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In this episode of Better Physician Life, Dr. Michael Hersh speaks with emergency physician Dr. Gita Pensa about what it’s actually like to be named in a malpractice lawsuit—and how to get through it without losing your footing. Drawing from her own 12-year case, Dr. Pensa explains the emotional impact most physicians aren’t prepared for, including shame, doubt, and isolation, alongside the practical realities of what to do after you’re served. They walk through early mistakes to avoid, how to protect your focus and identity while a case is ongoing, and why litigation is an unspoken part of the “fine print” of medicine. The conversation also covers how to find support without compromising your case, how to approach depositions and testimony with clarity, and why these skills can be learned—rather than endured in silence. This episode is for physicians facing litigation now, or who want to be better prepared if it ever happens. Top 3 Takeaways What to Do First After Being Served: Your first call should be to your insurer or risk management team so a defense attorney can be assigned. Avoid chart access, addenda, or independent research outside of attorney–client privilege. Don’t rush to conclusions. Give yourself time to gather information and stabilize before making decisions.Managing the Psychological Hit: Shame, fear, and isolation are common responses to litigation and don’t reflect your competence as a physician. You can (and should) talk about how you’re feeling with trusted people without discussing case details. Litigation is part of medicine’s unspoken fine print. It doesn’t erase your value or your career.Focus on the Parts That Matter: For most physicians, litigation performance comes down to the deposition and, in fewer cases, trial testimony. Learning how the system works helps right-size fear and restores a sense of control. With preparation, coaching, and support, this becomes a skill set, not a personal referendum.About the Show: Created for physicians who want more than clinical competence, Better Physician Life is a space for honest reflection, reinvention, and reclaiming purpose beyond the pager. Hosted by Dr. Michael Hersh, each episode dives into the questions we didn’t learn to ask in training, offering tools and conversations to help you live and lead with intention. About the Guest: Dr. Gita Pensa is an emergency physician and adjunct associate professor at Brown University. She's the creator and host of the podcast Doctors and Litigation: The L Word, and developer of the Litigation Education and Performance (LEAP) courses used by hospitals and insurers. Drawing from her own 12-year malpractice lawsuit, she coaches physicians in active litigation and consults nationally on navigating its psychological and performance challenges. Website: https://doctorsandlitigation.com Podcast:  Doctors and Litigation: the L Word Podcast LEAP Courses: doctorsandlitigation.com/leap-courses About the Host: Dr. Michael Hersh is a full-time practicing gastroenterologist, husband, father, podcaster, and physician coach at Better Physician Life Coaching. He helps physicians rediscover joy and balance by setting meaningful goals, managing stress, and feeling more present at home and less annoyed and frustrated at work. His mission is to help doctors who feel stuck in medicine create a more fulfilling life that they actually enjoy living. Through coaching and conversation, he empowers physicians to reconnect with their purpose and design a career (and life) they love. Dr. Hersh is also the creator and host of the Better Physician Life podcast: How to Get Unstuck in Your Medical Career—a show for doctors who feel out of sync or stuck, and want to explore what true success can look like beyond the exam room. 🔗 Connect with Dr. Hersh: 🌐 Website: www.betterphysicianlife.com 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michael-hersh-md 📸 Instagram: @betterphysicianlife 📺 YouTube: @betterphysicianlife 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/betterphysicianlifecoaching 📱TikTok: @betterphysicianlife If you find yourself walking through the door still stuck in work mode, check out the 5-Minute Commute Reset for Physicians. Work doesn’t end on its own. This is a short, structured reset you can use on the drive home to shut down work-mode, clear your head, and show up more present for whatever comes next. You can download it for free at: https://www.betterphysicianlife.com/commute-reset   The Better Physician Life Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult qualified professionals regarding your personal or organizational decisions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if the moment you cringe at ‘Can I give you some feedback?’ is actually the exact moment you start growing fastest? For physicians, feedback rarely feels like a gift. It feels like proof we messed up. From brutal ICU rounds to hallway comments years later, we were trained that mistakes equal danger, so any critique hits our identity, not just our performance.  In this episode, Dr. Michael Hersh dismantles that fear and hands you a new lens: feedback is data, not a verdict. Learn why the discomfort is actually evidence you care, the simple pause that stops defensiveness in its tracks, and how to ask “What part of this might be true?” without surrendering your self-worth. You’ll also get practical scripts for giving feedback that are specific, timely, impact-focused, and collaborative, so you build trust instead of resentment at work and home.  Stop bracing for shame and start using feedback as the fastest path to growth, leadership, and stronger relationships. Because the physicians who get better fastest aren’t the ones who never hear criticism, they’re the ones who learned how to listen. Get the 5-Minute Commute Reset for Physicians: www.betterphysicianlife.com/commutereset Top 3 Takeaways: Pause Before You React: When feedback hits, take one deliberate breath. That tiny pause keeps your old “fix-it-fast” reflex from shutting down the part that actually helps you grow—listening. You can always decide later what’s useful; you can’t un-hear what you never let land. Ask “What Part Might Be True?” Instead of “Am I Terrible?”: Feedback is data, not a verdict. Treat it like a lab result: separate the signal from the noise. Even if 90% feels off, the 10% that’s accurate might be the exact insight that changes how you lead, communicate, or connect. Take what serves you, leave the rest without shame. Give Feedback That Actually Lands: Be specific (“I noticed you didn’t make eye contact”), timely, and tie it to impact (“patients felt rushed”). Make it collaborative with questions like “How did that feel for you?” Safe, clear feedback builds trust; vague or delayed criticism only breeds resentment at work and at home. About the Show: Created for physicians who want more than clinical competence, Better Physician Life is a space for honest reflection, reinvention, and reclaiming purpose beyond the pager. Hosted by Dr. Michael Hersh, each episode dives into the questions we didn’t learn to ask in training, offering tools and conversations to help you live and lead with intention. About the Host: Dr. Michael Hersh is a full-time practicing gastroenterologist, husband, father, podcaster, and physician coach at Better Physician Life Coaching. He helps physicians rediscover joy and balance by setting meaningful goals, managing stress, and feeling more present at home and less annoyed and frustrated at work. His mission is to help doctors who feel stuck in medicine create a more fulfilling life that they actually enjoy living. Through coaching and conversation, he empowers physicians to reconnect with their purpose and design a career (and life) they love. Dr. Hersh is also the creator and host of the Better Physician Life podcast: How to Get Unstuck in Your Medical Career—a show for doctors who feel out of sync or stuck, and want to explore what true success can look like beyond the exam room. 