Your New Release: Stories, Shifts, & The Books That Change Us

In this episode of Your New Release, co-host Kirsten Bombdiggity welcomes therapist and author Diane Cole, whose book Heart Abundance explores healing from people-pleasing, emotional abuse, and self-abandonment. Recorded as the grand finale of the People-Pleasers Mini-Summit, this conversation unpacks how people-pleasing develops, why it feels neurologically “safe,” and how to gently retrain your nervous system to reclaim your life.

Diane and Kirsten explore the roots of people-pleasing in interpersonal trauma, the difference between symptom reduction and building a life worth living, and practical, compassionate steps listeners can take right now to begin changing deeply ingrained patterns—without overwhelming themselves.

1. Welcome and Introduction to People-Pleasing (0:00 – 2:00)

Introducing Diane Cole and her book Heart Abundance

What it means to be a “recovered people pleaser”

Why this conversation matters now

2. Where People-Pleasing Comes From (2:00 – 5:00)

Emotional abuse, hypervigilance, and self-abandonment

How the nervous system learns safety through over-attunement to others

Common origins: critical parents, emotionally immature caregivers, toxic relationships

3. Compassion for the Past Self (5:00 – 7:30)

Reframing people-pleasing as survival, not weakness

Letting go of shame and honoring the version of you that coped

Why awareness is the first step toward change

4. Therapy, Coaching, and a Life Worth Living (7:30 – 10:00)

The limits of symptom reduction alone

Shifting the goal from “less pain” to full self-actualization

Why relational health is often overlooked in healthcare systems

5. The “Attune Up” Process Explained (10:00 – 14:30)

Moving from anxiety → neutrality → feeling good → expansion

Building capacity slowly instead of forcing positivity

Using stillness, mindfulness, gratitude, and self-validation as tools

6. Mindset vs. Neurocircuitry (14:30 – 18:00)

Why mindset work fails in fight-or-flight or fawn mode

How mindfulness restores access to choice and presence

Creating safety before trying to “think differently”

7. Self-Gaslighting and Microtrauma (18:00 – 23:30)

What self-gaslighting looks like in daily life

Repetitive patterns and “quiet” trauma that shape identity

How neglect, being overlooked, or emotional absence leave deep imprints

8. Reversing People-Pleasing Gently (23:30 – 25:30)

Why going “cold turkey” backfires

Preparing the nervous system for success

Micro-steps and corrective experiences that build new pathways

9. One Action You Can Take Today (25:30 – 26:30)

Interrupting people-pleasing in small, safe moments

Repetition as the key to rewiring neurocircuitry

Empowering change without needing therapy or coaching immediately

People-pleasing isn’t a personality flaw—it’s often a learned survival strategy rooted in trauma, emotional neglect, or unsafe relationships. In this powerful conversation, Diane Cole reframes people-pleasing through a compassionate, neuroscience-informed lens and offers hope for lasting change.

Listeners are reminded that healing doesn’t require dramatic leaps or overwhelming confrontations. Instead, slow, steady “attune ups,” corrective experiences, and self-compassion can retrain the nervous system and open the door to a more expansive, self-directed life.

If you’ve ever felt invisible, over-responsible, or disconnected from your own needs, this episode offers both validation and a practical path forward.

Please RATE, REVIEW, and FOLLOW the Your New Release podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Connect with Diane Cole:

Heart Abundance (available on Amazon)

Connect with Kirsten Bombdiggity:

Free quiz: What Breed of Dog Is Your Nervous System? – www.tinyurl.com/dognerves 

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bombdiggity 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/fbombdiggity 

Email: [email protected] 

Website: www.fbombdiggity.com

Episode: Don’t Believe Everything You Think — Why Your Thoughts Aren’t Facts

In this episode of Your New Release, co-hosts Dr. Stacey Ishman and Kirsten Bombdiggity dive into Don’t Believe Everything You Think by Joseph Nguyen—a book that challenges one of the most ingrained beliefs high-achieving professionals hold: that every thought we have must be true, relevant, or actionable.

