Reconciling Medicine

Dr. John and Renee discuss their thoughts on their training days in residency and fellowship.Key Takeaways:-  Show up, everyday, always.- Learn on the job, let your patients be your teachers.- It's a super hard, poorly paying job with excellent benefits.- Work hard at work and then get the f*** outta there.- You can learn something from everyone, even assholes.- Neglecting yourself will result in losing yourself. 

Dr. John and Dr. Renee discuss their thoughts on how to navigate medical school.Key Takeaways:-  You are more than just a medical student.- You are meant too be there - fight back on that imposter syndrome.- Study your ass off, but don't study your life away.- Run your own race.- Keep a wide open mind, especially third year.- Your struggles will make you stronger.

Dr. John and Dr. Renee discuss their path to applying to medical school.Episode take aways:-  Make sure you are doing this for the right reasons.- Applying to medical school is the first in a long list of miserable but surmountable tasks.- If you want to do this, you can do this.- You are more than just a premed.- Dream big and cast a big net.- Great doctors can graduate from poorly known schools. Lousy doctors can graduate from Harvard.

Welcome to the Reconciling Medicine Podcast! We are the Doctors Paro and we hope you'll listen and enjoy our thoughts on medicine, life and all things in between. 

In the kick off episode, Dr. John and Dr. Renee discuss their thoughts on why medicine is not dead.Key Takeaways:- Burnout is real, but it doesn't have to be a given.- We are smart, talented, resourceful people who need to believe in ourselves more and stand up for those beliefs.- Change doesn't have to be bad especially if physicians learn to initiate it.- You can truly change a person's life in a clinic room.- We know so much. We know nothing.- We may be living longer but we aren't living better - doctors need to take action on what is causing the disease of our time, our lifestyle.

Renee is back with a solo episode discussing her recent path to leadership and few lessons she's learned in the first year of her new role.She shares some pearls and thoughts today with plans to expand into this topic more deeply in the future.

John and Renee continue talk about their evolution on how to stay informed without losing their minds on a regular basis. They talk about experiences over the last couple years that have made them re-evaluate how they want to show up in the world. 

Join Renee and her dear friend Emily to discuss the COVID vaccine in kids. This is a topic that is very important in the day to day clinical experience of taking care of kids as a pediatrician and pediatric cardiologist. Because of the incidence of COVID vaccine associated myocarditis - Renee has discussions with patients about the risk/benefit profile of vaccination in clinic on a regular basis. With the help of Emily (who had questions herself) we dive into the topic.This episode is meant to inform while also digging into challenges in communication that can also hamper productive conversation.

John's back to join Renee... already. Ha!They return for an episode to talk about some thoughts, being a bit over 5 years into practice.A career in medicine is a journey and it feels like the discussion of the different parts of a career, after the training and selection of a job, seems to fall off. John candidly speaks about his most recent experience with burnout that happened over the last year and ways he's worked to improve his practice to help.Renee has finally loosened up and let go of the need for all the rigid points.Win of the week, fail of the week is back as well as some original music from John. Warning - Renee cries every single time she hears the song at the end. Every time. 

Reconciling Medicine.... It's BACK! The podcast has been on quite a hiatus and in this episode Renee shares why and what the future direction of the podcast will look like. John will be taking a bit of a step back - not stepping fully out, just back! - going forward. Excited to be back in your ears!

The Doctors Paro will equally make you laugh and ruffle your feathers with this episode about diets. Listen..... we've been working on figuring out the truths about nutrition for weight loss, body composition and overall health. We've fallen into SO MANY "fitness and wellness" traps. After lots of reading and trial and error - we've come to understand a lot.We are in no way dietitians or nutritionists. But the truths we speak of here are backed in nutrition science - no gimmicks. And spoiler alert - the way to achieve the goals most people have when searching for a diet is not sexy or flashy. It's boring and takes way more time then we want it to.Episode Takeaways:Brief Review of Episode 13 Food is Fuel.The Pyramid of Importance.If A Diet Requires You To Buy A Bunch Of Shit, Don't Trust It.If A Diet Promises Fast Results, Don't Trust It.What Are The Reasonable Expectations?Common Diets And Why They Work But Aren't Magic.

