Essence and Essentials

Medical Student Panel #2! For her second medical student panel, Jasmine Looi brings together three other medical students in South Florida — Sebastian Kempa, Lauryn Lima, and Abigail Pohl — for an honest conversation about their mental health, burnout, identity, and quality of life in medical school . Jasmine highlights literature on “Burnout and quality of life among medical students in a conflic...

Running, Resilience & the Power of Community with Frankie Ruiz What if running could improve not only your physical health, but also your mental resilience, relationships, and overall quality of life? In this episode of Essence and Essentials , Jasmine Looi is joined by Frankie Ruiz , co-founder of the Life Time Miami Marathon and Chief Running Officer for Life Time. Frankie is a longtime lead...

What happens when AI starts influencing not only how we work, but how we communicate, create, and even understand empathy? 🤖💭 In this unique 2nd episode of Essence and Essentials (PART 1), Jasmine sits down with software engineer Kieran Abesamis as they build a website demo for the podcast using AI, or “Essence.” During their website-building, the two discuss the importance of using AI as a tool...

What happens when AI starts influencing not only how we work, but how we communicate, create, and even understand empathy? 🤖💭 In this unique 2nd episode of Essence and Essentials (PART 2), Jasmine sits down with software engineer Kieran Abesamis as they build a website demo for the podcast using AI, or “Essence.” During their website-building, the two discuss the importance of using AI as a tool...

Welcome to the Season 2 premiere of Essence & Essentials ! In this solo episode, I share the story behind the podcast—from the initial idea during medical school to building it into a platform that explores the intersection of healthcare, humanity, and meaningful conversation. Through questions submitted by friends, I discuss the experiences that inspired me to take the leap into podcasting, b...

What if longevity isn't just about living longer—but living better? In the Season 1 finale of Essence & Essentials , Jasmine Looi sits down with Dr. Jacqueline Junco, an MD, MPH, board-certified integrative medicine physician and Chair of Integrative Medicine at Nova Southeastern University. With over 30 years of experience blending conventional medicine with traditional Chinese medicine, Dr....

For this episode of Essence and Essentials , Jasmine Looi sits down with Hamed Jarwan to explore public health, healthcare systems, and cultural lifestyle differences between Kuwait and the United States. From universal healthcare and government-funded medicine to chronic disease prevention, smoking culture, and late-night food industry, the conversation highlights how social context of Kuwait sha...

For her first self-episode, Jasmine Looi reflects on completing her second semester of medical school while pursuing work-life balance through running, friendships, family support, and personal growth. From navigating the intensity of medical school to learning the importance of mindset, self-care, and staying grounded in your “why,” this solo episode dives into the realities of balancing ambition...

In this episode, Jasmine Looi is joined by three other medical students at different stages of their journey—an M1, M2, and M4—bringing diverse perspectives across time, geography, and experience. From Philadelphia to Gainesville to New York City, this conversation dives into how future physicians are not only improving the quantity and quality of life for their patients, but also learning to do t...

In this episode of Essence and Essentials , Jasmine Looi talks with first-year osteopathic medical student, Serratt Nong, about his medical journey, shaped by his Cambodian heritage, family influence, and early exposure to the ER. He shares insights on balancing the demands of medical school with fitness, mental health, and personal life, emphasizing routines, “non-negotiables,” and staying ground...

In this episode of Essence and Essentials , Jasmine Looi speaks with nursing student Melody Song about her journey toward becoming a CRNA and her passion for patient-centered care. Melody describes her global health experience in Kenya, where she observed significant disparities in resources, education, and patient care. Through these experiences, Melody reflects on the importance of compassion, a...

In this episode of Essence and Essentials , Jasmine Looi speaks with music teacher, jazz director, and photographer Jason Li about the role of creativity in improving mental health and overall quality of life. Drawing from his work with elementary students and young musicians in Nashville, Jason shares how music fosters connection, emotional expression, and collaboration—often functioning as its o...

For the official launch of Essence and Essentials, Jasmine Looi speaks with architectural interior designer Alfred Karram Jr., founder of AKJ Design Concepts. With over four decades of experience designing luxury residences and super-yachts around the world, Alfred shares how thoughtful design goes far beyond aesthetics—it can influence comfort, connection, and overall well-being. Alfred also refl...