
Succeed in Medicine
Was your training enough to handle everything physician life demands? From lawsuits to leadership, career decisions to challenging conversations, balancing the personal with the professional — not enough was addressed in medical school, residency or fellowship.
This show fills those gaps so you can live up to the expectations that come with the white coat — not just in the exam room, but in all the places your MD follows you.
Your host, Dr. Bradley Block, a private practice ENT, is right there with you — navigating the same challenges and bringing in world-class guests to teach, as he puts it, “everything we should have been learning while we were memorizing Kreb’s cycle.” With nearly 500 episodes and close to half a million downloads, Brad has built a trusted space where physicians come for brass-tacks, immediately-applicable advice.
You don’t need another certification. You need a podcast that covers personal finance, private practice, side-gigs, main-gigs, reacting to bad reviews, misinformation, social media, charting, parenting, communicating, negotiating, leading, managing, teaching, learning and what to do when someone yells, “Is there a doctor on board?”
Latest episodes

Jul 8, 2025 • 33min
Ep473 - Decluttering Your Life: Insights from Tracy McCubbin
This episode is sponsored by: My Financial CoachYou trained to save lives—who’s helping you save your financial future? My Financial Coach connects physicians with CFP® Professionals who specialize in your complex needs. Whether it’s crushing student loans, optimizing investments, or planning for retirement, you’ll get a personalized strategy built around your goals. Save for a vacation home, fund your child’s education, or prepare for life’s surprises—with unbiased, advice-only planning through a flat monthly fee. No commissions. No conflicts. Just clarity.Visit myfinancialcoach.com/physiciansguidetodoctoring to meet your financial coach and find out if concierge planning is right for you.__________Dr. Bradley Block is relaunching the show on July 14th! Help by downloading 10 episodes, subscribing, and leaving a review. Email a screenshot to enter a raffle for prizes like FIGS scrubs or a podcast takeover—and get his one-page cheat sheet on how to nail the first 10 seconds of every patient encounter._________In a world drowning in clutter, how can physicians reclaim their space and sanity? Host Dr. Bradley Block welcomes Tracy McCubbin, to explore the psychology behind hoarding and practical decluttering strategies. With two decades of helping clients including many doctors, McCubbin explains how our hunter-gatherer instincts and sentimental attachments fuel a $10 billion storage industry. She addresses Dr. Block’s paper-hoarding habits, the outdated textbooks in his office, and the challenge of managing kids’ toys, offering insights on separating decluttering, organizing, and cleaning. This episode equips physicians with tools to break free from clutter paralysis and foster independence in their families. Three Actionable Takeaways:Digitize Information – Save articles and studies digitally in bookmarks instead of printing, reducing paper clutter.Separate Tasks – Tackle decluttering, organizing, and cleaning as distinct steps to avoid overwhelm.Set Habits – Establish consistent placement (e.g., keys in a bowl) to streamline daily routines and reduce stress.About the Show:PGD Physician’s Guide to Doctoring covers patient interactions, burnout, career growth, personal finance, and more. If you're tired of dull medical lectures, tune in for real-world lessons we should have learned in med school!About the Guest:Tracy McCubbin is the CEO and founder of dClutter Fly, one of America’s top decluttering companies, where she has helped thousands of clients, including physicians, clear clutter over the past 20 years. She is the author of Making Space Clutter-Free and her latest book, Make Space for Happiness. Recently, she transformed dClutter Fly into a franchise, empowering others to join her mission. Known for her practical and empathetic approach, McCubbin addresses the emotional and psychological barriers to decluttering, offering solutions tailored to busy professionals.Website: https://dclutterfly.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracy_mccubbin/?hl=enYoutube: http://www.youtube.com/@tracy_mccubbinAbout the host:Dr. Bradley Block – Dr. Bradley Block is a board-certified otolaryngologist at ENT and Allergy Associates in Garden City, NY. He specializes in adult and pediatric ENT, with interests in sinusitis and obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Block also hosts The Physician’s Guide to Doctoring podcast, focusing on personal and professional development for physiciansWant to be a guest? Email Brad at brad@physiciansguidetodoctoring.com or visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to learn more!Socials:@physiciansguidetodoctoring on Facebook@physicianguidetodoctoring on YouTube@physiciansguide on Instagram and Twitter
Visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to connect, dive deeper, and keep the conversation going. Let’s grow! Disclaimer:This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, financial, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional for personalized guidance.

