A podcast on thriving in graduate school for first-generation BIPOC students, offering insights on academic success, career development, mental health, and navigating diversity and inclusion in higher education.
▶ WebplayerThe Signal Award-winning Grad School Femtoring Podcast provides first-generation BIPOC students and professionals with conversations about graduate school and growth to help you sustainably achieve your goals. I’m your host, Dra. Yvette Martinez-Vu, a first-gen Chicana, mama, neurodivergent, and chronically ill grad school and productivity coach, consultant, author and speaker. For over fifteen years I’ve been empowering first-gen students of color along their personal and professional journeys, and I’m really excited to support you too. Listen every week to solo and guest episodes where you’ll be listening in on inclusive grad school stories. You'll also learn more about...
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Sep 28, 2026 · 28:59
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I share how to choose a graduate program based on the outcome you're seeking and the people you hope to learn from. When I…
Sep 21, 2026 · 24:22
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I share low-energy writing strategies for college students, graduate students, and professionals completing major projects…
Sep 14, 2026 · 24:20
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I discuss why the excitement surrounding a long-term writing project can fade and how dopamine, executive functioning, and…
Sep 7, 2026 · 34:56
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I speak with Reem Salem, a fourth-year molecular engineering PhD candidate at the University of Chicago, about career…
Aug 31, 2026 · 29:58
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I unpack seven common graduate school myths that can leave students questioning their abilities, belonging, support systems,…
Aug 24, 2026 · 17:22
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I explain how to calculate the return on investment, or ROI, of graduate school. As admissions season begins, many…
Aug 14, 2026 · 24:53
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I share three truths I wish I understood before starting graduate school. For first-generation, BIPOC, neurodivergent, and…
Aug 7, 2026 · 27:22
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I discuss what to do in a time when more graduate programs are pausing or cancelling admissions and why having a Plan A,…
Jul 31, 2026 · 25:35
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I introduce a different way to think about weekly planning by changing your focus from simply managing your time to…
Jul 24, 2026 · 35:55
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I sit down with entrepreneur and MBA graduate Nicole Moreno-Deinzer to explore one of the most common questions I hear from…
Jul 17, 2026 · 21:14
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I show you how to build a flexible note-taking system that helps you read more strategically, retain information more…
Jul 10, 2026 · 28:13
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I explore why so many of us feel stuck even when we're working incredibly hard toward our goals. If you've ever assumed that…
Jul 3, 2026 · 25:32
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I reflect on what disability culture has taught me about building a meaningful life through uncertainty while navigating one…
Jun 26, 2026 · 58:49
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I sit down with my friend returning guest Camila Lacques-Zapién, a coach who supports academics, creatives, professionals,…
Jun 19, 2026 · 22:01
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I discuss one of the most significant recent changes to graduate education financing: the end of Graduate PLUS loans and…
Jun 12, 2026 · 22:25
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I reflect on reaching 100K podcast downloads during one of the hardest seasons of my life as a parent and what that…
Jun 5, 2026 · 20:43
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I offer a more personal take on what sustainable productivity can look like during high-stress seasons. Drawing from my own…
May 29, 2026 · 51:26
In this episode of the The Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I talk with Dr. Leslie Wang about writing authentically, values misalignment in academia, and choosing a career path…
May 22, 2026 · 23:14
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I unpack why so many high achievers struggle with follow-through, even when they are so incredibly committed to their goals.…
May 15, 2026 · 36:59
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I speak with Bianca Alba about the realities of taking a non-linear path through graduate school, career transitions, and…
May 8, 2026 · 19:53
In episode 371 of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I walk through six practical strategies for managing academic writing revisions without spiraling into overwhelm. If you’re…
May 1, 2026 · 20:59
