In this heartfelt and enlightening episode of Love Lab MD, Dr. Kate welcomes back Dr. Marissa Caudill, aka The Parent Doctor. Dr. Marissa Caudill, a child psychiatrist and parenting coach, reflects on her journey in personal and relational growth, her transformative experiences, and her time at the Honeymoon 2.0 retreat with her husband of 14 years. Together, they delve into key lessons about love, self-discovery, and prioritizing marriage amid the chaos of life.

1. The Power of Saying Yes to Growth:

1. • Dr. Marissa Caudill shared how she and her husband, both psychiatrists, decided to attend Honeymoon 2.0. Although it felt indulgent at first, the decision to prioritize their relationship proved invaluable. She noted that her husband’s unwavering support in saying “yes” to things that are important to her has been a cornerstone of their partnership.
   • She reflected on their shared experiences at personal growth events, such as Tony Robbins’ Date with Destiny, which laid the groundwork for a deeper connection and prepared them for the transformative work at Honeymoon 2.0.

2. Key Takeaways from Honeymoon 2.0:

   • Love Languages Revisited: Dr. Marissa Caudill discovered that both she and her husband express love through acts of service but prefer to receive love through words of affirmation. This revelation helped them shift their interactions and become more intentional in meeting each other’s emotional needs.
   • Improved Communication: Practicing tools from the retreat allowed the couple to better navigate conflicts and understand when to vent versus problem-solve. Dr. Marissa Caudill shared how this new awareness prevented misunderstandings and strengthened their connection.
   • Erotic Love Languages: Learning about sensual and sexual energies deepened their understanding of intimacy, adding a playful and exploratory element to their relationship.

3. The Role of Pausing for Self-Reflection:

   • Dr. Marissa Caudill reflected on a pivotal moment during the pandemic when she realized that her happiness was her own responsibility. This shift in mindset, spurred by the Dickens Process at a Tony Robbins event, transformed her perspective on her marriage and life. She realized the importance of clearly communicating her needs and letting go of anger and resentment.

4. Balancing Parenthood and Marriage:

   • As a devoted mother, Dr. Marissa Caudill shared how she prepares her children for time apart when she and her husband attend retreats or trips. From scavenger hunts to hidden notes, she keeps their emotional connection strong, ensuring the kids understand the importance of nurturing a strong marital bond.
   • She emphasized that children benefit from seeing their parents invest in their relationship, creating a stable and loving environment.

5. Investing in Marriage:

   • Dr. Marissa Caudill called Honeymoon 2.0 the “best investment” they’ve ever made in their marriage. Beyond the immediate benefits, the retreat gave them tools and insights that continue to enrich their daily lives, enhancing their connection, family dynamics, and even professional pursuits.

6. The Ripple Effect of a Strong Marriage:

   • A secure and joyful relationship positively impacts all areas of life. Dr. Marissa Caudill shared how her renewed sense of marital harmony has allowed her to show up more fully in her role as a parent, coach, and entrepreneur, creating a foundation of support and love that extends to her entire family.

• "I am responsible for my own happiness." Recognizing this truth helped her shift from blame to action, taking ownership of her emotional well-being and marital satisfaction.
• Take time to pause. Whether through a retreat, a date night, or moments of quiet reflection, intentional time away from daily stressors fosters growth and clarity.
• Keep growing. Even as experts in the field of psychiatry, Dr. Marissa Caudill and her husband continuously seek opportunities to deepen their relationship, proving that growth is a lifelong journey.

You can find Dr. Marissa Caudill here:  Www.theparentdoctor.com

In this episode of Love Lab MD, Dr. Kate interviews Dr. Lara Hochman, a family medicine physician and founder of Happy Day Health, a boutique physician matchmaking agency. Known as the "Medical Matchmaker," Dr. Lara Hochman is passionate about physician well-being and matching doctors with private practices that allow them to avoid burnout and rediscover joy in medicine.

1. Dr. Lara Hochman Love Story:

   • Lara shared her serendipitous and adorable love story with her husband, a psychiatrist, whom she met in college. Despite being shy at the time, she approached him after a series of coincidental encounters. Their connection grew from organic chemistry homework sessions into a 21-year partnership, including 16 years of marriage, two daughters, and a bustling household filled with pets.
   • She reflected on how their relationship continues to evolve, with moments of "butterflies" still sparking after all these years, despite the ups and downs of life.

2. Relationship Dynamics:

   • The couple practices intentional communication and prioritizes spending quality time together, including weekly date nights, which they view as essential for maintaining their connection.
   • Dr. Lara Hochman emphasized the importance of listening, validating each other's feelings, and focusing on the positives in a partner. While arguments happen, they aim to resolve them in ways that strengthen rather than weaken their bond.

