Meet Tara Tourloukis. Tara is a registered nurse psychotherapist with more than 20 years of experience in mental health care. It’s a truly unique and rewarding niche. As a nurse psychotherapist, she runs her own private therapy practice in Ontario, Canada—a role that blends clinical expertise with compassionate counseling.

During our conversation, I couldn’t help but tell her that if I had known about this nursing specialty 20 or 30 years ago, it would have been exactly the path for me.So what does Tara do in her role? She provides therapy for individuals facing everyday mental health challenges—things like low mood, stress, overwhelm, trouble coping, and finding balance between work and life. Let’s be honest, that’s something many of us can relate to.

What I especially admire is her holistic approach. As a nurse, Tara understands how physical health directly impacts mental well-being. She routinely checks in with her clients about things like hydration, nutrition, and sleep—those often-overlooked pieces that play a big role in how we feel.

Does the idea of becoming a nurse psychotherapist resonate with you? Tara shared some great advice for anyone considering this path: get hands-on experience in mental health, whether in inpatient or outpatient settings, take stock of your education, knowledge, and skills, get familiar with the standards of practice, connect with informal peer groups, and most importantly—find a mentor.

As someone currently working toward a PhD, I can confidently say that Tara’s advice is solid.

In the five-minute snippet: With a husband and five kids, this kind of day would be the best kind of day. For Tara's bio, visit my website (link below).

Media

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Today's guest has built a career around telling extraordinary stories—but first, he lived one.

Kevin Hazzard is a former paramedic whose years on the ambulance inspired his bestselling memoir, A Thousand Naked Strangers. Since then, he's become an acclaimed journalist, television writer, and bestselling author, uncovering some of the most remarkable and overlooked stories in emergency medicine.

His book American Sirens tells the incredible story of the pioneering Black men of Freedom House Ambulance who helped invent modern paramedicine, while his newest book, No One's Coming, explores the unconventional heroes our government calls when the impossible needs to get done.

But Kevin's journey has taken another unexpected turn. After years of writing about healthcare and reflecting on his own experiences in EMS, he's now a nurse, stepping back into the world of patient care from an entirely new perspective.

That unique vantage point—as a former paramedic, author, historian, storyteller, and future nurse—gives him an uncommon perspective on how healthcare has evolved, where it's headed, and what today's clinicians need to succeed.

In all honesty, I almost postponed our conversation because I was not in a good headspace. I am so thankful I didn’t because Kevin’s humanity was just the thing I needed to remind me why I’m here.

In the five-minute snippet: He might never leave this island. 

For Kevin's bio, visit my website (link below).

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When I heard Gaby Morales speak about adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, on the Nine One One Nonsense podcast, I knew I had to bring their message to you.
Gaby explained that ACEs are adverse childhood experiences such as physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as other forms of household dysfunction like mental illness or substance use problems, and living with a violent or incarcerated parent. ACEs are linked to chronic health problems, mental illness, substance use in adulthood, and suicide.
Gaby's not new to nursing. They've been a nurse for eight years and are currently the clinical educator for a Level I trauma emergency room and a DNP student. Through their work, they've encountered many healthcare professionals who were completely unaware of ACEs and how they affect the health of their patients. So Gaby has made it their mission to educate healthcare professionals about the impacts of adverse childhood trauma. They are taking what they call the "Tour de ACE" on the road and have even titled their presentation "The Greatest Unaddressed Public Health Threat That Most Healthcare Professionals Don't Know About."  And with Gaby's passion and efforts, I think very soon that will change.
In the five-minute snippet: There are no aces in this card game. For Gaby's bio, visit my website (link below).
Gaby's Instagram
ACE questionnaire PDF

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Today's guest has a rare combination of deep bedside credibility and forward-looking innovation, and is now helping shape the future of healthcare technology.

Amy Thourot is a nurse, entrepreneur, healthcare innovator, and the Founder and CEO of Realize-365. After 30-plus years of working in a wide array of specialties, from intensive care to transplant surgery, and from orthopedics to geriatrics, Amy saw firsthand how much time clinicians spend trying to piece together fragmented medical records. Rather than accepting that as "just the way things are," she set out to solve the problem.

Today, through Realize-365 and its platform Pulse Health, Amy is using artificial intelligence to help clinicians understand a patient's medical history in under a minute, reducing cognitive burden and helping healthcare teams focus on what matters most: the patient.

We talk about nursing, innovation, leadership, AI in healthcare, and why nurses may be uniquely qualified to build the future of healthcare technology.

In the five-minute snippet:  Jeepers Creepers, where’d you get those peepers?      For Amy's bio, visit my website (link below).     

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Today’s guest is Dr. Craig Thompson, a Doctor of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, with a background in kinesiology and more than two decades of experience in physiotherapy and rehabilitation. It’s hard to believe his journey into this specialty started with a good deed.

His work blends Orthopedic Acupuncture with Traditional Chinese Medicine, focusing on non-pharmacological approaches to pain, recovery, and long-term wellness. But what really stood out to me was his mission: helping people better understand their own bodies so they can advocate for themselves and build healthier lives from the inside out.

In this conversation, we talk about what acupuncture actually is, why so many people misunderstand it, how stress and pain are deeply connected, and how nurses can benefit from this one small change (you have to hear this).

I was really looking forward to this interview, especially since it had been a long time in the making. My journey with Dr. Thompson began eight months ago when I became his patient following a neurological insult. Having been disillusioned by traditional Western medicine, like many, I found myself turning to acupuncture as my last hope for healing. Throughout my treatments, I was often curious about how it all worked, and I was finally given the chance to learn more. I'm incredibly grateful to Dr. Thompson for generously sharing his time, knowledge, and expertise with us.

In the five-minute snippet: Don’t eat the sushi.

Reach Dr. Thompson here: accutomp78@gmail.com

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There are people in the hospital who walk into the room when everything is falling apart.

Not to fix it or rush through, but simply to be there.

Today’s guest, Mark Wilson, lives in that space—right in the emergency room, where life can change in a single moment. Where nurses are moving fast, families are trying to make sense of the unthinkable, and patients are meeting some of the hardest moments of their lives.

But what makes his story different… is that he’s been on the other side of the bed.

After a severe bicycle accident, Mark suffered a traumatic brain injury and spent months in a rehabilitation hospital, learning how to walk again, relearning his body, his independence—his life. And somewhere in that process, something shifted.

What started as survival… became a calling.

Now, he shows up for patients and families in crisis as an emergency room chaplain, bringing a kind of presence that only comes from someone who truly understands what it feels like to be vulnerable, uncertain, and afraid.

His experience as a former EMT, firefighter and lead pastor, gives him a unique lens on faith, meaning, and what people actually need in moments of crisis—whether they consider themselves spiritual or not.

This conversation is for those on the frontlines of healthcare—the nurses and others who journey through the tough times and often carry unprocessed burdens. It's for anyone seeking insight into what truly matters when life hangs in the balance. 

Mark offers a message of comfort and compassion, encouraging us to embrace the uncertain and the deep insights that occur in moments of crisis.

In the five-minute snippet: a shop teacher with a messy garage? 

Find Mark Wilson here:

pastormarkwilson@sbcglobal.net

mwilson@kaweahhealth.org

Sierra Baptist Church

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I don't know when side hustles became a thing but they are officially a thing. Instead of picking up extra shifts, nurses are picking up side hustles.
Enter Josh Condado, a certified registered nurse anesthesiologist who co-owns a real estate investing company with his sister Jenn and brother-in-law Colin, also, you guessed it, nurses. Now, the current annual salary for a CRNA can be upwards of $250,000. Why do you need a side hustle if you’re making a quarter of a million dollars a year?
For Joshua and many others, it’s freedom. Freedom to work as much or as little as you want.
Don’t misunderstand me, Josh loves being a CRNA. He was inspired to become one by his father, an OG CRNA. But early in his nursing career, Josh experienced burnout, motivating him to invest in real estate. By creating a financial backup plan, Josh can focus on doing what he loves, being a CRNA.
In his "air quotes", spare time, Josh cohosts the popular Investing RN Podcast, a show dedicated to providing nurses with the knowledge, tools, and inspiration they need to invest their time, money, and relationships wisely. Josh, Jenn, and Colin help nurses take control of their finances and create a future they love. And there’s nothing I love more than nurses helping nurses.
In the five-minute snippet: Cheeseheads, unite! For Josh's bio, visit my website (link below).
The Lifestyle CRNA Instagram
All Day Investments
Investing RN Pod

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There’s a certain kind of pain a lot of people learn to live with.

It starts as something small—a twinge, a tightness, a bad shift at work. And then, slowly, it becomes part of your normal. You stretch it out, push through it, tell yourself it’s just part of the job… part of getting older… part of life.

And if you work in healthcare, you probably know this story all too well.

You spend your days lifting, turning, reaching, carrying—taking care of everyone else—while your own body keeps asking for attention you don’t have time to give.

So what happens when the pain doesn’t go away?
When the usual answers stop working?
When you start to wonder if this is just how it’s going to be?

Today’s guest has spent over 30 years asking those exact questions—and refusing to accept the idea that chronic back pain is something people just have to live with.

Dr. Brigitte Rozenberg is a Doctor of Chiropractic and the founder of Spinatomy Spine & Disc Centers and the creator of Advanced Spinal Restoration Therapy. Her work has helped thousands of people find relief from chronic pain—without surgery, without medication, and without giving up on their lives.

We talk about where traditional care gets it right, where it falls short, and why so many people—especially caregivers—end up carrying pain in silence for far too long.

If you’ve been pushing through, powering on, or quietly wondering if things could feel different… this one is for you.

In the five-minute snippet: Aye, Chihuahua! For Dr. Rozenberg's bio, visit my website (link below).