Through personal stories, coaching wisdom, and relatable examples, Stacey and Kirsten unpack how our thoughts shape our emotional experience—and how choosing different thoughts can dissolve unnecessary stress, improve relationships, and create more joy.

This episode is especially powerful for anyone who identifies as an overthinker, fixer, analyzer, or chronic self-blamer (spoiler: that’s most high-achievers).

The episode almost happened twice—because they recorded a full version before realizing it wasn’t recording.

Kirsten introduces the book and asks Stacey for her first impressions.

Stacey shares how she has always identified as a “thinker.”

High-achievers often confuse overthinking with insight.

The book helped her finally separate “mental work” from “mental noise.”

Our brains send us “red herrings” meant to protect us—but they’re often misleading.

Coaching principle reinforced in the book: Your thoughts are optional.

Stacey’s example: someone missing a lunch date → one story leads to anger, another to compassion.

Same facts, different emotional outcomes—based entirely on the story you choose.

Kirsten explains: we are the observer of our thoughts, not the thought itself.

Negative thought patterns can be contagious and self-reinforcing.

We find evidence for whatever belief we hold—helpful or unhelpful.

You don’t have to get rid of negative thoughts to feel better.

You just have to stop giving them authority.

Kirsten coaches people to notice charged words: always, never, should, could.

“Who is your #1 cheerleader?” → Borrow thoughts from that voice.

Helps rewire the brain faster and more effectively.

Reframing presentations: from “this will be scary” to “this is a conversation.”

Academic physicians can reduce anxiety by shifting the narrative around questions.

You cannot be anxious while playing.

Play fast-tracks rewiring.

Kirsten’s pre-speaking routine: blasting old prom songs to shift her state.

Stacey’s grounding technique: sensory reset using touch and sound.

Coaching can integrate more joy and less struggle than people expect.

Sometimes pattern interruption is the simplest next step.

From Kirsten’s recent training: people must reach their own insights.

You can offer resources, but you can’t force change before someone is ready.

When you feel anxious, stressed, or overwhelmed, ask:
What story am I telling myself right now?

If you can’t find another story on your own—ask someone who loves you to help you find a neutral version.

Small shifts in thinking can create big shifts in how you feel.

In this episode, Stacey and Kirsten explore the core message of Don’t Believe Everything You Think: your thoughts are not facts, and believing them blindly is the root of much unnecessary suffering. Through real-life examples, coaching insights, and practical tools, they show how high achievers—especially those in medicine—can shift from overthinking to curiosity, from anxiety to presence, and from automatic fear to intentional thought selection.

Listeners will walk away with:

A deeper understanding of how thoughts shape emotions

Tools for interrupting spirals and choosing better stories

An appreciation for the power of play and grounding

Encouragement to meet themselves (and others) with compassion

Please RATE, REVIEW, and FOLLOW the Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Connect with Dr. Stacey Ishman:

Instagram: @sishmancoach 

LinkedIn: Medical Mentor Coaching 

Email: [email protected] 

Website: www.medicalmentorcoaching.com/welcome

Connect with Kirsten Bombdiggity:

This conversation is a warm invitation to pause, question your inner narrative, and choose thoughts that support your well-being.

Episode 08: Inbox Zero — Clearing Clutter, Reclaiming Attention

In this episode of the Your New Release Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Stacey Ishman and Kirsten Bombdiggity unpack the real meaning behind the concept of Inbox Zero. Spoiler: it’s not actually about getting to zero emails.

Instead, the conversation focuses on attention management, emotional bandwidth, identity, and the unconscious stories we attach to our inboxes. Stacey and Kirsten explore practical systems, mindset shifts, and tools that help reduce mental clutter and reclaim focus—especially for busy professionals who feel buried under digital noise.

