We are The Nocturnists, a San Francisco-based independent medical storytelling community. Since 2016, we’ve produced over a dozen live storytelling shows in the Bay Area and New York City, three seasons of our podcast, and two special audio diary series: "Stories from a Pandemic" and "Black Voices in Healthcare." Welcome to our community.
Listeners of The Nocturnists that love the show mention: silverman, health care, physician, doctors, patients, additionally, medicine, medical, joyful, humanity, reflect, pandemic, eye opening, professionals, student, story telling, fear, consider, emotional, stories.
The Nocturnists podcast is a captivating and informative series that delves into the intersection of medicine, healthcare, and humanity. As a clinical social worker with a particular interest in the politics and healthcare landscape, I have found this podcast to be an invaluable resource. It offers firsthand insights from brave OB GYN doctors who shed light on the dire state of reproductive healthcare, countering the predominantly male voices that often seek to limit women's access to vital services. The podcast also tackles other vital issues such as bias, shame, and dignity violations within the healthcare system. The stories shared are deeply personal and relatable for those in the medical field, providing solace and reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles.
The strength of The Nocturnists lies in its ability to humanize healthcare providers and foster empathy between listeners and medical professionals. The storytelling is powerful, pulling on heartstrings while offering valuable perspectives on the challenges faced by doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers. The host's insightful interviews bring depth to each episode, ensuring that important topics are unpacked thoroughly. Additionally, the inclusion of personal anecdotes from both guests and host creates a sense of community among listeners who may otherwise feel isolated in their experiences.
However, it is worth noting that some episodes may be emotionally triggering for individuals who have experienced trauma or difficult situations within the healthcare system. While these stories provide an opportunity for reflection and growth, they may also be overwhelming for some listeners.
In conclusion, The Nocturnists podcast is a remarkable production that provides a much-needed platform for sharing stories from within the medical field. It sheds light on pressing issues while creating a sense of community among healthcare workers and those interested in understanding their experiences. Despite potential triggers for some listeners, this podcast succeeds in promoting empathy and understanding while offering valuable insights into medicine's triumphs and challenges.
For most clinicians, the idea of harming a patient is a worst nightmare. But in a high-stakes profession, practiced by humans in a dysfunctional system, errors are nearly inevitable. So how do we deal with the shame that follows? Find show notes, discussion guide, transcript, and more at thenocturnists-shame.org.
Emmy-winning writer and creative director Lu Chekowsky delves into her mother's powerful lessons on resilience, navigating a high-stakes media career, and facing the biases of healthcare in a larger body. Lu performed this story live at the Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theatre at Symphony Space in New York in November 2023, for an event on the theme of "Taking Care" which The Nocturnists co-produced with the Bellevue Literary Review/ Find show notes, transcript and more at thenocturnists.org. The Nocturnists is made possible by the California Medical Association.
In our 50th The Nocturnists: Conversations episode, Emily speaks with Maggie Jackson, award-winning author and journalist, about her book "Uncertain: The Wisdom and Wonder of Being Unsure." Maggie describes the neuroscience of uncertainty, the benefits of curiosity and slowing down, and findings from her interviews with physicians and surgeons about uncertainty in medical practice. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com. The Nocturnists is made possible by the California Medical Association and donations from listeners like you.
Dr. Uché Blackstock, an emergency medicine physician and health equity advocate, discusses her book "Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine." She shares personal stories about her family's journey in medicine, systemic racism and her work to create a more equitable healthcare. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com. The Nocturnists is made possible by the California Medical Association and donations from listeners like you.
Documentary filmmaker Luke Lorentzen and hospital chaplain Mati Engel discuss their award-winning film, "A Still Small Voice," which explores the rewards and challenges of providing spiritual care in the hospital setting. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com. The Nocturnists is made possible by the California Medical Association and donations from listeners like you.
Pediatric ER physician and author Rachel Kowalsky discusses her short story, "The Delivery Boy," which is set in an ER and follows a young Guatemalan boy, alongside the team of clinicians who treat him. Rachel talks about how her experiences influence her writing and teaching in health humanities. "The Delivery Boy" is available to read online for free. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com. This season of "Stories from the World of Medicine" is supported by The Physicians Foundation. The Nocturnists is made possible by the California Medical Association and donations from listeners like you.
