170. Women's History Month: At What Cost Are Women Physicians Thriving?

Women physicians are often praised for being resilient, flexible, and capable of handling it all, but at what cost? In this Women's History Month episode, Dr. Erin Hurley and Dr. Joanne Sotelo explore how societal conditioning, medical culture, and outdated definitions of success have shaped the way women show up in medicine, often leading to higher burnout rates, strained relationships, and an unsustainable "second shift" at home. Together, they unpack the hidden price of over-functioning and offer a path forward rooted in awareness, boundaries, self-care, celebration, and supportive community. Press play to redefine success in this season of your life and protect your well-being without sacrificing your impact.   Key Takeaways To Listen For Why women physicians are often praised for resilience, and how that praise can reinforce over-functioning The societal "good girl" conditioning that makes boundary-setting feel uncomfortable Why awareness is the first step toward meaningful change The power of celebration, honoring both big and small wins as fuel for resilience How self-care and a supportive community directly protect your mental health   "We're often celebrated for being resilient, for being flexible, for handling a lot and making it work. And our question is, at what cost?" - Dr. Erin Hurley   "The boundaries are not to push away, but to protect what's important." - Dr. Joanne Sotelo     Connect With Us Do you want to hear more from the doctors of the Create Meaning In Medicine podcast? Discover more empowering content when you go to https://www.createmeaninginmedicine.com!   ▶️ Watch our videos: https://youtube.com/@createmeaninginmedicine 🎧 Want to hear more? Find us on Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/create-meaning-in-medicine/id1752701820