Shows
PhD in Parenting PodcastSaving Graces: What's Carrying Us Through the PandemicIt's been over one year since the pandemic brought a halt to many of our day-to-day lives, and all signs point to it being with us well into the summer. In this week’s episode, the hosts reflect on what has carried them through thus far and what they plan to rely on in order to bring some sense of normalcy to their lives in spite of living amidst pandemic conditions. From small everyday enjoyments to weekly habits and from guilty pleasures to general outlooks on life, the hosts share their pandemic favorites as both reflection and inspiration for th...
2021-03-3158 minPhD in Parenting PodcastThe Advantages of an Alt-Ac CareerIn addition to the challenges many academics are facing with various work-from-home-arrangements, the pandemic has put economic strains on universities and other organizations, leading to a drop in traditional employment opportunities for academics. In this episode, the hosts consider the so-called alt-ac career as a possibility for academics to look outside of the narrow confines of tenure track positions and other teaching-centered appointments. Addressing alt-ac positions both as a long term career plan and as a way to "pivot" during these challenging times, the hosts outline their own experiences applying to as well as working in such roles in...
2021-03-1759 minPhD in Parenting PodcastThe Benefits of Collaboration in Higher EducationCollaborations with colleagues can be a source of strength and inspiration. Some collaborations, like this podcast, for example, allow colleagues and friends to pursue their mutual interests while receiving feedback and support via a social outlet. Amidst this pandemic, forging and maintaining such relationships is more important than ever. Join Judith and Erin as they discuss different types of collaborations in the academy, ways to connect and network with like-minded scholars, the benefits such working relationships may provide, and how to set ground rules and boundaries in collaborative environments.
This episode references:
The M...
2021-03-0358 minPhD in Parenting PodcastMom is "Resilient" and other Pandemic TakeawaysAlmost a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, mothers all around the world are feeling overworked and burnt out but continue to shoulder many of the responsibilities that have been added to family life. Popular cultural narratives about what mothers are currently going through and how they are coping with this current reality tell stories about struggles and resilience.
In this episode, Erin and Judith review pre-pandemic ideologies of motherhood like intensive mothering and attachment parenting and ask how these have changed and further intensified over the course of the pandemic. The hosts discuss what current cultural narratives...
2021-02-1054 minPhD in Parenting PodcastResilience and RejectionMost academic careers are built around applications for jobs, grants, awards, stipends, scholarships, and so forth. Competition is generally strong and as such, academics are frequently faced with rejection. In this episode, Erin and Judith ask what is so difficult about facing academic and other professional rejections and how to move forward from that initial sting.
Drawing on their experiences facing rejected publications proposals, job applications, award applications, and more, the hosts share some of their disappointments, their ways of making sense of various rejections, and their strategies for building resilience in light of adversity. As parents, they also discuss h...
2021-02-0359 minPhD in Parenting PodcastThe Adjunctification of Higher EducationMost of us working as educators in higher education realize the key role that adjunct instructors fulfill within the academy. Educators in adjunct positions often teach the lion's share of courses at colleges and universities but do not necessarily reap the rewards such as benefits or job stability that their tenure-track and full-time colleagues do.
With that in mind, Judith and Erin discuss whether or not there are any positive aspects to working in an adjunct capacity, especially for working parents. The conversation is contextualized by informal data gleaned from the podcast audience and current coverage in...
2021-01-271h 00PhD in Parenting PodcastTeaching in 2021With 2020 in the rearview mirror and a new semester underway, Judith and Erin discuss how the pandemic has shaped current pedagogical practice in higher education. Whether your college has changed its mode of delivery to virtual learning, switched to a hybrid model, or returned to face-to-face instruction, your pedagogical approaches might have gone through some transformations over the last couple of semesters. In this episode, the hosts glean insights from listener feedback as well as their own research to address the challenges of teaching during the pandemic as well as various tools and technologies that can be used to...