🔗 Connect with Dr. Hersh: 🌐 Website: www.betterphysicianlife.com 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michael-hersh-md 📸 Instagram: @betterphysicianlife 📺 YouTube: @betterphysicianlife 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/betterphysicianlifecoaching 📱TikTok: @betterphysicianlife If you find yourself walking through the door still stuck in work mode, check out the 5-Minute Commute Reset for Physicians. Work doesn’t end on its own. This is a short, structured reset you can use on the drive home to shut down work-mode, clear your head, and show up more present for whatever comes next. You can download it for free at: https://www.betterphysicianlife.com/commute-reset   The Better Physician Life Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult qualified professionals regarding your personal or organizational decisions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Every extra “yes” at 9 p.m., the quick message, the last-minute add-on, the coverage you didn’t have room for, is quietly stealing your life one compromise at a time.  In this powerful episode, Dr. Michael Hersh exposes why physicians are professionally trained to over-give and why saying no feels like betrayal of the very identity medicine gave us: the helpful, reliable, never-let-anyone-down doctor. He reveals the uncomfortable truth—you can do everything perfectly, and someone will still be disappointed—and why that disappointment is never yours to carry. Boundaries aren’t rejection or rigidity; they’re simple, kind “if-then” statements that protect your time and energy so you can finally give your best instead of whatever is left. Learn why every yes already contains a no, usually to yourself or your family, how to stop people-pleasing without guilt, and the mindset shift that turns every “no” into a louder, more honest “yes” to what actually matters. If you’re tired of running on fumes and ready to take your life back, this episode hands you the exact tools to start today. Get the 5-Minute Commute Reset: betterphysicianlife.com/commute-reset Top 3 Takeaways Every Yes Already Contains a No: The real question is who you’re saying no to. When you automatically say yes to extra calls, late messages, or last-minute patients, you’re silently saying no to your family, your rest, and yourself. Boundaries make that choice deliberate instead of accidental, so your yeses become intentional, and your life finally reflects your real priorities instead of everyone else’s urgencies. Boundaries Are Simple If-Then Statements, Not Walls: “If you text me work after 7 p.m., then I’ll respond tomorrow morning.” “If you try to add on when I’m fully booked, then I’ll offer the next available slot.” These clear, pre-decided responses remove guilt in the moment because the decision is already made. You’re not rejecting people, you’re protecting the version of yourself they actually need. Someone Will Always Be Disappointed, And That’s Never Your Fault: Medicine trained us to believe that if anyone is upset, we failed. Reality: You can be excellent, kind, and thorough, and people will still feel frustrated. Boundaries don’t stop their feelings; they stop you from carrying emotions that were never yours to begin with. Accepting this frees you to lead with integrity instead of people-pleasing. About the Show: Created for physicians who want more than clinical competence, Better Physician Life is a space for honest reflection, reinvention, and reclaiming purpose beyond the pager. Hosted by Dr. Michael Hersh, each episode dives into the questions we didn’t learn to ask in training, offering tools and conversations to help you live and lead with intention. About the Host: Dr. Michael Hersh is a full-time practicing gastroenterologist, husband, father, podcaster, and physician coach at Better Physician Life Coaching. He helps physicians rediscover joy and balance by setting meaningful goals, managing stress, and feeling more present at home and less annoyed and frustrated at work. His mission is to help doctors who feel stuck in medicine create a more fulfilling life that they actually enjoy living. Through coaching and conversation, he empowers physicians to reconnect with their purpose and design a career (and life) they love. Dr. Hersh is also the creator and host of the Better Physician Life podcast: How to Get Unstuck in Your Medical Career—a show for doctors who feel out of sync or stuck, and want to explore what true success can look like beyond the exam room. 🔗 Connect with Dr. Hersh: 🌐 Website: www.betterphysicianlife.com 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michael-hersh-md 📸 Instagram: @betterphysicianlife 📺 YouTube: @betterphysicianlife 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/betterphysicianlifecoaching 📱TikTok: @betterphysicianlife If you find yourself walking through the door still stuck in work mode, check out the 5-Minute Commute Reset for Physicians. Work doesn’t end on its own. This is a short, structured reset you can use on the drive home to shut down work-mode, clear your head, and show up more present for whatever comes next. You can download it for free at: https://www.betterphysicianlife.com/commute-reset   The Better Physician Life Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult qualified professionals regarding your personal or organizational decisions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if the hardest part of being a surgeon isn’t the case in front of you… But the one still living in your head at 2 a.m.? In this powerful episode of Better Physician Life, board-certified general surgeon, Lieutenant Colonel (ret.), and physician coach Dr. Amy Vertrees gets brutally honest about the part of surgery no one teaches: how to handle complications without destroying yourself. From deploying to Afghanistan to building her own private practice, Amy has spent years studying failure, shame, and emotional capacity. She shares her 3-step post-complication debrief (What went well, What I wish went differently, Next best step), why surgeons must give themselves informed consent for risk, how to stop arguing with reality, and why remembering your original “why” is the ultimate antidote to burnout. If you’ve ever lain awake replaying a case, this conversation will give you permission to be human and tools to come back stronger. Top 3 Takeaways Reframe Complications as Failure You Can Actually Use: Stop arguing with reality (this shouldn’t have happened). Accept it, then run Amy’s 3-step debrief: 3 things that went well, 3 things I wish went differently, and 1 next best step. This expands emotional capacity instead of contracting it with shame.Give Yourself Informed Consent: Before every case, ask: “Do I consent to the risk of bleeding, perforation, or even death?” We make patients consent, why don’t we consent ourselves? Owning the real risks up front reduces denial and post-op self-blame.Look at the Gain, Not Just the Gap: Perfection is impossible. Focus on the 97% you nailed instead of beating yourself up over the 3% gap. Pair this with fierce self-compassion (mindfulness, self-talk, and common humanity), and you’ll carry the hard days without letting them crush you.About the Show: Created for physicians who want more than clinical competence, Better Physician Life is a space for honest reflection, reinvention, and reclaiming purpose beyond the pager. Hosted by Dr. Michael Hersh, each episode dives into the questions we didn’t learn to ask in training, offering tools and conversations to help you live and lead with intention. About the Guest: Dr. Amy Vertrees is a board-certified general surgeon, Army Lieutenant Colonel (ret.), and veteran of three combat deployments. She founded Columbia Surgical Partners and hosts the top-rated Boss Business of Surgery Series podcast. Through her coaching programs and book Become the Boss MD, she teaches surgeons the missing skills: handling complications, building shame resilience, expanding emotional capacity, negotiating contracts, and leading with confidence, everything residency never covered.  