"Perfectionistic behaviors make life easier for other people—
but often harder for ourselves."

In this insightful episode of Success Reimagined, Dr. Amna Shabbir sits down with Dr. Clarissa Ong, co-author of The Anxious Perfectionist, to explore the hidden emotional costs of perfectionism, the psychological trap of coherence, and how high achievers can begin to shift from performance to presence.

Together, they explore:

✅ The rigidity at the root of perfectionism
✅ How the “coherence trap” keeps us stuck in self-limiting narratives
✅ People-pleasing as a form of self-erasure
✅ The problem with replacing rules with values—without flexibility
✅ Why “almost perfect” can feel worse than failure
✅ Tangible ways to reconnect with a values-based identity

👤 About the Guest:
Dr. Clarissa Ong is a clinical psychologist, assistant professor at the University of Louisville, and co-author of The Anxious Perfectionist. She leads the Process-Oriented Intervention Science (POIS) Lab and has authored over 60 peer-reviewed papers focused on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), OCD, hoarding, and perfectionism.

🔗 Connect with Dr. Ong:
📘 The Anxious Perfectionist: https://www.newharbinger.com/9781684038459/the-anxious-perfectionist/
🧪 Lab Website: https://www.poislab.com
📊 Participant Recruitment: https://www.poislab.com/current-projects
🌿 Clinical Page: https://junipermh.com/team/clarissa-ong/
💬 BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/clarissaong.bsky.social

🎙 About the Host:
Dr. Amna Shabbir is a Dual Board-certified Geriatrics and Internal Medicine Physician, Master Certified Coach, Professional Speaker, Mental Health Advocate, and Super Mom. She is the Founder of Amna Shabbir Wellness Coaching and the Early Career Physicians Institute®, where she empowers high achievers to redefine success and create sustainable well-being.
This episode is part of her special book-writing project on unmasking perfectionism.

🔹 Connect with Dr. Shabbir:
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/
🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking

❌ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.

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What if we’re grooming our future doctors for burnout before they even start training?

In this powerful episode, Dr. Amna Shabbir sits down with Dr. Stuart Slavin, Vice President for Well-Being at the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and a national leader in physician mental health, to explore how maladaptive perfectionism begins long before medical school—and how the culture of high achievement can deeply impact mental health.

Together, they explore:

✅ How maladaptive perfectionism develops early in life
✅ The difference between healthy standards and toxic self-criticism
✅ The emotional cost of “Stanford Duck Syndrome” in medicine
✅ Strategies to build self-compassion and reframe harmful inner narratives

About the Guest:

Dr. Stuart Slavin is a Pediatrician, Medical Educator, and Vice President for Well-Being at the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). A national leader in physician mental health, he has led transformative initiatives to improve the well-being of residents, fellows, and faculty across the country.

His pioneering work in redesigning medical education to reduce student depression and anxiety—while maintaining academic excellence—has gained national recognition. Dr. Slavin’s research focuses on maladaptive perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and the toxic thought patterns that undermine mental health in high-achieving environments.

He was prominently featured in the award-winning documentary Do No Harm and continues to advocate for reshaping the culture of medicine to prioritize psychological safety and sustainable success for the next generation of physicians.

🎙 About the Host:

Dr. Amna Shabbir is a Dual Board-certified Geriatrics and Internal Medicine Physician, Master Certified Coach, Professional Speaker, Mental Health Advocate, and Super Mom. She is the Founder of Amna Shabbir Wellness Coaching and the Early Career Physicians Institute®, where she empowers high achievers to redefine success and create sustainable well-being.

This episode is part of her special book writing project on unmasking perfectionism.

🔹 Connect with Dr. Shabbir:
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/
🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking

❗ Important Notes:

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide and mental health challenges. Please take care while listening. For support, call or text 988 for free, confidential help.

❌ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.

❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?
Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast!
Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

Your smartphone isn’t just a tool—it’s controlling your attention, your focus, and your success.

In today’s hyperconnected world, notifications, alerts, and endless distractions are pulling you away from your biggest goals. But what if one small change to your smartphone habits could make all the difference?

In this Solo Episode, Dr. Shabbir Dive's into:

✅ Why your smartphone home screen is “prime real estate” for your success

✅ How unchecked notifications and alerts are hijacking your focus

✅ The culture of digital entitlement—and why it’s time to set boundaries

✅ Practical steps to reclaim your attention and create airtight digital boundaries

If you feel like you’re constantly pulled in a million directions or that your phone is running your life instead of the other way around, this episode is for you.

