In this solo episode, I announce a new brand I’m launching - Dr. Laura Suttin: Designing Healthcare that Cares. The new brand reflects an evolution of my work and of my own personal development.

This shift isn’t just about a new name or logo. It’s about stepping more fully into the work I’m meant to do, while adding consulting and speaking to my suite of services. I still love coaching, I’m still actively coaching, and that won’t change.

💡 In this episode, I’ll walk you through:

• Why I started as The Purposeful MD and the signs that it was time for something new
• What it means to design healthcare that cares
• How consulting and speaking are expanding my impact (and my joy)
• What this evolution means for you, whether you're a clinician, a leader, or someone craving change in healthcare

Connect with me here:

• https://www.drlaurasuttin.com/
• https://www.facebook.com/drlaurasuttin
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-suttin-md/
• http://www.youtube.com/@thepurposefulMD

Dr. Dawn Sears is a nationally recognized gastroenterologist, speaker, coach, and fierce advocate for women in medicine. In this heartfelt episode, she shares her inspiring journey from leading wellness initiatives in her hospital (starting with soda machines!) to creating powerful coaching communities that are truly changing the face of leadership in healthcare.

Here are my key takeaways from this episode -

• How Dr. Sears turned a soda machine into a movement for institutional wellness
  
  
  
• Why cohort coaching is a game-changer for physician well-being and retention
  
  
  
• The hidden costs of being a woman in medicine, and how we start shifting the culture

Connect with Dr. Sears here -

dawnsears@dawnsearsmd.com

gutgirlmdconsulting.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnsearsmd/

https://www.facebook.com/dawn.sears.982

https://twitter.com/GutGirlMD

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4a1MubzSrKMBaAHwHCe0DQ

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Sears DM et al. (2025). Leadership development as a novel strategy to mitigate burnout among female physicians. PLOS ONE, 20(3): e0319895. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0319895

What happens when we realize that fitting into traditional medicine might mean losing touch with who we really are?

In this heart-opening conversation, I’m joined by my good friend Dr. Tracey O’Connell. Tracey is a Board Certified radiologist, Professional Certified Coach, and facilitator of Brené Brown’s Shame Resilience Program.

Together, we explore the emotional weight of medical training, the myth of resilience, and how expressive writing can reconnect us to our own truth.

If you’ve ever felt like you don’t quite belong in medicine, or like you’ve had to compartmentalize your humanity just to get through the day, this one’s for you.

Here are my takeaways from this episode:

• The emotional cost of not fitting in within a traditional medical career
• How shame, silence, and systems erode physician well-being (and what we can do about it)
• The healing power of expressive writing and vulnerability
• How we can redefine purpose and identity after years of compartmentalizing

Connect with Tracey here:

Website: www.traceyoconnellmd.com

IG: @fertilesoul

FB: @tracey holland o'connell

LinkedIn: Tracey O'Connell, MD, PCC

YouTube: @traceyoconnellmd

In this heartfelt episode of The Purposeful MD Podcast, I am joined by the incomparable Gregory Proctor.

Gregory is a Navy veteran, cancer survivor, and award-winning author.

He truly is energy in motion. He shares his extraordinary story of transformation, from high-powered executive to cancer patient and now to mission-driven philanthropist and inspiration to so many.

Here are the key takeaways from this episode -

• The emotional turning point that led him to share his journey publicly and the unexpected support that followed
  
  
  
• The powerful role of community, hope, and advocacy in survivorship
  
  
  
• The importance of authenticity and vulnerability, especially around asking for help and advocating for yourself
  
  
  
• How walking the Camino de Santiago became a literal and spiritual pilgrimage for healing and purpose
  
  
  

This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating adversity. In Gregory’s words, “ We have an indomitable human will in our spirit.”

Connect with Gregory here:

Website(s): www.gregoryoproctor.com, www.reclaiming-life.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gregory-o-proctor
Instagram: @gregoryoproctor
Podcast: www.kut2thachasepodcast.com
Email: gregory@k2tcpodcast.com

One of the most delightful guests I’ve ever had on the podcast!

Rachel Pedersen is an online marketing expert, a content creator, and business owner who has scaled to over 3 million followers, and reached over 100 million people annually. Her authentic and warm approach attracts millions to her website and her programs. She’s also a proud mom and wife. Her 2022 book, Unfiltered, is a USA Today bestseller.

I’ve been a fan of hers for years. Sitting down with her was like talking to an old friend.

