Shows
Scalpel and Sword: Conflict and Negotiation in Modern MedicineEP26 - Sharpen the Sword - The Apple of Discord: Decoding 3 Types of Conflict in MedicineThis 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._____________________________________One apple, three conflicts. In this solo episode of The Scalpel and Sword Podcast, Dr. Lee Sharma breaks down the hidden languages of conflict using a single prop: an apple.Inter...
2025-11-1021 min
Heartline: Changemaking in HealthcareConflict as Catalyst: Physician Resilience and Teamwork in Medical EducationWhat 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...
2025-10-2847 min
Scalpel and Sword: Conflict and Negotiation in Modern MedicineEP21 - Mending Medicine: Kimberly Best on Conflict as a CureCan conflict be a catalyst for positive change in healthcare?In this episode of Scalpel and Sword, Dr. Lee Sharma sits down with Kimberly Best, drawing from her extensive experience as a trauma nurse and mediator, Kimberly discusses how conflict, often seen as negative, is a natural part of human systems that can be harnessed for growth. She shares her journey from nursing to mediation, sparked by a painful personal divorce, and explains how transformative mediation can build better healthcare teams. Kimberly highlights the link between unresolved conflict and poor patient outcomes, offering practical strategies for clinicians to e...
2025-10-0643 min
Scalpel and Sword: Conflict and Negotiation in Modern MedicineEP20 - Sharpen The Sword: From Speakeasy to Surgery - Empathy and Conflict Lessons with Kenneth Austin CoxCan lessons from managing a speakeasy transform how physicians handle conflict? Dr. Lee Sharma discusses with Kenny Cox about his journey from dishwasher to bar manager, drawing insights on empathy, hierarchy, and creativity. Kenny shares stories of resolving staff conflicts, fostering a positive work culture, and adapting to challenges like post-COVID staffing. While highlighting the "love always wins" approach, he discusses building trust, setting boundaries, and using creativity to lubricate the "machine" of operations. Tune in for parallels to medicine, including patient relationships and the art of caregiving, in this debut "Sharpen the Sword" episode....
2025-09-2933 min
Scalpel and Sword: Conflict and Negotiation in Modern MedicineEp20 - Sharpen The Sword: From Speakeasy to Surgery - Empathy and Conflict Lessons with Kenneth Austin CoxCan lessons from managing a speakeasy transform how physicians handle conflict? In this new segment, Sharpen The Sword, Dr. Lee Sharma discusses with Kenny Cox about his journey from dishwasher to bar manager, drawing insights on empathy, hierarchy, and creativity. Kenny shares stories of resolving staff conflicts, fostering a positive work culture, and adapting to challenges like post-COVID staffing. While highlighting the "love always wins" approach, he discusses building trust, setting boundaries, and using creativity to lubricate the "machine" of operations. Tune in for parallels to medicine, including patient relationships and the art of caregiving, in...
2025-09-2933 min
Scalpel and Sword: Conflict and Negotiation in Modern MedicineEp18 - Narrative Medicine: The Power of Storytelling in Healthcare: Part 2How can storytelling transform clinical practice and medical education? In part two of this two-part interview, host Dr. Lee Sharma continues her conversation with Dr. Allan Detsky about the role of storytelling in medicine. Dr. Detsky explains how moving from positional debates to shared stories builds trust and commonality with patients, using examples like resolving conflicts over mammography screening guidelines. He shares his approach to teaching medical students and residents, encouraging them to embrace creative listening and observation—skills he honed through music videos and theater—to find resonance with patients. Drawing from his career since 1976, Dr. Detsk...
2025-09-1523 min
Scalpel and Sword: Conflict and Negotiation in Modern MedicineEP17 - Narrative Medicine: The Power of Storytelling in HealthcareHow can storytelling bridge the gap between clinicians and patients in modern medicine?In this episode of Scalpel and Sword, host Dr. Lee Sharma sits down with Dr. Allan Detsky, as he shares his journey from economics and clinical practice to teaching narrative medicine. He discusses the inspiration behind his narrative medicine course, sparked by his JAMA op-eds and stories like “The Hockey Stick,” where he connected with a terminally ill patient by arranging a special hockey experience. Dr. Detsky explains how narrative competence—using techniques like weaving stories or shocking patients with unexpected gestures—enhances patient...
