Shows
Be Empowered: The Podcast🧠 When Neurology Chooses You: Dr. Sweta Goel and Prime Neurology 🎙️This week on Be Empowered, we sit down with Dr. Sweta Goel, founder and owner of Prime Neurology (https://www.primeneurologynj.com/) in Fairlawn, NJ.We discuss:🏥 The challenges and rewards of starting her own medical practice📚 Why teaching and mentorship remain central to her work🧩 Balancing clinical care, business ownership, and professional lifeHer story is a testament to following where passion and purpose can lead. 🎧 Streaming now on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube📲 Follow us @empowermedlife🎵 Intro Music: Lift Off – Wolf Samuels...
2025-11-2638 minBe Empowered: The Podcast🏢 From Independent Practice to Payroll: The New Reality for Physicians 🎙️This week on Be Empowered, we unpack one of the biggest shifts in modern medicine: the transformation of doctors from independent practitioners to employees of large healthcare systems.We explore:📉 How consolidation, corporate ownership, and insurance pressures reshaped physician autonomy⚖️ What’s gained—and what’s lost—when doctors trade independence for employment💡 Strategies to navigate this new landscape while protecting your values, career satisfaction, and patient careWhether you’re already employed, considering a hospital contract, or wondering what this means for the future of medicine, this episode sheds light on the realities behind...
2025-11-1928 minBe Empowered: The Podcast🔄 From Academia to Pharma: Dr. Mike Boffa’s Bold Pivot -Part 2🎙️This week on Be Empowered, Part 2 of our sit down with Dr. Mike Boffa—board-certified neurologist, epileptologist, and clinical neurophysiologist—who made a major career shift from academic medicine to the pharmaceutical industry.Dr. Boffa shares openly about what it’s like to leave the traditional path in medicine and embrace a new role where he can make an impact on a broader scale.In this episode, we dive into:🏥 Why he chose to step away from academic neurology💊 What working in pharma really looks like for a physician🌟 How to navigate career pivots w...
2025-11-1218 minBe Empowered: The Podcast🔄 From Academia to Pharma: Dr. Mike Boffa’s Bold Pivot- Part 1 🎙️This week on Be Empowered, we sit down with Dr. Mike Boffa—board-certified neurologist, epileptologist, and clinical neurophysiologist—who made a major career shift from academic medicine to the pharmaceutical industry.Dr. Boffa shares openly about what it’s like to leave the traditional path in medicine and embrace a new role where he can make an impact on a broader scale.In this episode, we dive into:🏥 Why he chose to step away from academic neurology💊 What working in pharma really looks like for a physician🌟 How to navigate career pivots with courage an...
2025-11-0536 minBe Empowered: The PodcastDr. Ryan Williamson on Longevity, Legacy & Living Better (Part 2)This week on Be Empowered, we have Part 2 of our sit down with Dr. Ryan Williamson—board-certified neurologist, U.S. Navy veteran, and founder of Transcend Health—to talk about the science of human longevity and how to create a life of deeper meaning and impact.Dr. Williamson shares his journey from military service to medicine to building a practice that empowers people to optimize health and extend lifespan. We explore:⚓ Lessons from serving as a Navy physician🧬 The science behind longevity and brain health🌟 Why creating a meaningful legacy matters as much as living longerThis conve...
2025-10-2925 minBe Empowered: The PodcastDr. Ryan Williamson on Longevity, Legacy & Living Better (Part 1)This week on Be Empowered, we sit down with Dr. Ryan Williamson—board-certified neurologist, U.S. Navy veteran, and founder of Transcend Health—to talk about the science of human longevity and how to create a life of deeper meaning and impact.In Part 1, Dr. Williamson shares his journey from military service to medicine to building a practice that empowers people to optimize health and extend lifespan. We explore:⚓ Lessons from serving as a Navy physician🧬 The science behind longevity and brain health🌟 Why creating a meaningful legacy matters as much as living longerThis co...
