Navigating Possibility

Dr. Christina Adams
  • 5.0 (14)
  • Medicine
  • Updated Weekly

Navigating Possibility — A Podcast for Women Physicians Ready to Reclaim Their Power. Navigating Possibility is the podcast for women physicians who feel burned out, overwhelmed, or stuck at a crossroads—ready for change, but not sure what’s next. Whether you're questioning your future in medicine, exploring nonclinical career options, or feeling the call to advocate for something bigger, this space is for you. I’m Dr. Christina Adams—OBGYN, former burned-out physician, and certified life coach. I help women physicians break free from survival mode and reconnect with the possibility, autonomy, and purpose they deserve. I’ve been where you are, and I know this truth: burnout isn’t a personal failure—it’s a systems issue. And healing requires both internal tools and collective change. In each episode, you’ll get the mindset shifts, nervous system strategies, and practical insight to help you move from overwhelm to empowerment, including: • Tools to regulate, reset, and rebuild from burnout • Real conversations about clinical and nonclinical career pivots • Stories from women rewriting what’s possible in medicine and beyond • Coaching strategies to create a sustainable, aligned career • Advocacy insights so you can use your voice to change the system • Permission to honor your limits and expand your vision This is your space to breathe, reflect, and remember who you are beneath the white coat. You are not alone. There’s a growing movement of women physicians reclaiming their power—and you belong here. ✨ Subscribe to Navigating Possibility, share it with the women in your circle, and help spark a new future for medicine. 📬 Stay connected: • Join the email list for weekly insights and resources - https://www.christinaadamsmd.com • Explore coaching support on the website - https://www.christinaadamsmd.com • Follow along with me on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook for grounded community and real talk It’s time to redefine what’s possible—for you, and for the future of women in medicine.

  1. 24: The Anger Phase of Burnout

    May 20

    24: The Anger Phase of Burnout

    The Anger Phase of Burnout  Anger is one of the most misunderstood phases of physician burnout. Not because physicians are “bad people.”Not because they’ve stopped caring. But because chronic stress, emotional overload, and nervous system exhaustion eventually change how we experience the world. In this episode, we’re talking honestly about the anger phase of burnout: the irritability the resentment the emotional reactivity the constant feeling of being “on edge” We explore why anger often shows up before complete emotional shutdown, what it’s actually protecting underneath, and why so many high-functioning physicians miss the warning signs for years. This episode is especially relevant for OB/GYNs and other physicians carrying intense emotional labor, relentless productivity pressure, and chronic nervous system activation. If you’ve found yourself feeling less patient, more reactive, emotionally exhausted, or ashamed of how angry you’ve become… this conversation is for you. In This Episode: Why anger is often a protective emotion The connection between burnout and nervous system overload How high-achieving physicians stay “functional” while emotionally depleted Why OB/GYNs are especially vulnerable to chronic burnout anger The hidden grief and exhaustion underneath resentment What burnout anger may be trying to communicate Why rest alone often isn’t enough to heal burnout Small first steps toward awareness, boundaries, and recovery Reflection Question: What is my anger trying to tell me that I haven’t been willing to hear? If This Episode Resonated: Please share it with another physician who may need this conversation right now. And if you’re navigating burnout, career uncertainty, or the feeling that medicine no longer fits the way it once did, you’re not alone.   🤝 Work With Me If this episode resonates, I'd love to talk about how we can work together. I work 1:1 with women physicians who are: Burned out and questioning their future in medicine Navigating contract non-renewal or job loss Planning an intentional exit from clinical practice Exploring advocacy, leadership, or nonclinical career paths ✨ Schedule a free coaching consultation to explore what’s next. About the Podcast Navigating Possibility — A Podcast for Women Physicians Ready to Reclaim Their Power Navigating Possibility is the podcast for women physicians experiencing burnout, career dissatisfaction, or major transitions in medicine. If you're a woman doctor considering leaving clinical practice, exploring nonclinical careers, or seeking a more sustainable and aligned path, this podcast is for you. I’m Dr. Christina Adams—OB-GYN, physician coach, and former burned-out doctor. I help women physicians move from survival mode to self-trust, clarity, and empowered career decisions. Each episode includes: Physician burnout recovery tools Nervous system regulation strategies for high-achieving women Conversations about leaving medicine or redesigning your role Coaching insight for intentional career transitions Advocacy conversations about systemic change in healthcare Real stories from women physicians redefining success This is your space to breathe, reflect, and remember who you are beneath the white coat. You are not alone. There is a growing movement of women physicians reclaiming autonomy, identity, and possibility. ✨ Subscribe, share with a colleague, and help reshape the future of medicine. 📬 Stay Connected • Join the weekly newsletter for burnout recovery tools and career transition insight Connect on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinaadamsmd02/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557977027465 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-adams-md-5b7642175/   Keywords:   physician burnout burnout in medicine physician anger doctor burnout OBGYN burnout burnout recovery for physicians emotional exhaustion in physicians healthcare worker burnout physician mental health burnout symptoms

