Empathy, Compassion & Shame | The Hidden Forces Shaping Medicine

Where do empathy, compassion, and shame overlap in medicine?In this episode of Stand Up (for) Doctors!, we're joined by two physicians who will be sharing their insights at our inaugural Physician Retreat this October. Together, they explore how these deeply human experiences shape physicians, leadership, and the culture of medicine.🔹 Dr. Laura Jordhen is the founder of Noble Journey Primary Care, where she is reimagining family medicine through accessible, personalized, and compassionate care.🔹 Dr. Jess Bunin is an ICU physician, retired Army Colonel, and Co-Founder & Chief Architect of All Levels Leadership, helping leaders build trust and communication in high-stakes environments.Empathy helps us understand another person's suffering. Compassion moves us to respond. But when physicians feel they've fallen short of impossible expectations, shame can quietly take hold.How does medical training unintentionally cultivate shame while striving for excellence? And how can empathy, compassion, and thoughtful leadership create healthier cultures for physicians and patients alike?Excellence and humanity don't compete. They strengthen one another.Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/_SoVRNcPJDM🔗 Connect with our guests:Dr. Laura Jordhen🌐 https://noblejourneyclinic.com🔗 https://linkedin.com/in/laura-jordhen-md-7989b919Dr. Jess Bunin🌐 www.jessbuninmd.com🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-bunin/These conversations don't end with the podcast.Join us at the Stand Up (for) Doctors! Inaugural Physician Retreat, where meaningful discussions are paired with science-based activities that give equal weight to personal well-being. It's a unique experience designed to help physicians reconnect with themselves, learn from one another, and return home with practical insights they can carry into their lives and practices.Physicians representing 15 specialties, from 18 states, along with colleagues from Australia and the U.K., have already registered. We'd love to have you join us.📍 Windrose on Hudson, Ossining, NY🗓 October 9–12, 2026🔗 https://standupfordoctors.org/events/⚠️Only 6 spots available.If today's conversation resonated with you, you'll find more powerful stories like this in our White Coats book series, created to humanize medicine and amplify physician voices: https://standupfordoctors.org/books/We're also honored to have Medicine Forward as the Founding Sponsor of our inaugural Physician Retreat. Their commitment to supporting physicians and advancing a healthier future for medicine helps make this unique gathering possible.Learn more about Medicine Forward:https://medicineforward.org#StandUpForDoctors #PhysicianWellBeing #Leadership #CompassionInMedicine #Empathy #HumanConnection #Episode168