The Hoeflinger Podcast

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Back pain is incredibly common, and it can be scary when you don’t know what’s causing it or what to do next. If you’re dealing with back pain right now, you may be wondering what it means, what you should do first, and whether you need imaging, treatment, or surgery.

In this episode, Dr. Brian Hoeflinger, a board-certified neurosurgeon, and his son Kevin break down back pain in clear, plain language. They discuss the most common causes of back pain, how to tell when symptoms are more serious, what actually helps early on, and when it’s time to seek medical care, all with the goal of reducing fear and helping you make informed decisions.

Residency is one of the most challenging, and defining, stages of becoming a doctor. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Kamran Tate, a second-year internal medicine resident, to hear what life is really like on the frontlines of medicine. From the steep learning curve of day one to balancing 12-hour shifts, navigating the ICU, and relying on the wisdom of nurses and mentors, Dr. Tate shares the unfiltered reality behind the white coat. We also dive into the mindset it takes to survive residency , from stoicism and mindfulness to finding humor in the chaos. Dr. Tate opens up about social media as a creative outlet, the misconceptions people have about doctors, and how medicine has shaped his outlook on life. Whether you’re a medical student, considering healthcare, or just curious about the human side of medicine, this conversation offers insight, honesty, and inspiration.

Check out Dr. Tate on social media:  https://linktr.ee/Doctor_Kam

Dr. Brian Hoeflinger and Kevin Hoeflinger explore the science and practice of rucking, walking with added weight, as a joint-friendly way to boost cardiovascular health, build strength, and increase resilience. They share how rucking compares to running and walking, practical steps to get started safely, and the surprising benefits for muscle, mood, and longevity. This episode provides actionable strategies for making walking and rucking part of a sustainable fitness routine at any age. Check out my free newsletter 

 https://pages.doctorhoeflinger.com/ Each week, I simplify the world of health, medicine, and fitness using my 26 years of experience as a board-certified neurosurgeon. Check out all of my links: https://linktr.ee/doctorhoeflinger Opinions represented on this channel are my own, and do not reflect those of my employer. Nothing posted on this channel is medical advice.

In this episode, we spoke with Dr. Zain Hasan, a board-certified anesthesiologist, husband, father, and rising medical voice on social media, for an honest conversation about what life is really like behind the curtain of modern medicine. Dr. Hasan opens up about the realities of anesthesiology, how he navigates raising a family with a wife who is also in medicine, and the pressures of being calm and decisive when seconds can mean life or death.

We also dive into the hidden toll medicine can take, why more physicians are speaking out online, and how Dr. Hasan reclaimed his own health, losing 50 pounds and rethinking everything from food to fitness. This episode is a look into the human side of medicine: the tradeoffs, the purpose, and the people behind the scrubs.

Check out Dr. Hasan's social channels 👉 https://linktr.ee/doctarz

Check out My Free Newsletter: pages.doctorhoeflinger.com

Each week, I simplify the world of health, medicine, and fitness using my 25 years of experience as a board-certified neurosurgeon.

Tune in every week for new episodes of The Hoeflinger Podcast with Dr. Brian Hoeflinger and Kevin Hoeflinger.

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Thank you all for watching and listening to our content and we hope you continue to follow along on our journey!

Check out Anne-Laure's book "Tiny Experiments" 👉 https://nesslabs.com/book

When a health scare forced Anne-Laure Le Cunff to confront her overworked life at Google, everything changed. In this episode, she shares the powerful moment that led her to walk away from her “dream job” and begin rethinking success through tiny experiments, intentional imperfection, and curiosity-driven living.

In this episode, we explore how to break free from burnout, overcome perfectionism, and stop waiting for the “perfect plan” to start living differently. If you’ve ever felt stuck in a job, unsure of your next move, or afraid to take the first step toward something new, this conversation might just change how you see your life.

Anne-Laure's website: https://nesslabs.com/

Check out My Free Newsletter: pages.doctorhoeflinger.com

Each week, I simplify the world of health, medicine, and fitness using my 25 years of experience as a board-certified neurosurgeon.

Tune in every week for new episodes of The Hoeflinger Podcast with Dr. Brian Hoeflinger and Kevin Hoeflinger.

All Dr. Hoeflinger's links
Click here for all links for Dr. Hoeflinger

Kevin Hoeflinger's links
Click here for all links for Kevin Hoeflinger

Contact Us
[email protected]

Thank you all for watching and listening to our content and we hope you continue to follow along on our journey!

In this episode, we’re joined by Andy Nguyen, MD, a PGY1 anesthesiology resident at Yale and YouTube creator (ND MD - Dr. Nguyen's YouTube channel)

Dr. Nguyen shares his journey from medical school to residency, offering insights into the structure of his intern year and the emotional and professional challenges that come with it. We also discuss how he uses photography, videography, and storytelling as a creative outlet and to share the stories of others. 

We reflect on medical specialty selection, the weight of responsibility in medicine, and the importance of long-term vision. Other topics discussed include, the role of social media in medicine, the delicate balance between professionalism and personal expression, the increased competitiveness of medical school and residency, and much more!

Whether you're a future physician or simply curious about the modern medical journey, this episode offers honest, thoughtful reflections on what it means to grow, as both a doctor and a person, in today’s digital age.

Check out My Free Newsletter: pages.doctorhoeflinger.com

Each week, I simplify the world of health, medicine, and fitness using my 25 years of experience as a board-certified neurosurgeon.

Tune in every week for new episodes of The Hoeflinger Podcast with Dr. Brian Hoeflinger and Kevin Hoeflinger.

