Stressful events can hijack cognition, cloud judgment, and leave emotional residue that can fuel long-term burnout. For acute care clinicians, those moments of emotional overwhelm, when heart rate spikes and the thinking brain goes offline, can have consequences that last far beyond the shift. While long-term resilience is essential, it’s often the just-in-time strategies that determine whether we break down or rise to the moment. In this episode, we explore the physiology and psychology of real...
Jul 07, 2025•42 min•Ep. 154
No one enters medicine expecting to land on a performance improvement plan, yet for many physicians, it becomes a disorienting reality. A PIP can feel like both a warning and a test, raising existential fears about career, reputation, and future. Behind the formal language is often a complex mix of organizational risk management and legitimate behavioral concerns. In this episode, we explore what it really means to be placed on a PIP, how to navigate the process effectively, and why resistance i...
Jun 09, 2025•36 min•Ep. 153
What if addiction isn’t about drugs, but about pain? Beneath compulsive behaviors often lie histories of trauma, anxiety, and unmet emotional needs, hidden behind layers of stigma and misunderstanding. In medicine, addiction is still often mischaracterized as a moral failing rather than a treatable illness with deep psychological roots. In this episode, we explore the personal and professional evolution of Dr. Casey Grover, an addiction medicine physician who reframed both his own struggles and ...
May 26, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 152
What is it about your work that still lights you up inside? At the center of every profession is a core - the reason we chose it in the first place, the part that feels meaningful no matter the chaos around it. When we reconnect with that core, even amid challenge, fulfillment often follows. Sometimes, though, that spark fades. Sometimes the core of what we love evolves, shifts direction, or gets buried under layers of stress and routine. In this episode, we explore how to evaluate your relation...
May 12, 2025•21 min•Ep. 151
Burnout isn’t just emotional, it’s financial. Many doctors put off financial planning until they’re deep in debt, stuck in lifestyle inflation, and too burned out to pivot. In this episode, The White Coat Investor Jim Dahle lays out how to build a burnout-resistant career by making smart, intentional money decisions, whether you’re a student or a seasoned physician. We delve into frugality (the useful and the absurd), how burnout can quietly become your biggest financial threat, what makes a sol...
Apr 28, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 150
Making a major career shift is never easy, especially when you've dedicated decades to a profession that has become part of your identity. The decision to leave clinical medicine can be fraught with self-doubt, financial considerations, and the lingering question - what comes next? But at some point, the balance shifts, and the cost of staying outweighs the fear of leaving. In this episode, we explore what it takes to walk away from a stable medical career, redefine success, and craft a life tha...
Apr 14, 2025•47 min•Ep. 149
Delivering the news of death is one of the hardest yet most overlooked skills in emergency medicine. Many learn by watching others or through trial and error rather than structured training (or just make it up as they go). This lack of preparation can lead to discomfort, stress, avoidance, and even systemic failures in how death notifications are handled. In this episode, we explore the critical components of death communication, how to navigate these difficult conversations with clarity and com...
Mar 24, 2025•44 min•Ep. 148
Leadership impacts everyone—whether you're steering an entire organization or simply navigating team dynamics. It’s an essential skill, yet it often feels elusive, even for experienced professionals. While every leadership challenge is unique, the core principles remain universal. In this episode, we break down eight critical leadership principles drawn from years of experience, hard lessons, conversations with seasoned experts, research, and coaching leaders at all levels. Plus, we share action...
Mar 10, 2025•24 min•Ep. 147
Violence has a cadence, a rhythm that disrupts the normal flow of life. When an act of violence erupts, the first sign is often a sudden, unexplainable shift in the environment—an eerie silence, a heightened energy, or a gut feeling that something is wrong. But when does that uneasy feeling cross the threshold into immediate danger? In this episode, we explore the critical decision points in an active violence situation in the healthcare/hospital setting, the moral and ethical dilemmas of medica...
Feb 24, 2025•32 min•Ep. 146
Dealing with an angry, upset patient can feel like walking into an emotional storm. The frustration in the room is palpable, and even the most experienced clinicians can feel thrown off balance. While medical training equips us to handle complex diagnoses and emergencies, it often falls short when it comes to managing interpersonal conflict. That’s where the Universal Upset Patient Protocol comes in—a straightforward, highly effective framework designed to de-escalate tense situations, restore t...
