Ep 8. Shame, Guilt and Perfectionism with Dr. Will Bynum – A Mental Health Conversation for High Achievers.

What if your drive to be perfect is rooted in shame?

In this powerful episode, Dr. Amna Shabbir sits down with Dr. Will Bynum, a leading expert on the psychology of shame, to explore how perfectionism and shame are deeply intertwined—especially in high-achieving fields like medicine.

Together, they explore:

✅How Perfectionism and Shame are connected

✅Shame vs. Guilt

✅Why shame thrives in high-stakes environments like medicine and parenting

✅How to transform your mindset surrounding shame

✅Actionable strategies to address shame

About the Guest:

Dr. William Bynum is a Family Medicine Physician and Associate Professor at Duke University School of Medicine, where he also co-founded The Shame Lab—leading research dedicated to exploring the role of shame in medical education and professional identity formation. He is also the co-creator of The Shame Space, a platform devoted to helping individuals and institutions navigate the emotional complexities of shame in high-performance environments.

Dr. Bynum’s work has contributed to shifting the narrative around shame from one of silence and isolation to one of curiosity, compassion, and transformation.

🔗 Learn more about The Shame Lab: 

https://www.shamelab.org/

🔗 Explore The Shame Space: 

https://www.theshamespace.com/

🎙 About the Host –

Dr. Amna Shabbir is a Dual Board-certified Geriatrics and Internal Medicine Physician, Master Certified Coach, Professional Speaker, Mental Health Advocate, and Super Mom. She is the Founder of Amna Shabbir Wellness Coachingand the Early Career Physicians Institute® where she empowers high achievers to redefine success and create sustainable well-being.

This episode is part of her special book writing project on unmasking perfectionism.

🔹 Connect with Dr. Shabbir:

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/

🌍 Book Her To Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking

 ❗ Important Notes:

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode may contain discussions related to mental health challenges.

❌ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.

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