Shows
Supporting Physician SpousesEpisode 25: Are You Using Gratitude to Avoid Hard Emotions Without Realizing It?This week, Kendra and Katie unpack a quiet but common struggle among physician spouses: the belief that gratitude and dissatisfaction can't coexist. We explore: Why so many physician spouses downplay their hard moments The "gratitude as gaslighting" trap How privilege guilt + comparison silence our real needs A simple AND vs BUT framework to spot healthy vs harmful gratitude How to hold emotional complexity without minimizing yourself Four questions to help you take action instead of staying stuck Why acknowledging what's hard is...
2025-11-1827 min
Supporting Physician SpousesEpisode 24: The Predictability Problem Series (Part 4) - How Physician Families Build Systems That Bend, Not BreakWhen the call schedule explodes, the backup plan fails, and everyone's unraveling — how do you hold it all together? In the final episode of The Predictability Problem Series, Kendra and Katie unpack what it really means to create flexible family systems that bend but don't break when medicine runs the clock. You'll learn: Why rigid plans actually increase stress in high-uncertainty seasons The Plan B Framework — Predict, List, Automate, Name — to restore calm when things go sideways How to build "structured flexibility" that keeps the household steady Why Pl...
2025-11-1133 min
Supporting Physician SpousesEpisode 23: The Predictability Problem Series - From Parallel Lives to Connection (Part 3) How Physician Spouses Can Rebuild Connection When Medicine Feels UnpredictableEven the calmest, most grounded person can feel off balance when their relationship starts to feel like two people living parallel lives. In Week 3 of The Predictability Problem Series, Katie explores how physician spouses can rebuild calm through connection, even when medicine keeps changing the plan. You'll hear: A real-life story of emotional safety in action Research from Dr. Tate Shanafelt and Dr. Wayne Sotile on what predicts thriving in physician families How much "meaningful time" couples actually need—and what to do if you can't get it Why mi...
2025-11-0417 min
Supporting Physician SpousesEpisode 22: The Predictability Problem Series - From Bracing to Anchoring (Part 2) How Physician Partners Can Reclaim Calm Amid Burnout and UncertaintyWhen the text comes — "Got pulled into a case. Won't make it for dinner." — your whole body reacts. The plan falls apart, and suddenly, you're bracing again. This week, Kendra walks physician spouses through the science of why unpredictability hits so hard — and a powerful, research-backed framework for reclaiming calm in the middle of it. Drawing from cognitive behavioral therapy and resilience training, she shares the ANCHOR Framework — six practical steps to shift from bracing for chaos to anchoring in calm, even when the schedule changes for the hundredth time. You'll learn: Why your bra...
2025-10-2822 min
Supporting Physician SpousesEpisode 21: The Predictability Problem Series - Reclaim What's in Your Control (Part 1) Finding Autonomy in Physician Family LifeIf you've ever said, "Our calendar is held hostage by the call schedule," or, "I can't plan anything until we know the rotation," this episode is for you. In Part 1 of The Predictability Problem Series, we're exploring how to reclaim rhythm and calm in a life that's constantly being reshaped by medicine. We'll unpack what happens to our nervous systems when life feels unpredictable, the science behind why autonomy matters (thank you, Self-Determination Theory!), and how even tiny "pockets of control" can help restore your sense of balance and peace. You'll walk away...
2025-10-2114 min
Supporting Physician SpousesEpisode 20: Loss, Healing and Hope - with Special Guest Amy WatsonOctober is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, and in this heartfelt conversation, Kendra and Katie sit down with Amy Watson, a certified life coach who helps women navigate the deep grief that follows miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss. Amy shares her personal story — from losing her daughter Lauren and later her baby River, to transforming that pain into purpose by supporting others walking a similar path. This episode is for everyone — whether you've personally experienced loss or want to know how to better support a friend, colleague, or loved one who has. Together, we explore how to s...
2025-10-1442 min
Supporting Physician SpousesEpisode 19: How to Embrace the Hard and the Hope for Physician SpousesLife in medicine can feel like one long stretch of "hard." Between call schedules, solo parenting, and the constant shifting ground of medical life, it's easy to believe something must be wrong when things feel heavy. But what if "hard" isn't something to fix—what if it's something to honor and even grow through? In this heartfelt conversation, Kendra and Katie get real about what it means to embrace both the hard and the hope in the physician spouse journey. This episode will leave you encouraged, grounded, and equipped with simple steps to hold both gr...
