The Worthy Physician

Dr. Sapna Shah-Haque MD
  • 5.0 (14)
  • MEDICINE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

"Reigniting your humanity and  passion for medicine." Welcome to The Worthy Physician, a podcast for physicians, other healthcare workers, and high-performing individuals seeking to reconnect with their humanity, rediscover their passion for medicine, and redefine fulfillment. This podcast offers reflection, healing, and authentic storytelling in a world where burnout, imposter syndrome, and overwhelming expectations are shared. Medicine is more than a profession—it's a calling. Yet, modern healthcare often leaves physicians feeling disconnected, chasing milestones that fail to bring lasting satisfaction. The Worthy Physician challenges these narratives, prioritizing well-being, core values, and authenticity. Why Listen? 1. Physician Burnout: Understand its causes and recovery strategies to rediscover joy in medicine. 2. Authentic Self: Explore your identity beyond the white coat and integrate it into all aspects of life. 3. Imposter Syndrome: Overcome doubts, embrace your worth, and value your contributions to medicine. 4. The Arrival Fallacy: Break free from achievement-driven dissatisfaction and find fulfillment in the present. 5. Core Values: Align decisions with what truly matters to live purpose-driven lives. 6. Financial Empowerment: Gain insights on managing debt, creating sustainability, and building financial literacy. 7. Real Stories: Hear physicians' struggles and triumphs, fostering connection and solidarity. 8. Healing Through Storytelling: Share and listen to stories that inspire resilience and growth. What to Expect Each episode blends: Engaging in Conversations with experts in medicine, psychology, and finance.Real-life stories from physicians who've navigated similar challenges.Practical Strategies for addressing burnout, improving balance, and enhancing well-being.A Supportive Community that celebrates your victories and offers encouragement. Why It Matters You are more than your profession—you're a human being with dreams and aspirations. The Worthy Physician reminds you to prioritize your values, honor your well-being, and reignite your passion for medicine. Who Should Listen? This podcast is for physicians seeking clarity, fulfillment, and alignment, whether struggling with burnout, imposter syndrome, or the pressures of the medical field. Join the Movement Redefine what it means to be a physician today. Subscribe to The Worthy Physician and take the first step toward a healthier, more compassionate approach to medicine.

  1. 12/24/2025

    Discernment for Physicians: Navigating Moral Injury, Insurance Pressures, and Career Fit | Dr. Joe Sherman, MD

    Send us a text We explore how a well-seasoned pediatrician, Dr. Joe Sherman, MD, shifted into coaching after recognizing a life mismatch and burnout, and how self-awareness, discernment, and self-compassion can restore a sustainable life in medicine. We share practical reflection habits, identify transferable skills, and highlight peer support that reduces isolation. • vocation versus role identity beyond the white coat • discernment as a daily practice  • small, workable habits for reflection and awareness • structure versus mindset when assessing job fit • moral injury from insurance and systemic pressures • courage to pivot and learn from less-than-ideal workplaces • transferable physician skills across non-clinical work • team culture, shared mission, and belonging at work • mentorship, coaching, and global peer support options • self-compassion as the base for sustainable service Contact Dr. Sherman:  joshermanmd.com or email Joe@joshermanmd.com Check out Physicians Anonymous; it’s free, confidential, and open to medical students, residents, and physicians worldwide. The book that Joe mentioned in the podcast: Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation by Parker Palmer. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who'd love it too. Though I am a physician, this is not medical advice. This is only a tool that physicians can use to get ideas on how to deal with burnout and/or know they are not alone. If you are in need of medical assistance talk to your physician. Learn more about female physicians' journey through burnout to thriving! https://www.theworthyphysician.com/books Let's connect for speaking opportunities! https://www.theworthyphysician.com/dr-shahhaque-md-as-a-speaker Check out the free resources from The Worthy Physician: https://www.theworthyphysician.com/freebie-downloads Battle of the Boxes 21 Day Self Focus Journal