Caring for Others While Caring for Your Spine

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Meet Gwen Sledge, a retired nurse and Certified Enneagram Coach. Gwen has a deep understanding of the Enneagram and is passionate about using her healthcare experience to help nurses understand how their personality, communication style, and behavior affect their relationships. 
Not sure what the Enneagram is? I wasn’t either but I learned it’s a personality typing tool that categorizes individuals into nine distinct personality types, each with its own core fears, desires, and patterns of thinking and behaving.
In all honesty, I was initially skeptical but after taking the assessment, I was amazed by the accuracy of this tool. I discovered I am a type two and Gwen is a type six and you’ll hear how our readings are reflected in our practice. 
You might be wondering, "Why is this even important?" As nurses, we collaborate closely with a variety of disciplines in stressful environments, and Gwen pointed out that by understanding your Enneagram type, you can gain insight into behavior which can, in turn, lead to deeper connections and more authentic relationships. And that sounds like a win-win situation to me.
In the five-minute snippet: well, what would you do if you grew a tail overnight? For Gwen's bio, visit my website (link below).
Enneagram with Gwen Instagram
Enneagram with Gwen Facebook

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You’re going to love this one.

Today I’m talking with Seth Radnothy, a fellow nurse whose path into healthcare is anything but typical. Before he ever stepped into a hospital, he was serving as a Reconnaissance Marine—and if that doesn’t tell you something about his ability to stay calm under pressure, just wait.

Seth’s worked as a paramedic and in both emergency and perioperative nursing, so he knows what it’s like when things get intense fast. These days, he’s taken all that experience and built something really unique—Pulsepoint Prose Legal Nurse Consulting—where he helps attorneys make sense of complex medical cases. He also shares what he’s learned as a legal nurse consultant with the next generation of nurses as a clinical nursing instructor. 

And because he values his work/life balance, in his off time, he plays guitar in his band, hits CrossFit, mountain bikes, and hangs out with his wife and their furry crew.

This one is about the many ways a nursing career can evolve—and how all of your experiences can come with you. 

In the five-minute snippet: We all scream for ice cream. For Seth's bio, visit my website (link below).

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Jennifer is an engaging person with a varied nursing background spanning almost two decades. From L&D, critical care, flight nursing, and now in a Director role, she tells us how her experiences made her a better flight nurse.  I especially love our 'Five Minute Snippet' at the end where we get to see Jennifer on a more personal level. Lots of laughs were enjoyed! For Jennifer's book recs, visit:  https://bookshop.org/lists/jennifer-caposella-bsn-rn-cfrn
Mental Health links:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Frontline Therapy Network
911 At Ease International 

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Today’s guest is someone who beautifully bridges two worlds—science and story, medicine and meaning.

Amanda Skenandore is an award-winning author of historical fiction whose novels have been translated into multiple languages and recognized by organizations like the American Library Association, Reader’s Digest, Silicon Valley Reads, and Apple Books. In 2024, she was honored with the Nevada Arts Council Literary Fellowship for her contributions to literature and the arts.

But what makes Amanda especially fascinating to me is that before she ever became a full-time writer, she spent 16 years as a registered nurse.

And you can feel that in her work.

Her stories don’t just live in the past—they dig into the human experience of medicine, justice, and belonging… often in the overlooked corners of history where voices have been silenced or forgotten.

Today, we talk about that journey—from bedside nursing to bestselling author, how her clinical experiences shaped her storytelling, and what it means to care for people… whether through medicine or through words.

In the five-minute snippet: they are just so cute. For Amanda's bio, visit my website (link below).

Amanda's bookstore

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Philip Layog is known as the "Work From Home RN" on Instagram, where he helps fellow nurses transition from hospital roles to remote positions. But first, he had to help himself.

 Philip started his nursing career in Med-Surg, moved to CVICU, then PACU, but once he started his family, he decided to explore remote nursing opportunities. With a decade of experience, he eventually landed his first remote job. 

Was it easy? No. Was it worth it? Absolutely. Philip now enjoys the freedom that many nurses are seeking. He appreciates leisurely mornings with his children before daycare, takes time to work out during his lunch hour, and is fully engaged with his family because he is no longer physically, mentally, and emotionally drained.

 I wanted all the deets: What kind of nursing experience do I need? What type of training will I get? And what about the pay? Philip answered all of these expertly and revealed a little-known fact about the application process which blew…my…mind.

After speaking with numerous nurses, I’ve come to realize that when nurses improve their own lives, they feel compelled to share that knowledge with others, and Philip is no exception. He co-founded nurseremotely.com, a specialized job board dedicated to connecting nurses with legitimate work-from-home opportunities. He provides nurses with what they truly want: options.

In the five-minute snippet:  Hmmmm, giant alligators or Disney? It’s a toss-up. For Philip's bio, visit my website (link below).

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**Hey, before we jump into today's episode, I want to give you a quick heads-up. This conversation includes a personal story about an attempted suicide and some mental health struggles.

If that's something that feels heavy or triggering for you right now, it's completely ok to skip this episode or come back to it another time. Take care of yourself first.

If you're listening and finding that this brings anything up for you, just know you're not alone. You can call or text the 988 Suicide &Crisis Lifeline anytime, or reach out to someone you trust. Support is out there, and you deserve it.

Today’s guest is the kind of educator you don’t forget.

Gwenny Winkler, or Nurse Gwenny, built her career in some of the most extreme environments in healthcare—from the emergency department to helicopter EMS—where decisions are fast, the stakes are high, and there’s no room for autopilot.

But what makes Gwenny stand out isn’t just her clinical background—it’s how she teaches.

She believes learning should be fun, engaging, and built for real life—not just for passing a test. And she’s known for creating those “aha” moments that flip a switch for her students and bring their curiosity back to life.

Often described as “intense,” Gwenny brings a fast-paced, high-energy style to everything she does—but her real superpower is knowing when to slow down, connect, and treat the human behind the condition.

In 2026, she and her husband, Mr. Nurse Gwenny, launched The Nurse Gwenny Library, a modern continuing education platform designed for today’s learner, with over 100 hours of content that actually sticks.

We talk about what’s broken in healthcare education, how to prepare clinicians for the realities of high-acuity environments, and why curiosity in the form of the question, “But, Why?” might be the most important skill Gwenny is teaching. 

I’m grateful for our conversation because I’m certain someone will benefit by hearing Gwenny’s deeply personal story of a dark time in her life and how she overcame it by doing the next right thing. 

In the five-minute snippet: Hallmark, step aside.

Nurse Gwenny on the Nine One One Nonsense podcasts 

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My guest this week, Irnise Williams, has been a nurse for 16 years. Starting with her eye on medical school, she opted for nursing school, fell in love, and never looked back. Because if you’re looking back, you can’t look forward, and forward was the direction Irnise wanted to go.
She could have advanced her degree by becoming a Nurse practitioner or a CRNA, two popular paths over a decade ago.  Instead, she attended Howard University School of Law, became a lawyer, and established her law firm.
She is now in a unique position. As a healthcare and regulatory compliance lawyer with a nursing background, she has a deeper understanding of healthcare practices and patient care.
With this knowledge, she helps healthcare providers and organizations navigate federal and state regulations, as well as advising small businesses and educating nurses.
As a Top Voice on LinkedIn and a strong Instagram presence as Your Nurse Lawyer, she frequently tackles controversial topics such as documentation, AI, and affecting social change through changing health policy.
I’m so thankful to Tiffany Gibson for recommending her bestie Irnise as a guest on my podcast. Irnise has elevated nurses everywhere by using her law degree to amplify the voices of our profession.
In the five-minute snippet: I’m a big fan of the Golden Rule. For Irnise's bio, visit my website (link below).
Irnise F. Williams, Esq
Your Nurse Lawyer LinkedIn
Your Nurse Lawyer Instagram

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Today’s episode is Nicole Cromwell 2.0—and trust me, a lot has happened in the last three years.

What started as a creative outlet has grown into something much bigger. In fact, Nicole’s life as an artist might just be giving her full-time nursing career a run for its money.

Since we last talked in episode 46,  she hasn’t just been creating beautiful art—she’s been building pathways for others to reconnect with their own creativity. Her Brave Beginner Art course has expanded, and she’s added Creative Thinking in Nursing, both offering continuing education units. I’ve taken her Brave Beginner course myself, and I can tell you—it’s not just about art. It’s about rediscovering a part of yourself you may have forgotten was there.

And Nicole hasn’t lost sight of the bedside. As a former ICU nurse, she’s created two powerful resources—The ICU Diary and The Hospital Wellness Journal—designed to support patients and families as they navigate some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.

You’ve heard me say it before—I deeply admire nurses who lift up other nurses. Nicole has experienced firsthand the impact of creativity: less stress, less anxiety, more joy, and a deeper connection to emotion. And now, she’s on a mission to make sure other healthcare professionals can experience that too.

If that’s not altruism, I don’t know what is.

Enjoy Nicole Cromwell 2.0. For Nicole's bio, visit my website (link below).

Be sure to get 25% of Nicole's courses by using coupon code: CONVERSING NURSE

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If you're my age and can remember over 50 years ago, you might recall those lazy Saturday mornings spent watching Schoolhouse Rock. There was a clever cartoon skit called, “I’m Just A Bill” where we’d learn how a bill becomes law. This three-minute video was responsible for teaching an entire generation of kids about Civics.
Enter Gilanie De Castro, also known as Citizen Nurse on social media, who through her bite-sized lessons titled Civics 101 for Healthcare highlights topics such as how nurses can shape government, how a bill becomes law, how to find your congressperson, and how to use your vote as your voice.
Gilanie shared with us how nurses can get involved at the grassroots level of current movements affecting nurses such as the Nursing is STEM movement and the Commission for Nurse Reimbursement.
Gilanie's strong passion for advocacy was born out of the moral distress she felt during the pandemic when she realized that the agencies she thought had nurses’ backs, did not. Nurses often complain they are not asked for valuable input on health policy decisions. Gilanie’s message? Don’t wait to be asked for your input, take the initiative and give it!
In the five-minute snippet: she’s got a new lease on life. For Gilanie's bio, please visit my website (link below).
Citizen Nurse Instagram
CitizenNurse YouTube
Nurse Gilanie TikTok

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Today, we’re talking about something that most nurses have felt — but few organizations are willing to name honestly.

