You can be surrounded by people and still feel deeply alone. Laurel, Hạ, and Austen unpack how loneliness shows up in medical training and practice—not as physical isolation, but as emotional and social disconnection. They reflect on when loneliness hits hardest, when it eases, and what helps them feel seen in high-pressure environments. The conversation also explores how disconnection among clinicians shapes the care we give and the relationships we build with patients.
You can be surrounded by people and still feel deeply alone. Laurel, Hạ, and Austen unpack how loneliness shows up in medical training and practice—not as physical isolation, but as emotional and social disconnection. They reflect on when loneliness hits hardest, when it eases, and what helps them feel seen in high-pressure environments. The conversation also explores how disconnection among clinicians shapes the care we give and the relationships we build with patients.
In high-stakes careers like medicine and research, the weight of responsibility can feel all-consuming. However, maintaining a strictly stoic demeanor can unintentionally create distance. Studies show that play and humor are essential for mental well-being, helping to reduce stress, build resilience, and even improve team dynamics. When physicians allow moments of lightness and authenticity, they can break down barriers, making patients feel more comfortable, heard, and willing to share crucial information.
Laurel is joined by psychiatry resident Baley Kynaston and bioinformatics grad student Joshua Major-Mincer to explore the importance of staying silly in a serious job. In a lighthearted and candid conversation, they discuss how humor and authenticity can coexist with professionalism, why self-expression is essential for well-being, and how finding the right moments for levity can strengthen personal resilience and patient trust.