Flourishing in Medicine: From Surviving to Thriving

Épisodes

• Connection, Belonging, and the Soul of Medicine 01.07.2026 39min

  Today, we are joined by Dr. Craig Rooney, a counseling psychologist and healthcare leader whose career has focused on supporting the wellbeing of physicians, healthcare professionals, and learners.Dr. Craig Rooney is the inaugural Chief Wellbeing Officer at the University of Rochester Medical Center, where he leads efforts to improve wellbeing across the health system. Drawing on his background in psychotherapy, integrated behavioral health, and clinician support programs, Dr. Rooney brings a unique perspective to the emotional and relational challenges facing healthcare today.In this conversation, Dr. Rooney explores the hidden emotional life of medicine, including perfectionism, grief, burnout, isolation, and the search for meaning in clinical work. He discusses what truly restores clinicians, why wellbeing requires both personal and organizational responsibility, and how healthcare institutions can create environments where both patients and caregivers can thrive.We also cover:The culture of perfectionism and self-sacrifice in medicineGrief, trauma, and emotional labor in clinical practiceBurnout as both an individual and systemic challengeThe importance of connection, vulnerability, and communityInclusion, belonging, and their relationship to wellbeingReconnecting with purpose and creating more humane healthcare systemsLearn from Dr. Rooney's years of experience working alongside physicians and healthcare professionals as he shares insights into what drives burnout, and what helps restore hope, meaning, and humanity in modern medicine.Links:Dr. Craig Rooney LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/s-craig-rooney-phd-8649a219/ University of Rochester Office of Wellbeing: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/office-of-wellbeing/our-team EmPro Website: https://www.myempro.com/ EmPro Peer Support Program: https://www.myempro.com/peer-support/ Physician Support Line: +1 (888) 409-0141 Physician Support Line Website: https://www.physiciansupportline.com/ Dr. Krasner's Website: https://mickkrasnermd.com/ Mindful Practice in Medicine Website: https://mindfulpracticeinmedicine.com/ Chapters:(00:00) Introduction(05:00) Identity & Belonging(06:45) Lessons from Working with Physicians(09:00) Grief & Loss(11:10) Burnout & Trauma(12:10) Isolation & Connection(15:15) Becoming a Wellbeing Leader(16:05) Resilience vs. Systems(20:45) Building Community(21:20) Inclusion & Belonging(23:50) The Both/And Approach(29:55) Purpose & Meaning(32:35) Reasons for Hope(35:00) Concerns for Healthcare's Future(36:10) One Thing to Whisper to Medicine(36:40) Conclusion
• Front Row Seats to Humanity: Awe and the Practice of Medicine with Dr. Erica Miller & Dr. Emily Salib | FIM Podcast #41 17.06.2026 44min

  Today, we are joined by Dr. Erica Miller and Dr. Emily Salib, educators and physicians from the University of Rochester.Dr. Erica Miller, MD, is a cardiologist and Assistant Professor at the University of Rochester. She serves as Program Director of the Internal Medicine-Pediatrics Residency Program. Dr. Emily Salib, MD, is an Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at UR and a Med-Peds hospitalist who holds multiple faculty development and residency leadership roles.In this rich and deeply human conversation, Drs. Miller and Salib join Mick Krasner to explore awe in medicine and how wonder, moral beauty, connection, and transcendence can sustain clinicians amid the pressures of modern healthcare.We also cover:What awe is and Dacher Keltner's researchHow modern medicine may unintentionally train awe out of trainees and cliniciansHow to notice and cultivate awe in daily practiceNew research linking awe and sacred moments to lower rates of burnoutLearn from these two physician-educators about how awe might be a powerful, accessible, and overlooked resource for sustaining meaning and well-being in medicine.Dr. Erica Miller LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-miller-md/Dr. Erica Miller Profile: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/people/112360726-erica-millerDr. Emily Salib Profile: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/people/112360918-emily-salibGreater Good Science Center: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/Awe by Dacher Keltner: https://www.amazon.com/Awe-Science-Everyday-Wonder-Transform/dp/1984879685A Grateful Day (by Brother David Steindl-Rast): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSt7k_q_qRU&t=28sGratefulness.org: https://gratefulness.org/EmPro Website: https://www.myempro.com/EmPro Peer Support Program: https://www.myempro.com/peer-support/Physician Support Line: +1(888) 409-0141Physician Support Line Website: https://www.physiciansupportline.com/Dr. Krasner's Website: https://mickkrasnermd.com/Mindful Practice in Medicine Website: https://mindfulpracticeinmedicine.com/Chapters:(00:00) Introduction(06:35) Why Medicine(11:25) Defining Awe(13:35) Awe During the Pandemic(18:15) Awe & Clinicians(21:25) Cultural Fears(25:20) Awe with Colleagues(28:55) Connecting with Awe(32:00) Awe & Grief(37:00) Sacred Moments(41:00) Conclusion
• Why Meaning Matters in Medicine with Dr. Jonathan Ripp | Flourishing In Medicine Podcast #40 03.06.2026 45min

  Today, we are joined by Dr. Jonathan Ripp, a nationally recognized leader in physician well-being, serving as Senior Associate Dean for Well-Being and Resilience and Chief Wellness Officer at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.Dr. Jonathan Ripp is a professor, researcher, and clinician who has helped shape the national conversation on burnout and resilience through his leadership of initiatives such as CHARM, his work with the ACGME and National Academy of Medicine, and his pioneering research on physician distress and professional fulfillment. At Mount Sinai, he leads system-wide efforts to support the flourishing of students, trainees, and faculty. Dr. Ripp brings both deep clinical experience and organizational perspective to questions about what it takes for healthcare systems to cultivate cultures where clinicians feel supported, connected, and able to thrive.We also cover:The tension between medicine's ideals and the realities of modern healthcare systems, including burnout, moral distress, and the systemic roots of clinician sufferingThe importance of organizational culture, psychological safety, and supportive leadership in creating environments where clinicians can flourishPractical and hopeful developments, from coaching and peer support networks to AI tools that reduce clerical burden, while emphasizing that meaningful work, human connection, and purpose remain at the heart of sustainable healing professionsDr. Ripp concludes with a hopeful call to preserve purpose, community, and humanity in medicine while continuing to push for systemic change at the organizational and policy levels.Links:More on Dr. Ripp: https://profiles.mountsinai.org/jonathan-a-ripp Dr. Ripp’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-ripp-md-mph/ Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai: https://icahn.mssm.edu/EmPro Website: https://www.myempro.com/ EmPro Peer Support Program: https://www.myempro.com/peer-support/ Physician Support Line: +1(888) 409-0141 Physician Support Line Website: https://www.physiciansupportline.com/ Dr. Krasner's Website: https://mickkrasnermd.com/ Mindful Practice in Medicine Website: https://mindfulpracticeinmedicine.com/ Chapters:(00:00) Introduction(02:00) Why Medicine(04:00) Mount Sinai and Family Values(05:30) Ideals vs. Reality(08:00) When Burnout Became Real(10:00) Advancing Idealism in Medicine(12:00) Evolution of Physician Well-Being(15:00) System vs. Individual Factors(17:00) Performative vs. Authentic Wellness(20:00) What Healthy Culture Looks Like(23:00) Moral Distress and Leadership(26:00) What Works: System and Individual Level(29:00) Technology and Reducing Burden(32:00) Coaching and Community(35:00) CHARM Initiative(38:00) Conversations We Need to Have(40:00) Sustaining Meaning and Hope(42:00) Role of Ordinary Clinicians(44:00) Conclusion
• Beyond the Screen: Presence and Technology in Medicine with Dr. Alice Loveys | FIM Podcast #39 20.05.2026 50min

