Slice of Piefer

In Episode 043 of Slice of Piefer, Dr. Jason Piefer and Taylar talk about the “Cut Rule” — a chance to cut is a chance to cure. They break down why taking action (even with incomplete information) is essential in high-stakes situations. They share real OR stories: Unexpected infections during elective cases Making quick decisions when things don’t go as planned The importance of integrity, speakin...

In Episode 042 of Slice of Piefer, Dr. Jason Piefer and Taylar launch “Will the Good Wednesday” — a new series focused on intentionally willing the good of others through small (and big) acts of service, kindness, and leadership. They dive into: Why integrity is the #1 quality to look for in any team member How to build a high-trust surgical team that speaks up and moves together The power of sinc...

In Episode 041 of Slice of Piefer, Dr. Jason Piefer and Taylar discuss “The Scar Rule” — the reality that every surgeon leaves a mark, and how to strive for the best possible outcome while accepting that not everything goes perfectly. They share real (and challenging) cases from the OR: Infections that turned more serious than expected Vascular injuries during routine procedures Amputations after...

Dr. Jason Piefer and Taylar dive deep into the powerful principle of “Willing the Good of the Other” — what it really means, where it comes from, and how it shapes high-stakes leadership in the operating room and beyond. They discuss: Making tough patient-centered decisions (even when it costs time or money) Building trust with your team and empowering everyone to speak up Purpose vs. ambition and...

Dr. Jason Piefer and Taylar bring the laughs with random movie quotes, meme talk, and plenty of chaos. Dr. Piefer shares stories about his mom — a true jack of all trades who was also a shrimp boat captain — and the hard work ethic she instilled in him. They recap finishing “Had a Mentals” (managing negative self-talk), look ahead to their next book club pick Atomic Habits, swap weekend call stori...

In Episode 038 of Slice of Piefer, Dr. Jason Piefer and Taylar catch up on weekends, family chaos, and food temptations — including cookie cake binges, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, reverse dieting struggles, and the wild idea of avocado coffee. They talk glucose monitors, kids’ birthday parties, weekend getaways, and the reality of balancing healthy habits with real life. Fun, relatable, and full o...

Dr. Jason Piefer and Taylar get real about failure — why we fear it, how perfectionism holds us back, and why embracing discomfort and learning from mistakes is essential for growth in medicine, leadership, parenting, and life. They share personal stories about unrealistic expectations, the importance of action over paralysis, redefining what “success” looks like, and how failing forward creates b...

In this episode of Slice of Piefer, we dive into the extreme world of endurance athletes—focusing on Ironman Texas in The Woodlands. From swimming over 2 miles… to biking 112… to running a full marathon—this is 140.6 miles of pure grit. NOTE: This episode was recorded on April 15, 2026, prior to the IRONMAN Texas Championship held on April 18, 2026. In the days following this recording, we learned...

In Episode 035 of Slice of Piefer, Dr. Jason Piefer and Taylar break down the 5 common leadership pitfalls (Tyrant, Pleaser, Indecisive/Analytic, Flustered, and Distracted) and what they look like when pressure hits in the OR, in business, and in life. They discuss real examples from surgery and daily leadership, why these tendencies show up, the surprising strengths hidden in each “flaw,” and pra...

In this fun, laid-back episode of Slice of Piefer, Dr. Jason Piefer and Taylar catch up after a few days apart. They dive into random nostalgia — Jerry Springer, Ricki Lake, Thunder Rolls triggering wild memories — April Fools pranks, family life, and what they’ve been reading in the book club (Extreme Ownership & Unreasonable Hospitality). They also touch on real-world frustrations like insur...

In Episode 033 of Slice of Piefer, Dr. Jason Piefer sits down with Dr. Gary Vadala, Chief Medical Officer at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center and experienced cardiologist. They discuss Dr. Vadala’s journey from full-time practicing cardiologist and group president to hospital leadership, the challenges of change management (including Epic implementation), physician behavior under pres...

Just 6 days after bilateral triceps tendon repair surgery, tax attorney and former athlete Nick Agharkar joins Dr. Jason Piefer and Taylar on Slice of Piefer. Nick opens up about the freak skiing accident that tore both tendons, the decision to fix both at once, early recovery struggles, planned “noncompliance” for hygiene, and how a strong mindset keeps him moving forward. The conversation dives...

Live from the Aspire Tour in Houston! Dr. Jason Piefer and Taylar broadcast from the Emerald Lounge, interviewing David Meltzer, Kim Walsh Phillips and Stefano Sinicropi. Hear raw conversations on high-stakes leadership, inspiration, branding, and turning pressure into purpose—plus behind-the-scenes chaos and the energy of a sold-out event. A must-watch episode packed with motivation, real talk, a...

