
#44| A Veteran Dad’s Guide To Surviving Training Years
From Behind The White Coat - Real Talk For Physician Spouses by Amanda
February 16, 2026 · 49 min · Season 1 · Episode 44
About this episode
Ian Wessels shares insights on the challenges and strategies for being a primary parent during a spouse's medical training.
We sit with Ian Wessels, a Navy veteran and work-from-home dad, to explore the unseen labor, identity shifts, and relocations that define life as the primary parent while a spouse trains in cardiothoracic surgery. The talk blends candor, humor, and practical tools for mindset, self care, and community. • military medicine training timeline and family milestones • invisible labor and the emotional load at home • pressures facing female physicians in male-led specialties • strategies for moves...
People in this episode
Guest: Ian Wessels
Topics covered
- military medicine
- family dynamics
- parenting
- identity shifts
- self care
- community support
Keywords
- cardiothoracic surgery
- invisible labor
- emotional load
- female physicians
- male-led specialties
- military family
More episodes of Behind The White Coat - Real Talk For Physician Spouses
- #53| The Male Physician Spouse Experience: Identity, Support, and Balance · April 20, 2026 · 37 min
- #52| Are You Rich Or Are You Wealthy · April 13, 2026 · 30 min
- #51| Building A Dual Physician Life In Nashville · April 6, 2026 · 31 min
- #50| On Call Parenting, Real Talk From The Kids · March 30, 2026 · 23 min
- #49| The Hidden Cost Of Moving Far From Family · March 23, 2026 · 9 min
- #48| Self-Care Is A Necessity, Not A Luxury · March 16, 2026 · 12 min
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