Ditch The Labcoat

Psychotherapist and author Leah Marone joins Mark for a grounded conversation about why so many of us fall into the trap of overfunctioning for others. Leah, whose new book Serial Fixer explores this exact pattern, explains how emotional mirroring and urgency cycles show up in families, friendships, and clinical environments. She walks through the patterns she sees when people try to rescue or fix someone who is struggling and why that well intentioned approach often fuels more chaos rather than growth.Leah introduces practical indicators that boundaries are slipping, including resentment and repetitive conversations where nothing changes. She breaks down what serial fixing looks like in real time, how quickly we jump into problem solving to relieve our own discomfort, and why validation is the missing skill that keeps ownership where it belongs.She also explains her framework of support not solve, a mindset that helps clinicians, caregivers, and families shift away from codependency and toward healthier relational dynamics. Through relatable examples, Leah teaches how to use I statements, strengthen self trust, and approach hard conversations with clarity rather than guilt.This episode gives listeners concrete tools to stop taking responsibility for what is not theirs, communicate boundaries with confidence, and build more sustainable, compassionate relationships in their personal lives and in healthcare.Leah C Marone, LCSW Website : https://www.serial-fixer.com/TedTalk : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVBjI4tNv3sEpisode Takeaways Self Care Is Not a Spa Day- Real self care is a series of small resets throughout the day that regulate your nervous system.Fixing Others Creates More Chaos- Trying to solve someone’s problems for them often fuels dependency and resentment.Resentment Signals a Boundary Problem- When irritation grows, it usually means you have taken on work that is not yours.Validation Beats Problem Solving- People calm down when they feel understood, not when they receive rapid fire solutions.I Statements Keep Conversations Safe- Replacing “you always” with “I feel” prevents defensiveness and keeps dialogue open.Urgency Is Often Self Imposed- Feeling responsible for everyone’s comfort pushes you into overfunctioning and emotional burnout.Self Trust Requires Reps- Boundaries get easier through practice, not perfection, and discomfort is part of the growth curve.Micro Transitions Change Your Day- Short pauses between tasks help reset your focus and reduce the compounding stress that builds across a busy day.Episode Timestamps03:58 – Meeting the Inner Critic: Why We Judge Ourselves So Harshly05:16 – Realizing People Are Not Thinking About You as Much as You Think24:18 – Why Fixing Others Fails and How to Shift the Pattern25:50 – Boundaries Require Reps: Getting Comfortable With Discomfort28:28 – The Danger of “You” Statements and How They Trigger Defensiveness32:19 – The Hidden Crisis in Medicine: Shell Culture and Silent Burnout33:23 – What Self Care Really Means: Internal Conflict and Rigid Beliefs35:40 – Micro Transitions: How Small Daily Moments Can Reset Your Nervous SystemDISCLAMER >>>>>>    The Ditch Lab Coat podcast serves solely for general informational purposes and does not serve as a substitute for professional medical services such as medicine or nursing. It does not establish a doctor/patient relationship, and the use of information from the podcast or linked materials is at the user's own risk. The content does not aim to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and users should promptly seek guidance from healthcare professionals for any medical conditions.   >>>>>> The expressed opinions belong solely to the hosts and guests, and they do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Hospitals, Clinics, Universities, or any other organization associated with the host or guests.    Disclosures: Ditch The Lab Coat podcast is produced by (soundsdebatable.com) and is independent of Dr. Bonta's teaching and research roles at McMaster University, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and Queens University. 

