My Favorite Learners Podcast

Pediatric and obstetric anesthesia can feel overwhelming when you're first starting clinical - but they don't have to be. In this episode of My Favorite Learners, we simplify two of the most intimidating anesthesia rotations by focusing on physiology first. Instead of memorizing countless facts and syndromes, you'll learn  why  pediatric and obstetric patients get into trouble and how...

Today we’re diving into the future of anesthesia pharmacology with three major topics changing perioperative practice:  Remimazolam, Sugammadex, and Novel Opioids . These medications were designed to improve what we care about most—faster recovery, safer profiles, more predictable pharmacokinetics, and better patient outcomes. In this episode, we break down: ✔️  Remimazolam  – the ultra-short acti...

Three life-threatening syndromes. Similar presentations. Very different causes and treatments. In this episode, Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA, breaks down how to quickly differentiate  Serotonin Syndrome, Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS), and Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) - a must-know topic for anesthesia learners and board prep. We cover: ✔️ Key clinical signs and classic presentations ✔️ Triggering...

What makes a CRNA school applicant stand out—and what mistakes can hurt your chances before the interview even begins? In this special panel episode of  My Favorite Learners , I sit down with the leadership of the UC Davis Nurse Anesthesia Program admissions team: Dr. Bryan Tune, Dr. Becky Ashlock, Dr. Jake Sareerak, and Dr. Terence Burrows. Together, we discuss what admissions committees value mo...

In this episode of  My Favorite Learners , we break down three high-stakes anesthesia emergencies that every provider must recognize quickly:  cyanide toxicity, carbon monoxide poisoning, and methemoglobinemia . You’ll learn how to differentiate these conditions in real time when oxygenation doesn’t match the clinical picture, why standard monitors can be misleading, and how to choose the correct...

Antihypertensive medications don’t have to feel overwhelming or memorization-heavy. In this solo lecture, Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA breaks down antihypertensive pharmacology through physiology, mechanisms of action, and real-world anesthesia implications - exactly what SRNAs, CRNAs, and anesthesia providers need for boards and the operating room. This episode walks through the major classes of antihy...

Antiarrhythmics don’t have to feel like chaos. In this solo lecture, CRNA educator Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA breaks down antiarrhythmic pharmacology using clear physiology, memorable frameworks, and anesthesia-specific clinical relevance - perfect for SRNAs, CRNAs, and anesthesia providers preparing for boards and clinical practice. This episode walks step-by-step through the Vaughan Williams classif...

Anticoagulants don’t have to feel overwhelming. In this solo episode, CRNA educator Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA breaks down the coagulation cascade and anticoagulant pharmacology in a clear, intuitive way designed for SRNAs, CRNAs, and anesthesia providers preparing for boards and real-world clinical practice. We start with a simple, step-by-step walkthrough of the intrinsic, extrinsic, and common path...

Respiratory pharmacology can feel deceptively simple — until you’re managing bronchospasm, hypoxia, or an unstable airway in the OR. In this solo episode of My Favorite Learners , CRNA and clinical faculty Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA breaks down respiratory physiology and pharmacology in a way that actually makes sense for boards, anesthesia practice, and real-time decision making . In this episode, we...

In today’s episode of My Favorite Learners , Chloe sits down with Dr. Becky Ashlock, DNP, CRNA - UC Davis faculty member, OB anesthesia clinician, and lifelong educator - to break down one of the most high-yield and clinically essential topics in anesthesia: endocrine pharmacology. Whether you're an SRNA preparing for boards, a CRNA in clinical practice, or a learner who wants to understand ph...

In this episode, Chloe sits down with Tanner and Cole from Core Anesthesia for a high-yield, conversational breakdown of malignant hyperthermia - one of anesthesia’s most urgent and misunderstood crises. From the molecular dysfunction of the ryanodine receptor to the early OR red flags that every anesthesia provider must recognize, this episode blends science, clinical pearls, and real-world exper...

In this episode of My Favorite Learners, Dr. Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA sits down with Dr. Zafar Anwar, DNP, CRNA of NewYork-Presbyterian Weill Cornell for a high-yield, clinically grounded deep dive into vasopressors and hemodynamic management. Together, they break down the pipes and the pump approach to understanding vasopressors - covering alpha, beta, and dopamine receptor physiology, selectivity,...

