#067 - Dr. Ronald Epstein - Why Mindfulness Is The Key To Healing In Modern Medicine

Dr. Ronald Epstein shares how decades in medicine and mindfulness taught him that self-awareness is the foundation of healing—not just for doctors, but for patients, too. He explores why detachment is often mistaken for professionalism, how curiosity fuels care, and how moments of presence—even during medical crises—can restore humanity. Along the way, he reflects on medicine’s discomfort with the word suffering, and how naming it can be the first step toward real healing. From the limits of cure to the reach of healing, and from meditative breath to medical crisis, this conversation examines the soul of medicine and the path to becoming a truly mindful physician—one who listens more deeply, connects more fully, and ultimately cares more humanely.Timestamps:00:00 Relationship With Self06:24 Medical School Isn't Intellectually Demanding10:46 Dr. Epstein's Impactful Med School Experience17:07 Medicine & Mindfulness24:30 Detachment Between Physicians & Patients32:26 Impact Of Personalized Care On Physical Health37:35 Curiosity Having A Negative Connotation In Medicine42:34 Philosophy On Emptiness 46:54 Suffering Is Off Limits In The Medical Space57:10 Certain Practices Still Seen As Radical 59:01 Who's Actually In Charge Of Changing The Medical System?1:04:03 What Individuals Need To Do To Get The Best Care1:08:54 Connect With Dr. Ronald EpsteinSend us Fan MailThank you so much for listening. I truly appreciate your time and support. Let me know what you thought of the episode and what you would like to see in the future. Any feedback would be awesome. Don't forget to subscribe for more exciting content on YouTube, and leave a review on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or whatever platform you are listening on. Connect with me below:Instagram: Tim DoyleYoutube: Soulture