Today I’m joined by the incredible Dr Jasmin Tzortzakakis Malik - GP, integrative medicine practitioner, leadership and wellbeing consultant, author of ''When the Body Whispers'', and someone whose career has taken her from Everest Base Camp to frontline homelessness medicine in London.

We’re talking about trauma-informed care, burnout, resilience, Long COVID, medicine in extreme environments, the nervous system, leadership, identity, recovery… and what happens when the doctor becomes the patient.

This is one of those conversations that feels deeply human. Honest, reflective, uncomfortable in places, hopeful in others - basically exactly the kind of conversation we love on this podcast.

So grab a coffee, pretend your inbox doesn’t exist for the next hour, and let’s get into it.”

key topics

Trauma-informed care and its impact on healthcare Burnout and resilience strategies for healthcare professionals Insights from extreme environments like Everest Base Camp Understanding long COVID and its physiological effects Leadership approaches that incorporate trauma awareness

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jasmine's Journey 04:38 Understanding Well-Being 06:30 Personal Connection to Medicine 08:48 Insights on Homelessness 11:19 Defining Dignity 12:53 Wilderness Medicine Realities 15:29 COVID-19 and Healthcare Systems 17:29 Trauma-Informed Leadership 19:37 Philosophy of Adaptation 21:07 Understanding Stress and Body Responses 22:24 Identity Shift Through Illness 23:23 Navigating Long COVID Challenges 25:38 The Importance of Self-Understanding 27:49 The Role of Boundaries in Well-Being 28:26 Personal Well-Being Habits 29:54 Essential Elements of Recovery 31:51 The Power of Saying No 35:07 Coping Mechanisms and Daily Rituals 37:01 Emotional Resonance in Writing 38:57 Hope Amidst Adversity 41:31 sportsRecreation-intro-high-short.wav

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasminmalik Twitter - https://twitter.com/jasminmalik

Professor Francesca Rubulotta is an internationally recognised intensivist, educator, researcher and advocate for physician wellbeing. Throughout her career, she has championed safer healthcare systems, supported the development of future leaders, and worked tirelessly to create more inclusive and compassionate environments for both patients and clinicians.

In this episode, we explore some of the challenges that many healthcare professionals experience but rarely talk about openly. We discuss imposter syndrome, burnout, resilience, leadership, workplace culture and the importance of psychological safety. Professor Rubulotta shares her thoughts on why diverse teams matter, why sponsorship can be more powerful than mentorship, and how medicine must move away from outdated expectations that ask clinicians to behave like machines rather than human beings.

What follows is an honest, thoughtful and deeply personal conversation about the realities of working in modern healthcare, the courage it takes to ask for help, and the responsibility we all have to lift others as we climb.

In this insightful episode, Dr. Jamie Gross shares his experiences in ICU leadership, the importance of communication, managing personalities, and pursuing palliative care. He discusses how doctors can maintain control over their careers, financial wisdom, and the significance of aligning work with core values.

ICU team dynamics and personalities Effective communication in critical care Transition from trainee to consultant Leadership challenges in ICU Pursuing palliative care for deeper impact Financial independence for doctors Work-life balance misconceptions Emotional regulation and team morale

Sound bites

"People need to feel valued and heard" "Doctors can reclaim control and agency" "Boundaries protect against burnout"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to ICU Dynamics 05:52 The Transition to Consultant Life 08:27 Team Dynamics and Leadership in ICU 12:28 Challenges in Critical Care 16:03 Emotional Tone and Consultant Behavior 19:03 Recognizing Systemic Issues in Healthcare 22:51 Palliative Care: Bridging Two Worlds 25:14 Personal Growth and Career Fulfillment 27:32 Understanding Money Narratives in Medicine 33:09 Debunking Financial Myths for Doctors 35:19 Reclaiming Control: The Medics in Control Approach 39:08 The Illusion of Work-Life Balance 48:03 Setting Boundaries in a Digital World 51:46 sportsRecreation-outro-high-short.wav

In this episode of the Ranting Doctor podcast, Lubaina Bahar engages in a heartfelt conversation with Dr. Deeksha Dhameja, exploring the complexities of living as an international medical graduate, a parent, and a neurodivergent individual. They discuss the challenges of balancing professional and personal identities, the impact of societal expectations, and the importance of self-acceptance. Dr. Dhameja shares her journey of understanding neurodiversity, the exhaustion of masking, and her aspirations to create a kinder world through her initiative, Varymind. This episode is a reminder that life is messy, and it's okay to be a work in progress.

