Episodes

  • Summary: In this episode of The Happy Gynecologist, Amanda discusses the importance of focusing on the next best steps amidst uncertainty and anxiety. She emphasizes grounding oneself in the present moment and trusting inner wisdom. Through the Starfish Story, she illustrates how individual actions can make a significant difference, even when the larger situation seems overwhelming. Amanda encourages persistence in the face of challenges and highlights the importance of community support during difficult times.

    Links: coach-miles.com/happy

    Takeaways

    It's essential to focus on the next best step. Grounding ourselves in the present can alleviate anxiety. Trusting our inner wisdom is crucial for decision-making. Even small actions can make a significant difference. Persistence is key, even when the fight seems unwinnable. Supporting each other is vital during tough times. Feelings of frustration and grief are valid and shared by many. Community can provide the necessary support to navigate challenges. Taking one step at a time can lead to meaningful change. We all have the power to help others, one starfish at a time.

    Keywords: next best steps, grounding, starfish story, making a difference, persistence, support, community, burnout, OBGYN, emotional health

  • Today, we revisit one of The Happy Gynecologist's best episodes: Top 5 Things in Life.

    After a recent loss in my family, this episode seemed poignant to share again.

    For more help from me, visit my website: coach-miles.com

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  • Summary:

    In this episode of The Happy Gynecologist, Amanda discusses the emotional aftermath of the recent election, emphasizing the importance of recognizing that our feelings are shaped by our thoughts rather than external circumstances. She offers practical advice for managing anxiety, including grounding techniques, community connection, and the importance of processing emotions. Amanda encourages listeners to embrace their feelings, particularly anger, and to channel it into positive action while also advocating for self-care and unplugging from social media.

    Takeaways

    Elections can evoke a wide range of emotions, and it's important to acknowledge them. Our feelings are influenced by our thoughts, not just external circumstances. Grounding techniques can help manage anxiety and bring us back to the present. Engaging in community service can foster a sense of connection and purpose. It's okay to feel angry; channeling that anger into action can be empowering. Unplugging from social media can help reduce anxiety and overwhelm. Writing out feelings can provide clarity and catharsis. We have the power to shape our future through our choices and actions. Managing our minds is crucial, especially during challenging times. Seeking support from friends or professionals can aid in processing emotions.

    Chapters:

    00:00 Navigating Post-Election Emotions

    11:19 Managing Anxiety and Catastrophizing

    21:38 Grounding Techniques and Community Connection

    31:09 Empowered Anger and Moving Forward

    Keywords: election, anxiety, mental health, coping strategies, community support, grounding techniques, empowered anger, emotional management, OBGYN, self-care

  • Summary: In this special edition episode of the Happy Gynecologist, Amanda addresses the anxiety surrounding the upcoming election in the US, particularly in the context of the recent political climate and its impact on healthcare professionals. She emphasizes the importance of resilience, self-belief, and community support during uncertain times, encouraging listeners to maintain confidence and focus on their strengths regardless of the election outcome.

  • Summary

    In this episode of The Happy Gynecologist, Amanda discusses the importance of self-care and the common struggle between consistency and perfectionism. She emphasizes the need for hobbies and personal time outside of work and parenting, and how the pressure to be consistent can lead to feelings of inadequacy. Amanda encourages listeners to redefine consistency as persistence, highlighting that showing up imperfectly is still valuable. She provides practical advice on scheduling self-care and embracing the human experience of imperfection, ultimately reinforcing that persistence is key to achieving personal goals and reducing burnout.

    Links:

    coach-miles.com/freeresources

    Chapters:

    00:00 Introduction to Self-Care and Consistency

    03:42 Understanding Consistency vs. Perfectionism

    07:01 The Importance of Persistence in Self-Care

    12:39 Practical Strategies for Maintaining Self-Care

    18:52 Embracing Imperfection and Human Nature

    Keywords: self-care, consistency, persistence, burnout, OBGYN, journaling, hobbies, perfectionism, mental health, coaching, medicine

  • Summary

    In this episode, Amanda discusses the concept of negative bias in our brains and how it contributes to burnout, particularly in high-stress jobs. She explains the roles of the primitive brain and the prefrontal cortex, emphasizing the importance of awareness and strategies to combat negative thinking. Amanda provides practical steps for managing stress and promoting emotional well-being, including self-care practices and the significance of journaling.

