Transforming Relationships with Emotional Intelligence Podcast

White Coats, Courageous Hearts: Reclaiming Humanity in Healthcare with Kim Downey - Part 1

Coach Owenico Episode 35

Welcome to another meaningful episode of Transforming Relationships with Emotional Intelligence, where we highlight the power of empathy, self-awareness, and connection in transforming our lives and the systems we’re part of.

In today’s powerful conversation, I’m joined by Kim Downey, founder of Stand Up (for) Doctors!, cancer survivor, physical therapist, and a fierce advocate for clinician well-being and physician mental health. Kim’s journey is one of resilience, compassion, and deep commitment to healing healthcare from the inside out.

We explore her work amplifying the emotional realities of healthcare professionals—stories of burnout, trauma, addiction, moral injury, and redemption. Kim is also the co-author of White Coats, Courageous Hearts: True Stories of Doctors Reclaiming Their Humanity in a System That Challenges It, a groundbreaking anthology that gives voice to the often-unspoken emotional struggles doctors face.

💡 In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

  • What inspired White Coats, Courageous Hearts, and how storytelling helps physicians reclaim their agency and voice
  • The importance of self-compassion in medicine, and why asking for help is a courageous act
  • How storytelling builds community and helps doctors realise they’re not alone in their struggle
  • What healthcare systems can learn from personal narratives to better support clinician well-being and autonomy
  • How patients and the public can become allies in building a more compassionate, sustainable healthcare system

This conversation is both a call to action and an invitation to compassion. It reminds us that behind every white coat is a human being—with stories, pain, hopes, and a deep desire to care.

🎧 Tune in now to hear Kim’s inspiring mission and learn how emotional intelligence can help us reclaim connection, advocacy, and healing in medicine.

🤝 Work With Coach Owenico

If you're ready to explore how emotional intelligence can transform your leadership, wellbeing, or relationships:
Book a free private call: www.calendly.com/owenicoconsult
Email me directly: owen@owenicoconsult.com

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