Takeaways

Life is messy and imperfect, and that's okay. Self-acceptance is crucial for personal growth. The journey of an IMG can be filled with unexpected challenges. Neurodiversity should be embraced, not stigmatized. Masking can be exhausting and detrimental to mental health. Curiosity is a key driver in understanding others. Creating inclusive spaces is essential for acceptance. Parenting requires immense patience and understanding. It's important to refill your energy and find joy in small things. Listening to others can be a powerful form of healing.

In this conversation, Lubaina Bahar and Amy Dominy explore the complexities surrounding pediatric death, emphasizing the unique challenges faced in pediatric intensive care. They discuss the concept of a 'good death' in children, the importance of family involvement, and the emotional and ethical dilemmas that arise in end-of-life care. Through personal anecdotes and professional insights, they highlight the significance of communication, memory-making, and ongoing support for families after the loss of a child.

Takeaways

Pediatric death challenges traditional medical protocols. A good death in pediatrics is about moments and experiences. Family involvement is crucial in end-of-life decisions. Children's understanding of death varies; we must listen to them. Parents often feel guilt when making end-of-life decisions. Creating memories is vital for families during this time. Support from the healthcare team is essential for families. The emotional impact of a child's death affects the entire unit. Small acts of kindness can leave lasting impressions on families. Ongoing support for families is necessary long after the loss.

Sound Bites

"It's about moments, not just the end." "It's about play and moments of joy." "We will move heaven and earth for you."

In this engaging conversation, Dr. Vikas Acharya shares his unique journey into the field of ENT, discussing the challenges and rewards of his medical career. He reflects on the importance of mentorship, the privilege of patient care, and the complexities of work-life balance in medicine. Dr. Acharya also addresses gender dynamics in the medical field, his relationships with other specialties, and the future of the NHS amidst evolving healthcare demands. With a focus on the human aspect of medicine, he emphasizes the need for compassion and understanding in patient care and the importance of teaching and learning in surgical practice.

Takeaways

Dr. Acharya's journey into ENT was serendipitous, stemming from a desire to pursue neurosurgery. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship and teaching in surgical practice. Work-life balance in medicine is fluid and requires flexibility. Patient care is a privilege, and Dr. Acharya strives to do a good job for his patients. He believes in treating every patient as if they were a family member. Dr. Acharya values the relationships he has with anesthetists and intensivists, highlighting the importance of teamwork. He acknowledges the challenges faced by female colleagues in medicine and advocates for understanding and support. The NHS is facing significant challenges, and a reset may be necessary to ensure sustainability. Technology has the potential to improve efficiency in medicine, but clinicians must be involved in its development. Dr. Acharya aims to lead by example rather than manage, fostering a collaborative environment.

🎙️ The Ranting Doctor meets Maverick Med Two women. One conversation. Zero filters.

This episode wasn’t an interview. It wasn’t a debate. It was a real, unguarded conversation between two women who have lived medicine from very different angles and survived it with humour, grit, culture, and (obviously) red lipstick intact. 💄

I sat down with Hannah Brew - GP, mother, Maverick Med host, and a woman living unapologetically with myasthenia gravis. What followed was honest, funny, uncomfortable in places, and deeply affirming.

We talked about:

• 🩺 The emotional cost of medicine in ICU and in primary care

• 🔥 Being “tough on the outside, soft on the inside” as a survival strategy

• 👩🏽‍⚕️ Sexism in medical training (yes, even in 2022 - yes, said out loud)

• 🤍 Pain, childbirth, and why women - especially women of colour - are still not believed

• 👑 Powerful women, culture, identity, and showing up fully as yourself

• 💄 Why a red lipstick is sometimes better than a motivational quote

Some lines that stayed with me:

“I’m not nice. I’m kind. And there’s a difference.”

“You can’t give what you don’t have emotionally, spiritually, or mentally.”

“Anything people do when they’re drunk, I do it sober.”

“Nice girls don’t get corner office is my one recommended book for all girls.”

Power doesn’t always look loud. Sometimes it looks like boundaries. Sometimes it looks like humour. Sometimes it looks like showing up exactly as you are culture, illness, softness, strength and all.

If you care about:

• women in medicine

• leadership without pretending

• culture, confidence, and calling out nonsense

• or just listening to two doctors tell the truth

🎧 This episode is for you.

👉 The Ranting Doctor meets Maverick Med - now streaming on all podcast platforms

Let me know what line hit you hardest.