Sustaining High Performance in Medicine: Navigating Burnout, Energy Management, and Self-Awareness

Sustaining High Performance in Medicine: Navigating Burnout, Energy Management, and Self-Awareness

In this episode of The Developing Doctor, host Dr. Ben Reinking explores the concept of high performance in medicine—not simply doing more, but understanding how to sustain excellence and purpose over time without burnout. He is joined by Dr. Diane Malaspina, a psychologist, performance coach, and yoga teacher specializing in stress and burnout recovery, nervous system regulation, and optimal performance. Drawing on her background in both academic psychology and Eastern wellness practices, Dr. Diane Malaspina combines scientific research with mindfulness and breath work to help high performers in healthcare find balance and resilience. Listeners will hear a discussion on redefining what it means to be a high performer, the importance of managing energy over time, the value of physiological data in understanding personal wellbeing, and how coaching can help healthcare providers gain crucial self-awareness. This episode is designed for anyone in medicine seeking to cultivate sustainable high performance and personal growth.

Why Listening Matters More Than Ever in Medicine

Welcome back to The Developing Doctor! In this episode, host Dr. Ben  explores the often-overlooked skill at the heart of great healthcare teams: truly listening. While medical training equips us with impressive technical abilities, we rarely learn how to listen with intent and compassion. Today, Ben is joined by Dr. Elizabeth Parks, a communication scholar and expert in listening, who has dedicated her career to understanding how the way we listen shapes relationships, leadership, and communities. Together, they dig into why listening is frequently undervalued in healthcare—even among those who care deeply—and how it can be cultivated as a practical skill. Dr. Elizabeth Parks shares the roots of her passion for listening, from her experiences in the Deaf community to working with international nonprofits, and introduces her evidence-based LISTEN framework. The conversation covers the cultural and relational nature of listening, the essential link between listening and trust, and strategies for navigating challenging conversations and organizational bias. If you’re ready to rethink what makes a healer effective, and how listening can transform your practice and your team, you won’t want to miss this episode. Today’s guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethshun-chingparks?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethshun-chingparks?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios] Check out: https://www.elizabethsparks.org [https://www.elizabethsparks.org]

Building Trust Between Providers and Administrators for Better Healthcare

On this episode of The Developing Doctor, we dive into one of healthcare’s quietest sources of tension: the complex relationship between physicians and administrators. Too often, these essential partnerships are marred by miscommunication, misunderstanding, and the false belief that we’re working on different teams. But when trust and shared purpose are present, these relationships can transform healthcare into something truly rewarding—and more human. To explore this dynamic, Dr. Ben welcomes two extraordinary guests with decades of experience on the administrative side of medicine. Roxanne Meyer and Kris Zeller have helped practices grow from small teams into thriving healthcare organizations, navigated tremendous changes like EMRs and COVID, and learned firsthand the power of mentorship, leadership, and relationships. Together, they share the highs and lows of running medical practices, the crucial role of communication and mutual respect, and the changes—sometimes challenging, sometimes inspiring—shaping healthcare today. Whether you’re a physician, administrator, or just invested in the future of healthcare, this conversation is a timely reminder: our system works best when we see one another as partners, not adversaries.

Creating Flexibility and Balance in Modern Medical Careers

Welcome back to The Developing Doctor Podcast - the place where we bring the heart and soul back to medicine. In this episode, host Dr. Ben Reinking, a pediatric cardiologist and physician development coach, dives into the world of locum tenens, or "locums," exploring why more and more physicians are choosing this flexible career path to reclaim joy, autonomy, and purpose in medicine. Dr. Ben Reinking is joined by Jordan Weber, brand manager at locums.com, a leading platform that connects doctors and healthcare providers with locum tenens opportunities. Together, they break down what locums work really is, the advantages and trade-offs, and how this model has grown from a simple stopgap for solo practitioners to a dynamic, empowering career option. Listen in as they discuss everything from escaping burnout and administrative overload to the kinds of physicians who thrive in locums roles, and even practical tips on getting started. Whether you’re a new grad eager to try different practice settings, a seasoned physician looking for more flexibility, or simply curious how locums can help you align your work with your values, this episode offers valuable insights into designing your own medical career, on your own terms. Check out the website and today’s guest: https://www.locums.com/ [https://www.locums.com/] linkedin.com/in/findjordanweber [http://linkedin.com/in/findjordanweber]

Beyond the Hospital: Medical Teams Creating Heart-Safe Communities

Welcome back to The Developing Doctor! In this episode, Dr. Ben Reinking sits down with Brenda Haag, Gary Beasley, and Trudy Pierick, - a powerhouse team of pediatric healthcare professionals behind Project Adam Iowa Heartland. Together, they dive into their journeys from the bedside to impacting communities across Iowa, discuss the evolution of their professional identities, and share the story of how Project Adam- a national initiative dedicated to preventing sudden cardiac death in schools - found its footing in the Heartland. You’ll hear how their personal experiences, mentorships, and sometimes unexpected turns led them to where they are now: building safer schools, empowering educators and students through hands-on cardiac emergency training, and saving lives one drill at a time. They discuss the realities of sudden cardiac arrest, the transformative power of community engagement, and the critical role nurses, physicians, and educators play far beyond the hospital walls. Whether you’re a healthcare provider, educator, or just curious about how community action can create real change, this episode will leave you both inspired and informed. Stay tuned to learn how you or your local school can get involved - and why a defibrillator might be just as essential as a fire extinguisher! Today’s guests: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trudy-pierick-pnp-baker?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app [https://www.linkedin.com/in/trudy-pierick-pnp-baker?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app] https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-beasley-817a2236?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-beasley-817a2236?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app] Check out also the website: https://uihc.org/childrens/services/project-adam-iowa-heartland [https://uihc.org/childrens/services/project-adam-iowa-heartland]