<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><?xml-stylesheet href="https://feeds.captivate.fm/style.xsl" type="text/xsl"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0" xmlns:googleplay="http://www.google.com/schemas/play-podcasts/1.0" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:podcast="https://podcastindex.org/namespace/1.0"><channel><atom:link href="https://feeds.captivate.fm/fem-md/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><title><![CDATA[Fem MD]]></title><podcast:guid>057cf79e-5380-5464-b75e-9e7261f05861</podcast:guid><lastBuildDate>Wed, 25 Mar 2026 05:15:14 +0000</lastBuildDate><generator>Captivate.fm</generator><language><![CDATA[en]]></language><copyright><![CDATA[Copyright 2026 Hippocratic Collective]]></copyright><managingEditor>Hippocratic Collective</managingEditor><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Where we talk about what it’s actually like to be a woman in medicine. Hosted by a facial plastic surgeon who’s not afraid to ask bold questions, this show dives into the messy, beautiful, complicated lives we all live: careers, kids, IVF, burnout, marriage, divorce, ambition, and all the expectations we’re supposed to meet. Nothing is off-limits. These are the conversations we’ve all had behind closed doors - now we’re having them out loud. 

Find more info about Fem, MD and other shows on the Hippocratic Collective at hippocratic-collective.com]]></itunes:summary><image><url>https://artwork.captivate.fm/83a41e38-0ed3-471c-822a-8f33f7163753/wvB0_yfh_wifbPwWKgeeyPmn.jpg</url><title>Fem MD</title><link><![CDATA[https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/shows/fem-md]]></link></image><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/83a41e38-0ed3-471c-822a-8f33f7163753/wvB0_yfh_wifbPwWKgeeyPmn.jpg"/><itunes:owner><itunes:name>Hippocratic Collective</itunes:name></itunes:owner><itunes:author>Hippocratic Collective</itunes:author><description>Where we talk about what it’s actually like to be a woman in medicine. Hosted by a facial plastic surgeon who’s not afraid to ask bold questions, this show dives into the messy, beautiful, complicated lives we all live: careers, kids, IVF, burnout, marriage, divorce, ambition, and all the expectations we’re supposed to meet. Nothing is off-limits. These are the conversations we’ve all had behind closed doors - now we’re having them out loud. 

Find more info about Fem, MD and other shows on the Hippocratic Collective at hippocratic-collective.com</description><link>https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/shows/fem-md</link><atom:link href="https://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com" rel="hub"/><itunes:subtitle><![CDATA[ Where we talk about what it’s actually like to be a woman in medicine.]]></itunes:subtitle><itunes:explicit>true</itunes:explicit><itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type><itunes:category text="Health &amp; Fitness"><itunes:category text="Medicine"/></itunes:category><itunes:category text="Business"><itunes:category text="Careers"/></itunes:category><itunes:category text="Society &amp; Culture"><itunes:category text="Relationships"/></itunes:category><podcast:locked>no</podcast:locked><podcast:medium>podcast</podcast:medium><item><title>The Surgeon Becomes the Subject: Dr. Lauren Umstattd on Building It All</title><itunes:title>The Surgeon Becomes the Subject: Dr. Lauren Umstattd on Building It All</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this special episode of <em>FEM MD</em>, the tables turn.</p><p>Host Dr. Lauren Umstattd steps into the hot seat as she’s interviewed by her cousin, former Emmy-winning journalist Brooke Martin. What follows is an unfiltered look at the woman behind the brand—surgeon, founder, mother, and builder of one of the most sought-after facial plastic practices in the Midwest. </p><p>They cover:</p><ol><li data-list="bullet"><span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"></span>What it <em>actually</em> takes to build a surgical practice from the ground up</li><li data-list="bullet"><span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"></span>The myth of a “flawless” medical career—and what failure really looked like</li><li data-list="bullet"><span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"></span>Confidence, imposter syndrome, and learning to trust yourself</li><li data-list="bullet"><span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"></span>The emotional reality of surgery (for both doctor and patient)</li><li data-list="bullet"><span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"></span>Work, motherhood, and the truth about “balance”</li><li data-list="bullet"><span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"></span>Why she believes you don’t need to rush your life</li></ol><br/><p>This is a rare, behind-the-scenes conversation about ambition, identity, and choosing your life on your own terms.</p><p>If you’ve ever wondered what it really looks like to build something from nothing—this episode is it.</p><p><strong>Host:</strong> Dr. Lauren Umstattd </p><p>Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md </p><p><strong>Guest:</strong> Brooke Martin </p><p>Connect with Brooke: @brookemartin.tv </p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqa1ZOeXZDN0JJQ2d0akNyR2FzdlNpNDZTR3VLZ3xBQ3Jtc0trazl3X3I5VGV0TjZEdzZWbmo5YjF1bHBCcGdySDNMOGJsNWZHRlBROVN0bm14eDk3VVRlbnllSEZ4Tzl4UXRPNXE1Y01ITkRuek1hZ3otblJ5VEtCYlVaZ19fTHphck1jQW0xTm1LOE9Hekd0c0FEOA&amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fmorewithbrookemartin.com%2F&amp;v=Bbt9g8nUXFc" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://morewithbrookemartin.com/</a> </p><p>Controlled Burn: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0EtcVIxZVhOOG5CeTdzZDlyUEFZWGQ2TTBEUXxBQ3Jtc0tuUG1ZSUZSajVSR2hFY2hoVk5Fa01lVVFlRXJVNWZSTkZzdE5pZG1nYmp5N1A0QUNuMGhrMzNTWXRZVjlEcXVPNGRHajkwUXlJYTFsU2dvMDhBU1hMY1Y4WlU5ekVvZEl2b1FxcjlxcTY2T0E3bE5tcw&amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.dexteritybooks.com%2Fproducts%2Fcontrolled-burn-rising-from-the-ashes-to-forge-an-unshakable-faith&amp;v=Bbt9g8nUXFc" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://store.dexteritybooks.com/prod...</a> </p><p>Presented by: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@HippocraticCollective" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">‪@HippocraticCollective‬</a></p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In this special episode of <em>FEM MD</em>, the tables turn.</p><p>Host Dr. Lauren Umstattd steps into the hot seat as she’s interviewed by her cousin, former Emmy-winning journalist Brooke Martin. What follows is an unfiltered look at the woman behind the brand—surgeon, founder, mother, and builder of one of the most sought-after facial plastic practices in the Midwest. </p><p>They cover:</p><ol><li data-list="bullet"><span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"></span>What it <em>actually</em> takes to build a surgical practice from the ground up</li><li data-list="bullet"><span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"></span>The myth of a “flawless” medical career—and what failure really looked like</li><li data-list="bullet"><span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"></span>Confidence, imposter syndrome, and learning to trust yourself</li><li data-list="bullet"><span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"></span>The emotional reality of surgery (for both doctor and patient)</li><li data-list="bullet"><span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"></span>Work, motherhood, and the truth about “balance”</li><li data-list="bullet"><span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"></span>Why she believes you don’t need to rush your life</li></ol><br/><p>This is a rare, behind-the-scenes conversation about ambition, identity, and choosing your life on your own terms.</p><p>If you’ve ever wondered what it really looks like to build something from nothing—this episode is it.</p><p><strong>Host:</strong> Dr. Lauren Umstattd </p><p>Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md </p><p><strong>Guest:</strong> Brooke Martin </p><p>Connect with Brooke: @brookemartin.tv </p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqa1ZOeXZDN0JJQ2d0akNyR2FzdlNpNDZTR3VLZ3xBQ3Jtc0trazl3X3I5VGV0TjZEdzZWbmo5YjF1bHBCcGdySDNMOGJsNWZHRlBROVN0bm14eDk3VVRlbnllSEZ4Tzl4UXRPNXE1Y01ITkRuek1hZ3otblJ5VEtCYlVaZ19fTHphck1jQW0xTm1LOE9Hekd0c0FEOA&amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fmorewithbrookemartin.com%2F&amp;v=Bbt9g8nUXFc" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://morewithbrookemartin.com/</a> </p><p>Controlled Burn: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0EtcVIxZVhOOG5CeTdzZDlyUEFZWGQ2TTBEUXxBQ3Jtc0tuUG1ZSUZSajVSR2hFY2hoVk5Fa01lVVFlRXJVNWZSTkZzdE5pZG1nYmp5N1A0QUNuMGhrMzNTWXRZVjlEcXVPNGRHajkwUXlJYTFsU2dvMDhBU1hMY1Y4WlU5ekVvZEl2b1FxcjlxcTY2T0E3bE5tcw&amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.dexteritybooks.com%2Fproducts%2Fcontrolled-burn-rising-from-the-ashes-to-forge-an-unshakable-faith&amp;v=Bbt9g8nUXFc" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://store.dexteritybooks.com/prod...</a> </p><p>Presented by: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@HippocraticCollective" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">‪@HippocraticCollective‬</a></p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/shows/fem-md]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">5fcfbe68-a09a-4da7-9278-074066e54f8d</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/83a41e38-0ed3-471c-822a-8f33f7163753/wvB0_yfh_wifbPwWKgeeyPmn.jpg"/><pubDate>Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:15:00 -0500</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/5fcfbe68-a09a-4da7-9278-074066e54f8d.mp3" length="23458604" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>48:52</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>true</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>24</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>24</podcast:episode><podcast:season>1</podcast:season></item><item><title>The Weight of Womanhood - GLP-1s &amp; Social Pressure with Marta Ravin</title><itunes:title>The Weight of Womanhood - GLP-1s &amp; Social Pressure with Marta Ravin</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p class="ql-align-justify">In this episode of <em>Fem MD</em>, Dr. Lauren Umstattd speaks with Marta Ravin—Emmy-nominated executive producer, showrunner, TEDx speaker, and creator of Personality Hire, a framework focused on the human skills AI can’t replace.</p><p>Marta shares her deeply personal journey with body image, weight, and identity, shaped by early childhood experiences, cultural pressures of the ’80s and ’90s, and decades in entertainment. She opens up about her recent life transitions, including an 80-pound weight loss using GLP-1 medications—exploring not just the physical changes, but the mental “peace” these drugs brought by quieting lifelong food noise.</p><p>Together, Marta and Dr. Umstattd unpack the long-term psychological impact of growing up in weight-focused environments, the realities of dieting culture, the promise and risks of GLP-1 medications, and how these drugs may reshape society, Hollywood, and expectations around thinness.</p><p>Marta Ravin is an Emmy-nominated executive producer, showrunner and writer who has redefined the landscape of television by seamlessly blending comedy, culture and unforgettable storytelling.</p><p>With roots as a stand-up comic featured on Comedy Central, Marta has been the creative force behind some of television’s most iconic moments, including MTV’s TRL, Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards, Love &amp; Hip Hop reunions, and she created TLC’s Long Island Medium. She most recently served as Executive Producer of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Reunion, and is currently the Executive Producer of Fanatics Fest, continuing to push the boundaries of storytelling, brand partnerships and fandom.</p><p>Known for her collaborative leadership style, Marta builds and guides high-performing creative teams while mentoring emerging producers and talent across the entertainment landscape.</p><p>Host: <strong>Dr. Lauren Umstattd</strong></p><p>Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md</p><p>Guest: <strong>Marta Ravin</strong></p><p>Connect with Marta:</p><p>@martaravin</p><p>https://www.martaravinproductions.com/</p><p>Presented by: @HippocraticCollective</p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="ql-align-justify">In this episode of <em>Fem MD</em>, Dr. Lauren Umstattd speaks with Marta Ravin—Emmy-nominated executive producer, showrunner, TEDx speaker, and creator of Personality Hire, a framework focused on the human skills AI can’t replace.</p><p>Marta shares her deeply personal journey with body image, weight, and identity, shaped by early childhood experiences, cultural pressures of the ’80s and ’90s, and decades in entertainment. She opens up about her recent life transitions, including an 80-pound weight loss using GLP-1 medications—exploring not just the physical changes, but the mental “peace” these drugs brought by quieting lifelong food noise.