Whether you’re sitting on 150,000 unread emails (yes, Stacey really is) or compulsively keeping your inbox at zero, this episode helps reframe email from a stressor into a manageable part of your workflow.

The term is misleading—“zero” is not the goal.

Focus is on managing attention, not messages.

Email is often used as a to-do list or identity marker.

“Emails are just someone else’s to-dos.”

Inboxes reflect mental chaos—similar to a messy house.

Emotional narratives often form around inbox behavior (“I’m behind,” “I’m disorganized”).

The “pudding/blob” metaphor: email expands without boundaries unless systems exist.

Don’t read the same email twice—double the work.

Use “gutter guards” (systems) to prevent decision fatigue.

Time blocking for email prevents all-day reactive behavior.

Delete

Delegate

Respond

Defer

Do (if under 2 minutes)

The “under 2 minutes” rule—useful but can overwhelm physicians without limits.

Archive freely—search is powerful; don’t over-organize.

Tools mentioned: Boomerang, SaneBox.

SaneBox filters newsletters, receipts, low-priority items, and even the “black hole.”

Inbox management parallels nervous system regulation.

Archiving is a micro-act of release—letting go of identity-driven stories.

Quick responses aren’t personality traits or moral accomplishments.

But timely responses can help with leadership presence (as discussed in Likable Badass).

Delegation, admin support, and team inboxes preserve energy.

AI can translate emotional emails into professional ones.

Past admins = human “Stacey Whisperers.”

Tools offer emotional buffer and consistency.

Anyone feeling out of control, disorganized, or overwhelmed.

Those who tie inbox state to self-worth.

Even those good at inbox zero may be spending energy in the wrong place.

It’s short (80 pages) and team-friendly.

The book gives teams a common framework.

Task-switching analogy: spelling names letter by letter vs. name by name.

Small changes yield big mental wins.

Stacey commits to updating listeners on her 150,000-email journey.

Episode 08 dives into Inbox Zero as a framework for reducing mental overload—not achieving literal zero emails. Stacey and Kirsten discuss how email contributes to emotional clutter, identity, and reactive work cycles. They break down systems, tools, and mindset shifts that help establish healthier boundaries with email. With humor (including pudding metaphors and speed-limit frowny faces), they challenge listeners to rethink their relationship with their inbox and reclaim control of their attention.

The episode is packed with practical strategies and gentle permission to stop tying your self-worth to your unread count. Inbox Zero becomes a tool for clarity, confidence, and better nervous system regulation—not perfection.

Please RATE, REVIEW, and FOLLOW the Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Connect with Dr. Stacey Ishman:

Instagram: @sishmancoach 

LinkedIn: Medical Mentor Coaching 

Email: [email protected] 

Website: www.medicalmentorcoaching.com/welcome

Connect with Kirsten Bombdiggity:

Stay tuned—and may your inbox feel lighter today.

Episode 7: The 12-Week Year — Redefining Productivity and Focus

In this episode, co-hosts Dr. Stacey Ishman and Kirsten Bombdiggity dive into The 12-Week Year by Brian Moran and Michael Lennington — a framework that transforms how you set goals, execute plans, and measure progress. Together, they explore how shifting from annual resolutions to 12-week cycles helps physicians (and anyone juggling too much) stay focused, finish what matters, and reclaim a sense of control over time.

Whether you're an early-career physician balancing promotion packets, clinical work, and personal goals — or just looking to break free from the “start next January” mindset — this episode offers simple, actionable tools to help you move from intention to execution.

1. Why the 12-Week Year Works (00:00–02:00)

Introduction to The 12-Week Year by Brian Moran and Michael Lennington.

How Stacey’s “emotional support planner” changed her approach to time and goals.

The power of starting anytime — no need to wait for January or the first of the month.

2. Fewer Goals, Greater Focus (02:00–03:30)

Limiting yourself to three goals per 12-week cycle increases execution.

Shorter time frames reduce procrastination and keep momentum high.

Real-world example: breaking academic promotion tasks into small, focused pieces.

