The Hoeflinger Podcast

#52: How to Stop Second-Guessing Yourself as a Parent | Dr. Whitney Casares

Pediatrician Dr. Whitney Casares shares the advice from a therapist that changed how she makes decisions as a parent: turn one mirror in. She also explains why social media has made parenting harder, how the algorithm rewards fear, and what she lets slide as a doctor, author, and mom of two. Dr. Casares is a board-certified pediatrician practicing in Portland, Oregon, and the founder of Modern Mommy Doc. She started out as a journalism major who dreamed of being the next Sanjay Gupta, then turned the Facebook posts she wrote for parents into books with the American Academy of Pediatrics. Her newest book is Raising Body-Confident Kids. Try Nuropod for 5% off with a 30 day money back guarantee 👉 https://nuropod.com/hoeflinger Follow Dr. Whitney Casares Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernmommydoc/ Website: https://modernmommydoc.com Raising Body-Confident Kids: https://www.raisingbodyconfidentkids.com/books Chapters 0:00 Intro 0:35 From journalism to pediatrics 3:21 Why she wrote about body confidence 7:13 Why doctors belong on social media 9:14 How she handles doing it all 12:19 Why kids always want mom 16:34 How Modern Mommy Doc started 18:40 Writing without a filter 21:31 Authenticity over follower counts 25:53 How social media made parenting harder 26:54 A day in her life 32:19 Logging off at school pickup 40:56 Jealousy and why all ships rise 46:45 Her best advice: turn the mirrors in Check out my free newsletter ▶ https://pages.doctorhoeflinger.com/ Check out My Book: https://doctorhoeflinger.com/products/the-night-he-died-the-harsh-reality-of-teenage-drinking Check out all of my links: https://linktr.ee/doctorhoeflinger The Dr. Hoeflinger Podcast ** The information in this episode is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this episode is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional. Opinions represented on this podcast are our own. **

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#51: The Plastic Surgeon Who Did Residency Twice | Dr. Alex De Souza

Dr. Alex De Souza is a plastic surgeon and anatomy professor with over three decades of experience. He was already a fully trained in Brazil, but to practice in the U.S. he had to start over as a first-year surgery resident. So he ended up completing 14 years of residency in total. In this episode, he explains why he's "not a magician," why he believes 80% of a surgical result depends on the patient, and why beauty is really health you can see. He also shares what flying a helicopter from California to Brazil taught him about preparation, and the five-step rule that took him from the Brazilian countryside to Miami. Follow Dr. De Souza: https://www.instagram.com/dralexdesouzamd/ Website: https://mendietamd.com/dr-alex-de-souza-photo-upload/ Try Nuropod for 5% off with a 30 day money back guarantee 👉 https://nuropod.com/hoeflinger Chapters 0:00 Intro 0:52 From Brazil to Miami 2:09 Doing residency twice 5:38 Relearning medicine in a new language 9:06 Flying helicopters 12:45 Why anatomy is a surgeon's GPS 14:11 The biggest misconception about plastic surgery 18:19 What a Brazilian butt lift actually is 20:23 Why 80% of results depend on the patient 21:44 Where plastic surgery is headed 27:20 Prevention, longevity, and Brian Johnson 32:15 Fathers, sons, and family in medicine 36:39 What AI means for all of us 40:01 A typical day and his five-step rule Check out my free newsletter ▶ https://pages.doctorhoeflinger.com/ Check out My Book: https://doctorhoeflinger.com/products/the-night-he-died-the-harsh-reality-of-teenage-drinking Check out all of my links: https://linktr.ee/doctorhoeflinger The Dr. Hoeflinger Podcast ** The information in this episode is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this episode is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional. Opinions represented on this podcast are our own. **

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#50: Training for Your First Triathlon | Swim Panic, Fueling & Race Day

Dr. Hoeflinger and his son Kevin are training for the Michigan Half Ironman. In this episode they break down what a 70.3 and shorter triathlon distances actually involve, how to handle the swim if open water makes you nervous, how to fuel so the run doesn't fall apart, and why these challenges are worth doing at any age. Dr. Hoeflinger did his first triathlon at 52 while working full time in neurosurgery. Try Nuropod for 5% off with a 30 day money back guarantee 👉 https://nuropod.com/hoeflinger Chapters 0:00 Intro 1:44 What a 70.3 and a full Ironman actually are 5:00 Why do something this hard 8:40 Swim strategy for open water 11:40 Transitions and race day prep 13:07 Fueling, hydration, and pacing 22:05 Crossing the finish line 24:20 You don't need the expensive gear 26:23 Training as a full-time neurosurgeon 30:42 Start with a sprint Check out my free newsletter ▶ https://pages.doctorhoeflinger.com/ Check out My Book: https://doctorhoeflinger.com/products/the-night-he-died-the-harsh-reality-of-teenage-drinking Check out all of my links: https://linktr.ee/doctorhoeflinger The Dr. Hoeflinger Podcast ** The information in this episode is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this episode is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional. Opinions represented on this podcast are our own. **