When Dr. Augie Lindmark first started receiving obituaries in the mailbox, he wasn't sure whether to be amused or afraid. But soon he discovers the identity of the sender, and enters into a rare an unexpected dialogue about aging and mortality. Augie performed this story live at the Parkway Theater in Minneapolis in April 2023, for an event on the theme of "REBIRTH" which The Nocturnists co-produced with the Center for the Art of Medicine. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com. This episode of "Stories from the World of Medicine" is sponsored by The New York Zen Center. This season of "Stories from the World of Medicine" is supported by The Physicians Foundation. The Nocturnists is made possible by the California Medical Association.
Physician Tiffany Albrecht jumped into “doing” mode when her beloved husband died – she ran a 5K, cleaned out her closet, and went on a hike. But when her son was finally born, she was overcome by a cathartic wave of emotions. Tiffany performed this story live at the Parkway Theater in Minneapolis in April 2023, for an event on the theme of "REBIRTH" which The Nocturnists co-produced with the Center for the Art of Medicine. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com. This episode of "Stories from the World of Medicine" is sponsored by The New York Zen Center. This season of "Stories from the World of Medicine" is supported by The Physicians Foundation. The Nocturnists is made possible by the California Medical Association.
Psychiatrist Carson Brown was terrified to tell her mother that she was moving to Minnesota. But with inspiration from Carl Jung, and some of her own psychotherapy patients, she finds the courage to make the announcement, and feels her way into a new chapter of adulthood. Carson performed this story live at the Parkway Theater in Minneapolis in April 2023, for an event on the theme of "REBIRTH" which The Nocturnists co-produced with the Center for the Art of Medicine. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com. This episode of "Stories from the World of Medicine" is sponsored by The New York Zen Center. This season of "Stories from the World of Medicine" is supported by The Physicians Foundation. The Nocturnists is made possible by the California Medical Association.
When medical student Peter Park's grandfather died, he was unable to fly to Korea for the funeral due to COVID restrictions. But in anatomy lab, the cadaver he was assigned to shared some similarities to his grandfather that were difficult to explain. Spending time with the body of this stranger, he was able to come to terms with his grandfather's death. Peter performed this story live at the Parkway Theater in Minneapolis in April 2023, for an event on the theme of "REBIRTH" which The Nocturnists co-produced with the Center for the Art of Medicine. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com. This episode of "Stories from the World of Medicine" is sponsored by The New York Zen Center. This season of "Stories from the World of Medicine" is supported by The Physicians Foundation. The Nocturnists is made possible by the California Medical Association.
Pathologist Sue Wheaton tells a story about helping her mom, a surgeon and racecar driver, navigate the challenges of aging. Later, she reflects on their complicated relationship, and how car metaphors helped them move through difficult moments in their lives. Sue performed this story live at the Parkway Theater in Minneapolis in April 2023, for an event on the theme of "REBIRTH" which The Nocturnists co-produced with the Center for the Art of Medicine. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com. This season of "Stories from the World of Medicine" is supported by The Physicians Foundation. The Nocturnists is made possible by the California Medical Association.
When Anthony's wife got sick, he believed the way to best support her was by getting stuff done. Over time though, he discovered that in order to become a better caregiver, he was going to need to unlearn some of the lessons he'd learned growing up about what love looks like in practice. Anthony performed this story live at the Parkway Theater in Minneapolis in April 2023, for an event on the theme of "REBIRTH" which The Nocturnists co-produced with the Center for the Art of Medicine. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com. This season of "Stories from the World of Medicine" is supported by The Physicians Foundation. The Nocturnists is made possible by the California Medical Association.
The Nocturnists is back with Season 6 of its classic storytelling series, "Stories from the World of Medicine." We begin with Dr. Meghan Rothenberger, an infectious disease doctor in Minneapolis who had to lose her dog, her wallet, and her dinner, before she realized she'd also lost something more important: herself. Meghan performed this story live at the Parkway Theater in Minneapolis in April 2023, for an event on the theme of "REBIRTH" which The Nocturnists co-produced with the Center for the Art of Medicine. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com. This season of "Stories from the World of Medicine" is supported by The Physicians Foundation. The Nocturnists is made possible by the California Medical Association.
