00:00:00 Dr. Louis Profeta, an Emergency Physician and best-selling author, shares his perspective on life and his career choice. He mentions that he has always valued the ability to communicate effectively and honestly, especially with his large social media following. Dr. Profeta discusses how he fell in love with emergency medicine during his residency at the University of Pittsburgh, after initially wanting to be a hand surgeon due to a neck injury from his past. He explains that the variety and unpredictability of emergency medicine appealed to him, and he found it more enjoyable than the discomfort of surgery due to his neck condition.

00:05:00 He discusses his experience transitioning from medical student to attending physician in the emergency room (ER). He had extensive ER experience as a student, working as an "exter" or junior doctor, and even moonlighting in underserved areas. However, his first few months as a resident brought new challenges, including being on his own without support and dealing with the regulatory changes in medical practice. He reflects on the loss of autonomy and increased documentation requirements, which limited the experience of medical students. One of the most memorable experiences he shared was discovering a "stone baby" in an elderly patient's abdomen, which was an extremely rare occurrence.

00:10:00 Dr. Louis Profeta shares his experiences as an emergency physician, reflecting on the diverse range of patients he has cared for over his 34-year career. He recalls treating individuals who had lived through historical events like the Spanish American War and the World War I. Dr. Profeta also discusses the emotional challenges of his job, particularly when dealing with parents whose children have been killed. He emphasizes the profound impact having children of his own has had on his perspective and the depth of his understanding of love. Dr. Profeta also speaks about his efforts to prevent drug and alcohol abuse among young people to minimize the number of parents he has to console in the ER. He shares personal experiences of dealing with child abuse cases and the emotional toll they take on him. Despite the prevalence of death in his line of work, Dr. Profeta remains motivated by the chance to save lives and continues to work in the ER at the age of 60.

00:15:00 Dr. Louis Profeta discusses the impact of his work as an emergency physician extending beyond saving lives. He shares stories of receiving emails from parents whose children attended his talks on alcoholism and drug abuse, expressing gratitude for the conversations that led to positive changes. Dr. Profeta brings his personal experiences to college campuses and private parent groups, delivering emotional and exhausting but rewarding talks. He has spoken at numerous universities and colleges across the country, including Clemson, Florida State, and University of South Carolina. His TED Talk from Wabash University, which he delivered seven years ago, resonated with many due to its portrayal of various human emotions and real-life scenarios from the ER. The book he holds, "Patient Room 9: God's Waiting Room," explores the emergency department as a unique place where every aspect of society comes together, allowing for encounters between individuals from various walks of life.

00:20:00 Dr. Profeta reflects on the unique experience of working in an emergency room, where various societal and health issues converge. He describes the emotional and spiritual challenges of witnessing the successes and failures of society within the ER. Dr. Profeta's expertise and insights gained from his ER experience led him to become a public speaker, sharing his perspectives on various issues and becoming a top voice in healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic. The podcast "Doctors and Dollars" was created to provide financial education for physicians, as they recognized a significant void in this area. Dr. Profeta has always been a good writer but admits he was not an excellent student, highlighting the importance of personal growth and utilizing one's skills in various aspects of life.

00:25:00 Dr. Louis Profeta shares his experiences with writing and communication. He recalls how his writing skills, particularly a creative piece published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, helped him during medical school. Dr. Profeta emphasizes the importance of responsibility in his writing and speaking, with a large following on social media. He discusses his evolution from a troubled medical student to a more empathetic and forgiving person after experiencing the illness of one of his children. Dr. Profeta also talks about his bonding moments with his sons, including watching UFC fights and creating lasting memories.

00:30:00 Dr. Louis Profeta shares memories of watching boxing matches with colleagues and reminisces about childhood experiences in West Central Iowa. He recalls the joy of seeing kids getting hurt while playing in the dirt and engaging in physical activities. Dr. Profeta expresses his concern about the sedentary lifestyle of children and adults today, spending most of their time looking at screens. He advocates for getting outside, getting dirty, and being connected to nature. Dr. Profeta also mentions an article he wrote called "Buy Your Kid a Pile of Dirt", which highlights the importance of children's outdoor play and exploration. He also shares that he had predicted a viral pandemic in 2014 and wrote an article about it, which came true with the COVID-19 pandemic.

00:35:00 Dr. Profeta shares his personal experience during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. He recalls the fear and uncertainty that came with the initial outbreak, with many people forgetting that there was a similar viral pandemic in the 1990s. Dr. Profeta describes how he managed to convince his family to leave New York City and move to a safer location, as he had a premonition of the impending crisis. At the hospital, they were overwhelmed with nursing home patients who were all dying from the virus, while other patients stayed away due to fear. Dr. Profeta and his colleagues were terrified of contracting the virus themselves and wondered who would be the first to die. However, they were relieved when the vaccine became available, and most of them eventually contracted the virus but did not die from it. The saddest part for Dr. Profeta was seeing unvaccinated, obese patients coming in too late and ultimately dying from the virus.

00:40:00 He then expresses his frustration with the politicization of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting loss of lives, particularly among the elderly and morbidly obese populations. He shares his personal experiences of losing friends and seeing the devastating impact of the virus on his community. Dr. Profeta also mentions the importance of preparing for the future and taking care of one's affairs, as he did during the pandemic, and encourages individuals to ensure their loved ones have access to important information in case of unexpected events.

00:45:00 Dr. Louis Profeta discusses the importance of financial planning for physicians, sharing his personal experience of creating a "legacy folder" to ensure his wife's financial security in case of his absence. He emphasizes that many successful physicians do not adequately prepare themselves financially, despite their high income and future earning potential. Dr. Profeta also explains that his continued work in the ER is driven by his love for the job and his desire to provide for his wife, who he believes will live into her 90s. He also mentions that he enjoys traveling with her to his speaking engagements and that they make a great team. When asked about balancing work and family life, Dr. Profeta humorously suggests that boys are easy to raise and only require throwing food on the ground for them to rummage around.

00:50:00 Dr. Profeta shares his experiences raising his athletic and self-sufficient sons and contrasts it with his wife's desire for a daughter. He recounts how he bought his wife a dog and a pink stroller to fulfill her wish, jokingly referring to it as a "dog from hell." Dr. Profeta expresses that he didn't interfere much in his children's problems, allowing them to learn and solve issues on their own. He also mentions that his kids were not scholarly but have turned out to be successful individuals. Dr. Profeta plans to continue working in emergency medicine until he qualifies for Medicare, but also has real estate and pharmaceutical ventures.

00:55:00 Dr. Louis Profeta expresses his commitment to continuing his medical practice in the United States, feeling a sense of responsibility to give back to the country that allowed him to become a physician. He emphasizes the importance of doctors staying in the field to meet the demand for healthcare services. Dr. Profeta invites listeners to connect with him through his website, LinkedIn, or his speaking engagement platform, Greek University, for potential speaking engagements.