Her mission is to help surgeons turn failure into growth and build careers that last without burning out. Connect with Dr. Amy Website: https://www.bosssurgery.com/ Facebook: “Become the BOSS MD Coaching” https://www.facebook.com/groups/249619353796932 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thebosssurgeon LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-vertrees-md-20192a8b/ About the Host: Dr. Michael Hersh is a full-time practicing gastroenterologist, husband, father, podcaster, and physician coach at Better Physician Life Coaching. He helps physicians rediscover joy and balance by setting meaningful goals, managing stress, and feeling more present at home and less annoyed and frustrated at work. His mission is to help doctors who feel stuck in medicine create a more fulfilling life that they actually enjoy living. Through coaching and conversation, he empowers physicians to reconnect with their purpose and design a career (and life) they love. Dr. Hersh is also the creator and host of the Better Physician Life podcast: How to Get Unstuck in Your Medical Career—a show for doctors who feel out of sync or stuck, and want to explore what true success can look like beyond the exam room. 🔗 Connect with Dr. Hersh: 🌐 Website: www.betterphysicianlife.com 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michael-hersh-md 📸 Instagram: @betterphysicianlife 📺 YouTube: @betterphysicianlife 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/betterphysicianlifecoaching 📱TikTok: @betterphysicianlife If you find yourself walking through the door still stuck in work mode, check out the 5-Minute Commute Reset for Physicians. Work doesn’t end on its own. This is a short, structured reset you can use on the drive home to shut down work-mode, clear your head, and show up more present for whatever comes next. You can download it for free at: https://www.betterphysicianlife.com/commute-reset   The Better Physician Life Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult qualified professionals regarding your personal or organizational decisions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ever walk in the door after a long day and realize your mind is still charting, triaging, and planning tomorrow?  In this practical episode of Better Physician Life, Dr. Michael Hersh opens up about the moment his daughter asked, “Dad, why aren’t you playing?” and how that question changed everything. He explains why medicine trains us to live in constant motion, why multitasking at home is actually stealing your life. He walks you through his exact 4-step system: brain dump, Eisenhower Box, calendar blocking, and delegate, which finally lets high-achieving doctors turn their “doctor brain” off and be fully present. Presence isn’t willpower; it’s structure. Perfect for any physician who wants to stop feeling guilty and start building memories that actually stick. Get the 5-Minute Commute Reset for Physicians: www.betterphysicianlife.com/commutereset Eisenhower Box: https://jamesclear.com/eisenhower-box Top 3 Takeaways Your Brain Isn’t Broken—It’s Trained: Medicine rewards constant multitasking and anticipation. At home, that wiring becomes the enemy of presence. The fix isn’t “try harder”, it’s building a system so your brain knows everything is handled and can finally rest.Use the Eisenhower Box to Reclaim Your Attention: Dump everything out of your head, then sort into four quadrants (urgent and important, important but not urgent, urgent but not important, neither). Schedule Box 1 & 2, delegate Box 3, delete Box 4. This one tool quiets mental noise faster than any mindfulness app.Presence Is Productive: Scheduling family playtime, rest, and even paying bills isn’t “robotic”; it’s respect. When everything important has a protected block on your calendar, you stop half-doing everything and start fully showing up where it matters most.About the Show: Created for physicians who want more than clinical competence, Better Physician Life is a space for honest reflection, reinvention, and reclaiming purpose beyond the pager. Hosted by Dr. Michael Hersh, each episode dives into the questions we didn’t learn to ask in training, offering tools and conversations to help you live and lead with intention. About the Host: Dr. Michael Hersh is a full-time practicing gastroenterologist, husband, father, podcaster, and physician coach at Better Physician Life Coaching. He helps physicians rediscover joy and balance by setting meaningful goals, managing stress, and feeling more present at home and less annoyed and frustrated at work. His mission is to help doctors who feel stuck in medicine create a more fulfilling life that they actually enjoy living. Through coaching and conversation, he empowers physicians to reconnect with their purpose and design a career (and life) they love. Dr. Hersh is also the creator and host of the Better Physician Life podcast: How to Get Unstuck in Your Medical Career—a show for doctors who feel out of sync or stuck, and want to explore what true success can look like beyond the exam room. 🔗 Connect with Dr. Hersh: 🌐 Website: www.betterphysicianlife.com 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michael-hersh-md 📸 Instagram: @betterphysicianlife 📺 YouTube: @betterphysicianlife 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/betterphysicianlifecoaching 📱TikTok: @betterphysicianlife If you find yourself walking through the door still stuck in work mode, check out the 5-Minute Commute Reset for Physicians. Work doesn’t end on its own. This is a short, structured reset you can use on the drive home to shut down work-mode, clear your head, and show up more present for whatever comes next. You can download it for free at: https://www.betterphysicianlife.com/commute-reset   The Better Physician Life Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult qualified professionals regarding your personal or organizational decisions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if New Year’s resolutions aren't the answer, but goals rooted in your "why" could transform your year? In this episode of Better Physician Life, Dr. Michael Hersh shares his shift from post-fellowship coasting to purposeful goal-setting. He explores why resolutions fail (no plan, no why), the fear holding us back, and how to set rooted goals with curiosity, systems, and celebration. Perfect for mid-career physicians feeling stuck, this episode offers tools to enjoy the process, navigate obstacles, and build a life beyond brute force—starting now. 🔗 Design Your Life: A Goal Setting Guide for Physicians: betterphysicianlife.com/design-your-life Top 3 Takeaways Tie Goals to Your "Why": Resolutions fade without a clear purpose. Dr. Hersh explains how a single-sentence "why" (e.g., gym for more energy) makes goals stick. Try journaling one goal with its why this week. Embrace Discomfort and Obstacles: Half the journey feels tough, but that's growth. Dr. Hersh urges viewing hurdles as guides, not blocks. Practice by naming one uncomfortable step (e.g., boundary-setting) and taking it. "The hard thing is frequently the right thing."Celebrate Small Wins: Track your progress. Dr. Hersh keeps a running tab of the progress he is making toward his goals. Start your own list. Note three small moves toward a goal weekly to build momentum and remind yourself of how far you’ve come. About the Show: Created for physicians who want more than clinical competence, Better Physician Life is a space for honest reflection, reinvention, and reclaiming purpose beyond the pager. Hosted by Dr. Michael Hersh, each episode dives into the questions we didn’t learn to ask in training, offering tools and conversations to help you live and lead with intention. About the Host: Dr. Michael Hersh is a full-time practicing gastroenterologist, husband, father, podcaster, and physician coach at Better Physician Life Coaching. He helps physicians rediscover joy and balance by setting meaningful goals, managing stress, and feeling more present at home and less annoyed and frustrated at work. His mission is to help doctors who feel stuck in medicine create a more fulfilling life that they actually enjoy living. Through coaching and conversation, he empowers physicians to reconnect with their purpose and design a career (and life) they love. Dr. Hersh is also the creator and host of the Better Physician Life podcast: How to Get Unstuck in Your Medical Career—a show for doctors who feel out of sync or stuck, and want to explore what true success can look like beyond the exam room. 