This case study presents an overview of the major challenges and tensions I encountered exploring the social-class experiences of university students from low-income backgrounds. The study presented here was a qualitative study using phenomenology and a critical theoretical lens to gain a depth of understanding of low-income university students' experiences. In the overview that follows, I explore the challenges and benefits of blending multiple and sometimes competing theoretical perspectives in qualitative research design, data collection, and analysis. I also reflect on strategies I used to build rapport with participants when exploring a taboo or controversial topic and the complexities I experienced in navigating the tensions between being an effective researcher and a helping professional. [This content is provided in the format of an e-book.]