2021-01-191h 01PhD in Parenting PodcastMotherScholars with Jessica SpottJoin Judith and Erin as they have an illuminating conversation with Jessica Spott, Ph.D. candidate in Educational Psychology at Texas Tech University and the mother of two young boys. Jessica is also the Director of the STEM Center for Outreach, Research & Education at Texas Tech. In this episode, Jessica shares some of the roadblocks that have occurred on her journey to her Ph.D. as well as her important research project which examines the experiences of MotherScholars in STEM fields. Tune in as Jessica explores the notion of the MotherScholar and gives important insight into the experiential similarities...
2021-01-131h 11PhD in Parenting PodcastWhen Does The Pressure to Stay Positive Become Toxic?For many, the hope and optimism tied to a new year are especially promising as 2021 begins. In this episode, Erin and Judith discuss what happens when the pressure to be positive becomes toxic. Drawing on examples from research and their own experiences, they discuss what toxic positivity looks like at home, in the workplace, and in the academy, and how they avoid passing it on to their children.
Here's a link to the article from the Psychology Group that is referred to in the episode:
https://thepsychologygroup.com/toxic-positivity/
The op...
2021-01-0642 minPhD in Parenting PodcastWhat We Learned from 2020As 2020 (finally!) comes to an end, it would be easy to enumerate all the challenges and disappointments that the year brought. In this episode, however, Judith and Erin re-center the conversation about the year and bring focus to what they learned about themselves, their children, and their work/life this year.
The opening and closing song, "Vienna Beat" by Blue Dot Sessions is licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial License and shared through the Free Music Archive: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/RadioPink/Vienna_Beat
2020-12-3049 minPhD in Parenting PodcastEmpaths, Empathy, and Emotional LaborHave you been labeled oversensitive? Are you drained by crowds? Do you startle easily? Then you might be an empath! In this week’s episode, the hosts continue their conversation about emotional labor by looking more closely at how being an empath might impact that labor and increase the exhaustion caused by it. They relate it to the broader notion of empathy and its relationship to social justice. The hosts end the discussion by responding to twenty empath questionnaire questions and considering the usefulness of the concept. For anyone interested, the questionnaire can be found here:
https://dr...
2020-12-2346 minPhD in Parenting PodcastEmotional Labor at Home and WorkWhy is it that certain tasks and interactions at work and at home leave us feeling drained? One hypothesis is that some responsibilities require more emotional labor than others. In this episode, Judith and Erin explore the different ways in which the term "emotional labor" has been evoked in the l decades since sociologist Arlie Hochschild first coined the term before considering how emotional labor plays a role in their personal and professional lives.
This episode refers to the article "The Concept Creep of ‘Emotional Labor’" by Julie Beck posted at:
https://www.theatlantic.com/fa...
2020-12-1650 minPhD in Parenting PodcastGender, Leadership and Higher EducationDo women and men really have different leadership styles, and if so, can we change the way we frame what has been categorized as "feminine" qualities? In this episode, Judith and Erin review current research regarding female and male leadership before exploring how this plays out in higher ed. Drawing on research and personal experiences, the hosts discuss the high points and challenges of being a female leader.
The episode refers to the following articles:
Qureshi, M. I., Zaman, K., & Bhatti, M. N. (2011). The impact of culture and gender on leadership behavior: Higher ed...
2020-12-0947 minPhD in Parenting PodcastA Feminist Review of Mommy Wine CultureIf you've been on any form of social media recently, you'll have noticed a plethora of memes and gifs depicting mothers who use wine as a means for coping with their daily duties. In this episode, Judith and Erin consider how consumer products, cultural representations ranging from social media memes to television series and movies, and the pressure to drink in social situations are all expressions of the so-called "mommy wine culture." The hosts draw on their own experience and their academic backgrounds to examine the larger narratives of the mommy wine culture through a feminist lens.
...
