Solving For Joy

Chrissie Ott, MD

Through in depth conversations with a wide range of guests, Solving for Joy explores the idea that we are always trying to solve life's equation for maximal joy. We'll discover what constants are actually variables we can change and have a lot of laughs along the way. Dr. Chrissie Ott brings a coaching lens, experience in healthcare, entrepreneurship and creativity to the table. We hope this podcast is a tool for many to reclaim delight in their own personal and professional lives!

  1. 8h ago

    How to Trust Your Own Desires (Without Feeling Selfish)

    How to Trust Your Own Desires (Without Feeling Selfish) Do you know what you truly desire? Not what you're supposed to want.Not what looks successful from the outside.Not what everyone else expects of you. Your desire. In this episode of Solving for Joy, How to Trust Your Own Desires (Without Feeling Selfish), I'm joined by my dear friend and colleague, Dr. Vanessa Calderón, to explore one of the most misunderstood pillars of the Practice of Joy: desire. Together, we unpack why so many of us learn to distrust our own longings, how social conditioning can disconnect us from ourselves, and why desire isn't the opposite of integrity. In many ways, it can become the pathway back to it. We talk about the difference between craving and calling, why our desires deserve curiosity instead of judgment, and how practicing gratitude for what we already have can deepen our capacity for joy. If you've ever wondered whether following your desires is selfish, irresponsible, or simply too risky, I hope this conversation invites you to become a little more curious about what your deepest longings might be trying to teach you. In This Episode Why desire and joy are deeply connectedThe difference between craving and callingHow social conditioning can disconnect us from ourselvesWhy following your desires isn't selfishPracticing gratitude by desiring what you already haveHow curiosity can lead us back to joyResources Mentioned Book Finding Your Own North Star by Martha BeckPerson Mentioned Dr. Kelly CaspersonConnect with Dr. Vanessa Calderón Website: https://www.vanessacalderonmd.com Podcast: https://www.theauthenticpathpodcast.com Chapters 00:00 Why Desire and Joy Belong Together08:20 The Difference Between Craving and Calling16:38 Coming Home to Yourself Through Desire24:51 Gratitude, Abundance, and Desiring What You Already Have33:16 How to Trust Your Desires With Integrity36:58 Practice for the Week & Final Reflections About Dr. Chrissie Ott Dr. Chrissie Ott is a multi-board certified integrative physician, Professional Certified Coach (PCC), speaker, and founder of Joy Point Solutions. Through Solving for Joy, she explores the science and practice of living with greater meaning, alignment, and delight. Her work helps physicians and other high-achieving humans reconnect with themselves so they can build lives that feel deeply authentic, purposeful, and joyful. Stay Connected with Chrissie Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/chrissieottmd Podcast https://www.solvingforjoy.com Website www.joypointsolutions.com For Physician Coaches & Healthcare Leaders Physician Coaching Collective https://www.physiciancoachingcollective.com Physician Coaching Summit https://www.thephysiciancoachingsummit.com  This episode explores desire, joy, integrity, self-trust, gratitude, purpose, and living in alignment with your values.

  2. 6d ago

    How to Create a Vision for Your Life (Even When the Path Isn't Clear)

