The Long Call

Ever feel like you’re on a streak where everything that can go wrong… does? This week we unpack the idea of “black clouds” in residency - why they happen, how they can affect you, and how to get through them with perspective and support.Audio editor: Kaylee Morris

In this episode, MDK sits down with Dr. Margaret Rush to unpack one of the most talked-about - but perhaps most nebulous - parts of training: mentorship. From finding your first mentor to building a mentorship “team,” Dr. Rush shares practical strategies, common pitfalls, and how these relationships evolve from residency into fellowship and beyond. Whether you’re an intern just getting started or a senior looking to be more intentional, this episode offers actionable insights you can use right away.Audio editor: Kaylee Morris

In this solo episode, MDK reflects on the role of organization in residency; not as perfection, but as a tool for clarity and sustainability, sharing simple strategies to manage tasks, tame the inbox, and create systems that can actually work in real life. Please write to us with your organizational methods that have worked in residency at [email protected]!

Join us as we chat with a current fellow about the realities of doing research during residency. She shares about choosing projects, finding the right mentor, balancing research with clinical work, and pushing projects across the finish line. We also discuss how research shapes fellowship applications, clinical thinking, and professional identity. Whether you’re excited about research or unsure where to start, this conversation offers practical advice and honest perspective for  navigating research during training.Audio Editor: Kaylee Morris

We're unpacking what leadership looks like in residency, and why you’re probably already leading more than you may realize. From informal influence on busy call nights to formal committee roles, we explore how to get involved without burning out and why early professionalism builds lasting leadership capital. Whether you’re an intern or a senior, this conversation will encourage you to lead with intention, balance, and impact.Audio Editor: Kaylee Morris

In this episode we sit down with Dr. DaCarla Albright for an honest conversation about what actually can help improve trainee well-being. Moving beyond eye-roll–inducing initiatives, we explore what residents are really reacting to, what the data says truly moves the needle, and where programs often get it wrong. Dr. Albright shares hard truths for leadership, practical steps programs and individuals can take in the short-term, and a hopeful vision for the future of medical training.

Wellness events don’t cure burnout - but they can build community, reduce isolation, and create moments of humanity in a demanding system. In this episode, we unpack why wellness initiatives sometimes draw eye-rolls, what can make them fall flat, and how to design events that feel supportive rather than performative. The goal isn’t forced happiness, but sustainability and connection.

Residency is stressful, and as we've discussed, burnout is common. But in this episode, we explore how to recognize when struggles may be more than burnout. We discuss early warning signs, when to seek support, and the mental health resources typically accessible through residency and GME. We also name the impact of high-acuity work and difficult patient outcomes, and why asking for help is an essential part of professionalism. 

Winter in residency can feel especially heavy — short days, long hours, mounting expectations, and very little sunlight in between. In this episode, we name why winter burnout is real (and not a personal failure), why intern year can hit especially hard, and how small, intentional choices can help protect your energy. From light, movement, and rest to finding joy in your city and leaning on one another, this episode reviews some empathetic suggestions, and is a reminder that you’re not alone. This season is hard, but it will pass!

No one goes into medicine for the paperwork, but administrative work is a critical part of residency. In this episode, we talk with our administrative chief residents about the behind-the-scenes responsibilities that keep programs running and residents on track — from case logs and duty hours to evaluations, licensing, and email management. They share common pitfalls, real consequences, and practical systems that help residents stay organized, professional, and eligible to graduate. A must-listen for anyone who’s ever panicked over a missed deadline or unread email.

Interviews aren’t about being perfect — they’re about being prepared and authentic. In this episode, we break down how to answer common questions with intention and how to avoid the mistakes that derail otherwise strong applicants. We also cover reading program culture and what to ask to help you decide if a program is the right fit for you.

Fellowship applications can be stressful — and often more confusing than they need to be. In this episode we break down some ideas to apply with intention, not panic. We cover topics including personal statements, letters of recommendation, and geography, with a focus on alignment, clarity, and fit over perfection.

