Banter At The Bedside

Abigail
  • 4.8 (17)
  • MEDICINE

Banter at the Bedside dives into the real stories of healthcare — the ones that happen behind the curtains, between shifts, and at the bedside. Hosted by frontline professionals, each episode brings together voices from across the healthcare spectrum to share their perspectives — from laughter in the breakroom to the moments that change everything. Whether you’re in scrubs or just curious about life inside the hospital, join us for honest, thoughtful, and sometimes hilarious conversations about what it really means to care for others.

  1. Cardiogenic Shock Explained: Preload, Afterload, Inotropes & Shock Teams at the Bedside Part 1

    3D AGO

    Cardiogenic Shock Explained: Preload, Afterload, Inotropes & Shock Teams at the Bedside Part 1

    Send us Fan Mail Cardiogenic shock remains a high-mortality emergency in critical care—but survival is improving as clinicians better understand shock physiology and adopt cardiogenic shock team models. In this episode of Banter at the Bedside, Abby and Kaleigh are joined by returning guest Dr. Michael for a practical bedside breakdown of cardiogenic shock recognition and management. Together they explain:  How to differentiate cardiogenic vs distributive shock  Why preload, contractility, and afterload matter clinically  When to use diuretics, vasodilators, and inotropes  Dobutamine vs milrinone vs epinephrine  How cardiac power predicts outcomes  Why cardiogenic shock teams are improving survival nationwide  How hemodynamics translate into real treatment decisions This episode is designed for ICU nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, residents, fellows, and physicians working in emergency medicine, cardiology, and critical care. This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not provide medical advice.

    33 min
  2. The Pause: Why Healthcare Workers Need 45 Seconds After a Code

    APR 9

    The Pause: Why Healthcare Workers Need 45 Seconds After a Code

    Send us Fan Mail In healthcare, when a code ends and time of death is called, the room usually moves on fast. But what if we didn’t? In this episode of Banter at the Bedside, we sit down with a hospital chaplain to talk about “The Pause” — a simple 45-second moment of silence after a patient dies that helps teams honor the patient, recognize the effort of the staff, and begin processing what just happened. We talk about: • why healthcare teams scatter after codes • the emotional cost of never stopping • what chaplains actually do for staff • burnout, compassion fatigue, and stacked grief • how anyone on the team can start the pause You don’t have to be religious to benefit from it. You just have to be human. If you’ve ever walked out of a code and gone straight back to work like nothing happened — this episode is for you.

    55 min
  3. Off the Clock, Still On Call: When Everyone Asks You for Medical Questions

    APR 3

    Off the Clock, Still On Call: When Everyone Asks You for Medical Questions

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Banter at the Bedside, we dive into what it really means to be the “town healer” — the nurse, doctor, or healthcare worker everyone turns to for medical advice outside the hospital. From group chats and family texts to strangers at restaurants and TikTok DMs, we share real stories about the pressure of being “on” all the time, the awkward situations that come with it, and the fine line between helping and setting boundaries. Joined by a hospitalist and rising TikTok creator, we also explore how social media is changing the way patients seek medical advice — and what that means for healthcare professionals navigating ethics, liability, and burnout. But beneath the humor, this episode tackles a bigger question: Are healthcare workers becoming the system’s workaround for limited access to care? If you’ve ever been asked, “Hey, can I ask you a quick medical question?” — this one’s for you. Disclaimer: This episode is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. We do not represent any organization. Conversations in this episode reflect informal experiences and general education only and do not represent diagnosis, treatment, or prescribing advice.

    49 min
  4. You’re Not Difficult, You’re Advocating | How Patients Can Speak Up in Healthcare, Views from the Healthcare Team

    MAR 26

    You’re Not Difficult, You’re Advocating | How Patients Can Speak Up in Healthcare, Views from the Healthcare Team

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Banter at the Bedside, Abby and Kaleigh kick off a new mini-series on patient advocacy — inspired by a listener question. As healthcare professionals who have also been patients themselves, they break down why so many people hesitate to speak up during medical visits and hospital stays. From feeling like you might be “difficult” to worrying that providers are too busy, Abby and Kaleigh tackle the biggest myths that keep patients from asking questions. They also share practical phrases patients and families can use to advocate for themselves, how nurses often act as allies in communication, and why asking questions can actually make care safer and clearer for everyone involved. Whether you’re navigating the healthcare system for the first time or supporting a loved one in the hospital, this episode offers simple ways to communicate with confidence. Because advocating for yourself isn’t being difficult — it’s being informed

    32 min
  5. Trauma Bonded at Work: Friendships, Dating & Relationships in Healthcare