2020-12-0250 minPhD in Parenting PodcastHeading into the HolidaysWe are headed into the holiday season here in the US, and for many of us that’s going to look a bit different than in other years due to the pandemic. In this episode, Erin and Judith discuss what kinds of traditions they’re hanging on to, what they’re letting go of, and how the ebb and flow of the semester impacts their families’ experience of the season. The hosts discuss several stressors that impact the holiday season and consider how the pandemic might eliminate some and exacerbate others. Covering everything from roasting turkeys to unboxing ornaments and the...
2020-11-2550 minPhD in Parenting PodcastElection DecompressionIn what ways did the Trump presidency impact our work as parents and scholars? How will the Biden/Harris presidency bring change to our dual roles? In this episode, Judith and Erin recall their reactions to the 2016 election and its aftermath before thinking forward to how the Biden presidency may shape academia and higher education. Exploring specific examples of how anti-intellectual ideologies have crept into American culture, the hosts explore why teaching critical thinking has lasting consequences in the classroom and beyond.
2020-11-1755 minPhD in Parenting PodcastFrom Full-Time Lecturer to Tenure Track: A Conversation with Dr. Adrienne JankensIn this episode, Judith and Erin have a candid chat with Dr. Adrienne Jankens, Assistant Professor in Rhetoric and Composition at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Adrienne, the mother of four, charts her day-to-day activities as scholar and mother and notes the significant changes between working as a full-time lecturer and working as an assistant professor on the tenure track. In addition to discussing her important work with student writers and writing program administration, Adrienne offers practical advice about curating a CV that is positioned for a successful job search.
The opening and closing so...
2020-11-1052 minPhD in Parenting PodcastDr. Mom?: Our Children's Understanding of What We DoHow does being a Ph.D. impact our children's perceptions of who we are and how do we explain to our children what we actually do? In this episode, Judith and Erin discuss their children's understanding of their work and how their professional lives and scholarly journeys have, in turn, impacted their parenting practices. The hosts discuss their experiences interacting with non-academic parents in playgroups and school events as well as whether or not their roles in academia lead them to set higher academic standards for their children.
This episode references the following studies:
Hancock KJ, Cunningham NK, Lawrence D, Zar...
2020-11-0354 minPhD in Parenting PodcastCultivating a Growth Mindset at Work and HomeJudith and Erin begin the episode by discussing and defining the concept of the growth mindset trait developed by American psychologist Carol Dweck. The hosts go on to consider how the cultivation of a growth mindset can be advantageous in both parenting and academic roles using examples from their own lives to contextualize the conversation.
This episode refers to the following books and articles:
HOW CHILDREN SUCCEED By Paul Tough
https://www.paultough.com/books/how-children-succeed/
The Gift of Failure by Jessica Lahey
htt...
2020-10-2754 minPhD in Parenting PodcastA Feminist Review of the Academy during COVID-19In this episode, Judith and Erin consider how female academics have been impacted during COVID-19. The hosts survey the three arms of the academy (publishing, teaching, and service) from a feminist perspective to see how the massive changes due to COVID are impacting women in the academy.
This episode refers to the following articles:
"The Virus Moved Female Faculty to the Brink. Will Universities Help?" By Jillian Kramer posted at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/06/science/covid-universities-women.html
"Pandemic Imperils Promotions for Women in Academia" by Noam Scheiber
posted at: https://www.nyt...
2020-10-2058 minPhD in Parenting PodcastPublish or Perish?Most academics are familiar with the term "publish or perish," but how does one put those words into action?
In this episode, the hosts walk through a number of publishing scenarios drawing from their experiences to contextualize the conversation and offer practical advice.
Judith discusses her role as the Managing Editor of Criticism, a top-tier, peer-reviewed journal as well as the editorial experience she gleaned from working on a ten-volume, inter-disciplinary handbook series as the Editor's Assistant, among other scholarly activities. Erin explores how some early "failures" in academic publishing led to a number of su...
