Healing Medicine: Mindfulness, Mindset & Physician Well-Being

What if love doesn’t look like fixing, managing, and controlling?  What if letting go is the most loving thing you could do? Today's episode shares the story of what becomes possible when we choose peace over control.  Our guest is Carol Howe, a school psychologist whom I met through a virtual Women of Dartmouth event in 2023. Her story is a testament to how the tools and wisdom of coaching are helpful well beyond the realm of healthcare. Her story illustrates how the most significant change always comes from within. Carol shares how coaching helped her move from feeling overwhelmed, resentful, and helpless in the wake of family mental health struggles and marital stress, to a place of peace, trust, and presence - without anyone else having to change. Pearls of Wisdom: You don’t have to fix it to love it. Real love doesn't come from fixing, managing, or controlling—it comes from presence, compassion, and acceptance (even when you don’t like something). Be the lighthouse. When others are riding waves of emotion, your steadiness is the greatest gift you can offer. It starts with caring for yourself first. Just like me. This simple phrase softens resentment and reconnects you to the humanity in the people around you, even when they can’t or don’t want to change. Change begins with you. Nothing outside you has to change for you to feel more peaceful and empowered inside. Your story shapes your life. Carol’s powerful insight came when she realized the life she had once written as a “future story” had come true—because of how she chose to think, feel, and show up. Reflection Questions: What might “being the lighthouse” look like in your life today? Where are you stuck in fixing, managing, or controlling? What if letting go created more connection? What story are you telling yourself about your relationships—and what story do you want to tell in the future? Whether you're navigating challenges in your marriage, with your children, or within yourself, coaching offers the kind of compassionate, forward-focused support that can truly change your life—no matter your profession or background. If Carol’s story inspired you or you're feeling stuck, lost, or desperate for change, 1:1 and/or group coaching may be precisely the shift you need. Learn more and sign up for coaching here: www.jessiemahoneymd.com/coaching If you're craving peace, rest, and a beautiful place to begin your own transformation, I warmly invite you to join me on retreat: www.jessiemahoneymd.com/retreats If you’d like to bring this kind of compassionate, healing conversation to your institution, conference, or organization, I would love to come speak to your group. Learn more about my talks and workshops here: www.jessiemahoneymd.com/speaking My co host Dr. Ni-Cheng Liang, also brings mindfulness to the broader healthcare community through breath, presence, and healing workshops. Learn more about her offerings here: www.awakenbreath.org Nothing shared in the Healing Medicine Podcast is medical advice.  

Whether you're in perimenopause, menopause, or postmenopause—or supporting someone who is—this episode is full of gentle truths and nourishing permission to live this season with intention, softness, and spaciousness. Dr. Susan Baumgaertel is a profoundly thoughtful and creative physician who passionately reframes menopause around nourishment, pleasure, and presence at its center. With decades of experience in internal medicine and a unique blend of architectural and artistic insight, Susan offers a menu of supportive, holistic, and empowering approaches for midlife and beyond. Susan shares her own personal and professional pivots, the birth of her book The Menopause Menu, and how she is using her voice and wisdom to help women navigate midlife on their own terms—without overwhelm, shame, or shoulds. Pearls of Wisdom: Menopause can be a time of pleasure, choice, and curiosity—not just a list of things to fix. Think of it as a nourishing multi-course "menu", not a checklist. Small, thoughtful shifts what Susan calls “micro-pivots” and can lead to meaningful transformation. You don’t have to throw it all out to create a new path. Rather than immediately reaching for a solution, take time to pause, reflect, and listen to your body. Sustainable nourishment comes from alignment, not urgency. Food, body image, and health can all be approached with compassion and joy. Sugar can be healing. A walk can be creative. Your body can be art. The system may be broken, but your experience doesn’t have to be. Personal time, presence, and honest conversations with yourself can make a profound difference. Reflection Questions: What would love do for you in menopause? What’s on your personal “menopause menu”? What are you choosing to nourish yourself with? How might you meet yourself with more grace and curiosity in this phase of life? What story are you telling about your body, and what would it feel like to tell a more generous one? If you're seeking deeper support during your own transition into midlife or menopause. I invite you to join me for 1:1 coaching, where you can rediscover ease, purpose, and peace in this next phase of life: www.jessiemahoneymd.com/coaching Or nourish yourself at a restorative, plant-forward retreat with me and like-minded women physicians: www.jessiemahoneymd.com/retreats If you're interested in inviting me or Dr. Susan Bange to speak or lead a workshop for your team, conference, or institution, reach out here: www.jessiemahoneymd.com/speaking You can find Susan and her work including her book, "The Menopause Menu", and her new conversation series “Voices with Vigor” at www.menopausemenu.com. Her refreshing and wise perspective offers a breath of fresh air in today’s noisy menopause space.   More about Dr. Susan Baumgaertel She began her internal medicine practice in 1996, encompassing a wide range of clinical work over the years. In 2021, she stepped away from direct patient care to expand her impact through myMDadvocate, a virtual consultation and advocacy service that serves as a bridge between patients and the often-complex healthcare system. As a physician consultant, healthcare navigator, and medical advocate, she helps people navigate a range of issues, from referral advocacy and chronic condition management to aging gracefully and supporting caregivers through their most challenging moments. Her passion for helping women through life transitions led to the creation of MenopauseMenu, a comprehensive online resource offering evidence-based information and holistic support. This work formed the foundation for her 2023 book, “The Menopause Menu”—an all-in-one guide that transforms medical complexity into accessible wisdom. She has just launched a talk show, Voices With Vigor, showcasing guests from diverse backgrounds who share common threads of curiosity, kindness, dedication, and resilience.  Nothing shared in the Healing Medicine Podcast is medical advice.