The Nocturnists, the award-winning medical storytelling podcast, is thrilled to announce the launch of its sixth season of its series Stories from the World of Medicine, themed "REBIRTH," available starting February 15, 2024. Hosted by Dr. Emily Silverman, this season features an inspiring lineup of medical professionals and students, including Dr. Meghan Rothenberger, Dr. Anthony Williams, Dr. Sue Wheaton, 4th year medical student Peter Park, Dr. Carson Brown, Dr. Tiffany Albrecht, and Dr. Augie Lindmark, who share their experiences and transformations within the world of medicine. This season, the award-winning podcast The Nocturnists takes listeners on a captivating journey through seven episodes that delve into the personal and professional rebirths of those deeply embedded in healthcare. Recorded live in Minneapolis at the Parkway Theatre in collaboration with the Center for the Art of Medicine at the University of Minnesota (CFAM), these narratives explore themes of discovery, loss, love, and the serendipitous paths to healing.
Oncologist Stuart Bloom speaks about his staged musical, How to Avoid Burnout in 73 Minutes, which tracks his journey from songwriter to oncologist, and the way he copes with burnout and finds meaning in his work. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com. This episode of The Nocturnists is sponsored by Nabla.
Author Laurel Braitman speaks about her memoir, What Looks Like Bravery, which explores her relationship to her physician-father, and her professional journey toward a career teaching writing to clinicians. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com.
Emergency medicine doctor and author Jay Baruch speaks about his memoir, Tornado of Life: A Doctor's Journey Through Constraints and Creativity in the ER, which explores ethics, stories, and uncertainty in the emergency room. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com.
Television writer and former ENT surgeon Anthony Chin-Quee speaks about his memoir, I Can't Save You, and his burgeoning career in storytelling for the screen. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com
What does the future hold for abortion care? In this final episode of Post-Roe America, we hear from clinicians and advocates at the forefront of finding new solutions for patients in need. Host & Co-creator: Ali Block, MD Co-creator: Emily Silverman, MD Featuring: Amy Meg Autry, MD; April Lockley, DO; Jiana Menendez, MD, MPH; Oriaku Njoku; Linda Prine, MD; and other contributors who wish to remain anonymous Find show notes, transcript, and more at https://thenocturnists.com/pra/7/futures. Follow @thenocturnists. The Nocturnists: Post-Roe America series was made possible in part by the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation. The Nocturnists is supported by the California Medical Association, and people like you who have donated through our website and Patreon page.
How has the Dobbs decision impacted medical education? In this episode we talk to trainees and educators about how Dobbs has impacted their lives in the classroom, and explore what we lose when we lose abortion training. Host & Co-creator: Ali Block, MD Co-creator: Emily Silverman, MD Contributors: Anastasia Anazonwu, MD Candidate; Bria Peacock, MD; and other contributors who wish to remain anonymous Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com/pra/6/next-generation. Follow @thenocturnists. The Nocturnists: Post-Roe America series was made possible in part by the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation. The Nocturnists is supported by the California Medical Association, and people like you who have donated through our website and Patreon page.
Many physicians have been advocating publicly for reproductive health for decades, but many more have remained silent on the subject of abortion, fearing retribution from the general public and their communities. Today we talk about the culture of silence around reproductive health in medical spaces, and how breaking that silence is our only hope for reclaiming our reproductive freedom. Host & Co-creator: Ali Block, MD Co-creator: Emily Silverman, MD Contributors: Vineesha Arelli, MD; Caitlin Bernard, MD MSCI FACOG; and Emily Patel, MD Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com/pra/5/culture-of-silence. Follow @thenocturnists. The Nocturnists: Post-Roe America series was made possible in part by the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation. The Nocturnists is supported by the California Medical Association, and people like you who have donated through our website and Patreon page.
Leilah Zahedi-Spung never planned to leave her life behind in Tennessee. But after Roe fell, she found herself having to make an impossible decision about the future of her career. In this episode, we examine how political events can upend clinicians' lives and communities. Host & Co-creator: Ali Block, MD Co-creator: Emily Silverman, MD Contributors: Scott Dunn, MD; Zachary Halversen, MD; and Leilah Zahedi-Spung, MD Find show notes, transcript, and more at https://thenocturnists.com/pra/4/uprooted. Follow @thenocturnists. The Nocturnists: Post-Roe America series was made possible in part by the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation. The Nocturnists is supported by the California Medical Association, and people like you who have donated through our website and Patreon page.
