October 2021

Welcome to the October issue of WonderWell, a newsletter intended to gather the most groundbreaking research and insightful commentaries in evidence-based medicine, wellness, healthcare leadership, writing, and innovation to help you live and work in alignment with your purpose and well-being. 

Wiltshire, UK, Oct 2021

Some things that had me wondering this month:

1. COVID and…
The kids are alright:  from The Washington Post, a story about a young boy not wanting to take his mask off for his school photo, and his sweet reason why!

A Canadian physician’s essay on caring for patients:  and reflections on managing those who remain unvaccinated.

A great way to frame the pandemic trajectory ahead (without forecasting): From The Atlantic, 6 rules to help provide context ahead of the Fall/Winter.

2. Podcasts (& shows/books) worth listening to/watching 
I loved this interview between psychiatrist Paul Conti and Tim Ferris on understanding trauma, the brain, and behavior.

And, in about 2 weeks in the US, Anil Seth’s book, Being You, will be released (it’s already out in the UK, a Sunday Times bestseller, and fascinating). I recently [and serendipitously] met Anil and had some of the most interesting chats in recent memory. His popular TedTalk is also worth a watch.

3.On…#Metoo, Consent, Desire, and so much more
By Philosophy Professor, Amia Srinivasan — her piece in the NYT was probably the most shared essay in my network last month. Her book of essays, The Right to Sex is also an excellent read.

4.Sound (and wise) reflections
And as part of the OpEd project, I coached Suparna Dutta and this is her first piece, on the butterfly effect impacting hospital transfers

5.Miscellany

The future of work is here.

If Canadian journalist, Sydney Page, who regularly writes for the “Inspired Life” column of the Washington Post, is not yet on your weekly reading list, she should be. This will make you cry (and hopefully smile too). 

6.Best tweets of the month goes to…
Sahil Bloom, on what the Chinese bamboo can teach us about growth
Tareq Hadhad on the Canadian election
Elaine Welteroth, quoting part of Michaela Coel’s Emmy speech

Adam Grant, on reframing ‘self-worth’

Ted Lasso (which I just started watching!), on grief

7.Products/Services that have made a meaningful difference during the pandemic:

As mentioned last month, I’m trying something new. This newsletter is not sponsored, but I love sharing products/services (including books, workshops) that have made a meaningful difference in my day-to-day, i.e. things I’d share with my friends. So I thought I’d share one with you each month.

This month, I’m sharing this small device — the Zulay frother. I love it for matcha, chai, coffee lattes for ambrosia-like froth, even for milk alternatives like oat or soy. It just makes the colder mornings (and frantic Sunday afternoons) a little more enjoyable.

Here it helped me create a fluffy chai (a ‘chuffy’?)

         Chuffy!

In My Own Words…

For Elemental, I wrote about a topic I’ve been a bit obsessed with since February 2021: the sharing of opinions by ‘experts’ while a pandemic is underway. Poynter, which is a journalistic resource, ran a slightly different version as well.  Writing wise, I just submitted my second round of book edits, and got assigned a really interesting magazine story, which brings me to London for a few weeks. The last ‘truly’ longform story I worked on was this one, so I’m eager to dig in.

Fly-fishing in West Chisenbury

I also caught my first ever fish (wild trout!), during my first ever fishing trip (in Wiltshire), with a very patient teacher (thanks RC!). It’s not trout season, so we put it back. But…’teach a woman to fish and she’ll smile for a lifetime?’ might be a great quote adaptation for these times. As well: I didn’t realize how meditative and relaxing fly fishing is…though…

If you have time this month, please consider donating to St Michael’s hospital foundation. A dear mentor (and a much-loved teacher of medical students and residents) from medical school, Dr Robert Sargeant, was diagnosed with an incurable form of brain cancer just over a year ago. I know that I still remain hopeful. Arguably Dr Sargeant was among the first people who turned me onto writing about medicine, with an essay he suggested we (our clerkship rotation group in general internal medicine) read: Letting Go by Atul Gawande.
It takes on special significance at this time. 

Have a healthy, joyful, and safe October,

Amitha Kalaichandran, M.D., M.H.S.