In Part 4 of our Fair Play series, Katie sits down with her husband, Dr. Talon Harris, to share what it actually looks like to implement Fair Play during residency. They talk about rotating schedules, invisible labor, and the “default parent” dynamic, plus the systems that helped their household feel calmer and more predictable even in a demanding season.
In This Episode, We Cover
-
How they discovered Fair Play, and why it clicked
-
Why the cards felt validating, and also overwhelming at first
-
The challenge of residency schedules, and “planned unpredictability”
-
The shift from “helping” to full ownership (and why it matters)
-
Practical systems they built for mornings, meals, laundry, and bedtime
-
Encouragement for resident couples who feel too stretched thin to start
Key Takeaways
-
Start small: pick a few high-frequency pain points first (morning rush, meals, laundry).
-
Ownership reduces resentment: shared responsibility can feel like both people doing everything.
-
Systems create relief: predictability lowers stress for partners and kids.
-
Residency is not an excuse to disengage, it is a reason to get intentional.
Timestamps (approx.)
-
00:00 Intro and why this conversation is personal
-
02:00 How they found Fair Play
-
04:00 The “visual stack” and the reality check moment
-
06:00 Why rotations break systems, and how to adapt
-
10:00 Moving from “How can I help?” to ownership
-
12:00 Their real-life systems (mornings, meals, laundry)
-
17:00 Katie returning to full-time work and the forced shift in roles
-
20:00 Advice for other resident couples
Connect With Us
-
Follow on Instagram: @supportingphysicianspouses
-
Email: hello@supportingphysicianspouses.com (send guest ideas, topics, or listener stories)