Host of STAT First Opinion Podcast, Torie Bosch, interviews family medicine physicians and abortion providers Ali Block and Nikki Zite. Physicians Alison Block and Nikki Zite knew what they were getting into when they became abortion providers early in their medical training. Family planning has long been a politicized, divisive area of medicine. And even though they knew that Roe v. Wade — the 1973 Supreme Court case that protected abortion access across the country — was being threatened, it still hit them hard when that ruling was actually overturned in June 2022. This interview was originally released on STAT's First Opinion Podcast, October 4, 2023.
After Dobbs, many states in the middle of the country severely restricted abortion – but Kansas stood out as an exception. As a result, a small clinic in Wichita called Trust Women became an unexpected oasis for abortion care. In this episode, we bring you inside the clinic to learn how they handled the overwhelming influx of patients. *This episode briefly mentions violent imagery and actions targeting abortion clinics. Listener discretion is advised. Host & Co-creator: Ali Block, MD Co-creator: Emily Silverman, MD Contributors: Christina Bourne, MD MPH; Ashley Brink; Zack Gingrich Gaylord; Catalina Moreno-Hernandez, RMA; and other contributors who wish to remain anonymous Find show notes, transcript, and more at https://thenocturnists.com/pra/3/trust-women. Follow @thenocturnists. The Nocturnists: Post-Roe America series was made possible in part by the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation. The Nocturnists is supported by the California Medical Association, and people like you who have donated through our website and Patreon page.
Before the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision, there was S.B. 8—a Texas law that prohibited any abortion after 6 weeks, essentially banning it entirely in the state. In this episode, we hear from healthcare workers in and around Texas. What was it like to be an early witness to America's crumbling abortion rights? Host & Co-creator: Ali Block, MD Co-creator: Emily Silverman, MD Contributors: Kiernan Cobb, RN; Bhavik Kumar, MD MPH; and other contributors who wish to remain anonymous Find show notes, transcript, and more at https://https://thenocturnists.com/pra/2/the-canary. Follow @thenocturnists. The Nocturnists: Post-Roe America series was made possible in part by the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation. The Nocturnists is supported by the California Medical Association, and people like you who have donated through our website and Patreon page.
We open in Orlando, at a reproductive health conference where many abortion providers were gathered on the day of the Dobbs leak. We follow a few of them home, as they scramble in the aftermath to figure out what the ruling means for their practices, their patients, and themselves. Host & Co-creator: Ali Block, MD Co-creator: Emily Silverman, MD Contributors: Diane Horvath, MD MPH; Jiana Menendez, MD MPH; Nikki Zite, MD MPH Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com. Follow @thenocturnists. The Nocturnists: Post-Roe America series was made possible in part by the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation. The Nocturnists is supported by the California Medical Association, and people like you who have donated through our website and Patreon page.
On June 24, 2022, the US Supreme Court issued the Dobbs Decision. Overnight, Americans lost the protections on abortion care that Roe vs. Wade had afforded for almost 50 years. Soon afterward, The Nocturnists began talking to abortion providers around the country. Join us September 21st for Post-Roe America—a 7-episode series featuring the stories of abortion providers from Texas to Tennessee, Oklahoma to Ohio, and beyond. See you then. Host: Ali Block, MD Co-creators: Emily Silverman, MD & Ali Block, MD Contributors: April Lockley, DO; Bhavik Kumar, MD MPH; Christina Bourne, MD MPH; Emily Patel, MD; Zack Gingrich-Gaylord and other healthcare workers who wish to remain anonymous More information at thenocturnists.com.
Psychiatrist Pooja Lakshmin speaks about her book Real Self-Care, which challenges mainstream notions of "self care" and offers a new framework for cultivating wellbeing. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com.
Emily speaks with critical care physician Hannah Wunsch about her book The Autumn Ghost, which tells the story of a polio epidemic in Copenhagen in the 1950s, and how it gave birth to the invention of the modern ventilator and the field of ICU medicine. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com.
Emily speaks with ophthalmologist-comedian Will Flanary and educator Kristin Flanary (aka Dr. Glaucomflecken and Lady Glaucomflecken) about their medical comedy platform, and how Will's personal experience with cardiac arrest impacted the way they view their work as healthcare satirists and content creators.
Emily speaks with cardiologist Eric Topol about his 2019 book Deep Medicine, which explores the potential for AI to enhance medical decision-making, improve patient outcomes, and restore the doctor-patient relationship. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com.