🔹 Connect with Dr. Shabbir:

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/

🌍 Book Her To Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking

❌ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.

❤️ Enjoyed This Episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast!

Share with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

What if your drive to be perfect is rooted in shame?

In this powerful episode, Dr. Amna Shabbir sits down with Dr. Will Bynum, a leading expert on the psychology of shame, to explore how perfectionism and shame are deeply intertwined—especially in high-achieving fields like medicine.

Together, they explore:

✅How Perfectionism and Shame are connected

✅Shame vs. Guilt

✅Why shame thrives in high-stakes environments like medicine and parenting

✅How to transform your mindset surrounding shame

✅Actionable strategies to address shame

About the Guest:

Dr. William Bynum is a Family Medicine Physician and Associate Professor at Duke University School of Medicine, where he also co-founded The Shame Lab—leading research dedicated to exploring the role of shame in medical education and professional identity formation. He is also the co-creator of The Shame Space, a platform devoted to helping individuals and institutions navigate the emotional complexities of shame in high-performance environments.

Dr. Bynum’s work has contributed to shifting the narrative around shame from one of silence and isolation to one of curiosity, compassion, and transformation.

🔗 Learn more about The Shame Lab:

https://www.shamelab.org/

🔗 Explore The Shame Space:

https://www.theshamespace.com/

🎙 About the Host –

Dr. Amna Shabbir is a Dual Board-certified Geriatrics and Internal Medicine Physician, Master Certified Coach, Professional Speaker, Mental Health Advocate, and Super Mom. She is the Founder of Amna Shabbir Wellness Coachingand the Early Career Physicians Institute® where she empowers high achievers to redefine success and create sustainable well-being.

This episode is part of her special book writing project on unmasking perfectionism.

🔹 Connect with Dr. Shabbir:

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/

🌍 Book Her To Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking

❗ Important Notes:

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode may contain discussions related to mental health challenges.

❌ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.

❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast!

Share with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

Does perfectionism truly drive success—or is it quietly working against you?

In this compelling episode, Dr. Thomas Curran, world-renowned perfectionism researcher and author of The Perfection Trap, joins Amna Shabbir, MD to expose the hidden costs of perfectionism and why it’s time to rethink our relentless pursuit of flawlessness.

Together, they break down:

✅ What perfectionism really is (hint: it’s not just “high standards”)

✅ The connection between perfectionism, burnout, and mental health struggles

✅ The Perfectionism Paradox—why it doesn’t improve performance and may actually harm it

✅ How high-achieving cultures, especially in medicine and other demanding careers, create failure-averse environments

✅ The path to freeing yourself from perfectionism and embracing the power of "good enough".

If you’ve ever felt trapped by unrealistic expectations—whether from society, your workplace, or yourself—this episode is a must-listen.

About the Guest –

Dr. Thomas Curran is a globally recognized expert on perfectionism and an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychological and Behavioral Science at the London School of Economics and Political Science. His pioneering research has shaped the conversation on how perfectionism is rising—and why it’s a growing problem. His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, and more. His widely cited 2017 meta-analysis, conducted with Andrew Hill, examined data from over 40,000 college students, revealing the sharp rise in socially prescribed perfectionism—where individuals feel immense pressure to meet external expectations.

Dr. Curran dives deeper into this in his acclaimed book, The Perfection Trap: Embracing the Power of Good Enough, and his TEDMED Talk, Our Dangerous Obsession with Perfectionism Is Getting Worse, which has captivated audiences worldwide. Through his research, writing, and advocacy, he challenges the cultural myths around perfectionism, showing how it fuels anxiety, burnout, and underperformance—and why there’s a better way forward.

📍 Read Dr. Curran’s book Now: The Perfection Trap: Embracing the Power of Good Enough: https://a.co/d/713zM0B

🔗 Follow Dr. Curran on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thom-curran/

🎥 Watch Dr. Curran’s TED Talk: Our Dangerous Obsession with Perfectionism Is Getting Worse

About the Host –

Dr. Amna Shabbir is a physician, mental health advocate, and speaker dedicated to helping high achievers create sustainable well-being. This episode is part of Dr. Shabbir’s special book-writing project on unmasking perfectionism and redefining success.

🔹 Connect with Dr. Shabbir:

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/

💼 LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/

📘 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.AmnaShabbir

❌ Trigger Warning: This episode discusses suicide. If you need help, please contact 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

❌ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or professional advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer, institution, or organization.

