In this episode, Dr. Maddaus interviews Dr. Suniya Luthar, professor emerita at the Teachers College, Columbia University, and expert on building supportive, authentic connections in the face of stress. Listeners will learn details about her research, which has demonstrated how critical it is to our mental health and resilience to have a separate space in a trusted, safe, and supportive environment outside of home and work. Dr. Luthar explains how our fast-paced, high-stress world often leads to isolation and loneliness and how real connections with others is the glue that holds our mental well-being together. “For many of us who have the mindset of ‘we must be strong, we must be self-sufficient,’ the downside is that it sometimes becomes difficult to drop that shield, that armor and let people in. That is obviously very, very destructive for our mental health,” she said. Dr. Luthar discusses the significant stresses of being a working mother and the “enormous amount of emotional work” required to be “captains of the ship” at home. Hear also about the meaningful concept of a “support wallet,” which may help you “feel seen for the person you are at your core.” “The Resilient Surgeon” is a program from the Society designed to inspire cardiothoracic surgeons to be their best selves, in and out of the OR, using scientifically proven tools and recovery strategies of the world’s top performers.