Paramedic AF

Are you past the honeymoon phase of your relationship with EMS? Are you feeling neglected? Were you wanting something more than a cool shirt and a nice memo? Well, Michelle delivers a potent message about how EMS week should become a highlight of year-long mutual appreciation and investment, not an obligatory checklist. Hang on for the ride, Lindas!

Welcome to Daniel's polarizing Ted Talk on snitch culture and cliques. Won't spoil the fun here. Enjoy!!!

Recorded: 05/18/2024 Aired: 05/19/2024 As we gear up for EMS week, we wanted to show some love to the EMTs who bust ass to save our asses all the time! You can't be a quality paramedic without being a quality EMT, so we can never spend too much time reinforcing their skills and knowledge. This one is for you guys and gals that proudly wear the title "EMT"! _______________________ Our core values:...

"There's no such thing as a life-saving IV." Dean Douglas, NRP, addressing the new paramedic class in Spring 2014 at Greenville Technical College. As our mutual paramedic instructor (Chris R.) used to say, "There's two kinds of medics: Those who stay and play, and those who load and go. The GREAT medics can switch back and forth when needed." Michelle drops some important truth about prioritizing...

One-uppers and energy vampires are equally toxic to EMS culture.   People who are healthy and fulfilled in life don't spend their time tearing you down. They want to see people healthy and fulfilled.   People who are unhealthy and unfulfilled don't want you to be happier than them. They will try to undermine your happiness.

Michelle launches her own series of solo episodes, "Listen, Linda!"  This episode tackles the conflict that exists between the "old school ways" and evidence-based medicine. She also elaborates on how transitioning to degree-based education has long term benefits for the health and success of EMS. Get your reinforced boots strapped on, because there's a lot of toe-steppin' coming at you!

Recorded: 05/12/2024 Aired: 05/13/2024 Happy Mother's Day! This is part two of our Mother's Day special. Michelle drops some BOMBS that you won't want to miss! Single parents especially will love this episode! _______________________ Our core values: Clinical discipline Personal wellness Authentic leadership Rigorous accountability Our vision is:  the creation of a culture of healthy, educated, an...

Recorded: 05/12/2024 Aired: 05/13/2024 Happy Mother's Day! This is part one of our Mother's Day special, dedicated to all the hardworking, badass mothers in EMS that never get enough recognition. As usual, prepare for tons of stories, laughs, and heart-felt moments from two seasoned EMS parents. _______________________ Our core values: Clinical discipline Personal wellness Authentic leadership Rig...

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.   Focus on doing skills correctly, then work on your speed.   The more critical a task is, the more important it is to have a system/routine to complete it. If you don't have a system, you will get overloaded with details of things that need to happen.   Panic does no one any good.

Authority is given, power is created, respect is earned.   Confronting abuse of authority it everyone's responsibility. Doesn't matter who you are, how newly certified you are. You have to draw a line in the sand and stand your ground.

Recorded: 05/04/2024 Aired: 05/05/2024 Dark humor has always gone hand-in-hand with public service. But why? And what's the psychology behind it? Dan and Michelle not only explore the psychology of dark humor, but also the practical benefits of it. A little research mixed with some stories (whether or not they are funny is up to you...) and epiphanies made this episode a true delight to record. __...

You're not special, you just tried harder. But you have to keep trying harder to stay effective. The effort is ongoing, not transactional. Effort is an investment.   "Rome wasn't built in a day. No, it wasn't. It was built every single day, for thousands and thousands of days" - Tim Grover

Recorded: 04/29/2024 Aired: 05/02/2024 It's story time! Join Dan and Michelle as they share memorable and weird calls from their careers. Hopefully you will be entertained but also be able to learn something new. Creating a culture of learning is critical to the survival of EMS. And since EMS is a front row seat to the greatest freak-show in the world, there is always something new and interesting...

Death is a part of life. You can't escape it, and neither can your patients.   If you are new, you have to accept now that there are times where nothing you do will make a difference.   You could have two identical patients. Same genetics, medical history, lifestyle, events leading up to illness/injury. You could treat each the same way, and have different outcomes.   Life is messy. Medicine is me...

Be an example for those coming up behind you, rather than shitting on them. Stand alongside them, don't crop-dust them. Remember how you felt when you were new, and make sure that you treat others better than how you were treated.

The business of EMS? Sounds boring, right? Guess again! (I mean, really. Did you expect anything different?) This episode begins with a fairly straightforward presenting of the different types of EMS agencies and structures, but quickly launches into a hot take on what needs to be revamped in EMS business practices. This episode is GUARANTEED to step on some toes. But damn it's fire! Listen in and...

Testing out a new format! The Shift Shorts will be short episodes interspersed with our weekly episode releases. This one is dedicated to our beloved public service telecommunicators (affectionately known as "dispatch") as we celebrate National Telecommunicators Week! Check it out!

What are the good traits we cultivate from working in EMS? Part two of the Provider Traits discussion is a fun, hopeful look at the superpowers we acquire working in EMS. Enjoy! _______________________ Our core values: Clinical discipline Personal wellness Authentic leadership Rigorous accountability Our vision is:  the creation of a culture of healthy, educated, and effective providers that are s...

Another two-part episode begins with discussing some of the difficult behaviors and characteristics that EMS providers are exposed to, develop, or magnify while on the job. Dan and Michelle tackle some difficult, even personal topics that are essential to taking steps to bettering ourselves as individual professionals and public service as a whole. Part 2 is coming shortly! _______________________...

Part 2 of the discussion on Toxic Traits of Leadership. We had so much fun it had to be split into two episodes. :) Enjoy! _______________________ Our core values: Clinical discipline Personal wellness Authentic leadership Rigorous accountability Our vision is:  the creation of a culture of healthy, educated, and effective providers that are striving to better themselves and our entire profession.

No fucks given, no punches pulled! This episode launches into a discussion of toxic leadership traits that are unfortunately all too prevalent in public service. Dan and Michelle bring practical experience and current principles/practices to bear on this discussion. No matter where you fall on the chain of command in your organization, there's a lot to take away from this episode! ________________...

Dan and Michelle tackle a topic brought up by a fan of the show. In the diverse world of public service and EMS, there's many factions and special groups that are part of the response plan to 911 calls. Cooperating with these groups in a profession as large and varied as Fire/EMS, conflict and frustration are inevitable. This candid conversation brings practical advice to these and many other situ...

What are the things that you wish you could tell your younger self before getting into public service? In this solo session, Daniel unpacks five lessons that he has learned over the years that are applicable to anyone at any point in their career. Whether you are a newbie going through EMT/Paramedic school, or a seasoned veteran who can chime in from personal experience, there's plenty here for ev...

In the first Q & A episode, Dan and Michelle answer the following questions from followers: 1. Why did you go into this field? 2. Who is a good fit for this field? 3. How do you deal with the emotional trauma of losing someone you are helping? 4. What are all of the advantages and disadvantages of working for EMS? 5. I would like discussions and possible ideas for solutions, for when your body get...

Join Dan and Michelle for an early morning chat about intentionality! Discover how the Matrix of causality affects our clinical care and personal wellbeing. You'll want to grab some coffee (preferably the kind strong enough to awaken your ancestors) and listen in! _______________________ Article referenced in show: "A Principle of Intentionality" by Charles K. Turner:  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...