My Favorite Learners Podcast

Struggling to stay awake while reading your anesthesia textbooks? In this episode of My Favorite Learners, CRNA and educator Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA dives into Make It Stick - the groundbreaking book on how we actually learn best - and translates its key lessons for Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists (SRNAs).

You’ll learn practical strategies like:
✅ Retrieval practice & brain dumps (your brain’s workout)
✅ Spaced repetition vs. marathon cram sessions
✅ Interleaving (why mixing topics boosts retention)
✅ Mind maps, reflection tools, and apps like Anki & Quizlet

Whether you’re preparing for pharmacology exams, clinicals, or the NCE, these evidence-based study methods will help you retain knowledge long-term and show up as a stronger, more confident provider in the OR.

🎧 Tune in, take notes, and discover why learning should feel hard—because that’s how it sticks.

In this solo episode of My Favorite Learners, host Chloe Gomez, CRNA, breaks down the complex topic of pharmacokinetics in a clear and clinically relevant way. Designed for SRNAs, CRNAs, anesthesia residents, and anyone preparing for boards, this episode covers the foundational concept of "what the body does to the drug"—also known as ADME: Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion.

You'll learn:

• The bioavailability of common drug routes (IV, oral, IM, subQ, rectal)

• What influences distribution (lipid solubility, compartment models, volume of distribution)

• The difference between first-order and zero-order kinetics

• How hepatic metabolism works (Phase I & II, CYP450 system)

• What context-sensitive half-time means in real anesthesia cases

• How to think through renal clearance, clearance equations, and patient factors like age, temp, and comorbidities

This episode is packed with real-world analogies and board-style insights that bring pharmacokinetics to life—perfect for anyone learning how to time their anesthesia meds or fine-tune a propofol drip.

💡 Whether you're reviewing for your anesthesia pharmacology exam or improving your patient care in the OR, this episode will make a tough topic finally click.

In this solo episode of My Favorite Learners, host Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA, breaks down local anesthetics in a way that’s clear, memorable, and clinically relevant—whether you’re prepping for boards, placing your first spinal, or managing labor epidurals. Based on Chapter 10 of Nurse Anesthesia by Elisha et al. (2023), Chloe covers:

• Mechanism of Action: How local anesthetics block voltage-gated sodium channels

• Onset, Duration & Intensity: Why pKa, lipid solubility, protein binding, and vascularity matter

• LAST (Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity): Early signs, treatment protocols, and real OB case studies

• Ester vs. Amide: Easy ways to remember which is which - and why it matters

With clinical tips, board exam pearls, and her signature analogies (hello, string vs. power cord 🧵🔌), Chloe helps CRNA students truly understand local anesthetics, not just memorize facts.

📌 Perfect for: SRNAs, CRNAs, nursing students, anesthesia educators, and anyone wanting to solidify their grasp of local anesthetic pharmacology.

🎧 Subscribe for more board-focused, patient-safe content delivered in an easy-to-digest format.

In this episode of My Favorite Learners, host Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA is joined by educator and clinician Dr. Jeremy Heiner, faculty member and Head of Admissions at the Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia and co-founder of TheNurseAnesthesia.com. Together, they dive into the pharmacology of intravenous anesthetic agents and how to make smart, patient-centered decisions in real-world anesthesia care.

We’ll break down:

• Mechanisms of action for propofol, etomidate, and ketamine

• Pharmacokinetics and clinical side effects

• How patient comorbidities, hemodynamics, and procedure types influence drug choice

• Real-time decision making and evidence-based anesthesia planning

Whether you're an SRNA preparing for boards or a practicing CRNA looking to refine your pharmacology game, this episode is packed with practical takeaways and expert insight on IV anesthetic agents.

Subscribe and share this episode with your anesthesia community!

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In this episode of My Favorite Learners, host Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA, sits down with Sassoon “Sass” Elisha, EdD, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN -assistant director of the Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia and co‑author of Nurse Anesthesia, Case Studies in Nurse Anesthesia, and Critical Events in Anesthesia.

