DRIVE TIME DEBRIEF: A Physician Wellness Podcast with The Whole Physician

We continue our quest to improve our emotional granularity by discussing the emotions, fear, anxiety and dread. These are all emotions we as doctors experience at any time during our day, week or even moment. We put forth the best effort to take care of the patients that are put in our hands. But we know that inevitably things don't go the way we thought and we can easily allow fear, anxiety and dread dictate how we view the entire situation.  Brene Brown's book, Atlas of the Heart, dissects fear, anxiety and dread and helps give us perspective on how we can actually make this energy work for us.  We can be comfortable engaging these signals and listening to what they are trying to tell us. Some of our favorite moments: So we know emotions and feelings are actually just the vibrations in the body. So it's manifesting in the body somewhere. So we have to drop out of our brain. You know, all of us are supratentorial. As physicians, as professionals, we love to stay up here. It's safe, but we actually gotta drop down. We gotta get under the jaw, under the neck and get down in our body and how it feels. Brene Brown says there's trait and there's state. And so a trait is like something that is part of an individual's personality. A state, on the other hand, is a temporary condition that someone is experiencing for a short period of time. When we're anxious, we often choose one of two paths and she talks about worry and avoidance. And really neither of these is very useful. We might believe it's a helpful coping mechanism. It's not. We might believe it's uncontrollable, and so we don't even try to stop it. We might try to suppress worry instead of allowing it and allowing it to pass through, and then it gets bigger. Avoidance is not showing up and often spinning a lot of energies zigzagging around and away from the thing that already feels like it's consuming us. Dread is specifically when a negative event is very likely to occur. Like, regardless of what happens there's a high likelihood that something negative is going to happen. And with dread, the magnitude increases as the event draws nearer. Fear is a short-lasting, negative feeling, high alert emotions.  Fear, though, is in response to a perceived threat. And like anxiety, it can also be a state or trait. We would ask is this useful or not? But you can consider yourself a fearful person or just have fear in the moment. Whereas this is an important difference, anxiety and dread are about the future. It's that future tripping. Fear is in the now, and it can be so rapid fire that it's almost automatic.   References: https://brenebrown.com/book/atlas-of-the-heart/ https://brenebrown.com/hubs/atlas-hub/   *Couldn't join us for our FREE CLASS how to work in the dumpster fire of healthcare without getting burned? Check out the replay. If you want to work with us, visit our website: www.thewholephysician.com. We have private coaching and online courses available. Additionally, we're happy to lecture for your institution. Sign up for our Weekly Well Check by clicking the link. The Weekly Well Check is your weekly dose of encouragement and your only access to secret insider sales on our products. For a free quote on Own-Occupation Insurance, you're welcomed to use our affiliate link: patternlife.com/drivetime

In this episode we talk about the various uses of the equation attributed to Psychologist Kristin Neff. Pain x Resistance = Suffering Part of being a human on earth is enduring some painful situations and experiencing discomfort. But it's shocking how much additional suffering we create by trying to fight reality. It's also good energy wasted, energy that could be used on thing within your control. We discuss examples, but at work and outside of work, where applying this equation helped our lives immensely.  And it's your choice. If you like the results you're getting, keep doing what you're doing. "It's never the circumstance that is the problem. It's what we think about the circumstance that creates the results for our lives." "So just accepting people the way they are is a big step in the direction of avoiding this unnecessary suffering." Extra attention should be given when you catch yourself saying “it should be,” or “I wish that,” or “if only.” Resisting reality can negatively affect how you're showing up in human interactions. Having "prescriptions" for how other adults should act is disempowering. But that's different from having healthy boundaries. Shaming yourself for things in the past can work against you. When you're judging another's behavior - it's very easy to fall into the same behavior yourself in response. Resources: Kristin Neff LinkTree   *Couldn't join us for our FREE CLASS how to work in the dumpster fire of healthcare without getting burned? Check out the replay. If you want to work with us, visit our website: www.thewholephysician.com. We have private coaching and online courses available. Additionally, we're happy to lecture for your institution. Sign up for our Weekly Well Check by clicking the link. The Weekly Well Check is your weekly dose of encouragement and your only access to secret insider sales on our products. For a free quote on Own-Occupation Insurance, you're welcomed to use our affiliate link: patternlife.com/drivetime

