Meet Shawna Pandya, Physician, Neuroscientist, and now Canada’s First Female Commercial Astronaut.

In this inspiring episode of the World Extreme Medicine Podcast, we sit down with Shawna to unpack her journey from childhood dreams of space to preparing for her Virgin Galactic mission.

We explore:

• Her selection as part of the Virgin Galactic research crew

• The science behind her mission, including microgravity, diabetes research & emergency medicine in space

• How she balances medicine, research, teaching, and astronaut training

• Her thoughts on the future of commercial spaceflight and why it’s not just for engineers

• The power of mindset, resilience, and saying yes to big challenges

Whether you’re a med student, space nerd, or someone chasing a big dream, this one’s for you!

🛰️ Find out more about the WEM Conference & our Space Medicine Course: https://worldextrememedicine.com/extreme-medicine-courses/space-medicine-course/

#SpaceMedicine #WomenInSTEM #WEMPodcast #ShawnaPandya #VirginGalactic #ExtremeMedicine

In this episode, we explore the deeply rooted and culturally rich world of First Nations healthcare in Australia with Dr Sarah Chalmers; Rural Generalist, former President of the Australian College of Remote and Rural Medicine (ACRRM), and President-Elect of the Rural Doctors Association of Australia.

With over 15 years of experience working in East Arnhem Land and North Queensland, Sarah shares a powerful and personal insight into what it truly means to deliver care in remote First Nations communities, where connection to land, kinship, and culture profoundly shape every aspect of medicine.

Together, we unpack the realities of working in low-resource environments, navigating environmental extremes, and building trust within culturally diverse and remote communities. Sarah speaks candidly about the ongoing impact of racism, the importance of cultural competence, and the role of traditional healing in creating meaningful, community-led healthcare.

This conversation goes beyond clinical care to explore what it means to listen deeply, communicate with cultural humility, and show up for patients in ways that respect and honour their lived experience. It’s an emotional, honest, and essential discussion for anyone working in (or curious about) remote and rural medicine.

This episode is part of our ACRRM series, spotlighting rural and remote healthcare professionals making a difference at the very edges of medicine.

ACRRM acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the custodians of the lands and waters where our members and staff work and live across Australia. We pay respect to their elders, lores, customs and dreaming. We recognise these lands and waters have always been a place of teaching, learning, and healing.

⁠Learn more about ACRRM here.

#RemoteMedicine #RuralHealthcare #FirstNationsHealth #CulturalCompetence #RuralMedicineAustralia #IndigenousHealth #CommunityLedCare #HealthcareAccess #CulturalHumility #ACRRM #MedicalPodcast #WEMPodcast #AustralianHealthcare

🎧 A quick note on audio quality: Due to remote recording, some parts of this episode may not be as clear as usual. We appreciate your patience and promise the insights are well worth the listen!

What happens when critical care leaves the hospital and takes to the skies?

In this episode of the World Extreme Medicine Podcast, we sit down with Mina Arsanious, an expedition doctor and anaesthetic registrar working in aeromedical retrieval with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) in Australia.

Mina shares real-life case studies from one of the world’s busiest retrieval services, highlighting the unique challenges of providing emergency care mid-flight, where turbulence, vibration, and limited resources mean every decision is critical.

In this episode, we cover:

• How do you manage unstable patients mid-flight?
• The dangers of airway burns & prolonged retrieval times
• What happens when you run out of blood or fluids in the air?
• The impact of turbulence, extreme temperatures & vibration on patient care
• Why adaptability, communication & preparation are vital in retrieval medicine

Aeromedical retrieval is one of the most high-pressure, fast-paced fields in medicine, where there’s no hospital, no backup, and no room for mistakes.

Whether you’re in healthcare or just fascinated by extreme environments, this episode pulls back the curtain on the realities of medicine in the air.

Listen now & experience the world of aeromedical retrieval!

Click here to find out more about Flying Doctors & to support the work of Mina and other doctors in outback NSW.

#ExtremeMedicine #AeromedicalRetrieval #EmergencyMedicine #RoyalFlyingDoctors #WildernessMedicine #Podcast

In this episode, we dive into the fast-paced world of event medicine in remote Australia with Prashan Kuruppu, a rural generalist anaesthetist and Member of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) Assessment Committee, with extensive experience in Outback and retrieval medicine.

From high-speed trauma and medical crises in extreme weather conditions to the unique challenges of remote evacuations and resource-limited environments, Prash shares firsthand insights into the unpredictable nature of event medicine.

