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Heartline: Changemaking in Healthcare

Heartline: Changemaking in Healthcare

By: Andrea Austin MD
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 Welcome to "Heartline," a podcast dedicated to exploring the inspiring journeys and impactful work of healthcare changemakers leading the charge in transforming healthcare. Despite the United States spending more on healthcare than any other developed nation, key quality outcomes like life expectancy and maternal mortality lag behind. With over half of American physicians experiencing burnout, the challenges within the system are clear. Join us as we delve into the stories of patients, medical professionals, and other experts who defy the status quo. We’ll uncover the unique characteristics and experiences that propel them to be effective changemakers and the organizational factors that support change. Dr. Austin, host of the podcast, is an emergency physician with real-world experience with the dysfunction in the system. Along with working in the emergency department, she is a medical educator focusing on healthcare worker well-being and how innovative approaches like simulation can improve healthcare. In addition, she researches how we can accelerate changemakers in healthcare. Dr. Austin also uses coaching-informed thinking to unlock the potential of healthcare changemakers, and she will guide you through these narratives with insightful commentary and expert analyses. Through in-depth interviews and real-world examples, this podcast aims to inspire and equip the next generation to drive meaningful change in healthcare. Whether you're a physician, a medical student, or simply passionate about the future of healthcare, "Heartline" will offer valuable perspectives and actionable ideas to help you thrive in a challenging environment and contribute to improving our healthcare system. Seasons 1-4 focused on gender bias in the medical system and shared the uplifting stories of women and allies who stay true to their values, boundaries, and priorities, improving their career fulfillment and increasing their impact on healthcare. Season 5 will expand the guests beyond physicians and tackle issues beyond gender bias that impact healthcare. Tune in to the "Hearline" for a deep dive into healthcare transformation and be inspired by the changemakers making a real difference.© 2024 Heartline Hygiene & Healthy Living Personal Development Personal Success Physical Illness & Disease Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Conflict as Catalyst: Physician Resilience and Teamwork in Medical Education

    Conflict as Catalyst: Physician Resilience and Teamwork in Medical Education
    Oct 28 2025
    What happens when a simple act of initiative in the OR sparks a lifelong pursuit of conflict resolution and systemic change in medicine?In this inspiring episode, Dr. Andrea Austin chats with Dr. Lee Sharma about her path from private practice frustrations to earning a master's in conflict resolution amid burnout doubts. Lee recounts her "aha" moment assisting in a delayed C-section, realizing small actions foster teamwork and belonging. She discusses overcoming conflict avoidance, the emotional "bank account" in healthcare relationships, and scripting responses to personal attacks. Now in her 24-year solo practice and a health policy fellowship, Lee emphasizes listening to understand, pausing to respond, and viewing conflict as opportunity.You’ll hear how they: Build team belonging through "assists" and emotional investments for better patient outcomes Handle conflict by listening to understand, not respond, and redirecting personal attacks back to the core issue Advocate for autonomy, competency, and relational skills to combat burnout and improve healthcare systems Inspire change through vulnerability, scripting hard conversations, and pursuing additional education like conflict resolution degreesIf you’re facing workplace conflicts or seeking to reignite your passion in medicine, this episode provides honest insights and practical strategies for personal and systemic transformation.About the Guest"Conflict is not good or bad—it's an opportunity to improve and deepen relationships." – Dr. Lee SharmaDr. Lee Sharma is a board-certified OB/GYN in private practice for 24 years, with a master's in conflict resolution from Columbia College. Host of the podcast Scalpel and Sword, she consults on dispute systems, leadership, and conflict skills for hospitals and physicians. A health policy fellow at Brandeis University's Heller School, Lee advocates for women's health, teamwork, and systemic change, drawing from her experiences in Auburn, Alabama, where she returned to practice after training.📍 Connect with Lee 📧 Email: scalpelandsword@gmail.com 🌐 Website: East Alabama Health - Dr. SharmaPodcast: Scalpel and Sword 📚 Resources + Mentions 🔗 Getting to Yes by Roger Fisher and William Ury 🔗 Caring Leadership in Turbulent Times by Josh Hartzell 🔗 Brandeis University Heller School Health Policy Fellowship (with Physicians Foundation)🔗 State Medical Association Meetings (e.g., Alabama Medical Association) 🔗 Resa Lewiss (keynote speaker on women's health and advocacy)🔑 Top 3 Key Takeaways Foster Belonging Through Assists: Recognize needs and lend a hand without waiting to be asked, building emotional "bank accounts" for stronger teams. Try one "assist" this week to enhance workplace fulfillment and patient care. Listen to Understand, Not Respond: In conflicts, pause and redirect personal attacks back to the core issue (e.g., "That's not what we're focusing on right now"). Practice scripting responses to stay composed and refocus on patient outcomes. View Conflict as Opportunity: Embrace vulnerability in hard conversations—admit "I don't know, but I'll find out"—to deepen relationships and drive change. Start with one reflective pause in a tense moment to turn challenges into growth.🩺 About the Host:Dr. Andrea Austin is a board-certified emergency physician, educator, and passionate advocate for system-level change in healthcare. As the creator and host of Heartline: Changemaking in Healthcare, Dr. Austin brings curiosity, compassion, and bold honesty to conversations with leaders who are challenging the norms and reshaping medicine from the inside out.With decades of experience in high-pressure clinical environments, Andrea has seen firsthand the cracks in the system—and the people working to repair them. Whether she’s mentoring residents, speaking on national stages, or recording with a fellow disruptor, she centers one theme: change doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens heart to heart.💫 About the Show:Heartline: Changemaking in Healthcare isn’t just a podcast—it’s a pulse check on what’s possible.Hosted by emergency physician and educator Dr. Andrea Austin, Heartline features conversations with healthcare leaders, innovators, and quiet disruptors who are challenging the way things have always been done.Each episode explores real stories of change—from redefining leadership and communication, to reimagining systems built on burnout and hierarchy. This is a space for truth-telling, for asking better questions, and for reconnecting with the reason we all got into medicine in the first place: to make it better.This isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress—with heart. 🎓 Upcoming Events & Opportunities🔥 ⁠⁠Recalibrate: Group Coaching for Physicians⁠⁠Starting 2026, I’ll be co-leading Recalibrate with psychologist and coach Sharee Johnson. This 6-month group coaching program supports ...
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    47 mins
  • Audio Healing: Fighting Misinformation with Stories

