What would you choose: the career you’ve dreamed of your whole life, or relief from unbearable pain? That was the reality for Dr. Julia Rodes, a third-year medical student whose spinal cord injury left her battling relentless neuropathic pain. The medications meant to help her also sedated her mind, making it nearly impossible to survive the demands of medical school—so she chose untreated pain over giving up her dream.

In this episode, Dr. Rodes shares how pain became her greatest teacher. From the science of how suffering rewires the brain to the three-part plan she built to reclaim her strength, her story reveals a powerful truth: the future of pain treatment may not come from miracle drugs, but from empathy, resilience, and human connection.

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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.

Dr. Christie Kimball realized that the real risk wasn’t leaving hospital medicine — it was staying. In this episode, she opens up about the moment she decided to step away from a stable hospital career and build her own aesthetic and weight-loss practice from scratch. What started as small Botox parties in people’s homes has now grown into a thriving clinic with over 800 patients in less than a year.

She shares how she built her minimum viable product before quitting, why following passion (not money) ultimately led her to greater success, and how referrals and social media helped her grow quickly. Most importantly, she offers honest advice for any healthcare professional who knows their heart is no longer in the traditional system. If you’ve been waiting for the “right” time to start your own thing, this episode might be the push you need.

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In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Kazarian reveals the hidden side of American healthcare that most patients never see. From patients being denied life-saving treatments to the crushing costs of hospital care, she shares real stories from her time in residency and her transition into private practice.

We explore how profit-driven systems impact patient care, the toxic traditions in medical training, and why she’s using social media to bring truth and education directly to the public. Whether you’re in healthcare or simply want to understand what’s really happening behind clinic doors, this is an episode you won’t forget.

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Too many people blame themselves when fertility doesn’t come easy. Dr. Bryn Willson, both physician and patient, debunks that shame—and opens up about her own journey with egg freezing, loss, and healing. This episode is a vulnerable exploration of the science, the stigma, and the soul-searching that often comes with infertility. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you're not alone—and this is the episode you need to hear.

In this heartfelt conversation, Dr. Willson shares what it was like to discover low ovarian reserve in her 20s, navigate treatment without insurance, and learn—firsthand—the emotional toll so many silently carry. From patient guilt to pregnancy announcements on social media, from breaking medical jargon to building trust, this is a raw look at what it really means to walk through infertility—with both expertise and empathy.

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When Dr. Shanda Dorff lost her mother to medical negligence, everything changed. What followed wasn’t just grief — it was a moral reckoning that pushed her to rethink how medicine should be practiced.

She shares how that heartbreaking experience led her to walk away from the traditional insurance-based system and launch a fully out-of-network practice, where patients get the time, attention, and complex care they truly need.

From battling bureaucracy to building a model rooted in empathy, transparency, and medical excellence, this is the story of one physician who chose to put patients — not paperwork — first.

Whether you're a provider questioning the status quo or a patient seeking real care, this conversation will stick with you.

🔗 Learn more at complexcaresmn.com

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This is what happens when a doctor stops playing by broken rules. Dr. Tish Singer walked away from hospital bureaucracy and insurance chaos to launch Shero Imaging—a concierge breast center where women get same-day results and radical transparency.

In this episode, she reveals what pushed her to the edge, how she built this innovative new model from scratch, and why the future of women’s health might depend on more doctors doing the same.

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Endometriosis has long been misunderstood—as just “bad period pain” or a fertility issue. But what if that narrative is completely outdated?

In this eye-opening episode, Yale-trained reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Valerie Flores unpacks why endometriosis is actually a chronic, systemic disease that affects far more than just the reproductive system. From the shocking 11-year average delay in diagnosis to the biological reasons treatments fail, Dr. Flores breaks down the science, the stigma, and the systemic gaps that patients face every day.

You’ll hear how endometriosis impacts the brain, metabolism, immune system—and why progesterone resistance might be the key to unlocking better care. Whether you’re a clinician, a patient, or just someone who cares about women’s health, this conversation will change how you see one of the most overlooked conditions in medicine.

It’s time to rewrite the story of endometriosis—for good.

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This is a conversation every healthcare provider—and every patient living with pain—needs to hear.

Dr. Julia Rhodes is a psychiatry resident, chronic pain researcher, and spinal cord injury survivor who’s challenging everything we think we know about pain in medicine. In this powerful episode, she shares what it’s like to train as a doctor while living with debilitating pain—and how the medical system’s obsession with eliminating pain often does more harm than good.

From the neuroscience of chronic pain to the emotional cost of being expected to “push through,” Dr. Rhodes reveals the hidden failures of our current pain model—and why true healing starts with changing our relationship with pain, not erasing it.

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Dr. Virginia Giugliano is not your typical OB-GYN. After years in a system that rushed patient visits, dismissed symptoms, and pushed her toward burnout, she knew something had to change — so she built her own model of care from the ground up. In this episode, we dive into her journey from traditional medicine to launching a concierge menopause clinic that puts women first.

She shares the emotional tipping point that pushed her to walk away, how she built multiple businesses as a physician entrepreneur, and the mindset shifts that helped her overcome the fear of being "too salesy." If you're a healthcare provider craving more time with patients, more purpose, or more freedom — this conversation will light a fire in you.

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What if your impact as a doctor extended far beyond the exam room?

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Dodell, a board certified endocrinologist and private practice owner in New York City, who has found a way to blend clinical care, content creation, and brand advocacy. From partnering with Dove to support legislation against weight discrimination to sharing relatable stories on social media, Dr. Dodell shows how meaningful change can happen outside traditional medical spaces.

Whether you are a medical student, resident, or practicing clinician, this episode will inspire you to think differently about what influence and impact can look like in healthcare today.

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