Beyond the clinical challenges, we delve into the critical role of teamwork, adaptability, and risk mitigation, as well as the immense satisfaction that comes with ensuring the safety of participants in these extreme settings.

This episode is part of our ACRRM series, highlighting the remarkable work of rural and remote medical professionals pushing the boundaries of healthcare in extreme environments.

⁠Learn more about ACRRM here.

53 Days. 700 Miles. Alone in Antarctica.

What does it take to survive completely alone in one of the most extreme environments on Earth?

In this episode of the World Extreme Medicine Podcast, we sit down with Cat Burford, also known as The Molar Explorer. A dentist by profession and an adventurer at heart, Cat took on a solo, unsupported ski expedition to the South Pole, covering over 700 miles in -40°C temperatures while pulling a 100kg sled.

She shares:

If you’re fascinated by extreme environments, human endurance, and the mindset required to push beyond limits, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Follow Cat’s Journey:
Instagram
Website

Learn more about World Extreme Medicine

In this episode we explore the evolution of remote and rural healthcare in Australia with Claire Arundell, a Rural Generalist Anaesthetist from country Victoria and Chair of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) Council.

Claire shares her journey from completing her medical degree at Monash University to becoming an ACRRM medical educator, course facilitator, and passionate advocate for the next generation of rural generalists. Working across primary care and hospital settings in some of the most remote parts of Australia, including external territories like Norfolk Island, Claire combines advanced medical expertise with a deep connection to the communities she serves.

Beyond her clinical and leadership roles, Claire’s story is as adventurous as it is inspiring. She and her partner live in a camper-van, driving slowly around Australia, where she spends her spare time hiking, scuba diving, and even pretending to surf. Her passion for rural health advocacy is matched by her dedication to showing future health professionals the incredible opportunities in rural medicine.

This episode is part of our series showcasing the brilliant talent and impactful work of ACRRM members, who are driving excellence, innovation, and equity in rural and remote medicine.

Learn more about ACRRM here.

Note: We apologise for any varying audio quality in this episode. As Faye joined us from Tonga with breaching whales in the background (how cool is that?!), there are some moments where the sound fluctuates.

We believe the incredible content and unique perspective from (literally) the other side of the world was worth preserving, even if the audio isn't perfect.

Thanks for understanding - sometimes catching our guests between adventures means working with what we've got!

Join Sarah Spelsberg as she interviews emergency physician and global adventurer Faye Lee about the World Extreme Medicine Conservation Medicine Course in Namibia.

From darting lions for health checks to working in resource-limited clinics, Faye shares her incredible experiences at N/a’an ku sê.

Discover how this unique course combines wildlife conservation, community healthcare, and the management of human-wildlife conflicts in one of Africa's most fascinating countries.

Learn about snake bite management, wildlife rehabilitation, and how local communities work together to protect both people and animals. Faye also shares inspiring insights about giving back to communities worldwide and seizing unconventional opportunities in medicine.

Want to experience this yourself?

The WEM Conservation Medicine Course offers hands-on experience with wildlife medicine, remote clinic work, and conservation efforts. Join us in Namibia for an unforgettable week that will change your perspective on medicine and conservation forever.

Learn more about the Conservation Medicine Course here.

In this inaugural episode of our partnership with the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM), we journey into the heart of Australia's remote healthcare system with Marian Dover, ACRRM's 2024 Rural Registrar of the Year. 

From performing emergency caesarean sections to building deep community bonds, discover how rural generalists are revolutionising healthcare in some of the most isolated parts of the world.

Marian shares intimate stories of trust, resilience, and the unique rewards of practicing medicine where the nearest hospital is 827 kilometres away. 

Join us as we explore ACRRM's vision of excellence in rural and remote medicine through the eyes of one of its most promising doctors.

Learn more about ACRRM here: https://www.acrrm.org.au/

Join primatologist Elodie Freymann as she reveals fascinating discoveries about how wild chimpanzees self-medicate using forest plant Alstonia boonei.

To find out more about Elodie's work click here.

You can also read her full research paper here.

Join Sarah Spelsberg as she speaks with NASA experts John Haynes and Helena Chapman about how NASA's unique vantage point from space helps monitor and address global health challenges.

Discover how satellite data is being used to track everything from air pollution and urban heat islands to disease outbreaks and extreme weather events.

Please note: there is some 'clicking' sounds at the start of this session that we were unable to remove - we have edited as much as possible and the sound should be less apparent from about the 10 minute mark.