Ep 70. Sleep 101, Myth Busting, Entrepreneurship and Parenting with Celebrity Physician Expert Dr. Sujay Kansagra ("That Sleep Doc")

Ep 74. The Power of Storytelling in Leadership, Loss, and Life with Emmy Award-winning Journalist Sharon Delaney McCloud

⚠️Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of child loss. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know needs support, resources are listed at the bottom of these show notes.  Sharon Delaney McCloud built a career on the belief that the right words, told the right way, can change everything. What she didn't expect was that her own hardest story would become her most important work. An Emmy Award-winning broadcaster turned executive communication consultant, Sharon spent two decades anchoring the news before walking away to build something new. But the turning point wasn't professional. It was the loss of her six-month-old daughter, Macie, to leukemia. That line in the sand reshaped how she understood grief, success, and the courage it takes to be real in a world obsessed with looking perfect. In this tender and inspiring conversation, Sharon and Dr. Shabbir explore why facts push but emotions pull, how high achievers hide in their work, and why moving through loss matters far more than moving on. Sharon shares how she turned her grief into a TEDx talk that now trains nurses, reached the White House, and gives other bereaved parents language for the unspeakable. This is a masterclass in storytelling, leadership, and what it means to redefine success on your own terms. Episode Takeaways: * How storytelling shaped Sharon from the family dinner table to network news * Why facts push but emotions pull, and what that means for leaders * Moving through grief instead of moving on, and why there's no timeline for it * Turning battle scars into badges of honor through intentional storytelling * The Story Storm to Story Bank method for finding the why your team needs * Why perfection creates distance and being real creates connection * Reimagining success as work that matters, not titles chased About the guest: Sharon Delaney McCloud is an Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, Certified Speaking Professional (CSP®), TEDx speaker, adjunct professor, and corporate leadership consultant who helps people make an impact through powerful, intentional communication. As founder of a three-time INC 5000-recognized firm, she works with leaders and organizations on storytelling, self-aware leadership, and navigating hard conversations. Her insights have appeared in Thrive Global and Enterprising Women, and she co-authored Keep Going: Memoirs of Strength, Courage & Perseverance. Her work spans clients including Cisco, Lenovo, Red Hat, UNC Health, Duke University, Amazon, IBM, Hilton, and Delta. Before founding her consultancy, Sharon supported American troops abroad with the Department of Defense's USO Program and spent two decades as a television journalist covering NASA, healthcare, and major events including the Olympics, where she carried the Olympic Torch. A mom of three, she considers that her most important role. Connect with Sharon Delaney McCloud: Website [https://www.sharondelaney.tv/] - https://www.sharondelaney.tv/ [https://www.sharondelaney.tv/]  YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxwltFl2Jcdet09n9aaCxcQ] - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxwltFl2Jcdet09n9aaCxcQ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxwltFl2Jcdet09n9aaCxcQ]  LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharondelaneymccloud/] - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharondelaneymccloud/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharondelaneymccloud/]  Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sharondelaneymccloud/] - https://www.instagram.com/sharondelaneymccloud/ [https://www.instagram.com/sharondelaneymccloud/]  Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/sharondelaneyontv/] - https://www.facebook.com/sharondelaneyontv/ [https://www.facebook.com/sharondelaneyontv/]  Sharon’s Story Bank Spreadsheet [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZAHWxew1Ih_cdoW49NCy064NlrJjqoSp/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=112965286006000159605&rtpof=true&sd=true]used for Story Storming  About the Host Dr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician and TEDx Speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers. Connect with Dr. Shabbir 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/] 📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx Talk Perfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s]   🌍 Want to Book Dr. Shabbir to Speak at your event or organization? Reach out at: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking [https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking]  ✅Want to work 1:1 With Dr. Shabbir? Schedule Your Complimentary Strategy Session: https://calendly.com/dramnashabbir/strategy [https://calendly.com/dramnashabbir/strategy]   ✨ What Type of Perfectionism is Sabotaging Your Success? Take the FREE 3-minute quiz and discover your predominant perfectionism pattern (Self-Critic? Frustrated Fixer? Performer? Sustainable High-Achiever?). You'll get a personalized podcast episode designed for YOUR type + a complete resource guide with tools for boundaries, impostorism, nervous system regulation, and more. 👉 Take the Quiz: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/quiz [https://www.dramnashabbir.com/quiz]  ❌ Disclaimer This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution. ❤️ Enjoyed This Episode? Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message. 🎗️ Support Resources:National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (US/Canada) The Compassionate Friends (Child Loss Support): 877-969-0010 | compassionatefriends.orgCrisis  Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