</p><p>Together, Marta and Dr. Umstattd unpack the long-term psychological impact of growing up in weight-focused environments, the realities of dieting culture, the promise and risks of GLP-1 medications, and how these drugs may reshape society, Hollywood, and expectations around thinness.</p><p>Marta Ravin is an Emmy-nominated executive producer, showrunner and writer who has redefined the landscape of television by seamlessly blending comedy, culture and unforgettable storytelling.</p><p>With roots as a stand-up comic featured on Comedy Central, Marta has been the creative force behind some of television’s most iconic moments, including MTV’s TRL, Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards, Love &amp; Hip Hop reunions, and she created TLC’s Long Island Medium. She most recently served as Executive Producer of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Reunion, and is currently the Executive Producer of Fanatics Fest, continuing to push the boundaries of storytelling, brand partnerships and fandom.</p><p>Known for her collaborative leadership style, Marta builds and guides high-performing creative teams while mentoring emerging producers and talent across the entertainment landscape.</p><p>Host: <strong>Dr. Lauren Umstattd</strong></p><p>Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md</p><p>Guest: <strong>Marta Ravin</strong></p><p>Connect with Marta:</p><p>@martaravin</p><p>https://www.martaravinproductions.com/</p><p>Presented by: @HippocraticCollective</p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/shows/fem-md]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">865fa989-d489-4b0a-a205-9a899e34c82c</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/83a41e38-0ed3-471c-822a-8f33f7163753/wvB0_yfh_wifbPwWKgeeyPmn.jpg"/><pubDate>Wed, 11 Mar 2026 00:15:00 -0500</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/865fa989-d489-4b0a-a205-9a899e34c82c.mp3" length="24472782" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>50:59</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>true</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>23</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>23</podcast:episode><podcast:season>1</podcast:season></item><item><title>The Dark Side of Surgical Training: Writing Through The Anger with Frances Mei Hardin</title><itunes:title>The Dark Side of Surgical Training: Writing Through The Anger with Frances Mei Hardin</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this powerful episode of <strong>FEM, MD</strong>, Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with ENT surgeon-turned-author <strong>Frances Mei Hardin</strong> to discuss her debut memoir and the hidden emotional cost of surgical training.</p><p>Frances Mei speaks candidly about the anger she carried out of residency and how writing became the vehicle that transformed it. From resident-on-resident hostility and weaponized reporting systems to the psychological toll of perfectionism, sleep deprivation, and hierarchy in the OR, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what many physicians experience but rarely say out loud.</p><p>They explore:</p><p>• The cultural legacy of <em>The House of God</em> — and why its themes still ring true</p><p>• How narrative nonfiction differs from anonymous venting and why accountability matters</p><p>• Neurodivergence as both vulnerability and superpower in medicine</p><p>• The role of hypnosis therapy in healing trauma and reclaiming focus</p><p>• Perfectionism, emotional intelligence, and the cost of brittle excellence</p><p>• Psychological safety in the operating room and how hierarchy without respect harms patient care</p><p>• Resident-on-resident toxicity and the bystander effect in surgical culture</p><p>Frances Mei shares what it means to “write through the anger." What began as revenge writing evolved into a reckoning with her own blind spots, emotional immaturity, and survival mechanisms. The result is a memoir that examines burnout, identity, agency, and reinvention inside academic medicine.</p><p>If you are a medical student, resident, attending physician, or simply someone navigating ambition in a high-pressure field — this episode will resonate.</p><p>📖 <em>Surgeon on the Edge</em> is available wherever books are sold.</p><p>🎟️ Book tour stops include NYC, Cleveland, Chicago, Philly and more.</p><p>Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md</p><p>Guest: Dr. Frances Mei Hardin</p><p>Connect with Frances Mei:</p><p>@francesmeimd</p><p>https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/members/frances-mei-hardin-md</p><p>Presented by: @HippocraticCollective</p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In this powerful episode of <strong>FEM, MD</strong>, Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with ENT surgeon-turned-author <strong>Frances Mei Hardin</strong> to discuss her debut memoir and the hidden emotional cost of surgical training.</p><p>Frances Mei speaks candidly about the anger she carried out of residency and how writing became the vehicle that transformed it. From resident-on-resident hostility and weaponized reporting systems to the psychological toll of perfectionism, sleep deprivation, and hierarchy in the OR, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what many physicians experience but rarely say out loud.</p><p>They explore:</p><p>• The cultural legacy of <em>The House of God</em> — and why its themes still ring true</p><p>• How narrative nonfiction differs from anonymous venting and why accountability matters</p><p>• Neurodivergence as both vulnerability and superpower in medicine</p><p>• The role of hypnosis therapy in healing trauma and reclaiming focus</p><p>• Perfectionism, emotional intelligence, and the cost of brittle excellence</p><p>• Psychological safety in the operating room and how hierarchy without respect harms patient care</p><p>• Resident-on-resident toxicity and the bystander effect in surgical culture</p><p>Frances Mei shares what it means to “write through the anger." What began as revenge writing evolved into a reckoning with her own blind spots, emotional immaturity, and survival mechanisms. The result is a memoir that examines burnout, identity, agency, and reinvention inside academic medicine.</p><p>If you are a medical student, resident, attending physician, or simply someone navigating ambition in a high-pressure field — this episode will resonate.</p><p>📖 <em>Surgeon on the Edge</em> is available wherever books are sold.</p><p>🎟️ Book tour stops include NYC, Cleveland, Chicago, Philly and more.</p><p>Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md</p><p>Guest: Dr. Frances Mei Hardin</p><p>Connect with Frances Mei:</p><p>@francesmeimd</p><p>https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/members/frances-mei-hardin-md</p><p>Presented by: @HippocraticCollective</p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/shows/fem-md]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">b7e8797f-e85c-426e-bb4a-f9aaba4c44ec</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/83a41e38-0ed3-471c-822a-8f33f7163753/wvB0_yfh_wifbPwWKgeeyPmn.jpg"/><pubDate>Wed, 25 Feb 2026 00:15:00 -0500</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/b7e8797f-e85c-426e-bb4a-f9aaba4c44ec.mp3" length="24675492" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>51:24</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>true</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>22</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>22</podcast:episode><podcast:season>1</podcast:season></item><item><title>What Surgical Training Doesn’t Teach You About Being Yourself</title><itunes:title>What Surgical Training Doesn’t Teach You About Being Yourself</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of Fem MD, host Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with Dr. Maheetha Bharadwaj, a urology resident, educator, and content creator.</p><p>Maheetha shares her journey into medicine, from her early love of science and the arts to choosing urology—a field that blends surgery, patient care, and navigating sensitive topics with empathy. She offers an inside look at the realities of surgical residency, including long hours, on-call challenges, and mentorship in a traditionally male-dominated specialty. Maheetha also discusses her work in gender-affirming care and how she uses social media to educate the public, demystify medicine, and connect authentically with a broad audience.</p><p>This episode highlights the dedication, creativity, and passion required to balance medicine, mentorship, and innovative outreach in today’s healthcare landscape.</p><p>Dr. Maheetha Bharadwaj, 4th year Urology Resident at the University of Washington, dancer, advocate, and social media creator. Her journey sits at the intersection of medicine, art, and advocacy. She studied Biology and Biomedical Informatics at Stanford, spent a year at Cambridge learning genomic medicine, and worked in bioinformatics at Memorial Sloan Kettering before heading to medical school. Beyond the lab and clinic, dance has been a constant for nearly 20 years. She has choreographed works exploring patient experiences, including an Indian Classical Dance narrative on the journey through a cancer diagnosis, later published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Her work has earned national recognition, including the Joseph Collins Foundation and Massachusetts Medical Society scholarships.</p><p>Now, as the 2025-2026 Artist-in-Residence with The Hippocratic Collective, she is creating a new dance project highlighting human connection and sexual dysfunction. Her path to urology was inspired by seeing women surgeons online. Seeing so many women have such different paths in surgery inspired Dr. Bharadwaj to gain the confidence to do the same. During residency, Dr. Bharadwaj has also built a powerful voice on social media. Through dancing skits, educational videos, and humorous creations like the “Medical Kardashian Skits,” she empowers, educates, and entertains, helping restore trust in medicine and inspire the next generation. Her videos have reached millions, sparking conversations about disparities, residency life, and women’s health research. Her goal is to use creativity, humor, and advocacy to build community and show future surgeons, especially women and those from underrepresented backgrounds, that there is a place for them in medicine. Outside the OR, you’ll find her choreographing, creating content, and building bridges between medicine and the arts, always reminding us that healing comes in many forms.</p><p>Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md</p><p>Guest: Dr. Maheetha Bharadwaj</p><p>Connect with Maheetha:</p><p>@dancing_uro_doc</p><p>https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/members/maheetha-bharadwaj-md</p><p>Presented by: @HippocraticCollective</p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of Fem MD, host Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with Dr. Maheetha Bharadwaj, a urology resident, educator, and content creator.</p><p>Maheetha shares her journey into medicine, from her early love of science and the arts to choosing urology—a field that blends surgery, patient care, and navigating sensitive topics with empathy. She offers an inside look at the realities of surgical residency, including long hours, on-call challenges, and mentorship in a traditionally male-dominated specialty. Maheetha also discusses her work in gender-affirming care and how she uses social media to educate the public, demystify medicine, and connect authentically with a broad audience.</p><p>This episode highlights the dedication, creativity, and passion required to balance medicine, mentorship, and innovative outreach in today’s healthcare landscape.</p><p>Dr. Maheetha Bharadwaj, 4th year Urology Resident at the University of Washington, dancer, advocate, and social media creator. Her journey sits at the intersection of medicine, art, and advocacy. She studied Biology and Biomedical Informatics at Stanford, spent a year at Cambridge learning genomic medicine, and worked in bioinformatics at Memorial Sloan Kettering before heading to medical school. Beyond the lab and clinic, dance has been a constant for nearly 20 years. She has choreographed works exploring patient experiences, including an Indian Classical Dance narrative on the journey through a cancer diagnosis, later published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Her work has earned national recognition, including the Joseph Collins Foundation and Massachusetts Medical Society scholarships.