    17 min
  2. 23: What Am I Carrying That's Not Mine To Carry?

    May 13

    23: What Am I Carrying That's Not Mine To Carry?

    What Am I Carrying That’s Not Mine to Carry? The Emotional Weight OBGYNs Were Never Meant to Hold As physicians—especially in obstetrics and gynecology—we carry a tremendous amount of responsibility. But sometimes… we carry more than is actually ours. In this episode of Navigating Possibility, we’re talking about the emotional burden many OBGYNs silently hold when patients decline recommendations, outcomes don’t go as hoped, or ethically complex situations leave lasting emotional residue. From patient autonomy and informed refusal…to litigation fear, moral distress, and the pressure to prevent every bad outcome… This conversation explores the difference between: caring deeply for patientsand carrying responsibility for things outside your control. We also discuss: The emotional impact of patient refusal in obstetrics Why physicians internalize bad outcomes The hidden link between over-responsibility and burnout Court-ordered cesareans and the ethical complexity they create How to separate responsibility from control A guided post-call reflection to help physicians process difficult cases without absorbing unnecessary emotional weight If you’ve ever replayed a patient interaction in your head long after your shift ended…If you’ve ever wondered whether you “should have done more”…If you’ve felt crushed by the emotional weight of medicine— This episode is for you. In This Episode We Discuss: Physician burnout in OBGYN Emotional boundaries in medicine Patient autonomy and informed refusal Moral distress in healthcare Litigation anxiety in obstetrics Difficult patient outcomes Court-ordered cesarean ethical concerns Nervous system responses in physicians Processing emotionally difficult cases How physicians carry responsibility Coaching for women physicians OBGYN mental wellness Key Takeaways You are responsible for the care you provide—not for controlling every outcome. Patient autonomy means patients may make decisions you would not choose. Reflection and self-blame are not the same thing. Carrying emotional responsibility for everything leads to exhaustion and burnout. You can care deeply without carrying everything alone. If This Episode Resonated… Please share it with another physician who may need this reminder: You do not have to carry everything alone.   🤝 Work With Me If this episode resonates, I'd love to talk about how we can work together. I work 1:1 with women physicians who are: Burned out and questioning their future in medicine Navigating contract non-renewal or job loss Planning an intentional exit from clinical practice Exploring advocacy, leadership, or nonclinical career paths ✨ Schedule a free coaching consultation to explore what’s next. About the Podcast Navigating Possibility — A Podcast for Women Physicians Ready to Reclaim Their Power Navigating Possibility is the podcast for women physicians experiencing burnout, career dissatisfaction, or major transitions in medicine. If you're a woman doctor considering leaving clinical practice, exploring nonclinical careers, or seeking a more sustainable and aligned path, this podcast is for you. I’m Dr. Christina Adams—OB-GYN, physician coach, and former burned-out doctor. I help women physicians move from survival mode to self-trust, clarity, and empowered career decisions. Each episode includes: Physician burnout recovery tools Nervous system regulation strategies for high-achieving women Conversations about leaving medicine or redesigning your role Coaching insight for intentional career transitions Advocacy conversations about systemic change in healthcare Real stories from women physicians redefining success This is your space to breathe, reflect, and remember who you are beneath the white coat. You are not alone. There is a growing movement of women physicians reclaiming autonomy, identity, and possibility. ✨ Subscribe, share with a colleague, and help reshape the future of medicine. 📬 Stay Connected • Join the weekly newsletter for burnout recovery tools and career transition insight Connect on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinaadamsmd02/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557977027465 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-adams-md-5b7642175/

