The Inspired Healthcare Leader | Healthcare Leadership, Work-Life Balance, Managing Change
The Inspired Healthcare Leader is your go-to podcast for frontline healthcare leaders who want to lead with more ease, joy, and success. I’m Mara Ergas-Zabari, a lifelong healthcare leader, consultant, and passionate supporter of those on the front lines. Each week, I’ll share personal insights, practical tips, and inspiring stories to help you reconnect with your spark and navigate the challenges of leadership.
Together, we’ll explore relevant topics to your daily work-life like overwhelm, team dynamics, and work-life balance. I’ll be approaching these topics through the lenses of personal development, human psychology, complexity, and systems science. You’ll also hear from experts who share my love for creating thriving teams and cultures. Let’s build a community where you feel seen, supported, and inspired. Join me on this journey—you deserve it!
Submit a question, request, or feedback for the podcast here: maraergaszabari.com
Or email hello@maraergaszabari.com
Episodes

Tuesday Aug 05, 2025
Tuesday Aug 05, 2025
Why does the same stressor light one healthcare leader up and completely flatten another? In this episode of The Inspired Healthcare Leader Podcast, I dive into the fascinating science of good and bad stress. You’ll discover why your brain’s interpretation—not the situation itself—determines whether stress fuels you or fries you. With real-world stories and practical strategies, you’ll learn how to reclaim calm, create micro-agency, and flip overwhelming challenges into moments of growth. If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I even cut out for this?”—this episode is your answer.
Website: maraergaszabari.com
Leadership clarity quiz:If you’d like a supportive way to understand what’s shaping your leadership right now, you can bookmark the free quiz at healthcareleaderquiz.com

Tuesday Jul 29, 2025
Tuesday Jul 29, 2025
Ever catch yourself replaying conversations with your boss or a colleague, wondering if it’s all in your head—or if something’s truly off? In this episode of The Inspired Healthcare Leader, we dive deep into why that low-grade tension matters more than you think. You’ll learn about the science of relational coordination, how weak work relationships drain your energy and sabotage performance, and the practical steps to have those brave, course-correcting conversations that build trust, clarity, and genuine partnership. If you’re tired of overanalyzing emails, dodging awkward encounters, or feeling slightly bruised after every interaction—this episode is your roadmap to stronger, smoother, more human connections at work. Tune in, because fixing the vibe isn’t just personal—it’s leadership mastery.
Website: maraergaszabari.com
Leadership clarity quiz:If you’d like a supportive way to understand what’s shaping your leadership right now, you can bookmark the free quiz at healthcareleaderquiz.com

Tuesday Jul 22, 2025
Tuesday Jul 22, 2025
Struggling to get honest feedback from your team or colleagues? You’re not alone—and you’re not doing anything wrong. In this episode of The Inspired Healthcare Leader, we unpack why traditional feedback-seeking often backfires, and how one simple shift—asking for advice instead—can change everything. Backed by research from Harvard and brought to life through a powerful real-world story, this episode offers a fresh, science-backed approach to getting real insight, building trust, and creating a culture of continuous improvement. If you’ve ever felt like you’re flying blind as a leader, this one’s for you.
Website: maraergaszabari.com
Leadership clarity quiz:If you’d like a supportive way to understand what’s shaping your leadership right now, you can bookmark the free quiz at healthcareleaderquiz.com

Tuesday Jul 15, 2025
Tuesday Jul 15, 2025
Is your team stuck in a cycle of miscommunication, low trust, or behind-the-back gossip? In this episode, we dive into the single most powerful leadership move you can make to shift your team from dysfunction to cohesion: co-created team agreements. Learn how this simple yet science-backed strategy taps into systems thinking, psychological safety, and self-organization to reset how your team works together. Whether you're managing ongoing tension or just want to strengthen your team's foundation, this episode gives you a clear step-by-step framework to build shared accountability, boost trust, and actually move forward—together.
Website: maraergaszabari.com
Leadership clarity quiz:If you’d like a supportive way to understand what’s shaping your leadership right now, you can bookmark the free quiz at healthcareleaderquiz.com

