Surgeon, Interrupted

In this episode of Surgeon, Interrupted, oral and maxillofacial surgery resident Dr. Claudia Dukler shares her journey as a first-generation Ukrainian American and the daughter of a dentist who inspired her path. She reflects on the balance between compassion and confidence in surgical culture, pushing back against the idea that kindness is weakness. From navigating a male-dominated specialty to staying grounded in her identity, Dr. Dukler offers an honest look at what it means to lead — and care — in modern medicine.Host: Frances Mei Hardin, MDGuest: Claudia Dukler, D.D.S.Connect with Claudia: https://www.instagram.com/claudiaduklerPresented by: The Hippocratic CollectiveFollowing Frances Mei on Instagram & Tiktok @francesmeimdAnd subscribe to  ⁨@HippocraticCollective⁩  on Youtube for all of the other shows the Hippocratic Collective has to offer.

After nearly a decade in surgery, I finally stepped away — not just from the operating room, but from the version of myself that could only feel safe inside control. This episode of Surgeon, Interrupted is about what happened when I stopped performing productivity and let my nervous system breathe for the first time in years.For thirty days, I wandered through Europe — Paris, Nice, Lugano, Milan — without a set itinerary or a defined goal. What began as a sabbatical became something deeper: a full-body reset. I learned that healing doesn’t always happen in silence or stillness; sometimes it happens when you let novelty and beauty rewire the way your body experiences safety.In this episode, I unpack what it means to:Let go of rigid timetables and trust spontaneity againDisconnect from the endless stimulation of the digital worldDiscover the difference between necessity and desireRecalibrate a nervous system shaped by years of hypervigilance and performanceReclaim a sense of peace that isn’t conditional on achievementThis is not a travel vlog. It’s an autopsy of being in the wrong career and a love letter to what remains after the unraveling — a reminder that rest can be radical, that stillness can be learned, and that healing sometimes begins not when you return home, but when you allow yourself to get lost.If you’ve ever wondered what might happen if you stopped trying to control every outcome, or if you’ve felt trapped in the rhythm of “always on,” this story is for you.Host: Frances Mei Hardin, MDPresented by: The Hippocratic CollectiveFollowing Frances Mei on Instagram & Tiktok @francesmeimdAnd subscribe to  ⁨@HippocraticCollective⁩  on Youtube for all of the other shows the Hippocratic Collective has to offer.

In this episode of Surgeon, Interrupted, Frances Mei Hardin, MD sits down with Natasha Singareddy, a first-year medical student and Hippocratic Collective intern, to talk about medicine as both an art and an unfinished product. Natasha shares why she chose medicine after experiences in digital health startups, how she leans on gut instinct even when it’s imperfect, and what it means to create guardrails that protect identity and curiosity during training.They also explore love and relationships in medicine - why “parallel pedigree” expectations are outdated, what it means to have a partner outside of medicine, and how the right relationship can regulate your nervous system instead of draining it.This conversation is a reminder that being a great physician starts with preserving your own humanity—your values, your creativity, your relationships, and your trust in yourself.Host: Frances Mei Hardin, MDGuest: Natasha SingareddyConnect with Natasha:https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-singareddy/Presented by: The Hippocratic CollectiveFollow Frances Mei on Instagram & Tiktok @francesmeimdAnd subscribe to  ⁨@HippocraticCollective⁩  on Youtube for all of the other shows the Hippocratic Collective has to offer.

What does it mean to navigate medicine as the eldest daughter of immigrants, a perfectionist student, and now a chief resident in radiation oncology?In this episode of Surgeon, Interrupted, Dr. Christina Huang shares her journey from shy, rule-following child to confident physician leader. We talk about the realities of pre-med pressure, navigating med school and board exams, and the pivot from wanting to be a surgeon to finding her place in radiation oncology.We cover:– Eldest daughter dynamics and the weight of expectations– The pressure cooker of pre-med and med school perfectionism– Burnout, identity crises, and why “pivots” in medicine aren’t failures– Discovering radiation oncology (and what brachytherapy really is)– The power of grassroots culture change in residency and beyondDr. Huang’s story is a reminder that medicine is never a straight path, and that the real strength comes from looking inward, owning your decisions, and helping to create a healthier culture for those who follow.Host: Frances Mei Hardin, MDGuest: Christina Huang, MDPresented by: The Hippocratic CollectiveFollow Frances Mei on Instagram & Tiktok @francesmeimdAnd subscribe to  ⁨@HippocraticCollective⁩  on Youtube for all of the other shows the Hippocratic Collective has to offer.