    28 min
  3. 22: Courage Over Certainty: The Mindset Work of Starting a Business

    May 6

    22: Courage Over Certainty: The Mindset Work of Starting a Business

    Courage Over Certainty: The Mindset Work of Starting a Business  What does it actually take to start a business as a physician? Not just the logistics—but the identity shift required to step outside of clinical medicine and build something of your own. In this episode of Navigating Possibility, we’re diving into the real, often unspoken side of entrepreneurship for physicians. Because starting a business isn’t just about: forming an LLC building a website or creating an offer It’s about navigating: fear of judgment impostor syndrome self-doubt time constraints and the discomfort of being seen in a new way This episode was inspired in part by a powerful weekend at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting (ACOG ACSM), where I put myself in rooms that were filled with OB/GYNs building telehealth practices, nonclinical businesses, and innovative solutions to support physicians. The energy in those spaces?Unmatched. And it raises an important question: What becomes possible when you surround yourself with people who are already doing the thing you’re afraid to start? ✨ In This Episode, We Cover: The mindset shifts required to start a business as a physician Why forming an LLC and building a website aren’t the hardest parts Overcoming tech intimidation and fear of “breaking” your business The real reason selling your services feels uncomfortable How to package, evolve, and believe in your offer Managing multiple offers and marketing them effectively Time management while balancing clinical work and entrepreneurship Navigating financial decisions, debt, and investing in your business Why slow growth is normal (and often necessary) The truth about impostor syndrome—and why it doesn’t go away first How fear of judgment from colleagues, partners, and peers holds you back Reframing other people’s opinions: they are none of your business Why people will judge you no matter what—and how to move forward anyway The identity work required to step into entrepreneurship The power of proximity: how being in the right rooms expands what feels possible 🔥 Key Takeaways Starting a business is less about strategy and more about mindset You don’t need to feel ready to begin—you need to be willing Confidence is built through action, not before it Your first offer, website, or idea is not your final one Visibility—not capability—is often the biggest barrier You are allowed to build something new, even while still practicing medicine 🌱 For OB/GYNs Considering a Nonclinical Path If you’ve ever thought about: starting a coaching business building a telehealth practice creating a nonclinical income stream or transitioning away from full-time clinical work This episode will help you understand not just how to begin… …but why it feels so hard to start—and how to move through that. 💬 A Question to Reflect On If people are going to judge you no matter what… What kind of life is worth being judged for? 🤝 Work With Me   If this episode resonates, I'd love to talk about how we can work together. I work 1:1 with women physicians who are: Burned out and questioning their future in medicine Navigating contract non-renewal or job loss Planning an intentional exit from clinical practice Exploring advocacy, leadership, or nonclinical career paths ✨ Schedule a free coaching consultation to explore what’s next. About the Podcast Navigating Possibility — A Podcast for Women Physicians Ready to Reclaim Their Power Navigating Possibility is the podcast for women physicians experiencing burnout, career dissatisfaction, or major transitions in medicine. If you're a woman doctor considering leaving clinical practice, exploring nonclinical careers, or seeking a more sustainable and aligned path, this podcast is for you. I’m Dr. Christina Adams—OB-GYN, physician coach, and former burned-out doctor. I help women physicians move from survival mode to self-trust, clarity, and empowered career decisions. Each episode includes: Physician burnout recovery tools Nervous system regulation strategies for high-achieving women Conversations about leaving medicine or redesigning your role Coaching insight for intentional career transitions Advocacy conversations about systemic change in healthcare Real stories from women physicians redefining success This is your space to breathe, reflect, and remember who you are beneath the white coat. You are not alone. There is a growing movement of women physicians reclaiming autonomy, identity, and possibility. ✨ Subscribe, share with a colleague, and help reshape the future of medicine. 📬 Stay Connected • Join the weekly newsletter for burnout recovery tools and career transition insight Connect on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinaadamsmd02/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557977027465 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-adams-md-5b7642175/ 🔎 SEO Keywords  OB/GYN burnout, physician entrepreneurship, nonclinical careers for doctors, starting a business as a physician, physician side hustle, telehealth business OB/GYN, mindset coaching for doctors, impostor syndrome physicians, leaving clinical medicine, physician business coach, women in medicine entrepreneurship, OB/GYN career transition, physician coaching business ⭐ If This Episode Resonated Share it with a colleague who’s been saying:“I think I want something more… but I don’t know where to start.” And if you haven’t already—leave a review. It helps more physicians find this work.

