Episodes

What keeps physicians going when medicine feels overwhelming? In this National Doctors Day episode, Dr. Erin Hurley and Dr. Joanne Sotelo explore the deeper meaning behind the profession and why being seen, supported, and appreciated matters more than most people realize. Inspired by the story of Eudora Brown Almond, who started the tradition of honoring physicians with handwritten notes in 1933, they reflect on the ripple effects of gratitude, connection, and remembering why we entered medicine...

What if a sticky note, a short text, or a two-minute phone call could help a colleague stay in medicine? In this episode, Dr. Erin Hurley and Dr. Joanne Sotelo explore how small, intentional acts of kindness can create powerful ripple effects in healthcare. Inspired by the “Notes from the Heart” event honoring healthcare providers, they discuss how simple gestures, like handwritten notes, voice memos, or words of appreciation, can combat burnout, strengthen human connection, and remind healthcar...

What if the biggest threat to healthcare isn’t disease, but the system itself? In this powerful conversation, Dr. Todd Otten shares the story behind the documentary Suck It Up, Buttercup, which exposes the systemic forces fueling physician burnout in America. Drawing from his own experience with burnout and the heartbreaking loss of colleagues to suicide, Dr. Otten reveals why medicine’s culture of silence and resilience is no longer sustainable. Together, we explore how breaking down silos, bui...

We’ve talked about physician burnout. But who else is paying the price? In this powerful episode, Dr. Lisa Muehlenbein and Elizabeth Landry pull back the curtain on the invisible emotional load carried by physician spouses and families. From loneliness and repeated relocations to resentment, pride, and the pressure to emotionally support a burned-out partner, they reveal how medical careers impact entire households, not just physicians. Together, we explore the data behind burnout spillover, the...

Women physicians are often praised for being resilient, flexible, and capable of handling it all, but at what cost? In this Women’s History Month episode, Dr. Erin Hurley and Dr. Joanne Sotelo explore how societal conditioning, medical culture, and outdated definitions of success have shaped the way women show up in medicine, often leading to higher burnout rates, strained relationships, and an unsustainable “second shift” at home. Together, they unpack the hidden price of over-functioning and o...

Is perfectionism really the gold standard in medicine, or is it actually harming us? In this powerful conversation, Dr. Amna Shabbir challenges the deeply ingrained belief that perfectionism is necessary for high performance. Instead, she introduces the concept of excellenceism, a more expansive, growth-oriented alternative that protects well-being without lowering standards. Through personal stories of motherhood, burnout, trauma, and professional identity, Dr. Shabbir unpacks the hidden cost o...

When reconnection creates awareness, realignment provides direction. In this episode, Dr. Joanne Sotelo and Dr. Erin Hurley explore why so many women in medicine feel exhausted, resentful, and misaligned despite career success. They unpack how “doctor programming,” outdated values, and endless shoulds quietly run daily decisions and how clarifying what truly matters now allows priorities, boundaries, time, and energy to finally align. This conversation offers practical reflection questions and s...

Many women in medicine appear successful on the outside while quietly feeling disconnected, numb, or unfulfilled on the inside. In this episode, Dr. Joanne Sotelo and Dr. Erin Hurley explore the often-overlooked foundation of personal fulfillment: reconnecting with yourself. They unpack how emotional suppression, over-functioning, and identity built solely around productivity lead to exhaustion and burnout, and how asking better questions, listening to your inner voice, and redefining success ca...

Why does everything feel urgent, important, and exhausting at the same time? In this episode, Dr. Joanne Sotelo and Dr. Erin Hurley unpack the missing skill many women in medicine were never taught: discernment. From over-documenting charts to spending type-one energy on type-two decisions, they explore how learning to pause, clarify priorities, and manage both time and energy can transform patient care, leadership, and life outside of work. This conversation offers practical frameworks and mind...

If you’ve been telling yourself you’ll change when life “calms down,” this episode is your sign that the time is now. Dr. Joanne Sotelo and Dr. Erin Hurley offer a compassionate but honest wake-up call for women in medicine, reminding us that high-functioning does not equal healthy. They explore the real cost of burnout, the importance of reclaiming personal agency, and how identity shifts, especially with the rise of AI, are forcing physicians to rethink fulfillment, purpose, and self-leadershi...

If you’ve been telling yourself you’ll change when life “calms down,” this episode is your sign that the time is now. Dr. Joanne Sotelo and Dr. Erin Hurley offer a compassionate but honest wake-up call for women in medicine, reminding us that high-functioning does not equal healthy. They explore the real cost of burnout, the importance of reclaiming personal agency, and how identity shifts, especially with the rise of AI, are forcing physicians to rethink fulfillment, purpose, and self-leadershi...

Feeling stuck or waiting for certainty before changing course? In this episode, we unpack agency for physicians, how guilt and obligation keep us small, and why shifting your brain's filter toward options opens new paths. Hear scripts, supports, and next steps to move before burnout. Press play to choose your next move. Key Takeaways To Listen For Connect With UsDo you want to hear more from the ladies of the Create Meaning In Medicine podcast? Discover more empowering content when you go to h...