    How to Create a Vision for Your Life (Even When the Path Isn't Clear) Have you ever had the feeling that your life was trying to tell you something... but you weren't quite sure how to listen? In this episode of Solving for Joy, How to Create a Vision for Your Life (Even When the Path Isn't Clear), I'm sharing a conversation from my friend Dr. Rashmi Schramm's podcast, Inner Peace and Power. Together, we explore joy, vision, self-trust, and what it means to follow a path that unfolds one step at a time. We talk about intuition, the wisdom of the body, synchronicity, and why clarity often comes not from having all the answers, but from creating enough space to notice what already feels true. If you've been wondering what's next, I hope this conversation reminds you that you don't have to see the whole path. You only have to trust the next step. In This Episode Why joy is more than happinessHow vision unfolds through trust instead of certaintyLearning to listen to your intuition and body wisdomThe role of meditation, stillness, and synchronicityWhy meaningful work begins with alignment, not achievementResources Mentioned Book Finding Your Own North Star by Martha BeckAuthors & Poets Marianne RodmacherMeg FalleyAndrea GibsonApp Insight Timerhttps://insighttimer.comConnect with Dr. Rashmi Schramm Websitehttps://www.rashmischramm.com Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inner-peace-and-power/id1721584868 Chapters 00:00 Meet Dr. Chrissie Ott & The Journey to Joy02:08 From Medicine to Meaning: Chrissie's Story05:31 What Joy Really Means10:03 Closing the Gap Between Who You Are and How You Live11:20 Vision, Intuition, and Your Inner Compass17:39 Purpose, Community, and Meaningful Work21:21 Embracing a Multi-Passionate Life28:48 Practices for Lightness of Being31:36 Finding Clarity Without Having All the Answers32:34 Trusting Your Inner Truth32:48 Final Reflections About Dr. Chrissie Ott Dr. Chrissie Ott is a multi-board certified integrative physician, Professional Certified Coach (PCC), speaker, and founder of Joy Point Solutions. Through Solving for Joy, she explores the science and practice of living with greater meaning, alignment, and delight. Her work helps physicians and other high-achieving humans reconnect with themselves so they can build lives that feel deeply authentic, purposeful, and joyful. Stay Connected Websitehttps://www.chrissieottmd.com Podcasthttps://www.solvingforjoy.com Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/chrissieottmd For Physician Coaches & Healthcare Leaders Physician Coaching Collectivehttps://www.physiciancoachingcollective.com Physician Coaching Summithttps://www.thephysiciancoachingsummit.com This episode explores vision, joy, intuition, self-trust, meditation, purpose, embodied wisdom, synchronicity, and living in alignment with your values.

  3. Jul 21

    How to Stop Living on Autopilot: Choosing a Life on Purpose

    Have you ever looked up at the end of a week, a season, or even a year and wondered where the time went? If you've ever felt like you're moving through life on autopilot, you're not alone. I think many of us spend so much time doing, achieving, and caring for everyone around us that we slowly lose touch with ourselves. In this conversation, I'm joined by psychiatrist, psychotherapist, mindfulness teacher, and author Dr. Nissa Keyashian to explore how the simple practice of stillness can help us become more aware, more present, and ultimately more intentional with our lives. Together, we explore what mindfulness really is, why meditation isn't about stopping your thoughts, what neuroscience teaches us about the Default Mode Network, and how practices like breathwork and spending time in nature can help regulate your nervous system and reconnect you with yourself. Whether you're completely new to meditation or simply longing to feel more present in your everyday life, I hope this conversation reminds you that joy doesn't begin by doing more. It begins by noticing. In this episode: • How to stop living on autopilot and begin living with greater intention • What mindfulness and meditation actually are and why a wandering mind doesn't mean you're doing it wrong • How breathwork, nature, and awareness can support nervous system regulation and emotional well-being • Simple daily practices to cultivate more presence, purpose, and joy Resources Mentioned Books- Practicing Stillness by Dr. Nissa Keyashian https://www.amazon.com/dp/1638077983 The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle Apps- Insight Timer https://insighttimer.com Concepts Discussed  Mindfulness meditation  Breathwork  The Default Mode Network (DMN)  Living with intention instead of autopilot  Nervous system regulation  Awareness and conscious choice Connect with Dr. Nissa Keyashian- Website https://drnissak.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/amindfulmd/ Stay Connected with Chrissie- Instagram https://www.instagram.com/chrissieottmd Podcast https://www.solvingforjoy.com Website https://www.chrissieottmd.com For Physician Coaches & Healthcare Leaders- Physician Coaching Collective https://www.physiciancoachingcollective.com Physician Coaching Summit https://www.thephysiciancoachingsummit.com

  4. Jul 1

    The Friendship Prescription for Women in Medicine: Why Belonging Is Essential for Joy.

