What do boy bands, burnout, and bedside manner have in common? According to Dr. J Mack Slaughter—more than you think. In this episode, emergency medicine physician, musician, and social media creator Dr. J Mack joins Dr. Michael Jerkins to unpack his unlikely path from pop performer to practicing medicine, and how creativity still fuels his career today. 

Dr. J Mack opens up about what led him to leave the entertainment industry, start over as a pre-med student, and ultimately find a way to merge both passions through his nonprofit, Music Meets Medicine. From the emotional toll of COVID-19 to his advocacy around EM residency reform and healthcare worker mental health, he shares how creating content online has helped him reclaim his voice and fight burnout, while educating the public along the way. 

We explore the broken incentives in healthcare, how profit-driven systems are failing both doctors and patients, and why giving doctors the tools to speak out is more important than ever. Whether you're a clinician craving inspiration or just someone who wants to understand the person behind the white coat, this episode hits all the right notes.