</p><p>Now, as the 2025-2026 Artist-in-Residence with The Hippocratic Collective, she is creating a new dance project highlighting human connection and sexual dysfunction. Her path to urology was inspired by seeing women surgeons online. Seeing so many women have such different paths in surgery inspired Dr. Bharadwaj to gain the confidence to do the same. During residency, Dr. Bharadwaj has also built a powerful voice on social media. Through dancing skits, educational videos, and humorous creations like the “Medical Kardashian Skits,” she empowers, educates, and entertains, helping restore trust in medicine and inspire the next generation. Her videos have reached millions, sparking conversations about disparities, residency life, and women’s health research. Her goal is to use creativity, humor, and advocacy to build community and show future surgeons, especially women and those from underrepresented backgrounds, that there is a place for them in medicine. Outside the OR, you’ll find her choreographing, creating content, and building bridges between medicine and the arts, always reminding us that healing comes in many forms.</p><p>Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md</p><p>Guest: Dr. Maheetha Bharadwaj</p><p>Connect with Maheetha:</p><p>@dancing_uro_doc</p><p>https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/members/maheetha-bharadwaj-md</p><p>Presented by: @HippocraticCollective</p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/shows/fem-md]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">b23fc880-e17b-4938-8986-a5fbb7778232</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/83a41e38-0ed3-471c-822a-8f33f7163753/wvB0_yfh_wifbPwWKgeeyPmn.jpg"/><pubDate>Wed, 11 Feb 2026 00:15:00 -0500</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/b23fc880-e17b-4938-8986-a5fbb7778232.mp3" length="28342457" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>59:03</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>true</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>21</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>21</podcast:episode><podcast:season>1</podcast:season></item><item><title>Mental Health for First Responders with Dylan Cade Bates</title><itunes:title>Mental Health for First Responders with Dylan Cade Bates</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of FEM MD, host Dr. Lauren Umstattd engages in a candid conversation with Dylan Cade Bates, a seasoned law enforcement professional and mental health advocate. They explore the unique challenges faced by women in law enforcement and the importance of mental health for first responders. The discussion highlights the need for support systems and the significance of addressing mental health issues in high-stress professions.</p><p>Dylan Cade Bates is a seasoned law enforcement professional, mental health advocate, and founder of Blonde in Blue—a nationwide peer support network dedicated to first responders and their families. With nearly a decade of experience in patrol, investigations, crisis negotiation, critical incident response, and peer support, Dylan brings both professional expertise and lived experience to supporting those serving on the front lines. Certified in Hostage and Crisis Intervention, Trauma-Informed Care, and Peer Support Facilitation, Dylan is also a counselor-in-training.</p><p>Together with her husband, Po‘okela “Kela” Bates, they lead a movement to break the stigma around mental health in public safety. Blonde in Blue connects first responders and loved ones for real conversations, community support, and resilience tools. Recognizing the challenges these careers pose at home and on duty, Dylan champions honest dialogue and nationwide connection so no responder or family ever feels alone.</p><p>Dylan’s dedication to peer support has extended into weekly confidential support groups and content creation across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Patreon, making resources and advocacy accessible across platforms. Known for authenticity and compassion, Dylan’s story shows that your scars are proof you survived, and healing happens best when we stand together.</p><p>Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md</p><p>Guest: Dylan Cade Bates</p><p>Connect with Dylan &amp; Blonde In Blue:</p><p>● Website: patreon.com/BlondeinBlue</p><p>● Instagram: @blondeinbluenetwork</p><p>● TikTok: @blondeinblue72</p><p>● Facebook: Blonde in Blue</p><p>● Podcast: badgesandbreakthroughs.com</p><p>● All podcast episodes can be found on Youtube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts</p><p>Presented by: @HippocraticCollective</p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of FEM MD, host Dr. Lauren Umstattd engages in a candid conversation with Dylan Cade Bates, a seasoned law enforcement professional and mental health advocate. They explore the unique challenges faced by women in law enforcement and the importance of mental health for first responders. The discussion highlights the need for support systems and the significance of addressing mental health issues in high-stress professions.</p><p>Dylan Cade Bates is a seasoned law enforcement professional, mental health advocate, and founder of Blonde in Blue—a nationwide peer support network dedicated to first responders and their families. With nearly a decade of experience in patrol, investigations, crisis negotiation, critical incident response, and peer support, Dylan brings both professional expertise and lived experience to supporting those serving on the front lines. Certified in Hostage and Crisis Intervention, Trauma-Informed Care, and Peer Support Facilitation, Dylan is also a counselor-in-training.</p><p>Together with her husband, Po‘okela “Kela” Bates, they lead a movement to break the stigma around mental health in public safety. Blonde in Blue connects first responders and loved ones for real conversations, community support, and resilience tools. Recognizing the challenges these careers pose at home and on duty, Dylan champions honest dialogue and nationwide connection so no responder or family ever feels alone.</p><p>Dylan’s dedication to peer support has extended into weekly confidential support groups and content creation across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Patreon, making resources and advocacy accessible across platforms. Known for authenticity and compassion, Dylan’s story shows that your scars are proof you survived, and healing happens best when we stand together.</p><p>Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md</p><p>Guest: Dylan Cade Bates</p><p>Connect with Dylan &amp; Blonde In Blue:</p><p>● Website: patreon.com/BlondeinBlue</p><p>● Instagram: @blondeinbluenetwork</p><p>● TikTok: @blondeinblue72</p><p>● Facebook: Blonde in Blue</p><p>● Podcast: badgesandbreakthroughs.com</p><p>● All podcast episodes can be found on Youtube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts</p><p>Presented by: @HippocraticCollective</p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/shows/fem-md]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">a66c1a9e-af91-4f47-8b9f-3a660663526b</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/83a41e38-0ed3-471c-822a-8f33f7163753/wvB0_yfh_wifbPwWKgeeyPmn.jpg"/><pubDate>Wed, 28 Jan 2026 00:15:00 -0500</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/a66c1a9e-af91-4f47-8b9f-3a660663526b.mp3" length="21377167" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>44:32</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>true</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>20</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>20</podcast:episode><podcast:season>1</podcast:season></item><item><title>What Happens When a Doctor Can’t Operate Anymore with Stephanie Pearson, MD</title><itunes:title>What Happens When a Doctor Can’t Operate Anymore with Stephanie Pearson, MD</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of Fem MD, Dr. Lauren Umstattd speaks with Dr. Stephanie Pearson, an OB-GYN whose surgical career ended after a work-related shoulder injury sustained while delivering a baby. What should have been a routine delivery resulted in permanent damage, ultimately preventing her from returning to operative or obstetric practice.</p><p>Dr. Pearson shares the difficult aftermath of her injury, including being dismissed by early providers, navigating frozen shoulder and nerve damage, and losing her job when she could no longer meet the “100% of job duties” requirement in her contract. Despite FMLA protections, she was terminated when her leave ended—highlighting the legal and contractual vulnerabilities physicians often overlook.</p><p>The conversation explores the hidden gaps in disability insurance, the challenges of workers’ compensation, and the emotional toll of losing one’s identity as a physician. Dr. Pearson also reflects on rebuilding her sense of self and purpose after medicine, and how her experience led her to found PearsonRavitz to educate physicians on disability and career protection.</p><p>Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md</p><p>Guest: Stephanie Pearson, MD</p><p>Connect with Stephanie: @drstephaniepearson</p><p>https://pearsonravitz.com/</p><p>Presented by: @HippocraticCollective</p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of Fem MD, Dr. Lauren Umstattd speaks with Dr. Stephanie Pearson, an OB-GYN whose surgical career ended after a work-related shoulder injury sustained while delivering a baby. What should have been a routine delivery resulted in permanent damage, ultimately preventing her from returning to operative or obstetric practice.</p><p>Dr. Pearson shares the difficult aftermath of her injury, including being dismissed by early providers, navigating frozen shoulder and nerve damage, and losing her job when she could no longer meet the “100% of job duties” requirement in her contract. Despite FMLA protections, she was terminated when her leave ended—highlighting the legal and contractual vulnerabilities physicians often overlook.</p><p>The conversation explores the hidden gaps in disability insurance, the challenges of workers’ compensation, and the emotional toll of losing one’s identity as a physician. Dr. Pearson also reflects on rebuilding her sense of self and purpose after medicine, and how her experience led her to found PearsonRavitz to educate physicians on disability and career protection.</p><p>Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md</p><p>Guest: Stephanie Pearson, MD</p><p>Connect with Stephanie: @drstephaniepearson</p><p>https://pearsonravitz.com/</p><p>Presented by: @HippocraticCollective</p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/shows/fem-md]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">26e46cf1-b91e-4baf-b039-6ec37b31ae75</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/83a41e38-0ed3-471c-822a-8f33f7163753/wvB0_yfh_wifbPwWKgeeyPmn.jpg"/><pubDate>Wed, 14 Jan 2026 00:15:00 -0500</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/26e46cf1-b91e-4baf-b039-6ec37b31ae75.mp3" length="21911946" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>45:39</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>true</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>19</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>19</podcast:episode><podcast:season>1</podcast:season></item><item><title>Finding Strength in Grief with Brooke Martin</title><itunes:title>Finding Strength in Grief with Brooke Martin</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Fem MD</em>, host Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with Brooke Martin—Emmy Award–winning news anchor turned author—to discuss her powerful memoir, <em>Controlled Burn</em>. Brooke opens up about her journey of faith, resilience, and love in the face of unimaginable loss after her daughter, Emma, was diagnosed with a fatal condition. Together, they explore the inspiration behind the book, the emotional challenges of writing through grief, and the lasting impact loss can have on relationships. Brooke also reflects on the power of storytelling and how sharing her story has become a source of hope, connection, and healing for others walking similar paths.</p><p>Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md</p><p>Guest: Brooke Martin</p><p>Connect with Brooke: @brookemartin.tv</p><p>https://morewithbrookemartin.com/</p><p><em>Controlled Burn</em>: https://store.dexteritybooks.com/products/controlled-burn-rising-from-the-ashes-to-forge-an-unshakable-faith</p><p>Presented by:  @HippocraticCollective </p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Fem MD</em>, host Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with Brooke Martin—Emmy Award–winning news anchor turned author—to discuss her powerful memoir, <em>Controlled Burn</em>. Brooke opens up about her journey of faith, resilience, and love in the face of unimaginable loss after her daughter, Emma, was diagnosed with a fatal condition. Together, they explore the inspiration behind the book, the emotional challenges of writing through grief, and the lasting impact loss can have on relationships. Brooke also reflects on the power of storytelling and how sharing her story has become a source of hope, connection, and healing for others walking similar paths.