The Doctors Paro EXCITEDLY welcome the very first guest on the podcast, Dr. Lauren Powell. Dr. Powell aka "The Culinary Doctor" is a board certified family medicine physician who's on a mission to end generational health issues in the African-American community. She empowers her patients and community by making healthy eating accessible and delicious both in her clinic room and virtually with her social media platform, Cooking Queen community as well as in her book "Food Essentials for the Busy Professional".Recently, Dr. Lauren and Dr. Renee collaborated on an extremely successful Instagram campaign entitled #SharetheMedicalMic. This campaign was inspired by #Sharethemicnow that took place in June in an effort to amplify Black voices in an effort to support the Black Lives Matter movement. #SharetheMedicalMic took place on July 22nd and featured 80 female physicians, 40 Black female physicians and 40 non-Black female physicians with the same goal - amplification of Black female physician voices that make up only 2% of physicians in this country. It was beyond incredible.In this episode Dr. Renee and Dr. Lauren cover a broad range of topics including - their similar passions for lifestyle counseling as a cornerstone of medical practice- how they met - the making of #SharetheMedicalMic- important takeaways from the campaign - future goals for #SharetheMedicalMic (yep there is more coming!)It was an honor to have Dr. Powell as the first guest of the Podcast. You can find her on Instagram @drlaurenpowell. Her website is www.DrLaurenPowell.com. You can also download her free cookbook with healthy budget friendly recipes: www.DinnerwithDrLauren.com The music of this episode is by Karl "KP" Powell, Dr. Lauren's husband! Check out his music by searching "The Colleagues" on any music streaming platform.

In this episode The Doctors Paro touch on adapting rather than abandoning your 2020 fitness goals, how that looks in the Paro Household, and talk about a new campaign called #racingtowardsjustice

The Doctors Paro return after another few weeks off. This time was spent listening and reflecting on the future directions of life in the wake of recent events, specifically the murder of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement. In this brief episode you'll hear early thoughts on a life now reconciled with committed activism to be anti-racist.

Join The Doctors Paro (and mostly John) for a totally self-indulgent listening party for his Quarantine EP, being released today on streaming platforms. Written and recorded over the past two months, it's a multi-genre collection of songs that captured the rapidly oscillating emotional spectrum of sheltering in place. Think of it like a Kanye style listening party, but with less expensive champagne.

In this episode, The Doctors Paro discuss a few attitude adjustments that have helped during this heaping dumpster fire that is 2020.Episode Take-Aways:- It's OK to not be OK.- Hobbies and creative outlets are great for stress reduction.- Control what you can, and let go of the rest.- Get out of your f&#*ing house.- Acceptance can alleviate a lot of resistance.- It will end. All is not lost.

The Doctors Paro share some of their parenting wins and fails during these "unprecedented times."

The Doctors Paro are back for a Quarantine episode. And, since we a really Corona-ed out, this episode is 5% COVID updates, and 95% telling embarrassing stories about themselves. Enjoy!

In this episode the Doctors Paro answer allllllllll of your burning questions - or at least some of the ones submitted that they felt like answering. :) From thoughts on medical school (like recent changes to a pass/fail Step 1) to their biggest turn offs to parental guilt to whether or not John has Canadian roots - they really go everywhere.No concrete Episode Takeaways on this one (I know, Renee's freaking out). Hoping you enjoy getting to hear some candid responses from the hosts. Make sure to listen to the end for the "Rapid Fire Round".

