World Extreme Medicine Podcast

In this powerful episode, Eoin sits down with Ryan Ahlgren — a wilderness and humanitarian medicine practitioner whose career spans some of the most challenging environments on the planet. From frontline trauma care during the ISIL occupation in Iraq, to medevac operations in Ukraine, to six-week stints deep in the jungles of Papua New Guinea, Ryan shares what it's really like to provide medic...

Meet Shawna Pandya, Physician, Neuroscientist, and now Canada’s First Female Commercial Astronaut. In this inspiring episode of the World Extreme Medicine Podcast, we sit down with Shawna to unpack her journey from childhood dreams of space to preparing for her Virgin Galactic mission. We explore: Her selection as part of the Virgin Galactic research crew The science behind her mission, including...

In this episode, we explore the deeply rooted and culturally rich world of First Nations healthcare in Australia with Dr Sarah Chalmers; Rural Generalist, former President of the Australian College of Remote and Rural Medicine (ACRRM ), and President-Elect of the Rural Doctors Association of Australia. With over 15 years of experience working in East Arnhem Land and North Queensland, Sarah shares...

🎧 A quick note on audio quality: Due to remote recording, some parts of this episode may not be as clear as usual. We appreciate your patience and promise the insights are well worth the listen! What happens when critical care leaves the hospital and takes to the skies? In this episode of the World Extreme Medicine Podcast , we sit down with Mina Arsanious , an expedition doctor and anaesthetic r...

In this episode, we dive into the fast-paced world of event medicine in remote Australia with Prashan Kuruppu, a rural generalist anaesthetist and Member of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) Assessment Committee, with extensive experience in Outback and retrieval medicine. From  high-speed trauma and medical crises in extreme weather conditions  to the unique challenges o...

53 Days. 700 Miles. Alone in Antarctica. What does it take to survive completely alone in one of the most extreme environments on Earth? In this episode of the World Extreme Medicine Podcast , we sit down with Cat Burford , also known as The Molar Explorer . A dentist by profession and an adventurer at heart, Cat took on a solo, unsupported ski expedition to the South Pole , covering over 700 mile...

In this episode we explore the evolution of remote and rural healthcare in Australia with Claire Arundell , a Rural Generalist Anaesthetist from country Victoria and Chair of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) Council. Claire shares her journey from completing her medical degree at Monash University to becoming an ACRRM medical educator, course facilitator, and passionate...

Note: We apologise for any varying audio quality in this episode. As Faye joined us from Tonga with breaching whales in the background (how cool is that?!), there are some moments where the sound fluctuates. We believe the incredible content and unique perspective from (literally) the other side of the world was worth preserving, even if the audio isn't perfect. Thanks for understanding - sometime...

In this inaugural episode of our partnership with the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) , we journey into the heart of Australia's remote healthcare system with Marian Dover , ACRRM's 2024 Rural Registrar of the Year.    From performing emergency caesarean sections to building deep community bonds, discover how rural generalists are revolutionising healthcare in some of the m...

Join primatologist Elodie Freymann as she reveals fascinating discoveries about how wild chimpanzees self-medicate using forest plant Alstonia boonei. Through nine months of field research, Elodie observed chimps selecting specific barks, leaves, and other plant materials to treat wounds and infections - practices that often overlap with traditional human medicine. She discusses groundbreaking fin...

Join Sarah Spelsberg as she speaks with NASA experts John Haynes and Helena Chapman about how NASA's unique vantage point from space helps monitor and address global health challenges. Discover how satellite data is being used to track everything from air pollution and urban heat islands to disease outbreaks and extreme weather events. Learn about NASA's free resources for healthcare professionals...

Join Sarah Spelsberg as she interviews pioneering wildlife veterinary surgeon Romain Pizzi, who has performed groundbreaking surgeries in nearly 50 countries across six continents. From conducting the world's first keyhole appendectomy on a wild orangutan to performing brain surgery on a bear in the jungles of Laos, Romain shares incredible stories of improvising surgical equipment and pushing the...

Explorer and BBC presenter Will Millard takes us deep into the jungles of Papua New Guinea, sharing his extraordinary experiences living with the Korowai tribe. From debunking myths about 50-meter-high tree houses to nearly starving during the rainy season, Will reveals the raw reality of jungle survival and indigenous life. He discusses how a near-death experience in 2012 transformed his approach...

