

The Nocturnists
Our mission is to humanize healthcare and foster joy, wonder, and curiosity among clinicians and patients alike.
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 "Uncertainty in Medicine" , “Post-Roe America", and others. thenocturnists.substack.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 22, 2020 • 39min
2020 Holiday Special, Act I
The Nocturnists Holiday Special looks back on a year like no other and celebrates the holiday season with creative contributions from healthcare workers. Contributors include: Alex Raines, Alina Kung, Brad Hunter, Brian Bobby Chiong, Catherine Forest, Dan Merriott , Dawn Marie Wadle, Elsa Alaswad, Emmeline Sun, Greta Peng, Theodore Peng, Jacqueline Flores, Jessica Briggs, John Danyi, Kathy Lin, Katie Brooks, Kimberly Manning, Lily Stern and brothers, Lori Edwards, Mariam Nawas, Marshall Fleurant, Mike Reid, Natasha Spottiswoode, Nick Iverson, Patrick McMurray, Raphaela Posner, Resa Lewiss, Syed Hoda , Teja Kompala, Tina Munjal, Tseganesh Selameab, and other healthcare workers who chose to remain anonymous. Hosted by Emily Silverman Producers: Emily Silverman, Adelaide Papazoglou, Raphae Posner Illustrations by Lindsay Mound Original theme music by Janaé E. The Nocturnists is made possible by the California Medical Association, the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and people like you who have donated through our website and Patreon page. Find show notes, bonus playlist, and more at thenocturnists.com. Follow @thenocturnists. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenocturnists.substack.com

Dec 8, 2020 • 35min
Just Five Minutes with Cathy Humikowski, MD
Pediatric critical care physician Cathy Humikowski tells the story of having a cardiac arrest the day she gave birth to her daughter. This story was originally told at The Nocturnists Transitions show in San Francisco on January 16, 2020. Hosted by Emily Silverman Illustrations by Lindsay Mound Original theme music by Yosef Munro Other music comes from Blue Dot Sessions The Nocturnists is made possible by the California Medical Association, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and people like you who have donated through our website and Patreon page. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenocturnists.substack.com

Dec 1, 2020 • 29min
The Bridge with David Muller, MD
The Nocturnists picks up with Season 3, which was interrupted by the COVID pandemic. Internal medicine physician David Muller tells a story about a chance encounter on the George Washington Bridge that made him ponder what makes caring real, and not just something we do professionally. This story was originally told live in New York City at our October 2019 event at the Housing Works Bookstore Cafe. Learn more about this great venue and organization here. Illustrations by Lindsay Mound. Original theme music by Yosef Munro. Other music comes from Blue Dot Sessions. The Nocturnists is made possible by the California Medical Association, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and people like you who have donated through our website and Patreon page. __________ WARNING: Today's episode of The Nocturnists contains descriptions of mental health crises and suicidal actions. Listener discretion is advised. If you are having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for a list of additional resources. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenocturnists.substack.com

Nov 24, 2020 • 33min
Ambivalence with Miriam Sheinbein, MD
The Nocturnists continues with Season 3, which was previously interrupted by the pandemic. In this episode, family medicine doctor Miriam Sheinbein tells a story about coming to terms with ambivalence surrounding pregnancy and motherhood. This story was originally told at a storytelling event produced by TEACH (teachtraining.org), an organization that cultivates the next generation of reproductive health care providers. Illustrations by Lindsay Mound. Original theme music by Yosef Munro. Other music comes from Blue Dot Sessions. The Nocturnists is made possible by the California Medical Association, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and people like you who have donated through our website and Patreon page. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenocturnists.substack.com

