What if reaching the top of your career mountain leaves you wondering, "Is this it?"

In this episode of Scalpel and Sword Podcast, Dr. Lee Sharma welcomes Jake Kennington, to explore the journey from professional achievement to personal fulfillment, and discover how to realign and redesign your life. Jake shares his origin story—from discovering engineering at BYU, building a career in California, to facing a mid-career crisis after passing his grueling structural engineering exam. He discusses how priorities shift over time, the subtle cues of misalignment, like boredom or lack of excitement, and his framework for change: Redefine, Realign, and Reconnect (REDAC). Together, they dive into avoiding the "villain" trap, the power of reflection, and Jake's transformative 12-hour (35-mile) walk inspired by Colin O'Brady's Antarctic trek.

Gain insights on endurance as a tool for confronting limiting beliefs, the value of group coaching, and practical steps for professionals, including physicians navigating transitions. Jake also introduces his upcoming "Second Summit" program and free "Own Your Life Playbook" resource.

1. Recognize Misalignment Cues: Pay attention to subtle signs like boredom, resentment, or lack of excitement in your daily work. Reflect on how your priorities have shifted since starting your career. Journal weekly about what success means now versus then, and identify one small change to realign your routine for better fulfillment.
2. Apply the REDAC Framework: Redefine your current definition of success by listing top priorities. Realign actions by auditing your schedule and adjusting one habit weekly. Reconnect with yourself through daily reflection or meditation. Use this to design intentional career shifts without abandoning your expertise.
3. Embrace Reflective Practices: Schedule a long walk or quiet time to unplug from distractions and confront limiting beliefs. Slow down to wage peace with your mind, reflecting on past experiences for lessons. Start small with 10-minute daily journaling to build clarity on your next life chapter.

About the Show:

Behind every procedure, every patient encounter, lies an untold story of conflict and negotiation. Scalpel and Sword, hosted by Dr. Lee Sharma—physician, mediator, and guide—invites listeners into the unseen battles and breakthroughs of modern medicine. With real conversations, human stories, and practical tools, this podcast empowers physicians to reclaim their voices, sharpen their skills, and wield their healing power with both precision and purpose.

About the Guest:

Jake Kennington is a licensed structural engineer with over a decade of experience designing $100M buildings. A father of four and husband of nearly 16 years, he founded Actively Human to help established professionals redesign their lives by choice, not default. Drawing from his own mid-career transition, Jake coaches on alignment, personal development, and stepping into the next chapter.

📍 Website: activelyhuman.com

🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jakekennington

📝 Free Resource: Own Your Life Playbook here

About the Host:
Dr. Lee Sharma is a gynecologist based in Auburn, AL, with over 30 years of clinical experience. She holds a Master’s in Conflict Resolution and is passionate about helping colleagues navigate workplace challenges and thrive through open conversations and practical tools.

• Connect with Dr. Lee Sharma:
  📧 Email: scalpelandsword@gmail.com
  🌐 Website: East Alabama Health - Dr. Sharma

The Scalpel and Sword Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if the way we were trained to give feedback in medicine is the very thing burning doctors out today? Every physician remembers their first day of residency—the fear, the overwhelm, and the sudden realization that medical school did not truly prepare them for the intensity of real-world practice.

In this episode of Scalpel and Sword Podcast, Dr. Lee Sharma sits down with fellow OB/GYN Dr. Emily McInnis for an honest conversation about what it was really like to train in a high-pressure residency environment, and how those experiences shape the way physicians communicate, lead, and handle conflict today.

Dr. Emily reflects on being “thrown into the deep end” as a brand-new intern: performing C-sections on day one, navigating brutal call schedules, and learning through trial by fire. She and Dr. Sharma discuss the infamous culture of the “closet talk”—private reprimands filled with yelling and humiliation that were once considered normal teaching tools in medicine.

This episode dives deep into the unspoken emotional realities of medical training: the craving for praise, the terror of making mistakes, the loneliness of being on call, and the long-term impact of how young doctors are treated.

Most importantly, it offers hope, showing that physicians have the power to break old cycles and create healthier, more humane cultures for the next generation.

