First Line | Whole Person, Holistic Mental Health and Medical Education

Episode 186. Nervous about residency interviews? Learn why mock interviews are the ultimate prep tool to boost your confidence on interview day. I share insider tips, common pitfalls, and how structured feedback can help uncover blind spots, strengthen your delivery, and set you apart from other applicants. Here’s how to stand out this interview season and match with your top program. Episode 111: Residency Interviews: Preparing Answers for Common Questions Episode 112: Residency Interviews: Answering the Most Difficult Questions Episode 113: Residency Interviews: More Questions to Prepare For Visit First Line’s website and blog: ⁠https://www.firstlinepodcast.com Editing Service for Pre-Med and Medical Students (Mock interviews, CV, personal statement, applications): https://www.firstlinepodcast.com/services For a discount on your TrueLearn subscription use ⁠https://truelearn.referralrock.com/l/firstline/⁠ and code firstline Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.

Episode 185. Let's talk about the best approaches to reduce picky eating while I talk about 15 new foods I introduced to my toddler when she was between 15 and 18 months old. Visit First Line’s website and blog: ⁠https://www.firstlinepodcast.com Editing Service for Pre-Med and Medical Students (CV, personal statement, applications): https://www.firstlinepodcast.com/services For a discount on your TrueLearn subscription use ⁠https://truelearn.referralrock.com/l/firstline/⁠ and code firstline Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.

Episode 184. Hear from a professional ERAS application editor about what Chat GPT gets right (and wrong) about writing a strong personal statement for residency applications. Let's talk about 2025 updates to the advice I give based on my years of experience working with applicants. Visit First Line’s website and blog: ⁠https://www.firstlinepodcast.com Editing Service for Pre-Med and Medical Students (CV, personal statement, applications): https://www.firstlinepodcast.com/services For a discount on your TrueLearn subscription use ⁠https://truelearn.referralrock.com/l/firstline/⁠ and code firstline Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.

Episode 183. Let’s talk about the benefits of breastfeeding and why I made the choice to breastfeed for two years as a working mom (doctor in residency). Hear about some of the details of my journey and why I am not planning on weaning quite yet. Visit First Line’s website and blog: ⁠https://www.firstlinepodcast.com Editing Service for Pre-Med and Medical Students (CV, personal statement, applications): https://www.firstlinepodcast.com/services For a discount on your TrueLearn subscription use ⁠https://truelearn.referralrock.com/l/firstline/⁠ and code firstline Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.

Episode 182. I'm asked frequently how I make time for all the roles I have: as a resident physician, a mother, a podcast host, and a professional writer and editor (and still make time for family and, yes, even video games). I don't have it all figured out and make mistakes (and learn!) daily, but here I'll take the time to share what has worked for me over the last few years on my quest for "work life balance" and "having it all". Visit First Line’s website and blog: ⁠https://www.firstlinepodcast.com Editing Service for Pre-Med and Medical Students (CV, personal statement, applications): https://www.firstlinepodcast.com/services For a discount on your TrueLearn subscription use ⁠https://truelearn.referralrock.com/l/firstline/⁠ and code firstline Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.

Episode 181. Let's talk about how effective exercise really is for mental health, especially symptoms of depression, and how this relates to other treatments like medications and therapy. Here is why some doctors are prescribing exercise (and why some are still slow to embrace lifestyle changes). We'll discuss what is typically recommended to support mental wellness through exercise and my personal tips to make you more successful with increasing your activity levels. Visit First Line’s website and blog: ⁠https://www.firstlinepodcast.com Editing Service for Pre-Med and Medical Students (CV, personal statement, applications): https://www.firstlinepodcast.com/services For a discount on your TrueLearn subscription use ⁠https://truelearn.referralrock.com/l/firstline/⁠ and code firstline Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.

Episode 180. We’ll explore how traits of borderline personality disorder can show up across different triads and stances of the Enneagram. Let’s break down how 7 of the 9 numbers overlap with BPD patterns like identity confusion, fear of abandonment, emotional reactivity, and relational intensity (and hear which 2 numbers don’t fit with BPD at all). Visit First Line’s website and blog: ⁠https://www.firstlinepodcast.com Editing Service for Pre-Med and Medical Students (CV, personal statement, applications): https://www.firstlinepodcast.com/services For a discount on your TrueLearn subscription use ⁠https://truelearn.referralrock.com/l/firstline/⁠ and code firstline Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.

