Medic2Medic Podcast

Ten years after his first appearance on Medic2Medic on August 28, 2016, Jeff Dill returns to the podcast. Jeff is a retired Fire Captain, counselor, and founder of the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance. Since 2010, he has dedicated his work to improving behavioral health awareness and suicide prevention for firefighters, EMS professionals, dispatchers, and their families.

In this episode, Steve and Jeff look back at what has and hasn't changed over the past decade. The conversation explores first responder suicide, the importance of tracking and understanding the data, moral injury, peer support, organizational culture, and whether our profession has...

In this episode of the Medic2Medic Podcast, retired Long Beach Fire Department Captain James Owen shares his story with remarkable openness and brutal honesty.
After nearly three decades in emergency response, James talks about what the job gave him and what it quietly took away. He takes us through cumulative operational stress, PTSD, addiction, organizational betrayal, family impact, treatment, and the difficult work of recovery.

James also discusses his book, The Last Patient: A Memoir of Resilience and Recovery, and the gap between how well we train first responders to handle the call and how poorly...

In Episode 335 of the Medic2Medic Podcast, Steve sits down with sisters Heather and Jenn, two Denver Health Paramedics featured in the documentary Into the Unknown.
The first half of this episode is about getting to know the sisters and the experiences that shaped them. Both were students at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. Heather and Jenn provide a personal, raw, and powerful look back at that day and share how Columbine continues to play a role in their lives more than 25 years later.
The conversation turns to EMS, their careers with Denver Health Paramedics, and how they...

In Episode 334 of the Medic2Medic Podcast, Steve sits down with Sean Russell, President of the Pacific Region for Global Medical Response, to discuss his nearly four decades in EMS and healthcare.
Sean shares his journey from hanging out with his best friend, whose dad was the fire chief, Flight Paramedic, and Respiratory Care Practitioner, to executive leadership, including helping grow REACH from a single base to more than 50 locations. We discuss leadership, the evolution of EMS, building strong teams, and his leadership philosophy.
Sean also reflects on balancing a demanding career and leading organizations, and, after all...

Episode 333: Ritu Sahni: Don't be surprised if this episode starts somewhere you weren't expecting. Steve welcomes Dr. Ritu Sahni for an entertaining conversation that begins far away from ambulances and emergency departments. Before diving into EMS, Dr. Sahni shares stories from his unexpected career as a DJ, sports play-by-play announcer, television and movie extra, including appearances in the TV series Leverage and the baseball comedy Major League II. Also listen for the story of Dr. Sahni running an EMS call with Randolph Mantooth.

Eventually, the conversation finds its way back to EMS as Dr. Sahni reflects on choosing...

Episode 333: Ritu Shahni: Don't be surprised if this episode starts somewhere you weren't expecting. Steve welcomes Dr. Ritu Sahni for an entertaining conversation that begins far away from ambulances and emergency departments. Before diving into EMS, Dr. Sahni shares stories from his unexpected career as a DJ, sports play-by-play announcer, television and movie extra, including appearances in the TV series Leverage and the baseball comedy Major League II. Also listen for the story of Dr. Shahani running an EMS call with Randolph Mantooth.

Eventually, the conversation finds its way back to EMS as Dr. Sahni reflects on choosing...

Steve Wirth has spent more than 5 decades helping shape the EMS profession as a paramedic, attorney, consultant, educator, author, and mentor. In Episode 332 of the Medic2Medic Podcast, Steve joins me for a wide-ranging conversation that goes well beyond EMS law.

We discuss the early days of his career in rural Pennsylvania, what inspired him to pursue a career in law, and the chance meeting with EMS pioneer Jim Page that helped lay the foundation for what would become Page, Wolfberg & Wirth, one of the most respected EMS law firms in the country. Steve also shares memorable stories...

In this special edition of the Medic2Medic Podcast, Steve sits down with filmmaker Tom Putnam and EMS pioneer Baxter Larmon to discuss their powerful new documentary, Into the Unknown.

The film follows five diverse paramedic teams from across the United States, offering an unfiltered look at the realities of EMS from life-saving victories and personal sacrifice to mental health challenges, violence, loss, and resilience. Through the experiences of a Gulf War veteran, Columbine survivors, rural volunteers, night-shift partners, and a helicopter rescue crew, Into the Unknown captures the human side of emergency medical services in a way...

