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We Need Another Leader: Navigating Difficult Times with Authentic Leadership, Courage and Clarity

The Gritty Nurse

Release Date: 04/24/2025

Screaming to be Heard: The Urgent Fight to Save Black Moms and Their Babies (Karrie Jones and Mercedes Wells Horrifying Experinces with Birth in the US) show art Screaming to be Heard: The Urgent Fight to Save Black Moms and Their Babies (Karrie Jones and Mercedes Wells Horrifying Experinces with Birth in the US)

The Gritty Nurse

Two Black women. Two different states. One shared, terrifying experience: being ignored by the very people sworn to care for them. Why are Black women in 2025 still screaming to be heard? In this episode of The Gritty Nurse, Amie Archibald-Varley, a former L & D nurse and Maternal Health Expert (Masters in Women's Health) breaks down the viral birth stories of Karrie Jones (Dallas) and Mercedes Wells (Indiana)—two harrowing cases of medical racism & gaslighting that have shaken the nursing & medical world. We analyze the 54-million-view footage, dissect the latest maternal...

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Are You A Caregiver in Crisis? Discussing Support & Solutions with Ontario Caregiver Organization CEO Amy Coupal show art Are You A Caregiver in Crisis? Discussing Support & Solutions with Ontario Caregiver Organization CEO Amy Coupal

The Gritty Nurse

In this essential episode of the Gritty Nurse podcast, host Amie Archibald-Varley engages in a critical discussion with Amy Coupal, CEO of the Ontario Caregiver Organization (OCO), about the vital role of caregivers in Ontario. This conversation illuminates the significant challenges faced by these essential, yet often overlooked, members of the healthcare team. Listeners will gain insight into the dynamics of caregiving and the crucial support available through the OCO. Key Takeaways for Listeners: Caregiver Recognition: Understand why caregivers must be recognized as essential members of...

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When The Nurse Becomes the Patient: Emily Edwards on Her MS Diagnosis and Fighting to Be Heard show art When The Nurse Becomes the Patient: Emily Edwards on Her MS Diagnosis and Fighting to Be Heard

The Gritty Nurse

In this compelling and candid episode of The Gritty Nurse Podcast, host Amie Archibald-Varley sits down with a truly inspiring guest: Emily Edwards, RN, founder of Nomad Care Consulting. Emily, a healthcare expert, shares the deeply personal and often frustrating journey of her own Multiple Sclerosis (MS) diagnosis. She details the challenges of being a patient in the very system she knows so well, often feeling unheard, dismissed, and invalidated while searching for answers. This is more than a story about chronic illness; it's a powerful masterclass in self-advocacy. Emily opens up...

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EVERY Nurse Has a Ghost Story: The rule of 3, Crash Carts Outside of Rooms and Never Say The EVERY Nurse Has a Ghost Story: The rule of 3, Crash Carts Outside of Rooms and Never Say The "Q" Word

The Gritty Nurse

In this hauntingly hillarious episode, The Gritty Nurse, Amie Archibald-Varley and guest Co-Host, Matthew Shepherd, discuss why every nurse has a ghost story and the rituals nurses follow religiously. From haunted hospital basements to eerie night shifts, this Halloween special explores the myths, rituals, and real-life experiences that make the nursing profession both fascinating and frightening. Tune in for a mix of humor, horror, and heartfelt stories that will leave you questioning what goes bump in the night. Did you have an unlucky room? Do you prepare a room when a code is called in the...

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Healthcare Can Be Horror: Examining Nursing Portrayals, Asylum History and Medical Phobias in Healthcare show art Healthcare Can Be Horror: Examining Nursing Portrayals, Asylum History and Medical Phobias in Healthcare

The Gritty Nurse

Why are nurses a favorite target for horror movie villains? Why are nurses seen in movies as either sexy, satanic or dieties? In this spine-chilling episode of The Gritty Nurse, Amie Archibald-Varley and Guest Host Jordan Varley discuss the dark side of cinema's obsession with healthcare horror and nursing horror tropes. We cover everything from the psychological weight of nurse stereotypes and the real-world terror of nurse killers, to the unsettling history of asylums and our ingrained fears of medical procedures. Get ready for a thought-provoking analysis of horror film tropes and cultural...

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What's Your Fight Language? Decoding Conflict and Communication in Healthcare with Lena Morgan show art What's Your Fight Language? Decoding Conflict and Communication in Healthcare with Lena Morgan

The Gritty Nurse

Are workplace tensions dragging down your patients' care? You know the feeling: the passive-aggressive emails, the hallway whispers, the moments of silence when communication breaks down. In healthcare, these conflicts aren't just frustrating—they're dangerous. On this powerful episode of The Gritty Nurse podcast, host Amy-Archibald Verli dives deep into the often-avoided topic of conflict in healthcare with special guest, Lena Morgan. Lena, a former midwife, transitioned her career to become a leading expert in communication and conflict resolution. She sits down with Amy to introduce her...

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The Maligning Manager: We Must Address Substance Use in Healthcare Workers Without Shame! show art The Maligning Manager: We Must Address Substance Use in Healthcare Workers Without Shame!

