This podcast is for Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants, AA students, and anyone hoping to become one. As a CAA, I know how difficult it can be to find guidance that truly reflects our unique perspective. I created Awakened Anesthetist to be the supportive community of CAAs I needed on my own journey.Every month, I feature CAA expanders in what I call my PROCESS interview series. I also create solo episodes that weave in themes of wellness, self-discovery, and mindful growth - offering insights and reflections that resonate with our high-pressure, high-responsibility lives. Through it all, you’ll discover the power you hold as a CAA to create a life by design, not by default. I know you’ll find yourself here at the Awakened Anesthetist podcast.
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True Life: I Have OCD ft. The Awakened Anesthetist (00:43:41)
Episode best if WATCHED on YouTube ;) In this much anticipated episode, I finally open up about my lifetime battle with OCD. How its devastation shifted from childhood "just right" rituals to religious and sexuality obsessions to relationship OCD, and how naming it led to therapy, medication, and a gentler way to live. I share the tools that helped and why this CAA community matters so much to me. Resources from this episode: When are intrusive thoughts normal vs abnormal: A short blog a...
Neuroplasticity for Compassionate Care | Wellness Wednesdays (00:34:18)
What if the most powerful tool you carry into patient care isn’t a device or a protocol, but the way your brain has been trained to pay attention? I sit down with one of my mentors, Dr. Cassie Ferguson, pediatric emergency physician, medical educator, and architect of The Good Doctor well‑being curricula, to unpack how neuroplasticity, mindfulness, and self‑compassion can make medicine more humane and more sustainable. CAAs, have you ever searched for wellness resources that truly under...
[Your Complete Guide to Understanding Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants] Pt. 6 POV: CAA Hosting a Shadower (00:33:04)
Curious about what it truly means to be a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA)? You're in the right place! From nearly two decades of experience, I share a clear and comprehensive breakdown of the CAA profession. Think of me as your older sister or best friend, guiding you step-by-step through the essentials—from what CAAs actually do to how much money we make, no topic is off limits. Whether you're an aspiring AA student or simply exploring a career in medicine, this guide equips you w...
[PROCESS] CAAs Can Rewrite The Rules Of Work with Harmony Founder, Rad Zamani, CAA (01:05:04)
A denied $10 raise shouldn’t define a career, but it can redefine one. When Rad hit a wall advocating for fair market pay, he realized the problem wasn’t personal, it was structural. So he built leverage instead of waiting for permission, and Harmony Anesthesia Staffing was born. Connect with Rad radzamani@harmonyanesthesia.com Great Resource HERE to understand all the terms in this episode (1099, W2, Locums, etc) A HUGE 'Thank You' to the Season 5 PROCESS sponsor, Harmony Anesthesia Staffing...
[Your Complete Guide to Understanding Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants] Pt. 5 How To Land + Leverage Those Darn Shadowing Hours (00:58:08)
Curious about what it truly means to be a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA)? You're in the right place! From nearly two decades of experience, I share a clear and comprehensive breakdown of the CAA profession. Think of me as your older sister or best friend, guiding you step-by-step through the essentials—from what CAAs actually do to how much money we make, no topic is off limits. Whether you're an aspiring AA student or simply exploring a career in medicine, this guide equips you w...
3 Undetectable Ways to Regulate in the OR | Wellness Wednesdays (00:20:49)
***@ 14:42 my podcast software thinks "voo-ing is a "removable background noise" so this episode may be best experienced on YouTube Have you ever searched for wellness resources that truly understand what it means to be a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant? You're not alone. Wellness Wednesday are candid conversations about the unique challenges and opportunities facing CAAs in their pursuit of sustainable wellbeing. In this episode I relate how OR life can jack your nervous system into ove...
[PROCESS] Walking Through the Fire with author Kate Novinc, CAA (00:59:02)
In this episode, we trace Kate’s path from engineering to CAA, the messy middle of finding her voice, and the work of turning loss into a children's book about anesthesia. Along the way, we unpack her New Mexico CAA advocacy journey and what it means to live by design. Hear Kate's CAA story and be expanded in this Season 5 PROCESS episode. and a HUGE Thank YOU to our Season 5 PROCESS sponsor, Harmony Anesthesia Staffing. Harmony is CAA-owned, clinician-forward, and leading the way in the CAA ...
