MedStory Podcast

Most people think obesity treatment is all about willpower, calories, and medication. Dr. Zahraa Sater knows that’s only half the story. After training at top institutions and watching patient after patient get labeled as “noncompliant,” she realized the system was missing something essential. Her patients didn’t fail because they lacked discipline. They failed because no one was addressing the subconscious patterns driving their behavior.

In this episode, Dr. Sater breaks down how she uses hypnotherapy, subconscious rewiring, and traditional endocrinology to treat obesity in a completely different way. She explains the hidden mind blocks that keep people stuck, why some patients subconsciously feel safer in a larger body, and why GLP-1s alone are not enough for long-term success. This conversation challenges everything we assume about weight loss and shows what’s possible when medicine finally treats the whole human, not just the numbers.

🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click👉 ⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.

Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library.

Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.

When Dr. Adaira Landry agreed to speak on a work-life balance panel at 6 p.m., she thought she was doing what ambitious physicians are supposed to do. Instead, she found herself dragging a dresser across her bedroom floor, barricading the door while her young children cried for her on the other side. That moment cracked something open. After a lifetime of chasing achievement, from entering high school at 12 to rising through UC Berkeley, UCLA medical school, NYU, Bellevue, and Harvard, she suddenly realized she was no longer truly present for her kids, her patients, or herself. She was simply surviving, saying yes to everything, and silently burning out.

In this episode, Dr. Landry shares how she went from overwhelmed to grounded by learning to set boundaries that protect her time, her mental health, and her identity. She explains how the idea of micro skills, meaning small intentional actions, helped her step back from burnout and build a more sustainable way to practice medicine. If you have ever felt guilty protecting your evenings, pressured to say yes to every request, or exhausted by the demands of medicine, this conversation will show you a new way forward.

🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click👉 ⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.

Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library.

Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.

Sitting on the bathroom floor after a long clinic day, Dr. Gandhi thought she was holding it all together: thriving physician, two young kids, a mortgage, the dream job on paper. But when her four year old stepped out of the tub, wrapped in a towel and quietly said, “I want you to be happy, Mommy,” everything cracked. In that one sentence, she realized her stress was no longer invisible and that the “high functioning” version of herself was actually exhausted, misaligned, and quietly burning out. That moment sent her on an inward journey that began not with a big career move, but with something deceptively simple: a nightly gratitude journal that ended up changing the entire trajectory of her life.

In this episode, Dr. Gandhi shares how gratitude, self awareness, and honest reflection led her to leave a prestigious job, build a practice that actually fits her life, and become a coach for other physicians who feel trapped by the system. She breaks down her simple framework for any doctor who feels stuck in their career: change, accept, or leave. You will hear how she pivoted into midlife women’s health and menopause care, how the pandemic became a turning point instead of a breaking point, and why she believes the future of medicine depends on restoring the relationship between doctor and patient while protecting the humanity of clinicians. If you have ever looked at your “perfect” life and quietly wondered, “Why am I not happy,” this conversation is your mirror and your permission slip.

🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click👉 ⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.

Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library.

Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.

At 35, healthy and pregnant with her second child, Dr. Alison Trainor was living the life she had worked so hard to build, a career she loved, a growing family, and a future that felt secure. But a sudden scan on Valentine’s Day revealed more than 20 tumors in her liver, leading to a diagnosis so rare only 90 cases appear in the US each year. Overnight, Alison went from ICU physician to patient, forced to confront the terrifying possibility of leaving her toddler and newborn behind.

In this emotional and deeply human episode, Alison opens up about the darkest week of her life, the impossible decisions she faced while pregnant, and the quiet courage it took to keep moving forward. She shares the grief, the fear, the guilt, and the unexpected moments of joy that helped her hold onto hope. This is a story of resilience, motherhood, and choosing life even when the future feels unbearably uncertain.

🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click👉 ⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.

Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library.

Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.

After years of working inside a system that demanded more patients and less presence, Dr. Sejal Desai decided she wasn’t going to let the system define her, or her care.

