Succeed in Medicine: Practical Knowledge for Busy Physicians

A subpoena from the Department of Justice isn’t just paperwork, it’s a powerful tool that can drain resources, intimidate providers, and threaten patient care.  In this eye-opening episode of Succeed In Medicine, host Dr. Bradley Block welcomes back Dr. Crystal Beal, along with Adrian Levitt from the ACLU of Washington. In June 2025, Dr. Beal’s small private practice received one of over 20 identical DOJ subpoenas targeting providers of gender-affirming care for adolescents. While large institutions like Boston Children’s, Seattle Children’s, and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia also received subpoenas, the impact on a solo practitioner is uniquely daunting. Dr. Beal describes the anti-climactic moment the subpoena arrived via their accountant and the immediate decision to fight it with pro bono support from the ACLU, Arnold & Porter, and Perkins Coie. The conversation unpacks the broader context: the Supreme Court’s decision in United States v. Skrmetti, executive actions, funding cuts, and the federal government’s stated goal of ending gender-affirming care for minors. Adrian explains how the DOJ is using the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) in a novel way, traditionally applied to drug manufacturers, to investigate individual physicians. The subpoena demanded extensive records, including patient names, addresses, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, training materials, and communications with pharmaceutical reps. Throughout the episode, they emphasize their ethical obligation as a physician to provide evidence-based, life-saving care and reflect on the deeper moral questions raised by this moment in history. Three Actionable Takeaways: Know your rights and secure legal support early: If you receive a government subpoena or face regulatory pressure, contact organizations like the ACLU or the Abortion Defense Network immediately. Do not assume you must comply right away. Document and practice ethically, but prepare for scrutiny: Continue providing medically necessary, evidence-based care while understanding that political targeting of certain specialties is increasing. Build relationships with legal counsel before crises hit. Speak up and combat misinformation: Physicians have a unique platform in their communities. Learn about gender-affirming care if it’s within your scope, talk openly with colleagues and patients, and stand against efforts to criminalize or restrict legitimate medical practice. About the Show: Succeed In Medicine 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 Guests: Dr. Crystal Beal is a board-certified family medicine physician and founder of Queer Doc, providing expert, individualized queer and gender-affirming medical care. A nonbinary femme with lived experience in the community, Dr. Beal has extensive training in sexual health, queer health, and gender-affirming care. They also offer continuing education on transgender medicine through QueerCME.com. Adrian Levitt is an attorney with the ACLU of Washington, specializing in protecting access to gender-affirming care and defending providers against government overreach. Website: QueerCME.com Queer Doc website: https://queerdoc.com 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 Succeed In Medicine 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 This medical podcast is your physician mentor to fill the gaps in your medical education. We cover physician soft skills, charting, interpersonal skills, doctor finance, doctor mental health, medical decisions, physician parenting, physician executive skills, navigating your doctor career, and medical professional development. This is critical CME for physicians, but without the credits (yet). A proud founding member of the Doctor Podcast Network!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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if a patient’s multisystem symptoms, unexplained strokes, or exercise intolerance point to mitochondrial disease, but it takes 5–10 years and multiple specialists to confirm? In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Bradley Block speaks with Dr. Heather Gatcombe. As both a physician and the mother of a son with mitochondrial disease, leading to metabolic strokes, heart failure, and transplant,  Dr. Gatcombe shares her family’s journey, from a terrifying stroke-like episode at age 7, through years of uncertainty, negative initial genetic testing, muscle biopsy confirmation, and eventual identification of a novel nuclear DNA mutation. They explore the heterogeneity of primary mitochondrial diseases, why presentation ranges from infancy lethality to adult-onset fatigue, and key red flags: multisystem involvement, symptom worsening with metabolic stressors, and misdiagnoses like chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, or psychiatric conditions. The discussion covers workup, multidisciplinary care, perioperative risks, and treatment.  