Charting My Future is the ultimate, no-filter guide for high schoolers figuring out if a career in healthcare is their true calling.
Hosted by high school junior Addie Hammer, this podcast cuts through generic job descriptions and textbook biology to reveal what a career in medicine actually feels like day-to-day. Aimed at students who love science, care deeply about helping others, and light up around kids, each 20-minute episode offers an honest, insider look into human-facing health professions.
What to expect each episode:
Real Talk with Experts: Straightforward interviews with professionals across fields like Pediatrics, Pediatric Surgery, Neonatology, Nursing, ENT, Child Life, and more.
The Questions You Actually Care About: Guests tackle five anchor questions every high schooler needs to know from their actual step-by-step path from age 16 to their current job, to the hardest trade-offs and unexpected skills required.
Behind-the-Scenes Insights: Addie's guest line-up shares what they wish they knew at 16, how their work handles pediatric care, and what modern medicine looks like beyond coding and AI.
Honest Reflections: Every episode closes with a candid host reflection on whether that specialty is worth pursuing, helping you decide if it belongs on your shortlist.
Whether you're a high school freshman exploring options or a junior narrowing down your path, hit subscribe and start charting your future in medicine today!
Pulmonary & Critcal Care with Dr. Raghav Gupta, MD, FCCP
Inside the Mind of a Pulmonary Critical Care Physician
Discover the challenges and insights from Dr. Gupta's journey in medicine.
Dr. Gupta, a board-certified pulmonary and critical care physician, shares his journey through the complex and rewarding field of medicine. His insights provide a glimpse into not only the technical skills required but also the emotional intelligence necessary for success.
## The Importance of Communication
Dr. Gupta emphasizes the crucial role of communication in healthcare. He notes,
> "I wish we would have more training for communication when we are in med school and internal medicine residencies and fellowships. Communication is so important to make it easy for the family members to understand what we are doing and to make them feel that they are connected to what we are doing to them."
This sentiment highlights the need for healthcare professionals to engage with patients and their families effectively, ensuring they understand the complexities of care.
## Emotional Challenges in Critical Care
One of the most difficult aspects of Dr. Gupta's job is navigating the emotional landscape of critical care. He explains,
> "The most challenging part what I feel... is how to get the patient straightened up and at the same time connect to the family."
This emotional content is a heavy burden that requires both compassion and clarity, especially when families are faced with life-altering decisions about their loved ones.
## The Role of AI in Healthcare
As technology advances, Dr. Gupta discusses the integration of AI in procedures, particularly in robotic bronchoscopies. He notes,
> "When we use a robot... it can also give us more precision and less side effects from the biopsy."
This reflects a growing trend in medicine where technology supports, but does not replace, the human touch essential in patient care.
## Advice for Aspiring Healthcare Professionals
For those considering a career in healthcare, Dr. Gupta's advice is straightforward: cultivate a hunger for knowledge and growth. He states,
> "The hunger would be should be alive all the time."
His passion for the field is evident as he describes the immediate gratification of seeing patients recover, reinforcing the rewarding nature of this career.
In a field filled with challenges and emotional highs and lows, Dr. Gupta's insights remind us of the profound impact healthcare professionals have on their patients and their families.
For a deeper dive into Dr. Gupta's experiences, listen to the full episode.
9 Oct 2026
Advanced Nursing Practice with Joanna Johnson, NP
Addie Chats with Joanna Johnson about advanced clinical nursing practice and being a clinical nurse specialist.
3 Oct 2026
Speech & Language Pathology with Will Schmidt
Addie talks with Will Schmidt, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S about his career as a Speech & Language Pathologist.
30 Sept 2026
Oncologic Pharmacy with Dr. Joel Haire, PharmD
Pharmacy is more than pills and prescriptions - and Dr. Joel Haire, PharmD reveals the parts of the job most people never see. If you think pharmacy is just a back-office role, this conversation will change how you see the field, especially if you're a student trying to choose a healthcare path. Addie Hammer talks with Dr. Joel Haire, a pharmacist at Deaconess Health System in Indiana, about how he found his way into healthcare, what it really takes to work in oncology and infusion pharmacy, and why the future of the profession belongs to people who can combine clinical judgment with technology.
18 Sept 2026
Occupational Therapy with Lori Schmidt
Episode 2- Addie chats with Lori Schmidt, an Occupational Therapist with 36 years of experience.
12 Sept 2026
Ears, Nose and Throat Surgery with Dr. Allison K. Royer, MD
In this episode of Charting My Future, host Addie Hammer sits down with Dr. Allison Royer, an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor from Indiana.
Dr. Royer shares her journey into medicine and provides valuable insights into what it takes to pursue a career as a physician.
The Path to Becoming an ENT: From high school to undergraduate studies, medical school, and a 5-year residency.
Essential Skills: Why teamwork, listening, and collaboration are essential for physicians.
Daily Responsibilities: What a typical day looks like split between the clinic and the operating room.
Pediatric Care in Otolaryngology: The unique aspects and challenges of treating children versus adults.
Surprises & Advice: The unseen administrative work behind patient visits and advice for high school students considering a career in healthcare.
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Apple Podcasts (US)
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