Join Sarah Spelsberg as she interviews emergency physician Faye Lee, who has created an extraordinary medical career spanning from Antarctic research stations to expedition ships. From performing emergency surgeries in remote locations to providing care on Indian reservations, Faye shares how embracing unconventional opportunities led her to practice medicine in some of the world's most extreme en...

In this episode host Eoin Walker delves into the remarkable humanitarian aeromedical retrieval mission carried out during the Russia-Ukraine conflict in April 2022. Guests Federico Ghio and Andrea Tomaselli share their firsthand experiences of using a long-range commercial Airbus A320 to evacuate vulnerable refugees from the war zone. Join us as we explore the innovative adaptation of a commercial...

Join Sarah Spelsberg as she interviews Kevin Grange, firefighter paramedic and award-winning author, about his latest book " Grizzly Confidential. " Dive into the fascinating world of North America's most fearsome predator, exploring the challenges of human-bear coexistence, the importance of conservation, and the surprising intelligence of these magnificent creatures. From Yellowstone to Alaska,...

In this second part of our conversation with Tim Harvey, we delve into his journey through clinical education and his transition to medicine. Tim shares invaluable insights on teaching philosophy, managing change in healthcare settings, and the challenges of introducing new roles like nursing associates. He discusses the importance of balancing work and life, especially during intense humanitarian...

In this gripping two-part episode of the podcast, Eoin Walker sits down with Tim Harvey, a former humanitarian nurse turned medical student. Tim shares his harrowing experiences working in some of the world's most dangerous and desperate locations. From treating Ebola patients in Sierra Leone to managing mass casualties in war-torn Afghanistan, Tim provides a raw and unfiltered look into the r...

Join us for an insightful journey into the world of adventure travel with seasoned explorers Ffyon Smith (née Davies) and Gemma Aldridge. In this episode, our guests share invaluable tips on planning, safety, cultural sensitivity, and overcoming challenges in remote destinations. From navigating language barriers to handling emergencies, Ffyon and Gemma offer practical advice drawn from their exte...

We're pleased to welcome back Daniel Grace to the podcast where he discusses the groundbreaking Livingstone Revisited 2024 expedition. This 2000km journey through Zambia aims to transform healthcare accessibility in remote areas using telemedicine, solar power, and innovative snake bite training. Learn how this modern expedition honors David Livingstone's legacy while addressing critical h...

Sarah Spelsberg sits down with Teimojin Tan , emergency physician and participant on Season 9 of the hit survival show " Alone ". Teimojin shares insights from his time in the wilderness of Labrador, discussing his unique approach to survival medicine, the mental challenges of isolation, and how his experiences have shaped his medical practice. From innovative uses of everyday items to t...

In this episode of the World Extreme Medicine podcast, host Eoin Walker speaks with polar expedition leader Kasper Jæger about the unique challenges of practicing medicine in the Arctic.  Kasper shares insights from his extensive experience guiding in Svalbard and Antarctica, discussing everything from frostbite prevention to evacuation challenges.  Learn about the psychological impacts of extende...

Join experienced consultant orthopaedic surgeon Henrik Hedelin as he shares invaluable insights on haemorrhage control in resource-limited settings. Drawing from his extensive field experience in conflict zones and humanitarian missions, Henrik challenges conventional wisdom and offers practical, life-saving techniques for managing severe bleeding. This eye-opening discussion covers the nuances of...

Join us for an exhilarating conversation with Sophie Camp, a GP trainee and Army Reservist, as she shares her incredible journey from medical school to high-altitude expeditions in the Karakoram. Sophie recounts her harrowing experiences during a tri-service expedition to Pakistan, where she faced rockfalls, avalanches, and life-threatening medical emergencies at extreme altitudes. Learn how her m...

In this episode we welcome back Hareen De Silva, a GP who recently returned from a deployment to Gaza with CADUS , a German NGO. Hareen shares his experiences working in a trauma stabilisation point amidst active conflict, managing a diverse international team, and dealing with the psychological impact of humanitarian work in extreme environments. From mass casualty incidents to the challenges of...