Three Actionable Takeaways

• Feedback Doesn’t Have to Hurt to Be Effective; Constructive criticism delivered with respect is far more powerful than yelling or shaming. Physicians learn better and perform better when they feel safe rather than attacked.
• Culture Is Modeled, Not Inherited; Just because harsh communication was normalized during training doesn’t mean it must continue. Every clinician has the opportunity to choose kindness and professionalism in how they teach and lead.
• Psychological Safety Improves Patient Care; When trainees and team members aren’t afraid to ask questions or admit uncertainty, errors decrease and collaboration increases. Healthy communication is a patient-safety strategy.

About the Show:

Behind every procedure, every patient encounter, lies an untold story of conflict and negotiation. Scalpel and Sword, hosted by Dr. Lee Sharma—physician, mediator, and guide—invites listeners into the unseen battles and breakthroughs of modern medicine. With real conversations, human stories, and practical tools, this podcast empowers physicians to reclaim their voices, sharpen their skills, and wield their healing power with both precision and purpose.

About the Guest:

Dr. Emily McInnis is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist practicing in Auburn, Alabama. Trained at the University of Mississippi, she experienced firsthand the intense, high-pressure culture of traditional residency programs. Passionate about mentoring and compassionate communication, Dr. Emily now strives to create a more supportive environment for colleagues, trainees, and patients alike.

About the Host:
Dr. Lee Sharma is a gynecologist based in Auburn, AL, with over 30 years of clinical experience. She holds a Master’s in Conflict Resolution and is passionate about helping colleagues navigate workplace challenges and thrive through open conversations and practical tools.

• Connect with Dr. Lee Sharma:
  📧 Email: scalpelandsword@gmail.com
  🌐 Website: East Alabama Health - Dr. Sharma

The Scalpel and Sword Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if conflict in healthcare wasn't a sign of failure, but an opportunity for innovation, better teamwork, and superior patient outcomes?

In this episode, Dr. Lee Sharma welcomes Dr. Jeff Stuart, as he shares his journey from anesthesiology and CMO roles to specializing in conflict resolution, including mediation training and insights from the High Conflict Institute. They discuss the inevitability of conflict in high-stakes environments like hospitals, the impact of the pandemic on exposing underlying tensions, and strategies for informal and formal mediation. Jeff highlights the link between effective conflict management and patient safety, drawing from real-world examples like collaborative COVID testing programs. He also touches on working with high-conflict personalities, the value of self-awareness, and passing these skills to the next generation, including his medical student daughter.

If you're a physician dealing with team dynamics, leadership challenges, or burnout, this episode offers practical wisdom to turn conflict into productive dialogue and lasting change.

Three Actionable Takeaways:

• Embrace conflict as inevitable: Recognize that conflict in healthcare is normal and can lead to better outcomes when managed proactively. Start by building awareness of your own style using Thomas-Kilmann assessments, and focus on patient-centered goals to foster collaboration.
• Build trust through process: Use structured approaches like mining for conflict in meetings with diverse stakeholders like ER docs and pharmacists, to encourage open dialogue, listen actively, and achieve buy-in. Aim to respond rather than react for more efficient resolutions.
• Invest in self-awareness and training: For high-conflict situations, prioritize future behaviors over past blame; seek mediation or coaching using Vanderbilt's model and maintain composure with tips like not taking things personally and keeping 51% optimism to support long-term resilience.

About the Show:

Behind every procedure, every patient encounter, lies an untold story of conflict and negotiation. Scalpel and Sword, hosted by Dr. Lee Sharma—physician, mediator, and guide—invites listeners into the unseen battles and breakthroughs of modern medicine. With real conversations, human stories, and practical tools, this podcast empowers physicians to reclaim their voices, sharpen their skills, and wield their healing power with both precision and purpose.

About the Guest:

Dr. Jeff Stuart is the co-founder of RX Solve Conflict, an experienced physician executive with leadership roles as a medical director, board member, and Chief Medical Officer during the pandemic. A board-certified anesthesiologist with an MBA from Wharton, he has mediation training from the Center for Understanding and Conflict and the High Conflict Institute. He focuses on transforming conflict into opportunities for better healthcare outcomes and is pursuing ICF coaching certification.

Website: https://rxsolveconflict.com

Email: jeff@rxsolveconflict.com

About the Host:
Dr. Lee Sharma is a gynecologist based in Auburn, AL, with over 30 years of clinical experience. She holds a Master’s in Conflict Resolution and is passionate about helping colleagues navigate workplace challenges and thrive through open conversations and practical tools.