    MAR 19

    Trauma Bonded at Work: Friendships, Dating & Relationships in Healthcare

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Banter at the Bedside, we dive into one of the most relatable topics in healthcare: relationships. Healthcare workers spend 12+ hours together in high-stress environments, forming friendships that can feel deeper than most relationships outside the hospital. But what happens when those trauma-bonded friendships struggle to exist outside of work? We talk about: • Why hospital friendships form so quickly • The reality of trauma bonding in healthcare • Dating in healthcare – nurses, doctors, and coworkers • The challenges of relationships with people outside medicine • How night shift schedules affect friendships and family life • What happens when coworkers date… or break up From ICU trauma bonding to hospital gossip, night shift exhaustion, and navigating relationships both inside and outside medicine, this episode explores the unique social world of healthcare workers. Whether you’re a nurse, physician, APP, RT, pharmacist, or anyone working in healthcare, you’ve probably experienced the strange dynamic of being incredibly close to coworkers while struggling to maintain relationships outside the hospital. If you've ever trauma-bonded in a supply room at 3am, this episode is for you.

    49 min
  6. More Than a Diagnosis: Humanizing Patients in Critical Care

    MAR 17

    More Than a Diagnosis: Humanizing Patients in Critical Care

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when a patient becomes “the GI bleed in 12” instead of a person? In this deeply reflective episode of Banter at the Bedside, Abby and Kaleigh are joined by Dr. Armando (ICU + nephrology) and Amanda, a CICU nurse of nearly 20 years, to explore what it really means to humanize patients in critical care. From micro-communications and bedside manners to burnout, shame in medical training, and the ethical tension between biological survival and personhood, this conversation dives into the hard truths of modern healthcare. We discuss: How ICU culture can unintentionally dehumanize patientsWhy “treat them like family” isn’t always simpleHuman trafficking and suicide cases that changed usCompassion fatigue and protecting yourself emotionallyThe danger of reducing patients to “learning opportunities”Why small moments (saying a name correctly, closing a door, explaining a plan) matter more than we thinkTrigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of sex trafficking and suicide. Whether you're a nurse, physician, APP, healthcare student, or someone who has loved a patient through critical illness — this conversation is for you. Because every room number has a name. And every diagnosis belongs to a human. #BanterAtTheBedside #ICUNurse #CriticalCare #HumanizingHealthcare #CompassionFatigue #MedicalEthics #HealthcarePodcast

    1h 7m
  7. Down the Reddit Thread: Healthcare Team Reacts to Posts Bashing Advance Practice Providers

    MAR 17

    Down the Reddit Thread: Healthcare Team Reacts to Posts Bashing Advance Practice Providers

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Banter at the Bedside, we dive headfirst into the Reddit rabbit hole — specifically the infamous “Noctor” threads targeting NPs, PAs, and other advanced practice providers. From claims that APPs are “cheap labor” to debates about online education, research credibility, independent practice, and the Dunning-Kruger effect; we read the posts out loud and react in real time. With Abby (CICU NP), Kaleigh (ICU nurse), Cody (ICU nurse) and Michael (Physician) all at the table, this conversation goes deeper than internet drama. We talk about: Physician vs. APP training differencesThe reality of academic ICUsConfidence vs. competenceTeaching fellows vs. teaching APPsWhy online arguments hurt patient trustAnd whether “APP hate” is actually about insecurity, economics, or something else entirelyNo medical advice. Just real talk from people actually doing the work.

    1h 8m
  8. Pharmacy TikTok: ICU Team (Pharmacist, RN, NP) Reacts to Healthcare Social Media

    MAR 17

    Pharmacy TikTok: ICU Team (Pharmacist, RN, NP) Reacts to Healthcare Social Media

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Banter at the Bedside, we’re back with another Reel vs. Real — this time diving into pharmacy TikTok with special guest Kyle, an ICU pharmacist and pharmacy content creator. We react to viral pharmacy and healthcare videos and unpack what social media gets right, what it oversimplifies, and what gets completely lost when complex clinical work is condensed into 60 seconds. From STAT colace calls and vancomycin debates to medication safety, burnout, and interprofessional dynamics, we talk honestly about the realities behind the reels. This isn’t a call-out episode, it’s a conversation about nuance, teamwork, and how healthcare professionals can show up online without tearing each other down. Whether you’re a pharmacist, nurse, APP, physician, student, or just curious about what really happens behind the scenes, this episode is for you.

    1h 4m
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Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Banter at the Bedside dives into the real stories of healthcare — the ones that happen behind the curtains, between shifts, and at the bedside. Hosted by frontline professionals, each episode brings together voices from across the healthcare spectrum to share their perspectives — from laughter in the breakroom to the moments that change everything. Whether you’re in scrubs or just curious about life inside the hospital, join us for honest, thoughtful, and sometimes hilarious conversations about what it really means to care for others.

Information

  • Creator
    Abigail
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Banter At The Bedside
  • Show Website
    Banter At The Bedside