episode is particularly beneficial for first-generation BIPOC students and individuals who may identify as neurodivergent, since I share how this topic ties ba...
Aug 02, 2024•24 min•Ep 278•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, we have Jasmine Hormati here to discuss food, movement, body respect, and radical forms of self-care. Jasmine is a registered dietitian, Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, and founder of Mendinground Nutrition based in New York, New York. She specializes in disordered eating/eating disorder recovery and body image work for adults and uses a non-diet, weight-inclusive, anti-oppressive, and intersectional approach to help her clients heal their relationship with food, their bod...
Jul 26, 2024•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I cover the topic of manifesting your dreams and the mind, body, and spirit connection. I discuss concepts of manifestation, visioning, nervous system calming, ancestor work, mindset work, and spirituality. I also share my own personal story behind how I manifested the career and life I have today while I was in graduate school before I even had the language to articulate what I was doing. Get my free 12-page Core Values Workbook for first-gen professionals to align their career...
Jul 19, 2024•19 min•Ep 276•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I discuss the invaluable skill of pitching yourself to create your own opportunities. If you’ve ever wondered how people suddenly have access to great opportunities, odds are they may be pitching themselves for that. Today you’ll learn exactly how to pitch yourself and you'll discover different scenarios where you might want to pitch yourself, such as for internships, side hustles, bartering, and even working with people you admire. Tune in t...
Jul 12, 2024•24 min•Ep 275•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, we have Dr. Danielle De La Mare speaking about the first-gen hustle and the impact that this has on your mental, physical, and spiritual health. Dr. Danielle is a career wellness coach to academics and the host of the Self-Compassionate Professor Podcast where she speaks to guests about their own career wellness journeys in academia. On the show, she shares her first-gen story and how she went from experiencing burnout as a tenured professor to finding joy and clarity in her car...
Jul 05, 2024•49 min•Ep 274•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode on how to stop playing small, I address the pervasive issue of both scarcity and scarcity thinking in higher education and its impact on first-generation BIPOCs. I share my personal experiences of working to overcome negative messages and tap into your potential. I provide actionable steps to embrace an abundance mindset, build supportive communities, and pursue one's the things that bring you flow despite systemic barriers. To learn more about scarcity and abundance mindset, lis...
Jun 28, 2024•23 min•Ep 273•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Sandy Oh, to discuss transferable skills for social science majors. Dr. Sandy Oh has a PhD in cultural anthropology and has taught writing at UC Irvine while leading UX research for a LA-based civic tech organization. As an award-winning qualitative researcher and DEI advocate, she’s contributed to projects like "Godfather of Harlem" Season 2, nominated for NAACP Image Awards. Her global career includes launching an online learning platform in South Korea and c...
Jun 21, 2024•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I reflect on past summer experiences during grad school and the importance of preparing for seasonal shifts. I discusses my future plans for my podcast and business and stress the significance of slowing down, reflecting, and adapting to changes. As we transition in the summer, I hope that you too will assess where you stand this year, prioritize self-care and community-care, and set holistic goals for yourself. Six spots left for my limited time 50% off coaching. Book a consult...
Jun 19, 2024•14 min•Ep 271•Transcript available on Metacast 
