Stethoscopes and Strollers

La Toya Luces-Sampson MD, PMH-C
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to Stethoscopes & Strollers! I'm Dr. Toya, mom of two, OBGYN, and coach for physician moms. Here, we go beyond the hospital halls, into the messy, magical early years of parenting—think diapers, sleepless nights, and figuring out how to deal with all those unexpected twists and turns. Every episode, I dive into topics like mental health, the ins and outs of postpartum sex, sorting out childcare, and how having little ones changes your marriage. We’ll talk about getting back to work after baby, the real deal with mom guilt thanks to those tough doctor schedules, what pumping at work is really like, and how to keep all the balls in the air without dropping any. We’re here to get real about the hard choices, like deciding to stop breastfeeding, and so much more. This is a space for focusing on taking care of you, because managing scrubs and swaddles takes a village.You'll figure out how to ask for and actually accept help, because let’s be honest, getting support is crucial for thriving as both a mom and a doctor.Just a quick heads-up: while we're all about sharing and supporting, remember this isn’t medical advice. We’re here to connect, share experiences, and grow—together, without the medical jargon. So, grab your coffee or tea, and get ready to dive into those parts of being a physician mom that don't get talked about enough. You're not riding this roller coaster alone, and you definitely deserve all the support you can get.  Tune in to Stethoscopes & Strollers for some real, honest insights and practical tips to make momming a bit easier. It’s time to get the conversation started!---------------------

  1. 5d ago

    127. Part 2: How Physician Moms Can Thrive Without Self-Sacrifice

    Hey Doc— Welcome back to Part 2 of this conversation. In Part 1, we talked about why so many physician moms end up exhausted, overwhelmed, and questioning whether this is simply what motherhood and medicine are supposed to feel like. In this episode, we shift to what comes next. We talk about the beliefs many of us carry into motherhood without ever examining them, why trying to do everything yourself often leads to resentment, and the practical shifts that allow physician moms to thrive without complete self-sacrifice. From building a village to strengthening your marriage to putting yourself back on your own priority list, this conversation is about creating a version of motherhood that supports your life instead of consuming it. In this episode, we discuss: Why you need to define motherhood based on your own valuesThe myth that good mothers should do everything themselvesHow building a village creates stronger families, not weaker mothersWhy investing in your marriage benefits everyone in your homeHow prioritizing yourself makes you a better physician, partner, and motherMedicine teaches us to put everyone else first. Motherhood often reinforces the same message. It's no surprise so many physician moms feel like they're disappearing in the process. My hope is that this conversation helps you think differently about what thriving can look like—and reminds you that you get to build a life that fits you. 🎧 Listen now, and if this episode made you think of another physician mom, send it her way. What did you think of the episode, doc? Let me know! Subscribe to ✨Stethoscopes and Strollers✨ on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. Apple Podcast | Spotify | YouTube Connect with me: Website | Instagram | Facebook  Join my Email list to get tips on navigating motherhood in the medical field. If you are going through a transition -- becoming a parent, leaving a job, figuring out how manage it all, schedule a strategy coaching session and get clarity and strategic next steps for the life and career you want. Strategy Coaching Session with Dr. Toya

  2. Jul 8

    126. Part 1: How Physician Moms Can Thrive Without Self-Sacrifice

    Hey Doc— This summer I'm re-releasing some of my favorite conversations from podcasts where I was the guest because the topics are just as relevant today as they were when we recorded them. In this first part of my conversation on the Girl Doc Survival Guide podcast, we talk about why so many physician moms find themselves exhausted, questioning everything, and wondering why success doesn't feel the way they thought it would. I share parts of my own journey, but this conversation is really about something much bigger: the culture of medicine, the expectations placed on mothers, and why so many of us have been taught that self-sacrifice is simply part of the job. If you've ever felt like you're doing everything "right" but still wondering why it feels so hard, I think you'll see yourself in this conversation. In this episode, we discuss: Why physician moms are especially vulnerable to burnout and overwhelmHow motherhood can completely change your relationship with medicineWhy I left employed OB/GYN practice and what that decision taught meThe mindset shifts that helped me stop accepting self-sacrifice as the cost of successWhy building a life that fits you matters more than living up to everyone else's expectationsThis is an honest conversation about what happens when you start questioning the rules you've been taught and begin creating a version of medicine and motherhood that actually works for you. 🎧 Listen now, and then join me for Part 2, where we get practical about the tools and strategies that help physician moms thrive without complete self-sacrifice. What did you think of the episode, doc? Let me know! Subscribe to ✨Stethoscopes and Strollers✨ on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. Apple Podcast | Spotify | YouTube Connect with me: Website | Instagram | Facebook  Join my Email list to get tips on navigating motherhood in the medical field. If you are going through a transition -- becoming a parent, leaving a job, figuring out how manage it all, schedule a strategy coaching session and get clarity and strategic next steps for the life and career you want. Strategy Coaching Session with Dr. Toya

