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Artwork for Surgeons with Purpose

Surgeons with Purpose

Hippocratic Collective
Mental Health
Surgery
Burnout
Anxiety
Surgeons
Imposter Syndrome
Coaching
Medical Training
Patient Care
Perfectionism
Work-Life Balance
Healthcare System
Self-Concept
Emotional Intelligence
Moral Injury
Surgeon Burnout
Self-Care
Self-Doubt
Medical Education
Otolaryngology

A podcast for surgeons who feel like they are languishing in a career that didn't turn out to be as fulfilling or as prestigious as they expected. Dr. Mel Thacker, an ENT surgeon and coach, takes you on a journey to help you understand why you are feeling dissatisfied, burnt out, and stuck. With this newfound insight, you'll be able to reframe how you see your experience, rediscover who you are un... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes105Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
MedicineMental HealthHealth & Fitness

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Artwork for Surgeons with Purpose

Latest Episodes

What kind of surgeon are you becoming? Take the quiz here.

Join us inside Empowered Surgeons Group here.

Check out Behind the Sports Medicine Podcast here and follow them on instagram here.

Dr. Cameron Roth is a fellowship-trained orthopedic docto... more

Join us inside Empowered Surgeons Group here.

Sham peer review can be one of the most devastating threats facing surgeons today. But it doesn’t have to.

Physician, educator, and coach, Dr. Tracey O'Connell, pulls back the curtain on a reality most ... more

Join us inside Empowered Surgeons here.

Every surgeon enters the profession knowing the clinical risks. Complications happen. Patients are unhappy. Outcomes fall short. That is part of the contract.

But what about the other risks? The systemic and ... more

Join Empowered Surgeons Group here.

Dr. Won Kim is a brain and tumor neurosurgeon at UCLA Health, where he trained, completed a fellowship in stereotactic and functional neurosurgery, and built a practice around treating tumors that were once consid... more

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Recent Guests

Christian Bowers
Neurosurgeon, Georgetown Med School graduate, former program director
Georgetown University / academic medical center
Episode: #100 Surgery's Kangaroo Courts with Dr. Christian Bowers
Won Kim
Neurosurgeon at UCLA, fellow in stereotactic and functional neurosurgery
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Episode: #99 Not Getting Greedy with the Last 5% with Dr. Won Kim
Dr. Red Hoffman
Trauma surgeon and hospice/palliative medicine physician
Trauma surgery and hospice/palliative medicine practitioner
Episode: #98 You're Not Stuck with Dr. Red Hoffman
Shieva Ghofrany
OBGYN, private practice physician, telehealth clinician for perimenopause and menopause
Private practice in private obstetrics/gynecology, telehealth practice
Episode: #97 Break Free from the Golden Handcuffs with Dr. Shieva Ghofrany
Jake Goodman
Psychiatrist and mental health advocate
Goodman Psychiatry
Episode: #96 F*ck the Stigma: The Truth About Physician Mental Health with Dr. Jake Goodman
Dr. Erica Bove
Double board certified OB-GYN and reproductive endocrinologist, CEO/founder of Love and Science, Thriving Through Infertility
University of Vermont; Love and Science Fertility
Episode: #94 Solving for the Infertility Crisis in Surgery with Dr. Erica Bove
Karen Leitner
Coach for women doctors; specializes in negotiation and ADHD-informed practice
Karen Leitner MD
Episode: #93 Negotiating Our Worth with Dr. Karen Leitner
Sonya Sloan, MD
Orthopedic surgeon, author of The Rules of Medicine
Orthopedic Surgeon, Sloan STEM nonprofit
Episode: #92 The Rules of Surviving Surgery with Dr. Sonya Sloan
Brian Nwannunu
Orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip and knee replacement
Texas Joint Institute
Episode: #90 Serving the Patient Not the Ego with Dr. Brian Nwannunu

Host

Dr. Mel Thacker
Host of Surgeons with Purpose

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 45 ratings
  • Perfection

    Exactly what this community needs.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kate Buh.
    United States9 months ago
  • Incredibly inspiring

    Incredibly inspiring and courageous podcast. Valuable information that fills a void that so many in our profession are uncomfortable speaking about. Highly recommend for all surgeons and physicians.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KY West Highland Way
    United Statesa year ago
  • Wonderfully Inspiring Podcast

    Love Dr. Mel Thacker. She’s an inspiration and really an important voice and role model for all fields of medicine. I hope she goes on to a broader leadership role in public health and public policy!!!!! A WONDERFUL LEADER!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Doc Lady USA
    United Statesa year ago
  • Thanks for befriending my imposter

    It’s funny how I initially downloaded the episode and then was resistant to listen… like I wanted to keep this part of me hidden. I know it’s there. What’s the point of belaboring it?

