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®
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 Mama – from grant rejections to viva struggles. Whether you're questioning your place in academia or wondering how to pick yourself up after a setback, this episode is your permission slip to be beautifully in-progress.
We dive into:
- The unique sting of academic rejection while juggling motherhood
- Why "not good enough" is a story we tell ourselves (and how to rewrite it)
- Practical strategies for bouncing back when your confidence takes a hit
- The power of the word "yet" in your academic journey
- How to model resilience for your kids while building it yourself
Plus, learn why treating yourself with the same grace you'd show your child's imperfect art might be the key to your academic success.
A powerful episode you won't want to miss!
Read the related blog post: What To Do When Your Best Doesn't Feel Good Enough?
Want more?
- Check out the Mrs Mummy PhD website.
- 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.
