I AM Well, MD

Send us Fan Mail This episode features Tenay Benes, speaker, author, intelligence officer, and healthcare innovator, who shares her lived experience navigating trauma, military service, psychiatric injury, chronic illness, and ultimately, systemic reform. Together, we unpack: Why complex illness exposes the cracks in our healthcare system How information asymmetry disempowers patients Why physicia...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of I AM Well MD , we explore relational health across the full lifespan with Psychiatrist, Dr. Debbie Raphael. From early childhood through adulthood and into aging, this conversation unpacks how attachment, autonomy, validation, and repair shape our most important relationships. Dr. Raphael shares practical insights on parenting through developmental stages, navig...

Send us Fan Mail We’re joined by Dr. Aly Cohen, a nationally recognized expert in environmental health and integrative rheumatology. Dr. Cohen helps us unpack what “toxins” actually are, how everyday chemical exposures affect the immune and endocrine systems, and why vulnerable stages like pregnancy, childhood, and adolescence matter so much. Drawing from over 20 years of clinical experience, Dr....

Send us Fan Mail What does it really mean to be bold  not performatively, but existentially ? In this powerful episode of The I AM Well MD Podcast , Dr. Santi Tanikella sits down with Dr. Ranjay Gulati, Harvard Business School professor and author of How to Be Bold , to explore the inner work required to live and lead with courage in a world that often rewards safety, conformity, and silence. Rath...

Send us Fan Mail What if the calm you cultivate could ripple out to every person you encounter? In this episode, Dr. Santi Tanikella MD sits down with Lisa Danahy, an educator, yoga therapist, and founder of Create Calm, whose work has transformed classrooms, communities, and families across America. Lisa talks about the “domino effect of co-regulation” -  the way one person’s regulated nervous sy...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when the stories you learned as a child about what it means to be “good,” “kind,” or “easy to love” become the very patterns that keep you stuck in one-sided relationships as an adult?  In this deep resonating episode of The I AM Well MD Podcast , Dr. Santi Tanikella sits down with Jay Moon Fields, somatic coach, author, and creator of the “Hey, Wait!” framework to ex...

Send us Fan Mail In this insightful episode of The I AM Well, MD Podcast , Dr. Santi Tanikella sits down with Emily Morgan, Delegation & Productivity Expert, Founder & CEO of Delegate Solutions, and author of Let It Go! Emily has built her career around helping entrepreneurs and leaders strategically clear their plates so they can focus on what truly matters. From her signature “Delegate M...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when success on paper comes at the cost of losing yourself? In Episode 41 of the I AM Well MD Podcast , Dr. Santi Tanikella sits down with Dr. Jimmy Turner, anesthesiologist, author, podcaster, and coach to unpack what it truly means to reclaim identity, balance, and joy despite adversity. Dr. Turner’s story is one many high-achievers will recognize: the struggle with...

Send us Fan Mail In this inspiring episode, Jillian Johnsrud shares how the unconventional choice of taking “mini-retirements” has allowed her to design a life of freedom, adventure, and deep purpose. By 40, Jillian had taken over a dozen mini-retirements that gave her space to recover from loss, explore the world, adopt and raise children, and invest in her dreams. What you’ll learn from this epi...

Send us Fan Mail In this eye-opening episode, financial planner and author, Sarah Catherine Gutierrez, CFP®, CRPS®, unpacks the hidden role that money stress plays in burnout. Drawing from her work with over 1,000 physicians and 25,000 financial wellness participants, she explains how financial independence can shift the way we work, live, and ultimately reclaim our time. What You’ll Learn: Golden...

Send us Fan Mail What if living longer wasn’t just about adding years to your life but adding life to your years? In this episode of the I AM Well MD Podcast , Dr. Gina Clark joins us for a deeply insightful conversation on aligning your health span with your lifespan. Dr. Clark has cared for over 6,000 patients across 4 continents, holds US Board Certifications in Psychiatry and Addiction Medicin...

Send us Fan Mail In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Dr. Mary Leung , a board-certified physician and a certified life coach who is passionate about helping stressed and overwhelmed physicians reclaim their joy and time. Dr. Leung shares her personal journey from burnout to balance, including how the pandemic opened her eyes to a more sustainable way of working. We explore actionable strate...

