The Catalyst Way™: Creative Strategies for Women in Medicine to Flourish

Dr. Lara Salyer
  • 5.0 (8)
  • MEDICINE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to The Catalyst Way—the podcast for women clinicians who want to get organized, reignite creativity, and flourish in medicine. Hosted by Dr. Lara Salyer, DO, IFMCP, a physician, author, mentor, and Flow Research Collective-trained coach, this show is your weekly dose of practical strategies to help you flourish inside and outside the exam room. Whether you’re drowning in admin work, feeling creatively stifled, or building a Functional Medicine practice from scratch, you’ll find real, actionable solutions in every episode. ✨ What You’ll Learn: ️✔️ How to beat burnout and reclaim time & energy with better organization, essential tools, and flow science ️✔️ Why creativity is a clinical intervention (and how to harness it!) ️✔️ Mindset shifts, intuition, and self-expression for a sustainable career Expect short solo episodes packed with high-impact tips, plus occasional guest experts sharing their wisdom. Each episode ends with a ”Catalyst Question” to spark reflection and action. 🚀 Take the first step! Discover your burnout risk & creative strengths with the Catalyst Archetype Quiz → https://3nb09zv7070.typeform.com/archetype

  1. 14H AGO

    Part 2 of 4 Transformational Onboarding Mini-Series: What to Say (and not to Say) on a Discovery Call

    Discovery calls don’t have to feel awkward or forced. They can actually be some of the most energizing conversations you have in your practice. In this second part of my Transformational Onboarding Mini-Series, I share my five-step framework for turning those calls into genuine moments of connection and clarity. I call it connect, clarify, align, invite, and detach - a simple flow that helps you stay grounded while confidently guiding patients toward the next step that feels right for them.   If you’ve ever found yourself overexplaining when it’s time to talk about pricing or hesitating to extend an invitation to work together, you’re not alone. I’ve been there too, and I know how uncomfortable it can feel. I’ll walk you through ways to bring more ease and authenticity into these calls so they reflect your values instead of feeling scripted.   I also share why I’ve abandoned high-pressure sales tactics in favor of what I call a “slow cook medicine approach” - a model that builds trust, respects boundaries, and supports patient readiness. By the end of this episode, you’ll see discovery calls as conversations that deepen relationships and remind you why this work still lights you up.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 The Art of Authentic Discovery Calls 02:52 Why Practitioners Overexplain and How to Stop 04:49 The Five-Step Discovery Call Framework 05:32 Step 1: How to Build Safety and Trust 07:08 Step 2: Clarify the Patient’s Story 10:20 Step 3: Align Your Services with Their Needs 13:30 Step 4: Invite Without Feeling “Salesy” 17:49 Step 5: Detach with Confidence 20:19 What to Avoid in Discovery Calls 23:31 Why Pressure Kills Trust 24:45 Recap: The Flow of a Confident Discovery Call 25:49 Catalyst Question: Strengthening Your Boundaries   Links Book a Brainstorm Session Shop at Dr. Lara’s Website   Connect with Dr. Lara Salyer:  Visit Dr. Lara’s Website Explore The Catalyst Way Subscribe to Dr. Lara’s YouTube Channel Connect with Dr. Lara on LinkedIn Follow Dr. Lara on Instagram  Follow Dr. Lara on Facebook Follow Dr. Lara on TikTok     Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

    27 min

  2. OCT 10

    (Part 1 of 4 in the Transformational Onboarding Series) Red Flags and Green Flags: How to Screen Without Guilt

    Discovery calls can feel uncomfortable, like you’re supposed to sell yourself or convince someone you’re worth the investment. I used to dread them too. Over time, I realized they’re not about persuasion at all. They’re about alignment. These first conversations give both of us a chance to decide if working together feels right.   This is Part 1 of my four-part series on Transformational Onboarding, where I’ll walk you through the red, yellow, and green flags I use when screening new patients. Green flags tell me someone is open, hopeful, and ready to do the work. Red flags show up as rigid expectations, resistance to change, or energy that feels misaligned. Yellow flags live in the middle—hesitancy or nervousness that might clear with more clarity.   I’ll share how I set the stage long before the call with application forms that help patients reflect on their readiness. Often, that simple step sparks their transformation before we’ve even spoken.   My hope is that you walk away seeing onboarding not as something to endure, but as the first step toward building a practice that sustains you and serves the right patients, without guilt.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Transformational Onboarding Series Introduction 03:03 Why Discovery Calls Feel Uncomfortable 08:01 Prescreening Patients with Application Forms 12:22 Green Flags: Signs of an Ideal Patient 18:28 Red Flags: Signs of Misalignment 36:14 Yellow Flags: When to Pause and Reflect 39:38 Catalyst Question and Next Steps   Links Shop Free gifts for listeners Brainstorming Session   Connect with Lara:  Website The Catalyst Way Instagram: @drlarasalyer Facebook LinkedIn YouTube TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor     Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