Burnout.

But what if burnout isn’t about resilience?
What if it isn’t about self-care?
What if it’s actually an ethical issue?

My guest today is Aimee Ellis, nurse executive and author of Flatline Ethics. Aimee argues that when nurses are chronically overwhelmed, morally distressed, and unsupported, that’s not a staffing inconvenience.

That’s an ethical breakdown.

Recently debuting as a Top 10 New Release in Health Policy on Amazon, the book argues that nurse burnout is not a personal weakness — it’s a leadership failure.

If you’ve ever felt moral distress, invisible, or asked to carry the weight of a broken system — this conversation is for you. 

In the five-minute snippet: Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, Aimee is comin’ for you.

For Aimee's bio, visit my website (link below).

TAE Associates and Co.

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I've often said on this podcast that many nurses choose this profession for reasons that aren't noble or lofty. Alisha Sandidge-Renteria changed that for me.  As a teenager, she witnessed the economic disparity in healthcare after seeing her mother, who was fighting cancer, be forced to choose a cheaper, experimental, and less effective regimen which ultimately ended her life. Since then, Alisha has embodied the words of Gandhi, "Be the change you wish to see in the world." And as a nurse practitioner, she can do just that. Of course, we talked about the particulars of the job, the schooling, the patient population, work settings, diagnosing, and, you know, me, we also discussed professional organizations and board certification. There was some heavy lifting as well. We talked about broken systems and broken people. But through it all, there was one common thread evident in our discussion: connection, with our patients, our communities, each other, and ourselves. In the five-minute snippet, I see a commune in her future. For Alisha's bio, visit my website (link below).
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners
California Association for Nurse Practitioners
American Association of Critical Care Nurses
New California Rule AB-890
The Daily Dad 

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If nursing is consistently ranked as the most trusted profession in America…
Why do so many nurses feel unheard inside their own workplaces?

That question has been on my mind.

On this podcast:

 We talk about burnout.
 We talk about staffing.
 We talk about leadership.

But underneath all of it is something deeper — culture.

And culture is hard to change.

Not because nurses don’t care.
Not because leaders don’t try.

But because culture isn’t just policy.

It’s identity.

There are many layers to uncover here, so let’s get into it.

Notes on Nursing: What it is and What it is Not, by Florence Nightingale

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Enjoy this short! Sit back and laugh with me and my girl, Jessica, as we have a bit of fun in the closet!

Jessica's Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/dream.2.b.free/
ICYMI: Conversing with a Flight Nurse: Jennifer Caposella: https://www.buzzsprout.com/Conversing with a Flight Nurse: Jennifer Caposella

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Heather Vails, MSN Ed. RNC-NIC, is definitely in my badass nurse category. She has lived with the rare genetic disorder Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, or EDS, for decades. She has not only lived, she’s thrived. After a long career as a NICU nurse, she recently left the bedside, a place she loved dearly to venture into teaching our new generation of nurses as a Professor of Pediatrics. Listen as she educates us about this rare condition and how she has not let EDS slow her down.
https://www.ehlers-danlos.org
https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/
For Heather's bio visit my website (link below)

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Today’s guest has one of those careers that doesn’t follow a straight line—and that’s exactly what makes it powerful.

Julie Smith’s professional path looks a bit like a zig-zag, but every turn adds depth. She began in communications, pivoted into emergency nursing, focused on safety net populations and disaster relief, moved into education, and now serves as a clinical product leader at InterSystems. There, she helps guide development of HealthShare, one of the world’s most advanced interoperability platforms, supporting massive health systems and government-sponsored organizations around the globe.

Julie is a nurse at heart, a health IT leader by trade, and a fierce advocate for health equity and clinician-centered technology. What I loved most about our conversations is when Julie explained why nurses must have a seat at the interoperability table—and how trust, not just technology, is the real end goal.

In the five-minute snippet: You didn’t just say the Q word, did you? For Julie's bio, visit my website (link below).

Hear Julie on the Hit Like a Girl podcast!

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I really enjoyed talking with Kirby Williams, a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.  She gave us the deets on where a PMHNP can work, the training required, the subspecialties, as well as the heaviness of the job, and how she cares for her own mental health. Her students are lucky to have her as a mentor and her patients, as their provider. In the 5-minute snippet, I absolutely love her advice for babies: explore ALL the possibilities. 
For Kirby's bio, visit my website (link below).

Kirby's website: https://www.bbhealthandconsulting.com/

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This week, my guest is Tracy Hicks, a doctorally-prepared and dual-certified family and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. She also holds an MBA, which is particularly useful in her role as a CEO.

Tracy is the founder of C-Trilogy Comprehensive Clinical Care and C-Trilogy Outreach, a certified community behavioral health clinic that provides mental health services, substance use support, primary care, and 24-hour crisis help.

I was excited to talk with Tracy, who is an expert in the care and treatment of individuals with schizophrenia, because in my 36 years as a nurse, I have encountered only two patients with this diagnosis, both of whom were teenagers. I knew very little about the condition and was eager to learn from Tracy, and she did not disappoint.

We discussed long-acting injectables as a successful treatment option, the challenges of compliance, and the management of a long-term chronic disease. We also emphasized the crucial importance of a strong support system to help patients lead meaningful lives.

A recurring theme in our conversation was Tracy's passion when discussing these complex cases. This emotion stems from her lived experience, as two of her beloved family members—her father and her daughter—both have the disease. Growing up with the stigma of having a father with schizophrenia has shaped her perspective, and even though her daughter is now grown, Tracy’s concerns for her never waver.

Tracy’s days are incredibly busy. Between practicing in the clinic, serving on multiple boards that advocate for marginalized populations, and shaping the next generation of nurses as an Associate Professor, people often ask her how she manages it all. Her answer? When you align with your purpose from God, He will guide your steps. She truly is a blessing to her community.

In the five-minute snippet: Be prepared to jump! For Tracy's bio, visit my website (link below).

Dr. Tracy Hicks Puts Her Mind to Improving Access to Mental Care, Frontier Nursing 

Empowering Care Partners Through Psychoeducation in Schizophrenia Care, Psychiatric Times

Long-Acting Injectables and a Team Approach for Schizophrenia Treatment, Psychiatric Times

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**CAUTION** This episode discussed suicide, suicidal ideation, drug dependency. PROCEED WITH CAUTION.

This is a chronology of my serious health scare in 2025 and my subsequent dependency on Xanax. 

During this time I suffered suicidal ideation. I was aware of the resources available to me and I didn't reach out. Please don't make the same mistake and suffer needlessly.

Here are some trusted mental health resources: 

National Suicide Hotline: Dial 988

Crisis Text Line

National Alliance on Mental Health

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

Also in this episode is my 2026 line-up of guests!

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If you've been listening to the podcast for a while you’ve heard me say that we would be discussing bullying and, I’m happy to report that after over 65 episodes, I'm finally doing that.  And I'm not only talking about it, I'm talking to the expert about it.
My guest, Dr. Phyllis Quinlan, a Ph.D.-prepared nurse,  literally wrote the book on Bullying and Chronic Incivility in Nursing. With a combined 45 years as a nurse, educator, LNC, and executive coach, and having experienced bullying herself, she is well-equipped for the difficult conversation and has some insightful solutions to end it.
And let’s talk about emotional intelligence for a moment. Dr. Quinlan defines this for adults as the secret sauce to success in your personal and professional life. Well, Dr. Quinlan’s emotional intelligence score must be off the charts. This was truly one of the best conversations.
In the five-minute snippet: move over Barack. For Dr. Quinlan's bio, visit my website (link below).
Bringing Shadow Behavior Into the Light of Day
LinkedIn
MFW Consultants
Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses
Twitter

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Tiffany Gibson is a radical nurse leader who has been featured in Oprah Daily and Ebony magazines and proudly shares her two cents on social media and through her podcast. So when she manifested her goal on LinkedIn to book twelve speaking engagements this year, I jumped at the opportunity to invite her to be my guest because her wisdom for nurses cannot go unheard.
Tiffany is an emotional intelligence consultant and the founder of New Nurse Academy, LLC. During our conversation, she stressed the importance of emotional intelligence for nurses. She says managing oneself is crucial before managing others, and that entails understanding one's core values. Tiffany has designed a life that aligns with her core values: time, financial and recreational freedom. She believes that when nurses reevaluate their why, their core values will align, enabling them to show up authentically.
Her message isn't just for nurses, it's one that we all need to hear. Her work is vital and I am delighted she is sharing it with you.
In the five-minute snippet: Royalty is so overrated. For Tiffany's bio, visit my website (link below).
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjfHESB9nFK8VfehmzXU6nQ
X: https://twitter.com/NewNurseAcademy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newnurseacademy/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewNurseAcademy/
Podcast: https://new-nurse-academy.mykajabi.com/podcasts/my-2-cents
Oprah Daily feature: https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/work-money/a38203383/theyre-taking-a-shot-at-innovation/
Ebony magazine feature: https://www.ebony.com/the-national-black-nurses-association-holds-its-50th-annual-conference-to-support-and-empower-healthcare-professionals-%EF%BF%BC%EF%BF%BC/
National Black Nurses Association Conference July 2024: https://whova.com/portal/registration/niac_202407/
Moxie Scrubs feature: https://www.moxiescrubs.com/a/blog/10-black-nurses-you-must-follow-in-2023
How Past Trauma Impacts Emotional Intelligence article: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1067509/full

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Dr. Bonny Kehm is the Founding Dean and Assistant Provost of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Columbia Southern University. She’s an accomplished nurse educator, researcher, and leader whose work has had a substantial influence at both the state and national levels.