  3. Jul 1

    125. The One-Minute Reset I Use During the Worst Days

    Hey Doc, This episode is a little different. First, a content warning. I talk about miscarriage and describe one of the most difficult calls I've had as an OB/GYN, so if that's not something you want to hear today, I completely understand. I also share one of my favorite tools for getting through stressful moments. It's a technique I've used for years with anxious patients during pelvic exams and on labor and delivery, but it wasn't until that call that I realized how much I needed it myself. If you're skeptical of anything remotely "woo-woo," this episode isn’t for you 😂 I hope you give it a try the next time life, medicine, or motherhood feels like a little too much. In this episode I discuss: Why the goal isn't always to eliminate stressThe difficult call that reminded me to use my own toolsA simple visualization I use during overwhelming momentsHow this technique can help both inside and outside the hospital🎧 I hope you enjoy the episode. What did you think of the episode, doc? Let me know! Subscribe to ✨Stethoscopes and Strollers✨ on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. Apple Podcast | Spotify | YouTube Connect with me: Website | Instagram | Facebook  Join my Email list to get tips on navigating motherhood in the medical field. If you are going through a transition -- becoming a parent, leaving a job, figuring out how manage it all, schedule a strategy coaching session and get clarity and strategic next steps for the life and career you want. Strategy Coaching Session with Dr. Toya

  4. Jun 24

    124. When He Changes After the Baby: Understanding Paternal Postpartum Depression

    Hey Doc, Father's Day has me thinking about something we don't talk about nearly enough. Men can experience postpartum depression too. In this episode, I'm diving into paternal postpartum depression, why it often goes unrecognized, and how it can show up in ways that look very different from what we typically expect. Because when a husband suddenly becomes withdrawn, irritable, distant, or seems completely disconnected after a baby arrives, the internet is usually quick to label him as lazy, selfish, or worse. Sometimes that's true. Sometimes it's not. As an OB/GYN and perinatal mental health specialist, I was surprised when I first learned that about 10% of new fathers experience postpartum depression, and that number jumps dramatically when their partner is struggling too. This conversation isn't about excusing harmful behavior. It's about understanding the difference between a struggling partner and a bad one. It's about making room for nuance. And it's about protecting something I care deeply about: your marriage. In This Episode: What paternal postpartum depression actually looks likeWhy men's symptoms often show up differently than women'sThe hormonal changes fathers experience during pregnancy and postpartumHow social conditioning affects men's mental healthThe danger of labeling every struggling husband as "trash"Why understanding creates opportunities for healingMy philosophy: Self first. Marriage second. Kids third.This is a conversation about compassion, awareness, and giving families the tools to thrive together. 🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. What did you think of the episode, doc? Let me know! Subscribe to ✨Stethoscopes and Strollers✨ on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. Apple Podcast | Spotify | YouTube Connect with me: Website | Instagram | Facebook  Join my Email list to get tips on navigating motherhood in the medical field. If you are going through a transition -- becoming a parent, leaving a job, figuring out how manage it all, schedule a strategy coaching session and get clarity and strategic next steps for the life and career you want. Strategy Coaching Session with Dr. Toya

