Moms, Mats and Manuscripts
Moms, Mats and Manuscripts is a podcast hosted by Ksenia Volkova Tomaz, a former molecular biologist, yoga teacher and mindset coach for scientists, and mom. This is a space for honest, unpolished conversations about the parts of academia and ambition we don’t talk about enough.
Here, we explore the mental and emotional load of being a young scientist or high-achieving woman: the pressure to constantly produce, the identity crises, the inner critic, the fear of slowing down, the guilt around rest, the invisible labour of motherhood, and the messy process of redefining success on your own terms.
I share personal stories, science-backed insights, and yoga-psychology tools to help you navigate burnout, self-worth, boundaries, and the overwhelming push to “do more.”
Think of this space as a friend's couch, where you can have a cup of coffee, relax, exhale and be seen.
Moms, Mats and Manuscripts
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 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 moment without letting the pressure consume her.
If you’ve ever wondered how to survive academic deadlines while being a new mom, or how to stay productive in less-than-ideal circumstances - this one’s for you! Tune in for some real talk and inspiration for managing the chaos with grace. 🎙️✨
Let's hang out! 🎙️ Follow Moms, Mats, and Manuscripts for more conversations on academia, motherhood, and mindful living. And if this episode sparked something in you, don't forget to like and share our podcast so that more people can join our coffee-fueled chats!
I'd also love to hear your thoughts and questions, and if you have ideas for future episodes, drop us a line.
We're also on Instagram:
@moms.mats.manuscripts
@shantiscience_yoga
Reach out: moms.mats.manuscripts@gmail.com
