It's time for some big sister energy - take a seat and let your medicine big sisters give you a pep talk.

This week, Frances Mei sits down with the thoughtful and confident Dr. Iya Agha for a conversation about fear - not the kind that paralyzes you, but the kind that cracks you open and pushes you forward. As Iya gets ready to start residency, she shares how embracing vulnerability has helped her grow, as a physician, and as a person.

They talk about the things that actually sustain you in medicine: honest friendships, good mentorship, and knowing who you are outside the hospital. It's a conversation about holding space, for yourself and for others, and about choosing to be someone who lifts instead of drains. If you're feeling the weight of transitions or the pressure to hold it all together, this episode is a reminder: you're not alone, and you don’t have to be perfect to be powerful.

Host: Frances Mei Hardin, MD

Guest: Iya Agha, DO

Connect with Iya:

https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/members/iya-agha-do

Presented by: The Hippocratic Collective

Following Frances Mei on Instagram & Tiktok @francesmeimd

And subscribe to ⁨@HippocraticCollective⁩ on Youtube for all of the other shows the Hippocratic Collective has to offer.

This week on Surgeon, Interrupted, host Frances Mei sits down with rising chief resident and ENT surgeon Dr. Shreya Sharma to unpack what it’s really like dating as a woman in medicine. From scrubbing out to swipe fatigue, we talk about the unique challenges of finding love (or even just a decent situationship) while navigating the high-stakes world of surgical training.

We get honest about control issues, time scarcity, and the emotional calculus behind choosing who gets your post-call energy. Why are female surgeons still treated like novelties on dating apps? How do we stay soft when the job demands steel? And is it possible to build something real when your calendar is booked four months out?

This episode isn’t just about dating—it’s about identity, vulnerability, and learning to show up for yourself and someone else in the midst of a career that doesn’t leave much room for either.

Host: Frances Mei Hardin, MD

Guest: Shreya Sharma, MD

Connect with Shreya:

https://www.instagram.com/shreya.sharma.md/

Presented by: The Hippocratic Collective

Following Frances Mei on Instagram & Tiktok @francesmeimd

And subscribe to ⁨@HippocraticCollective⁩ on Youtube for all of the other shows the Hippocratic Collective has to offer.

What if being a doctor was just one chapter of your story, not the whole book? In this episode of Surgeon, Interrupted, I sit down with Ryan Montoya, MD - a physician who defies every box. Currently the Physician Medical Officer for the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, Russia, Ryan has worn, and continues to wear, as many hats as a single person can wear. Professional comic book artist, former Associate Medical Director of Planned Parenthood in Washington, DC, community healthcare provider in Bosnia and Herzegovina and India, luggage designer for Goyard (!)...the list goes on.

We talk about curiosity as a compass, walking away from linear paths, and the underrated joy of being a beginner again. If you’ve ever wondered what else you’re allowed to be... this one's for you.

Host: Frances Mei Hardin, MD

Guest: Ryan Montoya, MD

https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/members/ryan-montoya-md

Presented by: The Hippocratic Collective

Following Frances Mei on Instagram & Tiktok @francesmeimd

And subscribe to ⁨@HippocraticCollective⁩ on Youtube for all of the other shows the Hippocratic Collective has to offer.

I sat down with my husband, Colin, to talk about what it’s really been like to leave medicine and how it’s changed both of us. We go back to the beginning: falling in love while I was still in training, the pressure cooker of surgical residency, and what finally pushed me to walk away. Colin shares what it was like to watch me come apart and put myself back together again, and I open up about the fear, the freedom, and everything in between. If you’ve ever wondered what happens after you quit the thing you thought would define your whole life, this episode is for you.

Host: Frances Mei Hardin, MD

Presented by: The Hippocratic Collective

Following Frances Mei on Instagram & Tiktok @francesmeimd

And subscribe to @HippocraticCollective on Youtube for all of the other shows the Hippocratic Collective has to offer.

I recorded this episode from the Ozarks, once an escape from residency but now a backdrop for something deeper.

In this solo reflection, I talk about what it’s really like to leave practice after years of surviving medicine. I share why I came back to a place marked by old traumas, how it feels to finally travel on my own terms, and what it means to “choose you hard” - especially when it’s the harder choice.

I also peel back the curtain and discuss my new life of travel, work and figuring it out along the way.

Host: Frances Mei Hardin, MD

Presented by: The Hippocratic Collective

Following Frances Mei on Instagram & Tiktok @francesmeimd

And subscribe to @HippocraticCollective on Youtube for all of the other shows the Hippocratic Collective has to offer.

