Girl Doc Survival Guide

Christine J Ko, MD
  • 4.8 (12)
  • MEDICINE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Young doctors are increasingly in ‘survival’ mode.    Far from flourishing, the relentless pressure of working in medicine means that ‘balance’ is harder than ever to achieve.   On the Girl Doc Survival Guide, Yale professor and dermatologist Dr Christine J Ko sits down with doctors, psychologists and mental health experts to dig into the real challenges and rewards of life in medicine.    From dealing with daily stressors and burnout to designing a career that doesn’t sacrifice your personal life, this podcast is all about giving you the tools to not just survive...    But to be present in the journey.

  1. 5H AGO

    EP220: Navigating Uncertainty: A Conversation with Dr. Paul Han

    Dr. Paul Han on Uncertainty in Medicine and Building Tolerance Through Adaptation In this episode of The Girl Doc Survival Guide, Christine interviews Dr. Paul Han, an NIH Senior Scientist specializing in risk communication, medical decision-making, and uncertainty in healthcare, whose career shifted from general internal medicine and palliative care to research via an NCI cancer prevention fellowship. Han shares that persistent “gray zone” questions in primary and end-of-life care, plus personal circumstances like spousal support and financial stability, enabled his mid-career leap into the unknown. He explains uncertainty as two-sided: something healthcare tries to reduce but also a necessary source of curiosity for clinicians and hope for patients, especially in serious illness. Han connects uncertainty to cognitive biases as flawed attempts to regain certainty, and reframes “uncertainty tolerance” from merely enduring anxiety to situation-specific adaptation, emphasizing virtues such as humility, flexibility, and courage; he also notes his own recent prostate cancer diagnosis. 00:00 Meet Dr Paul Han 01:31 Midcareer Leap to Research 03:58 Drawn to Gray Zones 04:40 What Enables a Big Switch 06:48 Uncertainty as Friend and Foe 11:15 Why Uncertainty Feels Scary 13:48 Biases Born From Uncertainty 15:37 Rethinking Uncertainty Tolerance 18:32 Virtues for Adaptive Care 21:15 Letting Go of Outcomes 23:22 Closing Thoughts

    24 min

  2. MAY 20

    EP219: From Mount Kinabalu to Pathology: Dr. Woo's Story of Curiosity and Kindness

    Dr. Sook-Bin Woo on Adventure, Mentorship, and High Standards in Oral Pathology Christine interviews Dr. Sook-Bin Woo, DMD, an expert in oral and maxillofacial pathology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, about her career, training, and life lessons. Woo shares a formative post–dental school adventure climbing Mount Kinabalu in Malaysia and a dangerous trip across Borneo, and describes later solo travel to Turkey. She explains pursuing oral pathology far from home and being shaped by rigorous “old school” mentorship emphasizing exacting standards and articulating what you do know, while also valuing humility when diagnoses remain uncertain. Woo advises early-career academics to collaborate with peers slightly ahead, discusses the importance of emotional and cultural intelligence in training and patient care, and reflects on challenges as a woman and immigrant, including limited maternity leave, wage disparities, and raising two children with long commutes and childcare support. She closes by urging curiosity and kindness. 00:00 Meet Dr Woo 00:52 Mount Kinabalu Adventure 03:32 Wasp Stings and Jeep Ride 05:11 Solo Travel in Turkey 05:53 Choosing Oral Pathology 06:51 Old School Training Standards 08:38 Rigor with Kindness 10:34 When You Truly Dont Know 12:28 Career Advice and Allies 13:39 Emotional Intelligence Matters 15:35 Women Immigrant Challenges 17:30 Raising Kids and Commuting 20:13 It Will Work Out 21:20 Curiosity and Kindness

    19 min

  3. MAY 13

    EP218: Investing in Life's Uncertainties: Insights with Financial Advisor John Choi

    Planning for the Unexpected: John J. Choi on Guarantees, Diversification, and Distribution Christine interviews John J. Choi, a New York Life Wealth Management Financial Advisor with experience in corporate finance and marketing, startups, nonprofits, and pastoral ministry, about investing amid life’s unpredictability. Choi shares a nonlinear career path shaped by major life events, including divorce, becoming a single dad, and losing his wife to ovarian cancer, which led him to advise individuals rather than companies. He emphasizes that peace of mind is priceless and argues investors should plan for success while also planning for the unexpected through diversification and “guarantees” such as life insurance and fixed annuities to cover future living expenses, allowing other assets to be invested more aggressively. He highlights the often-overlooked importance of distribution strategies alongside accumulation, including potentially passing assets to loved ones during one’s lifetime, and notes his satisfaction in educating clients and reducing financial anxiety. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:17 John’s Unexpected Journey 02:50 Planning for the Unexpected 04:37 Guarantees Explained 05:31 Accumulation vs Distribution 06:26 Legacy and Gifting Tips 07:20 Advisor Mindset and Planning 07:57 Pastor Skills and Expectations 11:20 Why Advising Feels Rewarding 12:13 Final Takeaways and Counsel

    13 min

  4. MAY 6

    EP217: Motherhood and Medicine: A Tribute

    Motherhood and Medicine: Burnout, Balance, and Building a Village In a Mother’s Day compilation for The Girl Doc Survival Guide, Christine announces her book Love Language releasing August 4 and dedicated to her mother, then shares reflections from multiple episodes on being a physician and a mother. Dr. Tom Helm notes a family legacy of physicians and observes medicine’s shift to  female trainees, while acknowledging the difficulty of combining family and career. Dr. Ilona Friedan and others describe how parenting can feel harder than clinical work, the lack of a “manual” for childcare and compromises, and the myth of having it all at once. Dr. Oksana Babenko frames burnout as widespread and individualized, emphasizing autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Guests stress self-kindness, self-care (including exercise), asking for help, supportive colleagues, outsourcing and childcare “villages,” supportive partners, and accepting that doing one’s best is necessary. 00:00 Mothers Day Intro 00:28 Generations of Women Doctors 01:25 Becoming a Mom in Medicine 03:28 Burnout and Basic Needs 04:11 Physician Mom Realities 06:40 Self Compassion and Limits 07:45 Personalized Burnout Recovery 09:01 Self Care and Exercise 09:45 Ask for Help and Coverage 10:34 Build Your Village 11:50 Supportive Partner Matters 12:40 Best Is Good Enough 13:08 Closing Thanks