🔗 Connect with Dr. Hersh: 🌐 Website: www.betterphysicianlife.com 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michael-hersh-md 📸 Instagram: @betterphysicianlife 📺 YouTube: @betterphysicianlife 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/betterphysicianlifecoaching 📱TikTok: @betterphysicianlife If you find yourself walking through the door still stuck in work mode, check out the 5-Minute Commute Reset for Physicians. Work doesn’t end on its own. This is a short, structured reset you can use on the drive home to shut down work-mode, clear your head, and show up more present for whatever comes next. You can download it for free at: https://www.betterphysicianlife.com/commute-reset   The Better Physician Life Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult qualified professionals regarding your personal or organizational decisions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if regret isn't truth, but a story stealing your present? In this episode of Better Physician Life, Dr. Michael Hersh unpacks regret's grip on physicians—from specialty choices to life paths. He reveals how regret is indulgent and impedes progress. Dr. Hersh explores the impact of shifting from “what if?” to "what now?" through reflection, naming gifts, and intentional action. With examples of pivots and physician coaching breakthroughs, this episode empowers doctors to drop the weight, embrace growth, and build futures without romanticizing unchosen paths. 🔗 Design Your Life: A Goal Setting Guide for Physicians: betterphysicianlife.com/design-your-life Top 3 Takeaways Reframe Regret as a Story: Regret feels urgent but spins wheels. It's rumination, not reflection. Dr. Hersh explains: you made the best decision you could with the information you had at the time. Practice asking "What now?" instead of "What if?" to break the loop and focus on present decisions.Name the Gifts in Your Path: Every choice brings unseen benefits, like relationships or resilience. Dr. Hersh shares how a client's medical career regret transformed into a pivot. List three "gifts" from your past decisions this week to shift from loss to gratitude.Use Physician Coaching for Momentum: Grinding on our own ignores patterns. Physician coaching helps to provide perspective. Try one small forward step, like journaling, to build accountability and turn regret into growth.About the Show: Created for physicians who want more than clinical competence, Better Physician Life is a space for honest reflection, reinvention, and reclaiming purpose beyond the pager. Hosted by Dr. Michael Hersh, each episode dives into the questions we didn’t learn to ask in training, offering tools and conversations to help you live and lead with intention. About the Host: Dr. Michael Hersh is a full-time practicing gastroenterologist, husband, father, podcaster, and physician coach at Better Physician Life Coaching. He helps physicians rediscover joy and balance by setting meaningful goals, managing stress, and feeling more present at home and less annoyed and frustrated at work. His mission is to help doctors who feel stuck in medicine create a more fulfilling life that they actually enjoy living. Through coaching and conversation, he empowers physicians to reconnect with their purpose and design a career (and life) they love. Dr. Hersh is also the creator and host of the Better Physician Life podcast: How to Get Unstuck in Your Medical Career—a show for doctors who feel out of sync or stuck, and want to explore what true success can look like beyond the exam room. 🔗 Connect with Dr. Hersh: 🌐 Website: www.betterphysicianlife.com 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michael-hersh-md 📸 Instagram: @betterphysicianlife 📺 YouTube: @betterphysicianlife 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/betterphysicianlifecoaching 📱TikTok: @betterphysicianlife If you find yourself walking through the door still stuck in work mode, check out the 5-Minute Commute Reset for Physicians. Work doesn’t end on its own. This is a short, structured reset you can use on the drive home to shut down work-mode, clear your head, and show up more present for whatever comes next. You can download it for free at: https://www.betterphysicianlife.com/commute-reset   The Better Physician Life Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult qualified professionals regarding your personal or organizational decisions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if coaching isn't just hype, but evidence-backed medicine for your well-being? In this episode of Better Physician Life, Dr. Michael Hersh sits with Dr. Adrienne Mann and Dr. Tyra Fainstad, as they share their skeptical starts with physician coaching and how it evolved into a groundbreaking program. Drawing from personal rock-bottom moments and a large-scale study showing reduced burnout, imposter syndrome, and emotional exhaustion, they discuss practical tools like thought awareness, emotion naming, and the power of group coaching. From transforming residents' lives to fostering self-compassion, this episode reveals how coaching helps physicians thrive without fixing external chaos. Perfect for physician coaching skeptics ready for change. 🔗 Better Together Physician Coaching: bettertogetherphysiciancoaching.com Top 3 Takeaways Question Your Thoughts: Coaching teaches you that you don't have to believe every story your brain tells, such as "my life can't get better." Dr. Fainstad shares how naming emotions without judgment creates space for change—try journaling one unhelpful thought daily and questioning its truth to quiet imposter syndrome.Embrace Group Dynamics: Better Together's study proves group coaching builds community and reduces burnout faster than solo efforts. Drs. Mann and Fainstad explain how sharing vulnerabilities in safe spaces fosters growth, normalizes struggles, and amplifies insights.Allow Discomfort for Growth: Physicians frequently resist coaching due to skepticism, but allowing leaning into the discomfort can be transformative. Commit to one small coaching experiment this week to shift from survival mode to thriving. Try, resist, refine, then try again.About the Show: Created for physicians who want more than clinical competence, Better Physician Life is a space for honest reflection, reinvention, and reclaiming purpose beyond the pager. Hosted by Dr. Michael Hersh, each episode dives into the questions we didn’t learn to ask in training, offering tools and conversations to help you live and lead with intention. About the Guests: Dr. Adrienne Mann is a hospitalist at the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, focusing on medical education and institutional leadership. A certified coach, she co-directs Better Together Physician Coaching, drawing from her journey through burnout, motherhood, and self-reinvention to help physicians thrive. Dr. Tyra Fainstad is a primary care physician and resident clinic director at the University of Colorado. As co-director of Better Together, she leverages her experiences with career burnout and skepticism toward coaching to research and deliver evidence-based programs that reduce imposter syndrome and emotional exhaustion. Website: https://bettertogetherphysiciancoaching.com/ Research page: https://bettertogetherphysiciancoaching.com/research/   Contact information:  Dr. Tyra Fainstad: [email protected] Dr. Adrienne Mann: [email protected] About the Host: Dr. Michael Hersh is a full-time practicing gastroenterologist, husband, father, podcaster, and physician coach at Better Physician Life Coaching. He helps physicians rediscover joy and balance by setting meaningful goals, managing stress, and feeling more present at home and less annoyed and frustrated at work. His mission is to help doctors who feel stuck in medicine create a more fulfilling life that they actually enjoy living. Through coaching and conversation, he empowers physicians to reconnect with their purpose and design a career (and life) they love. Dr. Hersh is also the creator and host of the Better Physician Life podcast: How to Get Unstuck in Your Medical Career—a show for doctors who feel out of sync or stuck, and want to explore what true success can look like beyond the exam room. 