
The Nocturnists
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
Latest episodes

Feb 12, 2024 • 1min
Trailer: Season 6 - Stories from the World of Medicine
The Nocturnists, the award-winning medical storytelling podcast, is thrilled to announce the launch of its sixth season of its series Stories from the World of Medicine, themed "REBIRTH," available starting February 15, 2024. Hosted by Dr. Emily Silverman, this season features an inspiring lineup of medical professionals and students, including Dr. Meghan Rothenberger, Dr. Anthony Williams, Dr. Sue Wheaton, 4th year medical student Peter Park, Dr. Carson Brown, Dr. Tiffany Albrecht, and Dr. Augie Lindmark, who share their experiences and transformations within the world of medicine. This season, the award-winning podcast The Nocturnists takes listeners on a captivating journey through seven episodes that delve into the personal and professional rebirths of those deeply embedded in healthcare. Recorded live in Minneapolis at the Parkway Theatre in collaboration with the Center for the Art of Medicine at the University of Minnesota (CFAM), these narratives explore themes of discovery, loss, love, and the serendipitous paths to healing. 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 14, 2023 • 46min
How to Avoid Burnout in 73 Minutes with Stuart Bloom
Oncologist Stuart Bloom speaks about his staged musical, How to Avoid Burnout in 73 Minutes, which tracks his journey from songwriter to oncologist, and the way he copes with burnout and finds meaning in his work. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com. This episode of The Nocturnists is sponsored by Nabla. 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 7, 2023 • 41min
From Hardship to Healing with Laurel Braitman
Author Laurel Braitman speaks about her memoir, What Looks Like Bravery, which explores her relationship to her physician-father, and her professional journey toward a career teaching writing to clinicians. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com. 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 30, 2023 • 48min
Moral Crossroads in the ER with Jay Baruch, MD
Emergency medicine doctor and author Jay Baruch speaks about his memoir, Tornado of Life: A Doctor's Journey Through Constraints and Creativity in the ER, which explores ethics, stories, and uncertainty in the emergency room. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com. 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 16, 2023 • 52min
Leaving Surgery for Hollywood with Anthony Chin-Quee, MD
Television writer and former ENT surgeon Anthony Chin-Quee shares insights from his memoir 'I Can't Save You' and discusses his transition to television writing. He reflects on the power of storytelling, explores the influence of family on identity, and discusses the intersection of medical and non-medical stories.

Nov 2, 2023 • 32min
Post-Roe America: 7. Futures
Guests on this episode are Amy Meg Autry, April Lockley, Jiana Menendez, Oriaku Njoku, and Linda Prine, all at the forefront of finding new solutions for patients in need. They discuss different approaches to abortion access, the impact of Texas abortion laws, passing a shield law for abortion care in New York, and the challenges of establishing a new clinic for reproductive justice.

Oct 26, 2023 • 29min
Post-Roe America: 6. The Next Generation
How has the Dobbs decision impacted medical education? In episode 6 of The Nocturnists: Post-Roe America we talk to trainees and educators about how Dobbs has impacted their lives in the classroom, and explore what we lose when we lose abortion training. Host & Co-creator: Ali Block, MD Co-creator: Emily Silverman, MD Contributors: Anastasia Anazonwu, MD Candidate; Bria Peacock, MD; and other contributors who wish to remain anonymous Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com/pra/6/next-generation. Follow @thenocturnists. The Nocturnists: Post-Roe America series was made possible in part by the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation. The Nocturnists is supported by the California Medical Association, 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

Oct 19, 2023 • 30min
Post-Roe America: 5. Culture of Silence
Physicians discuss the culture of silence around reproductive health in medical spaces and the need to break that silence for reclaiming reproductive freedom. They explore personal experiences with abortion restrictions, legal tactics used against advocates, challenges in determining abortion criteria, and the urgency of advocating for abortion care to reclaim rights.

Oct 12, 2023 • 30min
Post-Roe America: 4. Uprooted
Leilah Zahedi-Spung never planned to leave her life behind in Tennessee. But after Roe fell, she found herself having to make an impossible decision about the future of her career. In episode 4 of The Nocturnists: Post-Roe America, we examine how political events can upend clinicians’ lives and communities. Host & Co-creator: Ali Block, MD Co-creator: Emily Silverman, MD Contributors: Scott Dunn, MD; Zachary Halversen, MD; and Leilah Zahedi-Spung, MD Find show notes, transcript, and more at https://thenocturnists.com/pra/4/uprooted. Follow @thenocturnists. The Nocturnists: Post-Roe America series was made possible in part by the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation. The Nocturnists is supported by the California Medical Association, 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

Oct 9, 2023 • 34min
Two abortion providers grapple with their post-Roe reality
Doctors Ali Block and Nikki Zite, both abortion providers, discuss their experiences, emotional response, and the impact of abortion care restrictions. They share advice for those considering reproductive healthcare in a post-dob's world.