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So many of our choices are shaped less by desire and more by expectation. We chase prestige, status, or recognition, only to arrive and realize we were climbing the wrong ladder. Beneath burnout and the friction, there’s often the truth that we were never pursuing what we truly wanted. In this episode, we explore the concept of mimetic desire, how it misguides our ambitions, and how to reclaim our decisions. Finally, we examine how fear of judgment and shame shape our careers more than we think, and what it takes to break free.
Guest bio: Josh Russell, MD, is double board-certified in Emergency Medicine and Palliative Care. He’s held leadership roles as a Chief Medical Officer in telehealth, artificial intelligence, and urgent care systems. He’s an experienced clinician, writer, educator, and medical editor with a passion for making complex topics accessible.
LinkedIn article that spurred this podcast
Josh’s Website
We Discuss:Mentioned in this episode:
The Out-On-Time Course
Built for emergency clinicians who are tired of chart debt and getting derailed by interruptions and overwhelm. Learn practical, real-time documentation and shift-efficiency strategies to finish your shift and actually leave on time.
Learn More About The Out-On-Time Course
Doctoring Done Well | Bite-Sized Wins
Every other week, a few minutes of career-elevating insight delivered straight to your inbox.
Sign up for our Newsletter
By Rob Orman, MD4.9
113113 ratings
So many of our choices are shaped less by desire and more by expectation. We chase prestige, status, or recognition, only to arrive and realize we were climbing the wrong ladder. Beneath burnout and the friction, there’s often the truth that we were never pursuing what we truly wanted. In this episode, we explore the concept of mimetic desire, how it misguides our ambitions, and how to reclaim our decisions. Finally, we examine how fear of judgment and shame shape our careers more than we think, and what it takes to break free.
Guest bio: Josh Russell, MD, is double board-certified in Emergency Medicine and Palliative Care. He’s held leadership roles as a Chief Medical Officer in telehealth, artificial intelligence, and urgent care systems. He’s an experienced clinician, writer, educator, and medical editor with a passion for making complex topics accessible.
LinkedIn article that spurred this podcast
Josh’s Website
We Discuss:Mentioned in this episode:
The Out-On-Time Course
Built for emergency clinicians who are tired of chart debt and getting derailed by interruptions and overwhelm. Learn practical, real-time documentation and shift-efficiency strategies to finish your shift and actually leave on time.
Learn More About The Out-On-Time Course
Doctoring Done Well | Bite-Sized Wins
Every other week, a few minutes of career-elevating insight delivered straight to your inbox.
Sign up for our Newsletter

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