What if the most dangerous relationships don’t look dangerous at first?

In this episode of FEM, MD, Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with psychotherapist Vanessa Reiser to unpack the reality of narcissistic abuse—how it starts, why it’s so hard to leave, and why even highly trained professionals aren’t immune.

From love bombing and future faking to gaslighting and trauma bonding, this conversation breaks down the patterns that keep people stuck—and the subtle warning signs most of us miss. Vanessa also shares her own story of escaping an abusive relationship and spending years navigating a system that often fails victims.

They explore:

• The difference between narcissistic traits vs. narcissistic personality disorder
• Why some “dark traits” can actually fuel professional success
• The cycle of abuse—and why it feels addictive
• Red flags in dating that are often dismissed as “personality quirks”
• Why autonomy—not avoidance—is the real protection
• How to support a friend without pushing them further in

This is not just about relationships. It’s about power, identity, and the uncomfortable truth that not everyone is wired the same way.

If you’ve ever felt confused, drained, or like you’re losing yourself in a relationship—this episode will help you name it.

And once you can name it, you can start to leave it.

Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd

Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md

Guest: Vanessa Reiser, LCSW

Connect with Vanessa: @vanessareiserlcsw

https://morewithbrookemartin.com/

Narcissistic Abuse: A Therapist’s Guide to Identifying, Escaping, and Healing from Toxic and Manipulative People: https://www.amazon.com/Narcissistic-Abuse-Therapists-Identifying-Manipulative/dp/0306833174

Presented by: ‪@HippocraticCollective‬

Vanessa Reiser is a mother, author, entrepreneur, 2X Ironman and psychotherapist licensed in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Florida, specializing in narcissistic and cult abuse. She is also the founder of Tell a Therapist, LLC and is best known for her run across the state of New York (285 miles in 11 days) in a wedding dress to raise awareness for narcissistic abuse. She also subsequently ran across NJ, CT, MA & RI with plans to traverse Maryland June 5, 2026. Her insights are both personal and professional, giving her a unique lens into this insidious form of domestic abuse. She recently published "Narcissistic Abuse: A Therapist's Guide to Identifying, Escaping, and Healing from Toxic and Manipulative People," available at Hachettebookgroup.com

Vanessa holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Southern California with a focus on community organizing. Vanessa is also a social media influencer, sharing life-changing information that is educational and validating to those impacted by narcissistic abuse. Vanessa has been interviewed by prestigious news and media outlets like People Magazine, The New York Times, Fox News, MSN, and The New York Post.

In this special episode of FEM MD, the tables turn.

Host Dr. Lauren Umstattd steps into the hot seat as she’s interviewed by her cousin, former Emmy-winning journalist Brooke Martin. What follows is an unfiltered look at the woman behind the brand—surgeon, founder, mother, and builder of one of the most sought-after facial plastic practices in the Midwest.

They cover:

1. What it actually takes to build a surgical practice from the ground up
2. The myth of a “flawless” medical career—and what failure really looked like
3. Confidence, imposter syndrome, and learning to trust yourself
4. The emotional reality of surgery (for both doctor and patient)
5. Work, motherhood, and the truth about “balance”
6. Why she believes you don’t need to rush your life

This is a rare, behind-the-scenes conversation about ambition, identity, and choosing your life on your own terms.

If you’ve ever wondered what it really looks like to build something from nothing—this episode is it.

Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd

Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md

Guest: Brooke Martin

Connect with Brooke: @brookemartin.tv

https://morewithbrookemartin.com/

Controlled Burn: https://store.dexteritybooks.com/prod...

Presented by: ‪@HippocraticCollective‬

In this episode of Fem MD, Dr. Lauren Umstattd speaks with Marta Ravin—Emmy-nominated executive producer, showrunner, TEDx speaker, and creator of Personality Hire, a framework focused on the human skills AI can’t replace.

