Are you tired of chasing goal after goal, only to feel empty once you get there? Do you appear successful on the outside but feel unfulfilled on the inside? Or are you wondering how to even begin your journey to success? Welcome to Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir, MD—the podcast that challenges traditional definitions of success and explores what it truly means to thrive at the intersection of ambition and well-being. Hosted by Dr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC—Founder and CEO, Dual Bo ...
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The Rx for Success podcast spotlights physician leaders reflecting on the elements that made them successful. The podcast is hosted by Dr. Randy Cook, a well-regarded general and vascular surgeon, and former radio personality. Life-Changing Moments hosted by Dr. Dael Waxman is the Rx for Success companion podcast and focuses on the turning points in lives and careers that drive success
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Better Physician Life: How to Get Unstuck in Your Medical Career
Doctor Podcast Network, Physician Coach, Michael Hersh MD
Many physicians feel stuck. But what if mid-career medicine didn’t mean burnout, boredom, or being boxed in? Better Physician Life, hosted by Dr. Michael Hersh, is the podcast that helps doctors reclaim clarity, joy, and purpose in their careers—without quitting medicine. Through honest solo episodes and transformative guest interviews, Dr. Hersh explores what it really means to design a life in medicine on your own terms. This is where mindset meets reinvention—and where stuck doctors find ...
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Ep 42. Held Together: How Sharing Our Stories Heals Us with Dr Rebecca Thompson
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33:50So many of the hardest moments in a woman’s life happen quietly, privately, and without anyone ever knowing. What if sharing those truths could bring us closer and help us heal? In this emotional and honest episode, Dr. Rebecca Thompson joins us to explore the invisible struggles women carry and why telling our stories matters more than ever. Her d…
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Doctor-Patient Communication: What We Didn’t Learn in Medical Training with Dr. Bradley Block | Ep19
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36:08What if the key to better patient interactions isn't more time or expertise, but how you show up? In this episode of Better Physician Life, Dr. Michael Hersh sits with Dr. Bradley Block as he shares his journey from communication struggles to mastery. Starting his podcast after a frustrating clinic day that cost him family time, Dr. Block reveals w…
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Physician Complacency: The Silent Career Killer (and How to Break Free) | Ep18
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20:47What if your "good enough" life is quietly eroding your potential? In this episode of Better Physician Life, Dr. Michael Hersh explores complacency—the subtle numbness that sneaks in after success, making routines feel stale without crisis. Sharing personal stories, like his own "rinse and repeat" year and a client's guitar breakthrough, he challen…
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Life Changing Moments: Healing Healthcare, with Dr. Jonathan Ripp
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36:38How do we build a healthcare system where physicians and healthcare professionals can not only survive but truly thrive? In this illuminating episode of Life Changing Moments, host Dr. Dael Waxman sits down with a pioneer in the field, Dr. Jonathan Ripp, Chief Wellness Officer at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and co-founder of CHARM (…
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Ep 41. My 2025 Audit - Ending the Year Strong and Launching 2026 Confidently.