🔗 Connect with Dr. Hersh: 🌐 Website: www.betterphysicianlife.com 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michael-hersh-md 📸 Instagram: @betterphysicianlife 📺 YouTube: @betterphysicianlife 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/betterphysicianlifecoaching 📱TikTok: @betterphysicianlife If you find yourself walking through the door still stuck in work mode, check out the 5-Minute Commute Reset for Physicians. Work doesn’t end on its own. This is a short, structured reset you can use on the drive home to shut down work-mode, clear your head, and show up more present for whatever comes next. You can download it for free at: https://www.betterphysicianlife.com/commute-reset   The Better Physician Life Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult qualified professionals regarding your personal or organizational decisions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if the key to better patient interactions isn't more time or expertise, but how you show up? In this episode of Better Physician Life, Dr. Michael Hersh sits with Dr. Bradley Block as he shares his journey from communication struggles to mastery. Starting his podcast after a frustrating clinic day that cost him family time, Dr. Block reveals why efficiency serves everyone—from waiting patients to your own well-being. He discusses being methodical in visits, earning trust by appreciating patients as humans, checking in on understanding, and removing distractions for true presence. Plus, insights on his rebranded podcast (over 400 episodes, nearly half a million downloads) and the Doctor Podcast Network, empowering physicians to podcast with ease. This episode is a must for doctors seeking to communicate effectively, enjoy medicine more, and reclaim their lives beyond the white coat. Top 3 Takeaways Be Methodical for Efficiency and Trust: Communication challenges in medicine are repetitive. Identify them and create plans, just like surgical procedures. Dr. Block emphasizes showing patients you take them seriously, value them as humans, and care about outcomes to build rapport quickly.Prioritize Presence Over Distractions: Look up from screens to catch subtle cues and connect authentically. Dr. Block advises removing phones and other interruptions to give undivided attention, making visits more effective and helping you stay present in family life too.Leverage Podcasting for Growth: Dr. Block's Succeed in Medicine Podcast covers everything from litigation to productivity for physicians. Through the Doctor Podcast Network, busy doctors can easily start podcasts by focusing on interviews and outsourcing the rest, to network, establish expertise, and combat misinformation.About the Show: Created for physicians who want more than clinical competence, Better Physician Life is a space for honest reflection, reinvention, and reclaiming purpose beyond the pager. Hosted by Dr. Michael Hersh, each episode dives into the questions we didn’t learn to ask in training, offering tools and conversations to help you live and lead with intention. About the Guest: Dr. Bradley Block is a general otolaryngologist and partner at ENT and Allergy Associates in Long Island, New York. He's the creator and host of the Succeed in Medicine Podcast (formerly Physician's Guide to Doctoring), with over 400 episodes and nearly half a million downloads, focusing on communication, productivity, and life beyond medicine.  As CEO of the Doctor Podcast Network, he supports physician podcasters in starting, growing, producing, and monetizing their shows. 🔗 Succeed in Medicine Podcast: succeedinmedicine.com 🔗 Doctor Podcast Network: doctorpodcastnetwork.co 🔗Email: [email protected] About the Host: Dr. Michael Hersh is a full-time practicing gastroenterologist, husband, father, podcaster, and physician coach at Better Physician Life Coaching. He helps physicians rediscover joy and balance by setting meaningful goals, managing stress, and feeling more present at home and less annoyed and frustrated at work. His mission is to help doctors who feel stuck in medicine create a more fulfilling life that they actually enjoy living. Through coaching and conversation, he empowers physicians to reconnect with their purpose and design a career (and life) they love. Dr. Hersh is also the creator and host of the Better Physician Life podcast: How to Get Unstuck in Your Medical Career—a show for doctors who feel out of sync or stuck, and want to explore what true success can look like beyond the exam room. 🔗 Connect with Dr. Hersh: 🌐 Website: www.betterphysicianlife.com 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michael-hersh-md 📸 Instagram: @betterphysicianlife 📺 YouTube: @betterphysicianlife 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/betterphysicianlifecoaching 📱TikTok: @betterphysicianlife If you find yourself walking through the door still stuck in work mode, check out the 5-Minute Commute Reset for Physicians. Work doesn’t end on its own. This is a short, structured reset you can use on the drive home to shut down work-mode, clear your head, and show up more present for whatever comes next. You can download it for free at: https://www.betterphysicianlife.com/commute-reset   The Better Physician Life Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult qualified professionals regarding your personal or organizational decisions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if your "good enough" life is quietly eroding your potential? In this episode of Better Physician Life, Dr. Michael Hersh explores complacency—the subtle numbness that sneaks in after success, making routines feel stale without crisis. Sharing personal stories, like his own "rinse and repeat" year and a client's guitar breakthrough, he challenges physicians to rate their lives (1-10), question fear of change, and embrace experiments for growth. Dr. Hersh offers tools to swap comfort for courage, pushing past "not that bad" toward a vibrant, intentional life. Perfect for mid-career doctors feeling stuck in neutral, this episode inspires curiosity about what's possible—without blowing up your career. 🔗 Design Your Life: A Goal Setting Guide for Physicians: betterphysicianlife.com/design-your-life Top 3 Takeaways Rate Your Life Honestly: Pause to score your life (1-10) across work, family, health, and hobbies. Dr. Hersh warns that a "safe" 7 might be a 2 in disguise. Try journaling three questions: What’s working? What’s not? What have I been avoiding? to uncover hidden stagnation.Embrace Experiments Over Revolution: Complacency thrives on fear of failure, but growth can start small. Dr. Hersh shares how adding a lunch break felt risky but sparked positive change. Commit to one "yes" this week, like a hobby or boundary, to break routines without overwhelm.Choose Courage Over Comfort: Success breeds settling, but true contentment has momentum. Dr. Hersh urges pushing comfort zones. "The hard thing is usually the right thing." Identify one ‘easy’ habit that is costing long-term joy and satisfaction. Try swapping it for something challenging.About the Show: Created for physicians who want more than clinical competence, Better Physician Life is a space for honest reflection, reinvention, and reclaiming purpose beyond the pager. Hosted by Dr. Michael Hersh, each episode dives into the questions we didn’t learn to ask in training, offering tools and conversations to help you live and lead with intention. About the Host: Dr. Michael Hersh is a full-time practicing gastroenterologist, husband, father, podcaster, and physician coach at Better Physician Life Coaching. He helps physicians rediscover joy and balance by setting meaningful goals, managing stress, and feeling more present at home and less annoyed and frustrated at work. His mission is to help doctors who feel stuck in medicine create a more fulfilling life that they actually enjoy living. Through coaching and conversation, he empowers physicians to reconnect with their purpose and design a career (and life) they love. Dr. Hersh is also the creator and host of the Better Physician Life podcast: How to Get Unstuck in Your Medical Career—a show for doctors who feel out of sync or stuck, and want to explore what true success can look like beyond the exam room. 