

Succeed in Medicine
Bradley B. Block, MD, Doctor Podcast Network
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?”
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?”
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 11, 2025 • 37min
#436 - Conspirituality and the Wellness Industry: A Conversation with Derek Beres
Looking to connect with a community of physician podcasters? We provide the tools, connections, and resources you need to amplify your voice and grow your audience. Be part of something exciting as we prepare to launch. Join the Doctor Podcast Network today!______________________In this episode, Dr Bradley Block interviews Derek Beres, to discuss the intersection of conspiracy theories and spirituality, particularly in the wellness space. Barris explains how "conspirituality" merges left-leaning new-age beliefs with right-wing political ideologies, often exploiting distrust in institutions like healthcare. They explore how wellness influencers leverage emotional appeal, certainty, and fear-mongering to market alternative health solutions.They also discuss how a strong focus on individualism contributes to the spread of medical misinformation and how social media plays a big role in making these ideas more popular. The conversation also touches on figures like RFK Jr. and the Make America Healthy Again movement, which advocates for food regulation while paradoxically aligning with deregulation-focused politics. Dr Block and Barris went further to discuss how physicians can push back by fostering trust, communicating uncertainty effectively, and engaging in social media discourse. BioDerek Beres is an author, speaker, and media expert based in Portland, Oregon. He has held senior editorial positions at various tech companies and has extensive experience in health, science, and music writing. Beres regularly speaks on science and media literacy and is the co-host of the Conspirituality podcast, which examines the convergence of conspiracy theories and wellness culture.In addition to his work in media, Beres is a certified group fitness instructor, having taught yoga, studio cycling, and kettlebell classes at Equinox Fitness from 2004 to 2020. He is also the co-founder of EarthRise SoundSystem, a music production duo that has released records with Six Degrees Records and collaborated with artists like Vieux Farka Touré.Beres has authored several books, including Conspirituality: How New Age Conspiracy Theories Became a Health Threat, Global Beat Fusion: The History of the Future of Music, and Hero's Dose: The Case for Psychedelics in Ritual and Therapy. His writing has been featured in over 40 publications, such as Time, Rolling Stone, The Boston Globe, Teen Vogue, Salon, Women’s Health, and National Geographic.Website:https://www.derekberes.com/https://www.conspirituality.net/https://linktr.ee/derekberesSocials:https://www.instagram.com/derekberes/https://x.com/derekberes Did you know…You can also be a guest on our show? Please email me at brad@physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to connect or visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to learn more about the show!Socials:@physiciansguidetodoctoring on FB@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.

Feb 6, 2025 • 30min
#435- Fighting Back: How Doctors Can Take Control in a Malpractice Battle with Dr. Gita Pensa
Looking to connect with a community of physician podcasters? We provide the tools, connections, and resources you need to amplify your voice and grow your audience. Be part of something exciting as we prepare to launch. Join the Doctor Podcast Network today!—--------In this episode, Dr. Gita Pensa advocates for physicians navigating the storm of malpractice lawsuits. She opens up about the emotional and psychological toll of physicians being sued. She shares her own journey through litigation and how it inspired her to help others facing similar struggles. Dr. Pensa helps refine doctors' mindset during litigation, providing insightful guidelines to help defend themselves with confidence and clarity during depositions and trials. She recommends two goals for everyone in deposition; one is to accept the situation. Letting go of the emotions rather than argue over reality. At best grief, but don’t suffer guilt. Secondly, that physicians be good defendants for themselves. She stresses that the physician’s overall objective is to get the jury into their thought process, since they are not medical practitioners themselves.She believes that by supporting each other and advocating for systemic change, physicians can not only survive litigation but grow stronger through it. She also encourages doctors to push back against the unrealistic expectation of perfection in medicine, reminding them that they’re humans. BIODr. Gita S. Pensa, M.D. is a speaker, educator, coach, and creator of Doctors and Litigation: The L Word. An associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, Clinician Educator, and Associate Director of the Emergency Digital Health Innovation