This special edition is a conversation with software developer, life coach and addiction survivor, Elyse Segebart.  She bravely discusses her journey being introduced to drugs and her 13 year struggle with addiction. She has emerged in a career in software development and mentors a special population of people trying to get into software development, their common theme is they come from a disadvantaged background like addiction or incarceration.  Along with her certification as a life coach, she is using her trade to help these types of people get jobs in technology. She was introduced to drugs at the young age of 13 by a friend's family and that was the beginning of many years of active use, rehabilitation, recovery and back to using.  Each cycle she said there was never a time that she couldn't get off drugs or be sober, but coping with life and going back to the unhealthy relationships is what repeatedly led her in the constant cycle of drug abuse. Some of our favorite moments: "the hardest part about addiction is that nobody wants to quit.  And they always have to hit this point where they are done with it. Like they either get the resolve and wanna quit and do it, or they have to hit rock bottom enough to where they're like, I'm tired of this, I'm tired of losing to this." "meth releases 40,000 times the amount of dopamine in your brain. And that's not a natural thing that you should ever experience. And so, as you know, like dopamine teaches us where there's something important to be had or seen or look at again. And so when you have that amount of dopamine in it, like it seems very important that you should do this again. Like super important and you will do whatever to do it." "I think really what made the difference for me was the mental health therapy and going to it, like sticking with it. I had done so many treatments, inpatient, outpatient, and I think mental health therapy really is the only way that's going to keep you to stay off of them.  And it just needed a longer form of support, you know, like that that therapy is what was needed. I think it should be a mandatory requirement for anyone who is being rehabilitated, that they have mandatory mental health therapy and not just drug treatment. Drug treatment is, you hear it once, you know it forever, you don't need to hear it again. I needed to understand like why I'm doing the things I'm doing or  build the skills to rewire certain patterns.  And I needed help to manage my ADHD and all the impulsive behaviors that I had." To contact Elyse: https://elysesegebart.com @elysethelifecoach (Instagram) The CE experience for this Podcast is powered by CMEfy - click here to reflect and earn credits: https://earnc.me/C06FKE This experience is powered by CMEfy – an AI-powered platform that directs learners along a pathway to capture reflections at the point of inspiration, point of care. Clinicians may earn CME/CE credit via ReflectCE, the accredited activity portal. Learn more at about.cmefy.com/cme-info **Did you miss our FREE CLASS on how to work in the dumpster fire of healthcare without getting burned? Replay is available here. If you want to work with us, visit our website: www.thewholephysician.com. We have private coaching and online courses available. Additionally, we're happy to lecture for your institution. Sign up for our Weekly Well Check by clicking the link. The Weekly Well Check is your weekly dose of encouragement and your only access to secret insider sales on our products. For a free quote on Own-Occupation Insurance, you're welcome to use our affiliate link: patternlife.com/drivetime

In the episode we discuss the essay "The Star Thrower" from Loren's Book The Unexpected Universe. It is a beautiful piece about making a difference even when it seems futile. And for many of us, working in healthcare can seem futile at times. But Eiseley's essay describes the beauty, the strength, and the importance of being the anti-chaos in a world of chaos.  Colin Beavan, PhD has some suggestions for when things seem futile. Here are a few of our favorites: realize there is a difference between the world not changing fast enough and you being useless instead of focusing on how bad the problem is, focus on how amazing your allies are realize that anger, fear, frustration will burn you out take care of yourself count your blessings create boundaries accept that it is appropriate to feel sad and frustrated His biggest takeaway is to limit your concern to your sphere of influence. And remember you're not seeing the full results of your work. Studies show that a single act of kindness can affect up to 125 people. That's a difference that you may never see but exists nonetheless. What the world needs is not for you to burn out, but to pour from a cup that is overfilled. There will always be more "starfish" but there is only one you. If you missed our on how to work in the dumpster fire of healthcare without getting burned. You can access the replay here. Referenced articles/songs/resources:  https://www.amazon.com/Unexpected-Universe-Loren-Eiseley/dp/0156928507  https://colinbeavan.com/ten-ways-overcome-futility-life-climate-anything-else/  https://colinbeavan.com/feel-like-make-difference/  https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.0913149107   https://drdavidhamilton.com/if-you-ever-feel-like-you-dont-make-a-difference/  Jason Mraz "Look for the Good" The Good News Network   If you want to work with us, visit our website: www.thewholephysician.com. We have private coaching and CME courses available. Additionally, we're happy to lecture for your institution. Sign up for our Weekly Well Check by clicking the link. The Weekly Well Check is your weekly dose of encouragement and your only access to secret insider sales on our products. If you'd like something you can use today, download our free Top 10 Mindset Hacks for Doctors here.  For a free quote on Own-Occupation Insurance, you're welcome to use our affiliate link: patternlife.com/drivetime

