Lisa sits down with primary care physician, Dr. Susan Caldwell. This episode discusses the importance of empathy, self-awareness, and a holistic approach in medical practice, particularly in treating weight and women’s health issues. Lisa and Susan discuss the need for understanding patients as whole individuals, addressing the root causes of health problems, and fostering supportive patient-doctor relationships.

Topics Include:

[1:09] Lisa introduces Susan, a primary care physician specializing in internal medicine and women’s reproductive health. Lisa shares that she became aware of Susan because Susan recommended the OOTC podcast to one of her patients.

[5:02] Lisa discusses the trauma and negative experiences many people, especially those in bigger bodies, face when visiting doctors. She emphasizes the importance of finding medical professionals who see patients as humans rather than just a set of data.  

[7:07] Susan shares her journey from studying psychology to becoming a primary care physician. She talks about her initial focus on treating symptoms with medication and how she realized that this approach was not effective and missed the person behind the symptoms. Susan describes her journey of reconnecting with her faith and starting to pay more attention to her patients’ stories and needs. She began to see the importance of listening and understanding rather than just prescribing medication.

[17:31] Lisa and Susan discuss the psychological dynamics where patients see doctors as authority figures and how this can trigger feelings of powerlessness and inadequacy in doctors. They emphasize the need for doctors to understand and manage their own emotions. Susan discusses the importance of self-awareness and listening to one’s own body, which was neglected during medical training. Lisa highlights the contrasting approaches in training for medical professionals and therapists, where the emphasis is on self-awareness and emotional intelligence in therapy. 

[39:11] Lisa and Susan discuss how societal expectations place doctors in a position of power, often leading to a disconnect between doctors and patients. Susan advocates for a holistic approach that considers the body, mind, and soul, rather than just treating physical symptoms. 

[50:19] Lisa and Susan discuss the importance of community and support systems in helping patients heal and feel empowered. They talk about the importance of understanding patients as humans, not just data points, to foster real healing.

[1:04:30] Lisa asks Susan about the medical reason for losing weight. Susan shares that the body is not built to handle the extra weight and will eventually begin to experience issues. Lisa shares how Susan’s answer really resonates with her given her experience with stress fractures in her feet.  

[1:22:25] Susan views medications like Ozempic as tools that should be used responsibly and emphasizes the importance of foundational health practices like diet and exercise. Susan stresses the need for individuals to be aware of their eating habits and overall health, rather than relying solely on medications.

[1:31:04] Lisa and Susan close with expressions of appreciation for the work they are both doing. Lisa talks about how she will definitely have Susan back to answer and address new questions. 

Dr. Susan Caldwell’s Instagram

*The views of podcast guests do not necessarily reflect the views and beliefs of Lisa Schlosberg or Out of the Cave, LLC.

⁠Purchase the OOTC book of 50 Journal Prompts⁠

⁠Leave Questions and Feedback for Lisa via OOTC Pod Feedback Form ⁠

Email Lisa: ⁠[email protected]⁠

⁠Out of the Cave Merch⁠ - For 10% off use code SCHLOS10

Lisa’s Socials

⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