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Connect with Moms of Medicine: - Instagram @moms_of_medicine - [email protected] Connect with Dr. Nykia Burke-Bray: - Instagram @abrayinthelife Summary Ali talks with Dr. Nykia Burke-Bray, a metro Atlanta OB-GYN, about her path into medicine. She shares her PCOS diagnosis as a teen and her infertility and miscarriage during residency. She then describes a surprise triplet pregnancy, the NICU stay, and how she balanced motherhood with the end of residency. She also talks about Black maternal health and what family life looks like now. Key topics Knowing early: She knew she wanted to be an OB-GYN by middle or high school, after a PCOS scare sparked her interest in women's health.PCOS and infertility: She describes how she processed the diagnosis, the years of trying, and why she took a break during residency.Miscarriage during residency: She went straight from the diagnosis to a 24-hour shift. She explains how that changed the way she cares for patients experiencing early loss.Why she stayed quiet at work: She feared judgment from colleagues about starting a family during residency.The triplet surprise: She and her husband found out at the ultrasound. The pregnancy was kept quiet until about 24 weeks, and the gender reveal doubled as the triplet reveal.Black maternal health: Even with an OB-GYN's knowledge and access, she was not outside the statistics. She stresses having a care team you feel comfortable talking to.Delivery and NICU: The girls were born at 34 weeks and 2 days. Two came home after 16 days and the third after 21 days.Residency and support: She took 10 weeks of leave. She credits supportive leaders and colleagues, family and friends who traveled to help, and a part-time nanny.Life today: She went part time after leaving a group practice. Her husband works from home, and the girls are headed to kindergarten.Support the show

Connect with Moms of Medicine: - Instagram @moms_of_medicine - [email protected] Connect with Dr. Suzanne Koven: - Substack on writing - Instagram - Website Ali reconnects with Dr. Suzanne Koven to talk about the writing life, why clinicians feel compelled to tell stories, and how to start when the blank page feels intimidating. They also discuss the tension between medicine, humanity, and AI, plus the personal experience that became the basis of Suzanne’s upcoming memoir, The Mirror Box.In this episode:   Suzanne says the first step in writing is to honor the impulse and ask why a story matters now  She explains why the best entry point is often an unstable moment rather than a huge topic like childhood, equity, or doctor-patient relationships  She shares her approach to getting words onto the page: capture fragments, trust the unconscious, and do not wait for a perfect outline  Suzanne breaks down why she relies on deadlines instead of daily word-count routines  She and Ali talk about how creative thoughts show up during real life, like showering, parenting, walking, or seeing patients  They discuss the fear of sitting with not knowing, which medicine often trains clinicians to avoid  Suzanne argues that literature and the humanities belong in medicine because they teach ambiguity, grief, racism, injustice, love, and family dynamics  The conversation turns to AI, which Suzanne sees as impressive and seductive, but limited because it cannot replace human interpretation, intuition, or reading a patient’s cues  She describes how burnout can come from being forced to ignore the moments when a clinician wants to pay closer attention and be more human  Suzanne shares the central event behind The Mirror Box: a fall that ended her primary care practice, followed by a mysterious hand syndrome that changed how she understood herself and her patients  She reflects on chronic pain, chronic fatigue, disability, and how illness alters identity  Ali and Suzanne discuss how deeply personal writing becomes a mirror for readers, not a window into the author  Suzanne revisits Letters to a Young Female Physician and says many of the concerns in that book still feel urgent today, especially sexism, imposter syndrome, pregnancy, and career pressure Timestamps: (0:00) Catching up after a year and a half away from clinical medicine (1:15) Why clinicians want to write, and what blocks them at the start (2:45) Honoring the impulse before trying to write (4:27) Finding the real story inside a single unstable moment (5:55) Why writing from a full outline makes boring prose (7:20) Why writing is not like checking off chart notes (8:57) Deadlines, not daily quotas, as Suzanne’s writing method (9:56) John Hersey, notes on the nightstand, and trusting the unconscious (12:41) Building the reflex to follow a story you cannot yet name (13:28) The “s****y first draft” and tolerating not knowing (14:46) Why literature belongs in medical training (16:37) Suzanne’s concerns about AI in medicine (18:51) Medicine as more than facts and memorization (20:02) Burnout, billing, and ignoring the moments that matter (23:33) Introducing the memoir The Mirror Box (24:17) What a mirror box is and why the title matters (25:46) The fall, the broken wrist, and the end of primary care (27:25) Situation versus story in memoir (28:19) The strange hand syndrome and the deeper meaning of the diagnosis (31:43) Chronic pain, chronic fatigue, and difficult-to-diagnose illness (33:26) Looking back at how she may have practiced differently (38:32) Whether retirement and identity loss shaped the illness narrative (41:27) How disability and trauma alter identity (42:18) Why personal writing works as a mirror for readers (46:02) Publishing a deeply personal book without shame (47:23) Wanting the book to help patients and clinicians (48:25) What still feels urgent from Letters to a Young Female Physician (50:35) The Mirror Box publication date and preorder details (51:32) Suzanne’s new Substack, Practice, for health professionals who love stories (53:17) Closing thanks and final reflections Support the show