What does it look like to grow up, and grow together, through residency, marriage, and building a life outside of medicine?In this special anniversary episode of Surgeon, Interrupted, Frances Mei and her husband Colin celebrate nine years since their very first date. They reflect on their engagement, early struggles during residency, and the evolution of their relationship through career pivots, personal growth, and life transitions.They talk about:– The reality behind their engagement story (and a golden-hour fight before the proposal)– Why honesty, direct communication, and not taking things personally became cornerstones of their relationship– How they navigated the chaos of residency and self-discovery as a couple– The importance of trust, humor, and simply enjoying each other’s company over time– Why “interesting” might be the most important trait Colin ever looked for in a partnerThis is a candid, funny, and deeply personal conversation about partnership, growth, and what it means to choose each other, over and over again, for nearly a decade.Host: Frances Mei Hardin, MDPresented by: The Hippocratic CollectiveFollow Frances Mei on Instagram & Tiktok @francesmeimdAnd subscribe to  ⁨@HippocraticCollective⁩  on Youtube for all of the other shows the Hippocratic Collective has to offer.

What happens when you realize your residency isn’t the right fit - after you’ve already started?In this episode of Surgeon, Interrupted, Dr. Olivia Perez (@drliv.md) shares her bold decision to leave family medicine after intern year and successfully reapply to dermatology. She opens up about the doubts, the guilt, and the logistics of making such a high-stakes switch, and why two “lost” years are nothing compared to decades of fulfillment in the right specialty.We talk about:– Recognizing when you’re in the wrong field and finding the courage to pivot– How Dr. Perez navigated ERAS, planning, and backup options– The role of mentorship and seeing examples outside medicine– The psychological fallacies that keep doctors stuck in the wrong path– Why enjoying the day-to-day matters more than chasing the “shiny object” at the endDr. Perez’s story is a powerful reminder that the straight path isn’t the only one, and that sometimes the bravest move is to start over.Host: Frances Mei Hardin, MDGuest: Dr. Liv PerezConnect with Liv:Substack: https://drliv.substack.com/IG & TikTok: @drliv.mdPresented by: The Hippocratic CollectiveFollow Frances Mei on Instagram & Tiktok @francesmeimdAnd subscribe to  ⁨@HippocraticCollective⁩  on Youtube for all of the other shows the Hippocratic Collective has to offer.

What happens when you refuse to be one-dimensional in medicine?In this episode of Surgeon, Interrupted, Dr. Alyssa Cole (@doctor.cole), a PM&R physician specializing in cancer rehabilitation, shares her journey of weaving multiple identities into her career: physician, MBA, pageant competitor, children’s book author, and content creator.We talk about:– Why authenticity, boundaries, and “mosaic careers” matter in medicine– Navigating social media as a physician without compromising professionalism– Pageantry, advocacy, and the lessons she brings back into the clinic– Redefining “influence” in medicine and turning it into inspiration– How Gen Z doctors are reshaping medicine around well-being and humanityDr. Cole’s story is a reminder that being human isn’t a liability in medicine—it’s the point.Host: Frances Mei Hardin, MDGuest: Dr. Alyssa ColeConnect with Alyssa:IG & TikTok: @doctor.coleBlog: https://dailydoseofvita.blogspot.com/Presented by: The Hippocratic CollectiveFollow Frances Mei on Instagram & Tiktok @francesmeimdAnd subscribe to  ⁨@HippocraticCollective⁩  on Youtube for all of the other shows the Hippocratic Collective has to offer.

