Career Development Episodes

Along life’s winding roads we’ve each worked tirelessly to hone our skills and ultimately become the excellent clinicians we are today. But what happens when being great in the OR isn't enough? Each week on About the Rest, Joe Rodriguez, DNAP, CRNA, gets into the weeds on the definitive podcast for fellow CRNAs and MDs who want to understand how our profession actually works behind the scenes… warts and all. The spiritual sibling of the award-winning podcast Anesthesia Deconstructed, About the R...

Anesthesia Deconstructed is sunsetting, but the conversation is just getting started. Joe and Mike announce Joe’s new podcast, “About the Rest!” Get ready for the next chapter of critical career-driven discussions exploring the leadership, performance, and business of a career in anesthesia. Simply stay subscribed to this feed to automatically follow as Season One begins May 2026 (don’t worry, old eps of Anesthesia Deconstructed aren’t going anywhere). As we navigate the systems, incentives, an...

In this candid and wide-ranging conversation, we sit down with Dr. Brian Schmutzler — anesthesiologist, social media educator, and Executive Vice President of Medical Affairs at CCI Anesthesia — to unpack what it really means to lead in modern anesthesia. From the realities of staffing rural hospitals without anesthesiologists to fighting burnout, navigating private equity, and fiercely defending provider scope and safety, Brian shares hard-earned insights from both clinical and corporate perspe...

Keywords CRNA, nursing education, TikTok, Confident Care Academy, mentorship, cardiac anesthesia, online learning, healthcare, nursing community, media impact Summary In this engaging conversation, Joseph Rodriguez speaks with Chrissy Massaro, a prominent CRNA and founder of Confident Care Academy. They discuss the evolution of nursing education in the age of social media, the challenges faced by new nurses transitioning to CRNAs, and the importance of mentorship. Chrissy shares her jou...

In this conversation, Joseph Rodriguez and Mike MacKinnon discuss the evolution of CRNA programs, the impact of prep courses, and the importance of surrounding oneself with the right people for career success. They critique the economics of anesthesia services, explore fair market value in compensation, and address regulatory challenges faced by CRNAs, particularly in California. The dialogue emphasizes the need for critical thinking in the interview process and the implications of high compensa...

Description: In this episode of Anesthesia Deconstructed, Joe Rodriguez dives deep with Dr. Jed Wolpaw, creator of the ACCRAC podcast and a leader in anesthesia education. Together, they discuss Jed’s unique path from history teacher to anesthesiologist, the critical importance of civil discourse, and universal learning principles that transcend medicine. With insights on podcasting, education, and the future of anesthesia, this episode offers something for every professional passionate about...

Key Points: Importance of the AANA to CRNA economy Proposed bylaw changes and resolutionsSupport for Board Term Extension (Bylaw 2) (with caveats) and Virtual Business MeetingsOpposition to Board Expansion (Bylaw 3) and Automatic Leadership Succession (Bylaw 4)Rationale behind each positionSummary: Joe shares his views on proposed AANA changes, advocating for longer board terms and virtual meetings while opposing board expansion and automatic leadership succession. He emphasizes the need...

Summary The conversation discusses three main changes proposed by the Leadership Identification Committee (LIC) for the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology: increasing the number of directors from seven to nine, increasing the term for directors from two years to three years, and changing the progression of the president to a three-year term. The rationale behind these changes is to decrease turnover, increase the number of eligible people for executive positions, and provide more ...

Episode Summary: In this episode, Joe Rodriguez talks with Ali Baghai about his journey and impact as a CRNA in Arizona. Ali shares his experiences in CRNA advocacy, the evolution of anesthesia practice in Arizona, and his role in significant legislative changes. They also discuss the nuances of owning an anesthesia business and life in Arizona. Highlights: Introduction Joe Rodriguez introduces the episode and welcomes Ali Baghai. Brief discussion about the uniqueness of Ali's name and CRNA ...

In this special July 4th episode, we explore the significance of American independence and its impact on the CRNA profession. We discuss the foundations of American governance and how these ideals have shaped our national identity. The episode presents two key messages: addressing current societal tensions and highlighting CRNAs as a unique American innovation in healthcare. The podcast emphasizes the exceptional position of CRNAs in the United States, noting their level of autonomy and economi...