🔗 Connect with Dr. Hersh: 🌐 Website: www.betterphysicianlife.com 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michael-hersh-md 📸 Instagram: @betterphysicianlife 📺 YouTube: @betterphysicianlife 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/betterphysicianlifecoaching 📱TikTok: @betterphysicianlife If you find yourself walking through the door still stuck in work mode, check out the 5-Minute Commute Reset for Physicians. Work doesn’t end on its own. This is a short, structured reset you can use on the drive home to shut down work-mode, clear your head, and show up more present for whatever comes next. You can download it for free at: https://www.betterphysicianlife.com/commute-reset   The Better Physician Life Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult qualified professionals regarding your personal or organizational decisions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if the constant feeling of "not enough" is the real virus draining your life in medicine? In this reflective episode of Better Physician Life, Dr. Michael Hersh unpacks the scarcity mindset that permeates physicians' lives—from chasing RVUs and promotions to feeling there's never enough time for family or self-care. Drawing from personal stories, like the anxiety of new hires or a canceled Thanksgiving trip, Dr. Hersh reveals how scarcity masquerades as ambition but steals joy and connection. He offers practical shifts, like questioning "Do I have enough for today?" and setting boundaries, to embrace abundance and build a sustainable life. Timed around Thanksgiving, this episode invites physicians to reflect on gratitude, detours, and what truly matters beyond the grind. If you're hustling endlessly yet feeling empty, this is your guide to finding "enough" and thriving. 🔗 Design Your Life: A Goal Setting Guide for Physicians: betterphysicianlife.com/design-your-life Top 3 Takeaways Question Scarcity's Grip: Recognize how the belief in "not enough" (time, money, recognition) drives burnout and resentment. Dr. Hersh shares how quarterly RVU anxiety fueled his hustle, but pausing to ask, "Do I have enough for today?" shifts focus to intention and presence—try it during your next busy shift.Embrace Growth Through Discomfort: Scarcity rewards endless grinding, but true abundance comes from boundaries and delegation, even if it stings. Dr. Hersh explains how hiring new colleagues initially sparked fear but led to collective thriving—practice by saying no to one extra task this week to protect your health and family time.Find Gifts in Detours: Life's interruptions, like a canceled trip or schedule change, aren't losses but opportunities for gratitude. Dr. Hersh recounts turning a family illness into a meaningful staycation—reframe your next setback by listing three "gifts" it brings, fostering resilience and joy. About the Show: Created for physicians who want more than clinical competence, Better Physician Life is a space for honest reflection, reinvention, and reclaiming purpose beyond the pager. Hosted by Dr. Michael Hersh, each episode dives into the questions we didn’t learn to ask in training, offering tools and conversations to help you live and lead with intention. About the Host: Dr. Michael Hersh is a full-time practicing gastroenterologist, husband, father, podcaster, and physician coach at Better Physician Life Coaching. He helps physicians rediscover joy and balance by setting meaningful goals, managing stress, and feeling more present at home and less annoyed and frustrated at work. His mission is to help doctors who feel stuck in medicine create a more fulfilling life that they actually enjoy living. Through coaching and conversation, he empowers physicians to reconnect with their purpose and design a career (and life) they love. Dr. Hersh is also the creator and host of the Better Physician Life podcast: How to Get Unstuck in Your Medical Career—a show for doctors who feel out of sync or stuck, and want to explore what true success can look like beyond the exam room. 🔗 Connect with Dr. Hersh: 🌐 Website: www.betterphysicianlife.com 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michael-hersh-md 📸 Instagram: @betterphysicianlife 📺 YouTube: @betterphysicianlife 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/betterphysicianlifecoaching 📱TikTok: @betterphysicianlife If you find yourself walking through the door still stuck in work mode, check out the 5-Minute Commute Reset for Physicians. Work doesn’t end on its own. This is a short, structured reset you can use on the drive home to shut down work-mode, clear your head, and show up more present for whatever comes next. You can download it for free at: https://www.betterphysicianlife.com/commute-reset   The Better Physician Life Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult qualified professionals regarding your personal or organizational decisions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if embracing change could unlock a more fulfilling life in medicine? In this inspiring episode of Better Physician Life, host Dr. Michael Hersh welcomes Dr. Jimmy Turner, an academic anesthesiologist, certified coach, author of Determined: How Burned Out Doctors Can Thrive in a Broken Medical System, and co-host of the Money Meets Medicine podcast. Jimmy shares his journey from skepticism to entrepreneurship, revealing how starting a blog and podcast led to coaching physicians on burnout, mindset, and finance. They discuss the power of a simple question—"If you don't do this, what will change?"—and how it sparked Michael's own transformation. From overcoming dyslexia to building multiple ventures, Jimmy offers practical advice on identifying your strengths, solving real problems, and committing to growth despite discomfort. Whether you're battling burnout or exploring side hustles, this episode equips physicians with tools to pivot, thrive, and redefine success in a broken system. Top 3 Takeaways: Embrace Change Through Entrepreneurship: Change isn't innate. It's learned through trial and error. Jimmy shares how starting a blog evolved into podcasting and coaching, emphasizing the need to identify your strengths (e.g., what people seek your advice on) and solve real problems others will pay for. For physicians, this means exploring passions like personal finance or burnout solutions to create fulfilling side ventures.Commit to the Journey, Not Just the Outcome: Avoid "arrival fallacy" by enjoying the process of growth. Jimmy highlights committing to a venture for 2-3 years, pivoting as needed, and finding passion in discomfort—key for physicians shifting from linear medical training to nonlinear entrepreneurship.Define Your Goals and Strengths First: Before starting a business, clarify if it's a hobby or profit-driven, then assess what you're good at and what the market needs. Jimmy's path from anesthesiology to coaching shows how leveraging natural talents (e.g., teaching finance) can lead to ventures like disability insurance advising or courses.About the Show: Created for physicians who want more than clinical competence, Better Physician Life is a space for honest reflection, reinvention, and reclaiming purpose beyond the pager. Hosted by Dr. Michael Hersh, each episode dives into the questions we didn’t learn to ask in training, offering tools and conversations to help you live and lead with intention. About the Guest:  Dr. Jimmy Turner is an academic anesthesiologist at Wake Forest, a certified physician coach, author of Determined: How Burned Out Doctors Can Thrive in a Broken Medical System, and co-host of the Money Meets Medicine podcast. He helps physicians navigate burnout, mindset, and personal finance through coaching, writing, and speaking. As a licensed insurance agent, he specializes in disability insurance for doctors. 