Moms, Mats and Manuscripts

Ksenia Volkova Tomaz
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Moms, Mats and Manuscripts is a podcast hosted by Ksenia Volkova Tomaz, a former molecular biologist, yoga teacher and mindset coach for scientists, and mom. This is a space for honest, unpolished conversations about the parts of academia and ambition we don’t talk about enough. Here, we explore the mental and emotional load of being a young scientist or high-achieving woman: the pressure to constantly produce, the identity crises, the inner critic, the fear of slowing down, the guilt around rest, the invisible labour of motherhood, and the messy process of redefining success on your own terms. I share personal stories, science-backed insights, and yoga-psychology tools to help you navigate burnout, self-worth, boundaries, and the overwhelming push to “do more.” Think of this space as a friend's couch, where you can have a cup of coffee, relax, exhale and be seen.

  1. 6D AGO

    E46 - Due dates & deadlines: pregnancy in the last year of a PhD and figuring out who you are after (with Dr Katerina Danezi)

    In this episode of Moms, Mats, and Manuscripts, I sit down with my friend Katerina Danezi. Katerina finished her PhD with a baby on her hip, literally. She wrote 330 pages of her thesis in mere weeks, eight months postpartum, while breastfeeding and running on almost no sleep. In this episode, we talk about what it actually looks like to navigate pregnancy in the last year of a PhD: the lab politics, the guilt, the colleagues, the supervisor, and everything in between. We also get into the part nobody really prepares you for - the job search after. The identity loss, the depression of feeling like "just a mom," and what it took to find her footing again professionally and personally. If you're somewhere in your PhD with a positive pregnancy test, or you're postpartum and wondering who you even are now, this one's for you. __________ Connect with Katerina:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danezik/ __________ Support the show Let's hang out! 🎙️ Follow Moms, Mats, and Manuscripts for more conversations on academia, motherhood, and mindful living. And if this episode sparked something in you, don't forget to like and share the podcast so that more people can join our coffee-fueled chats!  I'd also love to hear your thoughts and questions, and if you have ideas for future episodes, drop me a line.  We're also on Instagram: @moms.mats.manuscripts @shantiscience_yoga Reach out: moms.mats.manuscripts@gmail.com

    1h 22m

  2. APR 28

    E45 - Not lost - becoming: matrescence, postpartum recovery, and radical rest (with Munirah Razak)

    After an emotionally challenging birth and a postpartum recovery marked by chronic pain, relationship breakdown, and identity crisis, my guest Munirah Razak, a yoga teacher, postpartum massage therapist, and matrescence coach, found her footing. Now she helps other mothers do the same. In this conversation, we explored matrescence - the profound, multi-dimensional transformation of becoming a mother, and why most of us are navigating it without a map, a village, or even a word for what we're going through. We talked about radical rest as a path back to yourself, the myth of bouncing back, the identity earthquake of early motherhood, and how to find your people when everyone around you seems to be doing just fine. Vulnerable, warm, and genuinely useful - this one is for any mother, whether in academia or not, who has ever felt not quite like herself, and needed someone to tell her that's not a problem to fix. It's a becoming. __________ Connect with Munirah: Instagram: @luminousyogalife Website: https://luminousyogalife.com/ FREE RESOURCE: A 5-minute Breathwork for Exhausted Moms https://tinyurl.com/luminousyogalife-breathwork Support the show Let's hang out! 🎙️ Follow Moms, Mats, and Manuscripts for more conversations on academia, motherhood, and mindful living. And if this episode sparked something in you, don't forget to like and share the podcast so that more people can join our coffee-fueled chats!  I'd also love to hear your thoughts and questions, and if you have ideas for future episodes, drop me a line.  We're also on Instagram: @moms.mats.manuscripts @shantiscience_yoga Reach out: moms.mats.manuscripts@gmail.com

    1h 24m

  3. APR 14

    E44 - From PhD to parenthood: on identity, becoming unapologetic and letting go of control (With Dr Lauren A. Mason)

    What happens when you try to build a career and a family at the same time? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Lauren Mason - research scientist, higher education consultant, and creator of Lauren Finds a Way - to talk about motherhood in and around academia. We explore the realities of pregnancy during an academic career, including the feeling of being an “inconvenience,” navigating identity shifts, and learning to become more unapologetic about your needs. Lauren also shares her experience of losing a twin during pregnancy, and what it was like to hold both grief and gratitude while continuing to work. This conversation goes beyond logistics and into the emotional and psychological layers of academia: perfectionism, people-pleasing, lack of support, and the deep personal growth that often goes unspoken. We also talk about:  – Why there’s never a “perfect time” to have a child in academia  – Letting go of control and perfectionism  – Asking for help (and why it’s so hard for high-achievers)  – The role of community and visibility in navigating academia  – What needs to change in academic culture If you’re a PhD student, postdoc, or academic thinking about family, or navigating big identity shifts, this conversation is for you 💛 Connect with Lauren: Instagram: @laurenfindsaway Website: https://www.laurenfindsaway.com/ __________ Support the show Let's hang out! 🎙️ Follow Moms, Mats, and Manuscripts for more conversations on academia, motherhood, and mindful living. And if this episode sparked something in you, don't forget to like and share the podcast so that more people can join our coffee-fueled chats!  I'd also love to hear your thoughts and questions, and if you have ideas for future episodes, drop me a line.  We're also on Instagram: @moms.mats.manuscripts @shantiscience_yoga Reach out: moms.mats.manuscripts@gmail.com

