In this episode of Learning to Lead, Lauren Weber, MD, clinical cardiologist and co-founder of All Levels Leadership, reframes the concept of followership and challenges its negative stereotypes. She defines followership as leading from positions of responsibility without formal authority—an essential skill in healthcare, where influence often matters more than title.

Dr. Weber explores the different archetypes of followers, the behaviors that build trust and credibility, and why receiving feedback is critical for growth. This conversation highlights how effective followership is not passive—it’s the foundation for strong leadership at every stage of your career.

In this episode of Learning to Lead, Dr. Lauren Weber, MD, a clinical cardiologist and co-founder of All Levels Leadership, discusses how to navigate difficult conversations. She introduces the “opening alignment statement,” a simple tool to reduce anxiety, ask permission, and lead with respect and shared purpose. The conversation highlights how thoughtful communication can strengthen relationships, build trust, and support effective leadership for both leaders and followers.

In this episode of Learning to Lead, Dr. Gita Pensa, MD, an emergency medicine physician, educator, and host of the podcast Doctors and Litigation: The L Word, shares her personal journey through medical malpractice litigation. She reflects on how the experience reshaped her confidence, career, and understanding of leadership in medicine, while highlighting the culture of silence and shame that often surrounds litigation.

She also discusses how she transformed adversity into purpose by returning to academic medicine and creating educational resources to support physicians facing litigation. This episode offers an honest conversation about resilience, self-worth, and changing the narrative around one of medicine’s most feared experiences.

In this episode of Learning to Lead, Elizabeth “Beth” Koltz, EdM, Senior Director of Instructional and Curriculum Design and Assistant Professor at the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, shares why feedback is one of the most powerful leadership tools. The conversation explores how asking for feedback builds trust, uncovers blind spots, and fuels growth especially when paired with coaching and a growth mindset. With practical insights for both leaders and followers, this episode reframes feedback not as criticism, but as a gift that drives continuous improvement.

Beth’s Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in Elizabeth Koltz's podcast are her own and are not opinions represented by Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine or Hackensack Meridian Health.

In this episode of Learning to Lead, Dr. Erin Barry, PhD and Elizabeth “Beth” Koltz, EdM explore the growth mindset and its role in leadership, learning, and healthcare culture. Drawing on research from Carol Dweck’s book, Mindset: The New Psychology or Success and personal stories from engineering, medical education, and organizational leadership, Erin and Beth explore the difference between fixed and growth mindsets—and how failure, self-talk, and reflection shape how we lead ourselves and others.

Through candid examples of academic struggle, teaching challenges, parenting, and professional development, the group discusses how mindset influences behavior, team dynamics, and psychological safety. The conversation highlights the importance of listening over fixing, reframing failure as feedback, and creating environments where people feel safe to learn and grow.

Erin’s Disclaimer: The opinions are mine and are not to be construed as reflecting the views of the Uniformed Services University or the Department of War.

Beth’s Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in Elizabeth Koltz's podcast are her own and are not opinions represented by Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine or Hackensack Meridian Health.

In this episode of Learning to Lead, Dr. Erin Barry, PhD—associate professor, leadership scholar, and certified executive coach—shares her powerful leadership skill: listening to learn, not to respond. Erin shares how true listening requires slowing down, suspending assumptions, and creating space for others to fully express what’s really on their minds. Through personal stories and coaching insights, the conversation highlights the importance of silence, curiosity, and attention to nonverbal cues in building trust and connection.

Erin’s Disclaimer: The opinions are mine and are not to be construed as reflecting the views of the Uniformed Services University or the Department of War.

In this episode of Learning to Lead, Jesse Wescott, Tim Smith, and Karisma Quintas —leaders at The Towers, an innovative senior living community in New Haven—share how a values-driven, team-based leadership model transforms care. Through their “/caregiver” philosophy, every staff member is empowered to put residents first, break down silos, and respond proactively to both human and environmental needs.

The conversation explores how trust, shared values, and psychological safety fuel collaboration, support aging in place, and create a community that truly feels like home.

In this episode of Learning to Lead, Jesse Wescott, Tim Smith, and Karisma Quintas—leaders at The Towers senior living community—share their Leadership Hacks. Tim reflects on teaching as a way to strengthen teams, Jesse emphasizes investing in yourself to prevent burnout and foster growth, and Karisma highlights “operationalized empathy” as a calm, structured approach to supporting others. Together, they offer practical wisdom on leading with intention, compassion, and steadiness.

In this episode of Learning to Lead, Dr. Tracy Van Oss DHSc, MPH, OTR/L shares the energy, gratitude, and coaching mindset that shape her approach to leadership and teaching. She reflects on her journey into occupational therapy, how she helps students build meaningful habits through lifestyle redesign, and why self-care is essential for anyone in healthcare. Tracy also discusses the gaps she sees in today’s healthcare systems and the need for more human-centered, accessible solutions. Filled with insight and encouragement, this conversation highlights what it means to lead with empathy, curiosity, and purpose.

In this episode, Dr. Tracy Van Oss DHSc, MPH, OTR/L shares how her daily gratitude ritual shapes her mindset, strengthens her resilience, and enhances her work as a healthcare leader. She discusses the importance of grounding practices, intentional self-care, and expressing appreciation to others, revealing how small acts of gratitude can deepen relationships and elevate leadership in everyday life.