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29:18If your self-care has felt like an afterthought this year, this episode will show you why, and how, to change that. In this honest solo episode, Dr. Amna Shabbir shares the six self-care decisions that transformed her mental health, physical wellbeing and clarity in 2025. These are not the usual “spa day” strategies. They are the hard, uncomfortabl…
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The Scarcity Trap in Medicine: Why More Is Never Enough | Ep17
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24:03What if the constant feeling of "not enough" is the real virus draining your life in medicine? In this reflective episode of Better Physician Life, Dr. Michael Hersh unpacks the scarcity mindset that permeates physicians' lives—from chasing RVUs and promotions to feeling there's never enough time for family or self-care. Drawing from personal stori…
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Ep 40. Powered by Special Abilities: Gabi Angelini’s Movement Changing Lives Nationwide - Power of Giving Series
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17:14What happens when you give people a chance? Our guests this week are the remarkable mother–daughter team Gabi and Mary Angelini, founders of Gabi’s Powered by Special Abilities, a nonprofit redefining employment, dignity, and purpose for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Gabi, who has Down syndrome, spent years applying for j…
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What If You Took the Risk? Physician Entrepreneurship & Change with Dr. Jimmy Turner | Ep16
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43:03What if embracing change could unlock a more fulfilling life in medicine? In this inspiring episode of Better Physician Life, host Dr. Michael Hersh welcomes Dr. Jimmy Turner, an academic anesthesiologist, certified coach, author of Determined: How Burned Out Doctors Can Thrive in a Broken Medical System, and co-host of the Money Meets Medicine pod…
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Ep 39. Three-Time Cancer Survivor Kim Downey: Standing Up for Physicians - Power of Giving Series
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28:19Three-time cancer survivor Kim Downey turned heartbreak into advocacy. When her physician took his own life, she founded Stand Up for Doctors - a global movement amplifying the stories, struggles, and humanity of healthcare workers. In this deeply moving conversation, Kim shares how personal tragedy became a call to action, why caring for doctors i…
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Medicine, Identity, and Your Future Self: The Physician's Dilemma | Ep15
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16:00What if your future self could tell you what matters most right now? In this Insightful episode of Better Physician Life, Dr. Michael Hersh invites you to imagine the older, wiser version of yourself—10, 20, or 30 years from now—and consider what they’d thank you for today. Reflecting on his own journey of neglecting health, missing family moments,…
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Life Changing Moments: Listening to the voice inside, Dr. Rebecca Evangelista
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37:42What does a general surgeon know about navigating a career that feels misaligned? Everything. In this profound episode of Life Changing Moments, host Dr. Dael Waxman sits down with Dr. Rebecca Evangelista, a surgeon and academic leader who has masterfully shaped her career through a series of thoughtful and courageous pivots. Dr. Evangelista shares…
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Ep 38. Power of Service: Richard Averitte on Volunteerism, Community & Healing - American Cancer Society - Power of Giving Series
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29:54Richard Averitte calls himself a “career volunteer.” Today, he leads as Executive Director for the American Cancer Society (ACS) in Central & Eastern North Carolina—bringing decades of hands-on service to research, advocacy, and patient support. In this powerful conversation, Richard shares his personal “why,” the realities of rebuilding post-pande…
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The Problem With Other People: How Unspoken Expectations Keep Physicians Stuck | Ep14
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23:02What if the frustration you feel isn’t about others, but the silent rules you expect them to follow? In this insightful episode of Better Physician Life, Dr. Michael Hersh explores the invisible "manuals" physicians carry—unspoken expectations about how colleagues, patients, and even family should act. Drawing from personal stories, like clenching …
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Ep 37. Finding Filotimo: Pete Proimos on Cystic Fibrosis, Giving, and Building What Outlives You - Power of Giving Series
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30:49Pete Proimos isn’t just surviving cystic fibrosis — he’s redefining what it means to live and give. Diagnosed at birth with a condition that once carried a life expectancy of only 18 years, Pete turned heartbreak into a mission of hope. As founder and president of the Filotimo Foundation, he’s ensuring that individuals and families affected by cyst…
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Shame In Medicine: What Every Doctor Feels and Hides with Dr. Will Bynum | Ep13
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44:10What if the shame we bury in medicine is actually a signal for growth? Dr. Michael Hersh sits down with Dr. Will Bynum to explore the role of shame in physicians' lives. Drawing from Dr. Bynum's personal journey, from a residency error and personal struggles to discovering Brené Brown's work, they unpack shame's definition, its ties to vulnerabilit…
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What does a plastic and reconstructive surgeon know about end-of-life care? Everything. In this profound episode of Rx for Success, host Dr. Randy Cook sits down with Dr. Nadine Semer, who made the remarkable transition from a successful career in plastic surgery to becoming a palliative medicine physician. Dr. Semer shares her incredible journey a…
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Ep 36. Pageantry, Purpose & Pain: Akifa Khattak’s FemTech Mission to End Endometriosis Silence
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24:44Akifa Khattak was not just one of the Miss Universe Pakistan finalists - she’s also a healthcare attorney, biotech entrepreneur, and women’s health advocate on a mission to change how we diagnose and treat endometriosis. In this powerful conversation, Akifa shares how a rare, life-altering health journey led her to co-found Her Health AI, a FemTech…
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TEDx Talk is LIVE - Perfectionism Has A Solution. It's Not What You Think.
