Lean Out Podcast

Dawn Baker MD, MS

Do you feel stuck on the Treadmill of Achievement? Are you looking for a new approach to finding work-life balance? You've come to the right place. This is the Lean Out Podcast with your host, Dr. Dawn Baker, author of Lean Out: A Professional Woman's Guide to Finding Authentic Work-Life Balance. Become inspired by amazing women professionals who've taken the steps to lean out and find balance on their own terms. 

  1. Reclaim with Christie Mulholland

    5D AGO

    Reclaim with Christie Mulholland

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Dawn Baker talks with Christie Mulholland. Christie is a palliative care physician and Associate Professor at Mount Sinai Medical Center. She has spent her adult life proving that intentional breaks make you a better doctor — not a lesser one. She's taken career breaks to backpack across the US, South America, and the Greek Islands.  Recently, Christie took a sabbatical, despite her department saying no. She also founded Reclaim Physician Coaching, where she's on a mission to help seven physicians take a sabbatical in 2027. Christie shares what led to her sabbatical, how she approached her workplace and what happened after they denied her request, what she did on the sabbatical she went ahead and took anyway, and what her work-life balance looks like now. ** Click HERE to subscribe to the Practice Balance newsletter! I send it typically 1-3 times a month, and it includes absolutely no spam or ads. Just things I've learned, things I'm working on, and things I'm inspired by. ** Relevant/mentioned links: Lean Out Podcast - The One Thing You Can Rely On, Mini Retirements with Jillian JohnsrudKevinMD - Why Every Physician Needs a Sabbatical (and How to Take One)Get in touch with Christie: Website - reclaimphysiciancoaching.comTake the Physician Sabbatical Readiness Assessment HERE Get in touch with Dawn: Website - practicebalance.comInstagram - @practicebalanceFacebook - Dawn BakerLinkedIn - Dawn L Baker, MDBuy the Lean Out BookBuy the Lean Out Confidence Course (code POD gives you $50 off!)

    38 min
  2. Flexibility with Asha Padmanabhan

    MAR 19

    Flexibility with Asha Padmanabhan

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Dawn Baker talks with Asha Padmanabhan. Asha is an anesthesiologist, leader, coach, and speaker who delivers workshops, grand rounds, and keynote presentations for healthcare audiences. With more than 20 years in high-stakes operating rooms and leadership roles at state and national levels, she understands the real pressures physicians face — especially women navigating invisible expectations. Through her speaking and coaching, she provides practical tools to strengthen communication, confidence, and professional sustainability. Her work helps physicians reclaim their voice and thrive — in medicine and beyond. Asha shares how she became an accidental leader while working full time in a busy private practice. She also talks about her recent journey of separating from some of the identities and roles so she could have a more flexible schedule with locum tenens work, and all the positives and negatives that go along with it. ** Click HERE to subscribe to the Practice Balance newsletter! I send it typically 1-3 times a month, and it includes absolutely no spam or ads. Just things I've learned, things I'm working on, and things I'm inspired by. ** Get in touch with Asha: LinkedIn - Asha PadmanabhanFacebook - Asha PadmanabhanInstagram - @AshaMDPodcast - Leadership Rx for Women PhysiciansGet in touch with Dawn: Website - practicebalance.comInstagram - @practicebalanceFacebook - Dawn BakerLinkedIn - Dawn L Baker, MDBuy the Lean Out BookBuy the Lean Out Confidence Course (use discount code POD!)

    37 min
  3. Plans with Sarah Hart-Unger

    FEB 5

    Plans with Sarah Hart-Unger

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Dawn Baker talks with Sarah Hart-Unger. Sarah is a practicing physician, podcaster, and mother of three with a passion for helping listeners make the most of their limited time through effective planning and goal-setting, both at work and in their personal lives. Her time-tested planning methods help shift the balance from reactive and stressful to proactive and fun. Not only does she co-host the popular Best of Both Worlds podcast for several years with Laura Vanderkam, she also hosts a solo show called Best Laid Plans. Sarah also speak nationally, lead courses, write articles, and work part-time as a physician. Best Laid Plans is in the top 0.5% of podcasts and has been featured in the New York Times. Sarah has appeared as a guest on numerous popular podcasts, including Cal Newport's Deep Questions and The Mom Hour. In addition, she recently published the book Best Laid Plans: A Simple Planning System for Living A Life That You Love. Sarah shares her journey from full-time physician with leadership roles to part-time work that allows her to pursue her passion of planning and organization, which has blossomed into a full-blown business. She urges us to use systems that allow you to focus free time in things that are fun and joyful. Don't miss this advice-packed episode! ** Need confidence in 2026? Check out the 4-module, video-based, self-guided Lean Out Confidence Course! Listeners can get 50% off with the coupon code POD ** ** Come hike and retreat with me in Utah's red rock wilderness this April 9-11 at the Revitalize: Physician Renewal Retreat! Register through my link, and I will gift you a free post-retreat debrief coaching session! Use the code INVITE200 for $200 off through March 1 ** Relevant/Mentioned Links: Lean Out Podcast - Surrender with Aman CostiganThe Four Tendencies QuizGrab Sarah's new book Best Laid PlansGet in touch with Sarah: Website - theshubox.com (all podcast, articles, newsletter and book links)Get in touch with Dawn: Website - practicebalance.comInstagram - @practicebalanceFacebook - Dawn BakerLinkedIn - Dawn L Baker, MDBuy the Lean Out BookBuy the Lean Out Confidence Course

    40 min
5
out of 5
23 Ratings

About

Do you feel stuck on the Treadmill of Achievement? Are you looking for a new approach to finding work-life balance? You've come to the right place. This is the Lean Out Podcast with your host, Dr. Dawn Baker, author of Lean Out: A Professional Woman's Guide to Finding Authentic Work-Life Balance. Become inspired by amazing women professionals who've taken the steps to lean out and find balance on their own terms. 

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