What happens when the academic dream and motherhood collide? 

In this eye-opening episode, former political science academic Dr Paulina Cossette reveals her journey from working seven exhausting days a week as a tenure track professor to becoming an entrepreneur with a thriving six-figure business that allows her the freedom and joy she needed.

Tune in to discover:

• The moment Dr Cossette realised academia's definition of success wasn't working for her life
• How she found the courage to explore options beyond the traditional academic path
• Her surprising insights about academic guilt
• What success looks like when you write the definition yourself

Whether you're questioning your academic journey or simply seeking better work-life harmony, this conversation might just change how you view your own path forward. It's an invitation to explore your options and consider what success looks like for you!

Don't miss Dr Cossette's refreshingly honest take on creating a life where both your scholarly mind and motherhood can truly thrive.

Follow Paulina on Instagram, LinkedIn or visit her website here.

Send me a text message.

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Want more?

1. Check out the Mrs Mummy PhD website.
2. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Threads, Pinterest or TikTok.
3. Join the newsletter family at Scholarly Mamas® - The Letter
4. Check out my Doodle Dozen® children's book series

These are our journeys of becoming.

Disclaimer: All views are my own. Nothing shared on this podcast should be considered a substitute for medical/clinical advice or mental health support. Please seek assistance from a qualified professional who can help you if you are struggling or in need of advice/intervention.

What if the version of success you’ve been chasing isn’t actually yours? 

In this episode, we crack open the myth of the “ideal Scholarly Mama®” and ask a bold question: What does real freedom look like for Mamas juggling PhD life, careers, and family life in 2025? 

If you’ve ever felt like you’re performing instead of living, this conversation will invite you to step out of the box, drop the guilt, and start defining success on your own terms.

Tune in to explore why rigid roles don’t serve us anymore—and how to create space for the scholar, the mother, and the whole, real you.

Send me a text message.

Support the show

Want more?

1. Check out the Mrs Mummy PhD website.
2. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Threads, Pinterest or TikTok.
3. Join the newsletter family at Scholarly Mamas® - The Letter
4. Check out my Doodle Dozen® children's book series

These are our journeys of becoming.

Disclaimer: All views are my own. Nothing shared on this podcast should be considered a substitute for medical/clinical advice or mental health support. Please seek assistance from a qualified professional who can help you if you are struggling or in need of advice/intervention.

Who are you beyond “Mum,” “Dr,” “Wife,” "Daughter", or “Manager”?

In this soul-stirring episode, we explore what happens when we strip away the titles, roles, and responsibilities we carry—and come face-to-face with the essence of who we truly are. If you’ve ever felt lost beneath your labels or longed to reconnect with the woman within, this conversation is your gentle nudge home.

Tune in to rediscover the power of your presence, the depth of your identity, and the beauty of being more than what you do.

Send me a text message.

Support the show

Want more?

1. Check out the Mrs Mummy PhD website.
2. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Threads, Pinterest or TikTok.
3. Join the newsletter family at Scholarly Mamas® - The Letter
4. Check out my Doodle Dozen® children's book series

These are our journeys of becoming.

Disclaimer: All views are my own. Nothing shared on this podcast should be considered a substitute for medical/clinical advice or mental health support. Please seek assistance from a qualified professional who can help you if you are struggling or in need of advice/intervention.

When life throws you a curveball — a sick child with work commitments, looming deadlines, a mountain of shifting responsibilities — how do you keep going without losing yourself?

This week, I'm sharing a behind-the-scenes look at how everything in my carefully planned schedule unravelled when our youngest came down with chickenpox... and the powerful reminders that came through the chaos.

If you're a Mama juggling dreams, deadlines, and duties — this one’s for you. 

Tune in to find strength, strategy, solidarity and sisterhood.

Send me a text message.

Support the show

Want more?

1. Check out the Mrs Mummy PhD website.
2. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Threads, Pinterest or TikTok.
3. Join the newsletter family at Scholarly Mamas® - The Letter
4. Check out my Doodle Dozen® children's book series

These are our journeys of becoming.

Disclaimer: All views are my own. Nothing shared on this podcast should be considered a substitute for medical/clinical advice or mental health support. Please seek assistance from a qualified professional who can help you if you are struggling or in need of advice/intervention.

What if the season you’re in — the slow, silent, in-between of this journey — is not a detour or hindrance to your success, but part of navigating Scholarly Motherhood by design?

In this special Easter-themed episode, we step away from the hustle and into a moment of reflection. Drawing gentle inspiration from the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus that we remember in this Easter season, this is a soul-level reminder for every Scholarly Mama® feeling tired, hidden, or unsure if she’s still on the right path.

This isn’t a sermon or a lecture. It’s a love letter. A breath. A reminder that even in the pause… you can still thrive, on purpose.

Tune in for an episode packed with powerful insights!

Send me a text message.

Support the show

Want more?

1. Check out the Mrs Mummy PhD website.
2. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Threads, Pinterest or TikTok.
3. Join the newsletter family at Scholarly Mamas® - The Letter
4. Check out my Doodle Dozen® children's book series

These are our journeys of becoming.

Disclaimer: All views are my own. Nothing shared on this podcast should be considered a substitute for medical/clinical advice or mental health support. Please seek assistance from a qualified professional who can help you if you are struggling or in need of advice/intervention.

