The Conversing Nurse podcast

Hosted by Michelle Harris

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Episodes

171

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Are you a nurse curious about the experiences of other nurses? For 36 years, I have only known the Peds/NICU realm but I am intrigued by the roles of nurse researchers, educators, and entrepreneurs. Through conversations with nurses from various specialties, I aim to bring you valuable insights into their lives. At the end of each episode we play the five-minute snippet, just five minutes of fun as we peek into the 'off-duty' lives of my guests! Listen as we explore the nursing profession, one conversation at a time.

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60 recent

August 12, 2026Episode 17157 min

Leading with Heart: How Two Nurses Built an International Staffing Company, with Diego Davis and Danielle Doyle

Send us Fan Mail Today's guests are Diego Davis and Danielle Doyle, co-founders of A ccess Healthcare , a nurse-founded healthcare staffing agency connecting healthcare professionals with opportunities across the United States and internationally. Danielle and Diego began their careers at the bedside before becoming travel nurses, and it was during a travel assignment that they met. Drawing from their own experiences as clinicians, they set out to build a staffing agency that would treat nurses as people—not just placements. Today, Danielle serves as CEO and Diego as CFO, leading one of the fastest-growing healthcare staffing agencies in the industry. But what stood out most to me during our conversation wasn't their impressive growth—it was their genuine passion for supporting the nurses they serve. Their leadership is rooted in understanding the realities of travel nursing because they've lived it themselves. In this episode, we talk about their journey from bedside nursing to entrepreneurship, the evolving world of healthcare staffing, what travel nurses should look for in an agency, and how putting clinicians first creates better experiences for nurses, healthcare facilities, and ultimately, patients. Whether you're a seasoned travel nurse, considering your first assignment, or simply curious about the business behind healthcare staffing, I think you'll find this conversation insightful, encouraging, and refreshingly genuine. In the five-minute snippet: It's a version of the Newlywed Game, and I think Diego’s got the right idea. For Diego and Danielle's bios, visit my website (link below). Contact The Conversing Nurse podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconversingnursepodcast/ Website: https://theconversingnursepodcast.com Your review is so important to this Indie podcaster! You can leave one here! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/leave-me-a-review Would you like to be a guest on my podcast? Pitch me! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/intake-form Check out my guests' book recommendations! https://bookshop.org/shop/theconversingnursepodcast I've partnered with RNegade.pro! You can earn CE's just by listening to my podcast episodes! Check out my CE library here: https://rnegade.thinkific.com/collections/conversing-nurse-podcast Thanks for listening!

August 5, 2026Episode 1391 hr 1 min

Nurse Psychotherapist, Tara Tourloukis

Send us Fan Mail Meet Tara Tourloukis . Tara is a registered nurse psychotherapist with more than 20 years of experience in mental health care. It’s a truly unique and rewarding niche. As a nurse psychotherapist, she runs her own private therapy practice in Ontario, Canada—a role that blends clinical expertise with compassionate counseling. During our conversation, I couldn’t help but tell her that if I had known about this nursing specialty 20 or 30 years ago, it would have been exactly the path for me.So what does Tara do in her role? She provides therapy for individuals facing everyday mental health challenges—things like low mood, stress, overwhelm, trouble coping, and finding balance between work and life. Let’s be honest, that’s something many of us can relate to. What I especially admire is her holistic approach. As a nurse, Tara understands how physical health directly impacts mental well-being. She routinely checks in with her clients about things like hydration, nutrition, and sleep—those often-overlooked pieces that play a big role in how we feel. Does the idea of becoming a nurse psychotherapist resonate with you? Tara shared some great advice for anyone considering this path: get hands-on experience in mental health, whether in inpatient or outpatient settings, take stock of your education, knowledge, and skills, get familiar with the standards of practice, connect with informal peer groups, and most importantly—find a mentor. As someone currently working toward a PhD, I can confidently say that Tara’s advice is solid. In the five-minute snippet: With a husband and five kids, this kind of day would be the best kind of day. For Tara's bio, visit my website (link below). Media Contact The Conversing Nurse podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconversingnursepodcast/ Website: https://theconversingnursepodcast.com Your review is so important to this Indie podcaster! You can leave one here! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/leave-me-a-review Would you like to be a guest on my podcast? Pitch me! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/intake-form Check out my guests' book recommendations! https://bookshop.org/shop/theconversingnursepodcast I've partnered with RNegade.pro! You can earn CE's just by listening to my podcast episodes! Check out my CE library here: https://rnegade.thinkific.com/collections/conversing-nurse-podcast Thanks for listening!

