Tom Vondriska says use your good fortune to pursue creative things.

Tom Vondriska says use your good fortune to pursue creative things.

On this penultimate episode of season 2, I sit down with my friend, Tom Vondriska. Tom is a Professor of Medicine at UCLA where he studies the role of chromatin dynamics in cardiovascular disease. We discuss his early beginnings in a small Ohio town, his path to research, and perspective on the role of science and safeguarding the public trust. Check out Tom's Substack [https://thomasvondriska.substack.com/]to get more of his take on important issues.

Mariana says the road is never straight but worth traveling.

On this week's episode, I interview Mariana Weber, a kind and enthusiastic Medical Science Liaison.  We talk about her journey from a small town in Brazil to a PhD in microbiology, surviving layoffs and setbacks to land her first Medical Science Liaison role. Her secret? Resilience, mentorship, and taking ownership of her career.

Jen Heemstra says don't be afraid to fail!

On this week's episode, I have the distinct privilege of sitting down with Professor Jen Heemstra [https://chemistry.washu.edu/people/jennifer-heemstra]. Jen is the chair of the chemistry department at  Washington University. She is also the author of the highly acclaimed book “Lab Work to Leadership [https://www.amazon.com/Labwork-Leadership-Concise-Thriving-Science/dp/0674258630]”. She recounts her conservative upbringing, mentors who changed her path, finding research and academia, and wrangling with a surprising tenure setback. We also imposter syndrome, gratitude, and fostering kind and productive lab cultures where trainees drive ideas.

Kim Prince says hold space for others with grace and compassion

On this week's episode, I chat with the insightful Kim Prince [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-prince-4867b379/], an expert in functional neurology and creator of Neuro Resilience Training [https://www.tiktok.com/@kim_n_prince/photo/7538539453044788493]. We talk about her early years in a small town in Southern Illinois, her early passion for medicine, discovering occupational therapy and cognitive therapy. We discuss her important work using physical movement as a therapeutic strategy for mental health therapy. In our discussions, themes of faith, purpose, kindness, and grace come up as principles of her practice and life.

Jennifer Bezaire says actions must come from a place of kindness.

On this week's episode, I have the joy of chatting with Jennifer Bezaire [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-bezaire-msc-ccp-0669738b/], a talented and kind cardiovascular perfusionist and movement educator. We discuss her experiences in the performing arts, her transition to nursing and ultimately cardiovascular perfusion. In this thoughtful discussion, we reflect on themes of self-exploration, care, what it means to provide healing to oneself and others and the universal values that matter.