    42 min

  3. OCT 3

    Evolve Out Loud: The Art of Reintroducing Yourself

    Most clinicians update their medical knowledge regularly, but when was the last time you updated the way you introduce yourself to the world?    We often think of self-introductions as something we did once - on a website, a business card, or at the start of our practice - and then moved on. But what happens when your services shift, your voice matures, or your life evolves, and the story you’re telling no longer fits?   In this episode, I share why reintroducing yourself is less about ego and more about alignment. I’ll talk about the subtle ways outdated messaging holds you back, how to approach your public presence with curiosity instead of perfectionism, and a simple 90-second Mad Libs bio that makes the process feel approachable. The real question to keep asking: if someone met you online today, would they meet the version of you that actually exists right now?   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Why Reintroducing Yourself Matters 02:12 A Personal Story of Change and Growth 07:18 Signs It’s Time to Reintroduce Yourself 08:44 Simple Steps to Refresh Your Online Presence 11:56 Key Website Updates Every Clinician Needs 17:17 How Collective Energy Strengthens Masterminds 18:09 When to Reintroduce Yourself to Your Audience 22:03 How to Craft a 90-Second Bio 24:10 Does Your Online Presence Reflect Who You Are Today?   Links Catalyst Studio Brainstorming Session Streamlining your social media (purchase the resources mentioned in this article)   Connect with Lara:  Website The Catalyst Way YouTube Instagram  Facebook LinkedIn TikTok     Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

    27 min

  4. SEP 26

    Discipline vs Capacity–Know the Difference and Feel the Relief

    So many of us assume we can’t focus because we don’t have enough discipline, but I’ve found that the real issue is often depleted capacity. Discipline works like a muscle we can strengthen, but capacity depends on the deeper reserves of our nervous system - things like sleep, nutrition, emotions, and recovery. I like to ask myself: which one am I low on right now? And what happens if I try to push through without the fuel to back it up?   In this episode, I share how flow neuroscience and my own journey through burnout have shaped the way I think about discipline and capacity. I’ll walk you through simple strategies for both - steps that build momentum and restorative practices that bring your energy back - so you can pause and ask the right question before you push: is this a discipline problem, or a capacity problem?   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Why Focus Feels Harder Than Ever 02:19 Discipline vs. Capacity Explained   03:55 Burnout as a Capacity Problem   06:22 What Capacity Really Means   07:25 Flow Cycle and Recovery   07:58 How to Balance Discipline and Capacity   10:07 Practical Strategies to Improve Discipline   15:52 Practical Strategies to Improve Capacity   24:43 The Balance That Prevents Burnout   Links Shop More about Dr. Raquel Martin, PhD Purchase the infographic mentioned in this episode Brainstorming Session   Connect with Lara:  Website The Catalyst Way YouTube Instagram  Facebook LinkedIn TikTok     Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

    27 min

  5. SEP 19

    How to Make a Self-Regulating Menu to Invite More Flow

    Burnout can sneak into every corner of life - your work, your relationships, even the way you show up as a parent! I call it “grief in the brain,” because it quietly drains energy and joy while convincing you that you’re not doing enough. The real shift comes when you stop chasing discipline and start building a framework that helps you feel steady and whole again.   In this episode, I share the idea of a flow menu, a tool I use with my mentees and in my own life. It’s a way to organize activities that restore balance into categories like movement, nourishment, play, thought, and peace. Having those choices ready gives you a lifeline when your mind feels cluttered or your body feels tense.   I’ll show you how to create your own flow menu and why it works as both a preventative and healing practice. My hope is that you walk away with a clear reminder that flourishing happens when you honor your energy and make small, intentional choices that support the life you want to live.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Introduction and Human Nature 02:40 Understanding Burnout 05:52 Signs You Need a Flow Menu 08:53 What Is a Flow Menu 10:18 Flow Menu Categories 22:43 Importance of Self-Regulation 24:25 Questioning Urgency 25:01 Catalyst Question   Links My insight timer profile Catalyst Studio   Connect with Lara:  Website The Catalyst Way YouTube Instagram  Facebook LinkedIn TikTok     Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

    26 min

  6. SEP 12

    How a Halloween Costume Helped Me Create Flow on Demand

    I’ve come to believe that play and creativity can completely change the way we move through our days. For me, it started when I decided to bring Halloween back into my life and create a whimsical “crow lady” character, and that one spark of joy gave me more energy, focus, and flow than I’d felt in years.    In this episode, I share how that experience opened my eyes to the bigger question of why joy matters so much in medicine and in life, and why so many of us, especially women in medicine and working moms, tend to abandon it. What would happen if you treated joy as a vital sign, right alongside sleep or nutrition? How might your days look if your calendar held space for wonder and curiosity, not just obligations? I’ll walk you through simple flow enhancers like gratitude, novelty, and embodiment, as well as the disruptors that scatter our attention. My hope is that this conversation encourages you to see play as a prescription for resilience and growth, and maybe even helps you reclaim your own sparks of joy.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Introduction and Halloween Confession 03:34 Becoming the Crow Lady and Finding Flow 05:09 Glee and Creativity Boost Productivity 07:42 Self-Abandonment and the Need for Play 10:37 Play and Creativity as the Sixth Vital Sign 13:08 Flow Enhancers vs. Flow Disruptors 16:40 Practical Tools to Protect Your Flow 18:05 Catalyst Question on Gamifying Your Day   Links Catalyst Archetype Catalyst Advantage   Connect with Lara:  Website The Catalyst Way YouTube Instagram  Facebook LinkedIn TikTok     Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