Appointed to the Missouri State Board of Nursing back in 2017, Dr. Kehm went on to serve as board president and contributed to vital initiatives through the Nursing Education Committee. Her leadership has influenced policy, program development, and the academic standards that shape how nurses are educated today.

Beyond her administrative and regulatory work, she’s also a Certified Nurse Educator through the National League for Nursing and has been recognized with multiple awards for her excellence in education and scholarship.

What I love about Dr. Kehm’s story is how she blends deep clinical experience with a passion for education, innovation, and mentorship. I’m inspired after hearing her insights on leadership and the future of nursing. Her dedication to shaping compassionate and confident nurse leaders is making a lasting impact, and I know you will walk away feeling motivated and hopeful.

In the five-minute snippet: This one came out of nowhere. For Bonny's bio, visit my website (link below).

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My guest this week is Yasmin Sharifi, an operating room nurse with many decades of experience. She’s here to give us a glimpse into, as she says, “what really goes on behind that red line.”

Yasmin didn’t initially set out to be an OR nurse. She started her career in med-surg but quickly encountered burnout due to a nursing shortage and inadequate patient-to-nurse ratios, often sharing 35 patients with another nurse. Realizing this was not sustainable, she transitioned to the PACU. When she was offered a chance to move into the operating room, she embraced the opportunity and discovered her true passion.

Yasmin pointed out that in 1990, there were no formal orientation programs for OR nurses. However, resourcefulness is a nurse’s superpower. She joined the professional organization AORN, purchased relevant books, and trained herself to adapt to the role.

Fortunately, those days are behind us. Nurses entering the operating room today receive a comprehensive education and an orientation period that lasts nearly a year. And if you think being an OR nurse means you won't have to interact with patients and their families, Yasmin dispels that myth completely.

We discussed the dynamics among the operating room team members, the egos involved, and the common goal that brings them all together: the patient. I’m confident you’ll enjoy and learn from our discussion.

After being in charge for almost her entire career, Yasmin has now taken charge of her own business, OR RN Mentor. Here, she provides expert insights, practical tips, and real-world experiences designed to help others thrive in the OR. Now that’s what I call giving back.

In the five-minute snippet: it’s 80’s rock for the win. For Yasmin's bio, visit my website (link below) and check out my CE library to see if you can earn CE's just for listening!

CNOR Certified Perioperative Nurse

AORN Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses

IFPN International Federation of Perioperative Nurses

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Today’s guest is someone who brings compassion, intellect, and a genuine love for medicine to everything he does. 

Dr. Mahmoud Ibraheem is a Pulmonary and Critical Care physician whose medical journey has taken him from Bahrain to New York, Florida, and Texas. Those experiences shaped who he is as a physician. 

Beyond medicine, Dr. Ibraheem is passionate about mental health, music, and making medicine more human. He’s also a proud husband to a brilliant cardiologist and devoted dog dad to Xena and Blue. In other words, he’s very well-rounded.

You might know him from Instagram, where he shares insight and humor about life in medicine under the handle @icuboy_meded.

As Mahmoud told his story, I was filled with wonder at his joyful personality. His journey reminds us that medicine isn’t just about surviving intense situations; it’s about bringing heart, humor, and humanity into every encounter.

In the five-minute snippet: Mahmoud’s gone to the dogs! For Mahmoud's bio, visit my website (link below).

Tik Tok

Threads

X

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Meet Lia Xiong-Ratley, a Family Nurse Practitioner, women’s health advocate, and rescuer of the underdogs, literally.

Lia has worn many hats over the years, from pediatric ICU to cardiothoracic surgery, but after becoming a family nurse practitioner, she has found her place at Planned Parenthood.

If you think the only services offered through Planned Parenthood are contraception and abortion, you're not alone; Lia and I thought this too. However, the reality is that they provide essential services such as STD testing and treatment, cervical and breast cancer screenings, prenatal care, infertility services, vasectomies, and gender-affirming care, which Lia defines with remarkable clarity (trust me, it’s more than you think).

So, why did Lia become such a passionate advocate for the underserved? Her own experiences have shaped her. As the daughter of emigrants fleeing political persecution during the Vietnam War, Lia grew up advocating for her family as they rebuilt their lives as Americans. It’s no surprise that she roots for the underdogs.

And speaking of dogs, Lia runs a successful dog rescue through her Instagram, which initially started as a platform to showcase her travel adventures (you'll hear about those too). The dogs Lia fosters each have distinct personalities, and she has a special gift for bringing that out in them. She'll make you fall in love with each one (I know I have). 

In the five-minute snippet: Uh, yeah, you’ll just have to hear this one for yourself. For Lia's bio, visit my website (link below).

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Today’s guest is someone whose work sits right at the intersection of education, innovation, and human connection.

Dr. Christine “Christy” Heid is a nursing educator, simulationist, innovator, and healthcare advocate with more than two decades of experience.

As a Nursing Simulation Specialist, she brings an invaluable perspective as both a nurse educator and simulation expert who has personally experienced the challenges institutions face in preparing nurses for clinical practice. A recognized innovator in nursing education, she created the Heid ATE Guide for Clinical Teaching and Learning©, which is an Innovative, Progressive Tool to facilitate the Development of Clinical Judgment Skills for real-world nursing Practice. Brilliant.

But wait, there’s more. Christy has led a multi-site research project funded by an OADN Foundation Grant. She has held roles as a consultant, course developer, and faculty member, contributed to national committees, and published research on simulation and clinical judgment.

In this episode, we talk about how simulation is transforming nursing education, what it really means to build clinical judgment, and why innovation is as much about empathy as it is about technology. Her work reminds us that innovation and empathy aren’t opposites; they’re partners.

I wish, as a young nursing student in 1983, that Christy had been in my life. We didn't have simulations. We didn't have nursing simulation specialists. We had to practice on each other. Yeah, I'm not kidding. So we've come a long way and I was so happy to meet Christy.

In the five minute snippet: Put on your boxing gloves. For Christy's bio, visit my website (link below).

UbiSim

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"Life is a journey, not a destination."  This quote perfectly describes the path of my guest this week, Kim Kish, a surgical oncology nurse practitioner.
Kim's journey started as a lab research associate where she learned valuable skills and even got published. From there, she moved into cardiovascular circulatory support, where she found herself observing nurses, doctors, and patients. She was again picking up crucial work and life skills that would prepare her for her next career in business.
Wait, what? I thought we were moving in the direction of nursing. Yes, but we are enjoying the journey. In her role as a business process design specialist, Kim discovered the joys of traveling, high pay, and process management. But something kept tugging at her, urging her to go around the next bend and discover nursing. So at age 30, she became an adult learner and entered nursing school.
Kim is passionate about providing quality care to the people she serves. She is a leader among her peers, a mentor to new APRN's, and a published author. She told me she loves being a nurse practitioner and will likely retire from this profession. Does that mean she has reached her destination? Not hardly. Something exciting is right around the corner. She is soon launching her career coaching business to help nurses in their journey to lead fulfilling lives.
In the five-minute snippet: Got any travel plans? For Kim's bio, visit my website (link below).


NP for Life LinkedIn
Nurse Your Life Back to Health on Amazon
kknpforlife Instagram

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Today’s episode is one that really hits close to the heart — because it’s about the people who spend their lives caring for others, and what happens when no one’s caring for them.

You’re about to meet Kevin Dickinson, the founder of GetVitals, and his co-founder and clinical advisor, Amber Smith. They developed a mental health app built specifically for nurses — starting with those working in emergency departments. 

Kevin didn’t come from healthcare; he came from engineering. But after watching Amber, an ER nurse and educator with more than a decade of experience, struggle through exhaustion, compassion fatigue, and burnout, he decided to do something bold: he left his career to build a tool that actually supports the people on the front lines.

Together, Kevin and Amber are bringing a deeply personal and powerful perspective to the conversation about mental health in nursing — one that blends love, lived experience, and a shared mission to change the culture of healthcare.

We’ll discuss what burnout really looks like inside an ER, what inspired GetVitals, and how they’re helping nurses take care of themselves with the same compassion they provide their patients every day.

So settle in. This conversation is honest, hopeful, and a reminder that healing the healers might just be where change begins.

In the five minute snippet: He nailed it! For Kevin and Amber's bios, visit my website (link below).

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Are you a critical care nurse or aspiring to become one? If so, you won't want to miss my guest this week, Sarah Vance.
With over 15 years of critical care experience, Sarah is dedicated to educating and mentoring nurses, both new and new to critical care.
Sarah has a knack for simplifying complex concepts and bringing a lighthearted approach to the often intense ICU environment.
She shares valuable free open-access medical education content on social media, covering topics such as intra-aortic balloon pump placement, sedation and pain management for ventilated patients, and safe blood transfusion administration, all crucial for critical care nurses.
Her Instagram handle is @iseeyou_nurse which is a keen play on words but clearly communicates that as a nurse, YOU ARE SEEN.
And that is one of Sarah’s superpowers. She sees the nurse holistically, recognizing the emotional and interpersonal aspects in addition to the technical skills and protocols. She understands that nursing involves the heart, emotions, relationships, communication, and ongoing self-reflection.
In the five-minute snippet: what undo button? For Sarah's bio, visit my website (link below).
Sarah's Instagram
ISeeUNurseResources Etsy store
The Critical Care Masterclass
ISeeU_Nurse website
Sarah's YouTube
Sarah's TikTok
Sarah's LinkedIn

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Today, I’m honored to welcome on the podcast, Lori Schellenberg, a registered nurse with nearly 45 years of experience. Lori’s career is a true testament to the power of embracing change. She began at the bedside and followed her curiosity into home health, occupational nursing, and workers’ compensation—discovering along the way just how transferable nursing skills really are.

