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.
  • 5.0 (63)
  • Education
  • Updated Weekly

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 Genuina Media network. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and share this resource with a friend.

  1. 374: Writing Authentically and Choosing an Aligned Career Path in Academia with Dr. Leslie Wang

    2d ago

    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.

    51 min
  2. 373: Why Many High Achievers Struggle With Follow-Through

    May 22

    373: Why Many High Achievers Struggle With Follow-Through

    In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I unpack why so many high achievers struggle with follow-through, even when they are so incredibly committed to their goals. Drawing from patterns I regularly see in coaching and consulting sessions, I explore why follow-through is far more complex than simply “trying harder” or becoming more disciplined and focused.  I discuss how executive functioning skills, perfectionism, cognitive overload, systemic pressures, and being in survival-mode all shape our ability to maintain consistency over time. I also share sustainable productivity strategies that can help reduce overwhelm, support emotional resilience, and create more compassionate systems for pursuing meaningful goals.  In this episode, you will learn: Why follow-through depends on executive functioning skills and environmental conditions How burnout, cognitive overload, and survival mode affect long-term consistency The role perfectionism plays in procrastination, avoidance, and overwhelm How to reduce cognitive load through external systems and clearer task planning Why matching goals to your current capacity supports sustainable progress What compassionate accountability and supportive community can look like Work with me If you are looking for support with sustainable productivity, executive functioning, dissertation completion, or long-term project planning, learn more about my coaching services: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/coaching/ Sign up for my next Compassionate Accountability Retreat on May 29-30: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/retreats/ Free resource Download your Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/kit/ Explore more The two episodes mentioned today were episode 315 on executive functioning skills to master your mental workspace and episode 316 on action-oriented executive functioning skills. 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.

    23 min
  3. 372: The Truth About Non-Linear Paths in Grad School with Bianca Alba

    May 15

    372: The Truth About Non-Linear Paths in Grad School with Bianca Alba

    In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I speak with Bianca Alba about the realities of taking a non-linear path through graduate school, career transitions, and life as a first-generation working-class Latina. Bianca shares her experience working multiple jobs while completing her master’s degree, navigating higher education without a financial safety net, and confronting the pressure many first-gen students face to “do everything right” in order to succeed. Together, we unpack the emotional and structural realities that shape non-linear journeys and why so many students feel forced into survival mode while trying to pursue their goals. In our conversation, we discuss the financial and emotional realities of working through grad school and the importance of building supportive communities that sustain us through uncertainty and transition. Bianca also reflects on her experience working in public health, job loss despite years of dedication and advancement, and eventually stepping into entrepreneurship. This episode is ultimately about giving yourself permission to move at your own pace, redefining success, and creating a life that aligns with your values. In this episode, you will learn: Why many first-generation students take non-linear paths through graduate school and careers What graduate programs often misunderstand about working-class and first-gen students How survival mode and burnout can shape academic and professional experiences Why job stability is never guaranteed, even after “doing everything right” How community, purpose, and self-compassion can support long-term sustainability Work with me You are  invited to join my upcoming Compassionate Accountability Retreat on May 29-30. Sign up here: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/retreats/ If you are navigating graduate school, burnout, executive functioning struggles, or major academic and career decisions, I offer personalized coaching and sustainable productivity support for first-generation BIPOC students and professionals. Learn more about coaching: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/coaching/ Connect with today’s guest Bianca on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thislatinatravels/ Bianca on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/biancaalba/ This Latina Travels: https://thislatinatravels.com/ Free resource Download your Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/kit/ Explore more Listen to more episodes on Navigating Higher Education: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/podcast_catergory/navigating-higher-education/ 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.

    37 min
  4. 371: Six Strategies for Managing Academic Writing Revisions Without Overwhelm (Replay)

    May 8

    371: Six Strategies for Managing Academic Writing Revisions Without Overwhelm (Replay)

    In episode 371 of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I walk through six practical strategies for managing academic writing revisions without spiraling into overwhelm. If you’re working on a manuscript, dissertation, proposal, or another long-term writing project and feeling behind, scattered, or emotionally exhausted, this episode is for you. Drawing from recent conversations with my one-on-one coaching clients and my own experiences navigating intensive revisions, I share approaches that can help you create a more sustainable and personalized process for moving your work forward. I discuss how to assess your available time, energy, and capacity before setting revision goals, and I break down different ways to structure your work sessions depending on your deadlines and cognitive load. I also explore how to prioritize essential revisions and create more flexible systems that support progress without pushing yourself into burnout. The goal is to identify strategies that align with your circumstances, workload, and wellbeing. In this episode, you will learn: How to assess your available time, energy, and capacity before tackling revisions Why counting and categorizing revision comments can reduce overwhelm and improve planning How to distinguish between developmental edits, line edits, and formatting revisions A practical framework for deciding what revisions are essential versus nice to have How to organize revision work by section and prioritize high-impact changes first How alternating between heavy and light revision days can help with pacing and sustainability Work with me If you’re looking for support with sustainable productivity, academic writing, executive functioning, or navigating graduate school, I’d love to support you through one-on-one coaching. Learn more about 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 Dissertation and Writing Strategies: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/podcast_catergory/dissertation-and-writing-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.