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In this conversation, Ali and Shani revisit the realities of burnout, perfectionism, and rebuilding a career in medicine in a way that actually fits your life. Shani shares how closing her practice, going part time, and coaching women in medicine all connect to one idea: you do not have to wait for some future milestone to feel joy. We discuss practical mindset tools for handling difficult moments, how to reframe failure and sunk cost thinking, and why small daily actions matter more than waiting for the “right” time to change. Key topics Shani shares what has changed since her last visit, including selling her practice in January and continuing to work part time as a retina specialist.In this episode, she explains why closing a practice is not automatically a failure and how it can actually create more alignment and joy.We discuss the concept of duality and how two things can be true at once, like being worried about a patient complication and still being fully present with your kids at Disneyland.Shani breaks down a step-by-step approach for handling stressful moments: feel the feelingsseparate facts from fictioncreate a plantrust your decisionsShe explains the “arrival fallacy” and why so many physicians keep postponing joy until after the next exam, promotion, publication, or career milestone.We talk about making goals smaller and more specific so progress feels achievable and worth celebrating along the way.Shani reflects on her own burnout experience, including ending up in the ER, and uses The Gap and the Gain to show how the same story can be framed as shame or growth.In this episode, she emphasizes that burnout is largely system driven, but there is still a portion within your control, especially around boundaries, mindset, and rest.She shares practical ways she recovered, including slowing down, going part time, journaling, yoga, friendship, and creative work.We discuss why people know what would help them feel better yet still self-sabotage, often because of fear, guilt, perfectionism, or identity shifts.Shani closes with the idea that saying yes to yourself strengthens your boundaries and helps you show up better for patients, kids, and partners. Support the show

