Episode Details

Today, we are joined by Dr. Ross Carne.

Dr. Ross Carne MBBS, FRACP, MD(Melbourne), MMEd (Dundee), FASLM, LMusA is a neurologist and clinical neurophysiologist who is American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine Certified and a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Certified Teacher through MTIA. He holds a Doctorate of Medicine investigating brain imaging in epilepsy and a Masters in Medical Education. He is currently an Affiliate Professor at School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.

In this conversation, Ross reflects on the formative experiences that drew him into medicine and how these shaped his lifelong desire to relieve suffering and make complexity understandable to others.

We also cover:

• How mindfulness transformed both his clinical practice and personal life, opening space for authenticity, deeper presence, and creative exploration
• His "Belonging in Medicine" program, which helps clinicians reconnect with intention, beauty, and collegial connections across individual, interpersonal, and organizational dimensions
• How contemplative practices like attentive listening, acknowledging emotional content, and sharing experiences with colleagues directly counter the components of burnout: depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, and professional inadequacy

Throughout, Dr. Carne embodies a creative, curious spirit—open to possibilities, grounded in presence, and dedicated to helping clinicians discover and rediscover meaning, connection, and humanity in their work. He closes with a reminder from Rumi: "On a day when the wind is perfect, the sail just has to open and the world is full of beauty. Today is such a day."

Links:

Mindfulness Training Institute Australia New Zealand: https://www.mtia.org.au/search-results/teacher?id=51

EmPro Website: https://www.myempro.com/

EmPro Peer Support Program: https://www.myempro.com/peer-support/

Physician Support Line: +1(888) 409-0141

Physician Support Line Website: https://www.physiciansupportline.com/

Dr. Krasner's Website: https://mickkrasnermd.com/

Mindful Practice in Medicine Website: https://mindfulpracticeinmedicine.com/

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction

(00:15) Dr. Carne’s path into medicine

(01:00) Early experiences with illness and caregiving

(02:25) The emotional impact of feeling powerless

(04:10) How those moments shaped his calling

(06:22) Living with seizures and personal vulnerability

(07:45) Finding meaning in the healer’s role

(09:12) Mindfulness and the “traveling intention”

(10:27) The epiphany that shifted his practice

(11:45) First encounter with mindfulness in medicine

(12:15) Beginning formal mindfulness training

(14:00) Integrating attention and compassion in care

(16:30) The science behind awareness and suffering

(18:10) The role of presence in clinical encounters

(21:00) Belonging and connection in healthcare teams

(24:40) What physicians need to thrive

(29:34) Creativity, writing, and narrative work

(31:48) Final reflections on wonder and curiosity

(32:19) Closing thoughts from Dr. Carne

(33:07) Guided mindfulness exercise

(35:31) Conclusion