Best Hippocratic Collective Podcasts (2025)

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The Dark Surgeon Psyche with Dr Mel Thacker 49:36

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16h ago49:36

49:36

What does it take to survive — and actually thrive — as a surgeon when the system keeps asking you to show up like a machine? 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 disconn…

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How We Made It Through Residency & 9 Years Together | Surgery & Marriage 41:07

1d ago41:07

41:07

What does it look like to grow up, and grow together, through residency, marriage, and building a life outside of medicine? In this special anniversary episode of Surgeon, Interrupted, Frances Mei and her husband Colin celebrate nine years since their very first date. They reflect on their engagement, early struggles during residency, and the evolu…

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#64 Creating Conscious Wealth with Mel Dorman 45:31

2d ago45:31

45:31

Are you a woman surgeon interested in our Cabo retreat? Click here before we fill our cohort! Today I’m talking with financial activist, author, and viral TEDx speaker Mel Dorman about how to create wealth in a way that’s simple, sustainable, and rooted in community. This conversation will stick with you long after you listen. Watch their TEDx talk…

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191. Enjoy Your Difficulties—Lessons from Nashville 53:50

3d ago53:50

53:50

When a much-anticipated Nashville trip collided with a looming airline strike, zero sleep, and a nasty URTI, I leaned on a practice that’s changed my life: enjoying my difficulties. In this solo debrief, I walk through two core buckets—changing my relationship to hard things and building my capacity for joy. From buying a backup flight to taking po…

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#41: What Residency Is Really Like | Dr. Kamran Tate 35:36

4d ago35:36

35:36

Residency is one of the most challenging, and defining, stages of becoming a doctor. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Kamran Tate, a second-year internal medicine resident, to hear what life is really like on the frontlines of medicine. From the steep learning curve of day one to balancing 12-hour shifts, navigating the ICU, and relying on the wis…

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Residents, Revolt! (Or… At Least Negotiate) 38:31

5d ago38:31

38:31

This week on Social Rounds, Tony Chin-Quee and Frances Mei wade into the messy, complicated, and surprisingly spicy world of resident unions. From the University of Colorado’s organizing battles to the bigger question of whether doctors-in-training should flex their collective bargaining muscles, we break it all down with our signature mix of humor…

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Switching Specialties in Residency | Dr. Liv Perez on Leaving Family Medicine for Dermatology 34:21

8d ago34:21

34:21

What happens when you realize your residency isn’t the right fit - after you’ve already started? In this episode of Surgeon, Interrupted, Dr. Olivia Perez (@drliv.md) shares her bold decision to leave family medicine after intern year and successfully reapply to dermatology. She opens up about the doubts, the guilt, and the logistics of making such…

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#63 Using Intuition as a Guide with Dr. Priya Kothapalli 58:06

9d ago58:06

58:06

Women Surgeons interested in the Self-Concept Weekend in Cabo, click here to schedule a 15 min interview with me. In this episode, my guest, Dr. Priya Kothapalli, and I discuss the beauty and power of intuition, the challenges of corporate medicine, imposter syndrome, don't know mind, and what it's like to have the courage to design a life true to …

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190. Give Yourself Permission with Dr. Anne Aspler 1:05:49

10d ago1:05:49

1:05:49

In this conversation, I sit down with Dr. Anne Aspler to explore what it really takes to give yourself permission to create, to heal, and to exist as more than just a doctor. We talk about growing up in fundamentalist religion, finding parallels between dogma in faith and medicine, and the courage it takes to step outside of rigid systems. Anne sha…

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From Hookups to Humanities: What Med School Doesn’t Teach You 48:26

13d ago48:26

48:26

Tony and Frances Mei pull back the curtain on the messier side of med school — from the “sexually charged” undercurrent of training, to how social dynamics shape friendships, relationships, and reputations in medicine. They tackle everything from cancel culture in the hospital halls to whether med students really need a crash course in the humaniti…

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#40: What is Rucking, Why I Started Rucking, & Why You Should Walk More 21:19

