The Art of Manliness

#542: When Breath Becomes Air

Sep 11, 2019

Neurosurgeon Paul Kalanathi's memoir 'When Breath Becomes Air' explores his search for meaning in life and death. His widow Dr. Lucy Kalanathi discusses the human side of healthcare, delivering bad news, and the grieving process. They explore the connection between suffering, love, and identity, as well as Paul's philosophy on living authentically and dying well.

52:00

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Episode guests

Paul Kalanathi

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Quick takeaways

The podcast explores the journey of a neurosurgeon diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, highlighting the transformative impact of a terminal diagnosis on one's perspective and sense of self.

Dr. Lucy Kalanithi discusses the human side of healthcare, emphasizing the importance of delivering and receiving bad news with empathy, and the need for support and connection during times of grief and loss.

Deep dives

Living with a Terminal Illness: Embracing Existential Questions and Redefining Identity

The podcast episode discusses the journey of Paul Kalanithi, a neurosurgeon who was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Facing his mortality, Paul grappled with questions of meaning and significance, reflecting on his role as both doctor and patient. His widow, Dr. Lucy Kalanithi, shares insights on the human side of healthcare, delivering bad news, and the transformative impact of a terminal diagnosis. She emphasizes the importance of quality of life, forging agency amidst illness, and finding purpose in the face of adversity. The episode highlights the power of connection and the importance of supporting loved ones through grief and loss.

Intro

3min

Confronting Mortality: A Neurosurgeon's Journey

18min

Navigating Hope in the Face of Illness

7min

The Complexity of Life and Parenthood in the Face of Mortality

5min

From Healing to Hope: Navigating Illness and Identity

12min

Navigating Grief and Connection

7min

Exploring the Meaning of Life Through Love and Suffering

3min

Exploring 'When Breath Becomes Air' and Its Themes

2min

When Paul Kalanathi was 36 years old, he was on the cusp of finishing a decade's worth of training to become a neurosurgeon -- a profession he felt called to. But then he learned he had terminal stage four lung cancer. In a single moment, everything changed in his life. For the next twenty two months, Paul and his wife Lucy grappled with how to live life even when you know you have limited time left. In his last few months, Paul wrote a memoir about this search for meaning in life and death, as well as his experience as a medical student, neurosurgeon, and cancer patient. Entitled When Breath Becomes Air, the book was published shortly after he died.

Today, I talk to Paul's widow, Dr. Lucy Kalanathi, about Paul's journey to uncover insights about meaning and significance during his time as both doctor and patient. Along the way, Lucy shares insights about the human side of healthcare, delivering and receiving bad news, and how your identity and sense of self changes when you're diagnosed with a terminal disease. She also shares her experience of being a widow and of the grieving process, as well as what to say and not say to someone who's grappling with a tragedy.

Get the show notes at aom.is/breathbecomesair.

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