Ep 73. Mind-Body Medicine, Burnout, and Finding Your Why With Founder Dr. Jessica Singh

Dr. Jessica Singh didn't leave emergency medicine because it was easy. She left because staying was costing her everything. After finishing residency as one of the most unhappy moments of her life, Dr.Singh found her way back to herself through an unexpected door: a one-month yoga teacher training she took purely to heal. That experience cracked open a whole new understanding of what health actually means, and set her on a path toward mind-body medicine, trauma-informed coaching, and eventually building the Center for Health and Wellness Coaches and a Health and Wellness Coach Training Program at NYU. In this warm, honest, and deeply insightful conversation, Dr. Jessica Singh and Dr. Amna Shabbir explore what it really means to heal from the inside out — and why the medicine we need most is often the kind no one teaches in training. Episode Takeaways: * Why finishing residency was the biggest worldly achievement of Jessica's life and the most unhappy she had ever been * What mind-body medicine actually means, broken down plainly by two physicians who practice it * How the mind's capacity to create stress is the same capacity it can use to heal * The role of grounding practices, yoga, and daily routine in building sustainable wellbeing * Why perfectionism and self-compassion are two sides of the same wound — and how to work with both About the guest: Jessica Singh, MD, is the founder of the Center for Health and Wellness Coaches and a former emergency medicine physician. Her journey in pursuit of well-being intensified when she was an emergency medicine physician-in-training to enhance her own health and heal from burnout. After practicing as an attending physician in the community, Dr. Singh became the first to complete a one-year fellowship in Physician Wellness through the Department of Emergency Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine.  After finishing her fellowship, Dr. Singh transitioned careers, with the mission of helping individuals, organizations, and communities nurture health and enhance fulfillment and well- being. Dr. Singh is a trauma-informed physician coach certified by the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaching and the International Coaching Federation. She founded the Center for Health and Wellness Coaches to promote the sharing of best practices, cultivate community, and provide evidence-based resources for health and wellness coaches. Dr. Singh is an adjunct faculty member at New York University’s School of Professional Studies and the developer and lead faculty of the Health and Well-being Coaching Certificate. Connect with Jessica Singh, MD, NBC-HWC, ACC: Website: www.centerforhealthandwellnesscoaches.com [http://www.centerforhealthandwellnesscoaches.com]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-singh-md/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-singh-md/]  The Holistic Physician Coaching Podcast - https://www.holisticphysiciancoachingpodcast.com/ [https://www.holisticphysiciancoachingpodcast.com/]    The Health and Wellness Coach Journal Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-health-and-wellness-coach-journal/id1727638588 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-health-and-wellness-coach-journal/id1727638588]  About the Host Dr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician and TEDx Speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers. Connect with Dr. Shabbir 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/] 📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx Talk Perfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s]   🌍 Want to Book Dr. Shabbir to Speak at your event or organization? Reach out at: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking [https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking] ✅Want to work 1:1 With Dr. Shabbir? Schedule Your Complimentary Strategy Session: https://calendly.com/dramnashabbir/strategy [https://calendly.com/dramnashabbir/strategy]   ✨ What Type of Perfectionism is Sabotaging Your Success? Take the FREE 3-minute quiz and discover your predominant perfectionism pattern (Self-Critic? Frustrated Fixer? Performer? Sustainable High-Achiever?). You'll get a personalized podcast episode designed for YOUR type + a complete resource guide with tools for boundaries, impostorism, nervous system regulation, and more. 👉 Take the Quiz: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/quiz [https://www.dramnashabbir.com/quiz]  ❌ Disclaimer This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution. ❤️ Enjoyed This Episode? Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message. 🧡 Free Support Resources Please call or text 988 for support and care for yourself.