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5:39In this Bonus Solo Episode, Dr. Amna Shabbir has a special announcement! Finally Live - TEDx talk: Perfectionism has a solution. It's not what you think. Please watch the 10:31-minute TEDx talk - intended for everyone, perfectionist or not. It will help you understand so much of what you or your loved ones might be experiencing. Please like the TED…
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I'll Be Happy When: The Race That Never Ends In Medicine | Ep12
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19:23Ever feel like happiness is just one milestone away, only to find the finish line keeps moving? Dr. Michael Hersh explores the "arrival fallacy." The trap of believing that the next achievement will finally bring fulfillment. Drawing from his own journey, from counting down fellowship days to chasing financial independence, he reveals how this mind…
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Ep 35. Friendships as Your Success and Wellness Strategy
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10:24Friendship 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 lo…
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Choose Your Discomfort: How Playing It Safe Keeps Physicians Stuck | Ep11
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18:16What if the discomfort you’re avoiding is the key to the life you want? Dr. Michael Hersh dives into the transformative power of choosing discomfort intentionally. He reflects on how physicians often trade the discomfort of growth for the familiar unease of staying stuck, whether it’s Sunday night dread or the quiet regret of unfulfilled potential.…
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Life Changing Moments: Honoring Yourself, with Dr. Amna Shabbir
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42:28Feeling exhausted, heartbroken, and questioning your future in medicine? You are not alone. In this powerful episode of Life-Changing Moments, host Dr. Dael Waxman sits down with Dr. Amna Shabbir, a primary care internist, geriatrician, and master certified physician coach, for a raw and honest conversation about physician burnout, moral injury, an…
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Ep 34. Adventure & Awe: Sharks, Wingwalking, and Rewiring Fear with Pilot Shiraz Dalal
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40:55Living Adventurously: Courage, Awe, and the Pilot Mindset In this powerful episode of Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir MD, I sit down with Shiraz Dalal, a commercial airline pilot, TEDx speaker, and global explorer whose adventures span all seven continents and all 50 U.S. states. From flying Boeing 767s to climbing Kilimanjaro, wing walking, f…
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The Hidden Cost of Perfectionism in Medicine with Dr. Amna Shabbir | Ep10
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38:53What if the perfectionism that drives your success as a physician is also holding you back? Dr. Michael Hersh sits down with Dr. Amna Shabbir to unpack the trap of perfectionism. They dive into how medical culture fosters a "favorite flaw" mindset, glorifying flawless performance while fueling burnout, anxiety, and self-criticism. Dr. Shabbir share…
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Ep 33. Storytelling Secrets with Jeff Polish : Tips, Fails, The Monti & Connection - Unmasking Perfectionism Series
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43:56Storytelling secrets—fails, lessons, and how to truly connect. In this powerful episode of Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir, MD, I sit down with Jeff Polish—founder and executive director of The Monti, a live no-notes storytelling series that has lit up stages across North Carolina since 2008. We explore how storytelling transforms vulnerabilit…
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What stops you from chasing the life or career you truly want? In this episode of Better Physician Life, Dr. Michael Hersh dives into the fear of failure—a quiet but powerful force that keeps physicians stuck. Reflecting on his own hesitations and coaching experiences, he explores how the pressure to succeed, ingrained through years of medical trai…
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What does it truly mean to be successful in medicine? This episode features Dr. Valentin Calu, an Associate Professor of Surgery from Romania, who shares his profound journey from a near-fatal plane crash during an organ harvest mission to his powerful return to the operating room. Discover a unique perspective on surgical leadership, the importanc…
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Ep 32. Essentialism : A Path to Clarity with Dr. Amna Shabbir
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13:34In a world full of distractions and endless demands, how do we decide what truly matters? In this solo episode of Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir, MD, I explore the concept of Essentialism—a philosophy of living by design, not by default. Essentialism is not about doing more; it’s about doing less but better. It’s about reclaiming your power o…
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What if the ambition that made you a great physician is now holding you back? In this episode of Better Physician Life, Dr. Michael Hersh explores the hidden cost of "achievement addiction"—a mindset ingrained in physicians from early education through residency. He reflects on how the relentless pursuit of success, from gold stars to board scores,…