Parenting doesn’t end when our children turn 18—it simply changes. Parenting young adult children encompasses a full spectrum of emotions such as joy, pride, longing, and grief. It requires a reevaluation of what it means to be a mother. In this heartfelt solo episode, I share truths about parenting grown children, a role that is rarely talked about. I share the joys, grief, and surprising lessons of parenting young adult children. I offer what I hope is grounding wisdom for embracing the ongoing transitions. Whether your kids are in college, starting careers, or building families of their own, this stage is filled with change, growth, and the need for a new kind of connection.  It is a tender, bittersweet season of parenting. A phase that requires a reevaluation of what it means to be a mother. I explore how to stay connected while letting go, how to trust your adult children, and how to show up with curiosity, compassion, and love even as your role shifts from daily involvement to occasional invitations.  Parenting young adults is a long game. Your relationship as adults will last far longer than the childhood years. Curiosity, compassion, trust, and emotional spaciousness are the keys to connection in this season. You can let go while still feeling deeply and accepting change doesn’t mean you stop caring. Reflection Questions: How do you want to show up as a parent in this new chapter? What would love do in your relationship with your young adult child? If you are ready to step more fully into this next chapter of life—whether you are redefining your role as a parent, finding your passions, or learning to let go with love—join me at one of my upcoming retreats at www.jessiemahoneymd.com/retreats.  For coaching support as you navigate these transitions, visit www.jessiemahoneymd.com/coaching. If you would like to hire me or Dr. Liang to speak or lead a workshop for your team, institution, or conference, please reach out at www.jessiemahoneymd.com/speaking or www.awakenbreath.org. Nothing shared in the Healing Medicine Podcast is medical advice.  

What if one introduction could change the entire trajectory of your career or someone else's? This week's episode is an invitation to reflect on the ripple effect of referrals, recommendations, and authentic support, especially among women in medicine. As women in medicine, we haven't always supported one another well.  In honor of Women in Medicine Month, this episode is an encouragement to change that. I share how one beautiful moment of being recommended felt - a sense of deep gratitude, renewed purpose, and the powerful realization that women have the capacity to lift one another in ways that shift not just careers, but culture. Building circles of support can bring  joy, meaning, and positive change into our personal and professional lives.  Whether you're a natural connector or a quiet introvert, listen for practical ways to build deeper relationships, give generously, and receive with grace. Pearls of Wisdom: Referrals and recommendations aren’t promotion, they’re acts of trust, generosity, and cultural change. Supporting another woman in medicine creates ripple effects far beyond what you may see or know. Authentic connections are more impactful than loud visibility. One meaningful recommendation is powerful. Don’t need to amplify everything. Simply share what you genuinely love and believe in. Deep, one-on-one conversations are as powerful and more meaningful than large-scale networking. Reflection Questions: Who is one woman in medicine you could lift up this week through a referral, recommendation, or kind word? How would it feel to give that kind of support freely, with love? What ripple effect might you create by sharing authentically the work of someone you admire? We close this episode with an invitation to become a connector. Even if you're an introvert, even if you're just starting out, one referral, one introduction, or one moment of amplifying someone else's light can change everything for that person - and for you! If this conversation inspires you, consider sharing it with a woman in medicine you admire.  If you’re ready to create deeper, more aligned connections in your own life and career, I’d love to support you with mindful coaching www.jessiemahoneymd.com/coaching. To retreat with me and step into more aligned leadership and connection, explore upcoming retreats at www.jessiemahoneymd.com/retreats. 2025 retreats are all sold out but I would love to meet you in 2026. To bring conversations like this to your team or institution, connect with Dr. Jessie Mahoney at  www.jessiemahoneymd.com/speaking or connect with Dr. Liang at www.awakenbreath.org. Nothing shared in the Healing Medicine Podcast is medical advice.  

Have you ever stayed in something longer than you knew was right—because it wasn’t terrible, and it seemed like the “responsible” thing to do?  This week, we invite you into a mindful conversation about the powerful concept of graduating and outgrowing roles rather than quitting. What if moving on didn’t mean giving up—but meant you’ve outgrown, evolved, and are ready for what’s next? Listen to learn how to recognize that moment, navigate it with grace, and honor the growth that brought you to this turning point. Whether you're feeling restless in a professional role, a volunteer commitment, or a title that no longer fits, this episode is a gentle reminder that permission to move forward comes from within. Pearls of Wisdom: Graduating is a celebration of growth—quitting is not the only story available. Feeling uninspired, bored, or disconnected might be your inner wisdom inviting you forward. You don’t have to wait until you’re depleted or miserable to make a change. Mindfully leaving can create space for the transformation of yours and others’. Leadership sometimes means stepping aside, making room for new voices and fresh energy. Reflection Questions: What in your life feels like a graduation that’s waiting to happen? If you trusted your body’s wisdom, what might you step away from? What new chapter might be waiting if only you created the space to let it arrive? In this episode, I share a powerful tool I learned from Martha Beck- The Body Compass. This tool, when done well,l can help you release fear-based decision-making. If you're navigating a transition—or even just wondering whether it's time to move on from something that no longer aligns—this episode offers loving guidance and encouragement. If you’re ready to find what’s next, I invite you to explore a mindful coaching partnership with me at www.jessiemahoneymd.com/coaching.  Joining me for a retreat is also a great option. All fall 2025 retreats are sold out, but I would love to meet you in 2026. Now is the time to plan if you want to carve out a transformative space for reflection, healing, and new beginnings: www.jessiemahoneymd.com/retreats. To bring this conversation to your team, institution, or conference, learn more about speaking opportunities with me at www.jessiemahoneymd.com/speaking, or connect with Dr. Liang at www.awakenbreath.org. Nothing shared in the Healing Medicine Podcast is medical advice.  