Jul 1, 2025 • 40min
Ep472 - Finding Purpose in Medicine Through Faith and Ritual with Dr. Jonathan Weinkle
This episode is sponsored by: My Financial CoachYou trained to save lives—who’s helping you save your financial future? My Financial Coach connects physicians with CFP® Professionals who specialize in your complex needs. Whether it’s crushing student loans, optimizing investments, or planning for retirement, you’ll get a personalized strategy built around your goals. Save for a vacation home, fund your child’s education, or prepare for life’s surprises—with unbiased, advice-only planning through a flat monthly fee. No commissions. No conflicts. Just clarity.Visit myfinancialcoach.com/physiciansguidetodoctoring to meet your financial coach and find out if concierge planning is right for you.———————Can faith enhance medical practice and renew purpose? Host Dr. Bradley Block welcomes Dr. Jonathan Weinkle, for an in-depth discussion centered around his insightful book, ‘Illness to Exodus’. Drawing inspiration from the rich traditions of the Passover Seder, Dr. Weinkle has developed an innovative Healing Seder, a ritual designed to cultivate compassion and infuse a renewed sense of purpose into the daily lives of healthcare providers. Leveraging his deep Jewish heritage and his extensive experience teaching courses such as Death and the Healthcare Professions, he delves into the transformative potential of simple rituals, such as performing a morning Kiddush over a cup of coffee, which can elevate routine tasks into profoundly meaningful acts. This episode masterfully weaves together themes of faith, compelling storytelling, and actionable advice, providing physicians with valuable tools to rediscover their calling and maintain a purposeful approach to their practice, even amidst the monotony of repetitive patient care.Three Actionable Takeaways:Adopt a Daily Ritual – Use a morning Kiddush or similar practice (e.g., over coffee) to start your day with purpose and resilience.Embrace Patient Narratives – Listen to patients’ unique stories, like a Seder tale, to reignite curiosity and care in repetitive care settings.Navigate Faith Conflicts with Empathy – Engage with patients’ religious views openly to find common ground and tailor effective care plans.About the Show:PGD Physician’s Guide to Doctoring covers patient interactions, burnout, career growth, personal finance, and more. If you're tired of dull medical lectures, tune in for real-world lessons we should have learned in med school!About the Guest:Dr. Jonathan Weinkle is an internist and pediatrician who practices primary care and serves as Chief Medical Officer at Squirrel Hill Health Center in Pittsburgh. A University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine graduate with a Med-Peds residency, he is a clinical assistant professor in Family Medicine and part-time instructor in Religious Studies and Conceptual Foundations of Medicine at Pitt. He teaches Death and the Healthcare Professions and Healing and Humanity, authored Healing People, Not Patients and Illness to Exodus, and runs ‘Healers Who Listen’, where he blogs on healing and Jewish tradition. Once considering a rabbinical path, he now integrates faith and medicine to support physicians and patients.LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/jonathan-weinkle-3440032awebsite: https://healerswholisten.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/healerswholisten?igsh=eXQ3a2QxMXZncTluAbout the host:Dr. Bradley Block – Dr. Bradley Block is a board-certified otolaryngologist at ENT and Allergy Associates in Garden City, NY. He specializes in adult and pediatric ENT, with interests in sinusitis and obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Block also hosts The Physician’s Guide to Doctoring podcast, focusing on personal and professional development for physiciansWant to be a guest? Email Brad at brad@physiciansguidetodoctoring.com or visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to learn more!Socials:@physiciansguidetodoctoring on Facebook@physicianguidetodoctoring on YouTube@physiciansguide on Instagram and Twitter
Visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to connect, dive deeper, and keep the conversation going. Let’s grow! Disclaimer:This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, financial, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional for personalized guidance.

Jun 24, 2025 • 40min
Ep471 - Escape the Physician Grind with Your Solo Private Practice
Kara Pepper, a primary care internist and executive coach from Atlanta, Georgia, discusses her transition from employed practice to founding an 18-state telemedicine service focused on eating disorders. She shares valuable insights on breaking free from traditional roles, embracing innovation, and navigating the complexities of medical billing. With a focus on autonomy and entrepreneurial spirit, Kara offers practical advice for physicians to overcome analysis paralysis and thrive in solo practice, while fostering sustainable models of patient care.

