Have you ever felt like you're doing everything "right" in your career, but something still feels off? You're not alone. In this episode, I'm diving into one of my favorite topics — your Zone of Genius. This is where your natural strengths, passions, and most meaningful contributions come together, and discovering it can bring a whole new sense of clarity, energy, and joy to your work.

I'll walk you through the four zones we typically operate in and explain why the Zone of Excellence, while often rewarding, can also leave you feeling stuck or unfulfilled. I'm also sharing real examples from physicians who found compelling new directions by leaning into their Zone of Genius.

If you're at the crossroads, this episode is here to help you start moving toward more purpose and alignment in your next chapter.

• What your Zone of Genius is and how to start identifying it
• The common trap of staying in your Zone of Excellence
• Why external success doesn't always equal personal fulfillment
• What intrinsic rewards are and why they matter
• Inspiring stories from physicians who leaned into their genius
• A simple framework to help uncover your personality, top skills, and ideal impact
• Reflective questions to help you reconnect with what energizes you

Book recommendations:

• The Genius Zone: The Breakthrough Process to End Negative Thinking and Live in True Creativity by Gay Hendricks

• The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level―A Transformative Guide to Overcoming Fears and False Beliefs for Personal Growth and Success by Gay Hendricks

Curious about your Enneagram type?

The Enneagram is one of my favorite tools for helping clients better understand their strengths, motivations, and unique patterns — especially when you're exploring your Zone of Genius.

I recommend the RHETI test from The Enneagram Institute. It's the most accurate version I've found and the one I use in my own coaching work. The test costs $20 and takes about 40 minutes to complete.

If you're ready to gain deeper insight into what truly drives you, you can get started here:
www.enneagraminstitute.com/get-started-with-enneagram-tests

We're continuing our podcast-sharing contest through January!
Just share the podcast with two people you haven't shared it with before, then email us:

• the episode(s) you shared, and
• the initials (or another identifier) of the two people

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People are loving it because it's customizable and genuinely useful—this really is a contest you can't lose

Thank you for listening!

We're often told that gratitude is the answer, that if we could just appreciate what we have, everything would feel better. And while gratitude can be grounding and healing, there is a side of it that doesn't get talked about enough.

In this solo episode, I explore what happens when gratitude turns into pressure, when "I should be grateful" becomes a way of silencing your truth, minimizing your exhaustion, or staying stuck in a situation that no longer fits. This is what I call the gratitude trap, and it's one many physicians encounter, especially at moments of transition.

This episode is an invitation to reclaim gratitude as a source of support rather than self-abandonment. If you've ever questioned your career and then talked yourself out of listening to that inner voice, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, we're talking about:

• The difference between gratitude that expands you and gratitude that shuts you down

• How "I should be grateful" can quietly keep you stuck

• Why comparison is not a reason to ignore your own truth

• What authentic gratitude actually sounds like

• Signs your energy is contracting vs. expanding in your work

• How listening to discomfort can point you toward a better fit

• Using gratitude as support rather than pressure
  

You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here:

www.doctorscrossing.com/episode237

Links for this episode:

We're continuing our podcast-sharing contest through January 🎁
Just share the podcast with two people you haven't shared it with before, then email us:

• the episode(s) you shared, and

• the initials (or another identifier) of the two people

That's it. Email team@doctorscrossing.com, and we'll send your prize.
People are loving it because it's customizable and genuinely useful—this really is a contest you can't lose 🌟

Have you ever found yourself helping a loved one through a confusing medical situation and thought, "I wish I could do this full-time"? You're not alone. Many physicians are naturally drawn to patient advocacy and navigation, even if they don't yet realize it has a name or a career path.

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Angie Ingraham, a former trauma surgeon and critical care physician who made a powerful career transition after her father's diagnosis with glioblastoma. Experiencing the healthcare system from the other side opened her eyes to the gaps patients and families face. That journey led her to launch True North Patient Advocates, where she now supports others through complex medical situations with clarity and compassion.

Whether you've thought about becoming a patient advocate and navigator — or are simply curious about what this work actually involves — Angie shares the real-life steps she took to create a fulfilling and sustainable new path.

• How a personal family crisis led Dr. Ingraham to explore patient navigation

• The surprising barriers patients face, even with medical connections

• What professional patient advocates and navigators actually do and how physicians are uniquely qualified

• How she built her business without formal business training

• The variety of clients and services in her day-to-day work

• Financial considerations and typical rates for advocates

• Steps you can take to explore this path for yourself

You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here:

www.doctorscrossing.com/episode236

Links for this episode:

Dr. Angie Ingram — True North Patient Advocates

Greater National Advocates Directory

Alliance of Professional Health Advocates - Offers a Boot Camp and 100-day program for business startup

Health Advocate X

Patient Advocate Certification Board

National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Work

Episode #68: Being a Patient Advocate is a Real Option

Episode #156: How To Start A Side Gig Or Business As A Patient Navigator

🎉Exciting News: Earn CME Credit with Our Career Tools!

We're thrilled to share that both the LinkedIn Course for Physicians and the Carpe Diem Resume Kit are now approved for CME credit. If you have funds to use before the end of the year or need additional hours, this is a perfect opportunity to invest in your career growth while fulfilling CME requirements.

• LinkedIn Course – 3 CME hours

• Resume Kit – 2 CME hours

You can find both resources under the Products tab or click here for direct access. If you have any questions or would like a sneak peek, just email us at team@doctorscrossing.com and we'd be happy to help!

🌟Because we really want to keep spreading the word and growing the Podcast, we're doing a little something fun! We've created a new contest, and this one's super easy to win. All you need to do is share the podcast with two people you haven't shared it with before. Then just email us the episode you shared and the initials (or another way to identify) the two people you shared it with. That's it!

We've got a special prize waiting for you, and you have until the end of 2025 to enter. So if you've been meaning to tell a friend or colleague about the podcast, now's the perfect time. Just send us your email at team@doctorscrossing.com and we'll send you your prize!