How can emergency physicians thrive in a broken system while staying true to themselves?
In part two of this Echo Episode, Dr. Andrea Austin and Dr. Leslie Crawford explores sustainable solutions for physician well-being and systemic change in healthcare. Leslie shares insights from her journey as an emergency physician, reflecting on the toll of circadian rhythm disruptions, the limitations of quick-fix administrative solutions, and the power of personal practices like meditation and fitness. From navigating burnout to embracing compassion over judgment, this episode offers practical strategies for physicians and system leaders alike.
You’ll hear how they:
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by shift work or seeking ways to reclaim joy in medicine, this episode provides actionable steps and hope for lasting change.
About the Guest
“Meditation isn’t about clearing your mind—it’s about investigating what’s there.” – Dr. Leslie Crawford
Dr. Leslie Crawford is a board-certified emergency physician, Afghanistan combat veteran, and author of the Stress Relief Survival Guide. With experience on the COVID frontlines and a career shaped by military service, she has developed practical, research-backed techniques to manage stress in high-stakes environments. Now training to become a meditation teacher through The Path program, Dr. Crawford is passionate about helping physicians embrace mindfulness, track heart rate variability, and prioritize recovery to combat burnout.
📍 Connect with Leslie
📚 Resources + Mentions
🔑 Top 3 Key Takeaways
🩺 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
Starting in 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 enroll here, and please share with colleagues who may benefit.
—-------------------------------
🎧 Thanks for tuning into Heartline: Changemaking in Healthcare!
🌟 Learn more and book a free discovery call today at andreaaustinmd.com/coaching.
Stay connected and keep making a difference:
✅ Subscribe to the Heartline newsletter for insights into reclaiming your well-being as a healthcare professional, improving teams around you, and transforming the system.
📱 Follow us on social: Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube
📚 Discover Dr. Austin’s book Revitalized: A Guidebook to Following Your Healing Heartline on Amazon or Ingram.
Follow Your Heartline and transform healthcare today!
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