July 29, 2026Episode 1701 hr 20 min

Why Humanity Still Matters in Healthcare, with Kevin Hazzard

Send us Fan Mail Today's guest has built a career around telling extraordinary stories—but first, he lived one. Kevin Hazzard is a former paramedic whose years on the ambulance inspired his bestselling memoir, A Thousand Naked Strangers . Since then, he's become an acclaimed journalist, television writer, and bestselling author, uncovering some of the most remarkable and overlooked stories in emergency medicine. His book American Sirens tells the incredible story of the pioneering Black men of Freedom House Ambulance who helped invent modern paramedicine, while his newest book, No One's Coming , explores the unconventional heroes our government calls when the impossible needs to get done. But Kevin's journey has taken another unexpected turn. After years of writing about healthcare and reflecting on his own experiences in EMS, he's now a nurse, stepping back into the world of patient care from an entirely new perspective. That unique vantage point—as a former paramedic, author, historian, storyteller, and future nurse—gives him an uncommon perspective on how healthcare has evolved, where it's headed, and what today's clinicians need to succeed. In all honesty, I almost postponed our conversation because I was not in a good headspace. I am so thankful I didn’t because Kevin’s humanity was just the thing I needed to remind me why I’m here. In the five-minute snippet: He might never leave this island. For Kevin's bio, visit my website (link below). Contact The Conversing Nurse podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconversingnursepodcast/ Website: https://theconversingnursepodcast.com Your review is so important to this Indie podcaster! You can leave one here! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/leave-me-a-review Would you like to be a guest on my podcast? Pitch me! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/intake-form Check out my guests' book recommendations! https://bookshop.org/shop/theconversingnursepodcast I've partnered with RNegade.pro! You can earn CE's just by listening to my podcast episodes! Check out my CE library here: https://rnegade.thinkific.com/collections/conversing-nurse-podcast Thanks for listening!

July 22, 2026Episode 8659 min

Adverse Childhood Experiences with Gaby Morales

Send us Fan Mail When I heard Gaby Morales speak about adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, on the Nine One One Nonsense podcast, I knew I had to bring their message to you. Gaby explained that ACEs are adverse childhood experiences such as physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as other forms of household dysfunction like mental illness or substance use problems, and living with a violent or incarcerated parent. ACEs are linked to chronic health problems, mental illness, substance use in adulthood, and suicide. Gaby's not new to nursing. They've been a nurse for eight years and are currently the clinical educator for a Level I trauma emergency room and a DNP student. Through their work, they've encountered many healthcare professionals who were completely unaware of ACEs and how they affect the health of their patients. So Gaby has made it their mission to educate healthcare professionals about the impacts of adverse childhood trauma. They are taking what they call the "Tour de ACE" on the road and have even titled their presentation "The Greatest Unaddressed Public Health Threat That Most Healthcare Professionals Don't Know About." And with Gaby's passion and efforts, I think very soon that will change. In the five-minute snippet: There are no aces in this card game. For Gaby's bio, visit my website (link below). Gaby's Instagram ACE questionnaire PDF Contact The Conversing Nurse podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconversingnursepodcast/ Website: https://theconversingnursepodcast.com Your review is so important to this Indie podcaster! You can leave one here! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/leave-me-a-review Would you like to be a guest on my podcast? Pitch me! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/intake-form Check out my guests' book recommendations! https://bookshop.org/shop/theconversingnursepodcast I've partnered with RNegade.pro! You can earn CE's just by listening to my podcast episodes! Check out my CE library here: https://rnegade.thinkific.com/collections/conversing-nurse-podcast Thanks for listening!

