Dr. Joanne Sotelo and Dr. Erin Hurley

Create Meaning in Medicine

Are you a woman in medicine looking to rediscover joy and balance in your career and personal life? Welcome to "Create Meaning in Medicine," the podcast where women physicians come to rewrite the rules and reclaim their fulfillment. Hosted by Dr. Joanne Sotelo and Dr. Erin Hurley, this podcast offers a sanctuary for candid discussions on the tough topics no one else is talking about, such as burnout, mental health, and the intricate balance of relationships and professional obligations. Each episode brings insights from expert guests, offering you strategies to overcome the unique challenges f...

Author

Dr. Joanne Sotelo and Dr. Erin Hurley

Category

Education

Latest episode

Apr 14, 2026

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Episodes

101. Live, Love, Matter: Facing Death and Choosing Joy with Dean Jacobs 29.05.2025

What if the most life-changing lessons in medicine come from the stories we live, not the ones we're taught? In this episode, Dean Jacobs shares how surviving a life-threatening illness reshaped his view of healing, connection, and the quiet strength of healthcare providers. His reflections are a powerful reminder that presence, gratitude, and small moments of care truly matter. This one will leav...

100. What We've Learned After 100 Conversations About Medicine, Identity, and Growth 27.05.2025

We are honored to celebrate the 100th episode with you. In this special milestone, we reflect on the most meaningful lessons we've learned while growing the show and ourselves. From prioritizing emotional health and redefining success to embracing transitions and cultivating harmony, we share what has helped us stay grounded and energized. We also explore the importance of intentional rest, daily...

99. Healing Through Story: About Love, Loss, and Care with Dr. Rebecca Thompson 22.05.2025

Through narrative, vulnerability becomes a bridge, not a barrier, between doctors and patients. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Thompson reveals how collecting and sharing 21 real stories of motherhood, loss, and healing transformed her view of medicine. Press play to explore how storytelling can deepen empathy and change the way we practice medicine. Key Takeaways To Listen For What storytelling rev...

98. From Burnout to Breakthrough: Unlearning Helplessness in Healthcare 20.05.2025

Feeling stuck or worn down by the system? You're not alone and you're not powerless. In this episode, we will reveal how learned helplessness quietly drains your energy and how small mindset shifts can reignite your sense of agency. Tune in to discover what it takes to reclaim control and move forward with purpose! Key Takeaways To Listen For Why high-achieving women are especially at risk Recogni...

97. Reclaim Your Energy with the Science of Nature Therapy with Dr. Tamberly Conway 15.05.2025

You were never meant to survive on adrenaline and exhaustion, and ignoring that truth is costing you more than you realize. In this episode, Dr. Tamberly Conway shares how reconnecting with nature can reset your mind, restore your energy, and rebuild your emotional strength. Hit play and discover how real healing begins! Key Takeaways To Listen For Why 120 minutes per week outdoors is the new glob...

96. The Mental Health Spectrum: How To Check In And Build Resilience 13.05.2025

Are you really fine or just powering through without noticing the cracks? In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we will shine a light on the hidden toll that silence, stigma, and self-neglect take on women in medicine. Learn why mental health is the foundation for everything you do and how small, consistent emotional check-ins can shift your entire path forward. If you have been running on em...

95. From Quiet Quitting to Quick Wins in Medicine 08.05.2025

Feeling stuck is common, but staying stuck is a decision. In this episode, we explore how quick, intentional actions can break through apathy and spark meaningful progress. Plus, you'll learn how to shift your mindset, take purposeful steps, and create momentum that lasts. If you're ready to trade frustration for forward movement, this one's for you. Key Takeaways To Listen For Why taking no actio...

94. The Quiet Quitting Conversation Every Physician Needs to Hear 06.05.2025

What if your exhaustion isn't just burnout but a quiet kind of quitting you didn't even notice happening? In this episode, we open up about those subtle signs of emotional detachment that sneak in when you're overwhelmed, stretched thin, or just plain over it. It's not about walking away, it's about losing connection to the work you once loved. If any of this hits home, this one's for you. Key Tak...

93. Transparency Builds Stronger Relationships 01.05.2025

Putting on a brave face might be costing you more than you think. Dial in to this episode as we explore how a lack of transparency in relationships can quietly drain your energy, cloud your communication, and leave you feeling disconnected. If you're ready to feel more supported and aligned in both your personal and professional life, this episode is a must-listen. Key Takeaways To Listen For How...

92. The 60-Second Reset: Intentional Pit Stops for A Medical Professional's Peak Performance 29.04.2025

You don't need a breakdown to take a break. In this episode, we explore the power of intentional pit stops—brief, purposeful pauses that keep you grounded and energized throughout the day. If you're constantly on the go, ignoring fatigue, and telling yourself you'll rest "later," this is your wake-up call. We share real stories, simple strategies, and key mindset shifts that help you stay ahead of...

91. When Stress Becomes Too Much for Women in Medicine 24.04.2025

Stress doesn't always show up loudly. Sometimes it creeps in while you're busy holding everything together. In this powerful episode, we get personal about the cost of doing it all and how to recognize when resilience turns into self-neglect. If you've been running on autopilot, this might be the wake-up call you didn't know you needed. Key Takeaways To Listen For How to recognize when stress beco...

90. Saving Smallest Patients: Maternal Healthcare Revolution with Jill Pearson, MD, FAAP 22.04.2025

What if your career in medicine could be more than just clinical care? Jill Pearson, MD, FAAP, shares how she stepped away from traditional roles to create programs for vulnerable newborns, support mothers in recovery, and advocate for systemic change. From trauma-informed care to substance use prevention, her journey is a masterclass in purpose-driven pivots. Tune in and be inspired to create mor...