  Today, we are joined by Dr. Alice Loveys, a pediatrician and nationally recognized clinical informatics expert working at the intersection of healthcare, technology, digital health, and equity.Dr. Alice Loveys, MD, FAAP, FHIMSS, ABP-CI, is a pediatrician and Chief Medical Information Officer at IT Practice Consulting Group. She has practiced pediatrics in the Rochester region since 1994 and was among the inaugural class of United States physician diplomates in Clinical Informatics. Drawing from decades of experience spanning clinical care, software design, blockchain strategy, HIPAA/privacy initiatives, and healthcare leadership, she has become a nationally recognized voice on the intersection of medicine, technology, and human connection. Known as "Dr. Gadget" for her work testing and implementing new healthcare technologies, Dr. Loveys brings both clinical wisdom and systems-thinking to questions about how digital transformation can either fragment or deepen the healing relationship between clinicians and patients.In the conversation, Dr. Loveys shares how a Life Magazine photograph of a baby in utero sparked her lifelong sense of awe and wonder in medicine, revealing how that sense of the miraculous continues to inform her approach to both patient care and technology implementation.We also cover:How electronic health records were built for billing rather than storytelling, and what gets lost when documentation systems prioritize transactions over relationshipsThe promise and ethical tensions of AI in medicine, including questions of bias, transparency, patient empowerment, and the cultural shifts needed to support shared decision-makingWhy technology should be the "stone in stone soup" (the catalyst that brings people together) and how thoughtfully designed tools can reduce suffering when they preserve rather than replace human connectionDr. Loveys concludes by reminding us to never underestimate the laying on of hands, emphasizing that the guidance, empowerment, and authentic human encounter at the heart of healing must always come from or with a human being.Links:Dr. Ali Loveys LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-ali-loveys/ EmPro Website: https://www.myempro.com/ EmPro Peer Support Program: https://www.myempro.com/peer-support/ Physician Support Line: +1(888) 409-0141Physician Support Line Website: https://www.physiciansupportline.com/ Dr. Krasner's Website: https://mickkrasnermd.com/ Mindful Practice in Medicine Website: https://mindfulpracticeinmedicine.com/ Chapters:(00:00) Introduction(01:50) Dr. Alice Loveys(04:00) Why Medicine(09:00) The Concrete and the Miraculous(11:00) Systems in the Digital Age(16:00) Electronic Health Records(20:00) Technology and Burnout(23:00) Humanity in Informatics(31:00) AI in Medicine(35:00) Patient Empowerment(38:00) Blind Spots in AI(42:00) Sustaining Oneself(44:00) The Laying On of Hands(46:00) Conclusion
• Getting Unstuck in Medicine: Coaching, Leadership, and the Path to Flourishing with Dr. Ellen Singer | Flourishing in Medicine: From Surviving to Thriving #38 18.03.2026 49min

  Today, we are joined by Dr. Ellen Singer, a board-certified internist and pediatrician.Dr. Ellen L. Singer is a dual board-certified internist and pediatrician with more than 30 years of experience in clinical practice, medical leadership, and physician development. She serves as a Physician Development Coach for Legacy Health, a regional Virtualist with Northwest Permanente, and Medical Director of The Foundation for Medical Excellence. Ellen brings deep expertise in recruitment, credentialing, quality oversight, documentation, revenue cycle, and practice redesign across multiple specialties. ICF-certified, she coaches clinicians and leaders through difficult patient interactions, burnout, privilege restrictions, and career transitions. Grounded in empathy, storytelling, and reflection Ellen is passionate about helping healthcare professionals build meaningful, resilient careers and sustainable, engaged clinical teams.In the conversation, Dr. Singer reflects on the formative influences that drew her to medicine and how her training at the University of Rochester shaped her lifelong attention to the inner lives of clinicians, ultimately leading her to develop a second professional identity as a physician coach.We also cover:How coaching differs from traditional medical problem-solving by creating space for reflection, clarity, and self-directed solutions rather than prescribing answersThe structural challenges in modern healthcare including tensions around time, resources, organizational priorities, and the struggle for physician autonomyPractical approaches to transforming meetings, leadership dynamics, and team relationships to create more sustainable and humane clinical environmentsDr. Singer concludes with a vision of flourishing grounded in meaningful relationships, sustainable self-care habits, and shared commitment to patient care that truly matters, emphasizing that change must come from individual clinicians and teams building flourishing from the ground up.Links:Dr. Ellen Singer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellensingermdcpcc/ The Foundation for Medical Excellence: https://tfme.org/ EmPro Website: https://www.myempro.com/ EmPro Peer Support Program: https://www.myempro.com/peer-support/ Physician Support Line: +1(888) 409-0141 Physician Support Line Website: https://www.physiciansupportline.com/ Dr. Krasner's Website: https://mickkrasnermd.com/ Mindful Practice in Medicine Website: https://mindfulpracticeinmedicine.com/ Chapters:(00:00) Introduction(01:50) Dr. Ellen Singer(03:00) Early Influences(07:00) Clinicians' Inner Lives(11:00) The Unexpected Evolution to Coaching(16:00) Why Traditional Medical Culture Needs Coaching(20:00) Physician Struggles(23:00) Moral Distress and Resource Constraints(27:00) Narratives of Concern(31:00) Transforming Meetings(35:00) Moments That Matter(39:00) How Coaching Changed Dr. Singer(41:00) What Flourishing Looks Like Today(44:00) Conclusion
• Contemplation in Action: Rewiring Burnout from the Inside Out with Dr. Lia Antico | FIM Podcast #37 04.03.2026 46min

