You don’t need more hustle to change your life—you need cleaner requests. In this episode, Dr. Gail shares a pocket playbook for asking like a leader at work and at home. You’ll learn a four-beat pattern (Clarity, Belief, Resilience, Communication) plus simple scripts that tie your ask to mission, metrics, and a review date—so your yes rate goes up and your stress goes down.

Key takeaways

• Leaders don’t plead; they propose. Link your ask to mission, back it with metrics, lower the risk with a pilot, and set a review date.
• Clarity beats charisma. Name the real need (time, support, flexibility, money, recognition, decision rights) before you speak.
• Belief = evidence-based self-trust. Replace doubt with data: your outcomes justify your request.
• Resilience is a plan, not a personality. Use an Ask Ladder (Bold → Mid → Easy) and capture what would turn a no into a yes.
• Communication travels light. One sentence each for Link, Evidence, Ask, Date.

Chapters

• What “Ask Like a Leader” really means
• Beat 1: Clarity (Leader Edition)
• Beat 2: Belief (Leader Edition)
• Beat 3: Resilience (Prepare for “No”)
• Beat 4: Communication (Leader Scripts)
• Objection handling (role-play)
• Five-Minute Leader Ask Routine
• One-pager & follow-up formula
• Common pitfalls and quick fixes

Frameworks mentioned

• Two-Minute Clarity Sprint: Context → Need → Outcome → Measure
• Belief Audit (3×3): Wants → Why not → Evidence you can
• Ask Ladder: Bold / Mid / Easy (pilot + review date)
• L.E.A.D. Script: Link → Evidence/Economics → Ask/Alternatives → Date the decision
• Five-Minute Leader Ask Routine: Name need → Outcome metrics → Ask Ladder → L.E.A.D. → Send/Schedule

Ready-to-use scripts (copy/paste)

• Compensation/Recognition
  “Over the last year I increased RVUs by 12% and led the sepsis pathway (Link). I’m requesting a 10% base adjustment and a $3,000 CME stipend this quarter (Ask). This normalizes cost per RVU and reduces locums dependence (Evidence). If base is locked, I’m open to a quality bonus or phased increase next quarter (Alternatives). Let’s review on June 15 (Date).”
• Schedule/Capacity
  “Chart closures and door-to-doc times are slipping during flu season (Link). I’m requesting a protected admin block Tuesdays 2–4 pm for eight weeks (Ask). We’ll track % same-day closures and room turnover (Evidence). If Tuesday is tight, Wednesday 1–3 or two 1-hour blocks works (Alternatives). Review May 30 (Date).”
• Flex/Hybrid
  “Virtual blocks maintained access and stable no-shows last quarter (Link/Evidence). I’m requesting one remote clinic half-day weekly (Ask). If weekly isn’t feasible, let’s test two half-days per month (Alternatives) and review in 60 days (Date).”

Guided practice: Five-Minute Leader Ask Routine

1. Name the need (30s): Time, money, support, title, flexibility.
2. Outcome (60s): Two metrics you’ll move (e.g., same-day closures to 85%; door-to-doc −3 min).
3. Ask Ladder (60s): Bold / Mid / Easy.
4. L.E.A.D. (90s): One sentence per step; read aloud; trim.
5. Ship it (60s): Send the email or book the meeting within 48 hours; add the review date to your calendar now.

One-pager checklist (drop into an email or slide)

• Problem/Mission Link
• Baseline (2 numbers)
• Proposal (your ask)
• Metrics & timeline
• Risks & mitigations
• Review date (on the calendar)

Common pitfalls (and fixes)

• Vague asks → Make them specific, measurable, and time-bound.
• Over-explaining → One sentence per LEAD step, then pause.
• Taking “no” personally → Treat it as data; ask what would make it a yes and book the review date.
• One-and-done asking → Schedule follow-ups before you ask.
• Waiting for perfect timing → Use today’s five-minute routine.

Memorable lines

• “Leaders don’t plead; they propose.”
• “Let the calendar carry the courage.”
• “Silence after a clear ask isn’t awkward—it’s leadership.”

If your new year started strong and suddenly hit a wall, you’re not alone. In this heartfelt episode, Dr. Gail Clifford shares how to embrace the natural cycles of energy, rest, and renewal that define us as humans — not machines. You’ll learn how to work with your body’s rhythms instead of against them and rediscover the art of gentle productivity.

You’ll Learn:

• Why energy and motivation fluctuate naturally
• How to recognize when you’re in a “winter cycle”
• The difference between stovetop and microwave days
• How to make tasks 10% easier when you’re drained
• A simple way to talk to yourself with kindness

Actionable Takeaways:

1. Pause: Take 5–10 minutes of stillness — no phone, no guilt.
2. Soften: Ask “How can I make this 10% easier today?”
3. Shift: Swap negative self-talk for neutral or kind words.
4. Accept: Recognize your cyclical nature — it’s not weakness; it’s wisdom.
5. Reflect: End each week by noting one way you honored your rhythm.

Key Quote:

“Nature doesn’t apologize for needing winter — and neither should you.”

And you can get started with some Genius Tips for how to set yourself up for a great work week. ⁠⁠Here⁠⁠ are things to schedule on whatever you consider your "Sunday" to do just ⁠⁠⁠⁠that⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Join the Single Mom MD community ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and let's talk more for personalized attention to your specific questions. We look forward to welcoming you.

When you think of additional topics you’d like covered on this podcast, contact me through the chat below and via social media @SingleMomMD.

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In this empowering episode of Single Mom MD, Dr. Gail Clifford explores how self-reflection helps physician and executive moms develop the resilience they need to navigate life’s chaos with confidence. Learn seven powerful benefits of self-reflection—and get real-life tips to practice it, even in the middle of your busy day.

Whether you’re handling hospital politics, parenting pressures, or personal growth, this episode will help you reclaim your strength from the inside out.

And you can get started with some Genius Tips for how to set yourself up for a great work week. ⁠⁠Here⁠⁠ are things to schedule on whatever you consider your "Sunday" to do just ⁠⁠⁠⁠that⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Join the Single Mom MD community ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and let's talk more for personalized attention to your specific questions. We look forward to welcoming you.

When you think of additional topics you’d like covered on this podcast, contact me through the chat below and via social media @SingleMomMD.

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In this New Year episode, we trade brittle resolutions for sustainable, seasonal goals—with the playful courage of the Fool’s Journey. You’ll learn five beginner-friendly practices (start tiny, bundle habits, focus on “during,” fuel with excitement, and pack lightly), a nervous-system-first toolkit (Doorway Breathing, Triple B, 90-second Thankful Pause), and a simple seasonal map for 2025. Stories include Jenny’s balcony, charting sprints, a pantry win, and a 6-minute lantern loop with kids. We close with a 3-minute guided reset and a 7-day Beginner Sprint you can start today. Mantra for the year: “My worth is inherent. My productivity is a strategy—not my identity.”

And you can get started with some Genius Tips for how to set yourself up for a great work week. ⁠⁠Here⁠⁠ are things to schedule on whatever you consider your "Sunday" to do just ⁠⁠⁠⁠that⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Join the Single Mom MD community ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and let's talk more for personalized attention to your specific questions. We look forward to welcoming you.

When you think of additional topics you’d like covered on this podcast, contact me through the chat below and via social media @SingleMomMD.

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In this heartfelt Christmas episode of the Single Mom MD Podcast, Dr. Gail Clifford reflects on the meaning of the season through the lens of parenthood, sacrifice, gratitude, and loss. Christmas celebrates the birth of a child—and the profound love and courage of the parents who made that miracle possible. Today, we explore what that story teaches modern mothers, especially those carrying more than their share.