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#49: Why Cigarettes and Vaping Are So Addictive

Try Nuropod for 5% off with a 30 day money back guarantee 👉 https://nuropod.com/hoeflinger Nicotine reaches your brain in 10 to 15 seconds, and that speed is most of the reason it's so hard to quit. Dr. Brian Hoeflinger, a board-certified neurosurgeon, and his son Kevin get into what nicotine actually does in the brain, why the body builds more receptors the more you use, and why that makes tolerance and withdrawal close to inevitable. They also talk through what's in vape aerosol beyond the flavoring, why the routine around smoking can be as hard to break as the chemical dependency, and why willpower alone has such a poor track record compared to quitting with support. Dr. Hoeflinger shares what smoking did in his own family, including the difference between his father, who never quit, and his father's brother, who did. Resources if you're trying to quit: 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669), free national quitline that routes to your state program smokefree.gov, quit plans and tools from the National Cancer Institute Text DITCHVAPE to 88709, free text support built specifically for quitting vaping lung.org/quit-smoking, American Lung Association Freedom From Smoking Check out my free newsletter ▶ https://pages.doctorhoeflinger.com/ Check out My Book: https://doctorhoeflinger.com/products/the-night-he-died-the-harsh-reality-of-teenage-drinking Check out all of my links: https://linktr.ee/doctorhoeflinger The Dr. Hoeflinger Podcast ** The information in this episode is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this episode is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional. Opinions represented on this podcast are our own. **

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#48: The 4 Stages of Sleep & What Happens in Each One

Try Nuropod for 5% off with a 30 day money back guarantee 👉 nuropod.com/hoeflinger Most of us spend a third of our lives asleep with no idea what's actually happening. This episode walks through all four stages of sleep, what the brain is doing in each one, and why the order matters. How light hitting the back of your eye starts the whole process, why stage two works like a librarian shelving the day's memories, what gets repaired during deep sleep, and why your body paralyzes itself while you dream. Then the practical side. Why so many people wake up around 2 AM, what alcohol and late caffeine actually do to sleep quality, whether you can train yourself to need less sleep, and why being consistent beats trying to optimize everything.

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#47: NBA Team Doctor for the Chicago Bulls | Dr. Jeremy Alland

Dr. Jeremy Alland is the head primary care team physician for the Chicago Bulls and also works with the White Sox and Chicago Fire, but he never planned on being a doctor at all. He was doing lab research in college and assumed he'd end up in pharmaceuticals, until he realized he got his energy from people instead of petri dishes. He talks about finding non-operative sports medicine almost by accident, and the six years he spent with the G League's Windy City Bulls before getting called up to the NBA. In this episode, we discuss what caring for professional athletes actually looks like day to day, where regenerative medicine and PRP really stand right now, why strength training is the most effective thing in all of orthopedics, and what's happened to youth sports over the past twenty years. Check out Dr. Alland on social media 👉 https://www.instagram.com/jeremyallandmd

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#46: Are Doctors Being Asked to Do More With Less? | Dr. Furhan Qureshi

Try Nuropod for 5% off with a 30 day money back guarantee 👉 nuropod.com/hoeflinger Check out Dr. Qureshi on social media 👉 https://www.instagram.com/furhanqureshimd/ Dr. Furhan Qureshi is a board-certified internist, U.S. Air Force reservist, and one of the early pioneers of telehealth medicine. In this episode, he and Dr. Hoeflinger get into what's really pushing doctors out of medicine, how the business side of healthcare is changing what it means to be a doctor, and what it was actually like treating COVID patients on the front lines while the rest of the world stayed home.

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#45: Engineering Student to Brain Surgeon | Dr. Jay Jagannathan

Try Nuropod for 5% off with a 30 day money back guarantee 👉 nuropod.com/hoeflinger Check out Dr. Jagannathan on social media 👉 https://mi-neurosurgery.com Dr. Jay Jagannathan was an electrical engineering student with no doctors in his family when he decided he was going to become a neurosurgeon. Today he runs a multi-location private practice in Michigan and has built one of the larger neurosurgery presences on social media. In this episode, two neurosurgeons get candid about the path into the field, what private practice actually looks like, AI’s role in the OR, and whether surgery is a young person’s game.