program at Alpert Medical School of Brown University. She is the editor/host of the Academic Emergency Medicine podcast series, AEM Early Access. She podcasts and speaks nationally on litigation and litigation stress, and most recently won the 2019 Rhode Island ACEP chapter's Special Service Recognition Award for 'Courageous Public Advocacy of Rhode Island Emergency Medicine Colleagues.'She is widely recognized as one of the nation's leading experts on malpractice litigation, stress, and physician litigation support. She gives practical and psychological preparation necessary for malpractice litigation defendants. She's been featured in forums such as Time Magazine, South by Southwest, NPR, and a new PBS documentary, A World of Hurt, How Medical Malpractice Fails Everyone. She helps good doctors manage the stressors of adverse events, litigation, and burnout. Website: doctorsandlitigation.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gita-pensa-m-d-693557189Twitter (X): https://x.com/GitaPensaMDDoctors and Litigation: The L Word Did you know…You can also be a guest on our show? Please email me at brad@physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to connect or visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to learn more about the show!Socials:@physiciansguidetodoctoring on FB@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.

Feb 4, 2025 • 38min
#434 - CONTRIBUTOR SERIES - Dr. Noshene Ranjbar examines how integrating mind, body, and spirit in mental health fosters holistic healing and well-being.
Looking to connect with a community of physician podcasters? We provide the tools, connections, and resources you need to amplify your voice and grow your audience. Be part of something exciting as we prepare to launch. Join the Doctor Podcast Network today!—----------Dr. Noshene Ranjbar joins Dr. Kristine Goins in this episode to discuss embodied leadership, health equity, and integrative psychiatry. Dr. Ranjbar defines embodied leadership as a holistic integration of mind, body, and spirit, rooted in indigenous wisdom and community-centered leadership. She shares how her upbringing in post-revolution Iran, immigration to the U.S., and experiences in medicine exposed her to systemic oppression and disembodied leadership, fueling her commitment to transformative leadership.She talks about shifting away from traditional, rigid medical models and embracing a more holistic way of supporting patients and communities. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes the importance of intuition, emotional awareness, and non-hierarchical collaboration. She also shares how reconnecting with her Iranian heritage has fueled her passion for liberation and healing on a global scale.BioBorn and raised in Tehran, Iran until immigrating to the US in adolescence, Dr. Noshene Ranjbar developed a passion for a holistic view of medicine and healing from early on in her life. Throughout her studies and life experiences, including her own illness as well as caring for her mom who suffered from several autoimmune illnesses and cancer, to fostering refugee children with PTSD, to working with American Indian communities across the U.S., she developed a keen interest in approaches to healing trauma and advocating for holistic mental health in empowering, culturally appropriate ways.Dr. Ranjbar completed undergraduate and medical school at the University of Virginia, followed by Family Medicine Internship at Middlesex Hospital/Hartford Hospital, Psychiatry Residency at the University of Arizona-Tucson, and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School. Board Certified in General Psychiatry, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, and Integrative Medicine, Dr. Ranjbar currently serves as Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Integrative Psychiatry Program at the University of Arizona. She also serves on Faculty with The Center for Mind-Body Medicine, the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine, and the Integrative Psychiatry Institute.Her research focuses on training the next generation of psychiatrists to offer a holistic approach to mental health, while serving children and families most in need. As a Robert Wood Johnson Culture of Health Leader, she is expanding her work in integrative mental health and indigenous mental health nationally and internationally. Socials:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noshene-ranjbar-2039949/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nosheneranjbar/Webpages:www.DrNRanjbar.comhttps://psychiatry.arizona.edu/profile/noshene-e-ranjbar-mdhttps://samehereglobal.org/expert-profile-noshene-ranjbar/https://cmbm.org/faculty-member/noshene-ranjbar-md/ Did you know…You can also be a guest on our show? Please email me at brad@physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to connect or visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to learn more about the show!Socials:@physiciansguidetodoctoring on FB@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.