    36 min

  2. 12/10/2025

    Letting Go Of Titles To Find Your True Values

    Send us a text We explore how chasing titles and external approval can erode health, relationships, and self-worth, and how to realign work with core values. Jillian shares a candid story of leaving surgery, surviving an eating disorder, and rebuilding a life by borrowing hope, setting boundaries, and reclaiming identity. • arrival fallacy and the myth of enough • moral injury in medicine and corporatization • identifying core values through friction and ease • grief, regret, and the cost of sleep deprivation • sensitivity as strength when paired with boundaries • comparison traps and self-compassion practices • therapy, EMDR, somatic tools, and spiritual grounding • agency versus learned helplessness in career pivots • practical steps to reset, rest, and redesign roles • redefining success as connection, presence, and joy If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who'd love it too! Don't forget to follow us on YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram for more updates and insights Though I am a physician, this is not medical advice. This is only a tool that physicians can use to get ideas on how to deal with burnout and/or know they are not alone. If you are in need of medical assistance talk to your physician. Learn more about female physicians' journey through burnout to thriving! https://www.theworthyphysician.com/books Let's connect for speaking opportunities! https://www.theworthyphysician.com/dr-shahhaque-md-as-a-speaker Check out the free resources from The Worthy Physician: https://www.theworthyphysician.com/freebie-downloads Battle of the Boxes 21 Day Self Focus Journal

    40 min

  3. 11/27/2025

    Gratitude Without Guilt

    Send us a text We explore gratitude that doesn’t silence our pain, and how to protect peace during a heavy holiday season. We name the invisible load physicians carry and practice small, honest ways to feel thanks without a performance. • difference between gratitude and guilt  • holiday expectations that drain energy  • invisible labor and emotional load at home and work  • how Thanksgiving magnifies stress, grief and transition  • why boundaries make gratitude real  • three tools: microgratitude, privacy, protecting bandwidth  • letting go of one thing to change the day  • guided practice to ground safety, nourishment and release If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves it too Don't forget to follow us on YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram for more updates and insights Though I am a physician, this is not medical advice. This is only a tool that physicians can use to get ideas on how to deal with burnout and/or know they are not alone. If you are in need of medical assistance talk to your physician. Learn more about female physicians' journey through burnout to thriving! https://www.theworthyphysician.com/books Let's connect for speaking opportunities! https://www.theworthyphysician.com/dr-shahhaque-md-as-a-speaker Check out the free resources from The Worthy Physician: https://www.theworthyphysician.com/freebie-downloads Battle of the Boxes 21 Day Self Focus Journal

    10 min

  4. 11/09/2025

    When Fear Protects Your Values

    Send us a text We explore how fear hides in perfectionism, avoidance, and imposter syndrome, and show how to turn it into values-based action. A brief breath exercise and practical prompts help you name the fear, reframe it, and choose the next right step. • fear as information, not instruction • perfectionism and avoidance in clinical life • amygdala and the physiology of fear • identity threats and imposter syndrome • values mapping to transform fear into action • a simple breath practice and self-talk • practical micro-steps for clarity and courage If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who'd love it too Don't forget to follow us on YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram for more updates and insights Pattern LifeDiscover unbiased disability insurance with Pattern Life and protect one of your greatest assets.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Though I am a physician, this is not medical advice. This is only a tool that physicians can use to get ideas on how to deal with burnout and/or know they are not alone. If you are in need of medical assistance talk to your physician. Learn more about female physicians' journey through burnout to thriving! https://www.theworthyphysician.com/books Let's connect for speaking opportunities! https://www.theworthyphysician.com/dr-shahhaque-md-as-a-speaker Check out the free resources from The Worthy Physician: https://www.theworthyphysician.com/freebie-downloads Battle of the Boxes 21 Day Self Focus Journal

    7 min

  5. 10/16/2025

    Surrender. The Strength in Letting Go.