  Today, we are joined by Dr. Lia Antico, a neuroscientist, educator, and contemplative scholar whose work explores the neural and behavioral mechanisms underlying burnout, empathy, and compassion in health professionals.Dr. Lia Antico is an Assistant Doctor at the Medical School of the University of Fribourg in Switzerland and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Brown University School of Public Health. Her research investigates the behavioral and neural mechanisms underlying various states of mind and body, focusing specifically on burnout and anxiety. She develops and tests interventions based on mindfulness aimed at preventing or alleviating burnout and fostering well-being and flourishing at work, especially among healthcare professionals. She is a strong advocate for Contemplation in Action, emphasizing the integration of mindfulness into daily life and relationships to build communities grounded in authenticity and trust.In the conversation, Dr. Antico shares how her early volunteer experiences in hospitals and her Christian contemplative tradition shaped her path into neuroscience and clinician wellbeing research.We also cover:The development of a brief app-based mindfulness intervention at Brown University that reduced burnout by 30% and anxiety by 40% in cliniciansThe neuroscientific distinction between empathy and compassion and why understanding this difference matters for sustainable caregivingHer vision for creating spaces in hospitals and universities where clinicians can pause, breathe, share experiences, and reconnect with meaning in their workDr. Antico concludes by emphasizing the importance of building communities grounded in authenticity and trust.Links:Dr. Lia Antico LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lia-antico-phd-2082ab56/ Unwinding by Sharecare App: https://unwindingbysharecare.com/ Clinician Burnout Course (Free): https://drjud.com/clinician-burnout-course/ EmPro Website: https://www.myempro.com/ EmPro Peer Support Program: https://www.myempro.com/peer-support/ Physician Support Line: +1(888) 409-0141 Physician Support Line Website: https://www.physiciansupportline.com/ Dr. Krasner's Website: https://mickkrasnermd.com/ Mindful Practice in Medicine Website: https://mindfulpracticeinmedicine.com/ Chapters:(00:00) Empathy and Compassion(02:30) Introduction(04:00) Wellbeing and Wisdom(05:00) Early Fascination(06:00) Volunteer Experiences(08:00) Contemplative Practices(09:00) The Pediatric Unit(12:00) Neural Mechanisms of Burnout(15:00) Mindfulness Intervention at Brown(18:00) Research Findings(21:00) Empathy vs. Compassion(29:00) Current Opportunities(32:00) Contemplation in Action(34:00) Faith Informing Professional Life(38:00) Bridge Between Personal and Professional(41:00) Breathe and Share(44:00) Conclusion
• Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, and the Future of Healthcare in Singapore with Dr. Virginia Lien | Flourishing in Medicine: From Surviving to Thriving #36 11.02.2026 37min

  Today, we are joined by Dr. Virginia Lien, a physician, psychotherapist, and mindfulness teacher from Singapore who has been caring for others for four decades.Dr. Virginia Lien is a physician, psychotherapist and mindfulness teacher caring for others for four decades in Singapore. Since retiring from clinical medicine after a serious accident 12 years ago, she has recovered to start The Mindful Compassion Project in 2017. This is a not-for-profit partnership offering mindful compassion programs and retreats to promote well-being and flourishing among local professional caregivers in medicine and healthcare. Working with many gifted clinicians and medical educators locally and internationally, she is passionate about promoting Mindfulness and Compassion in Medicine to effect holistic changes both at the personal and the organizational leadership level. She believes that, together, we can bring healing back to healthcare, beginning by caring for ourselves and our dedicated colleagues. In the conversation, Dr. Lien shares how a traumatic burn injury transformed her understanding of both patient and caregiver experience, leading her to create circles of connection that ripple outward to influence healthcare culture in Singapore and beyond.We also cover:The rapid evolution of Singapore's healthcare system and the escalating pressures on students and cliniciansThree key programs: Mindful Self-Care, Self-Compassion for Healthcare Communities, and Mindful Practice in MedicineHow small circles of practitioners create ripple effects of kindness and humanity in healthcare systemsDr. Lien concludes by emphasizing the importance of bringing mindfulness and compassion to leadership levels, noting that compassionate leadership actually strengthens resilience and connection rather than creating weakness or inefficiency.Links:The Mindful Compassion Project: https://www.themindfulcompassionproject.com/ EmPro Website: https://www.myempro.com/ EmPro Peer Support Program: https://www.myempro.com/peer-support/ Physician Support Line: +1(888) 409-0141Physician Support Line Website: https://www.physiciansupportline.com/ Dr. Krasner's Website: https://mickkrasnermd.com/ Mindful Practice in Medicine Website: https://mindfulpracticeinmedicine.com/ Chapters:(00:00) Introduction(05:28) Why Medicine(06:40) Childhood Illness (10:12) Healthcare Journey (11:30) Patient Experience(12:00) Discovering Mindfulness and Self-Compassion(13:58) Healthcare in Singapore(16:55) Pressures on Healthcare Professionals(19:15) The Mindful Compassion Project(22:24) Transformation During COVID(24:21) The Power of Connection(25:25) Scaling Programs in Singapore's Healthcare System(28:14) Community, Practice, and Regional Vision(30:00) Opportunities in China and Asia Pacific(32:22) Bringing Compassion to Leadership(34:24) Conclusion
• Relational Leadership in Healthcare with Dr. Sarah Smithson and Jane Cooper-Driver | Flourishing in Medicine: From Surviving to Thriving #35 14.01.2026 44min

  Today, we are joined by Dr. Sarah Smithson, MD, MPH, and Jane Cooper-Driver, co-founders and co-CEOs of Relational Leadership Partners.In the conversation, Dr. Smithson and Cooper-Driver explore relational leadership as a human-centered approach that cultivates connection, collaboration, and belonging while addressing how traditional hierarchical models in healthcare leave authenticity, innovation, and quality on the table.We also cover:How relational breakdowns contribute to burnout and why healthcare has become transactional rather than relationship-centeredPractical, teachable relational practices that transform conflict into creativity and build psychological safety within teamsWhy these skills are not optional extras but foundational to patient care, team resilience, and organizational sustainabilityDr. Smithson and Cooper-Driver conclude by envisioning a healthcare system where team members feel part of something greater, where resilience lives within the collective, and where both staff and patients experience genuine care and belonging.Links:Relational Leadership Partners: https://rlpconnect.com/ Dr. Sarah Smithson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-smithson/ Jane Cooper-Driver LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-cooper-driver-01000b6/ EmPro Website: https://www.myempro.com/ EmPro Peer Support Program: https://www.myempro.com/peer-support/ Physician Support Line: +1(888) 409-0141Physician Support Line Website: https://www.physiciansupportline.com/ Dr. Krasner's Website: https://mickkrasnermd.com/ Mindful Practice in Medicine Website: https://mindfulpracticeinmedicine.com/ Chapters:(00:00) Introduction(02:00) Relational Leadership(03:00) Sarah's Origin Story(06:00) The Cadaver Lab Experience(08:00) Jane's Cross-Cultural Journey to Leadership(11:00) Defining Relational Leadership(14:00) Traditional vs. Relational Leadership Models(17:00) The All-Knowing Leader Myth(18:00) Common Relational Breakdowns in Healthcare(21:00) Conflict, Communication, and Trust(24:00) The New York Driving Analogy(25:00) Conflict Transformation vs. Resolution(27:00) Can Relational Skills Be Taught?(29:00) Intentionality in Practice(32:00) Integration vs. Compartmentalization(34:00) The Patient Experience Connection(36:00) Envisioning a Relationally Grounded Future(39:00) Love and Collective Resilience(41:00) Conclusion
• Treating the Wounded Healer with Dr. Stefanie Simmons | Flourishing in Medicine: From Surviving to Thriving #34 22.12.2025 32min

