In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Craig Yorke to discuss candid reflections on his journey through race, a strict upbringing, and his career as a neurosurgeon. Dr. Yorke is the author of Steep, an exploration of the psychological impact of childhood experiences on adult resiliency and identity.
We discuss the inspiration behind the book, his early life in Massachusetts, and the influence of race and environment on his career. We also talk about a $40 million lawsuit he won and reflect on the contradictions of a life split between privilege and struggle.
Now retired after decades of medical practice, he is on a path to learning the transformative impact of art.
Steep is an invitation to unlock the past and discover greater depths of self-awareness through reflection and meditation.
Show highlights
- How trauma and professional pressures led to armor-building
- The transformative impact of art on mental wellness and creativity later in retirement
- The neuroplasticity of the artist’s brain and how patience fosters artistic growth
- The challenges he faced writing and publishing his first book
- The steep cost of a regimented upbringing
“The arts kind of sneak up on you.”
Dr. Craig Yorke
Steep is available for purchase through the links below.
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About Dr. Craig Yorke
Dr. Craig Yorke was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts. He received a BA from Harvard College in 1970 and an MD from Harvard Medical School in 1974. After a neurosurgical residency at the University of California, San Francisco, he and his wife Mary found their way to Kansas. He practiced in Topeka for 25 years while they raised their two sons. Craig brews Mary coffee each mornning in the colonial home they’ve occupied for 34 years. He’s a credible violinist and hits tennis balls with passion. Steep is his first book.
Find out more: craigyorke.com
About Steep
Steep traces an odyssey from a poor Boston neighborhood to a neurosurgical practice in Middle America. It’s more about the price of success than the weight of bigotry – a story of resilience and self-discovery that will resonate with anyone who has wrestled with their past as they chased the American Dream.
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Book a one-on-one with Lola: https://wordcaps.com/coaching/
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