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
35 episodes
S3E14 - Speak up: A conversation on finding your voice and confidence with Emma Gaskin
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 ...
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Season 3
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Episode 14
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1:03:08
S3E13 - Becoming the mentor you needed: a conversation with Dr Liz Berry about mental health, mentorship and changing academic culture
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 ...
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Season 3
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Episode 13
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1:04:41
S3E12 - What 2 years of motherhood taught me about life, work and growth
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, o...
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32:41
S3E11 - You can't fail at rest: a solo reflection on letting go of "perfect" self-care
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 c...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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29:44
S3E10 - Rest as rebelllion: a solo reflection on how rest is an act of resistance
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. B...
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28:25
S3E9 - The courage to slow down: a solo reflection on finding your pace in a world that won't stop rushing
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 pau...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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27:56
S3E8 - Prenatal yoga: our honest experiences, challenges and lessons
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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45:07
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