In Episode 330 of the Medic2Medic Podcast, Steve welcomes back Joseph “JZ” Zalkin for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, innovation, and the future of EMS.
With more than 51 years in emergency medical services, JZ reflects on his remarkable career and the philosophy that has guided his work: asking “Why not?” Throughout the episode, Steve and JZ discuss the development of the North Carolina EMS Regional Blood Coalition and the growing role of prehospital blood administration. JZ shares the story behind the coalition, the challenges of building a regional blood program, and why bringing blood to patients sooner is transforming trauma c...

In Episode 329 of the Medic2Medic Podcast, Steve is joined by Brad and Kiera Newbury, co-authors of The Saved Effect: True Stories of Lives Reclaimed by People Who Were Ready to Act.

Brad, a veteran fire captain, paramedic, educator, and CEO of the National Medical Education & Training Center, joins forces with Kiera, an EMT and writer, to explore the ripple effects that occur when lives are saved and futures continue.

The conversation focuses on the stories in the book about survival, bystander CPR, preparedness, and the unseen impact emergency responders and ordinary citizens can have through...

This is Steve's first episode recorded from Denver. Steve sits down with Pediatric Critical Care Paramedic Jimmy Apple, better known online as EMS Avenger.
With more than 22 years in EMS, Jimmy has built a large online following through thoughtful discussions on evidence-based medicine, provider wellness, resuscitation science, EMS culture, and challenging long-standing dogma within the profession. What began on TikTok has grown into a multi-platform community focused on learning, positivity, gratitude, and kindness.
Steve and Jimmy discuss pediatric critical care, the role of social media in EMS education, provider health advocacy, and why EMS professionals must continue questioning...

Episode 327: In this episode of the Medic2Medic Podcast, Steve sits down with James DiClemente, paramedic and President/COO of Prodigy EMS, to discuss the evolution of EMS education and the need to modernize how we train today’s clinicians.

Drawing on nearly a decade as a paramedic program director, James shares insights on the challenges of preparing providers for real-world EMS, the limitations of traditional training models, and how technology can improve access to high-quality education without losing the human side of learning. The conversation highlights the importance of supporting EMS professionals through meaningful education, building a cu...

In this episode of the Medic2Medic Podcast, Steve Cohen sits down with James DiClemente, paramedic and President/COO of Prodigy EMS, to discuss the evolution of EMS education and the need to modernize how we train today’s clinicians.
Drawing on nearly a decade as a paramedic program director, James shares insights on the challenges of preparing providers for real-world EMS, the limitations of traditional training models, and how technology can improve access to high-quality education without losing the human side of learning.
The conversation highlights the importance of supporting EMS professionals through meaningful education, building a cu...

In this episode of the Medic2Medic Podcast, Steve sits down with Dr. Melody Glenn, a practicing physician who is triple board-certified in EMS, Addiction Medicine, and Emergency Medicine. Dr. Glenn serves as an Associate Professor at the University of Arizona, medical director for several rural fire departments along the U.S.–Mexico border, and Associate Program Director of an addiction medicine fellowship. Dr. Glenn is the author of Mother of Methadone, which highlights the groundbreaking work of Dr. Marie Nyswander and the history of methadone treatment.

The conversation explores the intersection of EMS, emergency medicine, and substance us...

Episode 325: Kevin Hazzard

In Episode 325 of the Medic2Medic Podcast, Steve welcomes back Kevin Hazzard for his third appearance on the show. A former paramedic-turned-best-selling author, Kevin returns to catch up and discuss his latest book, No One’s Coming, a gripping real-life account of one of the most daring medical rescue missions in modern history.
The conversation reflects on Kevin’s journey from the streets to the page, his continued connection to EMS, and the stories that have defined his writing. Steve and Kevin explore the high-stakes Ebola rescue at the center of the book...

Episode 324: In this episode of the Medic2Medic Podcast, Steve sits down with Dr. Ashlyn Sanders, pediatric neurology resident at Johns Hopkins Hospital and Founder and Chief Medical Officer of NeuroVice.
Dr. Sanders shares her personal journey following her diagnosis with Chiari Malformation, which required emergency brain surgery and led to her experiencing seizures herself. That experience fueled her mission to improve seizure care and address a long-standing gap in patient safety.
The conversation focuses on the development of the PATI (Patient Airway and Tongue Injury Prevention) device, the first FDA-cleared seizure oral protection device designed to reduce...