July 15, 2026Episode 16957 min

From ICU to CEO: Amy Thourot on AI, Innovation, and Why Nurses Should Build the Future of Healthcare

Send us Fan Mail Today's guest has a rare combination of deep bedside credibility and forward-looking innovation, and is now helping shape the future of healthcare technology. Amy Thourot is a nurse, entrepreneur, healthcare innovator, and the Founder and CEO of Realize-365. After 30-plus years of working in a wide array of specialties, from intensive care to transplant surgery, and from orthopedics to geriatrics, Amy saw firsthand how much time clinicians spend trying to piece together fragmented medical records. Rather than accepting that as "just the way things are," she set out to solve the problem. Today, through Realize-365 and its platform Pulse Health, Amy is using artificial intelligence to help clinicians understand a patient's medical history in under a minute, reducing cognitive burden and helping healthcare teams focus on what matters most: the patient. We talk about nursing, innovation, leadership, AI in healthcare, and why nurses may be uniquely qualified to build the future of healthcare technology. In the five-minute snippet: Jeepers Creepers, where’d you get those peepers? For Amy's bio, visit my website (link below). Contact The Conversing Nurse podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconversingnursepodcast/ Website: https://theconversingnursepodcast.com Your review is so important to this Indie podcaster! You can leave one here! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/leave-me-a-review Would you like to be a guest on my podcast? Pitch me! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/intake-form Check out my guests' book recommendations! https://bookshop.org/shop/theconversingnursepodcast I've partnered with RNegade.pro! You can earn CE's just by listening to my podcast episodes! Check out my CE library here: https://rnegade.thinkific.com/collections/conversing-nurse-podcast Thanks for listening!

July 1, 2026Episode 1681 hr 9 min

Ancient Medicine, Modern Recovery with Dr. Craig Thompson

Send us Fan Mail Today’s guest is Dr. Craig Thompson , a Doctor of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, with a background in kinesiology and more than two decades of experience in physiotherapy and rehabilitation. It’s hard to believe his journey into this specialty started with a good deed. His work blends Orthopedic Acupuncture with Traditional Chinese Medicine, focusing on non-pharmacological approaches to pain, recovery, and long-term wellness. But what really stood out to me was his mission: helping people better understand their own bodies so they can advocate for themselves and build healthier lives from the inside out. In this conversation, we talk about what acupuncture actually is, why so many people misunderstand it, how stress and pain are deeply connected, and how nurses can benefit from this one small change (you have to hear this). I was really looking forward to this interview, especially since it had been a long time in the making. My journey with Dr. Thompson began eight months ago when I became his patient following a neurological insult. Having been disillusioned by traditional Western medicine, like many, I found myself turning to acupuncture as my last hope for healing. Throughout my treatments, I was often curious about how it all worked, and I was finally given the chance to learn more. I'm incredibly grateful to Dr. Thompson for generously sharing his time, knowledge, and expertise with us. In the five-minute snippet: Don’t eat the sushi. Reach Dr. Thompson here: accutomp78@gmail.com Contact The Conversing Nurse podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconversingnursepodcast/ Website: https://theconversingnursepodcast.com Your review is so important to this Indie podcaster! You can leave one here! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/leave-me-a-review Would you like to be a guest on my podcast? Pitch me! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/intake-form Check out my guests' book recommendations! https://bookshop.org/shop/theconversingnursepodcast I've partnered with RNegade.pro! You can earn CE's just by listening to my podcast episodes! Check out my CE library here: https://rnegade.thinkific.com/collections/conversing-nurse-podcast Thanks for listening!