Key topics In this episode, Susan explains that getting pregnant with Nicholas took about a year, similar to her experience conceiving Maddie, but for different reasons.She shares that after Maddie’s birth she had prolonged bleeding, which led to a DNC after a retained piece of placenta was found.Susan describes how that earlier procedure likely contributed to Asherman syndrome, with significant scar tissue in the uterus discovered during fertility workup.We discuss the repeated procedures she needed to clear scar tissue, including use of a Foley balloon to keep the uterus open while it healed.Susan talks about the emotional stress of fertility treatment while starting her first attending job and trying to manage clinic schedules, OR time, and appointments.She reflects on how hard it was to feel like a responsible new attending while also dealing with fertility care and early pregnancy visits.Susan compares postpartum anxiety with her first baby to the second time around, saying she was less overwhelmed, less intrusive-thought driven, and more able to recognize hard phases as temporary.She talks how the second baby changed the logistics of parenting, especially with a toddler already at home and less free time to ruminate.We discuss the difference between emotional and logistical difficulty when returning to work, including the intense feelings around daycare dropoff the first time.Susan explains how her family planned childcare coverage around the reality of daycare sickness by splitting parental leave and saving time for sick days.She talks through the weekly division of labor at home, including dropoffs, pickups, bottle prep, meals, and the constant negotiation between flexibility and structure.Susan shares that outsourcing more tasks, like laundry, feels like the next step, even though she still struggles with guilt about paying for help.Susan discusses how hard it can be to accept help with tasks you are technically capable of doing yourself.Susan says one of the biggest mindset shifts has been redefining what a successful day looks like, especially when parenting young children and working long hours.She names watching her two children interact as one of the most meaningful parts of parenting now.Susan also reflects on the strange, awe-inspiring biology of motherhood, including thinking about the eggs that existed in her body long before her children were born.Timestamps 00:00 - Reconnecting with Susan and introducing the second-baby conversation 00:41 - Nicholas turns one and the family keeps his birthday low-key 01:30 - Getting pregnant with Nicholas took another long road 03:47 - The postpartum bleeding after Maddie and the retained placenta 04:44 - Fertility testing leads to an unexpected diagnosis 05:18 - Discovering scar tissue and Asherman syndrome 06:14 - Multiple procedures with Foley balloons to reopen the uterus 07:16 - What it felt like to hear grim fertility statistics at nearly 40 08:32 - Managing pregnancy while starting a new attending job 09:47 - Balancing fertility appointments with clinic days and OR scheduling 10:47 - Why pregnancy felt hard to fully believe until much later 12:36 - Nicholas arrives and the second postpartum experience begins 13:02 - Less anxiety, fewer intrusive thoughts, and more emotional ease 14:28 - Why the second baby phase felt more peaceful overall 15:19 - Postpartum anxiety, vigilance, and intrusive thoughts 16:39 - Breastfeeding with less pressure the second time around 18:21 - The emotional pain of first daycare dropoff 19:41 - Why returning to work was harder logistically than emotionally 20:58 - Leaving a child at daycare versus leaving with familiar help 23:57 - Leave policy discussion gets cut from the conversation 24:57 - Why childcare planning starts with backup support 25:56 - Splitting parental leave and saving time for sick days 27:22 - Weekly dropoff and pickup coordination between parents 28:16 - The daily battle over meals, bottles, and night versus morning tasks 31:17 - Why outsourcing laundry feels like a realistic next step 32:31 - Hiring help for meal prep and folding laundry, and still feeling weird about it 35:29 - Relearning that not every productive task is the right task 36:27 - Redefining a successful day beyond housework and to-do lists 37:32 - Cleaning as a way to regain control in a chaotic season 38:29 - Favorite and least favorite parts of parenting 39:19 - Watching siblings interact and the wonder of family biology 40:40 - The “baby store” joke and closing thoughts Support the show

Finally sharing about the day Colin was born! Timestamps 00:00 - Introducing Colin’s birth story and the weekend that led up to it  01:00 - Why the induction was scheduled around 37 weeks  02:00 - A calm morning with Connor before heading to daycare  03:00 - Boston rush hour versus the chaos of natural labor  04:00 - Checking in at the hospital and the first emotional moment with the OB team  05:00 - Crying when kindness hit harder than strength  06:00 - Why she chose to proceed with induction despite grief  07:00 - What “birth plan” meant in this context  08:00 - Wearing her dad’s Patriots hat and wanting an epidural ASAP  09:00 - Reflections on epidurals, pain, and her first labor with Connor  10:00 - Starting the induction and wanting to be a passenger this time  11:00 - Cytotec, Foley balloon, and contractions that got things moving  12:00 - Her husband points out they do not need to wait for pain before requesting the epidural  13:00 - Her outpatient OB’s unusual commitment to seeing her for every prenatal visit  14:00 - How thoughtful communication and data-driven care shaped the pregnancy  15:00 - Her OB’s support behind the scenes, including tumor board advocacy  16:00 - Brief Pitocin trial and the baby’s immediate reaction  17:00 - Watching TV, laughing, and keeping the room light during labor  18:00 - The surprise baby-name vote and the fun of not knowing the sex  19:00 - Checking the ICU schedule just in case birth complications sent her there  20:00 - Pressure builds and the team realizes the baby is crowning  21:00 - Waiting for the OB to arrive before pushing  22:00 - Colin is born and the room fills with tears and emotion  23:00 - Why pregnancy felt emotionally distant and uncertain  24:00 - Seeing the baby on ultrasound and struggling with chemo-related worry  25:00 - How not knowing the sex helped her stay detached and hopeful  26:00 - Colin arrives healthy, despite the cord being wrapped twice  27:00 - Naming Colin Robert and honoring her dad through the middle name  28:00 - Telling family the baby is a boy and heading to postpartum recovery  29:00 - Post-birth CT and MRI scans while still processing the cancer  30:00 - Crying in the MRI and the strain of high highs and low lows  31:00 - Why she does not believe grief and trauma can always be neatly processed  32:00 - Family meeting Colin and the reminder that life keeps moving  33:00 - Watching both boys grow and comparing first-time parenting to second-time parenting  34:00 - Colin’s bright, social personality and the sense that he brought light into the family  35:00 - Looking back on cancer during pregnancy as an unexpected blessing  36:00 - Closing gratitude for Colin, Connor, and the listeners Support the show