</p><p>Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md</p><p>Guest: Brooke Martin</p><p>Connect with Brooke: @brookemartin.tv</p><p>https://morewithbrookemartin.com/</p><p><em>Controlled Burn</em>: https://store.dexteritybooks.com/products/controlled-burn-rising-from-the-ashes-to-forge-an-unshakable-faith</p><p>Presented by:  @HippocraticCollective </p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/shows/fem-md]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">28b62869-1508-42de-bf3d-64981c8f787a</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/83a41e38-0ed3-471c-822a-8f33f7163753/wvB0_yfh_wifbPwWKgeeyPmn.jpg"/><pubDate>Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:15:00 -0500</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/28b62869-1508-42de-bf3d-64981c8f787a.mp3" length="21913827" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>45:39</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>true</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>18</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>18</podcast:episode><podcast:season>1</podcast:season></item><item><title>Don’t Delay What Brings You Joy: Finding the Silver Lining in Lung Cancer with Audrey Bellezza</title><itunes:title>Don’t Delay What Brings You Joy: Finding the Silver Lining in Lung Cancer with Audrey Bellezza</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of Fem MD, Dr. Lauren Umstattd interviews author Audrey Bellezza, who shares how, at age 50—healthy, active, and a mom of two boys—she was blindsided by a diagnosis of stage IV ALK-positive lung cancer. Audrey recounts the shock, the agonizing period of unknowns, and how biomarker testing revealed a mutation-driven cancer.</p><p>She explains her targeted therapy treatment, its difficult side effects, and how seeking specialists at Johns Hopkins introduced her to the possibility of a groundbreaking vaccine now in early clinical trials. Alongside her advocacy, Audrey has authored a Jane Austen trilogy and most recently released <em>Anne of Avenue A</em>, blending her love of literature with her mission to inspire hope.</p><p>Audrey also founded Love4Lungs, a nonprofit dedicated to funding research, supporting patients, and raising awareness that lung cancer can affect anyone, regardless of age or lifestyle. She leaves listeners with a quote from her latest novel that now guides her life: “Don’t delay what brings you joy.”</p><p><strong>Host:</strong> Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md</p><p><strong>Guest: </strong>Audrey Bellezza</p><p>Connect with Audrey: @audreybellezzawrites</p><p><strong>Love4Lungs</strong>: https://www.love4lungs.org/</p><p><strong><em>Anne of Avenue A:</em></strong><em> </em>https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Anne-of-Avenue-A/Audrey-Bellezza/For-the-Love-of-Austen/9781668097656</p><p>Presented by: <a href="https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCtTst91XiTDDGxevjAfoHCQ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 1.125rem;">&nbsp;@HippocraticCollective&nbsp;</a></p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of Fem MD, Dr. Lauren Umstattd interviews author Audrey Bellezza, who shares how, at age 50—healthy, active, and a mom of two boys—she was blindsided by a diagnosis of stage IV ALK-positive lung cancer. Audrey recounts the shock, the agonizing period of unknowns, and how biomarker testing revealed a mutation-driven cancer.</p><p>She explains her targeted therapy treatment, its difficult side effects, and how seeking specialists at Johns Hopkins introduced her to the possibility of a groundbreaking vaccine now in early clinical trials. Alongside her advocacy, Audrey has authored a Jane Austen trilogy and most recently released <em>Anne of Avenue A</em>, blending her love of literature with her mission to inspire hope.</p><p>Audrey also founded Love4Lungs, a nonprofit dedicated to funding research, supporting patients, and raising awareness that lung cancer can affect anyone, regardless of age or lifestyle. She leaves listeners with a quote from her latest novel that now guides her life: “Don’t delay what brings you joy.”</p><p><strong>Host:</strong> Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md</p><p><strong>Guest: </strong>Audrey Bellezza</p><p>Connect with Audrey: @audreybellezzawrites</p><p><strong>Love4Lungs</strong>: https://www.love4lungs.org/</p><p><strong><em>Anne of Avenue A:</em></strong><em> </em>https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Anne-of-Avenue-A/Audrey-Bellezza/For-the-Love-of-Austen/9781668097656</p><p>Presented by: <a href="https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCtTst91XiTDDGxevjAfoHCQ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 1.125rem;">&nbsp;@HippocraticCollective&nbsp;</a></p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/shows/fem-md]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">2209dcd5-e5d6-42a4-8ff4-f01431ffddc1</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/83a41e38-0ed3-471c-822a-8f33f7163753/wvB0_yfh_wifbPwWKgeeyPmn.jpg"/><pubDate>Wed, 17 Dec 2025 00:15:00 -0500</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/2209dcd5-e5d6-42a4-8ff4-f01431ffddc1.mp3" length="22431887" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>46:44</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>true</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>17</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>17</podcast:episode><podcast:season>1</podcast:season></item><item><title>Tourette&apos;s, TV &amp; Embracing Your Weird with Chelsea White</title><itunes:title>Tourette&apos;s, TV &amp; Embracing Your Weird with Chelsea White</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Fem MD</em>, <strong>Lauren </strong>sits down with Emmy-nominated producer <strong>Chelsea White</strong> — known for her work on <em>Watch What Happens Live</em> and <em>The Drew Barrymore Show</em> — for an honest, layered conversation about identity, neurodiversity, and the freedom that comes from embracing every part of who you are.</p><p>Chelsea was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome at just three years old, a moment that shaped how she understood herself long before she had language for it. Growing up with Tourette’s and OCD meant navigating stigma, misunderstanding, and the pressure to hide the parts of herself that didn’t fit neatly into others’ expectations.</p><p>Together, Lauren and Chelsea talk about:</p><p>• What early diagnosis actually felt like from the inside</p><p>• The misconceptions about Tourette’s and OCD that still persist</p><p>• How Chelsea found her voice in the entertainment industry</p><p>• Why mentorship matters — especially for young women</p><p>• The moment she stopped trying to “pass as normal”</p><p>• How embracing your quirks can become your superpower, not your liability</p><p>This is a conversation about resilience, authenticity, and choosing to show up as your full self even in rooms that weren’t built with you in mind. Chelsea’s story is a reminder that your differences are not something to hide — they’re the very things that set you free.</p><p>Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md</p><p>Guest: Chelsea White</p><p>Connect with Chelsea: @thechelseawhite</p><p>https://thechelseawhite.com/</p><p>Presented by: <a href="https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCtTst91XiTDDGxevjAfoHCQ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">&nbsp;@HippocraticCollective&nbsp;</a></p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Fem MD</em>, <strong>Lauren </strong>sits down with Emmy-nominated producer <strong>Chelsea White</strong> — known for her work on <em>Watch What Happens Live</em> and <em>The Drew Barrymore Show</em> — for an honest, layered conversation about identity, neurodiversity, and the freedom that comes from embracing every part of who you are.</p><p>Chelsea was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome at just three years old, a moment that shaped how she understood herself long before she had language for it. Growing up with Tourette’s and OCD meant navigating stigma, misunderstanding, and the pressure to hide the parts of herself that didn’t fit neatly into others’ expectations.</p><p>Together, Lauren and Chelsea talk about:</p><p>• What early diagnosis actually felt like from the inside</p><p>• The misconceptions about Tourette’s and OCD that still persist</p><p>• How Chelsea found her voice in the entertainment industry</p><p>• Why mentorship matters — especially for young women</p><p>• The moment she stopped trying to “pass as normal”</p><p>• How embracing your quirks can become your superpower, not your liability</p><p>This is a conversation about resilience, authenticity, and choosing to show up as your full self even in rooms that weren’t built with you in mind. Chelsea’s story is a reminder that your differences are not something to hide — they’re the very things that set you free.</p><p>Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md</p><p>Guest: Chelsea White</p><p>Connect with Chelsea: @thechelseawhite</p><p>https://thechelseawhite.com/</p><p>Presented by: <a href="https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCtTst91XiTDDGxevjAfoHCQ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">&nbsp;@HippocraticCollective&nbsp;</a></p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/shows/fem-md]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">ab2f396b-e269-4956-a072-1610953c8912</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/83a41e38-0ed3-471c-822a-8f33f7163753/wvB0_yfh_wifbPwWKgeeyPmn.jpg"/><pubDate>Wed, 03 Dec 2025 00:15:00 -0500</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/ab2f396b-e269-4956-a072-1610953c8912.mp3" length="68152632" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>47:20</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>true</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>16</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>16</podcast:episode><podcast:season>1</podcast:season><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/4c805fa3-d27e-4246-bb11-7b112643bcfb/transcript.json" type="application/json"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/4c805fa3-d27e-4246-bb11-7b112643bcfb/transcript.srt" type="application/srt" rel="captions"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/4c805fa3-d27e-4246-bb11-7b112643bcfb/index.html" type="text/html"/><podcast:chapters url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/chapter-117b6ab8-121c-4746-83be-ea3ea7505e26.json" type="application/json+chapters"/></item><item><title>Don&apos;t Lose Yourself in IVF | Dr. Melyssa Hancock’s 3-Year IVF Odyssey | Fem, MD</title><itunes:title>Don&apos;t Lose Yourself in IVF | Dr. Melyssa Hancock’s 3-Year IVF Odyssey | Fem, MD</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this raw and unfiltered episode of Fem, MD, facial plastic surgeon Dr. Melyssa Hancock opens up about her 12-round, 3-year IVF journey—one that spanned multiple clinics, a cross-country move of frozen embryos, a complicated surrogacy process, canceled transfers, and more than $250,000 in out-of-pocket costs.</p><p>We talk about:</p><ul><li>Fertility preservation as a surgical trainee</li><li>Why she switched IVF clinics after two failed transfers</li><li>What it’s actually like to do daily injections, hormone surges, and constant ultrasounds while running a busy private practice</li><li>How IVF reshaped her marriage, her sense of identity, and her mental health</li><li>The moment she saw the faintest line on a pregnancy test after years of negatives</li><li>How hyperbaric oxygen therapy and NAD ended up part of her “Hail Mary” cycle</li><li>Nearly pursuing surrogacy — and why she ultimately carried her daughter</li><li>The emotional, physical, and financial toll on female physicians navigating fertility</li><li>Why we need to talk about infertility in medicine loudly and without shame</li></ul><br/><p>Dr. Hancock also shares the birth story of her daughter, Olivia, and why the struggle made motherhood even more profound.</p><p>This is one of the most intimate, vulnerable conversations we’ve had on Fem, MD — and a must-listen for anyone in medicine who’s ever wondered when (and whether) their personal life will catch up to their professional one.</p><p><strong>Host:</strong> Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md</p><p><strong>Guest:</strong> Melyssa Hancock, MD</p><p>Connect with Melyssa: @drmelyssahancock</p><p>https://drmelyssahancock.com/</p><p><strong>Presented by:</strong> <a href="https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCtTst91XiTDDGxevjAfoHCQ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">&nbsp;@HippocraticCollective&nbsp;</a>​</p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In this raw and unfiltered episode of Fem, MD, facial plastic surgeon Dr. Melyssa Hancock opens up about her 12-round, 3-year IVF journey—one that spanned multiple clinics, a cross-country move of frozen embryos, a complicated surrogacy process, canceled transfers, and more than $250,000 in out-of-pocket costs.