Steve Sullivan on Teaching A&P Bit by Bit: Podcasts, Digital Learning, & Keeping It Human | TAPP 156
Release Date: 11/26/2025
Steve Sullivan on Teaching A&P Bit by Bit: Podcasts, Digital Learning, & Keeping It Human | TAPP 156
The A&P Professor
Steve Sullivan joins me for a lively conversation about podcasting, tutor videos, and digital A&P teaching. We explore how he humanizes online learning, why students crave multiple approaches, and what he’s learned after 23 years of teaching. From LMS-independent course design to global podcast reach, Steve shares practical strategies and inspiring stories that can help any A&P instructor evolve their teaching. 0:00:00 | Introduction 0:00:49 | This Episode 0:02:28 | Becoming Steve Sullivan 0:06:41 | Your Teaching Voice* 0:07:30 | Why Start a Podcast? 0:14:03 | Farewell to TAPP ed*...
info_outline
Dual Enrollment in A&P: Murray Jensen on Rigor, Pedagogy, and Community | TAPP 155
The A&P Professor
Murray Jensen joins Kevin Patton to explore dual enrollment in anatomy & physiology. From guided inquiry to the power of teacher communities, this conversation reveals why messy classrooms often yield the best results. 00:00 | Introduction 00:48 | Murray Jensen, HAPS President's Medal Laureate 02:27 | What Is Dual Enrollment, Anyway? 11:44 | Two-Word Check-In* 12:53 | Guided Inquiry, Not Guided Napping 25:51 | Concept Echo* 26:37 | No, Not Nightly Recorded Lectures 31:09 | Rigor Reality Check* 32:11 | Rigor, Range, & Real Talk 39:25 | Respect Reframe* 40:02 | Why It Matters:...
info_outline
10 Reasons Why Mucus Is Our Friend | TAPP 154
The A&P Professor
Kevin Patton tackles one of A&P’s slimiest subjects: mucus. In this playful but powerful episode, he reveals ten (or eleven) reasons mucus deserves more attention in our teaching. From immunity to fertility, mucus does it all. 00:00 | Introduction 00:45 | Mucus & Mucous 04:27 | Virtual HAPS Conference * 05:41 | Mucus: Body-Wide Protector 10:13 | Gross Episodes * 11:15 | Mucus in Motion 15:46 | Kerry Hull Honored * 16:28 | Mucus & the Human Story 20:42 | Running Concept Lists 21:11 | Mucus is Vital 26:05 | Staying Connected * Breaks ★ If you cannot see or activate the audio...
info_outline
Pulse Check: A Year in Review & What’s Next for A&P Teaching | TAPP 153
The A&P Professor
"It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future," said Yogi Berra, but that's never stopped me before! In this annual episode, we'll revisit last year's educational forecasts, explore what's popped (and what's fizzled), and check the tea leaves (and little gray cells) once again. With help from colleague Jerry Anzalone—and some cheeky assistance from AI—we'll bravely map out what's next for anatomy and physiology education, all seasoned with empathy, wit, and a cautionary look at history’s lessons. Buckle up: predicting the future is a bumpy—but fascinating—ride! 0:00 |...
info_outline
Fascinating Fascia: Kate Oland Galligan Unravels the Ties That Bind | TAPP 152
The A&P Professor
Episode 152 centers on a lively conversation between Kevin and Dr. Kate Oland Galligan as they trace her path from a curious undergrad to a passionate fascia educator and clinician. The duo challenges old perceptions of fascia, recounting stories from early lab experiences where fascia was simply “ripped out,” and contrasting them with new insights on its dynamic, interconnected nature. They reveal how subtle fascial restrictions can cause significant clinical symptoms—linking pelvic imbalances to jaw pain—and explore the emerging field of mind-body connections in fascial therapy....
info_outline
Muscling Through Barriers: The A&P Student Accommodations Handbook Unveiled | TAPP 151
The A&P Professor
In Episode 151 of The A&P Professor podcast, host Kevin Patton is joined by Jennifer Stokes, Rachel Hopp, and Abbey Breckling to discuss the Anatomy and Physiology Student Accommodations Handbook. This handbook released by the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (HAPS), provides instructors with evidence-based suggestions and best practices for making A&P labs and classrooms more inclusive and accessible for all students. Developed by a HAPS subcommittee, the handbook offers guidance on accommodating students with a wide range of needs, from physical limitations to visual or hearing...
info_outline
Textbooks to Slides: IP Attorney Brenda Ulrich on Legal Image Use in Anatomy & Physiology | TAPP 150
The A&P Professor
In Episode 150 of The A&P Professor podcast, host Kevin Patton speaks with intellectual property attorney Brenda Ulrich about copyright law and image use in education. They discuss how educators often mistakenly assume they have rights to use textbook images and the complexities of permissions that expire. Brenda highlights the differences in legal standards for physical versus online teaching and emphasizes the importance of understanding licensing agreements and fair use. By the end, listeners gain valuable insights into legally and ethically incorporating multimedia into their anatomy...
