Mrs Mummy PhD®
This podcast is a reflective space for high-achieving mothers navigating scholarly work, home, and identity.
Hosted by Dr Michelle Gibbs — a wife, boy Mama of 3 and doctor/scholar (of the PhD kind) — the Mrs Mummy PhD® podcast is shaped by lived experience of holding ambition alongside family life, responsibility, and seasons of change. It speaks to the reality that meaningful work does not exist in isolation from the rest of our lives.
Scholarly motherhood is complex and deeply human. It is marked by transitions, pressure, and continual becoming — and without intention, it can quietly pull us away from ourselves.
Through thoughtful conversations and reflections, this podcast invites you to slow down, lead yourself first, and reconsider what sustainable impact looks like in this season of life. Rather than offering quick fixes or productivity promises, it offers insight, perspective, and permission to build a life that includes your work, your family, and yourself.
If you are a mother navigating intellectually demanding work — in academia or beyond — and are seeking steadiness, clarity, and a way forward that does not require self-sacrifice, this space is for you.
So Mama, are you in?
Fabulous!
Let's begin...
These are our journeys of becoming — and you’re welcome here.
Episodes
124 episodes
123. Be Right Back!
ANNOUNCEMENT: We're on break!Tune into the episode to find out why!While I'm on break, be sure to tune into the archives - I'm sure there's an episode there with your name on it! Make sure you also subscribe to ...
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Season 3
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Episode 123
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5:33
122. Before You Quit...
Thinking about quitting your PhD? You’re not alone—I've been there. But before you make that call, this episode walks you through 7 powerful questions and mindset shifts that could change everything...What if there’s still a ...
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Season 3
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Episode 122
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32:50
121. "I Met Myself": How PhD Motherhood Became a Path to Self-Discovery with Dr Nonhlanhla Dube a.k.a. Dr Noni
This week on the podcast, I’m joined by an incredible guest: a Zimbabwean-born academic, content creator, and mother - Dr Nonhlanhla Dube (a.k.a. Dr Noni) - whose path to a PhD took her across continents, through two undergrad degrees, a presti...
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Season 3
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Episode 121
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1:42:02
120. 10 Powerful Affirmations for Scholarly Mamas®
In this episode, I’m sharing (and discussing) 10 powerful affirmations specifically for Scholarly Mamas®—words to ground you when the workload is heavy, the juggle-struggle gets tricky, the guilt creeps in, or the doubt gets loud. ...
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Season 3
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Episode 120
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30:11
119. Is PhD Motherhood An Art or A Science?
Ever wondered if there was a perfect formula or set of steps for navigating your PhD journey well as a Mama? If you’ve tried all the time management hacks and productivity tools but still feel like something’s missing… you are not a...
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Season 3
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Episode 119
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24:33
118. Secrets to Running Your Own PhD Race (Even As A Mama) with Dr Blessing Adeniyi
What happens when a sustainability policy analyst decides to pursue a PhD (while juggling family life)? Most people would call it impossible. Dr Blessing Adeniyi called it her PhD Race.Fresh off compl...
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Season 3
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Episode 118
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52:54
117. Does Success Require An 'Unhealthy Obsession'?
What does it really take to achieve success— and is it worth the cost?In this episode, I reflect on a recent video I saw on YouTube, by a former doctor turned entrep...
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Season 3
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Episode 117
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33:31
116. The Resilient Rise: From Juggling a PhD, Parenthood and a Pandemic To Landing a Leadership Role in Academia with Dr Milensu Shanyinde
What does it really take to pursue a PhD while raising two children, juggling work life, and living through a global pandemic? In this special guest episode, I sit down with Dr Milensu Shanyinde from the
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Season 3
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Episode 116
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47:27
115. The Freedom of Yes
What if we've been conditioned to say 'no' by defalut, and this the thing that's holding us back?In this revolutionary episode, we explore the unexpected power of a well-placed yes—not the kind that drains you, but the ...
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Season 3
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Episode 115
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29:25
114. Reflective Replay of "What To Do When Your Best Doesn't Feel Good Enough"
Reflective Replay:Ever held back the tears after receiving a rejection letter, email or phone call so your kids wouldn't see you cry? In this raw and real episode, we're tackling the gut-punch moments of academic life as a M...
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Season 3
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Episode 114
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22:01
113. Editing the Script and Leaving Academia: How Dr Paulina Cossette Redefined Success
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 professo...
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Season 3
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Episode 113
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1:00:51
112. Becoming More of You in Scholarly Motherhood
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 Ph...
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Season 3
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Episode 112
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25:39
111. Rediscovering Self: Who Were You Before The World Gave You Labels?
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 ...
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Season 3
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Episode 111
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28:20
110. When The Plan Falls Apart...
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 ever...
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Season 3
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Episode 110
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16:07
109. Purpose in the Pause: An Easter Reflection
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 th...
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Season 3
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Episode 109
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27:58
108. Reframing Breaks: How to Rest Without Guilt
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 responsibili...
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Season 3
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Episode 108
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24:02
107. Two Years of Podcasting: Looking Back & Moving Forward
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®. Joi...
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Season 3
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Episode 107
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22:22
106. Are You Fishing for Success or Cultivating Growth?
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 (f...
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Season 2
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Episode 106
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26:56
105. Running on Empty? Do This First If You Want to Lead Well...
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 M...
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Season 2
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Episode 105
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31:57
104. Expectation without Expectations: How to Thrive As a Scholarly Mama
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 a...
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Season 2
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Episode 104
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28:02
103. Thinking Beyond the PhD
Who are you becoming on your PhD journey?Although a PhD journey can feel all-consuming, it's worth pausing now and again and giving some thought to life beyond the PhD and the impact you can and will create once you have finished your Ph...
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Season 2
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Episode 103
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16:42
102. Reflective Replay of "I've Submitted My PhD Thesis: Raw Reflections On The Remarkable Moment"
It's so interesting to reflect now and again! Today I'm reflecting on the episode where I recorded my raw emotional response to submitting my PhD thesis after 8 years and what that felt like back in May 2023!I hope re-listeni...
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Season 2
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Episode 102
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35:19
101. "Coming to the Page..." How to Love the Writer Within & Write With Joy with Natalya Androsova, PhD
Want to transform your writing from a source of stress to a source of joy? In this episode, we sit down with Natalya Androsova PhD, an award-winning writing coach who has helped many writers complete their PhD theses, dissertations, books, and ...
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Season 2
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Episode 101
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1:02:15
100. Celebrating 100 Episodes & Permission to Think Differently
Mama, we've made it to 100 episodes! Can you believe it? This is indeed a milestone worthy of celebration! Come, tune in and join in the celebrations :-)In addition to that, we go deep in this episode too! It's truly how we roll around h...
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Season 2
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Episode 100
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19:46
99. How to Consistently Show Up For Your Dreams
Ready to know how you can consistently show up for your Scholarly Mama® dreams? In this episode, we're diving into the powerful mindset shifts that can help you achieve your PhD goals while embracing the joy of Motherhood. Discover why your uni...
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Season 2
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Episode 99
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32:29