Beyond Clean Podcast

Anchors aweigh, #CleanFreaks—it’s time to set sail on a one-of-a-kind SPD journey! On this week’s episode of Everything is Cleaner in Texas, hosts Hank Balch and Dusty Glass sit down with Nathaniel Gonzalez to dive into the fast-paced, high-stakes world of Sterile Processing in the U.S. Navy. From Navy boot camp to leading surgical support on land and at sea, Nathaniel shares what it's really like to serve—and sterilize—under pressure. Whether you're a proud veteran, a curious civilian, or just love a good Texas-sized story, this episode salutes the grit, grind, and growth of military-trained SPD professionals. Don’t miss the boat on this one, y’all! A special thanks to our sponsor, STERIS, for making this series possible! Their commitment to education and excellence in the Sterile Processing industry has been instrumental in bringing this series to life. Make sure to follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook so you never miss a new episode! After finishing this interview, earn your 1 CE credit immediately by passing the short quiz linked below each week. Visit our CE Credit Hub at https://www.beyondcleanmedia.com/ce-credit-hub to access this quiz and over 350 other free CE credits.  #BeyondClean #STERIS #EverythingIsCleanerInTexas #SterileProcessing

On this episode of our StreetClothes human-interest podcast series, we talk to a healthcare professional whose passion for two wheels brings freedom, focus, and a whole lot of fuel to life outside the hospital. From the thrill of the throttle to the quietness of the long ride, this rider has discovered that nothing clears the mind quite like a full tank and the open road. Tune in to hear how Jennifer Barnickel unplugs and reconnects one curve, one gear, and one mile at a time… If you like this series OR have an interesting side-hustle, passion project, or hobby you do outside of your hospital day job that keeps you inspired, refreshed, and motivated, we'd love to hear from you! Message Hank Balch on LinkedIn for a chance to come on the show and share it with the world! #StreetClothes #Hobbies #SideHustles #PeopleMatter #Healthcare #BeyondClean #FirstCase #PowerSupply #TransmissionControl #HealthcareHQ

From East Texas roots to healthcare systems nationwide, Juan Ramos is proving just how far a career in SPD can take you. In this week’s episode of Everything is Cleaner in Texas, hosts Hank Balch and Dusty Glass sit down with Juan to trace his journey from CSR tech to Mercy Ships volunteer to seasoned SPD consultant. With equal parts heart and hustle, Juan breaks down the real story behind consulting: what it is, what it’s not, and how it can drive sustainable change in your department. Whether you’re exploring the path to consulting or just curious what it’s all about, this episode is packed with wisdom, real-world experience, and that signature Texas know-how! A special thanks to our sponsor, STERIS IMS, for making this series possible! Their commitment to education and excellence in the Sterile Processing industry has been instrumental in bringing this series to life. Make sure to follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook so you never miss a new episode! After finishing this interview, earn your 1 CE credit immediately by passing the short quiz linked below each week. Visit our CE Credit Hub at https://www.beyondcleanmedia.com/ce-credit-hub to access this quiz and over 350 other free CE credits.  #BeyondClean #STERISIMS #EverythingIsCleanerInTexas #SterileProcessing

If you’re not advocating for your department, who will? It’s time to speak up—Texas style! On this week’s episode of Everything is Cleaner in Texas, Hank Balch flips the mic to talk with host Dusty Glass about the real-world challenges of advocating for your department—especially when upper leadership thinks everything is just fine. From sharpening your communication skills to knowing when (and how) to make your case, Dusty lays out a roadmap for speaking up with purpose and confidence. Whether you’re pushing for more resources, proposing a process change, or standing up for your team, this conversation brings real insights and that signature Texas grit. So, saddle up, y’all 🤠—this one’s worth the ride! A special thanks to our sponsor, STERIS IMS, for making this series possible! Their commitment to education and excellence in the Sterile Processing industry has been instrumental in bringing this series to life. Make sure to follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook so you never miss a new episode! After finishing this interview, earn your 1 CE credit immediately by passing the short quiz linked below each week. Visit our CE Credit Hub at https://www.beyondcleanmedia.com/ce-credit-hub to access this quiz and over 350 other free CE credits.  #BeyondClean #STERISIMS #EverythingIsCleanerInTexas #SterileProcessing

What happens when only one person in your department knows how to reprocess a certain tray? Or find the IFU for that rarely used scope? Or figure out why the cart washer stopped working—again? On this season finale episode of Beyond Clean’s Planet Decontam, Angela Russell joins us to tackle the real dangers of tribal knowledge in decontam. From unwritten workflows and on-the-fly training to the daily pressure of being the only one who “knows how to do that,” Angela shares strategies for building a culture of clarity, confidence, and consistency across the whole team. If your department’s most common answer is, “Go ask Tracy—she’ll know what to do,” this is one conversation you don’t want to miss! Season 28 of Beyond Clean releases under the 1 Episode = 1 CE delivery model. After finishing this interview, earn your 1 CE credit immediately by passing the short quiz linked below each week. Visit our CE Credit Hub at https://www.beyondcleanmedia.com/ce-credit-hub to access this quiz and over 350 other free CE credits.  #BeyondClean #SterileProcessing #WeFightDirty #Podcast #Season28 #TribalKnowledge

