We name the hard parts of being married to medicine during the holidays and trade perfection for a plan that fits real life. From Big Three priorities to warm boundary scripts, we share ways to feel less alone, more present, and more connected.

• expectations versus reality for physician families
• emotional load and invisible work during the season
• loneliness even in full houses
• guilt over frustration and comparison
• Big Three priorities to reduce stress
• celebrate when you can, not when you should
• planned micro-connection with a working spouse
• kind boundary scripts with extended family
• building a micro village for support
• anchor traditions that are simple and repeatable

If the holidays feel more complicated than cozy this year, you are not alone. This episode offers reassurance, practical tools, and a reminder that small, intentional moments still matter.

If you enjoyed this episode, I would love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it with others.

DM me on Instagram or email me at amanda@abtnhomes.com with your thoughts, topic ideas, questions, or even guest suggestions.

We talk with Rachel Thibault about turning survival into growth during medical training, from having a baby during MS3 to supporting a new neurosurgery resident while working full-time. She shares practical systems, community-building steps, and a free guide for med spouses.

• key moments from college to match and residency
• baby during MS3 and specialty choice pressure
• shift from comparison and martyr mindset to agency
• work boundaries, four tens, and nanny share structure
• nightly no-phone dinners and micro-rituals for connection
• how the free med spouse survival guide helps partners
• finding community fast after match and avoiding isolation
• early-stage nonprofit to support residents in crisis
• identity beyond roles in motherhood, marriage, and work
• seasonal thinking, resilience, and paying it forward

Grab Rachel’s free guides at Life of a MedSpouse on Instagram via the link in bio and follow for more information; 100% of proceeds from other products support the nonprofit creation.

If you enjoyed this episode, I would love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it with others.

DM me on Instagram or email me at amanda@abtnhomes.com with your thoughts, topic ideas, questions, or even guest suggestions.

We push past the “must be nice” stereotype of being married to a doctor and share the lived reality: late dinners, missed plans, debt, and deep pride. We reframe glamour as small wins, teamwork, and patience, and offer a weekly challenge to answer with grace and truth.

• the “must be nice” myth and why it sticks
• late cases, canceled plans, and solo events
• financial pressure in training and early practice
• invisible labor, loneliness, and emotional load
• resilience, resourcefulness, and small wins
• redefining glamour as alignment, rest, and presence
• a script for graceful, honest responses
• community, pride, and long‑view perspective

Share it with another medical spouse who gets it, or feel free to tag me in stories, tell me what your version of glamorous looks like these days because I love to hear your real life moments.

If you enjoyed this episode, I would love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it with others.

DM me on Instagram or email me at amanda@abtnhomes.com with your thoughts, topic ideas, questions, or even guest suggestions.

We launch Ask Amanda with three raw questions about friendships on impossible schedules, resentment in medical marriage, and finding identity beyond labels. We share practical ways to keep connections alive, name hard feelings without guilt, and rebuild a life that feels like yours.

• micro‑moments for friendship when plans keep canceling
• showing up with intention over frequency
• acknowledging resentment without shame
• building pockets of joy and self‑care
• communicating needs and logistics separately
• reclaiming identity beyond spouse and parent roles
• setting small goals that compound into momentum
• inviting community support for shared challenges

If you enjoyed this episode, I would love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it with another physician spouse.

DM me on Instagram or email me at amanda@abtnhomes.com with your thoughts, topic ideas, questions, or even guest suggestions.

We get honest about how weird adult friendship can feel and why waiting to be invited no longer works. Practical ideas, simple scripts, and a one-week challenge make building your circle feel doable and less awkward.

• why friendship feels harder with adult responsibilities
• designing community on purpose, not by chance
• where to meet people in medical circles and beyond
• kids’ activities as low-friction connection points
• church and values-based small groups for depth
• interest groups that create easy repetition
• using social media DMs to spark real-life coffee
• simple invites and scripts that reduce awkwardness
• embracing seasonal friendships without guilt
• one-week challenge to make a first move

Please feel free to text me, send me a DM, and I would love to meet up with you in person.

If you enjoyed this episode, I would love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it with another physician spouse.

DM me on Instagram or email me at amanda@abtnhomes.com with your thoughts, topic ideas, questions, or even guest suggestions.

We share Lauren Dumont’s journey from a beloved kindergarten classroom to finding Little Minds Big Futures while navigating family medicine residency. The talk blends growth mindset, identity, and practical literacy support for K–5 readers.

• PGY2 realities and why timing rarely feels perfect
• Leaving a career and moving provinces with grace
• What growth mindset means for kids and adults
• Reframing loss into opportunity and small steps
• Routines that steady hard seasons and loneliness
• Guilt, comparison, and protecting your identity
• Communication, shifting seasons, and shared expectations
• How custom literacy tutoring builds confidence
• K–5 focus on decoding, fluency, and motivation
• How to connect with Lauren for online or Winnipeg sessions

If this episode resonates with you and you wish to connect with Lauren, and to know more about her Little Minds Big Futures tutoring business, please feel free to reach out to her here and also follow her Instagram page. To explore the resources offered by Little Minds Big Futures, please visit this website.

If you enjoyed this episode, I would love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it with another physician spouse.

DM me on Instagram or email me at amanda@abtnhomes.com with your thoughts, topic ideas, questions, or even guest suggestions.

We explore how medical training strains family life and how five simple pillars can rebuild trust, ease resentment, and create more peace at home. Sarah Payne shares practical tools for calmer conversations, stronger self-talk, and small daily habits that change the tone of love.

• life during medical school, residency, and rotations
• distance and missed milestones as hidden costs
• why resentment is a window into unmet needs
• moving from scorekeeping to solutions as a team
• seeing your partner’s highest version with respect
• daily gratitude as attention training
• stillness for less reactivity and better listening
• one person shifting the whole relationship
• first steps to apply the five pillars today
• Sarah’s book, podcast, and ways to connect

Learn more about Sara Payne’s work as a relationship coach and explore her book on her official website and follow her on Instagram for more updates.

If you enjoyed this episode, I would love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it with another physician spouse.

DM me on Instagram or email me at amanda@abtnhomes.com with your thoughts, topic ideas, questions, or even guest suggestions.

We explore the hidden cost of physician burnout on families and why spouses often become the strongest protector against stress and disconnection. Dr. Lisa Muhlenbein shares practical habits, the MedLife Matrix framework, and a clear case for hospitals to include families in well-being programs.

• the 80/20 split of burnout drivers and why organizations must act
• sacrifice, relocation, and loneliness in medical marriages
• how to spot burnout’s ripple at home before it snowballs
• habit stacking for energy, hydration, and gratitude
• building community without a formal alliance
• five-minute daily connection rituals for couples
• the MedLife Matrix linking spouse, physician, organization, patient
• what hospital leaders should change to support families
• resources, quizzes, and an upcoming course
• inclusion notes on dual-physician and LGBTQ families

Just for the listeners here today, I have some bonuses for you. These three goodies, and maybe a few extra surprise ones, are waiting for you at medlifematrix.com/whitecoat. You can grab your exclusive bonuses through the link here. Don’t miss them!

You can also visit Dr. Lisa A. Muehlenbein’s website or follow her on Instagram to learn more about her services and wellness programs.