20170525 - Andre Lee On Death

[Start @ 11:20 - 1:07:00 (bathroom break), 1:08:30 - end]

Andre Lee! Andre is a 27yo third year medical student, martial artist, and musician. I met him early on in my Tampa adventures and I am glad to live with him as we transition to Pennsylvania. During this conversation, we discuss the importance of independence, holding up his uncle, how mosh pits respect musicians, and how every party needs a healer.

I hope you enjoy! :)

Andre is...
a jack of all trades,
someone that never wants to be alone,
and a hardcore ABC. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Born_Chinese
 
Before Andre dies, he wants...
to have an active lifestyle,
to create something,
to find his passion,
to be a positive force,
and to have a lasting impact on an organization.
 
When Andre dies, he wants...
a huge party for his death,
and to die after his parents.

After Andre dies, he wants...
his death to not be a big deal,
his work to continue,
and no afterlife.
 
In conclusion, Andre says...
"One thing I'm really grateful for, that I've done in my life, is jumping into things, commiting to them, just doing it, and seeing something through.
 
Like the first time I jumped on a skateboard: you know you're probably going to eat shit, but do you want to skate? I'm glad for all those moments in my life. It's gonna hurt, but do you want to do this or not? Yes or no. 
 
If the answer's yes, then you should do it."
 

20170521 - On the other side

#LongFormSundays!

Please know that there was no loss of life and that everyone is safe.

This week, I reflect on sitting for Step One, returning home, and waking up to an attempted murder across the street. I consider this my rite of passage for the initiation of my clinical medical education: triaging a gunshot victim and directing an armed police response to a gunman.

Link: http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-upper-saucon-shooter-golf-cart-chase-20170521-story.html

 Thank you.

20170514 - On the final stretch

#LongFormSundays!

This week, I reflect on the final countdown to Step One. I feel ready for the grind to end. I feel tired from all the computer screen time. I feel excited for this chapter to end and for the next to begin.

I hope you enjoy! :)

20170511 - Rahul Paul On Death

Rahul Paul! Rahul is a 26yo Hindu-raised Bangledeshi, a third year medical student interested in emergency medicine, and a scientist. During this conversation, we discuss the relatable story of Krishna, the value of earned perspective, and why you should breathe into your balls.

I hope you enjoy! :)

Rahul is...
a citizen of the universe,
very lost,
and a scientist.

Before Rahul dies, he wants...
to continue his breadth of experiences,
to visit every continent,
to see aliens,
and to build free clinics.

When Rahul dies, he wants...
to be healthy,
a conversation of closure with his loved ones,
to inspire others.

After Rahul dies, he wants...
answers,
and things to keep going.

In conclusion, Rahul says...
"There's always an answer to every problem. As lost as you may feel sometimes, if you seek the right person for help, be open to the fact that there is an answer, then things will change.
Don't be steadfast in your views, rigid like a stick. Be like Bruce Lee: flow like water."

20170507 - On the move

#LongFormSundays!

This week, I reflect on the big move north from Tampa, FL to Coopersburg, PA. I recount the first great meeting of the parents, a hand-delivered cat, and a romp through the 20 acres of land filled with wild onions.

I hope you enjoy! :)

20170430 - On a goodbye to Tampa

#LongFormSundays!

This week, I reflect on my time in Tampa, the people that I've known, and the memories we've created together. Both a goodbye and a commemoration, I'm incredibly thankful for the two years in the Sunshine State.

I hope you enjoy! :)

20170427 - Alana Karma On Death

Alana Karma! Alana is a 21yo artist, student, and performer. I met Alana through the Sacred Floats and Gems nebulous (which brought previous guests Kenny Henderson and Jared Roa to the podcast). Her canvases include skin, both inked and painted, fire, and aerial silks. In this heady conversation, we discuss her Mohawk heritage, Wiccan upbringing, and the sacred fire.

I hope you enjoy! :)

Alana is...
living as a hyperdimensional being of consciousness on an earthly reality,
and an ever-evolving student.

Before Alana dies, she wants...
to have a significant impact on the way that our society unfolds.

When Alana dies, she wants...
to leave the world knowing that we're moving to an ascension phase.

After Alana dies, she wants...
our society to be able to heal itself.

In conclusion, Alana says...
"Thank you everybody for taking the time to listen to this. I hope that some of these concepts have influenced you, opened you up, or made you more receptive to what the universe is capable of.

We live in an infinite reality of infinite galaxies, infinite universes, infinite energy to create. Source is nothing more than the capacity to create anything, and you are part of source, which means that you are capable of creating. Whether or not that is a job that you want, or a dream you want to follow, or something that you would like to manifest. It is all within your range of capacity.

And blessings on your journey doing so."

20170423 - On delaying the inevitable

#LongFormSundays!

This week, I reflect on postponing my Step One test date and packing up my life in Tampa. Instead of stressing about an impending exam, I am able to enjoy my final seven days in Florida while making boxes and filling them up.

I hope you enjoy! :)

20170416 - On necessary atrophy

#LongFormSundays!

This week, I reflect on inactivity, injuries, and guacamole. Step Prep has left me feeling quite sedentary and wishing for more movement, just like the good old days.

I hope you enjoy! :)

20170413 - Pooja Jayaprakash On Death

Pooja Jayaprakash! Pooja is 23yo second year medical student and Indian woman with a liberal arts background. I met Pooja during the first week of med school and I have known that she would make an outstanding guest on the podcast. During this conversation, we discuss growing up Indian in Utah, imagining her mixed-race children, resisting the draw of medicine, and the death of her 109yo grandfather with his complicated legacy.

I hope you enjoy! :)

Pooja is...
Pooja,
an Indian lady living in Tampa with her husband,
and a second year medical school.

