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

A podcast on thriving in graduate school for first-generation BIPOC students, offering insights on academic success, career development, mental health, and navigating diversity and inclusion in higher education.

The Signal Award-winning Grad School Femtoring Podcast provides first-generation BIPOC students and professionals with conversations about graduate school and growth to help you sustainably achieve your goals.  I’m your host, Dra. Yvette Martinez-Vu, a first-gen Chicana, mama, neurodivergent, and chronically ill grad school and productivity coach, consultant, author and speaker. For over fifteen years I’ve been empowering first-gen students of color along their personal and professional journeys, and I’m really excited to support you too. Listen every Friday to solo and guest episodes where you’ll be listening in on inclusive grad school stories. You'll also learn more about grad school and academic success, career and professional development, personal development and mindset, productivity and time management, social justice and community building, wellbeing and mental health, money and financial literacy, first-gen student of color experiences, and more!  This podcast is a proud member of the Genuina Media network. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and share this resource with a friend.

  1. 6d ago

    381: How to Build a Flexible Note-Taking System for Academic Reading

    In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I show you how to build a flexible note-taking system that helps you read more strategically, retain information more effectively, and reduce cognitive overload. This episode is for students, academics, and professionals who may feel overwhelmed by academic reading, struggle to remember what they read, or find themselves rereading the same articles because their current system isn't working for them. I explain why note-taking should function as an external memory system rather than a record of everything you've read. I discuss how to create a centralized and sustainable system that supports your current capacity, introduce multimodal approaches for reading and annotating academic literature, and encourage you to design a process that works with your learning style, energy, and long-term goals. In this episode, you will learn: How to build a note-taking system that reduces cognitive load and improves information retrieval. Why centralized, consistent notes make qualifying exams, dissertations, and research or writing projects more manageable. How to create a customized reading template that captures the information most relevant to your work. Ways to adapt your reading and note-taking process using multimodal and accessibility-friendly strategies. How to design a flexible system that reflects your current capacity and circumstances. Work with me If you're looking for personalized support with building sustainable work systems, I'd love to support you through one-on-one coaching. Learn more at https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/coaching/ Free resource Download your Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/kit/ Explore more Listen to more episodes on Sustainable Productivity Strategies: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/podcast_catergory/sustainable-productivity-strategies/ Support the podcast with a one-time or monthly donation: https://donate.stripe.com/bJedR8dGRcs6ewGdwq38401 Access transcripts and additional resources: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/podcast/ Audio and transcript edited by Yessi Sanchez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yessisanchez/ This podcast is a proud member of the Genuina Media network. The Grad School Femtoring Podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or other professional services. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    381: How to Build a Flexible Note-Taking System for Academic Reading

  2. Jul 10

    380: Why You’re Stuck: Identifying the Hidden Bottleneck Blocking Your Progress

    In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I explore why so many of us feel stuck even when we're working incredibly hard toward our goals. If you've ever assumed that you simply need to try harder, better time management, or another productivity tool, this episode is for you. Drawing from patterns I've observed through coaching grad students, working professionals, and career changers, I explain how identifying the real bottleneck in your work can help you make meaningful progress with greater clarity and less frustration. I introduce the concept of bottlenecks and apply it to common challenges in graduate school, career transitions, and professional development. I walk through five hidden constraints that frequently emerge in my coaching conversations. Throughout the episode, I encourage you to shift your attention from treating symptoms to addressing root causes so you can make more sustainable progress toward the goals that matter most. In this episode, you will learn: How to identify the hidden bottleneck that is slowing your progress instead of treating surface-level symptoms. Why working harder or becoming more organized may not solve the real problem. How five common bottlenecks show up in graduate school, career transitions, and professional life. How cognitive offloading and external systems can reduce mental load and free up working memory. Why aligning your most demanding work with your highest energy can improve sustainable productivity. Work with me If you're navigating graduate school, a dissertation, or a major career transition, personalized coaching can help you identify your bottlenecks, build sustainable systems, and make consistent progress toward your goals. Learn more about 1:1 coaching: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/coaching/ Free resource Download your Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/kit/ Explore more Listen to more episodes on Sustainable Productivity Strategies: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/podcast_catergory/sustainable-productivity-strategies/ Support the podcast with a one-time or monthly donation: https://donate.stripe.com/bJedR8dGRcs6ewGdwq38401 Access transcripts and additional resources: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/podcast/ Audio and transcript edited by Yessi Sanchez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yessisanchez/ This podcast is a proud member of the Genuina Media network. The Grad School Femtoring Podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or other professional services. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    380: Why You’re Stuck: Identifying the Hidden Bottleneck Blocking Your Progress