Summary In this episode, I talk about grieving my dad's death while preparing for the birth of my son and navigating cancer treatment.  Key topics Coping with grief after losing a parentBalancing emotional pain with joyful momentsPreparing for childbirth amidst health challengesThe significance of meaningful keepsakes and ritualsThe coexistence of sadness and happiness in life Keywords grief, motherhood, cancer, resilience, personal story, loss, emotional strength, life challenges Chapters 00:00 Introduction and overview of the episode 00:28 Personal reflection on the impact of losing her father 01:21 The challenge of coping with grief in daily life 02:21 The unpredictability of grief and emotional responses 03:19 A moment of humor during a difficult day 04:49 The significance of photos and memories 05:48 Managing cancer pain while preparing for childbirth 07:12 Medical check-up and reassurance about the baby 08:54 The innocence of children and their impact on grief 09:33 Scheduling conflicts between birth and funeral arrangements 11:22 Deciding on the timing of induction and funeral 12:46 Making the most of last family moments before birth 14:24 The significance of meaningful keepsakes and symbols 16:32 Carrying a piece of her father with her during labor 17:54 Conclusion and upcoming episode focus Support the show

In this episode, I talk about my experience with my father’s death, navigating difficult conversations, and how my medical background both challenged and supported me during this time. Main Topics Covered:   The reasons behind my hiatusThe significance of storytelling for connection, reflection, and emotional resilienceWalking through the emotional and logistical experience of my father’s death in the hospitalChallenges of end-of-life conversations within my family and the impact of medical burnoutLessons I learned about planning for chronic illness, death, and the importance of having honest, compassionate discussionsThe emotional aftermath, including feelings of grief, guilt, and gratitudeThe cathartic process of sharing my story and the future of my podcast  Timestamps:  00:00 - Introduction: Why I stepped back   02:00 - The healing power of storytelling in connecting with others  03:30 - Navigating personal grief while balancing a medical career  05:00 - The moments leading to my father’s death  07:00 - The hard realities of end-of-life decisions and family discussions  09:00 - The emotional toll of seeing a loved one suffer and die  11:00 - The impact of healthcare burnout on personal and family moments  13:00 - Reflections on medical planning, directives, and difficult conversations  15:00 - The experience of loss and feelings of guilt and sadness  17:00 - The significance of presence, love, and memory in grief  19:00 - Returning to the podcast: sharing my story to heal and connect  21:00 - Future plans for solo episodes and interviews   Support the show

Keywords cancer treatment, chemotherapy, motherhood, emotional support, personal journey, health challenges, parenting, medical experiences, resilience, community support Summary In this solo episode, Dr. Alison Trainor shares her personal journey through cancer treatment while balancing motherhood. She discusses the emotional and physical challenges of chemotherapy, the impact of hair loss, and the support she received from friends and family. Alison reflects on the complexities of navigating her health while being a parent and the importance of community support during difficult times. Takeaways The transition from work to medical leave was emotionally challenging. Chemotherapy brought both physical and emotional struggles. Hair loss was a significant emotional hurdle during treatment. Support from friends and family was crucial during this journey. The experience of being a patient gave insight into patient care. Navigating treatment while pregnant added complexity to her situation. The emotional toll of scan results can be overwhelming. Community support, like meal trains, made a big difference. It's important to communicate openly about what support is needed. Finding joy in small moments with family helped cope with challenges. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Personal Update 01:28 Navigating Work and Cancer Diagnosis 05:41 Chemotherapy Regimen and Initial Experiences 12:27 Emotional and Physical Challenges of Treatment 16:03 Hair Loss and Its Impact 20:13 Adjusting to Public Perception and Normalcy 23:02 Additional Treatment Considerations and Reflections 26:20 Navigating the Emotional Landscape of Illness 34:07 The Impact of Community Support 47:39 Finding Meaning in Difficult Times Support the show

