A warm, story-driven Thanksgiving reflection for physician moms—grounding breathwork, gratitude that doesn’t ignore pain, tiny rituals that build connection, and gentle ways to serve (and receive) without burning out. We borrow steadiness from Sir William Osler’s “equanimity,” remember Dr. King’s call to everyday service, and close with a 2-minute guided Thankful Pause you can do in a kitchen, car, or call room.

Listen for

• An ER story where a 45-second pause changed an entire shift
• “Gratitude as disciplined attention” (how to notice what’s right alongside what’s hard)
• Tammy’s Balcony: why 15 minutes of quiet can create productivity
• Micro-skills for the holiday table and the unit: truth-with-tact scripts, receiving compliments, and small acts of service
• A short guided practice you can replay any time you feel flooded

And you can get started with some Genius Tips for how to set yourself up for a great work week. ⁠⁠Here⁠⁠ are things to schedule on whatever you consider your "Sunday" to do just ⁠⁠⁠⁠that⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Join the Single Mom MD community ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and let's talk more for personalized attention to your specific questions. We look forward to welcoming you.

When you think of additional topics you’d like covered on this podcast, contact me through the chat below and via social media @SingleMomMD.

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Key takeaways

• You don’t have a time problem; you have a permission problem.
• Equanimity = a steady mind that allows compassion to do its job.
• Rest isn’t a prize you earn; it’s fuel that lets you show up well.
• Service is dignity, not performance—small, concrete acts count.
• Presence—not pace—is what your people will remember.

Practices mentioned (quick reference)

• The Thankful Pause: Breathe in 4, hold 4, out 6; whisper “Here”; set one intention for the next hour.
• Name–Notice–Nurture: Name the feeling → Notice it in the body → Nurture with one small action (longer exhale, text, small donation, news break).
• Truth with Tact (boundary script): “I respect how much you care about this. I want to give it space—can we table it for after the holiday? Today I’m savoring being together.”
• Doorway Breathing (on shift): Hand on doorframe, slow inhale, longer exhale, silently say “Here.”
• Three-B Check: Brain (clear?), Belly (fuel/water?), Bladder (bio break?) before tough conversations or next patient.
• Two-Sentence Note: “I appreciate you for _____. I’m grateful we’re in each other’s lives.”

This episode invites physician and executive moms to trade busy-ness for presence with a “Thankful Pause.” Dr. Gail reframes the issue as a mind habit—not a time deficit—and shares two stories: a 90-second ER (Emergency Room) pause that changed a shift, and “Tammy’s Balcony,” where 15 quiet minutes created more productivity, not less. You’ll learn the P.A.U.S.E. protocol (Permission, Anchor, Unhook, Scan, Exit with intention) and the THANKS plan (Triage traditions, Hand off early, Appointments with yourself, Normalize “no,” Keep fueled, Savor aloud), plus quick tools: the 3-Minute Reset, a 10-10-10 clutter sweep, the “Who Else?” delegation rule, If-Then calm plans, and a five-minute Gratitude Walk. For clinicians on duty, we cover Doorway Breathing, the “Triple B” check (Brain, Belly, Bladder), a Call-Room Calm Kit, and marking TP (Thankful Pause) on your list. We close with two mindset shifts—define three wins a day and remember that rest is fuel, not a prize—and a gentle nudge to share this plan with a colleague heading into the holiday on fumes.

And you can get started with some Genius Tips for how to set yourself up for a great work week. ⁠⁠Here⁠⁠ are things to schedule on whatever you consider your "Sunday" to do just ⁠⁠⁠⁠that⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Join the Single Mom MD community ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and let's talk more for personalized attention to your specific questions. We look forward to welcoming you.

When you think of additional topics you’d like covered on this podcast, contact me through the chat below and via social media @SingleMomMD.

Follow us at Single Mom MD:

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The Thankful Pause Cheat Sheet (Copy/Paste)

P.A.U.S.E. = Permission • Anchor • Unhook • Scan • Exit (with intention)
THANKS = Triage • Hand off • Appointments (with yourself) • Normalize “no” • Keep fueled • Savor aloud
3-Minute Reset = Box breathe • 5-4-3-2-1 senses • Micro-plan
If–Then Calm Plans = Gravy breaks → breathe + text helper • Hot topic → “Happy to talk later—today I’m savoring.” • Feel behind → P.A.U.S.E. + one next action
Who Else? = Delegate at 70% quality; perfection is pricey
Gratitude Walk = 5 minutes, 1 ordinary thanks per minute
Triple B = Brain, Belly, Bladder (clear, fueled, comfortable)

In this pre-Thanksgiving episode, we reframe gratitude from “frosting” to fuel. Dr. Gail shares a hallway fork story where a 90-second Thankful Micro-Audit changed an entire conversation, then offers concrete tools: a Lights-Me-Up Inventory to anchor energy, a three-ring Support Map to ask for help without guilt, an ALIGN filter to protect November priorities, the 3×3 Gratitude pattern (clinic, home, self), the Brave Five daily check-in, and a guided one-minute practice you can do in a call room or car line. We close with a gentle invitation to pilot collaborations that grow your impact without draining vitality. Gratitude, spoken specifically and paired with support, becomes the most practical resilience tool you own.

