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

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 fourteen 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 Atabey & Co. Network. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and share this resource with a friend. 

  1. 308: Ten Acts of Community Care You Can Get Done in Ten Minutes or Less

    2 DAYS AGO

    308: Ten Acts of Community Care You Can Get Done in Ten Minutes or Less

    In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I share ten acts of community care that you can get done in ten minutes or less. These small but meaningful actions are meant to serve as examples of practical ways to show love and support to your greater community, even when you have a busy schedule or feel like you have no time.  If you liked what you heard, check out episode 210 on micro acts of self-care and episode 195 on reasons why first-gen Latinas struggle with self-care. Get your free copy of my Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit here. Support our free resources with a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠one-time or monthly donation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. To download episode transcripts and access more resources, go to my website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   This podcast is a proud member of the Atabey & Co. Network. *The Grad School Femtoring Podcast is for educational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for therapy or other professional services.*  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    13 min
  2. 307: How to Be an Anti-Ableist Advocate in Higher Education with Janelle A. Johnson

    FEB 14

    307: How to Be an Anti-Ableist Advocate in Higher Education with Janelle A. Johnson

    In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, we address the topic of being an anti-ableist advocate in higher education with our guest Janelle Johnson, a licensed marriage and family therapist, doctoral candidate, neurodiversity researcher, and DEIA consultant. Janelle shares her personal journey navigating higher education as a multiply neurodivergent, disabled, Black woman, and explains the frameworks and strategies she uses to support disabled and neurodivergent BIPOC students. We discuss common barriers these students face, practical strategies to foster anti-ableism, and how to maintain personal well-being, and build healthy relationships while advocating for equity.  If you liked what you heard, check out episode 279 on queering and cripping academia, episode 189 on disability, education, and inclusion, and episode 187 on embracing neurodivergence.   Get your free copy of my Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit here. Support our free resources with a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠one-time or monthly donation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. To download episode transcripts and access more resources, go to my website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   You can connect with Janelle at the following links:  https://www.bridgesflc.com/consulting https://Linkedin.com/in/thefamilyfanatic https://instagram.com/thefamilyfanatic You can learn more from the following sources:  Janelle’s book chapter "How to Be an Anti-Ableist Clinician" in the book Anti-Blackness and the Stories of Authentic Allies. Dolmage, Jay T. Academic Ableism: Disability and Higher Education. University of Michigan Press, 2017. This podcast is a proud member of the Atabey & Co. Network. *The Grad School Femtoring Podcast is for educational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for therapy or other professional services.*  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    53 min
  3. 306: A Comprehensive Guide to Securing Funding for Master's Degrees

    FEB 7

    306: A Comprehensive Guide to Securing Funding for Master's Degrees

    In this episode, I share my personal experience of turning down my dream master's program due to funding issues and provide comprehensive guidance on securing funding for master's programs. From internal scholarships within your department to external fellowships and creative freelance opportunities, I cover various strategies to make your graduate education financially manageable. Additionally, I emphasize the importance of financial literacy and budgeting to ensure long-term financial stability. Tune in to learn how to proactively seek and secure funding for your master's program. If you liked what you heard, check out my blog post on 20+ ways to secure funding for master's programs and the following relevant episodes:  -4: Grad School Funding -58: Accepting an Offer With Little to No Funding -67: What You Need to Know About Student Loans -79: Financial Literacy in Grad School -132: Five Budget-Related Tasks to Complete Before Saying Yes to a Grad Program Get your free copy of my Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit here. Support our free resources with a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠one-time or monthly donation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. To download episode transcripts and access more resources, go to my website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   This podcast is a proud member of the Atabey & Co. Network. *The Grad School Femtoring Podcast is for educational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for therapy or other professional services.*  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    30 min
  4. 305: Affirmative Action, Grad Admissions, and Supporting BIPOC Students with Dr. OiYan Poon

    JAN 31

    305: Affirmative Action, Grad Admissions, and Supporting BIPOC Students with Dr. OiYan Poon

    This episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast features a critical discussion with Dr. OiYan Poon on the end of affirmative action and the implications for first-generation BIPOC students in higher education. The episode delves into Dr. Poon's personal and professional journey, her advocacy for racial justice, and her insights on supporting student well-being through community care. Dr. Poon also offers practical advice for those seeking to become public scholars and navigate the risks associated with public engagement in the current political climate. If you liked what you heard, check out episode 207 on equity and justice at HSIs and episode 212 on holistic critical mentorship. Get your free copy of my Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit here. Support our free resources with a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠one-time or monthly donation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. To download episode transcripts and access more resources, go to my website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   You can connect with Dr. OiYan Poon and order her book here: https://www.publicpedagogy.info/ https://www.instagram.com/oiyanpoon/  You can also get a copy of Deepa Iyer’s book here:  https://www.deepaiyer.com/home/we-are-the-builders This podcast is a proud member of the Atabey & Co. Network. *The Grad School Femtoring Podcast is for educational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for therapy or other professional services.*  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    52 min
  5. 304: How to Lower the Bar Without Losing Momentum in Grad School and Your Career