Jun 17, 2025 • 36min
EP470 - Why Your Patients Trust TikTok More Than You
This episode is sponsored by: My Financial CoachYou trained to save lives—who’s helping you save your financial future? My Financial Coach connects physicians with CFP® Professionals who specialize in your complex needs. Whether it’s crushing student loans, optimizing investments, or planning for retirement, you’ll get a personalized strategy built around your goals. Save for a vacation home, fund your child’s education, or prepare for life’s surprises—with unbiased, advice-only planning through a flat monthly fee. No commissions. No conflicts. Just clarity.Visit myfinancialcoach.com/physiciansguidetodoctoring to meet your financial coach and find out if concierge planning is right for you.____________Cults aren’t always fringe religions or doomsday prophets—they’re marketing strategies. In this episode, Dr. Mara Einstein joins host Dr. Bradley Block to explore how brand cults have infiltrated every aspect of our lives, including healthcare.Einstein explains how companies and even online influencers use cult tactics like love bombing, social proof, and identity reinforcement to manipulate vulnerable people. She connects these strategies to the rise of anti-vaccine movements, medical misinformation, and even lifestyle brands masquerading as communities. Physicians, she warns, may think they’re immune but they aren’t.Together, they explore how digital echo chambers, charismatic figures, and algorithmic reinforcement have created dangerous in-groups and out-groups, eroding trust in science. But there’s hope. Dr. Einstein offers practical advice for parents, physicians, and content creators to inoculate themselves and others against manipulation.Three Actionable Takeaways:Recognize the Tactics – Be aware of cult-like methods like love bombing, identity reinforcement, and emotional manipulation in marketing—and teach your patients (and kids) to do the same. Empathize and Stay Open – Don’t alienate patients caught in misinformation. Listening without judgment preserves the physician-patient relationship and creates a path for future trust. Build Your Own Community – Science needs better marketing. Create communities around evidence-based care where people feel seen, heard, and empowered. About the Show:The Physician’s Guide to Doctoring covers patient interactions, burnout, career growth, personal finance, and more. If you’re tired of dull medical lectures, tune in for real-world lessons we should have learned in med school!About the Guest:Dr. Mara Einstein is a professor of media studies at Queens College, City University of New York, and an expert on marketing, media ethics, and the intersection of consumer culture and belief systems. With over 25 years of experience in the media industry, she has held senior marketing positions at NBC, MTV Networks, and at major advertising agencies. Her academic work focuses on how marketing strategies shape public perception and behavior, particularly through cult-like tactics used in both commercial and ideological messaging.She is the author of multiple books, including Hoodwinked: How Marketers Use the Same Tactics as Cults and Black Ops Advertising, which critically examines native advertising and its impact on journalism and democracy. Dr. Einstein regularly contributes to public discussions on media literacy, consumer manipulation, and the ethical responsibilities of marketers.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmaraeinstein/Website: https://www.drmaraeinstein.com/About the Host:Dr. Bradley Block is a board-certified otolaryngologist at ENT and Allergy Associates in Garden City, NY. He specializes in adult and pediatric ENT, with interests in sinusitis and obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Block also hosts The Physician’s Guide to Doctoring podcast, focusing on personal and professional development for physicians.Want to be a guest?Email Brad at brad@physiciansguidetodoctoring.com or visit physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to learn more!Socials:Facebook: @physiciansguidetodoctoringInstagram/Twitter: @physiciansguideYouTube: @physicianguidetodoctoring
Visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to connect, dive deeper, and keep the conversation going. Let’s grow! Disclaimer:This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, financial, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional for personalized guidance.

Jun 11, 2025 • 33min
Ep469 - Unlock Your Purpose: The Secret to a Joyful Life
Jordan Grumet, an associate medical director at Unity Hospice and a Plutus award-winning podcaster, joins to discuss life purpose and happiness. He introduces the concept of 'little p' purpose, emphasizing the joy found in everyday activities rather than grand achievements. Grumet shares insights from his book, advocating for alignment between personal fulfillment and daily life, especially for physicians. He highlights the importance of community, genuine connections, and engaging in activities for sheer joy, rather than financial gain.

