Moms, Mats and Manuscripts
Moms, Mats and Manuscripts is a podcast hosted by Ivna, a PhD student in biomedicine, a yoga teacher and a mom, and Ksenia a former molecular biologist, a yoga teacher for scientists and a mom, too. This is a space to talk about all things academia, motherhood and yoga with humour and vulnerability.
We chat about mental health in academia, mindful productivity, and surviving and enjoying early motherhood while bringing yoga wisdom into our lives, share our stories and offer tips on navigating life's chaotic adventures.
Episodes
28 episodes
S3E7 - Interview with Emilia Villegas
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 ho...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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47:34
S3E6 - On hearing our bodies’ messages (and learning to not ignore them)
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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42:53
S3E5 - Building a business and raising a toddler
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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51:25
S3E4 - Academic mobility: Lessons and love stories from the places we’ve lived in
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,...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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1:05:49
S3E3 - Interview with Sylvie Lahaie
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 y...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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1:09:22
S3E2 - Interview with Anahita Amirpour
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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47:27
S3E1 - Welcome to Season 3: Stories of struggles, strength and connection
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 (...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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32:41
S2E10 - How motherhood changes us (part 3): On coming home to ourselves, redefining success and the evolution of friendships
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 ...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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36:34
S2E9 - How motherhood changes us (part 2) - On heritage, the love that made us, and the Motherhood Club
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.<...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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33:03
S2E8 - How motherhood changes us (part 1)
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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17:03
S2E7 - Why change feels so hard (and how to keep going anyway)
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 pick...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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34:38
S2E6 - Intentions, goals and New Year's resolutions
🎙️ 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, ...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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29:55
S2E5 - Ksenia's journey through PhD, burnout and starting over
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 sympt...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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37:58
S2E4 - Ivna's thesis story part 3 - Post-defense reflections and future plans
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 t...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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17:54
S2E3 - Checking in three days before the defense (Ivna's thesis story pt2)
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 (...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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22:46
S2E2 - Managing distractions, mom guilt and a tight deadline (Ivna's thesis story)
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 ...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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32:33
S2E1 - The Power of New Beginnings
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, an...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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16:37
E10 - Showing up imperfectly
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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15:44
E9 - Living the Good Times
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 imp...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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25:14
E8 - Self-care and showing up during tough times
In this deeply personal episode of "Moms, Mats, and Manuscripts," we open up about dealing with the challenges we're facing in our lives right now. Amid these tumultuous times, we have a brutally honest conversation about self-care and showing ...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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32:49
E7 - Body Image in Pregnancy and Postpartum
In this heartfelt episode of "Moms, Mats, and Manuscripts," we chat about body image during pregnancy and postpartum. We share our personal experiences, reflecting on the awe we felt at the miracle of growing a human and the changes our bodies ...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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45:49
E6 - Navigating pregnancy and maternity leave in academia
In this episode of "Moms, Mats, and Manuscripts," we tackle the topic of family planning while pursuing an academic career. Ivna, a PhD student and new mom, shares her journey of having a baby during the final year of her PhD. We explore her de...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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41:37
E5 - Intuition in Academia - Navigating relationships & career choices
In this episode of "Moms, Mats, and Manuscripts," we discuss the role of intuition in the highly rational, fact-oriented world of academia. We share personal stories of listening to our intuition when choosing our next career steps, navigating ...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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50:51
International Day of Yoga Special - 6 Lessons from the yoga mat
This is a replay of an Instagram Live we hosted to celebrate the International Day of Yoga on June 21. In this special episode, we talked about ways yoga practice can be a great support for people navigating the challenges of their academic jou...
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Season 1
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25:04
E4 - Intuition & Trusting your body in motherhood
In this episode of "Moms, Mats, and Manuscripts," we explore the role of intuition in motherhood. We share personal stories from our pregnancies and birth experiences, as well as our early postpartum journeys. We discuss how intuition felt powe...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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48:38