To celebrate the 250th episode milestone, I recorded an episode on the topic of choosing your hard in your career and life. I share what’s been coming up for me in the conversations I’ve been having behind closed doors with undergrads, graduate students, faculty, higher ed staff, and working professionals outside of academia. I highlight common struggles that we’re all facing and why it’s important that we get to choose our own path based on our values and mission despite knowing that there will...
Apr 05, 2024•16 min•Ep 250•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I discuss the differences between coaching, consulting, mentoring, and therapy. I address the significance of these distinctions for those seeking support in their personal and professional lives. I also talk about where my work fits (and doesn't) in within these roles. If you’ve ever felt confused or found yourself conflating these titles, please consider listening to this entire episode. Preorder my forthcoming book by going to isgradschoolforme.com...
Apr 03, 2024•21 min•Ep 249•Transcript available on Metacast Today’s episode features my guest, Dr. Miroslava Chavez-Garcia who discusses the topic of writing and publishing academic articles. Dr. Miroslava is Professor of History and Faculty Director of the McNair Scholars Program at UCSB. She’s published three books, including her most recent work, Migrant Longing: Letter Writing across the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands, a slice in the life of her family history. She is currently working on a new project, “The ‘Architects of Hate’: Eugenics, Population Contro...
Mar 29, 2024•1 hr•Ep 248•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode I share insights on advocating for clear structure and communication in your PhD program, offering three key pieces of actionable advice for navigating challenges and ensuring effective communication with advisors and committee members. Preorder my forthcoming book by going to isgradschoolforme.com. Book me to speak at your upcoming professional development event. Follow me o...
Mar 27, 2024•14 min•Ep 247•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, we cover the subjects of neurodivergence and nervous system regulation. Our guest, Pam Covarrubias is a coach, speaker, podcaster, and recovering procrastinator. Grounded in liberation principles, she employs trauma-informed practices that nurture her clients' nervous systems. Pam is also the host of the globally acclaimed podcast, Cafe con Pam, where she shares candid, thought-provoking insights from diverse voices, offering a valuable resource for those seeking business succes...
Mar 22, 2024•54 min•Ep 246•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I discuss the significance of designing your own ideal schedule and how this exercise can help you get closer to living a more sustainable and values-aligned life. I also share recent personal circumstances that prompted me to create my own ideal schedule and how my schedule relies on energy management and pacing all while maintaining my personal and professional priorities. I encourage you to try creating your schedule in a way that aligns with your individual needs and goals. ...
Mar 20, 2024•22 min•Ep 245•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I discuss the tricky topic of how to approach sharing deeply personal experiences, and even traumas, in graduate school application essays. I focus on the concept of “trauma dumping” and offer guidance on how to share impactful experiences without causing harm to oneself or others, emphasizing that trauma doesn’t need to be disclosed to write a compelling and powerful application essay. Here's a link to an article I mentioned on the show on "Different Types of Trauma: Small 't' ...
Mar 15, 2024•20 min•Ep 244•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I introduce you to the concept of the arrival fallacy, explaining how the pursuit of future milestones can prevent you from experiencing present moments of happiness. I stress the importance of experiencing joy and satisfaction throughout your academic, career, and life journey, not just when achieving goals. To learn more, check out the following books: Happier : Learn the Secrets to Daily Joy and Lasting Fulfillment. 2007. Boston: McGraw-Hill. Happier No Matter What : Cultivat...
Mar 13, 2024•20 min•Ep 243•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, our guest, Cynthia Pong, joins us for a discussion on redefining leadership and building your career insurance for women of color. Cynthia Pong, JD, is an award-winning career and leadership coach, speaker, and author of Don't Stay in Your Lane: The Career Change Guide for Women of Color. An NYU-trained lawyer turned career coach, she founded her company, Embrace Change, to help women of color—and people of color—secure the money, power, and respect they deserve. Cynthia has bee...
Mar 08, 2024•42 min•Ep 242•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I share invaluable insights on identifying and leaning into your strengths for greater confidence and success, particularly for first-gen BIPOCs in grad school and beyond. I also share a recent personal challenge involving a sudden illness before a speaking engagement and how I navigated this by focusing on my strengths and sustainable productivity practices. Preorder my forthcoming book by going to isgradschoolforme.com. ...