Whether you're a physician, a parent of young athletes, or someone exploring your own healing journey, this episode is a reminder that healing isn’t always found in a prescription pad, it might be found in motion. Episode Summary: Have you ever felt there had to be more to practicing medicine? That healing could happen beyond prescriptions and procedures? In this powerful and heartwarming episode, we welcome Dr. Amy Valasek, a Presidential Award winning pediatric sports medicine physician, group fitness instructor, and mom of two athletes, as she shares how she integrated movement and joy into her medical practice. Reuniting after 20 years since medical school, host Dr. Ni-Cheng Liang and Dr. Valasek dive into the transformative power of physical activity—for themselves, their patients, and their families. Special Guest: Dr. Amy Valasek is a physician at Nationwide Children's Sports Medicine and an associate professor at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. A graduate of the University of Maryland School of Medicine (Class of 2005), she is board-certified in sports medicine, a Les Mills certified instructor, and winner of the 2024 President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition Community Leadership Award.   🔑 In This Episode, We Explore: Dr. Valasek’s journey from traditional sports medicine to incorporating Les Mills group fitness classes into her clinical care How she overcame resistance and embraced innovation in healing The emotional and psychological benefits of group movement for patients and for Dr. Valasek, herself. Insights for parents of youth athletes and her philosophy on multi-sport participation The healing power of movement for people of all ages from kids to those with chronic illnesses     🏃‍♀️ Movement as Medicine: Dr. Valasek’s approach challenges the status quo of medical practice by bringing patients into fitness spaces and out of purely clinical spaces. From youth athletes to entire communities, her work exemplifies how movement can be a healing modality in and of itself.   🧠 Takeaways for Healers & Listeners: Movement is medicine for mind, body, and spirit Resistance to change is normal and curiosity can lead the way There’s room in medicine for joy, creativity, and connection 🔗 Connect with Dr. Amy Valasek: Amy.Valasek@nationwidechildrens.org   🌟 Join Our Community: Mindful Healthcare Collective – Join us on Facebook or at mindfulhealthcarecollective.com to explore mindfulness and healing with fellow healthcare professionals Want us to lead or host a healing workshop or retreat? Contact Dr. Ni-Cheng Liang or Dr. Jessie Mahoney to bring wellness to your colleagues. Move beyond consuming this amazing podcast. True change happens when you work with us - virtually and/or in-person. Coach with Jessie - 1:1, in topic-focused small groups, or at a retreat. www.jessiemahoneymd.com Work with both of us in person at The Mindful Healers Annual Retreat www.jessiemahoneymd.com/retreats Hire one or both of us to speak or lead a workshop on any topic covered in the Mindful Healers Podcast. We also create team retreats, teach yoga, and offer experiential mindfulness for teams, groups, grand rounds, institutions, and conferences. www.jessiemahoneymd.com/mindful-healers-podcast www.awakenbreath.org  www.jessiemahoneymd.com/speaking *Nothing shared in the Mindful Healers Podcast is medical advice.  

What can gardening teach us about life, medicine, and mindful living?  In this conversation, we explore the parallels between tending plants and tending ourselves. From planting seeds to harvesting fruit, every stage in the garden offers lessons about patience, presence, letting go of control, and trusting the natural rhythm of growth. Whether you’re an experienced gardener, a houseplant enthusiast, or simply plant-curious, you’ll hear insights, humor, and inspiration to deepen your connection to nature—and yourself. Pearls of Wisdom: Begin where you are—growth starts with action, not perfection. The best lessons in patience come from nature’s timeline, not our own. Letting go of control allows room for unexpected beauty and resilience. Pruning and “deadheading” aren’t just for plants—they’re a metaphor for focusing energy on what matters most. Gardens thrive in community, just as we do. Reflection Questions: Where in your life might you create more space and light for growth? What would you prune away to direct energy toward what matters most? How can you honor the seasons and cycles in your own life and work? Take a moment to stay mindful at the end of the episode and practice grounding yourself, just as plants root into the earth. If you’d like to experience mindful presence and community in person, join me for a retreat at www.jessiemahoneymd.com/retreats, explore coaching at https://www.jessiemahoneymd.com/coaching, or learn more about my speaking engagements at www.jessiemahoneymd.com/speaking. Dr. Liang also offers workshops and speaking for healthcare and wellness communities at www.awakenbreath.org. We invite you to share this episode with a friend who loves gardening—or who could use a reminder to slow down and savor the process. Nothing shared in the Healing Medicine Podcast is medical advice.  

