MedStory Podcast

In this episode, Jessica McIntyre, MD shares the 2:00 AM moment during a 28-hour ICU shift when everything cracked. After intubating a critically ill baby, she walked into the call room and had her first panic attack. That moment forced her to confront a painful truth: medicine had disconnected her from herself.What followed was unexpected. A late-night Google search led her to the Wild Woman Project, a mountaintop retreat that changed the trajectory of her career and identity. She opens up about physician mental health, infertility, societal expectations placed on women, and why creating safe spaces for women physicians may be one of the most important forms of healing in medicine.This conversation is about vulnerability, burnout, identity, and reclaiming the parts of ourselves that medicine tries to tame.Want to share your story or launch your own medical podcast? Visit https://www.medstorystudio.com to learn how MedStory Studio helps physicians build their voice and expand their impact.Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library.Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.

In this episode, Dr. Devika Bhushan shares her journey from practicing pediatrician to serving as California’s Acting Surgeon General during one of the most turbulent periods in modern public health. Stepping into the role in the middle of COVID, she helped lead statewide efforts around trauma-informed care, crisis response, and rebuilding trust in health systems.She explains the science behind childhood trauma and stress biology, how misinformation erodes public confidence, and what it takes to communicate evidence with empathy. Dr. Bhushan also reflects on leadership, resilience, and why embracing our humanity may be the most important shift medicine needs right now.Want to share your story or launch your own medical podcast? Visit https://medstorystudio.com/ to learn how MedStory Studio helps physicians build their voice and expand their impact.Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library.Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.

What happens when a personal diagnosis changes the way you see medicine?In this episode of the MedStory Podcast, Dr. Basma Faris shares how being diagnosed with endometriosis and living through 9/11 in the same month reshaped her career and purpose. After starting as a dietician, she chose to pursue medicine, determined to make a deeper impact from inside the system.She opens up about not getting into medical school on her first attempt, entering the field later than her peers, and ultimately building a career that bridges OB-GYN, nutrition, and telemedicine. The conversation also explores why women’s health outcomes in the United States continue to lag, the rise of chronic disease in younger women, the silence surrounding menopause, and the realities of the supplement industry.This episode is about resilience, reinvention, and improving women’s health from the inside out.Want to share your story or launch your own medical podcast? Visit https://www.medstorystudio.com to learn how MedStory Studio helps physicians build their voice and expand their impact.Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library.Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.

What happens when a pediatrician realizes the biggest threats to her patients are not medical problems at all, but policy failures? In this episode, we follow Dr. Annie Andrews as she reflects on years spent caring for children facing circumstances no child should ever experience. She treated gunshot wounds, watched families struggle to afford basic care, and saw how broken systems kept harming the same kids again and again.She never planned on entering politics, but the turning point came when she understood that the most powerful way to protect her patients might not be inside the hospital, but inside the Senate chamber. This episode shares the moment Dr. Andrews decided to step forward and fight for children through policy, advocacy, and a platform that could create change on a national level.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click👉 ⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library.Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.

Most doctors are trained to save lives, not read contracts. Yet more than 70 percent of physicians are now employed by large institutions, working under compensation models and clauses that few were ever taught to navigate. In this episode, Spencer sits down with Cynthia Chen-Joea, DO, MPH, FAAFP, and Peter Baum, DO, the founders of Physician Contract Negotiation.They unpack how modern physician pay really works, why RVU-based incentives can erode quality and accelerate burnout, and how sign-on bonuses and relocation stipends quietly lock doctors into jobs that no longer serve them. More importantly, they reveal what physicians can negotiate, how to align a contract with your personal values, and why reclaiming agency is essential for staying in medicine long-term.If you’ve ever felt overworked, undervalued, or unsure how to advocate for yourself, this episode offers a clear, empowering roadmap for creating a career in medicine that works for you, not just the system.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click👉 ⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library.Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.

Dr. Sandra Fernandes, MD spent years chasing the version of success she thought she was supposed to live. She worked nonstop, pushed through exhaustion, and convinced herself that being overwhelmed was just part of being a doctor and a mom. But when she finally became pregnant after her own struggles with fertility, she faced a painful truth. She was too busy, too stressed, and too depleted to enjoy the very baby she had prayed for.In this raw and honest conversation, Dr. Fernandes opens up about losing her identity in medicine, burning out twice, and the moment that forced her to reevaluate everything she believed about achievement, motherhood, and worth. Her story is a powerful reminder that stress does not have to be your normal and that finding your way back to yourself is not only possible but necessary.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click👉 ⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library.Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.

