In this episode, we cover the topic of debunking private sector myths and creating impact in non-academic roles with Sandra Torres. Sandra is a STEM career coach and entrepreneur. With over a decade of experience, she empowers PhD graduate students and postdocs to seamlessly transition from academia to the private sector, while honoring their values. Drawing from her own successful transition 12 years ago, Sandra offers unique insights into the challenges faced by academics. Sandra is committed ...
Dec 15, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Ep 220•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I discuss the topic of whether grad school is an investment or an opportunity cost. I define these terms and discuss examples of when it might be a worthwhile investment and when the opportunity costs might outweigh the benefits of pursuing an advanced degree. Preorder my forthcoming book by going to isgradschoolforme.com. Sign up for my group coaching program to start working on your personal growth and gain sustainable productivity skills. ...
Dec 08, 2023•23 min•Ep 219•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, we discussed the topic of how to better serve formerly incarcerated and system impacted students with our guest, Alexzander “Zander” Calderon. Zander is a father and life long partner, cholo, Chicano del barrio, and co-founder of Cabrillo & Hartnell' college’s Rising Scholars Student Clubs. He’s also formerly incarcerated, a Loyola Law Forensic Gang Expert, and the Creative Director for Barrios Unidos Clothing. On the show, Zander discusses t...
Dec 01, 2023•54 min•Ep 218•Transcript available on Metacast In this podcast episode, I share three entrepreneurial lessons that I’ve learned and that can also help current and prospective grad students succeed. I discuss the importance of networking and community building, the value of iteration and learning from failures, and the need to stay adaptable and open to learning new things. By applying these entrepreneurial principles, you can achieve greater success not just in grad school but also in your career and life. Preorder my forthcoming book by goi...
Nov 24, 2023•22 min•Ep 217•Transcript available on Metacast This week we cover the topic of financial wellness and wealth building with our guest, Leah Davis. Leah Davis is a dedicated Wealth and Wellness Coach for Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and Women of Color. She is committed to supporting women with mastering their mindset, behaviors, and habits with money to achieve their desired financial outcomes. Leah is a certified Domestic Violence Advocate and brings a healing-centered approach for women who have experienced gender based violence and childhood ...
Nov 17, 2023•34 min•Ep 216•Transcript available on Metacast This week I'm sharing some key questions you should ask yourself when considering applying to graduate school. These questions cover your motivations, career goals, and level of self-awareness. After answering these questions, you'll be closer to making an informed decision regarding whether or not it makes sense for you to pursue grad school. I'm also excited to announce my new book "Is Grad School For Me?" is available for ordering. I co-authored this book with Dr. Miroslava Chavez-Garcia to p...
Nov 11, 2023•17 min•Ep 215•Transcript available on Metacast On today's episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, we dive deep into ancestor work, lineage, and legacy building with my dear friend Camila Lacques-Zapién. As first-gen BIPOC students and professionals, understanding our histories and tapping into ancestral wisdom can be profoundly healing and empowering. Camila Lacques-Zapién helps BIPOC & first gen visionaries build legacies rooted in community & authenticity through her business, ALA CAMILA. She offers personal statement, admissions, cr...
Nov 04, 2023•57 min•Ep 213•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I discuss the topic of why you need a got done list rather than a to-do list. I break down what a got-done list is, how I've used it in the past and how I'm using it now. I also share a free resource you can download to start creating your own got-done list and celebrating your own accomplishments. Sign up for my group coaching program to start working on your personal growth and gain sustainable productivity skills. Book me to speak at your upcoming profess...
Oct 28, 2023•14 min•Ep 213•Transcript available on Metacast I’m excited to share that today’s episode features Michael A. Hunt who comes on the show to discuss the topic of holistic critical mentorship and reexamining how we mentor. Michael is a native of Baltimore who has served as a university/college administrator, middle & high school math instructor, musical vocalist, and social justice educator, shaping the lives of today's leaders. Michael’s work, for the past twenty years, focuses on Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) within institutional struc...
Oct 21, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Ep 212•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Dra. Yvette discusses the topic of how she plans for the best and worst of circumstances and what happens when both of those things happen at the same time. She also shares an update on a recent trip she made to Princeton University and the lessons she's learned from her recent speaking engagements. Sign up for my group coaching program to start working on your personal growth and gain sustainable productivity skills. Book me to speak at your upcoming profes...
