The North American Spine Society (NASS) Governance Committee is excited to launch a new podcast series which explores physician well-being, burnout, and resilience through candid conversations with leaders in medicine who share both professional insights and personal experiences. Across episodes, experts examine the evolving challenges facing clinicians and researchers, including the cumulative impact of stress, shifting expectations in medical training, and the cultural barriers that have historically limited open dialogue around mental health in medicine.

Through these discussions, the series highlights practical strategies for recognizing burnout, supporting colleagues, and building healthier work environments. Emphasis is placed on normalizing these experiences, fostering connection, and identifying institutional and individual resources that promote long-term sustainability and fulfillment in clinical practice. Episodes feature speakers including:

• Christopher Ahuja, MD, PhD, FRCSC, FAANS
• Victor Chang, MD
• Michael Fehlings, MD, PhD, FRCSC
• Moises Googe, DO
• Roger Härtl, MD
• Melvin Helgeson, MD
• Matthew Karek, MD
• Peter Rhee, MD
• Rahul Shah, MD
• Jamie Wilson, MD, FRCS, MSc

In the first episode in this series, Burnout Amongst Surgeons: Why it Matters and How Can We Manage it?, Melvin Helgeson, MD and Peter Rhee, MD discuss physician burnout, including its definition, contributing factors, and the distinction between stress and burnout. Rhee shares his personal experience with burnout and highlights the importance of awareness, open dialogue, and accessing appropriate support resources. The conversation also explores cultural challenges in medicine, strategies for supporting colleagues, and opportunities to improve trainee well-being.

Episodes will be released every two weeks on Mondays. To listen now, click here.