3. From Overextended to Excellent (03:30–04:30)

Kirsten shares how spreading herself too thin diluted her strengths.

Choosing a few priorities allows you to excel rather than “just get by.”

4. Execution Over Ideas (04:30–05:00)

Most people know what to do — the challenge is doing it.

Systems and accountability outperform sheer motivation.

5. Habit Stacking and Accountability (05:00–06:30)

Linking habits (like from Atomic Habits) to 12-week goals increases follow-through.

Stacey’s “emotional support planner” becomes a daily accountability tool.

6. The Power of Writing It Down (06:30–08:00)

Physically writing goals activates learning, memory, and motivation.

Paper planners, stickers, or even scented pens — whatever makes it enjoyable.

7. Focus, Deadlines, and Flow (08:00–09:00)

Tight deadlines enhance focus and drive flow states.

Time blocking helps reduce distractions and increase deep work.

8. Self-Trust and Short-Term Wins (09:00–10:00)

Trust that you already know what needs to be done.

Short-term focus builds confidence and momentum.

Accountability partners and “wingmen” keep progress fun and social.

9. Reflection and Reassessment (10:00–11:30)

Reviewing progress every 12 weeks builds motivation.

Measuring backward (the “gain”) helps you see real improvement over time.

10. Takeaways and Mindset Shifts (11:30–13:00)

Treat yourself like an athlete: plan your “on-season” intentionally.

Write down goals, set weekly intentions, and celebrate wins.

Productivity isn’t about doing more — it’s about becoming the kind of person who gets things done naturally.

Summary:
The 12-Week Year challenges the traditional annual goal-setting model by creating urgency and clarity through shorter timeframes. Dr. Stacey and Kirsten show how focusing on three key goals every 12 weeks helps physicians manage time, reduce overwhelm, and build habits that stick. The takeaway: success isn’t about doing everything — it’s about doing what matters, on purpose, in focused bursts of execution.

Please RATE, REVIEW, and FOLLOW the Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Connect with Dr. Stacey Ishman:

Instagram: @sishmancoach 

LinkedIn: Medical Mentor Coaching 

Email: [email protected] 

Website: www.medicalmentorcoaching.com/welcome

Connect with Kirsten Bombdiggity:

In this episode of Medical Mentor Coaching for Physicians in Their First 10 Years of Practice, co-hosts Dr. Stacey Ishman and Kirsten Bombdiggity unpack 10x Is Easier Than 2x by Dr. Benjamin Hardy and Dan Sullivan — a bold new way to think about growth, focus, and fulfillment.

They explore how early-career physicians can stop “grinding harder” and instead design their next-level careers through focus, purpose, and elimination. You’ll learn why chasing “more” isn’t the answer, how to identify your true 20%, and how this approach can transform both your professional and personal life.

1. Introduction: The 10x Mindset (00:00 – 02:00)

Dr. Ishman and Kirsten introduce 10x Is Easier Than 2x and its challenge to conventional thinking.

Overview of how the 10x mindset applies to physicians seeking promotion, impact, and fulfillment.

The goal: stop incremental growth, start transformative thinking.

2. The 20% Rule: Focus Over Frenzy (02:00 – 04:00)

Kirsten explains the Pareto Principle — 20% of your work drives 80% of results.

The danger of staying trapped in “busy work” that feels productive but doesn’t move your career forward.

Dr. Ishman discusses the tension between letting go of tasks you enjoy and focusing on what truly matters.

3. The Four Freedoms Framework (04:00 – 06:00)

Time, Money, Relationships, and Purpose as key measures of success.

Growth comes from expanding freedom in all four areas — not just career metrics.

Why alignment across these freedoms prevents burnout and builds momentum.

4. The 10x vs. 2x Shift (06:00 – 08:00)

Dr. Ishman explains that 2x growth comes from doing more of the same, while 10x requires a new strategy.

Letting go of 80% of what doesn’t serve your mission.