Marta shares her deeply personal journey with body image, weight, and identity, shaped by early childhood experiences, cultural pressures of the ’80s and ’90s, and decades in entertainment. She opens up about her recent life transitions, including an 80-pound weight loss using GLP-1 medications—exploring not just the physical changes, but the mental “peace” these drugs brought by quieting lifelong food noise.

Together, Marta and Dr. Umstattd unpack the long-term psychological impact of growing up in weight-focused environments, the realities of dieting culture, the promise and risks of GLP-1 medications, and how these drugs may reshape society, Hollywood, and expectations around thinness.

Marta Ravin is an Emmy-nominated executive producer, showrunner and writer who has redefined the landscape of television by seamlessly blending comedy, culture and unforgettable storytelling.

With roots as a stand-up comic featured on Comedy Central, Marta has been the creative force behind some of television’s most iconic moments, including MTV’s TRL, Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards, Love & Hip Hop reunions, and she created TLC’s Long Island Medium. She most recently served as Executive Producer of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Reunion, and is currently the Executive Producer of Fanatics Fest, continuing to push the boundaries of storytelling, brand partnerships and fandom.

Known for her collaborative leadership style, Marta builds and guides high-performing creative teams while mentoring emerging producers and talent across the entertainment landscape.

Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd

Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md

Guest: Marta Ravin

Connect with Marta:

@martaravin

https://www.martaravinproductions.com/

Presented by: @HippocraticCollective

In this powerful episode of FEM, MD, Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with ENT surgeon-turned-author Frances Mei Hardin to discuss her debut memoir and the hidden emotional cost of surgical training.

Frances Mei speaks candidly about the anger she carried out of residency and how writing became the vehicle that transformed it. From resident-on-resident hostility and weaponized reporting systems to the psychological toll of perfectionism, sleep deprivation, and hierarchy in the OR, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what many physicians experience but rarely say out loud.

They explore:

• The cultural legacy of The House of God — and why its themes still ring true

• How narrative nonfiction differs from anonymous venting and why accountability matters

• Neurodivergence as both vulnerability and superpower in medicine

• The role of hypnosis therapy in healing trauma and reclaiming focus

• Perfectionism, emotional intelligence, and the cost of brittle excellence

• Psychological safety in the operating room and how hierarchy without respect harms patient care

• Resident-on-resident toxicity and the bystander effect in surgical culture

Frances Mei shares what it means to “write through the anger." What began as revenge writing evolved into a reckoning with her own blind spots, emotional immaturity, and survival mechanisms. The result is a memoir that examines burnout, identity, agency, and reinvention inside academic medicine.

If you are a medical student, resident, attending physician, or simply someone navigating ambition in a high-pressure field — this episode will resonate.

📖 Surgeon on the Edge is available wherever books are sold.

🎟️ Book tour stops include NYC, Cleveland, Chicago, Philly and more.

Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd

Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md

Guest: Dr. Frances Mei Hardin

Connect with Frances Mei:

@francesmeimd

https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/members/frances-mei-hardin-md

Presented by: @HippocraticCollective

In this episode of Fem MD, host Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with Dr. Maheetha Bharadwaj, a urology resident, educator, and content creator.

Maheetha shares her journey into medicine, from her early love of science and the arts to choosing urology—a field that blends surgery, patient care, and navigating sensitive topics with empathy. She offers an inside look at the realities of surgical residency, including long hours, on-call challenges, and mentorship in a traditionally male-dominated specialty. Maheetha also discusses her work in gender-affirming care and how she uses social media to educate the public, demystify medicine, and connect authentically with a broad audience.

This episode highlights the dedication, creativity, and passion required to balance medicine, mentorship, and innovative outreach in today’s healthcare landscape.