They stress the power of early diagnosis: better empathy, treatment changes, support groups, and hope with new therapies in the pipeline. Clinicians in every specialty need awareness, especially anesthesiologists, surgeons, and hospitalists, to prevent crises. Three Actionable Takeaways: Spot the Warning Signs Early: Look for patients with symptoms in 3 or more organ systems, unexplained strokes or seizures, diabetes and hearing loss, brain lesions in basal ganglia, or symptoms that worsen with stress like fever, fasting, or surgery. Send them quickly to a geneticist or mitochondrial specialist for testing. Free options exist at umdf.org Protect Patients During Surgery or Procedures: For anyone known to have mitochondrial disease, talk to their mitochondrial specialist first. Avoid long fasting, dehydration, or extreme temperatures. Some need IV glucose before procedures and special care with anesthesia or certain drugs to prevent a dangerous metabolic crisis. Learn More and Speed Up Diagnosis: Visit umdf.org for free doctor education (CME courses), patient support groups, and the latest on new treatments. Raising awareness helps cut the long wait for diagnosis, gives patients validation, better care, and access to emerging FDA-approved therapies.  About the Show: Succeed In Medicine 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. Heather Gatcombe is a board-certified radiation oncologist at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University and an Assistant Professor at Emory University School of Medicine. She specializes in breast radiation oncology and serves as Vice Chair for Community and Belonging. As the mother of a child with mitochondrial disease who experienced metabolic strokes starting at age 7, progressing to heart failure and transplant, she is deeply committed to raising clinician awareness, reducing diagnostic delays, and advocating for patients and families. She serves on the Board of Trustees and the Scientific and Medical Advisory Board Clinical Training and Education Committee of the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (UMDF). Website: https://winshipcancer.emory.edu/profiles/gatcombe-heather.php LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-gatcombe-md-3891875 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathergatcombe UMDF: https://umdf.org/about/board-trustees 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 Succeed In Medicine 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   This medical podcast is your physician mentor to fill the gaps in your medical education. We cover physician soft skills, charting, interpersonal skills, doctor finance, doctor mental health, medical decisions, physician parenting, physician executive skills, navigating your doctor career, and medical professional development. This is critical CME for physicians, but without the credits (yet). A proud founding member of the Doctor Podcast Network!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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if the term “provider” has no Nazi roots whatsoever, and the claim that it does actually harms important conversations about healthcare? In this myth-busting episode, Dr. Bradley Block sits with Dr. Volke Roelcke and Dr. Mical Raz as they trace the real origins of “provider” to the rise of U.S. health insurance: early Blue Cross/Blue Shield plans in the 1930s, then Medicare and Medicaid in 1965, when neutral language was needed to describe anyone delivering a paid clinical service; hospitals, physicians, nurses, physical therapists, everyone. The myth began with a single unfortunate mistranslation of the Nazi-era German term “Krankenbehandler” (a stigmatizing label restricting Jewish physicians to treating only Jewish patients) and exploded after a 2019 blog post.  They show how repeating this falsehood trivializes the actual persecution of Jewish doctors under the Nazis, turns physicians (one of the most privileged and highly paid professions in the world) into a faux “marginalized group,” dilutes the power of calling out real harm to truly vulnerable populations, and distracts from genuine issues like scope creep and regulation.  The conversation also highlights the importance of respecting expertise: physicians in medicine, historians in history, and why peer-reviewed journals should not let sweeping historical claims pass without proper review. Three Actionable Takeaways When you hear the “provider = Nazi” claim, correct it in one sentence: “The term has zero Nazi origins, it comes from U.S. health-insurance history. Here’s the open-access JGIM article.” Respect expertise the same way we demand it in medicine: don’t make or publish big historical claims if you don’t speak the language or read the sources, doctors aren’t historians any more than historians are surgeons. Focus energy on real solutions for professionalism and autonomy; lobbying, education, trust-building, clear regulation, instead of weaponizing the Holocaust for terminology battles. About the Show: Succeed In Medicine 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 Guests: Dr. Volke Roelcke is a German historian of medicine and the biomedical sciences whose work focuses on 20th-century medicine, especially under the Nazi regime and the ethical history of human-subject research. He trained in