Grad Girl Wellness

Becoming a Mom. Becoming a Doctor.

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 11:28:30 +0000

✨ On the heels of Black Maternal Health Week, this conversation is one you don’t want to miss.

We sat down with Dr. Michele Mayne 🎓—a newly minted PhD in Sociology (with a focus on medical sociology + community health & well-being)—who navigated the journey of unexpectedly becoming a mom during her doctoral program 🤱🏾📚

From challenges to triumphs, Dr. Mayne kept going… and her story is both real and inspiring 💫

In this episode, we dive into:

💭 How to decide if, when, and with whom to share your pregnancy

🧠 Strategies for navigating motherhood while staying on track academically

🌍 Building community as a woman of color and international student

🔥 Using motherhood as motivation—not limitation

🗂️ Creating structure while juggling coursework, teaching, adjuncting, and childcare

This episode is a powerful reminder that your path doesn’t have to look traditional to be successful 💪🏾✨ To get in touch with her, email dr.michelesmayne@gmail.com

🎧 Tune in now + share with a grad girl who needs this! 💕

Ep 44: The Science of Memory: How Grad Students Can Learn Better

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 11:13:43 +0000

Struggling to actually remember what you study? 🤯📚

On this episode of the Grad Girl Wellness Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Rachel Slaughter—an expert on how the brain learns and retains information 🧠✨

She breaks down practical, research-backed strategies you can start using right now:

🔑 Effective study techniques (chunking, highlighting, annotation, and more)

🧘🏾‍♀️ Why breaks + intentional reading are essential for brain recovery

🔗 How to make your reading relevant (so it actually sticks!)

📝 Test-taking strategies that help you show up with confidence and ease

If you’re tired of rereading the same page over and over, this episode is for YOU 💡

Learn more about her work at drrachelslaughter.com and follow her across social media for more gems 💻🌱

43: From Dissertation to Book Journey (So Far)

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 03:43:24 +0000

The dissertation is done—but the writing isn’t over. 📝 In this solo episode with Grad Girl Wellness creator, Dr. Angela, she shares some big news related to her dissertation! She reflects on what it’s really like to turn a dissertation into a book, juggling time, expectations, and uncertainty.

If you’re a grad student or postdoc in the “what now?” stage, this one’s for you 💛

42. Grad School Lessons in Leadership

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 12:39:07 +0000

On this episode of the Grad Girl Wellness Podcast, we’re diving into all things leadership + higher education with the brilliant Dr. Nicole Rayfield. 🎓💛

She holds a PhD in Organizational Leadership with a focus on organizational citizenship behavior in Black women in academic spaces—aka all the extra labor we do that often goes unrecognized. 🙃✨

Get your notebooks ready, because she drops so many gems, including:

1️⃣ How to identify your “strategic yes” and decide if a leadership role is truly for you

2️⃣ How to step away from positions that no longer serve your growth 🙅🏽‍♀️✨

3️⃣ How to spot your everyday leadership abilities (yes, you have them!) 💪🏽

4️⃣ How to quiet self-doubt and trust your leadership power 💭➡️✨

To learn more about Dr. Rayfield and her entrepreneurial brilliance, follow her on IG:

👉🏽 @officialdrnicolerayfield

👉🏽 @polishmeunbothered

or visit www.polishmeunbothered.com 💌

Tune in, take notes, and step into your leadership era, Grad Girl. 💛🎧✨

41. A Grad's Guide to Strategically Navigating Anti-Black Racism

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 01:53:11 +0000

Awwww S.N.A.P.! 🎙️

On this episode, we sit down with Dr. Pearis Jean — psychologist, assistant professor, healer, and author. In her final year of graduate school, Dr. Jean developed a powerful model for Strategically Navigating Anti-Black Racism in Professional Spaces (S.N.A.P.) which is now a book! 📚

In this conversation, Dr. Jean shares insights on:

✨ Understanding and addressing anti-Black racism

🤝 Building peer support across graduate student cohorts

🧭 Using the S.N.A.P. decision-making model to prepare for, respond to and reflect on anti-Black racism

💡 Bonus: How a conference presentation turned into a book opportunity!

