Dissertating: In the trenches and behind the scenes

Send us Fan Mail Many doctoral learners measure success by grades, milestones, and how quickly they finish. But what if progress looks different than we think? In this episode, Dr. Amanda Cason shares how her definition of success evolved throughout her doctoral journey. Together, we explore the challenges of comparison, the emotional weight of feedback, the importance of trusting yourself, and th...

Send us Fan Mail What if the biggest obstacle in your doctoral journey isn't your research, your committee, or your schedule—but the voice in your own head? Join TiffianyAnn Lundine and author Dr. Suzanne Uhl as they explore practical tools for overcoming self-doubt, quieting the inner critic, and moving beyond perfectionism and fear. This encouraging conversation will help you recognize what...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Dissertating: In the Trenches and Behind the Scenes , Dr. TiffianyAnn Lundine talks with Dr. Miguel Rubio about mindfulness, mental health, and academic performance during the doctoral journey. Dr. Rubio shares his personal story of navigating financial hardship, immigration, parenting during COVID, and the pressures of doctoral education while exploring how min...

Send us Fan Mail Doctoral work is often described as isolating, overwhelming, and deeply personal. But what happens when someone truly understands the journey alongside you? In this episode of Dissertating: In the Trenches and Behind the Scenes , Drs. Noreen Hobayan and Carolyn Peters share how an unexpected partnership during the dissertation phase became a lifeline through discouragement, revisi...

Send us Fan Mail Choosing a dissertation topic can feel overwhelming. I certainly felt like I had to get it exactly "right". In this episode, Dr. Tim Newman and I move away from the pressure of finding the perfect topic and instead explore how to choose one that can actually carry you through the doctoral journey. We talk about alignment, purpose, feasibility, and why your “why” matters...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Dissertating: In the Trenches and Behind the Scenes , TiffianyAnn Lundine sits down with Dr. Sheldon Greaves, author of The Guerrilla Scholar’s Handbook , to explore what it means to pursue rigorous intellectual work both inside and beyond the academy. Together, they discuss how doctoral education shapes scholarly identity, why curiosity often fades, and how lea...

Send us Fan Mail Most doctoral learners don’t leave because they aren’t capable. They leave because something deeper has gone unnamed. In this reflective conversation, Dr. John Wade and I explore what lies beneath the research question, such as misaligned expectations, identity shifts, feedback fatigue, and the quiet tension between persistence and purpose. We discuss why the dissertation phase fe...

Send us Fan Mail What does it really take to finish a dissertation from a Dissertation Chair's perspective? In this episode of Dissertating: In the Trenches and Behind the Scenes , host TiffianyAnn Lundine sits down with Dr. Alison Pattison and Dr. Lori Wieters , co-authors of the book, From Research to Reality , for an honest and grounding conversation about the realities doctoral learners f...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a doctoral learner steps into the room with the very people they’re studying? In this episode, doctoral learner Sandra Salazar-Colon shares how attending a higher education conference during her data collection phase became a turning point in the way she viewed her research, but also her identity as a scholar and future leader. What began as an effort to recruit...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Dissertating: In the Trenches and Behind the Scenes , Dr. TiffianyAnn Lundine speaks with Dr. Stephen Babcock , a recent doctoral graduate who completed his doctorate in just three years while balancing family, teaching, and professional leadership. Dr. Babcock shares practical strategies for intentional planning, disciplined time management, navigating difficul...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Pamala Brown—U.S. Air Force veteran, behavioral health leader, and doctoral graduate—shares a powerful reflection on resilience, alignment, and self-advocacy in doctoral life. This episode is not about changing dissertation chairs, but about recognizing when reflection, ownership, and intentional decision-making are needed to move forward with clarity and purpose. A thoughtful...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, TiffianyAnn Lundine talks with Dr. Twyla Williams, professor, consultant, and creator of the BRIGHT Network, about how doctoral learners can turn their dissertation journey into a pathway toward leadership. Dr. Williams breaks down her BRIGHT framework and shares practical insights on belonging, research, intentional networking, professional development, and align...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when your doctoral progress doesn’t match the pace your institution requires? You reflect. You pivot. You persist. In this powerful new episode of Dissertating: In the Trenches and Behind the Scenes , I sit down with Thurman Hemingway , a doctoral learner in the final phase of his journey. After recognizing that his timeline wasn’t aligning with institutional expectat...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Dr. Stacy Luckett shares her journey of pursuing a doctorate in organizational leadership with an emphasis on K-12 education. She discusses her motivations, the influence of her family, and the challenges she faced during her dissertation process, including personal health issues. Dr. Luckett emphasizes the importance of support systems, the role of resources...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, TiffianyAnn interviews Dr. John Beggs, a professor in physics and neuroscience, about the complexities and challenges of doctoral education. They discuss the purpose of a PhD, the personal sacrifices involved, the importance of resilience, and the role of community in supporting doctoral learners. Dr. Beggs shares insights on self-organization in research, th...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to “Dissertating” where we will speak to doctoral learners who are in the trenches and gain insight from some who are behind the scenes.  My name is TiffianyAnn Lundine, and I will be your podcast host.  This podcast will not focus on the technical aspects of your writing, your dissertation. Instead, this is meant to be a space of community, one where you can connect at yo...