Heads‑up: We experienced a brief audio glitch during the first seven minutes. The conversation is still audible, but if you prefer perfect clarity, captions are available on our YouTube upload. After the seven‑minute mark, the sound is crystal clear.

Together, Chloe and Sass unpack one of the most high‑yield and frequently tested topics in anesthesia pharmacology: the autonomic nervous system. Whether you’re an SRNA prepping for the NBCRNA exam or a practicing CRNA sharpening clinical decision‑making, this episode blends foundational theory with real‑world practice.

Key topics covered

Sass also shares his teaching philosophy, insights on CRNA - SRNA mentorship.

Perfect for: SRNAs, CRNAs, anesthesia educators, and anyone seeking to deepen their grasp of autonomic pharmacology in perioperative care.

Listen & watch

💬 Connect with us
Follow @myfavoritelearners on Instagram for daily anesthesia education and pharmacology pearls.

In this episode of My Favorite Learners, host Dr. Chloe Gomez sits down with Tom Baribeault, DNP, CRNA, FAANA, founder of the Society for Opioid-Free Anesthesia (SOFA), to explore the evolving landscape of perioperative pain management.

We go beyond the basics of opioid-sparing and dive into a truly multimodal approach - highlighting pharmacologic strategies involving ketamine, lidocaine, dexmedetomidine, magnesium, and more.

Whether you're an SRNA, CRNA, or an anesthesia educator, this conversation will challenge your assumptions and equip you with tools to design smarter, safer anesthetics.

-Why opioid-free doesn’t mean pain-free neglect
-Which adjuncts matter in clinical practice
-The patient-centered why behind multimodal plans

✨ Brought to you by My Favorite Learners—the podcast made for CRNA students, educators, and the people who never stop learning.

In this special episode of My Favorite Learners, host Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA, sits down with her mentor and inspiration, Dr. Sarah Giron, PhD, CRNA, Program Director at Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia. Together, they unpack the pharmacology of neuromuscular blockade—from the foundational concepts of paralytics to the groundbreaking development of sugammadex.

Dr. Giron shares her experience as a clinical researcher involved in the Phase 3 trials of sugammadex, along with practical insights for anesthesia learners navigating these complex agents in the OR. This episode blends science, storytelling, and mentorship—offering a rare chance to learn from a leader who’s shaped the field and the next generation of CRNAs.

Perfect for SRNAs, educators, and anyone passionate about advancing anesthesia practice.

In this episode of My Favorite Learners, we’re joined by the brilliant Dr. Carrie Bowman Dalley, PhD, CRNA - Program Director and Associate Professor in the DNAP program at Georgetown University. With nearly two decades of leadership in nurse anesthesia education and a PhD in pharmacology, Dr. Bowman Dalley is a master at making complex concepts truly click.

Together, we explore the foundational principles of pharmacology every SRNA should understand - from drug-receptor interactions to clinical pearls that apply directly to the OR. Her passion for teaching and her clarity as an educator shine through in this conversation, making it a must-listen for any anesthesia student (or anyone who teaches them!).

Whether you’re brand new to pharmacology or need a refresher on the basics, this episode will leave you informed, inspired, and ready to learn more.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jessica Phillips, PhD, CRNA, to explore the fascinating world of volatile anesthetic agents—what they are, how they work, and why they matter. Dr. Phillips breaks down the basics for clinicians, students, and anyone curious about the science behind anesthesia.

But this conversation doesn’t stop at pharmacology. We also examine the growing concerns about the environmental impact of these agents, including their role as greenhouse gases and what the latest research is telling us about sustainable anesthesia practices.

Whether you're in the OR or just anesthesia-curious, join us for an insightful discussion that bridges clinical knowledge and climate awareness.

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In this special episode, I sit down with my mom—a CRNA with 25 years of experience—to talk about her journey into nurse anesthesia, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and what it’s like having a daughter follow in her footsteps. We also dive into some of our favorite medications to use in practice (spoiler alert: we’re both Precedex queens 👑). Join us for a heartfelt and insightful conversation about anesthesia, family, and the art of pharmacology!