2025-10-2224 minBe Empowered: The Podcast💼 Beyond the Bedside: Dr. Michelle Boudreau’s Non-Clinical Career Journey 🎙️ (Part 2)This week on Be Empowered, we have Part 2 of our interview with Dr. Michelle Boudreau—Board-certified Neurologist, Clinical Neurophysiologist, and founder of NeuroExpert Services, LLC—about how she built a career that blends clinical work with high-impact non-clinical roles.From leading a neurology department to becoming a telestroke innovator, performing disability file reviews, and serving as a medical expert witness, Dr. Boudreau shows how physicians can leverage their expertise beyond direct patient care.You’ll hear:📂 The ins and outs of disability file reviews⚖️ What it’s like to serve as an expert witness🌟 How to diversify your income streams and career...
2025-10-1520 minBe Empowered: The PodcastBeyond the Bedside: Dr. Michelle Boudreau’s Non-Clinical Career Journey (Part 1)This week on Be Empowered, we chat with Dr. Michelle Boudreau—Board-certified Neurologist, Clinical Neurophysiologist, and founder of NeuroExpert Services, LLC—about how she built a career that blends clinical work with high-impact non-clinical roles.Dr. Boudreau shows how physicians can leverage their expertise beyond direct patient care.You’ll hear:📂 The ins and outs of disability file reviews⚖️ What it’s like to serve as an expert witness🌟 How to diversify your income streams and career path🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube📲 Follow us @empowermedlife🎵 Intro Music: Lift...
2025-10-0824 minBe Empowered: The Podcast🚀 Beyond the Bedside: Exploring Non-Clinical Careers 🎙️Healthcare doesn’t have to mean hospital shifts forever. In this episode of Be Empowered, we explore the growing world of non-clinical career paths for healthcare professionals—roles that let you use your skills, expertise, and passion outside traditional patient care.🌟 Learn how to:💼 Transition into new industries🧠 Leverage your medical knowledge in innovative ways🌍 Build a career that aligns with your lifestyle and values🎧 Streaming now on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube📲 Follow us @empowermedlife for more stories and resources🎵 Intro Music: Lift Off – Wolf Samuels🎵 Outro Music...
2025-10-0138 minBe Empowered: The Podcast🚀 From LPN to MD: Dr. Susan Flyer’s Extraordinary Path Part 2 🎙️This week on Be Empowered, it's Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Susan Flyer —board-certified anesthesiologist, locums physician, and outspoken healthcare advocate—to explore her remarkable journey from Licensed Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse to MD.With a career that spans the bedside, the operating room, and now the national conversation on healthcare policy, Dr. Flyer shares:🏥 How her early nursing experience shaped her perspective as a physician🗣 Why she speaks out about Advanced Practice Provider (APP) scope of practice issues🌍 What life and flexibility look like as a locums anesthesiologist.Tiktok...
2025-09-2433 minBe Empowered: The Podcast🚀 From LPN to MD: Dr. Susan Flyer’s Extraordinary Path Part 1 🎙️This week on Be Empowered, we sit down with Dr. Susan Flyer—board-certified anesthesiologist, locums physician, and outspoken healthcare advocate—to explore her remarkable journey from Licensed Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse to MD. With a career that spans the bedside, the operating room, and now the national conversation on healthcare policy, Dr. Flyer shares:🏥 How her early nursing experience shaped her perspective as a physician🗣 Why she speaks out about Advanced Practice Provider (APP) scope of practice issues🌍 What life and flexibility look like as a locums anesthesiologist.Her story i...
2025-09-1722 minBe Empowered: The PodcastFrom Burnout to Beauty (Part 2): A New Path in MedicineWhat happens when you realize the traditional healthcare path isn’t serving your purpose—or your well-being?In this episode, we sit down with Mariam Ali, PA-C, founder and director of Zen Aesthetics Med Spa, who courageously left clinical medicine to build something of her own. With elite training from Allergan and MERZ, Mariam fuses medical expertise with an artistic vision to offer subtle, empowering aesthetic care—all while reclaiming her autonomy and joy.💬 We talk about redefining success, building a purpose-driven business, and how stepping off the traditional path can lead to healing and transform...
