Join us on this episode as we talk with Tod Stillson, a family physician and entrepreneur, who has successfully transitioned from traditional employment to becoming a high-earning independent contractor. Tod shares his journey, revealing the limitations of traditional employment models in primary care and how he broke free to thrive in a "third spa…

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of rituals and superstitions in surgery with Carmen Fong, a colorectal surgeon. Discover how these seemingly irrational practices impact surgeon performance, confidence, and patient outcomes. Carmen shares personal anecdotes and insights on the psychological mechanisms behind these rituals, balanc…

We sit down with Scott Abramson, a retired neurologist with over 40 years of experience, to discuss the pervasive issue of physician burnout and moral injury. Scott shares his insights on the external pressures from EMR guidelines, hospital administration, and big pharma, as well as the internal myths that contribute to these challenges. He delves …

We sit down with Ellie Qian, a medical student, to discuss the profound experiences that shape the journey of becoming a compassionate health care professional. Ellie shares a transformative encounter from her first year in medical school, where she practiced medical interviewing with a standardized patient, Chris, who has stage 4 metastatic lung c…

We sit down with Carine Carmy, a health care executive, to explore the often overlooked world of pelvic floor health. Carine shares her personal journey and sheds light on why many women, like herself, discover the importance of pelvic floor health far too late. We dive deep into the pervasive gender bias in health care, the connection between pelv…

Join Deborah C. Smith, a nurse who shares her courageous battle with T-cell lymphocytic leukemia and aplastic anemia. Diagnosed in 2017, Deborah navigated extreme fatigue, frequent transfusions, and challenging chemotherapy regimens before finding hope in ATGAM equine immunotherapy. Despite facing severe side effects and a subsequent diagnosis of c…

In this episode, we explore the Augusta Rule, a unique tax strategy that allows homeowners to rent out their property for up to 14 days annually without paying taxes on the rental income. Our guest, Alexis E. Gallati, a tax strategist, will break down the fundamentals of the Augusta Rule, its benefits, and how homeowners can implement this strategy…

In today's special sponsored episode, we feature Texila American University College of Medicine (TAUCOM) in Guyana. Dr. Dheeraj Bansal, dean of medicine, and Dr. Nisarg Patel, director of admissions. provide an in-depth look into why TAUCOM is a compelling choice for aspiring medical students. They discuss the university’s unique curriculum, which …

We dive into the intriguing world of endurance exercise and cardiovascular health with our guest, John C. Hagan III, an ophthalmologist and veteran endurance athlete. John shares his personal journey with long-distance running and the unexpected health challenges he encountered. We explore the latest research on the potential risks of excessive end…

Join us for an insightful podcast episode featuring Shideh Shafie, an emergency physician. We'll delve into the profound values that drive physicians to serve humanity and alleviate suffering, and discuss the impact of corporate-driven metrics on the medical field. Shideh shares her experiences and strategies for balancing institutional pressures w…

Join Nikki Keefe, an interventional radiologist, as we delve into the complexities of uterine fibroids and the disparities in treatment access. Despite uterine fibroids affecting up to 70 percent of women and causing severe symptoms like heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, and infertility, many, especially Hispanic and rural patients, are unawar…

We delve into the critical issue of physician burnout with Jillian Bybee, a pediatric intensive care physician. Jillian shares her firsthand experiences from the front lines of health care, discussing the unique challenges faced by pediatric intensivists and the broader implications for medical professionals. Tune in as we explore strategies for ma…

Join us in this insightful episode as we sit down with Isabelle Tran, a medical student and writer, to explore the intersection of technology and health. Inspired by her poem "AI Ally," Isabelle delves into the emotional journey of patients receiving a serious diagnosis like thyroid cancer. We discuss how AI and search engines can be both a lifelin…

Join us as we delve into the evolving landscape of physician employment agreements with Dennis Hursh, an attorney. Discover the significance of the new Individual Specialty Residency Program Agreements that compensate physicians for mentoring residents. We explore the potential long-term impacts on medical education, the challenges of implementing …

Join radiation oncologists Shannon MacDonald and Sean McBride as they delve into the evolving landscape of telemedicine in oncology. They discuss the significant improvements telemedicine brought during the COVID-19 pandemic, the challenges and legal barriers now faced with cross-state telemedicine, and how these restrictions impact patient care, p…

Join us for a conversation with Tracey O’Connell, a radiologist and physician coach, as we explore the hidden challenges within the medical profession. In this episode, we delve into the unsettling experience of facing a mandatory performance review, the strain it places on trust among colleagues, and the emotional turmoil it can cause. Tracey shar…

In this episode, we delve into the critical issue of burnout among health care providers with our guest, Susan Landers, a retired neonatologist. We explore the alarming rates of burnout and depression among physicians and nurses, with a special focus on the unique challenges faced by female health care professionals. Susan shares her personal journ…

