Broke PhD Podcast

This episode features Renita, the creator behind Magically Black AF. During our conversation, Renita shares about her background and the reasons for why she started her page and shares her content. Additionally, we talk about our love of Beyoncé, the Black community, and our culture, and we also share about our experiences of being Black Women here in the United States.

To connect with Renita:

This episode features Lia Picard, who is a journalist and a freelance writer with nationally published work. She is also an adult recreational tennis player and the host of the Bagel Bagel podcast. During our conversation, Lia shares about her background, we talk about our love for the sport of tennis, and she shares more about her podcast - the Bagel Bagel podcast.

To connect with Lia Picard :

This episode features Malynda Hale, who is an award-winningactress, a singer, an activist, the Executive Director for The NewEvangelicals, a content creator, and an all-around multi-hyphenate. During our conversation, Malynda shares about her background and experiences of being an activist, of navigating the entertainment world, and of trying to find a balance between her artistry and her activism. Additionally, we talked about the topics of being a content creator/the social media world in general, AI and its impact on music, and we talk about our experiences of being Black Women navigating the present socioeconomic climate, specifically that of the one here in the United States.

To connect with Malynda Hale:

This episode features Dr. Shanell T. Smith, who is the founder of Shanell T Smith Consulting and the creator of the Accelerate Your Doctorate method. On this episode, Dr. Smith shares about her background as well as the work of her LLC, Shanell T Smith Consulting, which has two focuses of 1) aiding doctoral students with accelerating through their degree program, and 2) aidingorganizations and leaders with further developing their leadership abilities and with enhancing their overall productivity. Additionally, we talk about the topic of prioritization and the importance of prioritizing one's energy, one's time, and most importantly, oneself.

 To connect with Dr. Shanell T. Smith:

This episode features Dr. Ramon Goings who is the author of “14 Secrets to a Done Dissertation” as well as runs the “Done Dissertation” dissertation consulting firm. On this episode, Dr. Goings shares about his background and we talk about the topics of imposter syndrome, and being a first-generation student going through a doctoral program. Additionally, Dr. Goings shares some key takeaways that will ideally aid you with navigating through a doctoral program or with navigating through life overall.

To connect with Dr. Ramon Goings:

This episode features Veronica DeLaHarpe, your 2025 Miss American Coed for the Miss American Coed Pageant system! On this episode, Veronica shares about her background, her experiences in both pageantry as well as being a Graduate School Student, and we talk about the importance of shining as your true authentic self.

To connect with Veronica DeLaHarpe, please feel free to reach out to her via her social media platforms, and/or via email:

Personal Instagrams: @miss.veronica.delaharpe

@veronica.delaharpe

Title/Queen Instagram: @themissamericancoed

Email: vdelahar@emich.edu

Who makes up your community? On this episode of Broke PhD Podcast, I talk about the importance of community and how it is crucial to surround yourself with individuals who will uplift you as you navigate along your life journey.

What do you wish you would have known earlier in life that could have aided you with better navigating your life journey? On this episode, I share the last five things out of the “10 Things That I Wish I Would Have Known Earlier in Life.” This segment is a two-part segment, so be sure to check out Episode 22 to hear the first five things.

What do you wish you would have known earlier in life that could have aided you with better navigating your life journey? On this episode, I share the first five things out of the “10 Things That I Wish I Would Have Known Earlier in Life.” This segment is a two-part segment, so be sure to check out Episode 23 to hear the other five things.

This episode features Dr. Michelle Gibbs, also known as Mrs Mummy PhD. On this episode, Dr. Michelle Gibbs shares about being a Black Immigrant woman navigating the world of academia. Additionally, we talk about the importance of having or building your own support system to aid you as you navigate your academic or personal life. Dr. Gibbs also shares some key takeaways that will hopefully aid you as you navigate along your own journey. This episode is part two of a two part segment, so be sure to listen to the first part of our conversation, part one (Episode 20).

To connect with Dr. Michelle Gibbs, please feel free to check out her website, connect with her via her social media platforms, and/or reach out to her via email:

This episode features Dr. Paulina Cossette! On this episode, Dr. Paulina shares about her experience of leaving the world of academia and professorship. Additionally, she shares about her journey of becoming a freelancer and small business owner and entering into the world of copy editing.