    23 min
  4. 21: Why You Don't Want to Journal: How Our Brains Try to Protect Us From Discomfort

    Apr 29

    21: Why You Don't Want to Journal: How Our Brains Try to Protect Us From Discomfort

    If you’ve ever told yourself, “I should journal more”… and then immediately avoided it—you’re not alone. In this episode of Navigating Possibility, we’re unpacking the real reason high-achieving women physicians resist journaling and meditation—and it’s not about time, discipline, or productivity. It’s your nervous system. Drawing on concepts from Polyvagal Theory and insights from The Body Keeps the Score, this episode explores how unprocessed stress and emotional load live in the body, and why slowing down can feel uncomfortable—or even unsafe. We’ll talk about why your brain tells you journaling is “unproductive”… when in reality, your body may be protecting you from what might surface if you stop and listen. And most importantly, you’ll learn how to begin regulating your nervous system so that stillness, reflection, and clarity actually feel accessible. What You’ll Learn Why journaling resistance isn’t laziness—it’s a protective nervous system response How high-achieving physicians become conditioned to override internal signals A simple breakdown of Polyvagal Theory and how it applies to burnout Why insight alone isn’t enough to create change How unprocessed stress shows up physically (even when you “feel fine”) Practical, accessible nervous system regulation techniques you can use in real time A new, less overwhelming way to approach journaling Why your best thinking happens when you’re regulated—not reactive Key Takeaways You don’t need more discipline—you need more safety Your nervous system must feel safe before your mind can do deeper work Journaling and meditation aren’t productivity tools—they’re access points to your internal world Resistance is not failure—it’s information Even a few minutes of regulation can shift you from reactivity → clarity A Simple Nervous System Reset (Try This) When journaling feels like too much, start here: The 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique 5 things you can see 4 things you can feel 3 things you can hear 2 things you can smell 1 thing you can taste This helps bring your body into the present moment and signals safety—so you can gradually build capacity to turn inward. Featured Concepts & Resources Polyvagal Theory The Body Keeps the Score Who This Episode Is For This episode is especially for: Women physicians experiencing burnout or emotional exhaustion High-achievers who feel constantly “on” or stuck in overdrive Anyone who knows what they should be doing—but isn’t doing it Physicians curious about somatic work, nervous system regulation, and sustainable change    Work With Dr. Christina Adams If this episode resonates, I'd love to talk about how we can work together. I work 1:1 with women physicians who are: Burned out and questioning their future in medicine Navigating contract non-renewal or job loss Planning an intentional exit from clinical practice Exploring advocacy, leadership, or nonclinical career paths ✨ Schedule a free coaching consultation to explore what’s next. About the Podcast Navigating Possibility — A Podcast for Women Physicians Ready to Reclaim Their Power Navigating Possibility is the podcast for women physicians experiencing burnout, career dissatisfaction, or major transitions in medicine. If you're a woman doctor considering leaving clinical practice, exploring nonclinical careers, or seeking a more sustainable and aligned path, this podcast is for you. I’m Dr. Christina Adams—OB-GYN, physician coach, and former burned-out doctor. I help women physicians move from survival mode to self-trust, clarity, and empowered career decisions. Each episode includes: Physician burnout recovery tools Nervous system regulation strategies for high-achieving women Conversations about leaving medicine or redesigning your role Coaching insight for intentional career transitions Advocacy conversations about systemic change in healthcare Real stories from women physicians redefining success This is your space to breathe, reflect, and remember who you are beneath the white coat. You are not alone. There is a growing movement of women physicians reclaiming autonomy, identity, and possibility. ✨ Subscribe, share with a colleague, and help reshape the future of medicine. 📬 Stay Connected • Join the weekly newsletter for burnout recovery tools and career transition insight Connect on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinaadamsmd02/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557977027465 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-adams-md-5b7642175/   Keywords: physician burnout, doctor burnout, mindfulness for physicians, second arrow Buddhism, emotional resilience healthcare, physician mental health, burnout recovery doctors, medical anxiety, perfectionism in medicine, self-compassion for physicians, healthcare burnout solutions