Ep 72. Cognitive Distortions, Overthinking and Perfectionism Explained - The One Thinking Pattern Destroying Your Confidence

What if the voice telling you that you completely failed, that you ruined everything, that you're a terrible parent or a terrible leader, isn't telling you the truth? In this solo episode, Dr. Amna Shabbir breaks down one of the most common and most damaging thinking patterns that perfectionists face: all-or-none thinking. Also known as black-and-white or dichotomous thinking, this cognitive distortion keeps high achievers stuck in a loop of self-criticism, procrastination, and chronic exhaustion. And the worst part? It feels completely real. Drawing from cognitive behavioral therapy research and her own coaching practice, Dr. Shabbir walks you through what cognitive distortions actually are, why perfectionism makes you uniquely vulnerable to them, and a simple but powerful exercise you can use right now to interrupt the spiral. Episode Takeaways * What cognitive distortions are and why they feel so convincing * How all-or-none thinking shows up at work, in parenting, in relationships, and in entrepreneurship * The research-backed connection between black-and-white thinking and anxiety, depression, procrastination, and burnout * Why perfectionists are wired to scan for evidence of failure * The Truth Test: a practical, pen-and-paper exercise to challenge distorted thoughts in real time * Why "the gray area" is where excellence actually lives * What metacognition is and how developing it changes everything About the Host Dr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician, and TEDx Speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers. ✨ What Type of Perfectionism is Sabotaging Your Success? Take the FREE 3-minute quiz and discover your predominant perfectionism pattern (Self-Critic? Frustrated Fixer? Performer? Sustainable High-Achiever?). You'll get a personalized podcast episode designed for YOUR type + a complete resource guide with tools for boundaries, impostorism, nervous system regulation, and more. 👉 Take the Quiz: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/quiz [https://www.dramnashabbir.com/quiz] Connect with Dr. Shabbir 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/] 📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx Talk Perfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s]   🌍 Want to Book Dr. Shabbir to Speak at your event or organization? Reach out at: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking [https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking] ✅Want to work 1:1 With Dr. Shabbir? Schedule Your Complimentary Strategy Session: https://calendly.com/dramnashabbir/strategy [https://calendly.com/dramnashabbir/strategy]  ❌ Disclaimer This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution. ❤️ Enjoyed This Episode? Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

Ep 71. Navigating Change and Life Transitions as a High Achiever with Marcy Bullock

What happens when everything you have built your identity around suddenly shifts? Marcy Bullock has spent over three decades helping students, professionals, and high achievers answer exactly that question. She is an award-winning speaker and Director of Professional Development at North Carolina State's College of Engineering, with over 150 professional development courses delivered across four universities on three continents. In this conversation, Marcy unpacks the concept of the lifequake, the seismic moments that shake your sense of self to the core, and why navigating them starts with one thing: knowing who you truly are. This is a conversation about turning inward before you can move forward. Episode Takeaways: * What a lifequake actually is and why so many of us are living in one right now * The danger of workaholism and tying your worthiness to your professional identity * The powerful concept of “me search”, going inward to uncover your values, interests, and skills * Why only 20% of people are truly engaged at work and what that really means for your life * The 4 R's for navigating any life transition: Rethink, Release, Receive, Restart * How perfectionism shapeshifts across every season of life * Why the messy middle is not something to skip, it is where transformation actually happens * What it means to normalize the struggle and give yourself permission to feel it all * Why validation is for parking and where your sense of worth actually needs to come from About the guest: Marcy Bullock is a workforce transformation strategist, award-winning speaker, and career coach. Marcy has three decades of experience rewiring mindset, strengthening culture, and driving performance. Her goal is simple: Elevate mindset and morale to unlock potential. She personally designs each learning experience to reflect the unique culture, priorities, and needs of the organizations she partners with. She empowers people to show up as their best selves and perform like it. After all, high-performance cultures start with high-growth people. For over a decade she taught Women in the Workforce, Practicing Happiness, Career Exploration and Professional Development at NC State University. She has facilitated corporate retreats and workshops and delivered captivating keynote addresses across the globe.  She was honored with the North Carolina Governor's Award for Excellence and the Outstanding Faculty Award from the Alumni Society.  She has a Master’s Degree in Counseling and is Certified in Career Coaching, Gallup Strengths, and Professional Leadership.  Connect with Marcy Bullock: Email: marcyleebullock@gmail.com [marcyleebullock@gmail.com]Website: https://sites.google.com/view/marcylee/home?authuser=0 [https://sites.google.com/view/marcylee/home?authuser=0]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcyleecoaching/ [https://www.instagram.com/marcyleecoaching/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marcy-lee-coaching-consulting [https://www.linkedin.com/company/marcy-lee-coaching-consulting/?viewAsMember=true] ✨ What Type of Perfectionism is Sabotaging Your Success? Take the FREE 3-minute quiz and discover your predominant perfectionism pattern (Self-Critic? Frustrated Fixer? Performer? Sustainable High-Achiever?). You'll get a personalized podcast episode designed for YOUR type + a complete resource guide with tools for boundaries, impostorism, nervous system regulation, and more. 👉 Take the Quiz: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/quiz [https://www.dramnashabbir.com/quiz]  About the Host Dr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician and TEDx Speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers. Connect with Dr. Shabbir 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/] 📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx Talk Perfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s]   🌍 Want to Book Dr. Shabbir to Speak at your event or organization? Reach out at: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking [https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking]  ✅Want to work 1:1 With Dr. Shabbir? Schedule Your Complimentary Strategy Session: https://calendly.com/dramnashabbir/strategy [https://calendly.com/dramnashabbir/strategy]   ❌ Disclaimer This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution. ❤️ Enjoyed This Episode? Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

