Solving For Joy

When life is shattered by loss — especially sudden or violent loss — the path forward can feel impossible to see. Yet even in the deepest grief, joy can still find its way back in.

Dr. Melissa “Red” Hoffman, MD, ND, FACS is a trauma surgeon, hospice and palliative care physician, and naturopathic doctor who has lived through unimaginable personal tragedy, including the violent deaths of loved ones. She shares how she’s learned to navigate the thin veil between sorrow and joy, set compassionate boundaries, and honor the seasons of grief while continuing to show up for life.

In this deeply moving conversation, Red opens up about her own healing, the lessons death has taught her, and how we can support ourselves and others through the hardest moments.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why grief after violent loss is different — and often more isolating
• How joy can coexist with sorrow, and why it’s worth cultivating even when it’s hard
• The role of boundaries in protecting your energy and emotional well-being
• What a “good death” can look like, and how to support loved ones at the end of life
• Why collaboration between medical and naturopathic care matters for whole-person healing

If you’ve ever walked through profound loss, cared for someone at the end of life, or wondered how to keep your heart open in the face of pain — this episode offers wisdom, hope, and a reminder that joy is still possible.

More from Dr. Melissa “Red” Hoffman:

• Website: https://redhoffmanmd.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/redhoffmanmdnd/
• The Surgical Palliative Care Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-surgical-palliative-care-podcast/id1492181491
• The Surgical Soul Podcast: https://thesurgicalsoul.buzzsprout.com/

Stay connected with us:

• Dr. Chrissie Ott (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissieottmd
• Joy Point Solutions (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/joypointsolutions
• Solving for Joy Podcast (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/solvingforjoypodcast
• The Physician Coaching Summit: www.thephysiciancoachingsummit.com
• Full transcript and more: https://www.solvingforjoy.com

Music by Denys Kyshchuk (AudioCoffee): https://www.audiocoffee.net

When chronic symptoms don’t make sense and traditional answers fall short, it might be time to look within - at the connection between your brain, body, and emotions.

Dr. Becca Kennedy, physician and founder of Resilience Healthcare, shares her journey from conventional medicine to a deeper exploration of the nervous system, neuroplasticity, and the emotional roots of chronic pain.

In this eye-opening conversation, she opens up about her personal healing path, what shifted when she began listening to her body in a new way, and how self-compassion and joy became essential parts of the process.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How the mind-body connection can offer new hope for stubborn symptoms
• The surprising way your brain predicts pain - and how to gently retrain it
• Simple tools like visualization and gentle movement that support real healing
• Stories that prove recovery is possible - even when nothing else has worked

If you’re tired of hitting dead ends in the traditional medical system, or ready to explore a more compassionate, holistic path to healing - this episode is your invitation.

Think of this as your reset button.
Subscribe now and get real talk, radical honesty, and the spark to reconnect with your joy - automatically in your feed every Tuesday.

More from Becca Kennedy:
Website: https://resilience-healthcare.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBeccakennedy
Resources: https://resilience-healthcare.com/the-science/ 

Stay connected with us:
Dr. Chrissie Ott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissieottmd
Joy Point Solutions: https://www.instagram.com/joypointsolutions
Solving for Joy Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/solvingforjoypodcast
Full transcript and more: https://www.solvingforjoy.com 

Music by Denys Kyshchuk (AudioCoffee): https://www.audiocoffee.net 

 If you've ever felt like the noise of life has been turned up too loud and the inner whisper of calm is getting harder to hear, this episode is for you.

Dr. Rashmi Schramm—board-certified family physician turned meditation teacher, coach, and retreat leader—shares her powerful journey from traditional medicine to a life rooted in presence, purpose, and micro joy.

In this candid conversation, she opens up about what it really took to walk away from a decades-long career, how parenting college-aged kids has shaped her perspective, and the daily practices that help her stay grounded in joy, even through transition.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

* Why “micro joys” matter—and how they can quietly shift your entire day

* What it looks like to evolve your identity without losing your purpose

* How mindfulness, coaching, and retreat spaces can support deep healing

* The emotional layers of parenting older children—and how to keep growing through it all

If you're feeling pulled to slow down, shift directions, or reconnect with what lights you up, this episode will leave you feeling seen—and inspired to begin again.

Think of this as your reset button.
Subscribe now and get real talk, radical honesty, and the spark to reconnect with your joy - automatically in your feed every Tuesday.

More from Rashmi Schramm:
Website: https://www.rashmischramm.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/drrashmischrammoptimalwellness
Podcast: https://www.rashmischramm.com/podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.rashmischramm/ 

Stay connected with us:
Dr. Chrissie Ott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissieottmd
Joy Point Solutions: https://www.instagram.com/joypointsolutions
Solving for Joy Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/solvingforjoypodcast
Full transcript and more: https://www.solvingforjoy.com 

Music by Denys Kyshchuk (AudioCoffee): https://www.audiocoffee.net 

If you’re a healthcare professional who’s ever felt disconnected from your body, your purpose, or your joy—this episode is for you.