🌐 Connect with Dr. Jean:

Website: www.drpearisjean.com

Instagram: @pearisjeanphd

LinkedIn: Pearis Jean

📘 Check out the book:

Strategically Navigating Anti-Black Racism in Professional Spaces: A Practical Guide for Black People Responding to Racism in the Workplace — available wherever you buy books.

40. Help Seeking and Vulnerability for Students

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 11:46:50 +0000

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Destiny Williams-Dobosz, a postdoctoral fellow in Educational Psychology. Drawing from her own journey, Dr. Williams-Dobosz shares how personal experience became a doorway into her research on help-seeking among Black women in STEM and first-generation college students.

Our conversation explores:

The resilience and vulnerability paradigm
Redefining success in toxic environments
Strategies for asking for help in college settings
Ways to foster and support help-seeking behaviors in others

You can dive deeper into her work by reading her recent publication:

Williams-Dobosz, D. (2025). Storytelling as praxis: Leveraging a Black woman’s critical autoethnography as a first-generation college student to explore inequities and possibilities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. Journal of Diversity in Higher Education.

39. Curating Community in Grad School and Beyond

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 13:47:10 +0000

🎓 You don’t have to do grad school alone! 💫

On this episode of the Grad Girl Wellness podcast, we sit down with Darrien Johnson, founder and CEO of The Community Curator — a social-impact consultancy supporting grassroots organizations across Philadelphia 🌆💼

With a Master’s in Non-Profit Organizational Management, Darrien shares her powerful journey of leaning into community to navigate grad school and build lasting impact.

Tune in to hear:

🤝 How to find community in unexpected places

🏡 The importance of leaning on your home base during academic challenges

🌱 Tips for building sustainable and intentional community

Want to learn more about Darrien and her incredible work? Follow her on LinkedIn to stay connected and inspired!

#GradGirlWellness #CommunityBuilding #BlackWomenInNonProfits #GradSchoolJourney

38. Grad School as Fertile Ground

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 10:18:47 +0000

🎙️ On this episode of the Grad Girl Wellness podcast, we chat with designer, advocate, and creative visionary Diona Nicole! With a Master’s in User Experience and Interaction Design, Diona channeled her passion into founding Barren Fruit, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting those navigating infertility and reproductive health challenges 💛🌱

Tune in to hear:

✨ How Diona transformed an adjunct role into an opportunity for self-growth

🎓 How she used her master’s thesis to visualize the “silent” pain of women’s reproductive health

🤝 Practical ways to support someone experiencing reproductive health concerns

To learn more about Barren Fruit and the inspiring work Diona does to birth new ideas, visit Barrenfruit.org or follow her on IG at @Diona.Nicole 💫

#GradGirlWellness #ReproductiveHealth #InfertilityAwareness #WellnessJourney

37. Thriving through Chronic Illness in Grad School

Sat, 01 Mar 2025 02:23:16 +0000

Let's talk! On this episode of the podcast, we sit down with health advocate and doctoral student Shay Webb who is currently pursuing a PhD in Health Science. As someone diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and Rheumatoid Arthritis, she uses her passion for health equity to fuel her research and work in the legislative policy space. On this episode, you'll learn about:

How and when to ask for accommodations
The importance of building community
How to manage advocacy work with pursuing a graduate work

To follow Shay's work you can subscribe to her newsletter "Webb of Diabetes", connect with her on LinkedIn, and follow on Instagram @shayd1t

36. So You Want To Be An Adjunct?

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 13:50:00 +0000

Have you ever considered adjuncting as a side hustle or as a way to getting teaching experience on your CV? If so, this podcast is for you. On episode 36, we chat with Dr. Mecca Terry the originator of the "From Grad School to Adjunct" masterclass, which she developed based on10 years of working in an adjunct position. You'll learn the following just by tuning in:

-How to leverage an adjunct position for future job prospects

-How to determine if an adjunct position is right for you

-Ways to begin your adjunct job search

-The importance of wellness while adjuncting

-How to be ok with being told "no"

Dr. Terry will be hosting her "From Grad School to Adjunct" masterclass on Wednesday, January 29 from 6-7:30 pm EST. Go to drmeccaterry.com to register!

