Stethoscopes and Strollers

La Toya Luces-Sampson MD, PMH-C

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. 1 DAY AGO

    104. Why This Physician Coach Launched an HVAC Business

    Hey Doc, In this episode, I’m sharing a major life update that, on the surface, looks like a hard pivot, but is actually a continuation of everything I’ve been building since I left corporate medicine. 📣 I’m officially the co-owner of The General Heating & Air, a family-run HVAC company serving Greater Houston. I’m still coaching and I’m still podcasting. But how I spend my time is changing — and so is what I’ve learned about capacity, clarity, and what it really means to have transferable skills as a physician. This isn’t about telling you to start a business. This is about expanding what you believe is possible in your life, especially when you’re a physician mom navigating the chaos of transition with a brain wired for overachievement and a culture that rewards self-sacrifice. In this episode, I talk about: Why I’m adding HVAC business owner to my list of titlesWhat almost broke me in the process (and how I knew it was time to shift my bandwidth)The myth of “I’m just a doctor” and why it’s keeping you stuckHow every step of my journey — from burnout to social media to locums — prepared me for thisReal-life examples of your transferable skills and how they show up outside of medicineWhy I’ll be quieter on social media — but louder in new waysWhether you’re in a transition, thinking about one, or recovering from one that didn’t go as planned, this episode will remind you: You’re not stuck. You’re not behind. And your next chapter doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s to be worth pursuing. 🔗 Links + Resources: Follow our new business: @TheGeneralHVAC on all platformsIn Houston? Join our email list: Sign up hereListen to Episode 7: Your Dream Life or Mine? 📩 Stay Connected: Want support through your next big transition? Learn more about private coaching with me at drtoyacoaching.com 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

    18 min
  2. 28 JAN

    103. Teach Your Sons How To Treat You: Your Actions are the Curriculum

    Hey Doc — If you got sick tomorrow, would your family know how to care for you? Would your partner step up? Would your kids know what to do? Or would you be left watching everyone wait for you to get better, so you can get back to doing everything again? This episode is about the stories we tell ourselves about being “needed” and the quiet ways we teach our families to expect us to do it all. It’s not just about being unsupported in the moment, it’s about a pattern we’ve set over years of overfunctioning. And I’ll talk about where that pattern starts, how it plays out, and most importantly, how to change it. I’m breaking down: Why being mad at your partner isn’t the full pictureHow gender roles show up in your house even when you don’t believe in themWhat your children are learning from the way you live not just what you sayAnd the questions I want every woman physician to ask about the example she’s settingWhether you have sons, daughters, toddlers, or teens — this one’s for you. Not to shame. To wake you up. Because what you’re modeling right now, becomes their norm later. 🎧 Listen to the full episode 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

    16 min
  3. 21 JAN

    102. How to Handle Surprise Meetings with Leadership

    Hey Doc — There’s a specific kind of dread that comes with a vague meeting invite. No agenda. No context. Just: “Leadership wants to meet.” You already know — it’s rarely good. Whether you’re walking in with a heads-up or completely in the dark, this episode breaks down how to protect yourself when you’re called into a surprise meeting about your job. Not the one you asked for — the one they put on your calendar. I’m sharing what I walk through with my clients in real time: What to do the moment you get the inviteHow to stay in control when you don’t know what’s comingAnd why your #1 job in the room isn’t to defend yourself — it’s to stay sharpThis episode walks you through exactly what to do before, during, and after a meeting like this so you’re not caught off guard, pressured into decisions, or left questioning what just happened. If it’s already on your calendar, 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

    22 min
  4. 14 JAN

    101. How I managed locums with a baby and a toddler— and how you can too

    Hey Doc, “I’ll do locums once the kids are older.” Sound familiar? That’s the line I hear most from physician moms when they’re curious about locums but don’t think it’s realistic with a baby or toddler at home. But here’s the truth: I started doing locums with a 2-year-old and a newborn and it turned out to be one of the best parenting decisions I ever made. Not because it was easy. But because it gave me more freedom, more presence, and more say in how I showed up — both at home and at work. In this episode, I walk you through how I made it work: Why “wait until they’re older” might actually be harderHow my setup (with daycare, nannies, and locums shifts) gave our whole family more peaceWhat it took to breastfeed, pump, and store milk on the roadAnd why leaving for 24 hours helped my husband and kids more than it hurtThis isn’t about pushing you toward locums. It’s about showing you what’s possible, even when they’re tiny. Because babies don’t need perfection. They need love, routine, and a mom who’s supported not sacrificed. 🎧 Tune in to hear how I made it work and why you just might be more ready than you think. 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

    29 min
  5. 7 JAN

    100. Celebrating 100 Episodes of Stethoscopes and Strollers: Welcome to 2026!

    Hey Doc We made it. A brand new year and the 100th episode of Stethoscopes and Strollers. This isn’t just a milestone. It’s a moment to pause, reflect, and remember why this podcast, and this work, exists in the first place. Yes, it started with postpartum burnout. Yes, it evolved through early motherhood, transitions, and work stress. But at the center of it all? Empowering women physicians to stop giving their power away — at home, at work, and everywhere in between. In this episode, I reflect on how my mission has deepened and where we’re headed in 2026. We talk about: Why empowerment has always been the pointThe real impact of conditioning in medicine and motherhoodWhat it means to be powerful on your termsAnd what’s next for this community beyond just physician moms🎧 Tune in for a powerful start to 2026, and a reminder that you don’t need to become anyone else to take your power back. 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

    17 min

Trailer

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!---------------------