Jan 30, 2025 • 31min
#433 - Dr. Hasan Merali discusses how lessons from toddlers can help physicians improve their well-being and work-life balance
Looking to connect with a community of physician podcasters? We provide the tools, connections, and resources you need to amplify your voice and grow your audience. Be part of something exciting as we prepare to launch. Join the Doctor Podcast Network today!—--------Dr. Bradley Block sits down with Dr. Hasan Merali to explore the unexpected ways toddler behavior can shape adult well-being. They dive into Dr. Murali’s book, Sleep Well, Take Risks, Squish the Peas, sharing research and personal stories, especially his experiences with his daughter that reveal powerful life lessons.Key takeaways include the importance of sleep routines, risk-taking for personal growth, and the power of play in team-building and relationships. He emphasizes the role of laughter in strengthening bonds and enhancing learning, advocating for self-talk in the third person to improve resilience and emotional control. Additionally, he highlights toddlers’ innate generosity, noting that giving fosters lasting happiness.Dr. Merali also discusses leadership lessons from toddlers, such as clear communication and fairness, and delves into hedonic adaptation, suggesting that acts of generosity provide sustained joy. BioDr. Hasan Merali is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at McMaster University and a pediatric emergency medicine physician at McMaster Children's Hospital. He received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and completed his residency in Pediatrics at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Merali also holds a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University and is an Associate Faculty member at the Bloomberg School of Public Health. His research focuses on child injury prevention in low- and middle-income countries, particularly examining factors associated with child passenger helmet and restraint use. He has published over 25 peer-reviewed journal articles, and his work has been featured in outlets such as Science, The Boston Globe, NBC, CBC, and Popular Science. His first book, Sleep Well, Take Risks, Squish the Peas: Secrets from the Science of Toddlers for a Happier, More Successful Way of Life, was published in March 2024.In addition to his academic and medical contributions, Dr. Merali has given a TEDx talk at the University of Toronto, discussing key themes from his book. He lives in Ontario with his wife and daughter.Socials and websites:https://experts.mcmaster.ca/display/meralih?utmhttps://ca.linkedin.com/in/hasan-merali Did you know…You can also be a guest on our show? Please email me at brad@physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to connect or visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to learn more about the show!Socials:@physiciansguidetodoctoring on FB@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.

Jan 28, 2025 • 30min
#432 - The Path to Recovery: Rethinking Addiction Care with Paula Cook MD. & Darlene Peterson MD.
Looking to connect with a community of physician podcasters? We provide the tools, connections, and resources you need to amplify your voice and grow your audience. Be part of something exciting as we prepare to launch. Join the Doctor Podcast Network today!—--------What are the biggest misconceptions about addiction, and how can we better support patients struggling with it? In this episode, Dr. Bradley Block speaks with Dr. Paula Donnelly Cook and Dr. Darlene Peterson, both board-certified specialists in addiction and family medicine, who co-host The Addiction Files podcast. They address the stigma associated with substance use disorders, highlighting the significance of person-first language to lessen bias and promote compassionate care.The discussion sheds light on prevalent misconceptions, such as equating dependence with addiction or viewing it as an acute issue rather than a chronic condition requiring long-term management. Drs. Cook and Peterson advocate for harm reduction approaches, motivational interviewing, and addressing patients' individual goals to support recovery. They also stress the critical role of trauma-informed care, recognizing the deep connections between trauma and addiction. They caution against iatrogenic addiction, urging careful pain management practices and collaboration with specialists for patients in recovery. Bio.Dr. Paula Donnelly Cook is a board-certified physician in both addiction medicine and family medicine. She serves as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of Utah, where she is involved in teaching and mentoring medical students and residents. Dr. Cook is also the Medical Director at Moab Regional Hospital in Moab, Utah. She co-hosts The Addiction Files podcast, aiming to provide evidence-based education on addiction medicine.Dr. Darlene Petersen is a board-certified physician in both addiction medicine and family medicine. She practices with Revere Health in Roy, Utah, where she offers comprehensive family and addiction medicine services. Dr. Petersen completed her residency at St. Mark's Family Medicine Residency Program in 2009 and earned her medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine in 2006. She co-hosts The Addiction Files podcast with Dr. Cook, focusing on destigmatizing addiction treatment and providing evidence-based education. Outside of her medical practice.Website and socials for Dr Cook:https://www.doximity.com/pub/paula-cook-mdhttps://x.com/PjaneCookhttps://www.theaddictionfiles.com/Website and socials for Dr Petersen:https://doctors.intermountainhealth.org/provider/darlene-l-petersen/2618429https://www.theaddictionfiles.com/_______________________Did you know…You can also be a guest on our show? Please email me at brad@physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to connect or visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to learn more about the show!Socials:@physiciansguidetodoctoring on FB@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.

