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In this episode, Dawn Baker welcomes a return guest: Stacey Funt.

Dr. Funt is a practicing radiologist, health coach, and founder of LH Adventure Travel, where she curates and leads women’s global wellness travel experiences in breathtaking natural settings and diverse cultures. She also designs trips for private groups and couples. Each itinerary is rooted in the principles of lifestyle medicine, incorporating movement, nourishment, relaxation, and community to promote wellbeing and meaningful connection.

Stacey has lectured nationally on physician well-being and self-care and has led workshops for healthcare professionals and the public. Her travel writing has been featured in Go World Travel Magazine. Through her work, she helps people reconnect with themselves, embrace adventure, and experience the joy and healing power of travel. 

Stacey has increased her offerings significantly over the past few years, and she frequently announces sold out retreats. In our conversation, she shares what it's been like to ramp up this passion project, how travel can change your identity, and how she's been balancing travel and clinical work lately.

** Don't forget to leave a review for the Lean Out Podcast! Your feedback helps others find the show in organic searches. Here's how to leave a review: **

• Apple Podcasts - Scroll down to Ratings and Reviews --> Leave a Review
• Spotify - Under the About section, click on the 5 Star icon

Relevant/mentioned links:

• Lean Out Podcast - Retreat with Stacey Funt
• Atomic Habits by James Clear
• Schedule a free coaching consultation with me HERE

Get in touch with Stacey:

• Website - LHadventuretravel.com
• Facebook - LH Adventure Travel
• Instagram - @lhadventuretravel
• LinkedIn - Stacey Funt, MD

Get in touch with Dawn:

• Website - practicebalance.com
• Instagram - @practicebalance
• Facebook - Dawn Baker
• LinkedIn - Dawn L Baker, MD
• Buy the Lean Out Book
• Buy the Lean Out Confidence Course (code POD gives you $50 off!)

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In this episode, Dawn Baker talks with Christie Mulholland. Christie is a palliative care physician and Associate Professor at Mount Sinai Medical Center. She has spent her adult life proving that intentional breaks make you a better doctor — not a lesser one. She's taken career breaks to backpack across the US, South America, and the Greek Islands. 

Recently, Christie took a sabbatical, despite her department saying no. She also founded Reclaim Physician Coaching, where she's on a mission to help seven physicians take a sabbatical in 2027.

Christie shares what led to her sabbatical, how she approached her workplace and what happened after they denied her request, what she did on the sabbatical she went ahead and took anyway, and what her work-life balance looks like now.

** Click HERE to subscribe to the Practice Balance newsletter! I send it typically 1-3 times a month, and it includes absolutely no spam or ads. Just things I've learned, things I'm working on, and things I'm inspired by. **

Relevant/mentioned links:

• Lean Out Podcast - The One Thing You Can Rely On, Mini Retirements with Jillian Johnsrud
• KevinMD - Why Every Physician Needs a Sabbatical (and How to Take One)

Get in touch with Christie:

• Website - reclaimphysiciancoaching.com
• Take the Physician Sabbatical Readiness Assessment HERE 

Get in touch with Dawn:

• Website - practicebalance.com
• Instagram - @practicebalance
• Facebook - Dawn Baker
• LinkedIn - Dawn L Baker, MD
• Buy the Lean Out Book
• Buy the Lean Out Confidence Course (code POD gives you $50 off!)

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In this episode, Dawn Baker talks with Asha Padmanabhan. Asha is an anesthesiologist, leader, coach, and speaker who delivers workshops, grand rounds, and keynote presentations for healthcare audiences. With more than 20 years in high-stakes operating rooms and leadership roles at state and national levels, she understands the real pressures physicians face — especially women navigating invisible expectations. Through her speaking and coaching, she provides practical tools to strengthen communication, confidence, and professional sustainability. Her work helps physicians reclaim their voice and thrive — in medicine and beyond.

Asha shares how she became an accidental leader while working full time in a busy private practice. She also talks about her recent journey of separating from some of the identities and roles so she could have a more flexible schedule with locum tenens work, and all the positives and negatives that go along with it.

** Click HERE to subscribe to the Practice Balance newsletter! I send it typically 1-3 times a month, and it includes absolutely no spam or ads. Just things I've learned, things I'm working on, and things I'm inspired by. **

Get in touch with Asha:

• LinkedIn - Asha Padmanabhan
• Facebook - Asha Padmanabhan
• Instagram - @AshaMD
• Podcast - Leadership Rx for Women Physicians

Get in touch with Dawn:

• Website - practicebalance.com
• Instagram - @practicebalance
• Facebook - Dawn Baker
• LinkedIn - Dawn L Baker, MD
• Buy the Lean Out Book
• Buy the Lean Out Confidence Course (use discount code POD!)