  Today, we are joined by Dr. Stefanie Simmons, emergency medicine physician, national leader in clinician wellbeing, and Chief Medical Officer of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation, for a conversation about service, systemic change, and reimagining healthcare workers as emotional and intellectual athletes.In this conversation, Stefanie reflects on her unexpected path into medicine. Originating from a family ethic of service and her father's repeated message: our duty is to use our talents to make the world a better place. She traces how her historian's eye for systems and change, combined with early experiences of misalignment between medicine's ideals and realities, led her to focus on the interpersonal, cultural, and systemic dimensions of healing.We also cover:The tragic story of Dr. Lorna Breen and the foundation's mission to dismantle structural barriers to mental healthcare for clinicians, including invasive licensing and credentialing questions about past mental health treatmentHow personal struggles with unaddressed mental health needs and stigma shaped her commitment to changing medical culture and treating healthcare workers with the same care they provide to patientsThe foundation's comprehensive work across research, education, collaboration with national organizations, and accelerating solutions through the impact badge program that recognizes institutions removing stigmatizing questionsHer vision for the future: treating healthcare workers as emotional and intellectual athletes who deserve proper training, rest, coaching, and supportive systems designed to help them thrive rather than injure themThroughout, Dr. Simmons embodies moral clarity, vulnerability, and hope—grounded in systems thinking, dedicated to cultural transformation, and committed to a more humane medical profession. She closes with a powerful reframe: in order to reach a state where our healthcare workforce is healthy and thriving, we need to treat ourselves and each other as the intellectual and emotional athletes that we are.Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefsimmons/ Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation: https://drlornabreen.org/EmPro Website: https://www.myempro.com/EmPro Peer Support Program: https://www.myempro.com/peer-support/Physician Support Line: +1(888) 409-0141Physician Support Line Website: https://www.physiciansupportline.com/Dr. Krasner's Website: https://mickkrasnermd.com/Mindful Practice in Medicine Website: https://mindfulpracticeinmedicine.com/Chapters:(00:00) Introduction (00:15) Welcome and Overview(01:21) Path into Medicine(03:19) Dr. Simmon’s Origin Story (04:00) Family Service Ethic (06:00) Her Father's Influence (07:45) Personal Evolution (23:10) Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation(24:30) Dr. Lorna Breen(25:00) Finding the Foundation (26:15) Future Vision (27:00) Physicians as Athletes(29:15) Designing for Wellbeing (29:50) Closing Reflections (30:00) Mindfulness Exercise (32:07) Conclusion
• Belonging & Mindfulness Across Medicine with Dr. Ross Carne | Flourishing in Medicine: From Surviving to Thriving #33 10.12.2025 36min

  Today, we are joined by Dr. Ross Carne.Dr. Ross Carne MBBS, FRACP, MD(Melbourne), MMEd (Dundee), FASLM, LMusA is a neurologist and clinical neurophysiologist who is American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine Certified and a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Certified Teacher through MTIA. He holds a Doctorate of Medicine investigating brain imaging in epilepsy and a Masters in Medical Education. He is currently an Affiliate Professor at School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.In this conversation, Ross reflects on the formative experiences that drew him into medicine and how these shaped his lifelong desire to relieve suffering and make complexity understandable to others.We also cover:How mindfulness transformed both his clinical practice and personal life, opening space for authenticity, deeper presence, and creative explorationHis "Belonging in Medicine" program, which helps clinicians reconnect with intention, beauty, and collegial connections across individual, interpersonal, and organizational dimensionsHow contemplative practices like attentive listening, acknowledging emotional content, and sharing experiences with colleagues directly counter the components of burnout: depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, and professional inadequacyThroughout, Dr. Carne embodies a creative, curious spirit—open to possibilities, grounded in presence, and dedicated to helping clinicians discover and rediscover meaning, connection, and humanity in their work. He closes with a reminder from Rumi: "On a day when the wind is perfect, the sail just has to open and the world is full of beauty. Today is such a day."Links:Mindfulness Training Institute Australia New Zealand: https://www.mtia.org.au/search-results/teacher?id=51 EmPro Website: https://www.myempro.com/EmPro Peer Support Program: https://www.myempro.com/peer-support/Physician Support Line: +1(888) 409-0141Physician Support Line Website: https://www.physiciansupportline.com/Dr. Krasner's Website: https://mickkrasnermd.com/Mindful Practice in Medicine Website: https://mindfulpracticeinmedicine.com/Chapters:(00:00) Introduction(00:15) Dr. Carne’s path into medicine(01:00) Early experiences with illness and caregiving(02:25) The emotional impact of feeling powerless(04:10) How those moments shaped his calling(06:22) Living with seizures and personal vulnerability(07:45) Finding meaning in the healer’s role(09:12) Mindfulness and the “traveling intention”(10:27) The epiphany that shifted his practice(11:45) First encounter with mindfulness in medicine(12:15) Beginning formal mindfulness training(14:00) Integrating attention and compassion in care(16:30) The science behind awareness and suffering(18:10) The role of presence in clinical encounters(21:00) Belonging and connection in healthcare teams(24:40) What physicians need to thrive(29:34) Creativity, writing, and narrative work(31:48) Final reflections on wonder and curiosity(32:19) Closing thoughts from Dr. Carne(33:07) Guided mindfulness exercise(35:31) Conclusion
• Building Resilient Clinicians Through Mindfulness with Dr. Jodi Jackson | Flourishing in Medicine: From Surviving to Thriving #32 25.11.2025 45min