Nov 17, 2020 • 38min
Not Cut Out for This with Latha Panchap
The Nocturnists picks up with Season 3, which was interrupted by the COVID pandemic. Medical student Latha Panchap shares a story about a crisis of confidence on the wards. Latha was the winner of The Nocturnists' medical student storytelling contest on the theme of LEARNING, and told her story in front of a live audience at the Housing Works Bookstore and Cafe in New York City on December 19, 2019. Illustrations by Lindsay Mound. Original theme music by Yosef Munro. Other music comes from Blue Dot Sessions. This episode was brought to you by Vocera Communications' Experience Innovation Network, an organization that has investigated the impact of stress, divided attention, and cognitive load on clinicians, and published data on how it affects communication and emotional wellbeing. Learn more about their work here and here. The Nocturnists is made possible by the California Medical Association, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and people like you who have donated through our website and Patreon page. Also mentioned in this episode: Saturday Night Stories from UCSF. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenocturnists.substack.com

Sep 8, 2020 • 1h 4min
Black Voices in Healthcare: 10. A Conversation
In this final episode of Black Voices in Healthcare, Host Ashley McMullen and Executive Producer Kimberly Manning discuss the making of the series. Host: Ashley McMullen, MD Executive Producer: Kimberly Manning, MD Consulting Producer: Emily Silverman, MD Podcast Producer: Adelaide Papazoglou Illustrations by Ashley Floréal Original music by Janaé E. Black Voices in Healthcare series sponsors: California Health Care Foundation and The California Wellness Foundation. The Nocturnists is made possible by the California Medical Association and people like you who have donated through our website and Patreon page. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com/black-voices-in-healthcare. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenocturnists.substack.com

Aug 25, 2020 • 41min
Black Voices in Healthcare: 9. Birth
Our series began with reflections on the death of George Floyd, and ends with stories of birth. Even in the midst of tragedy, new life is beginning. Host: Ashley McMullen, MD Executive Producer: Kimberly Manning, MD Consulting Producer: Emily Silverman, MD Podcast Producer: Adelaide Papazoglou Illustrations by Ashley Floréal Original music by Janaé E. Black Voices in Healthcare series sponsors: California Health Care Foundation and The California Wellness Foundation. The Nocturnists is made possible by the California Medical Association and people like you who have donated through our website and Patreon page. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com/black-voices-in-healthcare. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenocturnists.substack.com

Aug 18, 2020 • 32min
Black Voices in Healthcare: 8. Touch
From the physical exams we conduct to diagnose disease to the reassuring handshakes before a surgical procedure, human touch is fundamental to the work we do in healthcare. Host: Ashley McMullen, MD Executive Producer: Kimberly Manning, MD Consulting Producer: Emily Silverman, MD Podcast Producer: Adelaide Papazoglou Illustrations by Ashley Floréal Original music by Janaé E. Black Voices in Healthcare series sponsors: California Health Care Foundation and The California Wellness Foundation. The Nocturnists is made possible by the California Medical Association and people like you who have donated through our website and Patreon page. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com/black-voices-in-healthcare. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenocturnists.substack.com

Aug 11, 2020 • 35min
Black Voices in Healthcare: 7. Standout
Have you ever looked around and realized you were the only one? Standing out in the crowd can be hard, but it might just be your superpower. Host: Ashley McMullen, MD Executive Producer: Kimberly Manning, MD Consulting Producer: Emily Silverman, MD Podcast Producer: Adelaide Papazoglou Illustrations by Ashley Floréal Original music by Janaé E. Black Voices in Healthcare series sponsors: California Health Care Foundation and The California Wellness Foundation. The Nocturnists is made possible by the California Medical Association and people like you who have donated through our website and Patreon page. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com/black-voices-in-healthcare. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenocturnists.substack.com

Aug 4, 2020 • 42min
Black Voices in Healthcare: 6. Becoming
Everyone has a different origin story. This week we hear about all the roads you’ve taken to become who you are. Host: Ashley McMullen, MD Executive Producer: Kimberly Manning, MD Consulting Producer: Emily Silverman, MD Podcast Producer: Adelaide Papazoglou Illustrations by Ashley Floréal Original music by Janaé E. Black Voices in Healthcare series sponsors: California Health Care Foundation and The California Wellness Foundation. The Nocturnists is made possible by the California Medical Association and people like you who have donated through our website and Patreon page. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com/black-voices-in-healthcare. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenocturnists.substack.com