What happens when your world falls apart in the middle of your PhD? In this raw and powerful conversation, Dr. Michelle Rascon-Canales shares how grief, neurodivergence, and academic pressure collided—and how she found her way back through coaching, community, and creativity. We talk about why writing in isolation doesn't work, how the wrong advisor relationship can shake your confidence, and what it really takes to keep writing when life gets heavy. If you've ever wondered whether you're the only one struggling to keep it all together behind the scenes—this one's for you.

Michelle Rascon-Canales (She/her)

• [email protected]
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-rascon-canales
• Instagram: @michellephd_lmsw

Dissertation Information

• Qual Scholars Community: https://qual-scholars.circle.so/
• 10 Pages In 2 Days Writing Retreat: https://qualscholars.com/10pages/
• The Finish Your Dissertation Institute: https://qualscholars.com/theinstitute/
• Qual Scholars Website: https://qualscholars.com/
• Qual Scholars' Instagram: https://instagram.com/qual_scholars/

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to the Journey
• 03:06 Navigating Personal and Academic Challenges
• 05:51 The Impact of Grief on Academic Pursuits
• 09:00 The Role of Community in Overcoming Obstacles
• 11:59 Finding Support Through Coaching
• 15:03 Transforming Writing Practices
• 17:48 The Importance of Self-Care in Academia
• 21:02 Building a Supportive Network
• 23:56 Conclusion and Reflections
• 25:12 The Importance of Writing in Community
• 29:06 Navigating Relationships with Advisors
• 32:44 The Iterative Process of Writing
• 38:43 Embracing Neurodiversity in Academia
• 45:13 Finding Safety in the Writing Process