In this episode of Caller ID, we sit down with Dr. Jacob Sands, one of the world’s leading oncologists and an instructor at Harvard Medical School. But before all of that, there was a moment when he walked away.

Dr. Sands shares how dropping out of Ohio University and traveling to Costa Rica on a whim, seeking clarity, learning from a shaman, and sitting with uncertainty, became a turning point that reshaped his sense of identity and purpose. We explore how unconventional choices, risk, and self trust ultimately guided him back to medicine with a deeper commitment to service, presence, and meaning.

This is a conversation about listening to your inner voice, figuring out who you are beneath expectations, and how that self knowledge quietly impacts everything, from career decisions to relationships to the life you build.

Support the show

Thanks for listening to Caller ID.

If this conversation with Mark Rankin resonated with you, share it with someone who’s asking big questions about passion, identity, or calling. These are conversations meant to be carried, not just consumed.

You can follow Caller ID wherever you listen to podcasts, and if you’re enjoying the show, a quick rating or review helps more people find it.

New episodes drop weekly, featuring conversations with people across disciplines who are thoughtful about their work and honest about the cost of doing it well.

I’m Brandon Davis Wells and thanks for answering the call.