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#44: What It Really Takes to Become a Heart Surgeon | Dr. Bobby Yanagawa:

Check out Dr. Yanagawa on social media 👉 https://linktr.ee/dryanagawa Dr. Bobby Yanagawa was rejected from medical school twice. He almost didn't take his own father to the hospital during a heart attack when he was younger. Today he's a cardiac surgeon, Division Head at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, and he thinks about his surgical failures and how he can improve every single day. In this episode, Dr. Hoeflinger and Kevin Hoeflinger talk with Dr. Bobby Yanagawa about what it really takes to become a heart surgeon: the training, the pressure, the losses, and the warning signs of heart disease most people completely ignore. Check out my free newsletter ▶ https://pages.doctorhoeflinger.com/

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#43: A Pediatric Doctor's Rule for Medicine & Life | Dr. Paul Tran

Check out Dr. Tran on social media 👉 @Alimentaryschool Link to our free webinar event on Navigating Difficult Conversations in Medicine: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DQmaM49f4/ Dr. Paul Tran is a pediatric gastroenterologist, father of three, and a thoughtful voice in medical education. In this conversation, Paul opens up about a defining moment during his first year of fellowship that changed how he views medical training, mentorship, and what it really means to treat someone as a colleague. We talk about how he explains scary procedures to kids, why medical training can be dehumanizing in a field built on human health, his decision to go part-time clinical to tour medical schools across the country with his family, and the mindset shift he thinks can make a major difference for anyone. Subscribe to my free newsletter for practical insights on health, medicine, and living well ▶ https://pages.doctorhoeflinger.com/

#42: What Should You Do If You Have Back Pain? Neurosurgeon Explains

Subscribe to my free newsletter for practical insights on health, medicine, and living well ▶ https://pages.doctorhoeflinger.com/ Back pain is incredibly common, and it can be scary when you don’t know what’s causing it or what to do next. If you’re dealing with back pain right now, you may be wondering what it means, what you should do first, and whether you need imaging, treatment, or surgery. In this episode, Dr. Brian Hoeflinger, a board-certified neurosurgeon, and his son Kevin break down back pain in clear, plain language. They discuss the most common causes of back pain, how to tell when symptoms are more serious, what actually helps early on, and when it’s time to seek medical care, all with the goal of reducing fear and helping you make informed decisions.

#41: What Residency Is Really Like | Dr. Kamran Tate

Residency is one of the most challenging, and defining, stages of becoming a doctor. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Kamran Tate, a second-year internal medicine resident, to hear what life is really like on the frontlines of medicine. From the steep learning curve of day one to balancing 12-hour shifts, navigating the ICU, and relying on the wisdom of nurses and mentors, Dr. Tate shares the unfiltered reality behind the white coat. We also dive into the mindset it takes to survive residency , from stoicism and mindfulness to finding humor in the chaos. Dr. Tate opens up about social media as a creative outlet, the misconceptions people have about doctors, and how medicine has shaped his outlook on life. Whether you’re a medical student, considering healthcare, or just curious about the human side of medicine, this conversation offers insight, honesty, and inspiration. Check out Dr. Tate on social media: https://linktr.ee/Doctor_Kam

#40: What is Rucking, Why I Started Rucking, & Why You Should Walk More

Dr. Brian Hoeflinger and Kevin Hoeflinger explore the science and practice of rucking, walking with added weight, as a joint-friendly way to boost cardiovascular health, build strength, and increase resilience. They share how rucking compares to running and walking, practical steps to get started safely, and the surprising benefits for muscle, mood, and longevity. This episode provides actionable strategies for making walking and rucking part of a sustainable fitness routine at any age. Check out my free newsletter https://pages.doctorhoeflinger.com/ Each week, I simplify the world of health, medicine, and fitness using my 26 years of experience as a board-certified neurosurgeon. Check out all of my links: https://linktr.ee/doctorhoeflinger Opinions represented on this channel are my own, and do not reflect those of my employer. Nothing posted on this channel is medical advice.

