Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project

Tomorrow's Cure - When Algorithms Meet Empathy: The Future of Patient-Centered AI

Host: Cathy Wurzer
Guest: Mayo Clinic physician leader Dr. Anjali Bhagra and human centered AI expert Dr. Ravi Bapna
 
Today, we are sharing an episode from our sister podcast Tomorrow’s Cure. Produced by our Mayo Clinic colleagues, this chart-topping and Ambie Award-finalist podcast explores the future of medicine – from the rise of chronic disease and autoimmune disorders to innovations in AI, 3D bioprinting, and cancer research.
 
In this specific episode, you’ll hear from Mayo Clinic physician leader Dr. Anjali Bhagra and human centered AI expert Dr. Ravi Bapna about how automation and AI are changing the way care teams work, how patients access care, and what it takes to keep people at the center of these advances. Featuring real stories from clinic and hospital settings, this conversation tackles the hard questions around trust, bias, and burnout.
 
You listen to other episodes of Tomorrow’s Cure here: https://play.megaphone.fm/uk0u00jeqjandeotmblt0a 

E56 How to Get More Mileage from Your Brain

Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D., Creator & Guide | Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project 
Guest: Amit Sood, MD MS FACP, CEO - Global Center for Resiliency and Wellbeing | Fellow, Atria Health and Research Institute | Member, Scientific Advisory Board, Thrive Global | Industrial Fellow, U.C. Berkeley | Professor of Medicine (Retd.), Mayo Clinic 
 
How often do you feel that your brain is functioning at its highest level? If you are like most of us, it’s not as often as you would like. Given the high-pressure world we live in, it’s critical for us to ensure our brain is firing on all cylinders, as often as possible. To make that happen, we need to help our brains be more efficient. Just like mileage on a car, we want to optimize the mileage we get out of our brains. To help us do that, our expert guest today is Dr. Amit Sood, the creator of the Resilient Option program and executive director of the Global Center for Resiliency and Wellbeing.
 
The three questions he is going to walk us through are:
1. What does it mean to "get more mileage" out of our brain, and why are we currently so inefficient?
2. Why is it so hard to stay in "Focused Mode" as our brain tries to pull us towards distraction?
3. What is the solution and what are the specific steps we can take to get the most out of our brains?
 
 
How to start a Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project “Pod-Club”:
Step 1: Find 2-30 friends who want to get better
Step 2: Choose your episodes (can be focused on specific themes or random)
Step 3: Listen to/watch the episodes
Step 4: Meet with your group to work through the provided discussion questions for each episode, and feel free to add your own!
Step 5: Celebrate the fact that you are turning passive knowledge into action!
 
Discussion Questions for this Episode:
1. The podcast defines "getting more mileage out of your brain" as accumulating more experience, learning, insights, and making a difference, rather than just increasing intelligence. How does this broader definition of "brain mileage" resonate with your personal goals for growth and impact?
2. Dr. Sood states that our biggest challenge is our "inability to influence our attention and emotions." In what specific areas of your life do you feel this lack of influence most acutely?
3. The discussion highlights that we spend 60-80% of our time in the "default/automatic mode," which is linked to unhappiness and anxiety. What are some common triggers that pull you into this default mode?
4. The podcast explains that our negativity bias, while once crucial for survival, now often protects our "emotional body." What emotional "threats" do you find yourself constantly guarding against?
5. The concept of "willpower depletion" is linked to poor sleep, nutrition, and lack of exercise. How do your daily lifestyle choices impact your ability to exercise self-control and stay in a focused, intentional mode?
6. Dr. Sood suggests that overthinking occurs when "thinking is happening to you" rather than you choosing your thoughts. What strategies do you currently use, or could you commit to trying this week, to regain control and choose your thoughts more intentionally?
7. The "rum" analogy (Rest, Uplifting emotions, Motivation) is presented as a way to be kind to your mind. Which of these three elements do you find most challenging to incorporate into your daily routine, and why?
8. The podcast suggests that progress in brain optimization can be measured by feeling lighter, less cynical, and experiencing deeper connections. What specific indicators would signal to you that you are successfully "getting more mileage out of your brain"?
 
