Solving For Joy

So let me tell you a story... A day ago, I sat across from someone who has reshaped the way many women think about running. Not as punishment. Not as performance. Simply as a gentler path back to themselves. That someone is Dr. Michelle Quirk. Michelle is a pediatrician and run coach who talks about movement in a way that softens the nervous system. She offers a kind of grounded wisdom that makes...

So let me tell you a story. A few weeks ago at the Physician Coaching Summit, I walked into a room where the energy felt… different. Warm. Bright. Alive in a way you can feel in your chest. And at the center of it was Dr. Zarya Rubin. She’s one of those people who radiates something you can’t fake — joy, yes, but also this grounded wisdom that only comes from having walked through some real fires....

If you’ve ever wondered “Who am I when I’m not my role?” or “What comes after medicine?” this is the episode you want in your ears. Today, I sit down with my dear friend Dr. Anne Pendo — internist, former chief wellness officer, certified physician coach, grandmother-with-a-tea-set, and lifelong hope giver — to talk about something we don’t talk about enough: Life… after. After the pager. After th...

What do you do when the work you love begins to hollow you out? When you’re showing up for little patients with big needs—and your own family at home—while quietly wondering how long you can keep going? If you’ve ever felt that tension between your vocation and your wellbeing, this conversation is for you. In this episode of Solving for Joy , I sit down with Dr. Kirin Palmer , pediatrician and fou...

What if depression isn’t a flaw to fix—but a signal calling you back to yourself? In this episode of Solving for Joy , I sit down with Dr. Ardeshir Mehran , psychologist, researcher, and author of You Are Not Depressed. You Are Un-Finished , for a conversation that reimagines emotional suffering as an invitation to wholeness. Dr. Mehran’s groundbreaking Emotional Rights Framework identifies seven...

But did it ever actually fit? So much of what we were taught about health, weight, and nourishment has shaped how we care for children—and ourselves. But if you’ve ever felt like those rules never quite matched the real world, this conversation is for you. In this episode of Solving for Joy , I sit down with Jill Castle , pediatric dietitian, parent coach, and author of Kids Thrive at Every Size ....

What happens when every cell in your body says, “It’s time” —but you have no idea what comes next? In this episode of Solving for Joy , host Dr. Chrissie Ott sits down with Dr. Sheri Rosenthal , founder of Wanderlust Entrepreneur and Journeys of the Spirit , for a conversation about trust, flow, and the serendipity of following what feels right. A former surgeon and residency director, Sheri didn’...

What happens when science, leadership, and joy converge? This week, I’m joined by Coach Meg Margaret Moore —co-founder of Wellcoaches , the Institute of Coaching , and the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching —for a profound and forward-looking conversation about the future of well-being, the evolution of coaching, and the art of living a life of purpose. From her early career as a biot...

When suffering shows up, what does it mean to let no pain go untransformed? This week, I’m joined by physician, coach, author, and artist Dr. Sarah Bamford Seidelmann for a whimsical and deeply human conversation about joy, creativity, and the sacred absurd. Together, we explore how boundaries sustain our gifts, what it means to make a “feasting table of our wounds,” and why even in moments of gri...

When the world feels divided, dialogue breaks down, and “othering” becomes the language of the day—how do we return to what makes us most human? This week, I’m joined by internist, public health professional, and trauma-informed coach Dr. Kemia Sarraf , CEO of Lodestar Coaching, for a powerful conversation about choosing humanity, even in dark times. Together, we explore why joy, hope, and courage...

When medicine starts to feel like a factory line—and your smile no longer feels like your own—what then? I’m joined by integrative pediatric dermatologist, children’s book author, and founder of The Joyful Path, Dr. Meena Julapalli , for a conversation that sings with story, presence, and the reminder that joy is not a reward, but a practice. Meena shares her journey from academic burnout and 50-p...

When the “good doctor” script starts to feel too tight—and excitement won’t carry you through the week—what then? I’m joined by emergency physician, performance coach, and Physician Coaching Summit co-host Dr. Shideh Shafie for a grounded, joyful conversation on High-Vibe Sundays , why community is the evidence you’re not alone, and how to find a right-dose of clinical work that preserves meaning...

