Episode best if WATCHED on YouTube ;)

In this much anticipated episode, I finally open up about my lifetime battle with OCD. How its devastation shifted from childhood "just right" rituals to religious and sexuality obsessions to relationship OCD, and how naming it led to therapy, medication, and a gentler way to live. I share the tools that helped and why this CAA community matters so much to me.

Resources from this episode:

• When are intrusive thoughts normal vs abnormal: A short blog article “What are intrusive thoughts and are they normal?” by Dr. Lauren T. Edwards 
• Basics about OCD
• OCD 20-question quiz
• Listen to Podcast ‘We Can Do Hard Things’ by Treat Media and Glennon Doyle, Episode: “The Truth of OCD: Therapist Alegra Kastens on Living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder” 
  • Apple Podcasts link 
  • Spotify link
• Podcast ‘Armchair Expert’ by Dax Shepard, Episode: “Alegra Kastens (OCD Specialist)” 
  • Apple Podcasts link
  • Spotify link
• Podcast ‘Speaking of Psychology’, Episode: “OCD myths and realities, with Dean McKay, PhD, and Uma Chatterjee“
  • Apple Podcasts link
  • Spotify Podcast link
• Ways to find more information/mental health resources: 
  1. Check your personal insurance to determine mental health benefits and coverage
  2. Look into your employer’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) if available, to see what mental health resources they may offer
  3. Find a Therapist that fits your needs: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us

You can now text me! Leave your email if you need a response!

Pre-AA Matters is a 12-week program designed to teach you the inner skills of being a CAA, and help you thrive in AA school. You’ll learn how to regulate your stress, navigate setbacks, communicate with confidence, and build the emotional resilience that will carry you from Pre-AA → CAA.

Our January 2026 cohorts are enrolling now. Learn More

Use code AAPODCAST50 for $50 off registration.

Stay Connected by subscribing to the Awakened Anesthetist Newsletter-
for more CAA specific resources, exclusive content and offers.

Watch episodes of Awakened Anesthetist Now on YouTube!

Let's Chat! awakenedanesthetist.com or on IG @awakenedanesthetist

What if the most powerful tool you carry into patient care isn’t a device or a protocol, but the way your brain has been trained to pay attention? I sit down with one of my mentors, Dr. Cassie Ferguson, pediatric emergency physician, medical educator, and architect of The Good Doctor well‑being curricula, to unpack how neuroplasticity, mindfulness, and self‑compassion can make medicine more humane and more sustainable. 

CAAs, have you ever searched for wellness resources that truly understand what it means to be a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant? You're not alone. Wellness Wednesday are candid conversations about the unique challenges and opportunities facing CAAs in their pursuit of sustainable wellbeing.

Whether you're a practicing CAA, AA student, or prospective applicant, this episode marks the beginning of a community-centered approach to wellness that finally names and validates your experience. Welcome in. 

Connect with Dr. Ferguson on Linkedin

Attention AA Program Leaders and Educators. Learn More about bringing CAA Matters to your AA program HERE

You can now text me! Leave your email if you need a response!

Pre-AA Matters is a 12-week program designed to teach you the inner skills of being a CAA, and help you thrive in AA school. You’ll learn how to regulate your stress, navigate setbacks, communicate with confidence, and build the emotional resilience that will carry you from Pre-AA → CAA.

Our January 2026 cohorts are enrolling now. Learn More

Use code AAPODCAST50 for $50 off registration.

Stay Connected by subscribing to the Awakened Anesthetist Newsletter-
for more CAA specific resources, exclusive content and offers.

Watch episodes of Awakened Anesthetist Now on YouTube!

Let's Chat! awakenedanesthetist.com or on IG @awakenedanesthetist

Curious about what it truly means to be a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA)? You're in the right place! From nearly two decades of experience, I share a clear and comprehensive breakdown of the CAA profession. Think of me as your older sister or best friend, guiding you step-by-step through the essentials—from what CAAs actually do to how much money we make, no topic is off limits. Whether you're an aspiring AA student or simply exploring a career in medicine, this guide equips you with the insights you need to understand the CAA profession.

In Part 6 I'm pulling back the drape to share what it's really like hosting a shadower as a CAA. 

FREE SHADOWING GUIDE

Other Popular Episodes in this Series

• Pt. 5 How to Land + Leverage Those Darn Shadowing Hours
• Pt. 4 How Much Do CAAs Make?
• Pt. 3 Where Can CAAs Work?

Totally New to the Pre-AA Journey? Start Here with AspiringCAA.com

Previous episodes with Sarah Whitfield, CAA HERE and HERE

Sarah's IG

Sarah's Linkedin

You can now text me! Leave your email if you need a response!