“You can’t do 10x by doing more of the same — you have to become a different person with a different strategy.”

5. Identity, Boundaries, and Saying No (08:00 – 13:00)

Why becoming 10x requires identity evolution — moving from helper to strategist.

Common pitfalls for women physicians: over-serving, under-recognizing, and guilt-driven work.

Dr. Ishman introduces the concept of healthy vs. unhealthy guilt and shares real coaching examples of setting boundaries without losing credibility.

6. From “Helper” to “Leader”: The Power of Sponsorship (15:00 – 16:00)

How saying “no” can create opportunities for others.

Dr. Ishman shares how she transitioned off editorial boards by sponsoring early-career colleagues — turning her “no” into their “yes.”

A model for sustainable leadership in academic medicine.

7. Designing Your Dream Identity (16:00 – 19:00)

Kirsten reframes 10x as designing your “favorite version of yourself.”

Relationships, purpose, and environment as multipliers for growth.

Choosing peers and mentors who hold you accountable to your best self.

8. The 10x Filters (17:00 – 18:00)

Evaluate decisions through four lenses: Time, Money, Relationships, and Purpose.

Each 10x leap requires a new way of thinking across all four dimensions.

9. Final Takeaways: Purpose and Play (19:00 – 20:30)

10x isn’t harder — it’s lighter, more focused, and more joyful.

Embrace play, curiosity, and experimentation to accelerate growth.

Dr. Ishman closes with two quotes from the book:

“10x is not about working harder. It’s about raising your standards for what matters.”
“You don’t become 10x by adding more to your plate. You become 10x by becoming more of who you really are.”

10x growth doesn’t come from doubling effort — it comes from redefining success, eliminating the 80% that doesn’t serve you, and expanding freedom across time, money, relationships, and purpose.

For physicians in academic medicine, that means learning to say no strategically, focusing on high-impact work, and creating alignment between who you are and what you want to build.

Please RATE, REVIEW, and FOLLOW the Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast on your favorite app (Apple or Spotify).

To connect or suggest future topics:

💬 DM @sishmancoach  on Instagram

💼 Message on LinkedIn 

📧 Email: [email protected] 

🌐 Visit: www.medicalmentorcoaching.com/welcome

Connect with Kirsten Bombdiggity:

Episode 5: Rewriting Your Story — Lessons from “Divorced After 40”

In this episode of Medical Mentor Coaching, co-hosts Dr. Stacey Ishman and Kirsten Bombdiggity sit down to explore the art of reinvention — not just after divorce, but after any major career or life transition. Drawing lessons from Kirsten’s book, Divorced After 40: The F** Yes Guide for Women Rewriting Their Second Act*, the conversation turns raw, honest, and surprisingly applicable for physicians navigating professional crossroads, denied promotions, or leadership shifts.

This episode reminds us that whether it’s your career, your relationships, or your identity — growth often begins where “shoulds” end.

This course is designed to help you set up your practice, build your research and national reputation, and create a personalized path to promotion — without burning out or losing sight of your life outside medicine.

1. Introduction: Reinvention and Relevance (00:00 – 02:15)

Dr. Stacey Ishman introduces co-host Kirsten Bombdiggity and her book Divorced After 40.

The conversation connects themes of personal reinvention with career transitions common to early-career physicians — denied promotions, role shifts, and the identity loss that can come with them.

2. Getting Out of Your Own Way (03:00 – 05:30)

Kirsten discusses how self-sabotage often comes from fear and familiarity.

“Fun feels dangerous” — even joy can feel unsafe to high achievers used to control and overwork.

Stacey relates this to academic physicians who resist change even when it could bring balance.

3. The Lighthouse vs. the Lifeboat (07:45 – 09:20)

Kirsten’s “lighthouse” tattoo becomes a metaphor for boundaries.

Physicians often act as lifeboats for patients, teams, or institutions — constantly drained.

Becoming a lighthouse means standing firm, guiding others without drowning yourself.

