Vida De PhD

In this episode, Lorena sits with Dr. Koraly Perez-Edgar to hear about her journey to where she is today. Our conversation got really deep and vulnerable when Koraly shares the beauty and challenge of growing professionally in ways that come at a cost to family closeness. We finish with Koraly sharing her words of wisdom. Tune in... this is probably my favorite episode so far! En amor y poder, Lor...

In this episode, Lorena interviews Dr. Pinetta who shares her journey to her current role as a postdoc at UCLA. Bernadette shares how her work has come full circle and she is now conducting research with the high school she attended. She also shares really important nuggets of wisdom around building community and how useful that is in graduate school and beyond. Tune in to hear for yourself. En am...

In this episode, Lorena and Juan get together and talk about vision setting for 2025. They both are open and vulnerable about how this season of life has got them thinking about vision and goal setting in a whole different way. We share 3 main take aways and tons of nuggets of wisdom that are helping us as we move into 2025. Hope they are useful for you too! En amor y poder, Juan & Lorena

In this episode, host Lorena reflects back on the year 2024. She talks about the 3 major take aways for 2024 and the major theme she also takes away from this year. Tune in to hear more and hopefully you have time to dive into your own reflections for 2024. Don't forget about the magic of life <3 En amor y poder, Lorena

In this episode, host Lorena reflects back on 3 major things she has learned 6 months into parenthood and 3 months after her return to work. These reflections can also apply to other life transitions that you may be going through. Tune in if you would like to learn and also hear a few updates I have about more reflection episodes to come! En amor y poder, Lorena

In this episode, Lorena interviews Dr. Wendy Castillo who shares her journey as a Latina scholar to pursuing her PhD and moving into a non-academic space. She also talks about her current journey back into academia. We also talk about her awesome line of QuantCrit work! Tune in! En amor y poder, Lorena

In this episode, Lorena interviews Dr. Deziah Bermudez and get to dive into her journey to the PhD. She talks about how life gets real while getting your PhD and how to balance personal life with the academics. Deziah also shares the importance of support during the journey. Hope something from her story resonates with you. En amor y poder, Lorena

In today's episode, Vanessa and Lorena dive into Vanessa's recent trip to the motherland (Mexico) to celebrate Mexican Independence Day! We also got to dive into reconnecting with our roots, getting to visit our parents' hometowns, and how that has connected us more to our Latindad and what it means to be a Latina. Hope part 2 of the Hispanic Heritage Month special does not disappoint! En amor y p...

In today's episode, Juan and Lorena give you a special treat talking about all things Latino. We have a back and forth conversation about what it means to be Latino, our culture, our food, the family values, ALL OF IT! This episode is a bit different from the usual scheduled programming, but a nice way to honor Hispanic Heritage Month. Hope you enjoy this special. En amor y poder, Lorena

In this episode, Lorena kicks off the new practice of the ice breaker question instead of guest's favorite song. Then we dive into newly minted PhD, Dr. Matano-Bueno's journey to her PhD. She shares the role of her Latina identity and how important it is for her to have work life balance. Enjoy what Elia had to share with us! En amor y poder, Lorena

In this episode, host Lorena gives you a more detailed update on what’s to come on the podcast. Lorena then shares how life has changed now that she is a mom. This episode focuses specifically on how to navigate all the changes that life likes to throw at us. She talks about pivotal points in her professional journey and how she navigated them. This one is for everyone who is jumping into somethin...

I meant to upload this big update earlier this summer, but once you hear the update you will understand the delay haha I am looking forward to publishing more solo episodes and having more guests on the show. The show will be going through an expansion of topics to include parenthood and caretaking and how that intersects with being a developmental scientist. If you are interested on being on the...

In this episode, host Lorena talks about the power of trusting yourself and having confidence in you along your personal and professional journey. Lorena also shares some updates about the podcast. We will be going on a quick pause as Lorena navigates some exciting life transitions which she will share more about  in the future!  En amor y poder, Lorena  *I do not own the rights to any of the musi...

