Being busy has become our society's badge of honor, but there's no gold medal for exhaustion. We've been conditioned to believe that unless we're hustling and overachieving, we're not doing enough.

• Managing a household alone while your partner works in medicine is challenging, even without children
• It's okay to have days where you choose rest over productivity
• Imperfect moments often become cherished memories
• Finding community with others in similar situations provides essential support
• Lower the bar without guilt during difficult seasons
• Find a "freezer friend" to share meal responsibilities
• Use paper plates, embrace frozen meals, and let the laundry wait sometimes
• Combine social connection with movement through walk-and-talk meetups
• Welcome people into your home even when it's not perfect
• Redefine winning the day—focus on connection, not tasks
• People remember how they felt in your home, not how clean it was

Share this episode with someone who could benefit from hearing this message, and please send any questions or comments my way.

Kristi Hargiss from The Med School Wife shares her family's shocking experience of going unmatched in orthopedic surgery despite a stellar application, and how they pivoted to find success in general surgery.

• After being told not to worry about matching, Christy's husband received the devastating "we regret to inform you" email on Match Monday
• Instead of accepting a position through SOAP that didn't feel right, they made the bold choice to delay graduation and set up six away rotations
• Through these rotations, they discovered general surgery was actually a better fit than their original orthopedics plan
• For those facing the unmatched experience, Christy recommends: grieve later, find mentors, broaden your approach, get to work, and write out your story
• Going unmatched is more common than most realize – in their match cycle, over 8,400 applicants didn't match to categorical positions
• Two key pieces of advice for medical families: embrace mutuality in your medical marriage and start preparing financially for residency during medical school

• The AMA Road To Residency Guide

Connect with Kristi on Instagram @themedschoolwife_kristi or at TheMedSchoolWife.com to learn more about navigating the medical journey together.

Time scarcity creates unique challenges for physician marriages, forcing couples to navigate the perpetual waiting game that comes with medical careers. Amanda Barron shares strategies for maximizing connection in limited time, emphasizing quality over quantity and the power of intentional micro-moments.

• Physician careers create a constant waiting game for partners—waiting for calls back, waiting for them to get home, waiting for schedules to align
• Shifting mindset from focusing on time you don't have to maximizing time you do have
• Creating meaningful "micro moments" of connection—even just 5 minutes can make a difference
• Making weekly date "nights" work (even when they happen at breakfast or lunch)
• Simple connection strategies: quick FaceTime calls, leaving sticky notes, sharing coffee between patients
• Being intentionally present during limited time together creates deeper connection than hours of distracted time
• Giving yourself grace when you're solo parenting or managing with a partner working 80+ hours
• Validating that your frustrations are normal and you're not doing anything wrong

Share this episode with someone who could benefit from these strategies, and connect with me on Instagram @AmandaBarronRealtor or join our private Facebook group for physician spouses. Thanks for listening, and remember—you're never in this alone.

Community matters when you're married to medicine, and building a strong support system makes the journey both easier and more sustainable for everyone involved.

• Connect with physician spouse organizations like the American Medical Association Alliance (AMAA) or Physician Family Network
• Look for social media communities like "Lives of Doctors' Wives" on Facebook or local physician spouse groups in your city
• Consider joining "Side by Side" Bible study groups specifically for physician spouses
• Say yes to invitations even when you're tired or feel awkward - it's worth pushing past the discomfort
• Get involved with local interest groups through libraries, churches, or volunteer opportunities
• Create your own community if you can't find one - start small with coffee meetups, book clubs, or playdates
• Remember that virtual communities can be valuable if in-person options are limited
• Take action today: join an online group, look for a local group, or start your own

Don't forget to follow me on Instagram @amandabaronrealtor so we can connect. Please subscribe, leave a review, or share this episode with another physician spouse who might need it. DM me with your thoughts, topic ideas, questions, or guest suggestions - I'd love to hear from you!

Congratulations on your match! But now what? That envelope tells you where you're going, but not how to get there or what to do next. This episode tackles the often overwhelming post-Match Day experience with practical guidance for physicians and their families preparing for relocation.