2025-10-0728 min
Supporting Physician SpousesEpisode 18: Finding Peace in Turbulent Times: Grounding, Faith & Community for Physician FamiliesIn this heartfelt episode of Supporting Physician Spouses, Kendra and Katie pause to acknowledge the heaviness in our world right now. With tragic shootings, heartbreaking losses, and ongoing uncertainty, many of us feel shaken and weary. Together, we explore what it means to steady ourselves when the world feels unsteady—and how to cultivate peace that is both grounding and real. We walk through six steps that help us (and can help you) navigate turbulent times: Return to the Basics — Sleep, water, nourishment, and movement aren't luxuries; they are anchors for your nervous system. L...
2025-09-3032 min
Supporting Physician SpousesEpisode 17: Residency, Family, and the Power of Language in Relationships - with Dr. Talon HarrisIn this heartfelt episode of Supporting Physician Spouses, Katie and Kendra welcome Katie's husband, Dr. Talon Harris, a 3rd year FM resident, for a candid conversation about the realities of medical training, marriage, and family life. From childhood crushes to the challenges of residency leadership, the Harris family story shines a light on resilience, faith, and partnership in the physician spouse journey. Together, they explore: The Harris family's love story — from first grade to marriage and medicine. How setbacks, rejections, and divine interventions shaped Talon's path to medical school. What it me...
2025-09-2346 min
Supporting Physician SpousesEpisode 16: Marriage, Residency and Resilience: Katie's Story of Supporting Physician SpousesEp 16: Katie in the Hot Seat – Life, Residency, and Resilience In this episode, the tables turn—Katie steps into the hot seat as Kendra interviews her about her journey as a physician spouse. From meeting her husband back in elementary school to navigating medical school, residency, and raising three kids, Katie opens up about the highs, lows, and lessons along the way. She shares her unique match-day story (involving balloons and a happy dance), what she feared most about starting residency, and the surprising ways her faith and community supported her family during hard seasons. Kati...
2025-09-1621 min
Supporting Physician SpousesEpisode 15: The Truth About Physician Spouse Burnout & Secondary Trauma with Dr. Sarah GrimmerIn this episode, Kendra welcomes Dr. Sarah Grimmer, a licensed clinical psychologist with a PhD in clinical psychology, to discuss her groundbreaking research on physician spouse burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and the program she has developed to support medical families. Sarah shares her personal journey of balancing PhD studies and family life while her husband pursued a medical career. (Can you imagine?? 🤯) The conversation explores: How secondary traumatic stress affects physician spouses The prevalence of anxiety, depression, and suicidality among spouses Key findings from Sarah's research and what surprised her most...
2025-09-0920 min
Supporting Physician SpousesEpisode 14: Inside a Neurosurgeon's Marriage: Dr. Adrian Harvey on Family, Faith, and MedicineToday's episode is something special—we asked you, our listeners, to send in the questions you've always wanted answered from the physician's perspective. The result? A candid, insightful conversation with Dr. Adrian Harvey, neurosurgeon, husband to our co-host Kendra for 21 years, and father of five. Adrian opens up about his unexpected path into medicine, meeting Kendra in the middle of medical school, and what it's really like to balance one of the most demanding professions with raising a family. Together, Kendra and Adrian reflect on: ✨ How they grew from "survival mode" in residency to a true...
2025-09-0241 min
Supporting Physician SpousesEpisode 13: From Lonely to Leading: Kendra's Journey as a Physician Spouse💬 Kendra Harvey's Journey as a Physician Spouse In this special episode of Supporting Physician Spouses, Katie flips the script and interviews her co-host and friend, Kendra Harvey. Normally the one guiding conversations, today, Kendra shares her own story of walking alongside her husband through medical school, residency, fellowship, and beyond. She opens up about the early years of marriage and motherhood, the loneliness and resilience that shaped her, and how those experiences inspired her to create her coaching business, It Gets Better Now. This conversation is honest, hopeful, and full of encouragement for eve...
2025-08-2623 min
Supporting Physician SpousesEpisode 12: Fast-Tracking Closeness: How to Reconnect with Your Physician Spouse in MinutesIn the chaos of medical life—whether it's long shifts, away rotations, or simply the nonstop pace—connection with your partner can slip to the bottom of the priority list. But it doesn't have to stay there. In this special solo minisode, Katie shares practical, research-backed strategies for quickly and meaningfully reconnecting with your partner—without adding pressure, guilt, or resentment. Drawing on insights from Dr. Wayne Sotile, Dr. Tait Shanafelt, and The Gottman Institute, you'll learn why micro-moments of connection matter, the science behind what works, and easy-to-implement scripts you can start using today. You'll...
