The Long Call

Every physician has opinions they usually save for post-call brunch. In this episode, we bring ours to the mic. From schedule chaos at the end of the year to the surprising joys of chief year, we unpack the residency hot takes we’re willing to defend — and invite listeners to decide where they stand.

Ever feel like you’re on a streak where everything that can go wrong… does? This week we unpack the idea of “black clouds” in residency - why they happen, how they can affect you, and how to get through them with perspective and support.

Audio editor: Kaylee Morris

In this episode, MDK sits down with Dr. Margaret Rush to unpack one of the most talked-about - but perhaps most nebulous - parts of training: mentorship. From finding your first mentor to building a mentorship “team,” Dr. Rush shares practical strategies, common pitfalls, and how these relationships evolve from residency into fellowship and beyond. Whether you’re an intern just getting started or a senior looking to be more intentional, this episode offers actionable insights you can use right away.

Audio editor: Kaylee Morris

In this solo episode, MDK reflects on the role of organization in residency; not as perfection, but as a tool for clarity and sustainability, sharing simple strategies to manage tasks, tame the inbox, and create systems that can actually work in real life. Please write to us with your organizational methods that have worked in residency at [email protected]!

Join us as we chat with a current fellow about the realities of doing research during residency. She shares about choosing projects, finding the right mentor, balancing research with clinical work, and pushing projects across the finish line. We also discuss how research shapes fellowship applications, clinical thinking, and professional identity. Whether you’re excited about research or unsure where to start, this conversation offers practical advice and honest perspective for  navigating research during training.
Audio Editor: Kaylee Morris

We're unpacking what leadership looks like in residency, and why you’re probably already leading more than you may realize. From informal influence on busy call nights to formal committee roles, we explore how to get involved without burning out and why early professionalism builds lasting leadership capital. Whether you’re an intern or a senior, this conversation will encourage you to lead with intention, balance, and impact.
Audio Editor: Kaylee Morris

In this episode we sit down with Dr. DaCarla Albright for an honest conversation about what actually can help improve trainee well-being. Moving beyond eye-roll–inducing initiatives, we explore what residents are really reacting to, what the data says truly moves the needle, and where programs often get it wrong. Dr. Albright shares hard truths for leadership, practical steps programs and individuals can take in the short-term, and a hopeful vision for the future of medical training.

Wellness events don’t cure burnout - but they can build community, reduce isolation, and create moments of humanity in a demanding system. In this episode, we unpack why wellness initiatives sometimes draw eye-rolls, what can make them fall flat, and how to design events that feel supportive rather than performative. The goal isn’t forced happiness, but sustainability and connection.

Residency is stressful, and as we've discussed, burnout is common. But in this episode, we explore how to recognize when struggles may be more than burnout. We discuss early warning signs, when to seek support, and the mental health resources typically accessible through residency and GME. We also name the impact of high-acuity work and difficult patient outcomes, and why asking for help is an essential part of professionalism. 

Winter in residency can feel especially heavy — short days, long hours, mounting expectations, and very little sunlight in between. In this episode, we name why winter burnout is real (and not a personal failure), why intern year can hit especially hard, and how small, intentional choices can help protect your energy. From light, movement, and rest to finding joy in your city and leaning on one another, this episode reviews some empathetic suggestions, and is a reminder that you’re not alone. This season is hard, but it will pass!