• Connect with Dr. Lee Sharma:
  📧 Email: scalpelandsword@gmail.com
  🌐 Website: East Alabama Health - Dr. Sharma

The Scalpel and Sword Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This episode is sponsored by Lightstone DIRECT. Lightstone DIRECT invites you to partner with a $12B AUM real estate institution as you grow your portfolio. Access the same single-asset multifamily and industrial deals Lightstone pursues with its own capital – Lightstone co-invests a minimum of 20% in each deal alongside individual investors like you. You’re an institution. Time to invest like one.

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What if the biggest threat to healthcare isn’t conflict itself—but our inability to talk about it?

In this episode of The Scalpel and Sword Podcast, Dr. Lee Sharma welcomes Dr. Raed Albar, to explore how conflict arises not only from individual behavior, but from teams, leadership structures, and healthcare systems under extreme pressure. Dr. Albar introduces the concept of conflict intelligence, a framework that emphasizes self-awareness, emotional regulation, and constructive engagement in disagreement. He explains why clinicians frequently avoid conflict not because they don’t care, but because exhaustion, burnout, and fear of damaging professional relationships make speaking up feel unsafe. The conversation dives deep into how unresolved conflict impacts clinician wellbeing, team dynamics, and ultimately patient care

Dr. Albar shares a simple, structured, step-by-step approach to navigating professional conflict starting with listening, building shared understanding, and collaborating on solutions rather than “winning” arguments. This episode offers both reflection and practical guidance for clinicians who want to care for others without sacrificing themselves.

Three Actionable Takeaways :

• Conflict Is Systemic, Not Just Personal: Conflict in healthcare often stems from understaffing, workload pressure, burnout, and rigid hierarchies not individual incompetence. Understanding conflict as a system-wide issue reduces blame and opens the door to more effective, compassionate solutions that support both clinicians and teams.
• Listening Is the Most Powerful Conflict Tool: Active listening allowing the other person to speak first and reflecting back what you hear can immediately de-escalate tension. Feeling heard restores psychological safety and creates space for collaboration, even in high-stress healthcare environments.
• Use Structure When Emotions Run High: A simple framework, reach out, listen first, share your perspective, then co-create solutions, makes conflict feel less intimidating. Structure helps clinicians engage productively even when they are exhausted, stressed, or emotionally charged.

About the Show:

Behind every procedure, every patient encounter, lies an untold story of conflict and negotiation. Scalpel and Sword, hosted by Dr. Lee Sharma—physician, mediator, and guide—invites listeners into the unseen battles and breakthroughs of modern medicine. With real conversations, human stories, and practical tools, this podcast empowers physicians to reclaim their voices, sharpen their skills, and wield their healing power with both precision and purpose.

About the Guest

Dr. Raed Albar is a physician and healthcare educator based in Saudi Arabia. He recently completed his PhD in Healthcare Education and specializes in teaching communication, conflict intelligence, and human skills in medical training. Dr. Albar is also trained as a conflict coach and mediator, bringing evidence-based conflict resolution tools into academic medicine and healthcare systems.

LinkedIn: Dr. Raed Albar

About the Host:
Dr. Lee Sharma is a gynecologist based in Auburn, AL, with over 30 years of clinical experience. She holds a Master’s in Conflict Resolution and is passionate about helping colleagues navigate workplace challenges and thrive through open conversations and practical tools.

• Connect with Dr. Lee Sharma:
  📧 Email: scalpelandsword@gmail.com
  🌐 Website: East Alabama Health - Dr. Sharma

The Scalpel and Sword Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This episode is sponsored by Lightstone DIRECT. Lightstone DIRECT invites you to partner with a $12B AUM real estate institution as you grow your portfolio. Access the same single-asset multifamily and industrial deals Lightstone pursues with its own capital – Lightstone co-invests a minimum of 20% in each deal alongside individual investors like you. You’re an institution. Time to invest like one.

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What if locking up a gun could prevent a child's accidental death and spare families lifelong heartbreak?

In this powerful episode of the Scalpel and Sword Podcast, host Dr. Lee Sharma sits down with Dr. Jillian Ploof, as she reveals the harsh realities of treating pediatric gunshot wounds from playground accidents to teen suicides and the broader societal costs, including disabilities, family trauma, and healthcare provider burnout. She discusses her advocacy for Louisiana's failed secure storage bill, the cultural challenges of gun ownership in the South, and how states with safety laws see fewer incidents. If you're a physician grappling with gun violence's ripple effects or seeking ways to advocate effectively, this is your call to action—protecting kids, building coalitions, and turning personal stories into policy wins.