    1h 4m

  4. MAR 31

    E43 - From vague goals to real life: A seasonal reset (and what I'm learning along the way)

    What if the problem isn't that you're bad at goals... it's that the way we're told to set them is kind of broken? In this solo episode, I'm sharing how I've been doing goal-setting differently. Instead of the classic New Year's resolution that dies by mid-January, I've been doing quarterly check-ins - basically, sitting down every three months to look at what's working, what's not, and what I actually want next. It's changed everything about how I work, how I show up, and how I trust myself to follow through. I talk about: - Why yearly goals tend to fizzle out (and what actually sticks instead) - How seasonal energy affects your motivation more than you think - Why productivity is really about managing your energy, not grinding harder - The shift from vague wishes to concrete, doable steps - Celebrating yourself, even when it feels awkward (I'm terrible at this) - Identity, habits, and becoming the version of yourself you're aiming for If you're a PhD student, researcher, or just someone who feels stuck or disconnected from what you're supposedly "working toward," this might give you a gentler way in. No pressure. Just an invitation to pause, reflect, and figure out what you actually need right now. ___________ Episodes I mentioned: E38 - When you're ambitious but exhausted: a gentler approach to goals E27 - Hormone health, cycle-informed leaving and productivity ___________ 🔗 Work with me / resources mentioned: Researcher Reset power hour Free Leave your work at work bundle: subscribepage.io/leaveworkatworktraining Support the show Let's hang out! 🎙️ Follow Moms, Mats, and Manuscripts for more conversations on academia, motherhood, and mindful living. And if this episode sparked something in you, don't forget to like and share the podcast so that more people can join our coffee-fueled chats!  I'd also love to hear your thoughts and questions, and if you have ideas for future episodes, drop me a line.  We're also on Instagram: @moms.mats.manuscripts @shantiscience_yoga Reach out: moms.mats.manuscripts@gmail.com

    29 min

  5. MAR 17

    E42 - Freelance career after leaving academia: freedom, insecurity and finding balance

    In this second part of my conversation with scientific writer and science communicator Sónia Gomes Pereira on Moms, Mats, and Manuscripts, we move beyond leaving academia and into what comes next: building a freelance career, and a life that actually feels aligned. Sónia shares how she transitioned into freelance scientific and medical writing, how she found her first clients, and what it really takes to navigate self-employment without a clear roadmap. We talk about the realities of freelancing - from flexibility and autonomy to financial uncertainty, difficult clients, and learning to set (and enforce) boundaries. But this conversation goes deeper than career paths. We explore how academia shapes our identity, and what it means to grieve not just a career, but a version of yourself. Sónia reflects on the skills she brought from academia (discipline, persistence, adaptability), as well as the patterns she had to unlearn, like overworking, people-pleasing, and tying self-worth to external validation. We also talk about: choosing your time and designing your daysprivilege, security, and the reality behind “freedom”building a portfolio and getting your first opportunities outside academiavolunteering, networking, and creating your own pathreconnecting with life outside of workAnd finally, Sónia shares honest advice for PhD students who feel lost, overwhelmed, or unsure about their future - including the importance of self-compassion, having a life outside academia, and not postponing your happiness. This is a deeply human conversation about work, identity, and what it means to choose a life that fits you. _____________ Sónia's info: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/soniagomespereira/ Website: https://www.soniagomespereira.com/ Support the show Let's hang out! 🎙️ Follow Moms, Mats, and Manuscripts for more conversations on academia, motherhood, and mindful living. And if this episode sparked something in you, don't forget to like and share the podcast so that more people can join our coffee-fueled chats!  I'd also love to hear your thoughts and questions, and if you have ideas for future episodes, drop me a line.  We're also on Instagram: @moms.mats.manuscripts @shantiscience_yoga Reach out: moms.mats.manuscripts@gmail.com

    1h 13m

  6. MAR 5

    E41 - Academia wasn't worth my life: Leaving academia, not-so-alternative careers and redefining success