Dr. Liz Malphrus, chief resident in plastic surgery at the University of Pennsylvania, joins Surgeon, Interrupted to talk about what really matters in medicine today: authenticity, identity, and rewriting the old definitions of success. As a female surgeon in one of the most demanding specialties, Liz opens up about the challenges and triumphs of carving out her own path, reminding us that the journey is both deeply personal and profoundly collective.She shares how her background as a violinist shapes her practice, why career paths don’t have to follow a rigid script, and how younger physicians, especially Gen Z, are shifting medicine toward well-being, inclusivity, and genuine connection.From breaking down outdated notions of prestige to embracing the fluidity of self-identity, this conversation is about more than just surgery. It’s about reclaiming your narrative and building a medical culture where authenticity comes first.Host: Frances Mei Hardin, MDGuest: Liz Malphrus, MDConnect with Liz: IG: @dr.malphrusWebsite: https://www.lizmalphrusmd.com/Substack: https://cutandtell.substack.com/Views are Dr. Malphrus's own and do not represent her training program or institution Presented by: The Hippocratic CollectiveFollow Frances Mei on Instagram & Tiktok @francesmeimdAnd subscribe to  ⁨@HippocraticCollective⁩  on Youtube for all of the other shows the Hippocratic Collective has to offer.

Today, I’m stepping into something I never thought I’d allow myself: a sabbatical. After years of moving at full speed as a surgeon, I’ve finally built in a month to stop, to breathe, and to see what happens when I’m not buried under the weight of clinical responsibility.This isn’t just a vacation. It’s a leap of faith I planned more than a year ago - trading call schedules for train tickets, clinic lists for café tables, and using every travel point I’ve hoarded to make it happen. For five weeks, I’ll wander Paris, the south of France, Milan, and Lugano. I’ll be chasing sunlight, quiet mornings, and maybe finally the ending of the book I’ve been writing for years.In this episode, I share what it takes to actually step away, why most doctors never do, and how I’ve wrestled with giving myself permission to pause. We’ll talk about the logistics of planning a month abroad, the myth that you can’t afford to step off the treadmill, and the truth that you can’t afford not to.Because sometimes, the bravest thing isn’t grinding harder—it’s daring to walk away, even just for a little while.Host: Frances Mei Hardin, MDPresented by: The Hippocratic CollectiveFollowing Frances Mei on Instagram & Tiktok @francesmeimdAnd subscribe to  ⁨@HippocraticCollective⁩  on Youtube for all of the other shows the Hippocratic Collective has to offer.

In this episode, family physician and fellow HC member Dr. Joan Chan introduces the idea of Creating Space—a philosophy of time management and self-preservation that challenges the culture of overcommitment in medicine. Drawing from her experience during the pandemic, Joan explains the “75% rule”: the practice of deliberately leaving room in your schedule for the unexpected, for self-care, and for breathing space in a world that constantly demands more.Together, we unpack the hidden costs of overcommitment, from burnout to moral distress, and explore why so many of us equate busyness with success. We examine the psychological hurdles that make it hard to step back - the scarcity mindset, the fear of falling behind, and how shifting these beliefs can unlock resilience and clarity.The conversation moves beyond medicine, highlighting how Creating Space applies to every facet of life. By carving out room for rest, reflection, and flexibility, Joan argues, we not only protect our well-being but also show up more fully - at work, at home, and in the relationships that matter most.This is an invitation to rethink how you spend your time, honor your limits, and embrace a more intentional, spacious way of living.Host: Frances Mei Hardin, MDGuest: Joan Chan, MDConnect with Joan:https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/members/joan-chan-mdPresented by: The Hippocratic CollectiveFollowing Frances Mei on Instagram & Tiktok @francesmeimdAnd subscribe to  ⁨@HippocraticCollective⁩  on Youtube for all of the other shows the Hippocratic Collective has to offer.

What happens when you follow every rule, secure the prestigious grant, build the academic career, only to have it all unravel?In this powerful episode of Surgeon, Interrupted, I’m joined by Dr. Arghavan Salles, a bariatric surgeon and national leader in gender equity, physician well-being, and anti-bias reform in medicine. We talk about what it means to be a woman in a system that was never designed for us, and what it costs to try to change it from the inside.Dr. Salles shares the personal impact of losing her NIH grant, the identity crisis that followed, and the painful reality of investing so much into a career that can feel so disposable. Together, we confront the systemic forces that push talented women out of medicine, the performative nature of many DEI efforts, and the urgent need for cultural transformation in healthcare.This conversation is for anyone who’s ever wondered: What if doing everything “right” still isn’t enough? And what if it’s not you that’s broken, but the system?Host: Frances Mei Hardin, MDGuest: Arghavan Salles, MD, PhDConnect with Dr. Salles:https://www.instagram.com/arghavansallesmd/https://drarghavansalles.com/Presented by: The Hippocratic CollectiveFollowing Frances Mei on Instagram & Tiktok @francesmeimdAnd subscribe to  ⁨@HippocraticCollective⁩  on Youtube for all of the other shows the Hippocratic Collective has to offer.