Episode 179. Let’s continue exploring how personality disorders relate to the Enneagram. We’ll cover the triads that relate to antisocial, histrionic, schizotypal, and avoidant personality disorders. Other episodes on the Enneagram: Episodes 25-34, 74, 166, and 168 Other episodes on personality disorders: 6, 8, 9, 13 Visit First Line’s website and blog: (check out the episode directory!) ⁠https://www.firstlinepodcast.com Editing Service for Pre-Med and Medical Students (CV, personal statement, applications): https://www.firstlinepodcast.com/services For a discount on your TrueLearn subscription use ⁠https://truelearn.referralrock.com/l/firstline/⁠ and code firstline Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.

Episode 178. This is a foundational episode of First Line that covers what it means to have a whole person, holistic approach to mental health and wellness (for you or your patients)! We also discuss the 6 pillars of lifestyle medicine and how each relates to the practice of psychiatry. Visit First Line’s website and blog: ⁠https://www.firstlinepodcast.com Editing Service for Pre-Med and Medical Students (CV, personal statement, applications): https://www.firstlinepodcast.com/services For a discount on your TrueLearn subscription use ⁠https://truelearn.referralrock.com/l/firstline/⁠ and code firstline Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.

Episode 177. We'll explore the science behind cannabis, including how it affects the brain and body. Learn about its potential medical uses for conditions like anxiety, chronic pain, and insomnia and what risks to be aware of. Visit First Line’s website and blog: ⁠https://www.firstlinepodcast.com Editing Service for Pre-Med and Medical Students (CV, personal statement, applications): https://www.firstlinepodcast.com/services For a discount on your TrueLearn subscription use ⁠https://truelearn.referralrock.com/l/firstline/⁠ and code firstline Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.

Episode 176. Prevent picky eating and increase diet diversity by having your toddler try these foods! This is my list of different foods I gave my own toddler for the first time between 12 and 15 months of age. Here are some of the products I mentioned in this episode (some are affiliate links): Amaranth from Whole Foods Fonio Bob's Red Mill Teff Kidney Beans with no added salt Target's Mixed Nut Butter Nutty Puffs Organic Sunflower Butter Whole Foods Frozen Cut Okra Soft-Dried Apricot from Trader Joe's My Favorite Fig Spread (All Natural) My Daughter 's Favorite Fruit Bar (Contains Fig) from Target Visit First Line’s website and blog: ⁠https://www.firstlinepodcast.com Editing Service for Pre-Med and Medical Students (CV, personal statement, applications): https://www.firstlinepodcast.com/services For a discount on your TrueLearn subscription use ⁠https://truelearn.referralrock.com/l/firstline/⁠ and code firstline Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.

Episode 175. Let's discuss what the normal grief process looks like, going through each of the 5 stages of grief with associated defense mechanisms. We'll also touch on the difference between the normal grief process and when it becomes pathological. This episode contains content about death and suicide. Visit First Line’s website and blog: ⁠https://www.firstlinepodcast.com Editing Service for Pre-Med and Medical Students (CV, personal statement, applications): https://www.firstlinepodcast.com/services For a discount on your TrueLearn subscription use ⁠https://truelearn.referralrock.com/l/firstline/⁠ and code firstline Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.

Episode 174. Ever since medical school, I have been making bowls with dark leafy greens as the foundation, and this is my favorite hack to make healthy whole-food meals on a budget and with limited time to cook. I share my personal favorite ingredients with tangible tips so you can make your own bowls and greatly increase your vegetable intake with less effort. Visit First Line’s website and blog: ⁠https://www.firstlinepodcast.com Editing Service for Pre-Med and Medical Students (CV, personal statement, applications): https://www.firstlinepodcast.com/services For a discount on your TrueLearn subscription use ⁠https://truelearn.referralrock.com/l/firstline/⁠ and code firstline Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.

Episode 173. Hear about the increasing evidence we have for how physical health and mental health are interrelated and why you can't truly have wellness in one area without the other. I bring my unique perspective as a psychiatry resident with osteopathic medicine training (DO) that focuses on the interconnection of body, mind, and spirit while offering ideas for lifestyle changes you can make today. Visit First Line’s website and blog: ⁠https://www.firstlinepodcast.com Editing Service for Pre-Med and Medical Students (CV, personal statement, applications): https://www.firstlinepodcast.com/services For a discount on your TrueLearn subscription use ⁠https://truelearn.referralrock.com/l/firstline/⁠ and code firstline Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.