Remember that admission for graduate students is FREE!

35. Dating in Grad School

Fri, 27 Dec 2024 17:43:11 +0000

While we wait for a graduate student edition of Pop the Balloon, here's our newest episode all about dating. Here, we chat with Dr. Dalesa Martinez Rueda (@docdalesa) who is a marriage and family therapist and owner of Inspired and Free (@inspiredandfreelife), an online therapy practice for children, adolescents, individuals, and groups in 10 states! Listen in for answers to the following questions:

How to not measure our journeys by societal expectations?
How to turn down the tendency to compare?
What work should you do prior to getting on the dating scene?
What are helpful resources you could rely on while dating in graduate school?

If you like what you hear, be sure to sign up for your free consultation at www.inspiredandfree.com!

34. Gift Giving on a Grad School Budget

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 11:09:09 +0000

This is a solo episode with Angela where she offers her five keys to gift giving as a graduate student.

On this episode, she not only tells you how to make the most of your limited grad school coins and where to look for deals, but she also takes the time to think through what it feels like to budget on a grad school stipend.

If you're on the market to buy something for yourself or a graduate student in your life, check out the GGW Etsy store which has lots of goodies--stickers, mugs, care packages and more!

33. The Postdoc Perspective

Sat, 05 Oct 2024 19:39:08 +0000

If you missed the live recording of the Postdoc Perspective webinar earlier this year, this is your chance to catch the playback. On this episode, you’ll hear from three postdocs, Dr. Angela (Education), Dr. Reka (Education) and Dr. Christine (Microbiology), as they discuss all things postdoc. Some of the topics they discuss include;

Why they chose a postdoc
How they knew their postdoc was a good fit
The best and worst parts of their positions
Ways to make additional money as a postdoc

If you’ve ever considered a postdoc or don’t even know what it is, this recorded session is certainly for you!

32. Standing on Business for Grad Students

Fri, 26 Jan 2024 17:00:00 +0000

In 2024, GGW is standing on business, and that's what our guest, Dr. Emmanuela Stanislaus, is all about. As a multi-passionate professional, serial entrepreneur, and daughter of immigrants, she leverages her depth of experiences as a consultant and coach for women of color in graduate school. In this episode you'll learn:

Advice for starting your own business
Determining when it's time to begin or end an entrepreneurial endeavor
How your research can inform your approach to business

Dr. Emmanuela offers great resources on her website (https://www.dremmanuelaconsulting.com), which includes sign up links for coaching/consulting, her Writing on my Mind podcast, and even her e-book "Taking Charge: A Career Guide for Graduate Students." Be sure to listen and start the year off on the right foot!

31. Community in Grad School and Beyond

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 12:46:16 +0000

On this episode of the GGW podcast, we chat with Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership and Founder of Black Womnyn Professoriate, Dr. Keneisha Harrington. As a key component of wellness, W\we talk all things community in grad school and on the tenure track. Some topics include:

Using graduate school to explore the types of wellness activities that work best for you
A wellness toolbox
Different ways and spaces to build community
The BE Well writing retreat (claim the remaining spot ASAP)

This episode is sure to be helpful for anyone looking for ways to build community but might be too scared to know where to start.

