The Physician’s Journey

On Finding Yourself in Critical Times with Dr. Lakshman Swamy

In the Season 2 premiere of The Physician's Journey Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Lakshman Swamy for a deeply personal conversation about identity, belonging, burnout, and self-discovery. Dr. Swamy is a pulmonary and critical care physician, educator at Harvard Medical School and Cambridge Health Alliance, Chief of Pulmonology at Monogram Health, and creator of Critical Care the Game. In this episode, Dr. Swamy reflects on the pivotal experiences that shaped his life and career, from finding a sense of belonging in the ICU during his intern year to navigating the emotional toll of the COVID-19 pandemic. He shares how family, creativity, therapy, and storytelling helped him reconnect with himself, rediscover his authentic voice, and build a more meaningful life both inside and outside of medicine. This is a powerful conversation about what it means to be a physician, what it means to be human, and how critical moments can become opportunities for growth, self-acceptance, and transformation. Links: www.criticalcaregame.com

On Redesigning the Modern Clinical Encounter with Dr. Brian Garibaldi

In this episode, Dr. Brian Garibaldi, Charles Horace Mayo Professor of Medicine and Director of the Center for Bedside Medicine at the Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, shares his journey from basic science research to becoming a leading voice in clinical education and bedside medicine. We discuss his transformative experience helping establish a medical school in Malaysia and his leadership role at the Johns Hopkins Special Pathogens Center during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Garibaldi reflects on the irreplaceable value of bedside skills, the human connection that sustains both patients and physicians, the impact of mentorship on shaping a meaningful career in medicine, and the courage to embrace uncertainty along the way.

On Building Resilience Through Acts of Service with Dr. Kaishauna Guidry

In this inspiring conversation, Dr. Kaishauna Guidry shares her journey of applying to medical school later in life—and how resilience, family support, and a deep sense of calling helped her overcome setbacks to become a hospice physician. She describes how her life experiences became her “superpower” in caring for patients at the end of life and supporting families through complex dynamics with compassion. Dr. Guidry also reflects on how hospice work has reshaped her philosophy of living, teaching her to value joy, peace, and presence each day. She now leads Mourning Dove Medical, the first concierge mobile hospice practice of its kind, and is the author of Dr. G’s Hospice Pocket Guide and The Real Deal About Hospice. She also hosts the podcast Dr. G at the Heart of Healthcare, where she continues her mission of advocacy, education, and mentorship. Tune in to hear about resilience through service, the power of lived experience, and the humanity at the heart of end-of-life care. Links: www.mourningdovemedical.com

On Embracing Uncertainty and Finding Belonging in Medicine with Dr. Andrés Sciolla

In this episode, Dr. Andrés Sciolla, Emeritus Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at UC Davis, shares his remarkable journey from a working-class upbringing in Chile to becoming a medical educator and a leader in trauma-informed care. He reflects on facing discrimination for being gay during his early psychiatric training, rediscovering his passion for medicine and teaching, and finding a sense of belonging in the U.S. His story explores themes of identity, resilience, and the transformative power of mentorship. An inspiring conversation about embracing uncertainty, making the most of unexpected opportunities, and finding a place where you can be your true self. Links: https://physicians.ucdavis.edu/medicalcenter/details/42404/andres-sciolla-psychiatry-sacramento

On Finding the Courage to Change your Career Path with Dr. Indu Partha

In this episode, Dr. Indu Partha, a primary care physician and Associate Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency Program at the University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson, reflects on the defining moments that have shaped her career and medical identity. From beginning her first job part-time while pregnant to making a bold leap into academic medicine after a decade in community practice, Dr. Partha shares thoughtful insights on navigating vulnerability, overcoming self-doubt, and redefining success. This inspiring conversation highlights how careers can be reimagined and how growth is always possible. Check out Dr. Partha´s podcast: The Ajo Way: Primary Care Pearls [https://open.spotify.com/show/3uIqp8gqn79n3NXFK85CmS?si=bd6d5a67a4fd4384]