In this episode, Sayra chats with Kori LaDonna and Emily Fields (and special guest Benjamin - Emily’s son!) about their journey doing research and navigating motherhood and life as early career researchers. One a night owl and the other a morning person, Kori and Emily discuss what factors have made their collaborations (both as researchers and friends) so successful. Overall, they both agree that to do good research you need to have fun together, be vulnerable with one another, and also be able to engage in exchanges of ideas - which the both of them have been doing since 2015.

In this special episode, Lorelei Lingard and Chris Watling talk with Sayra about their new book Story, Not Study: 30 Brief Lessons to Inspire Health Researchers as Writers. In their discussion with Sayra and while answering questions from the audience, Lorelei and Chris describe the process of writing a book, shared some unexpected but gratifying moments of the journey, and offer advice for how to find your voice in your writing.

Why does an elementary school teacher give up her career to become a researcher in medical education? Mary has always thought there is a story to everything, and in every story there’s a problem. In this podcast she tells stories about past experiences and problems of practice that led to her postdoctoral research. Along the way, Mary describes how research keeps her on the edge of her comfort zone, the joys and challenges of being a postdoc, and how mentors can make space for risk taking.

When you first meet Lara, her first question for you will always be about who you are - she cares more about you as a person than your work. In the same way that Lara has traversed across continents, so have her research interests - rather than stay in one place, or have one program of research, she considers herself a literal research nomad, travelling through different countries and research topics. In these travels, she has accumulated her magpie files, full of different concepts and ideas for research. If she decides that she will no longer pursue research as a career, however, she knows her backup plan - to be a party planner.

Pim self-describes himself as a “chronically curious gynaecologist and researcher”, always seeking to understand why things are the way that they are. Although he had never planned on becoming a doctor, and had aspirations to become a pilot, or do wood-working, Pim has always looked for things that challenge him and his thinking. One of these challenges is that it is difficult to be fully satisfied in his work, because for him, there is always more to be curious about.

Mark, throughout his medical education, believed that teaching medical students and trainees could be done better. Wanting to create a community for clinicians and researchers with a passion for medical education, Mark was one of the original members and founders of CERI (formerly known as GAMES). Between his work as a general internist and researcher, Mark continues to explore his fascination with the complexity of clinical practice and reasoning, and finds inspiration and creativity for his researcher in an unlikely environment - the swimming pool.

Through growing up in the strong and diverse community of Rexdale in Toronto, Nikki knew that community, for her, is everything. This dedication to community has been with her throughout her journey to her current position doing research in medical education - a journey that, to her, was a series of serendipitous interactions. As someone who hated science growing up, Nikki has become someone who loves asking the “why” questions, and is confident in the things she knows she does well. In her time off, she's watching trashy reality tv - but only when she’s not asking the small questions that eventually become big.

At eye level on the wall in her office is an 80 font quote: “Every way of seeing is a way of not seeing”. This has been one of the foundational premises of Lorelei’s work – as a rhetorician, it helps her to see how things are oriented and constructed, often unconsciously and tacitly, through language. Her research career in medical and health professions education has involved working on many projects, gathering, sharing, and understanding stories of teamwork, communication, learning, identity, and professionalism. Across this diverse body of work, a constant is her commitment to language and relationships as central forces in human experience.

As a person, Meredith is a mom who likes to spend time outdoors, hike, and play with her dog. As a researcher, Meredith has always been interested in morally complex decisions surrounding healthcare and illness, which cannot be limited to one single research project. One single thing about working on all these projects that she values, however, are her relationships that have emerged from them - what’s better than working with people who are enthusiastic, dedicated, and inspiring?

Jennifer’s research and career have taken multiple twists and turns, through topic areas and countries. From studying behaviour in monkeys to social patterns of gerbils, and through Belfast, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and now Singapore, Jen has learned that she wants to conduct research that is both useful, and of good quality. Over time she has also learned that there are facilitators and blockers in everyone’s life and careers, and she herself has gotten where she is because of some facilitators in her life. If she had her choice, however, she would facilitate more of her learning on the wines of the south of France.