Sat, 07 Mar 2026 06:31:38 -0500 http://www.reneeparo.com en-us © 2026 Reconciling Medicine yes d8dcace1-27d4-55b8-86fd-46a322f3939d The Doctors Paro episodic false We are the Doctors Paro, and welcome to the Reconciling Medicine Podcast. We are a dual physician couple in practice - and for over a decade we’ve been navigating the ups, downs and in-betweens of this profession......together. We’ve done a lot of things right, and we’ve made plenty of mistakes. Some say the practice of medicine is dying - it’s not. But it is changing and we must adapt. This podcast is an exploration of our relationship with medicine - how we fit it into our lives, how it affects the people we love, and why we are optimistic about the future. We believe that with the right commitment and mindset we can all learn how to Reconcile Medicine.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) doctor, physician, marriage, medical, school, medicine, health, wellness, burnout, fitness, nutrition, music The Doctors Paro https://storage.buzzsprout.com/pq5varmeavz2cfdbj4jo0em2pwj6?.jpg http://www.reneeparo.com Episode 25 - Off to the Races The Doctors Paro discuss their thoughts on incorporating fitness events into your life as a way to build a fit life.

Episode Takeaways:
- Picking the right time is important.
- Make the decision and shell out the cash.
- Train insane or remain the same.
- The fitness is important, but not everything.
- Race day is accumulation of the work you put in.
- Cross one finish line and set up another one.

]]> The Doctors Paro discuss their thoughts on incorporating fitness events into your life as a way to build a fit life.

Episode Takeaways:
- Picking the right time is important.
- Make the decision and shell out the cash.
- Train insane or remain the same.
- The fitness is important, but not everything.
- Race day is accumulation of the work you put in.
- Cross one finish line and set up another one.

]]> The Doctors Paro Buzzsprout-14372558 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 14:00:00 -0800 1979 1 25 full false Episode 24 - Doctor Vegetable Redux An update from Episode 23 about our most recent fundraiser!

]]> An update from Episode 23 about our most recent fundraiser!

]]> The Doctors Paro Buzzsprout-14372551 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 14:00:00 -0800 1235 1 24 full false Episode 23 - Doctor Vegetable The Doctors Paro talk all about their nonprofit, Doctor Vegetable!! 

Episode Takeaways:
- Your life will shape your career, which then shapes your life, endlessly.
- You shouldn’t complain if you aren’t contributing.
- Small, simple ideas can be very powerful catalysts. 
- Good ideas can snowball quickly.
- Defining your mission is a challenging but important exercise.
- Gratefully accept the contributions of others, and then pay it forward.

]]> The Doctors Paro talk all about their nonprofit, Doctor Vegetable!! 

Episode Takeaways:
- Your life will shape your career, which then shapes your life, endlessly.
- You shouldn’t complain if you aren’t contributing.
- Small, simple ideas can be very powerful catalysts. 
- Good ideas can snowball quickly.
- Defining your mission is a challenging but important exercise.
- Gratefully accept the contributions of others, and then pay it forward.

]]> The Doctors Paro Buzzsprout-14372547 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 14:00:00 -0800 3416 1 23 full false Episode 22 - The Miscarriage Club Renee and John share their miscarriage story. You’ll want to stick around and hear the song at the end….

Episode Takeaways:
- Miscarriage is common.
- This is our story.
- The strong one needs support too.
- There is a way to be there that helps.
- Wounds heal but the scar stays.
- Rainbows come and they are beautiful.

]]> Renee and John share their miscarriage story. You’ll want to stick around and hear the song at the end….

Episode Takeaways:
- Miscarriage is common.
- This is our story.
- The strong one needs support too.
- There is a way to be there that helps.
- Wounds heal but the scar stays.
- Rainbows come and they are beautiful.

]]> The Doctors Paro Buzzsprout-14372541 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 14:00:00 -0800 2927 1 22 full false Episode 21 - Breast Cancer Sucks. Dr. John discusses his thoughts about breast cancer. As a board certified plastic surgeon, this topic is very near and dear to his heart. 

Episode Takeaways:
- Breast cancer totally sucks.
- It’s super important to know your oncologic options.
- It’s also super important to know your reconstructive options.
- Every patient, and therefore every treatment approach, is different.
- The field is constantly evolving (and improving).
- Breast reconstruction can be incredibly rewarding.