Jun 3, 2025 • 36min
Ep468 - How U.S. Public Health Cuts Endanger Us All
This episode is sponsored by: My Financial CoachYou trained to save lives—who’s helping you save your financial future? My Financial Coach connects physicians with CFP® Professionals who specialize in your complex needs. Whether it’s crushing student loans, optimizing investments, or planning for retirement, you’ll get a personalized strategy built around your goals. Save for a vacation home, fund your child’s education, or prepare for life’s surprises—with unbiased, advice-only planning through a flat monthly fee. No commissions. No conflicts. Just clarity.Visit myfinancialcoach.com/physiciansguidetodoctoring to meet your financial coach and find out if concierge planning is right for you.____________In this episode, Dr. Tyler Evans, joins host Dr. Bradley Block to unpack the dangerous implications of the Trump administration’s public health funding cuts. Referencing historical pandemics like cholera, Hong Kong flu, and COVID-19, Dr. Evans illustrates how slashing programs such as PEPFAR ($6 billion), Ryan White (part of HRSA’s $1.7 billion cut), and refugee health ($2 billion) dismantles global disease surveillance and response systems. These cuts, he warns, could allow outbreaks in regions like Central Africa to spread to American cities, overwhelming hospitals and disrupting economic stability. Dr. Evans critiques the politicization of health policy, including Medicaid reductions and attacks on evidence-based HIV initiatives, which exacerbate poverty and disease spread. Despite these challenges, he finds hope in humanity’s ability to unite across divides, urging physicians to frame global health investments as personal and economic protection for their patients. With another pandemic likely within five years, this episode empowers physicians to advocate for resilient public health systems.Three Actionable Takeaways:Connect Global to Local Risks – Educate patients that funding global health programs like PEPFAR prevents diseases from reaching their neighborhoods, ensuring hospital access.Emphasize Economic Stability – Highlight how public health cuts threaten financial markets and personal 401(k)s by causing pandemic-driven instability, advocating for prevention.Push for Evidence-Based Policy – Counter divisive rhetoric by promoting programs like Ryan White to community members, emphasizing their role in community health.About the Show:The Physician’s Guide to Doctoring covers patient interactions, burnout, career growth, personal finance, and more. If you’re tired of dull medical lectures, tune in for real-world lessons we should have learned in med school!About the Guest:Dr. Tyler Evans is an infectious disease and public health physician and CEO and co-founder of Wellness and Equity Alliance. He has led initiatives at Curative Incorporated, Marin County Health, and New York City’s COVID-19 response, overseeing delivery of over 2 million vaccine doses nationwide. His work with Doctors Without Borders and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation spans HIV/AIDS, refugee health, and global infectious diseases. Dr. Evans is the author of Pandemics, Poverty, and Politics: Decoding the Social and Political Drivers of Pandemics from Plague to COVID-19, set for release in August 2025.Website: https://www.tylerevansmd.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-b-evans-md-ms-mph-aahivs-dtmh-fidsa-767ba738/About the host:Dr. Bradley Block – Dr. Bradley Block is a board-certified otolaryngologist at ENT and Allergy Associates in Garden City, NY. He specializes in adult and pediatric ENT, with interests in sinusitis and obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Block also hosts The Physician’s Guide to Doctoring podcast, focusing on personal and professional development for physiciansWant to be a guest? Email Brad at brad@physiciansguidetodoctoring.com or visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to learn more!Socials:@physiciansguidetodoctoring on Facebook@physicianguidetodoctoring on YouTube@physiciansguide on Instagram and Twitter
Visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to connect, dive deeper, and keep the conversation going. Let’s grow! Disclaimer:This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, financial, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional for personalized guidance.

May 27, 2025 • 35min
Ep467 - Spotting the Lies in Health News Headlines
Dr. Nini Munoz, a PhD-trained electrical engineer and data scientist known for her platform Nini and the Brain, dives into the murky waters of health misinformation. She reveals how statistics can be manipulated, using examples like raw milk claims to illustrate the base rate fallacy. Nini emphasizes understanding the difference between risk and hazard, encouraging physicians to communicate effectively by aligning information with patients' values. With insights on the fluoride debate and the necessity of critical thinking, she equips medical professionals to counter misleading headlines.

