Vitals & Vibes

What happens after you survive the unthinkable?

In Episode 5 of Vitals and Vibes, Vivian Moreno sits down with Alanna Mrlik, known on TikTok as the “88-day ECMO survivor.” Alanna shares how what initially felt like a cold became a life-threatening illness involving COVID, necrotizing pneumonia, sepsis, and months of intensive care.

From severe lung bleeding and the possibility of a lung transplant to coming off the ventilator and returning home, she opens up about the physical and emotional realities of recovery. Together, they explore faith, family advocacy, the caregivers she’ll never forget, and why looking better doesn’t always mean feeling better.

An honest conversation about survival, finding a new normal, and Alanna’s mission to help healthcare professionals see the person behind the patient.

Sarah Kruse and Haley Gibson, hosts of The Device Girls Podcast, join Vivian for a conversation about careers in medical device sales, specifically in robotics and spine, life in and around the operating room, and what it takes to stay grounded in a demanding profession. We discuss navigating high-pressure situations, dealing with burnout, and the habits that have helped them succeed both professionally and personally. They explore the role faith, discipline, and personal values play in their lives, the story behind The Device Girls Podcast, and the conversations they're passionate about bringing to their audience.

In this episode of Vitals & Vibes, Vivian sits down with Dr. Natacha Chough, a NASA-Johnson Space Center flight surgeon and double board-certified emergency and aerospace medicine physician. They discuss the path into aerospace medicine, how astronauts are medically supported before, during, and after missions, the effects of microgravity on the body, and what the future of space medicine could mean for healthcare professionals on Earth and beyond.

In this episode of Vitals & Vibes, Vivian sits down with critical care nurse and ECMO specialist Vickie Carlyle to explore the realities of life in the ICU. From powerful patient stories and COVID-era lessons to breaking down ECMO in simple terms, this conversation highlights the human side of critical care—where skill, emotion, and resilience meet at the bedside.

Welcome to Episode 1 of Vitals & Vibes, the show that checks the pulse of medicine, lifestyle, and everything in between.

Hosted by Vivian Moreno, this podcast blends high-stakes healthcare conversations with pop culture, personal growth, and the human stories behind the scrubs.

In this debut episode, Vivian is joined by Joe Basha, a perfusionist with over 40 years of clinical experience, the CEO of Houston Extracorporeal Technologies, an educator, and the founder of MediWeb and PerfWeb.

Together, they explore:

• How a career in perfusion can begin by accident — and grow into purpose
• The evolution of perfusion technology and what hasn’t changed
• Work ethic, professionalism, and generational expectations in medicine
• AI, automation, and the future of healthcare
• Advice every new grad should hear before taking their first job
• Sacrifice, balance, regret, and the realities of leadership
• Building a legacy that lasts beyond the operating room

This episode is about more than medicine — it’s about identity, growth, mentorship, and meaning in a profession where lives are on the line, and humanity still matters.

Whether you’re in healthcare, curious about the people behind it, or just looking for smarter conversation with real perspective, this is the place for you.

🎧 New episodes blend medicine, culture, and thoughtful dialogue — no fluff, no noise.

Stay curious. Stay stylish.

And keep those vibes flowing.