In this episode, we speak with Dr. Reid Geisler, surgery intern and incoming anesthesiology resident, who served as moderator of the national anesthesiology applicant Discord server. Over two recent application cycles, the server grew to more than four thousand members, becoming the de facto community space where applicants shared information, anxieties, and unfiltered opinions about programs and the Match. Dr. Geisler discusses what draws students to Discord, how online communities influence perceptions of fairness and fit, and what happens when stress, identity, and competition collide in a high-stakes process. He reflects on the values applicants prioritize when ranking programs, the changing weight of Step scores and away rotations, and how programs can engage more transparently to support trust and clarity. The conversation offers program directors an uncommon window into the applicant experience from the inside.

Originally Published July 5, 2023 on YouTube

In this inaugural episode of the Program Directors at SEA podcast, hosts Dr. Brian Mahoney and Dr. David Stahl open a candid conversation about the current landscape of anesthesiology residency recruitment. They explore how program directors are adapting to application signaling, the transition to pass–fail Step 1 scoring, and the continued reliance on virtual interviews. Drawing from their own programs in New York City and Columbus, they compare regional dynamics, shifting applicant behaviors, and the tension between efficiency and equity in the match process. The episode sets the tone for an ongoing dialogue between educators and learners, inviting listeners to participate in shaping the future of anesthesia education.

Originally published July 3, 2023 on YouTube