For years, Dr. Ben Reinking believed that working harder was the key to success—until it nearly broke him. In a career defined by relentless productivity, he found himself questioning whether he was truly fulfilled or just surviving. In this episode we discuss:

• Early Leadership Struggles: How growing up as the oldest of seven children shaped his natural leadership, but his quiet nature often made him feel overlooked in traditional leadership settings.
• The Hidden Cost of Burnout: A sudden staffing crisis in his division forced him into survival mode, leading to overwhelming exhaustion and a wake-up call that something had to change.
• The Turning Point: A single conversation during a COPE session helped him realize he wasn’t okay—and that he needed to redefine his relationship with work and leadership.
• From Burnout to Coaching: His personal journey led him to physician coaching, where he helps others navigate their own career crossroads and rediscover their purpose.
• Redefining Leadership: Instead of forcing himself to fit the mold of an extroverted, authoritative leader, he embraced a more intentional, relationship-driven leadership style.

Leadership and success in medicine aren’t about working harder—they’re about aligning with your purpose, leading in your own way, and allowing yourself to grow beyond the traditional expectations of the field.

How to connect: https://thedevelopingdoctor.com/about/

What if your biggest setback turned into your greatest opportunity?
Dr. Cameron Roth never expected to be rejected from medical school. He had a clear plan—until life forced him to find another way. That detour led him to rural Central America, where he immersed himself in teaching and public health, an experience that reshaped his perspective on service, adaptability, and leadership.
In this conversation, Cameron shares:

• How missing out on medical school the first time taught him resilience
• The stark reality of transitioning from med school to residency—and why charisma isn’t enough
• The ongoing battle with imposter syndrome, even as a fully trained surgeon
• His vision for breaking down the walls between doctors and patients through transparency and accessibility

If you've ever faced uncertainty in your career or questioned your own expertise, Cameron’s journey will challenge you to rethink failure, embrace discomfort, and see growth in the unexpected.

In this honest conversation, Sandy talks with Dr. Jon King, a seasoned surgeon who’s spent over three decades navigating the highs and lows of private practice. Dr. King opens up about the internal battles he faced with burnout, self-criticism, and the pressures of modern healthcare—and how he’s rewriting the script on leadership, purpose, and joy in medicine. Together, they dive into:

• Why Dr. King says most surgeons lose touch with their “why”—and how reconnecting with it transformed how he leads his team and himself.
• Dr. King opens up about his tendency to ruminate over surgeries and why most surgeons are their own worst enemy.
• How creating a personal North Star gave him the power to turn down opportunities that don’t align with his core mission—and why he feels more liberated because of it.
• How acknowledging a colleague in the moment creates ripple effects for morale and patient care.
• Dr. King challenges the belief that healthcare is broken beyond repair, sharing why he believes in the next generation of surgeons and the power of reinvention.

This episode is an unfiltered look at what it takes to stay human in a system that often feels dehumanizing. Dr. King’s story is about reclaiming joy, leading boldly, and finding freedom in the work that matters most.