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Home > The Gratitude Podcast > Gratitude, Grit, and a Mafia Love Story - Dr. Barbara Roberts (ep. 957)
Podcast: The Gratitude Podcast
Episode:

Gratitude, Grit, and a Mafia Love Story - Dr. Barbara Roberts (ep. 957)
Category: Health
Duration: 00:39:52
Publish Date: 2025-09-22 15:45:55
Description:

In today’s special episode we sit down with a true trailblazer: Dr. Barbara Roberts, the first female adult cardiologist in Rhode Island and author of the riveting memoir The Dr. Broad: A Mafia Love Story.

From the moment she stepped into a 1960s medical school class where women made up less than 10 % of the cohort, Dr. Roberts has been breaking barriers. She became the second woman ever accepted into her internship, the first female cardiology fellow, and a vocal pro‑choice activist long before Roe v. Wade. Her career has spanned everything from anti‑Vietnam‑War protests to testifying in court for a notorious New England mafia boss whose life she saved, all while navigating a hostile, male‑dominated medical world.

In this conversation we explore:

  • Gratitude as a guiding virtue – how a quote from Cicero shaped her outlook and why she believes gratitude is the “parent of all virtues.”
  • The power of a supportive community – the family, mentors, and friends who gave her the courage to keep moving forward.
  • Lessons from adversity – surviving gender bias, political backlash, and personal heartbreak while staying true to her values.
  • Why today’s young women have more doors open, yet must stay vigilant – a look at the progress made and the threats that still loom.
  • A glimpse into her memoir – the wild tale of treating a mafia boss, the love story that inspired the title, and the humor she uses to keep a light heart amid serious work.

Whether you’re a budding physician, an activist, or simply someone looking for a dose of resilience, Dr. Roberts’ story reminds us that gratitude isn’t just a feeling—it’s a strategic tool for thriving against the odds.

Stay tuned, hit that follow button, and get ready to be inspired by a woman who turned gratitude into a lifelong mission.

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