Episode Details

Today, we are joined by Dr. Lia Antico, a neuroscientist, educator, and contemplative scholar whose work explores the neural and behavioral mechanisms underlying burnout, empathy, and compassion in health professionals.

Dr. Lia Antico is an Assistant Doctor at the Medical School of the University of Fribourg in Switzerland and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Brown University School of Public Health. Her research investigates the behavioral and neural mechanisms underlying various states of mind and body, focusing specifically on burnout and anxiety. She develops and tests interventions based on mindfulness aimed at preventing or alleviating burnout and fostering well-being and flourishing at work, especially among healthcare professionals. She is a strong advocate for Contemplation in Action, emphasizing the integration of mindfulness into daily life and relationships to build communities grounded in authenticity and trust.

In the conversation, Dr. Antico shares how her early volunteer experiences in hospitals and her Christian contemplative tradition shaped her path into neuroscience and clinician wellbeing research.

We also cover:

• The development of a brief app-based mindfulness intervention at Brown University that reduced burnout by 30% and anxiety by 40% in clinicians
• The neuroscientific distinction between empathy and compassion and why understanding this difference matters for sustainable caregiving
• Her vision for creating spaces in hospitals and universities where clinicians can pause, breathe, share experiences, and reconnect with meaning in their work

Dr. Antico concludes by emphasizing the importance of building communities grounded in authenticity and trust.

Links:

Dr. Lia Antico LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lia-antico-phd-2082ab56/

Unwinding by Sharecare App: https://unwindingbysharecare.com/

Clinician Burnout Course (Free): https://drjud.com/clinician-burnout-course/

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) Empathy and Compassion

(02:30) Introduction

(04:00) Wellbeing and Wisdom

(05:00) Early Fascination

(06:00) Volunteer Experiences

(08:00) Contemplative Practices

(09:00) The Pediatric Unit

(12:00) Neural Mechanisms of Burnout

(15:00) Mindfulness Intervention at Brown

(18:00) Research Findings

(21:00) Empathy vs. Compassion

(29:00) Current Opportunities

(32:00) Contemplation in Action

(34:00) Faith Informing Professional Life

(38:00) Bridge Between Personal and Professional

(41:00) Breathe and Share

(44:00) Conclusion