
The Doctor's Art
The practice of medicine–filled with moments of joy, suffering, grace, sorrow, and hope–offers a window into the human condition. Though serving as guides and companions to patients’ illness experiences is profoundly meaningful work, the busy nature of modern medicine can blind its own practitioners to the reasons they entered it in the first place. Join resident physician Henry Bair and oncologist Tyler Johnson as they meet with doctors, patients, leaders, educators, and others in healthcare, to explore stories on finding and nourishing meaning in medicine. This podcast is for anyone striving for a deeper connection with their medical journey. Visit TheDoctorsArt.com for more information.
Latest episodes

Mar 8, 2022 • 44min
The Spirituality of Care | Bruce Feldstein, MD
Chaplain Bruce Feldstein, MD is the director of the Jewish Chaplaincy Service at Stanford University, as well as an adjunct clinical professor at Stanford University School of Medicine. After 19 years practicing as an emergency medicine physician, an injury led Bruce on a path of finding a deeper sense of his life’s work as a Chaplain. He now teaches an award-winning curriculum on spirituality and well-being for medical students and faculty at Stanford. In this episode, you will hear about: Chaplain Feldstein’s unexpected journey from emergency physician to chaplain - 3:35The unforgettable moment when Chaplain Feldstein first prayed with a patient - 5:00How to connect with patients in a spiritual way – even if they’re not religious - 18:04Five key relationships to foster in your life to counter compassion fatigue - 30:57The core teaching within Chaplain Feldstein’s class, ‘The Healer’s Art’ - 37:40Visit our website www.TheDoctorsArt.com where you can find transcripts of all episodes.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our show, available for free on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you know of a doctor, patient, or anyone working in health care who would love to explore meaning in medicine with us on the show, feel free to leave a suggestion in the comments or send an email to info@thedoctorsart.com.Copyright The Doctor’s Art Podcast 2022

Mar 8, 2022 • 33min
Finding Meaning in Medicine
Medicine is a challenging and complex, yet ultimately fulfilling vocation that has seen much upheaval in recent years, from technological disruptions to the COVID-19 pandemic. For medical student Henry Bair and oncologist Tyler Johnson, both at Stanford University, this moment calls for a mindful investigation of the factors driving those who work in health care, whether as clinicians, educators, or executives. Probing the humanistic dimensions of patient care, they explore the philosophies and realities underpinning the healthcare profession.In this episode, you will hear about: What first drew co-hosts Henry and Tyler to the medical profession - 03:26The moments that epitomized why they pursued healthcare as their life’s calling - 10:08The growing pattern of burnout and alienation among medical workers - 21:40Previews of subjects that will be covered in future episodes of this podcast - 25:03Visit our website www.TheDoctorsArt.com where you can find transcripts of all episodes.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our show, available for free on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you know of a doctor, patient, or anyone working in health care who would love to explore meaning in medicine with us on the show, feel free to leave a suggestion in the comments or send an email to info@thedoctorsart.com.Copyright The Doctor’s Art Podcast 2022

Mar 8, 2022 • 36min
With Patients Until the End | Mimi Dunne, MD
One aspect of the medical profession that doesn’t often garner a great deal of public attention is that of caring for patients who are dying. For Mimi Dunne, MD, the relief of suffering has been her life’s calling — specifically the mission of relieving mental and social suffering in the lives of terminal patients, and helping them and their families find solace and meaning as they face mortality. This week, we ask Dr. Dunne to share insights and lessons from her experience in palliative care.In this episode, you will hear about: What palliative care entails and what kinds of physicians specialize in it- 02:06Dr. Dunne’s path from emergency care to palliative medicine - 3:36Common misconceptions about palliative care - 7:43Stories of a pivotal patient case that illuminates Dr. Dunne’s career - 11:33What it is like to accompany patients at their end of life - 15:59A discussion of Narrative Medicine and storytelling - 23:44A discussion of the Top Five Regrets of the Dying by Bronnie Ware - 29:29Works, Organizations, and Individuals Discussed:The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative MedicineThe Center to Advance Palliative CareDr. Diane Meier, professor of Geriatrics and Palliative MedicineBill Moyer’s PBS docu-series Healing in the MindDr. Laura Carstensen of the Stanford Center on LongevityDr. Ira Byock’s work on Developmental Tasks of the End of LifeNarrative Medicine: Honoring the Stories of Illness by Dr. Rita CharonProfessor Dan McAdams’ work on Narrative IdentityThe Top Five Regrets of the Dyingby Bronnie WareVisit our website www.TheDoctorsArt.com where you can find transcripts of all episodes.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our show, available for free on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you know of a doctor, patient, or anyone working in health care who would love to explore meaning in medicine with us on the show, feel free to leave a suggestion in the comments or send an email to info@thedoctorsart.com.Copyright The Doctor’s Art Podcast 2022

Feb 28, 2022 • 2min
The Doctor’s Art: On Meaning in Medicine. Premiering March 8th
The practice of medicine – filled with moments of joy, suffering, grace, sorrow, and hope – offers a window into the human condition. Though serving as guides and companions to patients’ illness experiences is profoundly meaningful work, the busy nature of modern medicine can blind its own practitioners to the reasons they entered it in the first place. Join oncologist Tyler Johnson and medical trainee Henry Bair as they meet with doctors, patients, leaders, educators, and others in healthcare, to explore stories on finding and nourishing meaning in medicine. This podcast is for anyone striving for a deeper connection with their medical journey.Please subscribe for free on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you know of a doctor, patient, or anyone working in health care who would love to explore meaning in medicine with us on the show, feel free to leave a suggestion in the comments or send an email to info@thedoctorsart.com. Visit our website www.TheDoctorsArt.com for more information.Copyright The Doctor’s Art Podcast 2022