Jan 23, 2025 • 35min
#431 - CONTRIBUTOR SERIES: Achieving Efficiency Without Sacrificing Patient Care with Junaid Niazi, MD, and Samantha Eksir, MD
Looking to connect with a community of physician podcasters? We provide the tools, connections, and resources you need to amplify your voice and grow your audience. Be part of something exciting as we prepare to launch. Join the Doctor Podcast Network today!—---------Dr. Junaid Niazi and Dr. Samantha Eksir discuss the challenges doctors face, such as managing heavy workloads, balancing patient care with administrative tasks, and overcoming perfectionism.Dr. Eksir shares her struggle to balance patient care while spending excessive time on documentation, striving for “A+ notes,” which leaves her exhausted. Dr. Niazi encourages her to aim for “good enough” notes that prioritize efficiency without compromising quality. He suggests using tools like dot phrases, templates, and visual reminders, such as colored sticky notes, to streamline her workflow.They also explore ways to improve patient communication. Dr. Eksir finds typing during visits impersonal, so Dr. Niazi advises informing patients when she needs to document, ensuring they still feel seen and heard.BIODr. Samantha Eksir is a family medicine physician committed to delivering comprehensive, patient-centered care. She attended Wake Forest University School of Medicine and completed her Family Medicine residency at Duke University in 2017. Since then, she has been working in an outpatient primary care clinic. She is married and has two young children.---------For information about Dr. Junaid Niazi, visit here:Dr. Junaid Niazi - Allina Health ProfileDr. Junaid Niazi - Doctors on Social MediaProsperous Life MDDid you know…You can also be a guest on our show? Please email me at brad@physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to connect or visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to learn more about the show!Socials:@physiciansguidetodoctoring on FB@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.

Jan 21, 2025 • 27min
#430 - The Science of Hiring: Dr. Michael Neal’s Proven Approach to Staffing Excellence
Looking to connect with a community of physician podcasters? We provide the tools, connections, and resources you need to amplify your voice and grow your audience. Be part of something exciting as we prepare to launch. Join the Doctor Podcast Network today!—---------How can healthcare practices improve their hiring processes to ensure long-term success? In this episode, Dr. Michael Neal discusses innovative hiring strategies with host Dr. Bradley Block. Dr. Neal explains that traditional hiring based on instinct often results in poor outcomes, as healthcare professionals prioritize empathy over suitability. His system identifies candidates’ natural strengths and talents through psychometric testing, automated screening, and video interviews, ensuring a 97% success rate.Dr. Neal’s process avoids resumes and instead evaluates applicants on learning speed, stress management, and communication. He also highlights the importance of swift hiring decisions to secure high-performing candidates ("A players"). He advises removing underperformers ("C players") and matching roles to individuals’ strengths for staff retention. BIODr. Michael Neal is a practicing optometrist based in rural Hawley, Pennsylvania, and the founder and CEO of Build My Team. In 2018, he founded the company to address hiring challenges in his own practice, modeling it on the hiring processes of organizations like Disney and The Four Seasons. Build My Team now serves over eight healthcare professions across 40 states and Canada, helping practices hire based on candidates' natural strengths and talents to build high-performing teams.Website:https://www.buildmyteam.com/Socials:https://web.facebook.com/BuildMyTeamCompany/?_rdc=1&_rdr#https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-michael-neal Dr Bradley Block bio:https://www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com/mediaDid you know…You can also be a guest on our show? Please email me at brad@physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to connect or visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to learn more about the show!Socials:@physiciansguidetodoctoring on FB@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.