4. The “Should” Trap (12:00 – 13:45)

Stacey challenges the word should — noting that it often signals someone else’s expectations, not your own.

Physicians frequently operate from inherited definitions of success (mentors, institutions, family).

The key: ask “Whose voice is this?” before you commit to another obligation or project.

5. Neuroplasticity and Narrative (10:00 – 15:00)

Kirsten explains how mindset alone doesn’t shift behavior — your nervous system must learn safety in change.

Her “Neuro-Proof Narrative Quest” framework helps people rewrite their internal stories with real evidence.

In medicine, this translates to recognizing that thoughts and feelings aren’t facts — you can challenge both.

6. Rebuilding Community Intentionally (16:45 – 19:00)

Both hosts reflect on the difficulty of rebuilding connection after professional or personal loss.

Stacey admits she still has to coach herself into social events — one real connection at a time.

Kirsten offers a reframe: “Make someone else’s day better.” Helping others helps us reconnect to meaning.

7. Summary and Takeaways (19:00 – End)

Reinvention isn’t just for divorce — it’s for any transition where your old identity no longer fits.

Let go of “shoulds,” redefine success, set boundaries, and give yourself permission to choose joy.

The same tools that rebuild a life can rebuild a career — with compassion, courage, and curiosity.

Reinvention doesn’t require a crisis — it requires honesty.
This episode reframes “failure” as feedback, showing physicians how to reimagine their second act in medicine. Whether you’re recovering from burnout, navigating leadership shifts, or questioning what’s next, the tools of narrative coaching, boundary-setting, and self-compassion can guide your next move.

Please RATE, REVIEW, and FOLLOW the Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast on Apple or Spotify to help other early-career physicians find these resources.

If you’re interested in getting in touch or suggesting a topic, you can:

💬 DM me on Instagram @sishmancoach

💼 Message me on LinkedIn: Medical Mentor Coaching 

📧 Email: [email protected] 

🌐 Visit: www.medicalmentorcoaching.com/welcome

Connect with Kirsten Bombdiggity:

Episode 4: The Gap and The Gain: Celebrating Progress in the First 10 Years of Practice

In this episode of Medical Mentor Coaching, Dr. Stacey Ishman and coach Kirsten Bombdiggity dive into The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy, exploring how early-career physicians can shift from perfectionism and comparison to joy and resilience.

Too often, physicians measure themselves against an impossible standard—the next paper, the next promotion, the next big milestone. This “gap thinking” fuels burnout and imposter syndrome. Instead, The Gap and The Gain offers a mindset shift: measure your progress against where you started, not where you “should” be.

Stacey and Kirsten share practical takeaways on reframing progress, celebrating small wins, and surrounding yourself with people who encourage your growth. They also offer personal stories (yes, including wardrobe hacks and Jenga towers!) to show how this perspective shift makes medicine—and life—more sustainable.

This course helps you set up your practice, learn finances 101, build a research program, establish a national reputation, and create a personalized plan for promotion. My mission is to help you envision your ideal career and create a path to your version of success.

Join us to celebrate your gains—and build the foundation for a thriving career.

1. Introduction (0:00 – 2:00)
Playful banter on used books and why we love physical copies
Introduction to The Gap and The Gain

2. What the Book is About (2:00 – 3:00)
Perfectionism and the tendency to focus on what’s missing
Reframing success: celebrate the 90 lbs lost, not the 10 left

3. Recognizing When You’re in the Gap (3:00 – 5:00)
The “but” problem—discounting accomplishments with disclaimers
How medicine conditions us to chase goals without grace

4. Celebrating the Gain (5:00 – 7:00)
Examples from academic medicine: papers, talks, patient volume
Comparisons fuel imposter syndrome; reframing builds satisfaction

5. The Jenga Tower Analogy (6:00 – 7:30)
Each block matters—every accomplishment contributes to your foundation
Gratitude strengthens resilience and prevents collapse