2025-09-0829 min
Scalpel and Sword: Conflict and Negotiation in Modern MedicineEP16 - Mastering Physician Contracts: Fair Pay & Work-Life BalanceIn this episode of Scalpel and Sword, host Dr. Lee Sharma interviews Kyle Claussen, to discuss the evolution of Resolve since its founding 15 years ago by a physician addressing gaps in residency training on compensation and contracts. He highlights the unique aspects of medical contracts, the shift toward employment models, and the increasing complexity of language post-COVID. Key topics include aligning contracts with personal priorities, capping call duties, ensuring extra pay for additional work, and leveraging market data for fair reimbursement. Kyle emphasizes negotiating in good faith, overcoming conflict avoidance, and empowering physicians—especially women and minorities—to recognize thei...
2025-09-0135 min
Scalpel and Sword: Conflict and Negotiation in Modern MedicineEP15 - Navigating Medical Malpractice: Dr. Gita Pensa on Litigation Stress and ResilienceIn this episode of Scalpel and Sword, host Dr. Lee Sharma welcomes Dr. Gita Pensa, to share her personal journey through a 12-year medical malpractice case, highlighting the profound emotional impact of litigation on physicians. She explores the culture of silence and shame surrounding malpractice, the lack of preparation for navigating the legal system, and the fear-driven dynamics that lead to conflict, such as finger-pointing among colleagues. Dr. Pensa offers actionable tools for managing litigation stress, including understanding malpractice policies, practicing self-compassion, and fostering open communication with patients to prevent escalation. She also advocates for systemic changes, like the...
2025-08-2535 min
Scalpel and Sword: Conflict and Negotiation in Modern MedicineEP14 - Healing Healthcare: Trauma-Informed Care RevolutionIn this episode of Scalpel and Sword, host Dr. Lee Sharma, welcomes Dr. Stephanie Byerly, to share her journey into trauma-informed coaching, inspired by personal and professional experiences, including EMDR therapy that transformed her life. She defines trauma as what happens inside you due to external events, emphasizing its impact on the nervous system and how it shapes conflict and workplace dynamics. Discussing both individual and organizational trauma, she highlights how chronic stress and distrust in healthcare systems exacerbate burnout and moral injury. Dr. Byerly offers practical tools, like fostering psychological safety and self-compassion, to help clinicians and leaders...
2025-08-1835 min
Scalpel and Sword: Conflict and Negotiation in Modern MedicineEP13 - Turning Conflict into Catalyst: Physician Leadership Strategies with Dr. Andrea AustinHow can physicians drive meaningful change in a dysfunctional healthcare system? In this episode of Scalpel and Sword, host Dr. Lee Sharma, welcomes Dr. Andrea Austin, to share findings from her qualitative research on 15 physician change makers, exploring how they navigate barriers to transform healthcare. From cultivating emotional resilience and listening to dissent to using storytelling and understanding organizational dynamics, Dr. Austin reveals the internal and systemic strategies that empower physicians to lead change. She emphasizes the power of reflection, or “metacognition,” and compassionate accountability as key tools for personal and professional growth. This episode offers practical advice for heal...
2025-08-1135 min
Scalpel and Sword: Conflict and Negotiation in Modern MedicineEP12 - Inside the Strike Zone: Prof. Johnnie Kallas Breaks Down Healthcare Labor MovementsHow are healthcare workers using strikes to improve patient care and working conditions? In this episode, Dr. Lee Sharma, hosts Professor Johnnie Kallas to share insights from his work tracking union and non-union strikes across the U.S., with a focus on the growing trend of fixed-duration strikes in healthcare. These short-term walkouts, often lasting one to five days, allow nurses and physicians to protest unsafe staffing ratios and working conditions while minimizing patient care disruptions. Drawing from his experience with the Service Employees International Union and California Nurses Association, Kallas discusses the economic and reputational leverage of these...
2025-08-0433 min
Scalpel and Sword: Conflict and Negotiation in Modern Medicine11 - Surgical Synergy: Why Surgeon-Anesthesiologist Relationships MatterCan the familiarity between a surgeon and anesthesiologist impact patient outcomes? In this episode, Dr. Lee Sharma, welcomes Dr. Julie Hallet, to share insights from her recent JAMA Surgery study, which found that increased familiarity between surgeon-anesthesiologist teams leads to reduced 90-day morbidity in high-risk GI, GYN oncology, and spine surgeries. Sparked by her frustrations with inconsistent anesthesiology teams in Ontario’s regionalized system, Dr. Hallet’s research highlights the power of non-technical skills, trust, and shared worldviews in improving OR outcomes. She discusses why there’s no “magic number” for team familiarity, the challenges of scheduling stable teams, and her ong...
2025-07-2830 min
Scalpel and Sword: Conflict and Negotiation in Modern Medicine10 - Physician, Parent, Partner: How Dr. Ruby Powar Balances It All with BoundariesCan setting boundaries transform your medical practice and personal life? Host Dr. Lee Sharma sits down with Dr. Ruby Powar, to explore her inspiring journey from Vancouver, Canada, to building a private practice alongside her husband. Drawing from her diverse experiences in urgent care, hospice, and outpatient medicine, Dr. Power shares how she prioritized family while navigating the challenges of establishing a practice. She discusses the power of internal and external boundaries to create harmony in both professional and personal spheres, offering practical strategies for conflict resolution and team-building in a small practice. From choosing not to admit patients...
2025-07-2130 min
Scalpel and Sword: Conflict and Negotiation in Modern Medicine9 - Surgical Accountability: Leading Through Complications with Dr. Steven CohenHow can surgeons navigate the inevitable complications and conflicts that arise in their practice? Host Dr. Lee Sharma welcomes Dr. Steven Cohen, a seasoned colorectal surgeon based in Richmond, Virginia, to the Scalpel and Sword Podcast. Dr. Cohen's wealth of knowledge and experience makes him the perfect guest to explore the human side of medicine and the importance of professionalism in surgery. He delves into the medical-legal arena, highlighting trends like finger-pointing among healthcare teams and the importance of pausing to respond rather than react to bad outcomes. Drawing from a case where a patient died despite ex...
2025-07-1447 min
Scalpel and Sword: Conflict and Negotiation in Modern Medicine8 - Unionizing in White Coats: A Doctor’s Role in Collective Action What happens when a future physician confronts the past, present, and future of medical labor rights? In this thoughtful and timely conversation, Dr. Lee Sharma sits down with Dr. Tarun Ramesh, soon to begin his residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, to unpack his NEJM article, “Striking a Balance,” which examines the ethics, history, and global impact of physician strikes.Together, they explore why doctors are increasingly turning to unions—from South Korea’s historic 2024 resident strike to post-pandemic organizing in Boston. Dr. Ramesh offers compelling insights on how burnout, corporatization, and lack of clinician voice are fueling a new era...
2025-07-0732 min
Scalpel and Sword: Conflict and Negotiation in Modern Medicine7 - From Combat Medic to Courtroom: Zej Moczydlowski’s Mission for JusticeWhat happens when a combat medic turns to the law to continue his mission of service? In this deeply inspiring episode, Dr. Lee Sharma welcomes Zej Moczydlowski, who shares how his years providing care in austere environments from Sub-Saharan Africa to the ER taught him to lead through crisis, work across hierarchies, and find humanity in hardship.Zej discusses the unique dynamics of medical teams in the military, where saving lives sometimes meant pushing past traditional roles and stepping into leadership with humility and resolve. He also reflects on his pivot to law school, his passion for...
2025-06-3032 min
Scalpel and Sword: Conflict and Negotiation in Modern Medicine6 - Microskills for Conflict Management with Dr. Resa LewissWhat does it take to thrive in medicine beyond clinical excellence? In this episode, Dr. Lee Sharma speaks with Dr. Resa Lewiss about the small, everyday actions that can make a big impact on your career. Dr. Lewiss shares how she turned feelings of being left out of the "professional playbook" into a guide for others, offering practical tools like pausing before reacting, scheduling emails thoughtfully, and recognizing conflict early.They also explore the deeper cost of unresolved conflict in the workplace, from burnout to poor patient care. Dr. Lewiss explains how to spot gaslighting using the...
2025-06-2344 min
Scalpel and Sword: Conflict and Negotiation in Modern Medicine5 - How to Handle Conflict in Advocacy with Dr. Nicole CarterIn this episode, Dr. Lee Sharma interviews Dr. Nicole Carter who has made advocacy a core part of her medical career. Dr. Carter reflects on how the COVID-19 pandemic pushed her to fill an information void in her community, offering clear, compassionate, and science-based updates that blended her expertise as a physician with her roles as a mother and daughter.Beyond the pandemic, Dr. Carter discusses her continued advocacy through organizations such as the Georgia Chapter of the AAP Legislative Committee, gun control advocacy groups, and her local Indivisible chapter. She shares her experiences speaking at town...
2025-06-1629 min
Scalpel and Sword: Conflict and Negotiation in Modern Medicine4 - First Job, First Negotiation: Lessons from a Rural Family DocStepping into practice as a young physician can be daunting, especially when it comes to negotiating contracts and building a team in a rural setting. In this episode, Dr. Lee Sharma welcomes Dr. Anesia Allen, to discuss how she navigated these challenges with confidence and clarity. Dr. Allen shares her journey of negotiating her first contract, securing key terms like protected time off, and ensuring her team aligned with the community’s needs. From working with a medical contract attorney to drawing on mentorship and her experiences as an Auburn cheerleader, she offers practical strategies for young physicians to...
2025-06-0931 min
Scalpel and Sword: Conflict and Negotiation in Modern Medicine3 - Navigating the Wards: A Med Student’s ViewStarting third-year medical school is like stepping into a firestorm—new challenges, high stakes, and constant conflict. In this episode of Scalpel and Sword, Dr. Lee Sharma talks with Dr. Natalie Simpkins about her journey through medical school and the conflicts she faced on the wards. Natalie shares candid insights on navigating patient care, collaborating with peers, and managing the hierarchy of specialties like surgery and OB-GYN. From dealing with “gunners” to learning not to take rapid-fire interactions personally, Natalie’s story is a must-listen for aspiring physicians and anyone curious about the human side of medical training.Three...
2025-06-0237 min
Scalpel and Sword: Conflict and Negotiation in Modern Medicine2 - Know Your Numbers in a Contract Negotiation with Dr. Mona Bakshi-KamathNavigating the business side of medicine can be daunting, especially for women physicians who often face unique challenges in negotiation. In this episode, Dr. Lee Sharma sits down with Dr. Mona Bakshi-Kamath, to discuss how she mastered the art of negotiation to secure fair reimbursement and create a patient-centered practice.Dr. Kamath shares her journey of diving deep into billing and reimbursement, advocating for equitable pay, and restructuring her schedule to prioritize both patient care and personal well-being. From leveraging data to negotiate with hospital administrators to setting boundaries that enhance quality of life, her insights...
2025-05-2632 min
Scalpel and Sword: Conflict and Negotiation in Modern Medicine1 - Balancing Professional Demands and Personal Well-BeingIn this episode of Scalpel and Sword, Dr. Lee Sharma, sits down with Dr. Meshia Wallace, to share her journey from nursing to pulmonary and critical care, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries to protect both her professional calling and personal passions, like fashion. From navigating the intense demands of 2020 to mentoring female residents to find their voice, Dr. Wallace offers practical advice for physicians—especially women—on prioritizing self-care and establishing boundaries to sustain a fulfilling career. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone seeking to balance medicine’s demands with personal growth.Biggest Takeaways:Priori...
2025-05-1931 min
Scalpel and Sword: Conflict and Negotiation in Modern Medicine0 - Before the First Cut— An InvitationBehind every white coat is a battlefield of values, emotions, and unspoken tension. In this special teaser episode, Dr. Lee Sharma shares a glimpse of what’s to come: real conversations about conflict, burnout, boundary-setting, and negotiating a better life inside modern medicine.On Scalpel and Sword, we’ll walk together into the places we were taught to ignore—the silent struggles, the private battles—and find new tools to face them.The journey begins May 19th. Subscribe today and be part of the first wave of voices rewriting what it means to practice—and to live—as a...
2025-05-0702 min