</p><p>We talk about:</p><ul><li>Fertility preservation as a surgical trainee</li><li>Why she switched IVF clinics after two failed transfers</li><li>What it’s actually like to do daily injections, hormone surges, and constant ultrasounds while running a busy private practice</li><li>How IVF reshaped her marriage, her sense of identity, and her mental health</li><li>The moment she saw the faintest line on a pregnancy test after years of negatives</li><li>How hyperbaric oxygen therapy and NAD ended up part of her “Hail Mary” cycle</li><li>Nearly pursuing surrogacy — and why she ultimately carried her daughter</li><li>The emotional, physical, and financial toll on female physicians navigating fertility</li><li>Why we need to talk about infertility in medicine loudly and without shame</li></ul><br/><p>Dr. Hancock also shares the birth story of her daughter, Olivia, and why the struggle made motherhood even more profound.</p><p>This is one of the most intimate, vulnerable conversations we’ve had on Fem, MD — and a must-listen for anyone in medicine who’s ever wondered when (and whether) their personal life will catch up to their professional one.</p><p><strong>Host:</strong> Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md</p><p><strong>Guest:</strong> Melyssa Hancock, MD</p><p>Connect with Melyssa: @drmelyssahancock</p><p>https://drmelyssahancock.com/</p><p><strong>Presented by:</strong> <a href="https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCtTst91XiTDDGxevjAfoHCQ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">&nbsp;@HippocraticCollective&nbsp;</a>​</p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/shows/fem-md]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">3ba0f7a2-6f88-4312-a27a-96f8e7ff3426</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/83a41e38-0ed3-471c-822a-8f33f7163753/wvB0_yfh_wifbPwWKgeeyPmn.jpg"/><pubDate>Wed, 19 Nov 2025 00:15:00 -0500</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/3ba0f7a2-6f88-4312-a27a-96f8e7ff3426.mp3" length="79647555" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>55:19</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>true</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>15</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>15</podcast:episode><podcast:season>1</podcast:season></item><item><title>The Shape of Self: Fashion, Motherhood, and Creative Reinvention</title><itunes:title>The Shape of Self: Fashion, Motherhood, and Creative Reinvention</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Fem, MD</em>, Lindsey White—professional fit model, jewelry designer, and mother—joins to explore how fashion, identity, and creativity collide. Through years of working within an industry obsessed with measurement and perfection, Lindsey learned the tension between being the “ideal” body and living in a body that evolves.</p><p>She opens up about the quiet discipline behind fit modeling, the emotional toll of maintaining sameness, and the moment she began to question who she was really working to please. As motherhood transformed her perspective, Lindsey turned to jewelry design as a new form of expression—one rooted in authenticity rather than approval.</p><p>This conversation traces her journey from compliance to creativity, unpacking how we learn to define beauty, success, and worth in our own terms. It’s a thoughtful look at how self-acceptance takes shape when we stop trying to fit and start learning to create.</p><p><strong>Host: </strong>Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md</p><p>Guest: Lindsey White</p><p>Connect with Lindsey: @lmw_studio</p><p>https://www.lmwhitestudio.com/</p><p><strong>Presented by: </strong>The Hippocratic Collective</p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Fem, MD</em>, Lindsey White—professional fit model, jewelry designer, and mother—joins to explore how fashion, identity, and creativity collide. Through years of working within an industry obsessed with measurement and perfection, Lindsey learned the tension between being the “ideal” body and living in a body that evolves.</p><p>She opens up about the quiet discipline behind fit modeling, the emotional toll of maintaining sameness, and the moment she began to question who she was really working to please. As motherhood transformed her perspective, Lindsey turned to jewelry design as a new form of expression—one rooted in authenticity rather than approval.</p><p>This conversation traces her journey from compliance to creativity, unpacking how we learn to define beauty, success, and worth in our own terms. It’s a thoughtful look at how self-acceptance takes shape when we stop trying to fit and start learning to create.</p><p><strong>Host: </strong>Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md</p><p>Guest: Lindsey White</p><p>Connect with Lindsey: @lmw_studio</p><p>https://www.lmwhitestudio.com/</p><p><strong>Presented by: </strong>The Hippocratic Collective</p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/shows/fem-md]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">95e76307-425e-4470-95d7-38afb17a0811</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/83a41e38-0ed3-471c-822a-8f33f7163753/wvB0_yfh_wifbPwWKgeeyPmn.jpg"/><pubDate>Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:15:00 -0500</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/95e76307-425e-4470-95d7-38afb17a0811.mp3" length="56269635" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>39:05</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>true</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>14</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>14</podcast:episode><podcast:season>1</podcast:season><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/882502c5-eb57-4937-a34c-050e3a0bc4a4/transcript.json" type="application/json"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/882502c5-eb57-4937-a34c-050e3a0bc4a4/transcript.srt" type="application/srt" rel="captions"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/882502c5-eb57-4937-a34c-050e3a0bc4a4/index.html" type="text/html"/><podcast:chapters url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/chapter-909a2562-d101-4298-a06b-f25dd4f7a3cd.json" type="application/json+chapters"/></item><item><title>Bourdain Meets Bradshaw with Chef Lala Ziemski</title><itunes:title>Bourdain Meets Bradshaw with Chef Lala Ziemski</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>When a freak accident ended her performing career, Lala Ziemski turned pain into purpose—pivoting from the stage to the kitchen, and eventually building <em>The Firefly</em>, a boutique hotel and restaurant in Panama. Now a private chef in New York City and host of the podcast <em>Put It In My Mouth</em>, Lala joins Dr. Lauren Umstattd for an open conversation about resilience, creativity, and redefining success. They discuss how hospitality principles can transform any business (even medicine), finding alignment after chaos, and why balance—not perfection—is the ultimate luxury.</p><p><strong>Host:</strong> Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md</p><p><strong>Guest:</strong> Lala Ziemski</p><p>Connect with Lala: @ohheylala &amp; @thefireflybocasdeltoro&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Presented by:</strong> The Hippocratic Collective</p><p>0:00 – Meet Lala Ziemski: performer turned chef, hotelier, and podcast host</p><p>1:00 – From the Mickey Mouse Club dreams to musical theater life</p><p>2:40 – The freak accident that changed everything</p><p>4:00 – Learning to start over: from injury to imposter syndrome</p><p>5:00 – The restaurant that sparked a new passion</p><p>7:00 – Building a hotel and restaurant in Panama</p><p>8:30 – The grit it takes to open your own business</p><p>9:30 – Lessons in resilience and the power of saying “yes” before you’re ready</p><p>10:50 – How simplicity became her food philosophy</p><p>11:40 – Working for yourself and learning to let go</p><p>14:00 – Moving to NYC and reinventing again during the pandemic</p><p>17:00 – Finding alignment and creating her own rhythm</p><p>18:10 – The importance of autonomy and mental health</p><p>19:25 – How <em>Unreasonable Hospitality</em> changed her approach to service</p><p>22:00 – Making guests feel seen: small gestures that matter</p><p>23:40 – Inside her podcast <em>Put It In My Mouth</em> — Bourdain meets <em>Sex and the City</em></p><p>24:45 – Food, pleasure, and rejecting diet culture</p><p>26:30 – Turning setbacks into creative control</p><p>29:00 – Building a show that finally clicked</p><p>30:00 – Which <em>Sex and the City</em> character is she most like?</p><p>31:00 – Dating in New York at 47 — and loving her independence</p><p>33:00 – What makes a perfect first date (and why it’s about thoughtfulness)</p><p>35:30 – On self-trust, journaling, and slowing down</p><p>38:30 – Flipping the script: Lala interviews Dr. Lauren on facelifts &amp; filler</p><p>46:45 – The deep-plane facelift debate explained</p><p>49:40 – Medical tourism, brow lifts &amp; the “Forever 35 Face”</p><p>54:00 – Why the neck is the ultimate giveaway</p><p>56:00 – Wrapping up with travel, food, and the art of balance</p><p>58:30 – Final reflections and where to find Lala online</p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>When a freak accident ended her performing career, Lala Ziemski turned pain into purpose—pivoting from the stage to the kitchen, and eventually building <em>The Firefly</em>, a boutique hotel and restaurant in Panama. Now a private chef in New York City and host of the podcast <em>Put It In My Mouth</em>, Lala joins Dr. Lauren Umstattd for an open conversation about resilience, creativity, and redefining success. They discuss how hospitality principles can transform any business (even medicine), finding alignment after chaos, and why balance—not perfection—is the ultimate luxury.</p><p><strong>Host:</strong> Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md</p><p><strong>Guest:</strong> Lala Ziemski</p><p>Connect with Lala: @ohheylala &amp; @thefireflybocasdeltoro&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Presented by:</strong> The Hippocratic Collective</p><p>0:00 – Meet Lala Ziemski: performer turned chef, hotelier, and podcast host</p><p>1:00 – From the Mickey Mouse Club dreams to musical theater life</p><p>2:40 – The freak accident that changed everything</p><p>4:00 – Learning to start over: from injury to imposter syndrome</p><p>5:00 – The restaurant that sparked a new passion</p><p>7:00 – Building a hotel and restaurant in Panama</p><p>8:30 – The grit it takes to open your own business</p><p>9:30 – Lessons in resilience and the power of saying “yes” before you’re ready</p><p>10:50 – How simplicity became her food philosophy</p><p>11:40 – Working for yourself and learning to let go</p><p>14:00 – Moving to NYC and reinventing again during the pandemic</p><p>17:00 – Finding alignment and creating her own rhythm</p><p>18:10 – The importance of autonomy and mental health</p><p>19:25 – How <em>Unreasonable Hospitality</em> changed her approach to service</p><p>22:00 – Making guests feel seen: small gestures that matter</p><p>23:40 – Inside her podcast <em>Put It In My Mouth</em> — Bourdain meets <em>Sex and the City</em></p><p>24:45 – Food, pleasure, and rejecting diet culture</p><p>26:30 – Turning setbacks into creative control</p><p>29:00 – Building a show that finally clicked</p><p>30:00 – Which <em>Sex and the City</em> character is she most like?</p><p>31:00 – Dating in New York at 47 — and loving her independence</p><p>33:00 – What makes a perfect first date (and why it’s about thoughtfulness)</p><p>35:30 – On self-trust, journaling, and slowing down</p><p>38:30 – Flipping the script: Lala interviews Dr. Lauren on facelifts &amp; filler</p><p>46:45 – The deep-plane facelift debate explained</p><p>49:40 – Medical tourism, brow lifts &amp; the “Forever 35 Face”</p><p>54:00 – Why the neck is the ultimate giveaway</p><p>56:00 – Wrapping up with travel, food, and the art of balance</p><p>58:30 – Final reflections and where to find Lala online</p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/shows/fem-md]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">33677cc8-e30d-4c21-9d4b-33e35d8fe74a</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/83a41e38-0ed3-471c-822a-8f33f7163753/wvB0_yfh_wifbPwWKgeeyPmn.jpg"/><pubDate>Wed, 22 Oct 2025 00:15:00 -0500</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/33677cc8-e30d-4c21-9d4b-33e35d8fe74a.mp3" length="73190712" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>50:50</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>true</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>13</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>13</podcast:episode><podcast:season>1</podcast:season></item><item><title>From Nurse to Radiologist: Dr. Lily Nguyen&apos;s Inspiring Journey</title><itunes:title>From Nurse to Radiologist: Dr. Lily Nguyen&apos;s Inspiring Journey</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>Dr. Lily Nguyen’s path to medicine didn’t begin in a classroom - it began at the bedside.