]]> Dr. John discusses his thoughts about breast cancer. As a board certified plastic surgeon, this topic is very near and dear to his heart. 

Episode Takeaways:
- Breast cancer totally sucks.
- It’s super important to know your oncologic options.
- It’s also super important to know your reconstructive options.
- Every patient, and therefore every treatment approach, is different.
- The field is constantly evolving (and improving).
- Breast reconstruction can be incredibly rewarding.

]]> The Doctors Paro Buzzsprout-14372533 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 14:00:00 -0800 2635 1 21 full false Episode 20 - Couples Matching The Doctors Paro discuss their path to residency matching with the couples match!

Episode Takeaways:
- If you decide to couples match, you are essentially engaged.
- Recognize your weaknesses, work to strengthen them.
- You must discuss your priorities as a couple.
- If you love a place - tell them so.
- It is possible to have fun during this process.
- If life will be miserable, don’t rank it.

]]> The Doctors Paro discuss their path to residency matching with the couples match!

Episode Takeaways:
- If you decide to couples match, you are essentially engaged.
- Recognize your weaknesses, work to strengthen them.
- You must discuss your priorities as a couple.
- If you love a place - tell them so.
- It is possible to have fun during this process.
- If life will be miserable, don’t rank it.

]]> The Doctors Paro Buzzsprout-14372523 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 14:00:00 -0800 2219 1 20 full false Episode 19 - John Q&A Dr. John answers questions!

Episode Takeaways:
- Help! I might want to be a plastic surgeon!
- That Nip Tuck Life.
- Dad-ing in Medicine.
- John gets creative.
- Thoughts on the girl I kinda like.
- Rapid fire round. 

]]> Dr. John answers questions!

Episode Takeaways:
- Help! I might want to be a plastic surgeon!
- That Nip Tuck Life.
- Dad-ing in Medicine.
- John gets creative.
- Thoughts on the girl I kinda like.
- Rapid fire round. 

]]> The Doctors Paro Buzzsprout-14372518 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 14:00:00 -0800 2933 1 19 full false Episode 18 - Why Plastic Surgery Dr. John, with the help of Dr. Renee, dives into the world of plastic surgery and why he chose it as his career.

Episode Takeaways:

- Becoming a plastic surgeon.
- Why I love Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
- Wait, a plastic surgeon does THAT?
- You can craft your ideal practice mix.
- If something doesn’t feel right, fix it.
- Renee explains non-cardiac anatomy.

]]> Dr. John, with the help of Dr. Renee, dives into the world of plastic surgery and why he chose it as his career.

Episode Takeaways:

- Becoming a plastic surgeon.
- Why I love Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
- Wait, a plastic surgeon does THAT?
- You can craft your ideal practice mix.
- If something doesn’t feel right, fix it.
- Renee explains non-cardiac anatomy.

]]> The Doctors Paro Buzzsprout-14372439 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 14:00:00 -0800 2872 1 18 full false Episode 17 - Why Pediatric Cardiology Dr. Renee, with the help of Dr. John, dives in more to the world of Pediatric Cardiology and why she chose it.

Episodes Takeaways:
- Have an idea what you like, but don’t pigeon hole yourself.
- Pay attention to the signs and get exposure.
- The breadth of Pediatric Cardiology.
- Narrowing the focus.
- A day in the life of a general outpatient private pediatric cardiologist.
- John’s pop quiz on bread and butter pediatric cardiology.

]]> Dr. Renee, with the help of Dr. John, dives in more to the world of Pediatric Cardiology and why she chose it.

Episodes Takeaways:
- Have an idea what you like, but don’t pigeon hole yourself.
- Pay attention to the signs and get exposure.
- The breadth of Pediatric Cardiology.
- Narrowing the focus.
- A day in the life of a general outpatient private pediatric cardiologist.
- John’s pop quiz on bread and butter pediatric cardiology.

]]> The Doctors Paro Buzzsprout-14372430 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 14:00:00 -0800 2997 1 17 full false Episode 16 - Teamwork (and Outsourcing) Makes the Dream Work The Doctors Paro dive into the importance of working as a team and outsourcing whatever can be outsourced to make life work… better.

Episode Takeaways:
- It takes two to make a family, and two to make it work.
- Sometimes you need to expand the team.
- Stop keeping score.
- Outsourcing can add financial cost. Not outsourcing can add emotional cost.
- Drop the mom guilt.
- As life adapts, so does your roster.

