45. Overbooked and Under-Thriving

What if one of the most valuable skills in medicine is being able to say the simple two-letter word: no? For many radiologists, saying no can feel harder than taking overnight call, joining another committee, or agreeing to "just one more project." Somewhere along the way, medicine has turned being busy into a badge of honor - and many of us have become experts at overcommitting ourselves. In this episode, Maddi and Jeff discuss the JACR article "Dr. No: The Art of Saying No and Feeling Good About it" with the authors Alex Podlaski MD, Kirang Patel MD, and Yasha Gupta MD. Together, they explore why early-career physicians are especially vulnerable to "yes syndrome," the hidden tradeoffs of chronic overcommitment, and how strategic decision-making may be one of the most important leadership skills in medicine. Whether you're juggling committees, research projects, leadership roles, or simply trying to protect time for your family and yourself, this conversation offers practical insight on building a career that reflects your priorities - not everyone else's. Find the full JACR article here: https://www.jacr.org/article/S1546-1440(26)00038-4/abstract