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Kristin Flanary (AKA Lady Glaucomflecken) - Advocacy, Co-Survivorship & The Power Of Humor

July 23
50 mins

Episode Description

Writer, advocate, and co-creator of the Glaucomflecken universe, Kristin Flanary joins the show to explore the unexpected intersections of humor, healthcare, and co-survivorship. Known online as Lady Glaucomflecken, Kristin shares her journey from casual Twitter banter to public advocacy after performing life-saving CPR on her husband, physician and comedian Dr. Will Flanary, during his sudden cardiac arrest. 

In a system designed to center only the patient, where does that leave the partner who’s living through the trauma too? And what happens when caregivers are treated as accessories to recovery rather than humans navigating shock, PTSD, and grief of their own? Kristin reflects on the emotional toll of being a co-survivor, the role of humor in healing, and why changing the language we use in medicine is more powerful than we realize. We also unpack what it's like to build a life around a doctor’s schedule, how med school and training affects more than just the trainee, and why prestige in medicine is often overrated. 

This episode shines a light on the forgotten patients, while challenging doctors to approach families with more intention and empathy. If you’ve ever struggled to be seen in the healthcare system or want to better understand the people who stand beside the patient, this one is for you. 

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