The Other Human in the Room

In this solo episode, I'm sharing three major "inhuman stories" that have been haunting me as I've stepped deeper into medical education as a preceptor and co-site director. I unpack the beliefs that I need to know everything to teach, that my job is to mold students in my image, and that I'm solely responsible for their outcomes—and how these stories create unnecessary stress and anxiety. Through frameworks like the carpenter versus gardener model and the division of responsibility, I'm finding my way toward more sustainable, humane approaches to teaching. This is very much the messy middle of my journey, and I hope it resonates with anyone navigating the challenges of teaching or mentoring in healthcare.Learn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

In this conversation, I reconnect with Dr. Caitlin Christie, a fellow family physician and coach practicing in Ontario, to share what we're actually doing on the ground to create sustainable, joyful practices. We dive into the real challenges of primary care - from new funding initiatives to physician capacity pressures - and explore how we've shifted from feeling helpless about external circumstances to focusing on what we can control. Caitlin and I trade practical strategies for protecting our wellbeing, from micro-moments of pleasure during clinic days to redesigning schedules that honor our capacity. This is a boots-on-the-ground conversation about how to thrive in family medicine by orienting toward what truly matters: how we feel at the end of the day.Connect with Caitlin:Website: https://caitlinchristie.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachingbydrcaitlin/Learn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

In this follow-up session with my friend and IFS therapist Dr Risa Adams, I explore my complicated relationship with anger—an emotion I've spent most of my life suppressing and fearing. After a conflict with my husband revealed layers of resentment and shame, I discovered that my anger isn't the enemy I thought it was; it's actually a protective part trying to keep me safe and advocate for my authentic voice. This conversation opened my eyes to the possibility that I don't have to choose between being loving and being honest; I can honor all my parts and still show up with integrity.Learn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

In this episode, I explore the powerful idea of being replaceable in our work. Drawing from personal experiences, I discuss how accepting this truth can alleviate burnout and foster a healthier work-life balance. Join me as I share insights on how shifting our mindset from perfectionism to collaboration can enhance our professional lives. Let’s embrace the concept of being part of a greater whole. Learn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

It’s my 40th birthday! (Or rather it WAS my birthday at the time of recording this episode) I take the day off clinic, let myself have a truly delicious day, and reflect on what it means to turn 40. I open a time capsule I made as a 13-year-old in the year 2000 and react—tenderly and hilariously—to what she thought success was.And then I zoom out: lessons from my 30s, hopes for my 40s, and why looking back can be the clearest way to choose what matters next.Learn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

This week’s episode is a little different. Instead of my usual stream of consciousness conversation that expands on an idea in every direction, I wanted to experiment with something much more concise.So I present to you the first of hopefully many Healing Human Idea pieces. The full text can be found on my website & Instagram, to accompany this audio form.Return back to this one as many times as you need to reset your pace in this over-urgent healthcare system.Learn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

In this episode, I invited Dr Risa Adams back for a recorded “mini session” using Internal Family Systems, because I wanted to share what it can look like to be safely vulnerable in real time. We explore what happens in me when a patient is openly unhappy with me—how I freeze, how my inner “clinical team,” my people-pleaser, and my inner critic all rush the wheel at once. Underneath it all, we meet a powerful younger part who’s been working overtime to keep me safe by tracking the rules of “being good.” This conversation is about learning to love and respect that younger warrior—without trying to fix her—and letting dignity and trust lead the way.Connect with Risa: https://www.risaadamsmd.com/ Learn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

In this solo episode, I’m sharing what my three-month podcast pause is teaching me about productivity—specifically, why “more” isn’t the goal. Using a simple gardening analogy, I explore how overcrowding our calendars (and our minds) creates competition for the resources we actually need to do good work: time, attention, creativity, and rest. If you’ve been feeling crunchy, cramped, or like you’re failing at something you care about, this is your reminder: it might not be you—it might be your spacing.Learn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