On this episode of our StreetClothes podcast series, we talk to two healthcare professionals who find comfort, creativity, and a little pinch of calm in the art of baking. Whether it’s homemade bagels, a failed bundt cake, or family traditions passed down through generations, these self-taught bakers have each discovered their own flavor of joy in the kitchen. Tune in to hear how Vanessa Frank & Chelsea Wolner are keeping things sweet outside their 9-to-5s—one pie, muffin, and cookie at a time… If you like this series OR have an interesting side-hustle, passion project, or hobby you do outside of your hospital day job that keeps you inspired, refreshed, and motivated, we'd love to hear from you! Message Hank Balch on LinkedIn for a chance to come on the show and share it with the world!  #StreetClothes #Hobbies #SideHustles #PeopleMatter #Healthcare #BeyondClean #FirstCase #PowerSupply #TransmissionControl #HealthcareHQ

SPD leaders don’t just manage—they mentor, motivate, and make big things happen. And in Texas, that’s how it’s done! This week, host Dusty Glass sits down with Felicia Sheriff for a heart-filled conversation about what it really means to lead with purpose in Sterile Processing. From creating a culture of trust to redefining employee onboarding and training, Felicia shares her tried-and-true strategies for building strong, resilient teams from the ground up. Whether you’re wrangling outdated training programs or leading the next generation of #CleanFreaks, this episode delivers real talk, real experience, and real strategies—Texas style. Y’all don’t want to miss this one! A special thanks to our sponsor, STERIS IMS, for making this series possible! Their commitment to education and excellence in the Sterile Processing industry has been instrumental in bringing this series to life. Make sure to follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook so you never miss a new episode! After finishing this interview, earn your 1 CE credit immediately by passing the short quiz linked below each week. Visit our CE Credit Hub at https://www.beyondcleanmedia.com/ce-credit-hub to access this quiz and over 350 other free CE credits.  #BeyondClean #STERISIMS #EverythingIsCleanerInTexas #SterileProcessing

Time to suit up, #CleanFreaks—because this week we’re tackling the real-world challenges of PPE! Join us as we sit down with Marcus Super from Mastel Surgical to explore what makes personal protective equipment truly essential in decontam. From one-size-fits-none challenges to breakthrough PPE innovations, Marcus explains why the right PPE is about more than just checking boxes—it's about keeping our frontline techs safe and comfortable while #FightingDirty. Together, we’re diving into budget battles, supply shortages, and that universal struggle of finding PPE that actually fits the technicians wearing it. If your PPE looks like two gowns layered together, sleeves taped to your arms, and a face shield too fogged up to see the instruments—this episode is for you! Season 28 of Beyond Clean releases under the 1 Episode = 1 CE delivery model. After finishing this interview, earn your 1 CE credit immediately by passing the short quiz linked below each week. Visit our CE Credit Hub at https://www.beyondcleanmedia.com/ce-credit-hub to access this quiz and over 350 other free CE credits.  #BeyondClean #SterileProcessing #WeFightDirty #Podcast #Season28 #PPE #DecontamSafety

Saddle up, #TexasCleanFreaks–because this week we’re tackling one of the sneakiest budget-busters in SPD—power equipment failures! Join Dusty Glass as he sits down with Elvis Lormeus, Corporate Product Manager at STERIS, to dive into the hidden dangers behind equipment breakdowns in Sterile Processing. You’ll discover how small missed steps in reprocessing can lead to major power equipment failures—and how preventive maintenance, IFU knowledge, and smart vendor support can help your team stay a step ahead. This episode of Everything is Cleaner in Texas is packed with insights and strategies to keep your power equipment running strong when it matters most, so tune in today! A special thanks to our sponsor, STERIS IMS, for making this series possible! Their commitment to education and excellence in the Sterile Processing industry has been instrumental in bringing this series to life. Make sure to follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook so you never miss a new episode! After finishing this interview, earn your 1 CE credit immediately by passing the short quiz linked below each week. Visit our CE Credit Hub at https://www.beyondcleanmedia.com/ce-credit-hub to access this quiz and over 350 other free CE credits.  #BeyondClean #STERISIMS #EverythingIsCleanerInTexas #SterileProcessing

From missing instruments to delayed trays, delivering safe, on-time instrumentation is no easy feat. In this exciting series finale episode from our “Process Better” series, Mike Andresen, Director of Business Development at Medline, takes us inside the full scope of end-to-end instrument support—and the strategies that make it all work. From vendor partnerships to internal process improvement, Mike shares how collaboration across SPD and OR teams is driving smarter, more consistent results. If you're aiming to raise the standard for instrument quality in your SPD, Mike’s insights deliver the clarity and insight to help you lead with confidence! This dynamic 5-part series takes you inside the core workflows of Sterile Processing—from point-of-use cleaning to instrument management and everything in between. With each episode, you’ll hear real-world strategies to help your team improve consistency, boost collaboration, and elevate instrument quality from start to finish. Whether you're assembling trays, managing inventory, or training the next generation, this series is packed with insights to help your team process better every instrument, every time. A special thanks to our sponsor, Medline Industries, LP, for making this series possible! #BeyondClean #Medline #ProcessBetter #InstrumentReprocessing #SterileProcessing #VendorPartnerships #ProcessImprovement #Collaboration