Motherhood is supposed to be joyful, but for many women it’s also isolating, exhausting, and overwhelming. In this episode of The Expanded MD: Bridging Science and Spirituality, I sit down with clinical counselor Autumn Fowler to explore the realities of burnout in motherhood—what it looks like, why it’s so hard to talk about, and how we can start to lighten the load.

Together we unpack:

• The hidden isolation many new mothers face

• How identity shifts and “shoulding” culture fuel shame and guilt

• Why burnout in motherhood mirrors workplace burnout (but is rarely named)

• The role of the nervous system in how we show up for our families

• Practical steps to move from martyrdom to connection and community

We also share our personal experiences of early motherhood, the guilt of not “doing it all,” and why modeling rest and self-care is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children.

✨ Plus: Hear about our upcoming event, Unburdened: The Experience, on September 28th in Victoria, BC—a half-day retreat designed to help mothers step away from the grind, reconnect with themselves, and find support in community.

In this episode of The Expanded MD Podcast, Dr. Sarah Lea sits down with Kristin Woodford, host of The Routine Queen Podcast, to explore how morning and evening rituals set the tone for the day ahead in more ways that we realize.

Kristin shares her personal journey from feeling lost and exhausted, to achieving vitality through intentional morning rituals. She breaks down how to construct a personalized morning routine, emphasizing the importance of starting with your "why," assessing the time you have, and incorporating activities from physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual "menus."

This conversation is both practical and inspiring - an invitation to rethink how we transition from day to night, and how small, consistent choices ripple into the days and weeks ahead!

🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
• The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson
• Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Dr. Joe Dispenza
• Atomic Habits by James Clear
• The Routine Queen Podcast with Kristen Woodford
• Instagram: @kristenwoodford

✨ Connect with Dr. Sarah Lea

• Instagram: @dr.sarahlea
• Email: hello@drsarahlea.com
• Website: drsarahlea.com

A confounding feeling: within the joy and freedom of summer, there’s often an undercurrent of guilt and stress. Maybe when you’re relaxing, you feel you should be tackling your to-do list. Or when you’re working, you feel guilty for not being fully present with your family. Sound familiar?

In this heartfelt episode of The Expanded MD, Dr. Sarah Lea speaks directly to the weight of “Mom Guilt.” She teases out the difference between destructive and productive guilt, shares strategies to manage the demands of summer, and reminds you of the power of self-compassion. You’ll also hear about Unburdened: The Experience - an upcoming day retreat for parents designed to offer community, support, and practical tools to lighten the load of modern parenting.

Join Sarah as she tries to find solace in connection and practice self-compassion, and check out Dr. Kristin Neff's website and resources for a deeper dive!

In this solo episode of The Expanded MD, Dr. Sarah Lea dives into a topic she’s been… well… resisting. Not resistance training (though that’s valuable too) - but the quiet, powerful pull to stay safe, avoid discomfort, and hide from growth.

If you’ve ever delayed a project, avoided putting yourself out there, or filled your days with “productive” busyness instead of doing the work that truly matters, you’ve already met resistance. And you’re not alone. Dr. Lea shares how resistance has been showing up in her own life - particularly while building her coaching business alongside her medical career - and the fears that fuel it: judgment, failure, and worthiness.

She also explores:

• How to recognize resistance when it’s “hiding in plain sight”
• Why growth is always paired with discomfort
• The link between resistance, shadow work, and identity shifts
• Practical first steps to move through resistance with self-awareness and support

This episode is vulnerable and real - a reminder that what’s needed isn’t more time, but more courage (and community) to take the next step.

🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

📕 On Our Best Behavior by Elise Loehnen
🎙️ Revive Physician Podcast Episode 25 with Dr. Rabia Khan on cultural resilience and identity in medicine

✨ Connect with Dr. Sarah Lea:
📲 Instagram: @dr.sarahlea
💻 Email: hello@drsarahlea.com
🛜 Website: drsarahlea.com

If this episode resonates, reach out via DM or email - she’d love to hear where resistance is showing up for you and how you’re navigating it.

The issues are in the tissues. What do we mean by that?

Today we bring you Part 2 of the Health is Wealth Mini Series, where Dr. Sarah Lea and Rachel Mark dig into what it means to "listen to your body." From becoming more mindful of our basic needs like hunger and sleep - which we're often conditioned to override from a young age - to learning how to respond to signals from our body, from physical sensations to simply mindful listening, it is work a lot of us may feel uncomfortable with - at first.

But it’s essential. Because the goal? To reconnect with ourselves, respond with care, and ultimately feel more in sync with our health.

In this enlightening episode of The Expanded MD Podcast, Dr. Sarah Lea hosts her first guest - Dr. Lawrence Yang, a family physician, quality improvement coach, and fellow expanded MD. Dr. Yang shares his personal journey through burnout, exploring how unconventional, whole-person approaches helped him heal and reconnect with his work and wellbeing. Their conversation delves into the pressures of clinical life, the impact of trauma (especially those from being a child of refugee immigrants), and alternative practices like Reiki, holotropic breathwork, and the significance of self-compassion.

This episode is a must-listen for healthcare practitioners and anyone grappling with burnout, offering a new perspective on resilience, self-care and ultimately - self-acceptance. If you'd like to connect with Dr. Yang or Dr. Sarah Lea directly, you can reach them at:

• Dr. Lawrence Yang on X
• Dr. Lawrence Yang on Instagram
• Dr. Sarah Lea on Instagram
• Dr. Sarah Lea's website

Welcome to The Expanded MD Podcast - where science meets spirituality to transform your thinking and expand your mind. Hosted by Dr. Sara Lea, a family physician, certified executive coach, and keynote speaker, this podcast offers a bi-weekly dose of medical insight infused with spiritual wisdom.

Through storytelling, personal experiences, and expert interviews, we’ll explore the intersection of medical science and spiritual wisdom. Join us as we blend the best of both worlds to elevate your well-being and unlock new possibilities for your health, career, and personal growth.

First episode dropping this Tuesday, April 1st! We would be so greateful for a follow and review.

Check out www.drsarahlea.com to learn more about Dr. Sarah, here to support you in building a reality where you never have to choose between a successful career & leading a fulfilling life!

What does it really mean to be well? Today we're kicking off something a little different, and in our opinion, truly necessary.

In Part I of the Health Is Wealth Mini Series, Dr. Lea introduces Rachel Mark, a registered acupuncturist, integrative health coach, and clinic owner who bridges Eastern and Western approaches to medicine, bringing a truly holistic lens to healing - and a valualbe perspective in the conversation around the interconnectedness of our bodies.

Together, Rachel and Dr. Lea discuss how broad-reaching networks like the nervous system, fascia, hormones, and musculoskeletal structure all work together and therefore must be examined in tandem with any other health concerns. They explore how the interconnectedness of body, mind, and environment empowers healing, and what it means to advocate for your needs in today’s health landscape.

Whether you're navigating your own healing journey or working to support others on theirs, this series is for you.