In this episode, the Doctors Paro dive into a topic that might seem a little taboob. You will hear about overall choices involved in breast augmentation, some of the risks involved, and a bit about recovery. This will be tackled from a surgeon and patient's perspective

In this Episode, The Doctors Paro speak a bit about communication, and how easy it for things to go awry. Leaning largely on past mistakes, they share some common pitfalls in communication breakdowns and utilize examples from their own personal and professional lives. Episode Take-Aways:- Being super defensive typically just comes across as offensive. - The people in your life are not mind readers (and neither are you.)- Picking an appropriate time and place for tough conversations can be immensely helpful. - Try learning your parter's love languages.- A few key communication tools can go a long way.

In this episode, The Doctors Paro both touch on topics specific to their area of expertise. Renee discusses murmurs and John talks about poisoning people's faces.... otherwise known as Botox. We both get a little nerdy and aim to cover the topics in an understandable and informative way. You have to decide who's presentation is more murdery.... if that statement baffles you - well you'll just have to listen to the episode to get in on the inside joke. Happy listening!Episode Take-Aways:- What is a murmur?- What is Botox?- How do you decide if the murmur is innocent or not?- Who would benefit from Botox?- What will a pediatric cardiologist do to evaluate a murmur?- What are the downsides to Botox?

In this episode, The Doctors Paro solve the opioid crisis. Ok fine, maybe the hosts just provide some background statistics, history, and discuss what kind of things are being done about it - but hey, it's a start!Episode Take-Aways:-The sheer numbers behind the opioid epidemic are staggering.-History shows that many share in the blame.-Systematic and individual changes are both greatly needed to combat the problem.-The past few years give some reason for optimism.

The Doctors Paro are BACK with the first episode of Season 2! We are kicking off the new season, new year and new decade with an episode about setting and achieving goals. Episode Take-Aways:A good goal consists of a specific objective as well as specific action items.Setting intentions may be more helpful than setting resolutions.You can dream big and be realistic at the same time.It's important to support the goals of others, especially your significant other.The Paro Word of the Year.The Paro 2020 goals.

The Doctors Paro discuss their new fitness endeavor... endurance races. They discuss their mindset and approach to training. Renee ran the 2019 Chicago Marathon and has somehow convinced the "I'll never run a marathon" John into throwing his name in the 2020 Chicago Marathon lottery. Spoiler alert - will they be Iron Men at 40? We'll see....Episode Take-Aways:Picking the right time is important.Make the decision and shell out the cash. Train insane or remain the same.The fitness is important, but not everything. Race day is a culmination of the work you put in.Cross one finish line and set up another.

In this quick episode, The Doctors Paro recap the next phase of the Doctor Vegetable rollout.

In this episode the Doctors Paro discuss Doctor Vegetable, their nonprofit organization. Hear about how their personal health journey lead to a professional passion coupled with a simple, but powerful idea, that fueled the fire to build something new.Episode Take-Aways:Your life will shape your career, which then shapes your life, endlessly.You shouldn't complain if you aren't contributing.Small, simple ideas can be very powerful catalysts.Good ideas can snowball quickly.Defining your mission is a challenging but important exercise.Gratefully accept the contributions of others, and then pay it forward.If you want to learn more please visit www.doctorvegetable.org

In this episode (that gets a little emotional), the Doctors Paro discuss their journey to parenthood that include multiple pregnancy losses. In honor of Pregnancy and Infant Awareness Loss Month, we share our story to normalize what so many others experience.Episode Take-Aways:Miscarriage is common, but still hurts.This is our story.The strong one needs support too.There is a way to be there that helps.Wounds heal but the scars stay.Rainbows come and they are beautiful.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and recorded on Breast Cancer Reconstruction Awareness Day, The Doctors Paro provide a broad overview of breast cancer management and the reconstructive options available to patients. Episode Take-Aways:Breast cancer totally sucks.It’s super important to know your oncologic treatment options. It’s also super important to know your reconstructive options.Every patient, and therefore every treatment approach, is different.The field is constantly evolving (and improving.)Breast reconstruction can be incredibly rewarding.