2020-10-131h 00PhD in Parenting PodcastMotherhood and the Sciences - A Conversation with Dr. Danielle C. HutchisonIn what ways might the experiences of navigating the competing demands of scholarship and parenthood differ across fields and disciplines? What are experiences that connect academic parents across disciplinary boundaries? To answer these questions from a scientist’s perspective, Erin and Judith interview special guest Dr. Danielle Hutchison, chemistry PhD and Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Notre Dame. Their conversation covers everything from having kids in graduate school and bringing them to job interviews to the need for self-care and the importance of female role models.
Danielle shares more about navigating the challenges of motherhood an...
2020-10-0654 minPhD in Parenting PodcastEating Well and Being Healthy (Tips for Working Families)Have a toddler that refuses to eat anything but chicken nuggets and frozen waffles? Wondering how to provide healthy fuel for your family and get your child or children involved in the process?
In this episode, Judith and Erin share some of their own personal anecdotes about eating well, aiming for body positivity, and meal planning before looking at what the experts have to say about setting our children up to make healthy choices on their own.
This episode refers to Dr. Kristen Fuller's article titled:"How to Talk to Your Children About Food in a...
2020-09-291h 05PhD in Parenting PodcastToxic ProductivityWhat is so "toxic" about being productive, anyway? In this episode, Judith and Erin discuss this buzz-worthy term and how social norms suggest that working parents need to be ultra-productive all the time. The hosts question whether working in academia may exacerbate these pressures before providing some tips to help listeners navigate the pressure to be productive through mindful living.
This episode refers to the work of Dr. Julie Smith, which can be viewed here: https://twitter.com/bbc/status/1262382683214286849?lang=en
The episode also refers to Nancy Driver's article regarding toxic productivity p...
2020-09-221h 00PhD in Parenting PodcastStaying Sane through your Job SearchWhile successfully defending a dissertation is one of the most important milestones in the life of a scholar, what happens next? How does one prepare for the job market as a PhD and as a parent? Join Judith, Erin, and special guest Dr. Alisa Allkins, tenure track instructor at Harold Washington College, a City College of Chicago, as they discuss the highs and the lows of navigating the academic job market. The three share their own experiences as well as offer practical guidance about how to prepare and stay organized through the often challenging--but ultimately rewarding--process.
...
2020-09-151h 08PhD in Parenting PodcastWorking and Parenting During a (Pandemic) School YearBalancing work and home life is often a challenge for parents working in academia, but now more than ever. After wondering what the fall would hold--it is finally here. Join Judith and Erin as they describe the new landscape of their workplaces and spaces and what the school day is like for their children.
Opening and closing song, "Vienna Beat" by Blue Dot Sessions is licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial License and shared through the Free Music Archive: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/RadioPink/Vienna_Beat
2020-09-081h 07PhD in Parenting PodcastConferencing and Travel (Plus Kids)Attending academic conferences (whether in-person or online) is a major component of the graduate school experience as well as life after graduation. But how does this work when a scholar has children? Join Judith and Erin as they recount some of their rewarding (and challenging) experiences conferencing with children, and as they consider how the pandemic may reshape conferencing as we know it.
Opening and closing song, "Vienna Beat" by Blue Dot Sessions is licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial License and shared through the Free Music Archive: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/RadioPink/Vienna_Beat
2020-09-0159 minPhD in Parenting PodcastWhat We Wish We Would Have Known Before Graduate SchoolEvery wonder if your time management during graduate school could be improved? Thinking about how to make your dissertation writing process more focused and/more stream-lined? As successful PhD graduates, Judith and Erin share their experiences working through graduate school and offer insight about what they might have differently based on the knowledge they gained during the process.
2020-08-2552 minPhD in Parenting PodcastThe Imposter SyndromeEver feel like you are not "qualified" to be in your current role? If so, you may have been experiencing imposter syndrome.
In this episode, Judith and Erin discuss some signs and symptoms of this phenomenon alongside their own experiences. The episode asks if the structure of higher education exacerbates such feelings and what can be done to alleviate them. The hosts all think about how this may impact parents as well.
This episode refers to the following research articles:
Clance, Pauline R.; Imes, Suzanne A. (Fall 1978). "The Impostor Phenomenon in High Achieving Wo...