  Today, we are joined by Dr. Jodi Jackson, Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Neonatology at Children's Mercy-Kansas City/UMKC School of Medicine.Through a clinical partnership, Dr. Jodi Jackson has served as Medical Director of the NICU at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission (AHSM) since 2007. She was a founding member of the Physician Wellness program and Meaning in Medicine program with AHSM. From 2010 to present, she has been training in Mindful Practice, Quality of Care, Quality of Caring and Resilience, and is now certified to teach Mindfulness in Medicine through the Advanced Teacher Training Program for Mindful Practice in Medicine (MPIM), University of Rochester School of Medicine. She presently serves on faculty and the advisory board for the Mindful Practice in Medicine (MPIM) program, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry.In this conversation, Dr. Jackson reflects on her unconventional path to medicine, driven not by a childhood dream of becoming a doctor, but by deep curiosity about how the body and world work, and a desire for grounded understanding amid family health anxieties.We also cover:How her journey to medicine was guided by genuine curiosity rather than a predetermined visionHow the Mindfulness Scholars Program at UMKC fosters intergenerational learning, narrative sharing, psychological safety, and demonstrable improvements in wellbeingHow combining the wisdom of mindfulness and Enneagram teachings creates powerful tools for self-discovery, noticing where we're stuck, and navigating human relationships with greater compassionThroughout, Dr. Jackson embodies the way of the teacher. She is open but not attached to outcomes, committed to walking the path, and dedicated to helping shape a more conscious, humane generation of health professionals.Links:Mindful Practice in Medicine (MPIM): https://mindfulpracticeinmedicine.com/about/who-we-are/UMKC Mindfulness Scholars Program: https://libguides.library.umkc.edu/c.php?g=1441182&p=10704649EmPro Website: https://www.myempro.com/EmPro Peer Support Program: https://www.myempro.com/peer-support/Physician Support Line: +1(888) 409-0141Physician Support Line Website: https://www.physiciansupportline.com/Dr. Krasner's Website: https://mickkrasnermd.com/Mindful Practice in Medicine Website: https://mindfulpracticeinmedicine.com/Chapters:(00:00) Introduction(01:15) An unconventional path to medicine(04:00) Choosing Neonatology(07:00) The Impact of Mindful Practice(10:30) Building the Mindfulness Scholars Program(14:00) Training Students and Faculty Together(17:30) Culture Change in Medical Education(21:00) The Hidden Curriculum(24:00) Enneagram and Mindfulness(28:00) Understanding Patterns and Compassion(31:00) Tools for Healing and Growth(36:00) The Enneagram & Mindfulness(42:45) Guided Mindfulness Practice(45:00) Conclusion
• Mindfulness in Swedish Medicine with Dr. Whitmer Jacobsson & Dr. Bååthe | Flourishing in Medicine: From Surviving to Thriving #31 05.11.2025 1h

  Today, we are joined by Dr. Anamaria Whitmer Jacobsson, MD, a senior OB/GYN surgeon at Varberg and Kungsbacka Hospitals in Sweden, and Dr. Fredrik Bååthe, PhD, a senior researcher and lecturer at the Institute of Stress Medicine in Gothenburg and guest researcher at the Legeforskningsinstituttet in Oslo.In the conversation, Drs. Whitmer Jacobsson and Bååthe share their deeply personal “why,” exploring how formative experiences shaped their values of service, connection, and human potential. We also cover:Why traditional debriefing can backfire when teams are outside their window of tolerance and what to do insteadHow trauma-informed, appreciative questions help clinicians and patients heal, learn, and reconnect after crisesWhat sustainable healthcare looks like in practice, with lessons from a Swedish clinic achieving low burnout and high fulfillment for over 20 yearsLinks:Dr. Whitmer Jacobsson’s LinkedIn: se.linkedin.com/in/anamaria-whitmer-jacobsson-b69b966b Dr. Bååthe’s LinkedIn: /www.linkedin.com/in/fredrik-b%C3%A5%C3%A5th-10682a89/Claritatis AB: https://claritatisab.com/new-page-1 A.L.S.O. Scandinavia: https://www.also-scandinavia.com/kurs-i-sverige/ SLF: https://slf.se/in-english/ SFOG: https://www.sfog.se/kunskap/psykosocial-ob-gyn-samt-sexologi-pos-arg/ ISM: https://tinyurl.com/5n7ce2d5 LEFO: https://tinyurl.com/3mv2nbzy EmPro Website: https://www.myempro.com/ EmPro Peer Support Program: https://www.myempro.com/peer-support/ Physician Support Line: +1(888) 409-0141 Physician Support Line Website: https://www.physiciansupportline.com/ Dr. Krasner's Website: https://mickkrasnermd.com/ Mindful Practice in Medicine Website: https://mindfulpracticeinmedicine.com/Chapters:(00:00) Introduction(02:00) The Why: Service and Human Connection(10:00) From Industry to Healthcare: Unlocking Human Potential(20:00) Mindful Practice and the Birth of the Swedish Model(30:00) Complexity Science and Organizational Healing(37:00) Trauma-Informed, Appreciative Inquiry in Practice(43:00) Sustainable Healthcare in Sweden(47:00) Expanding to Michigan and Beyond(51:00) Vision for the Future of Care(55:00) Conclusion
• From Anatomy Lab to Arts & Humanities with Dr. Elizabeth Gaufberg | Flourishing in Medicine: From Surviving to Thriving #30 22.10.2025 55min

  Today, we are joined by Dr. Elizabeth Gaufberg, MD, MPH, an Associate Professor of Medicine and Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Director of Professional and Academic Development at the Cambridge Health Alliance.In the conversation, Dr. Gaufberg shares how a formative anatomy lab moment sparked her lifelong commitment to reflective practice and using the arts and humanities to cultivate essential clinical skills.We also cover:How the Cambridge Integrated Clerkship model preserves patient-centeredness through longitudinal relationships and relational learningUsing "third things" like visual art and poetry to teach observation, bias awareness, teamwork, and tolerance for ambiguityPractical approaches for bringing arts-based reflection into clinical settings to support psychological safety and professional flourishingLinks:Dr. Elizabeth Gaufberg Faculty Profile: https://postgraduateeducation.hms.harvard.edu/faculty-staff/elizabeth-gaufbergCambridge Health Alliance: https://www.chacmc.org/new-pageCambridge Health Alliance PAD: https://chacpad.org/staffDr. Gaufberg LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-gaufberg-503a0b7a/AAMC FRAHME: https://www.aamc.org/about-us/mission-areas/medical-education/frahmeEmPro Website: https://www.myempro.com/EmPro Peer Support Program: https://www.myempro.com/peer-support/Physician Support Line: +1(888) 409-0141Physician Support Line Website: https://www.physiciansupportline.com/Dr. Krasner's Website: https://mickkrasnermd.com/Mindful Practice in Medicine Website: https://mindfulpracticeinmedicine.com/Relevant Publications:Hirsh D, Gaufberg E, Ogur B, Cohen P, Krupat E, Cox M, Pelletier S, Bor D. Educational outcomes of the Harvard Medical School-Cambridge integrated clerkship: a way forward for medical education. Acad Med. 2012 May;87(5):643-50. doi: 10.1097/ACM.0b013e31824d9821. PMID: 22450189.Gaufberg E, Hirsh D, Krupat E, Ogur B, Pelletier S, Reiff D, Bor D. Into the future: patient-centredness endures in longitudinal integrated clerkship graduates. Med Educ. 2014 Jun;48(6):572-82. doi: 10.1111/medu.12413. Epub 2014 Apr 9. PMID: 24713035.Chapters: (00:00) Introduction(03:00) Origin Story and Path to Medicine(08:00) Why Psychiatry After Internal Medicine(10:00) Formative Anatomy Lab Moment(14:00) The Arts and Humanities in Medical Education(24:00) Bringing Arts-Based Reflection to Clinical Teams(29:00) Cambridge Integrated Clerkship Model(38:00) Challenges and Boundary Issues in Relational Learning(43:00) Hypothetical Impact on Medical Culture(49:00) Personal Well-Being Practices(52:00) Conclusion and Reflection Exercises
• Connection & Compassion in Physician Wellness with Dr. Catherine Pound | Flourishing in Medicine: From Surviving to Thriving #29 08.10.2025 34min