Pre-AA Matters is a 12-week program designed to teach you the inner skills of being a CAA, and help you thrive in AA school. You’ll learn how to regulate your stress, navigate setbacks, communicate with confidence, and build the emotional resilience that will carry you from Pre-AA → CAA.

Our January 2026 cohorts are enrolling now. Learn More

Use code AAPODCAST50 for $50 off registration.

Stay Connected by subscribing to the Awakened Anesthetist Newsletter-
for more CAA specific resources, exclusive content and offers.

Watch episodes of Awakened Anesthetist Now on YouTube!

Let's Chat! awakenedanesthetist.com or on IG @awakenedanesthetist

A denied $10 raise shouldn’t define a career, but it can redefine one. When Rad hit a wall advocating for fair market pay, he realized the problem wasn’t personal, it was structural. So he built leverage instead of waiting for permission, and Harmony Anesthesia Staffing was born.

Connect with Rad [email protected]

Great Resource HERE to understand all the terms in this episode (1099, W2, Locums, etc)

A HUGE 'Thank You' to the Season 5 PROCESS sponsor, Harmony Anesthesia Staffing.

Harmony is CAA-owned, clinician-forward, and leading the way in the CAA locums market. Schedule your free 15-min consult and see how locums can work for you. Say 'hi' to Rad and Sasi for me when you do!

You can now text me! Leave your email if you need a response!

Pre-AA Matters is a 12-week program designed to teach you the inner skills of being a CAA, and help you thrive in AA school. You’ll learn how to regulate your stress, navigate setbacks, communicate with confidence, and build the emotional resilience that will carry you from Pre-AA → CAA.

Our January 2026 cohorts are enrolling now. Learn More

Use code AAPODCAST50 for $50 off registration.

Stay Connected by subscribing to the Awakened Anesthetist Newsletter-
for more CAA specific resources, exclusive content and offers.

Watch episodes of Awakened Anesthetist Now on YouTube!

Let's Chat! awakenedanesthetist.com or on IG @awakenedanesthetist

Curious about what it truly means to be a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA)? You're in the right place! From nearly two decades of experience, I share a clear and comprehensive breakdown of the CAA profession. Think of me as your older sister or best friend, guiding you step-by-step through the essentials—from what CAAs actually do to how much money we make, no topic is off limits. Whether you're an aspiring AA student or simply exploring a career in medicine, this guide equips you with the insights you need to understand the CAA profession.

In Part 5 I am answering the question, "How to Land and Leverage Those Darn Shadowing Hours?"

Other Popular Episodes in this Series

• Pt. 4 How Much Do CAAs Make?
• Pt. 3 Where Can CAAs Work?

Totally New to the Pre-AA Journey? Start Here with AspiringCAA.com

Previous episodes with Sarah Whitfield, CAA HERE and HERE

Great Book for Shadowers HERE

Links to all State AAAA Component Academies HERE

Sarah's IG

Sarah's Linkedin

You can now text me! Leave your email if you need a response!

Pre-AA Matters is a 12-week program designed to teach you the inner skills of being a CAA, and help you thrive in AA school. You’ll learn how to regulate your stress, navigate setbacks, communicate with confidence, and build the emotional resilience that will carry you from Pre-AA → CAA.

Our January 2026 cohorts are enrolling now. Learn More

Use code AAPODCAST50 for $50 off registration.

Stay Connected by subscribing to the Awakened Anesthetist Newsletter-
for more CAA specific resources, exclusive content and offers.

Watch episodes of Awakened Anesthetist Now on YouTube!

Let's Chat! awakenedanesthetist.com or on IG @awakenedanesthetist

***@ 14:42 my podcast software thinks "voo-ing is a "removable background noise" so this episode may be best experienced on YouTube

Have you ever searched for wellness resources that truly understand what it means to be a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant? You're not alone. Wellness Wednesday are candid conversations about the unique challenges and opportunities facing CAAs in their pursuit of sustainable wellbeing.

In this episode I relate how OR life can jack your nervous system into overdrive... constant alarms, literal hammering, a sudden “patient’s moving", and yet our role as a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant demands we have steady hands and a clear head. I unpack three discreet, science-backed techniques you can use behind the drape to quiet the buzz without calling attention to yourself. Think long, quiet exhales that nudge your vagus nerve, a quick dose of tension-then-release to steady your hands, and a soft “voo” on the breath that taps the laryngeal branches of the vagus for an extra parasympathetic boost.

Whether you're a practicing CAA, AA student, or prospective applicant, this episode marks the beginning of a community-centered approach to wellness that finally names and validates your experience. Welcome in. 

FYI "To "regulate" means to monitor and adjust one’s internal state—such as emotions, thoughts, or physiological responses—in order to maintain balance and support adaptive behavior." so says ChatGpt

Attention AA Program Leaders and Educators. Learn More about bringing CAA Matters to your AA program HERE

You can now text me! Leave your email if you need a response!

