How to Be Patient
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Top 10 How to Be Patient Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best How to Be Patient episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to How to Be Patient for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite How to Be Patient episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Our Favorite Coping Skills for Working in Stressful Times
How to Be Patient
04/21/25 • 77 min
In Episode 16, Preston and Margaret dive into the chaos of overnight residency, the reality of sleep deprivation, and how mindfulness can backfire when your brain just won’t sit still. From ruined meditations to hot girl walks through hospital hallways, they unpack what real-world coping actually looks like—before, during, and after the hardest moments.
Takeaways:
Coping doesn’t always look like calm. Sometimes it looks like sour gummy worms, a midnight hospital lap, or an espresso ritual that holds your brain together.
Mindfulness is hard—especially when you need it most. Preston and Margaret explore why stillness can feel unbearable and what that reveals.
The ‘right’ tool at the wrong time can make things worse. They break down when distraction works, when it doesn’t, and why guilt shouldn’t be part of the equation.
Safety plans might be broken. What happens when you’re just checking boxes—and how can we make them matter again?
Sometimes the coping skill is just surviving. This episode redefines success as doing what you can with what you’ve got, even if it's messy.
Watch on YouTube: @itspresro
Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc.
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Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content
Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com
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ADHD In the Media
How to Be Patient
02/03/25 • 78 min
In this episode Preston and Margaret tackle one of the most talked-about topics in mental health today—ADHD. From the historical roots of the diagnosis to the impact of modern social media trends, they explore how our understanding of ADHD has evolved over time. They discuss the challenges of diagnosing ADHD in both children and adults, the role of social media in spreading information (and misinformation), and the real-life impact of the disorder.
Takeaways:
ADHD Has Deep Historical Roots: The first observations of ADHD-like symptoms date back to the 1930s, when stimulants were found to improve focus in children originally treated for other conditions.
Diagnosis Isn’t Always Simple: ADHD symptoms can overlap with anxiety, depression, and other conditions, making proper evaluation and history-taking crucial for an accurate diagnosis.
Social Media: Help or Hinderance? While platforms like TikTok can offer community and validation, they can also contribute to misinformation and oversimplified self-diagnoses.
Early Treatment Matters: Research shows that children who receive appropriate ADHD treatment, including medication, often have better long-term outcomes and lower rates of substance use.
ADHD Is More Than Inattention: The condition impacts executive functioning, emotional regulation, and impulse control, which can affect relationships, careers, and daily life beyond just focusing.
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Watch on YouTube: @itspresro
Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc.
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Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content
Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Rapport Building
How to Be Patient
01/27/25 • 82 min
In this episode Preston and Margaret explore the complex concept of rapport in healthcare. They reflect on the challenges of building meaningful connections with patients and the impact these relationships have on medical outcomes. From awkward early encounters in medical school to techniques they've developed as psychiatry residents, this episode unpacks what it means to truly connect.
Takeaways:
Rapport Is More Than Liking: Building rapport isn’t just about being liked; it’s about creating trust, safety, and understanding between clinician and patient.
Authenticity Matters: Patients respond to doctors who show up as their authentic selves. Balancing professionalism with humanity is key to trust-building.
Rapport Shapes Outcomes: Research shows that strong patient-clinician relationships lead to better health outcomes, regardless of the treatment modality used.
Tailor Your Approach: Building rapport requires adapting to each patient’s unique personality and background. What works for one patient may not work for another.
Empathy Is a Skill: Empathy takes practice, energy, and intentionality. It's not about agreeing with patients, but about understanding them deeply.
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Watch on YouTube: @itspresro
Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc.
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Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content
Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Treating Back Pain and Trending on Tik Tok
How to Be Patient
02/17/25 • 94 min
In this episode Preston and Margaret welcome their first guest, neurosurgeon and content creator Dr. Betsy Grunch (aka Lady Spine Doc), for a deep dive into pain—how we treat it, how we misunderstand it, and how the system often fails those who experience it.
Takeaways:
Pain Is Not Just Physical: Chronic pain isn’t just about physical damage—it involves neurological, psychological, and emotional factors that make treatment complex.
Back Surgery Isn’t Always the Answer: Failed back surgery syndrome is common, often because patients receive the wrong procedure or aren’t properly prepared for surgery.
Empathy Improves Patient Outcomes: Research shows that patients who feel heard and understood by their doctors have better surgical and pain management outcomes.
Social Media Shapes Medical Conversations: Platforms like TikTok have transformed how patients and doctors discuss pain, sometimes for better—but also with risks of misinformation.
Medical Training Can Be Dehumanizing: The culture of surgery often discourages emotional connection, but rediscovering empathy is key to being a great physician.
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Want more Dr. Betsy Grunch:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ladyspinedoc?_t=8rhZfY7LgLe&_r=1
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ladyspinedoc
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ladyspinedoc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ladyspinedoc
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@ladyspinedoc
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drgrunch
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/ladyspinedoc
Watch on YouTube: @itspresro
Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc.