What if smaller wasn’t a limitation, but a superpower?  We explore the countercultural truth that success doesn’t always mean scaling up—it can mean rooting down. Inspired by Bo Burlingham’s book Small Giants, we reflect on companies and people who intentionally choose depth, intimacy, and meaning over sheer size.  We discuss how “great instead of big” has led us to more fulfillment, deeper connection, and increased joy.  You’ll hear our personal stories and be invited to rethink how you measure success—whether that's in medicine, business, or simply being human. Pearls of Wisdom: Fulfillment can be your ultimate measure of success—quality, mastery, and purpose often matter more than numbers or scale. Being “small” can deepen roots, strengthen community, and preserve your values. Intimacy—whether with patients, clients, or community—creates an impact that scale can’t always replicate. You can intentionally design your “company culture,” whether that’s your workplace, your family, or your ecosystem. Choosing less can often give you so much more. Reflection Questions: What would it look like for you to be a “small giant” in your own life? How might you choose quality, intimacy, and depth instead of scale, speed, or more? Where could you deepen your roots instead of stretching yourself thinner? If you’d like to bring this kind of mindful, intentional leadership into your life and work, I invite you to join me for coaching or a retreat at www.jessiemahoneymd.com or learn more about my speaking offerings at www.jessiemahoneymd.com/speaking.  Dr. Liang also offers workshops and speaking engagements at www.awakenbreath.org. We are, proudly, a small giant—-rooted in connection, intimacy, and the belief that depth changes lives. Nothing shared in the Healing Medicine Podcast is medical advice.  

What if your relationship with the robots—the algorithms, the bots, and the emerging AI tools—could be approached with softness and intention, just like any other relationship in your life? A playful yet grounding episode, exploring the rise of artificial intelligence through a lens of mindful curiosity, wonder, and loving amusement.  Rather than catastrophizing or glorifying AI, we explore how it might become a creative collaborator, a mirror for our own biases, and a surprising connector across generations.  As physicians and humans navigating change, our invitation is to approach this new reality with open hearts and hands wide open. Pearls of Wisdom: Mindfulness provides a robust framework for engaging with technology—not out of fear or resistance, but with intentionality, presence, and curiosity. AI reflects how we interact with it—when we ask thoughtful questions, we receive thoughtful answers. It's a mirror of our energy, not just our words. While AI can save time and support creativity, it cannot replicate the nuance, compassion, and healing presence of human connection. Wonder, loving amusement, and discernment are vital tools for navigating rapid technological change. Mindfully choosing how we relate to AI—just as we do with any relationship—gives us back our power and deepens our humanity. Reflection Questions: What emotions come up for you when you hear the word "AI"? Can you allow them all to be present? In what ways could AI support your values, creativity, or time? How might you bring intentionality and kindness into your relationship with the machines? If you're feeling called to explore your relationship with change, creativity, or your work in healthcare, I invite you to consider coaching with me. Whether you're navigating new technology or seeking more meaningful connections in your life and career, coaching creates space for clarity, intention, and aligned action. Learn more here: https://www.jessiemahoneymd.com/coaching If you're curious about what’s possible when you step away from the machines and into spaciousness, join me for an upcoming retreat: www.jessiemahoneymd.com/retreats And if you’d like to bring this mindful approach to your team, institution, or event, I offer workshops and talks that integrate mindfulness, leadership, and well-being: www.jessiemahoneymd.com/speaking. Dr. Ni-Cheng Liang is also available to speak and lead mindfulness sessions. Learn more at: www.awakenbreath.org Nothing shared in the Healing Medicine Podcast is medical advice.  

Were you the one who always held it together? The responsible one?  The one who made sure everyone else was okay—sometimes at the cost of your own well-being?  In this episode, we explore what it means to grow up as the eldest daughter—and how the roles we took on early in life may have shaped how we show up as women, physicians, caretakers, and leaders.  Whether or not you're technically the eldest daughter, if you're a woman in medicine, you may recognize yourself in this conversation.  Together, we share our personal stories, the burdens we unknowingly took on, and the healing that’s possible through mindfulness, self-compassion, and intention. Pearls of Wisdom: Eldest daughter syndrome often mirrors what is expected in medicine: overresponsibility, emotional caretaking, perfectionism, and silent overwhelm. Mindful awareness helps us gently unpack the roots of these tendencies—where they began and why they persist—without blame or shame. Healing begins with recognition and continues with rest, boundaries, support, and a willingness to unlearn. You are allowed to stop carrying it all. And doing so may be the most loving act for yourself and those around you. Therapy, coaching, rest, and mindfulness are all powerful pathways to releasing what was never meant to be yours alone to hold. Reflection Questions: When did you first feel like it was your job to hold it all together? What have you mistaken for compassion that was self-abandonment? What might reclaiming your story look like now—with boundaries, rest, and gentleness? Are there areas where forgiveness—for yourself or others—might bring relief? Stay with us until the end for a grounding mindful moment—a space to breathe, feel, and explore what you’ve been holding... and what you might lovingly choose to lay down. If you’re ready to stop carrying it all—and begin honoring your own needs with compassion—consider joining me for coaching: https://www.jessiemahoneymd.com/coaching For deeper integration and connection with others who share your lived experience, I warmly invite you to join a retreat: www.jessiemahoneymd.com/retreats If your organization or institution is seeking healing, inclusive conversations, and support around leadership, well-being, and identity, I would love to speak or lead a workshop for your group: www.jessiemahoneymd.com/speaking Dr. Ni-Cheng Liang is also available to bring her expertise and compassionate voice to your team or conference. Learn more at www.awakenbreath.org Nothing shared in the Healing Medicine Podcast is medical advice.  