To connect with Dr. Paulina Cossette, please feel free to check out her website, connect with her via her social media platforms, and/or reach out to her via email:

This episode features the first guest ever on Broke PhD Podcast – Future Dr. Shelika Joshi! On this episode, Future Doctor Shelika continues to talk about her dissertation research as well as her research topic area of refugee and immigrant mental health. Additionally, she shares about her experience of being a woman of color in academia.

To connect with Future Dr. Shelika Joshi, please feel free to follow her on Instagram or reach out to her via email:

Instagram: @phdwithshelika

Email: shelikajoshi@gmail.com

This episode features the first guest ever on Broke PhD Podcast – Future Dr. Shelika Joshi! On this episode, Future Dr. Shelika shares about her career and dissertation research focus on refugee and immigrant mental health. Additionally, she provides an understanding of the difference between the terms refugee and immigrant, and she shares some of the personal connections that motivated her to strive towards working with and further supporting this population.

To connect with Future Dr. Shelika Joshi, please feel free to follow her on Instagram or reach out to her via email:

Instagram: @phdwithshelika

Email: shelikajoshi@gmail.com

This episode  features the first guest ever on Broke PhD Podcast – Future Dr. Shelika Joshi! On this episode, Future Dr. Shelika Joshi shares about her background and her journey. Additionally, this first part of our conversation focused on the topics of work-life balance, self-care, and prioritization of mental health and well-being.

To connect with Future Dr. Shelika Joshi, please feel free to follow her on Instagram or reach out to her via email:

What are the stages that a person goes through when recovering from a PhD Program or an Educational Program? On this episode, I share the five stages that I went through when recovering from my PhD Program!

What are my Mini Motivators or incentives that have aided me with pushing through those tough times of my program? On this episode, I share my five Mini Motivators or those things that have aided me, fueled me, and helped with me with pushing through during my doctoral program!

I started an online shop!!! On this episode, I share about my new online art and sticker shop – Broke PhD Podcast Shop!

Why did I leave the teaching profession? On this episode, I share the five main reasons that contributed to me making the decision to leave the teaching profession.

What are some practices that can aid an individual with maintaining their mental health while going through an educational program? On this episode, I share five practices that aided me with maintaining my mental health while going through an educational program.

What steps might an individual take in order to earn their PhD? On this episode, I share steps 6-10 out of the 10 steps of the PhD Process. This episode is part two of a two part segment, so please also check out the first part/episode.

What steps might an individual take in order to earn their PhD? On this episode, I share steps 1-5 out of the 10 steps of the PhD Process. This episode is part one of a two part segment, so please also check out the other part/episode.

What are some things that you think an individual should know before they begin a PhD journey? On this episode, I share four more things (things 6 – 9  out of 13 things) that I wish I had known before starting my PhD program. This episode is part two of a three part segment, so please also check out the other parts/episodes.

What are some things that you think an individual should know before they begin a PhD journey? On this episode, I share the last four things (things 10 – 13) that I wish I had known before starting my PhD program. This episode is part three of a three part segment, so please also check out the other parts/episodes.

What are some things that you think an individual should know before they begin a PhD journey? On this episode, I share 5 out of 13 things that I wish I had known before starting my PhD program. This episode is part one of a three part segment, so please also check out the other parts/episodes.

Have you had to deal with any microaggressions along your PhD or graduate school journey? I know I have! On this episode, I share about the four main microaggressions I have had to deal with along my PhD journey. I also ask each of you to please share about your own experiences.

What does one’s journey towards earning a PhD look like? On this episode, I share about my own journey and the path I took towards earning my doctoral degree. I also call on each of you to reflect on your own journey and your own path towards earning your graduate level degree.

Why would anyone want to get a doctoral or graduate level degree? On this episode I share my whys or those reasons that motivated me to earn my PhD. I also call on each of you to take time to pause and reflect about your own whys.

To learn more about the show and about the host, please visit the podcast website:

Why the name Broke PhD Podcast? What will this podcast aim to do? The answers to these questions and more are shared in this introductory episode.

To learn more about the show and about the host, please visit the podcast website: