Ep472 - Finding Purpose in Medicine Through Faith and Ritual with Dr. Jonathan Weinkle

This episode is sponsored by: My Financial CoachYou trained to save lives—who’s helping you save your financial future? My Financial Coach connects physicians with CFP® Professionals who specialize in your complex needs. Whether it’s crushing student loans, optimizing investments, or planning for retirement, you’ll get a personalized strategy built around your goals. Save for a vacation home, fund your child’s education, or prepare for life’s surprises—with unbiased, advice-only planning through a flat monthly fee. No commissions. No conflicts. Just clarity.Visit myfinancialcoach.com/physiciansguidetodoctoring to meet your financial coach and find out if concierge planning is right for you.———————Can faith enhance medical practice and renew purpose? Host Dr. Bradley Block welcomes Dr. Jonathan Weinkle, for an in-depth discussion centered around his insightful book, ‘Illness to Exodus’. Drawing inspiration from the rich traditions of the Passover Seder, Dr. Weinkle has developed an innovative Healing Seder, a ritual designed to cultivate compassion and infuse a renewed sense of purpose into the daily lives of healthcare providers. Leveraging his deep Jewish heritage and his extensive experience teaching courses such as Death and the Healthcare Professions, he delves into the transformative potential of simple rituals, such as performing a morning Kiddush over a cup of coffee, which can elevate routine tasks into profoundly meaningful acts. This episode masterfully weaves together themes of faith, compelling storytelling, and actionable advice, providing physicians with valuable tools to rediscover their calling and maintain a purposeful approach to their practice, even amidst the monotony of repetitive patient care.Three Actionable Takeaways:Adopt a Daily Ritual – Use a morning Kiddush or similar practice (e.g., over coffee) to start your day with purpose and resilience.Embrace Patient Narratives – Listen to patients’ unique stories, like a Seder tale, to reignite curiosity and care in repetitive care settings.Navigate Faith Conflicts with Empathy – Engage with patients’ religious views openly to find common ground and tailor effective care plans.About the Show:PGD Physician’s Guide to Doctoring covers patient interactions, burnout, career growth, personal finance, and more. If you're tired of dull medical lectures, tune in for real-world lessons we should have learned in med school!About the Guest:Dr. Jonathan Weinkle is an internist and pediatrician who practices primary care and serves as Chief Medical Officer at Squirrel Hill Health Center in Pittsburgh. A University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine graduate with a Med-Peds residency, he is a clinical assistant professor in Family Medicine and part-time instructor in Religious Studies and Conceptual Foundations of Medicine at Pitt. He teaches Death and the Healthcare Professions and Healing and Humanity, authored Healing People, Not Patients and Illness to Exodus, and runs ‘Healers Who Listen’, where he blogs on healing and Jewish tradition. Once considering a rabbinical path, he now integrates faith and medicine to support physicians and patients.LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/jonathan-weinkle-3440032awebsite: https://healerswholisten.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/healerswholisten?igsh=eXQ3a2QxMXZncTluAbout the host:Dr. Bradley Block – Dr. Bradley Block is a board-certified otolaryngologist at ENT and Allergy Associates in Garden City, NY. He specializes in adult and pediatric ENT, with interests in sinusitis and obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Block also hosts The Physician’s Guide to Doctoring podcast, focusing on personal and professional development for physiciansWant to be a guest? Email Brad at [email protected]  or visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to learn more!Socials:@physiciansguidetodoctoring on Facebook@physicianguidetodoctoring on YouTube@physiciansguide on Instagram and Twitter Visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to connect, dive deeper, and keep the conversation going. Let’s grow!  Disclaimer:This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, financial, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional for personalized guidance.