CRNA educator Chloe Gomez is joined by Chrissy Massaro, MSN, CRNA and Anna Jobe, DNP, CRNA to break down perioperative anaphylaxis - from the first red flags (rising peak pressures, bronchospasm, hypotension) to epinephrine-first treatment and what to document so patients stay safe long-term. We walk through a real-world appendectomy scenario, discuss common OR triggers (NMBAs, cefazolin, latex),...

In this episode of My Favorite Learners , host Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA sits down with Becky Motykiewics, DNAP, CRNA , a pediatric anesthesia expert and educator at Drexel University. Together they break down why “kids are not just small adults,” diving into pediatric pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion) and pharmacodynamics (volatile agents, opioids, benzos, neuromuscu...

In this episode of My Favorite Learners , Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA, sits down with Dr. Rhea Temmermand, PhDc, MSN, CRNA, FAANA —neuropharmacology researcher at Drexel University, adjunct professor, textbook co-editor, and co-founder of Atomic Anesthesia—to make pharmacogenetics practical for the OR. We unpack how genetic variability shapes drug response beyond PK/PD: SNPs , drug targets and transpor...

In this episode of My Favorite Learners , host Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA sits down with Dr. Richard Wilson, DNAP, CRNA, FAANA to explore one of anesthesia’s most urgent crisis scenarios: Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity (LAST). Together, they break down: How LAST progresses from early CNS warning signs (tinnitus, metallic taste, agitation) to cardiovascular collapse The mechanism of sodium-channel...

Struggling to stay awake while reading your anesthesia textbooks? In this episode of My Favorite Learners , CRNA and educator Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA dives into Make It Stick - the groundbreaking book on how we actually learn best - and translates its key lessons for Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists (SRNAs) . You’ll learn practical strategies like: ✅ Retrieval practice & brain dumps (your...

In this solo episode of My Favorite Learners , host Chloe Gomez, CRNA, breaks down the complex topic of pharmacokinetics in a clear and clinically relevant way. Designed for SRNAs, CRNAs, anesthesia residents , and anyone preparing for boards, this episode covers the foundational concept of "what the body does to the drug" —also known as ADME : Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and E...

In this solo episode of My Favorite Learners , host Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA, breaks down local anesthetics in a way that’s clear, memorable, and clinically relevant—whether you’re prepping for boards, placing your first spinal, or managing labor epidurals. Based on Chapter 10 of Nurse Anesthesia by Elisha et al. (2023), Chloe covers: Mechanism of Action : How local anesthetics block voltage-gated s...

In this episode of My Favorite Learners , host Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA is joined by educator and clinician Dr. Jeremy Heiner , faculty member and Head of Admissions at the Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia and co-founder of TheNurseAnesthesia.com . Together, they dive into the pharmacology of intravenous anesthetic agents and how to make smart, patient-centered decisions in real-world anesthes...

In this episode of My Favorite Learners , host Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA , sits down with Sassoon “Sass” Elisha, EdD, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN - assistant director of the Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia and co‑author of Nurse Anesthesia , Case Studies in Nurse Anesthesia , and Critical Events in Anesthesia . Heads‑up: We experienced a brief audio glitch during the first seven minutes . The conversati...

In this episode of My Favorite Learners , host Dr. Chloe Gomez sits down with Tom Baribeault, DNP, CRNA, FAANA , founder of the Society for Opioid-Free Anesthesia (SOFA) , to explore the evolving landscape of perioperative pain management. We go beyond the basics of opioid-sparing and dive into a truly multimodal approach - highlighting pharmacologic strategies involving ketamine, lidocaine, dexme...

In this special episode of My Favorite Learners , host Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA, sits down with her mentor and inspiration, Dr. Sarah Giron, PhD, CRNA, Program Director at Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia. Together, they unpack the pharmacology of neuromuscular blockade—from the foundational concepts of paralytics to the groundbreaking development of sugammadex. Dr. Giron shares her experience...

In this episode of My Favorite Learners , we’re joined by the brilliant Dr. Carrie Bowman Dalley, PhD, CRNA - Program Director and Associate Professor in the DNAP program at Georgetown University. With nearly two decades of leadership in nurse anesthesia education and a PhD in pharmacology, Dr. Bowman Dalley is a master at making complex concepts truly click. Together, we explore the foundational...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jessica Phillips, PhD, CRNA, to explore the fascinating world of volatile anesthetic agents—what they are, how they work, and why they matter. Dr. Phillips breaks down the basics for clinicians, students, and anyone curious about the science behind anesthesia. But this conversation doesn’t stop at pharmacology. We also examine the growing concerns about the en...