    If you've ever found yourself surrounded by people all day, yet still feeling lonely, this conversation is for you. As physicians and caregivers, we spend so much of our lives showing up for others that meaningful friendship can quietly slip into the background. But connection isn't a luxury. It's one of the things that helps us stay resilient, grounded, and joyful. In this episode, I'm joined by pediatric critical care physician Dr. Cassie Burton Greenbaum, founder of Off-Service Mom Co. Together, we explore why adult friendship can feel so difficult, especially in medicine, and why belonging is an essential part of solving for joy. We talk about: • Why loneliness is so common among physicians and caregivers • How vulnerability creates deeper, more meaningful friendships • Why friendship is essential for resilience, well-being, and joy • Simple ways to build connection with greater intention Whether you're longing for deeper friendships or simply need the reminder that you don't have to do life alone, I hope this conversation encourages you to take one small step toward connection. Chapters 00:00 The Journey to Connection 04:30 Why Adult Friendship Feels So Hard 09:33 Creating Community on Purpose 14:23 Vulnerability as the Foundation of Friendship 19:15 Finding Joy Through Connection 22:27 The Second Mountain: Living with Meaning Connect with Dr. Cassie Burton Greenbaum: • Website: https://www.offservicemomco.com • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcassieburton/ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrissieottmd Podcast Website: https://www.solvingforjoy.com Chrissie's Website: https://www.chrissieottmd.com 🩺 For Physician Coaches & Healthcare Leaders Physician Coaching Collective: https://www.physiciancoachingcollective.com Physician Coaching Summit:https://www.thephysiciancoachingsummit.com

  5. Jun 10

    Your Skin Is Talking. Are You Listening? Stress, Healing, and Joy with Dr. Keira Barr

    This episode explores the powerful connection between stress, the nervous system, trauma, and skin health with board-certified dermatologist and trauma-informed physician Dr. Keira Barr. While many of us think of skin concerns as something happening on the surface, Dr. Barr invites us to consider a different perspective: what if our symptoms are not problems to fight, but messages to understand? Together, we explore how stress and trauma can show up through the skin, why healing often begins beneath the surface, and how learning to listen to our bodies with curiosity rather than criticism can create more ease, well-being, and joy. **A quick note for listeners: this conversation includes a small amount of profanity and a large amount of wisdom. Consider it nervous system regulation through authenticity. We regret neither.** We talk about:• Dr. Barr's personal journey into dermatology and how her own experiences shaped her approach to healing• The connection between the nervous system, stress, inflammation, and skin health• Why symptoms can be valuable sources of information rather than signs that something is wrong• The role of touch, connection, and safety in healing• How building self-trust helps us reconnect with our bodies• Why curiosity may be more helpful than criticism when it comes to our health and well-being Whether you're navigating a skin condition, chronic stress, burnout, or simply looking for a more compassionate relationship with your body, this conversation offers a refreshing invitation to slow down, listen, and trust the wisdom that's already within you. Connect with Dr. Keira Barr:• Website: https://drkeirabarr.com/• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkeirabarr/• Calm Mind, Calm Skin™: https://drkeirabarr.com/calm-mind-calm-skin/ Stay Connected:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrissieottmdPodcast Website: https://www.solvingforjoy.comChrissie’s Website: https://www.chrissieottmd.com 🩺 For Physician Coaches & Healthcare LeadersPhysician Coaching Collective:https://www.physiciancoachingcollective.comPhysician Coaching Summit:https://www.thephysiciancoachingsummit.com

  6. Jun 3

    Could Running Be a Source of Joy? Menopause, Movement, and Finding Your Way Back to Yourself

    Today, we're revisiting one of my favorite episodes on Solving for Joy. This episode explores menopause, movement, running, grief, self-trust, and what it means to reconnect with yourself through joyful movement. Physician, running coach, and fellow physician coach Dr. Michelle Quirk shares how running helped her navigate burnout, loss, and major life transitions, and why movement can be an act of care rather than another place to strive for perfection.We talk about:• Why so many women believe they're "not runners" and how those stories shape us• How movement can support grief, emotional well-being, and resilience• Menopause, musculoskeletal pain, and considerations for women in midlife• Why high-achieving women often struggle to approach exercise with self-compassion• How to start small and build a sustainable relationship with movement Whether you're a runner, a walker, or simply curious about moving your body with more kindness and less pressure, this episode offers a refreshing invitation to begin exactly where you are. Connect with Dr. Michelle Quirk:• Website: https://mindful-marathon.com/• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindful.marathon• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellequirkmd/ Stay Connected:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrissieottmdPodcast Website: https://www.solvingforjoy.comChrissie’s Website: https://www.chrissieottmd.com 🩺 For Physician Coaches & Healthcare LeadersPhysician Coaching Collective:https://www.physiciancoachingcollective.comPhysician Coaching Summit:https://www.thephysiciancoachingsummit.com

  7. May 19

    Girl Reimagined: Raising Confident Girls and Protecting Joy in a Culture of Burnout and Comparison

    Today’s conversation is about teenage girls, social media, anxiety, perfectionism, emotional resilience, and protecting joy in a culture of burnout and comparison. What happens when girls begin losing connection to themselves younger and younger while navigating pressure, performance, comparison, and constant digital noise? In this episode, I’m joined by Jamie Shannon, certified life coach and founder of Girl Reimagined, a coaching program supporting teenage girls and families navigating anxiety, self-doubt, perfectionism, and emotional overwhelm. We talk about: • How social media impacts girls’ confidence, identity, and emotional well-being • Why many adult women are still learning the skills girls need most today • How coaching can help girls build resilience, boundaries, and self-trust before crisis • Jamie’s concept of a “happy prescription” and helping girls reconnect with joy • What parents can do to better support girls in a world of comparison and overstimulation This conversation is about more than raising daughters. It is about helping the next generation stay connected to themselves while many adults are still finding their way back there too. If you’ve been thinking about the girls in your life, navigating burnout or perfectionism yourself, or longing for more connection and joy, this episode is for you. Explore Social Media Mindfulness, the resource Jamie created specifically for the Solving for Joy community to help girls build a healthier relationship with social media:https://girlreimagined.com/ssm_solving_for_joy.html Learn more about Girl Reimagined’s coaching program and one-week trial experience for girls and families:https://www.girlreimagined.com/1weektrial.html Learn more about Jamie Shannon and Girl Reimagined:https://www.girlreimagined.com Follow Girl Reimagined on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/girlreimagined Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrissieottmdPodcast Website: https://www.solvingforjoy.comChrissie’s Website: https://www.chrissieottmd.com🩺 For Physician Coaches & Healthcare LeadersPhysician Coaching Collective:https://www.physiciancoachingcollective.comPhysician Coaching Summit:https://www.thephysiciancoachingsummit.com

  8. May 12

    How Physicians Can Feel Human Again Before Burnout Leads to Peer Review

    Today’s conversation is about physician burnout, survival mode, emotional exhaustion, communication strain, leadership pressure, boundaries, career sustainability, and what it actually takes to stay connected to yourself in medicine. What happens when physicians stay in survival mode for too long and slowly begin losing connection to the parts of themselves that once felt grounded, present, and alive? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Anne Hirsch, retired internal medicine physician, physician career advisor, coach, and healthcare leadership and clinician communication strategist. We talk about:• The subtle signs of burnout physicians often miss• How stress shows up in communication, relationships, and team dynamics• Why so many physicians quietly withdraw instead of reaching for support• The role of shame, awareness, and boundaries in burnout recovery• How coaching can help physicians identify blind spots, reconnect with their values, and create a more sustainable way of living and practicing medicine• Why community, support, and honest reflection matter so much in physician well-being and leadership Whether you are personally considering coaching, supporting physicians as a coach, or simply wondering why medicine has started feeling harder to sustain, this conversation offers a deeply human look at what physicians are carrying beneath the surface and what actually helps. If you’ve been feeling disconnected from yourself… If you’ve been operating in survival mode for longer than you want to admit… Or if you’ve simply been longing to feel a little more human again… This conversation is for you. 🔗 Resources Mentioned:• Maslach Burnout Inventoryhttps://www.mindgarden.com/117-maslach-burnout-inventory-mbi • Positive Intelligence by Shirzad Chaminehttps://www.positiveintelligence.com • The Business of Friendship by Shasta Nelsonhttps://shastanelson.com/book/ • DISC Behavioral Assessmenthttps://www.discprofile.com Learn more about Dr. Anne Hirsch & Connect: https://www.physiciancoachingwithanne.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-m-hirsch-md-facp-4a681790/  Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrissieottmdPodcast Website: https://www.solvingforjoy.comChrissie’s Website: https://www.chrissieottmd.com🩺 For Physician Coaches & Healthcare LeadersPhysician Coaching Collective:https://www.physiciancoachingcollective.comPhysician Coaching Summit:https://www.thephysiciancoachingsummit.com

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About

Through in depth conversations with a wide range of guests, Solving for Joy explores the idea that we are always trying to solve life's equation for maximal joy. We'll discover what constants are actually variables we can change and have a lot of laughs along the way. Dr. Chrissie Ott brings a coaching lens, experience in healthcare, entrepreneurship and creativity to the table. We hope this podcast is a tool for many to reclaim delight in their own personal and professional lives!

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