The Doctor's Crossing Carpe Diem Podcast

Seeking validation is a normal human behavior - whether we realize we are doing it or not. This can be especially true for physicians, who are often natural people pleasers. However, if you are considering a career or life change, it's important not to let the need for validation from others hold you back from doing what's best for you. In today's solo episode (my 100th podcast!), I'm discussing a...

Have you ever wanted to pursue a passion but felt like something was holding you back? This is common among physicians and my guest today, Dr. Debra Blaine, is here to discuss how to conquer common obstacles we perceive to be standing in the way of pursuing our passion. Dr. Blaine is a family medicine physician and fiction novelist who will share the benefits of following a passion, how to make ti...

While many physicians are looking to make the leap to a nonclinical career, others want to continue practicing, but do it on their own terms. A popular option for those in the latter group is direct primary care, or DPC. Today, I'm excited to have not one, but two, direct primary care and lifestyle medicine physicians as my guests, Drs. Monica and Prisiliano Salas. They'll discuss what DPC is, the...

Have you ever had an "aha moment" where you suddenly realize there is a significant problem you've been avoiding by burying your head in the sand? This is a common behavior, and there are many reasons we may lean on this coping mechanism. But once you've admitted there is a problem, what's the next step? That's what today's guest, Dr. Tom Black, is here to discuss. Dr. Black is a Naval veteran and...

Resigning from your current job is often the very last step in a job or career change. And while this task sounds simple, physicians often have questions about how best to approach it. Do you need to let your boss know where you are going? Should you provide information about why you're leaving? In today's solo episode I'll be answering these important questions and reviewing best practices for a...

If you're ready for a career move but don't want to make the leap to another industry or leave your current workplace, your answer may be right in front of you. Trying out a managerial or administrative role in your current institution is a great way to explore different nonclinical areas without changing jobs. On today's episode, I'm talking with returning guest, Dr. John Jurica, about the types...

As a physician, it's common to feel weighed down by systemic issues that leave you feeling stuck in your job, career, or role. However, sometimes the first step to making a change is changing the way you think. In today's episode, I'm talking with Dr. Nneka Una, founder of EntreMD, and we'll discuss how to shift your mindset from victimhood to empowerment so you can make positive changes and move...

Once you've decided to make the leap to a nonclinical career, you may think your transition is on it's way. However, breaking this news to your patients, colleagues, and family can be an unexpected obstacle in the career change process. In today's solo episode, I'm tackling the many nuances of this sticky issue, from ways to approach this discussion to handling the myriad reactions you may receive...

One of the biggest questions early-career physicians can grapple with when considering a nonclinical career is whether or not to finish residency. This is a big decision with many factors to consider, and the right answer is not the same for everyone. My guest today, Dr. Chelsea Turgeon, made the difficult decision to leave her OB/GYN residency after realizing clinical medicine was not the best ca...

When embarking on a career change, most physicians naturally start by looking outward: What role fits me best? Where should I apply? However, if you don't take the time to look inward and develop a good relationship with yourself, these outward steps may not yield the results you are hoping for. Today's guest, Dr. Cindy Tsai, is an internal medicine physician, coach, and author, who will discuss t...

While some physicians are ready to fully transition out of clinical practice, others are looking for the best of both worlds: maintaining some clinical work and also pursuing nonclinical interests. Finding this balance through a portfolio career can keep your work interesting and prevent burnout by adding variety to your everyday routine. Today's guest, Dr. Jingyi Liu, knew early on this was the p...

Despite all the hard work and planning, unexpected events can still derail a physician's career in ways that are beyond our control. This is exactly what happened to today's guest, who I'm calling Dr. Usman to protect his identity. When things fell apart in his anesthesia residency, Dr. Usman never gave up on his dreams and demonstrated exceptional grit and determination in forging his own path ah...

Lots of physicians take on "extracurricular" work in their jobs, often motivated by their desire to solve a problem that is frustrating them. In unexpected and intriguing ways, this desire to solve a problem may end up leading these physicians into a new career direction. My guest today, Dr. Jennifer Bepple, is here to share how she did this with her passion for using technology to solve a problem...