I am beyond delighted to share this beautiful conversation with Diana May, the yoga teacher who first taught me how to teach yoga.  If you’ve ever practiced yoga with me, you, too, have been touched by Diana’s powerful, nurturing teachings.  In this rich and heartfelt episode, we explore how both of us and the practice of yoga itself have evolved over the years.  Our conversation is a journey through yoga, chronic pain, trauma, somatics, and the profound wisdom of the nervous system. Diana is a yoga teacher, somatic experiencing practitioner, applied neurology educator, and expert retreat facilitator. She brings a deeply compassionate and science-informed approach to healing through movement.  We share a gentle approach to reclaiming vitality, safety, and ease in your body.  We reflect on what it means to reconnect to your body, especially in midlife, after trauma, in menopause, or perimenopause, or when living with chronic pain. Pearls of Wisdom: Yoga is so much more than movement. Yoga is a pathway to remembering who you are beneath all the layers of expectation, perfectionism, and societal “shoulds.” Trauma-informed yoga is about agency, choice, and offering people the safety to meet themselves exactly where they are with compassion, not judgment. Chronic pain and trauma often live in the nervous system, not just the body. Healing occurs through slow, intentional movement informed by the rhythms of the nervous system. Pleasure is not optional. It’s a necessary part of nervous system regulation and healing. Practices that orient you toward ease, rest, and joy are essential especially during menopause or transitions. Retreats offer profound co-regulation, nature-based healing, and space to be your full, human self that is tender, real, and whole. If this episode resonates with you, consider joining me for an upcoming Pause & Presence retreat. A space to soften, reconnect, and listen deeply to what your nervous system truly needs. www.jessiemahoneymd.com/retreats If you’d like support as you navigate chronic pain, midlife transitions, or healing from burnout, I offer mindful coaching to help you reclaim vitality and peace. Learn more at: https://www.jessiemahoneymd.com/coaching If you’d like to bring a conversation like this to your team, institution, or conference, I offer speaking and workshop facilitation on healing through mindfulness and movement: www.jessiemahoneymd.com/speaking To learn more about Diana May’s work, including her yoga classes, retreats, and somatic coaching, visit her at https://www.dianamay.com/ Nothing shared in the Healing Medicine Podcast is medical advice.  

“Aging isn't just about getting older; it's about growing more evolved each day.  More nuanced, more enriched. More beautiful. More ourselves” - Emily Dickinson How do we age with softness?  How do we approach a birthday—or a fertility milestone—with compassion instead of judgment?  In this rich and heart-forward conversation, I join Dr. Erica Bove, my birthday twin, to explore what it means to see with the heart, especially in moments of uncertainty, grief, and growth. Dr. Erica Bove is a reproductive endocrinologist and integrative fertility coach for women physicians. She is a beloved retreat participant who shares candid reflections about her experience at not one, but two of my retreats.  This podcast episode was recorded for her podcast, Love and Science Fertility. We recorded it in celebration of our upcoming birthdays. This is what she has to say about the episode –  “With the growth of the Love and Science community, it feels like we are constantly navigating a birthday in the group. Birthdays are often fraught with many complexities-- grief for where we thought we would be by now, cognitive dissonance of people wanting to celebrate us when we feel sad and angry, and also the sheer fact that our ovaries are getting older.  I've known Dr. Jessie Mahoney for a long time; in fact, we share the same birthday. July is our birthday month, so we decided to team up and share our wisdom about birthdays. We hope to share a fresh perspective on birthdays. I look to her for wisdom and guidance, and I'm sure you will feel the depth of her presence when you listen.” In this episode, we discuss birthdays as soulful markers of time and growth, how expectations can shift into intentions, and what it means to return to yourself with tenderness, especially in the face of challenges. This episode is a mindful invitation to pause and reflect on how far you’ve come, what you’ve learned, and who you’re becoming. Pearls of Wisdom: Replacing expectations with intentions opens space for softness, peace, and joy, especially around birthdays and timelines. Fertility journeys can feel like a relentless race against time, but when we pause to look through the lens of growth and wisdom, we find we are never moving backwards. Self-compassion is not optional—it's essential. Learning to see with the heart invites healing, clarity, and grounded decision-making. We are not meant to carry everything alone. Being part of a loving, mindful community changes everything. The nervous system responds to intentional calm. Creating space for reflection and stillness isn’t indulgent—it’s medicine. Reflection Questions: What do you know this year that you didn’t know last year? How are you not alone in your current journey? What would your future, wisest self wish you had done more of this year? If this episode resonates with you, I invite you to explore how Pause and Presence retreats can offer you a transformational reset.  Whether you're seeking grounding, clarity, or simply a breath of fresh air in your life, you'll return home with renewed energy and wisdom that lasts. Visit www.jessiemahoneymd.com/retreats to learn more. Mindful coaching also offers tremendous support for transformation and a reset.  www.jessiemahoneymd.com/coaching.  If you're a team, institution, or conference seeking a speaker or workshop on mindfulness, leadership, or healing in medicine, please contact me at www.jessiemahoneymd.com/speaking. To experience more of Dr. Erica Bove’s integrative fertility wisdom, or to invite her to speak or teach, visit www.loveandsciencefertility.com. Nothing shared in the Healing Medicine Podcast is medical advice.  