2025-08-1909 min
Supporting Physician SpousesEpisode 11: The Power of Tiny Habits for Physician Spouses: Identity, Momentum & Lasting ChangeEpisode 11 – Tiny Habits for Real Life: Floors, Ceilings, and Finding Stillness in Medical Life Summary: In the last two episodes, we explored how medical life can hijack your identity—and how to reclaim it. Now we're getting practical. In this conversation, Katie and Kendra share real-life tools to help you live into your reclaimed identity even in the middle of chaos, fatigue, and unpredictable schedules. You'll hear personal updates (including hawk encounters, Jane Austen pilgrimages, and college tours), plus a deep dive into how to make habits stick when life is anything but calm. What...
2025-08-1241 min
Supporting Physician SpousesEpisode 10: Following Desires, Trusting the Process: How Physician Spouses Can Build Identity Beyond Survival ModeHave you ever caught yourself saying, "When residency is over… then I'll finally…"? You're not alone. For many physician spouses, it feels like our dreams and identity are on pause until "someday." But what if you didn't have to wait? In this episode of Supporting Physician Spouses, we dive into how to start living as the future version of yourself—right now. Inspired by James Clear's Atomic Habits and Elizabeth Gilbert's Big Magic, we share a roadmap for moving from identity → process → outcome, plus real-life stories of following desire in imperfect seasons. Here's what we cover:
2025-08-0533 min
Supporting Physician SpousesEpisode 9: Reclaiming Your Identity as a Physician Spouse-You're More Than SupportIn this heartfelt and thought-provoking episode, Kendra and Katie dig into the big question: Who are you becoming through the habits you practice? After several episodes focused on self-care habits, this conversation zooms out to explore identity, values, and what it means to become someone you're proud of—not just someone who survives the medical journey alongside your partner. Kendra shares the common experience of "orbiting" a physician's life and the unintentional way identity can get lost in the role of constant support. Together, they explore how reclaiming identity is not about selfishness, but stewardship—and...
2025-07-2934 min
Supporting Physician SpousesEpisode 8: Spiritual Self-Care When Life Is Loud: Simple Practices for Physician Spouses🎙 Episode 8: Spiritual Self-Care — Tuning Into Awe, Stillness & Meaning Welcome back to Supporting Physician Spouses! In this final installment of our three-part self-care series, we turn our attention inward—to the soul. In this episode, Kendra and Katie explore what it really means to care for your spiritual self, especially when life feels hectic, loud, or overwhelming. Spiritual self-care isn't just about religion. It's about awe. Wonder. Stillness. Meaning. Nature. Creativity. Silence. It's about reconnecting with the core of who you are—even if just for a moment. From slug-spotting with children to rediscovering the color...
2025-07-2210 min
Supporting Physician SpousesEpisode 7: Who's In Your Corner? Building a Strong Support System as a Physician Spouse🎙️ Episode 6: The Power of Connection — Social Self-Care Podcast: Supporting Physician Spouses Hosts: Kendra Harvey & Katie Harris In this heartwarming and eye-opening episode, Kendra and Katie dive into the concept of social self-care—not the kind that fills your calendar, but the kind that fills your soul. Whether you feel isolated or simply want to deepen your friendships, this episode offers practical insights and honest conversation around building the meaningful connections every physician family needs. 💬 In This Episode: What social self-care really looks like for physician spouses Why proximity, timing, and...
2025-07-1521 min
Supporting Physician SpousesEpisode 6: Feeling Numb and Overwhelmed? How Physician Spouses Can Reclaim Emotional Self-CareEpisode Summary: In this first episode of our 3-part series on soul care, we dive into emotional self-care — not the bubble bath kind, but the messy, sacred work of reconnecting with our own emotions. As physician spouses, it's easy to become emotionally invisible to ourselves while managing everyone else's needs. Kendra and Katie share real stories, honest reflections, and practical ways to begin honoring your own emotional needs. Whether you feel emotionally numb, overwhelmed, or simply unsure of how to name what you're feeling — you're not alone. This episode is an invitation to paus...