Connect with Dr. Harriington here:

Instagram: blackwomynprofessoriate

Twitter:@blackwomynprof

Website: www.blackwomynprofessoriate.com

30. Grad School Femtoring

Thu, 27 Oct 2022 13:23:32 +0000

Self care is important but we can't do it all on our own. This episode of the Grad Girl Wellness podcast features, Dra. Yvette Martínez-Vu, a first generation, Chicana, mother scholar and academic coach. She shares how her experiences as a graduate student inspired her to be a resource for first generation students of color as they navigate the graduate school application process and beyond! On this episode you'll hear:

The importance of finding the right type of mentor for you
Tips on how to find a femtor
Insight on Dra. Yvette's forthcoming co-authored book "The Grad School Femtoring Guide"

To learn more about Grad School Femtoring visit www.gradschoolfemtoring.com, @gradschoolfemtoring (IG & Facebook), @gradfemtoring (Twitter)

29. From PhD to Postdoc

Fri, 07 Oct 2022 01:49:56 +0000

On this special Wellness Reset edition of the Grad Girl Wellness podcast, we sit down with Dr. Jennifer Bourgeois who will be a featured panelist and the yoga instructor for the retreat happening October 8 at 12 pm EST. Dr. Bourgeois is a "Pandemic PhD" who earned her doctorate in Administration of Justice in 2021. She is currently a professor, postdoctoral fellow and yoga instructor. Through her work with Pages & Poses LLC., she melds her passions for wellness and supporting individuals impacted by the criminal legal system. On this episode we discuss:

The parallels between a wellness and academic journey
The difference between being a PhD student and a postdoc
Gaining real-world experience prior to pursuing a PhD

To find out more about Dr. Bourgeois you can follow her on Instagram @jennwith2ns_yogi and on her website www.pagesandposes.com

28. A Grad Romance Pt. 2

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 01:04:18 +0000

What happens when dissertation writing and romance collide? On this episode of the Grad Girl Wellness podcast, we continue our conversation about romantic relationships. Wynta, our featured guest, is currently a first year PhD student in clinical psychology but has been known to wear many hats as a researcher, lecturer and, stress coach. Some key points she shares about relationships as a grad student include:

Time management while in a relationship
Co-habitation and working from home during the pandemic
The emotional impact of a breakup while trying to finish your degree

Wynta's transparency on this episode is truly invaluable for anyone listening no matter their relationship status. Feel free to give her a follow on Instagram at @wyntaworthwhile

27. A Grad Romance

Thu, 21 Jul 2022 22:10:34 +0000

Love is in the air. On this episode, we talk to Dr. Christina, a recently minted PhD in American studies. She shares her reflections and authentic advice on what it's like to date while in graduate school. Some of the topics we cover include:

identifying the place of romantic relationships in our life and how the prioritization of relationships changes throughout grad school
the pros and cons of dating someone who is also a student
the importance of therapy in helping you to conceptualize how to date and why you approach dating the way you do
grieving while also attending to academic commitments

All in all, this episode is a reminder for folks to seriously consider therapy as a way to help you make sense of your dating approach. Dr. Christina suggests the directory provided by therapyforblackgirls.com to help you find a provider.

To stay connected, you can find Dr. Christina at csessoms3 on Instagram and Christina Sessoms on Linked In

26. The Mindful Phd Journal

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 22:00:00 +0000

Add this to your book list! Danielle, a Second year PhD Student in Microbiology and Immunology, created an interactive mindfulness journal for students! The Mindful PhD journal was reviewed by licensed therapists, and is filled with reflective prompts, peer reviewed literature, meditations, quotes, and affirmations.

On the show, Danielle talks about how her postbacc prepared her for prioritizing wellness during the PhD, and why she is inspired to change the culture of academia by prioritizing wellness on a structural level. She goes in depth on:

the importance of 'grad'itude
how to practice micro moments of mindfulness
how to use the journal throughout grad school

The Mindful PhD journal was birthed from a desire to help students develop: 1) their “why” and 2) a wellness toolkit. In spite of the name, the journal can be useful for not just PhD students but also those in Master’s and professional programs. To purchase the journal for only $24, go to www.infinitegraditude.com. You can find out more about Danielle at dani.renee_(instagram) and dani_renee_ (Twitter).

