Academic Medicine Strategy Podcast

Why Doing Great Work Is Not Enough to Get Promoted In this episode of the Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast , Dr. Stacey Ishman breaks down one of the most misunderstood truths in academic medicine: promotion is not a reward for effort. It is an evaluation of coherence, clarity, and impact. Using real examples from faculty CVs and promotion committees, Stacey explains why excellent work can still st...

You Don’t Have a Time Management Problem — You Have a Priority System Failure In this episode of the Medical Mentor Coaching podcast, Dr. Stacey Ishman challenges one of the most common assumptions early-career physicians make: that feeling behind is a time problem. Drawing from real coaching examples and lived experience in academic medicine, she explains why the real issue is a missing or misali...

Likable Badass Leadership — Leading with Warmth and Confidence In this episode of Medical Mentor Coaching , Dr. Stacey Ishman explores the concept of Likable Badass Leadership , inspired by Likable Badass by Alison Fragale. Designed for physicians in their first 10 years of practice, this conversation reframes leadership as the intentional balance of warmth and competence—connection and confidence...

In this episode, Dr. Stacey Ishman explores why constant input is undermining clarity for physicians in their first 10 years of practice—and how intentional silence can become a powerful tool for insight, creativity, and confident leadership. Drawing on neuroscience, real-life reflection, and practical strategies, she reframes silence not as absence, but as a strategic skill for thinking better, l...

Leading When You Don't Have All the Answers Listen directly on   Apple   or   Spotify In this episode of Medical Mentor Coaching for Physicians in Their First 10 Years of Practice , Dr. Stacey Ishman explores one of the most underrated leadership skills in academic medicine: leading through uncertainty . Physicians are trained to know the answers—yet real leadership often requires n...

Visibility & Connection in One Hour a Week Listen directly on   Apple   or   Spotify In this episode, Dr. Stacey Ishman breaks down how early-career physicians can build national visibility and meaningful professional relationships without overwhelm —using a simple, one-hour-a-week framework. If you’ve ever felt torn between wanting to be known for your work and just trying to s...

Finding Joy Again in Academic Medicine Through a Career Pivot Listen directly on   Apple   or   Spotify In this episode of the Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast , Dr. Stacey Ishman shares her personal journey of rediscovering joy and purpose in academic medicine through a career pivot. After stepping away from clinical practice for 18 months to lead a utilization management program, s...

From Perfectionist to Pro — The 80% Rule Revealed! Listen directly on   Apple   or   Spotify In this episode, Dr. Stacey Ishman explores one of the biggest mindset shifts for early-career physicians: moving from perfectionism to progress. She introduces the “80% Rule,” a practical framework that helps you escape the trap of over-editing, over-preparing, and overthinking — and start...

The Invisible Work That Builds National Visibility Listen directly on   Apple   or   Spotify In this episode of Medical Mentor Coaching , Dr. Stacey Ishman explores the often-overlooked “invisible work” that builds national visibility for physicians. From quiet acts of professionalism to behind-the-scenes committee work, she shares how consistent follow-through, authentic relationsh...

How Mentorship Changes Everything – Two Conversations That Shaped Careers Listen directly on   Apple   or   Spotify In this episode of the Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast , Dr. Stacey Ishman explores how mentorship can transform the trajectory of an early-career physician. Through two powerful mentorship stories—her own and that of a colleague—she illustrates how clarity of focus, a...

How to Lead When You Are Not the Boss: Academic Medicine Edition Listen directly on   Apple   or   Spotify In this episode, Dr. Stacey Ishman explores the powerful concept that leadership begins long before you receive a formal title. She shares practical strategies for early-career physicians to build influence, shape culture, and create meaningful change from any position within a...

Unlocking the Secret to Effective Feedback Listen directly on   Apple   or   Spotify In this episode, Dr. Stacey Ishman explores the art of giving effective feedback in academic medicine. She discusses common pitfalls in feedback delivery and introduces a powerful framework that focuses on the "ideal version" of a role rather than past shortcomings. Through personal examples and pra...