In this episode, Guest Doré shares her journey into the non-academic world. Doré talks about some of the key differences between non-academic and academic professions which can be useful to learn about if you are on the fence on where your career can take you. Doré also shares about how national organizations have brought community into her life and professional life. Tune in to learn more!   En a...

In this episode, Guest Juan shares his inspirational background as a Latino male and high school English teacher. Juan also walks us through the journey of being a full time teacher while balancing pursuing his PhD. Finally, he shares what the future holds for his journey and his words of wisdom for those who may be on this non-traditional path of pursuing a PhD.  En amor y poder, Lorena  *I do no...

In this episode, Guest Mindy shares her journey as a first generation multi-racial scholar and how her inspiration for her research interests and career fall into place very naturally. Mindy opens up and shares a very vulnerable part of her journey of becoming a parent through the adoption of her nephew at 24 during the pursuit of her PhD. Mindy’s openness reminds us that we all are on unique jour...

In this episode, Guest Gustavo starts by sharing his favorite song which had a fun back story to it and it's a song that many Latinos enjoy! Gustavo then walks us through his journey through academia and to his current position as a full professor. The field has a limited number of Latino scholars and to be able to interview one that is a full professor and towards the more experienced end of...

In honor of Black History Month, in this episode two amazing friends and Black scholars in Lorena’s life were interviewed. Guests August and Tekisha started by sharing their journeys as Black scholars in academia, their research agendas on Black families, and where their inspiration for that work was born. They also share so MANY nuggets of wisdom that I hope uplifts and sheds some inspiration for...

In this episode, Guest Melissa has a fruitful conversation with Lorena on mentorship and editorship. Lorena starts by sharing how Melissa’s mentorship was integral to her successful PhD journey. Melissa shares tidbits on how professors can support students in their academic pursuits. Next, we dive into Melissa’s work as editor of the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships and how she has inv...

In this episode, Guest Norma shares her humble beginnings and how it led into her passion for research and doing community engaged work. Norma highlights some key parts of her Latina identity and experiences that were integral to her journey to pursuing her PhD and the work she conducts now as an academic. Norma also shares some great nuggets of wisdom for aspiring applied researchers out there wh...

In this episode, Guest Lauren shares all the different kinds of non-academic spaces she has worked in throughout her professional journey. Lauren also dives into nuggets of wisdom about the differences between the diverse non-academic spaces through which your career can take you. We also talk about key points you should know as you make decisions about where to take your non-academic journey. Mos...

In this episode, Guest Jenny shares her journey into starting her Clinical Psychology PhD. She shares how the years between her bachelor’s degree and starting her PhD were integral to her journey. We also jump into the mental health needs we would love for research and practice to better serve Latino families in. Finally, we also dive into the role of God and faith play in our professional journey...

In this episode, Dr. Aceves takes some time to express her gratitude for you all and all the challenges and amazing things that have unfolded for her in 2023. She ends the episode by challenging you to reflect and set your intention for 2024. Thank you for listening and following. Can’t wait for the stories that will be shared in 2024! En amor y poder, Lorena  *I do not own the rights to any of th...

In this episode, Guest Gaby shares her journey from getting her PhD to where she sees the future taking her journey. Dr. Livas Stein is open and vulnerable with us about how she has felt she is ”faking it” to make it at times. It was amazing to hear about the community engaged work she does and how her work and research have evolved. Dr. Livas Stein also shares some amazing wisdom on how to overco...

In this episode, Guest Sendy shares her journey into advocacy work. Sendy is one of the first guests on the podcast without a PhD who has such an amazing and inspiring journey. Her journey sheds light on the value of experience and heart and I would say she has an honorary PhD in life as she mentions in the episode. Life experience and heart can take you pretty far in life if you allow them to. Ho...