Jan 16, 2025 • 23min
#429 - CONTRIBUTOR SERIES: Professor Dan Ariely discusses building a trust-based healthcare system by balancing bureaucracy and physician autonomy (2 of 2)
Looking to connect with a community of physician podcasters? We provide the tools, connections, and resources you need to amplify your voice and grow your audience. Be part of something exciting as we prepare to launch. Join the Doctor Podcast Network today!—---------Dr. John Schnieder and Professor Dan Ariely continue their analysis of healthcare and decision-making in the second part of their conversation, expanding on the points discussed earlier. They delve deeper into how doctors experience "moral injuries" when forced to make choices that conflict with what they know is best for their patients, often due to systemic rules and pressures. This can result in stress, frustration, and burnout.Professor Ariely explains how uncertainty and lack of control in healthcare—like unclear rules or too many forms—can harm trust and make it harder for everyone to do their best. They also talk about how giving people too many choices, like making parents decide on tough medical treatments, can cause unnecessary stress and regret.They also discussed the need to improve healthcare by prioritizing long-term patient care, reducing unnecessary burdens on doctors, and building systems that foster trust, mental health, and teamwork.BioDan Ariely is an Israeli-American professor and behavioral economist known for exploring irrational decision-making. A traumatic accident in his youth, which left him with severe burns, shaped his interest in human behavior. He earned degrees in philosophy, psychology, and business administration, including a Ph.D. from Duke University, where he is now the James B. Duke Professor of Psychology and Behavioral Economics. Ariely founded the Center for Advanced Hindsight, focusing on topics like money psychology, healthcare decisions, and ethics.He is a best-selling author of books such as Predictably Irrational and The Honest Truth About Dishonesty, which challenge traditional economic theories. Ariely has co-founded companies, including BEworks and Lemonade, applying behavioral insights to practical challenges. His work has garnered numerous accolades, including the Ig Nobel Prize in Medicine. Despite controversies, Ariely remains a leading voice in behavioral science, inspiring research, business innovations, and media projects like NBC's The Irrational. Website:Behavioral science | Behavioral economics | Center for advanced hindsightLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/danariely?trk=contact-infoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/danariely?igsh=YzljYTk1ODg3Zg== Dr. John Schnieder bio:https://www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com/drschneider Did you know…You can also be a guest on our show ? Please email me at brad@physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to connect or visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to learn more about the show!Socials:@physiciansguidetodoctoring on FB@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.

