Is small talk actually necessary, or are we all just pretending to enjoy it?

In this episode of Social Rounds, Frances Mei Hardin and Ryan Montoya take over the show while Tony Chin-Quee is away, diving into the psychology of awkward conversations, people pleasing, media training, and why some of the best insults are the ones delivered with perfect timing.

They discuss the art of conversation, surviving uncomfortable social situations, why authenticity beats networking, and how physicians often carry people-pleasing habits long after training ends. Along the way, they trade favorite insults, debate whether small talk serves any purpose, and explore how media training changed the way Frances approaches difficult conversations.

Topics include:

• The funniest insults of all time
• Why doctors struggle with people pleasing
• Escaping awkward conversations
• Media training for physicians
• Authenticity vs networking
• Social anxiety and professional relationships
• Communication psychology
• Life after medicine
• The return of Social Rounds without Tony

Subscribe for new episodes every week exploring medicine, psychology, creativity, and the culture surrounding healthcare.

Hosted by:

Frances Mei Hardin: @francesmeimd

Ryan Montoya: @ryan_montoya_art

Produced by: The Hippocratic Collective

Family medicine is one of the most misunderstood specialties in medicine.

In this episode of Social Rounds, Tony Chin-Quee, Frances Mei Hardin, and Ryan Montoya tackle the biggest myths surrounding primary care—from physician salaries and burnout to diversity in medicine, side hustles, chronic disease management, and what family medicine is actually like in practice.

They also play a new game, "Scroll or Troll," debating the state of medical social media and whether doctors should be making day-in-the-life videos, get-ready-with-me reels, medical rap songs, and residency application content.

Plus, Tony shares a major life update as he prepares to leave the show temporarily for his move to Canada.

If you're a medical student, resident, physician, or simply curious about how medicine really works behind the scenes, this episode offers an honest—and often hilarious—look at one of healthcare's most essential specialties.

Topics include:

• Is family medicine really underpaid?
• Why primary care physicians burn out
• Diversity and representation in medicine
• The realities of chronic disease management
• Medical student stereotypes
• Physician influencers and social media
• Residency culture
• Tony's move to Canada

Subscribe for new conversations every week exploring medicine, healthcare culture, and the lives of physicians beyond the hospital.

Hosted by:

Tony Chin-Quee: @wheyouat

Frances Mei Hardin: @francesmeimd

Ryan Montoya: @ryan_montoya_art

Produced by: The Hippocratic Collective

Can you trust a plastic surgeon who isn't attractive? Is it safe to travel abroad for cosmetic surgery? Should your surgeon say "no" if your expectations aren't realistic?

This week on Social Rounds, Frances Mei Hardin, MD and Tony Chin-Quee are joined by newly graduated plastic surgeon Dr. Liz Malphrus for an honest (and hilarious) conversation about the biggest myths surrounding plastic surgery.

Together they discuss:

• Should plastic surgeons "look the part"?
• Why good surgeons sometimes refuse to operate
• The truth about breast implants and cosmetic surgery
• Medical tourism: Brazil, Turkey, Mexico, and the real risks
• How to choose the right plastic surgeon
• Why cheap cosmetic surgery can become very expensive
• Plastic surgery ethics, patient expectations, and body image

Whether you're considering cosmetic surgery, curious about plastic surgery, or simply enjoy candid conversations about medicine and culture, this episode pulls back the curtain on one of healthcare's most misunderstood specialties.

Hosted by:

Tony Chin-Quee: @wheyouat

Frances Mei Hardin: @francesmeimd

Guest: Dr. Liz Malphrus

Connect with Liz: @dr.malphrus

Produced by: The Hippocratic Collective