info_outline
Examining the Anatomy & Physiology Exam: Chatting with Greg Crowther and Ben Wiggins | TAPP 149
The A&P Professor
In episode 149 of The A&P Professor podcast, host Kevin Patton chats with Greg Crowther and Ben Wiggins about their work with exams in the anatomy and physiology (A&P) course. They discuss the importance of exams in assessing student learning and the need for exams to be more connected to course objectives. They also mention the challenges of designing exams that are fair and inclusive for all students. Crowther and Wiggins are conducting a survey on A&P exams and encourage listeners to participate to contribute to the understanding of exam practices in the A&P community. The...
info_outline
Blueprints for Learning: Justin Shaffer on Structured A&P Course Design | TAPP 148
The A&P Professor
In Episode 148, Justin Shaffer joins host Kevin Patton to discuss high structure course design. Justin shares his success in building a scaffold for learning by using a variety of course structures to improve student engagement and success, such as pre-class and post-class activities, micro-case studies and clicker questions, brief active learning practices, and much more. 00:00 | Introduction 00:46 | Introducing Justin Shaffer 02:49 | High Structure and Low Structure 20:47 | Badge Break 21:43 | Transparency, Expectations, & Flexibility 34:06 | Secret Code: TAA Conference in Nashville...
info_outline
Pulse of Progress: Looking Back, Moving Forward | TAPP 147
The A&P Professor
In Episode 147, host Kevin Patton reviews the highlights and events of the previous year in the world of The A&P Professor. He then turns to last year's predictions for teaching human anatomy and physiology to see if he was on the right track. Finally, predictions for the coming year are revealed. And lots of other stuff—this episode is two hours long, after all! 0:00:00 | Introduction 0:00:50 | Debrief: Topics, Stats, Reflections 0:21:28 | A Long, Long, Long Episode 0:23:05 | Debrief: More Reviewing & Reflecting 0:38:59 | Did I Get My Predictions Right? 0:50:22 | Textbook &...
info_outlineSteve Sullivan joins me for a lively conversation about podcasting, tutor videos, and digital A&P teaching. We explore how he humanizes online learning, why students crave multiple approaches, and what he’s learned after 23 years of teaching. From LMS-independent course design to global podcast reach, Steve shares practical strategies and inspiring stories that can help any A&P instructor evolve their teaching.
0:00:00 | Introduction
0:00:49 | This Episode
0:02:28 | Becoming Steve Sullivan
0:06:41 | Your Teaching Voice*
0:07:30 | Why Start a Podcast?
0:14:03 | Farewell to TAPP ed*
0:15:45 | Growing a Podcast & Growing Through It
0:19:56 | Authors Alert *
0:21:05 | Digital Teaching That Actually Helps
0:30:59 | When Our Tools Disappear*
0:32:48 | A&P Tools That Fit Any Textbook
0:48:36 | Collaboration Audit*
0:49:14 | What 23 Years of A&P Reveals
1:01:10 | Innovation Check *
1:01:44 | Staying Connected
* Breaks
★ If you cannot see or activate the audio player, go to: theAPprofessor.org/podcast-episode-156.html
❓ Please take the anonymous survey: theAPprofessor.org/survey
☝️ Questions & Feedback: 1-833-LION-DEN (1-833-546-6336)
📰 Get the once-or-twice-weekly TAPP Science & Education Updates theAPprofessor.org/updates
“Technology will never replace great teachers, but technology in the hands of great teachers can be transformational." (George Couros)
This Episode
1.5 minutes
Kevin introduces Steve Sullivan, our special guest for this episode.
Becoming Steve Sullivan
4 minutes
Steve introduces how he became an A&P instructor, beginning with chiropractic training, tutoring peers, and eventually stepping into the classroom. His path reflects that mix many of us recognize—clinical experience, a spark for teaching, and an opportunity that suddenly opens. He shares what drew him in, what kept him hooked, and why A&P has become the center of his professional life.
Your Teaching Voice *
1 minute
A brief moment to reflect on the tone and personality we bring into our teaching—whether in class or in audio—and how a small shift in our teaching voice can make learning feel warmer and more inviting.
Why Start a Podcast?
6.5 minutes
Steve explains how his long-standing love of podcasts led him to create Anatomy & Physiology: Bit by Bit. Starting with simple tools meant for his own students, the show soon reached thousands around the world. Steve talks about early inspirations, favorite podcasts, and why audio gives students a flexible, motivating way to tackle hard content while living their daily lives.
Farewell to TAPP ed *
1.5 minutes
A short update announcing the official wrap-up of the TAPP ed micro-credentials, why the program is ending, and how listeners can still access their badges through 2025.