Have you ever found yourself asking, Why can’t they just…? or Why are they doing this to me? These questions often swirl through our minds during frustrating moments on the road, at work, in our relationships, or even in response to news headlines and legislation.  They come with a heavy emotional toll. Today, we explore the actual cost of resisting reality.  We share vulnerable personal stories, practical tools, and insights from lived experiences that help soften the inner storm and shift us toward mindful acceptance.  You'll learn how to move from reactivity and depletion to intentional response and inner steadiness, even in the face of injustice, disappointment, or chaos. This episode is a call to pause, feel, and choose love over resistance, without bypassing the hard stuff.  We offer gentle practices and an empowering new lens to meet the human experience with compassion. Pearls of Wisdom: Resisting reality, whether in policy, traffic, or personal relationships, drains your emotional and energetic resources. Acceptance isn’t resignation; it’s acknowledging what is so that you can choose your response with clarity and care. Mindful practices like “R.A.I.N.” or “RainR” help you feel your emotions fully and shift out of resistance with grace. Humor, curiosity, and generous narratives can support the acceptance process when feelings of anger or sadness feel overwhelming. You can’t control others’ actions or thoughts, but you can ground yourself in your values and intentional responses. Reflection Questions: When I ask, “Why can’t they...?” how do I feel—empowered, or depleted? What am I currently resisting—and what is it costing me? How might I allow myself to feel my emotions without judgment? What would a wise, compassionate next step look like? Stay until the end for a calming, mindful moment designed to help you ground, release resistance, and gently return to a state of peace.     If this episode resonates and you're navigating resistance in your own life, join Jessie for a retreat where we practice letting go, feeling fully, and moving forward with strength and softness: www.jessiemahoneymd.com/retreats. For 1:1 support on your journey toward inner steadiness, alignment, and healing, explore mindful coaching with Jessie at https://www.jessiemahoneymd.com/coaching. To bring this kind of healing wisdom to your team, institution, or event, reach out to invite Dr. Jessie Mahoney or Dr. Ni-Cheng Liang to speak or lead a workshop: Jessie: www.jessiemahoneymd.com/speaking Ni-Cheng: www.awakenbreath.org Nothing shared in the Healing Medicine Podcast is medical advice.  

A real-time invitation to pause, reflect, and integrate. In this special mid-year episode,  we offer you the spaciousness and tools to reconnect with your intentions, acknowledge your growth, and mindfully marinate in what matters most.  We reflect openly on our guiding words for the year—how they’ve supported us, challenged us, and shaped our journeys so far.  With humor, honesty, and heart, we invite you to slow down and notice what’s working, what’s shifted, and what your future self will thank you for. This is an imperfect, spontaneous practice of self-kindness—and a gentle reminder that true healing happens not just through action but through thoughtful integration. Pearls of Wisdom: Reflecting mid-year is a powerful way to integrate growth and move forward with clarity and intention. Questions like “What have I done well?” and “What’s bringing me joy?” help retrain our brains toward positive attention and away from perfectionism. Your words of the year—whether you remember all of them or just one—can serve as wise, compassionate guides when revisited with openness. Resting, in all its forms, is not a pause from progress—it is progress. You don’t have to answer every question, or reflect perfectly; this is about practicing awareness with kindness. Reflection Questions: What have I done well? What has gone well? What is working well? What’s bringing you joy, delight, or fun? What have you loved so far this year? What will your future self thank you for spending more time on in the next six months? Allow yourself to answer only what resonates and let the rest marinate. Let this be a moment to reset with kindness. Stay until the end for a grounding mindful moment of reflection—an opportunity to fully pause, breathe, and let the insights of this episode settle gently into your heart.     If this episode resonated with you and you're longing to explore your own healing, reflection, or transformation journey, I would love to support you.  Join me for a retreat in 2025 while there are still a few spots left: www.jessiemahoneymd.com/retreats. To explore mindful coaching that creates space for growth and integration, visit https://www.jessiemahoneymd.com/coaching.  If you’d like to bring this type of reflection, rest, and reintegration into your organization or conference, reach out to invite Dr. Mahoney or Dr. Ni-Cheng Liang to speak or lead a transformative workshop: Jessie: www.jessiemahoneymd.com/speaking Ni-Cheng: www.awakenbreath.org Let’s keep creating space for healing—one pause, one breath, one moment at a time. Nothing shared in the Healing Medicine Podcast is medical advice.  

How many conversations in medicine today focus on how hard and how broken things are? This episode is a hopeful and grounded counterpoint. Enjoy a rich and thoughtful conversation with Dr. Jed Wolpaw, an anesthesiologist, critical care physician, educator, and host of the beloved medical education podcast ACRAC (Anesthesia and Critical Care Reviews and Commentary)  Jed and I first connected at a speaker's dinner at the Holiday Seminars Anesthesia Conference in Aspen this winter. We bonded over our shared experiences as physician educators, parents, and advocates for cultivating wellness in medicine. Dr. Wolpaw is the residency program director for anesthesiology at Johns Hopkins.  His grounded optimism and lived wisdom offer a refreshing and insightful look at what true wellness can look like during medical training.  He also shares wise words about cultivating meaningful and sustainable careers in academic medicine and beyond. We dive deep into how training can be fulfilling, why leadership matters, and what it takes to build teams and systems that support thriving, not just surviving. Pearls of Wisdom: Wellness in medicine doesn't require perfection, but it does require intention, connection, and focusing on what truly matters. Meaning and fulfillment are protective. Doing something hard (like residency) can be energizing if we’re supported, connected, and focused on the purpose behind the work. Training systems can and must evolve. Offering flexibility, encouraging open dialogue, and creating a culture where people feel safe and seen matters deeply. Judging less and building more—especially in leadership roles—is how we create teams people want to be a part of. Mindset, expectations, and energy management matter more than time management. Focusing on what energizes you is often the most resilient path forward. Reflection Questions: What gives you energy during your day, and how might you shift more attention toward that? What kind of team member are you, and how are you contributing to the culture you want to be a part of? If you're in a leadership role, how are you creating safe spaces for people to be honest, grow, and feel supported? If you're ready to create your own sustainable path in medicine, I invite you to work with me. Whether 1:1 or as part of a small group, you will learn tools to bring intention, compassion, and creativity to leadership, doctoring, and life. Learn more at: https://www.jessiemahoneymd.com/coaching You’re also warmly invited to one of my signature restorative retreats, designed specifically for physicians seeking to reconnect, recalibrate, and realign. Find upcoming retreats at: www.jessiemahoneymd.com/retreats If you’re a medical leader or educator and would like to bring me to speak or lead a workshop for your institution, team, or conference, reach out via www.jessiemahoneymd.com/speaking . Connect with Dr. Wolpaw through his podcast at www.acrac.com. Nothing shared in the Healing Medicine Podcast is medical advice.  