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Ep 31. From Fear to TEDx: Tara LaFon Gooch on Confidence, Courage & Finding Your Voice
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25:56Finding your voice requires courage, persistence, and a willingness to step into the unknown. In this powerful episode of Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir, MD, I sit down with Tara LaFon Gooch—international TEDx speaker, bestselling author, confidence expert, and the creator of the GRASP Method—to uncover what it really takes to move from self-…
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Special Announcement: What is ahead for Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir MD
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3:38A quick update on the upcoming episodes of Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir MD. Thank you to all our incredible guests for sharing their invaluable insights, research, and very personal stories with us as we unpacked the various facets of perfectionism. If you have not yet had a chance, please tune in to Episodes 6 - 30 that have explored Perfe…
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The Silence We Can’t Keep: A Conversation on Physician Suicide | Ep7
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35:27Physician and medical student suicide is a silent epidemic, claiming the lives of an estimated 300–400 U.S. doctors each year. In this episode, Dr. Michael Hersh welcomes John and Michele Dietl, parents of Dr. Kevin Dietl. Together, they remember Kevin’s journey, reflect on the pressures and isolation that can come with medical training, and share …
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Ep 30. But What Will People Say? Sahaj Kohli on Perfectionism, Belonging & Bicultural Identity - Unmasking Perfectionism Series
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31:01Understanding perfectionism requires examining it in complete cultural context. In this powerful episode of Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir, MD, I sit down with Sahaj Kohli—author of But What Will People Say? and founder of Brown Girl Therapy—to explore how perfectionism shows up uniquely for children of immigrants and those navigating bicultu…
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I Didn't Go Into Medicine To Become This | Ep6
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45:26“I didn’t go into medicine to become this.” It’s a quiet thought. But most of us have had it at some point in our careers. We start with purpose, with energy, with an eagerness to help. And then… the years add up. Patient after patient. Room after room. The tragedies and the hard conversations. The exhaustion of being everything for everyone else. …
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Life Changing Moments: The Unseen Crisis: Healing the Healers with Dr. Stephanie Simmons
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53:25If you or a healthcare professional you know is struggling, confidential help is available: Physician Support Line: Call 1-888-409-0141. This is a national, free, and confidential support line staffed by volunteer psychiatrists. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 anytime for immediate support from a trained counselor. In the high-stake…
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Ep 29. The Other Girl with Tanya Chernova - Unmasking Perfectionism Series
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33:45Have you ever felt paralyzed by your inner critic? Trigger Warning: Suicide In this powerful episode of Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir, MD we sit down with internationally acclaimed speaker, author, and business strategist Tanya Chernova to unpack the harsh realities of perfectionism, self-criticism, and the damaging inner voice known as "the…
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Can awareness transform your medical practice and personal life? Host Dr. Michael Hersh dives into the deceptively simple concept of “you don’t know what you don’t know” on Better Physician Life. Reflecting on his own shift from coasting on autopilot to embracing intentional awareness, he shares how physicians’ ingrained need to “have all the answe…
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Ep 28. Perfectionism & Youth Series: Part 2 with Ghalia Aamer
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40:12What happens when the pressure to be perfect is inherited? In this episode of Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir, MD, we sit down with Ghalia Aamer to unpack the invisible weight of perfectionism faced by many young adults and especially daughters of immigrants. At just 23, Ghalia has accomplished what most people only dream of. But behind her ac…
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Dr. Michael Hersh gets honest about the silent rules many physicians live by: always be available, always stay clinical, never stray from the traditional path. But what happens when those rules begin to feel like a cage rather than a calling? Through personal stories, reflective exercises, and heartfelt insight, Dr. Hersh invites listeners to exami…
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Ep 27. Perfectionism & Youth Series: Part 1 with Caden Vittorini