In episode 370 of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I talk about what it means to experience grief, guilt, and shame in grad school, especially when your journey does not match…
Apr 24, 2026 · 42:33
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I explore the politics of citation and why crediting others matters in academia and beyond, alongside Dr. Miroslava…
Apr 17, 2026 · 24:07
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I walk you through how to identify your advisor needs as a graduate student, whether you are choosing an advisor in your…
Apr 10, 2026 · 23:00
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I talk about how financial stress can shape your productivity by affecting your sense of safety, stability, and…
Apr 3, 2026 · 21:47
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I talk about how rising costs, job insecurity, and increased workloads can keep you stuck in exhausting, crisis-driven…
Mar 27, 2026 · 20:00
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I reflect on how many of the grad students I once coached are now working professionals in various leadership roles, and how…
Mar 20, 2026 · 32:10
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I talk with first-generation college graduate and seasoned Bay Area admissions consultant, Erica Hernandez, about financial…
Mar 13, 2026 · 16:48
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I reveal five truths about grad school admissions no one tells you. First, being qualified isn’t enough. Second, who you…
Mar 6, 2026 · 41:16
In this client spotlight, I speak with Dr. Jeanette Villanueva Padilla about her journey from completing her master’s degree to earning her doctorate while parenting, working…
Feb 27, 2026 · 14:14
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I walk you through exactly how to secure affordable graduate school housing. I share when you should start searching and why…
Feb 20, 2026 · 21:07
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I talk about confidence building for first-gen professionals. I share why confidence can sometimes feel harder for first-gen…
Feb 13, 2026 · 51:49
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I talk with Dr. Gertrude Nonterah, founder of Bold PhD Consulting, about career design for PhDs and the challenges and…
Feb 6, 2026 · 25:05
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I guide you through how to manage and complete an incomplete in grad school. I explain what an incomplete means and discuss…
Jan 30, 2026 · 18:46
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I share insights for grad students, academics, and other writers feeling overwhelmed by manuscript revisions, whether you’re…
Jan 23, 2026 · 29:49
In this replay episode, I share my personal experience of turning down my dream master's program due to funding issues and provide comprehensive guidance on securing funding for…
Jan 16, 2026 · 24:57
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I address the crucial factors to consider when choosing a thesis or dissertation advisor for graduate school. Drawing from…
Jan 9, 2026 · 31:44
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I share various strategies to track progress on long-term projects like dissertations, publications, and other manuscripts,…
Jan 2, 2026 · 27:12
In this replay episode, I share 10 monthly reflection questions designed to help you track and achieve your goals effectively. You’ll learn how and why I developed these…
Dec 26, 2025 · 40:03
This replay episode on spoonie productivity discusses strategies for managing the holiday season when you are a spoonie and have limited energy. Addressing chronically ill and…
Dec 19, 2025 · 26:31
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I share my personal experience of how my business was impacted by higher education funding cuts and how I adapted by making…
Dec 12, 2025 · 32:48
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I discuss the growing trend among educators to revert back to analog tools in the classroom as a response to the rise of AI…
Dec 5, 2025 · 41:53
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I sit down with Dr. Janice Castro, a bilingual, licensed psychologist specializing in Latine mental health and adult ADHD.…
Nov 28, 2025 · 24:46
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I tackle the common misconception that rest only counts if you're asleep, napping, or doing nothing. Inspired by Dr. Sandra…
Nov 21, 2025 · 26:45
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I discuss the emotionally charged nature of writing and the systemic barriers that often hinder consistent writing progress.…
Nov 14, 2025 · 20:27
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I address a common concern among coaching and consulting clients, which is the question of doing enough. I discuss concepts…
Nov 7, 2025 · 47:05
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I feature Stephanie Sanchez, a former grad admissions consulting client now completing a master’s program abroad at the…
Oct 31, 2025 · 31:11