</p><p>After five years as a nurse, she made the rare leap from nursing to medical school and is now completing her residency in radiology. In this episode of <em>Fem MD</em>, Dr. Nguyen reflects on how her nursing background shaped her clinical intuition, her empathy, and her definition of “success.” We talk about identity shifts, impostor feelings, and the quiet power of taking the long way around. Dr. Nguyen shares how she learned to stop comparing timelines and start honoring her own, proving that purpose doesn’t expire and that every detour brings you closer to where you’re meant to be.</p><p><strong>Host:</strong> Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md</p><p><strong>Guest:</strong> Dr. Lily Nguyen </p><p>Connect with Lily: @nursemdlily</p><p><strong>Presented by:</strong> The Hippocratic Collective</p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Dr. Lily Nguyen’s path to medicine didn’t begin in a classroom - it began at the bedside.</p><p>After five years as a nurse, she made the rare leap from nursing to medical school and is now completing her residency in radiology. In this episode of <em>Fem MD</em>, Dr. Nguyen reflects on how her nursing background shaped her clinical intuition, her empathy, and her definition of “success.” We talk about identity shifts, impostor feelings, and the quiet power of taking the long way around. Dr. Nguyen shares how she learned to stop comparing timelines and start honoring her own, proving that purpose doesn’t expire and that every detour brings you closer to where you’re meant to be.</p><p><strong>Host:</strong> Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md</p><p><strong>Guest:</strong> Dr. Lily Nguyen </p><p>Connect with Lily: @nursemdlily</p><p><strong>Presented by:</strong> The Hippocratic Collective</p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/shows/fem-md]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">f6c3f68d-34cb-4c3d-b67e-a737be4bc0ac</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/83a41e38-0ed3-471c-822a-8f33f7163753/wvB0_yfh_wifbPwWKgeeyPmn.jpg"/><pubDate>Wed, 08 Oct 2025 00:15:00 -0500</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/f6c3f68d-34cb-4c3d-b67e-a737be4bc0ac.mp3" length="60317778" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>41:53</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>true</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>12</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>12</podcast:episode><podcast:season>1</podcast:season><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/c1fc29aa-f698-4a99-8d68-9c35b3174aed/transcript.json" type="application/json"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/c1fc29aa-f698-4a99-8d68-9c35b3174aed/transcript.srt" type="application/srt" rel="captions"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/c1fc29aa-f698-4a99-8d68-9c35b3174aed/index.html" type="text/html"/><podcast:chapters url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/chapter-66deef4f-6904-43f4-85aa-b22f8fe965c9.json" type="application/json+chapters"/></item><item><title>The Dark Surgeon Psyche with Dr Mel Thacker</title><itunes:title>The Dark Surgeon Psyche with Dr Mel Thacker</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>What does it take to survive — and actually thrive — as a surgeon when the system keeps asking you to show up like a machine?</p><p>In this episode of Fem MD, host Dr. Lauren Umstattd talks with Dr. Mel Thacker — double-boarded ENT, lifestyle medicine specialist, and surgeon-coach — about the “dark surgeon psyche,” the ways training teaches us to disconnect from our bodies and feelings, and how to come back to being a whole person.</p><p>Mel pulls back the curtain on perfectionism, trauma responses in training, and the dopamine-seeking habits that help us numb out. Whether you’re in the OR, the clinic, or parenting after a 24-hour call, this episode offers humane, practical steps to feel less alone and more like yourself again.</p><p>Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md</p><p>Guest: Dr. Mel Thacker</p><p>Connect with Mel: https://www.melthackercoaching.com/</p><p>Presented by: The Hippocratic Collective</p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>What does it take to survive — and actually thrive — as a surgeon when the system keeps asking you to show up like a machine?</p><p>In this episode of Fem MD, host Dr. Lauren Umstattd talks with Dr. Mel Thacker — double-boarded ENT, lifestyle medicine specialist, and surgeon-coach — about the “dark surgeon psyche,” the ways training teaches us to disconnect from our bodies and feelings, and how to come back to being a whole person.</p><p>Mel pulls back the curtain on perfectionism, trauma responses in training, and the dopamine-seeking habits that help us numb out. Whether you’re in the OR, the clinic, or parenting after a 24-hour call, this episode offers humane, practical steps to feel less alone and more like yourself again.</p><p>Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md</p><p>Guest: Dr. Mel Thacker</p><p>Connect with Mel: https://www.melthackercoaching.com/</p><p>Presented by: The Hippocratic Collective</p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/shows/fem-md]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">1130165c-cfb7-4fc7-ae33-fb71c141da78</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/83a41e38-0ed3-471c-822a-8f33f7163753/wvB0_yfh_wifbPwWKgeeyPmn.jpg"/><pubDate>Wed, 24 Sep 2025 00:15:00 -0500</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/1130165c-cfb7-4fc7-ae33-fb71c141da78.mp3" length="71879202" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>49:36</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>true</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>11</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>11</podcast:episode><podcast:season>1</podcast:season></item><item><title>Rewiring Your Brain For Happiness with Dannie De Novo</title><itunes:title>Rewiring Your Brain For Happiness with Dannie De Novo</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>What does it really take to be happy? In this episode of <em>Fem, MD</em>, host Lauren talks with happiness coach <strong>Dannie De Novo</strong>, who shares her powerful journey from years of depression and anxiety to building a life rooted in true joy. Dannie opens up about breaking free from destructive cycles, challenging the idea that happiness is out of reach, and finding the courage to face yourself honestly.</p><p>Together, they dive into the limits of relying solely on medication, the role of nutrition and mindfulness, and why rewiring your patterns of thought is key to lasting change. You’ll walk away with both inspiration and practical tools—from cultivating gratitude to practicing emotional honesty—that can help you create your own path to well-being.</p><p>This isn’t about chasing happiness. It’s about building it.</p><p><strong>Host:</strong>&nbsp;Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md</p><p><strong>Guest:</strong> Dannie De Novo</p><p>Connect with Dannie: https://www.danniedenovo.com/</p><p><strong>Presented by:</strong>&nbsp;The Hippocratic Collective</p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>What does it really take to be happy? In this episode of <em>Fem, MD</em>, host Lauren talks with happiness coach <strong>Dannie De Novo</strong>, who shares her powerful journey from years of depression and anxiety to building a life rooted in true joy. Dannie opens up about breaking free from destructive cycles, challenging the idea that happiness is out of reach, and finding the courage to face yourself honestly.</p><p>Together, they dive into the limits of relying solely on medication, the role of nutrition and mindfulness, and why rewiring your patterns of thought is key to lasting change. You’ll walk away with both inspiration and practical tools—from cultivating gratitude to practicing emotional honesty—that can help you create your own path to well-being.</p><p>This isn’t about chasing happiness. It’s about building it.</p><p><strong>Host:</strong>&nbsp;Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md</p><p><strong>Guest:</strong> Dannie De Novo</p><p>Connect with Dannie: https://www.danniedenovo.com/</p><p><strong>Presented by:</strong>&nbsp;The Hippocratic Collective</p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/shows/fem-md]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">acc86df0-fe28-4fc8-a0a2-e21222c1bf7f</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/83a41e38-0ed3-471c-822a-8f33f7163753/wvB0_yfh_wifbPwWKgeeyPmn.jpg"/><pubDate>Wed, 10 Sep 2025 00:15:00 -0500</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/acc86df0-fe28-4fc8-a0a2-e21222c1bf7f.mp3" length="45425475" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>31:33</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>true</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>10</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>10</podcast:episode><podcast:season>1</podcast:season><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/aacfa647-b4ad-42f0-a712-4d0163ffb85a/transcript.json" type="application/json"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/aacfa647-b4ad-42f0-a712-4d0163ffb85a/transcript.srt" type="application/srt" rel="captions"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/aacfa647-b4ad-42f0-a712-4d0163ffb85a/index.html" type="text/html"/></item><item><title>Operating Under Capacity | Dr. Joan Chan on Redefining Success in Medicine</title><itunes:title>Operating Under Capacity | Dr. Joan Chan on Redefining Success in Medicine</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>What if the secret to a long, fulfilling medical career isn’t doing more—but doing less?</p><p>This week on <em>Fem MD</em>, host Lauren sits down with <strong>Dr. Joan Chan</strong>, a Canadian family physician, coach, mom, and host of <em>The Other Human in the Room</em>. Joan shares her radical approach to working under maximum capacity, teaching physicians how to reclaim space, set boundaries, and prioritize joy without sacrificing patient care.</p><p>Together they explore why honoring your limits can actually make you a better doctor, how to recognize the signs that you’re over capacity, and what it looks like to say no without guilt. Joan explains the value of creative days, rest, and small acts of humanity—like a midday nap or playing her ukulele—as well as how technology like AI scribes is reshaping charting and giving time back to clinicians.</p><p>Her calm, grounded energy offers a refreshing antidote to hustle culture and a reminder that we are all human first, doctors second.</p><p><strong>Host:</strong>&nbsp;Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md</p><p><strong>Guest: </strong>Joan Chan, MD</p><p>Connect with Joan: https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/members/joan-chan-md</p><p>And listen to her podcast, <em>The Other Human in the Room</em></p><p><strong>Presented by:</strong>&nbsp;The Hippocratic Collective</p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>What if the secret to a long, fulfilling medical career isn’t doing more—but doing less?</p><p>This week on <em>Fem MD</em>, host Lauren sits down with <strong>Dr. Joan Chan</strong>, a Canadian family physician, coach, mom, and host of <em>The Other Human in the Room</em>. Joan shares her radical approach to working under maximum capacity, teaching physicians how to reclaim space, set boundaries, and prioritize joy without sacrificing patient care.</p><p>Together they explore why honoring your limits can actually make you a better doctor, how to recognize the signs that you’re over capacity, and what it looks like to say no without guilt. Joan explains the value of creative days, rest, and small acts of humanity—like a midday nap or playing her ukulele—as well as how technology like AI scribes is reshaping charting and giving time back to clinicians.</p><p>Her calm, grounded energy offers a refreshing antidote to hustle culture and a reminder that we are all human first, doctors second.</p><p><strong>Host:</strong>&nbsp;Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md</p><p><strong>Guest: </strong>Joan Chan, MD</p><p>Connect with Joan: https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/members/joan-chan-md</p><p>And listen to her podcast, <em>The Other Human in the Room</em></p><p><strong>Presented by:</strong>&nbsp;The Hippocratic Collective</p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/shows/fem-md]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">4e8e95e4-43d0-4a2f-ab7e-0b9052f9fa69</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/83a41e38-0ed3-471c-822a-8f33f7163753/wvB0_yfh_wifbPwWKgeeyPmn.jpg"/><pubDate>Wed, 27 Aug 2025 00:15:00 -0500</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/4e8e95e4-43d0-4a2f-ab7e-0b9052f9fa69.mp3" length="64656821" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>44:54</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>true</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>9</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>9</podcast:episode><podcast:season>1</podcast:season></item><item><title>Breast Cancer at 33: Alex Owens on Grief, Anger &amp; Moving Forward</title><itunes:title>Breast Cancer at 33: Alex Owens on Grief, Anger &amp; Moving Forward</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this powerful episode of <em>Fem MD</em>, host <strong>Lauren Umstattd</strong> sits down with <strong>Alex Owens</strong> to share the raw, unfiltered reality of life after a breast cancer diagnosis. Alex speaks candidly about the unique grief of losing parts of oneself—physically and emotionally—captured in her poignant words: <em>“You’re grieving your old self, you’re grieving your breasts.”