Jan 14, 2025 • 25min
#428 - CONTRIBUTOR SERIES: Professor Dan Ariely discusses building a trust-based healthcare system by balancing bureaucracy and physician autonomy (1 of 2)
Looking to connect with a community of physician podcasters? We provide the tools, connections, and resources you need to amplify your voice and grow your audience. Be part of something exciting as we prepare to launch. Join the Doctor Podcast Network today!—-----In this episode, Professor Dan Ariely is interviewed by Dr John Schneider about the complexities of medicine, bureaucracy, and healthcare experiences. Professor Ariely discusses how rigid bureaucratic systems often disconnect from the core mission of patient care, leading to stress, reduced autonomy, and burnout among physicians. He also spoke about the "scarcity mindset," where limited resources like time and energy force rigid approaches, overwhelming both doctors and patients.He highlighted the importance of trust in healthcare. When physicians feel undervalued, it fosters frustration and burnout. Similarly, patients losing trust in providers may turn to alternative treatments that are less effective or harmful.To improve, Professor Ariely suggests collaboration between administrators and physicians to balance efficiency with compassion. By valuing expertise and fostering trust, healthcare systems can restore patients' confidence and make physicians' work more rewarding. BioDan Ariely is an Israeli-American professor and behavioral economist known for exploring irrational decision-making. His interest in human behavior was shaped by a traumatic accident in his youth, leaving him with severe burns. He earned degrees in philosophy, psychology, and business administration, including a Ph.D. from Duke University, where he is now the James B. Duke Professor of Psychology and Behavioral Economics. Ariely founded the Center for Advanced Hindsight, focusing on topics like money psychology, healthcare decisions, and ethics.He is a best-selling author of books such as Predictably Irrational and The Honest Truth About Dishonesty, which challenge traditional economic theories. Ariely has co-founded companies, including BEworks and Lemonade, applying behavioral insights to practical challenges. His work has garnered numerous accolades, including the Ig Nobel Prize in Medicine. Despite controversies, Ariely remains a leading voice in behavioral science, inspiring research, business innovations, and media projects like NBC's The Irrational. Website:Behavioral science | Behavioral economics | Center for advanced hindsightLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/danariely?trk=contact-infoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/danariely?igsh=YzljYTk1ODg3Zg== Dr. Dan Schnieders' bio:https://www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com/drschneider Did you know…You can also be a guest on our show? Please email me at brad@physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to connect or visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to learn more about the show!Socials:@physiciansguidetodoctoring on FB@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.

Jan 9, 2025 • 26min
#427 - A Guide to Better Patient-Doctor Communication with TEDx Speaker Mel Thacker MD
Looking to connect with a community of physician podcasters? We provide the tools, connections, and resources you need to amplify your voice and grow your audience. Be part of something exciting as we prepare to launch. Join the Doctor Podcast Network today!—--------In this episode, Dr. Mel Thacker is interviewed by Dr. Bradley Block. She shares insights from her TEDx talk, "How to Save Lives with Two Minutes of Listening," where she explains how improved communication between doctors and patients can reduce medical errors. She also stresses the power of listening, stating that most diagnoses can be determined through patient history if physicians provide undivided attention.Dr. Thacker also discusses overcoming her fear of public speaking, viewing TEDx as an opportunity to share impactful ideas rather than self-promotion. She explains the TEDx application process and the importance of presenting a unique, shareable idea with a structured talk format. Additionally, Dr. Thacker introduces her upcoming TEDx talk on "Swan Theory," which applies FBI negotiation strategies to healthcare communication.BIODr. Mel Thacker is a double board-certified physician specializing in otolaryngology (ENT) and lifestyle medicine. She earned her medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin in 2007 and completed her residency at Baylor College of Medicine in 2012.With over a decade of experience, Dr. Thacker practices as an ENT surgeon and rhinologist in Worcester, Massachusetts. She focuses on ear, nose, and throat conditions, with a subspecialty in sinus disease. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Thacker is a certified life coach who helps surgeons manage burnout. A plant-based nutrition advocate, she reversed her autoimmune thyroiditis after completing Dr. T. Colin Campbell’s eCornell course.Dr. Thacker is a TEDx speaker and hosts the podcast Surgeons with Purpose, discussing surgeon wellness and healthcare communication.Website:https://www.melthackercoaching.com/https://www.melthackercoaching.com/empoweredsurgeonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_surgeon_coach/ Did you know… You can also be a guest on our show? Please email me at brad@physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to connect or visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to learn more about the show!Socials:@physiciansguidetodoctoring on FB @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.