Cut & Tell

Hippocratic Collective
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  • Medicine

Cut & Tell is a real-time account of becoming a surgeon—at the exact moment the training wheels come off. Hosted by plastic surgery chief resident Elizabeth Malphrus, this show follows the transition from residency to “year one”: the first, most disorienting, and most defining stretch of a surgical career. It’s where the identity you’ve spent a decade building is suddenly tested—clinically, professionally, and personally. This is not a retrospective. It’s happening now. Through solo episodes, unfiltered conversations, and stories from inside the operating room and beyond, Cut & Tell explores what it actually takes to become a surgeon: the structure of training, the emotional cost, the invisible curriculum, and the tension between perfection and reality in a high-stakes field. It also asks harder questions—about trust in medicine, the role of physicians in a changing cultural landscape, and what it means to step into authority when you’re not sure you’re ready.

  1. 2 hr ago

    How to Choose the Right Medical Specialty | My Journey to Plastic Surgery

    Choosing a medical specialty is one of the biggest and most stressful decisions in medicine. In this season finale of Cut & Tell, newly graduated plastic surgeon Dr. Liz Malphrus reflects on her own journey from medical student to plastic surgery. Along the way, she seriously considered hospital medicine, urology, interventional specialties, and nearly changed her career path late in medical school after a single reconstructive surgery changed everything. Rather than offering a simple checklist, this episode explores what specialty choice is really about: finding the people, work, and environment where you'll build a fulfilling career. Whether you're a medical student deciding your future or simply curious about how physicians choose their specialties, this episode offers an honest look at one of medicine's most important decisions. Topics discussed: How to choose a medical specialtyWhy mentorship mattersHospital medicine vs. surgical specialtiesWhy Dr. Malphrus almost chose urologyThe operation that changed everythingWhat drew her to plastic surgeryPersonality fit vs. lifestyle considerationsShadowing, networking, and exploring specialtiesCan you switch specialties later?Advice for medical students who feel uncertain Cut & Tell explores the realities of medical training, surgical careers, and life after residency. Host: Liz Malphrus, MD Connect with Liz: https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/members/liz-malphrus-md IG: @dr.malphrus Produced By: The Hippocratic Collective Subscribe to @hippocraticcollective on Youtube for all of the other shows and content the Hippocratic Collective has to offer.

  2. 30 Jul

    My First Day as an Attending Plastic Surgeon | Life After Residency

    What does the first day as an attending surgeon actually look like? After years of medical school and plastic surgery residency, Dr. Liz Malphrus officially begins her career as an attending plastic surgeon. But instead of jumping straight into the operating room, the reality is far different—and surprisingly emotional. In this episode of Cut & Tell, Liz shares what it's really like to leave residency behind, start building a surgical practice from scratch, earn patients' trust, navigate the business side of medicine, and finally experience something many physicians rarely have: control over their own career. She also reflects on the identity shift from resident to attending, why being called "Doctor" still matters, and how this new chapter has changed the way she thinks about work, purpose, and life outside the hospital. If you're a medical student, resident, fellow, attending physician, or simply curious about what happens after surgical training ends, this is an honest look at one of the biggest transitions in a doctor's career. In this episode: What your first day as an attending is actually likeBuilding a surgical practice from zero patientsThe emotional transition out of residencyMarketing yourself as a new physicianWhy "Dr." still mattersFinding work-life balance after residencyAdvice for residents approaching graduation Cut & Tell is a candid podcast following Dr. Liz Malphrus as she navigates life after plastic surgery residency—the challenges, career decisions, and realities that medical training rarely prepares you for. Host: Liz Malphrus, MD Connect with Liz: https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/members/liz-malphrus-md IG: @dr.malphrus Produced By: The Hippocratic Collective Subscribe to @hippocraticcollective on Youtube for all of the other shows and content the Hippocratic Collective has to offer.

