The Nocturnists is an award-winning medical storytelling podcast, hosted by physician Emily Silverman. We feature personal stories from frontline clinicians, co...
Medicine is full of uncertainty—from ambiguous diagnoses to unpredictable outcomes and the complex emotions of not knowing. Uncertainty in Medicine is a new documentary podcast series, created in collaboration with Alexa Miller of ArtsPractica, that examines how both healthcare workers and patients navigate the unknown. Through powerful personal stories and in-depth conversations with professionals whose work depends on making decisions amid uncertainty, the series explores what it means to embrace the gray areas of medicine—and life. The first episode of Uncertainty in Medicine drops Thursday, April 3. Find show notes, transcripts, and more at thenocturnists.org The Uncertainty in Medicine series is supported by the ABIM Foundation, by the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation, and the Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation. The Nocturnists is supported by The California Medical Association and donations from listeners like you. Series Host & Co-Creator: Emily Silverman, MD Series Correspondent: Alexa Miller (ArtsPractica)
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Showtime with Allan Detsky, MD
Dr. Allan Detsky, a Canadian physician, health economist, and Broadway producer, examines the contrasts between Canadian and American healthcare. He then delves into his passion for musical theater, recounting his unexpected journey into Broadway production and how he integrates musical theater into hospital wards as a means of decompression and connection in medical education. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.org. The Nocturnists is made possible by the California Medical Association and donations from listeners like you.
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ICU Liberation with Kali Dayton, NP and Heidi Engel, DPT
Kali Dayton, critical care nurse practitioner, ICU outcomes consultant, and host of the Walking Home from the ICU podcast, joins pioneering ICU physical therapist Heidi Engel to discuss long-standing ICU practices rooted in sedation and immobility. Together, they make a powerful case for a transformative model that keeps patients awake, engaged, and walking—even while on ventilators. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.org. The Nocturnists is made possible by the California Medical Association and donations from listeners like you.
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The Art of Doctoring with Bolster, Liebowitz, and Seo
Dr. Marcy Bolster, Dr. Jason Liebowitz, and Dr. Philip Seo join us to discuss their newly published anthology, A Masterclass in Medicine: Lessons from the Experts. They created this compelling essay series to explore what it means to be a master clinician, featuring lessons from their own clinical heroes as well as other renowned physicians. Through these essays, they highlight the essential qualities of exceptional doctoring—empathy, clinical reasoning, and lifelong learning. In this conversation, they share the insights that shaped their careers, reflect on the impact of mentorship, and examine the enduring art of patient-centered care. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.org. The Nocturnists is made possible by the California Medical Association and donations from listeners like you.
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The Gilded Age of Medicine with Dhruv Khullar, MD
Physician and New Yorker writer Dhruv Khullar argues that modern medicine is in a Gilded Age—one where groundbreaking innovations mask deep systemic issues, including misaligned incentives, escalating costs, and growing dissatisfaction. From the influence of private equity on healthcare to the flaws of Medicare Advantage and the crucial role of data as the ‘oil’ of the healthcare system, this conversation explores the challenges of contemporary medicine while underscoring the importance of frontline clinicians actively engaging in health policy debates. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.org. The Nocturnists is made possible by the California Medical Association and donations from listeners like you.
The Nocturnists is an award-winning medical storytelling podcast, hosted by physician Emily Silverman. We feature personal stories from frontline clinicians, conversations with healthcare-related authors and art-makers, and special podcast documentary series such as “Post-Roe America,” “Shame in Medicine,” “Black Voices in Healthcare,” and “Stories from a Pandemic. Our mission is to humanize healthcare and foster joy, wonder, and curiosity among clinicians and patients alike.
**Anthem Award winner, two-time Webby Award nominee, and Ambie Award finalist for Best Indie Podcast in 2023.**
Learn more at thenocturnists.org.
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