2025-09-1019 minBe Empowered: The PodcastFrom Burnout to Beauty (Part 1): A New Path in MedicineWhat happens when you realize the traditional healthcare path isn’t serving your purpose—or your well-being?In this episode, we sit down with Mariam Ali, PA-C, founder and director of Zen Aesthetics Med Spa, who courageously left clinical medicine to build something of her own. With elite training from Allergan and MERZ, Mariam fuses medical expertise with an artistic vision to offer subtle, empowering aesthetic care—all while reclaiming her autonomy and joy.💬 We talk about redefining success, building a purpose-driven business, and how stepping off the traditional path can lead to healing and transform...
2025-09-0325 minBe Empowered: The PodcastThe APP Perspective – A Conversation with NP Simran GrewalWe’ve talked about the tensions—now it’s time to hear from the other side.In this episode, we sit down with Nurse Practitioner Simran Grewal to explore:🧠 What training and preparation looks like for APPs💬 Her take on the MD/APP divide—and how we got here🤝 Why respectful collaboration matters more than ever🧭 The challenges, misconceptions, and hopes for the future💬 What does it really mean to center patients while honoring each role on the team?This is a candid, constructive conversation aimed at bridging divides, not deepening them....
2025-08-2728 minBe Empowered: The PodcastAPPs (Part 2) – What’s the Path Forward?In Part 2, we go deeper into the impact on patients, physicians, and the future of healthcare.🔍 The blurring of titles and transparency issues🩺 Patient safety, supervision, and accountability🤝 What true collaboration could look like🗣️ Why this conversation is emotional—and necessary💬 Is there a way to protect both professional standards and access to care?These two episodes are honest, nuanced, and rooted in our shared goal: safe, ethical, empowered healthcare for all.💡 Dialogue is the first step toward change.📲 Follow us on Instagram: @empowermedlife🌍 Visit: empowermedlife.com📧 Sh...
2025-08-2026 minBe Empowered: The PodcastAPPs (Part 1)– How Did We Get Here?The growing presence of Advanced Practice Providers (NPs, PAs, CRNAs) has changed how care is delivered—but it didn’t happen overnight.In Part 1, we explore:📈 The rise of APPs in the U.S. healthcare system💼 Corporate interests and cost-saving strategies driving change🧠 Differences in education, training, and scope of practice🔥 Why physicians are speaking out—and often being silenced💬 How did we go from team-based care to a system divided by tension and confusion?📲 Follow us on Instagram: @empowermedlife🌍 Visit: empowermedlife.com📧 Share your story: empowermedlife@gma...
2025-08-1325 minBe Empowered: The PodcastBuilding Rebel & Thrive (Part 2) – A New Model for Primary CareIn part two, Dr. Javidi dives into how she built Rebel & Thrive, her Direct Primary Care (DPC) practice rooted in values, time, and trust.💡 What Direct Primary Care really looks like🔑 How autonomy and alignment changed everything🌱 Healing both patients and physicians—on her own terms💬 Can leaving the system be the path to truly healing it?📲 Follow us on Instagram: @empowermedlife🌍 Visit: empowermedlife.com📧 Share your story: empowermedlife@gmail.com🎧 More on Dr. Javidi’s DPC: rebelandthrive.com Follow her on IG @drleilaissad🎵 Intro Music: L...
2025-08-0643 minBe Empowered: The PodcastBreaking Away (Part 1) – Why Dr. Leila Javidi Left Traditional Primary CareWhat happens when practicing medicine no longer feels like healing?In part one of our conversation with Dr. Leila Javidi (@drleilaissad), she shares:⚠️ Why she left a broken system behind🧠 The emotional toll of practicing in high-volume, low-agency environments🔥 The moment she realized she had to choose herself to keep going💬 What does it take to walk away—and create something better?📲 Follow us on Instagram: @empowermedlife🌍 Visit: empowermedlife.com📧 Share your story: empowermedlife@gmail.com🎧 More on Dr. Javidi’s DPC: rebelandthrive.com Fol...
