Step It Up With Dr A

Step It Up With Dr A
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Welcome to Step It Up with Dr. A! I'm Dr. Nivedita Agarwal, physician, educator, and mentor. Through this podcast, I share lessons from my journey in medicine and explore topics including medical careers, leadership, personal growth, resilience, and purposeful living. Whether you're considering medicine, navigating your career, or seeking inspiration to grow with confidence and clarity, this channel is for you. Join me as we learn, grow, and take the next step toward becoming the best version of ourselves.

  1. 6d ago

    The Road Less Traveled: Resilience, Reinvention and Finding Your Path in Medicine

    Send us Fan Mail Guest: Dr. Devika Umashanker | Host: Dr. Nivedita Agarwal What if the road less traveled leads you exactly where you're meant to be? In this inspiring episode of Step It Up with Dr A, Dr. Nivedita Agarwal welcomes Dr. Devika Umashanker, an obesity medicine physician, educator, and healthcare leader, to explore the power of resilience, reinvention, mentorship, and finding your purpose in medicine. From biomedical engineering and healthcare finance to medical school at the American University of the Caribbean, residency at Yale, and an obesity medicine fellowship at Weill Cornell, Dr. Umashanker's journey demonstrates that success doesn't always follow a traditional path. Through an engaging and personal conversation, she shares how unexpected detours, perseverance, self-belief, and meaningful mentorship shaped her career and ultimately led her into healthcare leadership. In this episode, we explore: Navigating nontraditional pathways to medicine.Embracing challenges and unexpected opportunities.Overcoming self-doubt and building confidence.The importance of mentorship and perseverance.Discovering a passion for obesity medicine.Women in medicine, leadership, and professional growth.Advice for aspiring physicians finding their own path.Who should listen? High school and premedical students, international medical graduates, medical students, residents, women in medicine aspiring to leadership, parents, educators, and anyone exploring new career possibilities. Key Takeaway: Your journey doesn't have to be linear to be extraordinary. Sometimes the experiences you never planned become the foundation of your greatest achievements. 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube. Step It Up with Dr A | Inspire • Inform • Empower Support the show If today's episode resonated with you, I'd love to hear your story. Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with us on social media. 🎙️ Subscribe to Step It Up with Dr. A so you never miss an episode. ⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with a student, parent, mentor, or future healthcare professional who may benefit from this conversation and don't forget to subscribe to the channel and join our FREE newsletter! 📩 Every week, I share practical insights, exclusive resources, and tools to help you keep learning, growing, and stepping it up. 📥 Join the Step It Up Community: https://step-it-up-with-dr-a.kit.com/c07922e6fe

    The Road Less Traveled: Resilience, Reinvention and Finding Your Path in Medicine

  2. Oct 22

    The Road to Harvard Medical School: Building More Than a Résumé-Siri Palreddy's Journey

