Solving For Joy

If you’ve ever wondered how to sustain your energy and joy while caring for others, this episode is for you.  Dr. Paul Yutan—a physician, acupuncturist, and passionate advocate for holistic healing—knows firsthand what it’s like to feel burned out and disconnected from your purpose. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why finding your Ikigai can unlock greater satisfaction and purpose in your career Ho...

If you’re craving a deeper sense of joy that lasts beyond the good days, this episode is for you. Dr. Kelly Holder—Chief Well-being Officer at Brown University, clinical psychologist, and passionate mental health advocate—shares what it means to hold space for others while learning to prioritize her own well-being. In this powerful conversation you’ll hear real talk about the personal growth that...

If you’ve ever silenced parts of yourself to fit in or be heard, don’t miss this conversation. In this heartfelt and laughter-filled conversation, Chrissie Ott sits down with speaker, coach, and performer Cesar Cervantes to explore the joy of showing up as your true self—on stage, and in life. From stand-up comedy to coaching world-class speakers, Cesar has learned that the most powerful stories c...

If you’ve ever been cracked open by grief and wondered how to keep going—this episode is for you. You’ll hear the powerful story of Dr. Sasha Shillcutt—a cardiac anesthesiologist, leader, and mother—who has walked through heartbreak, cyberbullying, and profound transformation, and come out the other side with a deeper understanding of joy, community, and courage. In this episode, you’ll learn: How...

What it means to be held together in the face of deep loss—and how sharing our stories helps us heal. In this episode, Chrissie Ott sits down with Dr. Rebecca Thompson, author of Held Together, for a moving, deeply human exploration of motherhood, grief, creativity, and connection. With raw honesty and quiet strength, Rebecca shares how loss shaped her—and how storytelling helped her heal. In this...

If you’ve been craving more peace, purpose, and presence in your life—you’re not alone.  This episode is for anyone standing at a crossroads, wondering what’s next… and whether more is really the answer. Dr. Jessie Mahoney—a pediatrician, physician coach, wellness consultant, and founder of Pause and Presence Coaching—will share how she has cultivated spaces through retreats and coaching that help...

If you’ve ever felt the weight of the world and still showed up with a smile—this episode is for you. Dr. Chrissie Ott and Sheletta Brundidge go deep into the kind of joy that doesn’t come easy—but is all the more powerful because of it. From middle school friendship to the reality of raising black sons in America, this conversation is raw, real, and full of heart. You’ll hear how childhood lesson...

If you’ve ever wondered how to add joy to your workday—this episode is for you. Dr. Anni Shandera-Ochsner is an assistant professor of psychology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and the medical director of Joy at Mayo Clinic. In this conversation with Dr. Chrissie Ott, she opens up about what it really takes to build a culture of joy in some of the most high-pressure environments. You’ll hear w...

If you’re a healthcare professional who’s ever felt overwhelmed, exhausted, or unseen—this episode is for you.   Kim Downey, physical therapist, three-time cancer survivor, and fierce advocate for physician well-being, joins us to talk about what it really takes to thrive in medicine. As the founder of Stand Up (for) Doctors, an Ambassador for the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation and Community A...

If perfectionism is stealing your joy, this episode is for you. You’ll hear the honest, powerful story of Dr. Amna Shabbir—a master certified coach, internist, and mom—who knows exactly what it’s like to look successful on the outside… and feel completely depleted inside. In this episode, you’ll learn: The 3 types of perfectionism—and how to recognize which one’s driving you How to tell the differ...

Discover a journey towards personal joy, justice and connection. The Solving for Joy podcast welcomes Iris Fernandez Valdez, an emotional well being coach. Together with Dr. Chrissie Ott, they discuss the importance of building meaningful connections, and the role of coaching in creating lasting change. Iris discusses what it means to be an abolitionist in this day and age. They also dive into the...

Learn how subtracting societal expectations can lead to greater joy, authenticity, and self-discovery. In this conversation, host Dr. Chrissie Ott speaks with Dr. Jillian Rigert, a former military oral surgeon turned therapist in training. Dr. Rigert shares her transformative journey of stepping away from a performance-driven culture to embrace authenticity and self-compassion. She discusses the i...

Learn how redefining medicine can lead to a more fulfilling and joyful life. In this episode of Solving for Joy, Dr. Kara Pepper shares her journey from burnout in medicine to rediscovering joy in her career. She opens up to host Dr. Chrissie Ott about the realities of gray drinking, and the importance of recognizing when a career no longer aligns with personal values. They explore what it means t...