Dr. Maheetha Bharadwaj, 4th year Urology Resident at the University of Washington, dancer, advocate, and social media creator. Her journey sits at the intersection of medicine, art, and advocacy. She studied Biology and Biomedical Informatics at Stanford, spent a year at Cambridge learning genomic medicine, and worked in bioinformatics at Memorial Sloan Kettering before heading to medical school. Beyond the lab and clinic, dance has been a constant for nearly 20 years. She has choreographed works exploring patient experiences, including an Indian Classical Dance narrative on the journey through a cancer diagnosis, later published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Her work has earned national recognition, including the Joseph Collins Foundation and Massachusetts Medical Society scholarships.

Now, as the 2025-2026 Artist-in-Residence with The Hippocratic Collective, she is creating a new dance project highlighting human connection and sexual dysfunction. Her path to urology was inspired by seeing women surgeons online. Seeing so many women have such different paths in surgery inspired Dr. Bharadwaj to gain the confidence to do the same. During residency, Dr. Bharadwaj has also built a powerful voice on social media. Through dancing skits, educational videos, and humorous creations like the “Medical Kardashian Skits,” she empowers, educates, and entertains, helping restore trust in medicine and inspire the next generation. Her videos have reached millions, sparking conversations about disparities, residency life, and women’s health research. Her goal is to use creativity, humor, and advocacy to build community and show future surgeons, especially women and those from underrepresented backgrounds, that there is a place for them in medicine. Outside the OR, you’ll find her choreographing, creating content, and building bridges between medicine and the arts, always reminding us that healing comes in many forms.

Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd

Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md

Guest: Dr. Maheetha Bharadwaj

Connect with Maheetha:

@dancing_uro_doc

https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/members/maheetha-bharadwaj-md

Presented by: @HippocraticCollective

In this episode of FEM MD, host Dr. Lauren Umstattd engages in a candid conversation with Dylan Cade Bates, a seasoned law enforcement professional and mental health advocate. They explore the unique challenges faced by women in law enforcement and the importance of mental health for first responders. The discussion highlights the need for support systems and the significance of addressing mental health issues in high-stress professions.

Dylan Cade Bates is a seasoned law enforcement professional, mental health advocate, and founder of Blonde in Blue—a nationwide peer support network dedicated to first responders and their families. With nearly a decade of experience in patrol, investigations, crisis negotiation, critical incident response, and peer support, Dylan brings both professional expertise and lived experience to supporting those serving on the front lines. Certified in Hostage and Crisis Intervention, Trauma-Informed Care, and Peer Support Facilitation, Dylan is also a counselor-in-training.

Together with her husband, Po‘okela “Kela” Bates, they lead a movement to break the stigma around mental health in public safety. Blonde in Blue connects first responders and loved ones for real conversations, community support, and resilience tools. Recognizing the challenges these careers pose at home and on duty, Dylan champions honest dialogue and nationwide connection so no responder or family ever feels alone.

Dylan’s dedication to peer support has extended into weekly confidential support groups and content creation across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Patreon, making resources and advocacy accessible across platforms. Known for authenticity and compassion, Dylan’s story shows that your scars are proof you survived, and healing happens best when we stand together.

Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd

Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md

Guest: Dylan Cade Bates

Connect with Dylan & Blonde In Blue:

● Website: patreon.com/BlondeinBlue

● Instagram: @blondeinbluenetwork

● TikTok: @blondeinblue72

● Facebook: Blonde in Blue

● Podcast: badgesandbreakthroughs.com

● All podcast episodes can be found on Youtube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts

Presented by: @HippocraticCollective

In this episode of Fem MD, Dr. Lauren Umstattd speaks with Dr. Stephanie Pearson, an OB-GYN whose surgical career ended after a work-related shoulder injury sustained while delivering a baby. What should have been a routine delivery resulted in permanent damage, ultimately preventing her from returning to operative or obstetric practice.

Dr. Pearson shares the difficult aftermath of her injury, including being dismissed by early providers, navigating frozen shoulder and nerve damage, and losing her job when she could no longer meet the “100% of job duties” requirement in her contract. Despite FMLA protections, she was terminated when her leave ended—highlighting the legal and contractual vulnerabilities physicians often overlook.

