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PODCAST

Better Physician Life: How to Get Unstuck in Your Medical Career

Doctor Podcast Network, Physician Coach, Michael Hersh MD

Many physicians feel stuck. But what if mid-career medicine didn’t mean burnout, boredom, or being boxed in? Better Physician Life, hosted by Dr. Michael Hersh, is the podcast that helps doctors reclaim clarity, joy, and purpose in their careers—without quitting medicine. Through honest solo episodes and transformative guest interviews, Dr. Hersh explores what it really means to design a life in medicine on your own terms. This is where mindset meets reinvention—and where stuck doctors find the

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All Episodes

00:20:11

You Get to Be Angry: The Emotion Physicians Aren’t...

Better Physician Life: How to Get Unstuck in Your... ·

2026/02/23

Have you ever felt anger hit you so fast you didn’t even see it coming, and then felt ashamed for feeling it at all?Anger isn’t a character flaw, it’s a normal human emotion, and physicians feel it more than we like to admit. In this episode of Better Physician Life, Dr. Michael Hersh explains why anger often arrives as a secondary emotion covering disappointment, fear, shame, or loss of control, why suppressing it leads to sarcasm, impatience, or snapping, and how it leaks sideways when we refuse

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00:18:30

Physician Overwhelm: 5 Practical Strategies to Reduce...

Better Physician Life: How to Get Unstuck in Your... ·

2026/02/16

Do you ever finish a ‘good’ day feeling like you’ve accomplished nothing because everything still feels urgent and unfinished?Overwhelm doesn’t just hit physicians out of nowhere; it builds quietly from carrying too many unanswered questions and subtle resistance. In this episode of Better Physician Life, Dr. Michael Hersh breaks down what overwhelm really is and what it isn’t, why it feels so heavy even on busy-but-manageable days, and the five key shifts that help physicians take back

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00:14:35

How Physicians Can Take Back Control: Agency vs....

Better Physician Life: How to Get Unstuck in Your... ·

2026/02/09

What if the “agency” being offered to physicians isn’t empowerment—but a more polished way of staying inside the lines?In this episode of Better Physician Life, Dr. Michael Hersh examines the quiet shift from physician autonomy to what is now being labeled “agency,” and why that distinction matters more than it sounds. He unpacks how autonomy once meant real authority paired with responsibility at the bedside, while today’s version of agency often amounts to influence within systems physicians don’t

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00:35:44

When Doctors Get Sued: Surviving Medical Malpractice...

Better Physician Life: How to Get Unstuck in Your... ·

2026/02/02

In this episode of Better Physician Life, Dr. Michael Hersh speaks with emergency physician Dr. Gita Pensa about what it’s actually like to be named in a malpractice lawsuit—and how to get through it without losing your footing. Drawing from her own 12-year case, Dr. Pensa explains the emotional impact most physicians aren’t prepared for, including shame, doubt, and isolation, alongside the practical realities of what to do after you’re served.They walk through early mistakes to avoid, how to

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00:19:01

Physician Feedback: How to Take Criticism and Keep...

Better Physician Life: How to Get Unstuck in Your... ·

2026/01/26

What if the moment you cringe at ‘Can I give you some feedback?’ is actually the exact moment you start growing fastest?For physicians, feedback rarely feels like a gift. It feels like proof we messed up. From brutal ICU rounds to hallway comments years later, we were trained that mistakes equal danger, so any critique hits our identity, not just our performance. In this episode, Dr. Michael Hersh dismantles that fear and hands you a new lens: feedback is data, not a verdict.Learn why the discomfort

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00:16:17

The Power of No: Physician Boundaries Without Guilt...

Better Physician Life: How to Get Unstuck in Your... ·

2026/01/19

Every extra “yes” at 9 p.m., the quick message, the last-minute add-on, the coverage you didn’t have room for, is quietly stealing your life one compromise at a time. In this powerful episode, Dr. Michael Hersh exposes why physicians are professionally trained to over-give and why saying no feels like betrayal of the very identity medicine gave us: the helpful, reliable, never-let-anyone-down doctor.He reveals the uncomfortable truth—you can do everything perfectly, and someone will still be

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00:34:32

Surgical Complications and Self-Doubt: How Surgeons...

