Conversations

In this episode, Dr. Onwuemene discusses the challenging decision of choosing a mentor who seems perfect on paper but carries a poor reputation. This dilemma is not uncommon, especially in academia, where reputation and reality can sometimes clash. Key Takeaways: Take What You Hear Seriously:Don't dismiss the information you hear about a potential mentor. Take it seriously enough to investigate . Ask Questions:Engage with people who have firsthand experience. Create a safe and confidential env...

In this episode, Dr. Onwuemene shares her evolving approach to selecting research mentees. As a seasoned mentor, she reflects on the importance of being selective, ensuring alignment with her long-term research goals, and the challenges of providing the intense support required by those new to research. Key Points Discussed: Bandwidth: The first consideration is the mentor’s capacity to invest time and energy into a new mentee. This consideration is especially important when the mentee lacks re...

In today's episode, host, Dr. Toyosi Onwuemene, delves into the critical topic of mentoring. Inspired by a recent discussion within her community of grant awardees, Dr. Onwuemene shares seven key strategies to help you avoid ending up in a bad mentoring relationship. This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the complexities of mentoring, Key Points Discussed: Know Yourself and Your Values: Understanding who you are and what you value is fundamental in choosing the right mentor. Your ...

Self-criticism can be damaging and counterproductive. In this episode, Dr. Onwuemene discusses seven reasons to stop criticizing yourself, along with alternative actions to take: Key points discussed: 1. Erodes Self-Esteem: Constant self-criticism chips away at your self-esteem, making you feel unworthy or inadequate. Instead: Practice self-compassion. Acknowledge your efforts and achievements, no matter how small. 2. Hinders Personal Growth: Excessive self-criticism focuses on flaws rather t...

Today we discuss the importance of accepting challenges in your career development, Key points discussed. Enhancing skills Building resilience Fostering personal growth Advancing in one's career Spurring innovation Boosting confidence Creating networking opportunities. Sponsor/Advertising/Monetization Information: This episode is sponsored by Coag Coach LLC, a leading provider of coaching resources for clinicians transitioning to become research leaders. Coag Coach LLC is committed to s...

Disconnecting from Clinical Identity: Reclaiming Your Whole Self In this episode, Dr. Onwuemene discusses the challenges and impacts of maintaining a clinical identity as a doctor. She stresses the uniqueness of each individual's experience and advocates for embracing personal goals and desires outside of clinical responsibilities. 00:00 Introduction: Disconnecting from Clinical Identity 00:11 The Journey Through Medical Training 01:36 The All-Consuming Nature of Medicine 02:37 Realizing th...

In today's episode, Dr. Onwuemene discussed the importance of preparing a manuscript for submission. Here’s how you can assess whether your manuscript is ready for submission: Contribution Over Publication: Ensure your manuscript makes a meaningful contribution to your field. Ask yourself if your work offers new insights, data, or perspectives that advance knowledge in the area. Excellence in Execution: Review the manuscript to confirm that it reflects your best work. Check that your arguments...

In today's episode, Dr. Onwuemene discusses the process of searching for academic jobs, emphasizing that it's important to consider a variety of factors beyond just the job itself. Key points are the following: Know What You Want: Before searching for jobs, clearly define your personal and professional desires. Starting with what you want helps bridge the gap between your goals and what’s being offered, ensuring that you don’t settle for a job that doesn't align with your aspirations. Consider...

In today's episode, Dr. Toyosi Onwuemene discusses the challenges faced by underrepresented faculty in achieving research productivity without adequate mentorship. Drawing from her own experiences as a clinician and researcher, Dr. Onwuemene identifies barriers to leading scholarship, highlights the importance of understanding academic success metrics, and shares empirical strategies to enhance research productivity. Key Points Discussed: Barriers to Underrepresented Faculty Leading Scholarship...

In today's episode, we explore how stepping out of your usual professional circles can lead to new perspectives, networking opportunities, and career advancements. Key Points Discussed: Broadening Perspectives: Engaging with professionals outside your specialty can introduce new strategies and ways of thinking. Networking Opportunities: Building connections beyond your immediate field can open doors to new opportunities and collaborations. Learning and Growth: Continuous interaction with diff...

In life and in career, you should do what you love. But what if you have no idea what you love? In this episode, Dr. Toyosi Onwuemene explores the controversy around following your passion versus doing what's practical, and provides her unique perspective on finding a balance between the two. Key Points Discussed: Pure Pleasure: Doing what you love brings joy and can put you in a state of flow where time flies by without you even noticing. Life Enrichment: Engaging in activities you love enric...

In today's episode, Dr. Onwuemene emphasizes the value of proactive, strategic planning to manage time effectively and achieve important goals amidst daily distractions and urgencies. Key points discussed: Importance of Weekly Planning:Helps prioritize personal goals over daily emergencies and urgent but less important tasks. Ensures progress on strategic, long-term objectives. Comparison with Strategic Planning:Strategic planning involves setting three to four-month goals with specific tasks...