    20 min

  7. SEP 5

    Design It Backwards: Let Life Lead Your Practice

    Burnout began to lose its hold on me when I realized my practice should support my life instead of forcing my life to fit around my practice.   In this episode, I share a personal moment when the signs of burnout resurfaced as I was driving to care for my parents. That experience pushed me to look at how I had been structuring my days and reminded me that clear boundaries and intentional choices bring ease and clarity. You’ll also hear from my Catalyst community, clinicians who are designing careers that give them freedom, like taking summers off, choosing the patients they want to serve, and being present for family milestones. We also explore the doubts that so many of us face. Will others judge me for working less? Will my patients stay with me if I change how I practice? How do I know when I’ve done enough?   As you listen, I encourage you to reflect on your own answers. If your schedule reflected your values, what would look different? And what possibilities might open once you decide what “enough” means for you?   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Redefining Medical Careers 02:33 Experiencing Burnout Again 05:28 Catalyst Success Stories 06:10 Benefits of the Membership Model 07:36 Epiphany on I-95 09:33 Common Barriers in Medical Practice 10:48 Redefining “Enough” 12:53 Protecting Your Yes 14:18 Catalyst Question: Designing Your Ideal Practice 15:52 The Real Reason We Are Here   Links Midnight Library by Matt Haig Catalyst Advantage Sessions Archetype Quiz   Connect with Lara:  Website The Catalyst Way YouTube Instagram  Facebook LinkedIn TikTok     Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

    18 min

  8. AUG 29

    “What Can I Do That AI Can’t?” How to Make That Obvious in Every Patient Experience

    AI is showing up everywhere in medicine, from symptom checkers to lab summaries, and I often hear clinicians wonder where that leaves us.    In this episode, I share how I see technology as a helpful partner while holding firm to the truth that no algorithm can replace the trust, empathy, and presence our patients deserve. My own journey from burnout to building a practice rooted in connection has shown me that we carry a kind of medicine AI will never touch. Can a computer sit with someone in grief? Can it notice the subtle shift in tone or energy that tells you more than lab results ever could? I want you to think about how you bring your humanity into care, how you amplify the qualities that make your practice unique, and how AI might support rather than overshadow your role as a healer and entrepreneur.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 AI in Healthcare and Human Connection   05:01 How Clinicians Use AI in Practice   07:06 The Limitations of AI in Medicine   09:30 Unique Human Abilities in Patient Care   13:02 Translating Science Into Soul-Aligned Action   16:14 Building a Human-Centered Practice   20:31 Celebrating Patient Wins and Progress   26:06 Catalyst Question: What AI Can’t Do in Medicine     Links The Catalyst Studio   Episodes about AI: Episode 57: ChatGPT For Health and Wellness Content Marketing Episode 58: Providers Regaining Their Time and Sanity With the Help of Virtual Scribes and Virtual Assistants Episode 106: The Future of Charting With AI – Dr. Lara Salyer   Episodes about creating a welcoming atmosphere: Episode 46: Front Office Makeover With the Aha! Method Episode 104: Making Your Practice a Holistic Office   Connect with Lara:  Website The Catalyst Way YouTube Instagram  Facebook LinkedIn TikTok     Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

    28 min
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5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Catalyst Way—the podcast for women clinicians who want to get organized, reignite creativity, and flourish in medicine. Hosted by Dr. Lara Salyer, DO, IFMCP, a physician, author, mentor, and Flow Research Collective-trained coach, this show is your weekly dose of practical strategies to help you flourish inside and outside the exam room. Whether you’re drowning in admin work, feeling creatively stifled, or building a Functional Medicine practice from scratch, you’ll find real, actionable solutions in every episode. ✨ What You’ll Learn: ️✔️ How to beat burnout and reclaim time & energy with better organization, essential tools, and flow science ️✔️ Why creativity is a clinical intervention (and how to harness it!) ️✔️ Mindset shifts, intuition, and self-expression for a sustainable career Expect short solo episodes packed with high-impact tips, plus occasional guest experts sharing their wisdom. Each episode ends with a ”Catalyst Question” to spark reflection and action. 🚀 Take the first step! Discover your burnout risk & creative strengths with the Catalyst Archetype Quiz → https://3nb09zv7070.typeform.com/archetype

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