"Write Your Best Chapter"

How do you live your life? Did you know that no matter what kind of hand life deals you, you get to decide? You can be travelling to a tropical island to go diving and be caught in torrential rain. You get to love it. My guest this week is a Radiation Oncologist and a cancer survivor life coach. Not only does she live her life intentionally every single day, she also gets to hold space for all who struggle to live a full life after being diagnosed with cancer. It may not be easy, but she is equipped to make that happen. She is also mother to 4 boys. Tragically since this episode was recorded, she lost her youngest boy to an accident. Her 13 year old son Miles, had a chance to continue living by being an organ donor to very special patients. If you like to contribute to Mile's memory, you may do so at http://princetonfriendsschool.org/support-pfs/miles-brackin-memorial-fund

Compassion Fatigue. It means we are tired of caring. We can no longer give since we have been giving so long. The hospitals are full. There are no more ICU beds. Some hospitals are even turning away unvaccinated people. In this episode, I share some of my ways to manage our mind in these trying times. We can continue to love and care for unvaccinated people. They have done nothing wrong. Please take a listen.

Have you heard of a Birth Doula? Doulas have been around for thousands of years. They were essentially female companion for supportive purposes. It seems to me, there is no better time to take advantage of this support than when faced with end of life. Join me as I interview Janie Rakow who tells me about this amazing profession. You will find her at www.FareWellDoula.com for any question or interest you may have. I hope you enjoy this episode.

In financial world, we talk about "Cost of Living" quite a bit. When deciding to move somewhere, we often mention how it's not a good idea to go somewhere because the cost of living is higher. How about life? When deciding to go one way or another at a crossroad, try thinking of "Cost of NOT Living". On this anniversary episode, I will share how we decided to adopt a dog even though everyone was trying to talk us out of it. Attending to the need of our new family member took priority over timeliness of this podcast release. When you decide what matters to you, your decisions are always aligned with your values. Be intentional and be mindful in what brings you true meaning and joy. You will never be wrong.

Would you have dinner with someone you thought was racist? Is there any opportunity for a meaningful dialogue with those we disagree with. I worry that social media, or any media for that matter, is making us antisocial. We have become so quick to judge, unfollow, unfriend and categorize people in buckets we can understand. No matter what your political belief is, I invite you to listen to how we can reach out to one another and find love and common ground. I truly hope this episode helps you to close the gap.

We live in a world that creates expectations in our heads as what it means to be happy: We should get married and have children to know the true meaning of happiness. What if we can't? If we are unable for whatever reason, what does that mean about our chance of happiness the way society makes us feel? It is my pleasure to introduce Jenn, my mindfulness and yoga instructor, to you this week. Learn how a successful Marine Ecologist used mindfulness and yoga to tap into what it means to be whole- just as you are.

Do you work for a living? Are there people who go out of their way to make your life a little better? They try to literally add love and cheer to the lives of all who come in contact with them. If you have been lucky enough to have met them, I hope that you have the presence of mind to thank them and let them know how very special they are. This week, I am dedicating this episode to someone very special who died two years ago without my knowledge. Someone who tried to reach out to me without success. I love her. I miss her and I hope she's surrounded by squirrels.

If you only listen to one episode, make it this one. It is my absolute honor to interview my guest Dr. Katherine Shear. She is the expert on studying and treating complicated grief which is now known as Prolonged Grief Disorder. In this in depth and intimate interview, she not only asks about my own grief regarding loss of my father, but she tells us the how and why we experience grief the way we do. please check out the website http://complicatedgrief.columbia.edu for more resources.

As physicians, we have only learned to keep going. When we get into school, it feels like we are on a conveyor belt that we cannot get off of no matter what. Some people bend, but most people break. Not because they do not have what it takes, but because medicine takes so much from you. It is my absolute pleasure to share the story of Air Force Captain Jillian Rigert, DMD, MD with you. She went through so many ups and downs of self doubt, anxiety, anorexia, depression and suicidal ideation, but had the courage to come through creating a life on purpose.

"Why me?" This can be the first thought that comes to our mind when things go wrong. This can be with a new cancer diagnosis or when what you were setting out to do falls apart. Why not you? Can you rethink what is happening in your life so that you can change the "It's not fair" drama into "Nothing has gone wrong". The simplest way I can think about it is this: why not you? The universe does not owe us anything. Once we embrace this thought, navigating the full human experience becomes so much intentionally meaningful. Join me as I dive in deep.