    22 min
  5. 20: The Second Arrow - How We Make Hard Things Harder

    Apr 8

    20: The Second Arrow - How We Make Hard Things Harder

    Burnout in medicine isn’t just about long hours, difficult patients, or broken systems. It’s also about what happens after those moments. In this episode of Navigating Possibility, we explore the powerful Buddhist concept of the second arrow—and how it quietly contributes to physician burnout, emotional exhaustion, and chronic self-doubt. The first arrow is unavoidable. It’s the reality of practicing medicine: Complications.Uncertainty.High-stakes decisions.Middle-of-the-night calls.Outcomes we wish had been different. But the second arrow? That’s the part we add. The rumination.The self-criticism.The mental replay at 2 a.m.The belief that “I should have known.” And for many physicians, that second arrow is where burnout deepens. In this episode, we break down how the second arrow shows up in everyday clinical practice—from Morbidity & Mortality conferences to late-night call anxiety—and why it often becomes more painful than the original event itself. More importantly, we explore how awareness and mindfulness can help you recognize when you’re adding unnecessary suffering… and how to respond differently. Because while you can’t eliminate the first arrow… You can choose whether to pick up the second. What You’ll Learn in This Episode The difference between unavoidable stress (the first arrow) and self-inflicted suffering (the second arrow) How physician training reinforces perfectionism, hyper-vigilance, and self-criticism Why rumination and negative self-talk are major contributors to burnout in healthcare Real-life examples of the second arrow in medicine: Complications and difficult patient outcomes Morbidity & Mortality (M&M) conferences 2 a.m. call anxiety and decision-making How hindsight bias creates the illusion that outcomes were predictable Practical ways to use mindfulness in medicine to interrupt the second arrow How self-compassion can improve emotional resilience without sacrificing accountability Key Takeaways You can care deeply about your patients without turning that care into self-punishment Not every difficult outcome is a reflection of your competence or worth Your brain is wired to anticipate worst-case scenarios—but that doesn’t mean they’re true Awareness creates a pause between what happens and how you respond Reducing the second arrow can significantly decrease emotional exhaustion and burnout     Work With Dr. Christina Adams If this episode resonates, I'd love to talk about how we can work together. I work 1:1 with women physicians who are: Burned out and questioning their future in medicine Navigating contract non-renewal or job loss Planning an intentional exit from clinical practice Exploring advocacy, leadership, or nonclinical career paths ✨ Schedule a free coaching consultation to explore what’s next. About the Podcast Navigating Possibility — A Podcast for Women Physicians Ready to Reclaim Their Power Navigating Possibility is the podcast for women physicians experiencing burnout, career dissatisfaction, or major transitions in medicine. If you're a woman doctor considering leaving clinical practice, exploring nonclinical careers, or seeking a more sustainable and aligned path, this podcast is for you. I’m Dr. Christina Adams—OB-GYN, physician coach, and former burned-out doctor. I help women physicians move from survival mode to self-trust, clarity, and empowered career decisions. Each episode includes: Physician burnout recovery tools Nervous system regulation strategies for high-achieving women Conversations about leaving medicine or redesigning your role Coaching insight for intentional career transitions Advocacy conversations about systemic change in healthcare Real stories from women physicians redefining success This is your space to breathe, reflect, and remember who you are beneath the white coat. You are not alone. There is a growing movement of women physicians reclaiming autonomy, identity, and possibility. ✨ Subscribe, share with a colleague, and help reshape the future of medicine. 📬 Stay Connected • Join the weekly newsletter for burnout recovery tools and career transition insight Connect on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinaadamsmd02/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557977027465 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-adams-md-5b7642175/   Keywords: physician burnout, doctor burnout, mindfulness for physicians, second arrow Buddhism, emotional resilience healthcare, physician mental health, burnout recovery doctors, medical anxiety, perfectionism in medicine, self-compassion for physicians, healthcare burnout solutions