Through her journey, Lori built partnerships, mentored colleagues, and helped healthcare businesses grow. When retirement left her seeking a new purpose, she turned her focus to patient advocacy, founding Stepping Stone Advocacy Services. And when she noticed nurses themselves struggling with burnout and limited career vision, she created the Stepping Stone Nurse Academy—a platform offering courses, mentorships, and internships to help nurses transition into fulfilling alternative careers.

Lori’s mission today is dual: to support patients navigating the healthcare system and to empower nurses to realize their untapped potential. 

In the five-minute snippet:  I’d like to see this one on the big screen. For Lori's bio, visit my website (link below).

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Wow, when you hear my interview with Monica Reyes, you will realize what I’ve known for a while, that she was born to be a pediatric nurse. Her playful nature aligns perfectly with this nursing specialty. She tells us that IV skills are extremely valuable to pediatric nurses and shares her heartbreaking experience of losing a patient. We gained insight into her personal story of the challenges of having a daughter with a chronic disease. In the five-minute snippet, Monica shares what she expects to hear when she gets to the pearly gates of Heaven. For Monica's bio, visit my website (link below).

Society of Pediatric Nurses: https://www.pedsnurses.org/

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Today, I’m joined by Tim Jones, the CEO of Health Nuts Media and a true innovator in the world of health education. With over 30 years of experience, Tim has transformed how patients—especially children—learn about their health.

He’s an Emmy Award-winning producer who blends evidence-based research with engaging storytelling, using animation and interactive tools to make medical information accessible, understandable, and even fun. His work is used in major healthcare institutions across the country, improving health literacy and outcomes for countless patients and families.

Tim’s passion lies in pediatric care, where his creative approach is making a real difference in how kids understand and engage with their health. I’m excited for you to hear his journey, his insights, and the future of health communication.

I want to thank Tim for showing us how storytelling, animation, and innovation can transform patient education—especially for kids. His work reminds us that when health information is clear, engaging, and accessible, patients and families are empowered to take control of their health.

In the five-minute snippet: The Sandlot, Star Wars, The Lion King…need I go on?

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Have you ever wanted to know what a labor and delivery nurse does? Well, in this episode, Christine Daniel, a labor and delivery nurse for over two decades tells us all about the highs and lows of this interesting nursing specialty. The lows?  Well, the pace is fast, you can stand for long periods, it's very physical and there’s dealing with loss, as well as the social issues surrounding pregnancy. But then there are the highs: the individuality of each delivery experience, the challenge of the operating room, the thrill of learning a new skill, the shared sense of teamwork, and the awareness of just how much joy you give and receive in a day’s work. And don’t forget about the vagina in the box (I’m not sure if that’s a high or a low, but it was the source of a lot of laughs). In the five-minute snippet, I hope that Christine's wish may someday come true: that those little thought bubbles above her head will become visible to all, so watch out! For Christine's book recs visit my website: https://bookshop.org/lists/christine-daniel-bsn-rnc-ob
Vagina in a box simulator:
https://www.gtsimulators.com/products/kyoto-kagaku-vaginal-delivery-assistance-simulator-kk-mw36

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Today’s guest, Randy Morris, is a dynamic leader in the world of nursing, education, and patient advocacy. You may know him on social media as @Dr. Nurse Randy, but behind the title is a highly accomplished clinician and strategist with a bold mission.

He is the CEO of Prism Care Advocates, a board-certified healthcare leader, nurse manager, professional development educator, and nursing practice expert. His mentoring and coaching empower nurses to work at the top of their license and lead their own practice.

His expertise in policy writing, quality assurance, and education has improved outcomes and transformed care delivery in real, measurable ways. And through his private consulting practice—as a board-certified patient advocate, legal nurse consultant, and nursing practice consultant—he helps patients navigate complex systems, supports clinicians in growing professionally, and partners with organizations to meet compliance and quality goals.

Randy is proof that when nurses step into their power, systems change, outcomes improve, and leadership gets redefined. Whether he’s mentoring professionals, writing policies, or speaking truth online, he’s raising the bar for what nursing can and should be. 

In the five-minute snippet: Let’s just give thanks for kindergarten teachers everywhere. For Randy's bio, visit my website (link below).

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Adam and Jenn Wood,  with their son Brady, born at just 25 weeks, lived in the NICU for 135 days. And what did Adam do in those 135 days? He paid attention. And then he became the fiercest advocate for preemies, their families, nurses, and doctors everywhere. Listen as Adam recounts NICU stories of heartache, hope, and humor, with even a budding bromance thrown in. In the five-minute snippet, Adam has the cleanest house, and ears on the block! For Adam's bio, visit my website (link below).
Adam's bookstore on Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/lists/adam-wood-preemie-dad-author-retired-army-leader

Contact info: Adam Wood, Children's Author and Founder of Preemie Adventures

Website:  https://www.preemieadventures.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.preemieadventures.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PreemieAdventures 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NICUADVENTURES 

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Meet Lakeisha Falwell, an oncology nurse practitioner who is truly inspiring. Her passion and commitment to her craft shine through in her words as she shares insights about her work. She talks about the patients she serves, the collaborations she engages in, and the setting she works in. Lakeisha also emphasizes the importance of active listening skills to improve communication with her patients. What sets her apart is her unwavering compassion towards those she cares for. She is not just doing a job but is truly making a positive difference in their lives. As a bonus, Lakeisha owns her own legal nurse consulting business, where she uses her nursing skills and knowledge to assist attorneys with a variety of cases, including medical malpractice and negligence. Due to her knowledge and experience, her services are highly sought after by attorneys nationwide. In the five-minute snippet: is there a Planners Anonymous? For Lakeisha's bio and contact information, see the links below.
Professional Organizations:
American Association of Nurse Practitioners
American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants
Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society
Oncology Nursing Society
Certifications:
Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner
Business and Social Media:
Next Level Nurse Consulting, LLC
Next Level Nurse Consulting, LLC Instagram

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From launching Kaiser Permanente’s first website to building a global food & wine CEU tourism company, today’s guest has reinvented herself across medicine, tech, education, and entrepreneurship. We are diving into the story of June Forkner Dunn, a trailblazing nurse who has redefined what’s possible in leadership, innovation, and global vision.

June began her career in healthcare, founding Medical Consulting Resources—a company that provided expert witnesses in malpractice litigation, managing a team of nearly 20 doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists. 

Her journey then took her to the corporate offices of Kaiser Permanente, where she held two groundbreaking roles: writing and presenting the Corporate Board Report for 13 Northern California hospitals, and later, helping to launch KP’s very first website in the early 2000s—implementing tools we now take for granted like emailing your doctor, renewing prescriptions online, and even using early AI to track patient discussion trends. She was using AI before we even knew what it was! And did I mention she has authored over 600 publications?

If that wasn’t enough, she spent 20 years as a faculty member at San Francisco State University—and then reinvented herself again by founding the first company in the U.S. to offer continuing education units to nurses through international food and wine tourism. Her company, Wine Knows Travel, now operates in 13 countries around the world.

Get ready for an inspiring conversation about vision, reinvention, and what it takes to be decades ahead of the curve. June’s journey is a masterclass in innovation, leadership, and knowing when to break the mold.

In the five-minute snippet: it’s an old, I mean vintage word, and I love it. For June's bio, visit my website, link below.

Internet-based Patient Self-care: The Next Generation of Healthcare Delivery

Expert Advice on Becoming an Expert Witness

To Err is Human-But Not in Healthcare

Expert Advice on Becoming and Expert Witness

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Today’s interview is one that I truly enjoy because it focuses on the patient's experience. 

 Meet Dan Drydock Shockley, a Navy veteran who served in Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. At the age of 51, after a routine colonoscopy, Dan was diagnosed with Attenuated Familial Adenomatous Polyposis—quite a mouthful, indeed. 

 I will let Dan share the rest of his incredible story, as he is a gifted speaker. He serves as a live case presentation speaker for the Stanford School of Medicine’s Molecular Foundations of Medicine course and the Stanford MS Program in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling. Dan's story has undoubtedly impacted many individuals. 

 Patient experiences are crucial for healthcare professionals; they are at the heart of why we do what we do. You will hear about the many connections that Dan forged throughout his journey. As I have told him, there are no coincidences in life, only divine interventions, which you will witness today.

 Dan is also a master of acronyms and created one based on his experience: Always Forge Ahead with a Purpose. Brilliant. 

In the five-minute snippet: Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines? For Dan's bio, visit my website (link below).

California FAP Awareness Week

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Today, I’m honored to introduce you to Brandon Young and Blayne Smith—co-authors of the impactful book “Perseverance is Greater than Endurance: Lead with Resilience. Grow through Adversity. Win Together.” 

What do Brandon, a former US Army Ranger, and Blayne, a former Green Beret, know about leadership? Quite a bit. Their experiences in high-pressure environments have shaped a practical, values-based leadership philosophy that’s both insightful and relevant.

When I received this book, I immediately read it from cover to cover and have even begun re-reading it. And I did something I don't typically do: I highlighted the heck out of it, I scribbled in the margins, I dog-eared pages, all the things.  It was too good not to! The parallels to nursing really resonated with me, as their insights about leadership apply equally whether you’re in a war zone, a corporate meeting, or on a busy hospital floor. 