Content note: This episode includes discussion of burnout, panic attacks, insomnia, and a brief mention of suicidal thoughts (non-graphic). Please listen with care. When achievement stops feeling like joy—and the “perfect life” shows up with panic in tow—what then? I’m joined by surgeon, coach, and Surgeons with Purpose host Dr. Mel Thacker for a candid look at hero culture in medicine, fiduciary...

Content note: This episode includes mention of childhood sexual abuse (non-graphic). Please listen with care.  When loss feels unbearable—or when caring for others leaves us searching for answers—we may wonder if joy can still be found. Pediatric palliative care physician, Episcopal priest, and author Dr. Bob Macauley ( Because I Knew You ) joins Chrissie to explore how children and families facin...

When relationships feel hard—especially across differences—it might be time to rethink how we relate. What if joy isn’t always something to solve, but something we can allow? Relational facilitator James-Olivia Chu Hillman (Inquisitive Human; creator of REGARD) joins Chrissie to get precise—and playful—about desire, skill, and capacity; the four skills of relating; and the quiet ways “helping” tur...

When life is shattered by loss — especially sudden or violent loss — the path forward can feel impossible to see. Yet even in the deepest grief, joy can still find its way back in. Dr. Melissa “Red” Hoffman, MD, ND, FACS is a trauma surgeon, hospice and palliative care physician, and naturopathic doctor who has lived through unimaginable personal tragedy, including the violent deaths of loved ones...

When chronic symptoms don’t make sense and traditional answers fall short, it might be time to look within - at the connection between your brain, body, and emotions. Dr. Becca Kennedy, physician and founder of Resilience Healthcare, shares her journey from conventional medicine to a deeper exploration of the nervous system, neuroplasticity, and the emotional roots of chronic pain. In this eye-ope...

 If you've ever felt like the noise of life has been turned up too loud and the inner whisper of calm is getting harder to hear, this episode is for you. Dr. Rashmi Schramm—board-certified family physician turned meditation teacher, coach, and retreat leader—shares her powerful journey from traditional medicine to a life rooted in presence, purpose, and micro joy. In this candid conversation, she...

If you’re a healthcare professional who’s ever felt disconnected from your body, your purpose, or your joy—this episode is for you. Dr. Sonny Miles, palliative and integrative medicine physician, coach and founder of Healing with Intention Integrative Medicine, joins Dr. Chrissie Ott for a deeply reflective conversation about what it means to live and practice with intention. Drawing from her own...

If you’ve ever felt like joy is just out of reach - especially in the aftermath of trauma - this conversation is for you. Dr. Mary Catherine McDonald, research professor, trauma expert, and author of The Joy Reset - joins us to break down the science and soul of joy. With deep compassion and clarity, she shares what trauma really does to the brain, how joy can be reclaimed, and why healing doesn’t...

If you’ve ever felt burned out, out of alignment, or unsure how to reconnect with your joy - this episode is for you. Dr. Stacy Cisneros, physician, healer, and guide, joins us to share her journey from the depths of medical burnout to discovering new paths of self-understanding and emotional healing. Through practices like Infinity Healing and Human Design, Stacy has redefined what healing looks...

If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable in front of a camera—or struggled to see yourself as worthy of being seen—this episode is for you. Rachel Marie Castillo, confidence coach and portrait photographer, joins us to share how photography can be a powerful tool for healing, empowerment, and self-acceptance. Through her unique blend of artistry and emotional support, Rachel helps her clients reconnect w...

If you’ve ever felt stuck in your medical career—or wondered if there’s more to life than the traditional path—this episode is for you. Dr. Una, board-certified pediatrician, entrepreneur, and CEO of EntreMD, joins us to share how she went from feeling boxed in by medicine to building a thriving business that empowers thousands of physicians.  In this episode, you’ll learn: What med school didn’t...

If you’ve ever felt the heartbreak of fertility struggles—whether personally or alongside a patient—this episode is for you. Dr. Erica Bove, reproductive endocrinologist and certified coach, joins us to talk about the emotional weight of fertility medicine—and how compassion, community, and curiosity can transform the journey. Drawing from her own experiences with moral injury in medicine, Erica s...

If you’ve ever wondered how to bring more joy and authenticity to your work in medicine—this episode is for you. Dr. Santi Tanikella, integrative pediatrician and coach, joins us to talk about what it really means to infuse your life and career with joy, purpose, and presence. Through her transformative work in integrative pediatrics and coaching, Santi is helping healthcare professionals rediscov...