Invisible illnesses shape millions of lives, yet most patients spend years in the system without answers. Dr. David Clarke has spent his career at the intersection of internal medicine, psychology, and mind-body research. His mission is clear. Help clinicians recognize when symptoms are driven by the nervous system rather than structural disease. Help patients finally feel seen. And give the medical community a framework to reduce unnecessary testing while improving outcomes.In this episode he explains how the brain generates real physical symptoms under stress, trauma, and emotional overload. He walks through clinical red flags that differentiate structural disease from functional conditions. He shares stories of patients who suffered for years before receiving the right diagnosis. Dr. Bonta and Dr. Clarke explore why invisible illnesses are often missed in rushed systems. They dig into tools clinicians can use to validate symptoms without over pathologizing them. They highlight communication strategies that restore trust. They also discuss prevention, early detection, and the growing evidence supporting mind-body approaches.The conversation is practical. Evidence based. Deeply human. Dr. Clarke shows how clinicians can uncover hidden drivers of symptoms and give patients a path to recovery even when imaging and lab work are normal. This episode is designed for anyone who wants to understand the science and psychology behind medically unexplained symptoms and how to improve care for this underserved population.David Clarke, MD's Website : https://www.symptomatic.me/Episode Takeaway 1. Neuroplastic Symptoms: Real physical sensations created by the brain that can improve with the right approach.2. Invisible Illnesses: Often missed because standard training focuses on structural disease, not functional mechanisms.3. Brain Body Pathways: Stress and trauma can activate neural circuits that generate chronic pain and gut symptoms.4. Diagnostic Clarity: Red flags help distinguish functional illness from conditions that need imaging or procedures.5. Validation Matters: Patients recover faster when clinicians acknowledge symptoms without dismissing them.6. Communication Skills: Asking the right questions uncovers hidden emotional drivers behind persistent symptoms.7. Prevention Tools: Early recognition of neuroplastic patterns reduces unnecessary testing and specialist referrals.8. Hope in Recovery: Most patients improve once they learn how the nervous system produces their symptoms.Episode timestamps 02:46 – Why invisible illnesses elude standard medical training06:13 – How the nervous system produces real physical symptoms10:34 – Red flags that separate structural disease from functional illness14:51 – Communication strategies that validate patient symptoms19:30 – Trauma, stress and the hidden drivers of chronic symptoms24:42 – Clinical cases that shifted Dr. Clarke’s diagnostic approach30:04 – Tools clinicians can use to reduce unnecessary testing35:57 – Preventing invisible illness through early recognition and educationDISCLAMER >>>>>>    The Ditch Lab Coat podcast serves solely for general informational purposes and does not serve as a substitute for professional medical services such as medicine or nursing. It does not establish a doctor/patient relationship, and the use of information from the podcast or linked materials is at the user's own risk. The content does not aim to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and users should promptly seek guidance from healthcare professionals for any medical conditions.   >>>>>> The expressed opinions belong solely to the hosts and guests, and they do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Hospitals, Clinics, Universities, or any other organization associated with the host or guests.    Disclosures: Ditch The Lab Coat podcast is produced by (soundsdebatable.com) and is independent of Dr. Bonta's teaching and research roles at McMaster University, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and Queens University. 

In this deeply human episode, Dr. Mark Bonta sits down with cardiac surgeon, scientist, and writer Dr. Paul Fedak for an honest look at the hidden cost of excellence in medicine. Dr. Fedak shares the story of the injury that forced him out of the operating room and into a profound reckoning with identity, purpose, and the culture of silence that surrounds clinician suffering.Drawing from years as Professor at the University of Calgary and Director of the Libin Cardiovascular Institute, he unpacks why perfectionism is so common in medical training, how surgeons learn to mask pain behind composure, and why emotional detachment has long been mistaken for professionalism. Together they explore the unseen burden clinicians carry, the pressure to perform without pause, and the moments when the mask finally cracks.Dr. Fedak speaks candidly about ego death, vulnerability, and rebuilding a life after losing the work that