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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 wandering mind isn’t failure—it’s expected, even for seasoned meditators.In this episode, we break down the exact steps of how to meditate, what to do with a wandering mind, and why a flurry of thoughts—popping up like popcorn—doesn’t mean you’re bad at meditation. In fact, it means your mind is working exactly as it should. Ultimately, meditation isn’t about thinking less; it’s about changing how you engage with your thoughts, making it a skill you simply can’t fail.

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, medically, socially, and emotionally? And how do you navigate a world that sees you differently after transitioning?In this episode, Dr. Jailyn Avila shares her story. We cover the deeply personal aspects of transition, from conversations with her wife and kids to navigating professional dynamics as an internationally recognized expert. Dr. Avila offers candid insights into her experience as a physician presenting as both male and female, practical advice for providing better care for transgender patients, and strategies fo

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 even how we view high-stakes scenarios in healthcare. Finally, we delve into how understanding this principle can enhance clinical judgment and reduce unnecessary interventions.

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 intentional preparation can change the entire dynamic. Finally, we dive into the emotional complexities of patient care and the essential role of listening and presence in preventing burnout. Our conversation centers around the ‘Presence 5 Practices’ from this article. 

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 valuing the potential in our "average" qualities. We examine the pressing challenges of modern medicine, where corporate pressures often clash with the need for human connection, and how clinicians can reclaim compassion and autonomy. Finally, we address the role of forgiveness and communication in personal and professional growth, revealing how setting boundaries and letting go of resentments can transform relationships and renew purpose.

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, including recognizing and addressing issues like mansplaining and bropropriating. Finally, we discuss the nuances of learning when to say “yes” or “no,” and the art of timely, respectful communication.

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.

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 patient care.

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. We also discuss how future writing can help leaders clarify their vision and avoid these pitfalls. Finally, we offer strategies to recognize and correct these missteps, creating a more effective and cohesive leadership style.

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 right side of the IRS.

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 nuggetsYouTubeInstagramOur bi-weekly newsletter with short form, evidence based articles you won't find anywhere else.

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 performance and resilience. We explore various strategies to enhance psychological safety, including setting clear expectations, modeling vulnerability, and showing gratitude. Finally, we provide actionable tools for leaders to create a psychologically safe team environment.

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.

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 yes has a critical proviso, the inevitable oscillation between passion and money, and a marketing exercise that’s critical to walk through before you even consider jumping in on a new product or business.

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, we delve into practical strategies to cultivate a more resilient mindset

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 into a form of indentured servitude in the name of debt clearance, the birth of nonprofit hospitals, a pivotal shift in the 1980s, feasibility of operating healthcare under free market principles, medical economics in the 1600s, hospitals suing patients, and the emergence of medical debt as its own thriving industry.

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.

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 emergency medicine. A highlight of our discussion includes the lure and the trap of signing bonuses—what seems like a generous offer can sometimes come with subtle strings attached. Finally, we'll touch on the U.S. Senate's investigation into major staffing companies and the innovative emergence of empath units for mental health patients. 

Understanding cultural context in healthcare can seem overwhelming, especially when time and resources are limited. Why should clinicians invest energy in learning about different cultures? In this pod, we break down the differences between cultural competence and cultural safety, explaining why the latter is essential for patient care. We share practical examples of how understanding cultural context can improve interactions, strategies for making patients feel seen and heard, and the pitfalls of the term ‘non-compliant’. We also touch on how these practices can make your job more rewarding and prevent burnout. Guest Bio: Raj Sundar, MD, is a family physician and community organizer in Washington state. His podcast, Healthcare for Humans, “is dedicated to educating you on how to care for culturally diverse communities so we can be better healers.”For full show notes of this episode and all sorts of other goodies, visit our podcast websiteThe Flameproof CourseThis is the hidden anti-burnout curriculum we

"Kicking the can down the road" is a common behavior that manifests in various ways, from delaying difficult patient decisions to avoiding complex tasks. We explore the reasons behind on-shift procrastination and strategies for overcoming it. Our discussion includes practical steps to recognize and address decision deferral, techniques for managing aversion to some decisions, and pre-loading accountability. We also highlight the importance of building decision-making resilience and creating systematic pathways to streamline the decisional process. For full show notes of this episode and all sorts of other goodies, visit our podcast websiteWe Discuss:What does it mean to kick the can down the road?How procrastination shows up on a clinical shiftWhy does procrastination happen?It doesn't take much dread for can-kicking to occurAvoidance AwarenessDecisional InterrogationKicking the can because deciding will set off a cascade of more workAvoiding the infinite test of timeIdentify how, when, and where you’ll