    Links:

    EP#211 Guide Coach-miles.com/freeresources

    Takeaways:

    Our brains are inherently made to view things negatively. The primitive brain drives our survival instincts and can lead to burnout. High-stress environments amplify our negative bias. We can counteract our primitive brain's negativity with awareness. Compassionate self-talk can help us manage stress. Daily stressors accumulate and can overwhelm us. Engaging in physical activity helps reduce stress levels. Journaling is an effective tool for processing emotions. We need to actively de-stress and plan this time. Recognizing our brain's patterns can help us respond better.

    Chapters:

    00:00 Understanding Negative Bias and Burnout 08:30 The Impact of Stress on Our Brain 19:00 Strategies to Combat Negative Bias 26:12 Practical Steps for Stress Management

    Keywords: negative bias, burnout, medicine, stress management, primitive brain, prefrontal cortex, mental health, coping strategies, emotional well-being, awareness, self-care

  • Summary

    In this episode of The Happy Gynecologist, Amanda discusses the importance of becoming comfortable with discomfort, particularly emotional discomfort. She reflects on her recent ocular emergency and how it served as a reminder of the challenges we face in dealing with our emotions. Amanda emphasizes that society often teaches us to suppress our feelings, leading to difficulties in setting boundaries and asking for help. She outlines strategies for embracing discomfort, including recognizing that life is a balance of positive and negative emotions, practicing microdoses of discomfort, and allowing ourselves to sit with our feelings. The conversation concludes with a call to action for listeners to explore resources for personal growth and self-care.

    Takeaways

    Emotional discomfort is often harder to manage than physical discomfort. Society teaches us to suppress our emotions, leading to burnout. It's important to set boundaries to avoid professional burnout. Choosing your discomfort can lead to personal growth. Microdosing discomfort can help build resilience. Practicing saying 'no' is essential for self-care. Allowing discomfort to surface is a key part of emotional processing. Life is a balance of positive and negative emotions. Practicing discomfort can rewire our brains for better emotional health. Resources are available for those seeking to improve their emotional well-being at coach-miles.com

    Keywords: emotional discomfort, personal growth, burnout, mental health, self-care, boundaries, resilience, coping strategies, mindfulness, self-awareness

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction and Personal Reflection

    03:45 Understanding Emotional Discomfort

    07:03 The Impact of Discomfort on Professional Life

    09:53 Choosing Your Discomfort

    12:43 Microdosing Discomfort for Growth

    17:55 Practicing Acceptance of Discomfort

    30:37 Conclusion and Resources

  • When the world feels chaotic around us, we can be left feeling downtrodden and worried. So what do we do then? We can't control the world, right?

    When the world feels chaotic, let's take a step back and realize what is going on in our brains. Then, we can take EXTRA good care of ourselves.

  • Summary:

    In this episode of the Happy Gynecologist, Amanda discusses the importance of confidence for OB-GYNs, emphasizing that confidence is not an innate trait but rather a skill that can be developed through practice. She outlines three key truths about confidence: it is a practice, it is not dependent on being liked by everyone, and it is heavily influenced by self-talk. Amanda encourages listeners to embrace discomfort, accept rejection, and cultivate positive self-talk to enhance their confidence in both personal and professional settings.

    Links:

    coach-miles.com/freeresources

    Chapters:

    00:00 Introduction to Confidence in OB-GYNs

    02:48 Understanding Confidence and Its Impact

    06:10 Truth #1: Confidence is a Practice

    10:01 Truth #2: Confidence and Acceptance of Rejection

    20:10 Truth #3: The Role of Self-Talk in Confidence

    Keywords: confidence, OB-GYN, self-talk, personal growth, acceptance, rejection, practice, professional development

  • Burnout can feel HEAVY. With thoughts like "I am never caught up" and "I only get more behind," it can be hard to have fun at work, even after a good night's sleep. Add on a bad case, and everything feels Heavy.