A real-time recording from The Only Human in the Van, in which I react to the funding changes coming next month for myself and many other family physicians in Ontario. FHO docs: I'd love to hear what you're planning to change and not change in April - reach out on IG or through my website if you'd like to share!Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmdWebsite: joanchanmd.com

In this episode, I’m talking with local legend Dr. John Crosby—a 78-year-old family doctor in Cambridge who’s spent 50+ years learning (and teaching) how to make this work sustainable.We get real about the trade-offs in family medicine: paperwork, complexity, people-pleasing, boundaries, and the myth that being “a good doctor” means saying yes to everything.John shares practical systems (including how he learned to “love” paperwork) and a simple truth: you can’t have a humane life in medicine unless you choose trade-offs that protect you as a human first.Connect with John at his website (including his ebooks): https://www.countryquack.com/Learn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

After a three-month pause, I’m back with a brand new episode—and it’s about a word I want to destroy: lazy. In the middle of a stomach bug, I noticed how quickly that old shame-label tried to sneak in: “I’m being lazy.” So I dug into the origins of the word lazy and found just how much ableism, morality, and productivity-culture are baked into that one tiny word. If you’ve ever called yourself lazy when you were exhausted, overwhelmed, sick, or simply done—this episode is your permission slip to get curious instead.Learn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

The Other Human in the Room is on hiatus!  For the next 3 months, you’ll still be getting weekly episodes on your podcast feeds - but they’ll all be re-releases of past favourites.  I’m using this time to dream and explore new ideas and directions for the podcast.  See you in March!This episode is for anyone feeling stuck on their journey to change their life. Growth and change can feel messy ... what if that's a good thing?Learn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

The Other Human in the Room is on hiatus!  For the next 3 months, you’ll still be getting weekly episodes on your podcast feeds - but they’ll all be re-releases of past favourites.  I’m using this time to dream and explore new ideas and directions for the podcast.  See you in March!Everything about this podcast episode is mediocre. YOU'RE WELCOME.Learn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

The Other Human in the Room is on hiatus!  For the next 3 months, you’ll still be getting weekly episodes on your podcast feeds - but they’ll all be re-releases of past favourites.  I’m using this time to dream and explore new ideas and directions for the podcast.  See you in March!How do you need your patients to change in order for you to be happy? It may seem like a strange question - but answering this question honestly can help unearth the stories about our patients that are really keeping us stuck in resentment and burnout. Learn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

The Other Human in the Room is on hiatus!  For the next 3 months, you’ll still be getting weekly episodes on your podcast feeds - but they’ll all be re-releases of past favourites.  I’m using this time to dream and explore new ideas and directions for the podcast.  See you in March!I had such a brain expanding conversation with Vanessa de Oliveira Andreotti that the internet demons tried to shut it down! Nevertheless, we persisted and really explored what it could look and feel like to identify what is dying in our current system and society, and how we could approach these changes with a hospicing approach.Learn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

The Other Human in the Room is on hiatus!  For the next 3 months, you’ll still be getting weekly episodes on your podcast feeds - but they’ll all be re-releases of past favourites.  I’m using this time to dream and explore new ideas and directions for the podcast.  See you in March!People pleasing is such a common struggle for humans in healthcare - especially those in marginalized identities. Joan shares what she has been learning about the connection between people pleasing and our default survival trauma responses -- and how this connection can help you take on the tricky work of learning to let go of people pleasing with your patients.Learn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

The Other Human in the Room is on hiatus!  For the next 3 months, you’ll still be getting weekly episodes on your podcast feeds - but they’ll all be re-releases of past favourites.  I’m using this time to dream and explore new ideas and directions for the podcast.  See you in March!Do you get stressed about following the guidelines? Or notice other colleagues seem stressed if anyone strays off the guidelines? Commute to work with Joan as she explores the idea of guidelines legalism and how we can trust our clinical brains in the midst of guideline confusion. Learn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

