In this second episode, Koushi continues her heartfelt conversation with Dr. Charlotte Tomlinson, GP Registrar based in the UK and author of The Health and Healing Narrative. Together, they explore the emotional realities of being a doctor — the grief, fear, and self-doubt that often exist beneath the surface of "resilience."

Charlotte shares one of her hardest days in medicine and the power of a simple act of kindness that helped her through it. They talk openly about imposter syndrome, vulnerability, and the quiet fears many doctors carry but rarely voice.

This episode also dives into how writing, mindfulness, and small daily rituals help process the heaviness of work — from journalling and walking to meditation and moments of stillness. Charlotte and Koushi reflect on how honesty, compassion, and humanity can bridge the gap between doctors and patients, even within an overstretched system.

✨ In this episode, they explore:

• The hidden grief and emotional weight of working in medicine

• How small moments of support can change everything on a hard day

• Overcoming imposter syndrome and finding your voice

• Breaking barriers between doctors and patients through honesty and empathy

• Practical ways to find balance — mindfulness, journalling, and rest

A deeply human conversation about what it means to care for others while learning to care for yourself.

Send your feedback: [email protected]

Follow on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejuniordoctorseriespodcast/

In this opening episode of the three-part conversation,

Koushi speaks with Dr. Charlotte Tomlinson, GP Registrar in Liverpool, UK and the voice behind The Health and Healing Narrative — a beautifully reflective blog giving space to the untold stories of medicine.

Charlotte shares how writing became her way to slow down, reconnect, and find meaning again in a profession that often moves too fast. Together, they explore the art of communication, what it means to hold compassion in challenging environments, and the quiet strength that comes from reflection.

From her early experiences in A&E to the moments that shaped her as both a doctor and a storyteller, Charlotte opens up about the vulnerability behind the white coat — and how words can bridge the gap between doctors and patients.

✨ In this episode, they talk about:

• The inspiration behind The Health and Healing Narrative

• Why writing helps doctors reconnect with purpose and empathy

• The vulnerability and humanity of medical training

• How reflection can transform the way we show up for our patients — and ourselves

A gentle, heartfelt reminder that sometimes, the most powerful medicine is the story we dare to tell.

Send your feedback: [email protected]

Follow on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejuniordoctorseriespodcast/

In this Episode of The Junior Doctor Series: The Unspoken Truth,

the host - Koushi shares one of the most vulnerable episodes she has ever recorded.

In it, she opens up about her real experiences with both passive and active racism—from subtle assumptions about where she is "really" from to the blatant comments that cut deep.

She share what it feels like to be constantly asked "Are you from India?" or told to "go back to Bangladesh." To have her accent questioned during an assessment. To laugh off racist comments just to fit in, even when it hurts. All of this—because of the colour of her skin.

The countless small moments in between that reveal how racism is still ingrained in society and the culture of medicine.

But this episode isn't about blame. It's about awareness, change, and inclusivity. It is about recognising how far we still have to go, and celebrating the workplaces that are doing it right.

Toward the end, her voice cracks a little—and that's okay. Because speaking truth can be emotional. It can be raw. But that's exactly where healing begins.

If you've ever felt unseen, unheard, or misjudged because of who you are—this episode is for you.

💬 "Change begins with awareness. Awareness begins with courage."

Send your feedback: [email protected]

Follow on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejuniordoctorseriespodcast/

In this episode of The Junior Doctor Series: The Unspoken Truth, I sit down with Lakmal and explore the deeply human side of being both a doctor and a mother. Lakmal shares how she looks after herself—through art, meditation, yoga, healthy living, and making sure she takes half an hour of "me time" each day despite being a mum, wife, and daughter.

She opens up about the challenges of working in Emergency Medicine while pregnant, including fatigue, lowered immunity, and the high-risk nature of the environment. She recalls her scariest moment: suffering an antepartum haemorrhage during a shift and needing to be transferred to another hospital. From this, she strongly encourages other doctors to take leave on time—at least six weeks before delivery.

After giving birth, Lakmal took six months off to prioritise bonding with her daughter, and later navigated the steep return to work as a registrar. She reflects on the importance of having a strong support system at home, part-time flexibility, and an amazing husband by her side.

Now, as a GP working part-time, she finds more balance, cherishes quality time with her daughter, and embraces the art of being both a mother and a doctor.

She also doesn't shy away from naming workplace challenges, such as dealing with difficult colleagues, and shares her philosophy as a senior doctor: respect your juniors, because everyone has unique strengths and weaknesses.

🌟 Her final message is simple but powerful: Be yourself. Treat your patients as patients, not just cases.

Send your feedback: [email protected]

Follow on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejuniordoctorseriespodcast/

From Sri Lanka to Australia – The Early Journey

In this episode of The Junior Doctor Series: The Unspoken Truth, I sit down with Lakmal, who takes us back to her beginnings as a junior doctor in Sri Lanka, where the stress and pressure nearly pushed her to quit. After migrating to Australia, she paused medicine for a year to simply enjoy life, before reigniting her passion and sitting the AMC exams. By 2011, she was working in Emergency Medicine as an RMO.