    In this episode of Moms, Mats, and Manuscripts, I’m joined by scientific writer and science communicator Sónia Gomes Pereira to talk about the moment she realised that the traditional academic path simply wasn’t worth the cost. Sónia shares her journey from a curious science-loving kid to a PhD in integrative biology and biomedicine, navigating a complex interdisciplinary PhD project, and eventually deciding to leave academia behind. Along the way, we talk about the hidden pressures of academic life, the discipline it takes to survive a PhD, and the personal events that can force us to reconsider what really matters. We also explore what happens after academia: realising that there are countless possible alternative (or not-so-alternative!) paths beyond academia, and figuring out next steps despite overwhelm. This conversation touches on: The emotional and practical challenges of a PhDdiscipline, burnout, and compartmentalising work and lifeleaving academia and redefining successfinding many possible paths beyond academiabuilding a life that actually aligns with your valuesIf you’ve ever questioned whether the academic path is really the right one for you, this episode will feel very familiar. __________ Sónia's info:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/soniagomespereira/ Website: https://www.soniagomespereira.com/ __________ Support the show Let's hang out! 🎙️ Follow Moms, Mats, and Manuscripts for more conversations on academia, motherhood, and mindful living. And if this episode sparked something in you, don't forget to like and share the podcast so that more people can join our coffee-fueled chats!  I'd also love to hear your thoughts and questions, and if you have ideas for future episodes, drop me a line.  We're also on Instagram: @moms.mats.manuscripts @shantiscience_yoga Reach out: moms.mats.manuscripts@gmail.com

    45 min

  7. FEB 17

    E40 - Leaving academia without burnout (with Dr Ana Amaral)

    The story of our today's guest, Ana Amaral, challenges the typical "I left academia because I burned out" narrative. With a biochemistry PhD, postdocs at Cambridge and Karolinska Institute, and an incredibly supportive boss, she had everything needed for academic success. Yet something was missing - so she decided to leave and look for it elsewhere. This episode explores how body wisdom and intuition can guide major career decisions, even when logic says to stay put. Ana shares how yoga, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence helped her recognise that safety isn't the same as fulfilment. We talked about: Why following joy mattered more than following a predetermined pathHow to recognise when your body is telling you it's time to changeTransferable skills from PhD to entrepreneurshipThe role of emotional intelligence in scientific environmentsRedefining success on your own termsWhether you're questioning your academic path or simply curious about alternative careers after a PhD, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective on leaving academia with clarity rather than desperation. Topics: career transition, leaving academia, PhD journey, postdoc experience, entrepreneurship, leadership coaching, intuition, body awareness, emotional intelligence, work-life balance, academic culture, career fulfilment Support the show Let's hang out! 🎙️ Follow Moms, Mats, and Manuscripts for more conversations on academia, motherhood, and mindful living. And if this episode sparked something in you, don't forget to like and share the podcast so that more people can join our coffee-fueled chats!  I'd also love to hear your thoughts and questions, and if you have ideas for future episodes, drop me a line.  We're also on Instagram: @moms.mats.manuscripts @shantiscience_yoga Reach out: moms.mats.manuscripts@gmail.com

    1h 12m

  8. FEB 6

    E39 - I thought I'd be further ahead by now

    Four years into self-employment, almost two years of this podcast... and instead of feeling settled, I’ve been sitting with a lot of mixed emotions. In this birthday reflection episode, I talk honestly about the thought many of us carry: “I should be further ahead by now.” I reflect on academic conditioning, linear timelines, grief around identity shifts, motherhood and building a business in “hard mode,” and the pressure to measure ourselves by standards that were never designed for our lives. This episode is a somewhat rambling, vulnerable pause before we move into upcoming conversations about non-linear and so-called “alternative” career paths out of academia. It’s about redefining success, following curiosity instead of hustle, and learning to sit with uncertainty without immediately trying to fix it. If you’re feeling behind, conflicted, or pulled between wanting more and honouring where you are, I’m right there with you, and I hope you feel less alone after listening to this birthday reflection. Support the show Let's hang out! 🎙️ Follow Moms, Mats, and Manuscripts for more conversations on academia, motherhood, and mindful living. And if this episode sparked something in you, don't forget to like and share the podcast so that more people can join our coffee-fueled chats!  I'd also love to hear your thoughts and questions, and if you have ideas for future episodes, drop me a line.  We're also on Instagram: @moms.mats.manuscripts @shantiscience_yoga Reach out: moms.mats.manuscripts@gmail.com

    23 min
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About

Moms, Mats and Manuscripts is a podcast hosted by Ksenia Volkova Tomaz, a former molecular biologist, yoga teacher and mindset coach for scientists, and mom. This is a space for honest, unpolished conversations about the parts of academia and ambition we don’t talk about enough. Here, we explore the mental and emotional load of being a young scientist or high-achieving woman: the pressure to constantly produce, the identity crises, the inner critic, the fear of slowing down, the guilt around rest, the invisible labour of motherhood, and the messy process of redefining success on your own terms. I share personal stories, science-backed insights, and yoga-psychology tools to help you navigate burnout, self-worth, boundaries, and the overwhelming push to “do more.” Think of this space as a friend's couch, where you can have a cup of coffee, relax, exhale and be seen.

Information

  • Creator
    Ksenia Volkova Tomaz
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    47
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Moms, Mats and Manuscripts
  • Show Website
    Moms, Mats and Manuscripts