  3. Jul 3

    379: Building a Meaningful Life Through Uncertainty: Lessons from Disability Culture

    In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I reflect on what disability culture has taught me about building a meaningful life through uncertainty while navigating one of the most difficult seasons my family has experienced. Drawing from my lived experience as a parent, caregiver, coach, and someone with chronic illnesses and neurodivergence, I explore how disability culture offers powerful ways of thinking about grief, adaptation, accessibility, interdependence, and self-determination. Whether you're navigating graduate school, a demanding career, caregiving, burnout, chronic illness, or another major life transition, this episode invites you to reconsider how you respond to uncertainty with greater compassion. Throughout this episode, I share reflections inspired by disability culture and the ways it has reshaped my understanding of identity, productivity, and what it means to build a meaningful life alongside changing circumstances. I discuss how grief and joy can coexist, why acceptance creates space for adaptation, and how accessibility and interdependence can help us participate more fully in our work and lives. I also explore how these ideas can support graduate students and professionals seeking more sustainable ways to pursue their goals while honoring their current reality. In this episode, you will learn: How disability culture offers a different framework for navigating uncertainty and life transitions. Why grief and joy can coexist and what that means for personal growth. How acceptance and adaptation can support sustainable progress without abandoning meaningful goals. What accessibility and interdependence can teach us about participating more fully in work, school, and everyday life. How to align your goals with your current energy, capacity, and circumstances to build a more sustainable future. Work with me If you're navigating graduate school, a career transition, leadership, burnout, or another major life change, personalized coaching can help you build sustainable systems that align with your goals and capacity. Learn more at: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/coaching/ Free resource Download your Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/kit/ Explore more Listen to more episodes on Disability and Neurodivergence: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/podcast_catergory/disability-and-neurodivergence/ Support the podcast with a one-time or monthly donation: https://donate.stripe.com/bJedR8dGRcs6ewGdwq38401 Access transcripts and additional resources: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/podcast/ Audio and transcript edited by Yessi Sanchez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yessisanchez/ This podcast is a proud member of the Genuina Media network. The Grad School Femtoring Podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or other professional services. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    379: Building a Meaningful Life Through Uncertainty: Lessons from Disability Culture

  4. Jun 26

    378: Compassionate Accountability for Academics and Creatives with Camila Lacques-Zapien

    In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I sit down with my friend returning guest Camila Lacques-Zapién, a coach who supports academics, creatives, professionals, and leaders. Together, we explore what compassionate accountability really means and why so many first-generation, BIPOC, and community-centered individuals have learned to associate accountability with pressure, shame, or overwork instead of care and self-trust. Drawing from our coaching experiences, we discuss how creating supportive and relational spaces can help people reconnect with their values, honor their capacity, and reach their goals more sustainably. Throughout our conversation, we examine how accountability can be rooted in consent, self-awareness, and compassion rather than external expectations. We discuss common barriers that keep people feeling stuck, including burnout, fear, guilt, shame, and limited capacity, while also exploring how coaching creates space for reflection, creativity, and more grounded decision-making. Whether you're navigating graduate school, building a creative practice, leading others, or pursuing your next professional goal, this episode offers a framework for moving forward in a way that honors both your humanity and your aspirations. In this episode, you will learn: How to redefine accountability as a practice grounded in consent, self-trust, and compassion. Why separating your identity from your work can reduce shame and increase clarity. How to identify the underlying reasons you feel stuck before trying to push through. Why honoring your capacity can strengthen long-term progress and follow-through. How coaching creates space to reflect, build self-trust, and make values-aligned decisions. Work with me If you're looking for personalized support and sustainable strategies to help you navigate graduate school, your career, or a major project, I'd love to support you through coaching: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/coaching/ Connect with today's guest Camila Lacques-Zapién’s website: https://alacamila.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ala__camila/ Free resource Download your Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/kit/ Explore more Listen to more episodes on Sustainable Productivity Strategies: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/podcast_catergory/sustainable-productivity-strategies/ Support the podcast with a one-time or monthly donation: https://donate.stripe.com/bJedR8dGRcs6ewGdwq38401 Access transcripts and additional resources: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/podcast/ Audio and transcript edited by Yessi Sanchez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yessisanchez/ This podcast is a proud member of the Genuina Media network. The Grad School Femtoring Podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or other professional services. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    378: Compassionate Accountability for Academics and Creatives with Camila Lacques-Zapien