June 17, 2026Episode 1671 hr 8 min

Emergency Department Chaplain, Mark Wilson

Send us Fan Mail There are people in the hospital who walk into the room when everything is falling apart. Not to fix it or rush through, but simply to be there. Today’s guest, Mark Wilson, lives in that space—right in the emergency room, where life can change in a single moment. Where nurses are moving fast, families are trying to make sense of the unthinkable, and patients are meeting some of the hardest moments of their lives. But what makes his story different… is that he’s been on the other side of the bed. After a severe bicycle accident, Mark suffered a traumatic brain injury and spent months in a rehabilitation hospital, learning how to walk again, relearning his body, his independence—his life. And somewhere in that process, something shifted. What started as survival… became a calling. Now, he shows up for patients and families in crisis as an emergency room chaplain, bringing a kind of presence that only comes from someone who truly understands what it feels like to be vulnerable, uncertain, and afraid. His experience as a former EMT, firefighter and lead pastor, gives him a unique lens on faith, meaning, and what people actually need in moments of crisis—whether they consider themselves spiritual or not. This conversation is for those on the frontlines of healthcare—the nurses and others who journey through the tough times and often carry unprocessed burdens. It's for anyone seeking insight into what truly matters when life hangs in the balance. Mark offers a message of comfort and compassion, encouraging us to embrace the uncertain and the deep insights that occur in moments of crisis. In the five-minute snippet: a shop teacher with a messy garage? Find Mark Wilson here: pastormarkwilson@sbcglobal.net mwilson@kaweahhealth.org Sierra Baptist Church Contact The Conversing Nurse podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconversingnursepodcast/ Website: https://theconversingnursepodcast.com Your review is so important to this Indie podcaster! You can leave one here! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/leave-me-a-review Would you like to be a guest on my podcast? Pitch me! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/intake-form Check out my guests' book recommendations! https://bookshop.org/shop/theconversingnursepodcast I've partnered with RNegade.pro! You can earn CE's just by listening to my podcast episodes! Check out my CE library here: https://rnegade.thinkific.com/collections/conversing-nurse-podcast Thanks for listening!

June 10, 2026Episode 10653 min

CRNA, Investor and Podcast Host, Joshua Condado

Send us Fan Mail I don't know when side hustles became a thing but they are officially a thing. Instead of picking up extra shifts, nurses are picking up side hustles. Enter Josh Condado, a certified registered nurse anesthesiologist who co-owns a real estate investing company with his sister Jenn and brother-in-law Colin, also, you guessed it, nurses. Now, the current annual salary for a CRNA can be upwards of $250,000. Why do you need a side hustle if you’re making a quarter of a million dollars a year? For Joshua and many others, it’s freedom. Freedom to work as much or as little as you want. Don’t misunderstand me, Josh loves being a CRNA. He was inspired to become one by his father, an OG CRNA. But early in his nursing career, Josh experienced burnout, motivating him to invest in real estate. By creating a financial backup plan, Josh can focus on doing what he loves, being a CRNA. In his "air quotes", spare time, Josh cohosts the popular Investing RN Podcast, a show dedicated to providing nurses with the knowledge, tools, and inspiration they need to invest their time, money, and relationships wisely. Josh, Jenn, and Colin help nurses take control of their finances and create a future they love. And there’s nothing I love more than nurses helping nurses. In the five-minute snippet: Cheeseheads, unite! For Josh's bio, visit my website (link below). The Lifestyle CRNA Instagram All Day Investments Investing RN Pod Contact The Conversing Nurse podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconversingnursepodcast/ Website: https://theconversingnursepodcast.com Your review is so important to this Indie podcaster! You can leave one here! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/leave-me-a-review Would you like to be a guest on my podcast? Pitch me! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/intake-form Check out my guests' book recommendations! https://bookshop.org/shop/theconversingnursepodcast I've partnered with RNegade.pro! You can earn CE's just by listening to my podcast episodes! Check out my CE library here: https://rnegade.thinkific.com/collections/conversing-nurse-podcast Thanks for listening!