 
Learn more about the Human Optimization Project at: https://ce.mayo.edu/optimize 
X: @MayoHumanOpProj 
Instagram: @MayoHumanOpProj 
YouTube: The Human Optimization Project - YouTube
Email: optimize@mayo.edu 

Tomorrow's Cure - 3D Bioprinted Skin: Breakthroughs in Regenerative Medicine

Host: Cathy Wurzer
Guest: Dermatologist and regenerative medicine expert Dr. Saranya Wyles of Mayo Clinic and biomedical engineer Dr. Adam Feinberg of Carnegie Mellon University
 
Today, we are sharing an episode from our sister podcast Tomorrow’s Cure. Produced by our Mayo Clinic colleagues, this chart-topping and Ambie Award-finalist podcast explores the future of medicine – from the rise of chronic disease and autoimmune disorders to new research revealing how early immune changes can develop into certain types of leukemia.
 
In this particular episode, you’ll hear from dermatologist and regenerative medicine expert Dr. Saranya Wyles of Mayo Clinic and biomedical engineer Dr. Adam Feinberg of Carnegie Mellon University about “SkinSpan” and the fast-moving world of 3D bioprinted skin. They explore how layered, living skin models built from human cells and collagen are helping researchers study conditions like eczema, chronic wounds, burns, and age-related changes in skin structure and pigment.
 
You listen to other episodes of Tomorrow’s Cure here: https://play.megaphone.fm/3qwbajhmswc0jz1xfy7dbg 

E55 Overcoming Self Doubt and Imposter Syndrome

Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D., Creator & Guide | Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project 
Guest: Cade Cowan, Managing Partner | Executive Development Consulting – Atlanta, GA 
 
If you’ve ever experienced self-doubt, felt like you didn’t have what it takes, or were fearful of being “found out”, this episode is for you. We have all had the unfortunate experience of improperly doubting ourselves and our abilities to the extent that they had a negative impact on how we feel about ourselves and diminished our performance. Self-doubt and imposter syndrome can be paralyzing, but life is too short for us to live with constant fear and doubt about our abilities. Our expert guest here to help us with this is author and executive consultant, Cade Cowan.
 
The three big questions Cade is going to walk us through are:
1. What exactly is “imposter syndrome”? What are the downsides?
2. How common is self-doubt and how can we tell if it’s impacting us?
3. What steps can we take to overcome imposter syndrome and develop healthy confidence to become our best selves?
 
 
How to start a Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project “Pod-Club”:
Step 1: Find 2-30 friends who want to get better
Step 2: Choose your episodes (can be focused on specific themes or random)
Step 3: Listen to/watch the episodes
Step 4: Meet with your group to work through the provided discussion questions for each episode, and feel free to add your own!
Step 5: Celebrate the fact that you are turning passive knowledge into action!
 
Discussion Questions for this Episode:
1. The podcast distinguishes between imposter syndrome (high competence, low confidence) and low self-confidence (global lack of belief in ability). Think about a time when you experienced one versus the other. How did your actions or feelings differ in those situations?
2. Cade mentions the Dunning-Kruger effect as the opposite of imposter syndrome (low competence, high confidence). How might recognizing both imposter syndrome and the Dunning-Kruger effect help us achieve a more balanced and realistic self-assessment?
3. The discussion highlights the "cycle of imposter syndrome" – a trigger event leading to anxiety, overwork or procrastination, success, and then explaining that success away. Think about a time when you experienced this cycle. What was the most challenging aspect for you?
4. The speakers discuss how environmental factors, such as work culture or societal pressures (like social media's "highlight reels"), can exacerbate imposter syndrome. What specific aspects of your current environment might be contributing to feelings of self-doubt? What is one way you might address this?
5. Cade shares a personal story about presenting to a CEO at 28, realizing he should "stay in his zone of expertise." Consider your own "zone of expertise." What helps you feel comfortable sharing what you don't know in professional or personal settings?
6. The idea of "confident humility" is introduced, emphasizing the ability to say "I don't know" while still being confident in one's ability to learn. How can you practice this balance in your daily interactions?
7. The podcast suggests that imposter syndrome is a "universal experience" and that "everybody else is doing it." How does knowing this change how you interact with others who might be experiencing imposter syndrome?
8. Cade shares his "keepers file" of positive emails and notes. What is one tangible way you could start collecting and revisiting evidence of your own successes and positive impact to combat imposter syndrome?
 