This episode is an invitation to allow joy, play, and fun to take their rightful place in your life—without guilt, resistance, or apology. Beni Seballos, a family physician, mom, wife, daughter, and radiant soul shares how she went from overwhelmed and over-responsible to energized, creative, and genuinely happy. Beni transformed her from a life of self‑sacrifice and exhaustion to one of trust, fun, healing, and inspired leadership. Pearls of Wisdom: Joy isn’t frivolous—it’s foundational. Reconnecting with play isn’t about doing more; it’s about living more.  Joy, play, and creativity can flourish alongside medicine.   Defining “what’s my job” helps free up energy for what truly matters and allows others to step up. Fun is a compass, not a reward: when you lean into it without guilt or apology, you invite vitality and connection. True change often starts quietly, within you—but it inevitably ripples outward, positively shifting family dynamics, workplace culture, and your sense of what’s possible. Letting go of over-responsibility, people-pleasing, and perfectionism is uncomfortable—but it clears the way for clarity, connection, and creativity. Coaching and retreat experiences are not for “broken” people—they serve those ready to learn, unlearn, and rediscover vibrancy. Reflection Questions: What brings you joy or fun? What do you do purely for your own delight? How might your life shift if joy, creativity, or play became valid priorities on their own? What routines or roles are simply no longer fun for you—and may be ready to be released? If you’d love to explore what this kind of joyful evolution might look like for you, I invite you to consider joining me for a transformational retreat at www.jessiemahoneymd.com/retreats or working with me one-on-one through coaching at www.jessiemahoneymd.com/coaching. And if you’re looking to bring a fresh, mindful approach to your team or institution, I offer speaking engagements and workshops at www.jessiemahoneymd.com/speaking. You can also connect with Dr. Nichang Liang and explore her beautiful offerings at www.awakenbreath.org. Nothing shared in the Healing Medicine Podcast is medical advice.  

Have ever felt like you had to hide parts of yourself to belong, especially in medicine?  Honoring your truth, even in a high-intensity field like neurosurgery, can lead to deep healing, joy, and a renewed sense of purpose. An intimate and courageous conversation with Dr. Jenny Kang, a neurosurgeon who shares her inspiring story of transformation—one that challenges traditional definitions of success and fulfillment in medicine, particularly for women in surgery.  Jenny and I first connected when she came to a Pause & Presence retreat over a year ago. Since then, she has reconnected with herself, her family, and created a life she loves.  Her story is one of coming home to yourself and standing tall once you get there, even if you work in operating rooms built for much taller people. Pearls of Wisdom: You don’t have to do it the way you were told or even the way you once believed you should. There are many ways to practice medicine with meaning. When women physicians live aligned lives, they bring healing into medicine and themselves. Fulfillment in your career and personal life is not only possible, it’s necessary. Shame often arises when you do things differently in medicine. It doesn't mean you have done something wrong. Creating a life that works for you takes courage, creativity, and compassion—and it’s always worth it. When you let go of the belief that you don’t belong and instead decide that you do, everything begins to shift. Reflection Questions: Where in your life are you living by someone else's mold or definition of success? What would change if you decided you belonged? What parts of your life have you labeled “indulgent” that might actually be essential for your healing and wholeness? If you're ready to design a fulfilling life that fits who you are, I invite you to explore coaching with me at www.jessiemahoneymd.com/coaching. Or join me on a retreat like Jenny did, www.jessiemahoneymd.com/retreats. If you're seeking a speaker or workshop leader for your organization or event, visit www.jessiemahoneymd.com/speaking.  To bring Dr. Ni-Cheng Liang to your audience, visit www.awakenbreath.org. Nothing shared in the Healing Medicine Podcast is medical advice.  