  5. Jun 19

    377: Graduate PLUS Loans Are Ending: What You Need to Know Before Accepting an Offer

    In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I discuss one of the most significant recent changes to graduate education financing: the end of Graduate PLUS loans and what this means for prospective and current graduate students. Drawing from years of experience supporting first-generation and BIPOC students through graduate admissions and funding decisions, I explain how this policy change may affect master's, PhD, and professional degree students and why understanding the true cost of graduate school matters now more than ever. I walk you through several funding scenarios, clarify common misconceptions about grad school loans, and share the questions every student should ask before accepting an offer of admission. Throughout the episode, I highlight the hidden curriculum of graduate school financing and offer practical strategies to help you make informed decisions about borrowing, funding gaps, and long-term financial planning. In this episode, you will learn: How the elimination of Graduate PLUS loans may affect master's, PhD, and professional degree students Why graduate student loans are typically unsubsidized and how interest accrual works How to calculate the full cost of attendance beyond tuition alone What funding gaps to identify before committing to a graduate program Which questions to ask financial aid offices about funding, loan disbursement, and support programs How to compare graduate school offers with greater financial clarity and confidence Work with me If you're applying to graduate school and want support evaluating funding offers, understanding financial aid packages, or making informed admissions decisions, learn more about my graduate admissions consulting services at https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/consulting Free resource Download your Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/kit/ Explore more Listen to more episodes on Financial Literacy and Grad Funding: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/podcast_catergory/financial-literacy-and-grad-funding/ Support the podcast with a one-time or monthly donation: https://donate.stripe.com/bJedR8dGRcs6ewGdwq38401 Access transcripts and additional resources: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/podcast/ Audio and transcript edited by Yessi Sanchez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yessisanchez/ This podcast is a proud member of the Genuina Media network. The Grad School Femtoring Podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or other professional services. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    377: Graduate PLUS Loans Are Ending: What You Need to Know Before Accepting an Offer

  6. Jun 12

    376: What 100K Downloads Taught Me About Consistency, Success, and Hard Seasons

    In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I reflect on reaching 100K podcast downloads during one of the hardest seasons of my life as a parent and what that unexpected milestone taught me about consistency, progress, and success. Through my own lived experience and the patterns I see in coaching first-generation, BIPOC, and historically excluded students and professionals, I explore why many of us have inherited definitions of consistency that create unnecessary shame and make it harder to stay connected to our goals. I discuss why consistency is better understood as a relationship rather than a streak, how adaptation and flexible systems support long-term sustainability, and why purpose matters when external outcomes are slow or uncertain. I also share practical strategies rooted in capacity-based planning, maintenance goals, and reconnection so you can make meaningful progress while honoring the realities of changing seasons, competing responsibilities, and limited capacity. In this episode, you will learn: How to redefine consistency beyond streaks and rigid expectations Why adaptation and flexible systems support long-term sustainable success How to practice capacity-based planning based on your current energy and responsibilities Why maintenance is a meaningful form of progress during difficult seasons How to measure consistency by your willingness to reconnect with what matters Practical ways to stay connected to writing, career, health, and/or personal goals across changing levels of capacity Work with me If you're navigating a major milestone or trying to build sustainable systems that align with your capacity and long-term goals, I'd love to support you through one-on-one coaching. Learn more here: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/coaching/ Free resource Download your Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/kit/ Explore more Listen to more episodes on Sustainable Productivity Strategies: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/podcast_catergory/sustainable-productivity-strategies/ Support the podcast with a one-time or monthly donation: https://donate.stripe.com/bJedR8dGRcs6ewGdwq38401 Access transcripts and additional resources: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/podcast/ Audio and transcript edited by Yessi Sanchez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yessisanchez/ This podcast is a proud member of the Genuina Media network. The Grad School Femtoring Podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or other professional services. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    376: What 100K Downloads Taught Me About Consistency, Success, and Hard Seasons

