ANNOUNCEMENT: We're on break! Tune into the episode to find out why! While I'm on break, be sure to tune into the archives - I'm sure there's an episode there with your name on it! Make sure you also subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss when my next new episode drops! You can also sign up here to receive periodical check-ins from me by email as I will be touching base there in between... See you soon! Want more? 1. Check out the Mrs Mummy PhD® blog. 2. Follow me on Instagram, Fac...

Thinking about quitting your PhD? You’re not alone—I've been there. But before you make that call, this episode walks you through 7 powerful questions and mindset shifts that could change everything... What if there’s still a way forward that honours both your ambition and your motherhood? In this episode, I’m sharing what I wish someone had told me when I was ready to give it all up. Whether you decide to stay or go, let’s make sure it’s your choice—not one made in exhaustion or isolat...

This week on the podcast, I’m joined by an incredible guest: a Zimbabwean-born academic, content creator, and mother - Dr Nonhlanhla Dube (a.k.a. Dr Noni) - whose path to a PhD took her across continents, through two undergrad degrees, a prestigious scholarship, and finally, a research post in the Netherlands. We talk about: How rejection redirected her toward purposeWhat it was really like finishing a PhD as a new MamaWhy she’s now showing up on TikTok to help others find joy in academic wri...

In this episode, I’m sharing (and discussing) 10 powerful affirmations specifically for Scholarly Mamas®—words to ground you when the workload is heavy, the juggle-struggle gets tricky, the guilt creeps in, or the doubt gets loud. Whether you’re deep in PhD mode while juggling little ones, or just trying to hold it all together, these affirmations are here to remind you: you are not alone, and you are more capable than you think! Tune in now—and don’t forget to grab your FREE printable ...

Ever wondered if there was a perfect formula or set of steps for navigating your PhD journey well as a Mama? If you’ve tried all the time management hacks and productivity tools but still feel like something’s missing… you are not alone. In this episode, we’re unpacking a big question: Is scholarly motherhood an art or a science? Spoiler — it’s not what most productivity advice would have you believe. Join me as I share real stories from my own PhD journey — the messy days, the surprisi...

What happens when a sustainability policy analyst decides to pursue a PhD (while juggling family life)? Most people would call it impossible. Dr Blessing Adeniyi called it her PhD Race. Fresh off completing her PhD in Sustainability Management, Dr Blessing joins us for an honest conversation about doing her PhD as a Mama. Through The PhD Race, she's been documenting the unfiltered reality of navigating a PhD journey and in her case, juggling that with research, full-time work, and mother...

What does it really take to achieve success— and is it worth the cost? In this episode, I reflect on a recent video I saw on YouTube, by a former doctor turned entrepreneur who suggested that financial success requires an “unhealthy obsession” and intense personal sacrifice. Join me as I unpack his perspective and why it may not apply to other types of success pursuits, why this mindset won't work for Scholarly Mamas® and why there are several unhelpful assumptions unpinning this thinki...

What does it really take to pursue a PhD while raising two children, juggling work life, and living through a global pandemic? In this special guest episode, I sit down with Dr Milensu Shanyinde from the Work Academic Mum blog, a Zambian-born, now UK-based Lead Medical Statistician whose journey through academia has been anything but conventional. From unexpected detours to quiet triumphs, Milensu shares how she navigated life, learning, and identity in spaces where she often stood out—...

What if we've been conditioned to say 'no' by defalut, and this the thing that's holding us back? In this revolutionary episode, we explore the unexpected power of a well-placed yes—not the kind that drains you, but the kind that expands you. For Scholarly Mamas® navigating academia, parenting, and ambition, this conversation reimagines what’s possible when you stop shrinking your life to fit your well-defined 'boxes'—and start saying yes to what actually lights you up. In this episode, I sha...

Reflective Replay: Ever held back the tears after receiving a rejection letter, email or phone call so your kids wouldn't see you cry? In this raw and real episode, we're tackling the gut-punch moments of academic life as a Mama – from grant rejections to viva struggles. Whether you're questioning your place in academia or wondering how to pick yourself up after a setback, this episode is your permission slip to be beautifully in-progress. We dive into: The unique sting of academic rej...

