Sean Pirkle is an orthopedic surgeon and the author of Somewhere in Between: A Memoir, a book he first began writing as a medical student to capture the hidden world of modern medical training. In this episode, Sean reflects on navigating Crohn’s disease while in medical school, grappling with impostor syndrome, and learning to balance empathy with the emotional compartmentalization that caring for patients often requires. Le and Tremayne also explore how writing across four years—from cadaver lab to Step 1, first codes, and the pandemic—helped Sean process his experiences and what advice he would give his younger self about facing uncertainty, setbacks, and self-discovery on the path to becoming a doctor.
Order Somewhere in Between: A Memoir here
Host: Le Nguyen (Instagram: @le_nguyenzzz | LinkedIn: @lenguyen)
Host: Tremayne Ansani (Instagram: @tremayne.y.a | LinkedIn: @tremayneansani)
Guest: Sean Pirkle (Instagram: @seanpirklemd | LinkedIn: @seanpirkle)
Links
https://onchartpodcast.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-pirkle-71362187/
https://www.amazon.com/Somewhere-Between-Sean-C-Pirkle/dp/B0FCP5MWSY
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/somewhere-in-between-sean-c-pirkle/1147577501
https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Sean-Pirkle-2131912220
Alex Hernandez is a first-year medical student whose path from Brown University to Columbia University VP&S has been shaped by curiosity, resilience, and faith. In this episode, Alex reflects on early influences, the realities of pre-med culture, and the lessons learned from sharing his journey on social media. Le and Tremayne also explore how Psalm 37:24 guides Alex’s mindset in medical school and what advice he would give his younger self about pursuing medicine with authenticity and purpose.
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Host: Le Nguyen (Instagram: @le_nguyenzzz | LinkedIn: @lenguyen)
Host: Tremayne Ansani (Instagram: @tremayne.y.a | LinkedIn: @tremayneansani)
Guest: Alex Hernandez (Instagram: @ale.hernxndez | LinkedIn: @alexhernandez)
Links
https://onchartpodcast.com
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Alex-Hernandez-Manriquez
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-hernandez-manriquez-7b6922310/
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Tyler Beauchamp, a pediatric resident and author of Freeze Frame, a coming-of-age novel about trauma, memory, and healing. From his roots in a family of artists to the challenges of balancing medical training with creative writing, Tyler shares how storytelling became a form of survival and connection. We discuss the blurred lines between medicine and art, and how embracing both has deepened his empathy and redefined what it means to bear witness. This conversation invites you to pause and consider the power of stories to hold what medicine sometimes cannot.
Find more information about Dr. Beauchamp's novel here
Retinal surgeon and medical historian Dr. Andrew Lam explores the surprising intersections between history and medicine. Dr. Lam reflects on his path from studying military history in college to performing delicate surgeries, and how his lifelong love of history led him to write The Masters of Medicine, a book that chronicles some of the greatest breakthroughs (and setbacks) in medical science.
Dr. Lam is also the author of Saving Sight, Two Sons of China, and Repentance. His work spans both nonfiction and historical fiction, blending his deep knowledge of medicine and military history with a gift for storytelling. Learn more at https://andrewlammd.com.
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Nurse Roshni Shah shares how her experiences caring for critically ill patients and her own mother shaped her understanding of compassion, grief, and the transformative power of caregiving both in and out of the ICU.
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Pediatric ER physician and author Rachel Kowalsky discusses her short story, "The Delivery Boy," which follows a young Guatemalan boy and the team of clinicians who care for him in the NYC ER. Rachel shows us the power of storytelling in healthcare—how it bridges gaps, creates meaning, and gives voice to experiences often left unheard.
"The Delivery Boy" is available to read online for free.
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Board-certified adult psychiatrist Frank Clark reflects on his formative years of medical training, marked with turbulent moments and unique challenges that shook the foundation of his beliefs and values. Through the healing power of poetry, he discovered the answers that ultimately led him to a life filled with love and purpose.
Dr. Clark is a prolific poet and the author of two children’s books, Positively Haiku Part 1 and Positively Haiku Part 2, both of which aim to inspire young minds and hearts through poetry and affirmations. His latest collaborative illustrated book, The Power to Act, encourages readers to act wisely, out of love and compassion for others. Follow us on Instagram for notifications on future episodes and updates.
Internist Adam Rodman speaks about his journey hosting the acclaimed podcast, Bedside Rounds, which explores the historical, social, and cultural forces that have shaped modern medicine, and discovers how a historical perspective can illuminate current medical practices and inform how healthcare professionals understand and communicate uncertainty.
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In this episode, Tremayne and Le had the unique opportunity to chat with Andy Nguyen (also known as ND MD), a recent graduate of the Medical College of Georgia and an incoming anesthesiology resident doctor at Yale. Andy shared his personal experiences as a medical student, recounting the ups and downs of his journey through medical school. He also discussed the inspiration and incentives behind his efforts to showcase the personal side of medical professionals through photography and YouTube. Additionally, he shared insights gained from interviewing people for the 73 Q Series, which has empowered thousands to join the medical workforce.
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In this episode, Le and Tremayne speak with poet, pediatrician, and educator Dr. Irène P. Mathieu about her poetry collection, milk tongue, the healing power of language, and how poetry can play a role in promoting narrative medicine and teaching health equity. Follow us on Instagram for notifications on future episodes and updates.
Primary care doctor, public health professor, and award-winning author Michael Stein about his book Me vs. Us: A Health Divided, which explores the asymmetry in how the U.S. allocates resources and funding between health care and public health, and the importance of having a reliable, effective public health system in society.
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Primary care doctor and creative director Jon Hallberg talks about his public television series, Art + Medicine, which explores the humanistic aspects of medicine through art, and how storytelling can pave the way toward meaningful connections, even in distressing times.
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In this episode of Medicalize This!, we delve into the intricate world of cardiovascular health and the pressing issue of health equity. Our special guest, Dr. Courtney Jordan Baechler, an esteemed cardiologist and program director at the Minneapolis Heart Institute, takes us on a journey to understand the critical intersection of biology, social contexts, and health outcomes. Dr. Jordan Baechler shares her expertise on what health equity entails and offers insights into constructing robust frameworks to identify and address pervasive social determinants of health.
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Art speaks to us in many languages. In the modern world, we look to art as an escape from our daily struggles and find comfort in getting lost in the beauty that art offers. We all had that moment in our lives when we caught ourselves deeply in mad love with art, whether it was during a brief visit to an art gallery, five minutes of listening to a good old piece of music after a rough day at work, or a quick glance at a few lines of a romantic poem from a random poetry book at a bookstore. We dread the idea of living in a technological world without the arts and tell ourselves how miserable our lives would be without creativity and imagination. In this episode, art therapist Juliet King helps us understand the connection between art and the brain as we explore ways to cultivate a creative life to build mental resilience and lead a stress-free lifestyle.
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In this episode, we delve deep into the intricate web of connections between climate change and human health. As our planet's climate continues to shift, so do the dynamics of our well-being. Join us as we speak with ENT surgeon and climate activist Dr. Neelima Tummala and explore the alarming health challenges posed by a changing climate. Follow us on Instagram for notifications on future episodes and updates.
