Fem MD
Fem MD explores what it’s really like to be a woman in medicine. Hosted by a facial plastic surgeon, the show tackles careers, kids, IVF, burnout, marriage, divorce, ambition, and the expectations women face. It brings honest, behind-closed-doors conversations out into the open. More information about this show and others can be found through the Hippocratic Collective.
Episodes
When Being a Surgeon Becomes Your Identity with Mel Thacker, MD
What happens when being a surgeon becomes so central to your identity that losing it feels like losing yourself?In this episode of FEM, MD, Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with ENT surgeon, coach, and author Dr. Mel Thacker to discuss her new memoir, Scrubbing In: A Surgeon’s Journey from Self-Doubt to Wholeness.Mel shares the deeply personal story behind the book, from a childhood shaped by trauma
Residency Interview Tips: What Programs Actually Look For
What are residency programs actually looking for during interviews?In this episode of FEM, MD, Dr. Lauren Umstattd shares residency interview advice from both sides of the table. She has been a medical student interviewing for residency, a chief resident interviewing applicants, a fellowship candidate, part of the fellowship interview process, and now a business owner who regularly hires for her o
How to Protect Your Body & Mind as a Surgeon | The Business of Surgery Ep. 12
The biggest threat to a surgeon's career may not be competition, reimbursement, or even the changing healthcare system. It may be their own body and mind.In the final episode of The Business of Surgery, facial plastic surgeon Dr. Lauren Umstattd explores what it takes to build a surgical career that can actually last. For Lauren, that means treating herself like the high-performance athlete she is
How an Au Pair Changed My Life as a Surgeon & Working Mom | The Business of Surgery Ep. 11
What if one of the best investments you could make in your career had nothing to do with your actual business?In Episode 11 of The Business of Surgery, facial plastic surgeon, practice owner, and mom Dr. Lauren Umstattd shares why bringing an au pair into her home became one of the most consequential decisions she made for her business. With two young children and two working parents, reliable chi
How to Manage Stress as a Surgeon & Business Owner | The Business of Surgery Ep. 10
How do you manage stress when you're simultaneously a surgeon, business owner, leader, spouse, parent, and person?In Episode 10 of The Business of Surgery, facial plastic surgeon Dr. Lauren Umstattd gets candid about something she is still figuring out herself: stress management. Rather than trying to eliminate stress entirely, Lauren shares the strategies she uses to manage it while building a ca
How I Made My Surgical Practice Profitable by Year Three | The Business of Surgery Ep. 9
What does it actually take to make a surgical practice profitable?In Episode 9 of the Business of Surgery series, Dr. Lauren Umstattd breaks down the decisions that helped her build a profitable practice by year three, and why physicians need to get more comfortable thinking about marketing, money, pricing, and business growth.From starting marketing before she felt ready to niching down her surgi
The Hardest Part of Running a Surgical Practice? Managing People
Running a surgical practice isn't just about patients, procedures, and revenue. It's about people.In Episode 8 of the Business of Surgery series, Dr. Lauren Umstattd talks candidly about one of the hardest parts of owning a practice: hiring, managing, promoting, and sometimes letting people go.She shares lessons from her own mistakes—including realizing that the best candidate for an open position
How to Delegate Without Losing Control of Your Medical Practice | The Business of Surgery Ep. 7
When you own a private practice, you're not just the physician. You're also the manager, problem-solver, employer, and sometimes the janitor.In Episode 7 of The Business of Surgery, facial plastic surgeon Dr. Lauren Umstattd tackles one of the hardest transitions for physician entrepreneurs: learning when to delegate.Lauren shares how she went from personally managing nearly every aspect of her pr
How to Create a Luxury Patient Experience | The Business of Surgery Ep. 6
Luxury healthcare isn't about marble countertops or expensive furniture.It's about making every patient feel seen, cared for, and confident—from the first phone call through recovery.In Episode 6 of The Business of Surgery, facial plastic surgeon Dr. Lauren Umstattd shares the philosophy behind creating a premium patient experience. Drawing inspiration from brands like Ritz-Carlton, Hermès, and wo
How to Market Your Private Practice (Without Paid Ads) | The Business of Surgery Ep. 5
How do you get patients to find—and trust—you before your practice even opens?In Episode 5 of The Business of Surgery, facial plastic surgeon Dr. Lauren Umstattd shares the marketing strategy she used to build a thriving physician-owned practice. From documenting the journey before opening day to creating educational content, embracing authenticity, and thinking long-term, this episode is a roadma
How to Hire the Right Team for Your Private Practice | The Business of Surgery Ep. 4