Have you ever thought about not just transitioning to a nonclinical career, but actually pursuing a field totally outside of healthcare? That's what today's guest, Dr. Kricia Palmer, did to follow her dream of becoming an interior designer - and she couldn't be happier. Like many folks transitioning to a nonclinical career, Dr. Palmer grappled with her decision and she'll share with us how she dec...

When speaking with physicians considering a transition to a nonclinical career, one of the most common concerns I hear is, "All I have is clinical experience, how can this translate to a nonclinical career?" The answer - in more ways than you can imagine! My guest today, Dr. Caitlin Delaney, is the Director of Business Development and Medical Advisor for flipMD, a company that connects physicians...

If you're early in your career and feeling like clinical medicine isn't the right path for you, you're not alone. Many physicians struggle with the decision about whether or not to leave residency. It can be hard to know if these feelings are temporary or not and whether "sticking it out" will be beneficial for your future career. Today I'm talking with Dr. Sam Kessel, who realized during his inte...

What if I told you there was a nonclinical career that allowed you to spend your time helping patients understand their medical conditions and get appropriate care? Does this sound too good to be true? Today's guest, Dr. Caitlin Fawcett, is here to tell you it's not. Dr. Fawcett is a patient advocate and she'll discuss what's involved in her role, how a family medical diagnosis led her down this c...

Decided on your nonclinical career path? Check. Tuned up your resume? Check. Applied to jobs? Check. Prepared for your nonclinical interview?? If not, it's time to add this item to your checklist and start preparing well in advance. Transitioning to a nonclinical role means adapting to a different interview style. My guest today is Dr. Karyn Woelflein, a PM&R physician who transitioned to a noncli...

In planning a transition to a nonclinical career, have you considered the role your personality plays in choosing the job that fits you best? Understanding your personality type can help you recognize which jobs are a good match for you. Enter the Enneagram! In this second episode of a two-part series, physician and coach Dr. Karen Barnard joins me again for a detailed look at this handy tool. We'...

You likely know many of your personality traits. Are you loyal? A caregiver? A protector?  But have you ever considered how your combination of personality traits might play a role in what jobs are the best fit for you? This is where the Enneagram comes in! In today's episode, which is part one of a two-part series, I'll be taking a deep dive into this incredible tool with fellow physician and coa...

Have you ever wished you were able to help your patients create a healthier lifestyle, rather than just treating the diseases that can result from unhealthy habits? Today's guest, Dr. Heather Hammerstedt, is an ER physician who has been passionate about helping others live healthier lives since before medical school - and now she harnesses the principles of lifestyle medicine to do just that. She'...

Have you ever heard someone say they're a consultant and thought, "OK, but what does that really mean?" While there are consultants in just about every field, physician consultants bring a special expertise to many healthcare-related areas, making this a potentially lucrative and fulfilling side gig or career change option. My guest today, Dr. Christopher Loo, is a true entrepreneur and he's here...

What would you do if there were more time in the day? Finally write that novel? Spend it with family? Get more sleep? While we can't make more time in the day, many of us can use the time we have to get personal and professional tasks done more efficiently. In today's episode, Dr. Andrew Wilner joins me as we share some of our favorite time management strategies. We discuss 7 tips including how kn...

While many physicians experiencing burnout feel the best path for them is transitioning to a nonclinical job, others realize they have a clinical passion outside of their current specialty that reinvigorates their love for practicing medicine. This is what happened to today's guest, Dr. Dana Muhlfelder, an EM physician who found joy and balance by pursuing work in the hospice and palliative care f...

Many physicians looking for a nonclinical role are interested in the pharmaceutical industry, but concerned that a lack of clinical trial experience makes them undesirable candidates. Today's guest, Dr. Madeline Edwards, is here to discuss why this is far from the truth. Dr. Edwards transitioned from a clinical role as an OB-GYN into a drug safety position at a pharmaceutical company by strengthen...