medicine, completed specialist training in psychiatry, and served for over 20 years as Professor of the History of Medicine and Director of the Institute for the History, Theory and Ethics of Medicine at Justus Liebig University Giessen before retiring. He was a member and briefly co-chair of the Lancet Commission on Medicine, Nazism, and the Holocaust. Dr. Mical Raz is the Charles E. and Dale L. Phelps Professor in Public Policy and Health at the University of Rochester, where she also practices internal medicine at Strong Memorial Hospital. Her grandfather left Berlin for Israel in 1933; most of his family perished in the Holocaust. She teaches undergraduates about insurance systems and has published extensively on child welfare, poverty, and coercive interventions. Her books include The Lobotomy Letters, What’s Wrong with the Poor?, Abusive Policies, and Making Families. Article:  Physicians or Providers: Inventing Nazi Origins, undermines Debates on Medical Professionalism.  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 Succeed In Medicine 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 This medical podcast is your physician mentor to fill the gaps in your medical education. We cover physician soft skills, charting, interpersonal skills, doctor finance, doctor mental health, medical decisions, physician parenting, physician executive skills, navigating your doctor career, and medical professional development. This is critical CME for physicians, but without the credits (yet). A proud founding member of the Doctor Podcast Network!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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if mastering communication in your marriage as a physician could be as transformative as learning a life-saving procedure in residency?  In this second part of a two-part conversation, Dr. Michael Myers shares insights from his extensive experience treating physician couples, emphasizing the value of professional help in facilitating communication during protected times like retreats or dates. He illustrates how a third party can help rephrase defensive or hierarchical language, common in medicine's decisive environment, into softer, more effective expressions, such as turning "you're stubborn" into "I feel you're digging in your heels," to foster understanding without offense.  Dr. Myers discusses dynamics when the physician is female, noting women's multifaceted identities beyond medicine and potential role reversals where husbands manage home life, but warns of conflicts arising from feelings of being taken for granted or loneliness. He highlights red flags like unexplained drinking or affairs, urging early articulation of issues to prevent escalation, and notes that most couples recover from affairs by entering a "new normal" with professional guidance.  For same-sex couples, he addresses communication stereotypes: avoidance in male pairs or overthinking in female ones, while stressing commonalities in all relationships. In dual-physician marriages, intellectualization may dominate, but reviewing arrangements like part-time work during child-rearing years and supporting paternity leave promotes respect and balance. Parting tips include finding uninterrupted time, transitioning from work mode, taking risks by being vulnerable about insecurities, and converting individual therapy into couples work to avoid exclusion.  Three Actionable Takeaways: Seek professional facilitation for tough conversations: Use a therapist to rephrase defensive language and ensure both partners feel heard, preventing escalation into arguments or name-calling. Regularly review relationship dynamics: Check in on sacrifices like relocations or part-time work, honoring promises and expressing appreciation to avoid resentment or feelings of being sidelined. Take communication risks during protected time: Be vulnerable about insecurities or feelings, such as loneliness, to deepen connection, and avoid defaulting to safe topics, use this safe space to address meaningful issues. About the Show: Succeed In Medicine 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. Michael F. Myers is a professor of clinical psychiatry and recent past vice president of education and director of training in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn. He's a specialist in physician health and the author of many books, including "Physicians with Lived Experience: How Their Stories Offer Clinical Guidance" and "Doctors' Marriages: A Look at the Problems and Their Solutions." He lectures widely on stresses in medical training, burnout, moral injury, depression, substance use, PTSD, marital discord, and reducing stigma in medicine. Connect with Dr. Michael Myers: Website: https://www.michaelfmyers.com 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 Succeed In Medicine 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   This medical podcast is your physician mentor to fill the gaps in your medical education. We cover physician soft skills, charting, interpersonal skills, doctor finance, doctor mental health, medical decisions, physician parenting, physician executive skills, navigating your doctor career, and medical professional development. This is critical CME for physicians, but without the credits (yet). A proud founding member of the Doctor Podcast Network!