The success of your private practice depends on one thing more than almost anything else: the people you hire.In Episode 4 of The Business of Surgery, facial plastic surgeon Dr. Lauren Umstattd shares her approach to hiring, building culture, and creating a team that patients genuinely love. From choosing your first employee to conducting working interviews, investing in staff, and knowing when it
Lessons from Opening an Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) | Business of Surgery Ep. 3
What does it actually take to build and operate your own ambulatory surgery center (ASC)?In Episode 3 of The Business of Surgery, facial plastic surgeon Dr. Lauren Umstattd shares the realities of designing, building, and running a physician-owned surgery center—from navigating state regulations and construction delays to sourcing equipment, building the right team, and creating an exceptional pat
Private Practice 101: Loans, Pricing & Building a Business | Business of Surgery Ep. 2
Thinking about starting your own private medical or surgical practice? Where do you even begin? This is business 101, basics for the modern physician.In Episode 2 of The Business of Surgery, facial plastic surgeon Dr. Lauren Umstattd breaks down the financial and operational foundations of launching a physician-owned practice. From loans and lines of credit to pricing, startup costs, and creating
Should You Start Your Own Surgical Practice? | Business of Surgery Ep. 1
Welcome to The Business of Surgery, a brand-new 12-part summer series on FEM, MD.Every week this summer, facial plastic surgeon Dr. Lauren Umstattd pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes to build a successful private practice - from financing and hiring to marketing, leadership, pricing, and the mindset required to bet on yourself.In Episode 1, Lauren starts with the most important quest
Why Women Doctors Burn Out: Motherhood, Boundaries & Toxic Martyrdom with Dr. Laura Vater
Women physicians are often expected to do it all: care for patients, raise families, support everyone around them, and somehow never ask for anything in return.In this episode of FEM, MD, host Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with physician, writer, and creator Dr. Laura Vater for an honest conversation about toxic martyrdom in medicine, physician burnout, motherhood, sleep deprivation, and building
Why So Many Women Physicians Are Walking Away | FEM, MD
Why are so many women physicians walking away from medicine?In this episode of FEM, MD, host Lauren Umstattd sits down with retinal specialist and physician coach Dr. Shanika Esparaz to discuss the wake-up call that forced her to rethink everything. After experiencing debilitating physical symptoms—including the worst headache of her life—Dr. Esparaz realized that what looked like success on the o
From Hospital Employee to Surgery Center CEO | Dr. Betsy Dovec
Dr. Betsy Dovec was one of the busiest bariatric surgeons in the country when she made a decision that shocked many of her colleagues: she walked away from a secure, high-paying hospital position to build her own practice and surgery center from the ground up.In this episode of FEM, MD, Betsy shares the behind-the-scenes reality of launching Body by Bariatrics, navigating non-competes, securing a
The Athlete-to-Surgeon Pipeline: Women Surgeons, Stress & the Athlete Mentality
On this episode of FEM, MD, Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Natalie Krane for a candid conversation about the surprising overlap between elite athletics and surgical training. From Division I soccer and career-ending injuries to residency culture, burnout, performance psychology, and personal wellness, they unpack the coping mechanisms that make
Married, Then a Throuple: Rethinking Love, Commitment, and Monogamy with Dr. Rachel Meir
What happens when a long-term marriage evolves beyond monogamy?In this episode of FEM, MD, Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with clinical psychologist and relationship coach Dr. Rachel Meir to explore what it actually looks like to open a relationship—and why more people are questioning traditional models of love.Dr. Meir shares her personal story of being married for over 20 years before coming out
From Residency to Owning a Surgical Practice (With Kids): The Truth No One Tells You
What does it actually take to build a successful surgical practice—and a life outside of it?In this episode of FEM, MD, Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Lindsey Pennington to talk about the realities of modern surgical careers: from patient red flags and pricing decisions to working with your spouse, motherhood, and building a business that’s act
The Psychology of Narcissists (and Why They Thrive in Power)
What if the most dangerous relationships don’t look dangerous at first?In this episode of FEM, MD, Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with psychotherapist Vanessa Reiser to unpack the reality of narcissistic abuse—how it starts, why it’s so hard to leave, and why even highly trained professionals aren’t immune.From love bombing and future faking to gaslighting and trauma bonding, this conversation brea
The Surgeon Becomes the Subject: Dr. Lauren Umstattd on Building It All
In this special episode of FEM MD, the tables turn.Host Dr. Lauren Umstattd steps into the hot seat as she’s interviewed by her cousin, former Emmy-winning journalist Brooke Martin. What follows is an unfiltered look at the woman behind the brand—surgeon, founder, mother, and builder of one of the most sought-after facial plastic practices in the Midwest. They cover:What it actually takes to build
