Mrs Mummy PhD®

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 bel...

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...

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&apos...

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, Milens...

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...

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 epi...

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...

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 gui...

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...

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...

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...

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 enhance your academic work, strategies for incorporating rest without guilt, and why allowing yourself to pause is a revolutio...

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...

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 lookin...

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 leadership How imposter syndrome and guilt hold us back from stepping into our full pote...

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 a...

Who are you becoming on your PhD journey? Although a PhD journey can feel all-consuming, it's worth pausing now and again and giving some thought to life beyond the PhD and the impact you can and will create once you have finished your PhD.  This episode is a timely reminder of why the 'becoming' matters so much and how you can begin to think beyond your PhD now. Who will she become...

It's so interesting to reflect now and again!  Today I'm reflecting on the episode where I recorded my raw emotional response to submitting my PhD thesis after 8 years and what that felt like back in May 2023! I hope re-listening to this reflective replay will be helpful for you in visualising your own 'successful submission moment' when it comes. I can't wait to support y...

Want to transform your writing from a source of stress to a source of joy? In this episode, we sit down with Natalya Androsova PhD, an award-winning writing coach who has helped many writers complete their PhD theses, dissertations, books, and articles over her career thus far. But what makes Natalya's approach unique is her deep understanding of how our relationship with writing mirrors our...

Mama, we've made it to 100 episodes! Can you believe it? This is indeed a milestone worthy of celebration! Come, tune in and join in the celebrations :-) In addition to that, we go deep in this episode too! It's truly how we roll around here... Because sometimes as a Scholarly Mama® it can feel like this whole real life juggling act feels 'peripheral' to what matters most in th...

Ready to know how you can consistently show up for your Scholarly Mama® dreams? In this episode, we're diving into the powerful mindset shifts that can help you achieve your PhD goals while embracing the joy of Motherhood. Discover why your unique path as a Scholarly Mama® isn't just valid – it might be your secret superpower. We explore key game-changing mindset principles that will hel...

In this insightful episode, we explore why purpose matters more than perfection when navigating your PhD journey as a Mama. We dive deep into five hidden traps that often sabotage progress toward your goals as a Scholarly Mama®. Learn practical strategies for managing these common challenges and discover why focusing on consistent, purposeful progress, rather than perfection, is key to achieving y...

In this episode, I discuss some of the challenges of navigating PhD life as a Mama and the emotional toll this can take on us all. I also take you back to one of the pivotal moments in my journey when I was deep in the throes of the juggle-struggle and how I was able to reconnect with my vision for academic success. Not only did I finish my PhD as a proud Mama of three, but I finished it well! If...

In this episode, I challenge the common belief that more productivity hacks are the answer to succeeding in your PhD journey as a Mama. Drawing from lived experiences, I explain why traditional productivity approaches often fall short for Scholarly Mamas®. I share what Scholarly Mamas® actually need instead of more productivity hacks! Remember Mama, you're not just working on a PhD - you&apos...

In this deeply personal episode, I'm taking you back to January 2022 when I was returning from maternity leave with our third son and facing what felt like an impossible task - completing my 100k-worded PhD thesis in 16 months on part-time hours. I share how I went from nearly quitting to creating " Operation PhD Thesis ," the strategic approach that not only helped me submit on tim...