  Today, we are joined by Dr. Catherine Pound, MSc, MPH, MD, FRCPC, Director of Physician Support and Wellness at the Canadian Medical Protective Association.Dr. Pound joined CMPA as a Physician Advisor in Safe Medical Care Learning in 2021 and became the Director of Physician Support and Wellness in 2023. She is also a pediatrician and researcher, and was an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Ottawa until 2024. Dr. Pound holds master's degrees in epidemiology as well as in public health, with a focus on health policy. Dr. Pound has obtained multiple research grants, and has been published extensively in the areas of medical education, health promotion, and clinical medicine. She has also implemented and led multiple physician wellness programs, both in clinical and administrative settings.In the conversation, Dr. Pound shares her personal journey from experiencing burnout early in her career to recognizing the widespread silent suffering among physicians and dedicating her work to systemic change that helps healthcare professionals thrive.We also cover:How her values of connection, compassion, and curiosity led her from pediatrics through public health to physician wellness leadershipCMPA's innovative programs including peer support, longitudinal coaching, and the national Physician Wellbeing Index assessmentThe critical connection between healthcare professional wellbeing and patient safety as a public health issueDr. Pound concludes by envisioning a healthcare system where professionals give themselves permission to acknowledge when they need help, creating environments of trust, collaboration, and compassionate care.Links:Dr. Catherine Pound LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-pound-b22a921/ CMPA: https://www.cmpa-acpm.ca/en/home CMPA Practically Speaking podcast: https://www.cmpa-acpm.ca/en/education-events/cmpa-podcasts EmPro Website: https://www.myempro.com/ EmPro Peer Support Program: https://www.myempro.com/peer-support/ Physician Support Line: +1(888) 409-0141 Physician Support Line Website: https://www.physiciansupportline.com/ Dr. Krasner's Website: https://mickkrasnermd.com/ Mindful Practice in Medicine Website: https://mindfulpracticeinmedicine.com/Chapters:(00:00) Introduction(03:00) Why Medicine: Connection and Compassion(08:00) Personal Journey to Physician Wellness Work(11:00) Public Health Approach to Prevention(14:00) Physician Wellbeing as Public Health Crisis(15:00) Joining CMPA and Building Programs(17:00) Developing Evidence-Based Support Systems(22:00) Theater-Based Training and Team Approaches(25:00) Research-Driven Program Development(27:00) Envisioning the Future of Healthcare(32:00) Conclusion
• Transforming Healthcare from the Inside with Dr. Donald Moore | Flourishing in Medicine: From Surviving to Thriving #28 24.09.2025 53min

  Today, we are joined by Dr. Donald E. Moore, MD, MPH, a Yale-trained physician, longtime Brooklyn primary care doctor and hospital attending educator at Weill Cornell, Downstate and Pace.Dr. Donald E. Moore earned his M.D. and M.P.H. from Yale in 1981. He is an Adjunct Professor of Biology at Pace University and a Clinical Assistant Professor at Weill Cornell Medicine and Downstate Health Sciences University. For more than 30 years, Dr. Moore served as an Attending Physician at New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital while also managing a primary care practice in Brooklyn for over 35 years. He is the former President of the Provident Clinical Society of Brooklyn and currently holds leadership positions in the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY), including Chair of the Wellness and Resilience Committee and Chair of the AI Taskforce. Additionally, he has served as the past Chair of the Committee on Physician Health. Dr. Moore advocates for a healthcare system focused on patient care, access to quality medicine, and ethical doctor-patient relationships rooted in trust and beneficence.In the conversation, Dr. Moore traces his calling to medicine from a transformative college biology class through his humanistic education at Yale, sharing how ethics, trust, and beneficence guide his practice.We also cover:Making over 20,000 house calls and what horizontal care taught him about doctor-patient relationshipsHis leadership in physician wellness and moving from downstream treatment to upstream prevention of burnoutArtificial intelligence in medicine and the essential role of curiosity in medical practiceDr. Moore concludes by reflecting on medicine as a calling rather than just a job, emphasizing that physicians are healers and teachers who must maintain curiosity and dedication throughout their careers.Links:Dr. Donald Moore Website: https://donaldmooremd.comDr. Donald Moore LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald-e-moore-m-d-m-p-h-a3868868/Pace University Advisory Board: https://www.pace.edu/dyson/about-dyson/advisory-board/donald-moore-76EmPro Website: https://www.myempro.com/EmPro Peer Support Program: https://www.myempro.com/peer-support/Physician Support Line: +1(888) 409-0141Physician Support Line Website: https://www.physiciansupportline.com/Dr. Krasner's Website: https://mickkrasnermd.com/Mindful Practice in Medicine Website: https://mindfulpracticeinmedicine.com/Chapters:(00:00) Introduction(03:00) Dr. Moore’s Calling to Medicine(08:00) Yale's Humanistic Medical Education(12:00) Ethics, Trust, and Beneficence in Practice(21:00) The Art of Making House Calls(28:00) Horizontal Care and Patient Relationships(30:00) Leadership in Physician Wellness(36:00) Embracing Artificial Intelligence in Medicine(42:00) The Central Role of Curiosity(47:00) Conclusion
• Building a Physician Wellness Coalition with Colleen Camenisch | Flourishing in Medicine: From Surviving to Thriving #27 10.09.2025 43min