Summary In this conversation, Ali and Polly reflect on the past year since their last chat, discussing personal growth, work-life balance, and the challenges of parenting. Polly shares her experiences with returning to work, navigating childcare, and the impact of illness on their family. They delve into the pressures of the medical profession, the importance of mental health support, and the benefits of couples therapy. The discussion also touches on family planning and the considerations that come with it, particularly in light of Polly's husband's health. Overall, the conversation highlights the complexities of parenting, relationships, and self-care. Takeaways Polly has experienced significant personal growth over the past year.Finding a balance between work and family life is crucial for well-being.Childcare can provide valuable socialization and learning opportunities for children.Illnesses in daycare can be challenging but are often part of the experience.The pressure to show up in the medical field can lead to neglecting personal health.Therapy and support systems have been vital for Polly's mental health journey.Communication is key in maintaining a healthy relationship, especially during stressful times.Considering family size involves weighing personal desires against practical realities.The experience of parenting can evoke nostalgia and a desire for more children.It's important to discuss and normalize the challenges of postpartum mental health.Keywords parenting, mental health, work-life balance, childcare, couples therapy, family planning, postpartum anxiety, child development, daycare challenges, personal growth Chapters 00:00 Reflecting on Growth and Change 02:45 Finding Balance in Work and Family Life 05:44 Navigating Childcare and Developmental Milestones 08:50 The Challenges of Illness in Daycare 11:29 The Pressure to Show Up in Medicine 14:20 Mental Health Journey and Support Systems 17:28 Couples Therapy and Communication 20:36 Considering Family Size and Future Plans Support the show

Summary In this conversation, Dr. Jenn Gates-Nassar shares her journey as a pediatric resident, balancing the demands of her medical training with motherhood. She discusses her motivations for pursuing medicine, the challenges of being a resident with young children, and the emotional toll of caring for sick kids. Dr. Gates-Nassar also highlights the importance of advocacy in public health, the impact of adverse childhood experiences on long-term health, and the challenges posed by misinformation in healthcare. Throughout the discussion, she reflects on her aspirations for the future and the ongoing learning process in medicine. Takeaways Dr. Gates-Nassar is a second-year pediatric resident at Mount Sinai.She balances her demanding residency with being a mother to two young girls.Her journey into medicine was influenced by her family's public health background.She emphasizes the importance of reliable childcare for working parents.Guilt when away from her children but recognizes the need for stable caregivers.She discusses the emotional challenges of being a pediatric resident.Advocacy and public health are significant aspects of her career aspirations.Adverse childhood experiences can have lasting impacts on health outcomes.Misinformation in healthcare is a growing concern for pediatricians.Time stamps 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:01 Journey into Medicine 05:57 Balancing Family and Residency 09:00 Navigating Parenthood and Guilt 11:58 Career Aspirations in Pediatrics 15:12 Challenges in Pediatric Care 17:53 Addressing Systemic Barriers 21:05 Misinformation and Public Health Advocacy 27:29 Balancing Clinical Work and Personal Life 31:03 Navigating Parenthood and Medical Training 34:14 Advice for Future Parents in Medicine 38:06 Influences and Inspirations in Medicine 43:24 Experiences and Challenges in Residency 48:45 The Ongoing Journey of Learning in Medicine keywords pediatrics, residency, motherhood, public health, advocacy, work-life balance, adverse childhood experiences, healthcare challenges, physician insights, medical training Support the show