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20:01What if the biggest threat to your child’s self-worth isn’t grades or friends, but the silent pressure to be perfect? In this episode, we’re joined by Caden Vittorni, a TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and founder of Vitt Factor, as he shares how a wake-up call in his own life led him to become a powerful voice for youth struggling with perfection…
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210: The Coach: Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC
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34:59In this profound conversation, Dr. Amna Shabbir who is an internist, geriatrician, and life coach, shares her journey through medicine's highs and lows, revealing how self-awareness and resilience can transform burnout into purpose. From her early days in Pakistan's rigorous medical training to navigating health challenges during residency at the C…
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Balance isn’t about managing your time perfectly. It’s about giving yourself permission to live fully. Dr. Michael Hersh gets real about the myth of work-life balance and why it often falls short of reality. With honesty and insight, he explains how medicine seeps into every corner of life, making separation nearly impossible. Rather than trying to…
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Physician Reinvention: It's Time To Create Your Next Chapter | Ep2
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17:49What happens when the white coat no longer feels like the right fit? In this episode, Dr. Michael Hersh dives into the real-world journey of physician reinvention not as a dramatic overhaul, but as an intentional, grounded shift toward meaning and alignment. He shares why mid-career restlessness isn’t a crisis but a clue, and why the question “Is t…
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How to Get Unstuck in Your Medical Career | Ep1
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13:25What if success doesn’t feel like it should? In this premiere episode of Better Physician Life, Dr. Michael Hersh opens up about his own experience feeling stuck in what looked like a successful career. He describes the slow, persistent whisper that told him something was missing, despite having checked all the boxes of traditional medical achievem…
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Ep 26. Ballet, Eating Disorders & Perfectionism: Dr. Kara Pepper’s Story - Unmasking Perfectionism Series
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21:16What happens when a ballerina becomes a physician and perfectionism fuels both identities? In this deeply moving episode of Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir, MD, we sit down with Dr. Kara Pepper, a primary care internist, executive coach, and former ballet dancer, to talk about perfectionism, burnout, eating disorders, and redefining success. H…
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Ep 25. Perfectionism in Organizations: Insights from Dr. Carrie Adair - Unmasking Perfectionism Series
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27:03How does perfectionism impact organizational well-being? In this powerful conversation, Dr. Amna Shabbir sits down with Dr. Carrie Adair to unpack the toxic link between organizational wellness, perfectionism, burnout, and mental health. Dr. Adair draws on cutting-edge research and real-world experience from healthcare to explain why perfectionism …
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209: The Pharmacist: Bella Mehta, Pharm.D., FAPhA
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37:50During a recent conversation, Dr. Bela Mehta, Chair of the Division of Pharmacy Practice and Science at The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy, shared her insights on the vital role of community pharmacists. The discussion highlighted the challenges faced during the COVID pandemic, including increased patient care demands and immunization ef…
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Ep 24. Busy Brain and Cultural Pressure with Dr. Romie Mushtaq - Unmasking Perfectionism Series
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34:08What if perfectionism isn't just a mindset problem but a neurological one? In this transformative episode of Success Reimagined, host Dr. Amna Shabbir sits down with Dr. Romie Mushtaq as they unravel the hidden connection between burnout, anxiety, and perfectionism and how to heal from the inside out. Dr. Romie introduces the concept of "busy brain…
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Ep 23. Performance, Burnout & Being Brown with South Asian Care Founder, Nishat - Unmasking Perfectionism Series
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24:20What happens when you chase perfection in a world that demands flawlessness, especially as a South Asian woman? In this powerful and heartfelt conversation, host Dr. Amna Shabbir sits down with Nishat Uddin, founder of Brown Girls Health and South Asian Care, to unpack the cultural, personal, and professional layers of perfectionism. Nishat shares …
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You’re Not Stuck, You’re Just Ready for More | Ep0
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7:44What if the life you built wasn’t wrong… it just no longer fits? In this introductory episode of Better Physician Life, Dr. Michael Hersh shares the deeply personal story of how outward success slowly gave way to quiet disconnection. From leading in clinical practice to missing bedtime stories and laughter in the next room, he walks us through the …
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