Three Actionable Takeaways:

• Secure your firearms: If children or teens are in your home, lock guns unloaded and store ammunition separately to prevent accidents, suicides, or unintentional shootings, states with secure storage laws show lower rates of child gun injuries.
• Engage legislators personally: Research bills on your state government website, contact sponsors via email, share your medical experiences (e.g., treating victims), ask about current anti-violence efforts, and listen to build common ground from a place of shared community care.
• Advocate as a physician: Join groups like Moms Demand Action or the Physicians Foundation, use your voice to highlight stories of survivors' disabilities and families' grief, and emphasize that gun safety protects rights while saving lives—pause, reflect, and respond calmly to foster dialogue over debate.

About the Show:

Behind every procedure, every patient encounter, lies an untold story of conflict and negotiation. Scalpel and Sword, hosted by Dr. Lee Sharma—physician, mediator, and guide—invites listeners into the unseen battles and breakthroughs of modern medicine. With real conversations, human stories, and practical tools, this podcast empowers physicians to reclaim their voices, sharpen their skills, and wield their healing power with both precision and purpose.

About the Guest:

Dr. Jillian Ploof is a pediatric neurosurgeon at Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. With undergraduate studies at Temple University, medical school and residency at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and a fellowship at Nationwide Children's Hospital, she combines clinical expertise with advocacy against gun violence, inspired by her frontline experiences and participation in the Physicians Foundation Leadership Institute.

LinkedIn ; Dr. Jillian Ploof

About the Host:
Dr. Lee Sharma is a gynecologist based in Auburn, AL, with over 30 years of clinical experience. She holds a Master’s in Conflict Resolution and is passionate about helping colleagues navigate workplace challenges and thrive through open conversations and practical tools.

• Connect with Dr. Lee Sharma:
  📧 Email: scalpelandsword@gmail.com
  🌐 Website: East Alabama Health - Dr. Sharma

The Scalpel and Sword Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This episode is sponsored by Lightstone DIRECT. Lightstone DIRECT invites you to partner with a $12B AUM real estate institution as you grow your portfolio. Access the same single-asset multifamily and industrial deals Lightstone pursues with its own capital – Lightstone co-invests a minimum of 20% in each deal alongside individual investors like you. You’re an institution. Time to invest like one.

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What if your retirement plan didn’t rely on stock market volatility, but on institutional-grade real estate with skin in the game?

In this empowering episode, Dr. Lee Sharma sits down with Jonathan Spitz to break down private real estate investing for physicians, from fresh-out-of-residency tax strategies to legacy-building passive income. Jonathan shares his core principle (“long-term clarity creates long-term power”), why physicians often start with curiosity but no plan, and how to ask the right questions: direct vs. passive ownership? Manager track record? Leverage levels? He reveals red flags like excessive debt or inexperienced teams, explains Lightstone’s vertically integrated model (40 years, $12B AUM, in-house everything), and proves that with high-conviction deals where they commit 20% of their own capital first, physicians can build wealth without the daily grind.

If you’ve ever thought “I want more, but where do I start?” This is your roadmap to investing like a family office, safely, transparently, and aligned.

Three Actionable Takeaways :

• Decide if you want direct ownership (hands-on rentals) or passive investing (outsourcing to pros like Lightstone): For busy physicians, passive often wins. Vet managers by asking: How long in business? Track record? Skin in the game? Alignment ensures they treat your money like their own for long-term stability.
• Spot red flags before investing: Excessive leverage like 85% debt magnifies risks in volatile markets. Check track record for losses in good times, team longevity (avoid 2-year firms), and aggressive assumptions promising 25% returns. Prioritize wealth preservation over high-risk highs.
• Build clarity by defining goals: Income now or growth later? Liquidity needs? Risk tolerance? Start small with education—podcasts, white papers, consultations. Meet managers where you are; if they rush or lack access and transparency, walk away. Long-term power comes from informed, patient decisions.

About the Show:

Behind every procedure, every patient encounter, lies an untold story of conflict and negotiation. Scalpel and Sword, hosted by Dr. Lee Sharma—physician, mediator, and guide—invites listeners into the unseen battles and breakthroughs of modern medicine. With real conversations, human stories, and practical tools, this podcast empowers physicians to reclaim their voices, sharpen their skills, and wield their healing power with both precision and purpose.