Before Pooja dies, she wants...
to be on good terms with the people she loves.

When Pooja dies, she wants...
to be cremated.

After Pooja dies, she wants...
to be remembered fondly, if at all.

In conclusion, Pooja says...
"I would talk to James and say: I love you."

20140409 - On bitter pills

#LongFormSundays!

This week, I reflect on my eternal struggle with neurology. My grit is tested as I attempt to review reflex arcs and neuroanatomy. I enjoy a small temper tantrum and then get back to the work.

I hope you enjoy! :)

20170402 - On time dilation

#LongFormSundays!

This week, I reflect on the fugue state of Step Prep. The daily grind of questions, review, and videos can leave me feeling like time moves too slowly and too quickly at once. To offset this, I look to the night sky.

I hope you enjoy! :)

20170326 - On Wim Hof and Chill

#LongFormSundays! This week, I reflect on a relaxing session of stretches and breathing exercises with friends to round out my first week of dedicated step prep.

I hope you enjoy! :)

20170319 - On the change of seasons (or Course Seven_ a post-mortem)

#LongFormSundays! This week, I reflect on the winter and look forward to the spring: Course Seven just ended and tomorrow is the Vernal Equinox. I’m thankful for the growth that brought me here, appreciate this odd tipping-point, and anticipate the future.

I hope you enjoy! :)

20170316 - Kristen Prosen On Death

Kristen Prosen! Kristen is a 26yo herbalist, yoga teacher, and scared white woman. I've had the pleasure of learning Thai yoga massage from her and she teaches with grace and understanding. In this conversation, we discuss the universal relationship of plants, activism through addressing cultural bias, and the death of her grandmother.

I hope you enjoy! :)

Kristen is...
embodied heart presence,
an herbalist,
a yogi,
a white woman,
scared,
a witch,
an activist,
and a servant.

Before Kristen dies, she wants...
to be a mother,
to have a house,
and to write a book.

When Kristen dies, she wants...
to be graceful.

After Kristen dies, she wants...
to not worry about it,
and to be cremated.

In conclusion, Kristen says...
"You are whole already. I know it's not enough for me to say that you're whole to feel that you're whole. There's a lot of life experiences that you're gonna have to go through and a lot of grasping and running from pain and a lot of cultivating that will lead you to that realization so that it sits in your body and in your heart and in your mind, but you are. You are already whole. You are already home.

20170312 - On happiness and appreciation

#LongFormSundays! This week, I reflect on the wind-down of Course Seven, the second year of medical, and the concurrent rise of spring in Florida. I give thanks for my partner, for my jiu-jitsu practice, and my green plant babies.

I hope you enjoy! :)

(Posted on March 12th, 2017 at www.mnmwod.com)

20170305 - On a maternal grandfather

#LongFormSundays! This week, I reflect on the death of my maternal grandfather and recount the first and only time I saw him.

I hope you enjoy!

(Originally posted on mnmwod.com)
 

20170302 - Lui Espinoza On Death

Lui Espinosa! Lui is a 31yo second year medical student, a burgeoning philosopher-physician, and a runner. He has stood out among my classmates as a human with lived experiences and earned wisdom. During this conversation, you'll learn about the death of his grandfather as well as his Portuguese friend Hannibal, his setbacks and obstacles while growing up and attaining his education, and his joy of life throughout it all.

I hope you enjoy! :)

Lui is...
a sensor,
growing into his role as a physician,
a runner,
a wee bit of a climber,
and eventually a philosopher-physician.

Before Lui dies, he wants...
to be ready,
and to make good out of bad.

When Lui dies, he wants...
to get better at saying goodbye.

After Lui dies, he wants...
things to go well for the people in his life.

In conclusion, Lui says...
"I'd be remiss if I didn't finish with a 'Thank you', so thank you very much."

20170216 - Meg Scott On Death

Meg Scott! Meg is a 23yo well-rounded second-year medical student, a follower of Christ, and a runner. I'm honored to call this deeply intelligent human my friend and I look forward to keeping tabs on her future career in surgery. In this conversation, we explore her relationship with Christ, how karate and horseback riding can teach you how to teach, and what the death of her close friend's father taught her about death.

I hope you enjoy! :)

Meg is...
a follower of Christ,
a well-rounded medical student,
and driven.

Before Meg dies, she wants...
her life to glorify God and make him known,
to be a mom,
and to be a good doctor.

When Meg dies, she wants...
to have an impact on people's lives so that she is remembered for Christ,
and to have peace.

After Meg dies, she wants...
there to be a celebration,
and her children to follow her example.

In conclusion, Meg says...

"Thank you for listening. My biggest prayer for all of you is that you would get to have this peace that I have, that surpasses all understanding, that guards my heart and mind, in Jesus Christ. And you can find that through Jesus Christ and accepting him as your savior."

20170131 - Brian Bernal On Death

Brian Bernal! Brian is a 24yo first-generation Ecuadorian, a second year DPT student at USF, and cousin to many. I met Brian while slacklining last year and he has been a close friend for adventures ever since. During this conversation, we discuss leaving a legacy, his bouts with pneumothorax, and the joys of wandering.
I hope you enjoy! :)

Brian is...
a forever student,
a wanderer,
weird,
and spontaneous.

Before Brian dies, he wants...
to leave a legacy behind,
to do research,
and to return to his culture.

When Brian dies, he wants...
to be a tree,
to be surrounded by loved ones,
and to play music.

After Brian dies, he wants...
to be remembered.

In conclusion Brian says...

"Keep wandering. Something good will come along... Definitely still have FOMO. Keep having FOMO, because that's what gets you up and makes you do things you didn't."