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Awakened Anesthetist
This podcast is for Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants, AA students, and anyone hoping to become one. As a CAA, I know how difficult it can be to find guidance that truly reflects our unique perspective. I created Awakened Anesthetist to be the supportive community of CAAs I needed on my own journey.
Every month, I feature CAA expanders in what I call my PROCESS interview series. I also create solo episodes that weave in themes of wellness, self-discovery, and mindful growth - offering insights and reflections that resonate with our high-pressure, high-responsibility lives. Through it all, you’ll discover the power you hold as a CAA to create a life by design, not by default. I know you’ll find yourself here at the Awakened Anesthetist podcast.
Episodes
74 episodes
Summer Check-in + 2 Announcements!
During this mid summer break check-in I announce the launch of CAA Matters, the first comprehensive professional development and wellness curriculum designed specifically for the Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant profession. After years of d...
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Season 4
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Episode 73
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15:42
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LIVE Season 4 Finale @ AAAA 2025: [PROCESS] The AAAA Presidency and a Life by Design with Nicole Moore, CAA
Nicole Moore, Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant and 2025 AAAA* President, shares her journey from discovering the CAA profession through a Google search to becoming a pivotal leader in CAA advocacy and education.*
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Season 4
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Episode 72
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55:15
Want a New Job? A Deep Dive with LocumTenens.com
Are you a CAA looking for a new job? Discover how Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants (CAAs) can revolutionize their careers with the growing number of locums opportunities. I sit down again with Sabrina Strange from
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Season 4
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Episode 71
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40:49
[PROCESS] Listening to Life's Whispers: A Journey of Passion and Persistence ft. Yulanda Greene, CAA
Step into the world of Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants with Yulanda Greene as she shares her remarkable PROCESS to become a prominent CAA educator and leader. As the 2025 president of the Georgia Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants, Yu...
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Season 4
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Episode 70
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50:58
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Your Complete Guide to Understanding Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants Pt. 4 How Much Do CAAs Make?
Curious about what it truly means to be a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA)? You're in the right place! From nearly two decades of experience, I share a clear and comprehensive breakdown of the CAA profession. Think of me as your older...
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Season 4
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Episode 69
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58:31
2025 Life Update: Embracing Intentional Breaks for Fulfillment
Reflecting on recent experiences, I share how taking an intentional break has rejuvenated my commitment to living life by my design. From unexpected snow days to exciting new projects like CAA Matters, this episode emphasizes the importance of ...
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Season 4
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Episode 68
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26:10
[PROCESS] Her Untold Path to Empowerment and Influence ft. Chabely Rodrigez, CAA
Get to know Chabely Rodriguez, a trailblazing Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant and social media influencer. As a first-generation Mexican-American woman, Chabely's story is one of resilience and triumph over adversity. Her story highlights ...
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Season 4
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Episode 67
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55:48
Your Complete Guide to Understanding Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants Pt. 3 Where Can CAAs Work?
Curious about what it truly means to be a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA)? You're in the right place! From nearly two decades of experience, I share a clear and comprehensive breakdown of the CAA profession. Think of me as your older...
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Season 4
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Episode 66
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35:38
REPLAY: 5ish Holiday Hacks for the Busy Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant
Originally aired December 2022.I hope this fun 5ish episode leaves you feeling nourished, encouraged and connected to yourself and our community this holiday/4th quarter season. You (still) deserve to feel good behind the drape.Addi...
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Season 4
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Episode 65
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22:32
Embracing Resilience: Self-Compassion Meditation for CAAs
Join me for a 10-minute meditation, designed to fit into your busy day whether you're on a work break or commuting, learn how to embrace your natural source of resilience.Meditation begins around 4:33This isn't just about managi...
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Season 4
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Episode 64
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22:21
Revolutionizing CAA Careers: Exploring Locums Work with LocumTenens.com
Discover how Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants (CAAs) can revolutionize their careers with the growing number of locums opportunities. I sit down with Sabrina Strange from
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Season 4
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Episode 63
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29:13
UPDATE: Trailblazing the CAA Licensure Movement in Nevada ft. Stephanie Zunini, CAA
This is an update to Stephanie Zunini's original PROCESS episode 35 released September 1st, 2023. We catch up with Stephanie more than a year later to discuss the arduous proces...
