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The Developing Doctor

Dr. Ben Reinking

The Developing Doctor Podcast helps physicians and high achievers rediscover purpose, balance, and joy in both medicine and life. Hosted by Dr. Ben Reinking, a pediatric cardiologist and coach, each episode explores the real stories, struggles, and strategies that help you grow beyond burnout, reconnect with what matters most, and use your heart more—not less.

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20 episodes
Avg 32 min
English

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September 8 · 27 min
Rethinking Dentistry: How Lifestyle Shapes Full-Body Health
Welcome back to The Developing Doctor Podcast. In this episode, host Dr. Ben Reinking sits down with Dr. Lederhausen, a Swedish-trained dentist, public health advocate, and founder of the Lagom Method—a lifestyle toolkit rooted in the Swedish philosophy of balance, “not too much, not too little, just right.” Drawing on her experiences as a professional golfer, dentist, TEDxChicago founder, and author of Oral: The Swedish-Inspired Secret to Full-Body Health Starting in Your Mouth, Dr. Lederhausen shares her journey of connecting oral health to overall wellbeing. Together, they explore the often-overlooked link between the mouth and the rest of the body, discuss the importance of small, sustainable habits, and challenge the fragmented nature of modern healthcare. Whether you’re a medical professional or simply curious about holistic health, this episode will inspire you to rethink the way you approach daily habits, wellness, and the vital role of oral health in your life. Connect with today’s guest: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicalederhausen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicalederhausen/ Website: https://www.thelagommethod.com Also check out Dr. Lederhosen’s book: https://www.thelagommethod.com/book-launch
August 25 · 26 min
Reconnecting With Compassion: Navigating Grief and Burnout in Healthcare
Welcome to The Developing Doctor, where we explore what it truly means to bring our whole selves to medicine. In this episode, Dr. Devina Wadhwa—a psychiatrist, writer, and speaker—joins us to share her journey through burnout, isolation, and grief after losing her father, and how those experiences reshaped her understanding of both patient care and her own humanity. Dr. Wadhwa reflects on the hidden curriculum of medical training that urges clinicians to suppress their feelings, the critical importance of reclaiming empathy and vulnerability in practice, and the personal rituals that help her—and can help others—reconnect with purpose and wellness. Together, we delve into the universal experience of loss, the power of story in medicine, and how honoring our hearts can transform both the lives of our patients and ourselves. Connect with today’s guest: https://doctorsonsocialmedia.com/devina-wadhwa-bscpharm-md-frcpc/ linkedin.com/in/devina-maya-wadhwa-5469353b7 instagram.com/theinnerclinicdoc?igsh=ZzVhaTcza211djI1&utm_source=qr
August 11 · 26 min
Permission to Evolve: Embracing Change in a Medical Career
Welcome back to The Developing Doctor. Today’s episode dives deep into the realities of physician burnout and the power of intentional career pivots, featuring special guest Dr. Bertina Hooks—a board-certified internal medicine physician, healthcare executive, entrepreneur, and founder of Pinnacle Business Academy. After her own harrowing health crisis forced her to transition from physician to patient overnight, Dr. Hooks rebuilt her life around coaching, telehealth, and helping other clinicians design sustainable, fulfilling careers. In this conversation, we explore what it really takes to move from feeling stuck and burned out to making strategic, values-driven career changes. Dr. Hooks shares her personal story of reinvention, explains the difference between reactive and strategic pivots, and outlines her Phoenix Position Pivot Framework for physician transitions. Whether you’re quietly wondering if you can keep going in medicine, or you’re curious about what comes next, this episode offers hope, practical tools, and actionable insights to help you chart your next step with intention and clarity. Connect with the guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bertinahooks/
July 28 · 40 min
How Sleep Disorders Shape Lives: A Conversation with Dr. Maria Sokolina
Welcome back to The Developing Doctor, the podcast where we bring the heart and soul back to healthcare, no matter where you are in your career journey. I’m your host, Dr. Ben Reinking, pediatric cardiologist and physician coach. Today, we’re diving into a unique intersection of dentistry, sleep medicine, and personal growth with Dr. Maria Sokolina—dental sleep medicine specialist, founder of Harmony Dental Arts in NYC, and author of the newly-released book Breathless: A Narrative Journey Through Real Patient Stories Behind Sleep Disorder Breathing. In this episode, we explore Dr. Sokolina’s inspiring journey from medical and dental school in St. Petersburg, Russia, to building successful practices in New Jersey and New York City. We discuss the challenges of navigating new healthcare systems, the importance of mentorship and networking, and how embracing storytelling can improve care and replenish joy in the healing professions. Dr. Sokolina also shares expert insights on sleep disorder breathing—why it matters for both children and adults, how it’s often overlooked, and what clinicians and families can do about it. Whether you’re a provider just starting out, an experienced practitioner wanting a fresh perspective, or simply interested in the powerful stories that shape healthcare, this episode is for you. Let’s get started. Connect with the guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-sokolina-dds-7711aa15/
July 14 · 32 min
Supporting Future Physicians: Career Advising and Wellness in Medical Education
Welcome back to The Developing Doctor podcast, the show dedicated to exploring how to stay human in medicine and lead with heart. This week, Dr. Ben Reinking welcomes Billie Ruden, the academic and career advising manager at the University of Iowa’s Carver College of Medicine. With years of experience guiding medical students, residents, and fellows through some of the toughest stretches of training, Billie Rudin brings invaluable insights into what truly helps future physicians thrive. In this episode, she shares her journey into medical education, reflects on the challenges and growth medical trainees experience, and discusses what medical education gets right—and where it can still improve. Tune in for an honest conversation full of wisdom about resilience, the importance of asking for help, prioritizing wellness, and what gives hope for the future of medicine.
June 30 · 38 min
Redefining Wellbeing: Foundational Habits Over Quick Fixes in Healthcare and Life
Welcome to another episode of The Developing Doctor, with your host Dr. Ben Reinking. In a world where healthcare professionals are trained to treat and prevent disease, the art of true wellbeing often gets overlooked—not just for our patients, but for ourselves as clinicians. Today, we explore what it really means to thrive as a whole person, beyond the confines of clinic protocols and quick-fix wellness trends. Joining us is Jacob Frederick, a wellbeing coach and founder of Intentionally Selfish, who brings a fresh perspective from outside the medical system. Jacob Frederick's approach is all about challenging the "wellness as willpower" narrative, focusing instead on sustainable, foundational habits that fit real, busy lives. Together, we dive into the struggles unique to healthcare professionals—like time scarcity, the myth of extreme discipline, and the importance of social connection. We’ll discuss how simple practices like gratitude, movement, and setting boundaries can shift our mindset and create long-term fulfillment. Whether you’re in healthcare or just searching for a more intentional path to wellbeing, this episode is packed with practical, meaningful insights to help you be well—on your own terms. 🩺 ABOUT DR. BEN REINKING━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━I'm a practicing pediatric cardiologist, Fellowship Program Director, and Master Certified Physician Development Coach with 20+ years in academic medicine. I've been through serious burnout — and I coach physicians through what comes next.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━📌 WORK WITH ME━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━📅 Free 30-min Coaching Consultation (no pitch, just a conversation) → thedevelopingdoctor.com/contact📘 Mastery & Wellness: How to Thrive as a Physician Online course | CME credit included | Self-paced → https://courses.thedevelopingdoctor.com━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🎙️ THE DEVELOPING DOCTOR PODCAST━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-developing-doctor/id1851251067━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━📱 CONNECT━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━Instagram → instagram.com/the_developing_doctorLinkedIn → linkedin.com/in/ben-reinking-md-03987a101Website → https://thedevelopingdoctor.com━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🏷️ ABOUT THIS CHANNEL━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━The Developing Doctor is for physicians and medical professionals who want to lead better, communicate more effectively, beat burnout, and build careers that are actually sustainable. New content weekly.#PhysicianCoaching #PhysicianBurnout #TheDevelopingDoctor
June 16 · 47 min
From Nigeria to Texas: Physician Innovation and the Rise of Membership Medicine
Welcome to The Developing Doctor, the podcast where we dive into the journeys and innovations of physicians striving to reclaim the heart of medicine. In this episode, we welcome Dr. Frank Okosun, a board-certified internist, medical director, and clinical assistant professor who has spent over two decades navigating the complexities of primary care. From his early medical training in Nigeria to his years as a leader in Texas healthcare, Dr. Frank Okosun brings deep insight into what it takes to thrive in a changing medical landscape. Today, we'll explore his bold move to transition his practice to the MDVIP model—a hybrid approach focused on prevention, personalized medicine, and an enhanced doctor-patient relationship. We’ll discuss the challenges and opportunities of switching to a more patient-centered care model, the lessons learned from practicing medicine across continents, and what this shift means for the future of healthcare. Whether you’re a physician looking for new possibilities or simply interested in how medicine is evolving, this conversation promises to be a source of inspiration and valuable lessons.
June 3 · 38 min
Taking Charge: How Physicians Can Own Their Name, Practice, and Professional Identity
Welcome to another episode of The Developing Doctor, where we explore what it truly takes to grow as a clinician—not just in medicine, but in business, branding, and life. Today, Dr. Ben Reinking sits down with Ashley Gay, founder of Digital Ash Agency and a seasoned brand strategist who helped take her husband’s medical practice from zero to over a million dollars in its first year. As someone who has navigated the high-stakes world of medical practice ownership from both the physician and spouse perspective, Ashley Gay brings unique insight into what it means to own your name, your story, and your future in medicine. From building a brand and referral network to tackling skills gaps and finding meaning and autonomy beyond the clinic walls, today’s conversation is packed with practical advice and empowering stories for any physician ready to shape their own path—whether that means going independent or creating a lasting identity within a larger institution. Let's dive in!
May 14 · 30 min
Sustaining High Performance in Medicine: Navigating Burnout, Energy Management, and Self-Awareness
In this episode of The Developing Doctor, host Dr. Ben Reinking explores the concept of high performance in medicine—not simply doing more, but understanding how to sustain excellence and purpose over time without burnout. He is joined by Dr. Diane Malaspina, a psychologist, performance coach, and yoga teacher specializing in stress and burnout recovery, nervous system regulation, and optimal performance. Drawing on her background in both academic psychology and Eastern wellness practices, Dr. Diane Malaspina combines scientific research with mindfulness and breath work to help high performers in healthcare find balance and resilience. Listeners will hear a discussion on redefining what it means to be a high performer, the importance of managing energy over time, the value of physiological data in understanding personal wellbeing, and how coaching can help healthcare providers gain crucial self-awareness. This episode is designed for anyone in medicine seeking to cultivate sustainable high performance and personal growth.
April 29 · 45 min
Why Listening Matters More Than Ever in Medicine
Welcome back to The Developing Doctor! In this episode, host Dr. Ben explores the often-overlooked skill at the heart of great healthcare teams: truly listening. While medical training equips us with impressive technical abilities, we rarely learn how to listen with intent and compassion. Today, Ben is joined by Dr. Elizabeth Parks, a communication scholar and expert in listening, who has dedicated her career to understanding how the way we listen shapes relationships, leadership, and communities. Together, they dig into why listening is frequently undervalued in healthcare—even among those who care deeply—and how it can be cultivated as a practical skill. Dr. Elizabeth Parks shares the roots of her passion for listening, from her experiences in the Deaf community to working with international nonprofits, and introduces her evidence-based LISTEN framework. The conversation covers the cultural and relational nature of listening, the essential link between listening and trust, and strategies for navigating challenging conversations and organizational bias. If you’re ready to rethink what makes a healer effective, and how listening can transform your practice and your team, you won’t want to miss this episode. Today’s guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethshun-chingparks?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios Check out: https://www.elizabethsparks.org
April 14 · 41 min
Building Trust Between Providers and Administrators for Better Healthcare
On this episode of The Developing Doctor, we dive into one of healthcare’s quietest sources of tension: the complex relationship between physicians and administrators. Too often, these essential partnerships are marred by miscommunication, misunderstanding, and the false belief that we’re working on different teams. But when trust and shared purpose are present, these relationships can transform healthcare into something truly rewarding—and more human. To explore this dynamic, Dr. Ben welcomes two extraordinary guests with decades of experience on the administrative side of medicine. Roxanne Meyer and Kris Zeller have helped practices grow from small teams into thriving healthcare organizations, navigated tremendous changes like EMRs and COVID, and learned firsthand the power of mentorship, leadership, and relationships. Together, they share the highs and lows of running medical practices, the crucial role of communication and mutual respect, and the changes—sometimes challenging, sometimes inspiring—shaping healthcare today. Whether you’re a physician, administrator, or just invested in the future of healthcare, this conversation is a timely reminder: our system works best when we see one another as partners, not adversaries.
March 31 · 29 min
Creating Flexibility and Balance in Modern Medical Careers
Welcome back to The Developing Doctor Podcast - the place where we bring the heart and soul back to medicine. In this episode, host Dr. Ben Reinking, a pediatric cardiologist and physician development coach, dives into the world of locum tenens, or "locums," exploring why more and more physicians are choosing this flexible career path to reclaim joy, autonomy, and purpose in medicine. Dr. Ben Reinking is joined by Jordan Weber, brand manager at locums.com, a leading platform that connects doctors and healthcare providers with locum tenens opportunities. Together, they break down what locums work really is, the advantages and trade-offs, and how this model has grown from a simple stopgap for solo practitioners to a dynamic, empowering career option. Listen in as they discuss everything from escaping burnout and administrative overload to the kinds of physicians who thrive in locums roles, and even practical tips on getting started. Whether you’re a new grad eager to try different practice settings, a seasoned physician looking for more flexibility, or simply curious how locums can help you align your work with your values, this episode offers valuable insights into designing your own medical career, on your own terms. Check out the website and today’s guest: https://www.locums.com/ linkedin.com/in/findjordanweber
March 17 · 38 min
Beyond the Hospital: Medical Teams Creating Heart-Safe Communities
Welcome back to The Developing Doctor! In this episode, Dr. Ben Reinking sits down with Brenda Haag, Gary Beasley, and Trudy Pierick, - a powerhouse team of pediatric healthcare professionals behind Project Adam Iowa Heartland. Together, they dive into their journeys from the bedside to impacting communities across Iowa, discuss the evolution of their professional identities, and share the story of how Project Adam- a national initiative dedicated to preventing sudden cardiac death in schools - found its footing in the Heartland. You’ll hear how their personal experiences, mentorships, and sometimes unexpected turns led them to where they are now: building safer schools, empowering educators and students through hands-on cardiac emergency training, and saving lives one drill at a time. They discuss the realities of sudden cardiac arrest, the transformative power of community engagement, and the critical role nurses, physicians, and educators play far beyond the hospital walls. Whether you’re a healthcare provider, educator, or just curious about how community action can create real change, this episode will leave you both inspired and informed. Stay tuned to learn how you or your local school can get involved - and why a defibrillator might be just as essential as a fire extinguisher! Today’s guests: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trudy-pierick-pnp-baker?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-beasley-817a2236?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app Check out also the website: https://uihc.org/childrens/services/project-adam-iowa-heartland
March 3 · 43 min
Balancing Patient Care, Leadership, and Wellbeing in Medical Career
Welcome back to The Developing Doctor! In today’s episode, Dr. Ben Reinking sits down with his longtime friend and colleague, Dr. Amy Stier, to explore the heart and soul of medical education and leadership. Dr. Amy Stier shares her inspiring journey from a science-loving student with no family background in medicine to becoming a clinical professor of pediatrics, Vice Chair of Education, and Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education at the University of Iowa. Together, Dr. Ben Reinking and Dr. Amy Stier dive into what drew her to medicine and pediatrics, how she found her passion for mentoring the next generation of doctors, and the importance of creating a supportive environment for learners from all backgrounds. They reflect on the pivotal role of mentorship, the growth that comes from the challenges of leadership, and why understanding your own well-being (and that of your colleagues) is essential in medicine. Whether you’re considering a career in healthcare, navigating your own path as a physician, or just curious about what really happens behind the scenes in medical education, this episode offers honest advice, practical insights, and a dose of encouragement from two doctors who have been there. Get ready to be inspired by real talk on lifelong learning, leadership, and creating a more humane medical profession.
February 17 · 45 min
Finding Strength and Meaning Amidst Healthcare Burnout and Demoralization
Welcome back to another episode of The Developing Doctor! In today’s conversation, Dr. Ben Reinking welcomes Dr. Janeta Tansey, a leading voice in physician wellness, ethical leadership, and coaching. Together, they dive deep into what it truly means to “bring the heart and soul back to healthcare,” exploring how meaningful leadership isn’t about titles or flashy organizational charts, but about our everyday relationships, community, and cultivating trust—especially in a time when healthcare systems and professionals are stretched thin. Dr. Janeta Tansey shares her personal journey from eldest sibling in a big family to respected psychiatrist and consultant, reflecting on how early experiences shaped her dedication to building community in medicine. The discussion addresses the pain and growth of feeling disconnected from our original values, the courage required to lead (and to listen!) through difficult times, and the nuances of ethical leadership—highlighting seven core competencies every physician leader can grow, with or without a formal title. If you’ve ever felt isolated or overwhelmed in your role, this episode is for you. Tune in as we unpack practical insights on team dynamics, working through adversity, and rediscovering hope by investing in ourselves and each other.
February 3 · 38 min
Using Hope as Medicine: Insights from Make a Wish Iowa’s President Sara Kurovski
Welcome back to The Developing Doctor, the show where we explore how healthcare professionals and helpers of all kinds can create meaningful, sustainable lives by leading from the heart. In this episode, host Dr. Ben Reinking, a pediatric cardiologist and physician coach, sits down with Sara Kurovski, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish Iowa. Together, they dive into Sara Kurovski’s bold career transition during the turbulence of 2021, her passion for leading with purpose, and the incredible impact that wishes have on children with critical illnesses and their families. You’ll hear powerful stories about what a wish means beyond the headlines, misconceptions about who is eligible, and how wishes truly function as a prescription for hope and healing—not just for kids, but for their families and even the medical teams who support them. Whether you’re a healthcare provider, community member, or someone searching for meaning in your work, this conversation will both inform and inspire, reminding us all that hope is not just an idea—it’s actionable, and it’s something we can help make possible every day.
January 20 · 19 min
What 2025 Taught Physicians: Navigating Income, AI, and Hope in Modern Medicine
Welcome to The Developing Doctor! In this episode, host Dr. Ben Reinking—a practicing pediatric cardiologist, academic leader, and physician coach—dives into a reflective, forward-looking conversation that’s essential listening for anyone working in or impacted by healthcare. Dr. Ben Reinking takes us on a journey through the lessons of 2025, unpacking the paradoxes at the heart of modern medicine: how the profession can be deeply meaningful, yet face real and growing challenges. You’ll hear insights on declining physician reimbursement, the increasing complexity of patient care, ongoing workforce shortages, and the transformative effects (and limitations) of AI in medicine. Drawing from his own multifaceted career, Dr. Ben Reinking explores how physicians can find hope and resilience amid uncertainty, suggesting practical strategies to build sustainable, values-driven careers in a rapidly changing healthcare environment. Whether you’re a physician, healthcare professional, or simply interested in the human side of medicine, this episode will help you reflect on what’s changed, what persists, and what you can do to move the needle in your own life and work. Stay tuned for lessons from the past year, wisdom for 2026, and inspiration to keep growing—both as a clinician and as a person dedicated to bringing heart and soul back to medicine.
January 6 · 28 min
Family Ties in Medicine: Perspectives from Three Generations of Doctors
Welcome back to The Developing Doctor podcast, where we bring the heart and soul back to medicine and celebrate lifelong growth, hosted by Dr. Ben Reinking, pediatric cardiologist and physician development coach, and on today’s episode, we’re gathering some truly special guests—three doctors at different stages in their careers who all happen to be part of my own family. You’ll hear from Dr. Lynn Geick, a family medicine physician with 30 years of experience; Dr. Jenna Geick, a second-year neonatology fellow; and Dr. Griffin Geick, a third-year emergency medicine resident. Together, we’ll explore their unique perspectives on choosing their specialties, the challenges they face, the moments that keep them inspired, and the lessons they hope to pass along—to both their patients and the next generation of their families. Whether you’re a medical student wondering how to find your path, a practicing physician seeking inspiration, or just curious about the human side of healthcare, this episode offers heartfelt insights and real-life experiences from inside one family’s medical journey. Let’s dive in and see how purpose, compassion, and adaptability shape a life in medicine.
Dec 30, 2025 · 12 min
Launching The Developing Doctor Podcast: Where Science Meets Soul for Physicians and High Performers
Welcome to the very first episode of The Developing Doctor podcast, where science meets soul and growth never stops. Today, we kick things off with an inspiring conversation between Lane Taylor, who steps in as the interview facilitator, and the show’s host, Dr. Ben Reinking. In this pilot episode, Dr. Ben Reinking shares the personal journey that led him to create The Developing Doctor - spanning his own challenges in medicine, the loneliness physicians sometimes feel, and how he learned to seek joy and fulfillment beyond simply "gutting it out." Listeners will hear firsthand about the heart behind the podcast: a space for physicians and high achievers to rediscover purpose, balance, and joy in both work and life, featuring stories, lessons, and tools for navigating modern healthcare. Whether you’re in the weeds yourself or just looking to grow as a leader and human, Dr. Ben Reinking sets the stage for what’s to come - real conversations, practical strategies, and a reminder that it truly can be better. So sit back and get ready for a show where healing, leadership, and human development all come together.
S1 · E1
Nov 6, 2025 · 44 sec
COMING SOON: The Developing Doctor With Dr. Ben Reinking
Coming soon: The Developing Doctor Podcast—a show where science meets soul and growth never stops. Hosted by pediatric cardiologist and coach Dr. Ben Reinking, this podcast brings together stories and conversations that help physicians and high achievers find balance, meaning, and fulfillment in and beyond their careers. Because the best way to heal a broken heart—literal or figurative—is to use it more, not less. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen

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