Stay Connected by subscribing to the Awakened Anesthetist Newsletter-
for more CAA specific resources, exclusive content and offers.

Watch episodes of Awakened Anesthetist Now on YouTube!

Let's Chat! awakenedanesthetist.com or on IG @awakenedanesthetist

In this episode, we trace Kate’s path from engineering to CAA, the messy middle of finding her voice, and the work of turning loss into a children's book about anesthesia. Along the way, we unpack her New Mexico CAA advocacy journey and what it means to live by design. Hear Kate's CAA story and be expanded in this Season 5 PROCESS episode.

and a HUGE Thank YOU to our Season 5 PROCESS sponsor, Harmony Anesthesia Staffing.

Harmony is CAA-owned, clinician-forward, and leading the way in the CAA locums market. Schedule your free 15-min consult and see how locums can work for you. Say 'hi' to Rad and Sasi for me when you do!

also mentioned in this episode

• Kate's NYC Billboard
• Anesthesia Dreamland website
• Night Night Sweet Child: Safe Blastoff to Anesthesia Dreamland on Amazon
• Previous PROCESS ep. 36 detailing New Mexico SB 35 (ft. Lindsey Diaz)

You can now text me! Leave your email if you need a response!

Stay Connected by subscribing to the Awakened Anesthetist Newsletter-
for more CAA specific resources, exclusive content and offers.

Watch episodes of Awakened Anesthetist Now on YouTube!

Let's Chat! awakenedanesthetist.com or on IG @awakenedanesthetist

Have you ever searched for wellness resources that truly understand what it means to be a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant? You're not alone. Wellness Wednesday are candid conversations about the unique challenges and opportunities facing CAAs in their pursuit of sustainable wellbeing.

In this episode, we discuss the quiet tug-of-war between boundless ambition and a life that actually feels good (especially for high-achieving CAAs, SAAs, and pre-AAs trained to do more, faster, and better). We unpack the core idea, “you can do anything, but you can’t do everything”, and sit with the grief inside it. Every 'yes' creates a cascade of invisible no’s, and pretending that doesn’t hurt keeps us stuck. Naming seasons changes the game. 

Whether you're a practicing CAA, AA student, or prospective applicant, this episode marks the beginning of a community-centered approach to wellness that finally names and validates your experience. Welcome in. 

Attention AA Program Leaders and Educators. Learn More about bringing CAA Matters to your AA program HERE

You can now text me! Leave your email if you need a response!

Stay Connected by subscribing to the Awakened Anesthetist Newsletter-
for more CAA specific resources, exclusive content and offers.

Watch episodes of Awakened Anesthetist Now on YouTube!

Let's Chat! awakenedanesthetist.com or on IG @awakenedanesthetist

What happens when you refuse to choose between two seemingly opposite dreams? Brooke Ferris, CAA knows firsthand. As both a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant and a six-season veteran of the Atlanta Falcons cheerleading squad, she's lived in two worlds that many insisted couldn't coexist. Hear her story and be expanded in this Season 5 PROCESS premiere.

A HUGE 'Thank You' to the Season 5 PROCESS sponsor, Harmony Anesthesia Staffing.

Harmony is CAA-owned, clinician-forward, and leading the way in the CAA locums market. Schedule your free 15-min consult and see how locums can work for you. Say 'hi' to Rad and Sasi for me when you do!

You can now text me! Leave your email if you need a response!

Stay Connected by subscribing to the Awakened Anesthetist Newsletter-
for more CAA specific resources, exclusive content and offers.

Watch episodes of Awakened Anesthetist Now on YouTube!

Let's Chat! awakenedanesthetist.com or on IG @awakenedanesthetist

Have you ever searched for wellness resources that truly understand what it means to be a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant? You're not alone.

Wellness Wednesday debuts with a candid conversation about the unique challenges and opportunities facing CAAs in their pursuit of sustainable wellbeing. As I share my personal journey from burnout to balance, I reveal how my frustration with the lack of CAA-specific wellness resources became the catalyst for creating what our profession desperately needed.

Whether you're a practicing CAA, AA student, or prospective applicant, this episode marks the beginning of a community-centered approach to wellness that finally names and validates your experience. Welcome in. 

Attention AA Program Leaders and Educators. Learn More about bringing CAA Matters to your AA program HERE

You can now text me! Leave your email if you need a response!

Stay Connected by subscribing to the Awakened Anesthetist Newsletter-
for more CAA specific resources, exclusive content and offers.

Watch episodes of Awakened Anesthetist Now on YouTube!

Let's Chat! awakenedanesthetist.com or on IG @awakenedanesthetist