All Dr. Hoeflinger's links
Click here for all links for Dr. Hoeflinger

Kevin Hoeflinger's links
Click here for all links for Kevin Hoeflinger

Contact Us
[email protected]

Thank you all for watching and listening to our content and we hope you continue to follow along on our journey!

A&P Professor's Course 👉 https://anpprofessor.com/vip-access

Tim Reynolds, known online as A&P Professor, breaks down how he makes complex topics simple, engaging, and fun. From teaching hundreds of students at Ithaca College to building a massive online following with viral quizzes and short-form content, Tim shares the importance of meeting students where they are, leveraging platforms like TikTok and Instagram to create low-barrier learning opportunities, and staying true to his mission as an educator.

We also dive into his passion for hiking and mountaineering, including Tim's story about summiting Mount Rainier and the lessons it taught him about life, risk, and growth.

A&P Professor's social links: https://linktr.ee/anp_professor

Check out My Free Newsletter: pages.doctorhoeflinger.com

Each week, I simplify the world of health, medicine, and fitness using my 25 years of experience as a board-certified neurosurgeon.

Tune in every week for new episodes of The Hoeflinger Podcast with Dr. Brian Hoeflinger and Kevin Hoeflinger.

All Dr. Hoeflinger's links
Click here for all links for Dr. Hoeflinger

Kevin Hoeflinger's links
Click here for all links for Kevin Hoeflinger

Contact Us
[email protected]

Thank you all for watching and listening to our content and we hope you continue to follow along on our journey!

Dr. Ramsey's New Book 👉 Healing the Modern Brain    

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Drew Ramsey, a board-certified psychiatrist, psychotherapist, author, and leading voice in nutritional psychiatry, to explore the connection between mental health, food, and lifestyle.

Dr. Ramsey shares insights from his upcoming book, Healing the Modern Brain, including the core tenets of better mental health, the role of diet in mental well-being, and the evolving conversation around male mental health. We also discuss the overuse and misconceptions of psychiatric medications, the stigma around mental health treatment, and practical strategies to build mental fitness.

Healing the Modern Brain releases on March 25 - Click here to preorder!

Check out My Free Newsletter: pages.doctorhoeflinger.com

Each week, I simplify the world of health, medicine, and fitness using my 25 years of experience as a board-certified neurosurgeon.

Tune in every week for new episodes of The Hoeflinger Podcast with Dr. Brian Hoeflinger and Kevin Hoeflinger.

All Dr. Hoeflinger's links
Click here for all links for Dr. Hoeflinger

Kevin Hoeflinger's links
Click here for all links for Kevin Hoeflinger

Contact Us
[email protected]

Thank you all for watching and listening to our content and we hope you continue to follow along on our journey!

Visit https://madd.org/ to learn more and get involved.    

In this episode, we are joined by Stacey Stewart, CEO of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), to discuss the ongoing fight to end impaired driving. With over 13,000 lives lost each year due to drunk driving, this issue remains a national crisis and one that is deeply personal for our family.

Stacey shares her journey from leading major organizations like United Way and March of Dimes to taking the helm at MADD, her mission to revitalize awareness, and the challenges we still face in preventing impaired driving. We also discuss why drunk driving fatalities are still rising despite the availability of rideshare services, the role of policy advocacy and new technology in preventing crashes, MADD’s efforts to change the conversation through partnerships with sports and industry leaders, and how each of us can take action to make our roads safer.

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone who wants to be part of the solution. Visit https://madd.org/ to learn more and get involved.

Check out My Free Newsletter: pages.doctorhoeflinger.com

Each week, I simplify the world of health, medicine, and fitness using my 25 years of experience as a board-certified neurosurgeon.

Tune in every week for new episodes of The Hoeflinger Podcast with Dr. Brian Hoeflinger and Kevin Hoeflinger.

All Dr. Hoeflinger's links
Click here for all links for Dr. Hoeflinger

Kevin Hoeflinger's links
Click here for all links for Kevin Hoeflinger

Contact Us
[email protected]

Thank you all for watching and listening to our content and we hope you continue to follow along on our journey!

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Z, a spine surgery fellow and neurosurgeon in Los Angeles. Dr. Z discusses his journey through neurosurgery, including the grueling demands of residency, the mental and physical resilience required, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. He shares the pivotal moment that inspired him to pursue neurosurgery, his experiences delivering life-changing (and sometimes heartbreaking) news to patients and families, and the evolving role of AI, augmented reality, and robotics in neurosurgery.

Dr. Brian Hoeflinger and Dr. Z also reflect on the challenges and rewards of being a neurosurgeon, the importance of sharing medical knowledge on social media, and how technology is revolutionizing patient care. Plus, Dr. Z gives us a glimpse into his passions outside of medicine, including his love for fine dining and the parallels between high-level surgery and Michelin-starred kitchens.

Tune in for an insightful and candid conversation about medicine, perseverance, and the future of neurosurgery. Follow Dr. Z on TikTok and Instagram (@dr.zneurosurgery) to keep up with his educational content!

Check out My Free Newsletter: pages.doctorhoeflinger.com

Each week, I simplify the world of health, medicine, and fitness using my 25 years of experience as a board-certified neurosurgeon.

Tune in every week for new episodes of The Hoeflinger Podcast with Dr. Brian Hoeflinger and Kevin Hoeflinger.

All Dr. Hoeflinger's links
Click here for all links for Dr. Hoeflinger

Kevin Hoeflinger's links
Click here for all links for Kevin Hoeflinger

Contact Us
[email protected]

Thank you all for watching and listening to our content and we hope you continue to follow along on our journey!