Ep 70. Sleep 101, Myth Busting, Entrepreneurship and Parenting with Celebrity Physician Expert Dr. Sujay Kansagra ("That Sleep Doc")

Dr. Sujay Kansagra, MD is a professor at Duke University and the director of Duke University's Pediatric Neurology Sleep Medicine Program. Known on social media as That Sleep Doc, he has built a community of over 700,000 followers who turn to him for evidence-based, refreshingly humorous sleep wisdom. He is the inventor of the Lullabee Smart Crib Mattress, a science-backed innovation designed to help infants become confident, independent sleepers. Dr. Kansagra is also the author of numerous peer-reviewed publications and five books, including My Child Won't Sleep: A Quick Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing Common Sleep Issues in Children of All Ages. A self-described "accidental entrepreneur," Dr. Kansagra blends rigorous science, clinical experience, and genuine warmth to make better sleep accessible to families and high achievers everywhere. Episode Takeaways: * Rapid-fire myth-busting: melatonin, magnesium glycinate, screen time, co-sleeping, sleep training, alcohol, weighted blankets, mouth taping, and wearables * Why "orthosomnia", anxiety driven by sleep trackers may be hurting more than helping * The three most common reasons young children aren't sleeping (and why it's almost never the supplement) * The eight-year journey behind the Lullabee Smart Crib Mattress and the heartbreaking cases that propelled Dr. Kansagra to invent it * Why your sleep need is genetically determined, and the comparison game with "short sleepers" is rigged * The truth about chronotypes: morning bird, night owl, or somewhere in between * How to assess your true sleep need and build a realistic sleep window * The link between perfectionism and insomnia, and the radical permission to let sleep be imperfect About the guest: Dr. Sujay Kansagra, MD is a professor at Duke and the director of Duke University’s Pediatric Neurology Sleep Medicine Program. He’s popularly known as @ThatSleepDoc on social media where he has over 700,000 followers. He’s also the inventor of the Lullabee Smart Crib Mattress. He specializes in treating a variety of sleep disorders, including sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy and parasomnias. His prior research involves sleep pathology in rare conditions such as alternating hemiplegia of childhood and infantile Pompe disease. Dr. Kansagra is the author of numerous peer-reviewed research publications and 5 books, including the book “My Child Won’t Sleep”, a high-yield, step-by-step guide to fixing common sleep issues in children of all ages, infants through adolescence. Connect with Dr. Kansagra: Website: www.lullabee.com [http://www.lullabee.com]  Instagram: www.instagram.com/thatsleepdoc [http://www.instagram.com/thatsleepdoc]  Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@thatsleepdoc [http://www.tiktok.com/@thatsleepdoc]  Youtube: www.youtube.com/@thatsleepdoc [http://www.youtube.com/@thatsleepdoc]  ✨ What Type of Perfectionism is Sabotaging Your Success? Take the FREE 3-minute quiz and discover your predominant perfectionism pattern (Self-Critic? Frustrated Fixer? Performer? Sustainable High-Achiever?). You'll get a personalized podcast episode designed for YOUR type + a complete resource guide with tools for boundaries, impostorism, nervous system regulation, and more. 👉 Take the Quiz: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/quiz [https://www.dramnashabbir.com/quiz]  About the Host Dr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician and TEDx Speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers. Connect with Dr. Shabbir 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/] 📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx Talk Perfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s]   🌍 Want to Book Dr. Shabbir to Speak at your event or organization? Reach out at: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking [https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking]  ✅Want to work 1:1 With Dr. Shabbir? Schedule Your Complimentary Strategy Session: https://calendly.com/dramnashabbir/strategy [https://calendly.com/dramnashabbir/strategy]   ❌ Disclaimer This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution. ❤️ Enjoyed This Episode? Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.