25. The Body Keeps the Score

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 17:40:00 +0000

In a recent Instagram poll of the GGW community, 93% of 120 respondents shared that their health had been negatively impacted while in grad school. This was prompted by a highly popular post by @becomingadoctora, a soon to be PhD in school psychology who developed a number of physical health issues including migraines and carpal tunnel syndrome all while pursuing graduate studies.

On this episode we discuss:

The interconnection between physical and mental health
Going to therapy
Being mindful of reoccurring symptoms
Changing your mindset around what you have time for
How to crate healthy habits throughout the duration of grad school

In short, this episode is a PSA to schedule your doctor appointments the same way that you schedule school assignments.

#gradlife #phdlife #phd #phdstudent #gradschoolstudent #gradschool #phd #graduateschool #phdlife #gradstudent #phdstudent #gradschoollife #gradschoolproblems #graduatestudent #academiclife #phdjourney #thesis #gradlife #doctorate #masters #mastersdegree #academia #phdproblems #doctoralstudent #gradgirlwellness #collegepodcast #gradschoolpodcast #podcast ⁠#dissertationlife #dissertation #dissertationproblems #thesiswriting #thesiswritinginprogress

24. Dissertation Questions Answered

Fri, 13 May 2022 14:13:12 +0000

This episode is a long awaited response to the top 5 questions I received about writing a dissertation. After this very long 2 year process, I can finally take a step back to talk about the highs and lows of dissertation writing. The reflections I share are also applicable to folks working on a thesis or a capstone. On this episode, I cover the following questions with one bonus!

What was my writing process?
What is a realistic timeline?
What setbacks did you encounter?
How can a first year student prepare themselves for the dissertation writing experience?
What are the things that no one warned you about?

Also, be on the look out for upcoming information about this year’s 30 miles in 30 day challenge. This year will be even better with prizes, a private community and even an in person meet up!

23. Grief in Grad School

Fri, 11 Feb 2022 17:00:00 +0000

On this episode, we talk with Cydnee aka @naturallyclarke, a third year doctoral candidate in Global Leadership and Change, about grief in graduate school. This is a topic many of us have experienced but for which there is little data. While there are studies about the experiences of undergraduates, there is scarce information about graduate students as a whole and even less about underrepresented groups within the grad student population.

On this episode, we discuss:

-What we want from institutions

-What we can do as graduate students to support one another.

-Tips on how to advocate for yourself to your institutions

22. Grad Student Style

Thu, 13 Jan 2022 17:00:00 +0000

Have you been thinking about how to revamp your wardrobe for the new year? If so, this episode with Tiffany, a recent PhD in Education and the founder of Policy and Fashion, is just right for you!

On this episode we cover:

The importance of image as a student and instructor
Shopping basics while on a grad student budget
How to determine your individual style

Head over to policy and fashion to download Tiffany's 'Wardrobe Checklist'. She will soon be offering style consultations, so reach out to ensure that your headshots, graduation photos, etc. represent you properly.

Contact:

IG: Policyandfashion

Website: www.policyandfashion.com

Email: policyandfashion@gmail.com

21. Sustainable Productivity

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 18:47:31 +0000

Need to change your approach to writing? On this latest installment of the Grad Girl Wellness podcast, we sit down with the founder and owner of The Dissertation Coach, Dr. Alison Miller, along with a fellow dissertation consultant, Dr. Rowena Robles to talk about sustainable productivity in the lives of grad students.

Writing long texts can feel like being in a constant state of uncertainty, which is why Alison and Rowena use the concept of sustainable productivity to help us sooth our nervous systems and produce work that we can truly honor. Listen to this if you want to learn more about:

4 step process of sustainable productivity
The role of faith in writing
How to break down the dissertation into manageable tasks

Doing this alone can be daunting, which is why The Academic Writers' Space (TAWS) exists. TAWS is a virtual co-working community based on kindness and accountability. The first week is free! Find out more about the Dissertation Coach and TAWS at www.thedissertationcoach.com

20. The Art of Journaling

Tue, 16 Nov 2021 15:36:39 +0000

Have you been thinking about incorporating journaling into your wellness practice but don’t know where to start? If so, this episode is for you. We talk with Rikhi, a Singaporean-Indian international "covid graduate student" pursuing an MA in Aerospace Engineering. On the show, she talks about how meditation and putting pen to paper has helped change her relationship to academic work and improved her overall quality of life.