Send us Fan Mail In this enlightening episode of the I AM Well MD Podcast, we welcome Ravinder Taylor, a distinguished researcher, author, and expert in the field of self-help and mind training. For over 30 years, Ravinder has been a guiding light for individuals seeking to break through personal barriers and step into empowered versions of themselves. She joins us today to explore the science beh...

Send us Fan Mail In this transformational episode, Executive Performance Coach, Dr. Vanessa Calderón, dives into the science and soul of conscious leadership. Drawing from her Harvard-level education, neuroscience background, and two decades guiding global executives, she reveals how leaders can elevate their impact without sacrificing personal well-being. What You’ll Learn: Balancing Performance...

Send us Fan Mail In this thought-provoking episode, we’re joined by Dr. Jordan Grumet, MD, physician, author, and host of the award-winning Earn & Invest  Podcast . Together, we dive into the intricate connections between financial independence, legacy, and finding purpose in this world. We explore how: wealth and purpose can and should coexist trauma can be transformed into growth and meaning...

Send us Fan Mail In this empowering episode, Dr. Sasha Shillcutt joins us to unpack the transformative power of setting boundaries, especially for women in demanding roles.  With wisdom rooted in her own journey and extensive work with thousands of professionals, Sasha reveals how we can reclaim our time, protect our energy, and live more authentically. We discuss: What sparked her passion for coa...

Send us Fan Mail In this deeply reflective and empowering episode, Dr. Amna Shabbir joins us to unpack two silent but powerful forces that often affect high-achieving professionals: imposterism and perfectionism. With heartfelt honesty, Dr. Shabbir shares her personal journey through medicine, motherhood, and mission-driven work, highlighting the internal struggles many face despite external succe...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode of the I AM Well MD podcast, we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Sharon L. Stein, MD, FACS, FASCRS, a renowned colorectal surgeon, educator, and leader in the field of surgery. Dr. Stein brings a wealth of knowledge and a powerful perspective on diversity, leadership, and overcoming challenges in the medical field. She shares her non-traditional path to becoming a le...

Send us Fan Mail In this empowering episode of the I AM Well MD podcast, Dr. Santi sits down with Amanda DeCesar and Amber Schiffert, the dynamic co-founders of TARA Wealth, a financial planning firm rooted in transparency, authenticity, and real advice. These two powerhouse women are on a mission to help individuals, especially women, build a healthier relationship with money through education an...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Dr. Kristine Goins, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist,  shares how she transformed the ashes from her burnout into the greatest gift ever. We explore how our fear is often rooted in the opinions of others or our own self-perception rather than actual threats, and how developing self-awareness and resilience can help us navigate challenges with confidence. We also...

Send us Fan Mail In this  episode, I'll be delving into the pervasive issue of mom guilt that affects mothers across all walks of life. While guilt feels burdensome, it's actually an emotion that is symbolic of how much you care for your children. We will explore the origins of this emotion and some practical strategies to help you navigate and alleviate guilt. If you're interested...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Episode 27 of the podcast, "Love to the New Mamas Out There!" In this heartfelt episode, I’m reaching out to all the amazing new and expecting moms, sharing wisdom, encouragement, and some real talk about the journey of motherhood. Whether you’re a first-time mom or supporting someone who is, this episode is for you. What We’ll Cover: Why your birth plan doesn...

Send us Fan Mail Have you been having some trouble navigating the emotional aftermath of the recent election results?  Me too.  We can all easily see the writing on the wall: there are definitely going to be some societal challenges coming up ahead. I learned about the election results as I watched the sun rise through airport windows. It got me thinking about my culture, my gender, and how I&apos...

Send us Fan Mail It’s Halloween! While the kids are gearing up in their costumes, ready to take on magical roles, I’m thinking about the masks we all wear—not just on Halloween, but in our everyday lives. From superheroes to witches, kids transform in an instant. As adults, our ‘masks’ often hide who we really are. In this episode, I share a story from my days as a pediatric resident, where puttin...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Episode 24 of the podcast! This week, we’re diving deep into parental stress and how it impacts our mental health and family dynamics. In this special episode, I'll reflect on my own journey as a parent. This year marks my 10th anniversary of motherhood—and I've been celebrating it all year long! We're also going to discuss some of the common challenges w...