Better Physician Life: How to Get Unstuck in Your... ·

2026/01/12

What if the hardest part of being a surgeon isn’t the case in front of you… But the one still living in your head at 2 a.m.?In this powerful episode of Better Physician Life, board-certified general surgeon, Lieutenant Colonel (ret.), and physician coach Dr. Amy Vertrees gets brutally honest about the part of surgery no one teaches: how to handle complications without destroying yourself.From deploying to Afghanistan to building her own private practice, Amy has spent years studying failure, shame,

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00:23:56

The Distracted Physician: How to Be More Present When...

Better Physician Life: How to Get Unstuck in Your... ·

2026/01/05

Ever walk in the door after a long day and realize your mind is still charting, triaging, and planning tomorrow? In this practical episode of Better Physician Life, Dr. Michael Hersh opens up about the moment his daughter asked, “Dad, why aren’t you playing?” and how that question changed everything.He explains why medicine trains us to live in constant motion, why multitasking at home is actually stealing your life. He walks you through his exact 4-step system: brain dump, Eisenhower Box, calendar

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00:21:21

Stop Coasting: Goal Setting Strategies For Every...

Better Physician Life: How to Get Unstuck in Your... ·

2025/12/29

What if New Year’s resolutions aren't the answer, but goals rooted in your "why" could transform your year?In this episode of Better Physician Life, Dr. Michael Hersh shares his shift from post-fellowship coasting to purposeful goal-setting. He explores why resolutions fail (no plan, no why), the fear holding us back, and how to set rooted goals with curiosity, systems, and celebration. Perfect for mid-career physicians feeling stuck, this episode offers tools to enjoy the process, navigate

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00:19:00

What If I Chose Wrong? Breaking the Regret Cycle in...

Better Physician Life: How to Get Unstuck in Your... ·

2025/12/22

What if regret isn't truth, but a story stealing your present?In this episode of Better Physician Life, Dr. Michael Hersh unpacks regret's grip on physicians—from specialty choices to life paths. He reveals how regret is indulgent and impedes progress. Dr. Hersh explores the impact of shifting from “what if?” to "what now?" through reflection, naming gifts, and intentional action. With examples of pivots and physician coaching breakthroughs, this episode empowers doctors to drop the weight, embrace

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00:40:53

The Case for Physician Coaching: From Anecdotes to...

Better Physician Life: How to Get Unstuck in Your... ·

2025/12/15

What if coaching isn't just hype, but evidence-backed medicine for your well-being?In this episode of Better Physician Life, Dr. Michael Hersh sits with Dr. Adrienne Mann and Dr. Tyra Fainstad, as they share their skeptical starts with physician coaching and how it evolved into a groundbreaking program. Drawing from personal rock-bottom moments and a large-scale study showing reduced burnout, imposter syndrome, and emotional exhaustion, they discuss practical tools like thought awareness, emotion

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00:36:08

Doctor-Patient Communication: What We Didn’t Learn in...

Better Physician Life: How to Get Unstuck in Your... ·

2025/12/08

What if the key to better patient interactions isn't more time or expertise, but how you show up?In this episode of Better Physician Life, Dr. Michael Hersh sits with Dr. Bradley Block as he shares his journey from communication struggles to mastery. Starting his podcast after a frustrating clinic day that cost him family time, Dr. Block reveals why efficiency serves everyone—from waiting patients to your own well-being. He discusses being methodical in visits, earning trust by appreciating patients

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00:20:47

Physician Complacency: The Silent Career Killer (and...

Better Physician Life: How to Get Unstuck in Your... ·

2025/12/01

What if your "good enough" life is quietly eroding your potential?In this episode of Better Physician Life, Dr. Michael Hersh explores complacency—the subtle numbness that sneaks in after success, making routines feel stale without crisis. Sharing personal stories, like his own "rinse and repeat" year and a client's guitar breakthrough, he challenges physicians to rate their lives (1-10), question fear of change, and embrace experiments for growth. Dr. Hersh offers tools to swap comfort for courage,

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00:24:03

The Scarcity Trap in Medicine: Why More Is Never...