]]> The Doctors Paro dive into the importance of working as a team and outsourcing whatever can be outsourced to make life work… better.

Episode Takeaways:
- It takes two to make a family, and two to make it work.
- Sometimes you need to expand the team.
- Stop keeping score.
- Outsourcing can add financial cost. Not outsourcing can add emotional cost.
- Drop the mom guilt.
- As life adapts, so does your roster.

]]> The Doctors Paro Buzzsprout-14372426 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 14:00:00 -0800 2217 1 16 full false Episode 15 - Renee Q&A Dr. Renee answers questions in her solo episode. 

]]> Dr. Renee answers questions in her solo episode. 

]]> The Doctors Paro Buzzsprout-14372424 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 14:00:00 -0800 3180 1 15 full false Episode 14 - Meal Prep The Doctors Paro discuss a big way that they’ve been able to do a better job with routines with meal prepping!

Episode Takeaways:
- There are a million upsides and maybe one downside.
- The prep before the prep will set you up for success.
- Just like anything, you will get better with practice.
- Meal prep + Macros = Simplicity.
- Here is literally what we do every week.
- You can troubleshoot all obstacles.

]]> The Doctors Paro discuss a big way that they’ve been able to do a better job with routines with meal prepping!

Episode Takeaways:
- There are a million upsides and maybe one downside.
- The prep before the prep will set you up for success.
- Just like anything, you will get better with practice.
- Meal prep + Macros = Simplicity.
- Here is literally what we do every week.
- You can troubleshoot all obstacles.

]]> The Doctors Paro Buzzsprout-14372421 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 14:00:00 -0800 2461 1 14 full false Eouside 13- Food Is Fuel The Doctors Paro dive into their thoughts on food and nutrition. 

Episode Takeaways:
- Identify your emotional attachment to food.
- Eat more plants. More plants.
- Tracking, even for a short period, will help you.
- Macronutrients control what you see. Micronutrients control what you can’t see.
- If you are struggling to lose weight, you are not in a calorie deficit.
- You also gotta live (a little).

]]> The Doctors Paro dive into their thoughts on food and nutrition. 

Episode Takeaways:
- Identify your emotional attachment to food.
- Eat more plants. More plants.
- Tracking, even for a short period, will help you.
- Macronutrients control what you see. Micronutrients control what you can’t see.
- If you are struggling to lose weight, you are not in a calorie deficit.
- You also gotta live (a little).

]]> The Doctors Paro Buzzsprout-14372419 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 14:00:00 -0800 2978 1 13 full false Episode 12- Respite In Routines The Doctors Paro discuss the importance of how development and refinement of a routine is the key to the changes you are looking for. 

Episode Takeaways:
- Life is a habit loop.
- Your routine determines your outcome.
- It’s OK to fail (sometimes).
- You need a good morning routine. A good morning routine starts at night.
- You are clay.
- Life changes. Adapt.

]]> The Doctors Paro discuss the importance of how development and refinement of a routine is the key to the changes you are looking for. 

Episode Takeaways:
- Life is a habit loop.
- Your routine determines your outcome.
- It’s OK to fail (sometimes).
- You need a good morning routine. A good morning routine starts at night.
- You are clay.
- Life changes. Adapt.

]]> The Doctors Paro Buzzsprout-14372416 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 14:00:00 -0800 2348 1 12 full false Episode 11 - Fitting In Fitness The Doctors Paro discuss their thoughts on how and why figuring out a fitness routine that works for YOU is vital.

Episode Takeaways:
- Don’t overcomplicate it.
- Start with something that’s fun, expand from there.
- Ladies - lift heavy. Trust me.
- Success in fitness does not require innate athleticism.
- Find accountability.
- Be appropriately skeptical of quick fixes.

]]> The Doctors Paro discuss their thoughts on how and why figuring out a fitness routine that works for YOU is vital.

Episode Takeaways:
- Don’t overcomplicate it.
- Start with something that’s fun, expand from there.
- Ladies - lift heavy. Trust me.
- Success in fitness does not require innate athleticism.
- Find accountability.
- Be appropriately skeptical of quick fixes.

]]> The Doctors Paro Buzzsprout-14372412 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 14:00:00 -0800 2922 1 11 full false Episode 10 - Finding Happy A super special episode that Dr. John gave for his Chief Resident Ground Rounds presentation prior to graduating from Stanford Plastic Surgery Residency. 