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I address the challenge of how to maintain progress on your goals when you have low energy. I share my own personal…
Oct 24, 2025 · 37:01
In episode 343 of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I introduce the first recording of my new client spotlight series, featuring an inspiring conversation with Dr. L. Paloma…
Oct 17, 2025 · 30:09
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I guide you through the often awkward and uncomfortable process of writing your own letter of recommendation for grad…
Oct 10, 2025 · 28:39
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I address the prevalence of masking and overcompensating as survival mechanisms for first-gen and neurodivergent students. I…
Oct 3, 2025 · 19:47
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I discuss the significance of rewarding yourself and how to celebrate small wins as a student. Drawing from personal…
Sep 26, 2025 · 48:56
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast we focus on the importance of cultivating curiosity and care in careers with guest Naseem Kapdi. Naseem, a career coach and…
Sep 19, 2025 · 27:03
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I share my top five productivity tips for chronic illness, autism, and ADHD. Inspired by the many shortcomings of…
Sep 12, 2025 · 29:41
Listen to this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast if you’re struggling to secure and maintain mentors. I share strategies for first-gen and BIPOC students and…
Sep 5, 2025 · 27:23
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I discuss the increased issue of paused and canceled graduate admissions for fall 2025, especially for PhD programs. I offer…
Aug 29, 2025 · 44:55
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I am joined by Dr. Analia Gomez Vidal, a bilingual multihyphenate professional and founder of AGV Services LLC. We discuss…
Aug 22, 2025 · 25:58
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I share my personal experience with goal setting and how it often led led to feelings of failure. I then delve into 10…
Aug 15, 2025 · 26:09
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I share my particular approach to goal setting and how it differs from traditional methods. I introduce a layered…
Aug 8, 2025 · 41:18
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast we discuss all things budget-friendly meal planning for busy grad students and professionals. Our returning guest, Jasmine…
Aug 1, 2025 · 21:21
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I discuss the recent “Big Beautiful Bill” and its impact on funding options for low-income, first-gen students pursuing…
Jul 25, 2025 · 22:31
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I introduce you to the concept of the four types of luck: “blind” luck or what I call luck from privilege, luck from motion,…
Jul 18, 2025 · 37:49
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I speak with Maceo Nafisah Cabrera Estévez, a writer, book coach, editor, and co-founder of the Muslim Writer Salon. We…
Jul 11, 2025 · 32:58
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I offer a mid-year reflection and share both the challenges and lessons I’ve learned along the way. Join me as I share how…
Jul 4, 2025 · 22:20
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I explore how to redefine productivity to overcome burnout, especially for first-gen, BIPOC, and neurodivergent individuals.…
Jun 27, 2025 · 52:53
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I chat with Rhonda Kahn, a speaker, coach, and consultant specializing in amplifying the unique voices of leaders and teams.…
Jun 20, 2025 · 21:09
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I address the significance of visibility without hustle for first-generation, BIPOC, neurodivergent, and nontraditional…
Jun 13, 2025 · 14:50
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I address the urgent topic of what's been going on with the ongoing ICE raids in Los Angeles and how we can support…
Jun 6, 2025 · 51:55
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I am joined by my co-author, Dr. Miroslava Chávez-García, to celebrate the first anniversary of our book, Is Grad School For…
May 30, 2025 · 25:39
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I discuss the invaluable skill of pitching yourself to create your own opportunities. If you’ve ever wondered how people…
May 23, 2025 · 56:57
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I am joined by Yvonne Armenta, a public speaking consultant and founder of Latina Presente, to discuss public speaking as a…
May 16, 2025 · 19:00
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I answer one of the most common questions that comes up when applying to graduate school, how do I find the right grad…
May 9, 2025 · 14:02
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I address the common struggles many of us face with starting and ending our workday effectively. I discuss the importance of…
May 2, 2025 · 22:52
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I discuss the financial challenges that first-gen, BIPOC, and low-income graduate students often face, particularly those…