In Episode 323 of the Medic2Medic Podcast, Steve sits down with Jonathon Feit, Co-Founder and CEO of Beyond Lucid Technologies, to discuss EMS innovation, interoperability, and the future of digital health in public safety.

With decades of experience at the intersection of EMS, healthcare IT, and public policy, Jonathon shares insights on building sustainable technology solutions to break down data silos and improve documentation and clinical performance through smarter system design. The discussion also touches on national standards, leadership in innovation, and the importance of building tools that truly support frontline providers.

Jonathon speaks candidly about...

In Episode 322 of the Medic2Medic Podcast, Steve sits down with Chief Amera Gilchrist of the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of EMS for one of the most open, honest, and meaningful conversations in the show’s history. This episode continues Steve’s long-standing tradition of speaking with the Chiefs of his former department a place where his own paramedic career began and a system that has shaped him both professionally and personally. Steve reflects on his years with Pittsburgh EMS and shares why the bureau will always hold a special place in his heart. Chief Gilchrist discusses her...

In this episode of the Medic2Medic Podcast, Steve sits down with educator, paramedic, writer, and advocate Hilary Gates for a fun, engaging, and wide-ranging conversation about EMS, leadership, education, and human connection.

Hilary, who serves as Director of Educational Strategy for Prodigy EMS and is co-founder of Six Minutes to Live, brings insight, honesty, and heart to every topic discussed. Throughout the episode, Steve and Hilary explore her unique path into EMS, her work improving systems of care for cardiac arrest, and her commitment to building meaningful, human-centered education that supports both patients and providers.
The...

In this episode of the Medic2Medic Podcast, Steve speaks with Pittsburgh journalist, author, and playwright L.E. McCullough, Ph.D., about his new play, "Freedom House: Giving Life a Second Chance", based on the true story of the Freedom House Ambulance Service. The conversation explores how the history of Freedom House, one of the most important chapters in modern EMS, has been brought to the stage, highlighting its impact on emergency care, education, civil rights, and community trust.

About the Guest
L.E. McCullough, Ph.D., is the author of 52 books and more than 200...

In Episode 319 of the Medic2Medic Podcast, Steve welcomes back Dr. Jeff Jarvis, a returning guest from the first edition of the podcast, for a thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation rooted in experience, evidence, and perspective.
Jeff is the Chief Medical Officer and System Medical Director for the regional EMS system serving the Fort Worth Fire Department in Fort Worth, Texas. He is board certified in both Emergency Medicine and Emergency Medical Services, and he began his career in EMS in 1984 as a volunteer firefighter in rural East Texas.
This episode is packed with nuggets of advice, words of...

In Episode 318 of the Medic2Medic Podcast, Steve sits down with longtime EMS clinician, educator, and storyteller Mike Verkest to discuss clinical practice, quality improvement, Mobile Integrated Healthcare, and the role of storytelling in EMS.
Mike is a career EMS clinician and educator with nearly 30 years of experience in prehospital medicine. He has been podcasting since 2015 and has hosted and produced The Second Shift, The EMS Show, and The EMS Lighthouse Project, using conversation and storytelling to explore the people, challenges, and future of EMS.
With nearly 30 years in prehospital medicine, Mike shares lessons learned from the...

Episode 317 of the Medic2Medic Podcast, Steve sits down with longtime EMS leader, educator, and U.S. Army veteran T. J. Bishop for a grounded conversation on rural EMS, leadership, education, and service. T.J. serves as the Assistant Chief of Operations and Training for San Juan Island EMS, overseeing response and education. With more than 30 years spanning civilian EMS, military medicine, and healthcare education, TJ shares hard-earned lessons on training an entire system, leading in resource-limited environments, and building programs that last.

A Powerful Family Story
Toward the end of the episode, TJ shares a deeply p...

To kick off the new year, Medic2Medic presents a Special Edition episode centered on survival, perspective, and purpose.
In this powerful conversation, Steve sits down with career EMS professional and public safety technology leader Greg Howard, a sudden cardiac arrest survivor whose story reframes how we think about EMS, provider health, and what truly matters. With more than 25 years of experience across EMS, emergency medicine, fire service operations, and healthcare technology, Greg has helped EMS agencies nationwide improve care delivery, documentation, and data-driven decision-making. That professional journey took a deeply personal turn when Greg suffered and survived sudden...

