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

The Gritty Nurse

Release Date: 07/22/2025

Finlay’s Voice: A Mother’s Fight to Fix Canada’s ER Crisis with Hazel van der Werken show art Finlay’s Voice: A Mother’s Fight to Fix Canada’s ER Crisis with Hazel van der Werken

The Gritty Nurse

How long is too long to wait in an emergency room? For 16-year-old Finlay van der Werken, an eight-hour wait for a doctor proved fatal. In this powerful episode of The Gritty Nurse Podcast, host Amie Archibald-Varley sits down with Hazel van der Werken to share the heartbreaking story of her son, Finlay. After being rushed to an Ontario hospital with what began as a migraine, Finlay was triaged as an CTAS 2 (urgent case) but left in a "constant state of terror" for hours as his oxygen levels plummeted. By the time he was finally seen, he was in septic shock. Hazel discusses the systemic...

info_outline 96% Vote to Strike: Seattle Children’s Nurses Fight for Safety w/ Kara Yates & Therese Hill show art 96% Vote to Strike: Seattle Children’s Nurses Fight for Safety w/ Kara Yates & Therese Hill

The Gritty Nurse

In this critical episode of The Gritty Nurse Podcast, Amie Archibald-Varley hosts Kara Yates, RN (WSNA Union Co-Chair) and Therese Hill, BSN, RN(Membership Officer) to discuss a historic turning point for nursing in Washington. This conversation goes beyond the headlines, exploring the dire conditions that led nurses to the negotiation table. We expose how stalled contract negotiations have endangered patient safety, fueled critical staffing shortages, and allowed workplace violence to escalate—all while the hospital remains highly profitable. But since the episode, things have...

info_outline Dying to be Seen: The Gritty Truth Is We ALL Need To Fight for Canadian Medicare show art Dying to be Seen: The Gritty Truth Is We ALL Need To Fight for Canadian Medicare

The Gritty Nurse

As we kick off 2026, the stakes for Canadian healthcare have never been higher. In this powerful season premiere (SEASON 7 baby!) of The Gritty Nurse Podcast, host Amie Archibald-Varley sits down with nurse, advocate, and author Cathy MacNeil to discuss her provocative and timely book, Dying to be Seen: The race to save medicare in Canada.  Far from just a collection of anecdotes, Cathy’s work is heavily evidence-informed, blending raw frontline experiences with rigorous research into the systemic structures of Canadian healthcare. As Medicare stands at a breaking point, Cathy provides...

info_outline Nursing Ratios & Union Power with Michael Hurley President of Ontario Council of Hospital Unions/CUPE show art Nursing Ratios & Union Power with Michael Hurley President of Ontario Council of Hospital Unions/CUPE

The Gritty Nurse

What does it mean to lead a movement? Michael Hurley, a veteran advocate and President of the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU/CUPE), joins Amie Archibald-Varley, The Gritty Nurse to discuss the grit required to protect the healthcare workforce. In this high-stakes episode, we pull back the curtain on what it truly takes to fight for frontline workers. Michael emphasizes that the current crisis in recruitment and retention isn’t an accident—it’s a policy failure. He highlights his work on the front lines of union leadership, focusing on the necessity of staffing ratios and...

info_outline Sepsis, Equity, and the Fight for a National Standards In Canada with PhD. Candidate & Prominent Researcher Fatima Sheikh show art Sepsis, Equity, and the Fight for a National Standards In Canada with PhD. Candidate & Prominent Researcher Fatima Sheikh

The Gritty Nurse

In this powerful episode of The Gritty Nurse Podcast, host Amie Archibald-Varley sits down with researcher Fatima Sheikh, a PhD candidate at McMaster University, to unpack the urgent crisis of sepsis. This conversation goes beyond the bedside, focusing on the social and structural determinants of health that fuel sepsis prevalence and worsen patient outcomes. Fatima argues for recognizing sepsis as a critical public health issue that begins in the community, not the hospital. Key topics discussed: The need for a national action plan to address policy gaps in sepsis care and prevention. The...

info_outline Why Boys Need Anti-Manosphere Education: Feminism, Neurodivergence, and Challenging Patriarchy show art Why Boys Need Anti-Manosphere Education: Feminism, Neurodivergence, and Challenging Patriarchy

The Gritty Nurse

In this episode of the Gritty Nurse podcast, host Amie Archibald-Verley engages in a deep conversation with guest Jayne Gallays about the intersections of neurodivergence and feminism. They discuss personal experiences, the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals, particularly women, and the societal expectations that shape their lives. The conversation also touches on the role of men in feminism, the impact of patriarchy, and the importance of building community and advocating for change. Crucially, Amy and Jayne discuss the manosphere and the necessity of educating young boys on the...

info_outline Hospice Nurse Penny on Hospice Nurse Penny on "Influencing Death," End-of-Life Myths, and The Difference Between Hospice and Palliative Care

The Gritty Nurse

Does discussing death actually help us live better? In this episode of the The Gritty Nurse Podcast, Host Amie Archibald-Varley sits down with Penny Hawkins Smith—better known to her millions of followers as Hospice Nurse Penny—to find out. Penny is a certified hospice and palliative care nurse and a "death influencer" who uses social media to combat death anxiety and misinformation. She joins us to share her incredible journey from the ICU to hospice care and to discuss her new memoir, Influencing Death: Reframing Dying for Better Living. Together, we break down the critical (and...

info_outline 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...

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*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

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