Episodes

The Anesthesia Workforce Shift: 3,000 CRNA Grads, Failing AA Bills, Lost Contracts
June 23, 2026

The Anesthesia Workforce Shift: 3,000 CRNA Grads, Failing AA Bills, Lost Contracts

Joe Rodriguez sits down with Randy Moore and Tracy Young, to work through the week's hardest stories. Let the spicy takes flow!Reimbursement: UnitedHealthcare stops paying for physical status. Oklahoma and Louisiana fight back with legislation. Tracy makes the case that anesthesia has been comm…
Goliaths at War: The Fight Over Anesthesia
June 23, 2026

Goliaths at War: The Fight Over Anesthesia

The FTC just notched its second win against the biggest roll-up in anesthesia history. Welsh Carson settled first. Now USAP. So who actually won, and who pays next?Joe Rodriguez sits down with Randy Moore and Gary Keeling for the kind of conversation that usually happens at the bar after the co…
Guest: Randy
Here’s What Nobody Talks About
June 16, 2026

Here’s What Nobody Talks About

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, Jo...
A New Chapter: Mike & Joe’s Big Announcement!
April 1, 2026

A New Chapter: Mike & Joe’s Big Announcement!

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 t...
Anesthesia Deconstructed: I Thought We Were Winning. Then, We Got Fired: Essentials of Anesthesia Leadership
Aug. 21, 2025

Anesthesia Deconstructed: I Thought We Were Winning. Then, We Got Fired: Essentials of Anesthesia Leadership

In this powerful and unfiltered episode, Dr. Joseph Rodriguez — CRNA, former state and national leader, faculty member, and host of Anesthesia Deconstructed — takes us inside the real lessons of anesthesia leadership. From CO...
Anesthesia Deconstructed: What If the AANA Disappeared? Inside the CEO’s Role with Bill Bruce
Aug. 11, 2025

Anesthesia Deconstructed: What If the AANA Disappeared? Inside the CEO’s Role with Bill Bruce

In this candid and wide-ranging episode, we sit down with Bill Bruce — CEO of the AANA, representing over 65,000 CRNAs and SRNAs nationwide — to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to lead the profession’s largest a...
Anesthesia Deconstructed: Inside Anesthesia - What (Really) Broke the Anesthesia Market
Aug. 4, 2025

Anesthesia Deconstructed: Inside Anesthesia - What (Really) Broke the Anesthesia Market

In this bold and revealing episode, we sit down with Randy Moore — former military CRNA, past CEO of the AANA, and now a top executive at one of the country’s largest anesthesia organizations — to explore how the anesthesia m...
Anesthesia Deconstructed: One Anesthesiologist, 108K Followers, and Zero Filters
July 17, 2025

Anesthesia Deconstructed: One Anesthesiologist, 108K Followers, and Zero Filters

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...
Anesthesia Deconstructed: I Got Sued for Malpractice. Here’s What Really Happens.
July 8, 2025

Anesthesia Deconstructed: I Got Sued for Malpractice. Here’s What Really Happens.

What REALLY happens when you’re named in a malpractice lawsuit? In this eye-opening episode, Joe Rodriguez sits down with Paul Lefebvre, lead claims professional and risk advisor, and Andrew Clark, head of business development at Physicians Preferred Medical — an anesthesia-specific malpractice car…
Anesthesia Deconstructed: Anesthesia Leadership Is Changing - and Not Everyone Will Make the Cut
June 6, 2025

Anesthesia Deconstructed: Anesthesia Leadership Is Changing - and Not Everyone Will Make the Cut

Anesthesia is evolving — and so are its leaders. In this special episode of Anesthesia Deconstructed , we dive into the dynamic shifts happening across the anesthesia landscape, where Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (...
Anesthesia Deconstructed: From ICU to CRNA - How Social Media is Transforming Nursing Education
March 12, 2025

Anesthesia Deconstructed: From ICU to CRNA - How Social Media is Transforming Nursing Education

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.…
Anesthesia Deconstructed: Navigating the Future - Do Those Prep Courses Work? Will Locums Stick Around? And More for 2025
Jan. 10, 2025

Anesthesia Deconstructed: Navigating the Future - Do Those Prep Courses Work? Will Locums Stick Around? And More for 2025

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 t...
Anesthesia Deconstructed: Lifelong Learning - ACCRAC Founder Jed Wolpaw, MD, on Education, Growth, and Anesthesia Excellence
Nov. 26, 2024