  Today, we are joined by Colleen Camenisch, MBA, Executive Director of the Nevada Physician Wellness Coalition.Colleen Camenisch, MBA, is an experienced Chief Executive Officer with a demonstrated history of working with leaders in the mindfulness industry and in the higher education industry and Medicine. She has a wide range of skills that include Management, Strategic Planning, Marketing Strategy, Mindfulness Based Interventions, and Public Speaking. Her strong business development experience with a post graduate training in International Business and Trade Law from United Nations' International Labour Organization (ILO) in conjunction with the University Institute of European Studies adds depth and a worldview rarely found in leaders of a community organization like the NPWC. She is a certified Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Teacher and Teacher Trainer who regular teaches programs for the University of Massachusetts and Brown University.In the conversation, Colleen shares the deeply personal story of how losing her father to a likely medical error led her on a healing journey through mindfulness and eventually into transformative work supporting healthcare professionals.We also cover:The grassroots evolution of the Nevada Physician Wellness Coalition from responding to physician suicides to a dynamic statewide organizationHow mindfulness practice informs her leadership in navigating uncertainty and holding space for difficult conversationsThe coalition's innovative programs including peer support networks, hospital leadership collaboratives, and medical student mentorshipColleen concludes by envisioning a future where healthcare professionals feel safe, valued, and have time for meaningful patient care, while sharing her hope to replicate the coalition model nationally.Links: Nevada Physician Wellness Coalition: https://www.nevadaphysicianwellnesscoalition.com/ Colleen Camenisch’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleen-camenisch-mba/ TEDx Reno Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQo-CQzoW24EmPro Website: https://www.myempro.com/ EmPro Peer Support Program: https://www.myempro.com/peer-support/ Physician Support Line: +1(888) 409-0141 Physician Support Line Website:  https://www.physiciansupportline.com/ Dr. Krasner’s Website: https://mickkrasnermd.com/ Mindful Practice in Medicine Website: https://mindfulpracticeinmedicine.com/Chapters: (00:00) Introduction (03:00) Personal Origin Story and Loss (08:00) Finding Calling in Healthcare Support (11:00) Evolution of the Nevada Physician Wellness Coalition (15:00) Coalition Programs and Services (18:00) Collaborative Working Groups (24:00) Assessment and Net Promoter Score (25:00) Mindfulness and Leadership (30:00) Balancing Training with Broad Impact (33:00) Envisioning the Future of Healthcare (40:00) Conclusion
• Building a Culture of Compassionate Care with Dr. Todd Hill and Dr. Ward Flemons | Flourishing in Medicine: From Surviving to Thriving #26 27.08.2025 51min

  Today, we are joined by Dr. Todd Hill and Dr. Ward Flemons.Dr. Todd Hill is a clinical psychologist, professor and Director of Behavioral Medicine in the Dept of Family Medicine at the University of Calgary's Cumming School of Medicine (CSM). He is also the Director of the CSM's Centre for Mindfulness (C4M). Dr. Ward Flemons is a Professor Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine and Department of Medicine Vice-Chair, Health Analytics and Safety. He is the former Head of Respiratory Medicine at the University of Calgary and former Medical Director of the Foothills Medical Centre's Sleep Clinic. He was a Medical Director for the Health Quality Council of Alberta (HQCA) for over 10 years.In the conversation, Dr. Hill and Dr. Flemons share how their personal journeys and formative experiences led them to discover mindfulness as a vital tool for fostering compassionate care and culture change within medical education.We also cover:How childhood experiences and early mentors shaped their commitment to helping others flourishThe evolution from individual mindfulness practice to institutional culture change through breaking down silosTheir vision for cultivating a culture of compassionate caring where meaning in medical work is recognizedDr. Hill and Dr. Flemons conclude by envisioning a future where leaders embody mindful practice naturally, creating institutions where people care not because they have to, but because they want to.Website Links & Phone Numbers: Dr. Todd Hill’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-hill-56b61573/ Dr. Ward Flemon’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/w-ward-flemons-740244121/ Centre for Mindfulness, Cumming School of Medicine: https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/centres/centre-mindfulness/home EmPro Website: https://www.myempro.com/ EmPro Peer Support Program: https://www.myempro.com/peer-support/ Physician Support Line: +1(888) 409-0141 Physician Support Line Website:  https://www.physiciansupportline.com/ Dr. Krasner’s Website: https://mickkrasnermd.com/ Mindful Practice in Medicine Website: https://mindfulpracticeinmedicine.com/Relevant Publications: Flemons WW, Feasby TE, Wright B. Building a safety and quality culture in healthcare: where it starts. Healthc Pap. 2011;11(3):41-7; discussion 79-83. doi: 10.12927/hcpap.2011.22552. PMID: 21952026.Chapters:(00:00) Introduction(03:00) Origin Stories in Healthcare(10:00) Todd's Path to Medical Education(13:00) Ward's Journey to Patient Safety(17:00) Discovering Mindfulness for Healthcare(22:00) Conceiving Culture Change(26:00) Building Leadership Support(35:00) Collaboration and Mindfulness(42:00) Envisioning Future Success(49:00) Conclusion and Reflection Exercise
• The Human Side of Medicine with Dr. Susy Stirling and Dr. Sandy Miles | Flourishing in Medicine: From Surviving to Thriving #25 13.08.2025 1h 10min

  Today, we are joined by Dr. Susy Stirling, a Public Health Physician and Associate Dean based in Yorkshire & Humber, and Dr. Sandy Miles, a GP and Medical Educator in Devon, both from the United Kingdom.Dr. Susy Stirling MBChB, MSc, MPH, DCH, FFPH trained in medicine and after early career jobs in hospital medicine in the NHS, worked as a General Medical Officer in rural South Africa for 2 years. She returned to the UK to train in Public Health and was previously Lead for Migrant, Asylum Seeker and Refugee Health across the Yorkshire & Humber region.Dr. Sandy Miles is a GP and Medical Educator in Devon. Alongside her clinical role as a GP, she works in Postgraduate GP training, was Clinical Director of Eastleigh Primary Care Network and, together with Dr. Sam Powell, established popular retreats for doctors. In the conversation, Dr. Miles and Dr. Stirling share their journeys from early medical careers through personal challenges and discoveries that led them to focus on supporting healthcare professionals through storytelling, coaching, and addressing shame in medical practice.We also cover:How personal experiences with inequality, family history, and burnout shaped their paths toward supporting healthcare professionalsThe transformative power of medical humanities education and its impact on professional identityTheir collaboration on the National Health Stories experience, creating platforms for healthcare workers to share narratives of hope and humanityDr. Sandy Miles’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandy-miles-4552a294/ Dr. Susy Stirling’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susy-stirling-469976146/Relevant Publications:Miles S. Addressing shame: what role does shame play in the formation of a modern medical professional identity? BJPsych Bulletin. 2020;44(1):1-5. doi:10.1192/bjb.2019.49Podcast Interview:https://youarenotafrog.com/episodes/152/Website Links & Phone Numbers:EmPro Website: https://www.myempro.com/EmPro Peer Support Program: https://www.myempro.com/peer-support/Physician Support Line: +1(888) 409-0141Physician Support Line Website:  https://www.physiciansupportline.com/Dr. Krasner’s Website: https://mickkrasnermd.com/Mindful Practice in Medicine Website: https://mindfulpracticeinmedicine.com/Chapters:(00:00) Introduction(03:00) Origin Stories: Why Medicine?(08:00) Susy's Path from Medicine to Medical Education(11:00) Sandy's Journey Through Burnout and Recovery(17:00) The Transformative Power of Medical Humanities(31:00) Understanding Shame in Medical Identity Formation(38:00) The Genesis of National Health Stories(43:00) Using Shame as a Compass for Core Values(51:00) The Importance of Connection in Healthcare(59:00) Envisioning a Future Healthcare System(01:07:00) Conclusion
• Flourishing in Medicine: From Surviving to Thriving Episode 24 Deep Connections: Dr. Will Bynum on The Heart of Medicine and Navigating Shame in Healthcare 16.05.2025 54min

