Surgeons with Purpose

By: Mel Thacker MD DipABLM
  • Summary

  • A podcast for surgeons who feel like they are languishing in a career that didn't turn out to be as fulfilling or as prestigious as they expected. Dr. Mel Thacker, an ENT surgeon and coach, takes you on a journey to help you understand why you are feeling dissatisfied, burnt out, and stuck. With this newfound insight, you'll be able to reframe how you see your experience, rediscover who you are underneath your surgeon identity, and create a life that aligns with your authentic self.

    © 2025 Surgeons with Purpose
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Episodes
  • #28 Vulnerability is Strength with Dr. Dan Ward
    Jan 13 2025

    Surgeons, text topics you want me to cover here.


    Facial plastic surgeon, entrepreneur, and life coach, Dr. Dan Ward, comes on the podcast to share his story. He offers his insights on the struggles of parenting, what makes it difficult for surgeons to show up as our best selves, and the power of understanding our human brain and human emotions.

    In this episode you'll learn:

    - Thoughts are real but not true

    - The two rules of CBT

    - Why it makes sense that surgeons tend to act like toddlers

    - Drama is a symptom of cognitive distortion

    - The problem with buying into all the stories our brain tells us

    - The importance of taking care of ourselves and our tribe when we create big things

    - It’s okay to downsize, seek help, and advocate for ourselves

    - If we are going at a million miles per hour, we need to prioritize rest and recovery

    - Masterminding is an incredible way for surgeons to support each other

    P. Daniel Ward, MD, MS, FACS works to empower surgeons and physicians to unlock their full potential in both business and life. As the founder of multiple successful businesses, including Ward Institute, Form Derm Spa, FormRx Medical Grade Skin Care, and a Real Estate fund, Dr. Ward has demonstrated firsthand what it takes to build thriving enterprises while maintaining a focus on quality care and patient satisfaction.

    Through his coaching programs, Dr. Ward has guided numerous surgeons in transitioning from being employees to becoming visionary business owners. He helps his clients master the principles of entrepreneurship, leadership, and personal growth, enabling them to build practices that not only reflect their values but also create financial freedom and personal fulfillment.

    Follow him on instagram here
    Find out more about his upcoming mastermind in Hawaii here

    Find out more about Empowered Surgeon Group here

    Surgeons affected by the fires in California, I'd love to support you the one way I know how...with free coaching. Email me at mel@melthackercoaching.com to join Empowered Surgeon Group free.

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    55 mins
  • #27 Self-Worth has Nothing to do with your CV with Dr. Jillian Rigert
    Jan 6 2025

    Surgeons, text topics you want me to cover here.

    ***SENSITIVE CONTENT WARNING***
    This episode discusses eating disorders and suicidal ideation. If these topics are triggering for you, please listen carefully or skip this episode all together. Take care of yourselves. And if you are struggling, please seek out professional help.

    A person I consider my soul sister, Dr. Jillian Rigert, comes on the podcast to talk about how a life-threatening illness led her to leave surgery and shaped the person she is today. We talk about tying external validation to worthiness, the perils of unresolved toxic shame, anorexia and what it’s like to be stigmatized by the medical community, giving up on life, survival instincts, her path back to her essential self, the beauty of being witnessed in her vulnerable truth to begin her healing journey, and how important it is for all of us to have a community of support and unconditional love. We also touch on emotional manipulation, the problems with autocratic leadership, how surgical training culture and military culture compare, and finding compassion for your inner bully. Whether that inner bully wants you to numb out with substances, overworking, disordered eating or otherwise, your inner bully NEEDS your love and compassion. And if you want to help your patients heal, stay until the end and learn how to harness mindsight with “PARTS”.

    Jillian is truly a one-of-a-kind human being, a beacon of truth and light, and a resource for all of you.

    As Jillian said so poignantly, “Healing requires love not shaming”

    Check out Jillian's Youtube Channel, A Life True to You, her TEDx talk, and her website. You can also find her on Facebook, Linkedin, and Instagram.


    Surgeons affected by the fires in California, I'd love to support you the one way I know how...with free coaching. Email me at mel@melthackercoaching.com to join Empowered Surgeon Group free.

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    53 mins
  • #26 Best of 2024
    Dec 30 2024

    Surgeons, text topics you want me to cover here.

    Enjoy salient snippets from 2024. I left out episodes #1 and #2, which are foundational and need to be listened to from start to finish. If you haven't checked them out, go back and listen. Have a great New Year and see you all in 2025!

    Find out more about Empowered Surgeon Group here

    Surgeons affected by the fires in California, I'd love to support you the one way I know how...with free coaching. Email me at mel@melthackercoaching.com to join Empowered Surgeon Group free.

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    32 mins

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