Anesthesia Deconstructed: Lifelong Learning - ACCRAC Founder Jed Wolpaw, MD, on Education, Growth, and Anesthesia Excellence

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, …
Anesthesia Deconstructed: FTC Loses, and Non-Competes Remain - Understanding Different Types of Restrictive Covenants and What It Means for You
Sept. 30, 2024

Anesthesia Deconstructed: FTC Loses, and Non-Competes Remain - Understanding Different Types of Restrictive Covenants and What It Means for You

SEASON 7 BEGINS! Keywords for this Episode anesthesia, non-compete agreements, legal challenges, FTC, healthcare law, CRNA, anesthesia practice, employment contracts, state laws, anesthesia updates Summary In this episode of Anesthesia Deconstructed, host Joe Rodriguez first discusses the latest up…
Anesthesia Deconstructed: Point B - Joe Rodriguez Shares His Positions and Rationale on Proposed Changes to AANA Board Selection
July 23, 2024

Anesthesia Deconstructed: Point B - Joe Rodriguez Shares His Positions and Rationale on Proposed Changes to AANA Board Selection

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:…
Anesthesia Deconstructed: Point A - CRNAs Propose Significant Change to AANA Board Selection
July 23, 2024

Anesthesia Deconstructed: Point A - CRNAs Propose Significant Change to AANA Board Selection

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 …
Anesthesia Deconstructed: Did CMS Actually Miss an Opportunity To Reduce the Anesthesia Shortage?
July 19, 2024

Anesthesia Deconstructed: Did CMS Actually Miss an Opportunity To Reduce the Anesthesia Shortage?

Summary The conversation discusses the topic of rural pass-through and its impact on the anesthesiologist shortage. It explores the idea of including physician anesthesiologists in rural pass-through and whether it would be an effective solution. The conversation also delves into the concept of sho…
Anesthesia Deconstructed: Should C-Sections Be Performed on an Outpatient Basis? Florida is going to find out.
July 16, 2024

Anesthesia Deconstructed: Should C-Sections Be Performed on an Outpatient Basis? Florida is going to find out.

Summary The conversation discusses the topic of out-of-hospital cesarean sections and the potential risks and implications. Dr. Matt Mazurek, a physician anesthesiologist and assistant professor of anesthesiology at Yale School of Medicine, provides insights and raises concerns about the definition…
Anesthesia Deconstructed: RAISING ARIZONA Pt. 1 - Arizona's Zero to Hero Story with Ali J. Baghai, CRNA, AZANA Past President and Guide Anesthesia | AzAS Managing Partner
July 9, 2024

Anesthesia Deconstructed: RAISING ARIZONA Pt. 1 - Arizona's Zero to Hero Story with Ali J. Baghai, CRNA, AZANA Past President and Guide Anesthesia | AzAS Managing Partner

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 ro...
Anesthesia Deconstructed: CRNAs - An American Innovation; Reflecting on Independence Day
July 4, 2024

Anesthesia Deconstructed: CRNAs - An American Innovation; Reflecting on Independence Day

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 ide...
Anesthesia Deconstructed: FTC Update With Simon Willman, JD and What It Means for Anesthesia Providers
June 25, 2024

Anesthesia Deconstructed: FTC Update With Simon Willman, JD and What It Means for Anesthesia Providers

Episode Summary: In this episode, Joe Rodriguez welcomes back Simon Willman, Esq., former in-house counsel for one of the largest orthopedic groups in the country. They discuss the Federal Trade Commission's recent vote to ba...
Anesthesia Deconstructed: We Became The Top Anesthesia Podcast in the United States AND Episode Previews
June 14, 2024

Anesthesia Deconstructed: We Became The Top Anesthesia Podcast in the United States AND Episode Previews

Summary The podcast, Anesthesia Deconstructed, has become the number one anesthesia podcast in the United States (Apple Podcasts - subsection: Medicine) due to its focus on deconstructing issues and having thoughtful and respectful conversations. The host, Joe Rodriguez, discusses his involvement i…
Anesthesia Deconstructed: Mike MacKinnon is Back!  Massachusetts Opt Out and What it Means vs
June 7, 2024

Anesthesia Deconstructed: Mike MacKinnon is Back! Massachusetts Opt Out and What it Means vs

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 physici…
Anesthesia Deconstructed: Should CRNAs supervise AAs?  And, updates on DC, SC, TN, and the Pre-CRNA Market
June 3, 2024

Anesthesia Deconstructed: Should CRNAs supervise AAs? And, updates on DC, SC, TN, and the Pre-CRNA Market

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 …