How To Academy Podcast

Gabriel Weston - A New Journey Through the Human Anatomy

Apr 22, 2025
Gabriel Weston, an award-winning novelist and surgeon, shares his unique insights on the human anatomy and the emotional depth of medicine. He discusses his transformative journey from literature to surgery, highlighting the emotional complexities of both fields. Weston reflects on the intimate connections forged during surgical procedures and autopsies, diving into personal narratives about health crises and parental vulnerability. He also challenges societal misconceptions about gender and anatomy, making a poignant case for empathy in healthcare.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Gabriel Weston's First Surgery Experience

  • Gabriel Weston recalls her first surgery experience vividly, both as an observer and as an operator.
  • She felt electrified seeing the first incision and terrified doing her first solo appendicectomy at night.
INSIGHT

Surgeon's Mental Switch

  • Gabriel Weston switches off emotional sensitivity when operating, entering a practical, mechanical mindset.
  • This state contrasts with her usual imaginative, sensitive self and acts as a coping mechanism.
INSIGHT

Emotional Void in Medical View of Body

  • Doctors often neglect the emotional and humane connection when seeing the human body, especially in extreme situations like autopsies.
  • Weston emphasizes the power of reconnecting the physical body to its personal human story for better doctor-patient communication.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app