In this episode, Dr. Onwuemene disusses the often overlooked value of what many might consider "stupid" questions. Drawing inspiration from a recent coaching session with a group of women, Dr. Onwuemene explores how these questions can lead to profound insights and foster a more inclusive and curious learning environment. Key Points Discussed: There Are No Stupid Questions: Every question has intrinsic value and provides insight into the asker's thoughts and knowledge level. Overcoming Fear an...

In this episode, we discuss the importance of being prepared to seize grant submission opportunities, collaborating with others, and pushing through obstacles. Key Points Discussed: Be clear about the overarching goal of your research program. Create space for reflection. When an impossible situation arises, ask yourself how. Recognize that unusual collaborations create synergy. Push for the impossible. Recognize that the win is in the submission. Understand that all grant applications he...

In today's episode, we talk about making the most out of the conferences you attend. Specifically, we share strategies to help you maximize the value you get from attending conferences. Key Points Discussed: Create Space to Attend: Ensure you are mentally and physically present at the conference by minimizing distractions. Have a Plan: Plan which sessions to attend and which to skip, focusing on both learning opportunities and networking. Rest and Reflect: Allocate time for rest and reflectio...

In today's episode of the Clinician Researcher Podcast, host Toyosi Onwuemene shares valuable insights from a coaching session with her clients. She delves into the importance of defining your purpose and vision in your medical career, drawing from her own experiences and challenges. This episode is a must-listen for faculty members and clinicians who feel they are merely surviving and want to rediscover what excites them about their careers. Key Points Discussed: The struggle of being in survi...

Today, we're diving into five powerful strategies to enhance your career through the use of relationships. While this episode focuses on enhancing your research career, these insights are applicable across various aspects of your professional life. Key Points Discussed: Become the Kind of Person You Want to Hang Out With:Focus on personal development. Cultivate qualities that make you a desirable collaborator. Remove Judgment from Your Relationship with Yourself:Avoid harsh self-criticism. E...

In this episode, host Toyosi Onwuemene discusses the crucial importance of disability insurance for physicians with guest Dr. Stephanie Pearson. Dr. Pearson, an OBGYN turned disability insurance expert, shares her personal story of a career-ending injury and how it led her to help other physicians secure appropriate income protection. The conversation covers key aspects of disability insurance, including the importance of own occupation policies, understanding the fine print in group versus priv...

In this episode of the Clinician Researcher Podcast, host Dr. Toyosi Onwuemene shares practical advice on how to get started with manuscript writing. Dr. Onwuemene discusses the importance of seeking co-author opportunities, transitioning to first author roles, finding topics of interest, creating space for writing, engaging for the long haul, and the necessity of revisions and resubmissions. Key points: The Importance of Co-Authoring Finding First Author Opportunities Choosing Projects You ...

In this episode, we discuss reviewer criticisms, explore the emotional impact of extensive feedback, and highlight the ultimate benefits of embracing critiques. Key Points Discussed: The emotional journey of dealing with overwhelming reviewer feedback. The significance of creating a work of writing. The importance of recognizing criticism as a sign of noteworthy work. How criticism shows that people care about the research. Discovering what aspects of the work resonate most with others thro...

In this episode, we discuss practical strategies to help you recognize your expertise, plan effectively, and contribute meaningfully to your field. Key Points Discussed: Recognize your expertise: Understand and owning your strengths. Decide how to contribute: Choose the areas where you want to make an impact. Create a strategic plan: Develop a roadmap for your goals. Have a weekly planning meeting: Plan your week in advance. Commit to daily writing: Make consistent effort in your writing an...

In this episode, we discuss the importance of abandoning fear in pursuit of our growth goals as researchers. Key Points Discussed: Banish Shame: Understanding shame as a barrier to growth. Remove Judgement: The importance of removing self-judgement and creating a non-judgemental mindset. Don’t Accept the Judgement of Others: Strategies to remain unaffected by external judgement and opinions. Prioritize Learning: The importance of continuous learning and self-improvement. Ask Questions: Enco...

Today, we discuss the challenges and strategies for maintaining mental clarity and creativity while balancing the demanding roles of clinician and researcher. Key Points Discussed: The Importance of Quality Thinking: The quality of your research is directly tied to the quality of your thinking. Leading a research program requires creativity and the ability to think critically about new directions and next steps. Transcending the Known to the Unknown: Creative thinking is essential for pushing ...

In this episode of the Clinician Researcher Podcast, Dr. Toyosi Onwuemene discusses the importance of the Annual Review Conference for faculty members. She shares personal insights and highlights the significant benefits of conducting an annual review, even if it is not mandated by your institution. Key Points Discussed: Reflection - The annual review offers a chance to reflect on the past year's achievements and progress. Celebration - It provides an opportunity to celebrate accomplishments a...