Moms, Mats and Manuscripts

Catarina Nabais, scientist, mom of two, and former academic, joins Moms, Mats and Manuscripts to talk about leaving the traditional academic career path, finding her place in science, and building a life that doesn't revolve around her career.

We get into the academic guilt that never seems to go away - whether you're working late, taking a weekend off, or thinking about having kids. Catarina shares how she realised she didn't want to become a group leader, why she felt motherhood would make her less competitive, and how moving into a bioimaging facility gave her a different...

Dr. Elizabeth Berry, Assistant Professor at New York Medical College, returns to Moms, Mats and Manuscripts pregnant and really honest about all of it: the panic attack over due-date math, the fear that visible pregnancy would affect how colleagues saw her ambition, and the uncertainty of how the "mom" label would land on top of scientist and professor. 

We also go on a couple of rants neither of us saw coming - about childcare costs, people's desire to share horror stories instead of positive ones, and about a medical system that doesn't know what to do with p...

In this episode of Moms, Mats, and Manuscripts, I sit down with my friend Katerina Danezi. Katerina finished her PhD with a baby on her hip, literally. She wrote 330 pages of her thesis in mere weeks, eight months postpartum, while breastfeeding and running on almost no sleep. In this episode, we talk about what it actually looks like to navigate pregnancy in the last year of a PhD: the lab politics, the guilt, the colleagues, the supervisor, and everything in between.

We also get into the part nobody really prepares you for - the job search after...

After an emotionally challenging birth and a postpartum recovery marked by chronic pain, relationship breakdown, and identity crisis, my guest Munirah Razak, a yoga teacher, postpartum massage therapist, and matrescence coach, found her footing. Now she helps other mothers do the same.

In this conversation, we explored matrescence - the profound, multi-dimensional transformation of becoming a mother, and why most of us are navigating it without a map, a village, or even a word for what we're going through. We talked about radical rest as a path back to yourself, the myth of bouncing back, the identity...

What happens when you try to build a career and a family at the same time?

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Lauren Mason - research scientist, higher education consultant, and creator of Lauren Finds a Way - to talk about motherhood in and around academia.

We explore the realities of pregnancy during an academic career, including the feeling of being an “inconvenience,” navigating identity shifts, and learning to become more unapologetic about your needs. Lauren also shares her experience of losing a twin during pregnancy, and what it was like to hold both g...

What if the problem isn't that you're bad at goals... it's that the way we're told to set them is kind of broken?
In this solo episode, I'm sharing how I've been doing goal-setting differently. Instead of the classic New Year's resolution that dies by mid-January, I've been doing quarterly check-ins - basically, sitting down every three months to look at what's working, what's not, and what I actually want next.
It's changed everything about how I work, how I show up, and how I trust myself to follow through.

I talk about:

...

In this second part of my conversation with scientific writer and science communicator Sónia Gomes Pereira on Moms, Mats, and Manuscripts, we move beyond leaving academia and into what comes next: building a freelance career, and a life that actually feels aligned.

Sónia shares how she transitioned into freelance scientific and medical writing, how she found her first clients, and what it really takes to navigate self-employment without a clear roadmap. We talk about the realities of freelancing - from flexibility and autonomy to financial uncertainty, difficult clients, and learning to se...

In this episode of Moms, Mats, and Manuscripts, I’m joined by scientific writer and science communicator Sónia Gomes Pereira to talk about the moment she realised that the traditional academic path simply wasn’t worth the cost.

Sónia shares her journey from a curious science-loving kid to a PhD in integrative biology and biomedicine, navigating a complex interdisciplinary PhD project, and eventually deciding to leave academia behind. Along the way, we talk about the hidden pressures of academic life, the discipline it takes to survive a PhD, and the personal events...

The story of our today's guest, Ana Amaral, challenges the typical "I left academia because I burned out" narrative. With a biochemistry PhD, postdocs at Cambridge and Karolinska Institute, and an incredibly supportive boss, she had everything needed for academic success. Yet something was missing - so she decided to leave and look for it elsewhere.

This episode explores how body wisdom and intuition can guide major career decisions, even when logic says to stay put. Ana shares how yoga, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence helped her recognise that safety isn't the same as fulfilment.

We...

Four years into self-employment, almost two years of this podcast... and instead of feeling settled, I’ve been sitting with a lot of mixed emotions.

In this birthday reflection episode, I talk honestly about the thought many of us carry: “I should be further ahead by now.” I reflect on academic conditioning, linear timelines, grief around identity shifts, motherhood and building a business in “hard mode,” and the pressure to measure ourselves by standards that were never designed for our lives.

This episode is a somewhat rambling, vulnerable pause before we move into upcoming conversations about non...