In this episode, The Doctors Paro discuss Couples Matching: describing the process, the approach they took, and some suggestions for those considering it.Episode Take-Aways:If you decide to couples match, you are essentially engaged.Recognize your weaknesses, work to strengthen them.You must discuss your priorities as a couple. If you love a place - tell them so.It is possible to have fun during this process.If life will be miserable, don’t rank it.

It's John's turn to answer some questions on a variety of topics - the path to doctor, the doctor dad hustle, burning questions about plastic surgery and much more. You won't be bored with the candid answers.Episode Takeaways: Help! I might wanna be a plastic surgeon!That Nip Tuck life.Dad-ing in Medicine.John gets creative.Thoughts on the girl I kinda like.Rapid fire round.

In this episode, John discusses the field of plastic surgery, why he loves it, and Renee tries to answer questions about anatomy with mixed success.Episode Take-Aways:-Becoming a plastic surgeon.-Why I love Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery-Wait, a plastic surgeon does THAT??-You can craft your ideal practice mix.-If it doesn't feel right, fix it-Renee explains non-cardiac anatomy.

Renee discusses her path to pediatric cardiology. But don't worry - John is there too to pepper in some funny quips and has a pop quiz at the end that you won't want to miss. Episode Take-Aways:Have an idea of what you like, but don't pigeon hole yourself.Pay attention to the signs and get exposure.The breadth of Pediatric Cardiology.Narrowing the focus.A day in the life of a general outpatient private pediatric cardiologist.John's pop quiz on bread and butter Pediatric Cardiology.

The Doctors Paro are back together in today's episode to discuss how they are able to make their lives work everyday. Spoiler alert - without teamwork and outsourcing it would be chaos. Absolute chaos. Episode Take-Aways:It takes two to make a family, and two to make it work.Sometimes you need to expand the team.Stop keeping score.Outsourcing can add financial cost. Not outsourcing can add emotional cost.Drop the mom guilt.As life adapts, so does your roster.

Renee goes solo today and answers questions on a variety of topics - the path to doctor, the doctor mom hustle, fitness, empowerment thoughts, sappiness about John and random questions! Episode Takeaways:Help me!! I wanna be a doctor!!Mom-ing in Medicine.The fit life.Renee the motivational speaker (hahahahahaha).Thoughts on the guy I kinda like.Rapid fire round.

The Doctors Paro talk meal prep. As a follow up to our last episode "Food is Fuel" we are giving you are tried and true way of making that motto a reality. We talk about all the benefits, how to get started and EXACTLY what we do in this episode.Episode Take-Aways:There are a million upsides and maybe one downside.The prep before the prep will set you up for success.Just like anything, you will get better with practice.Meal prep + Macros = Simplicity.Here is literally what we do every week.You can troubleshoot all obstacles.

The Doctors Paro take on food. Because friends, food is fuel. The case for fitness for your health and well being has been made - now it's time to dive into how important good nutrition is as well.Episode Take-Aways:Identify your emotional attachment to food.Macronutrients control what you see. Micronutrients control what you can't see.Tracking, even for a short period of time, will help you.If you are struggling to lose weight, you are not in a calorie deficit.Eat more plants. More plants.But you also gotta live (a little).

In this episode, The Doctors Paro discuss how to establish routines that can enhance your goals and eliminate habits that may be detracting from them.Episode Take-Aways:Life is a Habit Loop.Your routines determine your outcomes.It's OK to fail. (Sometimes.)You need a good morning routine. A good morning routine starts at night.You are clay.Life changes. Adapt.

The Doctors Paro discuss ways to start - and maintain - a fitness routine that fits your life, as well as some of the important benefits it can bring.Episode Take-Aways:Don't overcomplicate it.Start with something fun, expand from there.Ladies, lift heavy - trust me.Success in fitness does not require innate athleticism.Find accountability. Be appropriately skeptical of the quick fixes.