Dr. Sonny Miles, palliative and integrative medicine physician, coach and founder of Healing with Intention Integrative Medicine, joins Dr. Chrissie Ott for a deeply reflective conversation about what it means to live and practice with intention.

Drawing from her own path through medicine—and the tension between productivity and presence—Dr. Miles shares how she’s learned to honor the body’s wisdom, reconnect with her inner wisdom and redefine success on her own terms.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How choosing joy on purpose can become a form of healing
• Why "tiny joys" are not small at all—and how they accumulate over time
• What happens when you untangle self-worth from productivity
• How exploring archetypes can help you feel more whole and fully expressed

This conversation explores the inner transformation that happens when we slow down, listen deeply, and trust ourselves again.

If you’ve ever longed for more ease, more alignment, and more meaning in your career—this one’s for you.

Think of this as your reset button.
Subscribe now and get real talk, radical honesty, and the spark to reconnect with your joy - automatically in your feed every Tuesday.

More from Sonny Miles:
Website: https://www.healingwithintentionim.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingwithintentionim/
Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2511851
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healingwithintentionintegrativemedicine/ 

Stay connected with us:
Dr. Chrissie Ott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissieottmd
Joy Point Solutions: https://www.instagram.com/joypointsolutions
Solving for Joy Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/solvingforjoypodcast
Full transcript and more: https://www.solvingforjoy.com 

Music by Denys Kyshchuk (AudioCoffee): https://www.audiocoffee.net 

If you’ve ever felt like joy is just out of reach - especially in the aftermath of trauma - this conversation is for you.

Dr. Mary Catherine McDonald, research professor, trauma expert, and author of The Joy Reset - joins us to break down the science and soul of joy. With deep compassion and clarity, she shares what trauma really does to the brain, how joy can be reclaimed, and why healing doesn’t have to mean being "fixed" - just more fully you.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What the neuroscience says about joy - and how to access it
• The “Six Joy Thieves” that keep us stuck
• How simple practices can create real shifts in how we feel

We also touch on the hard stuff - suicide, grief, existential pain, and the radical possibility of finding light anyway.

If you’ve been looking for a way back to joy, this is your invitation to begin again.

Think of this as your reset button.
Subscribe now and get real talk, radical honesty, and the spark to reconnect with your joy - automatically in your feed every Tuesday.

More from MaryCatherine McDonald:
Website: https://alchemycoaching.life/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mc.phd
tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mc.phd 

Stay connected with us:
Dr. Chrissie Ott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissieottmd
Joy Point Solutions: https://www.instagram.com/joypointsolutions
Solving for Joy Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/solvingforjoypodcast
Full transcript and more: https://www.solvingforjoy.com 

Music by Denys Kyshchuk (AudioCoffee): https://www.audiocoffee.net 

If you’ve ever felt burned out, out of alignment, or unsure how to reconnect with your joy - this episode is for you.

Dr. Stacy Cisneros, physician, healer, and guide, joins us to share her journey from the depths of medical burnout to discovering new paths of self-understanding and emotional healing. Through practices like Infinity Healing and Human Design, Stacy has redefined what healing looks like - not just for herself, but for the people she now supports.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What healing really means - and how to find your way back to yourself
• How clearing stuck energy can change everything
• The five different energy types - and why they matter

This conversation explores burnout, energy alignment, and the radical act of choosing joy in a system that often demands self-sacrifice.

If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s a different way to live, heal, and thrive - hit play. You’re not alone.

Think of this as your reset button.
Subscribe now and get real talk, radical honesty, and the spark to reconnect with your joy - automatically in your feed every Tuesday.

Chrissie Ott’s chart

More from Stacy Cisneros:
Website: https://www.infinitelevelhealings.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacy-cisneros-609b881b7/
Email: [email protected] 

Stay connected with us:
Dr. Chrissie Ott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissieottmd
Joy Point Solutions: https://www.instagram.com/joypointsolutions
Solving for Joy Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/solvingforjoypodcast
Full transcript and more: https://www.solvingforjoy.com 

Music by Denys Kyshchuk (AudioCoffee): https://www.audiocoffee.net

If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable in front of a camera—or struggled to see yourself as worthy of being seen—this episode is for you.

Rachel Marie Castillo, confidence coach and portrait photographer, joins us to share how photography can be a powerful tool for healing, empowerment, and self-acceptance. Through her unique blend of artistry and emotional support, Rachel helps her clients reconnect with their confidence and show up fully in their lives.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The powerful role body positivity plays in how we show up in photo—and in real life
• The surprising way rapport can transform a camera-shy client into a confident subject
• How journaling can ease the fear of being truly seen
• Why creating a safe, affirming space is the real magic behind every great portrait

This conversation dives into visibility, vulnerability, and the beautiful transformation that happens when we allow ourselves to be fully seen.

If you’ve ever wondered whether confidence can be captured on camera—hit play. You’re not alone.