Apr 25, 2025 · 49:44
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I sit down with Dra. Aurora Chang to discuss her journey from being an undocumented immigrant to becoming…
Apr 18, 2025 · 20:34
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I discuss action-oriented executive functioning skills to help you move from thinking to doing. This is part two of a…
Apr 11, 2025 · 25:19
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I discuss essential executive functioning skills for mastering your mental workspace. They include: working memory (your…
Apr 4, 2025 · 48:13
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I offer a deep dive into the graduate school application process, answering all of your questions from planning your…
Mar 28, 2025 · 59:02
In this episode, I interview Dianni Hall, a queer solo budget backpacker and second-generation Latina, who has lived a nomadic lifestyle for nearly six years. She shares her…
Mar 21, 2025 · 20:40
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I share eight flexible time management strategies for individuals who want to move beyond time blocking. They include task…
Mar 14, 2025 · 38:56
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I help you overcome writer’s block by addressing common writing challenges faced by grad students and early career…
Mar 7, 2025 · 28:30
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I discuss the importance of creating a mentorship map, especially for first gen, BIPOC, and neurodivergent grad students,…
Feb 28, 2025 · 43:39
In this episode, we welcome back Dr. La'Tonya “LT” Rease Miles to discuss her new memoir, Smart Girl: A First-Gen Origin Story. We cover all kinds of topics from impactful…
Feb 21, 2025 · 12:44
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I share ten acts of community care that you can get done in ten minutes or less. These small but meaningful actions are…
Feb 14, 2025 · 52:33
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, we address the topic of being an anti-ableist advocate in higher education with our guest Janelle Johnson, a licensed…
Feb 7, 2025 · 29:49
In this episode, I share my personal experience of turning down my dream master's program due to funding issues and provide comprehensive guidance on securing funding for…
Jan 31, 2025 · 52:02
This episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast features a critical discussion with Dr. OiYan Poon on the end of affirmative action and the implications for first-generation…
Jan 24, 2025 · 30:58
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I discuss the concept of how to lower the bar and doing “good enough” work and how it can help you maintain momentum during…
Jan 17, 2025 · 24:49
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I reflect on my own struggles with freeze mode as a grad student and offer three simple, actionable steps to help you get…
Jan 10, 2025 · 1:11:59
In today’s episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I welcome my guest and dear friend, Doris Difarnecio, a feminist, interdisciplinary artist, theater director, and…
Jan 3, 2025 · 25:50
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I share my top five productivity tips for chronic illness, autism, and ADHD. Inspired by the many shortcomings of…
Dec 27, 2024 · 20:47
In this episode, I share more about my podcasting and adult autism diagnosis journey. I open up about how this podcast and my recent adult autism diagnosis have helped me with…
Dec 20, 2024 · 56:27
In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I am joined by Carla Santamaria, a formerly undocumented Honduran immigrant who more than doubled her salary in 10 months by…
Dec 13, 2024 · 24:33
This episode offers strategies for exploring career options for PhD professionals. I reflect on my post-grad school journey and the challenges I faced when transitioning from…
Dec 6, 2024 · 37:19
In this episode, our guest Kara Perez, founder of Bravely Go and author of Green Money, highlights the importance of discussing finances with family, sustainability in investing,…
Nov 29, 2024 · 35:57
This episode discusses strategies for managing the holiday season when you are a spoonie and have limited energy. Addressing chronically ill and disabled individuals, I share…
Nov 22, 2024 · 27:32
In this episode, I share 10 monthly reflection questions designed to help you track and achieve your goals effectively. You’ll learn how and why I developed these questions to…
Nov 15, 2024 · 37:33
In this episode, I welcome Dr. Ramon Goings to discuss strategies for thriving in academia and building a consulting business. Dr. Goings shares his journey from music education…
Nov 8, 2024 · 31:51
In this episode, originally aired on March 2023, I share six ways to overcome dissertation writing anxiety. First, I share common obstacles like procrastination, lack of…
Nov 1, 2024 · 29:12
In this episode, I share exciting news about winning a Signal Award and reflect on the power of visibility, community, and consistency. I discuss my podcasting journey, the…
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