Key Takeaways:
- Happiness is not a passive action, you create it.
- Cut the negativity out - it does not serve you.
- The power of a gratitude practice.
- Happiness is not the absence of sadness.
- Happiness drives success, not vice versa.
- There are scientifically proven ways to elevate your "happiness baseline".

]]> A super special episode that Dr. John gave for his Chief Resident Ground Rounds presentation prior to graduating from Stanford Plastic Surgery Residency. 

Key Takeaways:
- Happiness is not a passive action, you create it.
- Cut the negativity out - it does not serve you.
- The power of a gratitude practice.
- Happiness is not the absence of sadness.
- Happiness drives success, not vice versa.
- There are scientifically proven ways to elevate your "happiness baseline".

]]> The Doctors Paro Buzzsprout-14372404 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 14:00:00 -0800 3105 1 10 full false Episode 9 - The First Years In Practice Drs. John and Renee talk about those important first years in practice and all that can be learned from them.

Key Takeaways:
- You can train all you want, they are still going to be super hard.
- If you're the smartest person in the room, you're in the wrong room.
- Develop your new routine of life long learning.
- Be a third year med student again.
- Invest time in figuring out your own style. It is very fun.
- You can be confident and humble at the same time.

]]> Drs. John and Renee talk about those important first years in practice and all that can be learned from them.

Key Takeaways:
- You can train all you want, they are still going to be super hard.
- If you're the smartest person in the room, you're in the wrong room.
- Develop your new routine of life long learning.
- Be a third year med student again.
- Invest time in figuring out your own style. It is very fun.
- You can be confident and humble at the same time.

]]> The Doctors Paro Buzzsprout-14372390 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 14:00:00 -0800 2579 1 9 full false Episode 8 - Choosing Your Path Drs. Renee and John discuss the importance of making big career decisions based on what makes you happy. 

Key Takeaways:
- Don't be afraid to pave your own way.
- Despite the past 7-10 of your life, academia is actually a small subset of medicine.
- Your true, lifelong mentors will support a decision you make for you.
- You have to be OK with the butt pus.
- Your career should fit in your life, not the other way around.

]]> Drs. Renee and John discuss the importance of making big career decisions based on what makes you happy. 

Key Takeaways:
- Don't be afraid to pave your own way.
- Despite the past 7-10 of your life, academia is actually a small subset of medicine.
- Your true, lifelong mentors will support a decision you make for you.
- You have to be OK with the butt pus.
- Your career should fit in your life, not the other way around.

]]> The Doctors Paro Buzzsprout-14372385 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 14:00:00 -0800 2639 1 8 full false Episode 7 - Having a Kid During Training? Drs. Renee and John discuss their crazy (but ultimately perfect) choice to have a kid during training. 

Key Takeaways:
- There is no perfect time to have a kid.
- You could have unforeseen issues, don't take your fertility for granted.
- You need to bring a different attitude to parenting than you do to the hospital.
- You might feel like you want to quit everything you worked so hard for, I did.
- You might be the sleepiest trainee. You might also be the happiest.
- Beware, it could change everything.

]]> Drs. Renee and John discuss their crazy (but ultimately perfect) choice to have a kid during training. 

Key Takeaways:
- There is no perfect time to have a kid.
- You could have unforeseen issues, don't take your fertility for granted.
- You need to bring a different attitude to parenting than you do to the hospital.
- You might feel like you want to quit everything you worked so hard for, I did.
- You might be the sleepiest trainee. You might also be the happiest.
- Beware, it could change everything.

]]> The Doctors Paro Buzzsprout-14372369 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 14:00:00 -0800 2576 1 7 full false Episode 6 - Wait, Who Are You guys? Drs. Renee and John spend this episode giving you a bit more information about who they are, a bit about their background and some fun interesting and embarrassing did bits. 

They end the episode with two truths and a lie and a little touch feely ending. 

]]> Drs. Renee and John spend this episode giving you a bit more information about who they are, a bit about their background and some fun interesting and embarrassing did bits. 

They end the episode with two truths and a lie and a little touch feely ending. 

]]> The Doctors Paro Buzzsprout-14372268 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 14:00:00 -0800 2627 1 6 full false Episode 5 - Wait, So Now I AM a Doctor? Dr. John and Renee discuss their thoughts on their training days in residency and fellowship.