 
Learn more about the Human Optimization Project at: https://ce.mayo.edu/optimize
X: @MayoHumanOpProj
Instagram: @MayoHumanOpProj
YouTube: The Human Optimization Project - YouTube
Email: optimize@mayo.edu

E54 How to Set Your Personal Vision: Define What You Want to Accomplish in Life

Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D., Creator & Guide | Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project 
Guest: Greg Couser, MD, MPH, Preventive and Occupational Medicine Physician and Psychiatrist | Mayo Clinic – Rochester, MN 
 
Can you easily and clearly answer the following question...WHAT do you want to achieve with your life? The question is simple, but it’s challenging for most of us to answer in a clear, concise, and convincing way. While we may have a rough or general idea of what we want to accomplish as human beings, very few of us can clearly articulate that in a way that is at the forefront of our minds and drives our behaviors. Time for that to change, and our guest here to teach you how is Dr. Greg Couser, the creator and director of the Mayo Clinic “Optimizing Potential” course.
 
The three big questions Greg is going to answer for us are:
1. What exactly is “vision” and why do we need one?
2. Why do so many of us struggle to clearly articulate what we want to accomplish in life?
3. What practical steps should we take to set the ideal vision for ourselves?
 
 
How to start a Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project “Pod-Club”:
Step 1: Find 2-30 friends who want to get better
Step 2: Choose your episodes (can be focused on specific themes or random)
Step 3: Listen to/watch the episodes
Step 4: Meet with your group to work through the provided discussion questions for each episode, and feel free to add your own!
Step 5: Celebrate the fact that you are turning passive knowledge into action!
 
 
Discussion Questions for this Episode:
1. The podcast defines a personal vision as a "big want" that fuels you, rooted in values and purpose. How might your core values inform what your "big want" for your life truly is?
2. Dr. Couser suggests that a good vision should be simple, clearly articulated, and concise (1-2 sentences). Why do you think it's so challenging for many people to distill their life's aspirations into such a brief statement?
3. The speakers emphasize that having a personal vision can bring joy, meaning, and motivation, and make life "easier" by providing direction. Can you recall a time when a clear sense of purpose or direction made a difficult situation in your life feel more manageable or even enjoyable?
4. The discussion highlights that many people struggle with vision setting due to perfectionism or fear of failure, especially in a "left-brain information society." How might you overcome these tendencies to allow yourself to explore and articulate your personal vision without judgment?
5. The "ideal retirement party" exercise is suggested as a way to brainstorm your vision. If you were at your ideal retirement party, what would you want friends, family, and colleagues to say about the legacy you've built and the person you've been?
6. The podcast encourages making your vision "not specific to your vocation" because jobs can change. How can you craft a personal vision that is universal enough to apply across different roles and stages of your life, rather than being tied to a specific career?
7. The idea of "Greg the automaton" is how Dr. Couser describes himself when living on autopilot. What are some of your own "autopilot" behaviors or reactions? This week, commit to asking "why" (as suggested in the podcast) to help you uncover deeper insights for your personal vision.
8. Once a vision is crafted, the advice is to "look at it often" and "visit it often." What practical strategies could you implement in your daily life to keep your personal vision at the forefront of your mind and guide your actions?
 
 
 
Learn more about the Human Optimization Project at: https://ce.mayo.edu/optimize
X: @MayoHumanOpProj
Instagram: @MayoHumanOpProj
YouTube: The Human Optimization Project - YouTube
Email: optimize@mayo.edu

E53 How to Make Friends and Genuine Social Connections as an Adult

Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D., Creator & Guide | Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project 
Guest: Katherine A. Meese, PhD, Researcher | Author | CEO - HuMargin Group – Nashville, TN 
 
If you are someone over the age of 22, you’ve likely noticed that it’s harder to make friends than it was when you were younger. Some of this is due to societal changes, but much of it is because life starts to pull us in so many directions that it’s hard to pin down time to make true friends and genuine social connections. However, social connections are critical fuel to our joy and fulfillment, so we have to find a way to keep them going late into life. To show us how, our expert guest is award winning author and speaker, Katherine Meese.
 
The three big questions Katherine is going to answer for us in the episode are:
1. Why is friendship and social connection so important for us as adults?
2. Why is it so hard to form and maintain these friendships as adults?
3. What practical, repeatable behaviors help adults form, deepen, and sustain real friendships in modern life?
 