Oct 14, 2023•18 min•Ep 211•Transcript available on Metacast In this solo episode, I focus on the topic of micro self-care and why self-care is especially important during busy seasons, like the fall term. I share more about my personal experience with chronic illness and why self-care is a necessity for me. I define micro self-care and share examples of what this can look like. I also share some resources for you to learn more about micro self-care and resting to identify practices that work best for you. Sign up for my group coaching program to...
Oct 07, 2023•20 min•Ep 210•Transcript available on Metacast Today's episode is packed with invaluable insights from Dr. Antoinette Newsome, who recently completed her doctoral program while working full-time. Dr. Antoinette is a low-income, first-generation, Black and mixed-race woman who centers the identities of marginalized groups in her practice and research. As a scholar-practitioner, Antoinette is passionate about social justice and equity-based work along with supporting low-income first-generation college Students of Color. Her current research c...
Sep 29, 2023•51 min•Ep 209•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Dra. Yvette discusses 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 a t-t job, not because you’re n...
Sep 22, 2023•45 min•Ep 208•Transcript available on Metacast This week, I am thrilled to have Dr. Gina Ann Garcia with us who talks to us about equity and justice in Hispanic Serving Institutions. Dr. Garcia is a professor in the Berkeley School of Education. Dra. Gina's research centers on issues of equity and diversity in higher education with an emphasis on understanding how Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) embrace and enact an organizational identity for serving minoritized populations. She is the author of Becoming Hispanic-Serving Institutions: ...
Sep 15, 2023•57 min•Ep 207•Transcript available on Metacast In this solo episode, I talk about the harsh financial realities of early entrepreneurship and share my own experience. I was prompted to share about this due to informational interviews I've been invited on and many instances where I realized that a lot of people have no clue what goes on behind closed doors within a single-member business and their finances. I stress the importance of transparency in sharing the financial aspects of entrepreneurship, especially for those in higher ed who are c...
Sep 08, 2023•25 min•Ep 206•Transcript available on Metacast This week I interview Dra. Mayra Gaona who discusses the topic of how she became a doctora and first-gen professional. Mayra Gaona is a school psychologist. She received her PhD in School Psychology from Loyola University Chicago. She is currently completing a postdoctoral experience in a hospital/university setting in the Chicagoland area. She is also serving as an adjunct professor. Her research interests include trauma-informed schools, multi-tiered supports for EL students, and the experienc...
Sep 01, 2023•48 min•Ep 205•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I interview Ariana Brown who discusses the topic of sustainable writing and multimodal pedagogies. Ariana Brown is a queer Black Mexican American writer based in Houston, TX. The author of the poetry collections We Are Owed. and Sana Sana, Ariana’s work investigates queer Black personhood in Mexican American spaces, loneliness, and care. She holds a B.A. in African Diaspora Studies and Mexican American Studies, an M.F.A. in Poetry, and M.S. i...
Aug 25, 2023•44 min•Ep 204•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I interview the interviewer. I get to talk to Fanny Julissa García about oral history and documenting immigrant narratives. Fanny is an award-winning Honduran American oral historian contributing work to Central American Studies. She has been active in immigration justice as a translator, legal assistant and advocate. In 2022, she received a National Endowment for the Humanities and Oral History Association fellowship to work on Separated: St...
Aug 19, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep 203•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Dra. Yvette goes over the basics of applying to graduate school. In an effort to demystify the process for prospective applicants, she goes over the typical application materials required, necessary steps to apply, and offers a suggested timeline for when to complete each step of the process. Sign up for my group coaching program to learn the foundations of sustainable productivity and personal development Follow me on your favorite social media platforms: Instagram...
Aug 12, 2023•27 min•Ep 202•Transcript available on Metacast In this solo episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, you'll hear my mid-year review as it relates to my life and business. I take a look back at my annual goals and vision board for 2023 and reveal where I'm at now. On the personal side, I discuss my recent move back to the US from Portugal, my decision to homeschool once again, and how I'm navigating my chronic illnesses. On the professional side, I share my enthusiasm about reaching the production stage for my forthcoming book, Is Grad S...
