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.
Mrs Mummy PhD®
92. All I Want For Christmas Is...
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In this heartfelt episode, I challenge the conventional academic mindset that prioritises publications, citations, and grants above all else. Partly inspired by a thought-provoking Instagram reel, by testimonies and lived experiences, I explore why pursuing external measures of academic success at the expense of what truly matters can lead to burnout, overwhelm and disillusionment.
In the episode, I discuss:
- Why the "you are your academic output" mindset is fundamentally flawed
- How life experiences and ageing shift our perspective on what truly matters
- A reminder of and signpost to practical strategies for creating meaningful connections this holiday season
- More purposeful ways to measure success
This episode offers a gentle reminder that while academic achievements are important and desirable, they shouldn't come at the cost of life's most precious moments. Whether you're struggling with guilt about taking time off or feeling pressured to work through the holidays, this conversation will help you prioritise what really matters this Christmas season and beyond.
The episode is perfect for PhD students, Scholarly Mamas®, or anyone struggling to juggle academic ambitions and family life during the holidays.
You won't want to miss this one...
Let me also take this opportunity to wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas!
Read the related blog post here: All I Want For Christmas Is...
Want more?
- Check out the Mrs Mummy PhD® website.
- Book your free SEED call.
- Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Threads, Pinterest or TikTok.
- Join the newsletter family at Scholarly Mamas® - The Letter
- 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.