2025-07-3026 minBe Empowered: The PodcastWhere Are All the Primary Care Doctors?Primary care is vanishing—and it’s not hard to see why.🔥 Unmanageable burnout and bureaucracy💸 Declining reimbursements from insurance companies⛔ Less time, more patients, and less autonomy🔁 Constant referrals instead of practicing at the top of their license💬 Why are the doctors we need most being pushed out of the system?This episode dives into the growing crisis in primary care—from broken payment models to eroded job satisfaction—and what we risk losing if we don’t act now.💡 A stronger healthcare system starts with empowering those on the front lines.
2025-07-2326 minBe Empowered: The PodcastEvolving Beyond the System (Part 2) – with Dr. Camille White🎙️ This week on Be Empowered, we continue our conversation with Dr. Camille White—physician, speaker, and founder of Inspire2Evolve—to talk about what it really means to break free from toxic healthcare culture and redefine success on your own terms.🌿 Holistic healing after burnout💼 Building a purpose-driven career outside the box🔥 Why authenticity is the ultimate power move💬 Dr. White’s story is a reminder that walking away from the system doesn’t mean you’re giving up—it means you’re finally choosing yourself.🎧 Streaming now on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube📲 Follow us @empo...
2025-07-1623 minBe Empowered: The PodcastEvolving Beyond the System (Part 1)– with Dr. Camille WhiteWhat happens when a physician says no to burnout and yes to reinvention?🎙️ This week on Be Empowered, we sit down with Dr. Camille White—physician, speaker, and founder of Inspire2Evolve—to talk about what it really means to break free from toxic healthcare culture and redefine success on your own terms.🌿 Holistic healing after burnout💼 Building a purpose-driven career outside the box🔥 Why authenticity is the ultimate power move💬 Dr. White’s story is a reminder that walking away from the system doesn’t mean you’re giving up—it means you’re finally choos...
2025-07-0930 minBe Empowered: The PodcastToxicity in Medicine (Part 4): Solutions to Toxicity in MedicineWe’ve spent the last few episodes breaking down the toxicity in medicine—now let’s talk about solutions.💡 How can we fix this system?🔧 What can individual doctors do?🚀 Where do we go from here?We’re discussing real strategies for fighting back—individually and collectively—to reclaim our profession and well-being.💬 Change is possible—but only if we demand it.📲 Follow us on Instagram: @empowermedlife🌍 Visit our website: empowermedlife.com📧 Share your story: empowermedlife@gmail.com🎵 Intro Music: Lift Off – Wolf Samuels🎵 Outro Music: Summer – Twin Signals
2025-07-0224 minBe Empowered: The PodcastToxicity in Medicine (Part 3): The Attending IllusionYou made it. You’re an attending. But the toxicity? It didn’t stay behind in training—it just changed forms.📉 Lack of autonomy and support💸 Productivity over patient care🧱 Isolation, burnout, and invisible barriers💬 What happens when your dream job feels like a trap?We’re unpacking the harsh realities of life as an attending physician—and why many are choosing to leave medicine altogether.💡 Becoming an attending shouldn't mean losing yourself.📲 Follow us on Instagram: @empowermedlife🌍 Visit: empowermedlife.com📧 Share your story: empowermedlife@gmail.com🎵 Intro Music: Lif...
2025-06-2526 minBe Empowered: The PodcastToxicity in Medicine (Part 2) – Surviving TrainingResidency and fellowship are supposed to be about growth and learning—but too often, they’re environments of exploitation.⏱ 80+ hour weeks with little support🚩 Harassment, bullying, and silence💀 Emotional exhaustion and moral injury💬 Why are we still normalizing trauma as a “rite of passage” in training?In this episode, we dive deep into the toxic realities of medical training—and how many never make it out the other side.💡 Training should shape doctors, not break them.📲 Follow us on Instagram: @empowermedlife🌍 Visit: empowermedlife.com📧 Share your story: empowermedlife@gmail...