A heartfelt conversation with an ER physician, poet and author.  From a Studio in Oakland, California: 108 Notes on Existence, is a must-read - whether you’re an ER physician, a young adult navigating the uncertainty of life, or someone simply seeking meaning and alignment.  I discovered this book serendipitously a few weeks ago. Enia and I connected via her publicist, who reached out asking if I was interested in receiving a copy of the book. Because the title had the word Oakland in it, near where I grew up, her email caught my eye. Then I saw that an emergency room doctor had written it.  So I said yes.  Once the real book arrived in my real mailbox, it was clear that we were meant to connect.  Every passage resonated deeply.    The book, released in May 2025, is a powerful integration of poetry, soul, and the lived experience of a physician waking up to a life more deeply felt.   It is a beautiful and honest invitation to reconnect with ourselves, especially when we've been trained to disconnect.  Pearls of Wisdom from our conversation: Your soul knows when you’re out of alignment. Dr. Oaks ( a pseudonym) shares how taking a pause—not knowing what came next, was what brought her back to life. We explore the courage it takes to step away from what’s expected to reconnect with what’s real. Disillusionment is a pathway, not a failure. We talk about how medicine teaches us to disconnect, but the cost is profound. Dr. Oaks’ writing gives voice to the silent grief and subtle truths that live within many of us. You don’t need permission to live a beautiful life. Through her reflections and poetic insights, Dr. Oaks reminds us that we are not here to endure life—we are here to feel it, shape it, and choose it. Reflection Questions: What might you discover if you allowed yourself to pause, even for a moment? How might your life shift if you believed you were already whole? What would it feel like to choose a path because it feels right, not just because you can? I encourage you to get yourself a copy of From a Studio in Oakland, California: 108 Notes on Existence.  It's a book to keep close by, to fold the corners of, and return to again and again.   Please share the book, and this podcast conversation, with others. AND please join Enia and me for a book club on July 13th @ 5 pm Pacific on Zoom. More info coming soon. If you're feeling the pull to reconnect with yourself, explore what’s next, or live more fully, join me for a coaching journey at www.jessiemahoneymd.com/coaching.  Evem better, join me in person and come to a retreat where we rediscover alignment, community, and joy: www.jessiemahoneymd.com/retreats. If you’d like to bring a conversation like this to your team, institution, or conference, reach out for speaking opportunities at www.jessiemahoneymd.com/speaking. Connect with Enia Oaks through her website at www.eniaoaks.com. Nothing shared in the Healing Medicine Podcast is medical advice.  

This episode is an invitation to explore travel through a different lens—a mindful one.  Whether you're traveling for work, visiting family, or taking a long-awaited vacation, we hope that this conversation helps you bring more intention, presence, and ease. We offer gentle, grounded tips to help you redefine what success looks like when you travel. It isn't about doing the most or chasing the perfect itinerary. It's about traveling in a way that honors your energy, desires, and well-being. Pearls of Wisdom: Setting a clear intention—before and during travel—transforms the experience from obligation or exhaustion to meaning and presence. Let go of old stories: travel doesn’t need to be long, far, busy, or impressive to be meaningful. Less can be more—and sometimes more is more—when it’s chosen with intention. Be kind to yourself as you plan and move through travel. That might mean fewer obligations, more flexibility, and yes, even booking that easier flight or skipping a hike to rest. Leave room to breathe—literally and figuratively. White space in your itinerary allows for awe, spontaneity, and true connection. Choose presence over pressure. Redefine what a “successful” trip looks like, not by what you see or do, but by how you feel during and after. Reflection Questions: What’s your intention for your next trip? What do you hope to feel, experience, or remember? What would shift if you permitted yourself to travel with more ease? How might your energy, relationships, and memories change if you traveled from presence, not pressure? What would it feel like to create space for rest, awe, or mindful moments while you're away? At the end of the episode, you’ll hear a touching story of a simple walk to pick up pizza that became a treasured moment—a beautiful reminder that presence is what makes memories magic. If this conversation resonated with you, and you’re longing to move through life, work, or travel with more intention, consider reaching out to Jessie for coaching. Together, we can explore your path forward both at home and while traveling, with more clarity and ease. If your team, department, or institution is looking to bring more mindfulness and wellbeing into how they live, work, and lead, reach out to Jessie for a talk and workshop. Connect with Dr. Ni-Cheng Liang and her beautiful work at www.awakenbreath.org. Nothing shared in the Healing Medicine Podcast is medical advice.  

A deeply personal and inspiring episode that invites you to gently explore a question many of us were never taught to ask: What are you proud of—about yourself?  In this heart-opening conversation, we share honest reflections on identity, humility, and the discomfort so many of us feel around owning our success.  You’ll hear personal stories about pride, parenting, professional pivots, and the quiet courage it takes to celebrate yourself out loud. You’ll also hear how this question has become a meaningful part of Jessie’s retreats and how it has changed lives, including her own. Pearls of Wisdom: Feeling proud is not the same as arrogance—it’s a practice of self-recognition and self-love that can shift everything from imposter syndrome to confidence. Many high achievers, especially women and physicians, have been conditioned to deflect compliments and downplay their accomplishments. When we choose to own our worth, we give others permission to do the same. Redefining success on your own terms allows for authenticity, joy, and a more aligned life—one not driven by ego, but by meaning and values. Celebrating our contributions—no matter how small—helps us show up brighter, more inspired, and more grounded in purpose. Pride often involves courage: moving practices, raising children, recovering from illness, creating businesses, setting boundaries, and choosing aligned paths all take intentional effort and bravery. Reflection Questions: What are you proud of—about yourself? What’s your current definition of success, and does it reflect what you truly value? Is there something you need to let go of to define success on your own terms? What might shift if you stopped deflecting praise and began celebrating your contributions? What’s one thing you’ll commit to owning more fully going forward? If this conversation resonates with you and you’re ready to explore your worth, voice, and purpose in a deeper way, consider joining Jessie for a retreat at www.jessiemahoneymd.com/retreats or for coaching at www.jessiemahoneymd.com/coaching. These spaces are crafted for exactly this kind of transformation. If you’d like to bring this conversation to your team or audience, We both offer speaking and workshops at www.jessiemahoneymd.com/speaking. And www.awakenbreath.org. *Nothing shared in the Healing Medicine Podcast is medical advice.