Dr. Jason Piefer and Taylar dish on a "slice of humble pie" from a challenging subtrochanteric femur fracture case—F-tool on standby, pig sticker drama, knife-on-a-stick incisions, and why these nails can turn a "quick" case into hours of wrestling bone fragments. They swap stories from clinic (talking patients out/in of surgery, debunking internet myths), on-call surprises (fight bites, gunshot w...

In Episode 029 of Slice of Piefer, Dr. Jason Piefer and Taylar chat about her PA recertification (19/25 blind, no studying!), childhood theater roles (Cowardly Lion in Wizard of Oz, centipede in James and the Giant Peach), Olympics drama (Lindsey Vonn’s brutal injury + curling beef), book club wrap-up (Unreasonable Hospitality), next read (Extreme Ownership), and wild Aspire Tour plans—including a...

Dr. Jason Piefer and Taylar welcome Garrett and Count Otto von Burgundy from the Holy Roman Empire for a hilarious role-play takeover! Dive into medieval history, Sherwood Forest Fair antics (set in 1194), costuming tips, 3D printing for props, jousting, and Garrett's real-life role as an X-ray tech in orthopedics—balancing fun hobbies with clinic life, travel, and even German chocolate pie. A fun...

n Episode 027 of Slice of Piefer, Dr. Jason Piefer and Taylar chat with Braxton Kilgore, CEO of I Believe in You, about his move from Florida to Arizona (with a Texas pitstop), football-inspired resilience, building a "kindness army" through reassurance bracelets, mental health advocacy, partnering with schools/sports teams, and turning personal struggles into positive impact. Braxton shares heart...

Dr. Jason Piefer and Taylar chat with Tammy Bateman, Houston-area real estate broker and entrepreneur at Tammy Bateman Properties. Dive into the recent real estate market revival despite rates, prepping for Texas freezes, DISC personality types (Tammy's a high-D!), avoiding toxic leadership, delegating strengths, family life as a mom of three, and balancing business with fun. Tammy shares tips on...

Dr. Jason Piefer chats with GeGe, a Romania-based media promoter and collaborator with David Meltzer, about her Las Vegas trip for filming "Office Hours," embracing a night owl schedule across time zones, and shifting from goal-chasing to daily growth in 2026. Gigi shares wisdom on humility, gratitude, redefining success internally, avoiding social media comparisons, reading biographies for inspir...

Dr. Piefer chats with Marianne Rombola, a Las Vegas-based transformational coach who helps high-achievers (mostly men) overcome internal struggles and rebuild from the foundation up. Dive into her 12-month program, building trust, masculine-feminine balance, fire walk retreats, parallels between personal healing and home remodeling, leadership challenges, family life, emotional intelligence, and c...

Join Dr. Jason Piefer, board-certified orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine expert, in this special episode of Slice of Pie on Breakfast with Champions. Drawing from 14+ years in high-pressure operating rooms (600+ surgeries/year), Dr. Piefer shares actionable insights on leading under stress: spotting pitfalls like the "tyrant" or "indecisive" leader, and building foundations through love ("wil...

Dr. Maureen "Moe" Gibbons shares her transition from traditional medicine to entrepreneurship, highlighting her bestselling book, 'Freedom to Shift'. She discusses the challenges of adaptability in healthcare, the importance of creating supportive systems, and the lessons learned from her emergency room experiences. Gibbons emphasizes leadership, delegation, and the value of coaching in her growth...

Ileana Amparan shares personal stories about family dynamics, education, and the challenges of parenting. They discuss the balance between schooling and enjoyment, reflecting on their children's growth and past friendships. The conversation highlights the importance of social interactions, personal space, and supportive relationships. Experiences with leading retreats and teamwork are also shared,...

Nic Glazer shares his journey from intern to senior VP of marketing, highlighting the importance of relationships and teamwork. He discusses the evolution of 'Office Hours' into 'Two Minute Drill,' a pitch competition show. The conversation emphasizes loving the process, hard work, and gratitude for success. Personal experiences illustrate challenges faced and the significance of kindness and leav...

Summer Reinecke shares her experiences in medical education, focusing on dissection and career decision-making. They discuss the importance of shadowing professionals and understanding various medical paths. The conversation also covers making friends in college, the role of Greek life, and the joy of community. Effective study techniques and different learning styles are emphasized, along with pe...