    Audio Healing: Fighting Misinformation with Stories
    Oct 21 2025
    How can podcasting transform the way we deliver health information to patients and providers?In this episode, Dr. Andrea Austin speaks with Dan Kendall, as he recounts his path from a sales career at Siemens to launching Digital Health Today in 2016, inspired by his family’s experience with multiple sclerosis and his daughter’s type 1 diabetes diagnosis. He discusses the power of podcasting to fill gaps in patient education, combat misinformation, and create human-centered content. From launching the Health Podcast Summit to developing Health Unmuted miniseries, Dan emphasizes serving niche audiences with authentic, trustworthy stories. The conversation explores challenges like funding, the allure of misinformation, and the need for ongoing dialogue to rebuild trust in healthcare.You’ll hear how they:Address the gap in patient education by creating audio miniseries tailored to newly diagnosed patientsCombat misinformation by prioritizing storytelling that’s evidence-based and human-centeredAdvocate for podcasting as a tool to empower patients and providers during commutes, workouts, or daily routinesInspire hope through a Health Content Integrity Pledge to ensure transparency and trust in health mediaIf you’re passionate about health communication or seeking ways to make patient education more accessible, this episode offers practical insights and a vision for change.About the Guests“Podcasting meets people where they are, filling the spaces between activities with transformative knowledge.” – Dan KendallDan Kendall is the founder of Mission-Based Media, a digital media company dedicated to engaging, educating, and empowering audiences through trustworthy health information. With platforms like Health Podcast Network, Health Podcast Summit, and Health Unmuted, Dan leverages podcasting to deliver evidence-based content. Inspired by his family’s experience with chronic illness, including his daughter’s type 1 diabetes, he’s committed to making health information accessible and impactful. A Virginia Tech alum, Dan’s work is guided by the principle of service: Ut Prosim (“That I May Serve”).📍 Connect with DanWebsite: https://missionbasedmedia.comLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/dankendallHealth Podcast Summit: https://healthpodcastsummit.com 📚 Resources + Mentions🔗 Earn It by Steve Pratt🔗 Health Content Integrity Pledge (Health Podcast Summit)🔗 Digital Health Today Podcast🔗 Health Unmuted Miniseries🔗 Rebel Healthcare by Susanna Fox🔗 Coalition for Trust in Health and Science🔗 World Economic Forum Zero Health Gaps Pledge🔑 Top 3 Key TakeawaysServe your audience: Create podcasts that address specific listener needs, like patient education miniseries for newly diagnosed conditions, to empower and inform.Combat misinformation with storytelling: High-quality, evidence-based content can engage audiences by being relatable and authentic, countering the allure of sensationalist narratives.Keep talking and listening: Rebuild trust in healthcare by fostering open dialogue, challenging personal biases, and standing shoulder-to-shoulder to solve systemic problems.🩺 About the HostDr. Andrea Austin is a board-certified emergency physician, educator, and passionate advocate for system-level change in healthcare. As the creator and host of Heartline: Changemaking in Healthcare, Dr. Austin brings curiosity, compassion, and bold honesty to conversations with leaders who are challenging the norms and reshaping medicine from the inside out.With decades of experience in high-pressure clinical environments, Andrea has seen firsthand the cracks in the system—and the people working to repair them. Whether she’s mentoring residents, speaking on national stages, or recording with a fellow disruptor, she centers one theme: change doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens heart to heart.💫 About the ShowHeartline: Changemaking in Healthcare isn’t just a podcast—it’s a pulse check on what’s possible.Hosted by emergency physician and educator Dr. Andrea Austin, Heartline features conversations with healthcare leaders, innovators, and quiet disruptors who are challenging the way things have always been done.Each episode explores real stories of change—from redefining leadership and communication, to reimagining systems built on burnout and hierarchy. This is a space for truth-telling, for asking better questions, and for reconnecting with the reason we all got into medicine in the first place: to make it better.This isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress—with heart. 🎓 Upcoming Events & Opportunities🔥 ⁠⁠Recalibrate: Group Coaching for Physicians⁠⁠Starting 2026, I’ll be co-leading Recalibrate with psychologist and coach Sharee Johnson. This 6-month group coaching program supports physicians in rediscovering mindfulness, meaning, and wholehearted practice. I'm an alum myself—this program transformed my career. Learn more and ...
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    43 mins
  • Part 3: Opening Your Own Practice

