Many times, the primary barrier to us achieving our goals is our own thoughts. However, being practical does not have to mean overthinking or succumbing to the idea that certain goals just don't make sense for us. This week, Kimberly shares an inspiring example of a time she set out to achieve something seemingly out of reach.  

Is there someone in your life you can trust to be there in moments of triumph, but also in times of potential failure? This week Ashley shares memories of times when she had the courage to let someone in, and what she took away from those experiences. 

July is a major transition time for folks in the medical field. Just like in many other institutions or professions, in medicine, it's easy to look at new changes and lament that things "aren't like they used to be." However, we should pause to recognize, thankfully, that things can and often do change for the better. This week, Kimberly reflects on the early days of her training and a few changes that she's grateful for. 

This episode, Kimberly shares a very personal story of caring for a loved one in the hospital and how it has shifted her perspective as both a doctor and caregiver. 

This week we share another special episode recorded at the Society of General Internal Medicine annual meeting in Boston, Massachusetts, featuring a very special guest storyteller, Dr. Utibe Essien - an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the UCLA School of Medicine, an award-winning health equity researcher, and an all-around dope human doctor. 

Live from the Society of General Internal Medicine 2024 annual meeting in Boston, MA! Kimberly and Ashley share the stage to tell the story of their first meeting and a meaningful connection that would lead to the beginnings of The Human Doctor Podcast and so much more. 

In the final episode of this season, Ashley shares a story about a profound experience in residency that shaped her perspective on patients and their families, and how we care for both. 

Who are the friends that you can call on no matter what the circumstance? Who are the those that you can trust to love and care for you, even when you feel you don't deserve it? In our busy adult lives, we often miss opportunities to form deep connections beyond the bounds of traditional family and romantic partnerships. However, on this episode Kimberly takes the time to celebrate one of these connections and what it means to her. 

This week Ashley is back on the mic sharing a story from early adulthood when an unexpected message resonated in unexpected ways. 

Each of us at some point in our lives will have the experience of not being chosen for something or not getting the thing we desperately wanted. This week, Kimberly shares her reflections on this experience and some important lessons along the way. 

When it comes to difficult news, what we say and how we say it matters a lot, especially in medicine. Today, Ashley recalls a moment in training where this concept became very clear. 

Many of us have heard the disheartening statistic that Black women experience the highest rates of pregnancy-related deaths in the United States, 3x that of white women, and regardless of socioeconomic status. This week Ashley offers a humanistic lens to this fact by sharing the story of her own mother's experience bringing her into this world. 

On this episode, Kimberly reflects on a really difficult but necessary choice that she made when she was younger. It's a choice that she still makes routinely today. 

This week, Ashley reflects on a moment where so much changed in the blink of an eye.

This episode, Ashley shares a recent experience in clinic that helped reshape her views on gifts and giving. We want to also wish all of our listeners a wonderful and safe holiday season. We'll be back in the New Year!

This episode Kimberly shares another compelling story along with some unforgettable advice she received while on the wards at Grady Hospital **************************** BLR Benefit 2023: The Narrative Arc

We're back and excited to kick-off another season of storytelling on the Human Doctor Pod. This week, Ashley is on the mic to tell you about an experience in medical training that needed a time-out for serious reflection. 

This week Ashley shares a narrative from her first year on faculty where a difficult patient interaction helped her realize a sense of agency in terms of how the experience unfolded.  ------------- Topics Discussed: "Diastolito" at Yeppa & Co, Buckhead, Atlanta The Nap Ministry - Rest as Reparations  The Nocturnists episode with Eric Topol, MD, author of Deep Medicine Clinical Problem Solvers Juneteenth episode w/ Kimberly and her dad, Mr. William Draper

Stepping into a more senior role often comes with greater responsibilities, as well as greater repercussions for adverse events. Ashley reflects on her first experience stepping into a new attending role and the challenges that came with it.  ------------- Topics Discussed: Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson named an honorary member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. at its 56th National Convention Dr. Manning's email away message Documentary (on Disney+) - Wild Life

When was the last time you did something big, purely because you wanted to do it? This week Kimberly shares some wisdom she received from a Grady patient, and how that led to a pivotal moment in her life.