Think of this as your reset button.
Subscribe now and get real talk, radical honesty, and the spark to reconnect with your joy—automatically in your feed every Tuesday.

More from Rachel Castillo:
Website: https://www.rachelmarie.photography/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelmariecastillo/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachel_marie_photography/ 

Stay connected with us:
Dr. Chrissie Ott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissieottmd
Joy Point Solutions: https://www.instagram.com/joypointsolutions
Solving for Joy Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/solvingforjoypodcast
Full transcript and more: https://www.solvingforjoy.com 

Music by Denys Kyshchuk (AudioCoffee): https://www.audiocoffee.net

If you’ve ever felt stuck in your medical career—or wondered if there’s more to life than the traditional path—this episode is for you.

Dr. Una, board-certified pediatrician, entrepreneur, and CEO of EntreMD, joins us to share how she went from feeling boxed in by medicine to building a thriving business that empowers thousands of physicians. 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What med school didn’t teach—and why business skills matter more than ever
• The surprising power of investing in yourself
• How building a values-based business creates more than income—it creates alignment

Dr. Una’s journey is a testament to what's possible when you stop waiting for permission and start creating the life you want.

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s possible to have financial freedom, time for your family, and a deep sense of purpose—hit play. You’re not alone.

Think of this as your reset button.
Subscribe now and get real talk, radical honesty, and the spark to reconnect with your joy—automatically in your feed every Tuesday.

More from Dr. Una:
Website: https://entremd.com/
Podcast: https://entremd.com/podcasts/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/druna/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entremds/ 

Stay connected with us:
Dr. Chrissie Ott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissieottmd
Joy Point Solutions: https://www.instagram.com/joypointsolutions
Solving for Joy Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/solvingforjoypodcast
Full transcript and more: https://www.solvingforjoy.com 

Music by Denys Kyshchuk (AudioCoffee): https://www.audiocoffee.net

If you’ve ever felt the heartbreak of fertility struggles—whether personally or alongside a patient—this episode is for you.

Dr. Erica Bove, reproductive endocrinologist and certified coach, joins us to talk about the emotional weight of fertility medicine—and how compassion, community, and curiosity can transform the journey. Drawing from her own experiences with moral injury in medicine, Erica shares how coaching reshaped not only her clinical approach, but her connection to patients, grief, and joy.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How the words we use shape the way we grieve, heal, and make meaning from loss
• The quiet power of making space for grief—and how it opens the door to true healing
• Why community matters more than ever when infertility feels isolating and overwhelming
• Mental health support shouldn’t be an afterthought—it belongs at the start of every fertility journey

This conversation explores the tender space where science meets love—and why integrating emotional support into fertility care is not just beneficial, but necessary.

If you’ve ever wondered how to walk with others through loss while holding on to hope—hit play. You’re not alone.

Think of this as your reset button.
Subscribe now and get real talk, radical honesty, and the spark to reconnect with your joy—automatically in your feed every Tuesday.

More from Erica Bove:
Website: https://www.loveandsciencefertility.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-bove-0701a0173/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loveandsciencefertility/?hl=en 

Stay connected with us:
Dr. Chrissie Ott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissieottmd
Joy Point Solutions: https://www.instagram.com/joypointsolutions
Solving for Joy Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/solvingforjoypodcast
Full transcript and more: https://www.solvingforjoy.com 

Music by Denys Kyshchuk (AudioCoffee): https://www.audiocoffee.net

If you’ve ever wondered how to bring more joy and authenticity to your work in medicine—this episode is for you.

Dr. Santi Tanikella, integrative pediatrician and coach, joins us to talk about what it really means to infuse your life and career with joy, purpose, and presence. Through her transformative work in integrative pediatrics and coaching, Santi is helping healthcare professionals rediscover the power of well-being in their lives.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What it means to tune in to your authentic joy—and how it can guide your path forward
• How the Heart Elective cultivates community—and why that matters for healing
• Why creating psychological safety in our communities is essential for growth
• A simple, powerful meditation to connect with your inner peace and strength

This conversation dives into the heart of holistic healing, the importance of self-compassion, and the small, meaningful steps you can take to reconnect with your joy—both as a healer and a human.

If you’ve ever wondered how to thrive in medicine while staying true to yourself—hit play. You’re not alone.

Think of this as your reset button.
Subscribe now and get real talk, radical honesty, and the spark to reconnect with your joy—automatically in your feed every Tuesday.

More from Santi Tanikella:
Website: https://www.iamwellmd.com/
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-am-well-md/id1719339547
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamwell_md/   https://www.linkedin.com/in/santisree-tanikella-md-faap-abihm-aboim-4815372a/ 

Stay connected with us:
Dr. Chrissie Ott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissieottmd
Joy Point Solutions: https://www.instagram.com/joypointsolutions
Solving for Joy Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/solvingforjoypodcast
Full transcript and more: https://www.solvingforjoy.com 

Music by Denys Kyshchuk (AudioCoffee): https://www.audiocoffee.net