How to Be Selected to Speak at a Meeting When They Don't Know Who You Are YET Listen directly on   Apple   or   Spotify In this episode, Dr. Stacey Ishman tackles one of the biggest challenges facing early-career physicians: getting selected to speak at conferences when you're still building your reputation. She addresses the classic catch-22 of needing exposure to build credibility...

Why Your Calendar is the Most Powerful Academic Tool Listen directly on   Apple   or   Spotify In this episode of the Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast , Dr. Stacey Ishman shares why your calendar is more than just a scheduling tool—it's your greatest asset for achieving academic success and avoiding burnout in the first 10 years of practice. She offers a practical, honest look at how...

How to Decode Academic Promotion Criteria Before You Waste 5 Years Listen directly on   Apple   or   Spotify In this episode, Dr. Stacey Ishman tackles one of the most critical yet overlooked aspects of academic medicine: understanding your institution's promotion criteria from day one. She reveals why many physicians waste years on activities that don't align with their promotion r...

Envisioning Your Ideal Career Listen directly on   Apple   or   Spotify In this episode of the Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast , Dr. Stacey Ishman dives into how early-career physicians can build a fulfilling and aligned professional life by starting with their core values, mission, and vision. Through personal stories and real-life examples, she walks listeners through the practica...

Your First Attending Job – Setting the Stage for a Career You Love Listen directly on   Apple   or   Spotify In this episode of the Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast , Dr. Stacey Ishman welcomes new attending physicians with a practical and empowering guide to launching a fulfilling academic medical career. Drawing on two decades of mentoring and her own experience navigating academic...

⏰ Guess What's Draining Your Time! Listen directly on   Apple   or   Spotify In this episode, Dr. Stacey Ishman discusses the impact of context switching on productivity, patient care, and overall well-being for physicians. She offers insights into the challenges of multitasking and provides strategies for managing interruptions and improving focus in academic medicine. No need to...

Rediscovering My Emotions: 5 Essential Tips Listen directly on   Apple   or   Spotify In this episode, Dr. Stacey Ishman shares her personal journey of rediscovering emotional awareness after years of emotional detachment in medical practice. She discusses the importance of acknowledging and processing emotions for physicians, offering insights and practical tips to help physicians...

How to Get People To Do What You Want Listen directly on   Apple   or   Spotify In this episode, Dr. Stacy Ishman discusses the art of giving effective constructive criticism, focusing on how to provide feedback that builds people up rather than shutting them down. She shares personal insights and practical advice on improving communication skills for physicians and mentors. No need...

Choose Your Own Adventure: When to Say Yes and When to Say No Listen directly on   Apple   or   Spotify In this episode, Dr. Stacey Ishman discusses the art of decision-making for early-career physicians, focusing on when to accept or decline opportunities. She offers practical advice on aligning choices with personal goals and maintaining a balanced approach to career advancement....

Being An Exceptional Medical Educator: Teaching Adult Learners Listen directly on   Apple   or   Spotify In this episode, Dr. Stacey Ishman discusses effective strategies for teaching adult learners in medical settings. She focuses on three key principles to help academic physicians master the art of teaching: 1) fostering active learning 2) providing constructive feedback 3) tailor...

Thriving in Academic Medicine Without Losing Your Mind (Part 2) Listen directly on   Apple   or   Spotify In this episode, Dr. Stacey Ishman continues her discussion on thriving in academic medicine, focusing on developing research skills and effective goal-setting strategies for early-career physicians. She offers practical advice on building a strong research foundation and mainta...

Thriving in Academic Medicine Without Losing Your Mind (Part 1) Listen directly on   Apple   or   Spotify This episode shares insights on how to thrive in academic medicine while maintaining balance. Dr. Stacey Ishman focuses on the challenge of embracing dual identities as both a clinician and an academician, offering practical advice for early-career physicians.   No need to...

Taylor Swift's Success Lessons for Early Career Physicians Listen directly on   Apple   or   Spotify This episode explores how Taylor Swift's career and songs offer valuable insights for physicians in their first 10 years of practice. Host Stacey Ishman, a full professor and ENT surgeon, draws parallels between Swift's journey and the challenges faced by early-career physicians, off...