Dr. Ariela Marshall didn’t grow up dreaming of becoming a doctor, and she didn’t follow the traditional path. But the moment she stepped into the clinic, she realized medicine wasn’t just science, it was a system with cracks she could no longer ignore. From witnessing a culture that prized endurance over empathy, to facing gender bias head-on, to navigating the painful reality of infertility as a physician, Dr. Marshall’s journey forced her to confront the uncomfortable truth about what the profession demands from women.In this episode, she shares the day everything changed, the moment that pushed her to question the rules she'd been taught to follow and start imagining a different path forward. Her story is raw, honest, and deeply human. It’s about what happens when a doctor stops accepting the system as it is and decides to challenge it instead.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click👉 ⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library. Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.

In this powerful episode, Dr. Andrea Austin shares how her deployment to Iraq shaped the way she practices medicine today. From activating walking blood banks on the battlefield to watching every injured patient survive an explosion, she learned how preparation, teamwork, and emotional clarity can save lives. But what she did not expect was how quietly those experiences would follow her home. Years later, standing in front of a grieving mother whose son had just died, she felt nothing. That moment forced her to confront a truth she had been avoiding for years. She was burned out, shut down, and losing the part of herself that made her a healer.What happened next became the defining mission of her career. Dr. Austin dove into therapy, reflection, and the science of emotional resilience. She rebuilt her identity as a physician and created a framework to teach others how to protect their own humanity in a broken system. Today she is launching a new emergency medicine residency designed to train doctors without destroying them. This episode is about war, loss, identity, and the courage it takes to redesign a culture that has pushed too many physicians past their breaking point. It is a story every future doctor needs to hear.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click👉 ⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library.Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.

Most people think obesity treatment is all about willpower, calories, and medication. Dr. Zahraa Sater knows that’s only half the story. After training at top institutions and watching patient after patient get labeled as “noncompliant,” she realized the system was missing something essential. Her patients didn’t fail because they lacked discipline. They failed because no one was addressing the subconscious patterns driving their behavior.In this episode, Dr. Sater breaks down how she uses hypnotherapy, subconscious rewiring, and traditional endocrinology to treat obesity in a completely different way. She explains the hidden mind blocks that keep people stuck, why some patients subconsciously feel safer in a larger body, and why GLP-1s alone are not enough for long-term success. This conversation challenges everything we assume about weight loss and shows what’s possible when medicine finally treats the whole human, not just the numbers.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click👉 ⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library.Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.

When Dr. Adaira Landry agreed to speak on a work-life balance panel at 6 p.m., she thought she was doing what ambitious physicians are supposed to do. Instead, she found herself dragging a dresser across her bedroom floor, barricading the door while her young children cried for her on the other side. That moment cracked something open. After a lifetime of chasing achievement, from entering high school at 12 to rising through UC Berkeley, UCLA medical school, NYU, Bellevue, and Harvard, she suddenly realized she was no longer truly present for her kids, her patients, or herself. She was simply surviving, saying yes to everything, and silently burning out.In this episode, Dr. Landry shares how she went from overwhelmed to grounded by learning to set boundaries that protect her time, her mental health, and her identity. She explains how the idea of micro skills, meaning small intentional actions, helped her step back from burnout and build a more sustainable way to practice medicine. If you have ever felt guilty protecting your evenings, pressured to say yes to every request, or exhausted by the demands of medicine, this conversation will show you a new way forward.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click👉 ⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library.Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.

Sitting on the bathroom floor after a long clinic day, Dr. Gandhi thought she was holding it all together: thriving physician, two young kids, a mortgage, the dream job on paper. But when her four year old stepped out of the tub, wrapped in a towel and quietly said, “I want you to be happy, Mommy,” everything cracked. In that one sentence, she realized her stress was no longer invisible and that the “high functioning” version of herself was actually exhausted, misaligned, and quietly burning out. That moment sent her on an inward journey that began not with a big career move, but with something deceptively simple: a nightly gratitude journal that ended up changing the entire trajectory of her life.In this episode, Dr. Gandhi shares how gratitude, self awareness, and honest reflection led her to leave a prestigious job, build a practice that actually fits her life, and become a coach for other physicians who feel trapped by the system. She breaks down her simple framework for any doctor who feels stuck in their career: change, accept, or leave. You will hear how she pivoted into midlife women’s health and menopause care, how the pandemic became a turning point instead of a breaking point, and why she believes the future of medicine depends on restoring the relationship between doctor and patient while protecting the humanity of clinicians. If you have ever looked at your “perfect” life and quietly wondered, “Why am I not happy,” this conversation is your mirror and your permission slip.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click👉 ⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library.Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.

At 35, healthy and pregnant with her second child, Dr. Alison Trainor was living the life she had worked so hard to build, a career she loved, a growing family, and a future that felt secure. But a sudden scan on Valentine’s Day revealed more than 20 tumors in her liver, leading to a diagnosis so rare only 90 cases appear in the US each year. Overnight, Alison went from ICU physician to patient, forced to confront the terrifying possibility of leaving her toddler and newborn behind.In this emotional and deeply human episode, Alison opens up about the darkest week of her life, the impossible decisions she faced while pregnant, and the quiet courage it took to keep moving forward. She shares the grief, the fear, the guilt, and the unexpected moments of joy that helped her hold onto hope. This is a story of resilience, motherhood, and choosing life even when the future feels unbearably uncertain.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click👉 ⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library.Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.