Frances Mei and Lauren Umstattd, MD deliver a poignant and introspective episode from the tranquil poolside of Napa Valley, where they reflect on the evolution of their friendship and the trials of their surgical careers. Their dialogue is imbued with warmth and sincerity as they revisit the early days of their acquaintance, recalling the significance of their meeting during a residency graduation party. This recollection serves as a foundation for their exploration of the arduous journey through surgical training, filled with both triumphs and tribulations. The authenticity of their friendship shines through as they exchange heartfelt sentiments, celebrating each other's resilience and accomplishments in a demanding profession.

As the conversation unfolds, Frances Mei and Lauren dive into the societal challenges faced by female surgeons, discussing the often-overlooked emotional toll that surgical residency can impose. They share personal anecdotes that illuminate the pressures of maintaining professionalism amidst the chaos of rigorous training, while also highlighting the importance of solidarity among women in medicine. Their candid reflections serve to foster a greater understanding of the unique experiences of female surgeons, encouraging dialogue about the necessity of support systems in navigating their careers.

In a delightful interlude, the pair introduces a drinking game centered on their shared experiences, which adds a playful element to their serious discourse. This blend of humor and sincerity enriches the episode, showcasing the dynamic between the two speakers while emphasizing the significance of camaraderie in their professional lives. As they look ahead to future endeavors, Frances and Lauren express their commitment to uplifting the voices of women in surgery, advocating for a community where open conversations about challenges and successes can flourish. By sharing their journey, they inspire listeners to embrace the complexities of their own paths, fostering a sense of connection and empowerment within the medical community.

Host: Frances Mei Hardin, MD

Presented by: The Hippocratic Collective

Following Frances Mei on Instagram & Tiktok @francesmeimd

Connect with Lauren on Instagram & Tiktok @lauren_umstattd_md

And subscribe to @HippocraticCollective on Youtube for all of the other shows the Hippocratic Collective has to offer.

Frances Mei and Tony Chin-Quee discuss their exclusive Dropout Club - 2 ENTs who finished residency, worked a single 3-year contract, then left clinical medicine for good. They explore the culture around leaving medicine and what the reactions and feedback have been for Frances Mei - leading to a round of 'Ex-Surgeon Reads Mean Tweets.' Finally they wrap up with Spooky Ghost Stories from the Hospital.

Surgeon, Interrupted is a new podcast taking you behind the scenes of Frances Mei's journey from young surgeon with promise and a full career in surgery ahead of her, to a drastic pivot out of medicine and into something completely different. This is a show for anyone who has felt uncertain about their career of life choices and wants to see and hear exactly how one person is starting the journey. This is will be a real time account of how the decisions were made, the wins and losses along the way, and everything in between.

Host: Frances Mei Hardin, MD

Presented by: The Hippocratic Collective

Follow Frances Mei on Instagram & TikTok @francesmeimd

Connect with Tony Chin-Quee on Instagram @wheyouat and find his best-selling book 'I Can't Save You' here - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/676638/i-cant-save-you-by-anthony-chin-quee/9780593418888

And Subscribe to @HippocraticCollective on Youtube for all of the other great shows the Hippocratic Collective has to offer.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Context

02:42 The Decision to Leave Medicine

05:37 Mean Tweets and Public Perception

08:51 Partnerships and Personal Choices

11:42 Navigating Criticism and Expectations

14:41 The Journey of Medical Training

17:42 Finding Fulfillment Outside of Medicine

20:53 Addressing Misconceptions and Regrets

23:38 The Nature of Quitting and Resilience

29:37 The Decision to Move On

35:51 The Impact of Vulnerability

52:35 Life After Medicine

In the first episode of Surgeon Interrupted, Dr. Frances Mei Hardin shares her journey of leaving a career in surgery after years of feeling unsafe and unfulfilled in her work environment. She discusses the toxic culture of residency, the pressures of being a physician, and her path to self-discovery and personal growth. Frances Mei emphasizes the importance of breaking free from societal expectations and finding fulfillment in life beyond medicine.

Surgeon, Interrupted is a new podcast taking you behind the scenes of Frances Mei's journey from young surgeon with promise and a full career in surgery ahead of her, to a drastic pivot out of medicine and into something completely different. This is a show for anyone who has felt uncertain about their career of life choices and wants to see and hear exactly how one person is starting the journey. This is will be a real time account of how the decisions were made, the wins and losses along the way, and everything in between.

Host: Frances Mei Hardin, MD

Presented by: The Hippocratic Collective

Follow Frances Mei on Instagram & TikTok @francesmeimd

And Subscribe to @hippocratic-collective on Youtube for all of the other great shows the Hippocratic Collective has to offer.