Feeling stuck or waiting for certainty before changing course? In this episode, we unpack agency for physicians, how guilt and obligation keep us small, and why shifting your brain’s filter toward options opens new paths. Hear scripts, supports, and next steps to move before burnout. Press play to choose your next move. Key Takeaways To Listen For When the system feels fixed, what does agency look like Can you re-aim your RAS to notice options instead of limits Where do guilt and obligation s...

Feeling like your life is being chosen for you? You're not alone. In this episode, we explore why identity, not willpower, drives behavior, how to break out of autopilot, and ways to choose who we're becoming as medicine advances. Press play to build awareness, set values aligned with goals, and make your next step intentional. Key Takeaways To Listen For Connect With UsDo you want to hear more from the ladies of the Create Meaning In Medicine podcast? Discover more empowering content when you...

Feeling like your life is being chosen for you? You’re not alone. In this episode, we explore why identity, not willpower, drives behavior, how to break out of autopilot, and ways to choose who we’re becoming as medicine advances. Press play to build awareness, set values aligned with goals, and make your next step intentional. Key Takeaways To Listen For What changes when you stop living by default and insert a reset How identity outperforms motivation and how to write it into habits Which b...

Is AI sharpening care or eroding our humanity? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Susan Shelmerdine to unpack responsible AI in medicine, the mental health risks of overreliance, and the skill of discernment. She shares how improv rebuilt confidence and why connection must stay central. Press play to use AI wisely without losing yourself. Key Takeaways To Listen For About Susan Shelmerdine, MBBS, PHD Dr. Susan is a consultant pediatric radiologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital and an hono...

Is AI sharpening care or eroding our humanity? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Susan Shelmerdine to unpack responsible AI in medicine, the mental health risks of overreliance, and the skill of discernment. She shares how improv rebuilt confidence and why connection must stay central. Press play to use AI wisely without losing yourself. Key Takeaways To Listen For What to do when AI is banned in a clinic without losing efficiency or safety Why discernment beats raw knowledge in medicine’s...

Why are women physicians praised for teamwork yet penalized when we say no? In this episode, we unpack the hidden curriculum and redefine boundaries as clear rules that protect time, energy, and patient care. Press play to protect your yeses and set limits without apology. Key Takeaways To Listen For Resources Mentioned In This Episode Connect With UsDo you want to hear more from the ladies of the Create Meaning In Medicine podcast? Discover more empowering content when you go to https://www....

Why are women physicians praised for teamwork yet penalized when we say no? In this episode, we unpack the hidden curriculum and redefine boundaries as clear rules that protect time, energy, and patient care. Press play to protect your yeses and set limits without apology. Key Takeaways To Listen For What boundaries look like in medicine, set clear rules for time, energy, and workload Why self-compassion matters, view boundaries as protection, not rejection How to spot overcommitment, pause, ...

Still trying to handle everything alone? This episode explains why "be strong" becomes a cage for women in medicine and how real support and coaching change energy, clarity, and confidence. Erin and Joanne define what coaching is and is not, and share steps to build boundaries and resilience. Press play to learn how support speeds growth. Key Takeaways To Listen For Connect With UsDo you want to hear more from the ladies of the Create Meaning In Medicine podcast? Discover more empowering conte...

Still trying to handle everything alone? This episode explains why “be strong” becomes a cage for women in medicine and how real support and coaching change energy, clarity, and confidence. Erin and Joanne define what coaching is and is not, and share steps to build boundaries and resilience. Press play to learn how support speeds growth. Key Takeaways To Listen For Why “be strong” can trap high achievers in overwork and isolation How real support replaces lone-ranger thinking and restores ene...

Feeling stuck on autopilot, you didn't choose? In this episode, we reveal how tiny, repeatable habits and the right community can shift energy, protect time, and make medicine feel sustainable again. Learn why your "top five" people shape your routines more than willpower, and how simple boundary scripts and 1% course corrections help you finish notes sooner and breathe easier. Press play to see how awareness plus support turns goals into lived habits. Key Takeaways To Listen For Connect With ...

Feeling stuck on autopilot, you didn’t choose? In this episode, we reveal how tiny, repeatable habits and the right community can shift energy, protect time, and make medicine feel sustainable again. Learn why your “top five” people shape your routines more than willpower, and how simple boundary scripts and 1% course corrections help you finish notes sooner and breathe easier. Press play to see how awareness plus support turns goals into lived habits. Key Takeaways To Listen For What “good aut...

Feeling stretched thin? In this episode, we show how three minutes of play can reset your nervous system and protect against burnout. We unpack the brain science behind joy, then share quick rituals, between patient resets, and simple team games that boost creativity and connection. Press play to learn small moves that restore energy fast. Key Takeaways To Listen For Resources Mentioned In This Episode Connect With UsDo you want to hear more from the ladies of the Create Meaning In Medicine p...