    Send us Fan Mail Step It Up with Dr. A | The Road to Medicine Series What does it really take to get into Harvard Medical School? Is it academic excellence, research, leadership, or something much deeper? In this inspiring episode of Step It Up with Dr. A, Dr. Nivedita Agarwal sits down with Siri Palreddy, a first-year medical student at Harvard Medical School, to explore her journey from growing up in Connecticut and attending Choate Rosemary Hall to studying Biology and English at Amherst College and ultimately beginning her medical education at Harvard. But Siri's story is about much more than gaining admission to a prestigious medical school. It's about discovering your passions, embracing uncertainty, learning through failure, and understanding that becoming a physician requires both scientific curiosity and human connection. Siri shares how her experiences as a college EMT shaped her understanding of compassionate patient care, how her research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute deepened her interest in precision oncology, and how her work in public health and community service opened her eyes to healthcare disparities. She also reflects on her leadership initiatives, including helping establish paid opportunities for student EMTs, her commitment to reducing financial barriers for aspiring physicians, and the importance of mentorship, kindness, and collaboration. From the emotional moment of receiving her Harvard acceptance to wearing her white coat for the first time, Siri offers an authentic glimpse into the excitement, challenges, and responsibilities of beginning medical school. In this episode, we explore: The journey from Choate to Amherst to Harvard Medical School.Why combining science, literature, and poetry can make us better physicians.How clinical experiences, research, and service help shape a meaningful medical career.Lessons in resilience, failure, leadership, and mentorship.Breaking financial barriers and improving access to opportunities in medicine.The role of precision medicine, research, and healthcare equity in the future of medicine.Advice for high school students, pre-medical students, and aspiring physicians navigating their own journeys.Who Is This Podcast For? Step It Up with Dr. A is a podcast dedicated to inspiring, educating, and empowering individuals at every stage of their journey in medicine, leadership, and personal growth. Whether you are just beginning to explore a career in medicine, navigating the challenges of medical training, supporting a future physician, or seeking opportunities to grow as a leader, this podcast is for you. Our conversations are especially valuable for: High school students exploring careers in medicine and discovering their interests, strengths, and future possibilities.Premedical students navigating college, medical school applications, research, clinical experiences, mentorship, and the path to becoming a physician.International medical graduates (IMGs) pursuing medical careers in the United States and navigating the challenges, transitions, and opportunities along the way.Women in medicine exploring leadership, mentorship, career advancement, professional growth, and opportunities to create meaningful impact.Parents of high school and premedical students seeking guidance and insight to better understand and support their children's educational and professional journeys.Through authentic conversations with physicians, medical students, educators, researchers, and leaders, Step It Up with Dr. A brings forward the experiences, challenges, decisions, and defining moments that shape meaningful careers and lives. A Message to Aspiring Physicians Siri's message to future physicians is simple yet powerful: There is no single formula for success. Stay curious, explore your interests, seek meaningful experiences, and don't be afraid to take an unconventional path. Because the road to medicine isn't just about getting into medical school. It's about discovering who you are, whom you want to serve, and the kind of physician you hope to become. Join us for a thoughtful conversation about ambition, purpose, humanity, and the courage to keep learning. Keep exploring. Keep growing. Keep stepping it up. Listen to Step It Up with Dr. A on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube. Support the show If today's episode resonated with you, I'd love to hear your story. Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with us on social media. 🎙️ Subscribe to Step It Up with Dr. A so you never miss an episode. ⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with a student, parent, mentor, or future healthcare professional who may benefit from this conversation and don't forget to subscribe to the channel and join our FREE newsletter! 📩 Every week, I share practical insights, exclusive resources, and tools to help you keep learning, growing, and stepping it up. 📥 Join the Step It Up Community: https://step-it-up-with-dr-a.kit.com/c07922e6fe

    The Road to Harvard Medical School: Building More Than a Résumé-Siri Palreddy's Journey

  3. Sep 28

    From Osteopathic Medicine to the Cath Lab: Dr. Boskey Patel’s Journey

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Step It Up with Dr A, Dr. Nivedita Agarwal sits down with Dr. Boskey Patel, an interventional cardiologist, to explore the unexpected turns, setbacks, mentors, and moments of determination that shaped her journey from osteopathic medical school to the cath lab. Dr. Patel shares how undergoing brain surgery as a teenager first strengthened her interest in medicine, and how her path later took her through psychology and neuroscience, clinical research, post-baccalaureate coursework, and ultimately osteopathic medical school. She speaks candidly about struggling with uncertainty, comparing her timeline with others, navigating the MD versus DO conversation, and learning that the road to becoming a physician does not have to be linear. Her career continued to evolve as she moved from an initial interest in surgery and gastroenterology to discovering cardiology during residency—and eventually finding her place in the highly procedural, traditionally male-dominated field of interventional cardiology. The conversation also explores mentorship, representation of women in procedural specialties, leadership, research, public speaking, and Dr. Patel’s commitment to raising awareness about cardiovascular risk in the South Asian community. Most importantly, Dr. Patel offers a message to students who may be questioning whether their grades, MCAT scores, rejections, or unconventional paths mean they do not belong in medicine: your journey does not have to look like someone else’s to lead somewhere meaningful. Her definition of “stepping it up” brings the conversation full circle: using your skills and gifts to improve the world around you. Support the show If today's episode resonated with you, I'd love to hear your story. Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with us on social media. 🎙️ Subscribe to Step It Up with Dr. A so you never miss an episode. ⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with a student, parent, mentor, or future healthcare professional who may benefit from this conversation and don't forget to subscribe to the channel and join our FREE newsletter! 📩 Every week, I share practical insights, exclusive resources, and tools to help you keep learning, growing, and stepping it up. 📥 Join the Step It Up Community: https://step-it-up-with-dr-a.kit.com/c07922e6fe