After years of working inside a system that demanded more patients and less presence, Dr. Sejal Desai decided she wasn’t going to let the system define her, or her care.In this episode, she shares how she walked away from burnout and built something new: a direct specialty care clinic that prioritizes time, connection, and balance. From her journey as an immigrant and young mother to launching her own practice and leading a community of women physicians, Dr. Desai’s story is a powerful reminder that medicine can be redefined by those brave enough to start over.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click👉 ⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library.Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.

When Dr. Jessica Bunin woke up after open-heart surgery to find her attending quietly sitting by her bedside, everything she believed about medicine changed. It was no longer just about procedures or protocols. It was about presence.In this powerful episode, Dr. Bunin shares her journey through three cancer diagnoses, two war-zone deployments, and a lifetime of service in military medicine. From leading critical care units in Afghanistan to mentoring young physicians, she reflects on how pain, purpose, and human connection can transform the way we lead and care.Her story is a reminder that even in the toughest battles, whether in war, in illness, or in leadership, empathy is the strongest force we have.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click 👉 ⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library.Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.

We know that connection is essential for our health, but why does it feel so hard sometimes? In this final episode of the series, we move from theory to action, tackling the internal barriers and cognitive errors that sabotage our social lives.Neuroscientist Dr. Ben Rein provides the ultimate masterclass on likability and longevity, explaining why our brains are hardwired to make us underestimate how much people enjoy our company—a phenomenon known as The Liking Gap. He also offers a practical framework for prioritizing connection, even during the most stressful times (like launching a book and having a baby in the same month!).What You'll Learn in This Episode:● The Social Math Mistake: Why most people wrongly rate themselves as worse-than-average at socializing, leading to health anxiety and isolation.Inter-Brain Synchrony: The incredible phenomenon of your brain "syncing up" with romantic partners or collaborators, often described as being "on the same wavelength".● The Masterclass on Likability: Three easy adjustments to make yourself more appealing, including the power of social touch (which can lead to higher tips!), maintaining eye contact, and avoiding Phubbing (ignoring a person to look at your phone).● Leveling Up Digital Interaction: How adding emojis to a text message can activate similar brain responses to a human facial expression, enhancing richness and preventing miscommunication.● Longevity's Missing Link: The standardized psychological tool (Revised Index of Social Engagement - RISE) that Dr. Rein recommends for measuring social connectedness as a fundamental health biomarker.This series wraps up with the powerful reminder that friendships aren't just "nice to have"—they're a fundamental part of being human and a vital investment in your long-term health.📘 Dr. Ben Rein’s new book, Why Brains Need Friends: The Neuroscience of Social Connection, is available now: https://amzn.to/46ZLFv6🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click👉 https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library.Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.

Last time, we uncovered the hard truth: loneliness is a warning siren from our brain. Now, we flip the story to explore the extraordinary science of connection. It turns out that friendships aren't just comforting, they are lifesaving.Stanford neuroscientist Dr. Ben Rein returns to take us inside the brain's reaction to social bonds, revealing the specific, measurable ways interaction protects us from disease and decline. He introduces the concept of a "Social Diet" and explains why optimizing it is the key to maximizing your health benefits.In this episode, you will learn about:● Why in-person interaction is almost always better for your mood than virtual chats, and how different types of communication fall on a "benefit gradient".● The concept of social homeostasis and how to find your optimal "set point" for interaction to avoid fatigue.● The incredible health benefits of oxytocin—often called "nature's medicine"—which is anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and aids in wound healing and stress.● Why looking into a dog’s eyes triggers an oxytocin surge for both you and the dog, and how this relates to our deep evolutionary history.● Why Dr. Rein is horrified by the idea of using AI/chatbots as a loneliness solution, and how the brain processes robot touch differently from human touch.This episode proves that prioritizing connection is one of the most powerful things you can do for your long-term physical and mental health.📘 Dr. Ben Rein’s new book, Why Brains Need Friends: The Neuroscience of Social Connection, is available now: https://amzn.to/46ZLFv6🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click👉 https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library.Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.

In this powerful first episode of a three-part series, we tackle an epidemic often ignored: loneliness. Despite being more "connected" than ever, data shows we are, in fact, getting lonelier.Dr. Ben Rein, a Stanford-trained neuroscientist, joins us to unpack the science behind this modern crisis, sharing the personal, transformative nightmare that led him to study the neuroscience of social behavior. Loneliness is more than just an emotion; it's an urgent biological signal from your brain, as real as hunger or thirst.Listen to understand:● The critical difference between isolation (the objective state of being alone) and loneliness (the subjective feeling, which you can experience even in a crowd).● Why being isolated increases your risk of death by any cause by anywhere between 32% to 50%.● How chronic isolation triggers a stress response, driving inflammation that sets your body up for failure against challenges like heart attacks and strokes.● The surprising evidence that interaction is like a "full body workout" for the brain, increasing gray matter, which serves as a cognitive reserve against dementia and memory decline.This is a vital conversation that will change how you view your relationships and your health.📘 Dr. Ben Rein’s new book, Why Brains Need Friends: The Neuroscience of Social Connection, is available now: https://amzn.to/46ZLFv6🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast?: https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠: ⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library.Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.