Dr. Clifford shares the recent loss of her 38-year-old stepdaughter, the grief that surfaced, and the unexpected gratitude that followed. She also opens up about caring for her daughter through two traumatic brain injuries, supporting her recovery, and the sacrifices required to give her stability, safety, and hope for the future. Through stories of faith, overwhelm, and resilience, this episode reminds women that grief and gratitude can coexist—and that caring for yourself is essential when caring for others.

Whether you’re a single mom physician, an executive mom, or a woman navigating a difficult season, this episode offers comfort, companionship, and perspective. You are not alone. You are stronger than you realize. And you have so much still worth living for.

Includes end-of-episode reflection questions.

1. What moment or memory are you most grateful for this year, even if it came wrapped in pain or loss?
2. Where in your life are you being called to sacrifice—and how might that sacrifice also be an act of love?
3. Are you allowing yourself to grieve what you’ve lost without forgetting what you still have to live for?
4. What are you carrying alone that you might need help with in this season?
5. How can you create one simple moment of rest or self-care this week so you don’t lose yourself in the overwhelm?
6. What would it look like to shift your mindset—just one degree—toward gratitude today?
7. Of all the people in your life, who needs your presence more than your perfection right now?
8. How is your faith (spiritual, personal, or inner knowing) inviting you to trust that you are not meant to walk this season alone?

Dreams are fuel; plans move the car. In this episode, Dr. Gail guides single mom physicians and executive moms through a 90-minute sprint to turn one dream into a Q1 plan you can keep—even during call weeks. You’ll choose a “Big Three” focus, map 12-week milestones, design Base/Standard/Stretch habits, and add If–Then scripts so progress survives real life.

What You’ll Learn

• How to run a 10-minute reality check that actually changes your plan
• Pick ONE high-leverage focus (Money, Time, or Support) for Q1
• The 3-layer breakdown: Outcome → Monthly milestones → Weekly moves
• Build an on-call-proof habit ladder (Base/Standard/Stretch)

Use If–Then scripts, a friction audit, and tiny rewards to keep momentum

And you can get started with some Genius Tips for how to set yourself up for a great work week. ⁠⁠Here⁠⁠ are things to schedule on whatever you consider your "Sunday" to do just ⁠⁠⁠⁠that⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Join the Single Mom MD community ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and let's talk more for personalized attention to your specific questions. We look forward to welcoming you.

When you think of additional topics you’d like covered on this podcast, contact me through the chat below and via social media @SingleMomMD.

Follow us at Single Mom MD:

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Key Topics

• The real moral behind The Fox and the Grapes
• Why physicians rationalize disappointment
• Practical ways to build emotional intelligence
• How to push through end-of-year fatigue
• Quick physiological resets for procrastination

Takeaway:
Don’t label missed goals as “sour grapes.” Recognize resistance, reframe failure, and finish the year with grace and gratitude.

Call to Action:
Subscribe to Single Mom MD wherever you listen to podcasts and leave a review to help other physician moms find calm amid the chaos.

And you can get started with some Genius Tips for how to set yourself up for a great work week. ⁠⁠Here⁠⁠ are things to schedule on whatever you consider your "Sunday" to do just ⁠⁠⁠⁠that⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Join the Single Mom MD community ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and let's talk more for personalized attention to your specific questions. We look forward to welcoming you.

When you think of additional topics you’d like covered on this podcast, contact me through the chat below and via social media @SingleMomMD.

Follow us at Single Mom MD:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠

And you can get started with some Genius Tips for how to set yourself up for a great work week. ⁠⁠Here⁠⁠ are things to schedule on whatever you consider your "Sunday" to do just ⁠⁠⁠⁠that⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Join the Single Mom MD community ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and let's talk more for personalized attention to your specific questions. We look forward to welcoming you.

When you think of additional topics you’d like covered on this podcast, contact me through the chat below and via social media @SingleMomMD.

Follow us at Single Mom MD:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