The Weight of Womanhood - GLP-1s & Social Pressure with Marta Ravin
In this episode of Fem MD, Dr. Lauren Umstattd speaks with Marta Ravin—Emmy-nominated executive producer, showrunner, TEDx speaker, and creator of Personality Hire, a framework focused on the human skills AI can’t replace.Marta shares her deeply personal journey with body image, weight, and identity, shaped by early childhood experiences, cultural pressures of the ’80s and ’90s, and decades in ent
The Dark Side of Surgical Training: Writing Through The Anger with Frances Mei Hardin
In this powerful episode of FEM, MD, Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with ENT surgeon-turned-author Frances Mei Hardin to discuss her debut memoir and the hidden emotional cost of surgical training.Frances Mei speaks candidly about the anger she carried out of residency and how writing became the vehicle that transformed it. From resident-on-resident hostility and weaponized reporting systems to the
What Surgical Training Doesn’t Teach You About Being Yourself
In this episode of Fem MD, host Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with Dr. Maheetha Bharadwaj, a urology resident, educator, and content creator.Maheetha shares her journey into medicine, from her early love of science and the arts to choosing urology—a field that blends surgery, patient care, and navigating sensitive topics with empathy. She offers an inside look at the realities of surgical residenc
Mental Health for First Responders with Dylan Cade Bates
In this episode of FEM MD, host Dr. Lauren Umstattd engages in a candid conversation with Dylan Cade Bates, a seasoned law enforcement professional and mental health advocate. They explore the unique challenges faced by women in law enforcement and the importance of mental health for first responders. The discussion highlights the need for support systems and the significance of addressing mental
What Happens When a Doctor Can’t Operate Anymore with Stephanie Pearson, MD
In this episode of Fem MD, Dr. Lauren Umstattd speaks with Dr. Stephanie Pearson, an OB-GYN whose surgical career ended after a work-related shoulder injury sustained while delivering a baby. What should have been a routine delivery resulted in permanent damage, ultimately preventing her from returning to operative or obstetric practice.Dr. Pearson shares the difficult aftermath of her injury, inc
Finding Strength in Grief with Brooke Martin
In this episode of Fem MD, host Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with Brooke Martin—Emmy Award–winning news anchor turned author—to discuss her powerful memoir, Controlled Burn. Brooke opens up about her journey of faith, resilience, and love in the face of unimaginable loss after her daughter, Emma, was diagnosed with a fatal condition. Together, they explore the inspiration behind the book, the emo
Don’t Delay What Brings You Joy: Finding the Silver Lining in Lung Cancer with Audrey Bellezza
In this episode of Fem MD, Dr. Lauren Umstattd interviews author Audrey Bellezza, who shares how, at age 50—healthy, active, and a mom of two boys—she was blindsided by a diagnosis of stage IV ALK-positive lung cancer. Audrey recounts the shock, the agonizing period of unknowns, and how biomarker testing revealed a mutation-driven cancer.She explains her targeted therapy treatment, its difficult s
Tourette's, TV & Embracing Your Weird with Chelsea White
In this episode of Fem MD, Lauren sits down with Emmy-nominated producer Chelsea White — known for her work on Watch What Happens Live and The Drew Barrymore Show — for an honest, layered conversation about identity, neurodiversity, and the freedom that comes from embracing every part of who you are.Chelsea was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome at just three years old, a moment that shaped how she
Don't Lose Yourself in IVF | Dr. Melyssa Hancock’s 3-Year IVF Odyssey | Fem, MD
In this raw and unfiltered episode of Fem, MD, facial plastic surgeon Dr. Melyssa Hancock opens up about her 12-round, 3-year IVF journey—one that spanned multiple clinics, a cross-country move of frozen embryos, a complicated surrogacy process, canceled transfers, and more than $250,000 in out-of-pocket costs.We talk about:Fertility preservation as a surgical traineeWhy she switched IVF clinics a
The Shape of Self: Fashion, Motherhood, and Creative Reinvention
In this episode of Fem, MD, Lindsey White—professional fit model, jewelry designer, and mother—joins to explore how fashion, identity, and creativity collide. Through years of working within an industry obsessed with measurement and perfection, Lindsey learned the tension between being the “ideal” body and living in a body that evolves.She opens up about the quiet discipline behind fit modeling, t
Bourdain Meets Bradshaw with Chef Lala Ziemski
When a freak accident ended her performing career, Lala Ziemski turned pain into purpose—pivoting from the stage to the kitchen, and eventually building The Firefly, a boutique hotel and restaurant in Panama. Now a private chef in New York City and host of the podcast Put It In My Mouth, Lala joins Dr. Lauren Umstattd for an open conversation about resilience, creativity, and redefining success. T
From Nurse to Radiologist: Dr. Lily Nguyen's Inspiring Journey