  5. Jun 17

    123. Blackie, Whitey, and Beautiful Brown Skin: Raising Free Black Children in a World Obsessed with Socialization

    Hey Doc, As Juneteenth approaches, I've been thinking a lot about freedom. Not the big, abstract kind we usually talk about. The everyday kind. The freedom to be a child. The freedom to love your beautiful brown skin without anyone planting doubt in your mind. The freedom to be curious, imaginative, and just a little bit weird. In this episode, I'm sharing some of the moments that make me grateful for the life my husband and I have intentionally created for our children. From my daughter proudly celebrating her beautiful brown skin to my son's innocent toy names that accidentally sparked a conversation about race, this episode is really about what happens when children are given space to simply be themselves. I also talk about homeschooling, socialization, and why I've never been convinced by the argument that children need more exposure to the world when so much of what adults struggle with comes directly from the messages we've absorbed from it. This isn't a debate about homeschooling. It's a celebration of freedom. And as we honor Juneteenth, that feels especially important. In This Episode: Why I proudly call my children "little weirdos"The difference between confidence and conditioningThe first racist experiences my son had as a preschoolerWhat my daughter taught me about beautiful brown skinWhy the socialization argument doesn't move meThe surprising lesson behind toys named Blackie and WhiteyWhat freedom looks like inside our homeThis episode is a love letter to Black childhood, intentional parenting, and creating environments where our children can thrive before the world tells them who they should be. 🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. What did you think of the episode, doc? Let me know! Subscribe to ✨Stethoscopes and Strollers✨ on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. Apple Podcast | Spotify | YouTube Connect with me: Website | Instagram | Facebook  Join my Email list to get tips on navigating motherhood in the medical field. If you are going through a transition -- becoming a parent, leaving a job, figuring out how manage it all, schedule a strategy coaching session and get clarity and strategic next steps for the life and career you want. Strategy Coaching Session with Dr. Toya

  6. Jun 10

    122. How I Find Great Au Pairs When the Apps Look Empty

    Hey Doc— If you're looking for an au pair right now and wondering whether all the good candidates have disappeared into thin air, you're not imagining it. I've had several physician moms ask me how I find au pairs when the agency websites seem completely picked over. And since I'm currently searching for a new au pair myself, the timing felt perfect to pull back the curtain on exactly how I do it. This is not a conversation about choosing an agency or comparing program fees. This is about creating a process that keeps you organized, efficient, and significantly less likely to lose your mind during the search. Because if you're anything like me, you already have a career, a family, and approximately 47 other responsibilities. Spending hours scrolling through profiles only to forget who you've already contacted is not the best use of your time. In this episode, I'm sharing the system I built during our last search, the one that helped us find an amazing au pair who stayed with our family for years. You'll hear why I start outside the agency apps, how I organize candidates, where I actually find people, and the simple preparation that makes the entire process smoother. In this episode, I discuss: Why the au pair apps may not be the best place to start your searchThe simple organizational system that keeps candidates from slipping through the cracksHow I use Facebook groups strategically without getting trapped scrolling for hoursWhat information I track for every candidateThe message template that saves me time and helps start conversations quicklyWhy preparation matters more than most people realizeFinding childcare support shouldn't feel like a second full-time job. A little organization on the front end can save you hours of frustration later. 🎧 Listen now and let me show you the system that's making my current au pair search much less painful. What did you think of the episode, doc? Let me know! Subscribe to ✨Stethoscopes and Strollers✨ on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. Apple Podcast | Spotify | YouTube Connect with me: Website | Instagram | Facebook  Join my Email list to get tips on navigating motherhood in the medical field. If you are going through a transition -- becoming a parent, leaving a job, figuring out how manage it all, schedule a strategy coaching session and get clarity and strategic next steps for the life and career you want. Strategy Coaching Session with Dr. Toya

  7. Jun 3

    121. Patients Lie. Or Do They? How HVAC Customers remind me of patients

    Hey Doc, Were you taught that patients lie? I was. Somewhere during training, the idea got planted that our job is to uncover the truth because patients won’t always tell it. Then I became an attending and started experiencing it myself. You spend twenty minutes counseling a patient. You draw diagrams. You answer questions. You document everything. Then somehow… “Nobody explained that to me.” “The doctor never told me.” “I never saw the doctor.” If you’ve ever walked back to your office wondering whether you’re losing your mind, this episode is for you. What surprised me is that it wasn’t until I left traditional practice that I gained enough distance to see these situations differently. And recently, while helping run our HVAC business, I watched my husband experience the exact same thing physicians deal with every day. A customer insisted he hadn’t been told something that had been explained multiple times. Sound familiar? In this episode, I’m talking about why these interactions can feel so demoralizing, why they contribute to resentment and burnout, and how a little compassion can sometimes protect you more than the other person. Not because patients are always right. But because carrying around the belief that it’s you versus them is exhausting. In this episode, I discuss: Why “patients lie” may be one of the most harmful lessons we learn in trainingHow being repeatedly questioned can create resentment and burnoutThe surprising parallels between medicine and running an HVAC businessWhy people often misremember conversations without malicious intentHow documentation protects us when memory and perception don’t matchThe role compassion plays in preserving your career longevityIf you’ve ever felt unseen, misunderstood, or questioned after doing your absolute best for a patient, this episode is my reminder that I see you. And I believe you. 🎧 Listen now. What did you think of the episode, doc? Let me know! Subscribe to ✨Stethoscopes and Strollers✨ on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. Apple Podcast | Spotify | YouTube Connect with me: Website | Instagram | Facebook  Join my Email list to get tips on navigating motherhood in the medical field. If you are going through a transition -- becoming a parent, leaving a job, figuring out how manage it all, schedule a strategy coaching session and get clarity and strategic next steps for the life and career you want. Strategy Coaching Session with Dr. Toya