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Season 4
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Episode 62
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27:35
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Your Complete Guide to Understanding Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants Pt. 2 Why You Should NOT be a CAA
Curious about what it truly means to be a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA)? You're in the right place! From nearly two decades of experience, I share a clear and comprehensive breakdown of the CAA profession. Think of me as your older...
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Season 4
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Episode 61
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28:12
Part 2 of 2. Building a Diverse Future in the CAA Profession PROCESS ft. DEI AAAA Scholarship Winners, Ellen Fleurival, SAA and Tekiah McClary, SAA
In this joint PROCESS episode, 2024 DEI AAAA scholarship winners, Ellen Fleurival and Tekiah McClary, share their unique paths to become Anesthesiologist Assistant students. Together, we uncover the challenges and triumphs they’ve faced, naviga...
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Season 4
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Episode 60
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52:26
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Part 1 of 2. Building a Diverse Future in the CAA Profession ft. DEI AAAA Committee Chair, Arielle Knafel-Bellian, CAA
In this episode, the 2024 AAAA DEI Committee chair, Arielle, and I, dive into the goals and selection process for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion AAAA scholarship. This scholarship is designed to create a more inclusive CAA community by va...
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Season 4
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Episode 59
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20:32
Thriving Through Mindfulness as a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant
Gain the confidence to make decisions aligned with your true desires and embrace a compassionate approach to life. We'll explore how mindfulness can help break the cycle of equating worth with productivity, fostering inherent worthiness and res...
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Season 4
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Episode 58
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24:49
Your Complete Guide to Understanding Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants: Pt. 1 What is a CAA?
Curious about what it truly means to be a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA)? You're in the right place! From nearly two decades of experience, I share a clear and comprehensive breakdown of the CAA profession. Think of me as your older...
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Season 4
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Episode 57
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18:49
[PROCESS] Breaking Barriers in The Evergreen State ft. Sarah Brown, CAA
Discover how Washington Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants President, Sarah Brown, paved the way for CAAs in Washington State. Hear her PROCESS from Georgia to Seattle, balancing career & family, and breaking legislative barriers in thi...
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Season 4
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Episode 56
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1:08:18
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Going Viral Changed My Life (but not how you expect)
If you missed the viral video mentioned in this episode you can watch (or rewatch) it HERE ~credit @CAALifestyleIn this Season 4 premiere I share how going viral in May 2024 chan...
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Season 4
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Episode 55
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28:09
LIVE REPLAY: On Leadership, Professional Growth and the Naysayers ft. AAAA 2024 President Danny Mesaros, CAA
Join me for my first LIVE podcast interview featuring our 2024 AAAA President, Danny Mesaros. This episode was recorded in April 2024 in front of an intimate audience at the American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants (AAAA) conference in O...
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Season 4
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Episode 54
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46:44
Season 4 Coming Soon!
Season 4 is launching on Friday, September 13th, and I’m thrilled to share the episodes I’ve been working on this summer. This season, we’ll dive into what it means to be a healthy and thriving Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant, and for thos...
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Season 4
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Episode 53
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2:40
a little update + CAA mindfulness practice
Hello from my summer break! I am in the midst of a mindfulness teacher training through Dharma Moon and Tibet House and was challenged by my 1:1 teacher to lead a group practice on the pod. Unfortunately, I realized (after edits) that I forgot ...
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Season 3
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Episode 52
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22:11
Season 3 Finale: Reflections and Interviews LIVE from AAAA 2024
In the Season 3 finale of Awakened Anesthetist Podcast wander with me through the buzzing AAAA 2024 conference halls and catch my takeaways after I return home. You'll get to eavesdrop on spontaneous chats with CAAs from all points along the jo...
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Season 3
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Episode 51
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55:55
What To Do Before You Do a BIG Thing
As a CAA I know you have faced many make or break moments. But, how did you make it through? When I reflect on my near 2 decades as a CAA and all the challenges I have overcome, I can see a framework develop as my "pre-game" ritual if you will....
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Season 3
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Episode 50
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28:47
Finding Balance and Overcoming Addiction: A Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant's Journey ft. Kelsey Koehler
Kelsey Koehler, CAA bravely shares the darker moments of her life, including a personal struggle with alcohol that led to 2 DUIs a week apart. Her story is a beacon for CAAs, illuminating the stark reality of substance misuse in our commu...
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Season 3
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Episode 49
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1:04:58