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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Struggling to balance a demanding medical career with a healthy marriage? It might be more common than you think. In this part one of two eye-opening episode of Succeed In Medicine podcast host Dr. Bradley Block interviews Dr. Michael F. Myers, as they delve into frequent issues in physician marriages, including communication gaps, workaholism, and using work as an escape from home tensions. Dr. Myers shares insights on recognizing when overwork crosses into avoidance, the impact of poor role models from past generations, and practical ways to transition from work mode to family presence. Key discussions include protecting couple time amid busy schedules, handling defensiveness in conversations, and fostering intentional dates or "grown-up time" away from kids. They also touch on generational shifts in medicine, where younger physicians prioritize life balance over endless dedication, and the importance of transparency about personal costs of overwork. Dr. Myers emphasizes treating marital communication as a skill to master, like medical training, and highlights resources like retreats for enrichment. Whether you're a physician navigating marital discord or supporting a partner in medicine, this episode offers compassionate guidance to prevent burnout at home, strengthen relationships, and model healthy dynamics for kids, setting the stage for part two next week. Three Actionable Takeaways: Protect Couple Time Intentionally: Schedule uninterrupted "grown-up time" daily e.g., 30 minutes post-work with no distractions like TV or phones, or bi-weekly dates even low-cost walks; train kids to respect boundaries to rebuild connection beyond co-parenting, reducing feelings of drifting apart. Create a Work-to-Home Transition Ritual: Build in buffer time after shifts, whether a commute unwind, quick run, or quiet moment to shift from decisiveness at work to presence at home; recognize when exhaustion is temporary and communicate needs to avoid guilt or resentment. Listen Without Defensiveness: When a spouse flags overwork or avoidance, pause and reflect instead of rationalizing; treat communication as a learnable skill like medicine, seeking resources like marital retreats or therapy to address root issues before they escalate to fights or disconnection. About the Show: Succeed In Medicine 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. Michael F. Myers is a professor of clinical psychiatry and recent past vice president of education and director of training in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn. He's a specialist in physician health and the author of many books, including "Physicians with Lived Experience: How Their Stories Offer Clinical Guidance" and "Doctors' Marriages: A Look at the Problems and Their Solutions." He lectures widely on stresses in medical training, burnout, moral injury, depression, substance use, PTSD, marital discord, and reducing stigma in medicine. Connect with Dr. Michael Myers: Website: https://www.michaelfmyers.com 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 Succeed In Medicine 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 This medical podcast is your physician mentor to fill the gaps in your medical education. We cover physician soft skills, charting, interpersonal skills, doctor finance, doctor mental health, medical decisions, physician parenting, physician executive skills, navigating your doctor career, and medical professional development. This is critical CME for physicians, but without the credits (yet). A proud founding member of the Doctor Podcast Network!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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Perplexed by patients with normal exams but persistent symptoms like recurrent UTIs or palpitations? It could be menopause. In this insightful episode of Succeed In Medicine podcast, host Dr. Bradley Block interviews Dr. Lauren Streicher. They explore commonly overlooked menopause symptoms beyond hot flashes: recurrent urinary tract infections tied to genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), palpitations as "hot flashes of the heart" (often sinus tachycardia without EKG changes), GI microbiome shifts causing nebulous digestive issues, xerostomia (dry mouth) linked to oral health risks, and skin/hair changes like alopecia. Dr. Streicher emphasizes reassuring patients early, validating symptoms as hormonal, and tailoring treatments, vaginal estrogen, safe even for breast cancer patients, systemic hormones, or new non-hormonal NK3 receptor antagonists like fezolinetant. They discuss the SWAN study's findings on long-term risks from untreated hot flashes (e.g., cardiovascular disease, bone loss), the need to differentiate perimenopausal (temporary) vs. lifelong postmenopausal effects, and avoiding arbitrary hormone therapy stops after 5 years. The conversation also touches on sexual health gaps in medicine, with