    From Osteopathic Medicine to the Cath Lab: Dr. Boskey Patel’s Journey

  4. Sep 14

    Sky is the Limit: Medicine, Leadership, Mentorship & Finding Your Own Path with Dr. Listy Thomas

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Step It Up with Dr A, Dr. Nivedita Agarwal sits down with Dr. Listy Thomas for an inspiring conversation about medicine, leadership, mentorship, and creating a career that reflects who you are and where you want to go. Dr. Thomas shares lessons from her journey, including navigating career transitions, stepping into leadership, recognizing opportunities, overcoming self-doubt, and understanding the importance of mentorship.  We also explore what it means to support the next generation of physicians and why success in medicine doesn't have to follow one predetermined path. If you're a physician, medical student, trainee, healthcare professional, or anyone navigating the next chapter of your career, I hope this conversation encourages you to stay curious, remain open to opportunities, and keep moving forward. Because sometimes, the sky really is the limit. 🎙️ Step It Up with Dr A Conversations about medicine, leadership, personal growth, and the journeys that shape us. Subscribe for future conversations and share this episode with someone who may need to hear its message. Support the show If today's episode resonated with you, I'd love to hear your story. Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with us on social media. 🎙️ Subscribe to Step It Up with Dr. A so you never miss an episode. ⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with a student, parent, mentor, or future healthcare professional who may benefit from this conversation and don't forget to subscribe to the channel and join our FREE newsletter! 📩 Every week, I share practical insights, exclusive resources, and tools to help you keep learning, growing, and stepping it up. 📥 Join the Step It Up Community: https://step-it-up-with-dr-a.kit.com/c07922e6fe

    Sky is the Limit: Medicine, Leadership, Mentorship & Finding Your Own Path with Dr. Listy Thomas

  5. Aug 25

    The Road to Medicine: One Surgeon's Journey Across Three Continents

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Step It Up with Dr. A, Dr. Nivedita Agarwal sits down with Dr. Aziz Benbrahim, MD, FACS, FASMBS, for a deeply personal conversation about a journey that began in a small oasis town in Morocco and ultimately led through France, Harvard and Massachusetts General Hospital, Yale, and a distinguished career in surgery and physician leadership. Dr. Benbrahim shares how early encounters with illness and limited access to medical care helped shape his path toward medicine, and how persistence, hard work, unexpected opportunities, and mentorship repeatedly changed the direction of his life. The conversation explores immigration, surgical training, leadership, mentorship, giving back, bariatric surgery, and the future of surgery in the age of robotics and AI. Through it all, Dr. Benbrahim emphasizes that medicine is ultimately about teamwork, humility, empathy, and caring for patients as people. Above all, his story reminds us that where we begin does not determine how far we can go—and sometimes the moments of uncertainty that make us uncomfortable are the very ones that push us forward. Support the show If today's episode resonated with you, I'd love to hear your story. Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with us on social media. 🎙️ Subscribe to Step It Up with Dr. A so you never miss an episode. ⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with a student, parent, mentor, or future healthcare professional who may benefit from this conversation and don't forget to subscribe to the channel and join our FREE newsletter! 📩 Every week, I share practical insights, exclusive resources, and tools to help you keep learning, growing, and stepping it up. 📥 Join the Step It Up Community: https://step-it-up-with-dr-a.kit.com/c07922e6fe

    The Road to Medicine: One Surgeon's Journey Across Three Continents

  6. Aug 3

    A Conversation with Dr. Adam Weinstein: Finding Your Path: Lessons from a Physician, Educator, and Mentor

