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 prestigious scholarship, and finally, a research post in the Netherlands.

We talk about:

• How rejection redirected her toward purpose
• What it was really like finishing a PhD as a new Mama
• Why she’s now showing up on TikTok to help others find joy in academic writing
• And what she wishes more people actually said out loud about being a Mama in academia

Whether you're deep in your PhD or just figuring out how to hold it all together as a parent in academia—this one is for you.

Make sure you subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode about the real, raw, and beautiful mess of PhD Motherhood. And if you love what you hear, leave a kind review—it helps more Scholarly Mamas® find us!

Follow Dr Noni on Tik Tok or YouTube for more :-). Find her co-founded SWAN community here.

Want more?

1. Check out the Mrs Mummy PhD® blog.
2. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tik Tok or Threads
3. Join us inside Scholarly Mamas®!
4. Check out my Doodle Dozen® children's book series!

These are our journeys of becoming!

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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.

Whether you’re deep in PhD mode while juggling little ones, or just trying to hold it all together, these affirmations are here to remind you: you are not alone, and you are more capable than you think!

Tune in now—and don’t forget to grab your FREE printable copy of all 10 affirmations so you can keep them close when you need them most: get them here.

Want more?

1. Check out the Mrs Mummy PhD® blog.
2. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tik Tok or Threads
3. Join us inside Scholarly Mamas®!
4. Check out my Doodle Dozen® children's book series!

These are our journeys of becoming!

Send me a text message.

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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 alone.

In this episode, we’re unpacking a big question: Is scholarly motherhood an art or a science? Spoiler — it’s not what most productivity advice would have you believe.

Join me as I share real stories from my own PhD journey — the messy days, the surprising wins, and the mindset shift that changed everything. You’ll walk away with permission to ditch the impossible pursuit of perfect balance and embrace a more sustainable, creative approach to navigating both academia and motherhood.

Tune in to discover why embracing the art of scholarly motherhood might be the key to finishing well — without sacrificing yourself or your family.

Want more?

1. Check out the Mrs Mummy PhD® blog.
2. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tik Tok or Threads
3. Join us inside Scholarly Mamas®!
4. Check out my Doodle Dozen® children's book series!

These are our journeys of becoming!

Send me a text message.

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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 completing her PhD in Sustainability Management, Dr Blessing joins us for an honest conversation about doing her PhD as a Mama. Through The PhD Race, she's been documenting the unfiltered reality of navigating a PhD journey and in her case, juggling that with research, full-time work, and motherhood.

You can follow her on Instagram here.

You'll want to listen if:

• You're tired of choosing between academic dreams and being present for your children
• You've wondering if you can even keep up with the pace of PhD life as a Mama and vice versa
• You need to hear from someone who's done it, not just theorised about it

This isn't typical work-life balance advice. This is just two Mamas, who have walked the PhD road, getting real about how you can make your PhD dreams come true and build the life you actually want along the way.

Ready to run your own PhD Race? No problem, just press play to tune in!

Want more?

1. Check out the Mrs Mummy PhD® blog.
2. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tik Tok or Threads
3. Join us inside Scholarly Mamas®!
4. Check out my Doodle Dozen® children's book series!

These are our journeys of becoming!

Send me a text message.

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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 entrepreneur who suggested that financial success requires an “unhealthy obsession” and intense personal sacrifice.

Join me as I unpack his perspective and why it may not apply to other types of success pursuits, why this mindset won't work for Scholarly Mamas® and why there are several unhelpful assumptions unpinning this thinking. I offer a slightly different viewpoint grounded in my lived experience of PhD Motherhood, that challenges grind culture and explores a more sustainable, fulfilling path to success.

If you've ever wondered whether you have to sacrifice what matters most to finish your PhD well as a Scholarly Mama®, this episode is for you!

Want more?

1. Check out the Mrs Mummy PhD® blog.
2. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tik Tok or Threads
3. Join us inside Scholarly Mamas®!
4. Check out my Doodle Dozen® children's book series!

These are our journeys of becoming!

Send me a text message.

Support the show

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 Work Academic Mum blog, a Zambian-born, now UK-based Lead Medical Statistician whose journey through academia has been anything but conventional.

From unexpected detours to quiet triumphs, Milensu shares how she navigated life, learning, and identity in spaces where she often stood out—and stood strong.

Whether you're a Scholarly Mama® or simply someone chasing big goals, this episode will challenge your perspective on success, resilience, and what’s possible when you refuse to quit.

Tune in for a conversation that’s honest, inspiring, and full of moments that just might surprise you!

Visit Dr Shanyinde's Work Academic Mum blog or follow her on Instagram.

Want more?

1. Check out the Mrs Mummy PhD® blog.
2. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tik Tok or Threads
3. Join us inside Scholarly Mamas®!
4. Check out my Doodle Dozen® children's book series!

These are our journeys of becoming!

Send me a text message.

Support the show

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 kind that expands you. For Scholarly Mamas® navigating academia, parenting, and ambition, this conversation reimagines what’s possible when you stop shrinking your life to fit your well-defined 'boxes'—and start saying yes to what actually lights you up.

In this episode, I share:

• The hidden cost of defaulting to 'no'—even when it feels responsible
• Why the right 'yes' can create time, energy, and momentum
• A simple framework to help you tell the difference between a draining 'yes' and a liberating one
• How your brave 'yes' becomes a radical lesson in possibility for your kids

You just might walk away rethinking everything you’ve turned down lately—and ready to say 'yes' to something that scares you... in the best way. Because it's not about doing more. It's about embracing the freedom to become more of you. Tune in for the most revolutionary podcast episode ever!

Want more?

1. Check out the Mrs Mummy PhD® blog.
2. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tik Tok or Threads
3. Join us inside Scholarly Mamas®!
4. Check out my Doodle Dozen® children's book series!

These are our journeys of becoming!

Send me a text message.

Support the show

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?

1. Check out the Mrs Mummy PhD® blog.
2. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tik Tok or Threads
3. Join us inside Scholarly Mamas®!
4. Check out my Doodle Dozen® children's book series!

These are our journeys of becoming!

Send me a text message.

Support the show