    25 min
  6. 19:“Courage is the New Currency” - ACOG CLC 2026 Takeaways

    Apr 1

    19:“Courage is the New Currency” - ACOG CLC 2026 Takeaways

    What does it mean to have courage as a physician right now? In this episode of Navigating Possibility, I’m sharing reflections from my 10th year attending the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Congressional Leadership Conference (CLC) in Washington, DC — a meeting where nearly 800 OB-GYNs from across the country come together to advocate for patients, physicians, and the future of healthcare. This year’s theme came from a powerful message by Skye Perryman: “Courage is the new currency.” We talk about what that means in a time when medicine, policy, and physician identity are increasingly intertwined — and why staying silent may come at a greater cost than speaking up. You’ll hear behind-the-scenes insights from Capitol Hill advocacy meetings, conversations with residents and early-career physicians, and a breakdown of the policies shaping OB-GYN practice — from prenatal care costs to prior authorization reform and payment changes that could impact physician burnout and workforce sustainability. This episode is both a reflection and a call to action. Because whether you see yourself as “political” or not…healthcare policy is shaping your daily work. And your voice matters more than you think. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why physician advocacy is essential in today’s healthcare landscape What “backsliding democracies” means — and why it matters for medicine Key takeaways from ACOG’s Congressional Leadership Conference The real impact of healthcare policy on OB-GYN practice and patient care What the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act could mean for patients and physicians Why prior authorization reform affects more than just Medicare patients How upcoming OB payment changes (global billing unbundling) may impact burnout The role of courage in navigating uncertainty in medicine Topics Covered Physician burnout and systemic stressors Healthcare policy and advocacy OB-GYN workforce challenges Preventive care and insurance coverage Medicare Advantage and prior authorization Leadership and physician identity Medical advocacy for residents and early-career physicians Key Takeaway The cost of staying silent in medicine is rising. Advocacy isn’t about politics — it’s about protecting patients, supporting physicians, and shaping a sustainable future for healthcare. Courage isn’t optional anymore. It’s required. Keywords: physician advocacy, OB-GYN advocacy, ACOG CLC, healthcare policy, physician burnout, prior authorization reform, Medicare Advantage, prenatal care costs, global billing OB, physician leadership, women in medicine, medical advocacy, healthcare reform, doctor burnout solutions   Work With Dr. Christina Adams If this episode resonates, I'd love to talk about how we can work together. I work 1:1 with women physicians who are: Burned out and questioning their future in medicine Navigating contract non-renewal or job loss Planning an intentional exit from clinical practice Exploring advocacy, leadership, or nonclinical career paths ✨ Schedule a free coaching consultation to explore what’s next. About the Podcast Navigating Possibility — A Podcast for Women Physicians Ready to Reclaim Their Power Navigating Possibility is the podcast for women physicians experiencing burnout, career dissatisfaction, or major transitions in medicine. If you're a woman doctor considering leaving clinical practice, exploring nonclinical careers, or seeking a more sustainable and aligned path, this podcast is for you. I’m Dr. Christina Adams—OB-GYN, physician coach, and former burned-out doctor. I help women physicians move from survival mode to self-trust, clarity, and empowered career decisions. Each episode includes: Physician burnout recovery tools Nervous system regulation strategies for high-achieving women Conversations about leaving medicine or redesigning your role Coaching insight for intentional career transitions Advocacy conversations about systemic change in healthcare Real stories from women physicians redefining success This is your space to breathe, reflect, and remember who you are beneath the white coat. You are not alone. There is a growing movement of women physicians reclaiming autonomy, identity, and possibility. ✨ Subscribe, share with a colleague, and help reshape the future of medicine. 📬 Stay Connected • Join the weekly newsletter for burnout recovery tools and career transition insight Connect on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinaadamsmd02/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557977027465 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-adams-md-5b7642175/