Feb 10, 2025•32 min•Ep. 145
What defines the unique mindset of an emergency clinician? It’s not just the fast pace or the chaotic environment—it’s the deliberate, top-down thinking that prioritizes patient safety over diagnostic certainty. This approach, though deceptively simple, often flies in the face of traditional medical training, which emphasizes comprehensive differentials and exhaustive workups. In emergency medicine, knowing what the patient needs often matters more than knowing exactly what they have. In this ep...
Jan 27, 2025•29 min•Ep. 144
Mastering nonverbal communication can be an elusive task, but the fact remains: what’s unsaid leaves a significant footprint in any interaction. Nowhere is this more palpable than in the medical exam room, where trust and connection between physicians and patients often hinge on subtle, nonverbal cues. So, how can one build trust through facial expressions and tone of voice alone? In this episode, we break down how to silently establish rapport, effective use of pauses, the curious role of your ...
Jan 13, 2025•33 min•Ep. 143
What’s the biggest mistake people make about meditation? Thinking they’re bad at it. Why do they think this? Because they’ve tried meditating, and their mind just won’t shut up! It’s a common misconception that meditation means clearing your mind of all thoughts. But in reality, meditation has little—or nothing—to do with that. If your mind wanders or feels like a crowded room full of shouting voices when you close your eyes, you’re not alone. That’s exactly what’s supposed to happen! A wanderin...
Dec 30, 2024•18 min•Ep. 142
It started in medical school, when I witnessed the stark reality of the hidden curriculum: a transgender patient referred to as "it" by an attending physician. Over the years, I saw more subtle but no less harmful behaviors—snickers, misused pronouns, quiet biases. I often felt lost in how to respond. Today, transgender identity feels more politically charged than ever. But beyond the politics, what’s it like simply to be transgender? What challenges do transgender patients face—physically, medi...
Dec 16, 2024•49 min•Ep. 141
Why do our minds seek explanations for everyday patterns, even attributing a cause where none may exist? "Regression to the mean" offers a statistical lens on why extreme experiences naturally revert to the norm. In medicine, this concept reveals why critical observations and repeated assessments are essential to avoid overreactions to abnormal results. In this episode, we explore the nuances of regression to the mean, breaking down its impact on medical decision-making, patient assessments, and...
Dec 02, 2024•38 min•Ep. 140
Being a patient can feel like a lonely experience, especially when you sense your doctor is disconnected. A rushed or disengaged interaction can leave patients feeling unheard and uncared for, no matter how clinically skilled the physician is. At the same time, doctors struggle with overwhelming workloads, which can lead to unintentional detachment from those they treat. In this episode, we explore five ways to build connection in the exam room quickly, why small gestures matter, and how intenti...
Nov 18, 2024•52 min•Ep. 139
Holding onto a grudge can feel strangely delicious, but that sense of righteousness often comes at a steep cost. In this episode, EMRAP founder Mel Herbert joins Rob to unpack a rift that’s lingered for over half a decade—and explore the way forward to healing. We also break down why achievement does not demand extraordinary genius or talent but a shift in how we view our perceived mediocrity. Why the idea that we need to be exceptional to succeed fuels imposter syndrome and keeps us from valuin...
Nov 04, 2024•52 min•Ep. 138
It's often not the big power moves that change our lives; it's the small, intentional actions. By focusing on micro-skills, even the most ambitious goals become achievable. In this episode, we talk with Drs. Adaira Landry and Resa E. Lewiss about their new book, MicroSkills: Small Actions, Big Impact . We explore how financial literacy, self-presentation, concise communication, and allyship can be developed as essential micro-skills for a successful career. We also navigate workplace dynamics, i...
Oct 21, 2024•58 min•Ep. 137
Ready to reset, recharge, and level up? Join us at our live event - Awake + Aware, a game-changing 3-day workshop from May 5-7 in Bend, Oregon. Learn how to stay cool when the pressure’s on and lock in the mindset you need to flourish. Space is limited. 🖱️ Website: Awakeandawarebend.com 🎓 P.S. Yes, this is a CME event!
Oct 18, 2024•4 min
How do you handle your authority being challenged under stress? Even minor communication missteps in high-pressure environments like medicine can create lasting rifts and missed details. While the instinct to push back is strong, it's rarely the best response. We share a story of miscommunication between a resident and a nurse, highlighting the importance of humility and inquiry in clinical settings. We examine why leading with curiosity instead of ego can save time, build trust, and improve pat...