Struggling with New Year’s resolutions, goal setting, or motivation as a PhD student, academic, or ambitious parent? In this solo episode of Moms, Mats & Manuscripts, I talk about what is not working with traditional goal setting when you’re exhausted, and how to approach goals more gently and sustainably.

We explore goals without burnout, realistic planning for busy seasons of life, and how to stay ambitious without falling into perfectionism or all-or-nothing thinking. This episode covers gentle goals, self-compassion, productivity for academics (or parents of young kids!), and planning the year ahead when...

Welcome to the new chapter! In this solo episode of Moms, Mats, and Manuscripts, I share what’s changing on the podcast in 2026 and my vision for the year ahead. 

I talk about the upcoming episode series focused on motherhood in and around academia, including family planning during a PhD, parenting as a postdoc or researcher, identity shifts after becoming a mother, and balancing ambition with care. I also introduce a series on alternative careers after academia, exploring non-linear career paths, leaving academia, and creating meaningful work beyond the traditional academic track.

I...

In this honest and beautifully chaotic episode, Dr Asya Martirosyan joins me once again for a vulnerable conversation about starting a family in academia: the fears, ambitions, cultural expectations, and the persistent myth of “perfect timing.”

We dive into the pressures placed on women in STEM to excel at everything: building a career, being a present mother, running a household, staying balanced and ambitious… often without any real support or open discussion.

We talk about:
 • fears around motherhood and “ruining” our kids
 • cultural influences on how we imagine parenting
 • the myth that children limit succ...

In this episode of Moms, Mats, and Manuscripts, Ksenia sits down with Dr Asya Martirosyan to explore the highs and lows of life in academia, the pressures of PhD and postdoc work, and how she rediscovered her love for science when freed from external expectations.

We dive into:

The mental and emotional toll of PhD life and academic pressure;

How cultural factors affect the way we work, perceive criticism and show up in academia;

Rediscovering curiosity and doing science for the sake of science;

Transitioning from academia to entrepreneurship...

Public speaking, whether in a conference room or on stage, can feel absolutely terrifying. For many scientists, it’s part of the job, yet few of us are ever taught how to really do it: how to command a room, connect with an audience, and share our message with confidence and authenticity.

In this episode, Ksenia talks with Emma Gaskin, a former speech therapist and founder of The Speaking Hub, who now helps women in business and leadership find their voice and speak with impact. We dive into:

- Why public speaking feels so scary (an...

What makes a great mentor, and how can we create a healthier, more compassionate academic culture?

In this episode of Moms, Mats, and Manuscripts, we talk with Dr Liz Berry, assistant professor at New York Medical College and creator behind @dr.lizberry on Instagram and TikTok. Liz shares her honest experiences moving from PhD student to educator, how burnout shaped her approach to mentorship, and why she believes rest and compassion belong in every lab and lecture hall.

We explore:

In this solo episode, Ksenia is reflecting on two years of motherhood and the 7 powerful lessons it has taught her about life, work, and growth. These are not just parenting lessons; they’re insights anyone can apply in their career, studies, or personal life, especially if you’ve ever struggled with boundaries, perfectionism, or identity in your work.

She talks about:

🌱 The importance of mentorship and guidance
🌱 Why community and friendships matter (even when life feels overwhelming)
🌱 Living and acting from your values
🌱 Protecting your boundaries
🌱 Not letting motherhood - or academia - become y...

Do you ever feel like rest and self-care have become just another task on your never-ending to-do list? In this solo episode, Ksenia wraps up her 3-part series on rest and slowing down. She shares why so many of us turn self-care into another chore, why hustle culture and perfectionism convince us that we can “fail” at rest, and what that mindset is really costing us.

From holidays that feel like assignments to meditation routines that become another checklist item, Ksenia explores the importance of reclaiming rest as something light, joyful, and deeply restorative and not another prod...

In this episode, Ksenia is diving deeper into the idea that rest is an act of rebellion. 

We've all been there: the pressure to constantly hustle, especially in fields like academia and other demanding careers, can be overwhelming. But what if slowing down and prioritising rest wasn't a sign of weakness, but a powerful act of resistance against a system that glorifies burnout?

Ksenia shares bits of her personal journey and observations from her time in academia, as well as:

What if slowing down was not a weakness, but a skill?

In this solo reflection, Ksenia talks about how she went from constantly rushing (and feeling like rest was something she had to “earn”) to slowly learning the courage it takes to pause, breathe, and choose a different pace, even when the world (and her mind) is screaming “go faster.”

She shares:

- Why slowing down often feels so uncomfortable 

- The sneaky guilt that comes with resting or moving slowly

- Moments from her own life when the rush near...

In this intimate, honest episode, we (two moms and yoga teachers) open up about how yoga supported us through pregnancy, labour, and postpartum - not just in the physical sense, but in how we learned to listen to ourselves, surrender, roar, and recover.

