Send us Fan Mail Many doctoral learners measure success by grades, milestones, and how quickly they finish. But what if progress looks different than we think? In this episode, Dr. Amanda Cason shares how her definition of success evolved throughout her doctoral journey. Together, we explore the challenges of comparison, the emotional weight of feedback, the importance of trusting yourself, and the lasting influence of a supportive dissertation chair. Dr. Cason reminds us that some of the mos...
20 Jun 2026
Getting Out of Your Own Way
Send us Fan Mail What if the biggest obstacle in your doctoral journey isn't your research, your committee, or your schedule—but the voice in your own head? Join TiffianyAnn Lundine and author Dr. Suzanne Uhl as they explore practical tools for overcoming self-doubt, quieting the inner critic, and moving beyond perfectionism and fear. This encouraging conversation will help you recognize what's holding you back and remind you that you are more capable than you think.
4 Jun 2026
The Space Between Pressure and Progress
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Dissertating: In the Trenches and Behind the Scenes, Dr. TiffianyAnn Lundine talks with Dr. Miguel Rubio about mindfulness, mental health, and academic performance during the doctoral journey. Dr. Rubio shares his personal story of navigating financial hardship, immigration, parenting during COVID, and the pressures of doctoral education while exploring how mindfulness can support focus, resilience, and self-awareness. Together, they discuss academic stress...
22 May 2026
Someone Who Gets It
Send us Fan Mail Doctoral work is often described as isolating, overwhelming, and deeply personal. But what happens when someone truly understands the journey alongside you? In this episode of Dissertating: In the Trenches and Behind the Scenes, Drs. Noreen Hobayan and Carolyn Peters share how an unexpected partnership during the dissertation phase became a lifeline through discouragement, revisions, leadership changes, self-doubt, and exhaustion. What began as simple Zoom study sessions evol...
7 May 2026
Choosing a Dissertation Topic You Can Actually Finish
Send us Fan Mail Choosing a dissertation topic can feel overwhelming. I certainly felt like I had to get it exactly "right". In this episode, Dr. Tim Newman and I move away from the pressure of finding the perfect topic and instead explore how to choose one that can actually carry you through the doctoral journey. We talk about alignment, purpose, feasibility, and why your “why” matters more than anything else. This conversation is for you If you’ve been stuck, second-guessing, or waiting for...
12 Mar 2026
Guerrilla Scholarship: Learning Beyond Permission with Dr. Sheldon Greaves
Send a text In this episode of Dissertating: In the Trenches and Behind the Scenes, TiffianyAnn Lundine sits down with Dr. Sheldon Greaves, author of The Guerrilla Scholar’s Handbook, to explore what it means to pursue rigorous intellectual work both inside and beyond the academy. Together, they discuss how doctoral education shapes scholarly identity, why curiosity often fades, and how learning can unintentionally become transactional. Dr. Greaves introduces the idea of guerrilla scholarship...
19 Feb 2026
The Question Beneath the Question
Send a text Most doctoral learners don’t leave because they aren’t capable. They leave because something deeper has gone unnamed. In this reflective conversation, Dr. John Wade and I explore what lies beneath the research question, such as misaligned expectations, identity shifts, feedback fatigue, and the quiet tension between persistence and purpose. We discuss why the dissertation phase feels different from coursework, how meaning sustains momentum, and why staying with a hard question can...
5 Feb 2026
The Dissertation Reality Check with Drs. Alison Pattison and Lori Wieters
Send us a text What does it really take to finish a dissertation from a Dissertation Chair's perspective? In this episode of Dissertating: In the Trenches and Behind the Scenes, host TiffianyAnn Lundine sits down with Dr. Alison Pattison and Dr. Lori Wieters, co-authors of the book, From Research to Reality, for an honest and grounding conversation about the realities doctoral learners face. Together, they unpack burnout, guilt around rest, sustainable progress, and the often-misunderstood dy...
22 Jan 2026
In the Room: When Your Research and Your Future Come Into Focus
Send us a text What happens when a doctoral learner steps into the room with the very people they’re studying? In this episode, doctoral learner Sandra Salazar shares how attending a higher education conference during her data collection phase became a turning point in the way she viewed her research, but also her identity as a scholar and future leader. What began as an effort to recruit participants turned into an experience of connection, affirmation, and renewed purpose. Together, we expl...
8 Jan 2026
More Than Speed: What It Really Takes to Finish a Doctorate
Send us a text In this episode of Dissertating: In the Trenches and Behind the Scenes, Dr. TiffianyAnn Lundine speaks with Dr. Stephen Babcock, a recent doctoral graduate who completed his doctorate in just three years while balancing family, teaching, and professional leadership. Dr. Babcock shares practical strategies for intentional planning, disciplined time management, navigating difficult feedback, and knowing when to step back without losing momentum. This candid conversation offers en...
25 Dec 2025
Repair, Not Retreat: Resilience and Self-Advocacy in Doctoral Life
Send us a text Dr. Pamala Brown—U.S. Air Force veteran, behavioral health leader, and doctoral graduate—shares a powerful reflection on resilience, alignment, and self-advocacy in doctoral life. This episode is not about changing dissertation chairs, but about recognizing when reflection, ownership, and intentional decision-making are needed to move forward with clarity and purpose. A thoughtful conversation for doctoral learners navigating challenge, misalignment, and growth. You can c...
11 Dec 2025
The BRIGHT Path: From Dissertation to Leadership with Dr. Twyla Williams
Send us a text In this episode, TiffianyAnn Lundine talks with Dr. Twyla Williams, professor, consultant, and creator of the BRIGHT Network, about how doctoral learners can turn their dissertation journey into a pathway toward leadership. Dr. Williams breaks down her BRIGHT framework and shares practical insights on belonging, research, intentional networking, professional development, and aligning your work with your long-term goals. A powerful conversation for anyone ready to move from diss...
20 Nov 2025
Perseverance, Purpose, and Starting Again
Send us a text What happens when your doctoral progress doesn’t match the pace your institution requires? You reflect. You pivot. You persist. In this powerful new episode of Dissertating: In the Trenches and Behind the Scenes, I sit down with Thurman Hemingway, a doctoral learner in the final phase of his journey. After recognizing that his timeline wasn’t aligning with institutional expectations, Thurman made the bold decision to transfer schools—reigniting his commitment to finish strong. ...
6 Nov 2025
The Journey to a Doctorate: Dr. Stacy Luckett's Story
In this conversation, Dr. Stacy Luckett shares her journey of pursuing a doctorate in organizational leadership with an emphasis on K-12 education. She discusses her motivations, the influence of her family, and the challenges she faced during her dissertation process, including personal health issues. Dr. Luckett emphasizes the importance of support systems, the role of resources in academic success, and her reflections on life and education. The conversation highlights her passion for educa...
6 Nov 2025
Grains of Growth: How Self-Organization Shapes the Scholar Within
In this conversation, TiffianyAnn interviews Dr. John Beggs, a professor in physics and neuroscience, about the complexities and challenges of doctoral education. They discuss the purpose of a PhD, the personal sacrifices involved, the importance of resilience, and the role of community in supporting doctoral learners. Dr. Beggs shares insights on self-organization in research, the need for critical thinking, and the significance of contributing to meaningful knowledge in society. The convers...
15 Jun 2025
Trailer
Host TiffianyAnn Lundine introduces "Dissertating," a podcast creating a supportive community for doctoral learners to connect and share experiences.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
7 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 30 / 100
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Quality
48
Social presence
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YouTube
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Engagement
32
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