And you can get started with some Genius Tips for how to set yourself up for a great work week. ⁠⁠Here⁠⁠ are things to schedule on whatever you consider your "Sunday" to do just ⁠⁠⁠⁠that⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Join the Single Mom MD community ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and let's talk more for personalized attention to your specific questions. We look forward to welcoming you.

When you think of additional topics you’d like covered on this podcast, contact me through the chat below and via social media @SingleMomMD.

Follow us at Single Mom MD:

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In this episode of Single Mom MD, Dr. Gail Clifford shares how to reframe life’s challenges as opportunities for growth and happiness. Learn actionable tips, inspiring stories, and expert insights to help you face problems with confidence and turn setbacks into stepping stones. Don’t miss this uplifting and empowering episode!

And you can get started with some Genius Tips for how to set yourself up for a great work week. ⁠⁠Here⁠⁠ are things to schedule on whatever you consider your "Sunday" to do just ⁠⁠⁠⁠that⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Join the Single Mom MD community ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and let's talk more for personalized attention to your specific questions. We look forward to welcoming you.

When you think of additional topics you’d like covered on this podcast, contact me through the chat below and via social media @SingleMomMD.

Follow us at Single Mom MD:

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Resilience is one of those words we’ve all heard — especially as physicians and mothers — but what does it reallymean when life knocks you down? In this episode of Single Mom MD, Dr. Gail Clifford shares her personal journey with resilience: from being handed a massage chair during the pandemic as “support” while dealing with moral injury, to learning what it actually takes to survive and thrive as a single mom in medicine.

You’ll hear 7 practical ways to build resilience, plus stories from Dr. Clifford’s own life, and wisdom from experts like Brené Brown and Viktor Frankl. From cultivating optimism to setting SMART goals, this episode offers real tools you can use — not just buzzwords.

Whether you’re a single mom physician, an executive, or simply a woman facing tough times, this conversation will help you bounce forward, not just back.

And you can get started with some Genius Tips for how to set yourself up for a great work week. ⁠⁠Here⁠⁠ are things to schedule on whatever you consider your "Sunday" to do just ⁠⁠⁠⁠that⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Join the Single Mom MD community ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and let's talk more for personalized attention to your specific questions. We look forward to welcoming you.

When you think of additional topics you’d like covered on this podcast, contact me through the chat below and via social media @SingleMomMD.

Follow us at Single Mom MD:

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n this powerful episode of Single Mom MD, Dr. Gail Clifford shares how overthinking sabotages our peace, our joy, and even our performance. Learn why staying present is more than just a mindset—it’s a survival strategy for overwhelmed physician and executive moms. With personal anecdotes, real talk, and actionable tips, this episode will help you reclaim your now and finally quiet the noise of what-ifs.

And you can get started with some Genius Tips for how to set yourself up for a great work week. ⁠⁠Here⁠⁠ are things to schedule on whatever you consider your "Sunday" to do just ⁠⁠⁠⁠that⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Join the Single Mom MD community ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and let's talk more for personalized attention to your specific questions. We look forward to welcoming you.

When you think of additional topics you’d like covered on this podcast, contact me through the chat below and via social media @SingleMomMD.

Follow us at Single Mom MD:

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In this episode of Single Mom MD, Dr. Gail Clifford explores the powerful link between happiness and the people you surround yourself with. Learn how to evaluate your social circle, prioritize positive relationships, and build a habit of meaningful connections that boost your mood and resilience. Tune in for expert insights and inspiring stories!

And you can get started with some Genius Tips for how to set yourself up for a great work week. ⁠⁠Here⁠⁠ are things to schedule on whatever you consider your "Sunday" to do just ⁠⁠⁠⁠that⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Join the Single Mom MD community ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and let's talk more for personalized attention to your specific questions. We look forward to welcoming you.

When you think of additional topics you’d like covered on this podcast, contact me through the chat below and via social media @SingleMomMD.

Follow us at Single Mom MD:

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In this episode, Dr. Gail Clifford shares candid stories, practical advice, and hard-earned wisdom about how to avoid financial pitfalls—and save your sanity. From the worst money advice we’ve all heard to the underestimated power of working with a financial advisor, you’ll get insight into how to reclaim your time, make smarter decisions, and stop glorifying burnout. Plus, what in the world are “exercise snacks” and why are they your new best friend?

What You’ll Learn:

• The real cost of taking bad advice—even when it sounds good
• Why more money doesn’t solve burnout (and what does)
• How to make peace with envy—and teach your kids to do the same
• The surprising emotional and time value of working with a financial advisor
• How exercise and financial “snacks” can change your day
• Why lifelong learning is your best wealth-building strategy

Resources Mentioned:

• Morgan Housel’s List of Bad Financial Advice
• Vanguard Survey on the Emotional and Time Value of Financial Advisors
• Financial planning tools and insights available at Single Mom MD Blog

And you can get started with some Genius Tips for how to set yourself up for a great work week. ⁠⁠Here⁠⁠ are things to schedule on whatever you consider your "Sunday" to do just ⁠⁠⁠⁠that⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Join the Single Mom MD community ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and let's talk more for personalized attention to your specific questions. We look forward to welcoming you.

When you think of additional topics you’d like covered on this podcast, contact me through the chat below and via social media @SingleMomMD.

Follow us at Single Mom MD:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