113. Ripple of Change: Healing Burnout and Building Better Systems

The healthcare system isn’t just broken—it’s bleeding out, and we keep handing it Band-Aids. Dr. Todd Otten shares how burnout, trauma, and learned helplessness sparked his mission to drive real reform. He invites us to challenge the illusion of powerlessness and take meaningful action. Tune in and find out how one bold step can spark a ripple of lasting change.


Key Takeaways To Listen For

• Why identifying your purpose is the most potent prescription for burnout
• How to turn your neurodiversity into your superpower
• The truth behind racial pay disparities in medicine—and how to negotiate
• How shame and silence keep professionals stuck in survival mode
• Practical ways to rewrite the rules and reclaim your life and career
  
  

Resources Mentioned In This Episode

• 98. From Burnout to Breakthrough: Unlearning Helplessness in Healthcare 

• 111. Purpose Is the Prescription: A New Approach to Burnout Recovery 

About Dr. Todd Otten
Dr. Todd is a board-certified family physician, decorated Naval flight surgeon, and healthcare leader. He currently serves as Director of Strategic Relationships for Emergency Care Specialists and Board Chair of Medicine Forward. With over 20 years of experience, he advocates for physician well-being, systemic reform, and patient-centered care.

Connect with Dr. Todd

• Website: Ripple of Change | Medicine Forward
• LinkedIn: Todd R. Otten, MD, FAAFP
• Upcoming Documentary: Suck It Up, Buttercup
• Book: Ripple of Change by Todd R. Otten, M.D, and Joshua J. Judy | Kindle, Paperback, and Hardcover
  
  

Connect With Us
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