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In this episode, Dawn Baker talks with Santina Wheat. Santina is an academic family physician who finds joy in helping others unlock their full potential. She also serves as a career and life coach, guiding physicians and healthcare workers from burnout to balance. Having navigated her own career challenges, she understands the power of mentorship and intentional growth. In addition to clinical topics, Dr. Wheat speaks on leadership, inclusion, and well-being, crafting engaging conversations that inspire transformation. 

Santina shares her journey through burnout, using simple systems to help her place boundaries. She now helps other physicians and trainees do the same. There are some great, overlooked ideas in this one!

Relevant/mentioned links:

Lean Out Podcast episodes - Do You Have Margin in Your Life?

Get in touch with Santina:

• Website - santinawheat.com
• Instagram - @drtinawheat
• LinkedIn - Tina Wheat
• Facebook - Dr Tina Wheat
• Youtube - @santinawheatLLC

Get in touch with Dawn:

• Website - practicebalance.com
• Instagram - @practicebalance
• Facebook - Dawn Baker
• LinkedIn - Dawn L Baker, MD
• Buy the Lean Out Book
• Buy the Lean Out Confidence Course (use discount code POD!)

Send us Fan Mail

This solo episode is a departure from the regular content of the Lean Out Podcast, but it's an important topic that applies to everyone. Dawn Bakers shares about her experience getting scammed. She provides details about how she dealt with it and gives tips for what to do to prevent becoming the victim of internet scams.

How to leave a review for the show:

• Apple Podcasts - Scroll down to Ratings and Reviews --> Leave a Review
• Spotify - Under the About section, click on the 5 Star icon

** Don't forget to check out the Revitalize: Physician Renewal Retreat!  Come hike and retreat with me in Utah's red rock wilderness this April 9-11. We'll also be doing yoga in the red rocks of Snow Canyon State Park 😍. Register through my link, and I will gift you a free post-retreat debrief coaching session! Use the code INVITE200 for $200 off through March 1 **

Relevant/mentioned links:

Mel Robbins Podcast - Cybersecurity Expert Reveals: 5 Ways to Protect Yourself Online (Starting Tonight)

Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

Get in touch with Dawn:

• Website - practicebalance.com
• Instagram - @practicebalance
• Facebook - Dawn Baker
• LinkedIn - Dawn L Baker, MD
• Buy the Lean Out Book
• Buy the Lean Out Confidence Course (use code POD for a screamin' deal)

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In this episode of the Lean Out Podcast, Dawn Baker talks with Karla Castillo. After working for years as a full-time nurse, Karla started Dominate Nursing, a company dedicated to helping nursing students feel more confident, less overwhelmed, and excited about learning. 

Karla shares her career path from the bedside to entrepreneurship and education. She leads by example as someone who follows her values and stays in touch with her authentic self as she navigates the path of career fulfillment.

** Don't forget to check out the Revitalize: Physician Renewal Retreat!  Come hike and retreat with me in Utah's red rock wilderness this April 9-11. We'll also be doing yoga in the red rocks of Snow Canyon State Park 😍. Register through my link, and I will gift you a free post-retreat debrief coaching session! Use the code INVITE200 for $200 off through March 1 **

Relevant/mentioned links:

Lean Out Podcast - Purpose with Jordan Grumet, Solocast: Do You Have Margin In Your Life?

Get in touch with Karla:

• Website - dominatenursing.com
• Youtube - @nursekarla

Get in touch with Dawn:

• Website - practicebalance.com
• Instagram - @practicebalance
• Facebook - Dawn Baker
• LinkedIn - Dawn L Baker, MD
• Buy the Lean Out Book
• Buy the Lean Out Confidence Course

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Dawn Baker talks with Sarah Hart-Unger. Sarah is a practicing physician, podcaster, and mother of three with a passion for helping listeners make the most of their limited time through effective planning and goal-setting, both at work and in their personal lives. Her time-tested planning methods help shift the balance from reactive and stressful to proactive and fun. Not only does she co-host the popular Best of Both Worlds podcast for several years with Laura Vanderkam, she also hosts a solo show called Best Laid Plans.