    Send us a text We rethink surrender as a skill for physicians: not quitting, but aligning with reality to protect energy, clarity, and compassion. We share the serenity prayer, simple pauses, and the “just be” mindset to loosen the grip of control and reduce anxiety. • redefining surrender as strength, not defeat • the serenity prayer as a practical lens • medicine’s culture of control and its costs • how overplanning fuels anxiety and fatigue • micro-practices to pause, reflect, and reset • accepting limits, asking for help, resting without guilt • moving from comparison to presence and alignment • stillness as a gift that restores focus • choosing ease without abandoning effort Though I am a physician, this is not medical advice. This is only a tool that physicians can use to get ideas on how to deal with burnout and/or know they are not alone. If you are in need of medical assistance talk to your physician. Learn more about female physicians' journey through burnout to thriving! https://www.theworthyphysician.com/books Let's connect for speaking opportunities! https://www.theworthyphysician.com/dr-shahhaque-md-as-a-speaker Check out the free resources from The Worthy Physician: https://www.theworthyphysician.com/freebie-downloads Battle of the Boxes 21 Day Self Focus Journal

    7 min

  6. 10/01/2025

    When We Stop Wondering, We Stop Living. Wonder on Purpose.

    Send us a text We explore how curiosity, play, and presence restore our humanity in medicine and keep clinical work meaningful. A bluegrass afternoon becomes a real-world reset that shows why fun isn’t optional for resilience, empathy, and good care. • losing curiosity under stress and paperwork • presence as a clinical skill and reset • bluegrass day as a model for restorative play • recharging through family, community and music • reframing appointments as human meetings • laughter as medicine for brain and body • three takeaways: micro-curiosity, scheduled fun, permission to be silly • a weekly challenge to try one curious question or one fun act As always, if you have found this episode helpful, like, share with a friend Though I am a physician, this is not medical advice. This is only a tool that physicians can use to get ideas on how to deal with burnout and/or know they are not alone. If you are in need of medical assistance talk to your physician. Learn more about female physicians' journey through burnout to thriving! https://www.theworthyphysician.com/books Let's connect for speaking opportunities! https://www.theworthyphysician.com/dr-shahhaque-md-as-a-speaker Check out the free resources from The Worthy Physician: https://www.theworthyphysician.com/freebie-downloads Battle of the Boxes 21 Day Self Focus Journal

    16 min

  7. 09/19/2025

    Healing the Healers

    Send us a text Dr. Corrigan, co-founder of Physicians Anonymous, shares his mission to provide global peer support for physicians struggling with burnout, mental health issues, and addiction through anonymous, safe spaces where doctors can be vulnerable without fear of judgment or professional consequences. • Alarming statistics reveal 300-400 physician suicides annually in the US with burnout rates reaching 60-80% depending on specialty • Female physicians have suicide rates up to four times higher than the general population • "Microtraumas" accumulate through medical training and practice without adequate processing mechanisms • Medical culture teaches physicians to compartmentalize emotions and avoid showing vulnerability • The system, not individual physicians, bears primary responsibility for the burnout crisis • Financial pressures from medical school debt (often $200,000-$400,000) trap physicians in toxic environments • Licensing and credentialing questions about mental health create barriers to seeking help • Physicians Anonymous provides free, confidential peer support where doctors can connect as human beings first • Recovery from burnout requires multiple approaches including therapy, medication, peer support, and systemic changes • Physician well-being investments yield returns through reduced errors, malpractice, and turnover costs Find support through physiciansanonymous.org or connect with Dr. Corrigan on LinkedIn and Twitter. Though I am a physician, this is not medical advice. This is only a tool that physicians can use to get ideas on how to deal with burnout and/or know they are not alone. If you are in need of medical assistance talk to your physician. Learn more about female physicians' journey through burnout to thriving! https://www.theworthyphysician.com/books Let's connect for speaking opportunities! https://www.theworthyphysician.com/dr-shahhaque-md-as-a-speaker Check out the free resources from The Worthy Physician: https://www.theworthyphysician.com/freebie-downloads Battle of the Boxes 21 Day Self Focus Journal