🔗 Learn more: money meetsmedicine.com 🎙️ Podcast: Money Meets Medicine      Disability Insurance: https://moneymeetsmedicine.com/disability About the Host: Dr. Michael Hersh is a full-time practicing gastroenterologist, husband, father, podcaster, and physician coach at Better Physician Life Coaching. He helps physicians rediscover joy and balance by setting meaningful goals, managing stress, and feeling more present at home and less annoyed and frustrated at work. His mission is to help doctors who feel stuck in medicine create a more fulfilling life that they actually enjoy living. Through coaching and conversation, he empowers physicians to reconnect with their purpose and design a career (and life) they love. Dr. Hersh is also the creator and host of the Better Physician Life podcast: How to Get Unstuck in Your Medical Career—a show for doctors who feel out of sync or stuck, and want to explore what true success can look like beyond the exam room. 🔗 Connect with Dr. Hersh: 🌐 Website: www.betterphysicianlife.com 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michael-hersh-md 📸 Instagram: @betterphysicianlife 📺 YouTube: @betterphysicianlife 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/betterphysicianlifecoaching 📱TikTok: @betterphysicianlife If you find yourself walking through the door still stuck in work mode, check out the 5-Minute Commute Reset for Physicians. Work doesn’t end on its own. This is a short, structured reset you can use on the drive home to shut down work-mode, clear your head, and show up more present for whatever comes next. You can download it for free at: https://www.betterphysicianlife.com/commute-reset   The Better Physician Life Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult qualified professionals regarding your personal or organizational decisions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if your future self could tell you what matters most right now? In this Insightful episode of Better Physician Life, Dr. Michael Hersh invites you to imagine the older, wiser version of yourself—10, 20, or 30 years from now—and consider what they’d thank you for today. Reflecting on his own journey of neglecting health, missing family moments, and feeling stuck, Dr. Hersh shares how medicine’s relentless demands can disconnect you from what truly matters. He offers actionable tools, like the Design Your Life worksheet, to help physicians prioritize health, relationships, and purpose over endless shifts and EMR clicks. From skipping physicals to zoning out on Netflix, Dr. Hersh unpacks the traps of “grit” and offers a roadmap to make small, deliberate choices that align with your values. If you’re a physician wondering if this is “it,” this episode will inspire you to start building a life your future self will celebrate. Design Your Life: A Goal Setting Guide for Physicians: betterphysicianlife.com/design-your-life Top 3 Takeaways: Picture Your Future Self: Imagine the older you looking back—what would they thank you for? Prioritizing health, showing up for family, or saying no to extra shifts can shape a life you’re proud of. Dr. Hersh shares missing his daughter’s band concert as a wake-up call to rethink priorities.Small Choices, Big Impact: No change is too small—leaving work on time, scheduling a doctor’s appointment, or calling a friend can shift your trajectory. Dr. Hersh’s Design Your Life worksheet helps you map out what matters in health, relationships, and career.Being Stuck is Feedback, Not Failure: Feeling trapped in medicine signals a need for change, not a personal flaw. Dr. Hersh’s journey from exhaustion to coaching shows how small yeses—like signing up for a coaching program—can lead to a more intentional life.About the Show: Created for physicians who want more than clinical competence, Better Physician Life is a space for honest reflection, reinvention, and reclaiming purpose beyond the pager. Hosted by Dr. Michael Hersh, each episode dives into the questions we didn’t learn to ask in training, offering tools and conversations to help you live and lead with intention. About the Host: Dr. Michael Hersh is a full-time practicing gastroenterologist, husband, father, podcaster, and physician coach at Better Physician Life Coaching. He helps physicians rediscover joy and balance by setting meaningful goals, managing stress, and feeling more present at home and less annoyed and frustrated at work. His mission is to help doctors who feel stuck in medicine create a more fulfilling life that they actually enjoy living. Through coaching and conversation, he empowers physicians to reconnect with their purpose and design a career (and life) they love. Dr. Hersh is also the creator and host of the Better Physician Life podcast: How to Get Unstuck in Your Medical Career—a show for doctors who feel out of sync or stuck, and want to explore what true success can look like beyond the exam room. 🔗 Connect with Dr. Hersh: 🌐 Website: www.betterphysicianlife.com 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michael-hersh-md 📸 Instagram: @betterphysicianlife 📺 YouTube: @betterphysicianlife 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/betterphysicianlifecoaching 📱TikTok: @betterphysicianlife   If you find yourself walking through the door still stuck in work mode, check out the 5-Minute Commute Reset for Physicians. Work doesn’t end on its own. This is a short, structured reset you can use on the drive home to shut down work-mode, clear your head, and show up more present for whatever comes next. You can download it for free at: https://www.betterphysicianlife.com/commute-reset   The Better Physician Life Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult qualified professionals regarding your personal or organizational decisions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if the frustration you feel isn’t about others, but the silent rules you expect them to follow? In this insightful episode of Better Physician Life, Dr. Michael Hersh explores the invisible "manuals" physicians carry—unspoken expectations about how colleagues, patients, and even family should act. Drawing from personal stories, like clenching his jaw in traffic or feeling let down by unspoken needs, Dr. Hersh reveals how these manuals fuel resentment and disconnection in medicine and life. He introduces tools like emotional adulthood, boundary-setting, and Dr. Jimmy Turner’s "Hell Yes" policy to help physicians take control of their peace and purpose. From navigating hospital politics to rethinking career demands, this episode offers actionable steps to let go of perfectionism, communicate needs clearly, and choose a life that feels authentic. If you’re a physician feeling stuck or resentful, this episode will inspire you to rewrite your script and reclaim your joy. Top 3 Takeaways:  Let Go of the Manual: Unspoken expectations (such as hoping a colleague takes initiative or a patient follows advice) can breed resentment when they are unmet. Recognize these silent rules, question their validity, and communicate needs clearly to foster connection and reduce frustration. For example, Dr. Hersh shares how noticing his irritation in traffic revealed his own expectations, prompting a shift to emotional adulthood.Embrace Emotional Adulthood: Stop handing your peace to others’ actions. Instead of