Listen for tips:

-How to adapt journal prompts to your life

-Suggestions on different journaling methods like: gratitude, manifestation, future self, the Mimi method, 5 minute journal, etc.

-Where to buy journals

Rikhi’s Blog Post on Morning Routine: https://www.a-balancing-act.com/single-post/2020-master-list-on-maintaining-perspective

Contact Rikhi at:

IG:Rikhiroy

Blog: A-balancing-act.com

Website: Rikhiroy.com

19. Being a Gradpreneur

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 13:00:00 +0000

Have you ever considered starting a business in graduate school? If so, then this episode is for you. Danielle is a 6th year PhD student and co-founder of Lil Labmates, an environmentally sustainable company that produces stem themed developmental baby toys. On this episode we talk about how childbirth and the pandemic gave her the inspiration, the parallels between grad school (ie. You will fail and you will learn; seeking out support) and also about how knowing yourself and your triggers will be an asset to you as you embark on the entrepreneurship journey.

We address all of these questions and more:

Why is starting a business in grad school opportune?

What does self-care have to do with it?

What to do when you fail?

Find out more by visiting www.lillabmates.com and Instagram and TikTok @Lil_Labmates

18. Boundaries with Professors

Tue, 17 Aug 2021 18:01:12 +0000

Let’s normalize saying “no” to professors. This is the quote that got a lot of the Grad Girl Wellness community members talking, so we brought in Dr. Deborah of Your Postgrad Buddies to chat about her experiences with wellness and establishing boundaries with professors. She provides insights from her time as a student and now as a lecturer.

•

Some major talking points include:

-Cultural considerations

-Bringing receipts

-Considering compromise

-Determining what you are willing to sacrifice

•

If you are struggling with how to approach a professor/advisor, this is definitely the podcast episode for you. Find out more about Dr. Deborah at IG: @yourpostgradbuddies and/or email her using yourpostgradbuddies@gmail.com

17. Feeling Like an Imposter?

Mon, 26 Jul 2021 14:35:54 +0000

Feeling like an imposter? You're not alone. Imposter syndrome is something that a lot of students experience, On this episode, we speak with Kene a second year Masters in Public Helath student studying health policy and management. She shares her experiences with imposter syndrome particularly how it showed up while taking classes in a remote environment and with students at various levels in their academic career. Kene gives us great tips on how community, journaling and focusing on the facts can all be utilized to help us manage feelings of inadequacy when they arise.

Find out more about Kene and all the great work she's doing on Instagram @pennekene

16. Dance as Therapy

Sun, 27 Jun 2021 00:01:24 +0000

Did you know that dancing it out could be therapeutic? On this episode of the GGW podcast, we talk to Ambrie of @ambrie_creative who is a grad student working towards licensure in Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) and professional counseling. She gives us the basics of DMT, its benefits and how graduate students can realistically incorporate it into their wellness practice.

•

Ambrie is passionate about collaboration and intentional about creating more space to talk about mental health in the Latinx community. Feel free to reach out to her on IG/ Tiktok (ambrie_creative) or via email( ambriecreative@gmail.com)!

15. Doctoral Mom Inc.

Tue, 08 Jun 2021 15:00:00 +0000

On this episode, we talk to Brittne, a recently minted PhD, proud mother of 3, and founder of Doctoral Mom Incorporated. Her organization was birthed out of her own experiences in grad school and now supports over 3,800 Doctoral Moms around the world providing a vibrant community and even scholarships.

We touch on a range of topics including: the importance of having understanding faculty, addressing the stigma against having children in grad school and how to effectively ask for help.

