STELLAR SUCCESS: Leveling Up For Medical Pros with Dr. Tudor Francu

Dr. Jenna Carl shares her unconventional journey from government consulting to becoming a licensed clinical psychologist and health tech executive. She discusses the emotional intensity of one-on-one therapy, the growing issue of burnout among healthcare workers, and the lack of awareness around evidence-based treatment for clinical mental health conditions. Dr. Carl emphasizes the importance of finding the right kind of therapy for the right issue—and how healthcare providers can and should prioritize their own mental health.
From building her own private practice to thriving in a leadership role in a health tech startup, Jenna talks candidly about career pivots, burnout, entrepreneurship, and what success really means in the world of healthcare. She also offers guidance for clinicians who want to diversify their practice and discusses how growth mindset and risk tolerance are key to thriving in both therapy and business.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a medical professional looking to share your story, insights, and strategies for achieving career, personal, and financial success? We want to hear from you! Apply to be a guest on our podcast and join the conversation with other leaders and innovators in the healthcare field https://stellarsuccesspodcast.com/guest.

What does it look like when a physician refuses to settle for the broken status quo—and builds something better?
In this inspiring episode, Dr. Tudor Francu sits down with Dr. Joe Pazona, a urologist-turned-entrepreneur who’s blazing a new trail in healthcare. From the moment he stepped into medicine, Dr. Pazona questioned not only his specialty—but the entire system surrounding it. What he discovered was a calling beyond the exam room.
Dr. Pazona shares how defining success beyond financial gain transformed his career and personal health. He dives into the real reasons our healthcare system keeps people sick, and how lifestyle-based solutions and physician-led innovation can rewrite that story.
Listeners will hear how Dr. Pazona left traditional practice, launched his own direct-pay urology clinic, and built a life around impact, autonomy, and healthspan. He doesn’t just talk the talk—his daily routines, priorities, and philosophy show how a mission-driven physician can lead change.
Key Takeaways:
Why success today requires a balance of health, relationships, and professional meaning
How physician entrepreneurs can disrupt a sick-care system
The power of knowing your data and avoiding financial blind spots
Dr. Pazona’s top “small habits” that have made the biggest difference
Why retirement doesn’t have to mean stopping—and why purpose is the real goal
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a medical professional looking to share your story, insights, and strategies for achieving career, personal, and financial success? We want to hear from you! Apply to be a guest on our podcast and join the conversation with other leaders and innovators in the healthcare field https://stellarsuccesspodcast.com/guest.
 

In this episode of The Stellar Success Podcast with Dr. Tudor Francu, we sit down with Dr. Steven Waldren, a leading expert in healthcare informatics and AI in medicine. From an unexpected journey into primary care to becoming a thought leader in medical technology, Dr. Waldren shares his experiences, challenges, and insights into the evolving world of digital healthcare.
We discuss:✅ How a chance encounter led him to medical informatics✅ The evolution of healthcare IT from the early 2000s to now✅ The role of AI in reducing physician burnout and administrative burden✅ The challenges and opportunities of AI in patient care✅ Practical advice for medical professionals looking to integrate informatics into their careers
Dr. Waldren also offers insights into balancing work, personal life, and financial stability as a physician. He shares his best strategies for maintaining success, both professionally and personally.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a medical professional looking to share your story, insights, and strategies for achieving career, personal, and financial success? We want to hear from you! Apply to be a guest on our podcast and join the conversation with other leaders and innovators in the healthcare field https://stellarsuccesspodcast.com/guest.

In this episode of The Stellar Success Podcast with Dr. Tudor Francu, we dive deep into the business side of medicine with expert consultant Jessica Jones. Jessica shares her journey from corporate marketing to helping medical professionals scale and manage their practices successfully.
We explore why many doctors struggle with accepting business advice, how to build strong partnerships, and why financial planning is crucial for long-term success. Jessica also reveals the common mistakes medical professionals make when transitioning to cash-based practices and how they can set themselves up for financial freedom.
Key Topics Discussed:
Why medical professionals struggle with business growth
The importance of strong partnerships in medical practices
Key financial strategies for early retirement and financial stability
Transitioning from insurance-based to cash-based medical practices
Mindset shifts for business success in medicine
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a medical professional looking to share your story, insights, and strategies for achieving career, personal, and financial success? We want to hear from you! Apply to be a guest on our podcast and join the conversation with other leaders and innovators in the healthcare field https://stellarsuccesspodcast.com/guest.

In this episode of The Stellar Success Podcast, Dr. Tudor Francu sits down with Dr. Franky Davis, an orthopedic surgeon and successful real estate investor based in Georgia. Franky opens up about his journey from medical school to rural practice—and how a desire for financial independence led him to build a thriving real estate portfolio.
Franky shares how he bought his first duplex as a resident and scaled up to owning self-storage units and multiple single-family homes—all while maintaining a busy orthopedic practice. Learn how he approached real estate investing with a strategic mindset, broke through the paralysis of analysis, and avoided burnout by building a life aligned with his values.
You’ll also hear Franky’s thoughts on:
How real estate helped him plan for financial freedom and reduce his tax burden legally
The balance between family, fitness, medicine, and real estate
Advice for medical professionals interested in investing
The power of mentorship and patient persistence
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a medical professional looking to share your story, insights, and strategies for achieving career, personal, and financial success? We want to hear from you! Apply to be a guest on our podcast and join the conversation with other leaders and innovators in the healthcare field https://stellarsuccesspodcast.com/guest.