  Today, we are joined by Dr. Will Bynum.Will Bynum, MD, PhD., is an Associate Professor of Family Medicine in the Duke University School of Medicine. Prior to arriving at Duke in October 2017, he served for seven years on Active Duty in the US Air Force. Will's military service included four years of faculty duties in the NCC Family Medicine Residency Program, a deployment to East Africa as the senior medical director of a special operations command, and multiple overseas trips providing medical support to traveling congressional delegations. Will currently serves as the Duke Family Medicine Residency Program Director and Faculty Advisor to the Duke School of Medicine Student Wellness Committee. Will's primary academic interest centers on the role of self-conscious emotions (shame, guilt, and pride) in the medical learning experience. He has conducted some of this research through his PhD work in health professions education at Maastricht University in the Netherlands.In the conversation, Dr. Bynum shares his journey from a service-oriented upbringing to becoming a leader in addressing shame in healthcare, exploring how authentic human connection forms the foundation of his work as both clinician and educator.We also cover:● His experiences in military service and the paradoxical psychological safety he found there compared to healthcare environments● The personal crisis that led him to study shame in medical education and healthcare● How storytelling and narrative serve as powerful tools for addressing shame● The concept of "shame competence" and shame-sensitive practices in healthcare● His vision for a more connected, authentic healthcare system that integrates humanities and creativityDr. Bynum concludes by reflecting on finding joy in his life through connecting with his family, building new experiences with his children, and creating work that feels meaningful enough to blur the line between profession and passion.Dr. Bynum’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-bynum-698a1889/Website - Shame Space Consortium: https://www.theshamespace.com/Chapters:(00:00) Introduction(01:45) Dr. Bynum’s Background(04:00) Dr. Bynum's Path to Medicine(07:15) Service-Oriented Family Influence(10:30) Military Service Experience(16:00) Journey into Medical Education(18:45) Origin Story of Studying Shame in Medicine(24:15) Storytelling as a Tool for Addressing Shame(28:30) Comparing Military and Healthcare Environments(34:30) Shame Competence and Shame-Sensitive Practices(38:30) Creativity, Arts, and Humanities in Healthcare(42:00) Imagining a Transformed Healthcare Future(47:45) Personal Life and Finding Joy(50:15) ConclusionResources/References: The Shame Conversation Film: https://www.theshamespace.com/film Dr. Brene Brown Ted Talks on shame and vulnerability: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psN1DORYYV0https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCvmsMzlF7o Bynum WE 4th, Sukhera J. Perfectionism, Power, and Process: What We Must Address to Dismantle Mental Health Stigma in Medical Education. Acad Med. 2021;96(5):621-623. doi:10.1097/ACM.0000000000004008 Bynum WE 4th, Varpio L, Lagoo J, Teunissen PW. 'I'm unworthy of being in this space': The origins of shame in medical students. Med Educ. 2021;55(2):185-197. doi:10.1111/medu.14354 Bynum WE 4th, W Teunissen P, Varpio L. In the "Shadow of Shame": A Phenomenological Exploration of the Nature of Shame Experiences in Medical Students. Acad Med. 2021;96(11S):S23-S30. doi:10.1097/ACM.0000000000004261
• Flourishing in Medicine: From Surviving to Thriving Episode 23 Executive Coaching Insights for Healthcare Leaders with Charles Pfeffer 25.04.2025 49min

  Today, we are joined by Charles Pfeffer.Charles is an organizational consultant and executive coach with over 30 years of experience helping leaders harness their own and their organization's inherent ability to create change through learning and adaptation. He guides partly through his listening skills, honed through a life-long engagement with self-awareness approaches and group dynamics training, guiding his clients to clarify what they want – for their enterprise, their teams, themselves, and the world. Has assisted executives across many varied industries and organizations, including FedEx, Xerox, DuPont, and Medifast, to align teams, develop leaders, communicate rigorously, and produce results, and has coached teams with assignments ranging from bringing the world's first production digital color printer to market to safely closing the NASA Space Shuttle program. Collaborating with Nvolv Partners, Charles worked with Starbucks and Save the Children to align leadership, strategy, and talent, and has teamed with Brimstone Consulting on strategic change initiatives at the New York Times, ExpressScripts, and the State of Maine. Working with the pioneering DEI firm, The Kaleel Jamison Consulting Group, Charles helped to bring the power of inclusion to accelerate strategy deployment at Merck, United Airlines, and EcoLab.In the conversation, Charles shares insights from his "accidental" journey into personal growth work and executive coaching, highlighting how he helps leaders navigate complexity and change while maintaining authentic purpose.We also cover:The fundamental question he poses to clients: "What do you want?" and how this simple inquiry can unlock deeper purposeHow organizations navigate change through disruption and the role of leaders in transforming systemsThe parallels between executive leadership challenges and healthcare professionals' experiencesThe connection between oath, authenticity, and purpose in professional identityHis vision for healthcare environments that provide calm, competent care through better alignment of capacity and demandCharles concludes by sharing his personal approach to flourishing, which includes time in nature - walking in the woods, kayaking, and skiing - as restorative practices that help him maintain balance while supporting leaders through complex challenges.Website: https://www.charlespfeffer.com/LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlespfeffer/-Chapters:(00:00) Introduction(01:15) Charles Pfeffer’s Background(04:15) Charles' Journey into Personal Growth and Coaching(08:00) Early Influences and Moving Beyond Blame(10:30) The Concept of Polarities: Freedom and Responsibility(13:00) How Executive Coaching Works(17:00) Understanding Leadership and Organizational Complexity(22:45) The Challenge of Integration in Healthcare Systems(26:45) Complexity, Disruption, and Organizational Change(33:45) Flourishing Through Authentic Purpose(37:30) What Allows Charles to Flourish in His Work(41:00) Imagining a Better Healthcare Future(45:15) Personal Wellness Practices(46:15) Conclusion