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Dr Agnieszka Piotrowska SFHEA, EMCC

Dr Agnieszka Piotrowska SFHEA, EMCC

PhD in Psychoanalysis and Ethics in Film, Award-Winning Filmmaker, Academic, and Certified Life Coach3

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Dr Agnieszka Piotrowska SFHEA, EMCC Podcast Episodes

Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD

Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD

Mental Health, Motivation, and Meaning in the PhD Journey – With Dr. Agnieszka Piotrowska

November 14, 2025

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About this episode

Why do we really pursue a PhD—and what happens when the reason no longer feels valid? In this honest and powerful conversation, host David Mendes is joined by Dr. Agnieszka Piotrowska—founder of The Scholars Mentor—to unpack the psychological and emotional challenges PhD students face, especially those studying abroad.

Drawing on her background in psychoanalysis and decades in higher ed, Agnieszka discusses the quiet crisis many international and doctoral students go through: anxiety, isolation, and the haunting question—should I just quit? Whether you're feeling stuck, burned out, or just deeply unsure, this episode offers grounded advice on how to move forward with clarity and compassion.

🔍 What You’ll Learn:

The hidden toll of doing a PhD away from home

How institutional structures can amplify stress and mental health issues

Practical tips for choosing the right supervisor and university

How to tell if you’re sabotaging your PhD journey—and how to get back on track

The power of talking, writing, and “speaking your truth” when things get hard

Why AI tools can help but shouldn’t replace real human support

What to do when you're seriously thinking of dropping out

🛠️ Mentioned Resources:

The Scholars Mentor coaching platform: https://www.scholarsmentor.com/

Agnieszka’s book: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1805586963

💬 Notable Quote:

"If you’re doing something but actually you don’t want to do it, you very quickly start sabotaging yourself." – Dr. Agnieszka Piotrowska

Dr Agnieszka Piotrowska SFHEA, EMCC Podcast Episodes

The Jōrni Podcast

Episode 342 - What Success Doesn’t Heal with Dr. Agnieszka Piotrowska

The Jōrni Podcast

Dec 2025

Empower Global "Be an Encourager podcast"

Beyond Achievement and Algorithms: Finding Authenticity in a Digital Age

Empower Global "Be an Encourager podcast"

Dec 2025

XTraw AI: Machine Learning and AI Applications

#152 The Algorithm knows you are Anxious

XTraw AI: Machine Learning and AI Applications

Nov 2025

Trauma Informed Podcast

Dr. Agnieszka Piotrowska: Psychoanalysis and Trauma

Trauma Informed Podcast

Aug 2025

Manifestation Empress Podcast ™ - Lily Patrascu

Interview with Dr Agnieszka Piotrowska SFHEA, EMCC

Manifestation Empress Podcast ™ - Lily Patrascu

May 2025

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Latest video

KEYNOTE Creative Practice Research - Agnieszka Piotrowska (UCA)

KEYNOTE Creative Practice Research - Agnieszka Piotrowska (UCA)

Latest episodes

The Jōrni Podcast

Episode 342 - What Success Doesn’t Heal with Dr. Agnieszka Piotrowska

The Jōrni Podcast

Empower Global "Be an Encourager podcast"

Beyond Achievement and Algorithms: Finding Authenticity in a Digital Age

Empower Global "Be an Encourager podcast"

XTraw AI: Machine Learning and AI Applications

#152 The Algorithm knows you are Anxious

XTraw AI: Machine Learning and AI Applications

View all episodes →

Key topics

Beyond the Abundance Myth: The Problem with Selling Mindset Through Fear

Dr Agnieszka Piotrowska can speak to a growing discomfort with the “manifestation mindset” trend—where abundance is marketed through scarcity tactics, and success is promised with little more than a vision board and a smile. Agnieszka brings a rare mix of academic rigour and spiritual curiosity to this space. As a certified life coach with a PhD in psychoanalysis, she offers a more grounded approach—one that values intuition _and_ intellect, and refuses to pretend that mindset alone can dismantle systemic inequalities. Her critique is not cynical; it’s deeply hopeful, proposing a version of growth that’s rooted in truth rather than performance.

Why PhD Students Are Dropping Out—and What No One’s Talking About

Dr Agnieszka Piotrowska can discuss the quiet crisis happening in higher education, where as many as 75% of PhD students never finish their degrees—despite being some of the most motivated individuals in the system. Drawing on her experience supervising PhDs across the UK, Poland, and Africa, Dr Agnieszka Piotrowska offers a behind-the-scenes view of what really pushes students to the brink. She explores the emotional weight of academic isolation, the hidden traumas that resurface during research, and why mindset work is often dismissed in institutions that pride themselves on intellect. Her work with international students through The Scholars’ Mentor shows how a well-timed intervention—grounded in both scholarship and compassion—can change the trajectory of a researcher’s entire life.

The Algorithm Knows You’re Anxious: AI, Selfhood, and Surveillance

Dr. Agnieszka Piotrowska explores how AI is shaping not just behaviour, but identity—especially for those living with anxiety, trauma, or emotional overwhelm. With a background in psychoanalysis, ethics, and documentary storytelling, she unpacks how algorithmic systems don’t just track our choices, but influence our sense of self. In a world where machine learning mimics our thoughts and vulnerabilities, Agnieszka asks: how do we retain agency, privacy, and authenticity?

View all topics →