13d ago21:19

21:19

Dr. Brian Hoeflinger and Kevin Hoeflinger explore the science and practice of rucking, walking with added weight, as a joint-friendly way to boost cardiovascular health, build strength, and increase resilience. They share how rucking compares to running and walking, practical steps to get started safely, and the surprising benefits for muscle, mood…

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Rewiring Your Brain For Happiness with Dannie De Novo 31:33

14d ago31:33

31:33

What does it really take to be happy? In this episode of Fem, MD, host Lauren talks with happiness coach Dannie De Novo, 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 fin…

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Medicine Without Limits | Dr. Alyssa Cole on Mosaic Careers, Pageants, and Redefining Success 31:22

16d ago31:22

31:22

What happens when you refuse to be one-dimensional in medicine? In this episode of Surgeon, Interrupted, Dr. Alyssa Cole (@doctor.cole), a PM&R physician specializing in cancer rehabilitation, shares her journey of weaving multiple identities into her career: physician, MBA, pageant competitor, children’s book author, and content creator. We talk a…

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#62 Turning Tragedy into Meaning with Dr. Brian Hoeflinger and Kevin Hoeflinger 1:01:58

16d ago1:01:58

1:01:58

After a tragic car crash in 1983 changed the course of his family forever, Dr. Brian Hoeflinger pursued neurosurgery with a new sense of purpose. Decades later, when his teenage son died suddenly in a car accident, he found himself once again reshaped by grief. In this episode, Dr. Hoeflinger shares how these experiences inform the way he practices…

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189. Two Row Medicine with Dr. Karenna'onwe Karen Hill 1:02:02

18d ago1:02:02

1:02:02

In this episode of The Other Human in the Room, I sit down with Dr Karenna'onwe Karen Hill, a Mohawk Turtle Clan family physician from Six Nations of the Grand River. She shares her remarkable journey into medicine, the concept of two-row medicine—rooted in the Haudenosaunee Two Row Wampum—and how Indigenous and Western healing can travel side by s…

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Florida Man, Vaginal pH, and the Sex Room Call Room 46:40

20d ago46:40

46:40

Tony Chin-Quee, MD and Frances Mei Hardin, MD are back for Episode 2 of Social Rounds — the show where two ENT surgeon dropouts deliver fast, funny, and fearless takes on medicine, culture, and life. In this episode, we cover: – Inside baseball: Can doctors really “find joy” in medicine, or is wellness just another way to gaslight trainees? – Outsi…

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Authenticity Over Accolades: Dr. Liz Malphrus on Surgery and Self 35:18

22d ago35:18

35:18

Dr. Liz Malphrus, chief resident in plastic surgery at the University of Pennsylvania, joins Surgeon, Interrupted to talk about what really matters in medicine today: authenticity, identity, and rewriting the old definitions of success. As a female surgeon in one of the most demanding specialties, Liz opens up about the challenges and triumphs of c…

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#61 From "Problem Resident" to Associate Professor: Proving Them Wrong with Dr. Karuna Dewan 1:00:20

23d ago1:00:20

1:00:20

Are you a woman surgeon interested in the Cabo retreat Jan 9-11? Click here to learn more about it. Click here if you're serious and get on my calendar for a 15 min interview. Dr. Karuna Dewan was accepted to medical school at just 16 and knew early on she wanted to be a laryngologist. Today she is an Associate Professor of Otolaryngology, the Jona…

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188. Rediscovering Your Authentic Voice with Dr. Aditya Nellore 59:24

25d ago59:24

59:24

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Aditya Nellore, a physician and singer who shares how his hardest “failures” became the very doorway into a more authentic life. From failing out of college to going unmatched in the residency match, Aditya opens up about the stigma he faced—and how those painful moments ultimately reconnected him to music and l…

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Surgeon Dropouts, Scrubs in Public, and Taylor Swift’s Theater Kid Era 48:58