Sarah also speak nationally, lead courses, write articles, and work part-time as a physician. Best Laid Plans is in the top 0.5% of podcasts and has been featured in the New York Times. Sarah has appeared as a guest on numerous popular podcasts, including Cal Newport's Deep Questions and The Mom Hour. In addition, she recently published the book Best Laid Plans: A Simple Planning System for Living A Life That You Love.

Sarah shares her journey from full-time physician with leadership roles to part-time work that allows her to pursue her passion of planning and organization, which has blossomed into a full-blown business. She urges us to use systems that allow you to focus free time in things that are fun and joyful. Don't miss this advice-packed episode!

** Need confidence in 2026? Check out the 4-module, video-based, self-guided Lean Out Confidence Course! Listeners can get 50% off with the coupon code POD **

** Come hike and retreat with me in Utah's red rock wilderness this April 9-11 at the Revitalize: Physician Renewal Retreat! Register through my link, and I will gift you a free post-retreat debrief coaching session! Use the code INVITE200 for $200 off through March 1 **

Relevant/Mentioned Links:

• Lean Out Podcast - Surrender with Aman Costigan
• The Four Tendencies Quiz
• Grab Sarah's new book Best Laid Plans

Get in touch with Sarah:

• Website - theshubox.com (all podcast, articles, newsletter and book links)

Get in touch with Dawn:

• Website - practicebalance.com
• Instagram - @practicebalance
• Facebook - Dawn Baker
• LinkedIn - Dawn L Baker, MD
• Buy the Lean Out Book
• Buy the Lean Out Confidence Course

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Dawn Baker talks about what it means to have margin. She shares some stories from her own life and the lives of her clients, in addition to ways you can get more margin in your own life.

** Don't forget about your chance to provide feedback on the show so we can all benefit from suggested improvements! Click the link to send a text above, or submit an email here. **

Relevant/mentioned links: 

• Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives by Richard Swenson
• Lean Out Podcast past episodes - Rest with Saundra Dalton-Smith, Time with Maria Colon-Gonzalez, Entrepreneur with Dr. Una
• Practice Balance popular tip articles on mindfulness and meditation

Get in touch with Dawn: 

• Website - practicebalance.com
• Instagram - @practicebalance
• Facebook - Dawn Baker
• LinkedIn - Dawn L Baker, MD
• Buy the Lean Out Book
• Buy the Lean Out Confidence Course

Send us Fan Mail

In the first episode of Season 4 of the Lean Out Podcast, Dawn Baker talks about the importance of mindset. She shares ways you can learn to change your mindset and a framework for figuring out how you want to spend your 2026.

Don't forget to share your feedback on the show as a whole by sending a text through the link in the show notes, or send a message: 

https://practicebalance.com/getintouch/

Relevant/mentioned links:

• Lean Out Podcast - The Conflict of Being an Anti-Hustle Entrepreneur, Joy with Cory Fawcett
• Happier with Gretchen Rubin - Ep 563: Need a One-Word Theme for Next Year?
• Mel Robbins Podcast - Mindset Expert: Simple Mindset Shifts That Transform Your Body, Energy, and Life

Get in touch with Dawn:

• Website - practicebalance.com
• Instagram - @practicebalance
• Facebook - Dawn Baker
• LinkedIn - Dawn L Baker, MD
• Buy the Lean Out Book
• Buy the Lean Out Confidence Course

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Dawn Baker talks with Aimee Lowe. Aimee is the founder of the Lowe Legal Group based out of Omaha, NE. She represents c-suite executives, physicians, lawyers, and other professionals in complex compensation package negotiations, employment agreements, and contract reviews.

Aimee shares the events that led up to her abrupt exit from a big law firm where she was about to make partner. She shares the ups and downs of starting her own firm (in the midst of COVID and family illness). Aimee also talks about how she created a firm that stays true to the quality of care she wants to give all her clients. 

** The Practice Balance 1:1 coaching special is still on through the end of this year! Go to practicebalance.com/coaching to learn more, or sign up for a free consultation here. **

Relevant/Mentioned Links:

• Lean Out Podcast episodes - Functional with Tracy McCarthy, Relationships with Margot Ogburn
• Events I'm attending in 2026 (see if you can join me!) - White Coat Investor Conference 2026, Revitalize:Physician Renewal Retreat (use code INVITE200 for $200 off), Brave Enough Women's CME Conference

Get in touch with Aimee:

• Website - lowelegalgroup.com

Get in touch with Dawn:

• Website - practicebalance.com
• Instagram - @practicebalance
• Facebook - Dawn Baker
• LinkedIn - Dawn L Baker, MD
• Buy the Lean Out Book