Brandon and Blayne are the driving forces behind Applied Leadership Partners, and they’ve formed strategic partnerships with major companies like Nike, Walmart, Starbucks, Microsoft, and Amazon. They emphasize the importance of adopting impactful leadership practices to create strong, cohesive teams. And if anyone belongs here, they do. As I told Brandon and Blayne, their credibility got them in the room, and their humility keeps them in the space. 

On top of their achievements, they also host the Applied Leadership Podcast, which I genuinely enjoy. The format is refreshing: two friends, one question, half an hour, zero script. Their conversations are not only thoughtful but also sprinkled with fun, addressing topics about life, business, and leadership. Nurse or not, you need to hear Brandon and Blayne’s powerful messages delivered with experience, humor, and humility.

In the five-minute snippet: You’ll get to see just how well they know each other—it’s a fun take on the Newlywed Game! 

For Brandon and Blayne's bios, visit my website (link below).

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Today’s guest is The Teaching NP, Sunny Khangura. Sunny wears many hats—nurse practitioner, educator, mentor, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for the non-traditional path. She began her nursing career back in 2005 and has since carved a dynamic and inspiring journey across clinical care, leadership, education, and business.

From trauma units to neurosurgery, from mentoring NP students to creating exam prep courses and launching her own teaching platform, Sunny has made it her mission to elevate nurse practitioner education and empower others to see the value in their unique skill sets.

In this episode, we explore how her career evolved, what it means to create impact beyond the bedside, and why every nurse’s path—traditional or not—deserves to be celebrated.

What really stands out is her unwavering commitment to mentorship and her deep belief in the value of every nurse’s journey, no matter how unconventional it may seem.

If you’re an NP student, a new grad, or a seasoned nurse looking to explore new directions, I hope Sunny’s story inspires you to trust your instincts, invest in your growth, and maybe even take that leap you’ve been considering. This was such a rich conversation—full of insight, experience, and heart.

In the five-minute snippet: yep, she’s a nurse.

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Three years!!! 145 episodes!!! Here's what I've learned. Thank you for being here!

Episodes I discussed:

Preemie Dad, Author and Advocate, Adam Wood

Adult Micropreemie Survivor, Christina Gagnon

Tulare County Fire Chief, Charlie Norman

Project Management For Nurses with Kevin Pannell

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Welcome back to Part Three of our Summer Series on Research 101! I'm once again joined by Chris Patty here in my recording closet. In Part One, we explored the history of research, Chris defined what research truly means, and we had some insightful discussions about nursing literature. An important takeaway from that episode was Chris's enthusiasm for AI and its potential in our field.

In Part Two, we shifted our focus to developing the research protocol, particularly before presenting it to the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Chris helped demystify the IRB process, detailing its structure and what’s needed for protocol approval. He also introduced the hierarchy of evidence, emphasizing its importance in the research landscape and reiterating how AI is influencing healthcare and nursing practices. If you missed those episodes, I highly recommend going back and giving them a listen!

In this concluding episode, we tackled four crucial aspects of the research process: data collection, analysis, publication, and dissemination. After all, why invest so much effort in formulating your PICO question, facing the IRB, conducting your study, and collecting data, only to keep your findings to yourself? That would be quite insane!

Before we wrapped up, I asked Chris why conducting research is so important, and his answer hit home, so be sure to listen for that.

I'm a bit sad that our summer series is coming to an end. I've had such a rewarding time learning from Chris, and I hope you have too. Your feedback would be greatly appreciated, so feel free to share your thoughts! And don’t forget to check out my CE Library at RNegade.Pro, because great news: this series qualifies for CE credits! The link is in the show notes. 

Orcid

Cureus

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Welcome back to the summer series, Research 101, this is Part Two. I'm once again joined in my closet by Chris Patty, and you may be wondering who I let in my closet, The answer would be only those closest to me and Chris is my brother, so he qualifies.

Last week in Part One, we covered the history of research, what research really means, a little about nursing literature, and a lot about the incorporation of AI in our field. If you missed it, I highly recommend tuning in!

In this episode, we delve into what comes next after formulating your PICO question—remember PICO stands for problem, intervention, comparison, and outcome. This question serves as the basis for your protocol when you present to the institutional review board, or the dreaded IRB, which can be a bit intimidating. Chris provides an insightful breakdown of the IRB's role, the key players involved, what’s required in your protocol for approval, and the timeline for this process, which, as I learned, can sometimes depend on how fat your wallet is!

One key highlight I enjoyed was Chris's discussion around evidence; he emphasized that the highest level of evidence comes from meta-analyses and systematic reviews, which sit at the top of the evidence hierarchy. Could the Framingham study be one of these? So many great gems in here!

Don't forget to check out my CE Library at RNegade.Pro, because, good news: this series is eligible for CE credits! The link will be in the show notes. Here’s Chris Patty.

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Well, the long-awaited summer series Research 101 is finally here. I know you have heard me talking about it quite frequently. I just had to schedule some time with my guest, Chris Patty and once we sat down it flowed very nicely. 

Let me just bring you up to speed on Chris. You may remember that Chris was my guest for the 4th episode of this podcast and for the 100th episode he turned the tables and interviewed me and it's always a pleasure sitting down with Chris. But way back in the early 80’s, he started his career as a surgical technician and quickly discovered he didn’t want to work that hard, so he became an OR nurse. In the 40 years in between, he’s become a doctorally-prepared nurse leader in clinical, quality improvement, research, and education and is living his best life.

You may find this hard to believe but Chris did not need a single PowerPoint slide, he had no script, just a couple of notes scribbled on his paper because as you will find out he knows this topic like the back of his hand.

This is part one of three in the series and for part one, we started with some history of research, he plainly and succinctly defined research, told us where we can find nursing literature, and shamelessly admitted that nursing research needs an overhaul. But, I think one of the most inspiring things that Chris said is that any nurse at any level can do research. 

Now, you hear the topic of chat GPT come up frequently during our conversation because as Chris tells us he is an evangelist for Chat GPT. We will save that for another episode. For now,  let's dive into Research 101 Part One.  

Be sure to check out my CE Library on RNegade.pro because, good news, this series is available for CE’S. 

Farmworker study

Hierarchy of Evidence

EP #4 Nurse Researcher, Dr. Chris Patty Available for CE's!

EP #100 Interview of Michelle Harris by Dr. Chris Patty Available for CE's!

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My guest this week, Dr. Nancy Bellucci, is the academic program director for the College of Nursing at Columbia Southern University. She holds a PhD in nursing and has many credentials to her name. I always feel a bit nervous interviewing highly accomplished nurses like Nancy, but she assured me that those letters are ladders to more opportunities, which put me completely at ease.

Starting her Associate program at the age of 38, Nancy brought both maturity and passion to her learning journey, and she has never stopped learning. Her nursing career has taken her from being an operating room nurse to an educator and manager, and ultimately to academia.

As the academic program director, Nancy is responsible for developing the nursing curriculum from the baccalaureate to doctoral levels. She is a unique educator who integrates empathetic curriculum design into the classroom. Nurses are inherently empathetic caregivers, and through her compassionate approach, Nancy has created a learning environment that takes into account the time and experiences of her nursing students. I love that she mentioned it’s no longer about the "sage on the stage" but rather about making students the center of attention, just as nurses practice patient-centered care. This philosophy has significantly helped bridge the gap between nursing and academia.

My initial apprehension about Nancy's numerous credentials was unnecessary. She is one of the most down-to-earth educators I have encountered. Although we discussed serious topics, our conversation was filled with light-hearted humor, and I genuinely believe her students are fortunate to have her.

In the five-minute snippet: She’s a CAT-5  traveler. For Nancy's bio, visit my website (link below) and check out my CE library! (link below). New episodes added regularly!

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Wendy Dixon-Jewitt is on a mission. As the founder and CEO of Brainstorm Soft Skill Solutions, she strongly advocates for creating safer and more sustainable nursing workplaces, and her passion is unmistakable. 

Early in her career, Wendy encountered a toxic nursing culture, which she described as "100% responsibility with zero authority to get the necessary tasks done." It’s alarming to think about how many nurses have left the profession due to such circumstances. But Wendy did not walk away; instead, she pivoted her focus toward developing her soft skills.

Wendy describes soft skills as “everything that happens in the space between people.” She believes one-on-one interactions are where we will transform healthcare. It’s about nurses showing up. And it’s not easy to show up, to speak up. After all, nurses are as she believes, “dealing with hierarchies, power infrastructures, and oppression and they are taking a risk every time they open their mouth.” Wendy knows some of her views are controversial but maybe that's what the nursing profession needs; a little controversy to shake things up. Through her leadership and training, she is determined to help us find our voice. 

Wendy developed Universal Precautions for Emotional Dysregulation—a proactive, skills-based framework for reducing the risk of verbal abuse, emotional harm, and professional burnout. Brilliant. We’re talking de-escalation, boundary-setting, and building team resilience. And unlike myself, Wendy doesn't believe resilience is a four-letter word and I might be coming around to her point of view.

In the five-minute snippet: sounds like her hometown is straight out of X-files. For Wendy's bio, visit my website. Visit my CE library to earn CE's by listening to select episodes! New episodes added regularly!

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When I first stumbled upon Shatara Jewell’s Instagram, I thought, “Wow, she’s making an impact—I bet I could learn a lot from her!” So I reached out, she said “Yes” and the rest is history.

Shatara serves as a Certified Psychiatric Nurse Lieutenant in the United States Navy and provides dedicated care to military personnel and their families dealing with mental health challenges. 

These challenges are significant; issues like rising suicide rates, alcoholism, and substance use disorders are prevalent. Often, these struggles stem from unresolved childhood traumas, which is particularly concerning given that about 87% of recruits are ages 18 to 24. 

Shatara’s own experiences with childhood trauma give her a unique lens on the intersection of military service, mental health, and personal growth. Her journey demonstrates how faith and perseverance can lead to transformative healing. 

