Grad School Femtoring: Inclusive Grad School Stories, Personal Development, and Productivity Tips for First-Gen BIPOCs

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)...

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 schola...

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 BIP...

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-opp...

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 w...

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,...

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 an...

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 th...

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...

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...

In this episode, I discuss the challenges that grad students and working professionals face, including high stress and workload, and how coaching can help you navigate these hurdles. I also provide insights into the benefits of coaching, sharing my personal experiences with it, and offers a special limited-time offer on my coaching packages. Six spots left for my limited time 50% off coaching. Boo...

In this episode, I share three valuable tips to improve your networking skills on LinkedIn. These tips are related to how to tackle the issue of not knowing how to find the right people, what to say when you reach out to them, and what to do during the follow up to maintain momentum. Tune in for actionable advice to enhance your community and relationship building effectively. Order my new co-auth...

In this episode, we cover the topic of setting up systems and designing a joyful life with neurodivergence and chronic illness in mind.  Our guest is Joy Valerie Carrera and she is a first generation Guatemalan-American & proud ADHDer from New York.  She found her love adventure while studying at Rochester Institute of Technology and getting to study abroad, that made her brain curious and ended u...

In this episode, I address the hidden costs of finishing grad school or more specifically the often overlooked financial burdens associated with earning a PhD. I share personal experiences and practical advice aiming to provide you, my first-gen BIPOC listeners, with a heads up on potential expenses and strategies for managing them. Some of these hidden costs I mention on the episode include disse...

This episode addresses the concept of reciprocal networking and the importance of building genuine, mutually beneficial connections. Drawing from my 14 years of professional experience empowering first-gen BIPOC students, I share the increasingly extractive nature of people reaching out asking to “pick my brain” and emphasize the value of reciprocity in professional relationships. I also share som...

In this episode, I discuss the importance of identifying your core values for first generation BIPOC students and professionals. I share my own journey of pivoting careers and prioritizing values alignment over external expectations. I also go over the basics of what core values are, how they shape your personal and professional decisions, and give you practical tips for identifying and implementi...

In this week’s episode we discuss the intersection of chronic illness and entrepreneurship with our guest Nikita Williams. Nikita is an award-winning Business and Mindset coach, Certified Professional Aromatherapist, speaker, and host of the top-ranking global podcast Crafted to Thrive. She was diagnosed with Endometriosis in 2009 and Fibromyalgia in 2010. These diagnoses inspired her to use her p...

In this episode, I guide you through a grounding body scan exercise designed to help you reconnect with your body and find peace amid the pressures of graduate school and professional life. Before diving into the exercise, I share my current struggles with career disillusionment and the importance of making ethical decisions that align with your personal values. I also share more about my upcoming...

In this episode, I share my top five public speaking tips along with my personal journey with public speaking, including my most challenging experience. These tips include practicing and timing your speech, slowing down and varying your rhythm, speaking from your heart or diaphragm, considering your audience, and the power of storytelling. There’s a bonus tip in there too. I stress the importance...

In this episode, I discuss the power and importance of having faith in authenticity in personal and professional environments. I open up about my journey toward becoming and showing up as more authentically myself, including the challenges I’ve faced within my family and in higher ed. I encourage you, my listener, to find and create spaces where you can be your full self, emphasizing the significa...

In this episode, our guest, Luzy King, shares her journey from financial struggle to educating hundreds on stock market investing, especially targeting BIPOC and Latinas for financial prosperity.  Luzy is the founder of Say Hola Wealth, a coaching and consulting agency on a mission to help BIPOC and Latinas reclaim equitable financial prosperity. In 2019, Luzy was denied access to financial advice...

In this episode, I discuss why I hate the phrase “work life balance.” I offer different takes and perspectives on this phrase, my reasons for disliking it, and share why I choose to still use that phrase strategically in my services. I also offer alternative phrases that you can choose to use, if you too don’t love this term.  Order my new co-authored graduate school admissions book for first-gen...

Today we have a replay of another very popular episode on the topic of writing the personal statement and diversity statement for graduate school applications. I define what a personal statement and diversity statement are, share sample grad school essay prompts, and offer ideas for what to write about in these statements. Order my new co-authored graduate school admissions book for first-gen BIPO...

Back by popular demand, today we have a replay of my most played episode, which is on the topic of writing the statement of purpose. I discuss the essential components of a statement of purpose for graduate school applications and share tips for how to get started on a draft. Order my new co-authored graduate school admissions book for first-gen BIPOCs by going to  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠isg...

In this episode, I interview Joan Choi who discusses the topic of demystifying therapy from a BIPOC therapist’s perspective. Joan is a private practice therapist based in NYC who works with POC and immigrants, supporting clients through trauma, depression, anxiety, and identity development. We discuss Joan's journey into therapy, starting from her upbringing in Korea and the U.S., to bartending in...