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

    2d ago

    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.

    22 min
  2. 376: What 100K Downloads Taught Me About Consistency, Success, and Hard Seasons

    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.

    22 min
  3. 375: What Sustainable Productivity Looks Like During High-Stress Seasons

    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.

    21 min
  4. 374: Writing Authentically and Choosing an Aligned Career Path in Academia with Dr. Leslie Wang

    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.

    51 min
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
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5
out of 5
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 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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