Friendship Is Medicine
In this solo episode of Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir MD, I open up about the friends who carried me through the hardest chapters—burnout, moral injury, postpartum depression, and even the days leading up to my TEDx talk when I felt overwhelmed and full of doubt.
We live in what the U.S. Surgeon General has called a loneliness epidemic, and research confirms that loneliness is more than emotional pain—it’s a public health issue. But friendships aren’t just a comfort. They are biological, emotional, and performance enhancers that literally rewire our brains and bodies.
This episode is dedicated to the power of friendship: why it’s essential, what it does to our nervous systems, and how you can start treating it as non-negotiable in your well-being and success strategy.
Episode Takeaways
By the end of this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why the loneliness epidemic is one of today’s biggest health threats.
- How friendship reduces stress, lowers inflammation, and boosts happiness.
- The neuroscience of connection: oxytocin, dopamine, mirror neurons, and cortisol.
- Why friendships fuel performance by unlocking focus, creativity, and resilience.
- Three steps to making friendships an intentional practice: prioritize, be intentional, go deep.
About the Host
Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician, TEDx Speaker, and Master Certified Professional Coach with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, Behavior Change, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of high achievers.
Dr. Shabbir is the Founder & CEO of Success Curated and host of Success Reimagined, a top global podcast exploring the crossroads of ambition and wellness.
Connect with Dr. Shabbir:
📸 Instagram
💼 LinkedIn
🌍 Book Her to Speak
🌐 No Cost Application to Join The Unmasking Perfectionism Community: https://unmaskingperfectionism.com/
❌ Disclaimer
This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.
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