Tuesday Jul 08, 2025
Tuesday Jul 08, 2025
Ever wonder why your desperate pleas for more staff or resources feel like their falling on deaf ears, while thriving departments are getting their resource requests approved? It’s not personal. It’s a predictable system pattern called “Success to the Successful,” and it might be the single biggest reason your team stays under-resourced. In this episode, we’ll unpack the powerful feedback loops driving decisions in healthcare, explore why small wins matter way more than you think, and show you how to flip the script—so instead of spotlighting your struggles, you start building unstoppable momentum that leadership wants to invest in. Don’t keep spinning your wheels; learn how to get your own success snowball rolling.
Website: maraergaszabari.com
Leadership clarity quiz:If you’d like a supportive way to understand what’s shaping your leadership right now, you can bookmark the free quiz at healthcareleaderquiz.com

Tuesday Jul 01, 2025
Tuesday Jul 01, 2025
Ever had that staff member who’s clearly struggling—missing deadlines, making mistakes, rubbing people the wrong way—but looks at you like you’re the problem when you offer help? You’re not alone. In this episode, we unpack the psychology behind why brilliant healthcare staff sometimes can’t see their own impact, why traditional feedback fails, and how to coach in a way that builds safety and sparks true awareness. You’ll hear a real-world story of a nurse leader who transformed a defensive employee into an engaged team player—plus get practical scripts you can use right now. If you’re ready to move from power struggles to powerful growth, this episode is for you.
Website: maraergaszabari.com
Leadership clarity quiz:If you’d like a supportive way to understand what’s shaping your leadership right now, you can bookmark the free quiz at healthcareleaderquiz.com

Tuesday Jun 24, 2025
Tuesday Jun 24, 2025
Ever feel like you're one missed follow-up away from everything falling apart? Like the mental tabs never close and you're constantly bracing for the ball you might be dropping? You're not broken—you’re leading in one of the most complex systems there is. In this episode, we tackle the real root of that “always behind” feeling and share practical tools—calendar clarity, cognitive offloading, and digital task systems—that help you shift from panic to presence. If you're ready to reclaim your focus and lead with intention (without burning out), this one's for you.
Website: maraergaszabari.com
Leadership clarity quiz:If you’d like a supportive way to understand what’s shaping your leadership right now, you can bookmark the free quiz at healthcareleaderquiz.com

Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
What if the hardest parts of leadership weren’t signs of failure—but signs that you’re growing? In this episode, we explore the deeper personal development journey embedded in healthcare leadership, using Robert Kegan’s Adult Development Theory as our guide. You’ll discover how the challenges you face every day—from people-pleasing to decision paralysis to imposter syndrome—aren’t just obstacles… they’re invitations to evolve. If you’ve ever wondered why leadership feels so personal, so stretching, and so real—this episode is your roadmap to growing through it, not just surviving it.
Website: maraergaszabari.com
Leadership clarity quiz:If you’d like a supportive way to understand what’s shaping your leadership right now, you can bookmark the free quiz at healthcareleaderquiz.com

Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
Ever feel like you're solving the same problems over and over again? In this episode of The Inspired Healthcare Leader Podcast, we uncover why even your most well-intended fixes might be backfiring—and what to do instead. From systems theory to brain science, you’ll learn why your leadership brain craves the dopamine of a quick win… and how that impulse can sabotage real progress. Discover how to spot a fix that’s about to fail, map your system, and design solutions that actually stick. This one’s packed with practical tools, a real-life case study, and a five-step approach to break free from the patch-and-repeat cycle. Don’t miss it—your team (and your sanity) will thank you.
Website: maraergaszabari.com
Leadership clarity quiz:If you’d like a supportive way to understand what’s shaping your leadership right now, you can bookmark the free quiz at healthcareleaderquiz.com

Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
What if your toughest feedback wasn’t a sign of failure—but your leadership’s defining moment? In this episode of The Inspired Healthcare Leader, we reframe low engagement survey results as something more than just scores—they’re your call to rise. You have a choice: let the sting stop you… or let it strengthen you. Inside this episode, you’ll get a practical 4-step roadmap to shift from self-doubt to curiosity, from disconnection to meaningful dialogue—and you’ll be reminded that true leadership isn’t about never stumbling. It’s about how you rise. Because sometimes, the fall comes just before the standing ovation.
Website: maraergaszabari.com
Leadership clarity quiz:If you’d like a supportive way to understand what’s shaping your leadership right now, you can bookmark the free quiz at healthcareleaderquiz.com