In this episode, we explore why rest is essential—not optional—for Scholarly Mamas®. 

Academic culture often glorifies constant productivity, leaving Mamas on doctoral journeys caught between scholarly demands and family responsibilities. 

We discuss how intentional breaks enhance your academic work, strategies for incorporating rest without guilt, and why allowing yourself to pause is a revolutionary act of self-care. 

Discover how prioritising rest can transform both your scholarly journey and family life, making you more effective all around.

Tune in for the tea!

Send me a text message.

Support the show

Want more?

1. Check out the Mrs Mummy PhD website.
2. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Threads, Pinterest or TikTok.
3. Join the newsletter family at Scholarly Mamas® - The Letter
4. Check out my Doodle Dozen® children's book series

These are our journeys of becoming.

Disclaimer: All views are my own. Nothing shared on this podcast should be considered a substitute for medical/clinical advice or mental health support. Please seek assistance from a qualified professional who can help you if you are struggling or in need of advice/intervention.

In this special reflective episode, I celebrate two years of the Mrs Mummy PhD® podcast by sharing the journey from recording my first episode to building a community of Scholarly Mamas®. 

Join me as I reflect on how we can blend academic excellence with present motherhood and share my vision for the next chapter of our growing movement of Scholarly Mamas®.

Whether you've been listening from day one or this is your first episode, I hope this episode reminds you of the power of community and connection for mothers on PhD journeys.

Tune in and let's reflect together!

Send me a text message.

Support the show

Want more?

1. Check out the Mrs Mummy PhD website.
2. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Threads, Pinterest or TikTok.
3. Join the newsletter family at Scholarly Mamas® - The Letter
4. Check out my Doodle Dozen® children's book series

These are our journeys of becoming.

Disclaimer: All views are my own. Nothing shared on this podcast should be considered a substitute for medical/clinical advice or mental health support. Please seek assistance from a qualified professional who can help you if you are struggling or in need of advice/intervention.

Are you fishing for big, quick wins, or are you farming for lasting growth?

In this episode, we dive into a powerful shift in mindset: the difference between chasing immediate results (fishing) and patiently nurturing long-term success (farming). 

The initial spark for this conversation came from a casual chat with my friend Dra Yvette from Grad School Femtoring. 

What happens when we stop looking for the “big catch” and instead focus on planting seeds, experimenting, and trusting the process—whether in academia, parenting, or personal growth?

Join me as we explore how adopting a farmer’s mindset can transform the way we approach Scholarly Motherhood. If you've ever felt stuck, impatient, or unsure if your efforts are paying off, this episode is for you. Let’s talk about growth, patience, and the magic that happens beneath the surface. Your harvest is coming but—are you ready to plant?

Tune in to find out!

Send me a text message.

Support the show

Want more?

1. Check out the Mrs Mummy PhD website.
2. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Threads, Pinterest or TikTok.
3. Join the newsletter family at Scholarly Mamas® - The Letter
4. Check out my Doodle Dozen® children's book series

These are our journeys of becoming.

Disclaimer: All views are my own. Nothing shared on this podcast should be considered a substitute for medical/clinical advice or mental health support. Please seek assistance from a qualified professional who can help you if you are struggling or in need of advice/intervention.

Are you feeling stretched thin between your PhD, your family, and everything in between? In this episode, we’re diving into why filling your own cup first is essential—not just for your well-being, but for your success as a Scholarly Mama® leader.

We’ll talk about:

• Why filling your cup first isn’t selfish—it’s leadership
• How imposter syndrome and guilt hold us back from stepping into our full potential
• The power of setting boundaries and reclaiming your identity
• A simple exercise to help you start prioritising you

If you’re ready to stop running on empty and lead with confidence, tune in now and take the first step toward leading yourself well!

Send me a text message.

Support the show

Want more?

1. Check out the Mrs Mummy PhD website.
2. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Threads, Pinterest or TikTok.
3. Join the newsletter family at Scholarly Mamas® - The Letter
4. Check out my Doodle Dozen® children's book series

These are our journeys of becoming.

Disclaimer: All views are my own. Nothing shared on this podcast should be considered a substitute for medical/clinical advice or mental health support. Please seek assistance from a qualified professional who can help you if you are struggling or in need of advice/intervention.

Are you constantly feeling weighed down by others' expectations while trying to blend motherhood and doctoral study? In this powerful episode, we explore how to let go of what's holding you back in your Scholarly Mama® journey. 

We address the paradox of having hope and expectation without being constrained by unrealistic expectations of others, with a practical approach to identifying and releasing the excess baggage that's keeping you grounded.

Whether you're just beginning your PhD or nearing completion, this episode offers the guidance you need to achieve lift-off without sacrificing what matters most.

Discover how to chart your own flight path as a Scholarly Mama®.

Send me a text message.

Support the show

Want more?

1. Check out the Mrs Mummy PhD website.
2. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Threads, Pinterest or TikTok.
3. Join the newsletter family at Scholarly Mamas® - The Letter
4. Check out my Doodle Dozen® children's book series

These are our journeys of becoming.

Disclaimer: All views are my own. Nothing shared on this podcast should be considered a substitute for medical/clinical advice or mental health support. Please seek assistance from a qualified professional who can help you if you are struggling or in need of advice/intervention.