Join Dr. Tudor Francu in a deeply reflective and insightful conversation with Dr. Art Lazarus, a physician, academic, pharma executive, and widely published writer. Dr. Lazarus opens up about his path in psychiatry, early career struggles, personal evolution, and how the “why” in medicine often comes down to relationships, love, work, and — not to be forgotten — play.
Dr. Lazarus shares candid moments about career “earthquakes,” like missing medical school acceptance on the first try and a haunting clinical experience that shifted his direction away from clinical psychiatry and toward population health. He discusses the value of narrative medicine, the emotional toll of medical practice, and why speaking out — especially for oneself — is a critical act of self-preservation.
Whether you're early in your medical career or reflecting on decades of service, this conversation will resonate on a human level. Dr. Lazarus also shares actionable wisdom for maintaining mental health and navigating career transitions with intention and compassion.
 
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a medical professional looking to share your story, insights, and strategies for achieving career, personal, and financial success? We want to hear from you! Apply to be a guest on our podcast and join the conversation with other leaders and innovators in the healthcare field https://stellarsuccesspodcast.com/guest.

On this episode of the Stellar Success Podcast, Dr. Tudor Francu sits down with Dr. Hardik Chodavadia, a powerhouse in the dental industry who transformed a single practice into a multi-location dental group. Hardik shares his entrepreneurial journey—from working for a large dental group to co-founding Enamel Dentistry, a thriving business with eight locations and counting.
Dr. Chodavadia opens up about the mindset shifts necessary for dentists looking to transition from employee to business owner, the importance of taking risks at the right time, and how asking "Why not?" instead of "Why?" can lead to big success. He also discusses:
The unexpected challenges of buying vs. starting a practice from scratch
The biggest mistakes he made early on and how he would do things differently
His philosophy on success, delegation, and building strong systems
How personal habits, discipline, and self-care play a role in leadership
His vision for the first autonomous dental group powered by automation
If you're a dentist looking to scale your practice, an entrepreneur in the medical field, or someone who wants to understand the business side of dentistry, this episode is packed with value.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a medical professional looking to share your story, insights, and strategies for achieving career, personal, and financial success? We want to hear from you! Apply to be a guest on our podcast and join the conversation with other leaders and innovators in the healthcare field https://stellarsuccesspodcast.com/guest.

What does it take to build a successful healthcare startup? William Nelson, founder of Healthy Amplified, joins Dr. Tudor Francu to share his incredible journey from corporate finance to healthcare innovation. With a background in business and medical device development, William has a unique perspective on what it takes to navigate the complex world of healthcare startups.
In this episode, William shares:
His personal definition of success and the lessons he's learned along the way
How his early career in business and finance led him to the healthcare industry
The biggest challenges and setbacks he faced while building Healthy Amplified
What makes a startup truly successful—and why so many fail
The importance of time management and daily routines in driving business success
His investment strategies and financial insights for long-term wealth
Healthy Amplified is revolutionizing digital health with FDA-cleared neuropsychological testing tools used to detect early signs of cognitive conditions like dementia, ADHD, and PTSD. William shares how his company is growing, what’s next, and whether he’s considering an exit strategy.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a medical professional looking to share your story, insights, and strategies for achieving career, personal, and financial success? We want to hear from you! Apply to be a guest on our podcast and join the conversation with other leaders and innovators in the healthcare field https://stellarsuccesspodcast.com/guest.

What if your side hustle could out-earn your day job? Dr. Gelerie Stenbakken, a successful anesthesiologist and real estate investor, joins us to share her inspiring journey from working 70+ hour weeks in medicine to achieving financial freedom through real estate.
In this episode, Dr. Stenbakken talks about:
How she transitioned from medicine to real estate investing
Overcoming setbacks, including a cancer diagnosis, to create financial security
The pivotal moments that led her to invest in short-term rentals
How she replaced her clinical income with real estate revenue
The mindset shift doctors need to break free from financial dependence on medicine
Practical advice for beginners looking to get started in real estate
Dr. Stenbakken's story is a must-listen for any medical professional seeking financial independence and a more balanced life.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a medical professional looking to share your story, insights, and strategies for achieving career, personal, and financial success? We want to hear from you! Apply to be a guest on our podcast and join the conversation with other leaders and innovators in the healthcare field https://stellarsuccesspodcast.com/guest.

In this episode of the Stellar Success Podcast, Dr. Tudor Francu welcomes a close friend, successful dentist, and real estate investor, Dr. Casey Fines. Based in North Dakota, Dr. Fines has built an impressive real estate empire while managing a full-time dental practice.
He shares how growing up around real estate influenced his investing journey, starting with a 9-unit apartment complex and scaling up to multi-million dollar commercial properties, hotels, and office buildings. Dr. Fines also dives into the challenges of managing real estate while running a dental practice, his experience owning a gas station, and the bold move of buying a 90-room hotel—which he recently sold for a significant profit.
We also discuss:✅ The mindset required to balance a medical career with real estate investing✅ How strategic partnerships helped him scale his portfolio✅ The challenges of property management and staffing✅ Lessons from setbacks, including navigating COVID-19 as a hotel owner✅ Why time management and small, consistent actions are key to success
Dr. Fines' journey proves that with the right mindset and dedication, it's possible to excel in multiple industries. Whether you're in the medical field or interested in real estate, this episode is packed with valuable insights on wealth-building, risk-taking, and perseverance.
 
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a medical professional looking to share your story, insights, and strategies for achieving career, personal, and financial success? We want to hear from you! Apply to be a guest on our podcast and join the conversation with other leaders and innovators in the healthcare field https://stellarsuccesspodcast.com/guest.