How do you become the kind of physician you want to be? This episode reviews 10 books that can shape one's approach to medicine, leadership, productivity, and life beyond the hospital. From developing expertise to managing your time and finding purpose, these recommendations offer inspiration and practical insights for physicians at every stage of their careers. And don't worry — there's not a medical textbook in sight!

Books featured in this episode:

1. Grit — Angela Duckworth
2. Peak — Anders Ericsson and Robert Pool
3. Cutting for Stone — Abraham Verghese
4. Being Mortal — Atul Gawande
5. What Works for Women at Work — Joan C. Williams and Rachel Dempsey
6. Four Thousand Weeks — Oliver Burkeman
7. The 12 Week Year — Brian Moran and Michael Lennington
8. From To-Do to Done — Maura Thomas
9. Life on Purpose — Victor Strecher
10. A Promised Land — Barack Obama

Honorable mentions:

• Drive — Daniel Pink
• The Covenant of Water — Abraham Verghese
• When Breath Becomes Air — Paul Kalanithi
• Ask for It — Linda Babcock and Sara Laschever
• Best Laid Plans — Sarah Hart Unger
• The Happy Inbox — Maura Thomas
• Getting Things Done — David Allen

What books have influenced your approach to medicine, leadership, or life? We'd love to hear your recommendations! Write to us @ LongCallPodcast@gmail.com!

What happens when a physician is named in a malpractice lawsuit—and how do you navigate a process you were never trained for?

We sit down with Dr. Sarah Gutman to talk candidly about medical litigation, from the initial shock and isolation to finding support, understanding the legal process, and separating a lawsuit from your identity as a physician. We discuss why residents should learn about the medical-legal system early, how colleagues and programs can better support physicians going through litigation, and the importance of creating safe spaces to process difficult outcomes. Most important is a reminder that can be hard to hear in the middle of it: you are not alone, and being named in a lawsuit does not define the doctor you are.

Call shifts are demanding, unpredictable...and also some of the most memorable parts of training. In this episode, we share our practical survival tips for before, during, and after call — from sleep, caffeine, food, and what to wear to managing downtime, protecting your mental energy, and keeping the team vibes immaculate. We also reflect on why call can create such strong camaraderie and connection, even in the middle of the exhaustion.

Residency graduation doesn't mean you've finished learning - it just means you are learning in a new way. This is exciting, and, possibly, terrifying. In this solo episode, Mary reflects on the advice she often shares with new grads, including how to keep growing as a physician, build systems that make work and life more sustainable, and approach the early years of practice with confidence, intention, and kindness toward yourself and others.