    57 min

  8. 09/07/2025

    Finding Your Professional Nirvana

    Send us a text Dr. Kaur takes us on a deeply personal journey from traditional healthcare settings to founding her own direct primary care practice, which she calls her "professional nirvana." After nearly a decade in corporate medicine, including positions at prestigious institutions, she found herself facing a critical realization: her mental health was suffering in ways that hadn't happened even during profound personal tragedy. "When my mental health started to get affected by my job, that's when I realized – this is just a job," she reflects. This moment became the catalyst for a four-year process of introspection that ultimately led her to launch her own practice. The transition wasn't easy – it required draining retirement accounts and facing significant financial uncertainty. Yet despite these challenges, she describes being happier than ever because she can finally practice medicine aligned with her values. Through candid conversation, Dr. Kaur dismantles the notion that physician happiness should be secondary to patient care. She explains how direct primary care enables her to have meaningful conversations with patients about all aspects of their health – discussions that often surprise patients accustomed to rushed healthcare encounters. "I can actually give care in the amount and to the degree which care is needed and be fulfilled that I did my best," she explains. Perhaps most poignantly, she shares that one of her father's final reflections was regretting that he spent his life working to meet others' expectations rather than pursuing what truly made him happy. Whether you're considering a similar path or simply seeking greater fulfillment in your current role, this conversation offers a valuable perspective on creating a sustainable, joy-filled medical career. Connect with Dr. Kaur on Instagram @drkkaurmd or via email at kkaurmd@kkaurmd.com. Pattern LifeDiscover unbiased disability insurance with Pattern Life and protect one of your greatest assets.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Though I am a physician, this is not medical advice. This is only a tool that physicians can use to get ideas on how to deal with burnout and/or know they are not alone. If you are in need of medical assistance talk to your physician. Learn more about female physicians' journey through burnout to thriving! https://www.theworthyphysician.com/books Let's connect for speaking opportunities! https://www.theworthyphysician.com/dr-shahhaque-md-as-a-speaker Check out the free resources from The Worthy Physician: https://www.theworthyphysician.com/freebie-downloads Battle of the Boxes 21 Day Self Focus Journal

    32 min
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5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

"Reigniting your humanity and  passion for medicine." Welcome to The Worthy Physician, a podcast for physicians, other healthcare workers, and high-performing individuals seeking to reconnect with their humanity, rediscover their passion for medicine, and redefine fulfillment. This podcast offers reflection, healing, and authentic storytelling in a world where burnout, imposter syndrome, and overwhelming expectations are shared. Medicine is more than a profession—it's a calling. Yet, modern healthcare often leaves physicians feeling disconnected, chasing milestones that fail to bring lasting satisfaction. The Worthy Physician challenges these narratives, prioritizing well-being, core values, and authenticity. Why Listen? 1. Physician Burnout: Understand its causes and recovery strategies to rediscover joy in medicine. 2. Authentic Self: Explore your identity beyond the white coat and integrate it into all aspects of life. 3. Imposter Syndrome: Overcome doubts, embrace your worth, and value your contributions to medicine. 4. The Arrival Fallacy: Break free from achievement-driven dissatisfaction and find fulfillment in the present. 5. Core Values: Align decisions with what truly matters to live purpose-driven lives. 6. Financial Empowerment: Gain insights on managing debt, creating sustainability, and building financial literacy. 7. Real Stories: Hear physicians' struggles and triumphs, fostering connection and solidarity. 8. Healing Through Storytelling: Share and listen to stories that inspire resilience and growth. What to Expect Each episode blends: Engaging in Conversations with experts in medicine, psychology, and finance.Real-life stories from physicians who've navigated similar challenges.Practical Strategies for addressing burnout, improving balance, and enhancing well-being.A Supportive Community that celebrates your victories and offers encouragement. Why It Matters You are more than your profession—you're a human being with dreams and aspirations. The Worthy Physician reminds you to prioritize your values, honor your well-being, and reignite your passion for medicine. Who Should Listen? This podcast is for physicians seeking clarity, fulfillment, and alignment, whether struggling with burnout, imposter syndrome, or the pressures of the medical field. Join the Movement Redefine what it means to be a physician today. Subscribe to The Worthy Physician and take the first step toward a healthier, more compassionate approach to medicine.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Sapna Shah-Haque MD
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    166
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Worthy Physician
  • Show Website
    The Worthy Physician

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