6. Practical Coaching Tools (7:30 – 10:30)
Surrounding yourself with people who call out “gap talk”
Reframing language and creating evidence of progress
Using timeframes (1 month, 6 months, 1 year) to highlight growth

7. Avoiding the Comparison Trap (10:30 – 13:30)
“Don’t compare your insides to someone else’s outsides”
Why outsiders only see polished versions—not the struggles behind the scenes

8. Summary and Challenge (15:00 – end)
You’re already further along than you realize
Take 2 minutes: Write down 3 ways you’ve grown in the last 3 months
Living in the gain fuels gratitude, joy, and sustainable success

Please RATE, REVIEW, and FOLLOW the Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast on Apple or Spotify!

If you’d like to connect, provide topic suggestions, or learn more:

DM me on Instagram at @sishmancoach

Message me on LinkedIn: Medical Mentor Coaching 

Email me: [email protected] 

Visit: www.medicalmentorcoaching.com/welcome

Connect with Kirsten Bombdiggity:

Episode 3: Buy Back Your Time — Delegation, Boundaries, and Reclaiming Joy in Medicine

In this episode of Medical Mentor Coaching, Dr. Stacey Ishman and Kirsten dive into Dan Martell’s book Buy Back Your Time and how its lessons apply to physicians in their first 10 years of practice. They explore the power of delegation, the trap of non-promotable tasks, and how to protect your most valuable resource—your time.

You’ll hear practical strategies for aligning your work with your values, setting boundaries with leadership, and making intentional choices that create more space for joy, creativity, and career growth.

This course will help you set up your practice, learn finances 101, build a research program, grow a national reputation, and create your personalized promotion plan. My mission is to help you envision your ideal career and chart your version of success.

Key Points:

Opening Reflections (0:00 – 2:00)

Stacey shares her recent decision to resign from a job that no longer served her.

How shifting focus creates space for growth in coaching and business.

Introducing Buy Back Your Time (2:00 – 3:30)

Overview of Dan Martell’s approach to reclaiming time.

Shifting from a “work leads to life” model to a “life leads to work” model.

If You Don’t Have an Assistant, You Are the Assistant (3:30 – 4:30)

The “aha” moment about the cost of doing tasks outside your zone of genius.

Introduction to Martell’s Productivity Quadrant (enjoyment vs. skill).

Delegation and Joy (4:30 – 6:30)

Why letting go of certain tasks frees you to focus on what matters most.

Giving others the opportunity to thrive in their zone of genius.

The 80% Rule (6:30 – 8:00)

Why work that’s done 80% as well by someone else is still a huge win.

Real-life examples: from cooking shortcuts to research collaborations.

What’s Your Hourly Rate? (8:00 – 9:00)

A framework for deciding which tasks to outsource.

Why paying others can create more time and value than doing it yourself.

Investing in Help Early (9:00 – 11:00)

How hiring support (like a VA) validates your work as a “real business.”

Creative solutions: sharing support staff and scaling with others.

Application for Academic Medicine (11:00 – 12:30)

How residents, faculty, and physicians can delegate academic tasks.

Examples: research assistants, scribes, poster formatting, editing help.

Non-Promotable Tasks (13:00 – 16:00)

The hidden cost of taking on administrative or social tasks.

Why saying “yes” to these can slow career growth.

Framing boundaries in terms of department goals.

Boundaries and Leadership (16:00 – 18:30)

How to communicate priorities with leaders.

The importance of reframing “no” as service to the larger mission.

Takeaways and Action Steps (18:30 – 20:00)

Kirsten: List your top 5 dreaded tasks and explore ways to delegate or automate.

Stacey: Start with one task you can let go of this week.

Summary:
Buy Back Your Time isn’t just for entrepreneurs—it’s a playbook for early-career physicians who want to align their careers with their values. By focusing on your zone of genius, saying no to non-promotable tasks, and delegating strategically, you reclaim time for what matters most—your growth, joy, and impact.