thinking, “If they’d change, I’d feel better,” take responsibility for your emotions by naming them (e.g., “I’m frustrated”) and setting boundaries, like requesting quiet time after work. Dr. Hersh explains how this shift empowered him to feel grounded regardless of external chaos.Say “Hell Yes” or “Hell No”: Inspired by Dr. Jimmy Turner, prioritize choices that align with your values. Saying no to extra shifts or committees creates space for meaningful yeses—like starting a podcast or coaching—that energize rather than exhaust. Dr. Hersh’s leap into coaching transformed his career and life.About the Show: Created for physicians who want more than clinical competence, Better Physician Life is a space for honest reflection, reinvention, and reclaiming purpose beyond the pager. Hosted by Dr. Michael Hersh, each episode dives into the questions we didn’t learn to ask in training, offering tools and conversations to help you live and lead with intention. About the Host: Dr. Michael Hersh is a full-time practicing gastroenterologist, husband, father, podcaster, and physician coach at Better Physician Life Coaching. He helps physicians rediscover joy and balance by setting meaningful goals, managing stress, and feeling more present at home and less annoyed and frustrated at work. His mission is to help doctors who feel stuck in medicine create a more fulfilling life that they actually enjoy living. Through coaching and conversation, he empowers physicians to reconnect with their purpose and design a career (and life) they love. Dr. Hersh is also the creator and host of the Better Physician Life podcast: How to Get Unstuck in Your Medical Career—a show for doctors who feel out of sync or stuck, and want to explore what true success can look like beyond the exam room. 🔗 Connect with Dr. Hersh: 🌐 Website: www.betterphysicianlife.com 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michael-hersh-md 📸 Instagram: @betterphysicianlife 📺 YouTube: @betterphysicianlife 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/betterphysicianlifecoaching 📱TikTok: @betterphysicianlife If you find yourself walking through the door still stuck in work mode, check out the 5-Minute Commute Reset for Physicians. Work doesn’t end on its own. This is a short, structured reset you can use on the drive home to shut down work-mode, clear your head, and show up more present for whatever comes next. You can download it for free at: https://www.betterphysicianlife.com/commute-reset   The Better Physician Life Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult qualified professionals regarding your personal or organizational decisions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if the shame we bury in medicine is actually a signal for growth? Dr. Michael Hersh sits down with Dr. Will Bynum to explore the role of shame in physicians' lives. Drawing from Dr. Bynum's personal journey, from a residency error and personal struggles to discovering Brené Brown's work, they unpack shame's definition, its ties to vulnerability (especially for men), and its overlaps with fixed mindsets. The conversation offers practical tools like examining assumptions, shifting focus outward, and practicing self-compassion to navigate shame constructively. They also discuss building shame-competent cultures in healthcare. This episode is essential for physicians ready to unhide, connect deeply, and harness shame's transformative potential. Top 3 Takeaways: Define and Examine Shame – Understand shame as a global self-evaluation of being flawed or unworthy, often tied to perceived judgment from others, and challenge assumptions of isolation by recognizing its universality in medicine (90-100% of learners experience it). Dr. Bynum shares how his residency error sparked this realization; use CBT strategies to question thoughts like "I'm alone in this" and reframe fixed mindsets (e.g., "I'm a bad doctor") as growth opportunities.Practice Self-Compassion and Seek Connection – Treat yourself with the kindness you'd offer a loved one, as self-deprecation can fuel shame cycles in high-stakes physician work. Dr. Bynum recommends Kristin Neff's work. Start by naming shame explicitly in trusted conversations (e.g., "I'm struggling with how I feel about myself") to "shine light" on it, reducing its power and deepening relationships, as both hosts experienced through vulnerability.Cultivate Shame-Competent Environments – Create spaces where conversations about shame are possible and safe. This starts with reaffirming values like every person’s inherent worth, and recognizing that different specialties may need different approaches. For example, what works with surgeons may look different than with family physicians. Dr. Bynum’s Shame Lab framework encourages shifting from private rumination toward outward connection (asking for help, or considering how our actions affect others) as a way to build resilience. For those who want to learn more, resources like shamelab.org and The Nocturnists’ “Shame in Medicine” series are excellent places to start.About the Show: Created for physicians who want more than clinical competence, Better Physician Life is a space for honest reflection, reinvention, and reclaiming purpose beyond the pager. Hosted by Dr. Michael Hersh, each episode dives into the questions we didn’t learn to ask in training, offering tools and conversations to help you live and lead with intention. About the Guest: Will Bynum, MD, PhD is an Associate Professor of Family Medicine at Duke University School of Medicine and a Veteran of the United States Air Force. He received his M.D. at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in 2010, completed his residency in the NCC Family Medicine Residency with the US Air Force, and received his Ph.D. in Health Professions Education at Maastricht University in the Netherlands in 2023, where defended his thesis entitled “Out of the shadows: a qualitative exploration of shame in medical learners”, which was awarded best Doctoral Dissertation by the Association of Medical Educators of Europe.  He is Co-Founder and Co-Director of The Shame Lab, which conducts research, develops training, and delivers consultancy to advance constructive engagement with shame in professional practice. Website: www.shamelab.org www.theshamespace.com About the Host: Dr. Michael Hersh is a full-time practicing gastroenterologist, husband, father, podcaster, and physician coach at Better Physician Life Coaching. He helps physicians rediscover joy and balance by setting meaningful goals, managing stress, and feeling more present at home and less annoyed and frustrated at work. His mission is to help doctors who feel stuck in medicine create a more fulfilling life that they actually enjoy living. Through coaching and conversation, he empowers physicians to reconnect with their purpose and design a career (and life) they love. Dr. Hersh is also the creator and host of the Better Physician Life podcast: How to Get Unstuck in Your Medical Career—a show for doctors who feel out of sync or stuck, and want to explore what true success can look like beyond the exam room. 🔗 Connect with Dr. Hersh: 🌐 Website: www.betterphysicianlife.com 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michael-hersh-md 📸 Instagram: @betterphysicianlife 📺 YouTube: @betterphysicianlife 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/betterphysicianlifecoaching 📱TikTok: @betterphysicianlife If you find yourself walking through the door still stuck in work mode, check out the 5-Minute Commute Reset for Physicians. Work doesn’t end on its own. This is a short, structured reset you can use on the drive home to shut down work-mode, clear your head, and show up more present for whatever comes next. You can download it for free at: https://www.betterphysicianlife.com/commute-reset   The Better Physician Life Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult qualified professionals regarding your personal or organizational decisions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.