Surgeon, Interrupted

In this episode of Surgeon, Interrupted, Frances Mei sits down with Dr. Mel Thacker to reflect on an unforgettable event co-hosted by the Hippocratic Collective, PearsonRavitz, and Clove—an evening crafted for resident physicians that became so much more than anyone expected. Together, they unpack how the night sparked connection, creativity, and a rare sense of belonging among young doctors. From conversations about identity beyond the white coat to the urgent need for community in medicine, this episode explores why joy, artistry, and human connection should be core to the physician experience—not afterthoughts. Tune in for an honest look...

In this episode, we dive into the Gervais Principle—a brutal but clarifying framework that uses The Office to decode real-world organizational dynamics. Whether you're in medicine, media, or any other power-laden system, this lens changes how you see the room you're in. We break down the three archetypes that shape every workplace: the sociopaths who pull the strings, the clueless who hold it all together, and the losers who opt out. Along the way, we explore the language of power—how people use posture talk, baby talk, and power talk to jockey for position or maintain control. This isn’...

What happens when you’ve invested years into a career, only to realize it’s no longer the right fit? In this episode of Surgeon, Interrupted, we sit down with Jaclyn Winkel to talk about second acts: the courage it takes to pivot, the stigma that surrounds leaving medicine, and how to reframe your skills for a new path. From confronting the sunk cost fallacy to building a growth mindset, this conversation is a must for anyone questioning what’s next. Whether you’re on the verge of change or just feeling stuck, this one’s for you.

Host: Fr...

In this episode, we sit down with Sonia Lee, a world-class concert violinist who once stood at a crossroads familiar to many children of immigrants: medicine or music. With a surgeon father and a family legacy steeped in science, Sonia made the bold choice to carve her own path in the arts. She takes us behind the curtain of her training at Juilliard, opening up about the discipline, rejection, and grit required to survive in the classical music world. We talk about the weight of expectations, the freedom of forging your own identity, and what it really means to...

We're dropping a special episode this week to talk about something urgent: H.R. 1. This new bill could reshape American healthcare as we know it—and not for the better. Dr. Dominick DeFelice, a family and sports medicine physician, joins us fresh off a trip to Capitol Hill to break down what’s really happening behind the scenes and why every physician should be paying attention.

This conversation goes beyond politics. It’s about protecting patient care, speaking up before it’s too late, and realizing that physician advocacy isn’t optional anymore—it’s essential. Whether you’ve never c...

I left surgery a year ago, and it completely flipped our lives upside down. In this episode, Colin (my husband) and I sit down to talk honestly about everything that came next. The identity crisis, the weird in-between, the fear, the freedom… and how we ended up building the Hippocratic Collective. This isn’t some polished success story - it’s about what it really feels like to walk away from medicine and try to build something new from scratch. If you’ve ever wondered what life looks like after the white coat, or if you’re stuck between staying an...

It's time for some big sister energy - take a seat and let your medicine big sisters give you a pep talk.

This week, Frances Mei sits down with the thoughtful and confident Dr. Iya Agha for a conversation about fear - not the kind that paralyzes you, but the kind that cracks you open and pushes you forward. As Iya gets ready to start residency, she shares how embracing vulnerability has helped her grow, as a physician, and as a person.

They talk about the things that actually sustain you in medicine: honest friendships...

This week on Surgeon, Interrupted, host Frances Mei sits down with rising chief resident and ENT surgeon Dr. Shreya Sharma to unpack what it’s really like dating as a woman in medicine. From scrubbing out to swipe fatigue, we talk about the unique challenges of finding love (or even just a decent situationship) while navigating the high-stakes world of surgical training.

We get honest about control issues, time scarcity, and the emotional calculus behind choosing who gets your post-call energy. Why are female surgeons still treated like novelties on dating apps? How do we stay soft wh...

What if being a doctor was just one chapter of your story, not the whole book? In this episode of Surgeon, Interrupted, I sit down with Ryan Montoya, MD - a physician who defies every box. Currently the Physician Medical Officer for the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, Russia, Ryan has worn, and continues to wear, as many hats as a single person can wear. Professional comic book artist, former Associate Medical Director of Planned Parenthood in Washington, DC, community healthcare provider in Bosnia and Herzegovina and India, luggage designer for Goyard (!)...the list goes on.

We...

I sat down with my husband, Colin, to talk about what it’s really been like to leave medicine and how it’s changed both of us. We go back to the beginning: falling in love while I was still in training, the pressure cooker of surgical residency, and what finally pushed me to walk away. Colin shares what it was like to watch me come apart and put myself back together again, and I open up about the fear, the freedom, and everything in between. If you’ve ever wondered what happens after you quit the thing you though...

I recorded this episode from the Ozarks, once an escape from residency but now a backdrop for something deeper.

In this solo reflection, I talk about what it’s really like to leave practice after years of surviving medicine. I share why I came back to a place marked by old traumas, how it feels to finally travel on my own terms, and what it means to “choose you hard” - especially when it’s the harder choice.

I also peel back the curtain and discuss my new life of travel, work and figuring it out alon...

Frances Mei and Lauren Umstattd, MD deliver a poignant and introspective episode from the tranquil poolside of Napa Valley, where they reflect on the evolution of their friendship and the trials of their surgical careers. Their dialogue is imbued with warmth and sincerity as they revisit the early days of their acquaintance, recalling the significance of their meeting during a residency graduation party. This recollection serves as a foundation for their exploration of the arduous journey through surgical training, filled with both triumphs and tribulations. The authenticity of their friendship shines through as they exchange heartfelt sentiments, celebrating each...

Frances Mei and Tony Chin-Quee discuss their exclusive Dropout Club - 2 ENTs who finished residency, worked a single 3-year contract, then left clinical medicine for good. They explore the culture around leaving medicine and what the reactions and feedback have been for Frances Mei - leading to a round of 'Ex-Surgeon Reads Mean Tweets.' Finally they wrap up with Spooky Ghost Stories from the Hospital.

Surgeon, Interrupted is a new podcast taking you behind the scenes of Frances Mei's journey from young surgeon with promise and a full career in surgery ahead of her, to a...

In the first episode of Surgeon Interrupted, Dr. Frances Mei Hardin shares her journey of leaving a career in surgery after years of feeling unsafe and unfulfilled in her work environment. She discusses the toxic culture of residency, the pressures of being a physician, and her path to self-discovery and personal growth. Frances Mei emphasizes the importance of breaking free from societal expectations and finding fulfillment in life beyond medicine.

Surgeon, Interrupted is a new podcast taking you behind the scenes of Frances Mei's journey from young surgeon with promise and a full career in surgery ahead...