Summary In this conversation, Joe Rodriguez interviews Michael McKinnon, podcast founder, CRNA, and assistant program director at National University. They discuss two topics: the supervision clarification advisory opinion from the Arizona Board of Nursing and the opt-out of Medicare Part A physician supervision requirements in Massachusetts. McKinnon shares his perspective on these issues and emphasizes the importance of removing barriers to competition and promoting a level playing...

Episode Date: Monday, June 3rd Welcome to Anesthesia Deconstructed! In this episode, we cover: Segment 1: Pre-CRNA Market Update Impact of late-stage capitalism on mentorship and professional development.Feedback from current nurse anesthesia residents/students.Questioning “Guaranteed Success” and the high cost of prep programs.Segment 2: Key Legal Updates South Carolina and Maryland Associations’ successes in preventing restrictive rules.TANA’s loss of the term “anesthesiology.”DC’s HORA Act...

In this episode: The CRNA Intro Market: We're going to explore this issue more deeply - we want to hear from you! How You Can Contribute: We want to hear from you! Share your experiences, questions, or advice about starting out as a CRNA. Your insights could be featured in upcoming episodes! Send Your Contributions: Reach out via email at Joe@GuideAnesthesia.com and write us or send us a voice memo (2 mins or shorter please). Join the conversation and help shape the future of our show! Subsc...

In this concise episode, Dr. Joseph Rodriguez, CRNA, shares a glimpse into his voting process during the recent elections. He reveals two of his four votes, choosing to keep the remainder confidential to maintain a positive election environment. Dr. Rodriguez emphasizes the importance of voting for candidates rather than against them, reflecting his commitment to promoting a constructive and supportive community. Tune in to hear which candidates earned his vote and why he believes in a selective...

Meet Annemarie Wiley CRNA! When you think about reality tv and especially the Real Housewives franchise, you probably do not think about adopted small town Canadian girls of Nigerian/Dutch descent raised by a single mom. Well, not only is that Annemarie, but she is also an athlete, became an RN, worked in Canada and then the U.S. and eventually became a Nurse Anesthesiologist (CRNA)! She is eloquent, intelligent, gregarious and very proud of her chosen profession, Nurse Anesthesiology!...

In this session, we talk with Josh Condado, CRNA, from his initial foray into a highly controlled anesthesia ACT lead to his exploration of real estate investing. It makes us wonder how fully utilizing CRNA roles can significantly enhance staff retention – but that’s for another episode. Josh is only 31 years old, but it was an enlightening conversation about diversification with real estate investing, something anesthesia providers of all types can potentially diversify their assets with. This...

In this series, we will dive deep with some of the most intriguing professionals in the specialty of Anesthesia! Through these five questions, we will be foster important conversations, gain insight into where the specialty is going, and learn how we can influence that future. Tune in next Monday for our first episode of this special series and enjoy the ride! Send us Fan Mail Follow us at: Instagram Facebook Twitter/X Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, you will hear from Mr. James Laubham CPA, owner of Capital Accounting, PC on why Nurse Anesthesiologists and Physician Anesthesiologists are turning to 1099 to maximize their career benefits. He goes through the ins and outs as well as what you need to know when deciding to go 1099. Learn from a CPA who is an expert in anesthesia business accounting! Learn more at the Capital Accounting website https://www.capitalacctpc.com/ Send us Fan Mail Follow us at: Instagram Facebook ...

In this episode we talk to Lee Austin, a former Anesthesiologist Assistant who went back to school to become a CRNA. Lee explains how different the educational programs were, how different the focus is on training between the independent practice trained CRNA to the assistant role of the AA and how that difference really resulted in professional fulfillment for her. We also discuss the Texas Christian University AA to CRNA bridge program and how Lee feels every AA should consider it! This is a ...

On this podcast we talk about how Dr Thomas became and NP and how she progressed through being professionally involved all the way to President of the AANP. We talk about the future for APRNs in an evolving healthcare world. Additionally, we discuss President Trumps executive order, specifically section 5 as it relates to APRNs and how that will change practice nationally. Lastly, we talk about the relationship between Nurse Practitioners and Physicians Assistants as well as the two organization...