  3. 23 Jul

    Starting My First Job as a Plastic Surgeon (What I Had to Buy)

    Starting your first attending job means more than just showing up on day one. It means building an entire practice from the ground up. In this episode of Cut & Tell, I take you behind the scenes of what it actually takes to launch a career as a plastic surgeon, from spending nearly $10,000 in a single day on essential equipment to building my website, planning patient workflows, setting up my office, and figuring out how to create a practice that reflects my values. We talk about: • The expensive equipment every plastic surgeon needs (and what's actually worth buying) • Why I invested in a professional camera system and surgical headlight • Building my surgeon website and optimizing it for SEO • Creating a patient experience from the very first visit • Marketing yourself as a new attending physician • Preparing for board certification and practice ownership • The transition from residency to real-world practice Whether you're a medical student, resident, early-career physician, or just curious about what happens after surgical training, this episode offers an honest look at one of the biggest transitions in a surgeon's career. Subscribe for more conversations about medicine, surgery, physician life, and building a career beyond residency. Host: Liz Malphrus, MD Connect with Liz: https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/members/liz-malphrus-md IG: @dr.malphrus Produced By: The Hippocratic Collective Subscribe to @hippocraticcollective on Youtube for all of the other shows and content the Hippocratic Collective has to offer.

  4. 16 Jul

    How to Find Your First Doctor Job (What Nobody Teaches You)

    No one teaches physicians how to find their first job. After years of medical school and residency, new attendings are suddenly expected to navigate networking, interviews, contracts, compensation, and career decisions, often with little guidance. In this episode of Cut & Tell, newly graduated plastic surgeon Dr. Liz Malphrus shares everything she learned during her own physician job search. From building a professional online presence and expanding your network to evaluating job offers, negotiating contracts, and avoiding common mistakes, this is the practical guide she wishes she'd had before starting the process. Whether you're entering residency, fellowship, or preparing for your first attending position, these lessons can help you approach the job search with confidence. Topics discussed: When to start looking for your first physician jobWhy networking matters more than job boardsBuilding your professional online presenceCold emailing and reaching out to practicesQuestions to ask during physician interviewsUnderstanding compensation and partnership tracksWhy every physician needs a contract attorneyEvaluating practice culture and red flagsHow Dr. Malphrus found her first attending positionMaking the transition from resident to attending Cut & Tell explores the realities of surgical training, career transitions, and building a meaningful life in medicine. Host: Liz Malphrus, MD Connect with Liz: https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/members/liz-malphrus-md IG: @dr.malphrus Produced By: The Hippocratic Collective Subscribe to @hippocraticcollective on Youtube for all of the other shows and content the Hippocratic Collective has to offer.

  5. 9 Jul

    Confessions of a Former People-Pleasing Plastic Surgeon | Cut & Tell

    After six years of surgical residency, I expected to leave with better technical skills. I didn't expect to leave without one of my defining personality traits. In this episode of Cut & Tell, I share the story of how a formal complaint from a senior resident completely changed how I saw myself, and ultimately forced me to stop trying to make everyone happy. We talk about: Why medicine attracts people pleasersHow hierarchy can shape your identityLearning to have difficult conversations with patientsThe emotional toll of residency politicsWhy not everyone has to like youHow losing my reputation helped me find my voice If you're a resident, medical student, physician, or anyone who's struggled with conflict, perfectionism, or the need for approval, I hope this episode reminds you that sometimes the strongest version of yourself only emerges after disappointing someone else. 🎧 Subscribe for honest conversations about life after residency, surgery, identity, and building a career on your own terms. Host: Liz Malphrus, MD Connect with Liz: https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/members/liz-malphrus-md IG: @dr.malphrus Produced By: The Hippocratic Collective Subscribe to @hippocraticcollective on Youtube for all of the other shows and content the Hippocratic Collective has to offer.

  6. 2 Jul

    Chief Resident Advice No One Teaches You | How to Lead a Residency Team

    What actually makes a great chief resident? After finishing plastic surgery residency, Dr. Liz Malphrus reflects on one of the most important leadership roles in medical training, and the lessons no one formally teaches. From setting expectations and managing team dynamics to giving meaningful feedback and building trust, this episode is a practical guide for anyone preparing to lead in residency. Dr. Malphrus shares the communication strategies that transformed her approach as chief resident, why vague feedback hurts more than it helps, and how supporting curiosity can create stronger teams and better physicians. Whether you're an intern, senior resident, future chief, or attending looking to mentor trainees, these leadership principles extend far beyond medicine. In this episode: How to develop your own leadership styleWhy communication is the foundation of great teamsSetting expectations from day oneGiving feedback that's immediate, specific, and actionableAvoiding the biggest mistakes chief residents makeBuilding team morale while maintaining accountabilityWhy curiosity is one of the most important leadership skills If you're navigating residency, preparing for chief year, or interested in leadership in healthcare, this episode offers practical advice you can apply immediately. Subscribe for more honest conversations about residency, surgical training, physician life, and the realities of modern medicine. Host: Liz Malphrus, MD Connect with Liz: https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/members/liz-malphrus-md IG: @dr.malphrus Produced By: The Hippocratic Collective Subscribe to @hippocraticcollective on Youtube for all of the other shows and content the Hippocratic Collective has to offer.