    13 min

  5. APR 29

    EP216: Breaking the Silence: Navigating Fertility with Dr. Moragianni

    Reproductive Empowerment and Fertility Clarity with Dr. Vasiliki Moragianni Christine interviews Dr. Vasiliki Moragianni, a double Board-certified fertility physician and Johns Hopkins Medical Director of the Fertility Center, about fertility, infertility, and reproductive empowerment for high-performing women. Moragianni shares her personal experience of secondary infertility, miscarriage, diminished ovarian reserve, and unsuccessful IVF after having her first child, emphasizing that “control” looks different for everyone and requires information and options. She explains infertility definitions and earlier evaluation after age 35, highlights that age is the most important predictor of fertility decline, and urges patients to seek care sooner. The conversation addresses stigma and professional silence around infertility and pregnancy loss, especially in demanding careers and medicine, citing higher infertility and complication rates among female physicians. Moragianni recommends optimizing overall health, stress management, and sustainable habits while giving oneself grace. Find Dr. Moragianni on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. 00:00 Meet Dr Moragianni 01:37 Her Fertility Story 04:22 What Infertility Means 06:19 Age Options And Stigma 10:44 Workplace Silence And Shame 14:14 Physician Fertility Data 15:55 Optimizing Health For Pregnancy 18:04 Stress Self Blame And Grace 19:30 Final Takeaways And Hope

    20 min

  6. APR 22

    EP215: Humanizing Dermatopathology: Embracing Error with Compassion

    Failure, Error, and Self-Compassion in Dermatopathology: Lessons from Dermpedia This episode of The Girl Doc Survival Guide shares reflections after Dr. Artur Zembowicz’s Dermpedia course in Boston on failure, mistakes, and improving in dermatopathology. Dr. Zembowicz emphasizes being prepared to fail when starting new ventures and notes that sports can build resilience by exposing people to stronger competitors. Dr. Alejandro Gru argues that error is intrinsic and unavoidable, encourages careful, unrushed case review, open discussion of mistakes with clinicians, seeking second opinions, learning from errors, and moving forward without becoming paralyzed—especially when patient management may be affected. Dr. Philip LeBoit challenges the “aura of infallibility” expected of experts and stresses balancing best effort with honesty. Dr. Yu Tse Heng explains other compassion and self-compassion as noticing suffering, empathizing/common humanity, and acting with kindness, noting small practices can strengthen both. 00:00 Welcome and Course Highlights 00:56 Meet Dr Zembowicz 01:31 Embracing Failure to Innovate 02:20 Meet Dr Gru 02:39 Handling Errors and Feedback 04:31 Recovering and Improving After Mistakes 05:33 Meet Dr LeBoit 06:06 Experts Aren’t Infallible 06:41 Self Compassion at Work 08:54 Practicing Compassion Daily 10:09 Final Takeaways and Thanks

    10 min

  7. APR 15

    EP214: Christina Stevens: The Journey from Theater to Sign Language

    DEIAB and Educational Interpreting with Christina Stevens Christine interviews Christina Stevens, a nationally certified sign language interpreter working mainly in Connecticut public schools for nine years, with degrees in American Sign Language and Theater and leadership roles in state and national interpreter organizations. She shares how she discovered interpreting in college through theater performances, later attending Columbia College Chicago, and ultimately becoming an educational interpreter despite initially thinking she would not. Stevens discusses boundaries and the central role interpreters play for students, noting that about 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents and about 50% of those parents learn sign language, affecting home communication. Stevens advocates expanding DEI to “DEIAB” (Accessibility and Belonging), emphasizing early budgeting, bringing Deaf people to planning tables, and recognizing different interpreting approaches. She encourages learning ASL from Deaf or native users through community involvement. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:01 How Christina Found ASL 01:56 Training and Career Path 02:57 Why School Interpreting Is Hard 03:58 Classroom Visit and Book Talk 04:49 Day to Day Interpreter Role 06:42 DEIAB Accessibility and Belonging 09:00 Deaf Awareness and Learning ASL 10:35 Final Thoughts and Thanks

    11 min
  8. EP213: Aquariums!

    APR 8

    EP213: Aquariums!

    In this brief episode of The Girl Doc Survival Guide, Christine shares that it is another week with a bit of a break and shows two aquarium photos: one of fish in an aquarium at Smilow Cancer Center and another of a manta ray seen at Atlantis in the Bahamas.

    1 min
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4.8
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Young doctors are increasingly in ‘survival’ mode.    Far from flourishing, the relentless pressure of working in medicine means that ‘balance’ is harder than ever to achieve.   On the Girl Doc Survival Guide, Yale professor and dermatologist Dr Christine J Ko sits down with doctors, psychologists and mental health experts to dig into the real challenges and rewards of life in medicine.    From dealing with daily stressors and burnout to designing a career that doesn’t sacrifice your personal life, this podcast is all about giving you the tools to not just survive...    But to be present in the journey.

Information

  • Creator
    Christine J Ko, MD
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    228
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Girl Doc Survival Guide
  • Show Website
    Girl Doc Survival Guide

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