Beyond the Bedside: Our Healthcare Future (with Former Minister Mark Holland)
Release Date: 06/12/2025
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)
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
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
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 "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
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
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!
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
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"
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...
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...
info_outlineIn this poignant and powerful final episode of The Gritty Nurse Podcast, we close this chapter with a truly essential conversation. We are honoured to welcome former Minister Mark Holland, who offers an exclusive look into the federal government's pivotal efforts to improve Canadian healthcare. From the pressing issue of Pharmacare to strategies for a healthier nation, Minister Holland addresses what's being done on a federal level to make a tangible difference in the lives of Canadians.
Amie & Sara dive deep into the critical issues that define our healthcare landscape. We discuss the pervasive problem of healthcare silos across Canada and the urgent need to address health misinformation and improve health literacy. We bring into sharp focus the national nursing shortage, exploring how the government plans to integrate and rely on nursing to fortify primary care. Finally, we raise a crucial concern about protecting Canada's borders from potential health threats, particularly in light of recent public health challenges in the US.
Join us for this unmissable episode as we reflect on the journey of The Gritty Nurse, celebrate the grit of healthcare professionals, and look towards a healthier future for all Canadians. Thank you for being a part of our community.
Mark Holland Bio:
A lifelong resident of the Ajax-Pickering area, Minister Holland has served his community for over 20 years. Before entering federal politics, he was elected as a Durham Regional Councillor, serving from 1997 to 2004.
As a Member of Parliament, Minister Holland has served in many roles including as the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, and as Chief Government Whip. He has been a staunch advocate of marriage equality rights, and played a key role in helping to reform Canada’s animal cruelty laws.
In both public and private roles, Minister Holland has backed health-related initiatives, serving as Executive Director of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada’s Ontario Mission, as well as its National Director of Children and Youth.
As Minister of Health, Minister Holland has worked to sign bilateral health care funding agreements with provinces and territories to improve health care across the country, launched the Canadian Dental Care Plan that will help up to 9 million Canadians get the essential dental care they need, and recently has introduced pharmacare legislation that will provide universal access to contraception and diabetes medications.
Thank You to Our Gritty Nurse Community
As we close this final chapter, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has been a part of The Gritty Nurse journey. To our loyal listeners, your unwavering support and engagement have fueled every episode. To our incredible friends, guests, and guest co-hosts, thank you for sharing your invaluable insights, stories, and expertise—you've enriched every conversation and truly made this podcast what it is. We also want to acknowledge the media for amplifying our voice and helping us reach a wider audience. And to everyone who has cheered us on, shared an episode, or simply been along for the ride, your belief in our mission has meant the world. It has been an honour and a privilege to connect with you all, and we are profoundly grateful for every moment of this incredible journey.
Sincerely, With GRIT and Gratitude
Amie & Sara
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