Aug 05, 2023•26 min•Ep 201•Transcript available on Metacast In this milestone episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I share more about my podcasting journey and the positive impact that this podcast has had on first-generation BIPOC students after releasing 200 episodes. I share more about how the podcast has developed and grown to become a top rated and globally shared resource. I share examples of feedback and messages of gratitude I’ve received from fellow listeners. Some listeners have shared that this podcast helped them get into grad school...
Jul 28, 2023•20 min•Ep 200•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I interview Dr. Lauren Yang who discusses the topic of navigating bipolar disorder in higher education. Dr. Lauren Yang is a clinical psychologist in the Bay Area, CA. Currently, she is completing her postdoctoral residency at Kaiser Permanente. Her professional interests include bipolar and other mood disorders, young adult concerns,, AANHPI mental health, and BIPOC advocacy. In this episode, we cover: Dr. Lauren’s personal journey with bipo...
Jul 21, 2023•53 min•Ep 199•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I cover the topic of active reading strategies in graduate school. I specifically share three ways to start active reading today. They are: reading out of order and instead in a strategic order, developing a list of reading questions to pull critical information you need from your texts, and to identify your learning style to understand how you read and retain information best. This episode is brought to you by the Grad School Femtoring Acade...
Jul 14, 2023•20 min•Ep 198•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I interview Dra. Melissa Abeyta who discusses the topic of motherhood and cultura in graduate school. Dra. Melissa is a mother, a partner, daughter and first-generation scholar. Her impact on the field of higher education has been demonstrated through all avenues of her scholarly identity, through research, writing, and/or practice. Her scholarship is significant to the field of higher education as the impact of her scholarship centers on the...
Jul 07, 2023•49 min•Ep 197•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I interview Rony Eduardo Castellanos Raymundo, who shares their insights on nurturing queer, nonbinary, Central American, and undocumented students. Rony is a queer/nonbinary, Central American, formerly undocumented, and higher education professional. Through mentors, teachers, professors and the love from their community, they have not only earned their degrees from West Los Angeles Community College, UC Santa Barbara and UCLA, but have been...
Jun 30, 2023•51 min•Ep 196•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I cover the topic of key reasons why many first-gen Latinas struggle with self-care. I introduce five sociocultural concepts that may be impacting your ability to care for yourself. They include marianismo, familismo, imposter phenomenon, microaggressions, and cultural straddling. By understanding how these challenges may be directly or indirectly impacting you, you can develop personalized practices to manage them while still promoting your overall wellness. Follow me on your f...
Jun 23, 2023•19 min•Ep 195•Transcript available on Metacast This week, we have two guests, Dr. Magdalena Barrera and Dr. Genevieve Negron Gonzalez who share their experience in academia and discuss their new co-authored book, The Latinx Guide to Grad School. Dr. Magdalena Barrera is an author, educator, and university leader with 18 years of experience in higher education. A former first-generation college student, she is an expert in diversity, equity, and inclusion, particularly within Hispanic Serving Institutions. Dr. Genevieve Negron Gonzalez is an ...
Jun 16, 2023•53 min•Ep 194•Transcript available on Metacast In this week’s episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I share effective pacing and prioritization techniques to prevent burnout. I open up about my chronic illness experience and how it has taught me the importance of pacing and prioritizing my workload. One strategy I share is the concept of energy management, as a form of time-management, which has been a game changer for me. Overall, I stress the importance of listening to your body and to incorporate wellness activities within your wo...
Jun 09, 2023•37 min•Ep 193•Transcript available on Metacast This week, our guest, Dra. Luna Muñoz, offers a discussion of harnessing intergenerational power for career success. Dra. Luna was a lecturer in higher education earning national prizes and has 100+ publications including opinions on higher education. She now helps mid-career academics to get clarity on career moves while taking a radical compassionate approach. She is also an associate coach for Durham University. On today’s show, we cover topics related to the challenges that Dra. Luna faced i...
Jun 02, 2023•45 min•Ep 192•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I discuss the common issue of institutional neglect and shame among first-generation graduate students. I share some observations I’ve made about neglect among my clients and femtees as an academic coach working primarily with first-gen students and early career professionals. Some forms of institutional neglect include: lack of mentorship, inadequate funding, isolation, and microaggressions. If you are struggling with institutional neglect please know that it’s not your fault a...
May 26, 2023•23 min•Ep 191•Transcript available on Metacast 