What happens when the academic dream and motherhood collide? In this eye-opening episode, former political science academic Dr Paulina Cossette reveals her journey from working seven exhausting days a week as a tenure track professor to becoming an entrepreneur with a thriving six-figure business that allows her the freedom and joy she needed. Tune in to discover: The moment Dr Cossette realised academia's definition of success wasn't working for her lifeHow she found the courage to exp...

What if the version of success you’ve been chasing isn’t actually yours? In this episode, we crack open the myth of the “ideal Scholarly Mama®” and ask a bold question: What does real freedom look like for Mamas juggling PhD life, careers, and family life in 2025? If you’ve ever felt like you’re performing instead of living, this conversation will invite you to step out of the box, drop the guilt, and start defining success on your own terms. Tune in to explore why rigid roles don...

Who are you beyond “Mum,” “Dr,” “Wife,” "Daughter", or “Manager”? In this soul-stirring episode, we explore what happens when we strip away the titles, roles, and responsibilities we carry—and come face-to-face with the essence of who we truly are. If you’ve ever felt lost beneath your labels or longed to reconnect with the woman within, this conversation is your gentle nudge home. Tune in to rediscover the power of your presence, the depth of your identity, and the beauty of being more than ...

When life throws you a curveball — a sick child with work commitments, looming deadlines, a mountain of shifting responsibilities — how do you keep going without losing yourself? This week, I'm sharing a behind-the-scenes look at how everything in my carefully planned schedule unravelled when our youngest came down with chickenpox... and the powerful reminders that came through the chaos. If you're a Mama juggling dreams, deadlines, and duties — this one’s for you. Tune in to find stren...

What if the season you’re in — the slow, silent, in-between of this journey — is not a detour or hindrance to your success, but part of navigating Scholarly Motherhood by design? In this special Easter-themed episode, we step away from the hustle and into a moment of reflection. Drawing gentle inspiration from the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus that we remember in this Easter season, this is a soul-level reminder for every Scholarly Mama® feeling tired, hidden, or unsure if she’s stil...

In this episode, we explore why rest is essential—not optional—for Scholarly Mamas®. Academic culture often glorifies constant productivity, leaving Mamas on doctoral journeys caught between scholarly demands and family responsibilities. We discuss how intentional breaks actually enhance your academic work, strategies for incorporating rest without guilt, and why allowing yourself to pause is a revolutionary act of self-care. Discover how prioritising rest can transform both...

In this special reflective episode, I celebrate two years of the Mrs Mummy PhD® podcast by sharing the journey from recording my first episode to building a community of Scholarly Mamas®. Join me as I reflect on how we can blend academic excellence with present motherhood and share my vision for the next chapter of our growing movement of Scholarly Mamas®. Whether you've been listening from day one or this is your first episode, I hope this episode reminds you of the power of community ...

Are you fishing for big, quick wins, or are you farming for lasting growth? In this episode, we dive into a powerful shift in mindset: the difference between chasing immediate results (fishing) and patiently nurturing long-term success (farming). The initial spark for this conversation came from a casual chat with my friend Dra Yvette from Grad School Femtoring. What happens when we stop looking for the “big catch” and instead focus on planting seeds, experimenting, and trusting t...

Are you feeling stretched thin between your PhD, your family, and everything in between? In this episode, we’re diving into why filling your own cup first is essential—not just for your well-being, but for your success as a Scholarly Mama® leader. We’ll talk about: Why filling your cup first isn’t selfish—it’s leadershipHow imposter syndrome and guilt hold us back from stepping into our full potentialThe power of setting boundaries and reclaiming your identityA simple exercise to help you sta...

Are you constantly feeling weighed down by others' expectations while trying to blend motherhood and doctoral study? In this powerful episode, we explore how to let go of what's holding you back in your Scholarly Mama® journey. We address the paradox of having hope and expectation without being constrained by unrealistic expectations of others, with a practical approach to identifying and releasing the excess baggage that's keeping you grounded. Whether you're just beginning your PhD or...