  7. 25 Jun

    How to Survive (and Thrive) During Intern Year | Advice From a Graduating Resident

    Starting residency can feel overwhelming. New city, new hospital, new responsibilities, and suddenly everyone expects you to know what you're doing. In this episode of Cut & Tell, graduating plastic surgery resident Dr. Liz Malphrus shares her most requested advice for incoming interns. Drawing on six years of residency experience, she breaks down the physical, cognitive, and psychological strategies that helped her survive, and ultimately thrive, during training. From building sustainable study habits and protecting your sleep to finding community, seeking therapy, and learning how to navigate the constant feeling of not knowing enough, this episode is a practical guide for anyone beginning residency. Topics discussed: Intern year survival tipsPhysical readiness: sleep, food, movement, and gearBuilding effective study habits during residencyLearning from your patientsHow to study when you have no free timeFinding community in a new cityManaging stress, anxiety, and burnoutWhy therapy can be an important part of residencyPersonal mantras that helped through trainingWhat every new intern should know Whether you're starting residency this summer or simply remember what it felt like to be an intern, this episode is a reminder that you don't have to figure everything out on day one. Host: Liz Malphrus, MD Connect with Liz: https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/members/liz-malphrus-md IG: @dr.malphrus Produced By: The Hippocratic Collective Subscribe to @hippocraticcollective on Youtube for all of the other shows and content the Hippocratic Collective has to offer.

  8. 18 Jun

    Why Residency Feels Financially Impossible Today | "Back in My Day", Part 2 | Cut & Tell

    Residents today earn roughly the same inflation-adjusted salary as residents did decades ago. So why does training feel so much more financially difficult? In this episode of Cut & Tell, plastic surgery resident Dr. Liz Malphrus explores the economic realities facing modern trainees—from exploding medical school debt and rising housing costs to childcare expenses, delayed financial independence, and the growing gap between resident compensation and the true cost of becoming a physician. This is the second installment in the "Back in My Day" series, examining how residency has changed over time. Rather than debating which generation had it harder, Dr. Malphrus argues that the conditions surrounding medical training have fundamentally changed—and that understanding those changes is essential if we want to improve graduate medical education. Topics discussed: Resident salaries then vs. nowMedical school debt and rising education costsGME funding and resident compensationHousing, childcare, and cost-of-living pressuresWhy many residents struggle financially despite being physiciansThe changing demographics of residency trainingSingle-parent households and residencyWhy "back in my day" misses the bigger pictureMoving beyond the suffering Olympics in medicine Cut & Tell explores the realities of surgical training, medicine, and the systems shaping physician life today. Subscribe for new episodes and visit the Hippocratic Collective for more conversations about the future of medicine.

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About

Cut & Tell is a real-time account of becoming a surgeon—at the exact moment the training wheels come off. Hosted by plastic surgery chief resident Elizabeth Malphrus, this show follows the transition from residency to “year one”: the first, most disorienting, and most defining stretch of a surgical career. It’s where the identity you’ve spent a decade building is suddenly tested—clinically, professionally, and personally. This is not a retrospective. It’s happening now. Through solo episodes, unfiltered conversations, and stories from inside the operating room and beyond, Cut & Tell explores what it actually takes to become a surgeon: the structure of training, the emotional cost, the invisible curriculum, and the tension between perfection and reality in a high-stakes field. It also asks harder questions—about trust in medicine, the role of physicians in a changing cultural landscape, and what it means to step into authority when you’re not sure you’re ready.

Information

  • Creator
    Hippocratic Collective
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Hippocratic Collective
  • Show Website
    Cut & Tell
  • Provider

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