Dr. Betsy Dovec was one of the busiest bariatric surgeons in the country when she made a decision that shocked many of her colleagues: she walked away from a secure, high-paying hospital position to build her own practice and surgery center from the ground up.

In this episode of FEM, MD, Betsy shares the behind-the-scenes reality of launching Body by Bariatrics, navigating non-competes, securing a $12 million loan, building an ambulatory surgery center, and leading a growing healthcare business. She also discusses how GLP-1 medications are changing the bariatric landscape, why she believes traditional hospital-employed bariatric programs are facing major disruption, and what it takes to balance entrepreneurship, surgery, and motherhood.

If you've ever wondered whether it's possible to build a medical practice on your own terms, this conversation is packed with practical lessons on risk-taking, leadership, resilience, and creating a life that aligns with your ambitions.

Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd

Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md

Guest: Dr. Elizabeth "Betsy" Dovec

Connect with Betsy: @drdovec

https://bodybybariatrics.com/

Produced by: The Hippocratic Collective

See more shows and content at hippocratic-collective.com

On this episode of FEM, MD, Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Natalie Krane for a candid conversation about the surprising overlap between elite athletics and surgical training. From Division I soccer and career-ending injuries to residency culture, burnout, performance psychology, and personal wellness, they unpack the coping mechanisms that make high-achieving women successful — and the ways those same traits can quietly erode long-term wellbeing.

The two surgeons discuss restorative breathing in the operating room, microbreaks during surgery, the psychology of performance under pressure, protecting life outside the hospital, and why “even baddies get saddies.” They also reflect on ambition, retirement, identity outside medicine, and the realization that women are allowed to “take up more space” — in medicine and in life.

This episode is for every woman in medicine who has ever pushed through exhaustion, ignored her body’s signals, or wondered what it means to build a sustainable life alongside a meaningful career.

Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd

Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md

Guest: Dr. Natalie Krane

Connect with Natalie @drnataliekrane

https://drnataliekrane.com/

Produced by: The Hippocratic Collective

See more shows and content at hippocratic-collective.com

What happens when a long-term marriage evolves beyond monogamy?

In this episode of FEM, MD, Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with clinical psychologist and relationship coach Dr. Rachel Meir to explore what it actually looks like to open a relationship—and why more people are questioning traditional models of love.

Dr. Meir shares her personal story of being married for over 20 years before coming out as bisexual, opening her marriage, and ultimately building a committed triad relationship. Together, they unpack the emotional, logistical, and cultural realities of non-monogamy—from communication and jealousy to family reactions and societal expectations.

This conversation isn’t just about polyamory. It’s about identity, honesty, and what it means to build a relationship that actually fits your life.

In this episode, they discuss:

• What polyamory actually is (and what it isn’t)
• Opening a long-term marriage—how it really happens
• Jealousy, insecurity, and emotional regulation
• The logistics of a “throuple” relationship
• Navigating family, career, and social judgment
• How communication—not structure—is what makes relationships work
• Why vulnerability is the foundation of any healthy relationship

Whether you’re curious about non-traditional relationships or simply want a deeper understanding of connection, this episode will challenge assumptions about love, commitment, and what’s possible.

Subscribe for more conversations on career, identity, and modern womanhood in medicine.

Dr. Rachael Meir is a sex-positive, LGBTQIA+ affirming, and kink-aware psychologist and sex/relationship coach who helps people explore ethical non-monogamy—including polyamory, open relationships, and swinging— without the fear of judgment, jealousy, or damaged relationships. As a bisexual woman in a polyamorous triad with her partners, Aaron and Kasey, she brings both personal and professional expertise. Dr. Meir is the author of 50 Questions to Ask Before Opening Your Relationship, a practical and compassionate guide to help individuals and couples navigate non-monogamy with confidence and clarity.

Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd

Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md

Guest: Dr. Rachel Meir

Connect with Rachel: @drrachaelmeircoaching

https://www.drrachaelmeir.com/retreat-2026 - Thriving Throuples Retreat https://www.drrachaelmeir.com/

Produced by: The Hippocratic Collective

See more shows and content at hippocratic-collective.com

What does it actually take to build a successful surgical practice—and a life outside of it?

