31 December 2025
Dr. John and Shaunna with Dr. Amanda | Martyrs and Saints: Rewriting Motherhood and Medicine
Voyage Clinics Podcast
About
This episode of the Voyage Clinics Podcast opens with a powerful and intimate poem by Shaunna Sanders, “Martyrs and Saints,” which reframes motherhood away from exhaustion, self-denial, and moralized sacrifice. The poem challenges cultural and religious narratives that equate worthiness with sleeplessness, constant service, and self-erasure, offering instead a vision of womanhood rooted in rest, boundaries, self-awareness, and divine reflection. It serves as the emotional foundation for a broader conversation about motherhood, identity, and calling.
Dr. Amanda Primensberger joins Dr. John Sanders and Shaunna to explore the realities of navigating motherhood alongside demanding professional roles in medicine. They reflect on generational expectations of “doing it all,” the loss of self that can occur in both traditional and professional paths, and the pressure placed on women to sacrifice without limits. Dr. Primensberger shares personal stories from medical training and early motherhood that highlight the moral injury, burnout, and family strain caused by rigid healthcare systems that prioritize productivity over humanity.
The conversation culminates in Dr. Primensberger’s decision to leave traditional healthcare and build a Direct Primary Care practice aligned with her values. By choosing flexibility, transparency, and relational care, she reclaimed presence at home and meaning at work, while modeling courage and sacrifice for her children. The episode ultimately affirms that choosing boundaries, embracing seasons of life, and pursuing alignment over martyrdom can lead to deeper connection, better care, and a more sustainable, integrated life.
Disclaimer: The content provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice nor as a substitute for professional medical consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Disclaimer: The content provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice nor as a substitute for professional medical consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Dr. Amanda Primensberger joins Dr. John Sanders and Shaunna to explore the realities of navigating motherhood alongside demanding professional roles in medicine. They reflect on generational expectations of “doing it all,” the loss of self that can occur in both traditional and professional paths, and the pressure placed on women to sacrifice without limits. Dr. Primensberger shares personal stories from medical training and early motherhood that highlight the moral injury, burnout, and family strain caused by rigid healthcare systems that prioritize productivity over humanity.
The conversation culminates in Dr. Primensberger’s decision to leave traditional healthcare and build a Direct Primary Care practice aligned with her values. By choosing flexibility, transparency, and relational care, she reclaimed presence at home and meaning at work, while modeling courage and sacrifice for her children. The episode ultimately affirms that choosing boundaries, embracing seasons of life, and pursuing alignment over martyrdom can lead to deeper connection, better care, and a more sustainable, integrated life.
Disclaimer: The content provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice nor as a substitute for professional medical consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Disclaimer: The content provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice nor as a substitute for professional medical consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.