Episode #209: Break the Stress Cycle: Mindfulness Techniques to Master Your Thoughts and Emotions
The Doctor’s Crossing Carpe Diem Podcast
Release Date: 12/11/2024
The Doctor’s Crossing Carpe Diem Podcast
We’re often told that gratitude is the answer, that if we could just appreciate what we have, everything would feel better. And while gratitude can be grounding and healing, there is a side of it that doesn’t get talked about enough. In this solo episode, I explore what happens when gratitude turns into pressure, when “I should be grateful” becomes a way of silencing your truth, minimizing your exhaustion, or staying stuck in a situation that no longer fits. This is what I call the gratitude trap, and it’s one many physicians encounter, especially at moments of transition. This...
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Have you ever found yourself helping a loved one through a confusing medical situation and thought, “I wish I could do this full-time”? You’re not alone. Many physicians are naturally drawn to patient advocacy and navigation, even if they don’t yet realize it has a name or a career path. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Angie Ingraham, a former trauma surgeon and critical care physician who made a powerful career transition after her father’s diagnosis with glioblastoma. Experiencing the healthcare system from the other side opened her eyes to the gaps patients and families face....
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Do you ever feel like your workday follows you home — in the form of unfinished charts, inbox messages, and nagging guilt about what’s still left to do? You’re not alone. For many physicians, charting is the part of the job that never seems to end — and it can leave you feeling exhausted, behind, and questioning whether you’ll ever catch up. Today’s guest, Dr. Sarah Smith, knows that struggle firsthand. As a rural family physician, she spent years buried under a mountain of paperwork until she discovered a way to completely transform her workday. Now, as the founder of Charting...
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Have you ever dreamed of practicing medicine in a way that actually fits your life? Where you're not racing through 15-minute visits, drowning in charts, or missing your kid’s birthday because of another call weekend? Then this episode is for you. I’m joined by Dr. Diana Kumar and Dr. Teresa Walsh, two board-certified OB-GYNs who opted out of the grind of a big healthcare system to co-found GLISS Wellness, a nationwide telemedicine practice for women’s health and menopause care. In just eight months, they turned an idea from their “burn book” into a real, thriving business. No...
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Have you ever been deep in a seemingly small, repetitive problem at work and thought, “There’s got to be a better way”? Today’s guest didn’t just have that thought—she ran with it, all the way from the ER to the shelves of Amazon. In this episode, Dr. Liz Clayborne, emergency physician and founder and CEO of Nasaclip, shares how a common clinical nuisance sparked a full blown medical innovation. What started as a passing thought during residency turned into a patented, market-ready device that’s now helping people everywhere from Disney cruises to school nurse’s offices....
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Have you ever felt the soul of your workplace—the sense of connection, purpose, and community—start to fade? That’s exactly what happened to Dr. Sonia Millan, a board-certified family medicine physician with additional certifications in sports and lifestyle medicine. When her autonomy dwindled and joy disappeared, she knew it was time to make a change. Instead of leaping into the unknown with one perfect plan, Sonia earned what she calls her “honorary master’s in pivotry.” She experimented, explored, and stayed curious—trying everything from chart review and patient advocacy to...
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If you’ve been in the interview process for a nonclinical job and suddenly find yourself in a holding pattern—no updates, no emails, and no clarity—you’re not alone. Delays, ghosting, and rejection can be confusing and discouraging, especially when everything seemed to be going well. In this episode, Heather shares why these frustrating pauses happen, what might be going on behind the scenes, and most importantly, how to respond so you stay confident, empowered, and ready for the next opportunity. You’ll learn practical strategies to follow up respectfully, gain insight from your...
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When you’re exploring nonclinical jobs, one of the very first hurdles is often the recruiter screening call. Many physicians assume this will just be a quick, casual chat but in reality, it can make or break whether you move forward in the process. In this episode, I’ll walk you through how to prepare for this important conversation as if I were coaching you one-on-one. You’ll learn what recruiters are really looking for, how to connect your story to their needs, and the simple but powerful ways you can build a bridge that sets you apart as a strong candidate. This isn’t about...
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Have you ever wondered what it really takes to pivot into a completely new career—especially when you don’t fit the traditional mold? In today’s episode, I’m joined by Dr. Michelle Mudge-Riley, a physician who took a bold leap from career coaching into the pharmaceutical world. Her story is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to follow your curiosity and explore what else is possible. We pull back the curtain on her transition, what it felt like to leave a successful business behind, and how she broke into pharma despite not being the typical candidate. Whether you're just...
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Have you ever fantasized about working from a seaside café in Italy or spending your mornings hiking the Alps before a day of virtual patient care? For many physicians, the dream of living abroad can feel out of reach—especially if continuing to practice medicine is important. But what if you didn’t have to choose between your career and your sense of adventure? In this inspiring episode, I’m joined by Dr. Ashwini Bapat, a palliative care physician and co-founder of Hippocratic Adventures, a vibrant community for doctors dreaming of life and work outside the U.S. Dr. Bapat shares her...
info_outlineThis week’s episode explores how mindfulness can help physicians manage stress, lengthen the pause between trigger and response, and create a sense of calm amidst the chaos. Joining me are two incredible guests, Dr. Jessie Mahoney and Dr. Ni-Cheng Liang, co-hosts of The Mindful Healers Podcast and leaders in mindfulness and physician well-being. We explore practical strategies for incorporating mindfulness into daily life, from clinical settings to home routines to navigating difficult situations. Whether you’re dealing with burnout, struggling to stay present, or simply curious about mindfulness, this episode will give you the tools and inspiration to take the first step.
You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here:
www.doctorscrossing.com/episode209
In this episode we’re talking about:
- What mindfulness really means and how it helps physicians stay present.
- How honing your capacity to pause and separate triggers and responses can improve interactions with patients and colleagues.
- Practical, quick techniques for staying present and focused that can be used throughout the day.
- The role of cultivating awareness in transforming limiting beliefs and building resilience.
- Mindfulness as a tool for navigating toxic environments or personal challenges.
- Explore the connection between mindfulness and self-compassion.
Links for this episode:
mindfulhealthcarecollective.com
A 12-Minute 4-7-8 Breathing Meditation