Episode 315: This episode goes beyond trends and buzzwords. It’s a candid discussion about leadership, accountability, education, and execution grounded in decades of experience across multiple EMS systems and cultures. Steve reconnects with longtime EMS leader, strategist, and global EMS advocate Rob Lawrence for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, education, system design, and the future of EMS. 

Rob is the Director of Strategic Implementation for PRO EMS and its educational arm, Prodigy EMS. Rob brings a rare international perspective, shaped by leadership roles in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the development of EMS systems worldwide. Rob is...

Episode 314: In this episode of Medic2Medic, Steve sits down with Shaun Pitts, a second-generation EMS provider with nearly two decades of frontline experience and a deep passion for EMS education. Shaun shares his journey of following in his father’s footsteps, building a career from the street up, and learning the lessons that only real calls can teach. He talks honestly about what works, what doesn’t, and why practical, relatable training matters more than ever.

The conversation dives into Shaun’s role as Head of Education for EMSConnect, how he became involved with the platform, and what h...

Episode 313 of Medic2Medic, Steve sits down with Harold Wright, a paramedic with over 30 years in the medical field whose career was built the hard way. Harold’s journey started with real struggle, including a period of homelessness, before becoming an EMT-MAST in New Bedford, Massachusetts, in 1995. From city EMS and rural North Carolina, to advanced airway work, RSI, disaster response, and offshore medicine on major BP platforms, Harold’s path proves that resilience matters more than comfort. A powerful conversation about grit, reinvention, and staying in the fight.
https://bit.ly/44na9xW

Episode 312: In this episode, I welcome back Ginger Locke, a Paramedic and EMS Educator at Austin Community College for over two decades, and the creator of the Medic Mindset podcast. Ginger shares her journey through EMS education, how curiosity fuels her teaching style, and why mindset matters as much as medicine.

We dive into how education has evolved, what makes today’s EMS students unique, and her new role as Director of Innovation and User Experience at Prodigy EMS. Ginger also reflects on her most memorable Medic Mindset episodes, her favorite guests, and the lessons she’s learned afte...

Episode 310:  Dr. Remle Crowe, Senior Director of Research and Data Enablement at ESO. Remle began her EMS journey as a volunteer EMT and instructor with the Mexican Red Cross in Mexico City, completed the EMS Research Fellowship at the National Registry of EMTs, and earned her Ph.D. in Public Health from The Ohio State University.We dive into how data drives better patient outcomes, operational efficiency, and provider wellness across EMS and hospital systems. She also shares her experience and advise about my passion projects and as an author of the newly released 2025 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC: Par...

Episode 311: Dr. Peter Antevy returns to Medic2Medic to catch up on what’s new since his last visit, and a lot has happened from stepping into his new role as Chief Medical Officer for Brevard County Fire Rescue. Peter remains one of the most influential voices in emergency medical services today. In this episode, we talk about the 2025 AHA Guidelines, Handtevy, leadership in modern EMS systems, why EMS is the most important sub-specialty of Emergency Medicine, and how pediatric care continues to evolve thanks to his innovative approach. Peter shares real-world insights on translating new evidence into action and of...

In this powerful episode of Medic2Medic, two remarkable survivors, Jim Hallett and John Storm, who both suffered sudden out-of-hospital cardiac arrests and live to tell their stories.
Jim, a lifelong Washingtonian and respected community leader, and John, a retired IT executive and avid mountaineer, share their deeply personal journeys from the moment their hearts stopped to the moment they stood again. Both men survived thanks to the Whatcom County EMS System, early CPR, and the seamless teamwork between bystanders, first responders, and hospital staff.
Jim and John remind us that behind every EMS call are real people...

Episode 308:What happens when a paramedic turns years of street-medicine notes into reflections on humor, heartbreak, and humanity? Her book: "A Real Emergency: Stories from the Ambulance" is a must-read as Joanna’s writing doesn’t just capture what we do as medics, it captures who we are: compassionate, flawed, and human. In this episode, Joanna reflects on her path from feeling adrift in Oakland to finding purpose as a paramedic serving the communities of Reno, Santa Cruz, and San Francisco. Her insights shine a light on the humor, heartbreak, and compassion that define the world of EMS.