#39: Dr. Zain Hasan: Balancing Anesthesiology, Family, and Life

In this episode, we spoke with Dr. Zain Hasan, a board-certified anesthesiologist, husband, father, and rising medical voice on social media, for an honest conversation about what life is really like behind the curtain of modern medicine. Dr. Hasan opens up about the realities of anesthesiology, how he navigates raising a family with a wife who is also in medicine, and the pressures of being calm and decisive when seconds can mean life or death. We also dive into the hidden toll medicine can take, why more physicians are speaking out online, and how Dr. Hasan reclaimed his own health, losing 50 pounds and rethinking everything from food to fitness. This episode is a look into the human side of medicine: the tradeoffs, the purpose, and the people behind the scrubs. Check out Dr. Hasan's social channels 👉 https://linktr.ee/doctarz Check out My Free Newsletter: pages.doctorhoeflinger.com Each week, I simplify the world of health, medicine, and fitness using my 25 years of experience as a board-certified neurosurgeon. Tune in every week for new episodes of The Hoeflinger Podcast with Dr. Brian Hoeflinger and Kevin Hoeflinger. All Dr. Hoeflinger's links Click here for all links for Dr. Hoeflinger Kevin Hoeflinger's links Click here for all links for Kevin Hoeflinger Contact Us brian.hoeflinger1@gmail.com Thank you all for watching and listening to our content and we hope you continue to follow along on our journey!

#38: How Tiny Experiments Can Change Your Life with Anne Laure Le Cunff

Check out Anne-Laure's book "Tiny Experiments" 👉 https://nesslabs.com/book When a health scare forced Anne-Laure Le Cunff to confront her overworked life at Google, everything changed. In this episode, she shares the powerful moment that led her to walk away from her “dream job” and begin rethinking success through tiny experiments, intentional imperfection, and curiosity-driven living. In this episode, we explore how to break free from burnout, overcome perfectionism, and stop waiting for the “perfect plan” to start living differently. If you’ve ever felt stuck in a job, unsure of your next move, or afraid to take the first step toward something new, this conversation might just change how you see your life. Anne-Laure's website: https://nesslabs.com/ Check out My Free Newsletter: pages.doctorhoeflinger.com Each week, I simplify the world of health, medicine, and fitness using my 25 years of experience as a board-certified neurosurgeon. Tune in every week for new episodes of The Hoeflinger Podcast with Dr. Brian Hoeflinger and Kevin Hoeflinger. All Dr. Hoeflinger's links Click here for all links for Dr. Hoeflinger Kevin Hoeflinger's links Click here for all links for Kevin Hoeflinger Contact Us brian.hoeflinger1@gmail.com Thank you all for watching and listening to our content and we hope you continue to follow along on our journey!

#37: Andy Nguyen (ND MD) - Navigating Anesthesiology Residency

In this episode, we’re joined by Andy Nguyen, MD, a PGY1 anesthesiology resident at Yale and YouTube creator (ND MD - Dr. Nguyen's YouTube channel) Dr. Nguyen shares his journey from medical school to residency, offering insights into the structure of his intern year and the emotional and professional challenges that come with it. We also discuss how he uses photography, videography, and storytelling as a creative outlet and to share the stories of others. We reflect on medical specialty selection, the weight of responsibility in medicine, and the importance of long-term vision. Other topics discussed include, the role of social media in medicine, the delicate balance between professionalism and personal expression, the increased competitiveness of medical school and residency, and much more! Whether you're a future physician or simply curious about the modern medical journey, this episode offers honest, thoughtful reflections on what it means to grow, as both a doctor and a person, in today’s digital age. Check out My Free Newsletter: pages.doctorhoeflinger.com Each week, I simplify the world of health, medicine, and fitness using my 25 years of experience as a board-certified neurosurgeon. Tune in every week for new episodes of The Hoeflinger Podcast with Dr. Brian Hoeflinger and Kevin Hoeflinger. All Dr. Hoeflinger's links Click here for all links for Dr. Hoeflinger Kevin Hoeflinger's links Click here for all links for Kevin Hoeflinger Contact Us brian.hoeflinger1@gmail.com Thank you all for watching and listening to our content and we hope you continue to follow along on our journey!

#36: A&P Professor - Why Learning Shouldn’t Be Boring

A&P Professor's Course 👉 https://anpprofessor.com/vip-access Tim Reynolds, known online as A&P Professor, breaks down how he makes complex topics simple, engaging, and fun. From teaching hundreds of students at Ithaca College to building a massive online following with viral quizzes and short-form content, Tim shares the importance of meeting students where they are, leveraging platforms like TikTok and Instagram to create low-barrier learning opportunities, and staying true to his mission as an educator. We also dive into his passion for hiking and mountaineering, including Tim's story about summiting Mount Rainier and the lessons it taught him about life, risk, and growth. A&P Professor's social links: https://linktr.ee/anp_professor Check out My Free Newsletter: pages.doctorhoeflinger.com Each week, I simplify the world of health, medicine, and fitness using my 25 years of experience as a board-certified neurosurgeon. Tune in every week for new episodes of The Hoeflinger Podcast with Dr. Brian Hoeflinger and Kevin Hoeflinger. All Dr. Hoeflinger's links Click here for all links for Dr. Hoeflinger Kevin Hoeflinger's links Click here for all links for Kevin Hoeflinger Contact Us brian.hoeflinger1@gmail.com Thank you all for watching and listening to our content and we hope you continue to follow along on our journey!

