The Practice by Ari Levy, MD

Ari Levy, MD
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Medicine

Hosted by Dr. Ari Levy, The Practice is a podcast about the human side of medicine, leadership, and becoming. Through deeply personal conversations with physicians, founders, innovators, and cultural leaders, the show explores identity, resilience, ambition, uncertainty, and the stories that shape how we live, lead, and care for others.

Episodes

  1. 6d ago

    BUILDING A LIFE YOU CAN ACTUALLY FEEL: Aging, ambition, and the art of staying present

    In this episode, Dr. Ari Levy sits down with Brian Leffler, founder of Modern Practice, for an honest conversation about building a meaningful life while navigating the demands of fatherhood, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. Over the past few years, Brian has challenged Ari to think differently, both creatively and professionally, even inspiring him to launch arilevymd.com as a space for exploration, creativity, and self-discovery. Together, they explore aging, ambition, self-care, performance, and the pressure to keep growing while staying present for the people and experiences that matter most. They also get into the conversations men don't always have openly: the uncertainty that comes with change, the courage to try something new, and what it really means to lead with a full heart and a clear head. If you've ever felt the weight of responsibility while trying to make room for your own growth, this conversation is for you.

  2. Sep 25

    Teaching in the Age of Distraction: AI, Critical Thinking, Teacher Burnout, and Rebuilding Schools That Help People Thrive

    Eric DeSobe reflects on the future of education, teacher burnout, hiring, accountability, and what it takes to build schools where both students and educators can thrive. The conversation explores how AI is changing critical thinking, why boredom and focus still matter, and how schools can reduce distraction while preparing students for a more technological world. Eric also shares his path from teaching fourth grade in Compton to helping lead teacher recruitment and talent development across KIPP SoCal. Together, they discuss teacher pay, school leadership, hiring for character, the importance of high standards with strong support, and how technology may help teachers improve their craft without replacing the human relationships at the center of education.

  3. Sep 9

    What Success Is Really For: Ambition, Grief, Fatherhood, Generosity, And Protecting Human Connection In An Automated World

    Pete Kadens reflects on ambition, grief, entrepreneurship, fatherhood, identity, and what success is really for. He shares how early struggle shaped his drive, how loss changed the direction of his life, and how therapy, the Hoffman Process, and spiritual work helped him confront the patterns that once fueled both his success and his pain. The conversation also explores stepping away from business, rebuilding family relationships, creating Hope Chicago, and using wealth as a tool for opportunity. Pete and Dr. Levy discuss loneliness, achievement, education, AI, and the growing need to protect human connection in a more automated world.

  4. Aug 24

    The Cost Of Becoming Successful: Identity, Ambition, Relationships, Health, and Learning What Truly Matters

    Sam Yagan reflects on immigrant identity, ambition, imposter syndrome, relationships, and the hidden emotional cost of success. He shares how early achievement shaped his sense of responsibility, why empathy has been harder to develop than professional skill, and how becoming a husband, father, investor, and mentor has changed the way he measures a meaningful life. The conversation also explores online dating, social media, parenting in a digital world, friendship after success, proactive health, and the fear of becoming obsolete in the age of AI. Sam offers an honest look at leadership, confidence, legacy, and why helping others succeed may matter more than any title or accomplishment.

  5. Aug 4

    The Beauty of Falling Apart & Building Resilience

    Craig Wortmann is a serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, founder of Sales Engine and academic director of the Kellogg Sales Institute. In this conversation, he shares the experiences that shaped his approach to sales, leadership and discipline, as well as the life-changing cancer diagnosis that led to the amputation of his right leg. Together, Craig and Ari explore failure, feedback, presence, grief, resilience, family, rebuilding and the daily practices that make forward progress possible.

  6. Jul 13

    More Than a Religion: How Judaism Shapes My Identity, Leadership, and Legacy

    What does it mean to build a life of purpose—and how do you stay grounded when the world feels increasingly divided? In this episode of The Practice, Dr. Ari Levy sits down with Rabbi Dr. Nolan Lebovitz—Senior Rabbi of Valley Beth Shalom, author of The Case for Dual Loyalty, and one of Ari's oldest friends—for a conversation that spans identity, leadership, faith, family, and the search for meaning. Nolan shares his unlikely journey from aspiring Hollywood filmmaker to one of the country's most influential Jewish leaders, why success alone wasn't enough, and the moment that completely changed the trajectory of his life. Together, they explore what it means to lead with conviction while remaining open to dialogue, how October 7th reshaped Jewish identity around the world, why community matters more than ever, and the responsibility of raising the next generation with purpose and resilience. This is a conversation about legacy, belonging, leadership, and building a life that reflects your deepest values... even when the path is uncertain.

