loader from loading.io

Cheater, Cheater, Pumpkin Eater: When Personal Actions Cost Professional Trust

The Gritty Nurse

Release Date: 07/22/2025

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...

info_outline 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...

info_outline 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...

info_outline 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...

info_outline 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...

info_outline 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...

info_outline 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...

info_outline 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...

info_outline 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...

info_outline 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...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

*Note: This is NOT a shaming podcast episode....

In the hyper-connected world, every click, like, and share carries a surprising weight, especially for those in professions built on trust. This week on ATYPICAL podcast with Amie Archibald-Varley RN, MN, we dive into the fascinating and often brutal "digital court of public opinion," sparked by the recent viral "kiss cam" incident involving CEO Andy Byron. His very public moment serves as a potent reminder that in our increasingly transparent society, no one truly lives in a glass house, and the stones we throw online can shatter careers.

We'll explore:

  • The Andy Byron Aftershock: How a seemingly personal, fleeting moment, amplified by social media, instantly transformed into a corporate crisis and a public spectacle, raising critical questions about leadership accountability and the blurred lines between private and professional lives.

  • The Unforgiving Gaze: Why social media, while a powerful tool for connection, has also become a relentless arbiter of morality, where context is often lost, and judgment is swift and severe. We'll discuss the concept of "digital shaming" and the difficulty of escaping online reputations.

  • Trust Under Threat: Nurses, Therapists, and the Public Eye: We'll turn our focus to the profound implications for trusting professions like nursing and therapy. Why are healthcare and social work professionals particularly vulnerable to social media missteps? We'll share real-life examples of nurses and therapists who have faced disciplinary action, job loss, or damaged reputations due to:

    • Breaches of Confidentiality: Even seemingly innocuous details can identify patients.

    • Unprofessional Conduct: Venting, mocking, or disparaging remarks about clients, colleagues, or the system.

    • Blurring Boundaries: The tricky line between personal and professional interactions online.

  • Building Digital Walls (or Better Yet, Digital Wisdom): What can individuals in these vital roles do to protect their professional integrity in an always-on world? We'll discuss the importance of understanding employer social media policies, ethical guidelines, and cultivating a mindful approach to online presence.

  • A Call for Empathy: As we scrutinize others in the digital square, we reflect on the universal truth that "we all live in glass houses." Can we foster a more nuanced and forgiving online environment, even as we uphold professional standards?

Join us for a candid conversation about personal choices, public perception, and the ever-evolving landscape where our online lives intersect with our professional futures. Dont forget to leave a comment or ask a question to Amie on Speakpipe about the episode! 

Leave Amie a Message here: https://www.speakpipe.com/AtypicalPodcastAmie

Please Like, Leave a comment and Subscribe!! 

FOLLOW  ATYPICAL PODCAST ON Social Media