In this heartfelt, face-to-face interview for The Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart engages in a profound conversation with Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling US Army (ret), author of the recently published book, If I Don't Return: A Father's Wartime Journal. Together they explore their shared passion, research, and results in leadership development and the impact of context in leadership teaching. The conversation covers key concepts like trust, self-awareness, and adapting leadership to changing environments. In the second half of the interview, they turn to the recent publication and Mark offers timeless lessons on character, the scars of leadership, and the value of service. The two compare profound parallels between the military and medicine, and in a moving moment near the end of the discussion, Mark offers his deeply personal reflections on why he wrote the book. Finally, the two gentlemen conclude that leadership is, at its essence, all about love.

In this deep dive episode of The Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart engages in a profound conversation with Dr. Li Ern Chen, a visionary leader in healthcare transformation and Korn Ferry's Market Leader of Physician Workforce. They delve into Korn Ferry's 2026 Physician Executive Survey and highlight the evolving role of Chief Medical Officers, emphasizing the importance of financial fluency, workforce strategy, and cultural development in driving change. Dr. Chen shares strategic insights on leveraging digital investments and fostering a resilient, engaged physician workforce. The discussion highlights the necessity of cross-functional collaboration, the integration of technology in healthcare, and the cultivation of organizational culture to enhance recruitment and retention. Dr. Chen underscores the importance of linking metrics to culture and performance, framing leadership as a journey of continuous learning and adaptation in the ever-changing landscape of healthcare. Ultimately, culture wins over compensation among today's healthcare leaders and it is a wise leader that treats their workforce not as "staffing" but as capital that cannot be squandered and that must be invested.

In this existential episode, host Lee Scheinbart interviews LynAnn Weaver, Certified High Performance Coach, a transformation strategist dedicated to empowering physicians and healthcare leaders. LynAnn, a former healthcare service line leader, shares practical strategies (three pillars) to enhance practice growth, leadership skills, and well-being to improve clinical excellence and organizational culture. The conversation touches on the gaps in leadership development for both practicing physicians and their physician leaders and how these gaps can lead to, in some cases, a real existential (identity) crisis for a doctor. The show breaks new ground when it comes to exploring what physicians go through when they are trying to lead themselves and others.

In this transformational episode, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Joe Mazzenga, Managing Partner at NuBrick Partners, a highly specialized executive coaching team for healthcare leaders. Lee and Joe explore how physicians, especially those aspiring to senior leadership roles like Chief Medical Officer, can navigate the complex transition from clinical expertise to system-wide enterprise leadership. Joe, a seasoned leadership development expert, shares practical insights on mindset shifts, behavioral traits, and coaching strategies essential for success, such as contextual coaching. The conversation touches on the barriers physicians face when transitioning to leadership roles, including identity shifts, the four pillars of EQ (self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship management), and the significance of curiosity.

In this timely episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Leah Houston, founder and CEO of evercred, a technology platform aimed at modernizing physician credentialing. Dr. Houston shares her personal experiences with credential misuse and the inefficiencies of traditional credentialing processes. She discusses how evercred empowers physicians by giving them control over their credentials and introduces AI as a transformative tool in credentialing. The conversation also touches on the financial implications of credentialing delays, the future of patient care, and the journey of a physician entrepreneur.

In this panoramic episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart talks with Dr. Dani Zoorob, CMIO of Ochsner-LSU Health and author of a critical paper on physician leadership competencies. They discuss the evolving landscape of physician leadership, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive understanding of competencies required for effective leadership in healthcare. Dr. Dani Zoorob shares insights from his research on physician leadership competencies, highlighting gaps in financial acumen and emotional intelligence. The conversation underscores the trifecta importance of coaching, mentorship, and continuous learning for physician leaders to navigate the complexities of modern healthcare systems.

In this foundational episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart engages with Ethan Nkana, Principal of the Rocky Mountain Physician Agency, to discuss the critical importance of advocacy for physician contracting during the course of their careers. They explore the common blind spots physicians face when negotiating contracts, the significance of support and professional development, and the challenges emerging physician leaders encounter as they transition into administrative roles. The conversation emphasizes the need for mentorship, understanding contractual obligations, and recognizing one's value in the healthcare system. If you are looking ahead to your next role as physician leader, this is one episode you don't want to miss!

In this incredibly insightful episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, Lee Scheinbart explores the critical journey of physician leadership, emphasizing the need for structured training and coaching to transition from clinical roles to executive positions. He discusses the secret of upskilling as a physician executive, the importance of identity shift, the role of feedback, and the necessity of having a highly specialized coach to navigate the complexities of healthcare leadership. The conversation highlights the differences between being a physician and an executive, and the skills required to succeed in leadership roles.