By Rob Orman, MD
4.8
418418 ratings
The podcast currently has 260 episodes available.
Being a patient can feel like a lonely experience, especially when you sense your doctor is disconnected. A rushed or disengaged interaction can leave patients feeling unheard and uncared for, no matter how clinically skilled the physician is. At the same time, doctors struggle with overwhelming workloads, which can lead to unintentional detachment from those they treat.
In this episode, we explore five ways to build connection in the exam room quickly, why small gestures matter, and how intentional preparation can change the entire dynamic. Finally, we dive into the emotional complexities of patient care and the essential role of listening and presence in preventing burnout. Our conversation centers around the ‘Presence 5 Practices’ from this article.
💡 Check out our Free Resources specifically designed to address pain points in medical practice💡
Guest Bio: Clay Smith, MD, is an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at Vanderbilt University. He is triple board-certified in Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and Pediatrics and the founder of JournalFeed, which provides concise, daily summaries of top medical journal articles.
We Discuss:Mentioned in this episode:
Awake + Aware Bend May 5-7, 2025 | Our in person live event
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Holding onto a grudge can feel strangely delicious, but that sense of righteousness often comes at a steep cost. In this episode, EMRAP founder Mel Herbert joins Rob to unpack a rift that’s lingered for over half a decade—and explore the way forward to healing.
We also break down why achievement does not demand extraordinary genius or talent but a shift in how we view our perceived mediocrity. Why the idea that we need to be exceptional to succeed fuels imposter syndrome and keeps us from valuing the potential in our "average" qualities. We examine the pressing challenges of modern medicine, where corporate pressures often clash with the need for human connection, and how clinicians can reclaim compassion and autonomy. Finally, we address the role of forgiveness and communication in personal and professional growth, revealing how setting boundaries and letting go of resentments can transform relationships and renew purpose.
💡 Check out our Free Resources specifically designed to address pain points in medical practice💡
Guest Bio: Dr. Mel Herbert is an acclaimed emergency medicine educator, entrepreneur, and speaker renowned for his innovative approach to accessible medical education. An Australian-born, U.S.-trained physician, Mel founded EM:RAP, a leading platform providing engaging, high-quality education for emergency care providers globally. His dedication to equitable access led to EM:RAP GO, a nonprofit extending emergency medical training to underserved communities worldwide. Mel’s philosophy, captured in his debut book The Extraordinary Power of Being Average, champions the idea that anyone can achieve remarkable things through dedication and resilience. Currently a Professor of Emergency Medicine at UCLA, Mel also serves as a consultant on the upcoming TV series The Pitt on MAX.
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Never Lame. Never Spammy. Always Fresh.
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Awake + Aware Bend May 5-7, 2025 | Our in person live event
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Awake + Aware Bend 2025
5 Free Tools To Make Medical Practice Easier
Scripts for your least favorite conversations.
Free Resources Link
It's often not the big power moves that change our lives; it's the small, intentional actions. By focusing on micro-skills, even the most ambitious goals become achievable.
In this episode, we talk with Drs. Adaira Landry and Resa E. Lewiss about their new book, MicroSkills: Small Actions, Big Impact. We explore how financial literacy, self-presentation, concise communication, and allyship can be developed as essential micro-skills for a successful career. We also navigate workplace dynamics, including recognizing and addressing issues like mansplaining and bropropriating. Finally, we discuss the nuances of learning when to say “yes” or “no,” and the art of timely, respectful communication.
💡 Check out our Free Resources specifically designed to address pain points in medical practice💡
Guest Bios: ADAIRA LANDRY, MD, MEd, is an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School who studied and trained at University of California, Berkeley; University of California, Los Angeles; New York University; and Harvard with almost a decade of experience mentoring students and early-career professionals. She is an entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and award winning mentor. She co-founded Writing in Color, a nonprofit that teaches the craft of writing.
RESA E LEWISS MD is a professor of emergency medicine, TEDMED speaker, TimesUp Healthcare founder, designer, entrepreneur, and award winning educator, mentor, and point-of-care ultrasound specialist. She studied at Brown University, the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, the NIH Howard Hughes Research Scholars Program, Harvard Emergency Medicine, and Mount Sinai St. Luke’s Roosevelt. She hosts the Visible Voices Podcast, amplifying content in the healthcare, equity, and current trends spaces.
They have written for CNBC, Fast Company, Forbes, Harvard Business Review, Nature, the Philadelphia Inquirer, Science, Slate, STAT News, Teen Vogue, VOGUE, and USA Today.
We Discuss:
Mentioned in this episode:
5 Free Tools To Make Medical Practice Easier
Scripts for your least favorite conversations.
Free Resources Link
Awake + Aware Bend May 5-7, 2025 | Our in person live event
Ready to reset, recharge, and level up?
Awake + Aware Bend 2025
Never Lame. Never Spammy. Always Fresh.
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Ready to reset, recharge, and level up?
Join us at our live event - Awake + Aware, a game-changing 3-day workshop from May 5-7 in Bend, Oregon.
Learn how to stay cool when the pressure’s on and lock in the mindset you need to flourish. Space is limited.
🖱️ Website: Awakeandawarebend.com
🎓 P.S. Yes, this is a CME event!
How do you handle your authority being challenged under stress? Even minor communication missteps in high-pressure environments like medicine can create lasting rifts and missed details. While the instinct to push back is strong, it's rarely the best response.
