Join host Dr. Lee Sharma and physician coach Dr. Anne Hirsch on The Scalpel and Sword Podcast as they explore how communication breakdowns fuel burnout and conflict in medicine. Learn practical tools to recognize triggers, pause before reacting, and transform interactions with colleagues, patients, and family for a more balanced life.

Join Dr. Lee Sharma on Scalpel and Sword Podcast as she chats with Pooie Cantrell, RN about bringing joy to high-stakes medical settings. Discover how Pooie’s positivity, teamwork, and fearless approach to conflict resolution transformed patient care and why younger physicians are embracing a collaborative mindset.

In this powerful episode of Scalpel and Sword, Dr. Lee Sharma sits down with Kim Downey, founder of Stand Up for Doctors, physical therapist, three-time cancer survivor, and advocate for physician well-being. Kim shares her personal story of loss, resilience, and purpose after the tragic death of her radiologist—transforming her grief into a global movement to support doctors. Together, they explore how compassion, trauma awareness, and community can heal both physicians and patients.

In this episode of Scalpel and Sword, Dr. Lee Sharma interviews Dr. Michael Hersh, a gastroenterologist and physician coach. Michael shares his journey from burnout and a medical malpractice lawsuit to finding purpose through coaching, helping physicians break free from feeling trapped in medicine while fostering systemic change through vulnerability and teamwork.

Join host Dr. Lee Sharma and guest Kimberly Best, RN, MA, on Scalpel and Sword as they explore how conflict can transform healthcare. Kimberly, a seasoned mediator and founder of Best Conflict Solutions, shares how embracing conflict as a normal part of human interaction can improve patient care, reduce burnout, and foster healthier workplace cultures.

Join host Dr. Lee Sharma and guest Kenny Cox, as they explore parallels between managing a bar and navigating conflicts in medicine. Learn how empathy, creativity, and understanding hierarchies can improve workplace dynamics and relationships in high-pressure environments.

Join host Dr. Lee Sharma and guest Dr. William Cooper as they discuss healthcare incivility, professionalism's impact on patient safety, and effective intervention strategies. Learn how a small percentage of clinicians drive major issues and how peer feedback can foster positive change.

Join host Dr. Lee Sharma as she continues her two-part interview with Dr. Allan Detsky, to explore the power of storytelling in medicine. They discuss how narratives foster trust, shift focus from rigid positions to shared interests, and help clinicians navigate uncertainty. Dr. Detsky shares insights from teaching medical students and residents to use observation and creative listening, drawing from his unique experiences in both medicine and the arts.

Host Dr. Lee Sharma welcomes Dr. Allan Detsky, to explore how storytelling transforms medical practice. From his journey as a clinician-scientist to teaching narrative medicine at the University of Toronto, Dr. Detsky shares powerful stories, including connecting with a dying patient through hockey, and discusses fostering vulnerability and observation in clinicians.

Dr. Lee Sharma welcomes Kyle Claussen, to unpack the art and science of physician contract negotiation. With 15 years of expertise and endorsements from over 50 state medical societies, Kyle shares actionable strategies for securing fair compensation, capping call duties, and aligning contracts with personal priorities. Learn how to navigate complex employment agreements, overcome conflict avoidance, and leverage market data to build a fulfilling, balanced medical career.

Dr. Lee Sharma welcomes Dr. Gita Pensa to discuss the emotional toll of medical malpractice litigation on physicians. Drawing from her own 12-year legal battle, Dr. Pensa shares insights on managing fear, shame, and uncertainty. Learn practical strategies for navigating litigation stress, fostering self-compassion, and advocating for systemic change to support healthcare professionals.

Dr. Stephanie Byerly, joins Dr. Lee Sharma to explore how trauma shapes healthcare professionals and systems. Learn how trauma-informed coaching fosters self-compassion and psychological safety, empowering clinicians to navigate burnout and conflict. Discover practical tools to drive cultural change in healthcare organizations, transforming trauma into healing and resilience from within.

Dr. Lee Sharma sits with Dr. Andrea Austin to share powerful insights on becoming a physician change maker. Learn how reflection, emotional resilience, and embracing conflict can empower doctors to transform healthcare from within, with practical strategies from her research on 15 change-making physicians.

Dr. Lee Sharma hosts Professor Johnnie Kallas to discuss the rise of fixed-duration strikes in healthcare. Learn how nurses and physicians leverage short-term strikes to advocate for better working conditions and patient safety, and why these actions are reshaping the U.S. healthcare system.

Host Dr. Lee Sharma welcomes Dr. Julie Hallet to discuss her groundbreaking JAMA Surgery study on how surgeon-anesthesiologist familiarity improves patient outcomes in high-risk surgeries. Learn why stable OR teams matter, the challenges of implementing change, and how this research could transform healthcare delivery.

Join Dr. Lee Sharma as she welcomes Dr. Ruby Powar, a family physician in Auburn, Alabama, to discuss her journey from six part-time jobs to building a thriving private practice with her husband. Dr. Powar shares insights on setting boundaries, managing professional and personal roles, and fostering harmony in a small practice. A must-listen for physicians seeking to balance family, career, and personal growth while maintaining their calling.

Dr. Lee Sharma hosts Dr. Steven Cohen, to share his expertise on navigating surgical complications and workplace conflicts. With a unique blend of medical and legal expertise, he offers practical strategies for maintaining professionalism and managing bad outcomes. This episode is a must-listen for surgeons and medical professionals looking for actionable advice and insights on how to excel in high-stakes environments while minimizing risks and maintaining professional integrity.

Dr. Lee Sharma welcomes Tarun Ramesh, a graduating Harvard medical student and incoming Mass General resident, to discuss his NEJM-published work on physician unionization, the ethics of medical strikes, and how global healthcare systems can inform better workforce policy in the U.S.

Dr. Lee Sharma interviews Zej Moczydlowski, a Special Operations Combat Medic and NYU International Law LL.M. Candidate, about how his experiences in battlefield medicine shaped his perspective on justice, conflict resolution, and the power of healing in both medicine and law.

Dr. Lee Sharma interviews Dr. Resa Lewiss author of MicroSkills: Small Actions, Big Impact. Dr. Lewiss unpacks how mastering small, intentional behaviors like pausing, documenting, and recognizing workplace dynamics can transform your career.