once defined him. He describes the colleagues who opened up only after he shared his own story, highlighting how connection and honesty can transform a profession built on quiet endurance.This episode examines the human side of medicine that rarely makes it into textbooks. Identity. Injury. Recovery. Presence. What it means to care for others while trying to stay whole yourself.A moving conversation for anyone in healthcare or anyone who has ever struggled with the weight of impossible expectations.Paul Fedak, MD, PhD's website : paulfedak.comEpisode Takeaways1. Surgeons are trained to push through pain, not acknowledge it.Medical culture rewards resilience and persistence, but that same conditioning prevents clinicians from recognizing and responding to their own injuries.2. Perfectionism is wired into medical training.Traits like list making, obsessive task completion, and performance under observation are common in medicine and often go unexamined despite their psychological cost.3. The mask of competence becomes automatic.Clinicians become so skilled at hiding distress that even close colleagues fail to notice warning signs. This silence leaves suffering invisible.4. Vulnerability creates connection and protects lives.When Dr. Fedak shared his story, dozens of peers came forward with their own hidden experiences. Openness is not weakness. It is safety.5. Ergonomic injuries in surgery are far more common than most people realize.The physical demands of operating are intense, yet surgeons lack the protections that other healthcare workers receive.6. Leadership shows the true burden physicians carry.Once in leadership roles, clinicians see the depth of burnout, fear, and quiet endurance happening behind the scenes.7. Losing the identity of “surgeon” creates an existential crisis.Stepping out of the operating room forced a complete reevaluation of purpose, ego, and self worth.8. Technical excellence is not the full measure of a doctor.Relational skill, empathy, presence, and human connection matter just as much as procedural skill.9. Medicine needs protected space for reflection.Without pause and presence, clinicians lose touch with themselves and the people they care for. Healing requires time, community, and grounding.10. System structures shape clinician wellbeing.The fee for service model rewards quantity over recovery, creating pressures that make self care feel impossible.11. Paying clinicians to care for themselves could change outcomes.If mental health visits, ergonomic care, and recovery time were compensated, more clinicians would seek help early.Episode Timestamps07:10 How one surgeon’s work related injury forced a career pivot and a deeper conversation about wellbeing.08:25 The secret stories colleagues shared only after Paul opened up about his own suffering.10:30 Independent contractor status and why doctors lack the ergonomic protections nurses receive.13:00 The unseen emotional toll behind surgical careers and what leadership reveals about clinician suffering.16:00 Training teaches perseverance, but injury demands honesty. The conflict surgeons are never taught to navigate.17:28 Medical trainees and perfectionism. Why obsessive traits are six times more common in medicine.19:10 When the mask becomes permanent. How clinicians hide distress even from each other.20:00 Two tragic losses and the lessons Paul learned about checking in with colleagues.22:00 Vulnerability as leadership. Why sharing your story opens the door for others to heal.28:57 Did speaking out come with professional risks. What changed when Paul stopped protecting his own ego.31:55 Losing the identity of “surgeon.” The ego death that followed leaving the operating room.33:40 Beyond technical mastery. Why excellence must include human connection, empathy, and presence.34:46 How medicine can “create space” for reflection, grounding, and real conversations.37:50 The hidden financial pressures behind surgical work and how billing shapes clinician behavior.DISCLAMER >>>>>>    The Ditch Lab Coat podcast serves solely for general informational purposes and does not serve as a substitute for professional medical services such as medicine or nursing. It does not establish a doctor/patient relationship, and the use of information from the podcast or linked materials is at the user's own risk. The content does not aim to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and users should promptly seek guidance from healthcare professionals for any medical conditions.   >>>>>> The expressed opinions belong solely to the hosts and guests, and they do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Hospitals, Clinics, Universities, or any other organization associated with the host or guests.    Disclosures: Ditch The Lab Coat podcast is produced by (Podkind.co) and is independent of Dr. Bonta's teaching and research roles at McMaster University, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and Queens University. 

Clinical psychologist Dr. Chloe Carmichael joins Dr. Mark Bonta for an important and timely conversation about free speech, emotional regulation, and the psychology of open dialogue. Drawing on her clinical work and her new book, Dr. Carmichael explains how suppressing opinions affects stress, anxiety, and even physical health. She describes her own experience with media self censorship, the impact of masking policies during COVID, and how moving from New York to Florida revealed the mental health benefits of open discussion.The episode explores how naming emotions reduces amygdala activity, how repressing thoughts can lead to acting out, and why honest conversation promotes neural coupling and lowers cortisol. Together they examine bullying, victimhood, groupthink, and how language can unintentionally shut down dialogue instead of inviting clarity and connection.Listeners will learn practical tools for navigating political disagreements, managing emotional overload during difficult conversations, and practicing reflective listening to stay grounded and curious rather than reactive.Dr. Carmichael’s message is simple and powerful. Dialogue matters. Open conversation strengthens emotional regulation, builds healthier relationships, and supports mental clarity. Her invitation to the audience is to have more honest disagreements and to rediscover the psychological value of speaking freely.Dr. Chloe Carmichael Link : https://www.drchloe.com/Episode Takeaways1. Free Speech Supports Mental Health: Speaking openly improves emotional regulation, strengthens relationships, and reduces anxiety.2. Suppressing Thoughts Has Consequences:Bottling emotions disrupts emotional processing and can lead to acting out, stress, and internal tension.3. Labeling Emotions Lowers Fear Response: Simply naming what we feel reduces amygdala activation and increases clarity and control.4. Self Censorship Takes a Psychological Toll: Avoiding truthful expression to fit social expectations erodes authenticity and increases distress.5. Groupthink Is Dangerous: Institutions that suppress debate become vulnerable to poor decisions and intellectual stagnation.6. Open Disagreement Is Healthy: Learning to disagree politely strengthens community bonds rather than damaging them.7. Authoritarian Environments Harm Wellbeing: Chronic suppression of speech leads to anxiety, helplessness, and depressive patterns across populations.8. Language Can Shut Down Dialogue: Words like bullying or victim can be used as shields, stopping rational discussion and reflection.9. Listening Does Not Mean Agreeing: Separating listening from endorsement allows conversations to stay civil and productive.Episode Timestamps01:23 – Dr. Carmichael’s clinical background and early media experience03:40 – Moving from New York to Florida over masking policies04:38 – Mark on masking, speech development, and emotional suppression06:32 – Why naming emotions lowers amygdala activity07:00 – Emotional suppression and how bottling feelings leads to acting out10:00 – Media censorship and limiting acceptable viewpoints13:00 – Listening versus agreeing and the psychology of disagreement17:00 – Thought replacement as a tool for staying grounded20:00 – Why political conversations feel dangerous and how to navigate them24:00 – Groupthink in institutions and intellectual environments26:32 – How suppressing discussion harms innovation and clarity27:10 – Authoritarian environments and mental health consequences28:16 – Living with hidden thoughts and long term anxiety30:24 – The power of labels like bullying to shut down dialogue32:00 – Victimhood culture and the upside down bully victim dynamic35:45 – Why shutting down dialogue creates conflict rather than reducing it40:16 – Dr. Carmichael’s call for more open, happy disagreements42:21 – Closing reflections and holiday dinner table dynamics42:52 – Invitation to join discussion groups with her book purchaseDISCLAMER >>>>>>    The Ditch Lab Coat podcast serves solely for general informational purposes and does not serve as a substitute for professional medical services such as medicine or nursing. It does not establish a doctor/patient relationship, and the use of information from the podcast or linked materials is at the user's own risk. The content does not aim to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and users should promptly seek guidance from healthcare professionals for any medical conditions.   >>>>>> The expressed opinions belong solely to the hosts and guests, and they do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Hospitals, Clinics, Universities, or any other organization associated with the host or guests.    Disclosures: Ditch The Lab Coat podcast is produced by (Podkind.co) and is independent of Dr. Bonta's teaching and research roles at McMaster University, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and Queens University. 

In this powerful conversation, Matteo Esposito shares the story that shaped his mission to help others reclaim their lives from addiction and mental illness. Matteo is a Certified Addiction Recovery Coach and co-founder of Invisible Challenge, a movement focused on ending the stigma around invisible illnesses including bipolar disorder, substance use disorders, and suicidality.Mark and Matteo explore the difficult reality of dual diagnosis, the limits of our current system, and the lived experience behind manic episodes, depression, and the pull of addiction. Matteo explains how suffering, time, and honest acceptance led him to recovery, and why connection is often stronger than willpower alone.They discuss the gaps in psychiatry, the trial and error of medications, the danger of self-medication, the unpredictable nature of relapse, and the emotional toll on families who walk beside a loved one in crisis. Matteo also opens up about rebuilding his life, repairing relationships, and using his lived experience to support others who are still trying to find their footing.This is an honest and deeply human look at mental illness, addiction, and what it truly takes to heal.Matteo Esposito, Certified Addiction Recovery Coach : https://invisiblechallenge.org/Episode Takeaways 1. Invisible illnesses are often dismissed because they do not show up on scans, yet they can be as disabling as any physical condition.2. Dual diagnosis is complex. Treating bipolar disorder and addiction separately does not work. Both must be addressed together.3. Self medication hides deeper problems. Many people use alcohol or cannabis to manage anxiety, insomnia, or early psychiatric symptoms.4. Mania has clear warning signs. Loss of sleep, high energy, pressured speech, and risky decisions are red flags that should never be ignored.5. Addiction is a brain illness. It is not a moral failure, not a weakness, and not a lack of willpower.6. Suffering often precedes change. For many people, the turning point comes only after repeated lows and accumulated exhaustion.7. Connection is protective. Recovery becomes possible when someone is surrounded by people who understand the journey.8. Professional guidance matters. Matteo credits his progress to finally following recommendations from clinicians instead of relying on his own judgment.9. Peer support accelerates healing. Helping others in recovery strengthens sobriety and reduces the risk of relapse.10. Families carry their own burden. Loving someone with addiction or mental illness is heavy, complex, and often painful.11. Recovery is a daily commitment. Even years later, it is maintained one decision and one day at a time.12. Hope is a vital tool. Matteo reminds anyone struggling that change is possible, suffering is not permanent, and no one is alone in the process.Episode Timestamps 01:27 – Matteo describes entering the mental health system and navigating inconsistent levels of care. 02:21 – Mark breaks down substance use disorders and explains the limits of current treatments. 03:38 – Matteo discusses early experiences with psychiatrists and the difficulty of treating substance use and bipolar disorder together. 04:39 – Matteo explains when his mania first escalated and how substances intensified the symptoms. 05:49 – Matteo talks about the relationship between depression, self-medication, and worsening addiction. 06:11 – Mark explains why people self-medicate with alcohol or cannabis when their mind starts to unravel. 07:11 – Matteo shares how he gained partial stability with bipolar disorder before realizing his addiction was growing. 08:20 – Matteo describes the moment he recognized he had lost control over weed and alcohol. 09:57 – Mark explains the difference between mood disorders and personality disorders and why bipolar is often misunderstood. 10:23 – Matteo identifies the behavioral warning signs of mania, including loss of sleep, pressured speech, and risky decisions. 12:24 – Mark explains mood-stabilizing therapy and how medications level out extreme highs and lows. 12:47 – Matteo reflects on the importance of connection as the opposite of addiction. 14:30 – Matteo explains why suffering and time were the two forces that finally pushed him toward recovery. 15:54 – Mark outlines why addiction treatment has low success rates and why relapse is common. 17:24 – Matteo discusses peer support and how helping others helps him stay sober. 20:47 – Matteo describes how following professional guidance instead of his own instincts became a turning point. 23:13 – Matteo reflects on repairing relationships with family and how addiction strains loved ones. 25:08 – Matteo discusses how families struggle with the line between love and enabling. 27:29 – Matteo shares words of encouragement for people who feel hopeless in addiction or mental illness. 30:45 – Mark and Matteo discuss therapy, lived experience, and the need for ongoing self-awareness in recovery. DISCLAMER >>>>>>    The Ditch Lab Coat podcast serves solely for general informational purposes and does not serve as a substitute for professional medical services such as medicine or nursing. It does not establish a doctor/patient relationship, and the use of information from the podcast or linked materials is at the user's own risk. The content does not aim to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and users should promptly seek guidance from healthcare professionals for any medical conditions.   >>>>>> The expressed opinions belong solely to the hosts and guests, and they do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Hospitals, Clinics, Universities, or any other organization associated with the host or guests.    Disclosures: Ditch The Lab Coat podcast is produced by (Podkind.co) and is independent of Dr. Bonta's teaching and research roles at McMaster University, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and Queens University.