What happens when the career you once worked tirelessly for no longer feels like the life you want?In this deeply honest episode of Surgeon, Interrupted, I sit down with Dr. Maggie Binder, a dear friend and seasoned pediatric hospitalist, to talk about what it really feels like to step away from medicine. Together, we reflect on the invisible weight that physicians carry - the guilt, the pressure to stay, the fear of disappointing others - and how hard it can be to imagine a different life when your identity has been built inside hospital walls.We share raw stories from our medical training, examine the internal and external forces that make leaving feel like failure, and challenge the notion that walking away means giving up. Because sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is admit the truth: you want something else.This episode is for anyone at a crossroads, anyone grieving a version of themselves they’re outgrowing, and anyone who needs to hear that leaving isn’t quitting - it’s choosing yourself.Host: Frances Mei Hardin, MDGuest: Maggie Binder, MDConnect with Frances Mei:IG & TikTok: @francesmei.mdProduced by: Hippocratic Collective

In this episode of Surgeon, Interrupted, Frances Mei sits down with Dr. Mel Thacker to reflect on an unforgettable event co-hosted by the Hippocratic Collective, PearsonRavitz, and Clove—an evening crafted for resident physicians that became so much more than anyone expected. Together, they unpack how the night sparked connection, creativity, and a rare sense of belonging among young doctors. From conversations about identity beyond the white coat to the urgent need for community in medicine, this episode explores why joy, artistry, and human connection should be core to the physician experience—not afterthoughts. Tune in for an honest look at what happens when you give doctors the space to be fully themselves.Host: Frances Mei Hardin, MDGuest: Mel Thacker, MDConnect with Mel:IG: @the_surgeon_coach/https://www.melthackercoaching.com/empoweredsurgeonPresented by: The Hippocratic CollectiveEvent brought to you by PearsonRavitz: https://pearsonravitz.com/Follow Frances Mei on Instagram & Tiktok @francesmeimdAnd subscribe to ⁨@HippocraticCollective⁩ on Youtube for all of the other shows the Hippocratic Collective has to offer.

In this episode, we dive into the Gervais Principle—a brutal but clarifying framework that uses The Office to decode real-world organizational dynamics. Whether you're in medicine, media, or any other power-laden system, this lens changes how you see the room you're in. We break down the three archetypes that shape every workplace: the sociopaths who pull the strings, the clueless who hold it all together, and the losers who opt out. Along the way, we explore the language of power—how people use posture talk, baby talk, and power talk to jockey for position or maintain control. This isn’t just theory. It’s a survival guide for anyone trying to navigate (or escape) dysfunctional systems with their integrity—and strategy—intact.Host: Frances Mei Hardin, MDGuest: Colin RoyalConnect with Frances Mei:IG & TikTok: @francesmei.mdProduced by @HippocraticCollective

What happens when you’ve invested years into a career, only to realize it’s no longer the right fit? In this episode of Surgeon, Interrupted, we sit down with Jaclyn Winkel to talk about second acts: the courage it takes to pivot, the stigma that surrounds leaving medicine, and how to reframe your skills for a new path. From confronting the sunk cost fallacy to building a growth mindset, this conversation is a must for anyone questioning what’s next. Whether you’re on the verge of change or just feeling stuck, this one’s for you.Host: Frances Mei Hardin, MDGuest: Jaclyn Winkel (Jac At Work)Follow Jac at Work:IG: https://www.instagram.com/jacatwork_/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jacatworkPresented by: The Hippocratic CollectiveFollowing Frances Mei on Instagram & Tiktok @francesmeimdAnd subscribe to  ⁨@HippocraticCollective⁩  on Youtube for all of the other shows the Hippocratic Collective has to offer.