Not too long ago I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. David Korones for the latest episode of The Next Step podcast. Dr. Korones is a pediatric oncologist at Golisano Children’s Hospital in Rochester, NY.
He’s also an amazing writer, which is what prompted me to reach out to him in the first place.
I’d heard about how great he is, but this conversation gave me the chance to experience it firsthand. He’s genuine, thoughtful, and kind. If he made me feel that way—someone he’s met virtually just a couple of times—I can only imagine the compassion he brings to his patients and their families every single day.
One part of our conversation that really stayed with me was his perspective on writing, especially how it changes depending on where you are in your career.
When I asked him for his advice for trainees about writing and putting their thoughts out into the world, he admitted it’s easier for him to speak his mind now because he’s nearing the end of his career. He doesn’t have to worry as much about how his words might affect future opportunities.
But for trainees just starting out, that’s different. There’s more at stake, and it’s understandable to hesitate before putting bold opinions out there.
I think that’s an important acknowledgment. Not everyone is in the same place to say certain things. But that doesn’t mean your voice has no place.
There are plenty of ways to share your work and perspective without stepping into controversy:
- Summarize your research for a general audience.
- Highlight a mentor’s advice or insight that stuck with you.
- Write about your process: what you learned in the lab, classroom, or clinic.
- Share resources, tools, or readings that have helped you.
- Reflect on teamwork, resilience, or personal growth moments.
- Highlight the training experience.
And here’s one that often goes overlooked: commenting.
Thom Gibson, a former teacher and founder of WFH Dads, wrote about this in one of his recent newsletters. He said that thoughtful commenting on others’ content can help people see your expertise and get your name out there, without the pressure of writing your own post from scratch. Especially on LinkedIn, a comment that adds perspective, shares a quick experience, or asks a good question is a powerful way to build your presence.
Joe Pulizzi, founder of Content Marketing Institute and The Tilt, says when it comes to being successful on LinkedIn and getting people to notice you, “I think commenting is the first place to go.”
You don’t always need to publish an essay. Sometimes, simply showing up in the comments is enough to start building your voice.