The Other Human in the Room is on hiatus!  For the next 3 months, you’ll still be getting weekly episodes on your podcast feeds - but they’ll all be re-releases of past favourites.  I’m using this time to dream and explore new ideas and directions for the podcast.  See you in March!Joan explains the powerful concept that shifted the way she viewed conflict forever - and made her much more calm and capable of having difficult conversations as a result.Learn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

The Other Human in the Room is on hiatus!  For the next 3 months, you’ll still be getting weekly episodes on your podcast feeds - but they’ll all be re-releases of past favourites.  I’m using this time to dream and explore new ideas and directions for the podcast.  See you in March!Please join Joan as she interviews Dr Hillary McBride, as they explore how the ideas and practice of embodiment can change our experience and practice of medicine.  Where to learn more from Hillary: Website: https://hillarylmcbride.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/hillarylmcbride Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hillaryliannamcbride/  Learn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

The Other Human in the Room is on hiatus!  For the next 3 months, you’ll still be getting weekly episodes on your podcast feeds - but they’ll all be re-releases of past favourites.  I’m using this time to dream and explore new ideas and directions for the podcast.  See you in March!Anyone who works in healthcare encounters illness anxiety on a daily (if not hourly) basis. Anxiety about getting sick is a driving factor behind so much healthcare utilization, and can be draining for healthcare clinicians as well. Joan explores the most important thing to do when encountering illness anxiety in your patients: addressing the illness anxiety that exists in YOUR brain.Learn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

The Other Human in the Room is on hiatus!  For the next 3 months, you’ll still be getting weekly episodes on your podcast feeds - but they’ll all be re-releases of past favourites.  I’m using this time to dream and explore new ideas and directions for the podcast.  See you in March!The thing that your brain loves to worry about all day has happened - you made a mistake. In medicine!! Joan shares how to actually learn from these mistakes instead of drowning in shame spirals.Learn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

The Other Human in the Room is on hiatus!  For the next 3 months, you’ll still be getting weekly episodes on your podcast feeds - but they’ll all be re-releases of past favourites.  I’m using this time to dream and explore new ideas and directions for the podcast.  See you in March!Do you feel pressure to be the "medical expert" in your work? Do you constantly feel like you don't know enough, or shame yourself for not having the Right Answer?  I hope this podcast helps undo this inhuman story for you.Learn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

In this episode, I sit down with Dr Carlos Yu, a self-described “odd” family doctor who has spent 35+ years quietly rewriting what it means to practice medicine as his full, weird, magical self. We talk about cold plunges in Lake Ontario, drum circles, ear acupuncture groups, and the deep privilege of witnessing patients when they’re open and vulnerable. Carlos shares how he moved from judging by appearances to practicing radical curiosity, sensory awareness, and presence in every encounter. Together, we explore how coming home to your body and the present moment can be a path back to your own weird, beautiful humanity in medicine.Connect with Carlos: Website: https://presencetherapy.ca/https://nadacanadainstitute.com/IG: https://www.instagram.com/joywithdryu/Learn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

I’m joined by Dr Joyce Cheung (family/palliative MD) and Ange Bernabe (PhD, economist) to talk about Locvm—an Ontario-born, physician-designed platform making it easier to find and be a locum.We dig into why sharing the load is system-saving: clear contracts, payment flow, accountability, and a real pool that supports parental leave, illness, sabbaticals, and rural coverage.We also talk about their life and business partnership as a married power couple, and what lessons they’ve learned about collaboration in that process.If we want a more humane system, we need tools and norms that let doctors step away without compromising care - it was a joy to connect with these two healthcare humans who are bringing that vision to life!Connect with Locvm:https://www.locvm.ca/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/locvm/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/locvmcanada/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/LOCVM/61569373256521/Learn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