For decades, yoga was dismissed by much of Western medicine as “woo-woo.” But Dr. Jonathan Rosenthal, a neurologist and lifelong practitioner, set out to change that. What started as a teenager’s recovery from a running injury turned into a mission to bridge neuroscience and ancient practice.In this episode, Dr. Rosenthal shares how brain scans, clinical studies, and his annual Neuroscience and Yoga Conference are proving what yogis have known for centuries, that stillness, breath, and movement can literally reshape the brain. His story is a reminder that sometimes, science doesn’t disprove tradition, it finally catches up to it.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click👉 https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library.Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.

Dr. Michael Gibson grew up in Stillwell, Oklahoma — a town where life expectancy was just 56 years. Decades later, his work has helped save millions of lives and brought free medical knowledge to the world through WikiDoc, an open-source encyclopedia with nearly a billion views a year.In this episode, Dr. Gibson shares how he went from dreaming of stock car racing to revolutionizing cardiology, fighting medical gatekeeping, and creating a future where lifesaving information is free for everyone.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click👉 https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library.Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.

What do you do when the system you’ve trained your whole life to work in turns out to be broken? For Dr. Hillary Lin, the answer meant stepping off the traditional “golden path” of academic medicine and building something entirely new. In this episode, she shares how her journey—from a family of doctors to an oncologist, founder, and longevity medicine innovator—led her to create CareCore, a platform designed to democratize access to personalized health and longevity care. Her story is one of courage, disruption, and redefining what it means to be a physician in the age of AI.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click👉 https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library.Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.

What does success really look like? For Dr. John Torrens, the answer has changed many times. He walked away from music school, stumbled into speech pathology, built a business from scratch, and then pushed himself to the limit — even starting his PhD program on the same day his first child was born.In this episode of the Med Story Podcast, Dr. Torrens shares the lessons he learned from burnout, business growth, and finding balance. From scaling a practice into multiple healthcare companies to stepping back and redefining what truly matters, his story challenges us to rethink success — not as more clients or revenue, but as freedom, clarity, and the chance to live life on your own terms.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click👉  https://medstorymedia.com/podcast📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library.Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.

Doctors save lives every day, but when it comes to their own pay, many are left in the dark. Salaries are hidden, contracts are confusing, and open conversations can feel risky. In this episode, we explore why salary transparency in medicine matters — and how one unexpected entrepreneur, Tyler Polk, built tools that are changing the way physicians understand their worth.From anonymous reviews of residency programs to SalaryDoctor.com, Tyler has created a platform where physicians can finally compare pay, share lifestyle insights, and know if a job offer is fair. His journey is a reminder that breaking the silence isn’t just about money — it’s about equity, balance, and giving healthcare workers the clarity they deserve.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click👉 https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library.Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.

What makes someone decide not just to become a doctor, but to build a life in medicine around who they really are? For Dr. Joshua Gonzalez, that journey began with the warmth of a childhood pediatrician, was tested through the challenges of coming out in medical school, and eventually led to building his own urology practice and co-founding a sexual wellness company. In this episode, Josh shares how embracing honesty — with himself and with his patients — reshaped his career, his identity, and the way he’s redefining sexual health.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click👉 ⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library.Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.

America is facing a mental health emergency. One in five adults struggles with mental illness each year, yet millions are left without help — stuck on waitlists, priced out by insurance, or forced to travel hours for a 15-minute check-in. Nearly 50,000 Americans died by suicide last year, the highest number ever recorded. In this episode, psychiatrist Dr. Shariq Refai shares the human stories behind the crisis — from patients flying between islands to towns with no psychiatrist for miles — and why he built ShrinkMD to bring care directly to those who need it most.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click👉 ⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library.Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.

Bringing a newborn home should feel like second nature when you’re an OBGYN with years of training—but for Dr. Jennifer Schell and her physician husband, it was anything but. Standing over their baby’s carriage, they looked at each other and whispered the same question countless new parents have silently asked: “Now what?” In this episode of the Med Story Podcast, Dr. Schell opens up about the disorienting fog of postpartum depression, the pain of feeling unheard—even by colleagues—and the small but powerful steps that helped her reclaim her confidence.But her journey didn’t stop with her own healing. Out of that uncertainty came a mission to make sure other women never feel alone in the transition to motherhood. From building a community on Instagram to catching early signs of preeclampsia through a single story post, Dr. Schell has transformed her struggle into a calling. This conversation peels back the curtain on the human behind the doctor—one who turned “lost” into leadership, and fear into purpose.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click👉 ⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library.Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.

