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EPISODE · Aug 23, 2025 · 18 MIN

Civil discourse as a survival skill in health care

from The Podcast by KevinMD

Critical care physician Jess Bunin, co-founder of All Levels Leadership, discusses the article, "Civil discourse as a leadership competency: the case for curiosity in medicine." They challenge a core tenet of medical culture: the pressure to project certainty and always have the right answer. Jess argues that this fixation on "knowing" makes clinicians fragile and sabotages the ability to navigate difficult conversations on topics like racial equity and systems of power. The solution she proposes is civil discourse, which requires shifting one's identity from being "correct" to being "curious." She emphasizes that providing psychological safety is a leader's primary responsibility in making this shift possible. The conversation provides actionable skills like active listening and perspective-taking, reframing them not as "soft skills" but as essential survival skills for a health care system strained by polarization and burnout. Careers by KevinMD is your gateway to health care success. We connect you with real-time, exclusive resources like job boards, news updates, and salary insights, all tailored for health care professionals. With expertise in uniting top talent and leading employers across the nation's largest health care hiring network, we're your partner in shaping health care's future. Fulfill your health care journey at KevinMD.com/careers. VISIT SPONSOR → https://kevinmd.com/careers Discovering disability insurance? Pattern understands your concerns. Over 20,000 doctors trust us for straightforward, affordable coverage. We handle everything from quotes to paperwork. Say goodbye to insurance stress – visit Pattern today at KevinMD.com/pattern. VISIT SPONSOR → https://kevinmd.com/pattern SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended

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Civil discourse as a survival skill in health care

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This episode was published on August 23, 2025.

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Critical care physician Jess Bunin, co-founder of All Levels Leadership, discusses the article, "Civil discourse as a leadership competency: the case for curiosity in medicine." They challenge a core tenet of medical culture: the pressure to project...

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