Speaking of faith, it’s the cornerstone of every episode of her podcast, Crazy Black Girl. You’ll be fascinated to hear how she came up with that title! I have to say, her method of sharing God’s word is inspiring. It’s as if she’s preaching, without preaching, which is the best kind of preaching.

In the five-minute snippet: Did she mention anything about tattoo shops? For Shatara's bio, visit my website (link below).

Imena and TJ go to Therapy on Amazon

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Meet Sheena Johnson, a remarkable Jamaican-born woman residing just outside London, where she serves as an ICU nurse practitioner with the UK’s National Health Service.

Her journey took a profound turn during the peak of Covid when she faced the heartbreaking loss of her father while caring for some of the sickest patients. This loss plunged her into intense grief, prompting her to reflect deeply on her life. In a moment of stillness, she confronted difficult questions: What is happening to me? What are these emotions? Where is this overwhelming exhaustion coming from? Through her exploration of various podcasts and reading material, Sheena discovered the root of her struggles: burnout.

Taking a typical nurse's approach, she looked around at her colleagues and noticed many shared similar feelings of anxiety, stress, demotivation, and sleep deprivation. Realizing that she was not alone, Sheena decided to take action. She pursued training to become an accredited transformational coach for nurses and allied healthcare professionals, dedicating herself to helping others overcome burnout. Sheena empowers them to create a lifestyle filled with balance, joy, and vitality so that they can show up authentically in both their personal and professional lives.

If you’re a nurse feeling overwhelmed, there's hope. Sheena is here to help you bounce out of burnout and reclaim your well-being. 

In the five-minute snippet: Is that squid giggling? For Sheena's bio, visit my website (link below).

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Erin Johansen is a communications supervisor for a medical flight company, and she’s got her finger on the pulse of the air transport industry. Having grown up in the flight business, she is intimately familiar with each position she oversees. 

Imagine a Situation room of sorts. During her 12-hour night shifts, Erin often navigates a bustling control room where 15 to 20 medical flights are in progress at any given time. On particularly hectic nights, that number can soar into the 30s. Picture a team of eight flight coordinators, each surrounded by multiple monitors, managing calls from hospitals for inter-facility transfers, law enforcement inquiries for missing persons, on-scene emergencies, and requests for fire suppression. With operations extending across seven states and over 60 bases from Hawaii to Colorado, the environment can become quite chaotic. 

Erin is the backbone of this operation. If communication fails in any way, it could threaten safety or cause delays in patient transport. She must be adaptable and she must be vigilant, knowing that the trust she builds with her colleagues and customers is essential to effective communication. This excellent communication, in turn, reinforces that trust, creating a win-win for all involved.

In the five-minute snippet: It’s the City of Trees. For Erin's bio, visit my website (link below).

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Do you believe in divine intervention? After waking early one morning with Jade on my mind, I couldn't help but feel once again that there’s something greater at work here.

Jade Barrera is a wife, a mother, and a NICU nurse. Having worked with her for many years, I’ve had the privilege of watching Jade grow from a novice nurse to a confident leader as charge nurse. As any nurse will tell you, we become a close-knit family, deeply familiar with one another's struggles and triumphs. We celebrated with Jade when she shared her pregnancy news, and we mourned with her when she lost her son, Theo, at just 19 weeks.

This is Jade's story—one of love, loss, and healing. It spans a full range of emotions, from grief and anger to joy and inspiration. I know it wasn’t easy for Jade to share her story, and I deeply admire her courage in doing so. I hope that, through her journey, we can find both insight into grief and inspiration for our own healing paths.

A quick postscript: After we recorded, Jade realized she hadn’t mentioned something important. After delivering Theo, she experienced lactogenesis—essentially, her body began producing colostrum. This typically happens around 20 weeks of pregnancy, and Jade delivered Theo at 19 weeks. In her words, “Emotionally, it felt like someone kicked me while I was down. I was devastated as it was, and it was amplified by the pain of my body doing something right. I was so upset that my body couldn't carry a baby to viability, but all of sudden wanted to be good at making milk when there was no baby to feed.”  I know that by Jade sharing her experiences and her deep emotions, we can view loss through a more compassionate lens. 

After such a heavy conversion, Jade and I owed it to ourselves to have five minutes of fun. In the five-minute snippet: it’s a new game called five words, five seconds each and guess what? No one’s counting. For Jade's bio, visit my website (link below).

Pregnancy After Loss Support

Jade's bookstore

Jade's email: jkfierros@att.net

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Chinelo Okoye is a remarkable double-board-certified nurse practitioner specializing in both adult and pediatric care. Beyond her clinical expertise, she passionately advocates for the representation of nurses in the media. As the founder of Nurse on Purpose, she works to eliminate stereotypes and showcase the intelligence, professionalism, leadership skills, and dedication to patient care that nurses embody.

 I had a candid conversation with Chinelo about my complacency regarding the negative portrayal of nurses. I acknowledged the hypersexualized Halloween costumes and the disheartening narratives in shows like Nurse Jackie and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, which depict nurses in such a negative light. Despite recognizing that these portrayals didn't reflect the true essence of nursing, I realized I had not actively challenged these misrepresentations—sadly, I didn't even get angry about it.

 What are the consequences if we choose to ignore the media's misconceptions about us? Chinelo emphasized that our ability to attract new nurses to the profession diminishes when potential candidates see these negative portrayals. Moreover, it impacts nurse retention. After all, why would a brilliant nurse remain in a field that is so inaccurately represented?

Through her Nurse on Purpose podcast, Chinelo elevates the image of nursing by showcasing nurses as innovators, advocates, leaders, and entrepreneurs, demonstrating the diverse and impactful roles that real nurses play. As author Robert Byrne aptly stated, “The purpose of life is a life of purpose,” and Chinelo is undoubtedly embodying that purpose every day.

In the five-minute snippet: She’s in the dog house and she’s not sad about it. For Chinelo's bio, visit my website (link below).

Nursing is STEM coalition

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This week, I had the pleasure of catching up with a returning guest, the OG Nursepreneur, Farah Laurent. Since our last conversation over two years ago, she has been achieving remarkable success.  Not only does Farah hold six board certifications, but she has also earned a doctorate in nursing.

One exciting development is that Farah hosted her first nursing conference titled “Nurses Making Money Moves.” By the time this episode airs, the conference will have already taken place and, I’m sure, been a huge success. Good news for future fans—Farah plans to make this conference an annual gathering. And that title sounds familiar, it is also the name of her new book.

It feels like Farah is everywhere, doing everything. Whether you catch her on LinkedIn Live or listen to her podcast, The Nursing Dose with Farah, her energy is undeniable. She is truly dedicated to helping nurses elevate their careers. 

In the five-minute snippet: DJ Farah is setting fire to the dance floor.

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In the heart of northern New Zealand, nestled between rolling hills and lush green valleys, lay Heart Place Hospital, a beacon of innovation in the world of healthcare. Founded by Jacqui O'Connor, a Registered Nurse with three decades of experience, this unique wellness charity is unlike any hospital seen before. 

After her own dismantling and rebuilding, Jacqui has devoted her life to the intricacies of mental well-being and integrative health, believing that true healing goes beyond the limits of conventional medicine. 

As a self-proclaimed “cycle starter,” Jacqui radiates a palpable energy that draws in fellow healthcare professionals, artists, and community members alike. She understands the constraints that often stifle creativity within the medical field, and she is determined to break those barriers. Her vision is clear: healthcare should embrace all facets of human experience—mind, body, and soul. 

With so many healthcare professionals feeling the effects of burnout in their jobs and their lives, Jacqui’s movement toward a more holistic approach to health creates a vision of empowerment and creativity. With Jacqui at the helm, Heart Place Hospital will inspire healing and innovation, one community connection at a time.

In the five-minute snippet: Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight. For Jacqui's bio, visit my website (link below).

Heart Place Hospital Facebook

Heart Place Hospital Podcast YouTube

Heart Place Hospital Spotify

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What can I say about Rachell Dumas? Or perhaps, what can't I say about her? 

Rachell is an extraordinary nurse with a powerful story of pregnancy loss that will leave you both in tears and shaking your head in disbelief. 

After experiencing the loss of nine pregnancies, Rachell founded the nonprofit organization “A Light After Nine.” This organization aims to provide families navigating infertility, pregnancy loss, and maternal trauma with the emotional, financial, and mental health resources they need. In true "nurse" fashion, Rachell works tirelessly to raise awareness and advocate for equitable maternal healthcare. 

Through Rachell, I learned about maternal palliative care, which is not only for mothers who are dying but is also essential for those experiencing high-risk pregnancies. Considering that 30% of pregnancies end in loss, this approach is a brilliant way to support this community.

You may have heard the quote, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Rachell embodies the light she wishes to see in the world.

In the five-minute snippet: Tell me you’re a nurse without telling me you’re a nurse. For Rachell's bio, visit my website (link below).

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This week, I had the pleasure of speaking with NICU mom and author, Jennifer Bernardo. Jennifer gave birth to twins—a boy and a girl—at just 26 weeks gestation. Her book, Week 26, is a firsthand account of their lives in the NICU and beyond. Jennifer’s journey began with a distressing wake-up call: she was hemorrhaging. Rushed to the hospital, she underwent an emergency C-section, where she delivered her son, weighing just two pounds, followed by her even smaller daughter, weighing one pound and eleven ounces. What followed was a four-and-a-half-month rollercoaster ride in the NICU. Jennifer perfectly described the experience as being "two steps forward and one step back." At times, our conversation was raw emotion. No parent wants to describe the first time they meet their child as "traumatic," yet Jennifer bravely did so. But she also recounted joyful moments, such as skin-to-skin holding and visits from their sibling. In her book, Jennifer emphasizes that the NICU journey is truly a family affair and includes reflections from her husband's and daughter's perspectives. As Jennifer’s story illustrates, attitude is everything. Week 26 is a story of heartbreak and hope, and through her writing, Jennifer shows us that when your world turns dark, you must look for, and be the light. In the five-minute snippet: Basketball, baseball, soccer, oh my! For Jennifer's bio and book recommendations, visit my website (link below).