This episode, Ashley shares about a recent experience where she had to push herself outside the boundaries of her comfort zone. 

This week Dr. Manning shares an uplifting reflection on the critical role of representation and what it means to push the boundaries of what we think is possible for ourselves as well as others.

This week, Kimberly shares an incredible story about an exchange with a young patient who was anticipating a life-changing event.  

As healthcare providers, we are often in a zone of learning new information and new ways of doing things. Have you ever stopped to ask yourself how your care of a person may have changed had you known back then what you know now? In this episode, Ashley shares a story about a time where she would have done things differently. 

This week, Ashley is back in the storytelling hot seat, sharing about a very memorable experience and how it has shaped her perspective going forward. 

In this final episode of Season 4, Ashley looks back on a few key moments in her professional life and personal journey towards greater love and self-acceptance. 

Have you ever had an experience that felt out of completely out of control? Even in the midst of turmoil, sometimes we must throw down a flag and find a moment to reflect. This week, Ashley shares a story and the lessons learned from it. 

Oftentimes the best thing we can do for those we care for, as well as for ourselves, is to be still and know exactly who we are. On today's episode, Kimberly drops some serious wisdom as she recalls an experience when she first learned this lesson well. 

How many of us struggle to say no to the many tasks and asks that place a heavy toll on our well-being? This week, Kimberly reflects on a time where she had to reconcile what was being asked of her and how much she could give. 

At many points in life, we may find ourselves tasked with letting go of our attachments, but not our hope. This week Ashley reflects on an experience where this lesson be very real.

For many of us, early experiences in childhood can have a major impact on how we view ourselves and others going forward. In today's episode, Ashley shares one of these moments. 

We often face choices that are very painful but also can lead us to a life of greater authenticity. Along the way, it's important that we affirm our truest selves and recognize that each of us is uniquely incredible. This week Ashley shares a story about part of this journey. 

In this profession we routinely experience a roller coaster of human emotions. Yet, we're often limited in how or when we are able express those feelings. This week, Kimberly tells us about a pivotal moment in which she recognized the power of letting her emotions show.

We're human beings. Human beings make mistakes. Yet, we don't seem to talk about it enough in medicine. In this episode, Ashley reflects on a mistake that was made during her training and how it impacted her afterwards. 

Errors and adverse events in medicine are complicated. They often stem from so much more than a missed diagnosis or failed procedure. Kimberly reflects on a difficult experience she had as an attending physician and the important lessons she learned.

In this episode Ashley shares a story about a time when her world effectively stopped, but not everyone noticed. On days that feel very ordinary for us, how do we stop and make space for folks whose lives have become anything but ordinary?

Kimberly recalls a valuable lesson she learned from a Grady elder and how it helped her deal with a situation where emotions ran high. Often times we must realize, it's not about us. 

Do you want to be truly excellent, or just seem that way? Ashley shares a story about a really difficult experience and the opportunity for meaningful growth. 

This week Kimberly shares a story about a time when someone gave her the strength to get through a particularly difficult task. When you see a person flying on one wing, do you help give them the strength to soar, or keep on moving? 

Ashley shares a story reflecting on the last time she felt real joy. When we focus on individual achievement and "being the best" or "being the expert", how do we find joy in the process of becoming?

Kimberly reflects on a conflict she experienced during residency. Medical education can sometimes feel like more of a competition than a collaborative learning environment. How do we create spaces where folks can shine without dimming the light for others?

Ashley shares a story about going above and beyond to help a patient during residency. Have you ever felt pressure to "do the most" to make up for failures of the healthcare system?

Kimberly reflects on the importance of recognizing what matters most. When you take an inventory of your priorities, what or who comes first?

Ashley shares a very personal story about knowing her true self and the journey towards welcoming others in to know her as well. 

Kimberly shares a story about being interrupted by strangers at work. Is there a type of energy we bring into a space that makes us more or less "stoppable"?

Ashley shares a story on being seen in the workplace. How do you respond when someone's bias renders you invisible?

Kimberly shares a story about receiving some very unsatisfying feedback. How do you respond when the issue is not the work you do, but the essence of you?

Welcome to The Human Doctor Podcast! Get to know Drs. Kimberly Manning and Ashley McMullen, along with two other regularly featured guests...Jewels and Mahalia