    Part 3: Opening Your Own Practice
    Oct 14 2025
    Can any physician pivot to open a ketamine clinic, and what does it take to do it safely?In this Echo Episode, Dr. Andrea Austin continues her conversation with Dr. Kim Chan Ko, about common questions on ketamine infusions for mood disorders and chronic pain. As an ophthalmologist turned creative director for her emergency physician husband's clinic, Kim shares insights on transitioning careers, required training, and ethical considerations. She discusses building a patient-centered practice, managing risks like emergencies and addiction, and navigating business challenges while prioritizing family and values.You’ll hear how they:Clarify licensing and training needs for ketamine clinics, emphasizing specialties like emergency medicine, anesthesia, and psychiatry Address safety protocols, including emergency preparedness, patient monitoring, and addiction risk management Explore staffing requirements, from nurses to administrative roles, and marketing strategies for attracting patients Inspire physician entrepreneurs with tips on balancing business with personal life, values alignment, and avoiding burnout through intentional pivotsIf you’re a physician considering ketamine therapy or entrepreneurial ventures, this episode provides honest FAQs and strategies for ethical, sustainable change.About the Guest“Action brings clarity.” – Dr. Kim Chan koDr. Kim Chan Ko is a board-certified ophthalmologist, diplomat of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, and co-founder of Ketamine Startup, an online course teaching physicians to open ketamine infusion clinics. After years as creative director of Reset Ketamine in Palm Springs, CA, alongside her emergency physician husband, Kim stepped away from academic ophthalmology to pursue a path aligned with her passions for patient education, mentorship, and innovative healthcare. Her journey through burnout and coaching has shaped her mission to help physicians find clarity and build fulfilling careers.📍 Connect with KimWebsite: https://www.ketaminestartup.comInstagram: @resetketamine Personal Instagram: @dr.kimberlyco📚 Resources + Mentions Reset Ketamine: https://resetketamine.com · Ketamine Startup: https://ketaminestartup.com ·Free Business Plan and Checklist: https://ketaminestartup.com/revitalizingdoctor American Society of Ketamine Physicians, Psychotherapists & Practitioners: https://askp.org PHQ-9 and Beck Depression Inventory for patient monitoring Revitalized: A Guidebook to Following Your Healing Heartline by Dr. Andrea Austin🔑 Top 3 Key TakeawaysLicensing and Training for Ketamine Clinics: Any licensed physician can start a clinic with a DEA license and business permits, but prioritize safety through self-directed training, especially if from non-emergency/anesthesia backgrounds—focus on ketamine protocols for mood/pain disorders to ensure ethical, patient-centered care.Safety and Staffing Essentials: Equip clinics with emergency tools like crash carts and AEDs, hire trained nurses for infusions, and implement monitoring like PHQ-9 for outcomes; mitigate addiction risks with thorough screening and collaborative care involving psychiatrists or therapists.Balancing Business and Life: Align your clinic with personal values by revisiting goals regularly with partners, avoiding over-expansion that strains relationships, and starting small to test market viability while maintaining work-life boundaries.🩺 About the Host:Dr. Andrea Austin is a board-certified emergency physician, educator, and passionate advocate for system-level change in healthcare. As the creator and host of Heartline: Changemaking in Healthcare, Dr. Austin brings curiosity, compassion, and bold honesty to conversations with leaders who are challenging the norms and reshaping medicine from the inside out.With decades of experience in high-pressure clinical environments, Andrea has seen firsthand the cracks in the system—and the people working to repair them. Whether she’s mentoring residents, speaking on national stages, or recording with a fellow disruptor, she centers one theme: change doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens heart to heart.💫 About the Show:Heartline: Changemaking in Healthcare isn’t just a podcast—it’s a pulse check on what’s possible.Hosted by emergency physician and educator Dr. Andrea Austin, Heartline features conversations with healthcare leaders, innovators, and quiet disruptors who are challenging the way things have always been done.Each episode explores real stories of change—from redefining leadership and communication, to reimagining systems built on burnout and hierarchy. This is a space for truth-telling, for asking better questions, and for reconnecting with the reason we all got into medicine in the first place: to make it better.This isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress—with heart. 🎓 Upcoming Events & Opportunities🔥 ⁠⁠Recalibrate: Group Coaching for ...
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    44 mins
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