The Shift Talkers
Meet the humans behind the mic.
Nurses, docs, therapists, EMTs, and the unsung teammates who keep care moving forward.
Main cast
The core voices you'll hear every week.
Our rotating crew of shift talkers brings diverse specialties and decades of bedside experience.
Abby
DNP, AGAC-NP
Abby, a force to be reckoned with! As a nurse turned ICU NP, she's got a recipe for success that's as complex as her favorite treats to bake. After 10 years of higher education, she's still hungry for more. That's why she's helped to develop the Shift Talkers group for some much-needed Banter at the Bedside. Get ready for real conversations, growth, and a healthy dose of humor!
Kaleigh
BSN, RN
Kaleigh is a nurse of 17 years and current front runner for the Wilted Daisy Award. She’s been in the Cardiac ICU for 15 years and counting. She’s a mom of 2, avid reader, sometimes heavy lifter, and loves to relax with her metal playlist 🤘🏼
Recurring guests
Friends of the pod.
Specialists, storytellers, and surprise drop-ins who keep the banter fresh.
Cody
RN
Cody is an ICU nurse of 11 years and brings a bunch of experience from both the bedside and his life. He’s back to his roots in CICU but has traveled and worked in multiple states. He may seem quiet at first, but trust us, he’s got a quip and a comeback ready at all times
Dr. Luis
MD
Pulmonary Critical Care trained fellow about to become an attending. He has trained on both coasts and is the social butterfly of the critical care world.
Amanda AKA Mama
BSN, RN
I guess I get the name pretty honest - I’m a protective mama bear to those I love and care for, to say the least!! CICU is where I started and where I still am almost 19 years later…. I’m a lover of ☀️, beach water🌊, lake life🐠, sunsets, charcuterie, bright flowers 🌺, skin care and most importantly I’m a lover of my people 💜. I couldn’t do this life without my family and my chosen family (you know who you are 😉)! Making a difference while I’m on this earth is huge to me. I GET to be here and take care of my patients. Some days, I want to pull my hair out - other days I say “THIS is why I do what I do”. You know exactly what I mean, I’m sure! Just remember - it’s the little things that matter 💫 Always.
Dr. Armando
MD
Dr. Armando is a board-certified physician in Internal Medicine and Nephrology with advanced training in Interventional Nephrology and board-eligible in Critical Care Medicine. He is currently in his final months of fellowship! He previously served as Chief Resident in Miami, where he developed a strong interest in clinical leadership, medical education, and quality improvement. His work has included the development of a chronic kidney disease registry to support guideline-directed care, as well as research focused on adaptive dialysis strategies, glomerular disease, and outcomes in critical care. Dr. Armando also served in the United States Army, including deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. His experiences have shaped his approach to medicine, emphasizing discipline, teamwork, and resilience. He values building genuine connections with patients and colleagues and believes that compassion and human connection are central to meaningful healthcare. Outside of medicine, he enjoys playing classical guitar and studying music theory and solfège. He also enjoys traveling, watching movies, playing tennis, and spending time with his wife, Karla, and their dog, Hondo.
Dr. Michael
MD
Dr. Michael is a 10 year plus critical care and emergency medicine trained doctor. He has worked in multiple ICUs and been the head of several programs, including fellowships, ECMO, CICU and CVICU.
Kyle
PharmD
He is pharmacist who loves everything critical care and primarily works in the cardiac ICUs. His TikTok includes him nerding out but also loves healthcare-related humor.
Dr. Jeff
MD
An emergency medicine and critical train doctor, with a background in EMS. Dr. Jeff brings the midwestern perspective to the table.
Ashley
BSN, RN
As an ICU nurse, her boundless compassion touches the lives of her patients, loved ones, and friends. Described as the salt of the earth, Ashley keeps us grounded with her valuable insights. Plus, she's a talented photographer!
Allison
BSN, RN, ECMO Specialist
A CICU nurse, ECMO Specialist, and future cardiovascular perfusionist. She’s spent 5 years in cardiac ICU, knows her way around a life support circuit, and has absolutely no patience for performative medicine or bad takes. Smart, blunt, unapologetically honest, and not afraid to say what everyone else is thinking. She’s here for exciting cases, managing complex devices, and real conversations about what medicine actually looks like behind closed doors. Expect sharp insight, dark humor, and just enough attitude to keep it real.
Dr. Hass
MD
Dr. Hass is a Pulmonary and Critical Care physician who operates where precision meets pressure. A master of pulmonary disease, ventilator strategy, and high-stakes bronchoscopy, he’s known for bringing control to the moments when physiology, timing, and human life collide. Beyond the ICU, Hass is driven by the same instinct for excellence — a signature blend of fashion, velocity, and fast black-on-black cars that mirrors his approach to medicine: sharp, deliberate, and unapologetically elevated. When the lungs get tight, he gets sharper.
Ava
BSN, RN
Meet Ava a 20 year veteran of CICU. Mother of our future Miss America and the next Copper Flag…in her dreams. Happy wife and aspiring philanthropist. Underwater explorer and photographer. Spends her commute and laundry time listening to podcasts. She has an eyebrow and attitude to recon with at the bedside but loves every minute of it! With 20 years in the ICU at the bedside Ava has seen it all and is here to share with us!
Michael
MSN, NP
Michael has been a nurse since 1988 and a nurse practitioner for the last 25 years, and with the exception of two years, his entire career has been with cardiology. He was an ICU provider for 13 years before his current job as a cardiology NP in Eastern North Carolina. Michael is passionate about nurse and APP education, especially in informal, small group settings, and has served as a preceptor for numerous nurse practitioner students. He is an ardent believer in improving patient care by forming lasting relationships with multiple providers across many disciplines. When not working in cardiology Michael enjoys boating, gardening, and caring for animals on his small homestead, as well as embracing his new role as a grandfather!
Linda
Chaplain
Linda is a clinically trained, board-certified chaplain with nearly 15 years of experience in a level 1 trauma center. After residency, she specialized in trauma chaplaincy and is now lead chaplain for emergency, trauma, and neurological services. When Linda is not at bedside, you may find her presenting on the subjects of Compassion Fatigue and Burnout with new nurses, Compassionate Communication with ED and Surgical Residents, or Breaking Bad News with medical students and first responders. She is particularly passionate about staff care and support knowing this work is incredibly challenging and the people she works with are indeed human.
Dr. Tyler
MD
Dr. Tyler was born in Ohio and has been a lifelong fan of the Reds and Bengals. While attending OU in Athens he realized he could make a difference in the world by improving the way physicians deliver medical care. His wife Catherine is starting her own TikTok enterprise, and together they raise four wonderful children! He hopes to connect hospital employees and all his patients as a means of making sure everyone gets the healthcare they need.