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
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.
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 us to generations before us and those still to come.
And, of course, we get a little philosophical (sleep deprivation kicked in!), reflecting on how holding new life in our arms makes us more aware of life’s fragility, our own impermanence, and the bittersweet beauty of it all.
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