3. Managing Chaos and Stress:

   • As a dual-physician household with active children and a growing number of pets, Dr. Lara Hochman admitted that chaos can sometimes strain their relationship. However, staying on the same page, involving their kids in family management, and openly communicating have been key to navigating life’s challenges.
   • She also spoke about adjusting expectations and accepting that things won’t always stay the same as they evolve over time.

4. The Creation of Happy Day Health:

   • Burned out by the lack of autonomy in traditional medicine, Dr. Lara Hochman left her practice in 2017. After taking time to recharge and explore new paths, she discovered a passion for helping physicians find better job opportunities that align with their values.
   • With encouragement from her husband, she turned her organic matchmaking efforts into a business, Happy Day Health, which helps physicians and private practices connect. She now advises doctors on finding fulfilling roles and works with practices to find the right candidates.

5. The Power of Taking a Pause:

   • During her career transition, Dr. Lara Hochman dedicated one day a week to herself, trying new activities and reflecting on her priorities. She emphasized the importance of creating pauses in life—even for just five minutes a day—to break the cycle of busyness and reconnect with yourself.

6. Wisdom for Listeners:

   • Dr. Lara Hochman encouraged listeners to practice flexibility, communicate openly, and take intentional time for self-care. Small changes, like a few minutes of quiet reflection or a focus on positive interactions, can lead to transformative growth in both personal and professional life.

Website: www.happydayhealth.co (not .com)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larahochman/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@medicalmatchmaker

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happydaymd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happydaymd/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HappyDayMD1

EEC: https://medicalmatchmaker.carrd.co/

Dr. Lara Hochman's journey is an inspiring reminder to prioritize love, wellness, and self-discovery while navigating the complexities of work and family life. This episode radiates encouragement for anyone looking to thrive in both their relationships and careers.

Doctor Love Story Confessions: My Secret to Thriving through Tough Conversations in Love: Vent with intention.

When you’re caught in the tension of a disagreement with your partner—whether it’s over a $50,000 purchase or a weekend trip with friends—it’s easy to feel stuck between “do it anyway” or “compromise and feel resentful.” But there’s a third way! Healthy venting is your superpower. Talk to a trusted, neutral confidant—not someone who’ll stir the pot, but someone who’ll help you honor your heart and your relationship.  This isn’t about winning or losing—it’s about building love and alignment together.

Does this sound like something you’d try? Hit  for more daily relationship tips till the New Year! Comment “LOVE” if this speaks to your heart.

Join our waitlist here: https://www.alexandrastockwell.com/honeymoon

I'll be back soon!

Dr. Dianah T. Lake, MD (also known as Dr. Di) is an emergency medicine physician, best-selling author, speaker, fitness & weight loss coach, menopause wellness expert, autism parent advocate and founder of Dr. Di Fitness.

Dr. Di Fitness on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr-Di-Fitness-102901168416517/

Dr. Di Fit Life Instagram Handle: https://instagram.com/drdifitlife

Professional Women Getting Fit: https://m.facebook.com/groups/143455166379490

Dr. Brittne Halford MD, MPH is an Internal Medicine Physician. Originally from Flint, Michigan, she attended the University of Michigan (Go Blue!) for college. She completed medical school at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, where she also completed a master’s degree in Public Health. 

Now located in Boston, and works as an Academic Hospitalist

In addition to medicine, Dr. Halford is an entrepreneur and co-founder of Bramilyn and Rose (@bramilynandrose), a satin-lined hair accessories brand for women and children. She also shares her passion for personal finance and building generational wealth with others through her YOUTUBE channel and financial coaching business  More JOY More Wealth. Dr. Halford shares her experience with paying off $138,000 of student loans in 3 years and helps women obtain more JOY in their lives through tailored money management strategies.  She is a wife and mother to her children Brooke and KJ.

Wealth Minded MD podcast with Lisha Taylor

Honeymoon 2.0 Sign Up Link: https://www.alexandrastockwell.com/honeymoon

Honeymoon 2.0 Sign Up Link: https://www.alexandrastockwell.com/honeymoon

Dr. Chrissy Guidry, after 4 years of medical school, completed 8 years of residency and fellowship training to become a Trauma Surgeon. She achieved double board certification in General Surgery and Critical Care Surgery. During her training, she often thought, "Once I get a job as a real doctor, I will be successful and then be happy." She believed that everything would be more fulfilling once she completed her training. However, a few years after finishing her training, she realized there was still something missing. She discovered that achieving happiness was a prerequisite for a successful career.

Dr. Guidry learned that pursuing happiness is an intentional practice. Through studying and making active changes to her daily habits, she now experiences a life of abundant happiness, which she views as the true success in life. She now teaches this philosophy to her colleagues, believing that tapping into the best version of themselves enhances their ability to "docere" (from the Latin word meaning "to teach" and the root of the word "doctor") in their medical practice. Register to Honeymoon 2.0 Here: https://www.alexandrastockwell.com/honeymoon