89. Conquer Competing Interests with the Three S Framework 17.04.2025

Feeling stretched thin no matter how hard you try? You're not alone, and the reason might surprise you. In this episode, we will uncover a hidden challenge facing high-achieving women in medicine that quietly drains your energy. If you've ever felt like something's got to give, this conversation is your invitation to pause and reassess. Hit play to discover what's really holding you back and how t...

88. How Do Women Doctors Overcome Career Obstacles? 15.04.2025

Some obstacles are obvious. Others are hidden in plain sight. In this episode, we will explore how women in medicine can spot the barriers holding them back and take bold, practical steps to move forward. If you've ever questioned whether you're doing enough or being enough, this conversation is for you. Hit play to realign with your power and rewrite what success looks like! Key Takeaways To List...

87. From Stuck to Unstoppable 10.04.2025

Feeling stuck doesn't mean you're broken; it means you're human. In this energizing episode, we will dive into what it means to feel stuck and how women in medicine can reclaim momentum. Learn why the emotion is not only appropriate but often a necessary checkpoint. Discover the SHIFT framework, a simple yet powerful way to regain clarity, confidence, and direction. Ready to stop spinning and star...

86. Mastering Your Pace A Woman Physician's Guide to Peak Performance 08.04.2025

Your pace could be the silent driver behind your burnout—or your breakthrough. In this insightful episode, we will discover how mastering your pace can reshape leadership, strengthen relationships, and enhance your well-being. Ready to stop fighting your natural rhythm and start leveraging it? Hit play and find the pace that empowers you. Key Takeaways To Listen For Why recognizing your natural sp...

85. Simple Acts of Kindness That Can Change Lives with Sherry Richert Belul Part 2 03.04.2025

In Part 2 of our conversation with Sherry Richert Belul, we explore the vital connection between joy and mental health. Sherry shares her personal journey from depression to joy, emphasizing the transformative power of specific acts of appreciation and presence. Discover how simple acts of kindness can reshape our mental and emotional landscapes and why expressing gratitude and appreciation specif...

84. Simple Acts of Kindness That Can Change Lives with Sherry Richert Belul Part 1 01.04.2025

What if the smallest act of love could change someone's life without them ever knowing it was you? In this heartfelt episode, Sherry Richert Belul will join us to explore how anonymous kindness can create deep connection, joy, and healing, especially for physicians. This conversation is a powerful reminder that love is a practice, and the best time to say it is now. Listen in to discover how you c...

BONUS EPISODE: Healing the Healer – Prioritizing Well-Being and Purpose on Doctor's Day 30.03.2025

This Doctor's Day, we're turning the focus back on doctors. Let's dive into the five essential pillars that help physicians regain clarity, energy, and fulfillment while navigating the demands of medicine. This episode is a powerful reminder that taking care of yourself isn't a luxury, it's a necessity. Listen in and celebrate yourself! Key Takeaways To Listen For Why March 30 is a day to honor ph...

83. Transforming Physician Well-Being and Medical Culture Part 2 with Kim Downey 27.03.2025

Dive into part two of our engaging discussion of the transformative journey of Kim Downey, a fierce advocate for physicians' mental health and well-being. Discover how Kim's personal battles and professional insights have fueled her mission to uplift healthcare providers through her unique blend of advocacy. Don't miss her actionable tips for making a real difference. Key Takeaways To Listen For T...

82. Transforming Physician Well-Being and Medical Culture Part 1 with Kim Downey 25.03.2025

Physician burnout, moral injury, and trauma exposure are deeply ingrained in the medical profession but what if we could change that? In this episode, Kim Downey, a fierce advocate for physician well-being, shares how she turned personal hardships into a mission to support doctors. From navigating medical trauma to building a powerful LinkedIn network, Kim has become a super-connector, linking phy...

81. Why You Can't Care for Others Without Caring for Yourself First with Dr. Samantha Wiseman, DO 20.03.2025

Join us for an insightful episode with Dr. Samantha Wiseman, DO as she unveils her journey through the complex world of family medicine. Explore her transformative approach to professional growth, self-advocacy, and the pivotal role of community support. Tune in to discover how strategic changes can significantly enhance both your career and personal well-being. Key Takeaways To Listen For How tra...

80. Find Balance and Community Support with Dr. Laura Guadiana Sanchez 18.03.2025

Dive into this inspiring episode with Dr. Laura Sanchez as she explores her transformative journey towards achieving balance between her professional and personal life. Witness how she redefines success, navigates the challenges of being a mother, and shifts her career path toward obesity medicine. Dr. Sanchez's story is not just about the struggle; it's about finding fulfillment and joy in both m...

79. Overcoming Menopause Discomfort with Kirsten Smith's Expert Pelvic Floor Tips 13.03.2025

Delve into the transformative world of pelvic floor therapy with expert Kirsten Smith, PT, DPT. Listen in as she provides practical tips and empathetic insights to empower women facing urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, and other related conditions. Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and take control of your health! Key Takeaways To Listen For The life-changing benefits...

78. Empowering Midlife Women: Addressing Menopause with Holistic Orthopedic Care with Dr. Nancy Yen Shipley 11.03.2025

Join us for a groundbreaking discussion with Dr. Nancy Yen Shipley as she delves into her unique journey from snowboarding to orthopedics and shares innovative treatments reshaping menopausal care. Discover how her non-traditional path fueled a passion for integrating regenerative medicine into orthopedic practices, particularly for midlife women grappling with menopause-related musculoskeletal is...

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