In this episode of FEM, MD, Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Lindsey Pennington to talk about the realities of modern surgical careers: from patient red flags and pricing decisions to working with your spouse, motherhood, and building a business that’s actually sustainable.

They get candid about the “era of yes” early in your career, why learning to say no is critical, and how protecting your time can completely change your practice—and your life.

Dr. Pennington also shares:

• The biggest patient red flags (and why ignoring them backfires)
• How she built and scaled her private practice
• What it’s really like working with your husband in the OR
• The tradeoffs between revenue, time, and family
• Why she stopped focusing on money—and what happened instead
• Leadership, burnout, and the shift from surgeon to CEO

This is a conversation about ambition, boundaries, and building a career on your own terms.

Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd

Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md

Guest: Lindsey Pennington, MD

Connect with Lindsey: @penningtonfacialplastics

https://penningtonfacialplastics.com/

Produced by: The Hippocratic Collective

See more shows and content at hippocratic-collective.com

What if the most dangerous relationships don’t look dangerous at first?

In this episode of FEM, MD, Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with psychotherapist Vanessa Reiser to unpack the reality of narcissistic abuse—how it starts, why it’s so hard to leave, and why even highly trained professionals aren’t immune.

From love bombing and future faking to gaslighting and trauma bonding, this conversation breaks down the patterns that keep people stuck—and the subtle warning signs most of us miss. Vanessa also shares her own story of escaping an abusive relationship and spending years navigating a system that often fails victims.

They explore:

• The difference between narcissistic traits vs. narcissistic personality disorder
• Why some “dark traits” can actually fuel professional success
• The cycle of abuse—and why it feels addictive
• Red flags in dating that are often dismissed as “personality quirks”
• Why autonomy—not avoidance—is the real protection
• How to support a friend without pushing them further in

This is not just about relationships. It’s about power, identity, and the uncomfortable truth that not everyone is wired the same way.

If you’ve ever felt confused, drained, or like you’re losing yourself in a relationship—this episode will help you name it.

And once you can name it, you can start to leave it.

Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd

Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md

Guest: Vanessa Reiser, LCSW

Connect with Vanessa: @vanessareiserlcsw

https://morewithbrookemartin.com/

Narcissistic Abuse: A Therapist’s Guide to Identifying, Escaping, and Healing from Toxic and Manipulative People: https://www.amazon.com/Narcissistic-Abuse-Therapists-Identifying-Manipulative/dp/0306833174

Presented by: ‪@HippocraticCollective‬

Vanessa Reiser is a mother, author, entrepreneur, 2X Ironman and psychotherapist licensed in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Florida, specializing in narcissistic and cult abuse. She is also the founder of Tell a Therapist, LLC and is best known for her run across the state of New York (285 miles in 11 days) in a wedding dress to raise awareness for narcissistic abuse. She also subsequently ran across NJ, CT, MA & RI with plans to traverse Maryland June 5, 2026. Her insights are both personal and professional, giving her a unique lens into this insidious form of domestic abuse. She recently published "Narcissistic Abuse: A Therapist's Guide to Identifying, Escaping, and Healing from Toxic and Manipulative People," available at Hachettebookgroup.com

Vanessa holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Southern California with a focus on community organizing. Vanessa is also a social media influencer, sharing life-changing information that is educational and validating to those impacted by narcissistic abuse. Vanessa has been interviewed by prestigious news and media outlets like People Magazine, The New York Times, Fox News, MSN, and The New York Post.

In this special episode of FEM MD, the tables turn.

Host Dr. Lauren Umstattd steps into the hot seat as she’s interviewed by her cousin, former Emmy-winning journalist Brooke Martin. What follows is an unfiltered look at the woman behind the brand—surgeon, founder, mother, and builder of one of the most sought-after facial plastic practices in the Midwest.