This episode is sponsored by: My Financial CoachYou trained to save lives—who’s helping you save your financial future? My Financial Coach connects physicians with CFP® Professionals who specialize in your complex needs. Whether it’s crushing student loans, optimizing investments, or planning for retirement, you’ll get a personalized strategy built around your goals. Save for a vacation home, fund your child’s education, or prepare for life’s surprises—with unbiased, advice-only planning through a flat monthly fee. No commissions. No conflicts. Just clarity.Visit myfinancialcoach.com/physiciansguidetodoctoring to meet your financial coach and find out if concierge planning is right for you.____________What if purpose isn’t something you find, but something you create?Host Dr. Bradley Block welcomes back Dr. Jordan Grumet to discuss his first book, Taking Stock, which blends hospice insights with financial wisdom. Dr. Grumet also introduces his second book, The Purpose Code, released in early 2025.  He distinguishes between “Big P” purpose (audacious, goal-driven pursuits) and “little p” purpose (process-oriented joy), advocating for the latter to enhance happiness and longevity. This episode offers physicians and listeners practical strategies to align their lives with meaningful activities, emphasizing community and personal fulfillment over financial gain.Three Actionable Takeaways:Focus on Process, Not Goals – Embrace activities you love for their own sake, like podcasting or reading, rather than tying purpose to specific outcomes like fame or wealth.Leverage Available Time – Use your free time—five to six hours daily per the U.S. Time Study—to pursue purposeful activities, even alongside a disliked job.Build Meaning First – Address past narratives (hero vs. victim stories) to establish a sense of “enough,” paving the way for joyful, purpose-driven actions in the present.About the Show:The Physician’s Guide to Doctoring covers patient interactions, burnout, career growth, personal finance, and more. If you're tired of dull medical lectures, tune in for real-world lessons we should have learned in med school!About the Guest:Dr. Jordan Grumet, known as Doc G, is an associate medical director at Unity Hospice, a Plutus award-winning podcaster for Earn & Invest, and a prominent voice in the Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) community. With a background in internal medicine and a shift to hospice care, he authored Taking Stock: A Hospice Doctor’s Advice on Financial Independence, Building Wealth, and Living a Regret-Free Life, which reshaped how people align money with values. His second book, The Purpose Code (released January 7, 2025), explores creating purpose through process rather than goals, drawing from his hospice insights and personal journey to inspire a fulfilling life.LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/jordan-grumet-38a506179Website: https://jordangrumet.com/Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ng/podcast/earn-invest/id1440355498About the host:Dr. Bradley Block – Dr. Bradley Block is a board-certified otolaryngologist at ENT and Allergy Associates in Garden City, NY. He specializes in adult and pediatric ENT, with interests in sinusitis and obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Block also hosts The Physician’s Guide to Doctoring podcast, focusing on personal and professional development for physicians   Want to be a guest? Email Brad at [email protected]  or visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to learn more!Socials:@physiciansguidetodoctoring on Facebook@physicianguidetodoctoring on YouTube@physiciansguide on Instagram and Twitter Visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to connect, dive deeper, and keep the conversation going. Let’s grow!  Disclaimer:This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, financial, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional for personalized guidance.

This episode is sponsored by: My Financial CoachYou trained to save lives—who’s helping you save your financial future? My Financial Coach connects physicians with CFP® Professionals who specialize in your complex needs. Whether it’s crushing student loans, optimizing investments, or planning for retirement, you’ll get a personalized strategy built around your goals. Save for a vacation home, fund your child’s education, or prepare for life’s surprises—with unbiased, advice-only planning through a flat monthly fee. No commissions. No conflicts. Just clarity.Visit myfinancialcoach.com/physiciansguidetodoctoring to meet your financial coach and find out if concierge planning is right for you.____________In this episode, Dr. Tyler Evans,  joins host Dr. Bradley Block to unpack the dangerous implications of the Trump administration’s public health funding cuts. Referencing historical pandemics like cholera, Hong Kong flu, and COVID-19, Dr. Evans illustrates how slashing programs such as PEPFAR ($6 billion), Ryan White (part of HRSA’s $1.7 billion cut), and refugee health ($2 billion) dismantles global disease surveillance and response systems. These cuts, he warns, could allow outbreaks in regions like Central Africa to spread to American cities, overwhelming hospitals and disrupting economic stability. Dr. Evans critiques the politicization of health policy, including Medicaid reductions and attacks on evidence-based HIV initiatives, which exacerbate poverty and disease spread. Despite these challenges, he finds hope in humanity’s ability to unite across divides, urging physicians to frame global health investments as personal and economic protection for their patients. With another pandemic likely within five years, this episode empowers physicians to advocate for resilient public health systems.Three Actionable Takeaways:Connect Global to Local Risks – Educate patients that funding global health programs like PEPFAR prevents diseases from reaching their neighborhoods, ensuring hospital access.Emphasize Economic Stability – Highlight how public health cuts threaten financial markets and personal 401(k)s by causing pandemic-driven instability, advocating for prevention.Push for Evidence-Based Policy – Counter divisive rhetoric by promoting programs like Ryan White to community members, emphasizing their role in community health.About the Show:The Physician’s Guide to Doctoring covers patient interactions, burnout, career growth, personal finance, and more. If you’re tired of dull medical lectures, tune in for real-world lessons we should have learned in med school!About the Guest:Dr. Tyler Evans is an infectious disease and public health physician and CEO and co-founder of Wellness and Equity Alliance. He has led initiatives at Curative Incorporated, Marin County Health, and New York City’s COVID-19 response, overseeing delivery of over 2 million vaccine doses nationwide. His work with Doctors Without Borders and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation spans HIV/AIDS, refugee health, and global infectious diseases. Dr. Evans is the author of Pandemics, Poverty, and Politics: Decoding the Social and Political Drivers of Pandemics from Plague to COVID-19, set for release in August 2025.Website: https://www.tylerevansmd.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-b-evans-md-ms-mph-aahivs-dtmh-fidsa-767ba738/About the host:Dr. Bradley Block – Dr. Bradley Block is a board-certified otolaryngologist at ENT and Allergy Associates in Garden City, NY. He specializes in adult and pediatric ENT, with interests in sinusitis and obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Block also hosts The Physician’s Guide to Doctoring podcast, focusing on personal and professional development for physiciansWant to be a guest? Email Brad at [email protected]  or visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to learn more!Socials:@physiciansguidetodoctoring on Facebook@physicianguidetodoctoring on YouTube@physiciansguide on Instagram and Twitter  Visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to connect, dive deeper, and keep the conversation going. Let’s grow!  Disclaimer:This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, financial, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional for personalized guidance.

Sponsored by: Set For LifeSet For Life Insurance helps doctors safeguard their future with True Own Occupational Disability Insurance. A single injury or illness can change everything, but the best physicians plan ahead. Protect your income and secure your future before life makes the choice for you. Your career deserves protection—act now at https://www.doctorpodcastnetwork.co/setforlife____________In this episode, Dr. Bradley Block interviews Dr. Nini Munoz, who shares strategies to help physicians effectively navigate and combat health misinformation. Known for her platform Nini and the Brain, Dr. Munoz rose to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic by demystifying complex clinical data. She explains common statistical manipulations, like base rate fallacy and absolute versus relative risk, using examples such as raw milk claims and fluoride debates. Dr. Munoz emphasizes the difference between risk (quantifiable likelihood of harm) and hazard (potential to cause harm), offering strategies to communicate these concepts to patients by aligning with their personal values. From addressing publication bias to advocating humility in science, this episode equips physicians to counter misleading headlines and foster trust with patients.Three Actionable Takeaways:Spot Base Rate Fallacy – Adjust for population size when comparing health outcomes (e.g., pasteurized vs. raw milk hospitalizations) to avoid misleading absolute numbers and reveal true risk.Question Weak Effects – Scrutinize studies with inconsistent or marginal effects, like fluoride research, by checking for confounders, publication bias, or non-replicable results.Tailor Risk Communication – Frame health advice around patients’ personal risks (e.g., vaccine benefits for individual healthcare access) to make data relatable and actionable.About the Show:The Physician’s Guide to Doctoring covers patient interactions, burnout, career growth, personal finance, and more. If you're tired of dull medical lectures, tune in for real-world lessons we should have learned in med school!About the Guest:Dr. Nini Munoz is a PhD-trained electrical engineer and data scientist who gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic through her platform Nini and the Brain. Specializing in risk assessment and statistical literacy, she breaks down complex clinical data in English and Spanish, combating misinformation. Dr. Munoz collaborates with virologists, immunologists, and clinicians to make science accessible and advises healthcare organizations like Kaiser Permanente on risk communication strategies.Website: https://www.niniandthebrain.com/Substack: https://substack.com/@techingitapartInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/niniandthebrainThreads: https://www.threads.com/@niniandthebrainAbout the host:Dr. Bradley Block – Dr. Bradley Block is a board-certified otolaryngologist at ENT and Allergy Associates in Garden City, NY. He specializes in adult and pediatric ENT, with interests in sinusitis and obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Block also hosts The Physician’s Guide to Doctoring podcast, focusing on personal and professional development for physiciansWant to be a guest?Email Brad at [email protected]  or visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to learn more!Socials:@physiciansguidetodoctoring on Facebook@physicianguidetodoctoring on YouTube@physiciansguide on Instagram and Twitter Visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to connect, dive deeper, and keep the conversation going. Let’s grow!  Disclaimer:This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, financial, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional for personalized guidance.

Sponsored by: Set For LifeSet For Life Insurance helps doctors safeguard their future with True Own Occupational Disability Insurance. A single injury or illness can change everything, but the best physicians plan ahead. Protect your income and secure your future before life makes the choice for you. Your career deserves protection—act now at https://www.doctorpodcastnetwork.co/setforlife____________In this episode, Dr. Jordan Grumet, sits down with host Dr. Bradley Block to address the public’s eroded trust in science and medicine, fueled by perceptions of greed. Drawing on insights from his work in hospice care and financial independence advocacy, Dr. Grumet challenges the notion that physicians are profit-driven, emphasizing that purpose, not money, sustains medical practice. He cites the Harvard Adult Development Study, which shows interpersonal connections, not wealth, drive happiness, and argues that physicians persist through burnout due to a deep sense of purpose. To counter third-party exploitation by pharmaceutical companies, insurance firms, and private equity, he advocates for “shared storytelling” to close the intimacy gap between providers and patients. By sharing personal struggles publicly through blogs, podcasts, and poetry, physicians can rebuild allyship with patients, fostering a healthcare revolution to demand legislative change. Dr. Grumet’s upcoming book, set for release in September 2025, explores these themes, urging providers to humanize their profession.Three Actionable Takeaways:Share Personal Stories Publicly – Use blogs, podcasts, or public speaking to share the emotional challenges of medicine, fostering empathy and trust with patients outside the exam room.Reframe Physician Motivation – When accused of being profit-driven, highlight data showing most physicians earn minimal pharmaceutical payments (less than $1,000 annually), emphasizing purpose over profit.Advocate for Systemic Change – Unite with patients to push for legislative reforms that curb third-party exploitation, such as insulin price caps, to improve healthcare access and affordability.About the Show:The Physician’s Guide to Doctoring covers patient interactions, burnout, career growth, personal finance, and more. If you're tired of dull medical lectures, tune in for real-world lessons we should have learned in med school!About the Guest:Dr. Jordan Grumet is a board-certified internal medicine and hospice physician, also known in financial independence circles as Doc G. He is the author of Taking Stock: A Hospice Doctor’s Advice on Financial Independence, Building Wealth, and Living a Regret-Free Life and The Purpose Code: How to Unlock Meaning, Maximize Happiness, and Leave a Lasting Legacy. His upcoming book, set for release in September 2025, explores third-party exploitation in healthcare and the power of shared storytelling. A blogger, poet, and speaker, he advocates for purpose-driven medicine to restore public trust.LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/jordan-grumet-38a506179Website: https://jordangrumet.com/Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ng/podcast/earn-invest/id1440355498About the host:Dr. Bradley Block – Dr. Bradley Block is a board-certified otolaryngologist at ENT and Allergy Associates in Garden City, NY. He specializes in adult and pediatric ENT, with interests in sinusitis and obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Block also hosts The Physician’s Guide to Doctoring podcast, focusing on personal and professional development for physiciansWant to be a guest?Email Brad at [email protected]  or visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to learn more!Socials:@physiciansguidetodoctoring on Facebook@physicianguidetodoctoring on YouTube@physiciansguide on Instagram and Twitter Visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to connect, dive deeper, and keep the conversation going. Let’s grow!  Disclaimer:This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, financial, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional for personalized guidance.