I’m in conversation with Dr. Soni, a physician-leader working at the intersection of patient care and public health policy, about what it means to design healthcare systems that actually work for the people they’re meant to serve. From exam rooms to executive decision-making, Dr. Soni brings a grounded perspective on how care is experienced — and how it can be improved.

We explore how Covered California supports millions of residents, why affordability and access are inseparable, and how policy decisions directly shape whether people seek care at all. Dr. Soni shares insights into the behavioral health crisis, the lasting effects of the pandemic on care delivery, and why telehealth has become a permanent part of the healthcare landscape rather than a temporary solution.

The conversation also digs into disparities — particularly around mental health utilization — and the structural reasons some communities remain hesitant or unable to access care. Dr. Soni explains why representation in the healthcare workforce matters, how allies can help bridge gaps, and why systems must take responsibility rather than placing the burden on patients.

Along the way, Dr. Soni offers clear, practical advice for navigating healthcare visits and emphasizes the importance of preparation, communication, and support. He reflects on leadership during uncertainty, the fear that arises when coverage is threatened, and the courage required to act in service of long-term outcomes rather than short-term comfort.

This episode is for anyone thinking about healthcare beyond the individual appointment — and for those working to create systems that are fair, transparent, and accountable. It’s a conversation about care, power, and the responsibility that comes with scale.

Key Themes & Takeaways

The relationship between healthcare policy and patient behavior

Telehealth as a tool for access, not a cure-all

Mental health disparities and systemic barriers

Workforce diversity and cultural responsiveness

Patient empowerment and preparation

Leading through fear and uncertainty

Powerful Moments

On Access:

“Access isn’t just availability — it’s whether people feel safe using it.”

On Systems:

“Large systems have to own their outcomes.”

On Fear:

“When coverage feels unstable, people delay care — and that has consequences.”

On Patients:

“Your voice matters, and preparation helps it land.”

Reflection Questions

What barriers prevent people from accessing care in your community?

How does fear influence healthcare decisions — personally or systemically?

Where can accountability improve outcomes?

What role does representation play in trust?

How can healthcare systems shift from reactive to proactive?

About the Guest

Dr. Soni is a primary care physician and senior healthcare leader at Covered California, where he helps guide clinical strategy and health equity efforts for millions of residents. His work bridges frontline care and policy, with a focus on trust, access, and system-wide improvement.

#asianlikeme #HealthEquity #HealthcareLeadership #AllyshipInAction #PrimaryCare #MentalHealthMatters #AsianAmericanHealth #PatientAdvocacy #PublicHealth #ValuesDrivenLeadership #WomenInMedicine #SystemsChange

Welcome to 2026—and a different kind of drop-in episode. No guest today. Just you and me. In this vulnerable solo kickoff, I’m sharing the truth about the year I lived in 2025: the over-performing, the relentless “yes,” and the moment burnout brought me to my knees.

I’m pulling back the curtain on what high-achieving women rarely say out loud: how “success” can still feel like depletion… and how many of us are quietly drowning in shoulds, people-pleasing, and the fear of disappointing others. If you’ve ever felt like your ambition is at war with your wellbeing, this episode is for you.

I’ll walk you through the reckoning that changed everything—why I chose to press pause, what my real (messy, not-Instagram) sabbatical looked like, and the practices that helped me come back to myself: saying no even when it felt scary, flow journaling, letting grief surface, spending time outdoors, and yes… giving myself permission to be bored. On the other side of that pause, a new vision emerged—one rooted in alignment, wholeness, and community.

This episode is an invitation: let’s make 2026 the year we drop the hustle mask—and redefine success in a way that doesn’t cost us ourselves.

In this episode, we talk about:

The “silent epidemic” of depletion so many high-achieving women live with

Why saying yes can feel safer than honoring your boundaries

People-pleasing, over-functioning, and the fear underneath “keeping it all together”

What it really takes to step off the treadmill without losing yourself (or your momentum)

Why reinvention isn’t grand—it’s messy, honest, and deeply human

Reclaiming joy, creativity, rest, and identity beyond performance

The vision for Asian Like Me this year—and the spaces we’re building together

Quotes you can sit with:

“Achievement was my armor.”

“Burnout takes different shapes and forms throughout our lives.”

“Let’s make 2026 the year we drop the hustle mask.”

Reflection Questions (from this episode)

What is one way you can honor your burnout and commit to caring for yourself this year?

Where might you swap people-pleasing for self-compassion?

What dream have you put on hold that you’d love to revisit—not out of obligation, but for your own joy?

Mentioned in this episode

The Aligned Mindset (my second book)

Mommy Tracked (for anyone balancing career + family and redefining success)

EVRten — a wellness movement and community rooted in nourishment: body, mind, and coming back to yourself

A first-ever Asian Like Me in-person summer event (details coming via newsletter)

#asianlikeme #BurnoutRecovery #HighAchievingWomen #AsianWomen #PeoplePleasing #Boundaries #SelfCompassion #RedefineSuccess #PurposeOverPerfection #WomenInLeadership #Healing #evrten