They cover:

1. What it actually takes to build a surgical practice from the ground up
2. The myth of a “flawless” medical career—and what failure really looked like
3. Confidence, imposter syndrome, and learning to trust yourself
4. The emotional reality of surgery (for both doctor and patient)
5. Work, motherhood, and the truth about “balance”
6. Why she believes you don’t need to rush your life

This is a rare, behind-the-scenes conversation about ambition, identity, and choosing your life on your own terms.

If you’ve ever wondered what it really looks like to build something from nothing—this episode is it.

Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd

Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md

Guest: Brooke Martin

Connect with Brooke: @brookemartin.tv

https://morewithbrookemartin.com/

Controlled Burn: https://store.dexteritybooks.com/prod...

Presented by: ‪@HippocraticCollective‬

In this episode of Fem MD, Dr. Lauren Umstattd speaks with Marta Ravin—Emmy-nominated executive producer, showrunner, TEDx speaker, and creator of Personality Hire, a framework focused on the human skills AI can’t replace.

Marta shares her deeply personal journey with body image, weight, and identity, shaped by early childhood experiences, cultural pressures of the ’80s and ’90s, and decades in entertainment. She opens up about her recent life transitions, including an 80-pound weight loss using GLP-1 medications—exploring not just the physical changes, but the mental “peace” these drugs brought by quieting lifelong food noise.

Together, Marta and Dr. Umstattd unpack the long-term psychological impact of growing up in weight-focused environments, the realities of dieting culture, the promise and risks of GLP-1 medications, and how these drugs may reshape society, Hollywood, and expectations around thinness.

Marta Ravin is an Emmy-nominated executive producer, showrunner and writer who has redefined the landscape of television by seamlessly blending comedy, culture and unforgettable storytelling.

With roots as a stand-up comic featured on Comedy Central, Marta has been the creative force behind some of television’s most iconic moments, including MTV’s TRL, Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards, Love & Hip Hop reunions, and she created TLC’s Long Island Medium. She most recently served as Executive Producer of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Reunion, and is currently the Executive Producer of Fanatics Fest, continuing to push the boundaries of storytelling, brand partnerships and fandom.

Known for her collaborative leadership style, Marta builds and guides high-performing creative teams while mentoring emerging producers and talent across the entertainment landscape.

Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd

Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md

Guest: Marta Ravin

Connect with Marta:

@martaravin

https://www.martaravinproductions.com/

Presented by: @HippocraticCollective

In this powerful episode of FEM, MD, Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with ENT surgeon-turned-author Frances Mei Hardin to discuss her debut memoir and the hidden emotional cost of surgical training.

Frances Mei speaks candidly about the anger she carried out of residency and how writing became the vehicle that transformed it. From resident-on-resident hostility and weaponized reporting systems to the psychological toll of perfectionism, sleep deprivation, and hierarchy in the OR, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what many physicians experience but rarely say out loud.

They explore:

• The cultural legacy of The House of God — and why its themes still ring true

• How narrative nonfiction differs from anonymous venting and why accountability matters

• Neurodivergence as both vulnerability and superpower in medicine

• The role of hypnosis therapy in healing trauma and reclaiming focus

• Perfectionism, emotional intelligence, and the cost of brittle excellence

• Psychological safety in the operating room and how hierarchy without respect harms patient care

• Resident-on-resident toxicity and the bystander effect in surgical culture

Frances Mei shares what it means to “write through the anger." What began as revenge writing evolved into a reckoning with her own blind spots, emotional immaturity, and survival mechanisms. The result is a memoir that examines burnout, identity, agency, and reinvention inside academic medicine.

If you are a medical student, resident, attending physician, or simply someone navigating ambition in a high-pressure field — this episode will resonate.

📖 Surgeon on the Edge is available wherever books are sold.

🎟️ Book tour stops include NYC, Cleveland, Chicago, Philly and more.

Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd

Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md

Guest: Dr. Frances Mei Hardin

Connect with Frances Mei:

@francesmeimd

https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/members/frances-mei-hardin-md

Presented by: @HippocraticCollective