Moms, Mats and Manuscripts

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 our message with confidence and authenticity. In this episode, Ksenia talks with Emma Gaskin, a former speech therapist and founder of The Speaking Hub, who now helps women in business and leadership find their voice and speak with impact. We dive into...

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, or personal life, especially if you’ve ever struggled with boundaries, perfectionism, or identity in your work. She talks about: 🌱 The importance of mentorship and guidance 🌱 Why community and friendships matter (even when life feels overwhelming) 🌱 Li...

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. But what if slowing down and prioritising rest wasn't a sign of weakness, but a powerful act of resistance against a system that glorifies burnout? Ksenia shares bits of her personal journey and observations from her time in academia, as well as: Why true resi...

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 recover. We reflect on: 🧘‍♀️ How our prenatal yoga routines shifted across trimesters 🔁 What we’d definitely do again and what we wish we had done differently 🌀 How yoga helped us stay intuitive, present, and calm during pregnancy &nb...

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 life experience. We explore: • What “body awareness” really means • How chronic stress, anxiety, and burnout show up physically • Our very different (but equally chaotic) student years • How practising yoga changed the way we treat ourselves • The me...

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, and redefining identity with every move. 💬 We talk about: - The unexpected butterfly effects that changed our lives 🌍 - What it's like to move for love, work, or curiosity - How motherhood reshaped our sense of home and roots - Building rituals and f...

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 out. We talk about the culture of overwork in academia, impostor syndrome, setting healthy boundaries, and how Anahita balances her PhD, her business, and writing a book. Whether you're a stressed-out scientist, a recovering perfectionist, or someone juggling t...