49 episodes

Heyy I’m Dr. Jay-Sheree ! With this podcast, I’m leaning into what brings me joy in medicine: sharing medical information with millennials in a digestible fashion. I use this platform to expand on important health discussions and add some inspiring thoughts along the way. I hope you'll subscribe to the Millennial Health Podcast on your favorite podcast app and share it with your friends and family ! Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @drjaysheree This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice from your healthcare provider. The opinions expressed herein are my own and do not represent those of any other entity including my employer.

Millennial Health Dr. Jay-Sheree Allen

    • Mental Health

Heyy I’m Dr. Jay-Sheree ! With this podcast, I’m leaning into what brings me joy in medicine: sharing medical information with millennials in a digestible fashion. I use this platform to expand on important health discussions and add some inspiring thoughts along the way. I hope you'll subscribe to the Millennial Health Podcast on your favorite podcast app and share it with your friends and family ! Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @drjaysheree This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice from your healthcare provider. The opinions expressed herein are my own and do not represent those of any other entity including my employer.

    Making Bold Decisions

    Making Bold Decisions

    In this week’s episode, I chatted with Dr. Charmaine Gregory about being bold and making bold decisions. 
    Dr. Gregory, or Dr. G as she is well known, is a wife and mother, an emergency medicine physician, and a serial entrepreneur with a weekly podcast, among many other titles. She also considers herself a burnout thriver. 
    First, Dr. G talks about her bold decision to move with her family from the United States to Guam. There were many considerations when deciding on the right country to move to and she tells us the story of how they went from making the life-changing decision to living in Guam. 
    She also shared her past struggles with burnout. Dr. G explained that the burnout she experienced was not an instant problem, but rather one that slowly crept in. As a result of this, it was difficult for her to recognize for some time. But, once she did recognize it, she decided to make the necessary changes which led down a path of increased personal development.

    This has now become a pattern in her life. When Dr. G recognizes a problem or fear, she makes the decision to boldly face the fears, even if it means doing it scared. For instance, when she realized she had a fear of public speaking, it didn’t stop her from speaking. Instead, it propelled her to face the fear of public speaking by getting started on her podcast and speaking on stages in front of more people.
    Dr. G also touched on the fact that so many in the medical profession are leaving their positions. She believes that this happens when persons have nothing outside of medicine such as hobbies that bring them joy. Because they have nothing else to identify with, they struggle to cope in their medical career.
    With this in mind, Dr. G’s advice is that we should be free to morph, evolve and change. Life is not a straight road and it does not box us in, so we are encouraged to make changes at certain points in our lives when things no longer serve us. 

    Also, she speaks to those in financial debt. She recommends that they set aside some funds for entertainment and enjoyment, but the main focus should be to make sacrifices, keep expenses low and pay off debt. 
    To wrap up, Dr. G shares her top 3 pieces of advice. First, she strongly recommends getting financially free. Secondly, to realize that you have what you need in order to negotiate. And her last piece of advice is to remember who you were before you went into medicine, go back and explore those things that you love.

    Key Points
    Dr. Gregory tells the story of her bold decision to move with her family from the United States to Guam.She struggled with burnout in the past and once she recognized it, she took the decision to make the necessary changes.She also struggled with the fear of public speaking, however this propelled her to face her fears and take action.Dr. Gregory also gives advice to those in the medical field on how to cope, and to those in financial debt. Connect with Dr. G:
    LinkedInFacebookInstagramTik TokFearless Freedom Podcast
    Thank you for listening to the Millennial Health Podcast. If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram and Twitter @DrJ

    Disclaimer: The opinions expressed herein are my own and do not represent those of my employer.

    • 45 min
    Wellness Revolution

    Wellness Revolution

    In this week’s episode, I talk with Amber Shaw about the Wellness Revolution and how we can get off the diet roller coaster and move to a more sustainable lifestyle. Amber is a Women’s Weight Loss and Health Coach who has overcome bulimia and frequent restrictive dieting. Now, she helps other women shed the weight and feel confident. 
    She shares with us tangible steps that we can take when we feel stuck. The first step is to get quiet with ourselves- even if it’s for 5 minutes every day. She also encourages us to connect with our intuition and to trust it. And lastly, to go to therapy.  Amber pointed out that mental health dictates our physical health and so, therapy should be used as a preventative tool. I added that mental health also dictates how you’re able to show up in your life and that the best antidepressants are exercise, getting outside in the sun, and sleep. 
    With this in mind, Amber’s monthly membership, the Wellness Revolution, aims to change the game in health and wellness as it encourages women to stop restrictive dieting and create a sustainable lifestyle. While adopting a balanced diet may be a slower process than dieting, it allows us to eat in moderation rather than completely cutting out foods. She also suggests daily body movement with strength training 3 times a week as part of a healthier lifestyle. 
    Additionally, we discuss how we can get started with this lifestyle without the overwhelm. Amber recommends simply starting small. Commit to one workout, or plan one healthy meal at a time, and grow from there.  Amber shares two key tips to help if we get demoralized when we don’t see results. The first is to put the scale away. She explains that other factors can reflect progress more accurately than the results on a scale. The second is to be patient. Since losing weight is not linear, long lasting transformation takes time.