  7. Jun 5

    375: What Sustainable Productivity Looks Like During High-Stress Seasons

    In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I offer a more personal take on what sustainable productivity can look like during high-stress seasons. Drawing from my own experience navigating ongoing medical challenges within my family, I explore how stress, caregiving responsibilities, uncertainty, and limited capacity can affect our ability to function day to day. I discuss why chronic stress can make executive functioning more difficult, how to identify what is essential during challenging periods, and ways to reduce cognitive load without sacrificing your long-term wellbeing. I also share practical strategies for adjusting expectations, creating support systems, and approaching productivity with greater compassion so that you can sustain yourself through difficult seasons. In this episode, you will learn: How chronic stress can affect planning, prioritization, decision-making, and emotional regulation Why sustainable productivity during difficult seasons requires discernment and adaptation How to identify what is essential and let go of nonessential commitments Practical ways to reduce cognitive load through simplification, systems, and support How to create a minimum viable week that aligns with your current capacity Questions to use during weekly capacity check-ins to adjust expectations and prevent burnout Work with me If you're navigating a major academic, professional, or life transition and want compassionate accountability, structure, and support, I invite you to explore one-on-one coaching: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/coaching/ Free resource Download your Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/kit/ Explore more Listen to more episodes on Sustainable Productivity Strategies: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/podcast_catergory/sustainable-productivity-strategies/ Support the podcast with a one-time or monthly donation: https://donate.stripe.com/bJedR8dGRcs6ewGdwq38401 Access transcripts and additional resources: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/podcast/ Audio and transcript edited by Yessi Sanchez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yessisanchez/ This podcast is a proud member of the Genuina Media network. The Grad School Femtoring Podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or other professional services. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    375: What Sustainable Productivity Looks Like During High-Stress Seasons

  8. May 29

    374: Writing Authentically and Choosing an Aligned Career Path in Academia with Dr. Leslie Wang

    In this episode of the The Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I talk with Dr. Leslie Wang about writing authentically, values misalignment in academia, and choosing a career path that feels aligned with your long-term wellbeing. This episode is for anyone who feels exhausted by the pressure to constantly perform, produce, and prove themselves while questioning whether their current path still reflects who they are and how they want to live. We explore how academia, like many professional spaces, can shape people into prioritizing external validation over internal alignment, and how signs like dread, resentment, perfectionism, burnout, and comparison often point toward deeper values misalignment. Dr. Wang shares how she transitioned from a tenured professor to a coach supporting scholars with writing, publishing, and career decisions rooted in values-alignment. We also discuss how graduate students can approach career exploration more intentionally, how to identify your internal compass, and how to write for real readers instead of only writing for gatekeepers. In this episode, you will learn: How to identify early signs of values misalignment in academia Why external achievement alone often does not create long-term fulfillment How core values can guide career decisions and sustainable work practices Ways to approach writing more authentically while maintaining scholarly rigor How to identify an ideal reader beyond your dissertation committee or reviewers Why graduate students benefit from considering multiple career paths instead of defaulting to the tenure track Work with me If your institution, organization, or team is looking for workshops on sustainable productivity, executive functioning, leadership development, or culturally responsive student support, learn more here: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/speaking/ Learn more about my coaching services for graduate students and professionals: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/coaching/ Connect with Dr. Leslie Wang Your Words Unleashed: https://yourwordsunleashed.com Dr. Wang on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-k-wang-phd-a813227/ Free resource Download your Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/kit/ Explore more Listen to more episodes on Personal Development and Mindset: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/podcast_catergory/personal-development-and-mindset/ Support the podcast with a one-time or monthly donation: https://donate.stripe.com/bJedR8dGRcs6ewGdwq38401 Access transcripts and additional resources: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/podcast/ Audio and transcript edited by Yessi Sanchez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yessisanchez/ This podcast is a proud member of the Genuina Media network. The Grad School Femtoring Podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or other professional services. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    374: Writing Authentically and Choosing an Aligned Career Path in Academia with Dr. Leslie Wang
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5
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64 Ratings

About

The Signal Award-winning Grad School Femtoring Podcast provides first-generation BIPOC students and professionals with conversations about graduate school and growth to help you sustainably achieve your goals.  I’m your host, Dra. Yvette Martinez-Vu, a first-gen Chicana, mama, neurodivergent, and chronically ill grad school and productivity coach, consultant, author and speaker. For over fifteen years I’ve been empowering first-gen students of color along their personal and professional journeys, and I’m really excited to support you too. Listen every Friday to solo and guest episodes where you’ll be listening in on inclusive grad school stories. You'll also learn more about grad school and academic success, career and professional development, personal development and mindset, productivity and time management, social justice and community building, wellbeing and mental health, money and financial literacy, first-gen student of color experiences, and more!  This podcast is a proud member of the Genuina Media network. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and share this resource with a friend.

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