In this episode, she shares how she walked away from burnout and built something new: a direct specialty care clinic that prioritizes time, connection, and balance. From her journey as an immigrant and young mother to launching her own practice and leading a community of women physicians, Dr. Desai’s story is a powerful reminder that medicine can be redefined by those brave enough to start over.

🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click👉 ⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠⁠⁠⁠

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.

Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library.

Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.

When Dr. Jessica Bunin woke up after open-heart surgery to find her attending quietly sitting by her bedside, everything she believed about medicine changed. It was no longer just about procedures or protocols. It was about presence.

In this powerful episode, Dr. Bunin shares her journey through three cancer diagnoses, two war-zone deployments, and a lifetime of service in military medicine. From leading critical care units in Afghanistan to mentoring young physicians, she reflects on how pain, purpose, and human connection can transform the way we lead and care.

Her story is a reminder that even in the toughest battles, whether in war, in illness, or in leadership, empathy is the strongest force we have.

🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click 👉 ⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠⁠⁠⁠

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.

Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library.

Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.

We know that connection is essential for our health, but why does it feel so hard sometimes? In this final episode of the series, we move from theory to action, tackling the internal barriers and cognitive errors that sabotage our social lives.

Neuroscientist Dr. Ben Rein provides the ultimate masterclass on likability and longevity, explaining why our brains are hardwired to make us underestimate how much people enjoy our company—a phenomenon known as The Liking Gap. He also offers a practical framework for prioritizing connection, even during the most stressful times (like launching a book and having a baby in the same month!).

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

● The Social Math Mistake: Why most people wrongly rate themselves as worse-than-average at socializing, leading to health anxiety and isolation.Inter-Brain Synchrony: The incredible phenomenon of your brain "syncing up" with romantic partners or collaborators, often described as being "on the same wavelength".

● The Masterclass on Likability: Three easy adjustments to make yourself more appealing, including the power of social touch (which can lead to higher tips!), maintaining eye contact, and avoiding Phubbing (ignoring a person to look at your phone).

● Leveling Up Digital Interaction: How adding emojis to a text message can activate similar brain responses to a human facial expression, enhancing richness and preventing miscommunication.

● Longevity's Missing Link: The standardized psychological tool (Revised Index of Social Engagement - RISE) that Dr. Rein recommends for measuring social connectedness as a fundamental health biomarker.

This series wraps up with the powerful reminder that friendships aren't just "nice to have"—they're a fundamental part of being human and a vital investment in your long-term health.

📘 Dr. Ben Rein’s new book, Why Brains Need Friends: The Neuroscience of Social Connection, is available now: ⁠⁠https://amzn.to/46ZLFv6⁠⁠

🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click 👉  ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast

📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.

Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library.

Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.

We know that connection is essential for our health, but why does it feel so hard sometimes? In this final episode of the series, we move from theory to action, tackling the internal barriers and cognitive errors that sabotage our social lives.

Neuroscientist Dr. Ben Rein provides the ultimate masterclass on likability and longevity, explaining why our brains are hardwired to make us underestimate how much people enjoy our company—a phenomenon known as The Liking Gap. He also offers a practical framework for prioritizing connection, even during the most stressful times (like launching a book and having a baby in the same month!).

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

● The Social Math Mistake: Why most people wrongly rate themselves as worse-than-average at socializing, leading to health anxiety and isolation.Inter-Brain Synchrony: The incredible phenomenon of your brain "syncing up" with romantic partners or collaborators, often described as being "on the same wavelength".

● The Masterclass on Likability: Three easy adjustments to make yourself more appealing, including the power of social touch (which can lead to higher tips!), maintaining eye contact, and avoiding Phubbing (ignoring a person to look at your phone).

● Leveling Up Digital Interaction: How adding emojis to a text message can activate similar brain responses to a human facial expression, enhancing richness and preventing miscommunication.

● Longevity's Missing Link: The standardized psychological tool (Revised Index of Social Engagement - RISE) that Dr. Rein recommends for measuring social connectedness as a fundamental health biomarker.