    13 min
  7. 18: Unrealistic Expectations: When Patient's Don't See You As Human

    Mar 25

    18: Unrealistic Expectations: When Patient's Don't See You As Human

    What do you do when patients cross the line? When frustration turns into disrespect…When your staff is treated poorly…When you’re expected to tolerate behavior that feels completely unacceptable? In this episode of Navigating Possibility, we’re talking about one of the most emotionally charged—and rarely discussed—parts of practicing medicine: Unrealistic patient expectations and abusive behavior. Because at some point in your career, you will encounter patients who don’t see you as a human being. And no one taught you what to do next. Inside this episode, we explore how to hold two truths at the same time: ✔ Understanding that patients may be stressed, fearful, or overwhelmed✔ Setting clear, professional boundaries that protect you and your team You’ll hear a powerful story about closing a medical practice for a physician’s family funeral—and the moment that made it painfully clear how easily patients can lose sight of our humanity. We also walk through practical scripts you can use immediately when patients are disrespectful to you or your staff—and how to think about the decision to dismiss a patient from your care. If you’ve ever thought: “Am I supposed to tolerate this?” “Where is the line between compassion and being taken advantage of?” “How do I protect my staff without feeling like I’m failing as a physician?” This episode will give you a new way to think about those moments. Because compassion and boundaries are not opposites. They are both essential to practicing medicine in a way that is sustainable—and human. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why physicians often feel pressured to tolerate difficult or abusive patient behavior How unrealistic expectations contribute to physician burnout A mindset shift that helps you stay calm when patients are angry or reactive The difference between compassion and over-tolerance How to set boundaries with patients in a clear, professional way When it may be appropriate to dismiss a patient from your practice Why protecting your staff is a critical part of leadership in medicine The perspective shift that changes how you think about your time, your energy, and your life outside of medicine   Work With Dr. Christina Adams If this episode resonates, I'd love to talk about how we can work together. I work 1:1 with women physicians who are: Burned out and questioning their future in medicine Navigating contract non-renewal or job loss Planning an intentional exit from clinical practice Exploring advocacy, leadership, or nonclinical career paths ✨ Schedule a free coaching consultation to explore what’s next. About the Podcast Navigating Possibility — A Podcast for Women Physicians Ready to Reclaim Their Power Navigating Possibility is the podcast for women physicians experiencing burnout, career dissatisfaction, or major transitions in medicine. If you're a woman doctor considering leaving clinical practice, exploring nonclinical careers, or seeking a more sustainable and aligned path, this podcast is for you. I’m Dr. Christina Adams—OB-GYN, physician coach, and former burned-out doctor. I help women physicians move from survival mode to self-trust, clarity, and empowered career decisions. Each episode includes: Physician burnout recovery tools Nervous system regulation strategies for high-achieving women Conversations about leaving medicine or redesigning your role Coaching insight for intentional career transitions Advocacy conversations about systemic change in healthcare Real stories from women physicians redefining success This is your space to breathe, reflect, and remember who you are beneath the white coat. You are not alone. There is a growing movement of women physicians reclaiming autonomy, identity, and possibility. ✨ Subscribe, share with a colleague, and help reshape the future of medicine. 📬 Stay Connected • Join the weekly newsletter for burnout recovery tools and career transition insight Connect on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinaadamsmd02/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557977027465 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-adams-md-5b7642175/