We reflect on:
 🧘‍♀️ How our prenatal yoga routines shifted across trimesters
 🔁 What we’d definitely do again and what we wish we had done differently
 🌀 How yoga helped us stay intuitive, present, and calm during pregnancy
 🗣️ The tools that actually made a difference in labour: breath, sound, focus, trust (and toe stands)
 🦁 Tapping...

Stress, overwork, and constant hustle can wreak havoc on your hormones, especially if you're constantly ignoring your natural cycle and your body's cues. In this episode, Ksenia sits down with hormone health expert Emilia Villegas to discuss how modern work culture impacts our hormonal well-being and what we can do to reclaim balance.

We cover everything from how stress throws off your endocrine system to menstrual cycle-informed productivity, to simple and practical tips you can start using today to support your hormone health without needing to overhaul your entire life.

Whether you're dealing with fatigue...

In this honest and open conversation, we reflect on how our relationships with our bodies have evolved over the past decade, from student all-nighters and coffee-fueled burnout to a more attuned, mindful approach shaped by yoga, motherhood, and life experience.

We explore:

• What “body awareness” really means
• How chronic stress, anxiety, and burnout show up physically
• Our very different (but equally chaotic) student years
• How practising yoga changed the way we treat ourselves
• The messy process of learning to rest without guilt, especially as moms
• How motherhood redefines what “energy management” looks...

This solo story gets personal: Ivna interviews Ksenia about the behind-the-scenes chaos (and beauty) of trying to build a meaningful, sustainable yoga business while raising a toddler full-time.

We cover what it's like to feel like you're falling behind - and also exactly where you're supposed to be. Plus, we end with a tangent on Zumba, mindful movement, why yoga is the perfect antidote to academic stress, and how it supports scientists beyond just stretching.

Listen if you're:
 → A scientist or academic feeling burnt out
 → A parent trying to stay true to yourself
 →...

What does home really mean when you've lived across half a dozen countries? In this heartwarming and honest episode, we share our personal journeys through Europe and Asia - from summer internships and PhDs to falling in love, becoming mothers, and redefining identity with every move.

💬 We talk about:

- The unexpected butterfly effects that changed our lives 🌍
- What it's like to move for love, work, or curiosity
- How motherhood reshaped our sense of home and roots
- Building rituals and finding grounding amidst constant change
- The grief of los...

In this powerful episode of Moms, Mats, and Manuscripts, we sit down with neuroscientist and yoga teacher Sylvie Lahaie (aka Synaptic Sylvie) to unpack her journey through burnout, mental health struggles, and finding healing through yoga and mindfulness. Sylvie opens up about the toxic work culture in academia, overworking herself into collapse during her Master’s degree, and how a simple YouTube yoga video became a turning point in her life.

We explore the intersection of neuroscience and self-care, the impact of stress on the brain, the systemic pressures that push young scientists beyond their limits, and ba...

In this special first interview episode of Moms, Mats, and Manuscripts, Ksenia sits down with Anahita Amirpour - PhD student, performance consultant, and former nurse anaesthetist - to explore how researchers can thrive without burning out. We talk about the culture of overwork in academia, impostor syndrome, setting healthy boundaries, and how Anahita balances her PhD, her business, and writing a book. Whether you're a stressed-out scientist, a recovering perfectionist, or someone juggling too many roles, this conversation will inspire and support you.

Topics covered:

We're back with Season 3 - and this time, our guiding word is connection. In this heartfelt episode, we explore how connection ties into the themes of our previous seasons: showing up and being bold and authentic. We share our recent (and not-so-recent) experiences with mental health struggles, particularly around postpartum, loneliness, and identity.

From stopping breastfeeding and hitting a low point, to finding unexpected support through Facebook mom groups, we talk about what it really means to feel seen, and how even small moments of shared understanding can make all the difference.

May is Mental...

In the final episode of our three-part series on how motherhood changes us - and the last episode of season two - we turn inward to explore the quieter, more personal transformations that happen after becoming a mother.

We talk about the shifting landscape of identity, how we’re slowly coming home to ourselves in new ways, and how motherhood reshapes how we approach things like free time, travel, presence, ambition, and rest.

We share how our dreams and definitions of success have evolved, how certain friendships have deepened or faded, and how motherhood gently (an...

In this deeply reflective episode, we continue our conversation about how motherhood changes us -this time diving into our connections to the past, the unspoken bond between mothers, and the way parenthood makes us confront life and mortality.

We explore how becoming mothers has reshaped our relationships with our parents and grandparents, making us more curious about our roots, family traditions, and the many love stories that brought us into existence. We talk about the quiet sisterhood of motherhood - the way we now smile at other moms in solidarity - and the realization that parenting ties...