Join Steven L. Chen, a breast surgeon, as we delve into the advancements in breast cancer treatments and the challenges of managing breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). As survival rates improve, the focus is shifting to addressing the long-term side effects, particularly lymphedema, which significantly impacts patients' quality of life. Steven…

We sit down with Claire Ellerbrock, a nurse practitioner with a background in psychiatric and behavioral health care. Claire shares her powerful and transformative experience with a patient named John, whose tragic passing highlighted the systemic failures in the treatment of individuals with severe mental illness (SMI). Claire discusses the signif…

Join us for a conversation with Jillian Rigert, an oral medicine specialist and radiation oncology research fellow. Jillian shares her journey of overcoming mental illness during medical school, redefining self-worth, and challenging harmful societal values. She discusses the importance of living authentically, the role of meaningful relationships,…

Join us as we explore the world of clinician wellness and mental health with three remarkable guests. Kim Downey, a physician advocate, shares her insights on supporting health care professionals. Betsy Gall, author of The Illusion of The Perfect Profession, opens up about her personal journey and the challenges faced by physicians. Pamela Marie Ho…

Join us as we explore the world of microplastics with fertility specialist Oluyemisi (Yemi) Famuyiwa. Learn about microplastics, how they permeate our environment, and their potential effects on human health and fertility. Yemi will share insights from recent studies, including the presence of microplastics in reproductive organs and their implicat…

In this episode, we welcome Brooke Kempf, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, to debunk common myths about schizophrenia and promote a more accurate understanding of the condition. We'll explore misconceptions about the causes and effects of schizophrenia, the impact of socioeconomic status, and the role of genetic and environmental fac…

Join Nisha Kuruvadi, an internal medicine physician, as we explore the intriguing connection between sleep and weight loss. Did you know those precious hours of sleep could be more than just rest? Sleep is a complex interplay of hormones, brain waves, and bodily functions that regulate appetite, metabolism, and energy balance—vital factors in weigh…

Join us as we sit down with Olivia Ong, a pain and rehabilitation medicine physician from Australia, who shares her remarkable journey of recovery after a spinal cord injury in 2008. Once self-sufficient to a fault, Olivia found herself in a dark place, feeling alone and defeated. Her story takes a transformative turn when she discovers a center fo…

Join us for a conversation with Zachary Fellows, a rheumatologist who spent nearly four years in private practice navigating the complex intersection of obesity and rheumatic diseases. Zachary shares his journey from giving vague weight loss advice to becoming well-versed in obesity medicine, ultimately transforming his practice and patient outcome…

We welcome Carmen Fong, a colorectal surgeon, to discuss the often overlooked yet critical topic of pelvic floor dysfunction. Drawing from her extensive experience, Carmen shares insights from the Pelvic Floor Symposiums, the challenges of treating pelvic floor patients, and the misconceptions surrounding these disorders. We'll explore the stigma a…

Join us as we speak with Laura Buchman, a patient advocate and author of NERVE: Surviving Medical Madness. Laura shares her harrowing personal experiences with the medical system, including the overwhelming shock of seeing her son hospitalized with severe acute hyponatremia. She delves into the emotional rollercoaster of advocating for her son’s ca…

Join us as we delve into the experiences of patients with long-term complex conditions who are often met with disapproval or suspicion by medical professionals for being knowledgeable about their own health. Our guest, Denise Reich, a patient advocate, shares her insights on balancing self-advocacy with medical care, navigating the health care syst…

Join us as we welcome psychiatrist Lewis Cohen to discuss his book, Winter's End: Dementia and Dying Well. In this episode, we explore the ethical dilemmas, legal challenges, and emotional impacts surrounding life-shortening options for dementia patients. Drawing from the perspectives of over 100 experts, Lewis delves into the complexities of patie…

We are joined by Fady Chamoun, an internal medicine physician, to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in health care. We delve into the art of prompt engineering and its six essential elements: clear task definition, detailed context, exemplar guidance, persona understanding, structured format, and appropriate tone.…

We dive into the evolving health care landscape with Jamie Babcock, a health care executive. We'll explore the growing demand for skilled providers and the critical clinician shortage projected by the Health Resources and Service Administration and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Jamie shares insights on innovative strategies that health care leaders…

We sit down with Roxanne Becker, a lifestyle medicine physician, to discuss the urgent implications of the first human case of H5N1 avian influenza contracted from a dairy cow. We explore how zoonotic diseases like H5N1 and COVID-19 can rapidly mutate and lead to pandemics, the role of intensive farming practices in the spread of these diseases, an…