My takeaways from this incredible conversation -

• Show up as yourself, and others will be drawn to you. Authenticity is magical these days.
• Celebrate your successes! Taking time and space to soak in the wins and the accomplishments will pay off dividends.
• When you design your life around your values and your priorities, everything flourishes. In Rachel’s words, she now feels “fantastic” after doing so.

You’ll also learn how she began to set boundaries in her life, and get a sneak peak at a special project she’s passionate about.

This is an episode not to miss!

Follow Rachel here:

WEBSITE:

www.rachelpedersen.com

FACEBOOK PROFILE:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=662785087

INSTAGRAM:

https://www.instagram.com/themrspedersen/

YOUTUBE:

https://www.youtube.com/c/RACHELPEDERSENSOCIAL?sub_confirmation=1

THREADS: https://www.threads.net/@themrspedersen

TIKTOK: @themrspedersen

https://www.tiktok.com/@themrspedersen

FACEBOOK PAGE:

https://www.facebook.com/the.mrs.pedersen

LINKEDIN:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelpedersenmarketing/

PINTEREST:

https://www.pinterest.com/therachelpedersen/

FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/becomeasocialmediamanager/

In this solo episode, Dr. Laura Suttin shares how she identified her four core values—purpose, connection, empowerment, and joy—and how they became the compass guiding her decisions, boundaries, and energy.

You'll hear how to uncover your own values, spot where you’ve drifted, and take one simple step to realign.

Inside the episode:

• The wake-up moment when success felt empty
  
  
  
• How to name your values (and why it’s harder than it sounds)
  
  
  
• A gentle journaling exercise to reconnect with what matters
  
  
  
• How values lead to better boundaries—with less guilt
  
  
  
• Why joy isn’t optional—it’s essential
  
  
  

📖 Want the full journal guide? It’s included when you purchase The Purposeful MD, Creating the Life You Love Without Guilt. Learn more at thepurposefulmd.com/book

Link to James Clear Core Values list: https://jamesclear.com/core-values

In this episode of The Purposeful MD Podcast, Dr. Laura Suttin welcomes Alan Utley, a speaker, coach, and culture crafter with 25 years in senior HR leadership. Alan shares his journey from accidental HR beginnings to pioneering the “Fanatical Grace” framework — a powerful approach to transforming workplace culture through humanity, accountability, and kindness.

This conversation is filled with laughter, honest reflection, and practical wisdom for any physician or healthcare leader navigating complex teams and high-pressure environments.

You’ll learn:

• Why “being nice” isn’t enough — and what truly compassionate leadership looks like
• How the Fanatical Grace framework helps teams shift from fear and pressure to trust and flow
• What physicians can do — even without formal authority — to influence their workplace culture
• How accountability and grace can coexist to foster high performance and deep connection
• A powerful example of parenting (and leadership) through presence instead of pressure
  
  
  

🎧 Bonus: Hear Alan and Laura take part in a live sample of his leadership style assessment!

Learn more about Alan and take his free leadership assessment: mycoachnextdoor.com

Connect with Alan here -

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/AlanDUtley | linkedin.com/company/my-coach-next-door/ | Instagram and TikTok: @MyCoachNextDoor | Email: alan@mycoachnextdoor.com

In this inspiring conversation, I sit down with my good friend and colleague, Dr. Lindsey Van Duyn, a family physician and the founder of Immersive Medical Therapy. What started as a personal mission to help teens in her rural Iowa community has grown into a pioneering program that is making a real impact in the lives of adolescents struggling with depression and anxiety.

Dr. Van Duyn shares how a single patient’s story became her “why” — and how, despite barriers and setbacks, she followed her passion and built something truly innovative using virtual reality as a powerful tool in mental health care.

You’ll hear us talk about:

• How Lindsay’s own career pivot (and life as a mom of twins!) shaped her mission
• The challenges of treating teen depression in rural settings — and why “we can’t wait 6-8 weeks”
• How virtual reality creates a safe space for teens to calm their nervous systems and learn lasting coping tools
• The power of physicians pursuing passion projects — and how this can improve fulfillment in every aspect of life
• Why peer support, community, and knowing your “why” matter when taking on big challenges

If you’ve ever felt called to do something new — even when it feels hard — this conversation will leave you inspired and hopeful about what’s possible.

Connect with Dr. Van Duyn here:

www.ImmersiveMedicalTherapy.com

Facebook as Lindsey Van Duyn