Motherhood changes us, there’s no doubt about it. But does it mean we lose ourselves? In this spontaneous conversation (sparked by a question from Ksenia's Instagram Live!), we dive into the shifts we’ve experienced since becoming moms and why we see them as a net positive. We talk about what’s had to adjust, what’s stayed the same, and why change doesn’t have to mean giving up parts of ourselves.

This is just the beginning of a bigger conversation. In the next episodes, we’ll explore how motherhood reshapes our dreams, passions, relationships, body image...

Why does change feel so hard - even when we want it and know it would benefit us? In this episode, we dive into the brain’s resistance to change and why we often cling to what’s familiar, even if it’s not serving us. We talk about picking ourselves back up when we falter, overcoming the inner critic that tells us we’re failing, and figuring out what we really need - whether it’s more rest, more support, or just a little push through momentary discomfort.

We also explore the fine balance between setting realistic...

🎙️ In this first episode of 2025, we dive into New Year’s resolutions, intentions and the art of mindful goal-setting. We share our personal goals for the upcoming year, reflect on our approach to goal setting and how it has evolved over time, and discuss what we’ve learned about making goals truly meaningful and aligned with our values.

From the difference between resolutions and intentions to finding balance between ambition and self-compassion, this conversation is all about creating a fresh start in a way that feels authentic and achievable. Whether you’re setting big goals, small intentions, or just fig...

In this raw and honest episode of Moms, Mats & Manuscripts, Ksenia opens up about her bold decision to quit her PhD program and walk away from academia. In conversation with co-host Ivna, she shares the deep burnout, physical symptoms, and intuitive nudges that led her to realise: continuing was no longer sustainable.

This isn’t your typical “I left my PhD” story. Ksenia dives into the emotional complexity of making such a choice, the fear of disappointing others, and the surprising relief she found in finally listening to her inner voice. We talk about how academic pressure and pe...

We're back after a month-long hiatus with a special in-person episode, recorded during a surprise podcast retreat! 🎙️ 
Here we talked about a pivotal moment in Ivna's academic journey: her thesis defence. She shares her reflections on the experience, the emotional highs and lows of reaching this milestone, and how it feels to officially close the PhD chapter of her life.

We also explore her thoughts about what comes next—the mix of excitement and uncertainty that comes with having a world of possibilities ahead. From dealing with the fear of the unknown to embracing new beginnings, this con...

In this spontaneous episode of Moms, Mats, & Manuscripts, we check in with Ivna just 3 days before her PhD defence! 🎓😱 We dive into how she’s feeling, her writing and preparation process, and what strategies helped her stay consistent and (mostly) calm during these final moments.

We also get real about those inevitable moments of stress and panic and how she navigated them with grace—or at least tried to! Plus, we chat about our upcoming Co-working + Yoga event, a space designed to help you tackle your own projects with focus and support (and yes, we will both be there...

In this special episode of Moms, Mats, & Manuscripts, we sit down in person (this episode was recorded quite some time ago while we were together on our podcast retreat 😊) to chat about one of the most intense balancing acts we’ve ever seen: Ivna writing her PhD thesis while caring for an 8-month-old in a beautiful seaside location  - and on a tight deadline, no less!

Join us as Ivna shares her experience juggling baby duties, thesis writing, and self-care amid it all. We talk about how she found focus, stayed sane (mostly!), and embraced the beauty of the...

Welcome back! Season 2 of Moms, Mats, & Manuscripts kicks off with an empowering conversation all about fresh starts, bold moves, and authentic living. In this episode, we dive into the significance of turning the page, embracing change, and how new beginnings tie beautifully into our themes of boldness and authenticity this season. We also drop some exciting hints about what’s to come! 👀 

Whether you’re ready for a fresh chapter in life, career, or motherhood, we hope this episode will inspire you to start it with confidence.

Tune in and get ready for an incredible season a...

In this special finale of Season 1, we come together in person for the first time during our mini podcast retreat! 🎉 We share our gratitude to everyone who has listened and supported us on this journey, reflect on how the retreat idea blossomed into reality, and hint at some exciting plans and goals for the future (spoiler alert: they're BIG!). Join us as we celebrate the end of this season and get a sneak peek of what's to come.

We're looking forward to having you with us for Season 2 and beyond! 🌟

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In this episode of "Moms, Mats, and Manuscripts," we celebrate the "good old days" and reflect on what it means to truly live in moments of happiness and wellbeing. We chat about how we recognize when we're in these great times and how they impact our behavior—like being more present and spending less time on our phones. We also explore how our yoga practice shifts depending on whether we're in a tough period or experiencing joy, and share some valuable lessons we can carry from these happy moments into more challenging days. Join us for this uplifting conversation on...