RxForSuccess Podcast- David G. Armstrong: The Storyteller

What a pleasure to participate with master interviewer Dr. Randy Cook in this great visit on the Rxforsuccess podcast.

220. The Author: Dr. Stuart Slavin, MD, MEd – Rx for Success Podcast

What happens when the relentless pursuit of success becomes the very thing that undermines our well-being? In this profound episode of Rx for Success, host Dr. Randy Cook sits down with Dr. Stuart Slavin—pediatrician, educator, researcher, and author of the new book The Success Trap: How the Pressure to Stand Out is Fueling Anxiety, Depression, and Burnout in Teens. Dr. Slavin shares his remarkable journey from a shy college student who wasn't sure medicine was for him to a transformative leader in medical education and physician well-being. He recounts the pivotal moment when he discovered that medical school itself was causing profound harm to students—and how he and his colleagues at St. Louis University transformed their curriculum, reducing depression and anxiety rates by 80% while actually improving academic performance. He also discusses his groundbreaking research on adolescent mental health, revealing that school-related pressures—not social media—are the top drivers of stress for today's youth. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone concerned about the well-being of the next generation of physicians and the culture that shapes them. Key Topics Discussed: Growing up with a physician father and a consumer advocate mother who modeled making a difference. The surprising path to medicine: deciding to apply to medical school mid-fall of senior year. Choosing pediatrics because of "who are my people?" and finding joy in the community. Getting a master's in education—a rare and career-defining decision. The pivotal moment: surveying medical students and realizing "we're doing this to them." Transforming the St. Louis University medical school curriculum: reducing class time, pass-fail grading, and freeing up time for meaning. The stunning results: 80% reduction in depression and anxiety, improved academic performance, and halved failure rates. The "success trap": how relentless achievement pressure and extrinsic motivation are harming young people. Research in 18 high schools: top stressors are school-related, not social media. The importance of sleep: average high school students get only 6.5 hours (need 9-10). Dr. Slavin's new book: The Success Trap—a parenting guide and call to rethink education. The wisdom of Viktor Frankl: success cannot be pursued; it must ensue from dedication to a cause greater than oneself. Big M and little M meaning: finding purpose in everyday moments of connection. Guest Information: Dr. Stuart Slavin, MD, MEd – Pediatrician, Educator, Researcher, Author Website: drstuartslavin.com Book: The Success Trap: How the Pressure to Stand Out is Fueling Anxiety, Depression, and Burnout in Teens (Available at local booksellers, Amazon, Barnes & Noble) Relevant Links: MD Coaches: mymdcoaches.com Companion podcast: Life-Changing Moments with Dr. Dale Waxman Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning

Dr. Armstrong’s Prescription for Success:

Number 1: Folks don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care: Show a sincere interest in the person in front of you, not just their problem..

Number 2: Don’t be a what I call a kiss up, kick down kind of person: Be the leader who knows the name of everyone that he or she sees when he or she is walking into work. Those interactions, those relationships are ultimately the most meaningful.

Number 3: Don’t procrastinate: Run your list and if you can get something done now, get it done now.

Number 4: Hard things are hard for a reason: Just because something is hard, doesn’t mean it’s not worthwhile. If given the choice between doing that thing that’s hard and clocking out for the day, do the thing that’s hard and you’ll grow because you did.

Number 5: The best gift you can give anyone, besides your love, is perspective: Periodically, step back and try to regard what you’re doing. No matter how great your work, if you regard what you’re doing, you’ll find little bits and pieces you can tweak.

Number 6: Be a collector of mentors and learn from them: Pay them respect by seeking their advice and guidance.

Connect with Dr. Armstrong:

Email: armstrong@usa.net

Website: diabeticfootonline.com

Faculty website: https://keck.usc.edu/faculty-search/david-g-armstrong/

Notable Quotes from Dr. Armstrong’s interview

The greatest gift you can give people is to make them feel better.

A lot of the work we do in tissue repair and wound healing and limb preservation is treating people that do not have the gift of pain. So a lot of times, our success is often measured in millimeters and over months and years, not just in that one patient visit.

Nothing ruins a good surgery, like follow up.

I think, ultimately, we’re not judged by how many manuscripts we’ve written, how many lectures we’ve given and how many countries? How many cylinders are in our car, how many dollars are in our bank account, or how much money we’ve gotten in grants. All that’s great, and it’s fun to keep score on that stuff. But ultimately, it’s a fleeting thing. I think we’re judged by our personal progeny, both your children and your professional progeny.