May 27, 2025 • 38min
Ep466 - Purpose in a Profit-Driven World: Why Physicians and Scientists Keep Showing Up
Sponsored by: Set For LifeSet For Life Insurance helps doctors safeguard their future with True Own Occupational Disability Insurance. A single injury or illness can change everything, but the best physicians plan ahead. Protect your income and secure your future before life makes the choice for you. Your career deserves protection—act now at https://www.doctorpodcastnetwork.co/setforlife____________In this episode, Dr. Jordan Grumet, sits down with host Dr. Bradley Block to address the public’s eroded trust in science and medicine, fueled by perceptions of greed. Drawing on insights from his work in hospice care and financial independence advocacy, Dr. Grumet challenges the notion that physicians are profit-driven, emphasizing that purpose, not money, sustains medical practice. He cites the Harvard Adult Development Study, which shows interpersonal connections, not wealth, drive happiness, and argues that physicians persist through burnout due to a deep sense of purpose. To counter third-party exploitation by pharmaceutical companies, insurance firms, and private equity, he advocates for “shared storytelling” to close the intimacy gap between providers and patients. By sharing personal struggles publicly through blogs, podcasts, and poetry, physicians can rebuild allyship with patients, fostering a healthcare revolution to demand legislative change. Dr. Grumet’s upcoming book, set for release in September 2025, explores these themes, urging providers to humanize their profession.Three Actionable Takeaways:Share Personal Stories Publicly – Use blogs, podcasts, or public speaking to share the emotional challenges of medicine, fostering empathy and trust with patients outside the exam room.Reframe Physician Motivation – When accused of being profit-driven, highlight data showing most physicians earn minimal pharmaceutical payments (less than $1,000 annually), emphasizing purpose over profit.Advocate for Systemic Change – Unite with patients to push for legislative reforms that curb third-party exploitation, such as insulin price caps, to improve healthcare access and affordability.About the Show:The Physician’s Guide to Doctoring covers patient interactions, burnout, career growth, personal finance, and more. If you're tired of dull medical lectures, tune in for real-world lessons we should have learned in med school!About the Guest:Dr. Jordan Grumet is a board-certified internal medicine and hospice physician, also known in financial independence circles as Doc G. He is the author of Taking Stock: A Hospice Doctor’s Advice on Financial Independence, Building Wealth, and Living a Regret-Free Life and The Purpose Code: How to Unlock Meaning, Maximize Happiness, and Leave a Lasting Legacy. His upcoming book, set for release in September 2025, explores third-party exploitation in healthcare and the power of shared storytelling. A blogger, poet, and speaker, he advocates for purpose-driven medicine to restore public trust.LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/jordan-grumet-38a506179Website: https://jordangrumet.com/Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ng/podcast/earn-invest/id1440355498About the host:Dr. Bradley Block – Dr. Bradley Block is a board-certified otolaryngologist at ENT and Allergy Associates in Garden City, NY. He specializes in adult and pediatric ENT, with interests in sinusitis and obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Block also hosts The Physician’s Guide to Doctoring podcast, focusing on personal and professional development for physiciansWant to be a guest?Email Brad at brad@physiciansguidetodoctoring.com or visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to learn more!Socials:@physiciansguidetodoctoring on Facebook@physicianguidetodoctoring on YouTube@physiciansguide on Instagram and Twitter
Visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to connect, dive deeper, and keep the conversation going. Let’s grow! Disclaimer:This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, financial, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional for personalized guidance.

May 20, 2025 • 32min
Ep465 - Strengthening Physician Advocacy Through Unionization
Sponsored by: Set for LifeSet For Life Insurance helps doctors safeguard their future with True Own Occupational Disability Insurance. A single injury or illness can change everything, but the best physicians plan ahead. Protect your income and secure your future before life makes the choice for you. Your career deserves protection—act now at https://www.doctorpodcastnetwork.co/setforlife____________In this episode, host Dr. Bradley Block welcomes Marisa Powell and Gabrielle Hanley, to demystify physician unions. They explain how unions empower employed physicians to improve working conditions, protect professional autonomy, and advocate for patient care. The discussion covers why physician unions were rare historically, who is eligible to unionize (non-managerial employees), and the legal nuances under the National Labor Relations Act. Marisa and Gabrielle share real-world examples, including a Washington State urgent care strike over PPE access, and discuss strategies like collective bargaining for better contracts and public advocacy to influence hospital policies. A must-listen for physicians considering unionization in an increasingly corporatized healthcare system.Three Actionable Takeaways:Identify Common Issues Across Specialties – Start union conversations by finding shared concerns among colleagues in different specialties to build a unified front.Leverage Collective Advocacy – Use coordinated efforts, like public campaigns or media outreach, to pressure employers on issues like patient safety or workplace policies, even before formal negotiations.Research Union Options – Contact organizations like Doctors Council (doctorscouncil.org) to explore unionization, but ensure strong colleague support for sustained impact.About the Show:The Physician’s Guide to Doctoring covers patient interactions, burnout, career growth, personal finance, and more. If you're tired of dull medical lectures, tune in for real-world lessons we should have learned in med school!About the Guest:Marisa Powell and Gabrielle Hanley are lead union organizers with Doctors Council, part of SEIU Local 10MD. They spearhead physician union campaigns and collective bargaining efforts nationwide, helping doctors advocate for better working conditions, patient care, and professional autonomy in both private and public healthcare settings.Website: https://www.doctorscouncil.orgLinkedIn - Marisa Powell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisa-powell-b31110b4/Gabrielle Hanley : https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielle-hanley-747013113/About the host:Dr. Bradley Block – Dr. Bradley Block is a board-certified otolaryngologist at ENT and Allergy Associates in Garden City, NY. He specializes in adult and pediatric ENT, with interests in sinusitis and obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Block also hosts The Physician’s Guide to Doctoring podcast, focusing on personal and professional development for physiciansWant to be a guest? Email Brad at brad@physiciansguidetodoctoring.com or visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to learn more!Socials:@physiciansguidetodoctoring on Facebook@physicianguidetodoctoring on YouTube@physiciansguide on Instagram and Twitter
Visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to connect, dive deeper, and keep the conversation going. Let’s grow! Disclaimer:This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, financial, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional for personalized guidance.