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Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content
Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com
Citations:
Chapters 1.16 and 27.15. Sadock, Benjamin J, et al. Kaplan & Sadock’s Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Wolters Kluwer, 2025.
Oliveira CB, Maher CG, Pinto RZ, Traeger AC, Lin CC, Chenot JF, van Tulder M, Koes BW. Clinical practice guidelines for the management of non-specific low back pain in primary care: an updated overview. Eur Spine J. 2018 Nov;27(11):2791-2803. doi: 10.1007/s00586-018-5673-2. Epub 2018 Jul 3. PMID: 29971708.
Stanford Center for Chronic Pain and American Chronic Pain Association Guide.
https://www.acpanow.com/acpa-stanford-guide.html#/
George SZ, Fritz JM, Silfies SP, Schneider MJ, Beneciuk JM, Lentz TA, Gilliam JR, Hendren S, Norman KS. Interventions for the Management of Acute and Chronic Low Back Pain: Revision 2021. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2021 Nov;51(11):CPG1-CPG60. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2021.0304. PMID: 34719942; PMCID: PMC10508241.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30265840/
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Alcohol: Examining Alcohol culture, history, and use disorder
How to Be Patient
04/14/25 • 94 min
In Episode 15, Preston and Margaret open a bottle—of questions, stories, and science—about alcohol use disorder. What do we get wrong about “moderate” drinking? Why is detox more dangerous than most people realize? And how does alcohol quietly reshape identity, relationships, and the brain itself? With their signature blend of honesty and humor, they explore the unexpected ways drinking shows up in medicine, the myths that keep us stuck, and the messy, meaningful path to redefining recovery.
Takeaways:
What if “just a drink” isn’t so simple? Preston and Margaret explore how subtle patterns can blur the line between social drinking and something more.
Could quitting be more dangerous than drinking? There’s a reason detox needs to be taken seriously—and it’s not what you think.
What does alcohol really do to your brain? Let’s just say it’s a little more complicated than relaxation and red wine.
Why don’t we talk about medication for alcohol use disorder? The answers are as cultural as they are clinical.
Is recovery a destination—or something else entirely? Margaret and Preston unpack a version of success that doesn’t always fit the script.
Watch on YouTube: @itspresro
Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc.
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Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content
Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Exercise, Nutrition and Mental Health
How to Be Patient
02/10/25 • 79 min
In this episode Preston and Margaret take a deep dive into the complex relationship between exercise and mental health. They discuss the science behind how movement impacts the brain, debunk common myths about fitness, and explore the psychological barriers that prevent people from incorporating exercise into their lives.
Takeaways:
Exercise Impacts Mental Health Bi-Directionally: Movement not only improves mental health, but mental health conditions can also act as barriers to engaging in exercise.
Fitness Advice Often Lacks Specificity: Many healthcare providers acknowledge the benefits of exercise but rarely provide concrete strategies to help patients incorporate it into their lives.
Movement Should Be Enjoyable: Finding a form of exercise that brings joy—whether it's dancing, hiking, or lifting—makes it easier to sustain and integrate into daily life.
Setting Small, Achievable Goals is Key: Utilizing SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) can help create consistency without overwhelming pressure.
Exercise Isn't Just About Weight: Shifting the focus from aesthetics to function, strength, and mental well-being can create a healthier and more sustainable relationship with movement.
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Watch on YouTube: @itspresro
Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc.
—
Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content
Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Couples and Sex Therapy: Myths and Truths (Part 2)
How to Be Patient
05/19/25 • 58 min
In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Nikki Haddad, we went from couples therapy theory to Simpsons cosplay, and yes—it was as chaotic and illuminating as it sounds. Margaret and I roleplay Homer and Marge in a fictional session while Nikki breaks down what’s actually happening between us (emotionally, not just cartoonishly). Along the way, we talk about heteronormativity, escapism, parenting exhaustion, and the red flags that get mistaken for romance. It’s part improv, part therapy, part meltdown. But somehow, it makes sense.
Takeaways:
- Couples therapy gets real fast when you’re pretending to be Homer Simpson. And somehow, the emotional truth still lands.
- Escapism isn’t always the problem—sometimes it’s the signal. Nikki helps us unpack how conflict, withdrawal, and resentment show up underneath the surface.
- Heteronormativity shows up even when you think you’re past it. From breadwinner guilt to emotional labor, we talk about the roles we don’t realize we’re playing.
- Being a therapist in the room with two people pretending to fall apart is harder than it looks. Nikki walks us through what she watches for—and what she doesn’t say out loud.
- Yes, we were roleplaying. No, we were not okay. But that’s what makes this one worth listening to.