2025-06-1832 minBe Empowered: The PodcastToxicity in Medicine (Part 1)– Pre-Med & the Pressure to Be PerfectIt starts early.Before we ever set foot in med school, we’re taught to chase perfection at any cost—and ignore the toll it takes.📚 Cutthroat competition😓 Fear of failure and shame culture🧠 Rising rates of anxiety, depression, and burnout before day one of medical school💬 Why are we building future doctors in a system that breaks them first?We explore how the toxic culture of pre-med sets the stage for everything that follows—and what it costs us.💡 The system needs healing before the healers even begin.📲 Follow...
2025-06-1128 minBe Empowered: The PodcastBurnout, Bias & Balance: A Candid Talk with a Female OncologistThis week, we sit down with Dr. Neha Damle — a board-certified oncologist — for an honest conversation about what it means to be a woman physician navigating today’s healthcare system.From gender bias to the emotional toll of caring for critically ill patients, Dr. Damle shares her journey and what still needs to change for women in medicine.🩺 If you’ve ever felt unseen, underestimated, or burned out — this episode is for you.💬 Join us as we unpack the real challenges female physicians face, and how we can collectively push for a more equitable, empow...
2025-06-0442 minBe Empowered: The PodcastWomen and Gender bias in Medicine (Part 3) – The Current RealityAfter years of training, you finally become an attending—only to find that the gender bias and barriers don’t disappear. This is our current reality. 💰 Female physicians make 25% less than their male counterparts📑 Leadership roles remain overwhelmingly male-dominated👩⚕️ Women physicians are more likely to experience patient bias & be mistaken for nurses💬 Why are female attendings still being sidelined, silenced, and underpaid?We’re breaking down the struggles women face at the peak of their careers—and what needs to change so the next generation doesn’t have to fight the same battles.
2025-05-2829 minBe Empowered: The PodcastWomen and Gender bias in Medicine (Part 2) – Surviving Residency & TrainingResidency is brutal for everyone, but for women in medicine, the challenges go beyond long hours and low pay.⚠️ Disproportionate rates of harassment & discrimination💪 Pressure to “prove” competence in male-dominated specialties🏠 Balancing training with family planning & personal life💬 Why do female doctors feel like they have to choose between career and family?We’re diving into the added burdens women face in residency and fellowship—burdens that push many to the brink of burnout or even out of medicine entirely.💡 Residency should train us, not break us.📲 Follow us on Instagram: @em...
2025-05-2133 minBe Empowered: The PodcastWomen and Gender bias in Medicine (Part 1) – Breaking In, Breaking BarriersMedicine was never designed for women—but that hasn’t stopped us from showing up and excelling. Yet, from pre-med to residency, female physicians face unique challenges:🚧 Gender bias in medical school admissions📉 Underrepresentation in leadership & specialties💰 Pay gaps that start before we even earn our first paycheck💬 Why do female physicians have to work twice as hard to be seen as equal?In this episode, we explore the systemic barriers women face in the medical field and how they shape the careers—and mental health—of future doctors.💡 It’s time to level the...
2025-05-1429 minBe Empowered: The PodcastThe State of HealthcareWhat's Broken & What Needs to ChangeIn this episode of Be Empowered, we’re diving into the harsh realities of our healthcare system—burnout, moral injury, toxic work environments, and the corporate takeover of medicine. From endless administrative burdens to unsafe staffing ratios, we’re breaking down the biggest issues affecting healthcare workers today.What’s the real cost of a broken system? And more importantly—how do we fix it?This conversation is raw, unfiltered, and necessary from two women in medicine. If you’ve ever felt unheard, overworked, or disillusioned in medicine, th...
2025-05-0738 minBe Empowered: The PodcastIntroductionsEpisode 1: Introductions – Welcome to Be EmpoweredWelcome to the very first episode of Be Empowered! We are two female physicians, Santoshi Billakota M.D. and Shahla Moghbel D.O, who have seen firsthand the struggles, burnout, and challenges of working in healthcare. We created this podcast as a space for honest conversations, shared experiences, and real solutions for reclaiming our power in medicine.In this episode, we’ll introduce ourselves, share our journeys, and talk about what you can expect from Be Empowered. Whether you're a doctor, nurse, therapist, or any healthcare worker looking for supp...
2025-04-3027 min