The Gritty Nurse

In this crucial and eye-opening episode of the Gritty Nurse podcast with host Amie Archibald-Varley and guest host, Jordan Varley, they confront the hidden crisis of addiction within the healthcare industry. This is essential listening for nurses, physicians, social workers, and all healthcare professionals struggling with the stigma of substance abuse. I’ll never forget my first exposure to addiction in the workplace—it was the epitome of a toxic culture. My then-boss shared a disgusting story about a former director allegedly found drunk under a desk, treating a colleague’s pain as a...

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A $20M Wake-Up Call:The Landmark DonQuenick Joppy Case, Racism, Retaliation, and the Future of Nursing show art A $20M Wake-Up Call:The Landmark DonQuenick Joppy Case, Racism, Retaliation, and the Future of Nursing

The Gritty Nurse

In this eye-opening episode of The Gritty Nurse Podcast, host Amie Archibald-Varley and special guest Jerry Soucy unpack the landmark case of DonQuenick Yvonne Joppy, the ICU nurse who courageously challenged racial discrimination, wrongful termination, and retaliation in healthcare. Recently, a federal jury awarded $20 million to Joppy after finding that Aurora Medical Center (Colorado) had retaliated against her and discriminated against her because she spoke up.  During her employment, she was wrongfully accused of causing a patient’s death (charges later dropped) and faced a hostile...

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U.S. Healthcare Reform or Disaster? Breaking Down RFK Jr.’s “Big Beautiful Bill U.S. Healthcare Reform or Disaster? Breaking Down RFK Jr.’s “Big Beautiful Bill"

The Gritty Nurse

In this hard-hitting episode of The Gritty Nurse Podcast with Amie Archibald-Varley, we dive deep into the controversial healthcare proposal dubbed the “Big Beautiful Bill”—a sweeping plan backed by RFK Jr. that claims to overhaul the US healthcare system. But what’s really behind this policy? And who stands to lose the most? Joined by Dr. Kaveh Hoda, gastroenterologist, podcaster, and advocate, we explore: The background and political motivations behind RFK Jr.’s healthcare agenda The devastating consequences of Medicaid cuts on low-income Americans, seniors, and people with...

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Is Nursing a Profession Worth Dying For? No, it's Not... show art Is Nursing a Profession Worth Dying For? No, it's Not...

The Gritty Nurse

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions on suidcide.  In this episode, The Gritty Nurse, Amie Archibald-Varley discusses the tragic story of Roseanne, a nurse who died by suicide, highlighting critical issues in mental health staffing, accountability in healthcare, and the need for systemic change. The conversation emphasizes the importance of recognizing warning signs of suicide and supporting colleagues in the nursing profession. Through personal anecdotes and advocacy for better mental health care, the episode calls for a shift in how the healthcare system addresses these...

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In a world grappling with constant change and unprecedented challenges, the need for effective leadership has never been more critical. Whether it's navigating turbulent times in the workplace, steering through personal storms, or fostering resilience in our communities, strong leadership is the compass that guides us forward.

Join us for a vital conversation on "We Need Another Leader," where we delve into the essential qualities and actionable strategies for leading with impact during difficult times. This week, we're honoured to welcome Dr. Laura Desveaux, a seasoned leadership expert, to share her invaluable insights.

Laura brings a wealth of experience in empowering individuals and organizations to thrive amidst complexity. We'll explore how to cultivate crucial leadership skills such as clear communication, decisive action, empathetic support, and the ability to inspire hope when the path ahead seems uncertain. Discover practical tools and perspectives to help you step into your leadership potential, no matter your role, and make a positive difference in your workplace, your life, and your community. Are you ready to become the leader we need?

Guest Bio: Dr. Laura Desveaux is a highly respected leadership coach, consultant, and facilitator with over 20 years of experience helping individuals and organizations unlock their leadership potential. Holding a PhD and the prestigious CPCC (Certified Professional Co-Active Coach) and ACC (Associate Certified Coach) credentials from the International Coaching Federation, Laura brings a deep understanding of human behavior and effective leadership principles. Her work focuses on fostering authentic leadership, building high-performing teams, and navigating change with resilience and clarity. Laura is passionate about empowering others to lead with courage, empathy, and a commitment to creating positive impact in the world.

Laura is a senior leader in the healthcare sector. Her career focuses on closing the gap between current performance and what science and experience tell us is possible. She realizes this passion through her current role at Trillium Health Partners, where she helps scientists, clinicians, and professionals identify and unlock their potential. As a Scientist, her work tackles healthcare’s most persistent problems. Her team works to understand what makes initiatives successful and how to scale them. This includes examining the drivers behind what people do, how and why things work, and the conditions that lead to success (and failure). This approach provides insights into what works best, for whom, and in what circumstances and helps inform how to effect change at both individual and system levels. She holds cross-appointments at the University of Toronto and Women's College Hospital.

In 2018 Laura founded Women Who Lead- a non-profit network that provides programming to support career advancement and leadership development for emerging and established women leaders. It equips women with the skills and opportunities they need to succeed. Most importantly, it is a platform for partnership and inspiration that elevates and amplifies the contributions of women and the broader community. Visit the Women Who Lead website here. Laura is an award-winning Scientist with focused post-graduate training in behavioural science. She obtained both her PhD and her Masters in Physical Therapy from the University of Toronto.

 https://lauradesveaux.com

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