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In this episode of Medic2Medic Podcast, I’m joined by Kelly Grayson, a veteran paramedic, author, educator, and one of the most recognized voices in EMS. You know Kelly from his EMS1.com columns, his national conference presentations, and his acclaimed memoirs En Route and On Scene.

Kelly opens up with a few personal stories about how he began writing and what drives him to tell the stories of EMS with such honesty and heart. He also shares a powerful call that forever changed him, and when he talks about it, you can hear the emotion in hi...

We’re revisiting one of the most heartfelt episodes in Medic2Medic history. Originally Episode 70, this “Special Pink Edition” features then Cary Area EMS Division Chief Tammy Patton, who joined me a year after her breast cancer diagnosis. Tammy shares her courageous journey, unwavering optimism, and how the EMS community rallied around her. A moving reminder of resilience, hope, and the bonds that unite us in EMS.

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-306-in-honor-of-breast-cancer-awareness--68233242

Episode 305: In this inspiring episode, host Steve Cohen sits down with Eric Chase, Nationally Registered Paramedic, educator, conference speaker, and founder of EMSIMPROV LLC and the EMSIMPROV Podcast. Eric is known nationwide for blending improvisation, education, and empathy to transform how EMS providers communicate and lead.
Eric’s storytelling ability shines as he shares personal moments from his 25-year career, including a deeply moving account of a serious health crisis that changed how he views patient care, teamwork, and vulnerability. His openness reminds us that even those who save lives face their own moments of uncertainty, and how resilience gr...

Episode 304: Welcome back to Medic2Medic. After a break, the podcast is back to share the stories of EMS and more. This week on Medic2Medic, I sit down with Steve Tafoya, a critical care paramedic and healthcare operations leader with over 25 years of EMS experience. Steve has worked at every level of the profession, from the back of an ambulance to the executive suite, and even as Nevada’s State EMS Program Manager, overseeing licensure, investigations, and standards for more than 60 agencies.

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-304-steve-tafoya--68024317

As I dust off the mic and line up new guests for the long-awaited reboot of Medic2Medic, I thought it’d be fun to share a little “blast from the past” to get us warmed up.

This bonus episode features Randolph Mantooth—yes, that Randolph Mantooth—who continues to hold the crown as my most-listened-to guest of all time. This conversation was Episode 30, back in the days when the podcast had no theme music, and I had plenty of nerves (you’ll probably hear them sneaking through). Spoiler: Randy carried me through like the pro he is.
Enjoy t...

In Part 2 of this special tribute episode with Dave Lindell and Mike Yee, we honor the life, leadership, and legacy of Dr. Ron Stewart a visionary physician, the former City of Pittsburgh EMS Medical Director, and a true pioneer in emergency medical services.

Dr. Stewart helped shape EMS as we know it, bringing medical oversight, high training standards, and compassion to the field. He mentored generations of paramedics and physicians and laid the foundation for the modern EMS model.


https://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-303-dr-stewart-tribute-part-2-dave-lindell-and-mike-yee--67238814

Episode 302: As we approach the Pittsburgh EMS 50th Anniversary, Medic2Medic Podcast will bring you 2 tribute podcasts honoring Dr. Stewart. 

In these special tribute episodes, we honor the life, leadership, and legacy of Dr. Ron Stewart, a visionary physician and the City of Pittsburgh's EMS Medical Director, as well as a true pioneer in emergency medical services.
Dr. Stewart helped shape EMS as we know it, bringing medical oversight, high training standards, and compassion to the field. He mentored generations of paramedics and physicians and laid the foundation for the modern EMS model.
Join me, Dave L...

After 300 episodes, Medic2Medic took a pause. But sometimes, the mic calls you back—and this one was worth it.

Episode 301: I’m joined by my former colleague Jeffrey S. Hammerstein, paramedic and author of the new memoir Hi, I’m a Paramedic. We talk first calls, fear, vulnerability, and what it really means to “belong” in EMS.

It’s raw, real, and a reminder of why we do what we do.
Whether you're a field medic, EMS leader, or fan of behind-the-scenes public safety stories, this one brings heart, history, and perspective.

https://www...