    JAN 24

    304: How to Lower the Bar Without Losing Momentum in Grad School and Your Career

    In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I discuss the concept of how to lower the bar and doing “good enough” work and how it can help you maintain momentum during challenging times. Discover how to lower the bar without compromising your academic and career progress. I also offer several personal examples, practical strategies, and tips for managing the guilt associated with not always striving for perfection. Learn why it's okay to do good enough work and how this approach can actually lead to surprising wins. If you liked what you heard, check out episode 198 on three ways to start active reading and episode 211 on planning for the best and worst of circumstances. Get your free copy of my Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit here. Support our free resources with a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠one-time or monthly donation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. To download episode transcripts and access more resources, go to my website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   This podcast is a proud member of the Atabey & Co. Network. *The Grad School Femtoring Podcast is for educational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for therapy or other professional services.*  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    31 min
  6. 303: Three Small and Simple Steps to Overcome Freeze Mode

    JAN 17

    303: Three Small and Simple Steps to Overcome Freeze Mode

    In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I reflect on my own struggles with freeze mode as a grad student and offer three simple, actionable steps to help you get unstuck. I discuss grounding techniques, starting with micro steps, and the importance of maintaining momentum through connection. Additionally, I share personal updates, including my efforts to build supportive communities for grad students and professionals.  If you liked what you heard, check out episode 164 on getting unstuck in school and life and episode 92 on what to do when you get stuck.  Get your free copy of my Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit here. Support our free resources with a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠one-time or monthly donation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. To download episode transcripts and access more resources, go to my website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   This podcast is a proud member of the Atabey & Co. Network. *The Grad School Femtoring Podcast is for educational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for therapy or other professional services.*  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    25 min
  7. 302: Performance as Activism with Doris Difarnecio

    JAN 10

    302: Performance as Activism with Doris Difarnecio

    In today’s episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I welcome my guest and dear friend, Doris Difarnecio, a feminist, interdisciplinary artist, theater director, and performance activist, to share her remarkable journey through performance as activism. Doris talks about her roots, growing up between Colombia and the United States, her academic trajectory, and her impactful theater work. Together, we explore themes of identity, race, gender, and sexuality, and how these intersect with her artistic and activist efforts. Additionally, Doris introduces us to Arte Acción, her interdisciplinary platform for performance and politics. This heartfelt conversation sheds light on how personal experiences fuel activism and the transformative power of performance in addressing social issues. If you liked what you heard, check out other episodes that highlight activism with Janay Garrett on mother-scholar activism and Rony Eduardo Castellanos Raymundo on redefining activism for underrepresented students.  Get your free copy of my Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit here. Support our free resources with a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠one-time or monthly donation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. To download episode transcripts and access more resources, go to my website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   You can follow and support Doris’ work here: https://arteaccion.xyz/ https://www.facebook.com/centro.hemisferico/ dorisdifarnecio.academia.edu This podcast is a proud member of the Atabey & Co. Network. *The Grad School Femtoring Podcast is for educational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for therapy or other professional services.*  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 12m
  8. 301: Five Gentle Productivity Tips for Chronic Illness, Autism, and ADHD

    JAN 3

    301: Five Gentle Productivity Tips for Chronic Illness, Autism, and ADHD

    In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I share my top five productivity tips for chronic illness, autism, and ADHD. Inspired by the many shortcomings of conventional productivity advice, particularly its lack of inclusivity for disabled, neurodivergent, and chronically ill individuals, I share strategies that can be adaptable for those who are autistic, ADHD, or spoonies. These tips range from energy management techniques to setting flexible goals and organizing your space effectively. I provide practical examples and emphasize the importance of customizing these tools to your needs while addressing the broader challenges posed by systemic issues and capitalism. If you liked what you heard, check out my episode on the ABC method of productivity and blog post on ways to consistently meet deadlines with chronic illness.  Access a copy of my GSF Productivity resource bundle here.  Get your free copy of my Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit here. Support our free resources with a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠one-time or monthly donation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. To download episode transcripts and access more resources, go to my website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   This podcast is a proud member of the Atabey & Co. Network. *The Grad School Femtoring Podcast is for educational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for therapy or other professional services.*  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    26 min
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out of 5
58 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 fourteen 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 Atabey & Co. Network. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and share this resource with a friend. 

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