Mar 06, 2024•12 min•Ep 241•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I offer a sneak peek into my co-authored book “Is Grad School for Me?: Demystifying the Application Process for First Gen BIPOC Students.” I read the first few pages of the book, giving listeners an in-depth overview of the co-author’s grad admissions stories, the chapter topics, and what kind of advice you can expect to receive when reading the book. Preorder my forthcoming book by going to isgradschoolforme.com. Boo...
Mar 01, 2024•23 min•Ep 240•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I share comprehensive advice on navigating informational interviews for first-gen students. I break it down into steps beginning from identifying professionals to interview, to conducting the actual interview, and then the very important follow-up. I emphasize finding common ground with the professional you interview, asking the right questions and maintaining future contact with them for networking and community building purposes. Preorder my forthcoming book by going to ...
Feb 28, 2024•16 min•Ep 239•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I discusses what executive functioning skills are and how factors like sleep, nutrition, stress levels, menstrual cycle, and illnesses impact our ability to get things done. I also discuss the intersection between neurodivergence and executive functioning, the role that diagnosis plays in understanding neurodivergence, and how to seek help if you find yourself experiencing executive functioning challenges. Disability justice book for disabled, Deaf, Mad, and neurodivergent body-...
Feb 23, 2024•25 min•Ep 238•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I discuss the concept of time blocking, explaining what it is and how it can improve productivity and prevent burnout. I shares examples and tips for effective time blocking, including prioritizing tasks and aligning them with energy levels. I also acknowledge that this approach might not work for everyone and share alternative approaches for those who prefer more flexibility in their schedules. Preorder my forthcoming book by going to isgradschoolforme.com...
Feb 21, 2024•15 min•Ep 237•Transcript available on Metacast On today’s episode, Pooja Kothari, Esq. dives into the tricky subject of how to identify and respond to micro aggressions and unconscious biases. Pooja spent 7 years as a public defender at the Legal Aid Society, Criminal Defense Practice in Brooklyn trying numerous felony and misdemeanor cases. She is the founder of Boundless Awareness, LLC—a consulting firm that develops customized unconscious bias training for law firms, nonprofits, and universities. Pooja values compassion and nonjudgement, ...
Feb 16, 2024•42 min•Ep 236•Transcript available on Metacast This episode is for grad school applicants who have been asked to write your own letter of recommendation. This situation sometimes comes up when a student asks a professor for a recommendation letter and the professor may be too busy or prefers to save time by asking you to write the first draft for them. Strategies to write these letters include reaching out to mentors for strong letter templates, structuring the letter to include academic achievements, addressing weaknesses in the application...
Feb 14, 2024•13 min•Ep 235•Transcript available on Metacast In this collaborative podcast episode, I share a recording of a recent LinkedIn live I was part of where Pooja Kothari, founder of Boundless Awareness, interviewed me on the topic of everyday equity. I share my personal experiences and strategies related to increasing equity in my work and personal life. We also both stress the necessity of self-education in the journey of anti-oppression and the importance of believing and respecting others' experiences. WatchPreorder my forthcoming book by goi...
Feb 09, 2024•36 min•Ep 234•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I dive deeper into the process of my speaking services meant for first-gen BIPOC students and professionals. I shed light on my professional experience and speaking style, emphasizing how I deliver holistic, tailored, and engaging services. Additionally, I also discuss my flexibility with budgets to ensure my clients get the most value out of their allotted speaker funding. Send this episode to anyone you know looking to hire a first-gen BIPOC, grad school admissions, or product...
Feb 07, 2024•30 min•Ep 233•Transcript available on Metacast On today’s episode, Jasmine Marie Mageno “JT” Torres shares her insights on how to decolonize femtorship. JT brings 15 years of student support service experience and most recently 8 years of work in the TRIO community. Jasmine has completed her doctoral coursework and is preparing for a study to better understand the identity development of indigenous CHamoru students attending college. JT received her Master of Science in Education and has since been consulting with programs and professionals ...
Feb 02, 2024•57 min•Ep 232•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I discuss the importance of having an online presence for professional success. I share advice for students on creating a LinkedIn account to help you with networking, finding alumni of grad programs you’re interested in, and finding relevant job opportunities. While you can network across many social media platforms, I’m especially fond of LinkedIn due to its search features that allows you to find people based on their work experience and education. The main takeaway is to rem...