Join us in this episode as we explore the challenges of balancing social media and device use with the essential aspects of life. Our guest, Dawn Baker, an anesthesiologist, shares her insights from a recent physician wellness conference where she discussed this very topic. We'll delve into the benefits and drawbacks of social media for medical pro…

Join Maryal Concepcion, a family physician, as she shares her inspiring story of transitioning from a traditional health care role to direct primary care (DPC). Discover how the values of social harmony and interconnectedness from her collectivist upbringing influenced her approach to patient care, and learn about the transformative power of the DP…

Join us for a conversation with George M. Abraham, former president of the American College of Physicians (2021-2022) and a professor of medicine. We'll explore the vital role of international medical graduates (IMGs) in the U.S. health care system. Discover how IMGs enhance cultural competence, improve access to care in underserved areas, and cont…

In this episode, we delve into the profound emotional experiences of Ryan McCarthy, an internal medicine physician. Ryan shares heart-wrenching moments from his practice, including the day his heart metaphorically rolled off his arm and crashed on the exam room floor as he comforted a grieving patient, Ginny. We explore the balance between professi…

Join us for a conversation with John C. Hagan III, an ophthalmologist, as we delve into the innovative use of beta-blockers for treating acute migraines. Discover the journey behind the discovery of Timolol’s efficacy in migraine relief and the challenges faced in securing pharmaceutical support. Gain insights into the potential future of beta-bloc…

In this episode, we sit down with Caissa Troutman, an obesity medicine and family physician, to delve into the pervasive stigma and shame associated with obesity and perimenopause. Caissa shares her personal experiences and patient stories, highlighting the external and internal stigmas faced by individuals with obesity. We explore common misconcep…

We welcome Jennifer Obel, an oncology physician, who shares her personal journey of retiring from a fulfilling medical career due to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Reflecting on the recent presidential debate and the health concerns surrounding President Biden, Jennifer draws compelling parallels between her experience and the challenges faced by leaders …

We sit down with Carrie Atcheson, a board-certified anesthesiologist and co-founder of Business Mindset MD, to explore the transformative potential of physician-led innovation in health care. We delve into how the acquisition of physician practices and surgery centers by major corporations like UnitedHealth Group is reshaping patient care, and the …

In this episode, we explore the complexities of the doctor-patient relationship in a challenging setting with our guest, Joseph Baskin, a jailhouse psychiatrist. Joseph shares his experiences working with inmates who suffer from serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia and severe bipolar disorder. These individuals often lack insight into their …

Join pediatrician Uchenna Umeh as she shares her personal journey and professional insights on creating a more inclusive and affirming health care environment for LGBTQ+ patients. We delve into the challenges transgender individuals face in medical settings, the importance of understanding intersectionality, and practical strategies for health care…

Join us in this insightful episode as we delve into the world of creativity and wellness with Charity Hix, a burnout and wellness coach, and Kim Downey, a physician advocate and physical therapist. We explore how nurturing creativity within the medical field can help mitigate burnout, enhance problem-solving abilities, and improve overall well-bein…

In this episode, we sit down with Francisco M. Torres, an interventional physiatrist and author of Beyond Diagnosis: Perspective in Medicine and the Human Experience. Join us as we explore the theme of humanizing medicine in an era of increasing standardization and technological advancement. We discuss the profound influence of humanities, history,…

Join Alice S. Y. Lee, an emergency physician and lung cancer survivor. Alice shares her journey from a nonsmoker to a lung cancer survivor, shedding light on the health disparities faced by Asian American female nonsmokers. Discover how her diagnosis came about, the misconceptions surrounding lung cancer in nonsmokers, and the importance of early d…

Join us as we explore the critical issue of carceral censorship and its impact on incarcerated individuals' access to health information. Our guest is Brian Tuohy, an assistant professor of bioethics, who shares his perspectives on the challenges and ethical considerations surrounding this issue. We'll discuss real-life stories like that of Kwaneta…

Join us as we sit down with writer Robin D'Amato to discuss her book, Sugar-Free. Robin delves into the inspiring journey of Ginny Eastman, a girl whose passion for basketball begins at six years old despite her battle with juvenile diabetes. We'll explore how Ginny overcomes physical and societal challenges, the importance of lifelong friendships,…

Join us as we delve into the growing interest in holistic approaches to cancer care with Wayne B. Jonas, a family physician. We explore the benefits of integrating complementary therapies, such as nutrition and exercise counseling, mindfulness, meditation, and yoga, into traditional cancer treatments. Wayne shares his expert perspective on how onco…

Join us for an insightful episode as we navigate the complexities of negotiating your first employment contract as a doctor. Our guest, attorney Ethan A. Nkana, shares invaluable advice on avoiding common mistakes, understanding salary ranges, and effectively advocating for your value. We'll discuss the importance of having multiple job offers, cri…