26d ago48:58

48:58

Welcome to Social Rounds — the brand-new show from Tony Chin-Quee, MD and Frances Mei Hardin, MD. Two ENT's, now founders of the Surgeon Dropout Club, who traded the operating room for the group chat. They're here to deliver fast, funny, and fearless takes on medicine, culture, and life. If you've ever wondered what a surgeon would really say when …

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Operating Under Capacity | Dr. Joan Chan on Redefining Success in Medicine 44:54

28d ago44:54

44:54

What if the secret to a long, fulfilling medical career isn’t doing more—but doing less? This week on Fem MD, host Lauren sits down with Dr. Joan Chan, a Canadian family physician, coach, mom, and host of The Other Human in the Room. Joan shares her radical approach to working under maximum capacity, teaching physicians how to reclaim space, set bo…

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A Surgeon Presses Pause: Frances Mei Goes On Sabbatical 27:06

1M ago27:06

27:06

Today, I’m stepping into something I never thought I’d allow myself: a sabbatical. After years of moving at full speed as a surgeon, I’ve finally built in a month to stop, to breathe, and to see what happens when I’m not buried under the weight of clinical responsibility. This isn’t just a vacation. It’s a leap of faith I planned more than a year a…

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#60 A Peak Inside the Brain of a Creative with Comic Book Artist, Dr. Ryan Montoya 1:04:07

1M ago1:04:07

1:04:07

Women Surgeons, click here if interested in the retreat in Cabo. Have you ever considered the creative process of your favorite artist? I, personally, will never forget the moment I found out that Jerry Seinfeld wrote his jokes on napkins! Comic book artist and family practice physician, Dr. Ryan Montoya, comes on the show to talk about his evoluti…

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187. Pick Your Challenge 22:10

1M ago22:10

22:10

In this short summer episode, I share why the real power is in choosing the hard that aligns with your values. From charting to patient scheduling to new projects, I offer practical examples and a fresh mindset: pick your challenge on purpose. Book a call with me to register for Creating Space: http://joanchanmd.com/space Learn more about Hippocrat…

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Black Maternal Mortality Crisis: Dr. Bayo’s Story of Survival and Advocacy 47:42

1M ago47:42

47:42

This episode confronts the devastating reality that Black women continue to face the highest rates of maternal mortality in the United States - dying during childbirth or in the weeks that follow at disproportionate numbers. Our guest, Dr. Bayo, shares her own harrowing experience during her second delivery, when her concerns were repeatedly dismis…

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Creating Space: The 75% Rule & Surge Capacity in Healthcare & Life 29:42

1M ago29:42

29:42

In this episode, family physician and fellow HC member Dr. Joan Chan introduces the idea of Creating Space—a philosophy of time management and self-preservation that challenges the culture of overcommitment in medicine. Drawing from her experience during the pandemic, Joan explains the “75% rule”: the practice of deliberately leaving room in your s…

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#59 The Impossible Oath with Dr. Frances Mei Hardin 53:46

1M ago53:46

53:46

Women Surgeons, click here if interested in the retreat in Cabo. Master storyteller and fellow disrupter, Dr. Frances Mei Hardin comes on the podcast to discuss the article The Impossible Oath. We talk about what the Hippocratic Oath is and, perhaps more importantly, is not. You'll learn how the system grooms us for "betrayal blindness" and why a b…

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186. From Burnout to Coherence with Dr. Mitch Abrams 1:07:02

1M ago1:07:02

1:07:02

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Mitchell Abrams, a radiologist whose personal health crisis and journey through burnout led him on a path of deep transformation—both personally and professionally. We talk about what happens when you start to actually *feel* your emotions, how ancient wisdom intersects with quantum science, and what a healthcar…

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Breast Cancer at 33: Alex Owens on Grief, Anger & Moving Forward 43:25

1M ago43:25

43:25

In this powerful episode of Fem MD, host Lauren Umstattd sits down with Alex Owens 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: “You’re grieving your old self, you’re grieving your breast…

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This Is Why Women Walk Away from Medicine 41:25