    Amber’s final advice to us is to stop the dieting. It affects our mental health and ultimately sets us up for failure. She invites us to examine our relationship with food and start to heal it now.

    Key Points
    Amber Shaw explains why restrictive dieting is unhealthy and why we should create a healthy, sustainable lifestyle instead.She provides tangible steps that we can take when we feel stuck.We discussed the importance of mental health and the need for therapy.She provides advice on how to get started with a healthier lifestyle and what to do when we don’t see results. Amber helps women shed weight and feel confident through her monthly membership, the Wellness Revolution.List of resources mentioned in the episode: The Universe Has Your Back
    Connect with Amber Shaw:
    Instagram | TikTok (@msambershaw)Wellness RevolutionThe Wellness Revolution PodcastThank you for listening to the Millennial Health Podcast. If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram and Twitter @DrJ

    Disclaimer: The opinions expressed herein are my own and do not represent those of my employer.

    • 28 min
    On Being an Advocate

    On Being an Advocate

    In this week’s episode, I talk with Dr. Meron Herpa and Dr. Richard Bruno about medical advocacy and the need for advocacy coaching. 

    Dr. Herpa, a public health physician with the Cincinnati Health Department, has a passion for coaching physicians and future physicians to become medical advocates. Beginning with the loss of a loved one, Dr. Herpa shares her journey that led her to become a doctor and eventually, a medical advocate.

    Dr. Bruno is a well-known medical advocate and he also shares his history of fighting the injustices of the medical system. He even tells us a story of getting arrested as he took a stand against the repeal of Obamacare. 
    In this conversation we discuss the urgent need for health and social justice as many patients across the United States are falling through the cracks, and are unable to get the medical care they need. Both Dr. Herpa and Dr. Bruno share statistics that show that health outcomes are significantly determined by social factors such as access to insurance, education, housing and nutrition. 
    In addition to this, we talked about different forms of medical advocacy and Dr. Herpa encouraged us to choose the form of advocacy that works best for us. For example, Dr. Bruno shares testimonies to legislators and attends rallies as a way to advocate, but others may prefer making calls, emailing legislators and using online resources.

    Another option for those interested in becoming medical advocates is a new program through the American Medical Student Association (AMSA). It's a free advocacy coaching program for AMSA students and pre-medical students who are already members of AMSA. Through this program, students can gain access to a wealth of coaches with decades of experience in advocacy. 

    Additionally, Dr. Herpa and Dr. Bruno highlight some common issues among medical students and trainees as it relates to advocacy. These issues include navigating administrative barriers in medical school, fear of professional repercussions because of their advocacy work, and finding the right guidance as they get into advocacy work.

    In the end, Dr. Herpa encourages us to use our voice and to get involved with advocacy in whatever way you can. 

    Key Points
    Urgent need for health and social justice as many patients across the United States are falling through the cracks, and are unable to get the medical care they need. The guests share statistics that show that health outcomes are significantly determined by social factors.There are different ways to get involved as a medical advocate and we should choose the path that best suits us.The American Medical Student Association (AMSA) has a free advocacy coaching program for AMSA students and pre-medical students who are already members of AMSA.References: 
    List of resources mentioned in the episode:American Medical Student Association Advocacy Resources Connect with guest:
    Meron Herpa TwitterRichard Bruo Twitter
    Thank you for listening to the Millennial Health Podcast. Please subscribe to the podcast, share with your friends and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram and Twitter @DrJaySheree

    Disclaimer: The opinions expressed herein are my own and do not represent those of my employer.

    • 31 min
    Mental Health and Millennials

    Mental Health and Millennials

    This episode is part two of a with New York City-based psychiatrist, Dr. Claudine Jones-Bourne about grief, suicide, and how to create a safety plan. She also shares valuable resources for anyone struggling with mental health issues. 
    Dr. Jones-Bourne starts by reminding us that our head is real and the psychiatric problems we may face are valid. Our mental health deserves attention just like any other part of our body.

    She provides us with some key statistics on suicides. In 2019, suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in America and it was the 2nd leading cause of death for millennials aged 10 to 34. And though the official statistics are not out yet for during the pandemic, she believes that the number of suicide attempts and completions has risen.

    We discussed the spectrum of suicidality. Dr. Jones-Bourne warns that if you are anywhere on the spectrum, it is time to get help. This even includes passive thoughts about death and being better off being dead.
    We also learn how to develop a suicide safety plan. A safety plan is epecially useful if you have suicidal thoughts of any type. It should include warning signs, internal coping strategies, social situations and places that provide a distraction, people you can ask for help, professionals or agencies to contact during a crisis, and ways to make your environment safe.