</em></p><p>Through intimate storytelling, Alex and Lauren explore the fears, losses, and identity shifts that come with serious illness. They discuss the tension between maintaining a professional facade and navigating personal pain, the societal pressures to hide vulnerability, and the transformative role of community and connection.</p><p>This is not just a story about cancer—it’s about identity, womanhood, and the resilience that emerges in the face of life-altering change.</p><p><strong>Host:</strong>&nbsp;Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md</p><p><strong>Guest: </strong>Alex Owens</p><p>Connect with Alex: @alexowenskc</p><p><strong>Presented by:</strong>&nbsp;The Hippocratic Collective</p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In this powerful episode of <em>Fem MD</em>, host <strong>Lauren Umstattd</strong> sits down with <strong>Alex Owens</strong> to share the raw, unfiltered reality of life after a breast cancer diagnosis. Alex speaks candidly about the unique grief of losing parts of oneself—physically and emotionally—captured in her poignant words: <em>“You’re grieving your old self, you’re grieving your breasts.”</em></p><p>Through intimate storytelling, Alex and Lauren explore the fears, losses, and identity shifts that come with serious illness. They discuss the tension between maintaining a professional facade and navigating personal pain, the societal pressures to hide vulnerability, and the transformative role of community and connection.</p><p>This is not just a story about cancer—it’s about identity, womanhood, and the resilience that emerges in the face of life-altering change.</p><p><strong>Host:</strong>&nbsp;Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md</p><p><strong>Guest: </strong>Alex Owens</p><p>Connect with Alex: @alexowenskc</p><p><strong>Presented by:</strong>&nbsp;The Hippocratic Collective</p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/shows/fem-md]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">ddd4b1c2-c67c-4a72-a8c1-7f486494d755</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/83a41e38-0ed3-471c-822a-8f33f7163753/wvB0_yfh_wifbPwWKgeeyPmn.jpg"/><pubDate>Wed, 13 Aug 2025 00:15:00 -0500</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/ddd4b1c2-c67c-4a72-a8c1-7f486494d755.mp3" length="62510810" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>43:25</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>true</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>8</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>8</podcast:episode><podcast:season>1</podcast:season><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/41525c5e-aeb6-4ab1-a6c4-5ce1721c4e4b/transcript.json" type="application/json"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/41525c5e-aeb6-4ab1-a6c4-5ce1721c4e4b/transcript.srt" type="application/srt" rel="captions"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/41525c5e-aeb6-4ab1-a6c4-5ce1721c4e4b/index.html" type="text/html"/><podcast:chapters url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/chapter-fad73c28-cd2b-483e-b2dd-c9e4c281898c.json" type="application/json+chapters"/></item><item><title>Marriage, Medicine, and Making It Work</title><itunes:title>Marriage, Medicine, and Making It Work</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Fem MD</em>, we explore the uncomfortable truth: love alone doesn’t make a marriage last. Dr. Lauren Umstattd opens up about the realities of partnership, drawing from her own experiences to unpack the deeper ingredients that sustain a strong marriage—kindness, respect, communication, and growth. It's a candid conversation about what happens after the honeymoon phase ends, how couples evolve through challenges, and why being intentional in your relationship matters more than romantic ideals. Whether you're married, thinking about it, or questioning what a healthy relationship looks like, this episode offers a thoughtful, grounded perspective on building a life together.</p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Fem MD</em>, we explore the uncomfortable truth: love alone doesn’t make a marriage last. Dr. Lauren Umstattd opens up about the realities of partnership, drawing from her own experiences to unpack the deeper ingredients that sustain a strong marriage—kindness, respect, communication, and growth. It's a candid conversation about what happens after the honeymoon phase ends, how couples evolve through challenges, and why being intentional in your relationship matters more than romantic ideals. Whether you're married, thinking about it, or questioning what a healthy relationship looks like, this episode offers a thoughtful, grounded perspective on building a life together.</p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/shows/fem-md]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">cb778b29-539b-40de-8458-be2769ab5fc4</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/83a41e38-0ed3-471c-822a-8f33f7163753/wvB0_yfh_wifbPwWKgeeyPmn.jpg"/><pubDate>Wed, 30 Jul 2025 00:15:00 -0500</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/cb778b29-539b-40de-8458-be2769ab5fc4.mp3" length="27680599" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>19:13</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>true</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>7</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>7</podcast:episode><podcast:season>1</podcast:season><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/5f6ce16a-7ef8-4900-aa88-bd37e32aede5/transcript.json" type="application/json"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/5f6ce16a-7ef8-4900-aa88-bd37e32aede5/transcript.srt" type="application/srt" rel="captions"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/5f6ce16a-7ef8-4900-aa88-bd37e32aede5/index.html" type="text/html"/><podcast:chapters url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/chapter-703d89ab-dc9d-4f67-a5b8-80e37bf8fe83.json" type="application/json+chapters"/></item><item><title>Breaking the Cycle: Toxic Training, Systemic Abuse, and Life After Surgery</title><itunes:title>Breaking the Cycle: Toxic Training, Systemic Abuse, and Life After Surgery</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this powerful episode of <em>FEM MD</em>, Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with Dr. Frances Mei Hardin for an unflinching conversation about the darker realities of surgical training. Frances Mei shares her personal experience navigating a medical culture where bullying, abuse, and emotional isolation are often normalized—and where “resilience” is too often code for silent suffering.</p><p>Together, they unpack the structural issues baked into the hierarchy of medicine and what it means to walk away—not as a failure, but as an act of reclaiming agency. This episode explores what happens when your identity is bound to your profession, and what’s possible when you begin to untangle that narrative.</p><p>It’s a must-listen for anyone who’s ever questioned the cost of staying silent in a broken system.</p><p>Host:&nbsp;Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Dr. Frances Mei Hardin</p><p>IG: @francesmei.md</p><p>Website: https://hippocratic-collective.com</p><p>Presented by:&nbsp;The Hippocratic Collective</p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In this powerful episode of <em>FEM MD</em>, Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with Dr. Frances Mei Hardin for an unflinching conversation about the darker realities of surgical training. Frances Mei shares her personal experience navigating a medical culture where bullying, abuse, and emotional isolation are often normalized—and where “resilience” is too often code for silent suffering.</p><p>Together, they unpack the structural issues baked into the hierarchy of medicine and what it means to walk away—not as a failure, but as an act of reclaiming agency. This episode explores what happens when your identity is bound to your profession, and what’s possible when you begin to untangle that narrative.</p><p>It’s a must-listen for anyone who’s ever questioned the cost of staying silent in a broken system.</p><p>Host:&nbsp;Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Dr. Frances Mei Hardin</p><p>IG: @francesmei.md</p><p>Website: https://hippocratic-collective.com</p><p>Presented by:&nbsp;The Hippocratic Collective</p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/shows/fem-md]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">a264256c-21f6-45be-9271-347957327d86</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/83a41e38-0ed3-471c-822a-8f33f7163753/wvB0_yfh_wifbPwWKgeeyPmn.jpg"/><pubDate>Wed, 16 Jul 2025 00:15:00 -0500</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/a264256c-21f6-45be-9271-347957327d86.mp3" length="45347734" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>31:29</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>true</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>6</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>6</podcast:episode><podcast:season>1</podcast:season><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/c647f668-bf35-4203-8d7e-a1799d96a753/transcript.json" type="application/json"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/c647f668-bf35-4203-8d7e-a1799d96a753/transcript.srt" type="application/srt" rel="captions"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/c647f668-bf35-4203-8d7e-a1799d96a753/index.html" type="text/html"/><podcast:chapters url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/chapter-5f36014d-34c9-491c-a825-f50b99b63eb0.json" type="application/json+chapters"/></item><item><title>If You&apos;re Not Growing, You&apos;re Dying</title><itunes:title>If You&apos;re Not Growing, You&apos;re Dying</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Fem MD</em>, Dr. Lauren Umstattd unpacks the quiet pressure to be everything to everyone: the perfect doctor, the perfect parent, the perfect partner. But what if success isn’t about getting it all right? What if the real work, and the real growth, comes from simply getting a little better each day? This episode explores how embracing small, consistent improvements can lead to more sustainable fulfillment, both professionally and personally. It’s a conversation about showing up, letting go of unrealistic standards, and making peace with the messy middle.</p><p><strong>Host:</strong>&nbsp;Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Lauren @lauren_umstattd_md</p><p><strong>Presented by:</strong>&nbsp;The Hippocratic Collective</p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Fem MD</em>, Dr. Lauren Umstattd unpacks the quiet pressure to be everything to everyone: the perfect doctor, the perfect parent, the perfect partner. But what if success isn’t about getting it all right? What if the real work, and the real growth, comes from simply getting a little better each day? This episode explores how embracing small, consistent improvements can lead to more sustainable fulfillment, both professionally and personally. It’s a conversation about showing up, letting go of unrealistic standards, and making peace with the messy middle.</p><p><strong>Host:</strong>&nbsp;Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Lauren @lauren_umstattd_md</p><p><strong>Presented by:</strong>&nbsp;The Hippocratic Collective</p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/shows/fem-md]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">f89267bb-b94f-4694-8f42-2ccf75d39a8c</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/83a41e38-0ed3-471c-822a-8f33f7163753/wvB0_yfh_wifbPwWKgeeyPmn.jpg"/><pubDate>Wed, 02 Jul 2025 00:15:00 -0500</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/f89267bb-b94f-4694-8f42-2ccf75d39a8c.mp3" length="26481856" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>18:17</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>true</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>5</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>5</podcast:episode><podcast:season>1</podcast:season><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/38edf89c-3b1d-4bf1-8c88-bff89b77aeb6/transcript.json" type="application/json"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/38edf89c-3b1d-4bf1-8c88-bff89b77aeb6/transcript.srt" type="application/srt" rel="captions"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/38edf89c-3b1d-4bf1-8c88-bff89b77aeb6/index.html" type="text/html"/><podcast:chapters url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/chapter-dfbd8531-051d-479e-ba0d-0266e43d18f4.json" type="application/json+chapters"/></item><item><title>Obsession vs Perfection: The Hidden Pressure to Be Better with Dr. Sinehan Bayrak</title><itunes:title>Obsession vs Perfection: The Hidden Pressure to Be Better with Dr. Sinehan Bayrak</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p><strong>Why do women in medicine still have to be twice as good to get half the credit?