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Doctoral work is often described as isolating, overwhelming, and deeply personal. But what happens when someone truly understands the journey alongside you?

In this episode of Dissertating: In the Trenches and Behind the Scenes, Drs. Noreen Hobayan and Carolyn Peters share how an unexpected partnership during the dissertation phase became a lifeline through discouragement, revisions, leadership changes, self-doubt, and exhaustion. What began as simple Zoom study sessions evolved into a powerful source of accountability, friendship, emotional support, and persistence.

Together, they reflect on what it means to keep showing up for yourself, and for someone else, during one of the most demanding academic journeys a person can experience.

This conversation is a reminder that sometimes the most important part of finishing is finding someone who gets it.