If you've ever looked around your workplace and thought, "There has to be a better way to do this," you're not alone. Many physicians see inefficiencies, gaps in care, and systems that don't truly serve patients—but feel powerless to change them from the inside.

In today's episode, I'm thrilled to welcome back Dr. Alison Curfman, pediatric emergency medicine physician, co-founder of Imagine Pediatrics, and founder of Startup Physicians. Alison previously shared her remarkable journey from frontline medicine into the startup and venture capital world, and today she's back to help demystify how any physician can use their expertise to consult with startups—without giving up clinical work.

We talk about what these roles actually look like, who qualifies (spoiler: almost everyone), and how physicians can begin building meaningful, paid advisory work that creates real impact. Whether you're early in training, mid-career, clinically inactive, or nearing retirement, this conversation will expand your sense of what's possible.

And if this topic resonates, be sure to listen through to the end. We're hosting a free live webinar together on Wednesday, February 25th, 2026, where we'll go much deeper into the step-by-step process of breaking into startup consulting.

• Why physicians are uniquely valuable to startups and venture firms
• The different ways doctors can consult (advisory, product design, research, policy, and more)
• Whether you need to be clinically active, board-certified, or mid-career to qualify
• How residents, fellows, and retirees can all find opportunities in this space
• Why early roles may involve equity or lower pay—and why that's often worth it
• How physicians actually find and connect with startup opportunities
• Why this work feels so energizing and meaningful for many doctors

Alison Curfman MD

Startup Physicians

Episode 192: Refusing to Take No for an Answer: A PediER Doctor's Journey to Help Kids with Complex Medical Needs with Dr. Alison Curfman

Join us for here for a Webinar with Heather Fork and Dr. Alison Curfman!
📅 February 25th | 🕗 8 PM EST / 7 PM CST / 5 PM PST
💡 Topic: How to Get Paid Consulting for Startups and Venture Firms

Curious about leveraging your medical expertise beyond clinical practice? Don't miss this engaging session with Dr. Alison Curfman as she shares how physicians can break into paid consulting roles with startups and venture firms. You'll gain insider insights, practical steps, and inspiration to start your consulting journey.

Thank you for listening!

What if your career didn't have to be just one thing?

In today's episode of the Doctors Crossing Carpe Diem podcast, we explore the idea of a portfolio career—a professional life made up of multiple aligned roles rather than a single, linear path. Using a powerful real-world example, we talk about how physicians can create more fulfillment, connection, and sustainability by thoughtfully diversifying how they work.

I'm joined by Dr. Jess Beachkofsky, a psychiatrist who affectionately calls herself The Sunny Psychiatrist. Jess shares her journey from military medicine to telepsychiatry, private practice, and eventually a portfolio career that blends clinical work, nurse practitioner supervision, disability evaluations, teaching, and speaking. Her story is a beautiful example of how clarity often comes from experimentation—not from having it all figured out upfront.

Together, we talk honestly about what wasn't working, what was missing, and how small "yeses" opened doors to a career that now feels deeply aligned. We also discuss the practical considerations of portfolio careers, including time management, income variability, benefits, and insurance—so you can explore your options with eyes wide open.

If you're feeling stuck, lonely, under-stimulated, or simply curious about what else might be possible, this episode offers both inspiration and grounded guidance.

• What a portfolio career really looks like in real life
• How to recognize what's missing in your current role
• The emotional and practical benefits of career diversification
• Physician-friendly portfolio options inside and outside of medicine
• Nurse practitioner supervision as a meaningful side role
• The importance of small experiments instead of big leaps
• Questions to ask before moving away from a traditional W-2 role

Connect with Jessica Beachkofsky

Jessica Beachkofsky's LinkedIn

Episode #59: Want to Test Drive Your Career Idea?

Episode #186: Earn Extra Income, Fire Up Your Brain, and Find A New Direction With Physician Side Gigs

Thank you for listening!

Have you ever felt like you're doing everything "right" in your career, but something still feels off? You're not alone. In this episode, I'm diving into one of my favorite topics — your Zone of Genius. This is where your natural strengths, passions, and most meaningful contributions come together, and discovering it can bring a whole new sense of clarity, energy, and joy to your work.

I'll walk you through the four zones we typically operate in and explain why the Zone of Excellence, while often rewarding, can also leave you feeling stuck or unfulfilled. I'm also sharing real examples from physicians who found compelling new directions by leaning into their Zone of Genius.

If you're at the crossroads, this episode is here to help you start moving toward more purpose and alignment in your next chapter.

• What your Zone of Genius is and how to start identifying it
• The common trap of staying in your Zone of Excellence
• Why external success doesn't always equal personal fulfillment
• What intrinsic rewards are and why they matter
• Inspiring stories from physicians who leaned into their genius
• A simple framework to help uncover your personality, top skills, and ideal impact
• Reflective questions to help you reconnect with what energizes you

Book recommendations:

• The Genius Zone: The Breakthrough Process to End Negative Thinking and Live in True Creativity by Gay Hendricks

• The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level―A Transformative Guide to Overcoming Fears and False Beliefs for Personal Growth and Success by Gay Hendricks

Curious about your Enneagram type?

The Enneagram is one of my favorite tools for helping clients better understand their strengths, motivations, and unique patterns — especially when you're exploring your Zone of Genius.

I recommend the RHETI test from The Enneagram Institute. It's the most accurate version I've found and the one I use in my own coaching work. The test costs $20 and takes about 40 minutes to complete.

If you're ready to gain deeper insight into what truly drives you, you can get started here:
www.enneagraminstitute.com/get-started-with-enneagram-tests

We're continuing our podcast-sharing contest through January!
Just share the podcast with two people you haven't shared it with before, then email us:

• the episode(s) you shared, and
• the initials (or another identifier) of the two people

That's it. Email team@doctorscrossing.com, and we'll send your prize.
People are loving it because it's customizable and genuinely useful—this really is a contest you can't lose

Thank you for listening!