In this solo episode, I name the yellow flags that told me I’d crept past capacity—and why my body’s honest answer was to pause. I walk through the dopamine of rushing, the resentment that follows, and the relief I felt when I imagined three months without weekly production. I share what this means for the show, and how pausing creates space for deeper thinking and play. Consider this an invitation to practice open-palm commitments and feel the power of pause in your own life.Taylor Swift Song sorter (start at your own risk!!!): https://jesseepinkman.tumblr.com/tswiftsongLearn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Michael Quon, a general internist and disability-inclusion advocate, to talk candidly about returning to work with disability and the real-world mechanics of getting accommodations as a physician.Michael shares his origin story, a life-altering brain injury, and the long road back—plus what he’s learned about legal protections, policy gaps, and culture change in medicine.We explore why flexible scheduling and shared duty to accommodate matter ethically, legally, and for patient care—and how physicians with disabilities strengthen teams.If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re “allowed” to ask for what you need, this one’s for you.Connect with Michael:www.linkedin.com/in/MichaelJQuonLinks from Michael: Physician Health Inclusion - Community or Practice for Physicians with Disabilities and Chronic Conditionshttps://www.linkedin.com/groups/15696022/OMA - workplace accommodations: https://www.oma.org/practice-professional-support/running-your-practice/operations-and-practice-management/human-resources-management/workplace-accommodations-for-doctors-with-disability-and-chronic-illness/The Ottawa Hospital Disability Position statement https://cjpl.ca/fostincl.htmlThe Ottawa Hospital Accommodations Policyhttps://journals.lww.com/academicmedicine/fulltext/2025/07000/implementation_of_a_policy_for_accommodations_for.10.aspxLearn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

In this episode, I sit down with psychiatrist and physician-wellness advocate Dr. Dimitrios Tsatiris to unpack why the traits medicine rewards—achievement, perfectionism, and altruism—can quietly fuel suffering. We talk about diminishing returns, moral injury, and the difference between excellence and perfection. We explore practical ways to honor limits, take real vacations, and build cultures of collaboration instead of martyrdom. If you’ve ever felt “too needed to rest,” this conversation is for you.Connect with Dimitrios: Website: https://dimitriostsatiris.com/IG: https://www.instagram.com/drdimitriosLearn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

In this conversation, I sit down with three physician–psychotherapists—Dr. Elizabeth Parsons, Dr. Risa Adams, and Dr. Robin Beardsley—co-authors of a book that asks us to consider: It Doesn’t Have To Be This Way.We explore Internal Family Systems (IFS), self-energy, and the “U-turn” as practical tools for reclaiming agency, setting boundaries, and softening people-pleasing.They share how collaboration at the speed of trust helped them write together, and why “all parts are welcome, not all behaviors.”If you’ve ever felt swallowed by shoulds, this one offers micro-practices of compassion, choice, and connection.Connect with Risa: https://www.risaadamsmd.com/ Connect with Elizabeth: https://www.eparsonsmd.ca/ Connect with Robin: https://yourcompassionateself.ca/Buy their book: https://www.amazon.ca/Doesnt-Have-This-Way-Physicians/dp/B0FMQ4KZ9WLearn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

This week I sit down with Dr. Katherine Raffensperger, a psychiatry resident with an MD/MBA who sees medicine and business as parallel, interwoven paths.We get into how policy has reshaped mental health care, why leadership and communication should be explicitly taught in training, and what price transparency might mean for real people.Katherine shares how entrepreneurship and interdisciplinary learning made her a better clinician, plus the practices that keep her grounded through intern year.If you’ve got a spark outside “the box,” this episode is your permission slip to weave it in.Connect with Katherine:https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-raffensperger/TikTok: @raffmdmbaInstagram: @raffmdmbaLearn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

I sit down with Dr. Adam Stewart—rural Ontario family doc and self-described efficiency nerd—to swap real-world systems for making primary care saner. We dig into EMR hacks, delegation to people and tech, AI scribes, block fees, and the “reset the clock” approach to slashing prescription-renewal chaos. Adam walks through protected time, inbox-zero habits, and why tiny upstream tweaks compound into hours saved. We also peek at how Ontario’s FHO+ might change behavior—and how to optimize without losing our souls (or evenings). Connect with Dr Adam Stewart: https://stewartmedicine.com/Learn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