    20 min
  8. 17: When the System Asks You to Carry More Than Is Sustainable

    Mar 18

    17: When the System Asks You to Carry More Than Is Sustainable

    Episode Description Across the United States, rural obstetric units are closing and the number of physicians providing maternity care continues to decline. When physicians retire, move, or leave clinical medicine, hospitals often struggle to recruit replacements. Instead, the physicians who remain are frequently asked to take on more call, more responsibility, and more risk—often without additional support or compensation. In this episode of Navigating Possibility, Dr. Christina Adams explores the growing crisis in rural obstetrics, physician workforce shortages, and maternity care deserts, and the hidden personal cost of trying to keep struggling systems afloat. Drawing on her own experience working three years of q3 call while raising a young child, Dr. Adams talks about what that lifestyle actually looks like: constant sleep disruption, a nervous system that never fully rests, and the slow drift into survival mode. This episode is not about blaming individual hospitals or questioning the commitment of physicians who continue to serve their communities. Instead, it’s about naming a difficult truth: System problems require system solutions. When healthcare systems rely on physician self-sacrifice to maintain access to care, burnout and workforce shortages often worsen. If you are a physician practicing in rural medicine, obstetrics, or underserved communities, this conversation will help you think about: • The realities of unsustainable call schedules• The emotional pressure physicians feel to “hold the system together”• How healthcare systems respond to physician overwork• Why boundaries can sometimes force necessary structural change• How to evaluate what is sustainable for you long term Dr. Adams also discusses the concept of maternity care deserts, citing data from the March of Dimes showing that millions of women live in counties with limited or no access to obstetric care. Most importantly, this episode reminds physicians of something we rarely say out loud in medicine: You are allowed to protect your own life and well-being, even when the system is struggling. Caring deeply about your patients does not require sacrificing yourself indefinitely. In This Episode The growing crisis of maternity care deserts in the United States Why rural OB units are losing physicians The hidden cost of q3 call schedules What survival mode looks like for early-career physicians The cultural expectation of physician self-sacrifice Why systems often rely on physicians to stretch themselves indefinitely How boundaries can reveal structural problems Questions to ask yourself if your schedule feels unsustainable Key Takeaway You cannot personally solve a systemic workforce shortage through self-sacrifice. Sustainable healthcare systems require structural investment, adequate staffing, and policy solutions—not physician burnout. Resources Mentioned March of Dimes – Maternity Care Deserts Report Data on U.S. maternal health access and workforce shortages   Work With Dr. Christina Adams If this episode resonates, I'd love to talk about how we can work together. I work 1:1 with women physicians who are: Burned out and questioning their future in medicine Navigating contract non-renewal or job loss Planning an intentional exit from clinical practice Exploring advocacy, leadership, or nonclinical career paths ✨ Schedule a free coaching consultation to explore what’s next. About the Podcast Navigating Possibility — A Podcast for Women Physicians Ready to Reclaim Their Power Navigating Possibility is the podcast for women physicians experiencing burnout, career dissatisfaction, or major transitions in medicine. If you're a woman doctor considering leaving clinical practice, exploring nonclinical careers, or seeking a more sustainable and aligned path, this podcast is for you. I’m Dr. Christina Adams—OB-GYN, physician coach, and former burned-out doctor. I help women physicians move from survival mode to self-trust, clarity, and empowered career decisions. Each episode includes: Physician burnout recovery tools Nervous system regulation strategies for high-achieving women Conversations about leaving medicine or redesigning your role Coaching insight for intentional career transitions Advocacy conversations about systemic change in healthcare Real stories from women physicians redefining success This is your space to breathe, reflect, and remember who you are beneath the white coat. You are not alone. There is a growing movement of women physicians reclaiming autonomy, identity, and possibility. ✨ Subscribe, share with a colleague, and help reshape the future of medicine. 📬 Stay Connected • Join the weekly newsletter for burnout recovery tools and career transition insight Connect on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinaadamsmd02/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557977027465 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-adams-md-5b7642175/

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5
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14 Ratings

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Navigating Possibility — A Podcast for Women Physicians Ready to Reclaim Their Power. Navigating Possibility is the podcast for women physicians who feel burned out, overwhelmed, or stuck at a crossroads—ready for change, but not sure what’s next. Whether you're questioning your future in medicine, exploring nonclinical career options, or feeling the call to advocate for something bigger, this space is for you. I’m Dr. Christina Adams—OBGYN, former burned-out physician, and certified life coach. I help women physicians break free from survival mode and reconnect with the possibility, autonomy, and purpose they deserve. I’ve been where you are, and I know this truth: burnout isn’t a personal failure—it’s a systems issue. And healing requires both internal tools and collective change. In each episode, you’ll get the mindset shifts, nervous system strategies, and practical insight to help you move from overwhelm to empowerment, including: • Tools to regulate, reset, and rebuild from burnout • Real conversations about clinical and nonclinical career pivots • Stories from women rewriting what’s possible in medicine and beyond • Coaching strategies to create a sustainable, aligned career • Advocacy insights so you can use your voice to change the system • Permission to honor your limits and expand your vision This is your space to breathe, reflect, and remember who you are beneath the white coat. You are not alone. There’s a growing movement of women physicians reclaiming their power—and you belong here. ✨ Subscribe to Navigating Possibility, share it with the women in your circle, and help spark a new future for medicine. 📬 Stay connected: • Join the email list for weekly insights and resources - https://www.christinaadamsmd.com • Explore coaching support on the website - https://www.christinaadamsmd.com • Follow along with me on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook for grounded community and real talk It’s time to redefine what’s possible—for you, and for the future of women in medicine.

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