The Balanced Medics' Handover Podcast

Dr. Phillippa Smith shares her journey from surgical training (SET program) to medical administration training (RACMA), highlighting the possibility of changing career paths at any point. She discusses her background in science and academia, her transition to government work, and her decision to pursue medicine. Dr. Smith also explains her initial interest in surgery, the process of applying to th...

Dr Adaira Landry is an Emergency Medicine Physician, and Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School with almost a decade of experience mentoring students and early-career professionals. She is an entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and mentor. She co-founded Writing in Color, a nonprofit that teaches the craft of writing.  Dr Resa E. Lewiss is a Professor of Emergency Medicine, TEDMed speaker, desig...

Dr. Patrick Johnson, a psychiatrist and the medical director of the Victorian Doctors' Health Program, discusses physician suicide and wellbeing. He shares his journey to becoming a psychiatrist and his interest in doctors’ health. Dr. Johnson emphasises the importance of addressing loneliness, shame, and depression as risk factors for suicide. He highlights the need for leadership and wellbei...

Dr Stephen Bergman AKA Samuel Shem, author of famed ‘The House of God’, is on to talk his new book. ‘Our Hospital’ is the final book in Shem’s Healing Quartet, about the COVID-19 pandemic and money-driven bureaucracy in medicine.  It was fun to speak with Shem to hear about his colourful life & provocative books. ‘The House of God’ is a satirical novel, exposing the dark side of medicine train...

This episode we have Sharee Johnson on. Sharee is a registered psychologist and executive coach to leaders, business owners and health professionals. Sharee is the founder of Coaching for Doctors and author of bestselling book The Thriving Doctor. As part of Coaching for Doctors, Sharee also offers Recalibrate, an immersive development program for doctors that is due to start in-person this 8th of...

This episode we my friend on, Dr Charlotte Cachia, my friend from internship & residency who has a big career change. From critical care to a non-clinical specialty, pathology, Charlotte is on to share her story. I’m so grateful for Charlotte’s vulnerability and honesty in how she healed from burnout and found a career in medicine that helps her live a more fulfilling life.  We discuss: - Char...

This episode we have Dr Barb Blasko, an Emergency Medicine Specialist and owner of a mobile healthcare service for equestrian events, called Show MD. This episode is all about how we can combine our passions to create our own unique career. Instead of ‘either/or’, we can be ‘yes, and’. We discuss: - How she got to where she is now - Why Barb chose Emergency Medicine - How Barb combined her love of...

This episode we have Dr Mary Magdy on to discuss her role as a Principal Investigator in Clinical Trials. This job is a hidden gem that remunerates well. It’s a growing industry in Australia and not want some might think when they hear research. Tune in to learn more about this role that is a great option for doctors that want to stay in medicine, keep seeing patients, but in a different way. We d...

This episode we have Dr Bishan Rajapakse on. He is an Emergency Medicine Specialist, writer, educator, and advocate for wellbeing, culture, and safety. Bishan came on to share his story & wisdom. This episode is great to show us all how there is no rush to the consultant finish line. We all do life at our own pace and that is more than okay. We discuss: - Bishan’s scenic route to specialisatio...

This episode we have Dr Seema Pattni, a mother, GP and career coach with a special interest in coaching women of South Asian backgrounds. Seema kindly came on to the pod to discuss how we can make empowered choices in our lives. I’m sure we have all felt a bit lost at some point in our lives, moving past this fog can be scary. Where do we even start? We discuss: - How we can make sustainable caree...

This episode we have Dr Matthew Coleshill (BSc (Hons), PhD) from the Black Dog Institute on the pod to discuss physician mental health & The Essential Network (TEN) for health professionals. I feel very privileged to share this episode to help normalise talking about mental health in doctors and to share another resource that is available to all of us. This episode happens to be published afte...

This episode we are lucky to have Dr Chloe Walters on, a paediatric trainee and mental health advocate. Dr Walters shares her mental health story and is working to fight the stigma of mental illness. Hearing her story shows how powerful vulnerability is, and we hope this episode can help someone feel less alone.  It’s okay to seek help if you need it.  We discuss: - Chloe’s journey through medicin...

This episode our very special guest is Dr Rachel Beanland, a Public Health Medicine Specialist, mindfulness meditation teacher, and coach for doctors. Rachel is also the host of The Authentic Tea Podcast, a great pod to listen to if you haven't yet. We are lucky to have her on to share how she created her own unique path in and outside medicine. We discuss: - Her alternative journey in and outside...