Introducing Dr Tonya Caylor, family medicine doc, who relocated to Alaska from Florida. She describes her journey from  academic medicine to independent practice and the recovery from burnout.  Her passion is now to help residents and faculty with mindset training to equip them with the tools they need for longevity in their career in medicine. In our conversation, Dr Caylor gives examples of common things residents struggle with and what she has taught through private and group coaching to get them to shift into a perspective that works for them!  Our favorite moments:  "The one thing that I think was surprising to me, number one, is at the time I was unaware that that was a term or a phenomenon that happens. And it was so insidious, like I thought, in fact, I remember saying at a faculty retreat, like, I feel completely balanced in life. I remember pronouncing this. You know, the joy that I was experiencing in my role. And then it was a few years later, but I was in deep by the time I figured it out." "I had become like an approval addict. I was so over reliant on external validation that when all of my colleagues were super busy and not having the time to, you know, gimme a pat on the back. Really got in my head." "you wanna like work within the system and see if you can make it work for you. But there's a huge difference when a system is working for you rather than against you. And I think we're starting to see institutions recognize that now."  "And if they think about the time, blood, sweat, tears, money that went into it, like realizing that coaching could give some tangible traction for them to re-discover the joy in their chosen career, that's how I ended up starting my coaching business."  Contact Dr Caylor: https://www.joyinfamilymedicine.com/ joyinfamilymedicine@gmail.com    Did you miss our FREE CLASS all about frustrations with working in the healthcare system called: What's the ICD-10 Code for Injuries Sustained in a Dumpster Fire? Catch the replay here. If you want to work with us, visit our website: www.thewholephysician.com. We have private coaching and CME courses available. Additionally, we're happy to lecture for your institution. Sign up for our Weekly Well Check by clicking the link. The Weekly Well Check is your weekly dose of encouragement and your only access to secret insider sales on our products. If you'd like something you can use today, download our free Top 10 Mindset Hacks for Doctors here.  For a free quote on Own-Occupation Insurance, you're welcome to use our affiliate link: patternlife.com/drivetime

Today we discuss some tips from Rick Hanson, PhD's book Just One Thing: Developing a Buddha Brain One Simple Practice at a Time for how to change your brain for better or worse. Some highlights: We are not our brains - we are the observers. We can decide what is and isn't serving us and intentionally change our brains through neuroplasticity. There are physiologic changes associated with neuroplasticity. "Neurons that fire together, wire together." - Donald Hebb, PhD Two important practices: Be For Yourself - treat yourself as well as you'd treat a best friend or child. Choose things that are in your best interest. Don't diminish your own accomplishments. Taking In The Good - knowing that our brains have a negativity bias, spend time in and relish the good on purpose. Resources:  Dr. Hanson's Book "Just One Thing" Katrina Ubell, MD's podcast episode with Dr. Hanson   Did you miss our FREE CLASS all about frustrations with working in the healthcare system called: What's the ICD-10 Code for Injuries Sustained in a Dumpster Fire? Catch the replay here. If you want to work with us, visit our website: www.thewholephysician.com. We have private coaching and CME courses available. Additionally, we're happy to lecture for your institution. Sign up for our Weekly Well Check by clicking the link. The Weekly Well Check is your weekly dose of encouragement and your only access to secret insider sales on our products. If you'd like something you can use today, download our free Top 10 Mindset Hacks for Doctors here.  We also have a FREE CLASS replay all about Buffering. It's called: Overcoming Over-(whatever)ing. We can email it to you instantly. Here's the link. For a free quote on Own-Occupation Insurance, you're welcome to use our affiliate link: patternlife.com/drivetime