1M ago41:25

41:25

What happens when you follow every rule, secure the prestigious grant, build the academic career, only to have it all unravel? In this powerful episode of Surgeon, Interrupted, I’m joined by Dr. Arghavan Salles, a bariatric surgeon and national leader in gender equity, physician well-being, and anti-bias reform in medicine. We talk about what it me…

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#58 Self-Concept Shapes Everything 32:00

1M ago32:00

32:00

Are you a woman surgeon ready for a transformative January (1/9/26-1/11/26) retreat in Cabo? Click here to book your call and see if it’s the perfect fit for you. Your self-concept is the story you tell yourself about who you are. It shapes everything: the decisions you make, the risks you take (or avoid), and the way you show up in the world. But …

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185. Medical Misinformation with Dr Kim Bretz ND 57:14

2M ago57:14

57:14

In this episode, I sit down with naturopath Kim Bretz to talk about one of the thorniest issues in healthcare today: medical misinformation. We explore what it means to practice in the messy, often misunderstood middle ground between allopathic and naturopathic medicine. Kim shares her experience as a bridge-builder—between professions, between pat…

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What We Learn From the Strongest Patients 57:29

2M ago57:29

57:29

In this deeply personal episode of We Are Human, co-hosts Dr. Tommy Martin and Dr. Tyler Beauchamp unpack the emotional and psychological toll of working in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Drawing from Tyler’s recent rotation, they explore how the resilience of critically ill children often eclipses that of the adults around them, and how…

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Unbecoming a Surgeon: Life Beyond the Hospital 41:41

2M ago41:41

41:41

What happens when the career you once worked tirelessly for no longer feels like the life you want? In this deeply honest episode of Surgeon, Interrupted, I sit down with Dr. Maggie Binder, a dear friend and seasoned pediatric hospitalist, to talk about what it really feels like to step away from medicine. Together, we reflect on the invisible weig…

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#57 Reinvention of Self with Dr. Stephanie Pearson 1:00:52

2M ago1:00:52

1:00:52

Learn more about Pearson Ravitz here. Learn more about Empowered Surgeons Group here. Learn more about Hippocratic Collective here. What happens when the surgeon becomes the patient? When the body you relied on to do your life’s work… stops cooperating? Today’s guest, Dr. Stephanie Pearson, walks us through her powerful, often painful journey, from…

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184. Medical Storytelling on Youtube with Dr Andy Nguyen 50:46

2M ago50:46

50:46

In this conversation, I sit down with Dr. Andy Nguyen to explore where healthcare and creativity meet. We talk about the power of storytelling in medicine, what it’s like to start a creative journey, and how social media can shape the narratives we tell about our work. Andy shares his own experience as a medical Youtube creator and offers insights …

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Marriage, Medicine, and Making It Work 19:13

2M ago19:13

19:13

In this episode of Fem MD, 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 …

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HC After Dark: Highlights from the Hippocratic Collective's Event 31:25

2M ago31:25

31:25

In this episode of Surgeon, Interrupted, Frances Mei sits down with Dr. Mel Thacker to reflect on an unforgettable event co-hosted by the Hippocratic Collective, PearsonRavitz, and Clove—an evening crafted for resident physicians that became so much more than anyone expected. Together, they unpack how the night sparked connection, creativity, and a…

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#56 Prioritizing Non-negotiables with Dr. Hannah Thompson and Chris Herring 56:44

2M ago56:44

56:44

Medicine often forgets the people who live just beyond the call room: the spouses, the partners, the ones holding it together while the system pulls physicians apart. In this conversation, we meet Hannah and Chris, a couple who turned conflict into clarity. As the husband of a physician, Chris found himself isolated and invisible during Hannah’s re…

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183. Facts vs Story: Interpreting the new FHO+ Model 1:03:27

2M ago1:03:27

1:03:27

In this episode, I dive into the upcoming changes to the FHO funding model for family physicians in Ontario and explore how we respond to changes in ways that feel good to us. I talk about the mindset work that’s helped me navigate uncertainty, especially the importance of separating neutral facts from the thoughts we attach to them. I also share h…