📌 Enjoyed this episode?

✅ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast!

✅ Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!

Guest: Jennifer B. Wallace, Journalist & Bestselling Author of Never Enough

In this insightful episode I sit down with Jennifer B. Wallace, award-winning journalist and author of the New York Times bestseller, Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic and What We Can Do About It.Jennifer and I dive deep into the pressures of high-achievement culture, how it affects our mental health, parenting, and personal fulfillment, and, most importantly, what we can do about it.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• The research behind why achievement culture has become so toxic.
• How perfectionism, comparison, and external validation fuel the cycle of "never enough".
• What mattering theory is and why it's key to breaking free from toxic success.
• Benign Vs Malicious Envy.
• The role of parents, workplaces, and schools in creating a healthier culture.
• Actionable strategies to cultivate a sense of mattering in your life.
• Jennifer also shares insights from her upcoming book, Mattering in the Modern World, and what her research reveals about finding true fulfillment beyond achievement.

About The Guest:

Jennifer B. Wallace is an award-winning journalist, speaker, and New York Times bestselling author. She has spent years researching the impact of achievement culture on individuals and society, helping us understand the hidden costs of high performance and external validation. A graduate of Harvard College, she started her career at CBS’s 60 Minutes, where she was part of a team that won the Robert F. Kennedy Award for Excellence in Journalism. Her work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and The Atlantic, and she frequently appears on national TV and radio programs discussing well-being, parenting, and cultural shifts.

🔹 Follow Jennifer on Instagram

📍 Read Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic and What We Can Do About It

✨ Keep an eye out for her upcoming book, Mattering in the Modern World!

About The Host:

Dr. Amna Shabbir is a physician, a fierce mental health advocate, a founder & CEO, and a super mom to two young girls. She empowers high achievers to create sustainable well-being through coaching, speaking engagements, and advocacy in various roles.

This episode is part of Dr.Shabbir's special book writing project on unmasking perfectionism.

🔹Connect with Dr. Shabbir on: Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube

❌ Trigger Warning: This episode discusses suicide. If you need help, please contact 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

❌Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute professional or medical advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any organization, employer, or institution.

📌 Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review!

Dropping this Special Announcement for You. The next episodes for Season 1 of Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir, MD center on one powerful theme: Unmasking Perfectionism.

These are not just conversations—they are part of my larger book project on perfectionism, diving deep into what it really is and how it shapes our lives.

Join me as global thought leaders, researchers, and high achievers share their unfiltered insights on the hidden costs of perfectionism and the path to breaking free.

Trust me, you do NOT want to miss this. 👉

This episode is a sneak peek at what’s coming next. It does not include all the guests. And this is just the beginning—many more powerful conversations are on their way.

🔔 Make sure to subscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss an episode!

❌ Trigger Warning: Suicide This episode mentions suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, please—call or text 988 for support.

Guests Featured In this specific composition are:

• Jennifer B Wallace - Award-Winning Journalist and Author of NYT Bestseller: Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic-and What We Can Do About It
• Dr. Thomas Curran - Global Perfectionism Expert and Author of Bestseller: The Perfection Trap: Embracing the Power of Good Enough
• Dr. Will Bynum- Co-Founder of the Shame Lab
• Dr. Stuart Slavin- Vice President of Well-being ACGME
• Dr. Stefanie Simmons- CMO Dr. Lorna Breen Hereos’ Foundation
• Dr. Sasha Shillcutt- Founder of Brave Enough and Author of Between Grit and Grace and Brave Boundaries
• Dr. Hala Sabry-Elnaggar - Founder of The Physician Moms Group and National Women Physician Day
• Betsy Gall- Widow of Dr. Mathew Gall and Author of “The Illusion of the Perfection Profession”
• Dr. Gita Pensa - Faculty Brown University, Host of Doctors and Litigation: The L Word
• Dr. Laura Vater- Creator the SMILE Scale & Co-founder Writing for Wellness Narrative Medicine program at Indiana University
• Larry Long Jr- CEO LLJR Enterprises, Former College Athlete, Author of ‘JOLT!’
• Nishat Uddin, MPH- Founder of Brown Girls Health and South Asian Care
• Geoffery Roche, MPA- Director, Workforce Development, North America Siemens Healthineers
• Dr. Carrie Adair- Institutional Well-being Expert
• Amanda Hill, JD- Founder Hill Health Law Group and Guard My Practice