Better Physician Life: How to Get Unstuck in Your... ·

2025/11/24

What if the constant feeling of "not enough" is the real virus draining your life in medicine?In this reflective episode of Better Physician Life, Dr. Michael Hersh unpacks the scarcity mindset that permeates physicians' lives—from chasing RVUs and promotions to feeling there's never enough time for family or self-care. Drawing from personal stories, like the anxiety of new hires or a canceled Thanksgiving trip, Dr. Hersh reveals how scarcity masquerades as ambition but steals joy and connection. He

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00:43:03

What If You Took the Risk? Physician Entrepreneurship...

Better Physician Life: How to Get Unstuck in Your... ·

2025/11/17

What if embracing change could unlock a more fulfilling life in medicine?In this inspiring episode of Better Physician Life, host Dr. Michael Hersh welcomes Dr. Jimmy Turner, an academic anesthesiologist, certified coach, author of Determined: How Burned Out Doctors Can Thrive in a Broken Medical System, and co-host of the Money Meets Medicine podcast. Jimmy shares his journey from skepticism to entrepreneurship, revealing how starting a blog and podcast led to coaching physicians on burnout,

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00:16:00

Medicine, Identity, and Your Future Self: The...

Better Physician Life: How to Get Unstuck in Your... ·

2025/11/10

What if your future self could tell you what matters most right now?In this Insightful episode of Better Physician Life, Dr. Michael Hersh invites you to imagine the older, wiser version of yourself—10, 20, or 30 years from now—and consider what they’d thank you for today. Reflecting on his own journey of neglecting health, missing family moments, and feeling stuck, Dr. Hersh shares how medicine’s relentless demands can disconnect you from what truly matters. He offers actionable tools, like the

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00:23:02

The Problem With Other People: How Unspoken...

Better Physician Life: How to Get Unstuck in Your... ·

2025/11/03

What if the frustration you feel isn’t about others, but the silent rules you expect them to follow?In this insightful episode of Better Physician Life, Dr. Michael Hersh explores the invisible "manuals" physicians carry—unspoken expectations about how colleagues, patients, and even family should act. Drawing from personal stories, like clenching his jaw in traffic or feeling let down by unspoken needs, Dr. Hersh reveals how these manuals fuel resentment and disconnection in medicine and life. He

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00:44:10

Shame In Medicine: What Every Doctor Feels and Hides...

Better Physician Life: How to Get Unstuck in Your... ·

2025/10/27

What if the shame we bury in medicine is actually a signal for growth?Dr. Michael Hersh sits down with Dr. Will Bynum to explore the role of shame in physicians' lives. Drawing from Dr. Bynum's personal journey, from a residency error and personal struggles to discovering Brené Brown's work, they unpack shame's definition, its ties to vulnerability (especially for men), and its overlaps with fixed mindsets. The conversation offers practical tools like examining assumptions, shifting focus outward,

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00:19:23

I'll Be Happy When: The Race That Never Ends In...

Better Physician Life: How to Get Unstuck in Your... ·

2025/10/20

Ever feel like happiness is just one milestone away, only to find the finish line keeps moving?Dr. Michael Hersh explores the "arrival fallacy." The trap of believing that the next achievement will finally bring fulfillment. Drawing from his own journey, from counting down fellowship days to chasing financial independence, he reveals how this mindset keeps physicians stuck in a cycle of striving. Dr. Hersh shares actionable tools, like redefining success based on personal values, pausing to notice

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00:18:16

Choose Your Discomfort: How Playing It Safe Keeps...

Better Physician Life: How to Get Unstuck in Your... ·

2025/10/13

What if the discomfort you’re avoiding is the key to the life you want?Dr. Michael Hersh dives into the transformative power of choosing discomfort intentionally. He reflects on how physicians often trade the discomfort of growth for the familiar unease of staying stuck, whether it’s Sunday night dread or the quiet regret of unfulfilled potential. Dr. Hersh shares personal stories and actionable tools, like naming emotions, embracing vulnerability, and taking small, courageous steps, to help

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31 results

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