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From Taboo to Tool: Social Media’s Role in Modern Medicine 55:52

2M ago55:52

55:52

In this episode of We Are Human, hosts Dr. Tommy Martin and Dr. Tyler Beauchamp sit down with Dr. Leah Rappaport to explore what it means to stay human while practicing medicine. Together, they challenge the outdated belief that social media and self-expression have no place in healthcare, unpacking how platforms like Instagram or TikTok can be too…

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The Sociopath’s Guide to Healthcare: Organizational Theory & Playing The Game 45:34

2M ago45:34

45:34

In this episode, we dive into the Gervais Principle—a brutal but clarifying framework that uses The Office to decode real-world organizational dynamics. Whether you're in medicine, media, or any other power-laden system, this lens changes how you see the room you're in. We break down the three archetypes that shape every workplace: the sociopaths w…

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#55 Supercommunication 31:34

2M ago31:34

31:34

If you enjoyed this topic, you're going to want to join Empowered Surgeons. There’s a dedicated classroom to this topic in the “Surgeon Self-Concept” module. Learn more about Empowered Surgeons Group here. Watch Charles Duhigg's TEDx talk here. Get his book, Supercommunicators: how to unlock the secret languange of connection here. To recap Superco…

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182. From Medicine to Memoirs and TV Scripts with Dr Tony Chin-Quee 1:07:51

2M ago1:07:51

1:07:51

In this episode, I speak with Tony Chin-Quee, an otolaryngologist turned writer, about his journey from medicine to storytelling. We talk about the challenges of professional identity in healthcare, the process of writing a memoir, and lifting the curtain on medical television writing (including what it was like working on Grey's Anatomy!). Tony sh…

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Breaking the Cycle: Toxic Training, Systemic Abuse, and Life After Surgery 31:29

2M ago31:29

31:29

In this powerful episode of FEM MD, 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…

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Second Acts in Medicine: Reinventing Yourself with Jac At Work 42:21

2M ago42:21

42:21

What happens when you’ve invested years into a career, only to realize it’s no longer the right fit? In this episode of Surgeon, Interrupted, we sit down with Jaclyn Winkel to talk about second acts: the courage it takes to pivot, the stigma that surrounds leaving medicine, and how to reframe your skills for a new path. From confronting the sunk co…

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#54 When ADHD Hides in Plain Sight with Dr. Femi Oyewole 57:03

2M ago57:03

57:03

*****************SENSITIVE CONTENT WARNING****************** This episode contains discussion of suicidal thoughts. Please listen carefully or, if this topic is especially triggering for you, skip this one entirely. In this episode, Dr. Femi Oyewole shares his deeply personal journey of navigating medical training while living with undiagnosed ADHD…

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181. ADHD in Healthcare with Melissa Beacom, OT and Tara Embrey, OT 1:02:55

2M ago1:02:55

1:02:55

In this conversation, I speak with Tara and Melissa, two brilliant occupational therapists who open up about the challenges faced by healthcare professionals—especially those navigating the system with ADHD. We talk about the hidden curriculum in medical education, how metrics can distort our sense of self-worth, and the vital role of community sup…

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The Ironman Mindset: Grit, Goals, and Getting Through It 52:26

3M ago52:26

52:26

Before he became a physician, Tommy Martin found himself gasping for air on a first date - a ten-mile run that would unknowingly change the course of his life. In this episode, Tommy opens up about his transformation from struggling beginner to Ironman athlete, sharing the brutal lessons learned along the way. He talks candidly about the mental gri…

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The Path Not Taken: Sonia Lee on Choosing Music Over Medicine 31:07

3M ago31:07

31:07

In this episode, we sit down with Sonia Lee, a world-class concert violinist who once stood at a crossroads familiar to many children of immigrants: medicine or music. With a surgeon father and a family legacy steeped in science, Sonia made the bold choice to carve her own path in the arts. She takes us behind the curtain of her training at Juillia…