tips for better history-taking and resources like Dr. Stryker's "Come Again" course. Listeners, clinicians and patients alike, will gain tools to address menopause holistically, improving quality of life and preventing complications. Three Actionable Takeaways: Recognize GSM in Recurrent UTIs: For postmenopausal women with new-onset recurrent UTIs, suspect genitourinary syndrome of menopause, prescribe local vaginal estrogen (cream, suppository, or ring) to restore microbiome and tissue health; it's safe for most, including breast cancer survivors on aromatase inhibitors. Reassure on Palpitations First: When midlife women present with palpitations, lead with "This is common in perimenopause (up to 50% affected) likely autonomic dysfunction like a 'heart hot flash'"; order a Holter monitor, but emphasize it's often benign and tied to vasomotor symptoms, treatable with hormones or NK3 antagonists. Integrate Sexual History Properly: Ditch "Are you sexually active?",  ask "Many women in menopause experience low libido, pain with sex, or orgasm difficulty; are any of these issues for you?"; refer to resources like Dr. Streicher's course for evaluation scripts, screeners, and solutions to address 50% of patients' unspoken concerns. About the Show: Succeed In Medicine 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. Lauren Streicher is a clinical professor of OB-GYN at Northwestern University and founding director of its Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. A certified menopause practitioner, she serves on the Menopause journal's editorial board, is a Kinsey Institute fellow, and authors bestsellers like "Sex Rx" and "Hot Flash Hell." She hosts "Inside Information" podcast and created "Come Again" audio series on postmenopausal sexuality. Connect with Dr. Lauren Streicher: Website: https://www.drstreicher.com Email: info@drstreicher.com  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 Succeed In Medicine 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 This medical podcast is your physician mentor to fill the gaps in your medical education. We cover physician soft skills, charting, interpersonal skills, doctor finance, doctor mental health, medical decisions, physician parenting, physician executive skills, navigating your doctor career, and medical professional development. This is critical CME for physicians, but without the credits (yet). A proud founding member of the Doctor Podcast Network!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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Michael Yip, Associate Professor and director of UCSD’s Advanced Robotics and Controls Lab, works on surgical robots and autonomous systems. He discusses current robots as teleoperated extensions for precision, real autonomy in hard-tissue tools like bone milling and CyberKnife, emerging soft-tissue tasks such as retraction and suction, regulatory and data safety hurdles, and stepwise adoption that aids rural care and reduces surgeon burnout.

Nick Morgan, communication theorist who coaches leaders and TED speakers, shares quick, practice-ready ways to boost charisma in clinical encounters. He explains posture tricks for authority. He reveals a short mental ritual to focus before entering. He teaches ‘charismatic listening’ and body-language cues to read patients, manage tension, and build trust in seconds.

How can physicians and their teams deliver exceptional patient experiences, even when things go wrong?In this episode of Succeed In Medicine Podcast, Dr. Bradley Block interviews Shep Hyken, as he shares practical strategies for elevating patient care, emphasizing that "amazing" service doesn't require grand gestures, it's about being slightly better than average, consistently. Drawing parallels from hospitality giants like the Ritz-Carlton, he explains how using patients' names, setting clear expectations, and leveraging technology like patient portals can reduce friction and build loyalty.The conversation dives into handling "moments of misery," such as late appointments or scheduling mishaps, with a five-step process: acknowledge the issue, apologize, discuss resolutions, own the problem, and act with urgency. Shep also stresses the importance of creating a patient-focused culture through leadership, training, and hiring for personality fit. He introduces concepts like "destination employment" to foster employee fulfillment and uniqueness, ensuring staff feel empowered to deliver compassionate care. Ultimately, Shep reinforces that patients compare healthcare experiences to top-tier service in any industry, so practices must prioritize convenience, empathy, and proactive communication to stand out.Three Actionable TakeawaysDefine "Amazing" as Consistent Excellence: Aim to be just 10% better than average every time—through friendly interactions, using patients' names, and meeting expectations reliably—to create loyalty without over-the-top efforts.Turn Complaints into Opportunities: Use a five-step process for moments of misery: acknowledge the issue, apologize, discuss fixes with options, own the resolution personally, and act urgently to rebuild trust.Build a Patient-Focused Culture: Start with leadership by defining a one-sentence vision for the experience, communicate it repeatedly, train staff ongoingly, role-model behaviors, defend the standards, and celebrate successes to empower your team.About the Show:Succeed In Medicine 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:Shep Hyken is a customer service and experience expert, award-winning keynote speaker, researcher, and New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. He has been quoted in hundreds of publications and is the author of eight books, including his most recent, "I'll Be Back: How to Get Customers to Come Back Again and Again." Shep works with companies and organizations that want to build loyal relationships with their customers and employees.LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/shephykenWebsite: hyken.comAbout 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 Succeed In Medicine 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   This medical podcast is your physician mentor to fill the gaps in your medical education. We cover physician soft skills, charting, interpersonal skills, doctor finance, doctor mental health, medical decisions, physician parenting, physician executive skills, navigating your doctor career, and medical professional development. This is critical CME for physicians, but without the credits (yet). A proud founding member of the Doctor Podcast Network!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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Could medications originally designed for diabetes actually help treat addiction, eating disorders, and the biology of cravings?In this part 2 of 2-part episode of Succeed In Medicine Podcast, Dr. Bradley Block sits down with Dr. Sean Wharton, to dig deeper into the science, myths, and emerging uses of GLP-1 agonists. Dr. Wharton explains that these medications don’t simply reduce appetite, they calm what he calls “food noise,” the constant mental pull toward eating that many people with obesity experience. This neurological effect has opened the door to exciting possibilities: early research suggests GLP-1 drugs may also reduce cravings for alcohol and other addictive behaviors.  Dr. Wharton also clarifies the confusing world of brand names. Ozempic and Wegovy are both semaglutide; Mounjaro and Zepbound are tirzepatide. The differences are largely about FDA indications and insurance coverage, not completely different medications.The episode tackles common fears patients and clinicians hear every day. Do these medications cause eating disorders? No, in fact, they may help treat them. Are the side effects dangerous? Usually not, and most are manageable with proper dosing. Is “Ozempic face” real? It’s simply normal fat loss, not a drug-specific problem. Most importantly, Dr. Wharton reinforces a compassionate, evidence-based message: obesity is a chronic, biological disease, and GLP-1 medications are tools to treat it, just like medications for blood pressure or diabetes.Three Actionable TakeawaysGLP-1 Medications Affect the Brain as Much as the Stomach: These drugs reduce “food noise” and cravings, helping patients regain control over eating behaviors. Their impact is neurological, not simply about willpower or restriction.Side Effects Are Real—but Usually Manageable: Nausea, constipation, and GI symptoms are the most common issues, especially early on. Starting low and increasing doses slowly makes treatment far more tolerable.Treatment Decisions Should Be Individualized:  Not every patient must stay on these medications forever. Conversations about duration, goals, and expectations should be collaborative and tailored to each person.About the Show:Succeed In Medicine 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. Sean Wharton holds doctorates in Pharmacy and Medicine from the University of Toronto. He is the Director of the Wharton Medical Clinic, a community-based weight management and diabetes clinic, and serves as Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto and Adjunct Professor at McMaster and York Universities.Dr. Wharton is the lead author of the 2020 Canadian Obesity Guidelines, recognized worldwide, and has published extensively in major medical journals including the New England Journal of Medicine. He is a passionate advocate for health equity and improving the way obesity is understood and treated in healthcare.LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drseanwhartonWebsite: whartonmedicalclinic.comAbout 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 Succeed In Medicine 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  This medical podcast is your physician mentor to fill the gaps in your medical education. We cover physician soft skills, charting, interpersonal skills, doctor finance, doctor mental health, medical decisions, physician parenting, physician executive skills, navigating your doctor career, and medical professional development. This is critical CME for physicians, but without the credits (yet). A proud founding member of the Doctor Podcast Network!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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.