About the Guest:

Jonathan Spitz is Head of Capital Formation at Lightstone Direct, where he helps investors access institutional-grade commercial real estate. With over a decade in private real estate, he’s advised physicians, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals on long-term strategies, risk management, and wealth building. His guiding principle: Long-term clarity creates long-term power. Jonathan focuses on simplifying real estate for busy professionals, emphasizing alignment, education, and passive income for legacies beyond medicine.

Connect with Jonathan Spitz:

· Website: https://lightstonedirect.com

lightstonegroup.com

· Email: jspitz@lightstonedirect.com

About the Host:
Dr. Lee Sharma is a gynecologist based in Auburn, AL, with over 30 years of clinical experience. She holds a Master’s in Conflict Resolution and is passionate about helping colleagues navigate workplace challenges and thrive through open conversations and practical tools.

• Connect with Dr. Lee Sharma:
  📧 Email: scalpelandsword@gmail.com
  🌐 Website: East Alabama Health - Dr. Sharma

The Scalpel and Sword Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This episode is sponsored by Lightstone DIRECT. Lightstone DIRECT invites you to partner with a $12B AUM real estate institution as you grow your portfolio. Access the same single-asset multifamily and industrial deals Lightstone pursues with its own capital – Lightstone co-invests a minimum of 20% in each deal alongside individual investors like you. You’re an institution. Time to invest like one.

_____________________________________

What happens when a paramedic becomes a medical-malpractice lawyer and then an appellate clerk? You get Tevor Allen: a rare voice who has lived on both sides of the chart, the gurney, and the courtroom.

In this eye-opening episode of Scalpel and Sword Podcast, host Dr. Lee Sharma talks with Trevor Allen ESQ., as he shares how his EMS background gave him an unfair advantage reading medical records, spotting documentation red flags, and understanding what patients and families are really asking for beneath the surface.

From intubation cases and bougie questions that made partners clap, to mediating family evictions and reading judges’ body language in real time, Trevor proves that the skills that keep patients calm at 3 a.m. are the exact same skills that win appellate arguments and malpractice mediations.

If you’ve ever wished physicians were better trained in conflict, listening, and “arguing to the room,” this episode is your masterclass.

Three Actionable Takeaways:

• Document every chart as if it will one day be projected in open court in front of a jury. Ask yourself: “Would I be proud to read this aloud?” If the answer is no, rewrite it now. Clear, thorough, defensible notes protect you more than any insurance policy ever could.
• Treat every difficult patient encounter as a micro-mediation: Look past the surface demand and uncover the real need—almost always respect, being heard, or fear. Address the hidden interest instead of arguing the position, and most conflicts dissolve before they ever reach a lawyer’s desk.
• In deposition or mediation your only job is to tell the plain truth without coloring or spinning it. Stay calm, human, and factual. The other side will try to twist your words, but a thousand hours of rehearsal won’t stop that. Trust your attorney to untie the knots later.

About the Show:

Behind every procedure, every patient encounter, lies an untold story of conflict and negotiation. Scalpel and Sword, hosted by Dr. Lee Sharma—physician, mediator, and guide—invites listeners into the unseen battles and breakthroughs of modern medicine. With real conversations, human stories, and practical tools, this podcast empowers physicians to reclaim their voices, sharpen their skills, and wield their healing power with both precision and purpose.

About the Guest:

Trevor Allen, Esquire, is a judicial law clerk for the Missouri Court of Appeals Eastern District. A former paramedic and clinical trainer, Trevor graduated from Washington University School of Law Dean’s List, Order of Barristers, Judge Amanda Brackman Moot Court Award after spending a summer working at a medical-malpractice defense firm. His unique dual background lets him spot documentation gaps, read hidden patient interests, and translate clinical reality into courtroom credibility. Bonus: he bakes a mean loaf and is owned by an adorable dog named Gwen.

Connect with Trevor Allen:

• Instagram: @FifthOfDaybreak
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/trevor-allen91

About the Host:
Dr. Lee Sharma is a gynecologist based in Auburn, AL, with over 30 years of clinical experience. She holds a Master’s in Conflict Resolution and is passionate about helping colleagues navigate workplace challenges and thrive through open conversations and practical tools.

• Connect with Dr. Lee Sharma:
  📧 Email: scalpelandsword@gmail.com
  🌐 Website: East Alabama Health - Dr. Sharma

The Scalpel and Sword Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.