Practice owner and dentist Dr. ArNelle Wright joins Dr. Michael Jerkins for an honest conversation about what it really looks like to acquire and lead a dental practice. Drawing from her firsthand experience, Dr. Wright shares the financial surprises she encountered post-acquisition and why mental preparation is just as important as due diligence.

The discussion explores how thoughtful patient communication can make or break a transition, from personalized outreach to humanizing leadership during times of change. Dr. Wright also reflects on her commitment to mentorship, building strong team culture, and leading with intention in an increasingly corporate dental landscape. Together, they examine how legislative changes, student borrowing caps, and economic pressures are shaping the future of dentistry and why financial literacy is no longer optional for today’s doctors.

What should future dental owners know before taking the leap? And how can leadership, adaptability, and mentorship shape a more sustainable path forward?

Dr. Wright closes with reflections on her non-traditional journey into dentistry, balancing ownership with motherhood, and her vision for empowering the next generation of dental leaders.

Board-certified vascular surgeon and chief medical resource advisor at Locum Tenens Dr. Miechia Esco joins Dr. Michael Jerkins for an in-depth conversation on the realities—and misconceptions—of locum tenens medicine. Drawing from a career that spans academia, military medicine, private practice, and locum work, Dr. Esco offers a firsthand look at how locum physicians adapt across diverse clinical environments and why experience, not transience, defines the field.

The discussion highlights the critical role locum physicians play in underserved rural and urban communities, helping to bridge gaps created by physician shortages and hospital closures. Dr. Esco and Dr. Jerkins explore the growing demand for locum physicians across all specialties, the flexibility and autonomy locum work can provide, and how it compares to traditional employment in today’s evolving healthcare landscape. They also touch on the influence of technology and AI while reinforcing why human judgment, compassion, and trust remain irreplaceable in patient care.

What does it really take to succeed as a locum physician? And how can mission, ethics, and culture shape a more sustainable future for healthcare?

Dr. Esco closes with advice for physicians considering locum work, reflections on legacy and leadership, and a reminder that meaningful impact in medicine often comes from meeting communities where they need you most.

Fourth-year medical student and anesthesiology residency applicant Avery Wooten joins Dr. Michael Jerkins for a candid conversation about navigating medical school on the road to the Match. Avery reflects on her path from UNC Chapel Hill to UCSF, the mentorship that helped shape her journey, and how social media became an unexpected tool for transparency and guidance.

She shares how she balances clinical rotations, content creation, and interview prep, while offering insight into the modern residency application process from virtual interviews to the power of personal storytelling. The discussion also explores the financial pressures facing today’s medical students, shifting priorities around work-life balance, and why authenticity matters more than ever in the Match.

What does it really take to stand out as a residency applicant today? And how can mentorship—both online and offline—help demystify the process for the next generation?

Avery closes with reflections on burnout, humor, and staying human while navigating one of the most demanding seasons of medical training.

Board-certified orthopedic surgeon, social media personality, and former professional violinist Dr. Will Kang joins Dr. Michael Jerkins for an engaging conversation on unconventional career paths, surgical culture, and building a life in medicine that extends beyond the operating room. Dr. Kang reflects on his early years as a classically trained musician, the role of parental influence in high-level performance, and how a career-altering shoulder injury ultimately redirected him from the concert stage to medicine.

He shares how the COVID-19 pandemic reignited a long-standing interest in media, leading him to create educational and humorous content on social media. The discussion weaves through the realities of surgical training, the stereotypes surrounding different specialties, and why surgeons often develop thick skin, big egos, and an efficiency-first communication style just to survive the field.

Dr. Kang also offers a candid look at balancing a demanding surgical career with family life, emphasizing why he’s chosen to prioritize being present at home, even when it comes at a professional cost. Looking ahead, he weighs in on the future of orthopedic surgery, including the growing role of robotics, AI, and real-time imaging.

What does it take to pivot when your original dream no longer fits? And how can surgeons build resilience, maintain perspective, and define success on their own terms?