“Good team player” is often code for “do more, say yes, don’t rock the boat.” In this solo episode, I reframe teamwork entirely: the best teammate is rested, resourced, grounded—and only plays games worth winning. I unpack collaboration vs compliance, share a real-life specialist request I partly declined (kindly!), and offer language, mindsets, and boundaries you can use tomorrow.Learn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

In this episode, I sit down with general surgeon, startup advisor, and all-around “human in many hats,” Dr. Duncan Rozario, to talk about purpose, product–market fit in medicine, and why scheduling nothing might be the most sustainable strategy of all. We dig into happiness “proxies” (status, money, likes) vs. the real drivers of meaning, and a humility practice summed up in four words: Could I be wrong? Duncan shares how expanding teams can shorten waitlists while protecting physician wellbeing, and how diversified creative work keeps us curious, generous, and human.Connect with Duncan: https://www.duncanrozario.com/Learn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

In this episode of The Other Human in the Room, I meet Dr. Ryan Montoya—family physician, graphic novelist, and luggage design consultant—joining us from his current post in Russia. Ryan shares how life as a U.S. diplomat’s spouse has taken him around the world, and how embracing planned transitions has actually buffered him from burnout. Ryan also lets us into his creative world: including creating his own graphic novel and, yes, the story of how he cold-pitched a bespoke artist’s trunk to Goyard and ended up consulting on halo pieces in Paris. This episode is an invitation to dust off your Grade 3 dream and take one next step toward it, whether that’s inside or outside medicine.Find Ryan: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ryan_montoya_arthttps://bcphr.org/dr-ryan-montoya/Learn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

When a much-anticipated Nashville trip collided with a looming airline strike, zero sleep, and a nasty URTI, I leaned on a practice that’s changed my life: enjoying my difficulties. In this solo debrief, I walk through two core buckets—changing my relationship to hard things and building my capacity for joy. From buying a backup flight to taking porch-ukulele breaks mid-summit, this is a practical, honest guide to finding delight when plans go sideways. Learn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

In this conversation, I sit down with Dr. Anne Aspler to explore what it really takes to give yourself permission to create, to heal, and to exist as more than just a doctor. We talk about growing up in fundamentalist religion, finding parallels between dogma in faith and medicine, and the courage it takes to step outside of rigid systems. Anne shares her journey of deconversion, her advocacy for survivors of “private violence,” and how creativity—whether singing, writing, or simply giving yourself space—can be a lifeline. This is an episode about reclaiming humanity, breaking free from productivity dogma, and allowing yourself to do what lights you up.Connect with Anne: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dr.anneasplerWebsite: https://www.anneaspler.com/LAST CHANCE to book a call with me to register for Creating Space before we begin in October: http://joanchanmd.com/spaceLearn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

In this episode of The Other Human in the Room, I sit down with Dr Karenna'onwe Karen Hill, a Mohawk Turtle Clan family physician from Six Nations of the Grand River. She shares her remarkable journey into medicine, the concept of two-row medicine—rooted in the Haudenosaunee Two Row Wampum—and how Indigenous and Western healing can travel side by side, guided by peace, power, and a good mind. Together we explore what it means to practice true healing, how colonization has impacted us all, and why bringing our full selves into medicine is essential to reclaiming humanity in healthcare.Book a call with me to register for Creating Space: http://joanchanmd.com/spaceLearn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Aditya Nellore, a physician and singer who shares how his hardest “failures” became the very doorway into a more authentic life. From failing out of college to going unmatched in the residency match, Aditya opens up about the stigma he faced—and how those painful moments ultimately reconnected him to music and led him into a specialty that values his whole self. Together we talk about medicine, mental health, creativity, and the power of choosing authenticity over perfection.Connect with Aditya: https://www.instagram.com/drsingsofficial/Book a call with me to register for Creating Space: http://joanchanmd.com/spaceLearn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

