First Line | Holistic Mental Health and Medical Education
First Line is dedicated to whole-person mental health and wellness. Dr. Aubrey Ann Jackson believes that true health starts with lifestyle choices and preventative care, rather than just treating symptoms. In addition to exploring holistic wellness, First Line features bonus episodes on medical education and offers subscribers exclusive pre-med content. Join Dr. Jackson as she navigates the interconnectedness of body, mind, and spirit in an evolving world of health misinformation. Subscribe for exclusive MCAT content review: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/firstline/subscribe
Episodes
Episode 199. Let's explore immature defense mechanisms by Enneagram type, uncovering how each type unconsciously protects itself under stress and how automatic reactions shape our hevaior and relationships with others. You’ll learn how these patterns show up across the Enneagram triads and how awareness can open the door to growth.
Visit First Line’s website and blog: https://www.firstlinepodcast.com
Episode 198. We'll break down how the NRMP residency match algorithm works and the strategy for building a strong rank order list to optimize your match outcome. We'll also cover how and when to use a letter of intent.
Visit First Line’s website and blog: https://www.firstlinepodcast.com
Editing Service for Pre-Med and Medical Students (CV, personal statement, applications): https://www.firstlinepodcast.com/service...
Episode 197. We'll explore intentional living as a way to slow down without losing momentum, especially when life feels busy and overwhelming. You’ll learn practical ways to unplug from digital distractions, reconnect with mindful movement, incorporate journaling and reading to your routine, and create space for clarity and focus.
Visit First Line’s website and blog: https://www.firstlinepodcast.com
Episode 196. Let's explore what it looks like to slow down and make space for what truly matters, from creative expression and volunteering to overcoming procrastination and finding presence in everyday moments. Through little habits to practice more mindfulness, this conversation offers more suggestions to help you intentionally live with more meaning and connection.
Visit First Line’s website and blog: https://www.firstlin...
Episode 195. As we step into 2026, this episode explores intentional living through simple, restorative practices like mindful walking, connecting with nature, creative rest, and everyday moments of joy. From prayer and spiritual grounding to slowing down routines that support mental health and presence, you’ll learn practices to help start the new year (or begin to incorporate anytime) with clarity, balance, and deeper connection.
Episode 194. We explore intentional living through the lens of rest, mindfulness, and slow mornings, highlighting the importance of quality sleep, morning routines, and daily mindfulness practices for overall well-being. Let's talk about how simple habits like savoring a warm morning beverage, practicing presence, and creating intentional habits can help reduce stress, support mental health, and bring more calm and balance into...
Episode 193. Learn how trauma can show up in your life, even years later, and the impacts it can have on how you see yourself and interact with other people. Join us to learn how to identify these patterns with compassion and begin making sense of where they truly stem from.
Visit First Line’s website and blog: https://www.firstlinepodcast.com
Editing Service for Pre-Med and Medical Students (CV, personal statement, applicati...
Episode 192. Discover two superfoods that deliver major health benefits thanks to their healthy fats, vitamins, and antioxidants. We'll break down how these everyday foods support heart health, brain function, metabolism, and overall wellness.
Visit First Line’s website and blog: https://www.firstlinepodcast.com
Editing Service for Pre-Med and Medical Students (CV, personal statement, applications): https://www.firstli...
Episode 191. Let's break down what hernias are; discuss the different types including inguinal, umbilical, femoral, and hiatal; why they happen; and the most common symptoms people should recognize. We also explore when hernia surgery is recommended, what the repair process looks like, and what you should know.
Visit First Line’s website and blog: https://www.firstlinepodcast.com
Episode 190. We break down the symptoms of gallbladder disease and explain how stones and sludge can trigger pain, nausea, and digestive flare-ups. We also discuss the basics of gallbladder removal surgery called cholecystectomy and a potential complication called post-cholecystectomy syndrome.
Visit First Line’s website and blog: https://www.firstlinepodcast.com
Editing Service for Pre-Med and Medical Students (CV, personal ...
Episode 189. Your menstrual cycle can reveal a lot about your hormonal health. Let's explore how conditions like estrogen dominance, PCOS, fibroids, and endometriosis can contribute to irregular or painful periods, and how to support your hormones without medication.
Visit First Line’s website and blog: https://www.firstlinepodcast.com
Editing Service for Pre-Med and Medical Students (CV, personal statement, applications)...
Episode 188. Let’s break down different types of sensory disturbances to help you understand the variations of normal sensory processing and what differences show up in a variety of neurological and psychiatric conditions, including migraines, depression, and schizophrenia. Then, we’ll discuss differences in thought processes, such as circumstantiality, and thought content, such as delusions and obsessions.
Episode 187. Understand dizziness, including the definition and different types, such as vertigo, pre-syncope, and disequilibrium. We'll also discuss the causes of dizziness, from dehydration and bradycardia to vestibular migraines and anemia.
Visit First Line’s website and blog: https://www.firstlinepodcast.com
Editing Service for Pre-Med and Medical Students (CV, personal statement, applications): https://www.firstli...
Episode 186. Nervous about residency interviews? Learn why mock interviews are the ultimate prep tool to boost your confidence on interview day. I share insider tips, common pitfalls, and how structured feedback can help uncover blind spots, strengthen your delivery, and set you apart from other applicants. Here’s how to stand out this interview season and match with your top program.
Episode 111: Residency Interviews: Preparing Ans...
Episode 185. Let's talk about the best approaches to reduce picky eating while I talk about 15 new foods I introduced to my toddler when she was between 15 and 18 months old.
Visit First Line’s website and blog: https://www.firstlinepodcast.com
Episode 184. Hear from a professional ERAS application editor about what Chat GPT gets right (and wrong) about writing a strong personal statement for residency applications. Let's talk about 2025 updates to the advice I give based on my years of experience working with applicants.
Visit First Line’s website and blog: https://www.firstlinepodcast.com
Editing Service for Pre-Med and Medical Students (CV, personal statement...
Episode 183. Let’s talk about the benefits of breastfeeding and why I made the choice to breastfeed for two years as a working mom (doctor in residency). Hear about some of the details of my journey and why I am not planning on weaning quite yet.
Visit First Line’s website and blog: https://www.firstlinepodcast.com
Editing Service for Pre-Med and Medical Students (CV, personal statement, applications): https://www.firstlin...
Episode 182. I'm asked frequently how I make time for all the roles I have: as a resident physician, a mother, a podcast host, and a professional writer and editor (and still make time for family and, yes, even video games). I don't have it all figured out and make mistakes (and learn!) daily, but here I'll take the time to share what has worked for me over the last few years on my quest for "work life balance" and "having it all".
Episode 181. Let's talk about how effective exercise really is for mental health, especially symptoms of depression, and how this relates to other treatments like medications and therapy. Here is why some doctors are prescribing exercise (and why some are still slow to embrace lifestyle changes). We'll discuss what is typically recommended to support mental wellness through exercise and my personal tips to make you more suc...
Episode 180. We’ll explore how traits of borderline personality disorder can show up across different triads and stances of the Enneagram. Let’s break down how 7 of the 9 numbers overlap with BPD patterns like identity confusion, fear of abandonment, emotional reactivity, and relational intensity (and hear which 2 numbers don’t fit with BPD at all).
Visit First Line’s website and blog: https://www.firstlinepodcast.com
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