Dr. Kang closes with advice for aspiring surgeons, reflections on criticism and self-healing, and why—despite the challenges—he still believes medicine is a career worth choosing.

Quadruple board-certified physician Dr. Gerald Cox joins Dr. Ned Palmer for a thoughtful conversation on personalized medicine, obesity care, and the future of longevity. Dr. Cox reflects on his own childhood struggle with obesity and how it shaped his path from personal trainer to physician, ultimately leading him into concierge medicine where deeper relationships and individualized care take center stage.

Together, they explore how AI is reshaping clinical practice, why prevention will define the next era of healthcare, and what we can learn from the world’s Blue Zones about living longer, healthier lives. Dr. Cox explains his approach to personalized health plans, the power of motivational interviewing, and the role of precision genomics in cardiometabolic and longevity medicine.

What does truly personalized care look like in a system built for volume? And how can technology, motivation, and lifestyle-based medicine converge to meaningfully improve long-term health outcomes?

Dr. Cox closes the episode with reflections on passion, purpose, and his mission to combat medical misinformation through digital education, reminding us why the future of medicine depends on both innovation and empathy.

Dentist, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Shared Practices Group, Dr. Alex Sharp joins Dr. Michael Jerkins to share how his unconventional career path—from high-volume associate to multi-practice owner and CEO—shaped his philosophy on patient care, business, and leadership.

He opens up about the lessons learned early in his career, the pivotal moment that pushed him toward practice ownership in Arkansas, and how those experiences inspired him to co-found Shared Practices Group, an organization focused on delivering full-arch implant care and achieving independence from insurance-driven dentistry.

Dr. Sharp reflects on the realities of running a practice through the COVID-19 pandemic, why differentiation is essential for any insurance-free model, and the balancing act between efficiency, accessibility, and patient advocacy. The conversation also explores how AI and automation are reshaping the field from radiograph analysis to scheduling and why maintaining a personal touch will always be essential in patient care.

What does it take to create a thriving, values-driven practice in an industry dominated by insurance and rising costs? And how can new dentists navigate student debt, business ownership, and a rapidly evolving technological landscape without losing sight of their “why”?

Dr. Sharp offers candid insights into the state of dental education, the future of dental specialties, and why adaptability and a healthy dose of skepticism toward “expert” advice might be the most valuable skills a dentist can have today.

Pediatric nephrologist, educator, and “Sheriff of Sodium” Dr. Bryan Carmody joins Dr. Ned Palmer for a candid deep dive into the world of medical education and residency selection. Known for his sharp analysis and willingness to challenge convention, Dr. Carmody offers a four-star review of the medical education system, praising the outcomes, but questioning the inefficiencies baked into the process.

Together, they explore the ripple effects of the USMLE Step 1 exam’s move to pass/fail, the evolving competitiveness of specialties like anesthesiology and pediatrics, and how international medical graduates fit into the shifting landscape. Dr. Carmody also weighs in on the growing presence of AI in residency applications.

As the conversation turns toward the future, Dr. Carmody highlights the urgent need to align medical education with real-world competencies and the expectations of residency programs. How can medical education evolve to meet the needs of both students and patients? And what happens when AI, equity, and efficiency collide in the residency match? This episode unpacks the complexities shaping the next generation of physicians.

Dr. Michael Jerkins and Dr. Ned Palmer tackle the pressing issues facing today’s physicians. From high turnover rates and burnout to the appeal of direct primary care models, they explore how doctors can regain autonomy, protect their well-being, and find balance in an increasingly complex and demanding healthcare landscape. They discuss the realities of hospital medicine, the pressures of episodic care, and the systemic factors driving many physicians to rethink their career paths.

What drives physicians to leave hospital medicine, and how can the next generation avoid the pitfalls of burnout? How can doctors navigate the nuances of job contracts and employment agreements while protecting their time and financial interests? And what lessons can be drawn from the evolving COVID-19 treatment pathways that highlight the need for flexibility and innovation in practice? Dr. Jerkins and Dr. Palmer break down these challenges with candid insights, real-world examples, and a mix of humor and practicality, offering actionable advice for physicians at every stage of their career.

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