In honor of Juneteenth this year, we're re-releasing one of our favorite episodes from our 2020 Black Voices in Healthcare series – Episode 7. "Standout." Have you ever looked around and realized you were the only one? Standing out in the crowd can be hard, but it might just be your superpower. The Black Voices in Healthcare series is hosted by Ashley McMullen, MD and executive produced by Kimberly Manning, MD. Contributors include: Marla Law Abrolat, MD; Tomás Díaz, MD; Utibe R. Essien, MD; Erica DaVonne Farrand, MD; Akeem Nassor Marsh, MD; Ekene Onwuka, MD; Whitney Wellenstein, MD; and other healthcare workers who participated anonymously. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com.
Emily speaks with physician, public health professor, and author Michael Stein about his recent book Me vs. Us: A Health Divided, which explains why the U.S. focuses on individualized health rather than public health, and the importance of considering populations, prevention, and policy. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com.
Emily speaks with writer and physician Ricardo Nuila about his debut book The People's Hospital, a love letter to Ben Taub Hospital in Houston, Texas, and exploration of how its unique business model may help solve our broken healthcare system. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com.
In today's episode, Emily speaks with writer and philosophy professor Chloé Cooper Jones about her memoir Easy Beauty, which chronicles her quest to widen perceptions of beauty, motherhood, and disability. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com.
In today's episode, Emily speaks with historian, attorney, and diplomat Philip Zelikow, about the investigative report Lessons from the Covid War, authored by the COVID Crisis Group, which examines the U.S. response to COVID and provides valuable insights for how we can do better in the future. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com.
The Nocturnists' Emily Silverman tells a story about how medical school satisfied much of her curiosity about the human body—but how some mysteries remain, especially related to her dreams. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com.
Medical student Katie van Kampen brings us into the magical world of Dungeons & Dragons. The deeper they get into the forest, the more parallels they find between their role as Dungeon Master and their role as physician-in-training. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com.
Medical student Oak Sonfist brings us inside their vivid dream about the Lost City of Atlantis – and the impossible decisions they face as they navigate between two worlds. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com.
Actor-turned-otolaryngologist Alessa Colaianni has no problem acting sad—it's actually feeling sad that's the problem. In this episode, Alessa tells the story of losing and regaining access to her emotional landscape. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com.
Primary care doctor Tseganesh Selameab brings us inside her practice as a provider for immigrants and refugees, and describes one of the most common ailments she sees: “homelonging.” Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com.
Medical student and classically-trained cellist Melanie Ambler describes her most memorable concert, which took place over Zoom with only one other person in attendance. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com.
Hospitalist PJ Lally reflects on a time he got a second chance at life. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com.
Emergency medicine and helicopter flight physician Mike Abernethy recounts an unexpected run-in at his local Walmart that made him feel as if he'd seen a ghost. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com
OB/GYN Jackie Howitt and pediatrician Gretchen Volk bring us into the deserted airport where they first met in April 2020 on their way to offer COVID-19 relief in NYC. Though their friendship began at one of the most disorienting moments in their lives, the coincidences that followed made the connection feel almost fated. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com.
On March 9th, join The Nocturnists for our newest season of "Stories from the World of Medicine," featuring original stories from frontline clinicians.
In today's episode, Emily speaks with author Dolen Perkins-Valdez about her recent novel Take My Hand, based on the 1973 case of the Relf sisters who were forcibly sterilized at a federally-funded health clinic in Montgomery, Alabama. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com.
In this live panel at the UCSF Memory and Aging Center, Emily sits down with playwright Jake Broder, actor Lucy Davenport, and neurologist Bruce Miller to discuss Broder's play UnRavelled, which explores the fascinating relationship between dementia, art, and music. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com.
In this episode, Emily speaks with psychiatrist-philosopher Iain McGilchrist about his seminal book The Master and His Emissary, which explores the relationship between our brain's right and left hemispheres and how they structure our understanding of the world. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com.
In this episode, Emily speaks with physician-painter Matthew Wetschler about pushing limits, the tension between presence and absence, and how he's remained curious in the aftermath of crisis. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com.
Emily speaks with physician and author, Dr. Gabor Maté about his latest book, The Myth of Normal, which explores the connections between our environment, psychological wounds, and medical disease. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com.
In this episode, Emily speaks with physician, artist, and author, Shirlene Obuobi about fiction as escapism, and the stories behind her debut novel, On Rotation. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com.
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