She shares what it was like to adapt to a whole new medical system: navigating the Australian accent, learning guidelines, building networks, mastering computer systems, and even struggling at first with practical procedures like drips and cannulation.

She also lets us in on three fun facts about herself: 🎨 She's an artist and deeply creative 😴 She loves sleeping 🌿 She doesn't take life too seriously

Her advice for junior doctors—especially IMGs—is heartfelt: build diverse skills, focus on communication, don't be afraid to make mistakes, and always seek feedback. And most importantly: don't give up, because you've already come too far.

Send your feedback: [email protected]

Follow on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejuniordoctorseriespodcast/

In this episode of The Junior Doctor Series: The Unspoken Truth, I sit down with Claire, a lawyer and mindfulness advocate, to explore how organizations and individuals can prevent compassion fatigue and create healthier, more supportive work environments.

We discuss:

• How supportive leadership and effective policies can protect staff from burnout and emotional exhaustion.

• The importance of cultivating a healthy, well-balanced workplace where people feel valued and supported.

• Practical ways mindfulness and meditation can be integrated into daily work routines to reduce stress and enhance overall wellbeing.

• Claire's personal journey: how teaching mindfulness has enriched her career, brought balance to her life, and strengthened her professional practice.

• The broader impact of mindfulness practices on ethical decision-making, community-building, and fostering a culture of care.

Whether you're a healthcare professional, caregiver, or anyone in a high-demand role, this conversation is packed with insights and practical tools to protect your energy, nurture your well-being, and thrive in your work.

✨ Listen now to discover how mindfulness can transform both your personal and professional life.

Send your feedback: [email protected]

Follow on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejuniordoctorseriespodcast/

In this episode, host Koushi sit down with the incredible Claire E. Parsons — a Cincinnati lawyer, mindfulness teacher, and mum of two — for a real and honest chat about life behind the titles.

Claire opens up about her journey through post-partum depression, the pressure of high-stakes legal work, and how meditation completely changed the way she handled life's curveballs.

We talk about what she calls "empathic overwhelm" (a softer, truer way of looking at compassion fatigue), the power of self-compassion, and why it's just as important to reach in as it is to reach out for support. This is a heartfelt conversation about resilience, motherhood, mental health, and the small, steady practices that help you find your calm — even in the most chaotic seasons.

Send your feedback: [email protected]

Follow on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejuniordoctorseriespodcast/

🌼 Koushi's conversation with Claire,

this is what we cover:

• redefining compassion fatigue as "empathic overwhelm."
• talking about Claire's struggles with anxiety, depression, and burnout.
• How Meditation and self-compassion helped her recover from emotional overwhelm.
• the difference between empathy (feeling others' emotions) and compassion (connecting and offering support).
• Unchecked empathy can lead to burnout and the importance of self-compassion as an antidote to empathic overwhelm.

Send your feedback: [email protected]

Follow on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejuniordoctorseriespodcast/

Caring for others can come at a cost!

In this episode, Koushi unpacks the science and signs of compassion fatigue — the emotional and physical burnout that affects healthcare workers, caregivers, and anyone in high-empathy roles. Learn how chronic stress impacts your body and mind, and discover simple, science-backed practices like meditation, sound therapy, journaling, and movement to restore balance and protect your well-being.

Send your feedback: [email protected]

Follow on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejuniordoctorseriespodcast/

🌼 **Koushi's conversation with Charlotte Ingham around Mental Health, Serotonin, and Overcoming Burnout** 🌼

As we wrap up our discussion, we focus on actionable strategies for supporting mental health and overcoming burnout.

This is what we cover:

• The Role of Serotonin:

How serotonin affects our mood and emotional regulation? We discuss practical ways to boost serotonin levels, such as getting sunlight, maintaining a positive mindset, and ensuring good sleep.

• Link Between Serotonin and Dopamine:

We explore how serotonin and dopamine interact, and their combined effects on our sense of competence and confidence.

• Lessons from the Black Fires of 2019:

Charlotte shares insights on mental health following trauma, emphasizing the importance of social support and adequate sleep for recovery.

• Why Burnout is Such a Concern:

We discuss the factors contributing to burnout, including work-life imbalance and unrealistic expectations, and how understanding these issues can help us create healthier work environments.

• The Importance of Oxytocin:

Charlotte highlights how oxytocin fosters connection and safety, promoting altruism and social bonds. We learn practical tips for increasing oxytocin levels through physical connections and community engagement.

• Tips for Recovery:

Finally, we talk about strategies for those experiencing burnout, emphasizing the need for gentle movement, mindfulness practices, and self-care. These practices allow us to restore balance and find peace in our busy lives.

Send your feedback: [email protected]

Follow on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejuniordoctorseriespodcast/