The Intention-Action Gap: Katy Milkman on Why Smart People Make Bad Choices

In this  episode I speak with behavioral economist Dr. Katie Milkman who breaks down the powerful concepts of friction, nudge, and sludge that fundamentally shape how professionals make decisions in healthcare, finance, and education. Milkman, author of "How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where you Are to Where you Want to Be" and co-founder of the Behavior Change for Good Initiative, reveals how choice architecture influences everything from patient compliance to retirement savings, explaining why good intentions often fail and how smart design can bridge the intention-action gap.  Katy explains how removing friction and eliminating sludge can dramatically improve outcomes for physicians treating chronic diseases, leaders implementing organizational change, and designers creating user experiences that actually work.  This research-backed discussion provides actionable insights for social scientists, healthcare professionals, and decision-makers who want to understand the psychology behind behavior change and apply evidence-based strategies to improve professional and patient outcomes in their respective fields. Website https://www.katymilkman.com LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-milkman Podcast https://www.schwab.com/learn/choiceology Book: https://www.katymilkman.com/book If you enjoy the show, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating on Apple or a 👍🏻 on YouTube. Subscribe via the Website. Forward to a friend today!

In this episode, I  sit down with Dr. Alison Fragale, organizational behavior expert at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School and author of Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve.  We dive deep into why status isn't just about ego—it's actually a fundamental human need that directly impacts your mental health and professional success. Alison breaks down her formula for being both assertive and warm, explaining how resources follow respect in the workplace and why most of us are playing "introduction dodgeball" instead of building meaningful connections. 00:00 Introduction to the Likable Badass 03:06 The Impact of Writing a Book 05:55 Navigating Social Dynamics in School 09:11 The Introduction Dodgeball Experience 11:50 Experiencing Disrespect and Mid-Career Invisibility 15:06 Sharing and Building Status 17:45 The Influence of McKinsey on Career Choices 20:59 Gender Dynamics and Professional Identity 24:02 Finding and Using Your Voice 26:52 Key Takeaways and Conclusion We explore how her time at McKinsey shaped her understanding of power dynamics, the difference between having power (controlling resources) and having status (earning respect), and why those throwaway moments like "How are you?" are actually goldmines for relationship building. Alison shares personal stories about her need to always be "correct," her unexpected expertise in cheese boards, and how Golden Girls wisdom applies to leadership.  As coffee-loving introverts who appreciate both Christmas music and strategic thinking, we discuss the art of making "small deposits" into professional relationships without burning yourself out through excessive kindness. This conversation is perfect for anyone who wants to command respect while staying approachable, understands that professional success requires both competence and connection, and believes you don't have to choose between being respected and being relatable. Website: alisonfragale.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alisonfragale Book: Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve If you enjoy the show, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating on Apple or a 👍🏻 on YouTube. Subscribe via the Website. Forward to a friend today!

In this episode I speak with Marina Gerner PhD, financial journalist, professor, columnist, and award-winning author of "The Vagina Business: The Innovative Breakthroughs that Could Change Everything in Women's Health."  Dr. Gerner explores the paradoxical world of FemTech, a trillion-dollar market opportunity that faces systematic underfunding, particularly from male venture capitalists who struggle to discuss women's health innovations, as detailed in a 2020 Wired article she wrote. The conversation delves into how shame and stigma around women's health including periods, menopause, and sexual health sustain billion-dollar industries while simultaneously creating barriers to genuine innovation. Website marinagerner.com LinkedIn @marinagernerphd Instagram @marinagerner If you enjoy the show, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating on Apple or a 👍🏻 on YouTube. Subscribe via the Website. Forward to a friend today!

This episode is part of The Visible Voice Podcast Mini-Cast series dedicated to exploring coaching resources and professional development tools to help professionals improve their workplace journey and well-being.  Dr. Karen Leitner is a primary care physician who transitioned to become a full-time coach for medical professionals. In 2020 after gaining certification, Karen founded Karen Leitner MD Coaching. She has coached hundreds of women physicians to set boundaries, finish their charts, reduce guilt, and reconnect with their identity outside of medicine. Some conversation take-aways: —Overwhelm is a common challenge for physicians. —Self-compassion is crucial for personal and professional growth. —Healthcare systems often contribute to physician burnout. —Practical strategies can help manage workload and stress. Website: https://www.karenleitnermd.com/ Book with Karen: https://www.karenleitnermd.com/how-to-feel-better Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenleitnermd/ If you enjoy the show, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating on Apple or a 👍🏻 on YouTube. Subscribe via the Website. Forward to a friend today!

In this episode I speak with Cedric Dark MD MPH, an emergency medicine physician and healthcare policy expert, about gun violence in America. June is Gun Violence Awareness month. Our conversation focuses on prevention, advocacy, and content from his book Under the Gun: An ER Doctor's Cure for America's Gun Epidemic Cedric is an Associate Professor in the Henry J. N. Taub Department of Emergency Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. He currently is on the Board of Trustees for Semester at Sea and is the Medical Editor-in-Chief for the monthly publication ACEP Now. From 2019 to 2024 he served on the Board of Directors for Doctors for America. Cedric argues that gun violence is a public health issue that healthcare workers are uniquely positioned to address. He explains how mental health factors into gun violence discussions and why access to firearms increases suicide risk. The conversation touches on how advocacy work can help healthcare workers deal with burnout and how organizations like Doctors for America approach health policy change.  If you enjoy the show, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating on Apple or a 👍🏻 on YouTube. Subscribe via the Website. Forward to a friend today!

In this episode I share a profound conversation with Rhode Island State Senator Tiara Mack.  Senator Mack shares her experiences running for office, finding her voice in politics, and the significance of human-centered design in legislation. Tiara is Democratic member of the Rhode Island State Senate. She represents district six comprised of 20,000 constituents. She studied public health at Brown University.   We discuss the power of social media, legislative goals, and the importance of self-care and resilience in leadership. We explore themes of joy in advocacy, the journey to politics, the importance of community and education, navigating identity, and the role of sex education in personal growth. Finally, we reflect on the role of books as a framework for envisioning a better world. Episode highlights:—Education can bridge gaps in access and opportunity. —Community involvement is crucial for civic engagement. —Human-centered design should guide legislation. Self-care practices are important for effective leadership. Website Instagram If you enjoy the show, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating on Apple or a 👍🏻 on YouTube. Subscribe via the Website. Forward to a friend today!

In this minicast (short + focused podcast) episode on coaches, emergency medicine physician and coach  Dr. Gita Pensa shares insights from coaching physicians facing malpractice litigation and from her 12-year legal battle. She discusses how fear pervades these experiences and offers practical approaches to managing anxiety while working to change medicine's culture of shame. Gita is based in Rhode Island. She is the CEO and founder of DoctorsAndLitigation.com, where she coaches clinicians facing litigation stress. Dr. Pensa is also the creator and host of Doctors and Litigation: The L Word podcast and has pioneered work in physician litigation stress. Key Take-awaysFear is the dominant emotion among physicians facing litigation Many malpractice cases are eventually dropped, but the anxiety persists The culture of shame in medicine surrounding litigation needs transformation Communication resolution programs can heal patient-doctor relationships after adverse events Documentary: A World of Hurt Book a consultation session with Gita Website: DoctorsAndLitigation.com YouTube: @DoctorsandLitigation If you enjoy the show, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating on Apple or a 👍🏻 on YouTube. Subscribe via the Website. Forward to a friend today!

In this episode I speak with Dr. Terry Wahls, an internal medicine physician,  multiple sclerosis patient, researcher, and advocate.  Her TedTalk Minding your Mitochondria has over 4.1 million views.  Terry Wahls MD is a clinical professor of medicine who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2000. After conventional treatments failed to halt her disease progression, leaving her wheelchair-dependent, she developed the The Wahls Protocol, a nutrient-rich dietary approach that helped her regain mobility. She authored a book The Wahls Protocol: A Radical New Way to Treat All Chronic Autoimmune Conditions Using Paleo Principles book. We cover how nutrition choices can transform health outcomes, the critical role of family support in sustaining health changes, and the emerging science behind using biosensors to identify personal health triggers.  Some takeaways: Terry Walls developed the Wahls Protocol after personal success reversing her MS symptoms Dietary changes can lead to significant health improvements beyond medication alone Family support creates the foundation for sustainable behavior change The Wahls Protocol emphasizes nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory foods Long COVID patients show promising responses to improved nutrition approaches Food choices can serve as both prevention and treatment for chronic diseases Website Instagram  If you enjoy the show, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating on Apple or a 👍🏻 on YouTube. Subscribe via the Website. Forward to a friend today!

In this episode I speak with Paula Pant, founder of the Afford Anything media platform. Paula is an expert in personal finance and economics. We discuss the philosophy of intentional living, the importance of resilience in career transitions, and the shift from a financial scarcity mindset to one of abundance.  Paula shares her journey from working for a newspaper to building the successful media platform Afford Anything, emphasizing the significance of personal development and understanding human behavior in financial decision-making. We explore financial flexibility, particularly for doctors facing burnout and financial challenges. We delve into productivity habits and the significance of having a voice in personal finance discussions, ultimately highlighting how financial health provides choices in life. A few highlights Voluntary career transitions can lead to tremendous growth despite initial uncertainty Taking action is the greatest affirmation of progress and success Doctors face unique financial challenges due to late starts and high student debt Aggressive contributions are crucial for late starters in retirement planning Financial education should be prioritized in schools  Website: https://affordanything.com/ Podcast: Afford Anything on Apple YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@affordanything If you enjoy the show, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating on Apple or a 👍🏻 on YouTube. Subscribe via the Website. Forward to a friend today!

In this episode of The Visible Voices Podcast, Resa speaks with  Amanda Litman, co-founder of Run for Something and author of When We're in Charge: The Next Generation's Guide to Leadership. The dynamic discussion explores how millennials and Gen Z are reshaping American politics through grassroots engagement and local office candidacy. Amanda shares her journey building a mission-driven organization that empowers young, diverse candidates to run for local offices—from school boards to library committees—where critical community decisions happen. She offers practical insights on effective leadership, including: Why doctors are well equipped for public office The benefits of a four-day workweek for organizational productivity Strategic approaches to email communication and team onboarding The conversation highlights the unique perspective healthcare professionals bring to public office and why their expertise is desperately needed in local governance. Amanda makes a compelling case for civic engagement as essential infrastructure for a healthy democracy. Website: Run for Something Instagram: Amanda Litman If you enjoy the show, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating on Apple or a 👍🏻 on YouTube. Subscribe via the Website and forward to a friend today!