In this episode of the CCIM Podcast, host Dr Elise Putt welcomes Dr Joanna Prendergast, whose diagnosis of breast cancer in 2021 profoundly influenced her dynamic career as a child and adolescent psychiatrist, stand-up comedian, and author. 

Dr Prendergast shares the intertwining of her professional pathways and the resilience she has shown through her health challenges.

Dr Prendergast discusses her upcoming book, "When Life Sucks," which provides guidance to parents navigating teenage mental health issues. The book represents her multifaceted experience, combining expertise as a physician, comedian, and parent to create a valuable resource set to release with HarperCollins.

In the realm of comedy, Dr Prendergast illuminates her creative process in developing her show "Cancer and Cartwheels," and her experiences performing at the Adelaide Fringe and aspiring for the Billy T award. Her commitment to comedy stands out as she reflects on its therapeutic value and its challenging yet addictive nature.

Delving into her clinical background, Dr Prendergast speaks of her diverse practice, which has ranged from perinatal mental health to working with severe chronic mental illness and specialised disorders. Her stories from medical school to her decision to focus on psychiatry reveal the continuous evolution of her career and interests.

Additionally, she teases her upcoming tour with "The Cool Mum," acknowledging the unpredictability of her health and the importance of finding a sustainable work-life balance. With aspirations to become an "entertaining psychiatrist," Dr Prendergast contemplates a possible media presence through a show merging mental health discussions with humour.

Her personal insights provide listeners with a glimpse into her family life, where her children's support shines through, being involved in her shows and bearing her "cool mum" persona with a touch of playful exasperation.

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