June 3, 2026Episode 1661 hr 7 min

Chronic Pain, Broken Systems, and a Better Way Forward with Dr. Brigitte Rozenberg, DC

Send us Fan Mail There’s a certain kind of pain a lot of people learn to live with. It starts as something small—a twinge, a tightness, a bad shift at work. And then, slowly, it becomes part of your normal. You stretch it out, push through it, tell yourself it’s just part of the job… part of getting older… part of life. And if you work in healthcare, you probably know this story all too well. You spend your days lifting, turning, reaching, carrying—taking care of everyone else—while your own body keeps asking for attention you don’t have time to give. So what happens when the pain doesn’t go away? When the usual answers stop working? When you start to wonder if this is just how it’s going to be? Today’s guest has spent over 30 years asking those exact questions—and refusing to accept the idea that chronic back pain is something people just have to live with. Dr. Brigitte Rozenberg is a Doctor of Chiropractic and the founder of Spinatomy Spine & Disc Centers and the creator of Advanced Spinal Restoration Therapy. Her work has helped thousands of people find relief from chronic pain—without surgery, without medication, and without giving up on their lives. We talk about where traditional care gets it right, where it falls short, and why so many people—especially caregivers—end up carrying pain in silence for far too long. If you’ve been pushing through, powering on, or quietly wondering if things could feel different… this one is for you. In the five-minute snippet: Aye, Chihuahua! For Dr. Rozenberg's bio, visit my website (link below). Caring for Others While Caring for Your Spine Contact The Conversing Nurse podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconversingnursepodcast/ Website: https://theconversingnursepodcast.com Your review is so important to this Indie podcaster! You can leave one here! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/leave-me-a-review Would you like to be a guest on my podcast? Pitch me! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/intake-form Check out my guests' book recommendations! https://bookshop.org/shop/theconversingnursepodcast I've partnered with RNegade.pro! You can earn CE's just by listening to my podcast episodes! Check out my CE library here: https://rnegade.thinkific.com/collections/conversing-nurse-podcast Thanks for listening!

May 27, 2026Episode 971 hr 21 min

Certified Enneagram Coach and Nurse, Gwen Sledge

Send us Fan Mail Meet Gwen Sledge, a retired nurse and Certified Enneagram Coach. Gwen has a deep understanding of the Enneagram and is passionate about using her healthcare experience to help nurses understand how their personality, communication style, and behavior affect their relationships. Not sure what the Enneagram is? I wasn’t either but I learned it’s a personality typing tool that categorizes individuals into nine distinct personality types, each with its own core fears, desires, and patterns of thinking and behaving. In all honesty, I was initially skeptical but after taking the assessment, I was amazed by the accuracy of this tool. I discovered I am a type two and Gwen is a type six and you’ll hear how our readings are reflected in our practice. You might be wondering, "Why is this even important?" As nurses, we collaborate closely with a variety of disciplines in stressful environments, and Gwen pointed out that by understanding your Enneagram type, you can gain insight into behavior which can, in turn, lead to deeper connections and more authentic relationships. And that sounds like a win-win situation to me. In the five-minute snippet: well, what would you do if you grew a tail overnight? For Gwen's bio, visit my website (link below). Enneagram with Gwen Instagram Enneagram with Gwen Facebook Contact The Conversing Nurse podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconversingnursepodcast/ Website: https://theconversingnursepodcast.com Your review is so important to this Indie podcaster! You can leave one here! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/leave-me-a-review Would you like to be a guest on my podcast? Pitch me! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/intake-form Check out my guests' book recommendations! https://bookshop.org/shop/theconversingnursepodcast I've partnered with RNegade.pro! You can earn CE's just by listening to my podcast episodes! Check out my CE library here: https://rnegade.thinkific.com/collections/conversing-nurse-podcast Thanks for listening!