Drawing from years of experience helping medical families transition to new communities, I break down the critical first steps anyone should take after learning their match results. We explore how to leverage social media to research your new city, connect with local physician spouse alliances, and gather insider information that makes your transition smoother. I share practical advice on timing your move, creating a realistic relocation budget, and navigating the complex rent-versus-buy decision that many trainees face.

The episode features insights into what medical families should consider beyond basic housing decisions - from analyzing true commute times during rush hour to finding off-market properties from departing residents. I explain why working with someone who understands the unique challenges of physician relocation can save you significant stress and help you build connections before you even arrive. Whether you're moving solo or relocating an entire family, these physician-specific resources will help you approach your transition with confidence instead of anxiety.

Ready to make your move less stressful? Download the comprehensive checklists and guides mentioned in this episode from the show notes. Have questions or want to suggest a future topic? Reach out on Instagram @AmandaBarronRealtor. Remember, this exciting but challenging journey is one you never have to navigate alone.

Nashville Physician Relocation Guide

Rent vs Buy

Moving Checklist

After Match Day Checklist

Nashville Physician Spouses Facebook Page

Ever felt alone in the whirlwind of medical training, wondering if anyone else understands what it's like when your partner disappears for 80-hour work weeks? That feeling of isolation inspired me to create Behind the White Coat – a podcast born from my own journey as a physician spouse.

When my husband and I moved to Nashville for his residency, I found myself in a new city with a six-month-old baby, desperately searching for people who understood this unique lifestyle. Who do you call when you're stranded roadside and your emergency contact is mid-surgery? How do you build your own identity when so much revolves around your partner's demanding career? These questions led me to build a local community of physician spouses – and now I'm extending that support system to you through this podcast.

From my perspective as someone who's navigated the journey from medical school through residency and beyond, we'll explore the real challenges of this life: balancing dual careers, solo parenting, managing finances after years of delayed income, maintaining strong marriages despite limited time together, and preserving your own dreams and identity. I'll share personal stories, practical advice, and bring on expert guests who understand our unique situation – including fellow physician spouses with specialized knowledge in finance, parenting, mental health and more.

Whether you're just beginning this medical journey or decades in, Behind the White Coat offers honest conversation, practical guidance, and most importantly, a reminder that you're never alone. Your experiences matter, your challenges are valid, and there's a community here ready to support you. Follow me on Instagram @AmandaBarronRealtor to continue the conversation, suggest topics, or recommend guests. Subscribe now to join our growing community of those supporting the ones behind the white coat.

The anxiety of watching a loved one open an envelope that determines your family's future is something only a medical spouse truly understands. Match Day represents that pivotal moment when years of medical education culminate in a single decision that will shape the next chapter of your lives together.

Having gone through this experience 19 years ago, I'm pulling back the curtain on the entire Match Day process—from the months-long application cycle to that heart-pounding moment when the envelope is opened. As someone who expected to be headed to New York but found herself Nashville-bound instead, I understand firsthand how quickly you need to pivot your plans, expectations, and sometimes your entire life vision.

The whirlwind between Match Day and July 1st residency start date can feel overwhelming. Suddenly you're juggling potential relocation, housing decisions, employment changes, childcare concerns, and budget adjustments—all while supporting your partner through one of the biggest transitions of their career. That's why I'm sharing practical advice for navigating this critical time as a medical couple, including why you should celebrate regardless of where you match and the importance of having contingency plans.

What makes this journey bearable—even beautiful—is understanding that no city defines your experience; the people and community you build around you do. Whether you're approaching Match Day, in the midst of residency life, or looking back on your medical journey, this episode offers both the emotional support and practical guidance I wish I'd had during our matching process. Share your own Match Day story with me on Instagram @AmandaBarronRealtor—your experience matters, and you're never alone on this path.

Nashville Physician Relocation Guide

Rent vs Buy

Moving Checklist

After Match Day Checklist

Nashville Physician Spouses Facebook Page