Please RATE, REVIEW, and FOLLOW the Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

If you’d like to connect or suggest topics:

DM me on Instagram: @sishmancoach 

Message me on LinkedIn: Medical Mentor Coaching 

Email me: [email protected] 

Visit: www.medicalmentorcoaching.com/welcome

Connect with Kirsten Bombdiggity:

Episode 02: Atomic Habits
Release Date: 09.03.2025
Episode Length: 23:00
Hosts: Dr. Stacey Ishman & Kirsten Bombdiggity

In this episode, Dr. Stacey Ishman and Kirsten Bombdiggity dive deep into James Clear's Atomic Habits, exploring how tiny changes can create remarkable results. They share personal takeaways about habit stacking, identity-based habits, and why 1% better every day compounds into transformational change. Plus, real stories from their coaching practices about clients who've used these principles to revolutionize their careers and lives.

What You'll Learn:

About the Book: Atomic Habits by James Clear is a practical guide to building good habits and breaking bad ones through tiny, consistent changes. Published in 2018, it's been translated into 50+ languages and spent over 200 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, fundamentally changing how people approach personal development. Amazon Link: https://amazon.com/dp/0735211299

Key Points:

Weekly Wins & Celebrations (2:00-3:30)

Book Overview (5:00-6:00)

Deep Dive Summary (6:00-12:00)

Biggest Takeaways (12:00-16:00)

Real-World Applications (16:00-22:00)

Next Episode Preview (22:00-23:00)

Key Quotes: "Perfection is just procrastination in a tuxedo." "If I was a badass with money, what's something that I would be doing that maybe I'm not doing now?" "Just because you stop once or miss one doesn't mean the habit's over."

Connect with Your Hosts:

Dr. Stacey Ishman

Kirsten Bombdiggity

Book Recommendations Mentioned:

Subscribe & Follow: New episodes every other week! Available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Guest Opportunities: Authors interested in being featured on Your New Release can reach out through LinkedIn or email. We welcome discussions about transformative books, especially recent releases or overlooked gems.

Please RATE, REVIEW and FOLLOW Your New Release on your favorite podcast app!

Episode 01: Meet Your Hosts

Release Date: 09.01.2025
Episode Length: 10:26
Hosts: Dr. Stacey Ishman & Kirsten Bombdiggity

What if the right book at the right time could change your entire career? Welcome to the inaugural episode of Your New Release, where Dr. Stacey Ishman, ENT surgeon and founder of Medical Mentor Coaching, and Kirsten Bombdiggity, creator of the Neuro-Proof Narrative Quest, introduce themselves and share the vision behind their transformative new podcast.

In this introductory episode, discover how an unlikely partnership between a data-driven surgeon and a narrative intelligence coach creates the perfect balance for exploring books that shift perspectives and change lives. You'll hear their origin stories, learn what makes them both "book junkies" who get "nerd dopamine hits" from transformative reads, and understand why the same book can hit completely differently depending on where you are in your story.

What You'll Discover:

Meet Your Hosts:

Dr. Stacey Ishman

Kirsten Bombdiggity

Key Highlights:

What's Coming Next: Starting with Episode 2, each episode will feature one transformative book with:

First Book Feature: Episode 2 will dive into James Clear's Atomic Habits

Episode Format: This podcast is for anyone who believes books can be catalysts for change. Whether you're looking to advance your career, transform your identity, or simply do things 1% better, join these two dynamic coaches every other week as they explore the books that shape how we coach, lead, and grow.

Subscribe & Follow: New episodes every other week on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Guest Authors Welcome: Have a book that changed lives? Reach out about being featured on Your New Release.

Please RATE, REVIEW and FOLLOW Your New Release on your favorite podcast app!

Ready for honest, practical, and refreshingly authentic conversations about growth, change, and the power of a good book to help you release old stories and unlock your favorite self? Hit that subscribe button and join us on this journey!