Episode 172. What do you feed your toddler after baby-led weaning ends? I share how I continued introducing a variety of foods to my child between 12 and 18 months, avoiding the picky-eater pitfalls and embracing realistic, sustainable meals beyond the baby phase—without the pressure of Pinterest-perfect bento boxes. Visit First Line’s website and blog: ⁠https://www.firstlinepodcast.com Editing Service for Pre-Med and Medical Students (CV, personal statement, applications): https://www.firstlinepodcast.com/services For a discount on your TrueLearn subscription use ⁠https://truelearn.referralrock.com/l/firstline/⁠ and code firstline Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.

Episode 171. Learn how to build a daily and weekly study plan to organize lectures, resources, Anki, and practice questions. I walk you through a system (including the number of practice to complete each day) that will help you ace your school exams while optimizing your success on Step 1. Win a new copy of Crush Step 1! Giveaway ends May 12, 2025. There are three ways to enter and you can be entered up to three times if you do all three. 1. Rate the show on Spotify or leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts. Take a screenshot and send it to me firstlinepodcast@yahoo.com or post on Instagram while tagging @firstlinepodcast 2. Share this episode to your Instagram story with one key takeaway from the episode. Make sure to tag @firstlinepodcast. 3. Enroll in the Medical Student CV Masterclass. Check out my episode from March 31st (episode 167) for more info and then sign up at firstlinepodcast.com and click the course tab. This is a course that provides a template specific for medical students and guides you step by step, section by section to craft a competitive CV that you can use for away rotations, letter of recommendation, dean’s letters, research opportunities, leadership roles, an outline for your ERAS application, and whatever else comes your way as a medical student. I have years of experience helping students one on one and have helped hundreds of clients with the process of applying to away rotations and residency. This course unveils my proven method I have used to help students craft exceptional CVs that make them stand out. Visit First Line’s website and blog: ⁠https://www.firstlinepodcast.com Editing Service for Pre-Med and Medical Students (CV, personal statement, applications): https://www.firstlinepodcast.com/services For a discount on your TrueLearn subscription use ⁠https://truelearn.referralrock.com/l/firstline/⁠ and code firstline Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.

Episode 170. I'll share my top recommended resources for the USMLE Step 1, including specifics about the best question banks for Step 1. Plus, I'm giving away a brand-new copy of Crush Step 1! There are three ways to enter this special giveaway: 1. Rate on Spotify OR rate and review on Apple (5-stars please!) Screenshot and email me (firstlinepodcast@yahoo.com) or post on Instagram and tag me @fristlinepodcast 2. Post the episode in your Instagram story (and tag me) with a key takeaway from the episode 3. Sign up for the Medical Student CV Masterclass here The winner will be announced on May 12th, so you have until then to enter up to 3 times! Visit First Line’s website and blog: ⁠https://www.firstlinepodcast.com Editing Service for Pre-Med and Medical Students (CV, personal statement, applications): ⁠https://www.fiverr.com/firstlinepod⁠ For a discount on your TrueLearn subscription use ⁠https://truelearn.referralrock.com/l/firstline/⁠ and code firstline Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.

Episode 169. Is coffee good for you? Can it fit into a healthy diet? Let's dive into the health benefits and potential risks of coffee, including its role in disease prevention and how many cups I've decided to have daily. Visit First Line’s website and blog: ⁠https://www.firstlinepodcast.com Editing Service for Pre-Med and Medical Students (CV, personal statement, applications): ⁠https://www.fiverr.com/firstlinepod⁠ For a discount on your TrueLearn subscription use ⁠https://truelearn.referralrock.com/l/firstline/⁠ and code firstline Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.

Episode 168. We explore how each Enneagram type can reflect traits of specific personality disorders in an unhealthy state and how knowing this can encourage self-awareness and personal growth. Visit First Line’s website and blog: ⁠https://www.firstlinepodcast.com Editing Service for Pre-Med and Medical Students (CV, personal statement, applications): ⁠https://www.fiverr.com/firstlinepod⁠ For a discount on your TrueLearn subscription use ⁠https://truelearn.referralrock.com/l/firstline/⁠ and code firstline Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.

Episode 167. Learn how to create a standout CV as a medical student with expert insights from someone who has successfully navigated the process and helped hundreds others do the same. Listen in to hear how to access my CV template crafted just for medical students. Visit https://www.firstlinepodcast.com/ to access the course tab for my NEW Medical Student CV Masterclass and the services tab to learn more about my one-on-one individualized editing services. For a discount on your TrueLearn subscription use ⁠https://truelearn.referralrock.com/l/firstline/⁠ and code firstline Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.