In this short summer episode, I share why the real power is in choosing the hard that aligns with your values. From charting to patient scheduling to new projects, I offer practical examples and a fresh mindset: pick your challenge on purpose.Book a call with me to register for Creating Space: http://joanchanmd.com/spaceLearn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Mitchell Abrams, a radiologist whose personal health crisis and journey through burnout led him on a path of deep transformation—both personally and professionally. We talk about what happens when you start to actually *feel* your emotions, how ancient wisdom intersects with quantum science, and what a healthcare system rooted in coherence and compassion could really look like. Mitch offers both a powerful vision and practical tools for creating more spaciousness—within ourselves and within our systems.Connect with Mitch: https://nexgenhealth.solutions/ https://globalheartsync.org/Book a call with me to register for Creating Space: http://joanchanmd.com/spaceLearn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

In this episode, I sit down with naturopath Kim Bretz to talk about one of the thorniest issues in healthcare today: medical misinformation. We explore what it means to practice in the messy, often misunderstood middle ground between allopathic and naturopathic medicine. Kim shares her experience as a bridge-builder—between professions, between patients and providers, and between fear and trust. This is a conversation about nuance, empathy, and how we can show up differently in a polarized world.Connect with Kim:Website: https://www.drkimbretznd.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkimbretznd/Book a call with me to register for Creating Space: http://joanchanmd.com/spaceLearn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

In this conversation, I sit down with Dr. Andy Nguyen to explore where healthcare and creativity meet. We talk about the power of storytelling in medicine, what it’s like to start a creative journey, and how social media can shape the narratives we tell about our work. Andy shares his own experience as a medical Youtube creator and offers insights on authenticity and building community. We also reflect on the ongoing dance between personal and professional responsibilities—and why it's so worth it for healthcare professionals to embrace their creative sides.Connect with Andy:Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NDMDInstagram: instagram.com/andy_nguyen9Book a call with me to register for Creating Space: http://joanchanmd.com/spaceLearn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

In this episode, I dive into the upcoming changes to the FHO funding model for family physicians in Ontario and explore how we respond to changes in ways that feel good to us. I talk about the mindset work that’s helped me navigate uncertainty, especially the importance of separating neutral facts from the thoughts we attach to them. I also share how I approached analyzing the new funding structure, crafting a billing strategy that works for me, and staying grounded in patient care, even when the landscape feels shaky.Book a call with me to register for Creating Space: http://joanchanmd.com/spaceLearn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

In this episode, I speak with Tony Chin-Quee, an otolaryngologist turned writer, about his journey from medicine to storytelling. We talk about the challenges of professional identity in healthcare, the process of writing a memoir, and lifting the curtain on medical television writing (including what it was like working on Grey's Anatomy!). Tony shares powerful insights on navigating the hidden curriculum of medicine and the emotional toll of training. At the heart of our conversation is the invitation to find the courage to follow what truly excites us.Connect with Tony: https://www.instagram.com/wheyouat/Read his book! https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/676638/i-cant-save-you-by-anthony-chin-quee/Book a call with me to register for Creating Space: http://joanchanmd.com/spaceLearn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

In this conversation, I speak with Tara and Melissa, two brilliant occupational therapists who open up about the challenges faced by healthcare professionals—especially those navigating the system with ADHD. We talk about the hidden curriculum in medical education, how metrics can distort our sense of self-worth, and the vital role of community support. This conversation is a powerful reminder of why systemic change is so necessary if we want to build a more humane healthcare environment for both professionals and patients.Connect with Melissa and Tara: https://www.mintot.ca/Book a call with me to register for Creating Space: http://joanchanmd.com/spaceLearn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Amjed Kadhim-Saleh about his journey as a family physician and the co-founder of Pippen AI — a tool designed to reduce burnout and improve patient care by integrating AI into clinical workflows.We explore the very real challenges we face in medicine, from administrative overload to emotional exhaustion, and how teamwork and smart technology might offer a path forward.Amjed shares how Pippen AI works to streamline the parts of our work that often drain us, so we can show up more fully for the human-to-human moments that matter.We also dive into the barriers that keep AI adoption slow in healthcare, and imagine what it could look like if we embraced it more fully — not as a replacement, but as a support for better decision-making and more sustainable practice.This episode is sponsored by Pippen AI. Try out it out for free: https://app.pippen.ai/signupLearn more about the Canada Health Infoway AI funding program: https://aiscribe.infoway-inforoute.ca/Learn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