    Well, thank you Mel. You reminded me that it’s my minds way of protecting me. That I can embrace my imposter and reason through her.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BraveBadassSurgeonMom
    United Statesa year ago
  • Such an important topic to talk about!

    I recently was turned on to this podcast, and it sounded interesting, but oh my goodness, this is SO important to consider the medical practitioner angle, and what they are saying! These are heartbreaking stories from people who made a vow to care for people, and how the system is failing them, and with that, the patients. Thank you for providing these recounts.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Amybeth1126
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate candid conversations about burnout and coaching
Insightful and empowering for surgeons
Audience finds guest expertise and host leadership gratefully valued

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#99 Not Getting Greedy with the Last 5% with Dr. Won Kim
Q: What would you recommend to trainees navigating the culture and demands of surgical training?
Criticism should be viewed as about the task, not the person. When feedback attacks personality, it reflects the provider rather than the trainee. Trainees should focus on actionable improvements, maintain resilience, and recognize that showing up and continuing to grow step by step is progress. Building supportive communities, engaging in coaching, and balancing high performance with self-care are essential to sustain a long, meaningful career without losing humanity.
#99 Not Getting Greedy with the Last 5% with Dr. Won Kim
Q: Tell us about your journey into neurosurgery and how it led you to stereotactic and functional neurosurgery.
My path began with a fascination about how the brain supports mental faculties and how pathology can disrupt them. A childhood friend's depression showed me the brain's powerful influence, which drew me from psychology to neuroscience and eventually to neurosurgery. I pursued a fellowship in stereotactic and functional neurosurgery, drawn by research potential, deep brain stimulation applications, and the opportunity to blend technical skill with studying neural networks. The field's combination of research and patient impact ultimately steered me toward brain tumor work and the broader mission of treating the person, not just the disease.
#92 The Rules of Surviving Surgery with Dr. Sonya Sloan
Q: What inspired you to write The Rules of Medicine, and what is the core message you want readers to take away?
The book grew out of years of personal experience with discrimination and the realization that many trainees lack practical, survival-oriented guidance. Its core message is to be strategic, protect oneself, seek mentorship and advocacy, and to transform trauma into empowerment by documenting, learning to play the game, and paying it forward to help others navigate the system.
#92 The Rules of Surviving Surgery with Dr. Sonya Sloan
Q: Tell us about your story and how you got into orthopedics, including any barriers you faced as a Black woman in your residency.
Dr. Sloan describes growing up around hospitals, seeing orthopedics as a potential path, facing a lack of representation for women of color, and navigating a hostile culture during residency. She discusses bullying, harassment, and the strategic ways she learned to document, advocate for herself, and persevere, ultimately leading to a career that combines clinical work with advocacy and writing.
#94 Solving for the Infertility Crisis in Surgery with Dr. Erica Bove
Q: So tell us a little bit about your story.
I'm a reproductive endocrinologist focused on IVF who realized that many patients struggle because they don't have coaching tools or emotional support; by combining coaching with scientific care I can help patients and physicians regulate their nervous systems and make better, more authentic decisions.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Surgeons with Purpose

What is Surgeons with Purpose about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Surgeons with Purpose centers on helping surgeons who feel stuck, burnt out, or misaligned with their career. Conversations swing between burnout relief, leadership development, gender equity in medicine, and coaching as a practical path to regain meaning. Across episodes, guests range from surgeons and clinicians to coaches and researchers, all exploring authentic identity beyond the operating room and actionable strategies to improve well-being, career satisfaction, and patient care. The show often weaves personal journeys with system-level critique, spotlighting empathy, mentorship, and real-world steps toward a more purposeful medical career.

Where can I find podcast stats for Surgeons with Purpose?

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How many listeners does Surgeons with Purpose get?

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What are the audience demographics for Surgeons with Purpose?

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How many subscribers and views does Surgeons with Purpose have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Surgeons with Purpose has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Surgeons with Purpose?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Surgeons with Purpose:

1. Surgeon, Interrupted
2. Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
3. TED Radio Hour
4. Nobody Asked Us with Des & Kara
5. Good Inside with Dr. Becky

How many episodes of Surgeons with Purpose are there?

Surgeons with Purpose launched 2 years ago and published 105 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Surgeons with Purpose?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Surgeons with Purpose?

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What guests have appeared on Surgeons with Purpose?

Recent guests on Surgeons with Purpose include:

1. Christian Bowers
2. Won Kim
3. Dr. Red Hoffman
4. Shieva Ghofrany
5. Jake Goodman
6. Dr. Erica Bove
7. Karen Leitner
8. Sonya Sloan, MD

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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