Oct 14, 2024•11 min•Ep. 136
It’s hard to be a good boss and even harder to work under a bad one. This episode breaks down how to begin as a new leader with little to no experience, the critical errors leaders often make, and what to do when your boss is suboptimal. We explore how quick fixes, lack of empathy, and poor communication can alienate teams and stifle growth. Leaders who ignore the importance of relationships, skip proper onboarding, or impose their own agendas without collaboration set themselves up for failure....
Oct 07, 2024•49 min•Ep. 135
Navigating the complexities of taxes can be daunting, especially for medical professionals with unique financial situations. From maximizing retirement contributions to understanding the benefits of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), strategic tax planning is essential. In this episode, we explore various tax strategies that physicians can leverage to optimize their financial outcomes. Finally, we delve into practical tips for managing multiple income streams and setting up your business on the rig...
Sep 23, 2024•55 min•Ep. 134
A cautionary tale about how I mismanaged my own physician burnout for many years, doing the easy thing instead of the right thing. More coaching goodness with a side of practical nuggets YouTube Instagram Our bi-weekly newsletter with short form, evidence based articles you won't find anywhere else....
Sep 17, 2024•13 min•Ep. 133
Psychological safety is a crucial factor in creating a healthy and effective workplace. It involves a shared belief that the team is safe for interpersonal risk-taking. This episode delves into the intricacies of psychological safety, particularly in high-stakes environments like medicine. We explore how rigid hierarchies, cultural biases, incivility, and unrealistic expectations can hinder psychological safety and how fostering a culture of openness and vulnerability can lead to better team per...
Sep 09, 2024•39 min•Ep. 132
What would you do if your job ended tomorrow? Even though you might want to say, “Take this job and shove it,” that won’t help build stepping stones to your next job. In this episode, we discuss: what it’s like for physician coaches who regularly work with docs in this situation, getting fired, dealing with unexpected events that shake up professional stability, planning for career disruption, the importance of networking, and finding your clinical practice N plus one. 💡 Check out our Free Reso...
Aug 26, 2024•47 min•Ep. 131
Many of us have ideas that could make a great business. Most of the ideas, however, never see the light of day. It can feel like a big leap from physician to entrepreneur. So how do you do it? We speak with Dr. Jason Hine, the founder of SimKit, and see how he went from community emergency medicine doctor to successful business owner. In this episode, we cover how Jason started his business, accounting for the knowledge gap between clinician and entrepreneur, setting boundaries, why saying hell ...
Aug 12, 2024•42 min•Ep. 130
Success and happiness are often determined by where we place our focus: within ourselves or on external factors. Mastery lies in asking the right questions, and understanding the locus of control is a key part of this. Those who focus on what they can influence are generally happier and more successful. In this episode, we explore the philosophy behind the locus of control, its impact on burnout, the importance of small bets in making significant changes, and state vs. trait gratitude. Finally, ...
Jul 29, 2024•51 min•Ep. 129
Medical debt has a strange and storied history in America. Stretching back to colonial times, physicians and patients alike have grappled with its harsh realities. In recent years, hospitals have resorted to selling medical debt to third parties, who then aggressively pursue patients. In today’s episode, medical historian Luke Messac, MD, PhD, guides us through the past and present landscape of medical debt, examining perspectives from patients, providers, hospitals, and governments. We delve in...
Jul 15, 2024•52 min•Ep. 128
It's natural to feel guilt or shame when living in abundance while much of the world faces hardship. In this episode, Dr. Barry Kerzin, the Dalai Lama's personal physician and a Buddhist monk, shares his approach to managing these emotions with a simple yet powerful tool. He also discusses his journey to becoming a monk, life within the Dalai Lama's compound, as well as anger management, self-compassion, and impatience strategies. 💡 Check out our Free Resources specifically designed to address ...
Jul 01, 2024•45 min•Ep. 127
Non-compete clauses have plagued contracts for decades. It’s been analogous to asymmetric warfare, with employers holding the upper hand. All of that may soon be a thing of the past. In this episode, we explore the Federal Trade Commission's recent ruling to ban these clauses and its implications for doctors and the healthcare industry. We'll also discuss the unexpected ways non-competes can protect smaller groups, the rise of independent contractor models, and the critical staffing issues in em...
Jun 17, 2024•38 min•Ep. 126
