What do 1990s college radio, Richard Scarry's picture books, and complex spine surgery have in common? They’re all part of JC Leveque's journey. Today he’s the Section Head of Neurosurgery at Virginia Mason in Seattle, but his path included years on the road with his Amherst-born band Rosemary Caine, the decision to, as he put it, “step off the bus” before med school, and a career built around making some of the hardest conversations easier for his patients.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

How JC knew it was time to walk away from his band Rosemary Caine to pursue medicine

His take on spinal surgery as both engineering and art

The Richard Scarry moment that made Seattle feel like home

What he’s learned about patient communication from time on stage

And, as always, JC names the classmates he'd like to hear on the podcast.

You can email him at [email protected].