We share a story of miscommunication between a resident and a nurse, highlighting the importance of humility and inquiry in clinical settings. We examine why leading with curiosity instead of ego can save time, build trust, and improve patient care.
💡 Check out our Free Resources specifically designed to address pain points in medical practice💡
We Discuss:
It’s hard to be a good boss and even harder to work under a bad one. This episode breaks down how to begin as a new leader with little to no experience, the critical errors leaders often make, and what to do when your boss is suboptimal. We explore how quick fixes, lack of empathy, and poor communication can alienate teams and stifle growth. Leaders who ignore the importance of relationships, skip proper onboarding, or impose their own agendas without collaboration set themselves up for failure. We also discuss how future writing can help leaders clarify their vision and avoid these pitfalls. Finally, we offer strategies to recognize and correct these missteps, creating a more effective and cohesive leadership style.
💡 Check out our Free Resources specifically designed to address pain points in medical practice💡
Guest Bio: Karl Pister is president and founder of The Coaching Group, with over 34 years of experience in executive coaching, conflict management, and leadership development. He’s also the host of the Healthcare Leadership Podcast, which focuses on leadership, conflict resolution, and emotional intelligence.
We Discuss:
Books mentioned in this episode:
Mentioned in this episode:
5 Free Tools To Make Medical Practice Easier
Scripts for your least favorite conversations.
Free Resources Link
Awake + Aware Bend May 5-7, 2025 | Our in person live event
Ready to reset, recharge, and level up?
Awake + Aware Bend 2025
Navigating the complexities of taxes can be daunting, especially for medical professionals with unique financial situations. From maximizing retirement contributions to understanding the benefits of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), strategic tax planning is essential. In this episode, we explore various tax strategies that physicians can leverage to optimize their financial outcomes. Finally, we delve into practical tips for managing multiple income streams and setting up your business on the right side of the IRS.
💡 Check out our Free Resources specifically designed to address pain points in medical practice💡
Guest Bio: Alexis E. Gallati is the founder and Lead Tax Strategist at Cerebral Tax Advisors, Cerebral Wealth Academy, and the author of the book Advanced Tax Planning for Medical Professionals. She has over 20 years of experience in high-level strategic tax planning and multi-state tax preparation and has trained at the highest level, holding two master’s degrees. Alexis grew up in a family of physicians and is married to a private practice physician. That’s why she understands how hard medical professionals work to get where they are and why she provides simple and accessible tax solutions tailored to busy physicians.
We Discuss:
Mentioned in this episode:
Awake + Aware Bend May 5-7, 2025 | Our in person live event
Ready to reset, recharge, and level up?
Awake + Aware Bend 2025
Never Lame. Never Spammy. Always Fresh.
If you’d like a few minutes of career-elevating curated kickassery delivered to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter.
Sign up for our bi-weekly newsletter
5 Free Tools To Make Medical Practice Easier
Scripts for your least favorite conversations.
Free Resources Link
A cautionary tale about how I mismanaged my own physician burnout for many years, doing the easy thing instead of the right thing.
More coaching goodness with a side of practical nuggets
Psychological safety is a crucial factor in creating a healthy and effective workplace. It involves a shared belief that the team is safe for interpersonal risk-taking. This episode delves into the intricacies of psychological safety, particularly in high-stakes environments like medicine. We explore how rigid hierarchies, cultural biases, incivility, and unrealistic expectations can hinder psychological safety and how fostering a culture of openness and vulnerability can lead to better team performance and resilience. We explore various strategies to enhance psychological safety, including setting clear expectations, modeling vulnerability, and showing gratitude. Finally, we provide actionable tools for leaders to create a psychologically safe team environment.
💡 Check out our Free Resources specifically designed to address pain points in medical practice💡
Guest Bio: Kim Bambach, MD is an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at The Ohio State University and Assistant Director of the Kiehl Resident Wellness Endowment
We Discuss:
Mentioned in this episode:
Awake + Aware Bend May 5-7, 2025 | Our in person live event
Ready to reset, recharge, and level up?
Awake + Aware Bend 2025
Never Lame. Never Spammy. Always Fresh.
If you’d like a few minutes of career-elevating curated kickassery delivered to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter.
Sign up for our bi-weekly newsletter
5 Free Tools To Make Medical Practice Easier
Scripts for your least favorite conversations.
Free Resources Link
What would you do if your job ended tomorrow? Even though you might want to say, “Take this job and shove it,” that won’t help build stepping stones to your next job.
In this episode, we discuss: what it’s like for physician coaches who regularly work with docs in this situation, getting fired, dealing with unexpected events that shake up professional stability, planning for career disruption, the importance of networking, and finding your clinical practice N plus one.
💡 Check out our Free Resources specifically designed to address pain points in medical practice💡
Guest Bio: Health Joliff, DO, is dual-boarded in Emergency Medicine and Medical Toxicology. He is a certified executive coach and can be found at Physician Coaching Solutions.
We Discuss:
Mentioned in this episode:
Awake + Aware Bend May 5-7, 2025 | Our in person live event
Ready to reset, recharge, and level up?
Awake + Aware Bend 2025
5 Free Tools To Make Medical Practice Easier
Scripts for your least favorite conversations.
Free Resources Link
Never Lame. Never Spammy. Always Fresh.
If you’d like a few minutes of career-elevating curated kickassery delivered to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter.
Sign up for our bi-weekly newsletter
The podcast currently has 260 episodes available.
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