This series wraps up with the powerful reminder that friendships aren't just "nice to have"—they're a fundamental part of being human and a vital investment in your long-term health.

📘 Dr. Ben Rein’s new book, Why Brains Need Friends: The Neuroscience of Social Connection, is available now: ⁠⁠https://amzn.to/46ZLFv6⁠⁠

🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click👉 ⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.

Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library.

Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.

We know that connection is essential for our health, but why does it feel so hard sometimes? In this final episode of the series, we move from theory to action, tackling the internal barriers and cognitive errors that sabotage our social lives.

Neuroscientist Dr. Ben Rein provides the ultimate masterclass on likability and longevity, explaining why our brains are hardwired to make us underestimate how much people enjoy our company—a phenomenon known as The Liking Gap. He also offers a practical framework for prioritizing connection, even during the most stressful times (like launching a book and having a baby in the same month!).

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

● The Social Math Mistake: Why most people wrongly rate themselves as worse-than-average at socializing, leading to health anxiety and isolation.Inter-Brain Synchrony: The incredible phenomenon of your brain "syncing up" with romantic partners or collaborators, often described as being "on the same wavelength".

● The Masterclass on Likability: Three easy adjustments to make yourself more appealing, including the power of social touch (which can lead to higher tips!), maintaining eye contact, and avoiding Phubbing (ignoring a person to look at your phone).

● Leveling Up Digital Interaction: How adding emojis to a text message can activate similar brain responses to a human facial expression, enhancing richness and preventing miscommunication.

● Longevity's Missing Link: The standardized psychological tool (Revised Index of Social Engagement - RISE) that Dr. Rein recommends for measuring social connectedness as a fundamental health biomarker.

This series wraps up with the powerful reminder that friendships aren't just "nice to have"—they're a fundamental part of being human and a vital investment in your long-term health.

📘 Dr. Ben Rein’s new book, Why Brains Need Friends: The Neuroscience of Social Connection, is available now: ⁠https://amzn.to/46ZLFv6⁠

🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click👉 ⁠https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠⁠⁠⁠

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.

Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library.

Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.

We know that connection is essential for our health, but why does it feel so hard sometimes? In this final episode of the series, we move from theory to action, tackling the internal barriers and cognitive errors that sabotage our social lives.

Neuroscientist Dr. Ben Rein provides the ultimate masterclass on likability and longevity, explaining why our brains are hardwired to make us underestimate how much people enjoy our company—a phenomenon known as The Liking Gap. He also offers a practical framework for prioritizing connection, even during the most stressful times (like launching a book and having a baby in the same month!).

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

● The Social Math Mistake: Why most people wrongly rate themselves as worse-than-average at socializing, leading to health anxiety and isolation.Inter-Brain Synchrony: The incredible phenomenon of your brain "syncing up" with romantic partners or collaborators, often described as being "on the same wavelength".

● The Masterclass on Likability: Three easy adjustments to make yourself more appealing, including the power of social touch (which can lead to higher tips!), maintaining eye contact, and avoiding Phubbing (ignoring a person to look at your phone).

● Leveling Up Digital Interaction: How adding emojis to a text message can activate similar brain responses to a human facial expression, enhancing richness and preventing miscommunication.

● Longevity's Missing Link: The standardized psychological tool (Revised Index of Social Engagement - RISE) that Dr. Rein recommends for measuring social connectedness as a fundamental health biomarker.

This series wraps up with the powerful reminder that friendships aren't just "nice to have"—they're a fundamental part of being human and a vital investment in your long-term health.

📘 Dr. Ben Rein’s new book, Why Brains Need Friends: The Neuroscience of Social Connection, is available now: https://amzn.to/46ZLFv6

🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click👉 https://medstorymedia.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠

📚 Access free tools and downloads⁠. ⁠Click 👉 ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://medstorymedia.com/resources⁠⁠⁠

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views of their employers. This episode is for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any personal medical concerns.

Music Credits: Music for this episode comes from Blue Dot Sessions and the Descript Audio Library.

Production Note: The MedStory Podcast is made possible by MedStory Studios and listeners like you.