Dr. Heather Awad joined us to talk about buffering. She's a family physician in Minnesota, a weight loss coach at Vibrant MD, and has her own podcast called Vibrant MD Podcast. She is an expert at helping her clients stop buffering with overeating and joins us today to give some of her secrets. She coaches professional women over 50 to achieve permanent weight loss and talks a lot about buffering. Buffering is using anything to numb out or distract from feeling negative emotions. For example, overeating, overspending, over-scrolling, over-drinking are all ways people find to distract them from feeling things that may be uncomfortable. She says, "We look at all that kind of stuff, the ways that we use food that doesn't serve us and helps us avoid our feelings. When we use food to avoid our feelings, we're avoiding the full richness of our life, by trying to step out of experiences, by using food to do that". Where to find Dr Awad: www.vibrant-md.com Vibrant-MD.com/tips Podcast: https://www.vibrant-md.com/podcasts/vibrant-md-podcast   We have a FREE CLASS replay all about Buffering. We'll email it to you instantly by clicking the link.   If you want to work with us, visit our website: www.thewholephysician.com. We have private coaching and CME courses available. Additionally, we're happy to lecture for your institution. Sign up for our Weekly Well Check by clicking the link. The Weekly Well Check is your weekly dose of encouragement and your only access to secret insider sales on our products. If you'd like something you can use today, download our free Top 10 Mindset Hacks for Doctors here.  For a free quote on Own-Occupation Insurance, you're welcome to use our affiliate link: patternlife.com/drivetime

In the episode, we discuss "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein. It is a beloved book by many, but it is problematic to say the least. And altruistic healthcare workers using this as a model of self-sacrifice may want to reconsider. Highlights: Self sacrifice is not sustainable, isn't healthy and can breed selfishness, narcissism and codependency. Those who neglect themselves at the expense of others suffer the consequences: anxiety, depression, and less efficacy. True generosity begets more generosity.  The most successful givers ALSO score highly in self concern. Self sacrifice doesn't model loving boundaries. Generosity and self sacrifice are not the same thing. Self sacrifice can create a mutually detrimental relationship for all. Healthy, loving boundaries can result in much better outcomes. Resources: https://www.shelsilverstein.com/9780060256654/the-giving-tree/ https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/15/parenting/we-need-to-talk-about-the-giving-tree.html http://www.curiata.com/content/3120.php https://www.christopherroosen.com/blog/2021/5/29/why-i-cant-stand-the-giving-tree-by-shel-silverstein-a-picture-of-a-destructive-and-selfish-relationships https://www.topherpayne.com/giving-tree   If you want to work with us, visit our website: www.thewholephysician.com. We have private coaching and CME courses available. Additionally, we're happy to lecture for your institution. Sign up for our Weekly Well Check by clicking the link. The Weekly Well Check is your weekly dose of encouragement and your only access to secret insider sales on our products. If you'd like something you can use today, download our free Top 10 Mindset Hacks for Doctors here. 

