The LOUNGE - A Newsletter for Savvy Physicians

We scour the net, selecting the most pertinent articles for the busy doc so you don’t have to! Here’s what kept our focus this week…

• Multichannel selling increases revenue potential by expanding market reach and diversifying sales channels.

• Modern clinical systems exceed human cognitive limits, contributing to medical error and burnout.

• Vanguard announced the new Lifetime Income funds in December 2025, adding annuities to traditional target-date strategies.

• Unempathetic organizations risk up to $180B annually in attrition costs due to disengaged employees.

• One bad bank call turned grief into a masterclass on bad leadership.

• Rising stocks, falling mortgage rates, and smart policy could make this a great year for property.

Why Most Physician Podcasts Stall - And What Actually Moves Them Forward

What if your physician podcast isn't failing, it's just stuck in the "quiet plateau" phase, and the key to breaking through is community, not better content?

In this episode of Bootstrap MD, host Dr. Mike Woo-Ming shares insights from his experience and talks with countless physician podcasters. He explores why so many physician podcasts hit a wall and quietly fade away. Drawing from conversations with hundreds of doctors, he breaks down the three phases of podcasting, the pitfalls of isolation, and proven strategies to build momentum.

LOUNGE TALK

As ecommerce businesses head into 2026, rising costs, labor shortages, and tariff uncertainty are squeezing margins from every direction. With cost-cutting largely tapped out, top-line growth has become the primary lever for protecting profitability. A multichannel strategy—selling across multiple platforms—can expand reach and stabilize revenue, but only if supported by the right operational systems. Without integrated software, multichannel selling often leads to inventory errors, fulfillment delays, and customer service breakdowns. The article argues that unified ecommerce operations platforms are no longer optional; they are the backbone of scalable growth. By implementing a phased, 60-day approach to multichannel mastery, businesses can avoid burnout and operational chaos. The goal is simple: grow revenue without sacrificing efficiency or margins. In 2026, winning online will be less about working harder and more about building smarter.

The article argues that artificial intelligence will not replace physicians, but it will fundamentally redefine how medicine is practiced. Drawing from real-world clinical and software development experience, Dr. Tod Stillson reframes the AI debate away from fear and hype toward system design and human limits. Modern medicine, he explains, routinely exceeds human cognitive capacity, leading to preventable errors and burnout. AI excels at tasks humans struggle to perform reliably at scale—such as pattern recognition, protocol consistency, and structured data gathering. The true risk is not replacement, but poorly designed AI that erodes relationships, accountability, and trust. When implemented responsibly, AI can reduce cognitive overload, standardize care, and create space for human judgment and empathy. The future of medicine, he concludes, depends on whether physicians lead AI integration or allow others to define it for them.

Vanguard has launched a new product line called Target Retirement Lifetime Income Funds, designed to blend traditional target-date investing with built-in annuities. These funds are meant to provide more stable income in retirement by gradually shifting assets into an immediate annuity starting around age 55. Unlike Vanguard’s original target retirement funds, these will only be available inside employer-sponsored plans like 401(k)s and 403(b)s. They are structured as Collective Investment Trusts (CITs), not mutual funds, which makes them slightly cheaper but harder to research. The annuity portion will be managed by TIAA-CREF and is intended to reduce sequence-of-returns risk during retirement. However, the author argues most sophisticated investors will outgrow lifecycle funds as their portfolios become more complex. His verdict: interesting concept, but probably skippable for now.

Empathy has become a baseline expectation of modern leadership, but the article argues that empathy without judgment can actually backfire. Drawing on years of psychological research and workplace observation, the authors introduce the concept of “wise empathy”—a discerning approach that adapts to emotional context. Leaders often default to either emotionally sharing or emotionally caring, without realizing that each has different effects. Sharing negative emotions can heighten strain and accelerate burnout, while caring responses protect leaders and support employees more effectively. Conversely, positive emotions are best met with shared enthusiasm, which builds morale and connection. The article emphasizes that most empathy opportunities at work are actually positive moments, not crises. Ultimately, effective leadership depends on choosing the right type of empathy for the moment—and regulating your own emotions in the process.

In this personal essay, Dan Furman recounts how a painful experience with a major bank after his father’s death exposed a deeper leadership failure common in large organizations. While handling his father’s estate, Furman contacted the bank to cancel a credit card and settle the balance, only to be met with rigid processes and suspicious follow-up calls. A representative later contacted him from a “probable spam” number, refused to explain the call without verification, and triggered concerns of a scam. What should have been a straightforward, compassionate interaction instead became stressful and confusing. Furman uses the experience to highlight how companies often design systems for efficiency, not humanity. When leaders optimize for policy and procedure over real-world context, customers feel unseen and mistrusted. The lesson: what looks good on a spreadsheet can fail spectacularly in moments that actually matter.

Financial Samurai predicts a favorable year ahead for real estate investors, citing a combination of market dynamics, policy support, and individual wealth growth. Real estate has been a cornerstone of his personal wealth strategy, though he has recently downsized to focus on manageability. He identifies three key drivers for 2026: a rotation of capital from stocks to real estate as investors seek diversification, declining mortgage rates due to narrowing spreads and potential Fed cuts, and increased affordability fueled by booming stock portfolios. Policy initiatives under the Trump administration, including support for mortgage-backed securities and housing affordability measures, add further tailwinds. Rising stock wealth enhances household purchasing power, making homes more attainable despite price increases. The combination of these factors creates strong potential for price appreciation and improved returns in real estate. While risks remain, Samurai sees a compelling opportunity for those prepared to invest thoughtfully.

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QUICK BITES

• Small business tax tips: How employing family reduces tax liability.

• Why staying neutral could cost your company millions — and how to avoid it.

• Is your leadership style too nice?

• 5 ways to boost workplace productivity, according to McKinsey’s analysis of 115 programs .

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