    So let's talk about it.

  • 1000 Cuts.

    We've likely performed 1000 cuts during our time in Medicine.

    And Medicine has likely affected in a similar fashion.

    Whether those 1000 cuts scar is ultimately up to us, so let's talk about how to heal in the best way possible.

  • This episode is a replay of Amanda's recent webinar "How to ACTUALLY Have Hobbies as a Busy OB/GYN." Even if you have hobbies you love, this episode is for you! Amanda will walk you through a doable plan to find more time to enjoy your hobbies, with less guilt, and more enjoyment.

    Check out The Happy Gynecologist Group, Amanda's 6 Month Group Coaching Program, by visiting: coach-miles.com/happy

  • Today, I am asking you a heavy question: "Is this what you imagined it would be like?" This question can be difficult to answer. AND it can help you realign with what you always imagined this life would be like.

    To check out the Happy Gynecologist Group coaching program, visit: coach-miles.com/happy

  • Summary: In this episode, Amanda discusses the concept of pushing through as a survival strategy and why it doesn't work when it comes to burnout. She emphasizes the importance of taking care of ourselves and meeting our basic needs instead of constantly pushing through. Amanda provides steps to break the habit of pushing through, including gaining awareness of where we do it, choosing one area to focus on, and making a plan to support ourselves in that area. She encourages practicing self-care and being present in the moment to find enjoyment in our daily lives.

    Links:

    To register for the upcoming webinar: coach-miles.com/hobby To save your spot in the next coaching group: coach-miles.com/happy

    Chapters:

    00:00 Introduction and Webinar Announcement 04:03 The Concept of Pushing Through 09:16 The Harmful Effects of Pushing Through 19:23 Finding a Different Way to Survive 25:35 Creating a Plan to Support Ourselves 29:26 Practicing Self-Care and Being Present 32:17 Conclusion and Invitation to Webinar

    Keywords: Medicine, OB/GYN, pushing through, survival strategy, burnout, self-care, basic needs, awareness, habit, present moment, enjoyment

  • Summary: In this episode, we discuss the concept of 'old belief stress' and how it can cause anxiety and stress in our lives. Old belief stress refers to the stress that arises when we try to make changes or take actions that go against our old beliefs and training. Amanda even shares a personal experience of feeling stressed when her schedule changed and she had fewer patients. She explains that this stress comes from old beliefs that we have internalized and need to change in order to create a healthier mindset. The host emphasizes the importance of examining our beliefs and replacing old beliefs with new ones that align with our goals and desires.

    Show Links:

    Register for the Upcoming Webinar at: coach-miles.com/hobby Checkout the Happy Gynecologist Coaching Group here: coach-miles.com/happy

    Chapters:

    00:00 Understanding Old Belief Stress

    12:03 The Impact of Old Beliefs on Our Actions

    17:23 Dealing with Change and Old Belief Stress

    23:26 Replacing Old Beliefs with New Ones

    Keywords: old belief stress, anxiety, stress, beliefs, mindset, change, actions, training, medicine, burnout, OB/GYN

  • Summary:

    In this episode, we celebrate the 200th episode of the Happy Gynecologist podcast and discusses the importance of hobbies in combating burnout. Amanda encourages listeners to find a hobby that activates the non-burnout part of their brain and reconnects them with joy and creativity. Hobbies don't have to be complicated or time-consuming and can be simple activities like gardening, doodling, or spending time with pets.

    There is also an upcoming webinar on 8/25/2024 at 7:30PM CST, and you won't want to miss out on: "How to ACTUALLY Have Hobbies as a Busy OBGYN."

