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

In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I feature Stephanie Sanchez, a former grad admissions consulting client now completing a master’s program abroad at the London School of Economics. Stephanie shares her inspiring journey of transitioning from a nonprofit career to academia to impact immigrant communities. The conversation covers strategic program selection, overcoming writing challenges, and funding applications, along with practical tips for staying organized and motivated. Stephanie's story exemplifies the power of intentional planning, courage, and a robust support system in achieving long-held dreams.

If you liked what you heard, check out another client spotlight here.

Learn more about my grad admissions consulting services here.

You can connect with Stephanie at the following link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniesanchez-/

Get your free copy of my Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit ⁠here⁠.

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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.* 

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In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I address the challenge of how to maintain progress on your goals when you have low energy. I share my own personal experiences and offers practical advice on checking in with your body, incorporating rituals, and setting flexible, energy-appropriate goals. I also discuss the importance of self-compassion, recognizing and accepting your energy levels, and taking small steps to maintain momentum.

If you liked what you heard, check out the following episodes on opening and closing rituals, rituals to boost focus, how to set goals you’ll actually keep, and 10 goal setting myths that keep you stuck.

Learn more about my coaching services here and get on the waitlist for my group coaching pods here.

Get your free copy of my Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit ⁠here⁠.

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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.* 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In episode 343 of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I introduce the first recording of my new client spotlight series, featuring an inspiring conversation with Dr. L. Paloma Rojas Saunero, a Latina physician epidemiologist and postdoctoral scholar at UCLA. Dr. Rojas Saunero shares her journey of transitioning from burnout and false urgency to aligning her workflow, creative process, and life with her values and priorities, ultimately finding more joy and confidence. We discuss the challenges of managing a new postdoc position, family life, and the pressures of academia. Dr. Rojas Saunero provides insights into recognizing the difference between true and false urgencies, mastering task, project, and energy management, and the importance of intentional work. This conversation underscores how sustainable success is about doing what truly matters in a way that feels doable and fulfilling.

Learn more about my coaching services here and get on the waitlist for my group coaching pods here.

Get your free copy of my Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit here.

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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.*

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I guide you through the often awkward and uncomfortable process of writing your own letter of recommendation for grad school. I explain why professors might delegate this task to students and offer a detailed breakdown of how to structure your letter. I also share reflection prompts, a checklist for ensuring a strong draft, and the importance of using affirming language. Tune in for practical tips and strategies to help you craft a compelling recommendation letter that showcases your strengths and achievements.

Sign up for the free Latinas in Podcasting Summit here (this is my affiliate link). 

Learn more about my coaching services here and get on the waitlist for my group coaching pods here.

Get your free copy of my Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit here.

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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.*

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I address the prevalence of masking and overcompensating as survival mechanisms for first-gen and neurodivergent students. I also share persona reflections and explore why these behaviors develop, how they can lead to burnout, and what practical strategies you can test out today to resist them. You’ll learn the importance of finding identity-affirming spaces, setting boundaries, advocating for accommodations, and more.

Sign up for the free Latinas in Podcasting Summit here (this is my affiliate link).

Learn more about my coaching services here and get on the waitlist for my group coaching pods here.

Get your free copy of my Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit here.

Support our free resources with a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠one-time or monthly donation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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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.*

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I discuss the significance of rewarding yourself and how to celebrate small wins as a student. Drawing from personal experiences and the science behind it, I explain how celebrating achievements can boost motivation. I also share several practical strategies for rewarding yourself, including writing affirming notes, sharing wins with others, taking mini breaks, and much more.

If you liked what you heard, check out episode 184 on how to foster joy in grad school.

Learn more and get on the waitlist for my group coaching pods here.

Get your free copy of my Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit here.

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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.* 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast we focus on the importance of cultivating curiosity and care in careers with guest Naseem Kapdi. Naseem, a career coach and founder of Kimiya Coaching, shares her journey from teaching to coaching, emphasizing the power of pausing and playing in personal and professional development. We explore overcoming hustle culture, leaning into intuition, and celebrating small wins, offering practical tips for first-gen BIPOC listeners navigating grad school, careers, and beyond.

If you liked what you heard, check out episode 184 on how to foster joy in grad school.  

Learn more and get on the waitlist for my group coaching pods here.

Get your free copy of my Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit ⁠here⁠.

Support our free resources with a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠one-time or monthly donation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

You can connect with Naseem at the following links:

Website: https://kimiyacoaching.wordpress.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naseemkapdi/

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.* 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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.

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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.* 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Listen to this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast if you’re struggling to secure and maintain mentors. I share strategies for first-gen and BIPOC students and professionals to learn how to find mentors and strengthen their mentoring relationships. I also emphasize the importance of taking initiative and regularly checking in with your mentors, among other lessons. Tune in to get all the insights and advice that I wish I had received when I was a student and early career professional. 

Learn more and get on the waitlist for my group coaching pods here.

If you liked what you heard, check out episode 310 on how to create a mentorship map and read this blog post on building your own advocacy toolkit when your mentor doesn’t have all the answers.

Get your free copy of my Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit ⁠here⁠.

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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.*

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I discuss the increased issue of paused and canceled graduate admissions for fall 2025, especially for PhD programs. I offer context and insights on the factors contributing to this situation, including budget cuts, federal policy changes, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on university finances. I also share actionable strategies for prospective PhD applicants, focusing on developing Plan A, B, and C to navigate this challenging admissions landscape.

If you liked what you heard, check out episode 331 on how the big beautiful bill will impact grad school funding and my blog post on how to determine the ROI of grad school. 

Check out the Reddit thread I mentioned on the podcast here. 

You can learn more about my consulting services here.

Get your free copy of my Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit ⁠here⁠.

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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 

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