Best Alison Curfman Podcasts (2025)

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The 7 Startup Functions Physicians Can Support 31:18

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6d ago31:18

31:18

In this episode, I talk about how physicians can add real value to startups without leaving clinical practice. I break down seven core functions where we already have a competitive edge: product design, marketing, business development, clinical research, user insight, policy advocacy, and strategic advisory. Each of these roles taps into what we al…

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Breaking the Mold: How a Practicing Physician Became a Startup Insider with Dr. Gina Clark 27:01

13d ago27:01

27:01

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Gina Clark to explore her unique journey from medicine into venture capital. Gina shares what it’s like to be a physician stepping into the role of a limited partner, how she evaluates and supports early-stage companies, and how her clinical background gives her an edge in startup advising. We talk candidly abou…

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Beyond the White Coat: Building a Startup Career from Private Practice with Dr. Payal Adhikari 31:13

20d ago31:13

31:13

In this episode of Startup Physicians, I sit down with Dr. Payal Adhikari, a pediatrician who made the leap from private practice into the startup world. We talk about what it takes to step into non-clinical roles and how networking, self-belief, and clinical expertise all play a part. Dr. Payal Adhikari shares her personal journey, the skills she …

1
Design Is Deconstruction First: Why Your Life, Business, and Startup Idea Need a Blank Page 17:59

27d ago17:59

17:59

In this conversation, I explore the intersection of design, business, and personal fulfillment—especially through the lens of healthcare innovation. I believe the best solutions often come from deconstructing problems, not just reacting to them. That mindset has shaped how I approach both clinical challenges and startup opportunities. One of the co…

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Think Like a Founder: A Venture Lens for Startup-Minded Physicians with Christopher Poole 31:54

1M ago31:54

31:54

In this episode on Startup Physicians, Chris Poole and I discuss the challenges and insights related to building startups in the healthcare sector. We emphasize the importance of starting with a clear problem, understanding unit economics, and evaluating market viability. Chris shares his journey from being an entrepreneur to a venture leader, high…

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Rethinking Risk: What Startups Miss Without Physicians at the Table with Isaac Edrah 30:04

1M ago30:04

30:04

What happens when clinical expertise meets data-driven financial modeling? In this episode, Dr. Alison Curfman sits down with Isaac Edrah, a healthcare actuary and founder of Paramean Solutions, to explore how physician insight can dramatically shape — and de-risk — value-based care models. Isaac shares stories from the field, including one orthope…

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From Tragedy to Traction: How Clinical Rigor Built a National Pediatric Innovation Movement with Dr. Dave McSwain 29:42

2M ago29:42

29:42

When a devastating clinical moment sparks a career in innovation, what happens next? In this powerful episode, Dr. Alison Curfman is joined by her longtime collaborator and friend, Dr. Dave McSwain — CMIO at UNC Health and co-founder of the national pediatric telehealth research network, Sprout. Together, they reflect on how a single missed opportu…

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From ER to Executive: Scaling Startups and Redefining Physician Leadership with Dr. Pam Sullivan 30:15

2M ago30:15

30:15

In this episode of the Startup Physicians podcast, Dr. Pam Sullivan shares her unique journey from physical therapy to emergency medicine and ultimately to leadership roles in healthcare startups. She discusses the challenges and opportunities she faced as a woman in medicine, her transition into leadership, and her pivotal experiences in scaling o…

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Redefining Success: From Burnout to Breakthrough with Dr. Hansa Bhargava 29:07

2M ago29:07

29:07

In this episode of Startup Physicians, I sit down with Dr. Hansa Bhargava—pediatrician, writer, and Chief Clinical Strategy and Innovation Officer at Helio—to unpack her journey from clinical burnout to a purpose-driven career in health media, technology, and innovation. We talk about what it really takes to step away from traditional medicine, why…

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Bridging Innovation and Clinical Insight: How Physicians Can Shape Healthcare Startups with Shelli Pavone 28:44

2M ago28:44

28:44

In this episode, I sit down with Shelli Pavone, co-founder of Inlightened, a platform built to bridge the gap between healthcare innovators and professionals. Shelli shares her journey through healthcare and startup leadership, and we dive into why startups often miss the mark when they don't meaningfully involve clinicians in the innovation proces…

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How Patient Care Prepares You to Work With Startups 23:22

3M ago23:22

23:22

In this episode, I explore the powerful parallels between clinical care and startup innovation. As physicians, we are expert diagnosticians—trained to identify real problems, design strategic solutions, and build trust under pressure. Our ability to operate in uncertainty, assess risk, collaborate across disciplines, and drive continuous improvemen…

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The Physician's Guide to De-Risking your Startup Idea 22:45