    20 min
  5. 370: Grief, Guilt, and Shame in Grad School: When Your Experience Isn’t What You Imagined

    May 1

    370: Grief, Guilt, and Shame in Grad School: When Your Experience Isn’t What You Imagined

    In episode 370 of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I talk about what it means to experience grief, guilt, and shame in grad school, especially when your journey does not match what you originally imagined. This episode is for graduate students who feel disconnected from their expectations, are navigating unexpected challenges, or are carrying emotional weight tied to their academic experience. I draw from patterns I consistently see in my coaching work to name and validate these experiences. I walk through how grief, guilt, and shame show up in graduate school, particularly for first-generation, BIPOC, neurodivergent, and chronically ill students navigating the hidden curriculum and systemic barriers. I introduce practical ways to process these emotions while still staying connected to your goals, including redefining progress, separating capacity from identity, and building supportive systems. In this episode, you will learn: How to identify and name grief tied to unmet expectations in grad school The difference between guilt and shame and how each impacts your decision-making How systemic factors and the hidden curriculum shape your academic experience Ways to separate your capacity from your sense of identity and self-worth How to redefine progress using a process-oriented and sustainable framework Why community and support systems are essential when navigating emotional challenges Work with me If you are navigating a difficult season in grad school or a major transition and want structured and compassionate support, I offer one-on-one coaching designed to help you build sustainable systems and make tangible progress on your goals. Learn more and schedule a consultation: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/coaching/ Free resource Download your Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/kit/ Explore more Listen to more episodes on wellbeing and mental Health: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/podcast_catergory/wellbeing-and-mental-health/ 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.

    21 min
  6. 369: Politics of Citation and Why Crediting Others Matters with Drs. Miroslava Chávez-García and Alexandra Minna Stern

    Apr 24

    369: Politics of Citation and Why Crediting Others Matters with Drs. Miroslava Chávez-García and Alexandra Minna Stern

    In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I explore the politics of citation and why crediting others matters in academia and beyond, alongside Dr. Miroslava Chávez-García and Dr. Alexandra Minna Stern. We unpack how citation functions as a form of power, how it connects to mentorship and collaboration, and how today’s academic and political landscape requires a more intentional and relational approach to giving credit. We also discuss how to navigate citation in informal spaces like social media, what accountability and repair can look like when we miss something, and how thoughtful acknowledgment practices can support long-term sustainability, visibility, and impact in your work. In this episode, you will learn: How citation practices shape whose work is recognized, valued, and built upon Why awareness of your intellectual influences is a critical part of ethical scholarship How power, hierarchy, and visibility influence who gets cited and who is left out Ways to credit others beyond formal citations, including presentations and public-facing work How to approach citation in digital spaces like blogs, Substack, and social media What it means to practice intentional authorship and collaboration in academic work How to take responsibility, repair harm, and move forward when you overlook someone’s contributions Work with me Learn more about my interactive and culturally responsive workshops on grad school admissions and sustainable productivity: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/speaking/ Connect with today’s guests Learn more about Dr. Miroslava Chávez-García at:  https://history.ucsb.edu/faculty/mchavezgarcia/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/miroslava-chavez-garcia-048746292/?isSelfProfile=true Learn more about Dr. Alexandra Minna Stern at: https://minnastern.com Free resource Download your Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/kit/ Explore more Listen to more episodes on the grad school hidden curriculum: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/podcast_catergory/grad-school-hidden-curriculum/ 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.

    43 min
  7. 368: Identifying Your Advisor Needs as a Graduate Student

    Apr 17

    368: Identifying Your Advisor Needs as a Graduate Student

    In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I walk you through how to identify your advisor needs as a graduate student, whether you are choosing an advisor in your first year or realizing you need to make a change. This episode is inspired by patterns I see across my clients, where many students feel pressure to settle for less support than they need due to what has been normalized in academia. I break down what it actually looks like to be supported in graduate school by outlining both foundational advisor needs and additional forms of support that can strengthen your experience and long-term career trajectory. I also share how these needs directly impact your ability to make progress, maintain momentum, and complete your program. In this episode, you will learn: Why many graduate students feel pressured to settle for neglectful advising The six foundational advisor needs that support progress and completion How structure, communication, and feedback shape your ability to move forward The role of mentorship, resources, and flexibility in long-term success How power dynamics and psychological safety impact advising relationships Specific questions you can ask advisors and graduate students to assess fit and identify red flags Work with me You can learn more about my 1:1 coaching programs here: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/coaching/ And join the Grad Empowerment Coaching Circle, open through April 17, here: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/group-coaching/ Free resource Download your Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/kit/ Explore more Listen to more episodes on the grad school hidden curriculum: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/podcast_catergory/grad-school-hidden-curriculum/ 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.

    24 min
  8. 367: How Financial Stress Affects Your Productivity

    Apr 10

    367: How Financial Stress Affects Your Productivity

    In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I talk about how financial stress can shape your productivity by affecting your sense of safety, stability, and decision-making. Drawing inspiration from The Trauma of Money by Chantel Chapman (with the caveat that I’m not a therapist or financial counselor), I translate these ideas into what they can look like in your day-to-day work. I walk you through how financial pressure can show up as overworking, avoidance, difficulty focusing, and delaying both money-related and high-stakes academic or career tasks. I also share practical ways to move out of these patterns by building more grounded and sustainable approaches to your work. In this episode, you will learn: Why financial stress can influence your productivity and sense of safety How financial pressure shows up in your work habits and decision-making Why urgency, avoidance, and overworking can become default responses How to identify patterns across your financial and work behaviors Ways to take action that align with your current capacity How to build more grounded and sustainable work rhythms Work with me You can learn more about my 1:1 coaching programs here: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/coaching/ And explore the Grad Empowerment Coaching Circle, open through April 17, here: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/group-coaching/ Free resource Download your Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit: https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/kit/ Explore more Listen to more episodes on sustainable productivity: 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.

    23 min
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5
out of 5
63 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 Genuina Media network. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and share this resource with a friend.

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