 
How to start a Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project “Pod-Club”:
Step 1: Find 2-30 friends who want to get better
Step 2: Choose your episodes (can be focused on specific themes or random)
Step 3: Listen to/watch the episodes
Step 4: Meet with your group to work through the provided discussion questions for each episode, and feel free to add your own!
Step 5: Celebrate the fact that you are turning passive knowledge into action!
 
Discussion Questions for this Episode: 
1. The podcast uses the analogy of a tree's root system (fibrous roots for acquaintances, taproot for deep friends) to describe social connections. How do you currently balance these two types of relationships in your life?
2. The discussion highlights how the importance of social connection changes across different life stages (childhood, young adulthood, middle age, and later life). How have your needs and expectations for friendship evolved as you've gotten older?
3. The podcast states that social isolation and loneliness can be as detrimental to physical health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. What are your personal reflections on the physical and mental health impacts of your social connections (or lack thereof)?
4. The speakers discuss how modern factors like technology, career demands, and polarizing worldviews make adult friendships challenging. Which of these factors do you experience in your life?
5. The concept of "firing friends" is brought up, especially when beliefs diverge. How do you navigate friendships with people who hold different values or worldviews than your own, and when do you decide a friendship might not be worth continuing?
6. The podcast suggests a four-step plan for building friendships: 1) Assess where you are, 2) Become a regular somewhere, 3) Be responsible for your own fun, and 4) Be the friend you want to have. Which of these steps do you feel you already do well, and which could you focus on improving?
7. When discussing maintaining friendships, the advice includes understanding what the other person needs, making a routine, seeing people as having "layers like an onion," and showing grace. Which of these maintenance strategies do you find most challenging or most rewarding?
8. The call to action encourages listeners to recognize that building friendships is a choice and to assess their current social network. What is one concrete action you could take this week to either assess your friendships or intentionally invest in one?
 
 
Learn more about the Human Optimization Project at: https://ce.mayo.edu/optimize
X: @MayoHumanOpProj
Instagram: @MayoHumanOpProj
YouTube: The Human Optimization Project - YouTube
Email: optimize@mayo.edu

E52 Daily Skin Care Routines We Should Be Doing for Life Long Skin Health

Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D., Creator & Guide | Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project 
Guest: Saranya Wyles, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Dermatology and Regenerative Medicine 
Director of Regenerative Dermatology and Skin Longevity Laboratory 
Mayo Clinic Department of Dermatology, Rochester, MN 
 
Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and it does a lot more than just make you look good! It is our primary defense against the outside world and regulates many of our body's internal functions. Given the major role it plays in our health and overall performance, it is important that we take care of our skin to keep it healthy for as long as possible.  
Dr. Saryna Wyles is our expert guest here to answer these big questions for us:  
What does our skin actually do for us and why is skin care so important? 
How do we make sense of the most common skin care options out there and sort fact from fiction?
What are the regular skin care practices we should be doing to help us have healthy, vibrant skin life long? 
 
How to start a Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project “Pod-Club”: Step 1: Find 2-30 friends who want to get better Step 2: Choose your episodes (can be focused on specific themes or random) Step 3: Listen to/watch the episodes Step 4: Meet with your group to work through the provided discussion questions for each episode, and feel free to add your own! Step 5: Celebrate the fact that you are turning passive knowledge into action! 
 
Discussion Questions for this Episode: 
Dr. Wyles describes skin as our largest organ and a primary defense against the outside world. How does this perspective change your view of your skin's importance? 
The skin's functions include acting as a barrier, aiding absorption, regulating temperature, producing Vitamin D, and providing sensation. Which of these functions do you find most surprising or impactful? 
Dr. Wyles explains that skin aging involves a decline in function, leading to issues like dryness, itchiness, and reduced healing. How might understanding these functional declines influence your approach to skincare? 
It's stated that only 25% of skin aging is genetically fixed, leaving 75% modifiable. What is one of the key modifiable factors that impact skin health that you can begin incorporating into your routine this week? 
The podcast categorizes skincare approaches into Protection, Repair, Signaling, and Lifestyle. Which of these categories do you feel you currently excel in, and which needs the most attention? 
The "bare bones minimum" skincare routine involves washing, sunscreen, and moisturizer in the morning, and washing, a retinoid, and moisturizer in the evening. How does this compare to your current routine? 
Dr. Wyles emphasizes that consistency is key in skincare, comparing it to brushing your teeth. What strategies can help ensure consistency in a daily skincare routine? 
The discussion highlights that skincare benefits extend beyond appearance to disease prevention and early signal detection for systemic health. How does this broader perspective on skin health influence your priorities? 
 