What began as a makeshift TV interview in her bedroom — and even one from the driver’s seat with her kids in the back — grew into a national platform that landed Dr. Shikha Jain on evening news segments and even at the Emmy Awards. In this episode, she opens up about why she kept saying yes to unpaid media opportunities, how they sharpened her communication skills, and the unexpected ways they’ve shaped her career and credibility.Beyond the media spotlight, Dr. Jain also dives into her mission to fight misinformation and build community through the Women in Medicine Summit. What started as a small gathering has become a powerful nonprofit changing the landscape of healthcare leadership. She shares why fixing the system, not the women, is the key to keeping more women in medicine — and how collective action is transforming both medicine and patient care.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click👉 ⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library.Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.

In vitro fertilization began as a miracle of modern science — but over the decades, it has become a multi-billion-dollar industry, dominated by private equity and clinics where many patients feel more like numbers than people.In this episode of the MedStory Podcast, fertility specialist Dr. Pietro Baroletto shares why he walked away from the security of a corporate-backed clinic to launch a new kind of practice — one designed to restore humanity, empathy, and true patient-first care.We explore the rise of IVF as big business, the hidden costs of consolidation, and the innovations shaping the next 40 years of fertility treatment. Most importantly, Dr. Baroletto reminds us that infertility is not your fault — and that compassion still belongs at the heart of medicine.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click👉 https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠ https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠⁠Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library.Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.

What would you choose: the career you’ve dreamed of your whole life, or relief from unbearable pain? That was the reality for Dr. Julia Rodes, a third-year medical student whose spinal cord injury left her battling relentless neuropathic pain. The medications meant to help her also sedated her mind, making it nearly impossible to survive the demands of medical school—so she chose untreated pain over giving up her dream.In this episode, Dr. Rodes shares how pain became her greatest teacher. From the science of how suffering rewires the brain to the three-part plan she built to reclaim her strength, her story reveals a powerful truth: the future of pain treatment may not come from miracle drugs, but from empathy, resilience, and human connection.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click👉 https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠ https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠⁠Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library.Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.

Dr. Christie Kimball realized that the real risk wasn’t leaving hospital medicine — it was staying. In this episode, she opens up about the moment she decided to step away from a stable hospital career and build her own aesthetic and weight-loss practice from scratch. What started as small Botox parties in people’s homes has now grown into a thriving clinic with over 800 patients in less than a year.She shares how she built her minimum viable product before quitting, why following passion (not money) ultimately led her to greater success, and how referrals and social media helped her grow quickly. Most importantly, she offers honest advice for any healthcare professional who knows their heart is no longer in the traditional system. If you’ve been waiting for the “right” time to start your own thing, this episode might be the push you need.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click👉 https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠ https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠

In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Kazarian reveals the hidden side of American healthcare that most patients never see. From patients being denied life-saving treatments to the crushing costs of hospital care, she shares real stories from her time in residency and her transition into private practice. We explore how profit-driven systems impact patient care, the toxic traditions in medical training, and why she’s using social media to bring truth and education directly to the public. Whether you’re in healthcare or simply want to understand what’s really happening behind clinic doors, this is an episode you won’t forget.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click 👉 ⁠⁠ https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠ https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠

Too many people blame themselves when fertility doesn’t come easy. Dr. Bryn Willson, both physician and patient, debunks that shame—and opens up about her own journey with egg freezing, loss, and healing. This episode is a vulnerable exploration of the science, the stigma, and the soul-searching that often comes with infertility. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you're not alone—and this is the episode you need to hear.In this heartfelt conversation, Dr. Willson shares what it was like to discover low ovarian reserve in her 20s, navigate treatment without insurance, and learn—firsthand—the emotional toll so many silently carry. From patient guilt to pregnancy announcements on social media, from breaking medical jargon to building trust, this is a raw look at what it really means to walk through infertility—with both expertise and empathy.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠

When Dr. Shanda Dorff lost her mother to medical negligence, everything changed. What followed wasn’t just grief — it was a moral reckoning that pushed her to rethink how medicine should be practiced.She shares how that heartbreaking experience led her to walk away from the traditional insurance-based system and launch a fully out-of-network practice, where patients get the time, attention, and complex care they truly need.From battling bureaucracy to building a model rooted in empathy, transparency, and medical excellence, this is the story of one physician who chose to put patients — not paperwork — first.Whether you're a provider questioning the status quo or a patient seeking real care, this conversation will stick with you.🔗 Learn more at complexcaresmn.com🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠ Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠

This is what happens when a doctor stops playing by broken rules. Dr. Tish Singer walked away from hospital bureaucracy and insurance chaos to launch Shero Imaging—a concierge breast center where women get same-day results and radical transparency. In this episode, she reveals what pushed her to the edge, how she built this innovative new model from scratch, and why the future of women’s health might depend on more doctors doing the same.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠ Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠

Endometriosis has long been misunderstood—as just “bad period pain” or a fertility issue. But what if that narrative is completely outdated?In this eye-opening episode, Yale-trained reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Valerie Flores unpacks why endometriosis is actually a chronic, systemic disease that affects far more than just the reproductive system. From the shocking 11-year average delay in diagnosis to the biological reasons treatments fail, Dr. Flores breaks down the science, the stigma, and the systemic gaps that patients face every day.You’ll hear how endometriosis impacts the brain, metabolism, immune system—and why progesterone resistance might be the key to unlocking better care. Whether you’re a clinician, a patient, or just someone who cares about women’s health, this conversation will change how you see one of the most overlooked conditions in medicine.It’s time to rewrite the story of endometriosis—for good.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠ Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠

This is a conversation every healthcare provider—and every patient living with pain—needs to hear.Dr. Julia Rhodes is a psychiatry resident, chronic pain researcher, and spinal cord injury survivor who’s challenging everything we think we know about pain in medicine. In this powerful episode, she shares what it’s like to train as a doctor while living with debilitating pain—and how the medical system’s obsession with eliminating pain often does more harm than good.From the neuroscience of chronic pain to the emotional cost of being expected to “push through,” Dr. Rhodes reveals the hidden failures of our current pain model—and why true healing starts with changing our relationship with pain, not erasing it.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources

Dr. Virginia Giugliano is not your typical OB-GYN. After years in a system that rushed patient visits, dismissed symptoms, and pushed her toward burnout, she knew something had to change — so she built her own model of care from the ground up. In this episode, we dive into her journey from traditional medicine to launching a concierge menopause clinic that puts women first. She shares the emotional tipping point that pushed her to walk away, how she built multiple businesses as a physician entrepreneur, and the mindset shifts that helped her overcome the fear of being "too salesy." If you're a healthcare provider craving more time with patients, more purpose, or more freedom — this conversation will light a fire in you.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources

What if your impact as a doctor extended far beyond the exam room? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Dodell, a board certified endocrinologist and private practice owner in New York City, who has found a way to blend clinical care, content creation, and brand advocacy. From partnering with Dove to support legislation against weight discrimination to sharing relatable stories on social media, Dr. Dodell shows how meaningful change can happen outside traditional medical spaces.Whether you are a medical student, resident, or practicing clinician, this episode will inspire you to think differently about what influence and impact can look like in healthcare today.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources

What if the pain you're feeling has nothing to do with what shows up on your MRI?In this episode, we're joined by double board-certified interventional pain specialist Dr. Pooja Chopra, who unpacks what most people—and even some doctors—get wrong about chronic pain. She shares why patient trust matters more than fancy terminology, how she breaks down complex diagnoses with empathy, and why your MRI doesn’t always tell the full story.We dive into how patients can avoid unnecessary surgery through a thoughtful, non-invasive, stepwise approach. Dr. Chopra reveals the power of listening and storytelling in patient care, how mental health, family stress, and daily life impact physical pain, and why she’s using Instagram as a tool to help patients become better advocates for themselves.This one’s raw, real, and surprisingly relatable. Whether you’re a healthcare provider or someone who’s been in pain and felt dismissed, this conversation will stick with you.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources

You’ve spent years building your medical expertise—but what if your greatest impact could come from sharing it in a book?In this episode, Suzanne Staszak-Silva, Senior Acquisitions Editor at Johns Hopkins University Press, reveals what it really takes for doctors to get published. From crafting a powerful proposal to understanding what publishers look for, you’ll get an inside look at the entire process.Whether you’re thinking about writing a health book for the general public, sharing your clinical insights, or turning your story into something bigger, this conversation will give you the clarity and strategy you need. We also dive into common mistakes doctors make, how publishing can open up new doors like speaking gigs and consulting, and why self-publishing isn’t always the best route.If you’re a physician with something to say, this is your guide to turning that knowledge into a published book that reaches—and helps—more people.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources

What kind of doctor turns down a one-time $1,000 visit? The kind who’s rebuilding healthcare from the ground up.In this episode, Dr. K—better known as Dr. Kainkaryam—shares the story behind why he walked away from the traditional, insurance-driven system and chose to build a direct primary care (DPC) practice rooted in transparency, trust, and human connection. But this isn’t just about refusing big paydays. It’s about reclaiming what medicine was always meant to be.We explore the deeper reasons why so many physicians are burning out—not because they’re weak, but because the system is broken. Dr. K talks about the hard but freeing shift from being a corporate employee to becoming a healthcare entrepreneur. He breaks down how his model helps patients save money, how he navigated building his practice from scratch (without outside investors), and how he’s created something that feels more like a community hub than a clinic.This conversation isn’t just for doctors. It’s for anyone who believes healthcare should be personal, transparent, and centered on actual care. If you’ve ever felt disillusioned with the medical system, this episode will give you hope—and a glimpse of what a better future could look like.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠? ⁠ Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources

Dr. Patrick Denard is one of the most accomplished shoulder surgeons in the world. He’s performed over 9,000 procedures, published hundreds of studies, and shaped the way we approach minimally invasive orthopedic care. But despite reaching the peak of surgical mastery, he saw a glaring gap—one that medicine wasn’t addressing.In this episode, Dr. Denard shares why technical excellence alone is no longer enough. From founding Complete Surgical Nutrition to advocating for evidence-based recovery solutions, he’s on a mission to redefine what healing really looks like.We talk about the overlooked power of nutrition in surgical outcomes, the uphill battle of changing physician habits, and why patients are eager for guidance their doctors were never trained to give. Dr. Denard also opens up about building a company while still operating as a full-time surgeon, how he avoids burnout, and the personal systems that help him stay grounded.If you’ve ever wondered what’s next after mastering your craft, this conversation is your blueprint for evolving beyond the traditional path—and building something that truly changes lives.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠ Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources

Dr. Cindy Van Praag thought she had it all figured out. A successful career in medicine. A family she loved. A business she helped build. But under the surface, something was quietly breaking.In this deeply honest episode, she shares how burnout entered her life in subtle ways and how it eventually led to a complete transformation. What started as exhaustion and disconnection turned into a journey of self-discovery where she found a renewed sense of purpose and strength.Now as the founder of Inspired Moms MD, Cindy is helping other physician moms move through their own struggles with burnout and rediscover what truly matters. Through her story, we explore how difficult seasons can become powerful turning points when we decide to stop pushing through and start listening.This is not just a conversation about burnout. It is a story about clarity, courage, and choosing a new path even when it feels uncertain. If you have ever felt tired, lost, or quietly wondering if there is more to life than just making it through the day, this episode will speak to you.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources

Dr. Jocelyn Fitzgerald is a surgeon, researcher, educator—and a rising voice in the medical community who’s using social media to advocate for patients and push the conversation in medicine forward. In this episode, she shares how the COVID-19 pandemic shifted the mindset of doctors, empowering many to speak up, share their experiences, and challenge outdated systems.We dive into how Dr. Fitzgerald found her voice online, why storytelling matters, and how you can build a presence without risking HIPAA violations. She explains the impact of sharing general patient themes rather than specific cases, and how powerful it can be when other women recognize their own experiences in the stories she tells—especially those who've been misdiagnosed, dismissed, or told "nothing’s wrong."Dr. Fitzgerald also opens up about how being visible online has accelerated her career in unexpected ways—from landing speaking opportunities to connecting with people who have real influence in policy, academia, and beyond. She offers practical advice for physicians who want to start posting, beginning with something as simple as sharing their research papers or reposting voices they admire.If you’ve ever wondered how to start using your platform for advocacy, or how your lived experience as a doctor can spark real change, this episode is for you. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being willing to speak up—and starting with what you have.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠

What do you get when a pediatric ICU physician pairs up with a clinical pharmacist she met on Zoom? A thriving online business, a bold brand, and nearly 100,000 Instagram followers—built in under a year.In this episode, Dr. Olive shares how she combined personal experience, clinical insight, and macro coaching to launch a nutrition-focused business for people on GLP-1 medications. She opens up about the challenges of building a business while working full-time, the reality of follower count vs. sales, and how she and her co-founder found the perfect synergy to split the work.You’ll hear what inspired her to start, how they pivoted from their original offer, and what she wishes every GLP-1 patient understood about sustainable weight loss. We also dive into legal protections for licensed physicians running coaching businesses, navigating customer service at scale, and the mindset shifts that made it all possible.If you're a healthcare provider wondering how to create something meaningful beyond the clinic—without compromising your career—this conversation is packed with lessons and real talk.🎙 Guest: Dr. Olive📲 Instagram & TikTok: @GLP1Enhanced🌐 Website: glp1enhanced.com🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources

“I passed out during every presentation in college.” Dr. Jennifer Roelands never imagined she’d become a speaker, a YouTuber, or a digital course creator—let alone someone building a mission-driven brand in women’s health. But after 13 years in traditional OB-GYN practice, she left the safety and success of her career to do what truly lit her up.In this inspiring episode, Dr. Roelands shares her struggle with debilitating stage fright (yes, actual fainting), why she left a secure practice to launch her own integrative medicine brand, how she overcame her fear of being seen to build a YouTube channel and podcast, and her bold stance on improving perimenopause education.She also offers smart advice for doctors who want to build a brand or business without crossing legal lines, and breaks down what it really takes to build a course—and how to keep evolving it as you grow.If you’re a healthcare provider with a fire inside but fear making the leap, this episode is for you. Dr. Roelands proves that you don’t need to be perfect to get started—you just need to be brave enough to follow what moves you.🎙 Guest: Dr. Jennifer Roelands📺 YouTube: @DrJenMD📍 Learn more: drjenniferroelands.com | precisionhealthmd.com🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources

What happens when your dream job nearly breaks you?Dr. Danielle Don Diego was a rising family physician on the traditional path—until burnout, disillusionment, and a moment of deep self-reflection changed everything. In this raw and inspiring episode, she shares her powerful story of walking away from the “assembly line” of modern medicine, rediscovering her identity, and building a life on her own terms.From six weeks of solo travel to launching her own business, Danielle shares the pivotal moment that pushed her to leave her first job, and why she believes self-care alone can’t fix physician burnout. She opens up about how telehealth and entrepreneurship gave her the freedom she craved, and offers practical tips for doctors who want to start building a brand or business while still working full-time. Most powerfully, she explains the mindset shift that helped her reconnect with who she really is—and how she now helps others do the same.If you’re a healthcare provider stuck in a system that doesn’t feel built for you, this episode is your permission slip to explore a different path.🎙 Guest: Dr. Danielle Don Diego — Physician, Author, Coach, and Consultant Find her on IG & TikTok: @drdondiego🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. Click 👉 ⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources

Dr. Cherilyn Davis is more than a board-certified pediatrician—she’s a media-savvy communicator with a unique path through health communications, brand partnerships, and concierge care.In this episode, she shares how leaving traditional medicine led her to rediscover her passion for writing, what she learned from working in PR, and how those skills now help her connect better with families. We also dive into practical tips for doctors who want to break into media, start writing for major outlets, or build trust through digital content.If you’ve ever wondered how to share your medical expertise beyond the clinic—this is the conversation to hear.🎧 Listen to learn:• How to simplify complex medical info without losing accuracy• Why storytelling makes your message stick• Where to start if you want to get published or quoted• How media training can actually make you a better doctor🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click 👉 ⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠

Dr. Olivia Richman isn’t afraid to speak up—even when the system tells her to stay quiet.In this powerful episode, she opens up about the real, often hidden struggles of becoming and being a doctor. From the relentless grind of medical training to the burnout that follows, Dr. Richman shares what it’s like to work in a culture where speaking up can come at a cost—but staying silent costs even more.She walks us through personal stories of toxic hierarchies, being disrespected in the OR, and the emotional toll of fighting for autonomy in a system that too often demands obedience over honesty. But she didn’t stop there.Dr. Richman also talks about her passion for sexual health education, the power of building an authentic voice online, and how she’s using platforms like YouTube, TEDx, and Doc Influencers to create lasting change. Her mission? To make the conversations we tend to avoid—burnout, boundaries, failure, and sex—impossible to ignore.If you’ve ever questioned your place in medicine, felt like your voice didn’t matter, or dreamed of using your story to spark change—this conversation is one you won’t want to miss.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click 👉 ⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠

In today’s digital age, having medical expertise isn’t enough—doctors also need to know how to communicate clearly, connect with the public, and build trust at scale.In this episode of the Med Story Podcast, host Spencer Lalk sits down with Dr. Nate Wood—Yale-trained physician, chef, and Director of Culinary Medicine—to explore what most doctors overlook when trying to educate patients or reach broader audiences.You’ll hear how Dr. Wood transitioned from academic medicine to national media features like Good Morning America and The New York Times, and why clear, relatable communication is now a must-have skill—not a nice-to-have.Inside this conversation: the #1 mistake doctors make when speaking to non-clinicians, how to simplify complex science without losing credibility, what it really takes to land media features and grow your personal brand, and why being “media-trained” matters more than ever in the fight against misinformation.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click 👉 https://medstorymedia.com/podcast📚 Access free tools and downloads. Click 👉 https://medstorymedia.com/resourcesIf you're ready to make a bigger impact with your voice, this episode will show you how to get started—with honesty, clarity, and purpose.

What happens when a physician listens to that quiet inner voice saying, there’s something more?In this episode, we explore the powerful journey of a doctor who went from burnout and exhaustion to building a deeply fulfilling coaching business. She shares how she rediscovered her passion, built a personal brand rooted in authenticity, and began helping other physicians find meaning beyond the clinic.We dive into recognizing burnout and listening to your inner voice, how to build visibility without losing your authenticity, why sharing your story matters more than having all the answers, the mindset shifts that helped her move from perfectionism to progress, balancing clinical work, entrepreneurship, and family, practical tips on contract negotiation and valuing your time, and what it really takes to step into a new chapter with purpose and confidence.Whether you're at a crossroads in your career or simply looking for inspiration to take the next step, this conversation offers honest advice, lived experience, and a reminder that fulfillment is possible—on your terms.🎧 Press play and start carving your own path.🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click 👉 ⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠ Click 👉 ⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources