Thriving in Scrubs

In this episode, we explore hope through the lens of science with Dr. Deepti Anbarasan, a psychiatrist, neurologist, and medical educator. We examine what hope is from a neurological and psychological perspective, how it shapes our thoughts, behaviors, and relationships, and why it is essential for both patients and healthcare professionals. Drawing on her experiences caring for patients and mentoring physicians in training, Deepti offers practical and deeply human insights into cultivating hope during times of uncertainty. From the brain science of hope to the idea of ""borrowing"" and sharing hope with one another, this conversation reminds us that hope is more than optimism—it's a powerful force that can sustain individuals and strengthen our connections to each other.

Interview and Commentary: Annie Robinson and Abigail Ford Winkel

Editing: Abigail Ford Winkel

Sound Engineering: Greg Dorsainville

We speak with Dr. Leslie Boyd, gynecologic oncologist and healthcare leader, about one of medicine's most delicate balances: nurturing hope while remaining honest in the face of serious illness. Through stories from her patients, reflections on her own career, and insights from years of mentoring physicians in training, Leslie explores how clinicians can help sustain hope without offering false reassurance. We consider how hope is not the opposite of realism but an essential part of healing. This thoughtful conversation offers a powerful reminder that even when medicine cannot change the outcome, physicians can profoundly influence how patients experience the journey.

Interview and Commentary: Abigail Ford Winkel and Annie Robinson

Editing: Abigail Ford Winkel

Sound Engineering: Greg Dorsainville

Join us as we kick off a new season of Thriving in Scrubs! We're talking about hope this season - what it is, how it works, why we need it and how to engage with hope even in dark moments. Be on the lookout for new episodes from clinicians, leaders, artists and others who examine this essential part of what it means to thrive.

Hosts: Abigail Ford Winkel, Annie Robinson

Editing: Abigail Ford Winkel

Sound Engineering: Greg Dorsainville

#thrivingnotjustsurviving; #meded; #thrivinginscrubs

The path through medical training and practice can be winding, but we try to remain connected to our goals and values on the horizon. What happens as we evolve, and our perspective changes? We speak with Effie, an emergency physician, about how her engagement with her work changed as her career evolved.

Guest: Dr. Effie Branton

@yogadoc22 (IG)

Interview: Annie Robinson

Editing: Abigail Ford Winkel

Sound Engineering: Greg Dorsainville

#thrivingnotjustsurviving; #meded; #thrivinginscrubs

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, but it's always a good time to think about this issue and how it impacts physicians. We talked with Garseng and Lila, two psychiatrists-in-training who have devoted themselves to exploring how our minds and emotions work. Listen to more of their reflections in their own podcast, The Work Room.

Guests: Dr Lila Flavin and Dr Garseng Wong

@doc.wong (IG) @lilaflavin (IG and Twitter); http://www.lilaflavin.com The Work Room podcast – https://anchor.fm/theworkroom

Interview: Annie Robinson

Commentary: Abigail Ford Winkel and Annie Robinson

Editing: Abigail Ford Winkel

Audio Engineering: Greg Dorsainville

Life in medicine is always looking ahead at the next milestone, the next hurdle, working towards the next achievement. What does looking at our lives this way do to how we see the present? As we look towards the end of another year in the medical calendar, we share some conversations we had as a group of new interns as the year began.

#thrivingnotjustsurviving; #transitions; #meded; #thrivinginscrubs

Guests: Amma, Aarti, Adam, Caroline

Interviewers: Abigail Ford Winkel, Jillian Pecoriello

Commentary: Abigail Ford Winkel and Annie Robinson

Editing: Abigail Ford Winkel

Sound Engineering: Greg Dorsainville

Doctors are often called to medicine as a way to express their personal values with their work. We talk about medicine a calling based on improving the lives of others. Nicole, a urogynecologist with an MBA and experience in different health delivery systems talks with us about those times when the business of medicine clashes with those values. We think about the complicated feelings this generates and how to turn those feelings into action.

#thrivingnotjustsurviving; #burnout; #meded

Guest: Nicole Roselli

Interview: Abigail Ford Winkel

Commentary: Abigail Ford Winkel and Annie Robinson

Editing: Abigail Ford Winkel

Sound Engineering: Greg Dorsainville

Perseverance, achievement, and getting things done are valorized in medicine. Learning how and when to take breaks is an essential part of sustaining engagement and doing good work. We speak with a palliative care social worker, about her experience working at the front lines during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic, and how we can apply what she learned to our own lives.

Interview: Annie Robinson Editing: Abigail Ford Winkel Audio Engineering: Greg Dorsainville

Boundaries are essential guideposts for our wellbeing. But they can be tricky to set and uphold - especially in a high-pressure culture like medicine. Joining us on this episode is Alan, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and expert in the science of well-being, who shares his experiences with and tips for working with boundaries.

Imposter syndrome is something many medical trainees experience, yet it is rarely formally discussed. We talk to Mia, Lynette, and Hayley, three fourth year medical students, about their own experiences with imposter syndrome and how they've learned to both recognize and address it. We discuss that while imposter syndrome has the potential to distance us, it also has the power to build community and relationships based on these shared experiences.