Learn more about the Human Optimization Project at: https://ce.mayo.edu/optimize X: @MayoHumanOpProj Instagram: @MayoHumanOpProj YouTube: The Human Optimization Project - YouTube 
Email: optimize@mayo.edu 

E51 Things You Should Stop Doing to Improve Your Mental Strength

Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D., Creator & Guide | Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project 
Guest: Amy Morin, LCSW, Psychotherapist / Mental Strength Coach / International Bestselling Author | Mentally Strong 
 
One of the biggest limiters of our mental strength is our very common (usually unintentional) struggle with self-sabotaging behaviors. Since we all feel too busy to do more, maybe the answer is to actually do less? For some behaviors, that is absolutely the case. To help us better understand how we can do less, and be better for it, our expert guest for this episode is bestselling author, Amy Morin.
 
The three big questions she is going to answer for us today are:
1. What exactly is “mental strength?”
2. What are the things we are doing that commonly sabotage our mental strength
3. How can we remove these things from our lives in order to maximize our mental strength?
 
 
How to start a Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project “Pod-Club”:
Step 1: Find 2-30 friends who want to get better
Step 2: Choose your episodes (can be focused on specific themes or random)
Step 3: Listen to/watch the episodes
Step 4: Meet with your group to work through the provided discussion questions for each episode, and feel free to add your own!
Step 5: Celebrate the fact that you are turning passive knowledge into action!
 
Discussion Questions for this Episode:
1. Amy Morin defines mental strength as finding the courage to live the life you want according to your values. How does this definition resonate with your personal understanding of mental strength?
2. Morin breaks mental strength into three components: thinking, feeling, and behaving. Which of these areas do you find most challenging to manage?
3. The podcast highlights that venting can sometimes reinforce negative thought patterns rather than alleviate them. How do you typically process frustrating experiences?
4. Morin suggests that giving away our power, often through language like "I have to," can be self-sabotaging. What is one instance where you've used this language? How could you rephrase it to reclaim your power?
5. The concept of focusing energy on what we can control, rather than what we can't, is discussed. What is one area of your life where you tend to focus on the uncontrollable?
6. Morin identifies making the same mistakes repeatedly as a common self-sabotaging behavior. What is one recurring mistake you've made, and what strategy could help you break that cycle?
7. The pressure for immediate results is identified as a common societal challenge. How does this expectation impact your approach to personal growth or habit formation?
8. Amy emphasizes that mental strength is a spectrum and requires ongoing effort, not just a destination. What is one small, proactive step you can take this week to build your mental strength?
 
Learn more about the Human Optimization Project at: https://ce.mayo.edu/optimize
X: @MayoHumanOpProj
Instagram: @MayoHumanOpProj
YouTube: The Human Optimization Project - YouTube
Email: optimize@mayo.edu

E50 How to Be More Creative and Get Yourself Back Outside the Box

Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D., Creator & Guide | Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project 
Guest: Cal Aurand, Creative Director – Communications | Mayo Clinic – Rochester, MN 
 
"I wish I could be more creative” is a common trope that many of us say to ourselves. Unfortunately, that wish comes with the assumption that we aren’t creative, and we're here to disprove that notion to you today. What if we told you that we all have a creative side, but we may not be looking at it the right way, or we haven’t fully accessed it for some reason or another.
 
To help us understand and sort through these limiting beliefs, our expert guest today is master storyteller, Cal Aurand.
1. What is creativity, really—and where does it come from?
2. Why do so many of us feel “not creative?”
3. What should we be doing differently right now to reliably improve our creativity?
 
 
How to start a Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project “Pod-Club”:
Step 1: Find 2-30 friends who want to get better
Step 2: Choose your episodes (can be focused on specific themes or random)
Step 3: Listen to/watch the episodes
Step 4: Meet with your group to work through the provided discussion questions for each episode, and feel free to add your own!
Step 5: Celebrate the fact that you are turning passive knowledge into action!
 
