82-year-old retired trauma surgeon Bill Meffert, who cared for wounded soldiers in Vietnam, reflects on that bloody experience and the words of a priest who worked beside him.  You can read more about Bill and his novel, A Long Way From Home, on his website. To learn more about the Vietnam War, Bill recommends reading the book Dispatches, by Michael Herr. Illustrations by Lindsay Mound. Original theme music by Yosef Munro. Other music comes from Blue Dot Sessions. Learn more and support us at thenocturnists.com. Thank you!

Welcome to Vietnam

The Nocturnists is an award-winning medical storytelling podcast, hosted by physician Emily Silverman. We feature personal stories from frontline clinicians, conversations with healthcare-related authors and art-makers, and special podcast documentary series such as “Post-Roe America,” “Shame in Medicine,” “Black Voices in Healthcare,” and “Stories from a Pandemic.” In 2024, we’ll be bringing you Season 6 of "Stories from the World of Medicine" and more "Conversations," as well as commencing production on a new series, "Uncertainty in Medicine." Our mission is to humanize healthcare and foster joy, wonder, and curiosity among clinicians and patients alike.

**Anthem Award winner, two-time Webby Award nominee, and Ambie Award finalist for Best Indie Podcast in 2023.** 
Learn more at thenocturnists.com.

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In our 50th The Nocturnists: Conversations episode, Emily speaks with Maggie Jackson, award-winning author and journalist, about her book "Uncertain: The Wisdom and Wonder of Being Unsure." Maggie describes the neuroscience of uncertainty, the benefits of curiosity and slowing down, and findings from her interviews with physicians and surgeons about uncertainty in medical practice. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com. The Nocturnists is made possible by the California Medical Association and donations from listeners like you.

Conversations: Maggie Jackson

Dr. Uché Blackstock, an emergency medicine physician and health equity advocate, discusses her book "Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine." She shares personal stories about her family's journey in medicine, systemic racism and her work to create a more equitable healthcare.  Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com. The Nocturnists is made possible by the California Medical Association and donations from listeners like you.

Conversations: Uché Blackstock, MD

Documentary filmmaker Luke Lorentzen and hospital chaplain Mati Engel discuss their award-winning film, "A Still Small Voice," which explores the rewards and challenges of providing spiritual care in the hospital setting. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com. The Nocturnists is made possible by the California Medical Association and donations from listeners like you.  

Conversations: Luke Lortenzen and Mati Engel

Pediatric ER physician and author Rachel Kowalsky discusses her short story, "The Delivery Boy," which is set in an ER and follows a young Guatemalan boy, alongside the team of clinicians who treat him. Rachel talks about how her experiences influence her writing and teaching in health humanities. "The Delivery Boy" is available to read online for free. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com. The Nocturnists is made possible by the California Medical Association and donations from listeners like you.

Conversations: Rachel Kowalsky, MD

  When Dr. Augie Lindmark first started receiving obituaries in the mailbox, he wasn’t sure whether to be amused or afraid. But soon he discovers the identity of the sender, and enters into a rare an unexpected dialogue about aging and mortality.  Augie performed this story live at the Parkway Theater in Minneapolis in April 2023, for an event on the theme of "REBIRTH" which The Nocturnists co-produced with the Center for the Art of Medicine. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com. This episode of "Stories from the World of Medicine" is sponsored by The New York Zen Center.  This season of "Stories from the World of Medicine" is supported by The Physicians Foundation. The Nocturnists is made possible by the California Medical Association.

Welcome to Vietnam

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