In this episode, I’m taking a moment to reflect on the past year—what’s unfolded personally and professionally, and what I’ve learned along the way. I share some big milestones, like launching Experiential Anatomy with Jamie Lee Finch, building new communities, navigating complex relationships, and experiencing real growth—financially, emotionally, and creatively.One of the themes that keeps coming up for me is how essential it is to prioritize self-care, creativity, and emotional well-being—not just as a healthcare professional, but as a human being. I also talk a bit about what’s ahead, including the next round of my course Creating Space, and why I remain committed to this work of exploring what it means to be fully human in the world of healthcare.Thanks for listening and being part of this journey with me.Come sing with me in the Canadian Women Physicians Online Choir: https://www.cwpchoir.com/Book a call with me to register for Creating Space: http://joanchanmd.com/spaceLearn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

I spoke with Dr. Tara Kiran about the insights she gained during her recent sabbatical, where she explored healthcare systems around the world. Together, we explored the financial realities that primary care providers face, the evolving roles of nurses, and innovative systems in countries like Denmark, the Netherlands, and Spain. This conversation left me inspired by what’s possible when we create space for new ideas—and reminded of how important it is to care for the humans providing care, too.Check out Tara's podcast here: https://www.primaryfocus.ca/And fill out the Our Care patient survey here: https://www.ourcare.ca/surveySign up for one of the FREE weekly webinars I'm hosting in June and learn how to create space for your humanity in healthcare: http://joanchanmd.com/webinarLearn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Tyler Beauchamp, a pediatric resident whose path into medicine was shaped by his own experiences as a chronic patient. He shares candidly about how those early encounters with the healthcare system influenced his understanding of what it means to be a physician — and how some of his assumptions were challenged along the way. Together, we explore the intersection of writing, mental health, and medicine — and the essential role of creativity and human connection in clinical care. This conversation is a powerful reminder that the best doctors aren’t just medically skilled — they’re also curious, compassionate, and willing to bring their whole selves to the work. If you’ve ever wondered how to make space for your creative passions in a demanding profession, Tyler’s story might just be the encouragement you need.Sign up for one of the FREE weekly webinars I'm hosting in June and learn how to create space for your humanity in healthcare: http://joanchanmd.com/webinarConnect with Tyler:Buy his book Freeze Frame!Website https://www.tyler-beauchamp.com/IG @tylerbeauchampmdLearn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

In this episode, I speak with Dr Yelena Chorny about the challenges in healthcare, focusing on burnout, leadership during the pandemic, and the importance of personal growth. Yelena shares her journey from addiction medicine leadership to seeking new opportunities, touching on the emotional complexities of career transitions and the need for systemic change. We discuss the books that shaped her thinking on personal growth and decision-making, and she introduces the concept of 'urgent optimism' as a mindset for navigating change. Yelena encourages listeners to embrace change and recognize that wanting something different is necessary for growth.Sign up for one of the FREE weekly webinars I'm hosting in June and learn how to create space for your humanity in healthcare: http://joanchanmd.com/webinarConnect with Yelena on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yelenachorny/Learn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

This episode was recorded live on the scene of my very first restorative medical education retreat! Join me as I give you a tour around my very cosy and beautiful room in the Millcroft Inn & Spa. I wanted to capture my real time reflections and insights from this incredible experience and share them with you. The main message I couldn't stop thinking about was everything that happened that turned this retreat from dream to reality - and how you could do the same with any dream you might have.Sign up for one of the FREE weekly webinars I'm hosting in June and learn how to create space for your humanity in healthcare: http://joanchanmd.com/webinarLearn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd