The third year of medical school is widely recognized for its introduction to clinical rotations and being one of the most demanding phases. This period comes with complex expectations, where learning and knowing go hand in hand. It's a pivotal year that refines medical skills and shapes the practices and identities of future physicians. And navigating authenticity in the demanding medical field can be challenging, as the risk of losing parts of yourself to the process becomes a big danger....

Some of us are innate people-pleasers, and it is important to set boundaries and realize it's okay to say, "no." Lack of boundaries for yourself can lead to physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion. Establishing boundaries during medical training is especially important for preventing burnout and resentment of your career choice in the long run. Practicing boundary setting doesn’t have to be a big dramatic change in the way you live your life, it can come in little ways through small steps....

Choosing a medical specialty can be a daunting process for many medical students. Whether driven by genuine passion for the work or influenced by societal stereotypes, the journey is often filled with uncertainty about finding the right fit and avoiding the fear of making the wrong choice. There is a misconception that your chosen specialty should be your one true calling. And while that may be the case for some, it certainly is not the complete story for others. It is important to give...

There are no perfect patients, and it's crucial to acknowledge that doctors are not perfect either. As humans, we are bound to make mistakes. However, the medical learning environment and the pressure to attain perfection can contribute to imposter syndrome and impede professional—and personal—growth. In S6E16, Leen, Margaux, Hạ, and Lina talk about the pressures to be "perfect," the illusion of perfectionism in the field of medicine, and encourage embracing imperfections and recognizing the...

The shift in roles and responsibilities from medical student to resident can be nerve-wracking. Add to the anxiety and stress if you are relocating away from a familiar support system. Prepping for their moves post-matching, in S6E15, Lina and Hạ talk with Leen about the challenges of transitioning from medical school to residency, relocating, and the importance of staying true to your identities while building a supportive community and finding like-minded people in a new environment.

Entering the field of medicine is often filled with excitement and a sense of purpose. The prospect of healing and making a difference in people's lives can be exhilarating. However, as many healthcare professionals can relate, the reality of working in medicine can also lead to burnout and a loss of connection to one's initial motivations. Nearing the end of their third year of residency, in S6E14, Margaux, Leen, and Harjit revisit the complexities of burnout, and talk candidly and honestly...

Many of us can relate to the feeling that life loses its magic and wonder as we age and mature. We often get bogged down by responsibilities and the stress of adulthood, and it's easy to forget the innocence and carefreeness we once had as children. But it doesn't have to be this way. In S6E13, Mariam, Harjit, and Margaux discuss their childhood dreams and wishes, reflect on how their aspirations as children have shaped the people they are today, and share letters they've dedicated to their...

As humans, it's important we take the time to listen to and understand the stories of where people come from. We can often forget that each story in history is unique, even within families. The stories and narratives of Indigenous people are very different than those of people who have emigrated to the United States. However, the uplifting of Indigenous voices and stories can be difficult in many spaces. In S6E12, Harjit talks to Annabah and Jean Glasser—sisters and medical students—about...

Race and ethnicity are important components of our identity—a significant role in shaping our experiences, beliefs, values, and attitudes—and can help define and give us a sense of belonging to a larger community. But as we've grown to appreciate the similarities, we should also learn to recognize and embrace the diversity within each racial and ethnic group. In S6E11, Hạ and Harjit discuss the complexities of defining identity and creating community in a society that can often view their...

Revolution refers to radical change in the established order of a society. Revolutions can be sparked by various factors such as economic inequality, political oppression, cultural hegemony, and social injustice. History books often tell us about revolutions led by men. But, so many revolutions have also been women-led. In honor of women in history, women today, and women of the future, in S6E10 of BUNDLE OF HERS, Harjit and Lina discuss the importance of women's role in leading change and...

Language has a profound impact on our identity and culture. The way we communicate, express ourselves, and share our beliefs and customs is deeply intertwined with language. Language goes beyond spoken words and can include nonverbal cues such as body language and tone of voice. In healthcare, using familiar language can make all the difference in a patient's healing process. In S6E9, Lina, Margaux, and Hạ discuss the importance of language to their identities, and why using trauma-informed...

Working in medicine demands an enormous amount of dedication and effort, which often results in grueling work schedules that require doctors and other medical professionals to put in upwards of 80 hours of work per week, six days a week. This rigorous schedule leaves little time for rest, recovery, and a healthy work-life balance. Quality patient care is jeopardized when our own mental, emotional, and physical health is at risk. In S6E8, Margaux, Lina, and Mariam candidly discuss the history...

Grief can manifest in different ways for different people, and it is important to acknowledge there is no right or wrong way to feel grief. Beyond understanding the emotional response to loss, we should learn to recognize the physical, cognitive, behavioral, social, cultural, spiritual, and philosophical dimensions of grief. The human side of medicine is creating a safe and supportive space for patients and their families—as well as healthcare providers—as they navigate the difficult journey...

Everyone is shaped by war in one form or another, regardless of background or origin. War not only affects those on the battlefield but also weighs on citizens and communities. As healthcare providers, there is a need to be mindful of the trauma experienced by patients and to approach their care with empathy and understanding. In S6E6, Harjit, Margaux, and Hạ share their narratives of collective identity and how it is shaped by experiences of war, and talk about the complexities of war and...

Advocacy work can sometimes be conflated with identity. When you have placed so much time and energy into something, it can be easy for it to consume all of who you are. But you are more than your advocacy work, and your continued drive to create change does not have to be all that you are. In S6E5, Hạ talks to Karishma Shah, MD/PhD candidate at University of Utah School of Medicine, and Victoria Ngo, MS4 at Virginia Commonwealth University, about how their advocacy work within the confines...

Shame is an emotional experience when our social bonds are threatened—it is a feeling of distress, even humiliation, and is often caused by the consciousness of wrong. Shame exists in all communities, even medicine, and usually, involves someone else's point of view. In S6E4, Leen, Harjit, and Lina share experiences of shame in their personal and professional lives, and discuss how to process shame in the field of medicine.

Conforming to the system and society's expectations to achieve success and respect is not a new concept. As medical students and residents, there are certain boxes and identities we are expected to fit into. But more often than not, conforming to the status quo further separates us from the communities we hope to take care of. In S6E3, Lina, Hạ, and Leen discuss finding strength and empowerment in their authentic selves, and share stories of restricted identities and how the experiences...

The topic of women's beauty standards has been talked about for centuries. And as women entered the workforce, gendered social control increased regulations on what a woman should wear, how she should do her makeup, and even the hair on her body. For women, hairless and smooth skin has long been a social standard that signifies beauty—more than 99% of US women voluntarily remove some form of body hair. But body hair removal goes much deeper than the surface. In S6E2, Margaux, Leen, and Lina...

BUNDLE OF HERS returns with conversations and stories of identity. Not what people want you to be, and not what you are supposed to do—what does it mean, and how does it look to be you on your terms and by your identities as you define them? In the season six premiere, we further expand the discussions of what it means to be your true authentic self.

Cold opens are a technique commonly used in television storytelling to grab the audience’s attention and keep them from channel surfing. BUNDLE OF HERS uses cold opens as well—the random bit before the intro music starts. During the early episodes, in an effort to have more comfortable conversations, our producer gave us talking points before each episode. From how our days went, to our worst phobias. Five seasons in, we've gradually gotten accustomed to cold opens and start each episode with...

In the second part of our two-part fifth season finale, Margaux, Leen, and Harjit share stories about their experiences as medical residents, reflecting on how they've grown as both physicians and people. BOH's veteran voices discuss burnout—why they feel jaded and tired—and talk about discovering ways to go back to their passion for medicine and prioritizing patients in the new year.

In the first part of our two-part fifth season finale, Mariam, Hạ, and Lina look back on their first season of sharing narratives and stories on BUNDLE OF HERS, and talk about the importance of community as they reflect on the highs and lows of medical school. In true confession form, the newest voices of BOH go through some of their expectations for medical school vs reality—rounding out the season with manifestations for the next year.

Trauma—physical, emotional, and mental—can be passed down to us from our parents and family members in the way we are raised. As defined by the Office for Institutional Equity at Duke—Inter-generational trauma is a concept developed to help explain years of generational challenges within families. It is the transmission or sending down to younger generations, of the oppressive or traumatic effects of a historical event. In an intimate conversation, Mariam and Lina reflect on intergenerational...

Throughout our formal education and extending into our professional careers, most of us will have participated in some form of mandatory surveys, ranging from feedback for thought leaders to problem-solving conflict resolutions. You provide your thoughts and opinions... then what? The ideal is change happens. But how is the gathered information and data used? Is it even used, or is it a practice of tokenism? The unfortunate truth is it takes more effort to make change than it does surveying...

Awareness of your inner child can bring more fulfilled, lighter, carefree years during adulthood. Inner Child Work is healing childhood experiences and recognizing how those experiences come out in the way we behave and react as adults. Reconnecting with one’s inner child is evaluating and healing the parts of one’s self that perhaps didn’t get attention during childhood. In S5E21, Margaux and Harjit reflect on their childhoods, and how their experiences have carried with them through the way...