3M ago22:45

22:45

Summary This episode, I discuss the growing opportunities for physicians in the startup world and how to successfully transition from clinical roles to entrepreneurial ventures. I share why identifying real healthcare problems, designing thoughtful solutions, and building sustainable business models are critical steps—often without needing large am…

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Engineering Curiosity into Impact: Dr. Alyssa Abo on Translating Clinical Insight into Innovation 38:14

3M ago38:14

38:14

When you think about startups and healthcare, it’s easy to feel like those worlds are galaxies apart — but Dr. Alyssa Abo shows us that they’re much more connected than you think. In this episode, Alyssa shares how her journey from engineering school to pediatric emergency medicine led her straight into the heart of healthcare innovation. We talk a…

1
Translating Clinical Skills Into Startup Strategy with Dr. Rebecca Miksad 38:09

3M ago38:09

38:09

This episode I’m joined by my friend and former co-consultant Dr. Rebecca Miksad. Rebecca is a powerhouse—Harvard-trained oncologist, health economist, startup executive, and now Chief Medical Officer at Color. We go deep into how she made the leap from academia to startups, how she navigated uncertainty and mentorship, and why your clinical skills…

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So You Want to Advise Startups? Here’s Exactly How to Get Started as a Physician Consultant 25:20

3M ago25:20

25:20

In this solo episode, let’s work on getting past the most common mindset hurdles that keep physicians from stepping into the startup space. If you’ve ever felt like you don’t have anything unique to offer, or that you’re “just a doctor” without a business background, this one’s for you. I unpack the top five limiting beliefs I hear again and again—…

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You’re Not Stuck: Mindset Shifts for Physician Innovators with Dr. Karen Leitner 39:16

4M ago39:16

39:16

Have you ever felt like the system just wasn’t built for you? Like you’re in a role that no longer fits—but you don’t know what else is out there, or if you’re even allowed to want more? In this episode, I sit down with my brilliant friend and colleague, Dr. Karen Leitner, a physician, coach, and out-of-the-box thinker who’s reimagined what a meani…

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Turning Physician Pain Points into Business Opportunities with Dr. David Canes 43:44

4M ago43:44

43:44

In this episode, I sit down with the brilliant and down-to-earth Dr. David Canes—a practicing urologist who found himself burned out, uninspired, and stuck in the repetitive rhythm of clinic visits. But instead of staying stuck, he did something a lot of us dream about—he turned a real-life clinical inefficiency into a business. And get this—he did…

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Beyond Academia: Dr. David Lim on Building Healthcare Startups 32:05

4M ago32:05

32:05

What happens when an infectious disease specialist decides to step off the academic path and jump headfirst into the startup world? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. David Lim, a physician-scientist turned healthcare entrepreneur, who shares his inspiring journey from UCSF to the boardrooms of Boston Consulting Group, and ultimately, into foundi…

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Doctors as Innovators: How Physicians Can Shape Products, Policy, and Public Health with Dr. Tanya Altmann 37:53

4M ago37:53

37:53

As physicians, we're uniquely positioned to identify and solve real-world health problems—but how do we translate clinical insights into impactful industry partnerships? In today's episode, I talk with pediatrician Dr. Tanya Altmann, who shares how she turned her passion for child health and safety into a dynamic career consulting with companies ac…

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Finding Your Why: How Physicians Can Build Careers by Solving the Right Problem with Dr. David Johnson 37:21

5M ago37:21

37:21

In this episode, I sit down with my friend and colleague, Dr. David Johnson, to talk about his unconventional career path from urologic oncology to health services research, payers, and now healthcare startups. David shares his journey of discovering the misalignment in healthcare incentives, particularly in value-based care, and how that realizati…

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Startups, Strategy, and Serendipity: Navigating Healthcare Innovation with Dr. Paige Bhansali 34:38

5M ago34:38

34:38

What if you could break out of the traditional physician career path and create a role that blends clinical care with entrepreneurship and innovation? In this episode, I sit down with my friend and colleague, Dr. Paige Bhansali, a pediatrician with an incredible journey through consulting, healthcare startups, and value-based care. Paige has carved…

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Bridging Gaps in Pediatric Readiness with Dr. Alana Arnold 36:19

5M ago36:19

36:19

In this episode, I’m thrilled to welcome Dr. Alana Arnold, a pediatric emergency physician, innovator, and startup founder, to the show. Alana shares her journey from working in community hospitals to launching two groundbreaking companies aimed at addressing gaps in pediatric healthcare. We dive into her passion for improving pediatric readiness i…

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From Pediatric Cardiologist to Health Tech Innovator with Dr. Bronwyn Harris 39:22

6M ago39:22

39:22

Ever wondered how a physician can transition from clinical care to founding a successful digital health startup? In this episode of Startup Physicians, I sit down with Dr. Bronwyn Harris, a pediatric cardiologist turned healthcare innovator. From her early days in biomedical engineering to pioneering a digital health startup that was later acquired…

