No Really, I'm Fine

Rachel Rackow, MD, MPH "A Palliative Care Physician's Perspective"

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1933481/fan_mail/new] Introducing Dr. Rachel Rackow! Ok, so you might not want her to cut the cake at your birthday party, but you do want her to cut through difficult conversations! Rachel has been practicing palliative medicine for many years now and has continued to worked through her own loss, trauma, Covid, parenting, and more. She has used her personal experiences of loss to enhance her work and used her work to help heal her experiences of loss. She's a dedicated physician, attentive mother, intrepid friend, and just a lovely human being. Oh, and she's incredibly insightful and so so so fun.  This episode has heavy moments (we do talk about suicide, so listen with care), but balanced with joyful laughter - which is fitting to anyone who has been lucky enough to spend time with Rachel. She can engage in the heaviest of conversations and then, with ease, share in joyous laughter. She balances life's reality, which is not an easy thing to do and she comes to the balance after years of practicing joy and sorrow. Thank you Rachel!!!! Also...note...No Really I'm Fine podcast will be taking a brief few month hiatus so hosts Aaron and Mike can take a breath and record some more engaging conversations to be released in the fall. Thanks again for all the support!

John McCall, ECMO Primer, RN "Look For the Helpers"

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1933481/fan_mail/new] John McCall brings us a lively conversation filled with laughter and tears as he shares his journey into ICU nursing, sharing the joy and substantial challenges.  John didn't begin a career in nursing until a second career after feeling unsatisfied after a career in business. It seemed the words from an early childhood influence, Mr. Rodgers, kept ringing in his ears "In times of trouble, always look for the helpers." John has had quite a journey through leaning into this call to help and has certainly had success and challenges along the way as he balances his healthy instinct to help with a more unhealthy urge to help which often leaves him unable to bring the help to himself that he gives to others.  This episode is filled with vulnerability, insight, and boldness as John probes the challenges of parenting while in a high stress environment and challenges some of the stereotypes that exist (especially, it seems for men) that strong people don't cry or as for help. Thank you, John, for your care and for your passion for telling the truth and helping others. John is a gem and we think you will love him!

Amanda Wood, ICU RN, “No, I’m Really Not Fine”

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1933481/fan_mail/new] This week’s episode features ICU nurse Amanda Wood. Originally drawn by the fascinating stories of the medical field, she shares openly about the true emotional toll of an acute care setting.  In our conversation, Amanda admittedly wonders if she can sustain herself on this career path. After the initial curiosity that drew her in, she recounts her stressful journey with nursing starting by training during the pandemic. She also reflects on her ongoing struggle to maintain compassion and her own well-being while working with complex cases in the ICU. As she says, she’s finding ways to cope wherever she can and she’s doing better, yet still says, “No really, I’m really not fine!”  Thank you Amanda for your honesty, your humor and the heartfelt care you provide even as you search for how best to care for yourself!

Alyssa Gibbs, CRN, “A Call to Care — for Self and Others”

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1933481/fan_mail/new] On this week’s episode we welcome another amazing nurse, Alyssa Gibbs. Feeling called to nursing from a young age she’s spent time in Pediatrics, in CVICU and in an emerging role as a Critical Response Nurse (CRN).  Alyssa reflects on how she’s learned to handle stressful situations with families and patients and provide calm to the care team in the midst of crisis. She speaks to the emotional toll of nursing, especially when you’re not in the right role. Just as she’s learned to read the signs of physical distress in patients, Alyssa offers insight she’s learned about slow transitions from work to home, knowing when to take a day off and even embracing the need for a career change. Thank you Alyssa for your willingness to share the personal experiences that have helped make you such a calm presence in the midst of medical crisis!

Sarah Ream, ED Social Worker, "Seeing the World Through Tears”

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1933481/fan_mail/new] This week we’re honored to welcome Sarah Ream to the podcast. With years spent working as an ED Social Worker, she has become accustomed to supporting people in the midst of crisis. But after experiencing the sudden loss of her husband, she learned new ways of being present to herself and others. You might want to grab some Kleenex as you listen to this touching and poignant reflection on love, loss and healing in the midst of one’s own pain and sorrow.  Thank you Sarah for sharing your story with us and giving such an inspiring illustration of how to see the world through our tears!