2020-08-1857 minPhD in Parenting PodcastBack to School! (Part Two)Join Judith, Erin, and special guest, Dr. Ashley Whitmore, as they discuss what the fall semester may hold for those working in higher education.
Ashley, a Composition Lecturer at University of Michigan-Dearborn and mother of two, discusses her journey as a parent and PhD student as well as her contingency plans for educating her children at home this fall. The three also think through what college classrooms might like look this fall as well as some possible best practices for keeping students engaged during this time.
Opening and closing song, "Vienna Beat" by Blue...
2020-08-1158 minPhD in Parenting PodcastBack to School? (Part One)With the "back to school" season only weeks away, Judith and Erin talk through some of their concerns about what their children's day to day could look like this fall. As your hosts address their own thoughts about their children's wellbeing, they also discuss what research from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States suggests about children and COVID-19 as well as the role of schools in many communities as a hub for support and resources.
This episode features research from the CDC located at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-n...
2020-08-0455 minPhD in Parenting PodcastIntersectional Feminism: A Discussion with LaToya Faulk about Race, Gender, and Motherhood in the AcademyIn this episode, Judith and Erin have a conversation with scholar LaToya Faulk about her experiences as a Black female/single mother in the academy. Please read the message below from LaToya about this meaningful discussion:
Post Talk Message from LaToya Faulk:
The relationship I describe at this time in my life was an unhealthy one. These sorts of relationships have the potential to impact work production in academic settings and your mental health. It’s imperative that women, but particularly women of color working in academic institutions, find healthy and steady...
2020-07-281h 00PhD in Parenting PodcastMental Health During Grad School, a Pandemic, and BeyondIn this episode, Judith and Erin discuss mental health for those preparing for or working in an academic field. The hosts have a candid conversation about their own mental health during the stages of their respective PhD studies as well as consider how the pandemic is impacting themselves and others.
DISCLAIMER: Neither host is an expert in mental health. This episode represents an informal conversation about the topic. Listeners in the US that feel they need assistance can visit https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/immediate-help for a list of services and connections to receive immediate as...
2020-07-2153 minPhD in Parenting PodcastThe Mental LoadRemembering doctor's appointments. Balancing the budget. Buying birthday presents. Keeping track of groceries. Meal planning. The list goes on.
In this episode, Judith and Erin explain and discuss the concept of the "mental load," or the oftentimes invisible labor that parents must balance with their professional work. Citing examples from their own lives, Judith and Erin take a look and the research and discuss what works in their lives (and what doesn't).
This episode refers to the important book: Second Shift: Working Families and the Revolution at Home by Arlie Hochschild and Anne Machung: https://www...
2020-07-1457 min
PhD in Parenting PodcastBalancing Teaching, Parenting, Marriage, and More During Grad SchoolIn this episode, Judith and Erin discuss their individual journeys through their Ph.D. program, including getting married, having children, moving into the prospectus and qualifying exam, managing the dissertation process, and the successful defense of their projects.
This episode refers to the book Do Babies Matter?: Gender and Family in the Ivory Tower
by Mary Ann Mason, Nicholas H. Wolfinger, Marc Goulden.
Publication details are available at https://www.rutgersuniversitypress.org/do-babies-matter/9780813567150.
This episode also refers to the article: "What took them so long? Explaining PhD delays among doctoral candidates" by Ren...
2020-07-0758 min
PhD in Parenting PodcastMeet Your Hosts as they Aim for Work/Life Balance during the PandemicIn this episode, you'll meet your hosts, Judith and Erin, as they grapple with big changes related to statewide stay-at-home orders. Judith and Erin talk about how they continue to cope with working as academics from their home offices, using remote learning with their children, and finding some balance between these roles. You'll get a chance to hear about their work, their families, and the hosts will provide a helpful hack along the way.
This episode refers to research by Dr. Megan Frederickson, culminated in her article title: "COVID-19’s gendered impact on academic productivity." Her research can b...
2020-06-3052 min