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Want more Dr. Nikki Haddad:
IG: @nikkiiiirose
Watch on YouTube: @itspresro
Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc.
—
Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content
Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Motivational Interviewing
How to Be Patient
02/24/25 • 96 min
In this episode Preston and Margaret are joined by Dr. David Roberts to explore the fascinating world of motivational interviewing (MI)—a counseling technique designed to help patients navigate ambivalence and commit to meaningful change. Dr. Roberts shares insights from his years of experience training psychiatrists and therapists, breaking down MI into practical techniques that anyone can use to foster deeper, more effective conversations. We even do a fake therapy session with our producer Aron Korney!
Takeaways:
Motivational Interviewing Bridges Ambivalence: MI helps people resolve mixed feelings about change by guiding them to articulate their own reasons for making a shift.
Change Talk Sparks Action: Encouraging patients to express their desire, ability, reasons, and need for change strengthens their motivation to take action.
Reflections Deepen Understanding: Simple and complex reflections help mirror a patient’s thoughts and feelings, making them feel heard while subtly guiding them toward insight.
Pacing Matters: Being too directive can lead to resistance, while being too passive may feel ineffective—MI teaches a balanced approach that fosters real conversations.
Practice Makes Progress: MI is a learnable skill that improves with intentional practice, making difficult conversations about change smoother and more effective over time.
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Want more Dr. David Roberts:
https://providers.uthscsa.edu/providers/david-l-roberts-1255650917/
Want more Aron Korney:
Human Values Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/human-values/id1622760459
Watch on YouTube: @itspresro
Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc.
—
Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content
Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Cannabis and Coping: A Mixed Relationship
How to Be Patient
03/03/25 • 71 min
In this episode Preston and Margaret explore the endocannabinoid system, cannabis, and its impact on mental health. They break down the science behind CB1 and CB2 receptors, explain why marijuana affects people so differently, and discuss the complex relationship between THC, CBD, and dopamine. Along the way, they tackle myths about cannabis use, addiction, and medical marijuana, shedding light on what we actually know—and what remains a mystery due to historical barriers to research.
Takeaways:
The Endocannabinoid System is Vast and Mysterious: CB1 and CB2 receptors exist throughout the body, influencing pain, pleasure, nausea, and more—but the full scope of their role remains unclear.
Marijuana’s Effects Depend on the User: Some people experience relaxation and appetite stimulation, while others develop anxiety, paranoia, or even worsening nausea with chronic use.
The THC-to-CBD Ratio Matters: Over time, cannabis strains have been bred to increase THC potency, which may contribute to heightened psychiatric risks, including psychosis.
Cannabis Can Have Severe Side Effects: Long-term use can lead to cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS)—a condition causing severe nausea and vomiting—and may increase the risk of cannabis-induced psychosis in predisposed individuals.
Medical Cannabis Outpaced the Research: While cannabis is now widely used for medical purposes, much of its effectiveness is anecdotal, and research on its long-term mental health impacts is still catching up.
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Watch on YouTube: @itspresro
Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc.
—
Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content
Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Couples and Sex Therapy: Myths and Truths (Part 1)
How to Be Patient
05/12/25 • 63 min
In this episode, we sat down with Dr. Nikki Haddad—Margaret's residency best friend, couples and sex therapist, and one of the most thoughtful psychiatrists I know—to break down what makes romantic relationships so damn hard. We get into myths we’ve carried (and tried to shake), how sexual issues are rarely just about sex, and why our training in medicine doesn’t prepare us to talk about any of this. Nikki then walks us through the five developmental stages of a relationship and this is only Part 1. Be sure to stay tuned next week for Part 2 of the conversation!
Takeaways:
I used to think the right relationship should feel easy. Turns out, the real ones take work, discomfort, and occasionally arguing over ice cream.
Nikki taught us that sex issues aren’t just about the act—they’re a doorway to everything else we avoid.
I finally learned what “differentiation” means in a relationship—and why it feels like breaking up with your past self.
Couples therapy isn’t just two people yelling about chores. It’s a roadmap, a mirror, and a lot of basketball metaphors.
Yes, Margaret and I roleplayed a fictional couple. Yes, I did an accent. No, we will not be taking questions.
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Want more Dr. Nikki Haddad:
IG: @nikkiiiirose
Watch on YouTube: @itspresro
Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc.
—
Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content
Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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FAQ
How many episodes does How to Be Patient have?
How to Be Patient currently has 23 episodes available.
What topics does How to Be Patient cover?
The podcast is about Health & Fitness, Mental Health, Medicine and Podcasts.
What is the most popular episode on How to Be Patient?
The episode title 'Attachment Theory, just hanging in there' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on How to Be Patient?
The average episode length on How to Be Patient is 70 minutes.
How often are episodes of How to Be Patient released?
Episodes of How to Be Patient are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of How to Be Patient?
The first episode of How to Be Patient was released on Nov 8, 2024.
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