Introducing Dr. Michael Hersh, who was in the same coaching class as Amanda and Laura, and has pioneered the male coaching space.  He is a full time practicing gastroenterologist in Chicago who came to coaching to address some of his frustrations with work. Little did he know, the work he did in the professional space created many improvements in his personal and family life.  He has amazing insight from the male perspective and all the other skeptics out there!  You can find him at betterphyscianlife.com. Great moments with Dr Hersh: but something just still didn't seem right. It was, it was almost like, you know, it was fine. But it just seemed like maybe something was missing. There should be more. And I kept seeing these ads for physician coaching. Super skeptical guy.  But I was like, you know what? I'm just gonna give this a try. This seems like something. I could try, I don't know....and then he asked me this one question that really changed everything for me. And that was, “well, if you don't do this, then what changes?” And man, that question, so I did it and it just, it literally changed everything. I think one of the biggest hurdles that we kind of tackle in physician coaching is processing feelings, right?...I didn't even realize I had that many feelings. I was frustrated, angry, worried, and that was about it. And then during one of my coaching sessions, one of my female coaches pulled out a feeling wheel. And I don't know if your listeners know what a feeling wheel is, but this was an overwhelming experience just seeing this thing and all of the potential feelings that can exist. And so I think for men learning to process emotions and feelings is really vital work and it's something that we do a lot of in coaching. I think that female physicians have kind of been the pioneers in the physician coaching space. They have been the ones that have really gone out there, you know, and in some ways, and again, I hate to be, you know, stereotypical and like gender focused, but you know, women tend to be the caretakers. And so right now the female physician coaches are caretaking for our entire profession. I think the men, I think all physicians are skeptical, but I think the men tend to be a little bit more skeptical of this work out of the gate. I know I was, but once, once they experience it and they see the power of it, very quick adopters. And I would say the thing I didn't realize was I thought saying yes, was just saying yes. And I didn't think about the no that I was saying on the other side of that yes. So when you say yes to one opportunity, you're saying no to something else. And for me, the people I was saying no to was my family... So rather than thinking about a boundary as a negative thing, like, “oh, I'm saying no and that person's gonna not be happy with me because I've said no to them”. Remember the people that you're showing up for in that no, most notably yourself.    Where to find Dr Hersh: https://www.betterphysicianlife.com/ "Doctors Living Deliberately" Podcast with Dr Arpita DePalma (also on YouTube) Other resources:  Feelings Wheel   If you want to work with us, visit our website: www.thewholephysician.com. We have private coaching and CME courses available. Additionally, we're happy to lecture for your institution. Sign up for our Weekly Well Check by clicking the link. The Weekly Well Check is your weekly dose of encouragement and your only access to secret insider sales on our products. If you'd like something you can use today, download our free Top 10 Mindset Hacks for Doctors here.  For a free quote on Own-Occupation Insurance, you're welcome to use our affiliate link: patternlife.com/drivetime

Today, we continue improving our emotional granularity (or ability to correctly identify emotions) using Brene Brown's book "Atlas of the Heart." And, since emotions aren't inherently "good or bad," we take a look at what the feelings can be telling us. The focus of todays episode is stress vs overwhelm.  Using Brene's example from working in a restaurant, stress is when you're "in the weeds." It's when your environmental requirements are felt to be beyond your ability to cope well. And it's all your perception. The solution can rely on thinking still: changing perception and/or delegating tasks. Overwhelm is when "you're blown." It's when you are at the point when you're not thinking well and unable to come up with a solid plan. It's when you're feeling unable to function. The solution here, from Jon Kabat Zinn, is some non-doing time- letting the brain rest or engage in play for a period of time. And then, after the disconnect, it's go time. Best Health has a useful process: Capture it - write down every task you can think of. Chunk it - group your tasks and to-dos into larger chunks (helps you see more clearly). Choose it - start with activities that strengthen you, that you’re looking forward to. Just pick SOMETHING to start with. Take action - Just begin. Action is the antidote to overwhelm. Just starting can reduce anxiety. Focus - stay in the moment rather than getting swept up in the rest. Resources: https://brenebrown.com/book/atlas-of-the-heart/ https://www.besthealthmag.ca/article/5-ways-to-stop-feeling-overwhelmed/ If you want to work with us, visit our website: www.thewholephysician.com. We have private coaching and CME courses available. Additionally, we're happy to lecture for your institution. Sign up for our Weekly Well Check by clicking the link. The Weekly Well Check is your weekly dose of encouragement and your only access to secret insider sales on our products. If you'd like something you can use today, download our free Top 10 Mindset Hacks for Doctors here.  For a free quote on Own-Occupation Insurance, you're welcome to use our affiliate link: patternlife.com/drivetime