Jan 31, 2024•22 min•Ep 231•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I share the eight career moves I’m implementing this year for personal and professional growth and to flourish this year. These steps involve undertaking a coaching certification program, publishing more blog articles and podcast episodes, networking, becoming a part of speaker's bureau, continuing with therapy and a business coach, and setting strict boundaries. Amid the career advancements, I also stress the need for self-care practices, family time, and maintaining a work-lif...
Jan 26, 2024•42 min•Ep 230•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I share my secret weapon for improving focus and productivity — brown noise. I explain how brown noise helps with focusing on tasks one may not be interested in doing. I also mention how this might be a useful sound cue to use for those of us that want to quiet our minds or block out external noises. Preorder my forthcoming book by going to isgradschoolforme.com. Book me to speak at your upcoming professional development ...
Jan 24, 2024•12 min•Ep 229•Transcript available on Metacast In today’s episode, Briana Muñoz Flores shares her insights on managing toxic work environments. Briana is a 4th generation Latina born and raised in Central California. She has a bachelor’s in Ethnomusicology and Afro-American Studies from UCLA and a Masters in Higher Education from USC. She's worked in family businesses since she was young and spent most of her professional career working in universities. When not helping graduate students succeed, she likes to listen to audiobooks while walki...
Jan 19, 2024•41 min•Ep 226•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I talk about the importance of having an effective workflow instead of a new tool for improved productivity. I also share an example of my personal workflow which is a mix of using an online calendar and tasks management system in a way that honors my shifting energy levels. I stress the importance of not overcomplicating tasks, finding a balance in calendaring and task management frameworks, and focusing on the underlying problem, not merely...
Jan 17, 2024•19 min•Ep 227•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I share advice on what to do if you run into a tight grad school deadline. My advice is particularly tailored towards non-traditional grad school applicants individuals returning to school later in life. I ask that you consider a few things before starting your application materials. Consider the cost of attendance, see if you can talk to alumni, faculty, or grad students to gauge the worth of the program. And after that, you’ll need to work diligently to prepare your applicatio...
Jan 12, 2024•15 min•Ep 226•Transcript available on Metacast For this episode, I offer an in-depth overview of my signature group coaching program, The Grad School Femtoring Academy, an eight-week group coaching program specifically designed for first-generation BIPOC individuals. The program teaches the foundations of personal development and sustainable productivity. In the episode, I walk you through the structure of the program, the learning modules, and the benefits of joining such as on-demand workshops, live coaching sessions, accountability co-wor...
Jan 10, 2024•30 min•Ep 225•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode Dr. Michelle Gibbs shares her journey completing a PhD in nutritional sciences as a wife and mom of three children. Dr. Michelle supports other mamas doing PhDs and helps them to navigate the juggle-struggle purposefully, so they can reach their life and academic goals without sacrificing what matters! She discusses the isolation and challenges she faced throughout her doctoral program, her non-negotiables for preserving family time, the importance of support systems, and her mot...
Jan 05, 2024•39 min•Ep 224•Transcript available on Metacast To start the Gregorian new year in 2024, I discuss my future plans for the Grad School Femtoring podcast. I also share two practical calendaring tasks you can take for promoting your growth and wellbeing this year. Sign up for my group coaching program to start working on your personal growth and gain sustainable productivity skills. Enrollment is open and closes January 17, 2024! Preorder my forthcoming book by going to isgradschoolforme.com. ...
Jan 03, 2024•23 min•Ep 223•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I share the top ten most-played Grad School Femtoring Podcast episodes of 2023. I describe what was covered in each episode and share clips so that you can learn more. Here is a list of those episodes if you want to binge-listen to them all. Surviving College and Grad School as a Highly Sensitive Student Six Ways to Overcome Dissertation Writing Anxiety Navigating Unspoken Rules as a First-Gen Professional with Aaliyah J. Deggs Expats of Higher Ed: Why Many Amazing Higher...
Dec 29, 2023•34 min•Ep 222•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode on Grad School Femtoring podcast, I discuss methods for end-of-year reflection and planning for the new year. I share my tradition of selecting a “word of the year” that helps to guide my decisions. I also share the practice of creating a vision board while cautioning anyone who chooses to create one to set encouraging goals. And, I acknowledge that this time of year can be hard on many of us and it's okay to prioritize survival and rest, instead of planning or reflecting, if tha...
Dec 22, 2023•19 min•Ep 221•Transcript available on Metacast 