In this episode, we break down professionalism and translate this into real-life resident behavior. We cover how to show up prepared (clinically, personally, and mentally), navigate conflict without escalation, speak up when safety is at stake, and build strong team dynamics that earn trust. Through practical tools, common scenarios, and actionable takeaways, we explore how professionalism isn’t about being perfect...it’s about reliability, accountability, communication, and how you show up for your patients and your team.

In this special episode, we’re on call for the holidays, talking with our coworkers we’re working with. We ask about favorite on-call holiday traditions, small rituals that bring joy during long shifts, and the ways clinicians create meaning, connection, and a little levity when they’re working while others celebrate. It’s a shorter, heartfelt episode about community, resilience, and finding holiday spirit wherever you are — especially on call.

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Divya Shah to unpack what “residents as teachers” means in modern training. We talk about why teaching matters even when time is tight, how teaching strengthens residents’ own learning, and what programs can miss when they try to build resident-as-teacher curricula. From practical, on-the-ground strategies to culture change, recognition, and the future of teaching in the age of AI, this episode offers ideas and inspiration for residents and educators alike.

Giving feedback is essential in residency...but it can feel awkward, rushed, and high-stakes. Building on our last episode about receiving feedback, we focus on how to give clear, compassionate, and actionable feedback that supports learning. We discuss the ADAPT model as a simple framework for real-world teaching moments and walk through practical clinical scenarios from clinic and the OR. Tune in for tools to make feedback more effective, efficient, and human, even on your busiest days.

In this episode we unpack one of residency’s most important skills: learning to receive feedback well. Using insights from the book Thanks for the Feedback, we explore why feedback can feel threatening, what actually counts as feedback, and how common triggers can derail our ability to learn. We share some practical strategies for navigating feedback conversations, recognizing blind spots, managing emotional reactions, and shifting focus toward what we can control. Because thriving in residency isn’t about having perfect feedback-givers - it’s about becoming a learner who can grow from imperfect ones.

We’ve all been there...reading the same paragraph three times and still not getting it. In this episode, we break down how adults actually learn, why studying in residency feels so hard, and some practical strategies that really work. From active recall and spaced repetition to micro-learning in the moments between patients, we discuss habits that help knowledge stick. We also talk about using feedback to guide your learning rather than derail it. Learn smarter, not harder!

In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome our very first guest, Dr. Abike James, for a powerful conversation about training in uncertain times. Together, we dive into how today’s tumultuous climate is shaping residency, where learners are feeling the greatest pressures, and how programs can stay grounded in their mission and values. We explore what it means to anchor in purpose, engage with our communities, and create supportive learning environments — even when the landscape feels chaotic. Dr. James also shares moments of hope, leadership, and the values that have carried her through her career, reminding us all of the meaning in our work.

In this episode, we take on a heavier topic: burnout. We share our own experiences, unpack the definition, and break down the three core components of burnout — emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced sense of accomplishment. We also explore the conversation around “moral injury” and how system pressures can erode meaning and purpose in our work.We discuss how burnout shows up in residents, how to tell the difference between a bad week and something deeper, and what actually can help. From the EMR and night float to boundaries, mentorship, reflection, and reconnecting with our “why,” we offer practical insights and real talk from inside training.

In this episode, we discuss how to support new residents! We reflect back on the early days of intern year — the excitement, the chaos, and the steep learning curve that comes with becoming a new doctor. We talk about what makes orientation actually helpful, how programs and peers can best support new residents, and why small things (like meeting admin staff or knowing who to call for help) make a big difference. A real, honest look at those first months of residency and how to make them a little easier for everyone.

Welcome to The Long Call! We are Mary and Khaila — an OB-GYN program director and a current resident — and we're excited to kick off The Long Call, a podcast about thriving in residency and beyond. In this first episode, we share our stories, what inspired the show, and why the “in-between” years of medical training matter just as much as the milestones. It’s a real, honest conversation about finding meaning, purpose, and a little bit of joy in the chaos of residency.