In this episode, the Doctors Paro talk about happiness, the science behind it, why it's important, and how to find it.Episode Take-Aways:-Happiness is more than just the absence of sadness.-Success does not bring happiness, but happiness can bring success.-Your mindset - or explanatory style - has a direct influence on happiness.-People most likely have a happiness baseline, part of which is set by genetics.-There are scientifically proven ways to elevate this happiness baseline.-Happiness and optimism are contagious.

In this episode, The Doctors Paro talk about the transition from being a trainee to a practicing physician and reflect on the first years of practice.Episode Take-Aways:- You can train all you want, they are still going to be super hard.- If you're the smartest person in the room, you're in the wrong room.- Develop your new routine of life long learning.- Be a third year med student again.- Invest time in figuring out your own style. It is very fun. - You can be confident and humble at the same time.

In this Episode, The Doctors Paro discuss how to listen to (and occasionally ignore) career advice until you figure out how to craft the life that makes sense for YOU.Episode Take-Aways:- The only opinion that truly matters is your own.- Don't be afraid to pave your own path.- Despite the past 7-10 years of your life, academia is actually a small subset of medicine.- Your true lifelong mentors will support a decision you make for you.- You have to be OK with the butt pus.- Your career should fit in your life, not the other way around.

In this episode The Doctors Paro discuss the perhaps questionable decision of producing a tiny human while in the middle of medical training.Episode Take-Aways:- There is no perfect time to have a kid. - You could have unforeseen issues, don’t take your fertility for granted. - You need to bring a different attitude to parenting than you do to the hospital. - You might feel like you want to quit everything you worked so hard for, I did. - You might be the sleepiest trainee. You might also be the happiest.- Beware, it could change everything.

In this episode, the Doctors Paro take a break from the more serious topics to introduce themselves a bit more. Covered in this episode:- Background/Demographics- Training/Credentials- Three Interesting Things- Three Embarrassing Things- Two Truths and a Lie- Favorite thing about each other

Welcome to Episode 5! In this week's show, The Doctors Paro talk broadly about the experience of being a trainee in residency. You go from student to MD in a day, and before you know it you are making clinical decisions about actual patients. It's stressful! But with the right attitude you can reap immense benefits.Episode Take-Aways:- Show up, everyday, always.- Learn on the job, let your patients be your teachers.- It’s a super hard, poorly paying job with excellent benefits.- Work hard at work and then get the f*** outta there.- You can learn something from everyone, even assholes.- Neglecting yourself will result in losing yourself.

In this episode, the Doctors Paro share some thoughts on medical school, pick-up lines, and errant dog poop. Episode Take-Aways:- You are more than just a medical student. - You are meant to be there; fight back on imposter syndrome.- Study you ass off, but don't study your life away.- Run your own race.- Keep a wide open mind, especially third year.- Your struggles will make you stronger.

So, you'd like to a doctor, huh? Cool! Are you sure?? Great! The Doctors Paro are here to encourage you - just make sure it's your dream, and nobody else's.Episode Take-Aways:Make sure you’re doing this for the right reasons. Applying to medical school is the first in a long list of miserable but surmountable tasks. If you really want to do this, you can do this.You are more than just a pre-med.Dream big and cast a big net.Great doctors can graduate from poorly known schools. Lousy doctors can graduate from Harvard.

Is the field of medicine dying? We don't think so! And hopefully we can convince you of that in the following episode. Episode Take-Aways:- Burnout is real, but it doesn't have to be a given.- We are smart, talented, resourceful people who need to believe in ourselves more and stand up for those beliefs.- Change doesn't have to be bad - especially if physicians learn to initiate it.- You can truly change a person's life in a clinic room.- We know so much. We know nothing.- We may be living longer, but we aren't living better. Doctors need to take action on what is causing the disease of our lifetime - our lifestyle.

Welcome to the Reconciling Medicine Podcast with The Doctors Paro!In this introductory episode, Renee and John introduce themselves and share their goals for the podcast. You will learn a little bit about them as a couple and hear their "Elevator Pitch" about why you should tune in each week.We are thrilled to have you here, and look forward to discussing how we reconcile medicine in our own lives.