    Important Links:

    To Register for the Webinar: Coach-miles.com/hobby To Learn more about The Happy Gynecologist Group enrollment: coach-miles.com/happy To get the free Podcast Guidebook: coach-miles.com/guidebook

    Chapters:

    00:00 Celebrating 200 Episodes of the Happy Gynecologist Podcast

    03:22 The Importance of Hobbies in Combating Burnout

    07:11 Reconnecting with the Non-Burnout Part of Your Brain

    09:30 Finding Joy and Creativity Through Simple Hobbies

    16:11 Upcoming Webinar: How to Have Hobbies as a Busy OBGYN

    Keywords: hobbies, burnout, joy, creativity, gardening, doodling, pets, webinar, medicine, OB/GYN, residency, burnout-recovery

  • Thinking about addressing your burnout? Is work not enjoyable anymore? Thinking about quitting your job?

    Check out Coach-Miles.com/Happy to learn how coaching in The Happy Gynecologist Group can help.

  • Summary:

    In this episode, Amanda discusses the concept of hope and its importance in facing challenges and overcoming burnout. She acknowledges that hope is often seen as a negative or ineffective strategy, but argues that it is actually a powerful emotion that can drive positive actions. Amanda shares personal experiences and emphasizes the need for confidence and self-love in order to maintain hope. She encourages listeners to identify what gives them hope and to have their own backs, knowing that they will be okay no matter the outcome.

    Links:

    Coach-miles.com/happy Coach-miles.com/podcasttopic

    Takeaways:

    Hope is a powerful emotion that can drive positive actions. Having hope can change how we experience challenges and overcome burnout. Confidence and self-love are essential in maintaining hope. Hope is not a strategy or plan, but it is a catalyst for taking action.

    Chapters:

    00:00 Introduction and Podcast Technical Difficulties

    03:15 The Concept of Hope and Different Perspectives

    04:39 Hope as a Strategy: Exploring its Origins and Applications

    07:06 The Emotional Impact of Hope and its Role in Overcoming Burnout

    13:29 Harnessing Hope as a Catalyst for Positive Actions

    20:13 The Relationship Between Fear, Hope, and Confidence

    27:12 The Role of Hope in Anticipation and Disappointment

    29:09 The Importance of Having Confidence and Self-Love in Maintaining Hope

    30:38 Practical Steps to Cultivate and Access Hope

    Keywords: hope, strategy, burnout, confidence, self-love, emotions, actions

  • Summary:

    In this episode, Manda discusses situations where people lose their cool and question whether they are the asshole. She reassures listeners that they are not assholes and explores the underlying reasons for losing one's cool. Manda emphasizes the importance of giving oneself grace and understanding the fear and perfectionism that often drive anger. She also encourages listeners to apologize and express appreciation to those affected by their outbursts. Manda addresses two specific scenarios: losing one's cool with a medical assistant and responding curtly to a comment from a scrub tech during surgery. She provides insights and strategies for handling these situations with empathy and self-reflection.

    Takeaways:

    Losing your cool does not make you an asshole; it is often a result of stress, exhaustion, and a lack of resources. Give yourself grace and kindness for the challenges you face in your work and personal life. Anger often stems from underlying fear and perfectionism; acknowledging and addressing these emotions can help manage anger. Apologize and express appreciation to those affected by your outbursts; there is no expiration on appreciation, apologies, or explanations. In challenging situations, separate the words of others from your own self-worth and focus on finding solutions. Acknowledge the difficulty of a situation and remind yourself that you can handle hard things. Develop a mantra or phrase to help shift your mindset and maintain confidence in stressful situations. Reach out for support and guidance when facing challenging scenarios; there are resources available to help you navigate difficult emotions and interactions.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction: When You Lose Your Cool

    02:54 Understanding and Managing Anger

    05:50 Giving Yourself Grace and Kindness

    10:09 Apologizing and Expressing Appreciation

    13:58 Separating Words from Self-Worth

    20:55 Handling Difficult Cases with Empathy

    24:48 Shifting Your Mindset: You Can Do Hard Things

    32:02 Seeking Support and Guidance

    Keywords:

    losing your cool, am I the asshole, anger management, fear, perfectionism, apologizing, appreciation, medical assistant, scrub tech, surgery