This episode our exciting guest is Dr Alex Kharazi, a cardiothoracic surgeon, mother, skydiver, and author. Dr Kharazi comes on to share her story, discuss her new book, “The Heart of Fear”, and the links between high-risk sports and medicine. We also discuss how we can go beyond our limiting beliefs in medicine and seek out all the possibilities. We discuss: - How she became interested in surgery...

This episode our inspiring guest is Dr Ali Tahayori, who holds a Doctor of Medicine and Master of Fine Art. Dr Tahayori currently exhibits his art internationally, while working as a Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist. Dr Tahayori was born and raised in the homophobic climate of 1980s Iran and moved to Australia in 2007. His art reflects on the identity of an outsider, which was assumed from the e...

This episode we are lucky to welcome Dr Cheryl Martin. Dr Martin is an Emergency Physician, chair of the Australian College of Emergency Medicine workforce wellbeing executive, and host of The Mind Full Medic Podcast. Dr Martin is on the pod to answer some tough questions about navigating uncertainty in medicine; from clinical decision making, to rostering, to jobs, and training programs. Have a l...

Dr Marianne Gazet is a Foundation Year 2 Doctor in the U.K (PGY2 equivalent in Australia) who is also the creator of the podcast More Than Medical Students. Her podcast is all about how we are more than our titles, medical student or doctor. We’re lucky to have her on the pod to discuss her perspective on how we can live our lives as more than health professionals, and her own journey! We discuss:...

In this episode, we sit down with the inspiring Dr. Olivia Ong - a mother, Rehabilitation and Pain Specialist, author, and coach renowned for her expertise in resilience and burnout. After being hit by a car, as a first year registrar in 2008, she was told she would never walk again or practice medicine. Against all odds, Dr Ong learnt to walk again and is still practicing medicine. Beyond this, D...

In this episode, we're honoured to welcome back Dr. Violet Kieu, a distinguished Fertility Specialist and consultant Gynaecologist. Join us as we dive deep into the world of fertility and family planning, celebrating women's health week with Dr. Kieu's expert insights. We also tackle the big question – to freeze or not freeze our eggs? We discuss:      What fertility medicine and famil...

This episode we have a fellow podcaster and Melbourne-based doctor Dev Raga speaking about money! He works as a GP and is the host of ‘my millennial money professional’ podcast. Dev kindly shares his wisdom and tips on how we can apply simple money concepts to our own lives to gain greater freedom & choice.   We discuss: - Basic financial principles & tips for all of us to get our money wo...

Dr Hilton Koppe is back! Hilton self-published his first book One Curious Doctor earlier this year, since then he has now published a second edition of the book through Wakefield Press.  Hilton kindly has come on to talk about self-publishing vs publishing companies - as he’s experienced both. A great episode for those wanting to release a book into the world.  The second edition is available now...

This episode we are lucky enough to speak with Julian Meagher, a Sydney based artist who has exhibited extensively across Australia, Asia and America. Including being a finalist in the Archibald Portrait Prize multiple times. Before becoming a professional artist, Meagher went to med school and practiced as a doctor. Meagher is living proof that we can pursue the career that calls to us - even if...

This episode we have Dr Cara Fox on to discuss her unique path in medicine. Dr Fox is a great example of how medicine does not have to be traditional or linear. We explore her alternate path and hope to show others that you can follow whatever piques your interest. We discuss: - Her non-traditional journey through surgery, economics, global health, scuba diving + more - How she decided GP training...

Dr Kelly-Anne Garnier is a General Practitioner who is passionate about Lifestyle Medicine. Her path in medicine started off uniquely, she was initially a banker! Now she is dual trained in General Practice and Lifestyle Medicine. This episode is all about this unique specialty and Kelly shares tips on if it could be a right fit for you. We discuss: - Her “long road” route to medicine (another exa...

Dr Jemma Hogan is a doctor specialising in both medical administration (RACMA) and paediatric medicine (RACP). She is currently working as the Director of Medical Services and as a Paediatric Advanced Trainee! This episode we shine a light on med admin, a lesser known medical specialty, and speak about dual training. We discuss: - Why she chose to do dual training in Paediatrics and Medical Admini...