Key Takeaways:
-  Show up, everyday, always.
- Learn on the job, let your patients be your teachers.
- It's a super hard, poorly paying job with excellent benefits.
- Work hard at work and then get the f*** outta there.
- You can learn something from everyone, even assholes.
- Neglecting yourself will result in losing yourself. 

]]> Dr. John and Renee discuss their thoughts on their training days in residency and fellowship.

Key Takeaways:
-  Show up, everyday, always.
- Learn on the job, let your patients be your teachers.
- It's a super hard, poorly paying job with excellent benefits.
- Work hard at work and then get the f*** outta there.
- You can learn something from everyone, even assholes.
- Neglecting yourself will result in losing yourself. 

]]> The Doctors Paro Buzzsprout-14372158 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 13:00:00 -0800 2337 1 4 full false Episode 4 - So You're Gonna Be a Doctor Dr. John and Dr. Renee discuss their thoughts on how to navigate medical school.

Key Takeaways:
-  You are more than just a medical student.
- You are meant too be there - fight back on that imposter syndrome.
- Study your ass off, but don't study your life away.
- Run your own race.
- Keep a wide open mind, especially third year.
- Your struggles will make you stronger.

]]> Dr. John and Dr. Renee discuss their thoughts on how to navigate medical school.

Key Takeaways:
-  You are more than just a medical student.
- You are meant too be there - fight back on that imposter syndrome.
- Study your ass off, but don't study your life away.
- Run your own race.
- Keep a wide open mind, especially third year.
- Your struggles will make you stronger.

]]> The Doctors Paro Buzzsprout-14372129 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 13:00:00 -0800 2450 1 3 full false Episode 3: So You Wanna Be A Doctor Dr. John and Dr. Renee discuss their path to applying to medical school.

Episode take aways:
-  Make sure you are doing this for the right reasons.
- Applying to medical school is the first in a long list of miserable but surmountable tasks.
- If you want to do this, you can do this.
- You are more than just a premed.
- Dream big and cast a big net.
- Great doctors can graduate from poorly known schools. Lousy doctors can graduate from Harvard.

]]> Dr. John and Dr. Renee discuss their path to applying to medical school.

Episode take aways:
-  Make sure you are doing this for the right reasons.
- Applying to medical school is the first in a long list of miserable but surmountable tasks.
- If you want to do this, you can do this.
- You are more than just a premed.
- Dream big and cast a big net.
- Great doctors can graduate from poorly known schools. Lousy doctors can graduate from Harvard.

]]> The Doctors Paro Buzzsprout-14372048 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 13:00:00 -0800 1857 1 3 full false Episode 1 - The Elevator Pitch Welcome to the Reconciling Medicine Podcast! We are the Doctors Paro and we hope you'll listen and enjoy our thoughts on medicine, life and all things in between. 

]]> Welcome to the Reconciling Medicine Podcast! We are the Doctors Paro and we hope you'll listen and enjoy our thoughts on medicine, life and all things in between. 

]]> The Doctors Paro Buzzsprout-14372017 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 13:00:00 -0800 903 1 1 trailer false Episode 2 - Why Medicine Is Not Dead In the kick off episode, Dr. John and Dr. Renee discuss their thoughts on why medicine is not dead.

Key Takeaways:
- Burnout is real, but it doesn't have to be a given.
- We are smart, talented, resourceful people who need to believe in ourselves more and stand up for those beliefs.
- Change doesn't have to be bad especially if physicians learn to initiate it.
- You can truly change a person's life in a clinic room.
- We know so much. We know nothing.
- We may be living longer but we aren't living better - doctors need to take action on what is causing the disease of our time, our lifestyle.

]]> In the kick off episode, Dr. John and Dr. Renee discuss their thoughts on why medicine is not dead.

Key Takeaways:
- Burnout is real, but it doesn't have to be a given.
- We are smart, talented, resourceful people who need to believe in ourselves more and stand up for those beliefs.
- Change doesn't have to be bad especially if physicians learn to initiate it.
- You can truly change a person's life in a clinic room.
- We know so much. We know nothing.
- We may be living longer but we aren't living better - doctors need to take action on what is causing the disease of our time, our lifestyle.

]]> The Doctors Paro Buzzsprout-14371993 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 13:00:00 -0800 2508 1 1 full false