1
Building Your Personal Brand in the Startup Ecosystem with Sarah Johnston 31:13

6M ago31:13

31:13

Are you a physician considering a career pivot or wanting to explore opportunities outside traditional medicine? In this episode, I sit down with Sarah Johnston, a career branding expert and founder of The Briefcase Coach, who has helped hundreds of executives, including myself, navigate career transitions. We explore practical strategies to optimi…

1
Rethinking Healthcare: Adapting to the Startup Mindset 17:48

6M ago17:48

17:48

In this episode, we’re diving into how startups think and what we as physicians can learn from their approach to innovation. If you’ve ever wondered how design thinking, rapid iteration, and minimum viable products (MVPs) could reshape healthcare, this episode is for you. We’ll explore how startups thrive on speed, creativity, and disruption, and w…

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How Physicians Can Bring Clinical Expertise to the Startup World 31:26

6M ago31:26

31:26

Today, we’re exploring the many ways physicians can break into the startup world and make an impact. Whether you’ve considered founding a company, consulting for innovative health-tech startups, or joining an advisory board, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you get started. I’ll share why startups are hungry for our clinical e…

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Breaking the Mold: How Physicians Can Thrive in Startups 21:51

7M ago21:51

21:51

Welcome to the very first episode of Startup Physicians! I’m Alison Curfman, and I’m so thrilled you’re here. This podcast is for physicians who are curious about diving into the dynamic world of startups—whether you’re considering launching your own company, consulting for innovative health-tech initiatives, or just exploring new opportunities. In…

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Welcome to Startup Physicians 2:57

7M ago2:57

2:57

Are you a physician wondering if there’s more to your career than the hospital or clinic walls? Welcome to StartUp Physicians! I’m Dr. Alison Curfman, your host, and I’m here to help you explore how doctors like us can break into the exciting world of healthcare startups. In this trailer episode, I’m sharing my journey—how I built a healthcare comp…

Alison Curfman Podcasts

1
Startup Physicians

Alison Curfman, M.D.

1
The 7 Startup Functions Physicians Can Support 31:18

1
Breaking the Mold: How a Practicing Physician Became a Startup Insider with Dr. Gina Clark 27:01

1
Beyond the White Coat: Building a Startup Career from Private Practice with Dr. Payal Adhikari 31:13

1
Design Is Deconstruction First: Why Your Life, Business, and Startup Idea Need a Blank Page 17:59

1
Think Like a Founder: A Venture Lens for Startup-Minded Physicians with Christopher Poole 31:54

1
Rethinking Risk: What Startups Miss Without Physicians at the Table with Isaac Edrah 30:04

1
From Tragedy to Traction: How Clinical Rigor Built a National Pediatric Innovation Movement with Dr. Dave McSwain 29:42

1
From ER to Executive: Scaling Startups and Redefining Physician Leadership with Dr. Pam Sullivan 30:15

1
Redefining Success: From Burnout to Breakthrough with Dr. Hansa Bhargava 29:07

1
Bridging Innovation and Clinical Insight: How Physicians Can Shape Healthcare Startups with Shelli Pavone 28:44

1
How Patient Care Prepares You to Work With Startups 23:22

1
The Physician's Guide to De-Risking your Startup Idea 22:45

1
Engineering Curiosity into Impact: Dr. Alyssa Abo on Translating Clinical Insight into Innovation 38:14

1
Translating Clinical Skills Into Startup Strategy with Dr. Rebecca Miksad 38:09

1
So You Want to Advise Startups? Here’s Exactly How to Get Started as a Physician Consultant 25:20

1
You’re Not Stuck: Mindset Shifts for Physician Innovators with Dr. Karen Leitner 39:16

1
Turning Physician Pain Points into Business Opportunities with Dr. David Canes 43:44

1
Beyond Academia: Dr. David Lim on Building Healthcare Startups 32:05

1
Doctors as Innovators: How Physicians Can Shape Products, Policy, and Public Health with Dr. Tanya Altmann 37:53

1
Finding Your Why: How Physicians Can Build Careers by Solving the Right Problem with Dr. David Johnson 37:21

1
Startups, Strategy, and Serendipity: Navigating Healthcare Innovation with Dr. Paige Bhansali 34:38

1
Bridging Gaps in Pediatric Readiness with Dr. Alana Arnold 36:19

1
From Pediatric Cardiologist to Health Tech Innovator with Dr. Bronwyn Harris 39:22

1
Building Your Personal Brand in the Startup Ecosystem with Sarah Johnston 31:13

1
Rethinking Healthcare: Adapting to the Startup Mindset 17:48

1
How Physicians Can Bring Clinical Expertise to the Startup World 31:26

1
Breaking the Mold: How Physicians Can Thrive in Startups 21:51

1
Welcome to Startup Physicians 2:57