Growing a Podcast & Growing Through It
4 minutes
Here Steve talks about the surprising reach of his show, the long break he took, and how student feedback pulled him back. We explore the challenges of maintaining a creative project during COVID and how stepping away can renew energy. His reflections highlight the emotional side of teaching—motivation, burnout, renewal—and the growing global audience for A&P learning.
Authors Alert *
1 minute
A quick notification for authors about the Anthropic court settlement and how to check whether their textbooks, lab manuals, or scholarly works were used in AI training without permission.
Digital Teaching That Actually Helps
10 minutes
Steve describes the evolution of his digital teaching from narrated PowerPoints to polished animated tutor videos. He explains why multiple modalities matter, how students benefit from short targeted videos, and what pushed him to build his own website to escape constant LMS migrations. His story offers practical strategies we can all adopt to give students better access and ourselves more control.
When Our Tools Disappear *
2 minutes
A reminder that tech tools come and go — including the TAPP app — reinforcing the importance of flexibility and resilience in our teaching toolkits.
A&P Tools That Fit Any Textbook
16 minutes
We talk about the A&P Digital Suite and how it became a book-agnostic set of tools. Steve explains why instructors wanted digital resources that weren’t tied to a single textbook and how the suite supports OER courses as well. We discuss lab simulations, adaptive questions, and accuracy review—a useful look at how digital tools grow into teaching ecosystems far beyond one classroom.
Collaboration Audit *
0.5 minute
A moment to think about reaching outside our usual circles for collaboration, and a gentle prompt to reconnect with another A&P educator to share ideas.
What 23 Years of A&P Reveals
12 minutes
Steve reflects on what he wishes he had known earlier: the power of giving students resources upfront, the challenge of teaching combined A&P without ever taking it, and how much teaching evolves. We explore shifts in online A&P, simulation labs, resistance to change, and the importance of communities like HAPS. It’s a thoughtful end to a wide-ranging conversation that celebrates growth and experimentation.
Innovation Check *
0.5 minute
An invitation to reflect on one teaching idea you’ve been curious about but haven’t yet tried—and what might happen if you simply gave it a test-drive.
* Breaks
Links
Anatomy & Physiology: Bit by Bit (podcast)
Student-facing A&P podcast by Steve Sullivan
AandP.info/850ce0
McGraw Hill Connect – A&P Digital Suite
Digital courseware including tutor videos and lab simulations
AandP.info/c76750
HAPS – Human Anatomy & Physiology Society
Professional community for A&P faculty
theAPprofessor.org/haps
Northeast College of Health Sciences
Online MS program in Human Anatomy & Physiology Instruction (HAPI)
theAPprofessor.org/hapi
TAPP ed (retired) and badge access
What we built, what we learned, and how to access badges
theAPprofessor.org/education
TAPP Podcast no-cost subscription options
Ways to listen now that the standalone app is retired
theAPprofessor.org/podcast-subscribe
TAA Anthropic Settlement Information
Guidance for authors regarding potential compensation
www.taaonline.net/anthropic-settlement
Revisionist History
Malcolm Gladwell's podcast recommended by Steve Sullivan
AandP.info/9b3291
★ SomeTAPP episodes and related resources related to this episode's topics
The Surprising Power of Digital Textbooks | TAPP 76
Give Your Course a Half Flip With a Full Twist | Episode 6
Textbooks to Slides: IP Attorney Brenda Ulrich on Legal Image Use in Anatomy & Physiology | TAPP 150
Our Teaching Persona in Anatomy & Physiology Class | TAPP 137
★ List of TAPP podcasts (sortable list with titles, links to episode pages, and topics)
theAPprofessor.org/podcast-list.html
★ TAPP Jukebox (a fun way to browse and play TAPP episodes)
theAPprofessor.org/podcast-jukebox.html
People
Production: Aileen Park (announcer), Andrés Rodriguez (theme composer, recording artist), Kevin Patton (writer, editor, choreographer, producer, host).
Not People
Robotic (AI) audio leveling/processing by Auphonic.com, initial draft transcript by Rev.com, and the content, organization, spelling, grammar, style, etc., of this episode and notes are assisted by various bots, such as ChatGPT, Grammarly, and QuillBot.
If the hyperlinks here are not active, go to TAPPradio.org to find the episode page.
★ More details at the episode page: theAPprofessor.org/podcast-episode-156.html
★ Transcript available in the transcript box: theAPprofessor.org/podcast-episode-156.html
★ Need help accessing resources locked behind a paywall? Check out this advice from Episode 32 to get what you need! my-ap.us/paywall
Tools & Resources
★ TAPP Science & Education Updates: theAPprofessor.org/updates
Follow The A&P Professor on Facebook, Mastodon, TikTok,LinkedIn, Blogger, Substack, or Instagram @theAPprofessor
The A&P Professor® and Lion Den® are registered trademarks of Lion Den Inc. (Kevin Patton)