Real MD

This episode features a recording from our Fall Storytelling Night, centered on the theme The Sacred Ordinary.

The Sacred Ordinary explores how meaning in life is often found in quiet, easily overlooked moments rather than in major milestones. These in-between spaces might appear in daily interactions, familiar routines that suddenly feel different, or small moments of connection or stillness that linger longer than expected. This theme invites reflection on how such moments can feel profound, beautiful, or transformative when we pause to notice them. Rather than focusing on exceptional or rare experiences, this theme centers attention and awareness in the everyday. We welcome stories that reveal how ordinary moments can quietly shape perspective, deepen empathy, and reaffirm purpose in life.We had an incredible group of storytellers join us this last weekend at our semiannual Storytelling Night!7

What happens when the path you’ve been following no longer feels like your own?

In this episode of the RealMD Podcast, Sarah Fairweather shares the long and unexpected journey that brought her to medical school after a career in physical therapy, marriage, and raising three children. Sarah reflects on growing up with strong expectations about what her life should look like, learning to listen to external voices instead of her own, and the fear that kept her from pursuing medicine for years.

A pivotal moment in her family’s life ultimately led Sarah to reconsider the choices she had made and recognize that it was not too late to change course. She talks about finding the courage to finally say out loud what she had always wanted, letting go of an external locus of control, and creating a life that feels both fulfilling and true to who she is.

Sarah’s story is a reminder that sometimes the path forward begins with giving yourself permission to try.

What can designing a building teach us about designing a life?

In this episode of the RealMD Podcast, we sit down with Celestia Carson, principal architect at VCBO Architecture and a University of Utah alumna who has been part of the new Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine building project since its earliest planning stages in 2017.

Celestia shares her unexpected journey into architecture, from an uncertain college freshman exploring everything from medicine to psychology to the moment she discovered architecture and knew she had found her path. She also takes us behind the scenes of what it takes to bring a complex building from an initial vision to a finished space, including years of planning, collaboration, problem-solving, and adaptation.

Along the way, we explore some surprisingly familiar lessons for anyone navigating their own career and life: listening carefully, asking the right questions, imagining a future beyond what currently exists, starting with the big picture, and building the right team to bring that vision to life.

Whether you're interested in architecture, medicine, leadership, or simply figuring out what you want your own future to look like, Celestia's story offers a thoughtful perspective on how we turn ideas into something real.

What happens when we stop looking at medical training as a series of individual moments and start looking at the whole journey? Dr. Doreen Balmer joins the RealMD Podcast to discuss qualitative research, physician identity, and her new book, The Long Arc of Training: Six Stories of Aspiring Doctors. Together, they explore what can emerge when we follow learners over time, paying attention to the experiences, relationships, challenges, and growth that shape who they become as physicians.

Balmer also shares her unexpected path into medical education research and how curiosity led her from neonatal nutrition to studying the complex realities of learning in medicine. The conversation offers a thoughtful look at how physicians develop over time and why understanding that journey matters.

Incoming medical student Topher Calder shares his journey to medical school and reflects on the excitement, uncertainty, and lessons that come with starting this new chapter. Together, they explore community, resilience, and how to stay true to yourself throughout the journey.

At our medical school, we focus on community building a lot including intergenerational relationships. There is a clear benefit to having relationships with medical students who are further along in the process. Having near peer mentors who understand the road ahead is an invaluable resource. In this episode, we build upon this idea even more and have a special interview between two brothers first year, Scott Orton, and fourth year, Cody Orton, who have had the unique opportunity to attend medical school together over the past year. I hope you enjoy this final episode of the season about brotherly advice.

Neurosurgeon Randy Jensen has worked at the U of U for 28 years. Because so many mentors came out of the wood work to help him navigate his career, he has carved out substantial time to mentor students and help build out a new curriculum. In this episode we talk about his journey into medicine, specialty, and academic medicine. I think the main point I want to shine a light on is how the people who step up and help you in your career also become someone we can see ourselves in. Who they are, how they navigate and pursue their interests can widen our view and make possible what seems impossible. Randy is a great example of this, a neurosurgeon who has found the time to show up for many learners and pay forward what others did for him. 

It is hard to believe that Taylor Stewart is starting his third year of medical school. It seems like just yesterday he was starting medical school. In this episode we have a chance to catch up and also talk about his unique journey as a veteran who went from recon missions to discovering medicine and pivoting his career to become a physician. We cover alot of ground and for those who dont think they have the grades or ability to pursue your dream, this conversation is a powerful reminder to not close doors that could remain open, that you are stronger than you think and being grateful along the way will help you succeed. 

This episode features a recording from our Spring Storytelling Night, centered on the theme Tradition:

"Stories of rituals: inherited, invented, and interrupted. Of finding familiarity in the way we fold a napkin, the words we whisper before a meal, or the path we take home. Our spring storytelling event honors the pull of the past and the courage to rewrite it. Come to listen to others finding their mold or share a story of the moment you broke it."

Please note that some storytellers chose not to have their pieces included in this recording, so the episode begins with the second speaker. While this audio captures many powerful stories from the night, it does not include the live dance performances choreographed by medical student and RealMD facilitator Nadia Ganom, which were an important and memorable part of the event.

This week, we’re sharing a special bonus episode featuring a conversation from Scope Radio with Dr. Tom Hurtado, Director of Student Affairs.

Joined by medical students Noah Danesh (MS3, Keck School of Medicine of USC) and Suchita Kumar (MS4, Vanderbilt University), this discussion explores the power of storytelling, professional identity formation, and the role of mentorship in medical education.

Recorded at AAMC Learn Serve Lead 2025, this episode highlights the “soft skills” that shape the journey to becoming a physician.