Find out more information here:

Website: https://www.doctoralmom.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctoralmom/

14. Nailed It

Mon, 24 May 2021 16:40:00 +0000

This is the beauty episode you’ve been waiting for! On this edition of the podcast, we talk to Sharana aka “The Manicured Scientist,” a recent graduate with her M.S. in Forensic Toxicology who blends her love for forensic science and beauty. She is redefining what a scientist looks like one manicure at a time. Sharana talks about the benefits of working in between undergrad and grad school and how those years provided useful skills for prioritizing her self care. As our resident beauty expert, she breaks down the science of nail care and gives us some great tips on how to have fly nails on a grad school budget.

Some of her must haves include: Practice, Nail File (glass), Quality Base Coat, Nail Oil, Nail Polish Thinner

She also recommends some great brands to check out including:

Zoya Nail Polish (zoyanailpolish)

Triple O Nail Polish (ooopolish)

You can follow Sharana through these accounts:

IG: @Sharanadarcel

YouTube: Sharana Darcel

Website: www.sharanadarcel.com

13. Black Mom PhD

Tue, 11 May 2021 23:46:00 +0000

On this episode, we talk to Brittny, a fifth year doctoral candidate in Health Studies and creator of Black Mom PhD. She shares her experiences in grad school and what it's like taking on a number of new roles one of which included becoming a mother. ⁠

In the spirit of community, Brittny graciously answers listener questions including: When is the best time to to have a child? How do you find time for sleep? Is it reasonable to work full time and be a mother in a PhD program? ⁠

There truly is something for everyone on this episode! For those who are looking for community with other moms in grad school or are just interested in knowing more about what the experience is like, be sure to follow her page!⁠

12. Weight Room Reflections

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 13:53:58 +0000

On this episode of the GGW Podcast, we talk to Breyonnah, a first year doctor of health student studying the maternal mortality rates of Black women. She shares how her early familial influences lead her to use working out as an outlet and how it is sustaining her as a graduate student. Breyonnah also provides tips on time management, finding a trainer and building a community through weightlifting.

•⁠

She has a body building competition coming up soon, so send all positive vibes her way!

•⁠

Use the code "GRADGIRL" for a discount to attend Career Day hosted by @thefinancialdiet on May 15th!

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#gradschoolbound #gradlife #phdlife #phd #phdstudent #gradschoolstudent #gradschool #phd #graduateschool #phdlife #gradstudent #phdstudent #gradschoollife #dissertation #gradschoolproblems #graduatestudent #academiclife #phdjourney #thesis #gradlife #doctorate #masters #mastersdegree #academia #phdproblems #doctoralstudent #gradgirlwellness #collegepodcast #gradschoolpodcast #podcast ⁠

11. Creative Community

Mon, 19 Apr 2021 16:00:00 +0000

Calling all creatives! In this episode, I sit down with Amira who is a Scotland-based PhD student studying sustainable fashion. We talk about her evolving relationship with self-care, her passion for art and how the pandemic led her to create a signature event called "Create and Sip" to bring together creatives of all types for community and conversation. To find out more about Amira and her event, you can find her on Instagram @amiramonaie and at

sustain-table.com!

10. Good Reads

Mon, 29 Mar 2021 16:00:00 +0000

On this episode, we talk to Chinenye, a second year PhD student in Electrical Engineering who has a passion for reading and physical fitness. She shares with us how she rediscovered her love of reading after a difficult semester and how it helped her to build a sense of community with others. Tune in for some great book recommendations and to learn about why reading is an ideal way to practice self care in the midst of a hectic semester. Find out more about Chinenye's favorites by following @phd.wchin and checking out the "Reads" highlight.

9. Right on Time

Thu, 04 Mar 2021 15:06:47 +0000

On this episode we talk to Shanice about how to get our mindset right when it comes to time. We cover topics ranging from time management, creating effective systems and unpacking what we really mean when we say that we don’t have any time to spare. As a graduate student, instructor, wife and mother, Shanice draws upon a wealth of experiences and to help us make the most of our time in ways that prioritize care and creativity.