    In addition to this, Dr. Jones-Bourne encourages suicidal persons to think about the one thing that’s most important to them and is worth living for. Whatever this answer may be, it should be written down as part of the safety plan.

    Dr. Jones-Bourne and I also discuss important resources for dealing with mental health. We are encouraged to make good use of exercise, good nutrition, sleep, and fresh air. Plus, speaking kindly to yourself.

    In the event that a person is unable or not willing to find a therapist, she tells us about alternatives including self-help tools (podcasts, audiobooks, therapy workbooks) and online platforms like Talk Space, Cerebral, BetterHelp. Some people also find adopting meditation practices to be helpful.

    Dr. Jones-Bourne‘ final message to us is that, “You are your biggest resource… you have so much power inside of you.”


    Key Points
    Our mental health deserves attention just like any other part of our body.In 2019, suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in America and it was the 2nd leading cause of death for millennials aged 10 to 34.If you are anywhere on the spectrum of suicidality, you should seek help. A safety plan should be created if you have suicidal thoughts.Other resources are available to those who are unable or not willing to find a therapist.

    References: 
    List of resources mentioned in the episode:Talk SpaceBetterHelpCerebralAdditional wellness resourcesHeadspaceCalmStop.Breathe.ThinkConnect with Dr. Jones-Bource: Website

    Thank you for listening to the Millennial Health Podcast. If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram and Twitter @DrJaySheree

    Disclaimer: The opinions expressed herein are my own and do not represent those of my employer.

    • 29 min
    Stages of Grief

    Stages of Grief

    Do you know what grief really is? On this episode of the Millennial Health Podcast Dr. Jones-Bourne and I talk about what grief really is and how it can escalate. In this episode you can also learn about the seven stages of grief, and how the pandemic has impacted mental health. 

    Dr. Jones-Bourne is a New York City-based psychiatrist that works in emergency departments throughout the United States. 
    Reference: Millennial Health Podcast on Depression
    Connect with Dr. Jones-Bourne: Website

    Thank you for listening to the Millennial Health Podcast. Please subscribe to the podcast, share with your friends and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram and Twitter @DrJaySheree

    Disclaimer: The opinions expressed herein are my own and do not represent those of my employer.

    --

    Summary of episode:

    Dr. Claudine Jones-Bourne is a New York City-based psychiatrist that works in emergency departments throughout the United States. Through her professional experiences she has gained significant insights into grief and its impact, and she tells us all about it in this episode.

    First, she helps us define grief. We discuss that grief is not just the loss of a loved one, but the loss of anything. You can grieve persons, things, events, or even plans you had for yourself. Unfortunately, since many of us don’t know what grief looks like, we don’t recognize that we’re grieving.

    We also talk about the connection between mental health and grief. When grief goes unresolved it can lead to psychiatric illnesses such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, or even suicide. For a more in-depth look at depression, Dr. Jones-Bourne and I discussed this topic in a previous episode of the Millennial Health Podcast.

    In this week’s episode, Dr. Jones-Bourne acknowledged that the pandemic has had a significant impact on our mental health. This has resulted in emergency departments across the country filled with psychiatric patients, and the rise of new terms like “post pandemic stress” and “FONO” (fear of normal).

    She also teaches us about the seven stages of grief. These stages of grief are: shock and denial; pain and guilt; anger and bargaining; depression, loneliness and reflection; upward turn; reconstruction; and acceptance and hope. 

    Dr. Jones-Bourne explains that if you are grieving but don’t get to the final stage of grief, this can ultimately lead to unresolved conflict in your psyche. And if the grief does escalate to mental illness, then it’s time to get help. 


    Key Points
    Grief can be defined as the loss of anything, not just the loss of a loved one.Grief can escalate into psychiatric illnesses such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicide if left unresolved.Dr. Jones-Bourne advises that if grief does escalate to mental illness, then it’s time to get help. The pandemic has negatively impacted our mental health.There are seven stages of grief.

    • 25 min
    Integrative Medicine

    Integrative Medicine

    On this episode of the Millennial Health Podcast, Dr. Anna B. Shannahan lets us know that it is possible to find healing, wellness & joy with Integrative Medicine based on evidence and excellence.
    She is currently the Associate Director of Education at the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at Northwestern as well as Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at Northwestern. As an athlete who has completed 12 marathons & 9 triathlons, and figure skating coach who earned a US Figure Skating Association Gold Medal, she is passionate about diet, exercise, and helping others achieve their health goals.
    Thank you for listening to the Millennial Health Podcast. Please subscribe to the podcast, share with your friends and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram and Twitter @DrJaySheree

    • 17 min