Frieda McFadden is not her real name—and like her thrillers, she remains intentionally mysterious. A practicing physician and extraordinarily prolific author, Frieda chose to keep her true identity private, even during this interview. In our conversation, she shares insights into balancing medicine and writing, her creative process, and what drives her to keep telling stories. Though she has written and sold enough books to retire from medicine, she continues to practice because she loves it—and because writing fuels her in a different way. If you’re a writer (or a reader who loves behind-the-scenes insight), this episode is for you.

Note: This episode was taped in Feb. 2020 right before the lockdown of the pandemic in New York City.

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Carrie Barron a psychoanalyst and psychiatrist who authored the book the Creativity Cure with her husband, hand surgeon Dr. Alton Barron. They have come up with the concept that there are five elements for tapping into your creativity..."Insight, Movement, Mind Rest, Mind Shift and the Using your two hands." Creativity leads to positive well-being and happier lives.  

Dr. Prendergast is a Radiologist and a visual artist/musician who discusses her childhood, immigration experience and the influence of art and music had on her development as a physician, daughter, wife, and mother. This is an intimate conversation that you don't want to miss. We share stories and feelings about art, having older mothers, and our creative children. Dr. Prendergast's youngest daughter is in the Broadway show Hamilton and her oldest has a daily comic strip that is scientifically based, my daughter is a novelist. Dr. Prendergast is honest, forthright, and authentic.

You can view her work here:

https://www.instagram.com/prendergast_nancy/

Dr. Prendergast is a Radiologist and a visual artist/musician who discusses her childhood, immigration experience and the influence of art and music had on her development as a physician, daughter, wife, and mother. This is an intimate conversation that you don't want to miss. We share stories and feelings about art, having older mothers, and our creative children. Dr. Prendergast's youngest daughter is in the Broadway show Hamilton and her oldest has a daily comic strip that is scientifically based, my daughter is a novelist. Dr. Prendergast is honest, forthright and authentic. 

You can view her work here: 

https://www.instagram.com/prendergast_nancy/

Kimberly left her job when she found herself dissatisfied and not in alignment. When she rediscovered art she found joy again.

She studied art history but wasn't brave enough to call herself an artist until long after her children were born. 

She paints animal portraits and landscapes among other things. 

Website and paintings: https://www.kimberlysantini.com/

Instagram view paintings: https://www.instagram.com/kimsantini/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CWeWFUNMjMP/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CYJ0zv2Ol2L/

Dr. Charity is a retired physician/ anesthesiologist with over 40 years of experience in medicine and she has been a paid speaker as well. You can hear her story in a TED Talk as well. In this episode, we talk about the good 'ole days in medicine where doctors had more time with patients and wrote their own notes as opposed to clicking buttons. We talk about connecting with patients and how that has changed over time. 

Dr. Charity speaks candidly about her bouts of depression in medical school.  She was a National Merit Scholar and was accepted into medical school in her junior year of high school! Even though she was a brilliant student, she dealt with imposter syndrome and racism that caused her to spiral downward. She finally physically collapsed during one of her classes. Plagued with depression and suicidal ideation, and tells her story of overcoming many of these hardships and dark days. Dr. Charity knows how to use humor, even in the bleakest moments. You will laugh along with us.

Of note, Dr. Charity a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the military and is an honorary member of the 555 PIA, the first Black paratroopers' group in the military during WWII. Find out how this group became the Smoke Jumpers and its meaning.

https://drlynettecharityspeaks.com

Dr. French is an integrative pediatrician, artist, and musician. She can be reached at A New Wellness by Dr. Anu French, on Facebook, and on Instagram @anewwellness.anufrench.

Her mission through her website is to create healthier communities through healthier kids.

Her journey over the last 25 years as a holistic pediatrician and the last 17 years as a mother has been focused on building the resilience of mind, body, and spirit for herself, her patients, and her family.  A yoga student for 20 years, Anu has completed Kids Yoga Teacher Training. She co-authored and published a review on Yoga in Children included in the AAP’s 2016 Clinical Policy Statement on the use of Mind-Body Therapies in Children and Youth. She has created a children’s book, ‘I Am You, You Are Me’ about unity and inclusivity and a sound healing CD ‘Wake Up My Divinity’ streaming on Pandora, Spotify, Amazon, and iTunes. She paints for mind-body spirit balance and offers her healing acrylic artwork the ‘I Am’ series and her ‘I Am Vida’ line of apparel/accessories to support global Literacy for Life and Social Justice programs. She serves on committees for Integrate, a national grassroots Interdisciplinary Network of Trauma-Informed Providers who provide Trauma-Informed Care through the lens of mental health and accessibility, and for IM4US Integrative Medicine for the Underserved.

https://www.anufrench.com/

https://www.instagram.com/anewwellness.anufrench/

Dr. Budd has created an innovative path for herself within the medical community and outside of the medical community, where she has taken astrology, yoga, and Ayurvedic practices to promote mental wellness. She has also played an active role in initiating programs that include the visual and therapeutic arts. Her journey to address her anxiety led her to find alternative ways to thrive.

Dr. Budd worked at the Chopra Center (founded by Deepak Chopra) in Carlsbad, CA as an Ayurvedic-inspired physician and intuitive astrologer. The Center closed in Dec 2019 she has taken her practice online. In 2021 working as a digital nomad in Nosara, Costa Rica, and Sayulita, Mexico. She says, "Me amo surfear, viajar, y hablar español." (I love to surf, travel, and speak Spanish.) 

She attended college at Duke University and med school at the University of Michigan. 

During a break between medical school and residency, she lived at a yoga ashram, became a certified yoga instructor, and embarked on a quest to experience as many "alternative" approaches to wellness (sound healing, art therapy, dance therapy, energy medicine, astrology, shamanism, meditation, herbalism, Ayurveda, and tarot).

Her website reads:

Integrative Psychiatry, Intuitive Astrology, Ayurvedic Evaluations, Astro Apprenticeship, Wellness Coaching, & Holistic Health Mentorship

Follow her on Instagram: @mysticmandala.

https://www.kaysebudd.com/

Dr. Judith Hanson was an interventional radiologist and describes how a challenging time in her life led her to become a classically trained chef. She is now the creator and designer of beautiful sculptural floral wedding cakes and confections. Her latest endeavor is becoming a chocolatier!

Please visit Dr. Hanson's Instagram page and website to see the beautiful cakes she designs, you won't want to miss them!!!

Website: www.nadiasindulgences.com

IG: @nadiasindulgences

Entrepreneur / Chef / Cake Designer

The Arts Institute - The International Culinary School

Practicing Physician for 15 years

Cornell/Memorial Sloan Kettering -

Fellowship Interventional Radiology

Mount Sinai Medical School

New York University - Biochemistry