To connect with Shanice, you can find her on IG, Facebook and on her website at Her Guided Evolution.

Find out more about the "Wellness Reset" on March 13th, 2021 by visiting: https://www.blkingradschool.com/wellness

8. Practicing Grace. Practicing Yoga

Fri, 12 Feb 2021 17:00:00 +0000

On this episode of the Grad Girl Wellness podcast, we talk to Autumn who is a recent PhD and a certified yoga teacher (RYT200). She shares her experience of how practicing yoga helped her to move through her grad program with intention. She also ends by offering advice to listeners who are interested in starting their own yoga journey but aren't sure how.

To connect, you can find Autumn as 1/2 of the @readblackademia podcast, on Instagram at @Autumnadia4, on Twitter @AutumnAdia and on Etsy at AdiaDesignStudio.

7. The Build

Fri, 29 Jan 2021 17:00:00 +0000

On this episode of the GGW podcast, we talk to Emily “The Fit Foodie” who shares what it’s like pursuing her PhD and being a competitive body builder. Emily shares the benefits bodybuilding has had on her academic career, tips for finding a coach and gives us lots of advice for staying fit on a budget. You can find her on Instagram at emily_thefitfoodie.

6. The Motivation to Move

Wed, 13 Jan 2021 17:00:00 +0000

On this episode, we talk to Dr. Assita Diallo who is a recent PhD in Physical Therapy and a personal trainer. She shares how the healthy habits she’d established in high school got derailed while pursuing her BS and PhD. This experience compelled her to prioritize wellness in a new way, and it completely changed her graduate school experience. We end the show by talking through some common questions grad students have regarding making time, staying motivated, finding affordable resources and much more. If you’re slipping on your New Year’s resolutions to prioritize physical fitness, this is the episode you.

Find out more about Dr. Diallo’s work here:

Email: trainwithdrdiallo@gmail.com / Instagram: @trainwithdrdiallo

5. What are you proud of?

Tue, 29 Dec 2020 23:54:24 +0000

As Fall 2020 comes to a close, Angela talks through one of her end of semester reflections: What are you proud of? Tune in for 5 things that she managed to accomplish during this monumental semester and hear about what's to come in the new year.

4. Counseled on Community

Sat, 21 Nov 2020 17:00:00 +0000

On this episode, I talk with Alice who provides a unique perspective on mental health in graduate school as a both a practitioner and a 2nd year PhD student in an online program. She shares her own self care experience, tips on building community and walks us through how to find a counselor/therapist that works for you.

Connect with Alice here: akostherapy (instagram) info@centeringwholeness.com (email)

3. Your Best Investment

Tue, 03 Nov 2020 04:07:22 +0000

In this episode, I talk to Ariana, a third year PhD student in Bioengineering, who reminds us that investing in ourselves is always worth it. Ariana knows first hand that practicing wellness in graduate school is not easy, which is why she started a coaching program for women in STEM to provide them with the support they need but often don't get. Listen to find out how investing in herself allowed her to invest in others.

2. Finding the Pieces

Fri, 09 Oct 2020 18:00:00 +0000

In this episode, I talk with doctoral candidate Juanita Tookes about her own wellness experience in grad school and her research as a scholar who studies "the Strong Black Woman Schema and its negative impact on Wellness for Black women in college." She reminds us that getting "lost" in your work, or any major life transition for that matter, is not uncommon, but rather, it is the grace and space that we allow ourselves to be "found" that makes all the difference.

1. How'd we get here?

Sat, 29 Aug 2020 14:51:31 +0000

In this introductory episode, Angela, the founder of Grad Girl Wellness (GGW) takes you on a brief but detailed journey to explain how her own struggles in graduate school prompted her to create a space for prioritizing wellness while pursuing higher education. She shares how the GGW brand evolved over the last few years and where she hopes to take the podcast in the future. Enjoy!