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This week, I had the great pleasure of speaking with my friend and colleague, Dr. David Borge. David is an OB/GYN who has retired from the traditional 9-to-5 work schedule and now enjoys using his expertise in Saipan and, more recently, Panama, his country of birth. As the son of missionaries, David spent his early years with his five siblings in Panama, France, Egypt, and Madagascar. His father, a physician, often brought young David to the hospital, where he could round on patients and observe surgeries. These experiences profoundly enriched his life, fueled his passion for service, and motivated him to become a physician. David’s Next Adventure Travel Blog chronicles his work with the Floating Doctors organization. You’ll read the stories of his time in Saipan, treating women with cancer, birth defects, and high-risk pregnancies—compounded by a lack of medical support—which will make you appreciate life here in the United States. Although he hasn't yet written about his recent trip to Panama to establish a medical clinic with midwives, I am eagerly anticipating his stories. After delivering thousands of babies in eight countries, David has discovered that kindness, compassion, and competence resonate across cultures and are unified by our common humanity. Prepare yourself for emotional conversation filled with wonder, laughter and tears with an exceptional human. In the five-minute snippet: Well, they are a travel necessity. Here is David Borge. For David's bio and book recommendations, visit my website (link below).

borge1954@gmail.com

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For today’s episode, I’ve got questions and Maggie's got answers. Do you need a nurse advocate? Well, consider this your lucky day. Meet my guest, Maggie Ortiz. As founder and CEO of Advocates for Nurses, she provides guidance, education, and empowerment to nurses facing legal, regulatory, and professional challenges. Terrified of facing a Board of Registered Nursing investigation? Maggie's your insider. Equally terrified of being deposed? She literally wrote the book on it. Do you see where I’m going here? Maggie is dedicated to ensuring nurses have the resources and support they need to confidently protect their licenses—and that’s what I would call a true advocate for nurses. In the five-minute snippet: Did she just dis Dallas? For Maggie's bio, visit my website (link below).

Advocates for Nurses Podcast

Nurse Advocates YouTube

Advocates4Nurses Facebook

Online courses

Guide to the Courtroom for Nurses E-Book

One-on-One Consultations

Introduction to Legal Nurse Course

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My guest this week, Joseph Harrison, is a nurse practitioner who facilitates the creation of independent practices for other nurse practitioners through his company, Avail Health.

Per his LinkedIn profile, Joseph states, “Weaving together many threads to help realize the quintuple aim of healthcare.” To be honest, I was unaware of this ambitious initiative before speaking with him, but he clearly and succinctly explained both our current successes and the areas where improvements can be made.

I found it interesting to learn that before becoming a nurse practitioner, Joseph worked in the hospitality industry as a server and a teacher. Perhaps it's this background that enables him to be such an exceptional nurse practitioner. He forms personal connections with his patients, allowing them to take an active role in their care.

I would also argue that this ability contributes to his success as an entrepreneur. Nurse practitioners often express a desire to provide excellent, person-centered care while also seeking time and financial freedom. Joseph truly listens to these needs and is working to make them a reality, one practice at a time.

In the five-minute snippet: Barbarians, Rogues, and Druids, oh my! For Joseph's bio, visit my website (link below).

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This week my guest is Sachin Chauhan, the founder and CEO of An Extra M. This India-based organization has provided education and training to over 50,000 nurses and nursing students worldwide, focusing on the essential soft skills needed for effective interpersonal relationships with both patients and colleagues.
You may wonder, what are soft skills? Soft skills include critical thinking, time management, teamwork, leadership and emotional intelligence, among others. While these skills are beneficial in all professions, they are particularly crucial for nurses. Our work often involves interacting with individuals who may be experiencing some of the most challenging moments of their lives.
And nurses don't work in silos. They are vital members of a multidisciplinary team. Therefore, your team's success depends on soft skills.
I am truly inspired by Sachin's story about the birth of An Extra M, and I know once you hear it, you will be too.
In the five minute snippet: Dance party in Sachin's kitchen! For Sachin's bio, visit my website (link below).

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Imagine being a sick or injured child entering the healthcare system and being approached by nurses and doctors wielding strange objects, sharp needles, and unpleasant medications. Now picture being the parent of that child, who naturally wants to protect and advocate but lacks the health literacy to comprehend what is happening. Whether parent or child, you would likely be terrified and would want someone like Nurse Deon on your side.
Fortunately, there is Deon Huffman, a pediatric nurse with 10 years of experience dedicated to educating both parents and children. He helps them understand common procedures in a clear and approachable manner, never condescending. Deon’s YouTube videos cover a variety of topics, including healthy eating for kids, understanding emotions, vital signs, and the MRI machine. His trips to the zoo are both educational and entertaining.
Nurse Deon doesn’t work alone; his team includes physicians, child life specialists, and even puppets. Together, they create an evidence-based educational broadcast that rivals any popular children’s programming.
Research shows that when parents and children are educated, their anxiety levels decrease which makes our job as healthcare professionals easier and more enjoyable, creating a win-win situation for everyone involved.
In the five-minute snippet: let them eat cake! For Deon's bio and book recommendations, visit my website (link below).

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Sleep. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders, quality sleep is as essential to survival as food and water. It is crucial for forming and maintaining the neural pathways in your brain that allow you to learn and create new memories. Lack of sleep can make it harder to concentrate and respond quickly.
Now, imagine being a healthcare professional—a nurse, physician, or surgical technician—who is also the parent of a child who struggles to sleep and prevents anyone else in the house from getting rest. Yet your job requires you to make critical decisions and perform complex tasks while being chronically sleep-deprived, which can have catastrophic consequences.
Enter Lacy Hess, a nurse entrepreneur who created Lacy’s Lullabies, a sleep consulting business aimed at helping parents and children achieve the restful sleep they need. As a certified pediatric sleep consultant, Lacy assists parents in developing safe sleep plans designed to promote sleep independence. With 13 years of experience as a Registered Nurse, a certification in Emergency Nursing, and a Master’s degree in Education, Lacy brings a wealth of knowledge and credibility to her practice. Her clients consistently provide rave reviews.
If you're a nurse considering a change in specialty or looking to start a side hustle, sleep consulting could be an ideal option. This field leverages many skills that nurses excel at, including flexibility, time management, prioritization, and the ability to provide evidence-based education.
In the five-minute snippet: Well, son of a nutcracker, it’s Buddy the Elf.
For Lacy's bio, visit my website (link below).
Lacy's Lullabies Blog
Lacys Lullabies FB page

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Imagine for a moment if Angie Gray were a recipe. She would be equal parts professionalism, inspiration, and compassion, with just a pinch of badassery thrown in.
But she is not a recipe. She is a thought leader, a nurse coach, a keynote speaker, and she has the challenging task of training C-suite executives to bridge the gap between them and the healthcare professionals on the front lines.
Angie and I are soul sisters of a sort: we love sporting our rose-colored glasses, which is not a negative. We are not blind to the dirty side of nursing: the bullying, burnout, staffing, and wage inequity. Rather, we choose to see the positives and to be the change we wish to see in the profession.
Our discussion was filled with wisdom and insights about why our profession is both great and yet struggling. Angie’s hashtag, #lovingdisruption, is gaining popularity and resonance, and I can’t wait for you to hear her explanation. My prediction? It’s going viral.
So get in, sit down, buckle up, and get ready for a wild ride because this woman has a lot to say!
In the five-minute snippet: she’s a hunker-down kinda gal. For Angie's bio, visit my website (link below) and listen now!
High-Performance Nursing
Sister Friends Podcast
Angie on Dr. Oz show

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 Beth Sanford is known as the "Sunshine Nurse" for two reasons. First, she is a doctorally-prepared nurse who has conducted extensive research on the importance of vitamin D in improving patient outcomes. Her studies have explored how vitamin D levels affect ICU patients, long-term care residents, and global maternal health. Beth is passionate about addressing vitamin D deficiency in clinical practice, population health, and policy.
Did you know that vitamin D is both a nutrient and a hormone essential for nearly every cell in the body? It plays a crucial role in hundreds of processes every day. Deficiencies in vitamin D are now recognized as a risk factor for many chronic diseases, including osteoporosis, impaired cognitive function, various cancers, pregnancy complications, and cardiovascular disease.
We explored how low vitamin D levels impact nurses and other healthcare professionals who work night shifts or are exposed to artificial light for over 12 hours a day. Beth compares the effects to pseudodementia, which can slow response times and hinder the ability to make critical decisions. If you are a nurse experiencing profound fatigue, run, don’t walk to get your levels checked!
Now, back to why Beth is known as the "Sunshine Nurse" for the second reason. She can literally light up a room. With her beautiful smile, positive outlook, and generous spirit, Beth reminds us all that we could use a little more light in our lives.
In the five-minute snippet: North Dakota is nice!
Sperti Vitamin D Lamp
Vitamin D Calculator
Why Fear the Coming of Winter in Game of Thrones? The hypovitaminosis D hypothesis
Substantial Vitamin D Supplementation Is Required during the Prenatal Period to Improve Birth Outcomes  Hollis & Wagner, 2022   A call to action for maternal health
How Vitamin D Changed Hospital Patient Outcomes: An Interview with Dr. Leslie Ray Matthews - GrassrootsHealth

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I've partnered with RNegade.pro! You can earn CE's just by listening to my podcast episodes! Check out my CE library here: https://rnegade.thinkific.com/collections/conversing-nurse-podcast

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