The conversation explores the hidden gaps in disability insurance, the challenges of workers’ compensation, and the emotional toll of losing one’s identity as a physician. Dr. Pearson also reflects on rebuilding her sense of self and purpose after medicine, and how her experience led her to found PearsonRavitz to educate physicians on disability and career protection.

Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd

Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md

Guest: Stephanie Pearson, MD

Connect with Stephanie: @drstephaniepearson

https://pearsonravitz.com/

Presented by: @HippocraticCollective

In this episode of Fem MD, host Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with Brooke Martin—Emmy Award–winning news anchor turned author—to discuss her powerful memoir, Controlled Burn. Brooke opens up about her journey of faith, resilience, and love in the face of unimaginable loss after her daughter, Emma, was diagnosed with a fatal condition. Together, they explore the inspiration behind the book, the emotional challenges of writing through grief, and the lasting impact loss can have on relationships. Brooke also reflects on the power of storytelling and how sharing her story has become a source of hope, connection, and healing for others walking similar paths.

Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd

Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md

Guest: Brooke Martin

Connect with Brooke: @brookemartin.tv

https://morewithbrookemartin.com/

Controlled Burn: https://store.dexteritybooks.com/products/controlled-burn-rising-from-the-ashes-to-forge-an-unshakable-faith

Presented by: @HippocraticCollective

In this episode of Fem MD, Dr. Lauren Umstattd interviews author Audrey Bellezza, who shares how, at age 50—healthy, active, and a mom of two boys—she was blindsided by a diagnosis of stage IV ALK-positive lung cancer. Audrey recounts the shock, the agonizing period of unknowns, and how biomarker testing revealed a mutation-driven cancer.

She explains her targeted therapy treatment, its difficult side effects, and how seeking specialists at Johns Hopkins introduced her to the possibility of a groundbreaking vaccine now in early clinical trials. Alongside her advocacy, Audrey has authored a Jane Austen trilogy and most recently released Anne of Avenue A, blending her love of literature with her mission to inspire hope.

Audrey also founded Love4Lungs, a nonprofit dedicated to funding research, supporting patients, and raising awareness that lung cancer can affect anyone, regardless of age or lifestyle. She leaves listeners with a quote from her latest novel that now guides her life: “Don’t delay what brings you joy.”

Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd

Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md

Guest: Audrey Bellezza

Connect with Audrey: @audreybellezzawrites

Love4Lungs: https://www.love4lungs.org/

Anne of Avenue A: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Anne-of-Avenue-A/Audrey-Bellezza/For-the-Love-of-Austen/9781668097656

Presented by:  @HippocraticCollective 

In this episode of Fem MD, Lauren sits down with Emmy-nominated producer Chelsea White — known for her work on Watch What Happens Live and The Drew Barrymore Show — for an honest, layered conversation about identity, neurodiversity, and the freedom that comes from embracing every part of who you are.

Chelsea was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome at just three years old, a moment that shaped how she understood herself long before she had language for it. Growing up with Tourette’s and OCD meant navigating stigma, misunderstanding, and the pressure to hide the parts of herself that didn’t fit neatly into others’ expectations.

Together, Lauren and Chelsea talk about:

• What early diagnosis actually felt like from the inside

• The misconceptions about Tourette’s and OCD that still persist

• How Chelsea found her voice in the entertainment industry

• Why mentorship matters — especially for young women

• The moment she stopped trying to “pass as normal”

• How embracing your quirks can become your superpower, not your liability

This is a conversation about resilience, authenticity, and choosing to show up as your full self even in rooms that weren’t built with you in mind. Chelsea’s story is a reminder that your differences are not something to hide — they’re the very things that set you free.

Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd

Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md

Guest: Chelsea White

Connect with Chelsea: @thechelseawhite

https://thechelseawhite.com/

Presented by:  @HippocraticCollective