2025-07-0822 min
Supporting Physician SpousesEpisode 5: When Lowering Expectations Goes Too FarEpisode 5: When Lowering Expectations Goes Too Far July 1st is the medical world's New Year—and whether you're just starting out or well into the journey, you've probably heard the advice: "Lower your expectations." In today's episode, Kendra and Katie unpack this all-too-common mantra and explore the cost of lowering expectations too far. From unspoken relationship contracts to the logistics of life on a resident's salary, we talk about what kinds of expectations should flex—and which ones should never be compromised. 💬 We explore: The danger of turning survival strategies into a perma...
2025-07-0138 min
Supporting Physician SpousesEpisode 4: Basics of Physical Self-Care Series [Part 2]: Sleep, Movement & Nutrition🎙️ PODCAST SHOW NOTES Episode Title: Part 2: Sleep, Movement & Nutrition — Building a Foundation of Self-Care Episode Summary: In this second installment of our self-care series, we dive into three core habits that serve as the bedrock of personal resilience: sleep, movement, and nutrition. Kendra and Katie share personal stories and research-backed insights about how these basics affect emotional regulation, burnout risk, and daily functioning—especially for physician spouses navigating demanding family and professional roles. Tune in to discover why small, sustainable habits matter more than perfection, and learn how to identify your keystone habit. What W...
2025-06-2423 min
Supporting Physician SpousesEpisode 3: Basics of Physical Self-Care Series [Part 1]: Hydration and Hygience Episode Title: Basics of Physical Self-Care Hosts: Kendra Harvey & Katie Harris Duration: ~18 minutes Episode Type: Part 1 of 2 🎧 Episode Summary: In this heartfelt and practical episode, Kendra and Katie dive into the foundational self-care habits that help physician spouses reconnect with themselves and avoid burnout. Building on Katie's original coaching email and shared personal stories, the hosts explore how easy it is to slip into survival mode—and what it takes to reclaim your well-being. This is Part 1 of a two-part series focused on physical self-care. Today's conversation covers hydration and hy...
2025-06-1719 min
Supporting Physician SpousesEpisode 2.5: Before We Go Further: A Quick Check-In + What's Coming Next🎙️ Episode 2.5: "Before We Go Further: A Quick Check-In + What's Coming Next" Before diving into deeper discussions on self-care and well-being, Kendra and Katie hit pause to reflect, reconnect, and set the stage for what's ahead. This short and heartfelt episode is both a life update and a behind-the-scenes peek into the podcast's creation. You'll hear: A personal check-in with each host, including a high school graduation and a wild family camping story involving cliffside ropes and toddler acrobatics. The surprising truth: This is their first podcast! They're learning as they go—and inv...
2025-06-1016 min
Supporting Physician SpousesEpisode 2: Ready for Residency: Building a Stronger Mindset🎙️ Episode 2: Ready for Residency In this heartfelt episode, Kendra and Katie go back to where it all began—with an email from Katie just weeks before her husband matched into residency. Together, they revisit that initial message and unpack the emotions and themes it raised: the fear of losing yourself, the slow creep of resentment, and the struggle to balance support for a partner with honoring your own needs. They explore what it means to proactively prepare for a major transition like residency, and share tools to help you identify and meet your core needs—like conn...
2025-06-0517 min
Supporting Physician SpousesEpisode 1: Why the Podcast and Who we are🎙️ Episode 1: Getting to Know Katie and Kendra – What Surprised Us, What We Weren't Prepared For In this very first episode of Supporting Physician Spouses, hosts Katie Harris and Kendra Harvey introduce themselves and the heart behind the podcast. Coming from two very different seasons of life—Katie, in the thick of residency with young children, and Kendra, over a decade post-training with a large family—they share why they started this show and what they wish had existed when they began their journeys. From the loneliness and identity loss that often come with loving someone in medicine...
2025-06-0522 min
Supporting Physician SpousesTrailer: Welcome to Supporting Physician SpousesSupporting Physician Spouses is the podcast where physician spouses and partners feel seen, heard, and supported. Hosted by Kendra—a 20+ year physician spouse and coach—and Katie—married to a physician in his final year of training—we know just how intense and isolating this life phase can be. From relocations and finances to identity shifts and family dynamics, we're here to talk about it all. Through real conversations and practical tools and advice, we'll help you navigate the transition from training to practice (and beyond) with confidence and community. Subscribe now to join us on this...
2025-05-2901 min