#35: Dr. Drew Ramsey - How to Improve Your Mental Health Through Diet & Lifestyle Changes

Dr. Ramsey's New Book 👉 Healing the Modern Brain In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Drew Ramsey, a board-certified psychiatrist, psychotherapist, author, and leading voice in nutritional psychiatry, to explore the connection between mental health, food, and lifestyle. Dr. Ramsey shares insights from his upcoming book, Healing the Modern Brain, including the core tenets of better mental health, the role of diet in mental well-being, and the evolving conversation around male mental health. We also discuss the overuse and misconceptions of psychiatric medications, the stigma around mental health treatment, and practical strategies to build mental fitness. Healing the Modern Brain releases on March 25 - Click here to preorder! Check out My Free Newsletter: pages.doctorhoeflinger.com Each week, I simplify the world of health, medicine, and fitness using my 25 years of experience as a board-certified neurosurgeon. Tune in every week for new episodes of The Hoeflinger Podcast with Dr. Brian Hoeflinger and Kevin Hoeflinger. All Dr. Hoeflinger's links Click here for all links for Dr. Hoeflinger Kevin Hoeflinger's links Click here for all links for Kevin Hoeflinger Contact Us brian.hoeflinger1@gmail.com Thank you all for watching and listening to our content and we hope you continue to follow along on our journey!

#34: Stacey Stewart - The Fight to End Drunk Driving & MADD's Mission

Visit https://madd.org/ to learn more and get involved. In this episode, we are joined by Stacey Stewart, CEO of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), to discuss the ongoing fight to end impaired driving. With over 13,000 lives lost each year due to drunk driving, this issue remains a national crisis and one that is deeply personal for our family. Stacey shares her journey from leading major organizations like United Way and March of Dimes to taking the helm at MADD, her mission to revitalize awareness, and the challenges we still face in preventing impaired driving. We also discuss why drunk driving fatalities are still rising despite the availability of rideshare services, the role of policy advocacy and new technology in preventing crashes, MADD’s efforts to change the conversation through partnerships with sports and industry leaders, and how each of us can take action to make our roads safer. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone who wants to be part of the solution. Visit https://madd.org/ to learn more and get involved. Check out My Free Newsletter: pages.doctorhoeflinger.com Each week, I simplify the world of health, medicine, and fitness using my 25 years of experience as a board-certified neurosurgeon. Tune in every week for new episodes of The Hoeflinger Podcast with Dr. Brian Hoeflinger and Kevin Hoeflinger. All Dr. Hoeflinger's links Click here for all links for Dr. Hoeflinger Kevin Hoeflinger's links Click here for all links for Kevin Hoeflinger Contact Us brian.hoeflinger1@gmail.com Thank you all for watching and listening to our content and we hope you continue to follow along on our journey!

#33: Dr. Z Neurosurgery - What It Really Takes to Become a Neurosurgeon

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Z, a spine surgery fellow and neurosurgeon in Los Angeles. Dr. Z discusses his journey through neurosurgery, including the grueling demands of residency, the mental and physical resilience required, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. He shares the pivotal moment that inspired him to pursue neurosurgery, his experiences delivering life-changing (and sometimes heartbreaking) news to patients and families, and the evolving role of AI, augmented reality, and robotics in neurosurgery. Dr. Brian Hoeflinger and Dr. Z also reflect on the challenges and rewards of being a neurosurgeon, the importance of sharing medical knowledge on social media, and how technology is revolutionizing patient care. Plus, Dr. Z gives us a glimpse into his passions outside of medicine, including his love for fine dining and the parallels between high-level surgery and Michelin-starred kitchens. Tune in for an insightful and candid conversation about medicine, perseverance, and the future of neurosurgery. Follow Dr. Z on TikTok and Instagram (@dr.zneurosurgery) to keep up with his educational content! Check out My Free Newsletter: pages.doctorhoeflinger.com Each week, I simplify the world of health, medicine, and fitness using my 25 years of experience as a board-certified neurosurgeon. Tune in every week for new episodes of The Hoeflinger Podcast with Dr. Brian Hoeflinger and Kevin Hoeflinger. All Dr. Hoeflinger's links Click here for all links for Dr. Hoeflinger Kevin Hoeflinger's links Click here for all links for Kevin Hoeflinger Contact Us brian.hoeflinger1@gmail.com Thank you all for watching and listening to our content and we hope you continue to follow along on our journey!