May 20, 2025 • 30min
EP464 - Nutrition Essentials for Physicians: Cutting Through the Misinformation
Sponsored by: Set for LifeSet For Life Insurance helps doctors safeguard their future with True Own Occupational Disability Insurance. A single injury or illness can change everything, but the best physicians plan ahead. Protect your income and secure your future before life makes the choice for you. Your career deserves protection—act now at https://www.doctorpodcastnetwork.co/setforlife_____________In this episode, host Dr. Bradley Block welcomes Susana Ritchey, a registered dietician with a master’s degree in nutritional science from Georgia State University. Working in pediatric primary care and biochemical genetics at a children’s hospital, Susana specializes in treating inborn errors of metabolism, such as PKU, and is passionate about combating nutritional misinformation. She shares a powerful story of how dietary interventions transformed the life of a family with a newborn diagnosed with PKU, enabling the child to lead a typical life. The conversation dives into the basics of nutrition that physicians should know: prioritizing variety, moderation, and color in diets, minimizing added sugars and saturated fats, and emphasizing fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Susana addresses common pitfalls, like extreme diets and supplement overuse, and offers practical advice for guiding patients in resource-limited settings, such as food deserts. She also highlights the importance of knowing when to refer patients to a dietician for nuanced care, particularly for conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or disordered eating. This episode equips physicians with actionable strategies to provide effective, empathetic nutritional counseling in limited time.Three Actionable Takeaways:Focus on the Basics – Encourage patients to prioritize variety, moderation, and fiber-rich foods (fruits, vegetables, legumes) while minimizing added sugars and saturated fats to build a balanced diet.Know When to Refer – Recognize when a patient’s nutritional needs (e.g., diabetes, eating disorders, or weight management) require a registered dietician’s expertise to ensure comprehensive care.Use Motivational Interviewing – Ask open-ended questions like “What do you drink at home?” or “What are your favorite fruits and vegetables?” to guide patients toward sustainable, self-identified dietary changes.About the Show:PGD Physician’s Guide to Doctoring covers patient interactions, burnout, career growth, personal finance, and more. If you're tired of dull medical lectures, tune in for real-world lessons we should have learned in med school!About the Guest:Susana Ritchey is a registered dietician with a master’s degree in nutritional science from Georgia State University. She works at a children’s hospital in pediatric primary care and biochemical genetics, treating inborn errors of metabolism like PKU. Passionate about reproductive and pediatric nutrition, Susana is a vocal advocate against nutritional misinformation and promotes evidence-based dietary practices.About the Host:Dr. Bradley Block is a board-certified otolaryngologist at ENT and Allergy Associates in Garden City, NY. He specializes in adult and pediatric ENT, with interests in sinusitis and obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Block also hosts The Physician’s Guide to Doctoring podcast, focusing on personal and professional development for physicians.Want to be a guest? Email Brad at brad@physiciansguidetodoctoring.com or visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to learn more!Socials:@physiciansguidetodoctoring on Facebook@physicianguidetodoctoring on YouTube@physiciansguide on Instagram and Twitter
Visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to connect, dive deeper, and keep the conversation going. Let’s grow! Disclaimer:This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, financial, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional for personalized guidance.