Explore how to cope with anticipatory grief, the power of advocacy, and the finding joy even in darkness in this episode of the Solving for Joy podcast. Dr. Tasha Faruqui shares her journey as a pediatrician and mother navigating her child’s undiagnosed neurodegenerative condition with host Dr. Chrissie Ott. Together, they discuss palliative care, medical decision-making, and the power of open com...

Discover how joy and medicine can coexist with Dr. Tonya Caylor. With over 25 years as a family physician, Tonya is dedicated to supporting family medicine residents, faculty, and attending physicians as they rediscover the joy in their work. Together, Dr. Chrissie Ott and Tonya discuss themes of power, agency, perfectionism, and mentorship—highlighting the importance of finding fulfillment even i...

Discover the transformative power of connecting with others and making room for joy in our lives. In this episode of the Solving for Joy podcast, host Chrissie Ott welcomes Dr. Kathy Stepien,  a leader in the physician coaching and wellness space, founder of the Institute for Physician Wellness and the Physician Coaching Summit. Together, they explore the concept of joy, its importance in life and...

Discover the power of human connection, financial wellness, and courage in medicine. Dr. Jennie Byrne, psychiatrist,  neuroscientist, and healthcare innovator, joins the Solving for Joy podcast with host Dr. Chrissie Ott. Together, they discuss the realities of physician life, like financial challenges and moral injury. They explore the impact of language on burnout, the moral injury in healthcare...

Explore how intentionality and coaching can transform surgery, success, and personal growth. Dr. Sharon Stein, a colorectal surgeon and life coach, joins the Solving for Joy podcast today with host Dr. Chrissie Ott. Together, they discuss the power of intentionality in surgeons, the challenges of imposter syndrome, and the need for a shift in the surgical field. Together, they explore how conflict...

Learn how to embrace your power, align with your purpose, and create a life of joy and intention. In this episode, host Dr. Chrissie Ott speaks with Dr. Vanessa Calderon, an emergency medicine physician, coach, speaker and leader in wellness and resiliency. Together, they explore how listening to your body, ancestral healing, and vibrational alignment can help you grow and find joy. Dr. Calderon r...

Reclaim your sleep as a foundation for joy, health, and empowerment. Board-certified internist and sleep medicine specialist, Dr. Andrea Matsumura, joins the Solving for Joy podcast to explore the vital connection between sleep and overall health and well-being. In this episode, Dr. Matsumura and host Dr. Chrissie Ott delve into topics such as circadian rhythms, hormonal influences on sleep, and c...

Discover how creative practices can serve as tools for self-discovery, healing, and processing life's complexities. Accomplished musicians Stephanie Schneiderman and Tony Furtado join host Dr. Chrissie Ott to discuss creativity, joy and the importance of being present. Their discussion highlights how creativity can serve as a therapeutic tool and a means of self-discovery. In this conversation, St...

Explore how acknowledging our own trauma can unlock deeper connections and care. In today’s episode of the Solving for Joy podcast, host Dr. Chrissie Ott is joined by Dr. Amy King, a licensed psychologist, keynote speaker, coach and mentor. Together, they explore the multifaceted nature of trauma, the importance of relational health, and the need for compassionate self-preservation, particularly a...

Discover tips for creating a life aligned with your passions and values.  Integrative psychiatrist, digital nomad, and founder of NomadMD, Dr. Kristine Goins joins host Dr. Chrissie Ott to share her inspiring journey from traditional medicine to embracing a minimalist, nomadic lifestyle.  Dr. Goins shares the practicalities of living as a digital nomad and the freedom that comes with this kind of...

Reclaim your health and joy through menopause and perimenopause. This week, host Dr. Chrissie Ott is joined by Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan, the Portland Menopause Doc and a leading voice in menopause care. Dr. O’Sullivan has been at the forefront of challenging the stigma surrounding menopause. Together, they explore the connection between joy and menopause, the challenges women encounter during this lif...

Discover how to connect more deeply and build relationships rooted in care and compassion. This week on Solving for Joy, host Dr. Chrissie Ott sits down with Dr. Wendy Schofer, a pediatrician, coach, and founder of Family in Focus. Wendy is on a mission to redefine how we think about emotional well-being—not by avoiding discomfort, but by embracing the full spectrum of emotions as a path to healin...