 
 
Discussion Questions for this Episode:
1. Cal Aurand defines creativity as a verb, emphasizing action, curiosity, and personal experiences. What is one thing Aurand described that was a new idea to you?
2. The podcast suggests that structure can be a key to creativity. In what ways might structure or order enhance your own creative process?
3. Cal shares that his best ideas often come from listening to others' needs and conversations, rather than solely from introspection. How can actively listening to others unlock your own creative potential?
4. The idea that creativity comes from "above" and is "given" rather than possessed is discussed. How does this perspective shift your view of your own creative abilities?
5. Cal mentions that serving others is where he finds the most joy and fulfillment, which in turn fuels his creativity. How can focusing on service impact your creative output?
6. The transcript highlights that many people feel they are "not creative" due to self-doubt or imposter syndrome. What are Cal's three key insights for overcoming these feelings, and how do those align with you?
7. Cal suggests that creativity is not limited to artistic fields, citing mathematicians, chefs, designers, and first responders as examples. Where do you see creativity manifesting in your own profession or daily life?
8. The advice to "have fun" is presented as a crucial element for creativity. How can you intentionally incorporate more fun into your creative pursuits or problem-solving activities?
 
 
Learn more about the Human Optimization Project at: https://ce.mayo.edu/optimize
X: @MayoHumanOpProj
Instagram: @MayoHumanOpProj
YouTube: The Human Optimization Project - YouTube
Email: optimize@mayo.edu

E49 How to Find a Good Mentor, and How to Be a Good Mentor

Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D., Creator & Guide | Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project 
Guest: Charanjit S. Rihal, M.D., MBA 
William S. and Ann Atherton Professor of Cardiology - Department of Cardiovascular Medicine | Chair, Mayo Clinic People and Culture Committee, Member Board of Trustees - Mayo Clinic – Rochester, MN 
 
We are all a product of our environment, and this includes the people we surround ourselves with. Anyone that has achieved a level of success knows that they didn’t do it completely alone. One of the key ingredients to success in all activities is having high quality mentorship. A good mentor is worth their weight in gold, but how do we FIND a good mentor? And equally important, how can we BE a good mentor to others? That’s what we’ll discuss with our expert guest, Dr. Chet Rihal.  
 
The three big questions we will cover include:  
What qualities make up a good mentor and why do we need one?
What are the most common mistakes we make when trying to find a mentor or be a mentor?
What steps can we take toidentify a good mentor, and serve as a mentor to others? 
 
How to start a Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project “Pod-Club”: Step 1: Find 2-30 friends who want to get better Step 2: Choose your episodes (can be focused on specific themes or random) Step 3: Listen to/watch the episodes Step 4: Meet with your group to work through the provided discussion questions for each episode, and feel free to add your own! Step 5: Celebrate the fact that you are turning passive knowledge into action! 
 
Discussion Questions for this Episode: 
Dr. Rihal defines mentorship as a relationship that helps one achieve their optimal professional self. How does this definition differ from your initial understanding of mentorship?  
How does the concept of mentorship differ from sponsorship, according to Dr. Rihal's explanation? How have you experienced mentorship and / or sponsorship in your career? 
What are the primary benefits of having a mentor, as described by Dr. Rihal, beyond just technical or professional guidance?  
Dr. Rihal suggests that mentors can help mentees see potential they might not recognize themselves. Can you recall a time when someone else saw potential in you that you hadn't recognized?  
What are the key qualities Dr. Rihal identifies as essential for a good mentor, and which of these do you find most crucial? 
Dr. Rihal emphasizes that mentees should avoid trying to become a carbon copy of their mentor. What steps can a mentee take to ensure they develop their own unique professional identity? 
What are the most common mistakes mentors make, and how can mentees avoid falling into the trap of mistaking their mentor for an “oracle” with all the answers? 
Dr. Rihal suggests that individuals can eventually become their own mentor by understanding their goals and drivers. What is one step you can take this week to better understand your own internal drivers?
 
Learn more about the Human Optimization Project at: https://ce.mayo.edu/optimize X: @MayoHumanOpProj Instagram: @MayoHumanOpProj YouTube: The Human Optimization Project - YouTube 
Email: optimize@mayo.edu