  7. Jun 19

    Leading Through Uncertainty: Purpose, Pressure, and the Weight of Responsibility

    In this episode, Dr. Ari Levy sits down with Dr. Omar Lateef for a candid and wide-ranging conversation on leadership, purpose, and the realities of carrying responsibility in high-stakes environments. Together, they explore what it truly means to lead through uncertainty, pressure, and constant decision-making. Omar shares his perspective on navigating complexity, building trust within teams, and staying grounded while operating at the highest levels. The conversation moves beyond surface-level leadership advice, diving into identity, resilience, and the internal discipline required to show up consistently for others. This episode is a thoughtful look at modern leadership—what it demands, what it costs, and how to do it with clarity and conviction in an increasingly complex world.

  8. Jun 8

    Building Legacy Through Leadership, Faith, and Community Impact

    This conversation explores what it means to build a legacy through leadership, resilience, and responsibility. Rashod Johnson shares his journey from the South Side of Chicago and Southern family roots to becoming the president and CEO of one of the largest Black-owned engineering firms in the country. A key theme is that success is not only measured by growth, revenue, or recognition, but by impact. Rashod reflects on the work ethic, discipline, and competitive drive that shaped him early in life, while also examining the sacrifices, health challenges, and personal lessons that forced him to redefine what legacy truly means. The discussion looks at leadership as a practice of listening, humility, and knowing when to step back. Rashod speaks openly about learning to manage control, build culture, remove roadblocks, and understand that real power is not about personal authority, but about making decisions in service of others. The conversation also explores family, faith, entrepreneurship, community responsibility, and the importance of relationships. From iconic infrastructure projects like the Obama Presidential Center and CTA modernization to mentoring young talent and creating opportunity, Rashod frames leadership as a responsibility to open doors for others. Ultimately, this episode is about building something bigger than yourself: a life, a company, and a legacy rooted in excellence, authenticity, faith, and service.

  9. May 12

    Conscious Leadership and the Work of Inner Change

    This conversation explores conscious leadership as a practice rooted in awareness, presence, and radical responsibility. Jim shares his journey from early inner discomfort and lifelong seeking toward a more stable sense of internal “okayness,” developed through years of meditation, somatic work, and relational healing. A key theme is that change is not a single breakthrough moment, but a progressive process. Patterns do not disappear, they reappear as daily choice points between avoidance and authenticity. The discussion looks at trauma, the nervous system, and the importance of practices like mindfulness, movement, journaling, and safe relationships in making unconscious patterns conscious. It also reflects on how modern life and constant stimulation reduce our capacity for stillness and presence. Ultimately, conscious leadership is framed as the ongoing practice of returning to truth, building internal safety, and learning to live and lead from a grounded sense of awareness and authenticity.

  10. May 11

    Entrepreneurship, Grief, Leadership and The Search For Meaning

    This conversation explores entrepreneurship not simply as business building, but as a lifelong process of reinvention, resilience, and personal growth. Mike reflects on how early experiences moving frequently as a child shaped his comfort with starting over, uncertainty, and possibility, while lessons from his parents instilled both creativity and integrity. A central theme throughout the discussion is the relationship between ambition, pain, and transformation. Mike shares candidly about leadership, fear, anxiety, and the internal “ghosts” that often drive high achievers. Rather than portraying success as polished or linear, the conversation examines how grief, vulnerability, and uncertainty coexist alongside achievement and purpose. The episode also dives into peer groups, conscious leadership, and the importance of surrounding yourself with people willing to challenge blind spots and expand perspective. Through stories of loss, friendship, parenting, and rebuilding after tragedy, the discussion highlights how meaningful connection and emotional honesty shape both personal and professional growth. Ultimately, the conversation frames leadership and life as practices of presence, courage, curiosity, and learning to keep looking for “treasure” even in the midst of difficulty, change, and uncertainty.

  • 10 Episodes

About

Hosted by Dr. Ari Levy, The Practice is a podcast about the human side of medicine, leadership, and becoming. Through deeply personal conversations with physicians, founders, innovators, and cultural leaders, the show explores identity, resilience, ambition, uncertainty, and the stories that shape how we live, lead, and care for others.

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