You Can't Do Everything | Wellness Wednesdays (00:24:05)
Have you ever searched for wellness resources that truly understand what it means to be a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant? You're not alone. Wellness Wednesday are candid conversations about the unique challenges and opportunities facing CAAs in their pursuit of sustainable wellbeing. In this episode, we discuss the quiet tug-of-war between boundless ambition and a life that actually feels good (especially for high-achieving CAAs, SAAs, and pre-AAs trained to do more, faster, and better)...
[PROCESS] Pom-Poms & Propofol: Defying Stereotypes in Anesthesia ft. Brooke Ferris, CAA (01:09:48)
What happens when you refuse to choose between two seemingly opposite dreams? Brooke Ferris, CAA knows firsthand. As both a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant and a six-season veteran of the Atlanta Falcons cheerleading squad, she's lived in two worlds that many insisted couldn't coexist. Hear her story and be expanded in this Season 5 PROCESS premiere. A HUGE 'Thank You' to the Season 5 PROCESS sponsor, Harmony Anesthesia Staffing. Harmony is CAA-owned, clinician-forward, and leading the w...
Finding Yourself in CAA Wellness | Wellness Wednesdays (00:20:59)
Have you ever searched for wellness resources that truly understand what it means to be a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant? You're not alone. Wellness Wednesday debuts with a candid conversation about the unique challenges and opportunities facing CAAs in their pursuit of sustainable wellbeing. As I share my personal journey from burnout to balance, I reveal how my frustration with the lack of CAA-specific wellness resources became the catalyst for creating what our profession desperately...
Season 5 Premiere | CAA Life by Design (an update) (00:38:05)
Can you believe we are starting the 5th season?! I am honored to host the first ever podcast for the CAA community, thanks for being! If you want more, listen to my 3 original PROCESS episodes to hear all the nitty gritty details of my journey. [PROCESS] Part 1/3. My Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant Journey from Full-Time to Part-Time[PROCESS] Pt 2/3. My Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant Journey from Full-Time to Part-Time[PROCESS] That time I got fired. Pt. 3/3 My Certified Anesthesio...
Season 5 Unlocked (00:06:24)
yayayay! Season 5 of Awakened Anesthetist podcast launches September 12th with exciting new features including YouTube videos and a dedicated website. The upcoming season showcases extraordinary CAAs breaking boundaries as professional athletes, entrepreneurs, educators, and content creators, along with CAA-centered wellness episodes for a nervous system reset without all the fluff. In the meantime check out my new website awakenedanesthetist.com. You will find a link to all 70+ back episodes...
Summer Check-in + 2 Announcements! (00:17:31)
During this mid summer break check-in I announce the launch of CAA Matters, the first comprehensive professional development and wellness curriculum designed specifically for the Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant profession. After years of development, I'm piloting the program with 4 NSU AA programs and expanding offerings to both AA programs and Pre-Anesthesiologist Assistant students. In this episode: Discovering almost no research or resources existed for CAA wellnessTeaching a pilot pr...
LIVE Season 4 Finale @ AAAA 2025: [PROCESS] The AAAA Presidency and a Life by Design with Nicole Moore, CAA (00:58:10)
Nicole Moore, Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant and 2025 AAAA* President, shares her journey from discovering the CAA profession through a Google search to becoming a pivotal leader in CAA advocacy and education. *American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants In this LIVE Season 4 Finale recorded @ AAAA 2025 you will hear how Nicole: Balances full-time clinical practice with AAAA presidency through an intentionally designed scheduleDiscovered the CAA profession while questioning whether ...
Want a New Job? A Deep Dive with LocumTenens.com (00:43:44)
Are you a CAA looking for a new job? Discover how Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants (CAAs) can revolutionize their careers with the growing number of locums opportunities. I sit down again with Sabrina Strange from LocumTenens.com to break down the exact process to land your dream job. In this episode we discuss: common fears surrounding locums workthe paperwork involved: state CAA licenses and hospital credentialing the money, including pay rates and travel arrangementshow to make y...
[PROCESS] Listening to Life's Whispers: A Journey of Passion and Persistence ft. Yulanda Greene, CAA (00:53:53)
Step into the world of Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants with Yulanda Greene as she shares her remarkable PROCESS to become a prominent CAA educator and leader. As the 2025 president of the Georgia Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants, Yulanda passionately advocates for the profession while offering insight into the challenges and rewards of her career path. In this PROCESS interview, Yulanda shares the little nudges and whispers life gave her to keep advancing her career while remainin...
Your Complete Guide to Understanding Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants Pt. 4 How Much Do CAAs Make? (01:01:27)
Curious about what it truly means to be a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA)? You're in the right place! From nearly two decades of experience, I share a clear and comprehensive breakdown of the CAA profession. Think of me as your older sister or best friend, guiding you step-by-step through the essentials—from what CAAs actually do to how much money we make, no topic is off limits. Whether you're an aspiring AA student or simply exploring a career in medicine, this guide equips you w...
2025 Life Update: Embracing Intentional Breaks for Fulfillment (00:29:06)
Reflecting on recent experiences, I share how taking an intentional break has rejuvenated my commitment to living life by my design. From unexpected snow days to exciting new projects like CAA Matters, this episode emphasizes the importance of balance and self-care in both personal and professional realms. In this episode I talk about: • Personal update on podcast winter break and family time • The impact of taking intentional time off • Navigating disruptions and embracin...
[PROCESS] Her Untold Path to Empowerment and Influence ft. Chabely Rodrigez, CAA (00:58:43)
Get to know Chabely Rodriguez, a trailblazing Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant and social media influencer. As a first-generation Mexican-American woman, Chabely's story is one of resilience and triumph over adversity. Her story highlights not just the allure of financial stability, but also the profound impact of connecting with underrepresented groups who aspire to follow in her footsteps. From maintaining a healthy work-life balance to setting realistic expectations in content creation...
Your Complete Guide to Understanding Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants Pt. 3 Where Can CAAs Work? (00:38:33)
Curious about what it truly means to be a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA)? You're in the right place! From nearly two decades of experience, I share a clear and comprehensive breakdown of the CAA profession. Think of me as your older sister or best friend, guiding you step-by-step through the essentials—from what CAAs actually do to how much money we make, no topic is off limits. Whether you're an aspiring AA student or simply exploring a career in medicine, this guide equips you w...
REPLAY: 5ish Holiday Hacks for the Busy Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (00:25:27)
Originally aired December 2022. I hope this fun 5ish episode leaves you feeling nourished, encouraged and connected to yourself and our community this holiday/4th quarter season. You (still) deserve to feel good behind the drape. Additional Resources: Try out Lindywell at home Pilates for FreeMeal subscription services I have used before include Hello Fresh, Blue Apron, Green Chef, Sunfresh, Home ChefYou can now text me! Leave your email if you need a response! Pre-AA Matters is a 12-week p...
Embracing Resilience: Self-Compassion Meditation for CAAs (00:24:10)
Join me for a 10-minute meditation, designed to fit into your busy day whether you're on a work break or commuting, learn how to embrace your natural source of resilience. Meditation begins around 4:33 This isn't just about managing stress; it's about nurturing an inner resilience that's often overlooked. By allowing positive qualities to infiltrate our thoughts and emotions, we reinforce the strength within us, reminding ourselves that resilience is cultivated, not inherited. Take this tim...
Revolutionizing CAA Careers: Exploring Locums Work with LocumTenens.com (00:32:08)
Discover how Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants (CAAs) can revolutionize their careers with the growing number of locums opportunities. I sit down with Sabrina Strange from LocumTenens.com to break down exactly what "working locums" means for CAAs, and what you need to have in place before considering a locums position. LocumTenens.com has recently updated their platform to make it more accessible than ever for CAAs eager to explore the locums market. For anyone considering a dynamic car...
UPDATE: Trailblazing the CAA Licensure Movement in Nevada ft. Stephanie Zunini, CAA (00:30:30)
This is an update to Stephanie Zunini's original PROCESS episode 35 released September 1st, 2023. We catch up with Stephanie more than a year later to discuss the arduous process required to actually practice in a new state after passing a CAA licensure bill. Stephanie's experience in Nevada highlights the emotional and physical toll of this long, slow legislative process. She shares the behind the scenes of why she made the incredibly hard decision to leave her thriving career in Denver to m...
Your Complete Guide to Understanding Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants Pt. 2 Why You Should NOT be a CAA (00:31:08)
Curious about what it truly means to be a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA)? You're in the right place! From nearly two decades of experience, I share a clear and comprehensive breakdown of the CAA profession. Think of me as your older sister or best friend, guiding you step-by-step through the essentials—from what CAAs actually do to how much money we make, no topic is off limits. Whether you're an aspiring AA student or simply exploring a career in medicine, this guide equips you w...