  8. May 27

    120. The Most Underrated AI Tool for Busy Physician Moms - Notebook LM

    Hey Doc — I finally had to sit down and record this episode because I keep talking about NotebookLM to everybody. My Facebook friends. My sisters. Random physician moms who probably just asked me one innocent question and suddenly got a 20-minute TED Talk about AI 😂 But seriously? This tool is one of the most useful things I’ve added to my life recently. And if your brain already feels overloaded by medicine, motherhood, emails, meetings, MOC articles, school forms, endless tabs open on your laptop, and the 47 mental sticky notes floating around your head at all times… this episode is for you. Most people know about ChatGPT or Claude. But NotebookLM works differently. Instead of pulling random information from the internet and confidently making stuff up like a sleep-deprived intern on hour 26 of call, NotebookLM only works from the sources you upload yourself. PDFs. Research articles. Website links. YouTube videos. Audio files. Google Docs. That means: Less hallucinating • More accuracy • Actual citations you can click and verify • And a MUCH better experience for physician brainsIn this episode, I’m sharing: Why I think physicians need to learn AI instead of avoiding itHow I use NotebookLM for MOC studying and researchThe surprising ways I use it in my business and personal lifeWhy this tool feels like having a research assistant who actually cites her sourcesHow AI can create more time, ease, and mental space for physician momsAnd before somebody messages me: No, I am not using AI to cheat on my MOCs 😂 I’m using it the same way most of us already use Ctrl + F on giant articles because ain’t nobody trying to reread a 42-page paper after putting kids to bed at 10 PM. This episode is really about working smarter. Because physician moms do not need more guilt about efficiency. We need tools that help us protect our energy and our time. 🎧 Listen now if you’re AI-curious, overwhelmed, skeptical, or just tired of wasting time searching through massive documents like you’re auditioning for a detective show nobody asked for. What did you think of the episode, doc? Let me know! Subscribe to ✨Stethoscopes and Strollers✨ on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. Apple Podcast | Spotify | YouTube Connect with me: Website | Instagram | Facebook  Join my Email list to get tips on navigating motherhood in the medical field. If you are going through a transition -- becoming a parent, leaving a job, figuring out how manage it all, schedule a strategy coaching session and get clarity and strategic next steps for the life and career you want. Strategy Coaching Session with Dr. Toya

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out of 5
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About

Welcome to Stethoscopes & Strollers! I'm Dr. Toya, mom of two, OBGYN, and coach for physician moms. Here, we go beyond the hospital halls, into the messy, magical early years of parenting—think diapers, sleepless nights, and figuring out how to deal with all those unexpected twists and turns. Every episode, I dive into topics like mental health, the ins and outs of postpartum sex, sorting out childcare, and how having little ones changes your marriage. We’ll talk about getting back to work after baby, the real deal with mom guilt thanks to those tough doctor schedules, what pumping at work is really like, and how to keep all the balls in the air without dropping any. We’re here to get real about the hard choices, like deciding to stop breastfeeding, and so much more. This is a space for focusing on taking care of you, because managing scrubs and swaddles takes a village.You'll figure out how to ask for and actually accept help, because let’s be honest, getting support is crucial for thriving as both a mom and a doctor.Just a quick heads-up: while we're all about sharing and supporting, remember this isn’t medical advice. We’re here to connect, share experiences, and grow—together, without the medical jargon. So, grab your coffee or tea, and get ready to dive into those parts of being a physician mom that don't get talked about enough. You're not riding this roller coaster alone, and you definitely deserve all the support you can get.  Tune in to Stethoscopes & Strollers for some real, honest insights and practical tips to make momming a bit easier. It’s time to get the conversation started!---------------------

Information

  • Creator
    La Toya Luces-Sampson MD, PMH-C
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    135
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 La Toya Luces MD, PMH-C
  • Show Website
    Stethoscopes and Strollers

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