Ep. 111: Dr. Margaret A. Brunson on How She Turned Her Dissertation Research into a Coaching Business

Dr. Margaret A. Brunson

Ph.D. in Leadership Studies,

North Carolina A&T State University

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Pursuing a doctoral degree typically means pursuing a very unique specialization, often with a predetermined trajectory, and institutions aren’t always equipped to accommodate students who envision an alternate pathway. This insight comes from our guest today, Dr. Margaret A. Brunson, a multidisciplinary leader, writer, coach, and entrepreneur. Dr. Brunson received her Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from North Carolina A&T State University and is the founder and CEO of Illumined Leadership Solutions. In our conversation, we discuss how Dr. Brunson chose her Ph.D. program and the reasons why she was so appreciative of its multidisciplinary structure. Her dissertation was occupied with studying the intersection between spirituality and leadership and the participant group consisted of women who were in senior positions in academic medical institutions or leaders in academic medicine. During her time there she conducted qualitative research that examined the connection between stressful life events and spirituality. Dr. Brunson shares her appreciation for qualitative research, crediting her love of stories and a deep interest in how we make meaning from traumatic life events. Later we discuss how Dr. Brunson’s dissertation informed her business and how the rigorous work of completing a Ph.D. prepared her for entrepreneurship. She also shares what she learned from her mentors, including an important piece of advice on the benefits of pursuing a Ph.D. at a Historically Black University. It was wonderful having Dr. Brunson on our show, we hope you’ll join us for an insightful and thought-provoking conversation!

Connect with Dr. Brunson on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter. You can also visit her website: www.MBisFree.com

Key Points From This Episode:

• Meet our guest, Dr. Margaret A. Brunson.

• Dr. Brunson praises the multidisciplinary nature of her degree and expands on the content of her dissertation.

• Dr. Brunson explains how she was interested in studying the intersection between spirituality and leadership.

• Dr. Brunson's participant group consisted of women who were in senior positions in academic medical institutions or leaders in academic medicine.

• How Dr. Brunson’s study examined the connection between stressful life events and spirituality.

• The value of qualitative research and the importance of stories.

• How Dr. Brunson’s findings inspired her to establish her coaching business, Illumined Leadership Solutions.

• The meaning of illumined, to become light.

• Dr. Brunson shares how she originally wanted to become an OB-GYN.

• The story of how Dr. Brunson earned her doctorate after several stressful life events.

• Dr. Brunson shares how she managed to do a full-time job while completing her Ph.D.

• How Dr. Brunson found community early on, which helped her with time management.

• Why it’s important to interrogate your motivations when choosing a Ph.D. program.

• The lessons Dr. Brunson learned from her mentor Dr. Ceola Ross Baber.

• Dr. Brunson shares why she regrets not pursuing funding opportunities, because she was so short on time.

• How Dr. Brunson started her coaching business after she finished her studies.

• What skills from her Ph.D. helped her in her entrepreneurship journey.

• Why having a vision and conducting research is essential, both for earning a Ph.D. and being an entrepreneur.

• The benefits of going to a Historically Black University for one’s Ph.D.

• Advice for anyone considering becoming a coach.

• Dr. Brunson shares why she is interested in returning to a teaching and academic space.

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The Cohort Sistas Podcast brings to life the stories, struggles, and successes of Black women with doctoral degrees and their lives beyond the degree. If you are a Black woman interested in joining the Cohort Sistas community, sign up to do so here, and if you are looking for more information on how to support or partner with Cohort Sistas, please visit our partnerships page. Find us on Twitter and Instagram, and don’t forget to follow The Cohort Sistas Podcast, rate the show, and leave us a quick review.