</strong></p><p>In this episode of <em>Fem MD</em>, Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with facial plastic surgeon Dr. Sinehan Bayrak for a raw and real conversation about what it takes to succeed as a woman in medicine—and the unspoken costs of trying to be “perfect” in a system that still rewards mediocrity in men.</p><p>They talk candidly about the double standards women face in surgery, the psychological toll of perfectionism, and how implicit bias still shapes who gets promoted, praised, or believed. From patient selection to mentorship to the quiet calculus women make every day just to be taken seriously—this episode goes deep on what it means to strive for excellence in a field that often sets the bar unevenly.</p><p>Whether you're a med student, resident, or attending, this one’s for anyone who’s ever felt the pressure to overperform just to be seen.</p><p>Host:&nbsp;Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Dr. Sinehan Bayrak</p><p>IG: @dr.bayrak</p><p>Website: https://bayrakmd.com/</p><p>Presented by:&nbsp;The Hippocratic Collective</p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Why do women in medicine still have to be twice as good to get half the credit?</strong></p><p>In this episode of <em>Fem MD</em>, Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with facial plastic surgeon Dr. Sinehan Bayrak for a raw and real conversation about what it takes to succeed as a woman in medicine—and the unspoken costs of trying to be “perfect” in a system that still rewards mediocrity in men.</p><p>They talk candidly about the double standards women face in surgery, the psychological toll of perfectionism, and how implicit bias still shapes who gets promoted, praised, or believed. From patient selection to mentorship to the quiet calculus women make every day just to be taken seriously—this episode goes deep on what it means to strive for excellence in a field that often sets the bar unevenly.</p><p>Whether you're a med student, resident, or attending, this one’s for anyone who’s ever felt the pressure to overperform just to be seen.</p><p>Host:&nbsp;Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Dr. Sinehan Bayrak</p><p>IG: @dr.bayrak</p><p>Website: https://bayrakmd.com/</p><p>Presented by:&nbsp;The Hippocratic Collective</p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/shows/fem-md]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">bb46a8b1-7914-4089-8c14-7a2f44d278d5</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/83a41e38-0ed3-471c-822a-8f33f7163753/wvB0_yfh_wifbPwWKgeeyPmn.jpg"/><pubDate>Wed, 18 Jun 2025 00:15:00 -0500</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/bb46a8b1-7914-4089-8c14-7a2f44d278d5.mp3" length="75257729" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>52:16</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>true</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>4</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>4</podcast:episode><podcast:season>1</podcast:season><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/3979eacd-bc7e-4170-b202-c884dd2e0533/transcript.json" type="application/json"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/3979eacd-bc7e-4170-b202-c884dd2e0533/transcript.srt" type="application/srt" rel="captions"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/3979eacd-bc7e-4170-b202-c884dd2e0533/index.html" type="text/html"/><podcast:chapters url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/chapter-8e8b2603-71d9-4ea4-8769-6c829d169bb6.json" type="application/json+chapters"/></item><item><title>How Much Abuse Should You Tolerate?</title><itunes:title>How Much Abuse Should You Tolerate?</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, I open up about something that’s all too common in medical training but rarely talked about: abuse and mistreatment. I share a personal story from my own training — including a moment where a supervising surgeon crossed a serious line with physical aggression — and reflect on how that experience shaped my decision to walk away from fellowship. We talk about the blurry line between tough coaching and outright abuse, and what it really means to push someone “for their own good.” This one is about drawing your own boundaries, reclaiming your autonomy in a system that often strips it away, and naming the things we’ve all been taught to stay silent about. If you've ever felt gaslit, undermined, or just plain mistreated in medicine, this one’s for you.</p><p><strong>Host:</strong>&nbsp;Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Lauren @lauren_umstattd_md</p><p><strong>Presented by:</strong>&nbsp;The Hippocratic Collective</p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, I open up about something that’s all too common in medical training but rarely talked about: abuse and mistreatment. I share a personal story from my own training — including a moment where a supervising surgeon crossed a serious line with physical aggression — and reflect on how that experience shaped my decision to walk away from fellowship. We talk about the blurry line between tough coaching and outright abuse, and what it really means to push someone “for their own good.” This one is about drawing your own boundaries, reclaiming your autonomy in a system that often strips it away, and naming the things we’ve all been taught to stay silent about. If you've ever felt gaslit, undermined, or just plain mistreated in medicine, this one’s for you.</p><p><strong>Host:</strong>&nbsp;Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Lauren @lauren_umstattd_md</p><p><strong>Presented by:</strong>&nbsp;The Hippocratic Collective</p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/shows/fem-md]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">5e93b670-4571-4a39-aa21-afb4d1e0c10c</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/83a41e38-0ed3-471c-822a-8f33f7163753/wvB0_yfh_wifbPwWKgeeyPmn.jpg"/><pubDate>Wed, 04 Jun 2025 04:00:00 -0500</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/5e93b670-4571-4a39-aa21-afb4d1e0c10c.mp3" length="25562800" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>17:45</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>true</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>3</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>3</podcast:episode><podcast:season>1</podcast:season><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/5dde8b80-2bf2-4ce6-947c-96d9d641227c/transcript.json" type="application/json"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/5dde8b80-2bf2-4ce6-947c-96d9d641227c/transcript.srt" type="application/srt" rel="captions"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/5dde8b80-2bf2-4ce6-947c-96d9d641227c/index.html" type="text/html"/></item><item><title>Arrival Fallacy, The Patient Graveyard, and Mom Guilt with Dr. Brittany Bankhead</title><itunes:title>Arrival Fallacy, The Patient Graveyard, and Mom Guilt with Dr. Brittany Bankhead</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this raw and thought-provoking episode of&nbsp;<em>Fem MD</em>, trauma surgeon Dr. Brittany Bankhead sits down with Dr. Lauren Umstattd for an honest conversation about the challenges of being a woman in surgery. Dr. Bankhead opens up about her personal journey to embracing her full identity—not only as a surgeon but as a mother, partner, and woman who has navigated professional toxicity, imposter syndrome, and the emotional weight of caring for patients at their most vulnerable. The two dive into the "arrival fallacy"—the idea that happiness will come once you reach the next milestone—and explore the emotional burden of the “patient graveyard,” the haunting memories of lives lost. Dr. Bankhead also shares the practical and emotional tools she and her husband—a fellow physician—use to juggle two demanding careers, raising two kids, and navigating the complexities of divorce and reconciliation.</p><p><strong>Host:&nbsp;</strong>Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Dr. Bankhead</p><p><strong>IG:</strong> @BBankheadMD</p><p><strong>IG: </strong>@ModernMomLab</p><p><strong>Website: </strong>https://www.modernmomlab.com/</p><p><strong>Presented by:</strong>&nbsp;The Hippocratic Collective</p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In this raw and thought-provoking episode of&nbsp;<em>Fem MD</em>, trauma surgeon Dr. Brittany Bankhead sits down with Dr. Lauren Umstattd for an honest conversation about the challenges of being a woman in surgery. Dr. Bankhead opens up about her personal journey to embracing her full identity—not only as a surgeon but as a mother, partner, and woman who has navigated professional toxicity, imposter syndrome, and the emotional weight of caring for patients at their most vulnerable. The two dive into the "arrival fallacy"—the idea that happiness will come once you reach the next milestone—and explore the emotional burden of the “patient graveyard,” the haunting memories of lives lost. Dr. Bankhead also shares the practical and emotional tools she and her husband—a fellow physician—use to juggle two demanding careers, raising two kids, and navigating the complexities of divorce and reconciliation.</p><p><strong>Host:&nbsp;</strong>Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p>Connect with Dr. Bankhead</p><p><strong>IG:</strong> @BBankheadMD</p><p><strong>IG: </strong>@ModernMomLab</p><p><strong>Website: </strong>https://www.modernmomlab.com/</p><p><strong>Presented by:</strong>&nbsp;The Hippocratic Collective</p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/shows/fem-md]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">225f4484-b307-4bb3-b37e-2d761a0950c2</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/83a41e38-0ed3-471c-822a-8f33f7163753/wvB0_yfh_wifbPwWKgeeyPmn.jpg"/><pubDate>Wed, 21 May 2025 03:00:00 -0500</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/225f4484-b307-4bb3-b37e-2d761a0950c2.mp3" length="69373461" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>48:05</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>true</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>2</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>2</podcast:episode><podcast:season>1</podcast:season></item><item><title>Messy, Bold, and Unapologetic</title><itunes:title>Messy, Bold, and Unapologetic</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this powerful and unfiltered debut episode of&nbsp;<strong>FEMMD</strong>, Dr. Lauren Umstattd—a facial plastic surgeon, business owner, and mother—opens up about the beautiful mess of balancing a high-stakes medical career with motherhood, identity, and ambition.</p><p>Lauren speaks candidly about what it means to crave complexity, lean into vulnerability, and challenge societal norms around success, femininity, and parenting. From the raw realities of surgery to the emotional demands of parenting, she doesn’t hold back.</p><p>She discusses the guilt many working mothers carry, the myth of perfection in both medicine and parenting, and the power of taking up space unapologetically.</p><p><strong>Host:</strong>&nbsp;Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p><strong>Presented by:</strong>&nbsp;The Hippocratic Collective</p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In this powerful and unfiltered debut episode of&nbsp;<strong>FEMMD</strong>, Dr. Lauren Umstattd—a facial plastic surgeon, business owner, and mother—opens up about the beautiful mess of balancing a high-stakes medical career with motherhood, identity, and ambition.</p><p>Lauren speaks candidly about what it means to crave complexity, lean into vulnerability, and challenge societal norms around success, femininity, and parenting. From the raw realities of surgery to the emotional demands of parenting, she doesn’t hold back.</p><p>She discusses the guilt many working mothers carry, the myth of perfection in both medicine and parenting, and the power of taking up space unapologetically.</p><p><strong>Host:</strong>&nbsp;Dr. Lauren Umstattd</p><p><strong>Presented by:</strong>&nbsp;The Hippocratic Collective</p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/shows/fem-md]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">3e24f2da-e02d-4644-8c6c-21781d0c7e8a</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/83a41e38-0ed3-471c-822a-8f33f7163753/wvB0_yfh_wifbPwWKgeeyPmn.jpg"/><pubDate>Mon, 05 May 2025 08:00:00 -0500</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/3e24f2da-e02d-4644-8c6c-21781d0c7e8a.mp3" length="20874319" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>14:25</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>true</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>1</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>1</podcast:episode><podcast:season>1</podcast:season></item></channel></rss>