    Send us Fan Mail What does it really take to become a successful physician—and thrive throughout the journey? In this episode of Step It Up with Dr. A, Dr. Nivedita Agarwal sits down with Dr. Adam Weinstein, Professor of Medical Sciences and Pediatrics at the Frank H. Netter School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University, pediatric nephrologist, medical educator, and mentor to countless future physicians. Together, they explore the road to medicine—from choosing a medical school and adapting to the demands of medical training to preparing for the USMLE exams and developing lifelong study habits. Dr. Weinstein shares what he's learned from years of advising medical students, revealing the qualities that truly predict success in medicine—far beyond grades and test scores. The conversation also dives into choosing a specialty, the importance of communication, empathy, professionalism, and how future physicians can prepare for a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape shaped by artificial intelligence and innovation. Whether you're a high school student, pre-med, medical student, resident, or early-career physician, this episode offers practical advice and timeless wisdom to help you navigate your own path with confidence, resilience, and purpose. Key Takeaways: How to prepare for medical school and licensing examsThe habits that help students succeedWhy empathy and communication matter as much as knowledgeEssential skills every future physician should develop🎙️ Keep learning. Keep growing. Keep stepping it up. Support the show If today's episode resonated with you, I'd love to hear your story. Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with us on social media. 🎙️ Subscribe to Step It Up with Dr. A so you never miss an episode. ⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with a student, parent, mentor, or future healthcare professional who may benefit from this conversation and don't forget to subscribe to the channel and join our FREE newsletter! 📩 Every week, I share practical insights, exclusive resources, and tools to help you keep learning, growing, and stepping it up. 📥 Join the Step It Up Community: https://step-it-up-with-dr-a.kit.com/c07922e6fe

    A Conversation with Dr. Adam Weinstein: Finding Your Path: Lessons from a Physician, Educator, and Mentor

  7. Jul 20

    Mentorship Matters — Learning From Those Who've Walked the Path Before You

    Send us Fan Mail No one becomes a physician alone. Behind every successful doctor are mentors, teachers, colleagues, and friends who offered guidance along the way. In this episode of Step It Up with Dr. A, we explore why mentorship can be one of the most powerful influences on your journey into medicine. Learn how to find mentors, build meaningful professional relationships, ask for help with confidence, and become the kind of student that mentors are excited to support. We'll also discuss the difference between mentors and sponsors, why peer relationships matter, and how one conversation can change the course of your career. Whether you're a high school student, pre-med, medical trainee, or early-career physician, this episode offers practical insights to help you navigate the road to medicine with greater confidence and purpose. 🎯 Step It Up Challenge: Reach out to someone whose career you admire, learn from their journey, and take one step toward building a meaningful mentoring relationship. Support the show If today's episode resonated with you, I'd love to hear your story. Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with us on social media. 🎙️ Subscribe to Step It Up with Dr. A so you never miss an episode. ⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with a student, parent, mentor, or future healthcare professional who may benefit from this conversation and don't forget to subscribe to the channel and join our FREE newsletter! 📩 Every week, I share practical insights, exclusive resources, and tools to help you keep learning, growing, and stepping it up. 📥 Join the Step It Up Community: https://step-it-up-with-dr-a.kit.com/c07922e6fe

  8. Jul 6

    Research, Curiosity & Standing Out — What Medical Schools Really Want to See

    Send us Fan Mail What does it really take to stand out as a future physician? Many students focus on grades, research, and extracurricular activities—but are those the things that matter most? In this episode of Step It Up with Dr. A, we explore what medical schools are truly looking for, why curiosity may be your greatest strength, and how meaningful experiences can shape both your application and your future in medicine. If you're a high school student, pre-med, or anyone considering a career in medicine, this episode will challenge the way you think about success—and help you focus on what truly matters.  Reflection Challenge: Reflect on one experience that shaped you. What did it teach you, and how has it influenced the person you're becoming? Keep learning. Keep growing. Keep stepping it up. Support the show If today's episode resonated with you, I'd love to hear your story. Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with us on social media. 🎙️ Subscribe to Step It Up with Dr. A so you never miss an episode. ⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with a student, parent, mentor, or future healthcare professional who may benefit from this conversation and don't forget to subscribe to the channel and join our FREE newsletter! 📩 Every week, I share practical insights, exclusive resources, and tools to help you keep learning, growing, and stepping it up. 📥 Join the Step It Up Community: https://step-it-up-with-dr-a.kit.com/c07922e6fe

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Welcome to Step It Up with Dr. A! I'm Dr. Nivedita Agarwal, physician, educator, and mentor. Through this podcast, I share lessons from my journey in medicine and explore topics including medical careers, leadership, personal growth, resilience, and purposeful living. Whether you're considering medicine, navigating your career, or seeking inspiration to grow with confidence and clarity, this channel is for you. Join me as we learn, grow, and take the next step toward becoming the best version of ourselves.

Information

  • Creator
    Step It Up With Dr A
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Step It Up With Dr A
  • Show Website
    Step It Up With Dr A