Dr. Lily Nguyen’s path to medicine didn’t begin in a classroom - it began at the bedside.After five years as a nurse, she made the rare leap from nursing to medical school and is now completing her residency in radiology. In this episode of Fem MD, Dr. Nguyen reflects on how her nursing background shaped her clinical intuition, her empathy, and her definition of “success.” We talk about identity s
The Dark Surgeon Psyche with Dr Mel Thacker
What does it take to survive — and actually thrive — as a surgeon when the system keeps asking you to show up like a machine?In this episode of Fem MD, host Dr. Lauren Umstattd talks with Dr. Mel Thacker — double-boarded ENT, lifestyle medicine specialist, and surgeon-coach — about the “dark surgeon psyche,” the ways training teaches us to disconnect from our bodies and feelings, and how to come b
Rewiring Your Brain For Happiness with Dannie De Novo
What does it really take to be happy? In this episode of Fem, MD, host Lauren talks with happiness coach Dannie De Novo, who shares her powerful journey from years of depression and anxiety to building a life rooted in true joy. Dannie opens up about breaking free from destructive cycles, challenging the idea that happiness is out of reach, and finding the courage to face yourself honestly.Togethe
Operating Under Capacity | Dr. Joan Chan on Redefining Success in Medicine
What if the secret to a long, fulfilling medical career isn’t doing more—but doing less?This week on Fem MD, host Lauren sits down with Dr. Joan Chan, a Canadian family physician, coach, mom, and host of The Other Human in the Room. Joan shares her radical approach to working under maximum capacity, teaching physicians how to reclaim space, set boundaries, and prioritize joy without sacrificing pa
Breast Cancer at 33: Alex Owens on Grief, Anger & Moving Forward
In this powerful episode of Fem MD, host Lauren Umstattd sits down with Alex Owens to share the raw, unfiltered reality of life after a breast cancer diagnosis. Alex speaks candidly about the unique grief of losing parts of oneself—physically and emotionally—captured in her poignant words: “You’re grieving your old self, you’re grieving your breasts.”Through intimate storytelling, Alex and Lauren
Marriage, Medicine, and Making It Work
In this episode of Fem MD, we explore the uncomfortable truth: love alone doesn’t make a marriage last. Dr. Lauren Umstattd opens up about the realities of partnership, drawing from her own experiences to unpack the deeper ingredients that sustain a strong marriage—kindness, respect, communication, and growth. It's a candid conversation about what happens after the honeymoon phase ends, how couple
Breaking the Cycle: Toxic Training, Systemic Abuse, and Life After Surgery
In this powerful episode of FEM MD, Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with Dr. Frances Mei Hardin for an unflinching conversation about the darker realities of surgical training. Frances Mei shares her personal experience navigating a medical culture where bullying, abuse, and emotional isolation are often normalized—and where “resilience” is too often code for silent suffering.Together, they unpack t
If You're Not Growing, You're Dying
In this episode of Fem MD, Dr. Lauren Umstattd unpacks the quiet pressure to be everything to everyone: the perfect doctor, the perfect parent, the perfect partner. But what if success isn’t about getting it all right? What if the real work, and the real growth, comes from simply getting a little better each day? This episode explores how embracing small, consistent improvements can lead to more s
Obsession vs Perfection: The Hidden Pressure to Be Better with Dr. Sinehan Bayrak
Why do women in medicine still have to be twice as good to get half the credit?In this episode of Fem MD, Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with facial plastic surgeon Dr. Sinehan Bayrak for a raw and real conversation about what it takes to succeed as a woman in medicine—and the unspoken costs of trying to be “perfect” in a system that still rewards mediocrity in men.They talk candidly about the doub
How Much Abuse Should You Tolerate?
In this episode, I open up about something that’s all too common in medical training but rarely talked about: abuse and mistreatment. I share a personal story from my own training — including a moment where a supervising surgeon crossed a serious line with physical aggression — and reflect on how that experience shaped my decision to walk away from fellowship. We talk about the blurry line between
Arrival Fallacy, The Patient Graveyard, and Mom Guilt with Dr. Brittany Bankhead
In this raw and thought-provoking episode of Fem MD, trauma surgeon Dr. Brittany Bankhead sits down with Dr. Lauren Umstattd for an honest conversation about the challenges of being a woman in surgery. Dr. Bankhead opens up about her personal journey to embracing her full identity—not only as a surgeon but as a mother, partner, and woman who has navigated professional toxicity, imposter syndr
Messy, Bold, and Unapologetic
In this powerful and unfiltered debut episode of FEMMD, Dr. Lauren Umstattd—a facial plastic surgeon, business owner, and mother—opens up about the beautiful mess of balancing a high-stakes medical career with motherhood, identity, and ambition.Lauren speaks candidly about what it means to crave complexity, lean into vulnerability, and challenge societal norms around success, femininity, and
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