In this episode we catch up with Dr. Lauren Puretz from episode 33. If you haven't listened to that episode yet, I would suggest listening to that episode first. In this episode we talk about: - How Lauren's practice has been doing since opening 8/2024. We last spoke when she was 2 months in and there have been some bumps in the road - How her running career has been going. Also, a few bumps. - Feeling a bit like she was in the hole and how she's been digging herself out - and so much more!  Connect with Moms of Medicine: - Instagram @moms_of_medicine - [email protected] Connect with Lauren: - Instagram @Lauren1642 Support the show

Summary In this conversation, Dr. Janelle Nassim shares her journey as a dermatologist and a mother, detailing her experience with a life-altering heart attack caused by a coronary artery dissection (SCAD) shortly after the birth of her second child. She discusses the symptoms leading up to the event, her hospital experience, and the emotional and physical recovery process. Janelle reflects on the changes in her perspective towards life, motherhood, and work, emphasizing the importance of gratitude, vulnerability, and accepting help from others. Time stamps 00:00 Introduction and Background 04:52 Life as a Dermatologist and Mother 09:53 The Day of the Heart Attack 19:58 The Experience in the Hospital 24:30 Processing Trauma and Growth 24:30 Navigating the Hospital Experience 25:57 The Journey of Recovery 29:25 Reconnecting with Family 31:25 Shifting Perspectives on Parenting 31:53 Physical Recovery and Exercise 35:38 Emotional Grief and Acceptance 44:03 Work-Life Balance Post-Diagnosis 47:02 Current State: A Year Later Keywords dermatology, heart attack, SCAD, recovery, motherhood, emotional health, trauma, resilience, work-life balance, personal growth Support the show

summary In this conversation, Dr. Tali Lando shares her journey as a pediatric ENT and a mother of three daughters. She discusses the challenges of balancing a demanding medical career with motherhood, the importance of support systems, and the evolution of parenting dynamics as children grow. Dr. Lando reflects on her experiences with burnout, the role of passion projects in rejuvenating her career, and the lessons learned from her journey through cancer treatment. She emphasizes the significance of honesty in parenting and the power of anecdotes in medicine, providing valuable insights for working parents in the medical field. In this conversation, Tali Lando shares her deeply personal journey through medical challenges, including her experience as a mother in the NICU and her battle with breast cancer. She discusses the emotional toll of these experiences, the impact on her family, and how writing became a therapeutic outlet. Tali also reflects on her return to work after treatment and the process of writing her upcoming book, 'Breathless,' which aims to provide insights from her medical career and personal experiences. takeaways Dr. Tali Lando is a pediatric ENT with a busy practice.She had her first child during her chief year of residency.Balancing motherhood and a demanding career is challenging but rewarding.Support systems play a crucial role in managing work and family life.Quality time with children is more important than quantity.The dynamics of parenting evolve as children grow older.Burnout is a common issue among medical professionals.Passion projects can rejuvenate a career and provide fulfillment.Experiences during cancer treatment inspired her writing.Honesty with children about career sacrifices fosters understanding. Tali's experience in the NICU highlighted the emotional toll on parents.The transition from being a doctor to a patient is profound and challenging.Writing became a therapeutic outlet for Tali during her cancer journey.The importance of family support during health crises cannot be overstated.Tali's father's glioblastoma diagnosis added another layer of complexity to her journey.Navigating treatment options for cancer can be overwhelming and confusing.The impact of cancer on family dynamics is significant and often heartbreaking.Tali's writing process was influenced by her personal experiences and desire to help others.Returning to work after treatment requires careful consideration of one's health.The upcoming book 'Breathless' aims to share valuable insights from Tali's medical career. keywords pediatric ENT, work-life balance, motherhood, residency, surgical training, parenting, career fulfillment, burnout, passion projects, breast cancer, medical challenges, NICU experience, cancer diagnosis, family dynamics, writing, coping mechanism, health, career, book release, personal journey ENT  Connect with Moms of Medicine: - Instagram @moms_of_medicine - [email protected] Connect with Dr. Tali Lando: - Instagram @drtalilando - Preorder her upcoming book Breathless - Drtalilando.com Support the show

Picking up where we left off from the last solo episode. This one goes into everything from initial diagnosis leading up to starting treatment. Thanks for listening Support the show