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Inside EMS

by EMS1 Podcasts · English · News

For 14 years, the Inside EMS podcast helped drive conversations shaping the profession. Across nearly 900 episodes, hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson examined hot topics affecting providers and leaders, from field operations and clinical decision-making to technology adoption, workforce chal

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 29 min
Latest: 8 May 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

8 May 2026 · 29 min

‘Culture eats strategy’: Rebuilding an EMS system from the ground up

In this episode of the Inside EMS podcast, host Chris Cebollero shares why he left the consulting and community paramedicine world to become chief of EMS and COO for EMS Team in Dayton, Ohio — a growing multi-state agency with “visions of world dominance.” The conversation digs deep into servant leadership, workforce buy-in and the balance between supporting crews while still holding the line on professionalism and performance. Chris also lays out his vision for creating a sustainable culture built on accountability, engagement and shared ownership. It’s equal parts leadership seminar, war…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

E750 · 24 Apr 2026 · 33 min
Reality check: How close does TV get to real EMS?
This week on Inside EMS, it’s a no-holds-barred breakdown of HBO’s The Pitt — and surprisingly, it earns a solid thumbs up from the field. The show nails the feel of emergency medicine: nonstop chaos, overlapping patients and that mental grind that never lets up. The set, the medicine and the team dynamics all hit close enough to make even seasoned providers nod along. But let’s not pretend it’s perfect. The guys call out the usual TV sins — compressed timelines, back-to-back disasters and docs who never miss on the first try. But, there is a botched 12-lead that sparks a real-world debate…
E749 · 17 Apr 2026 · 38 min
When the job follows you home
Editor’s Note: Suicide is always preventable. If you are having thoughts of suicide or feeling suicidal, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline immediately at 988. Remember: You deserve to be supported, and it is never too late to seek help. Speak with someone today. ----more---- This week on Inside EMS, host Kelly Grayson is joined by Texas educator John Puryear as they process the loss of a colleague to suicide — and to confront the uncomfortable truth: the mental health crisis in EMS is years in the making, and awareness alone isn’t cutting it. From peer support to fatigue…
E748 · 10 Apr 2026 · 40 min
Online EMS education: More than just recorded lectures
This week on the Inside EMS podcast, host Kelly Grayson tags in Texas educator John Puryear for a deep dive into the ever-evolving world of EMS education. What starts with a little sweet tea and Southern storytelling quickly turns into a masterclass on how to actually make distance learning work. Puryear breaks down the difference between synchronous and asynchronous learning, and why simply dumping recorded lectures on students isn’t enough. The real magic? Engagement. Whether it’s live interaction, strategic questioning or just being a “bit of an entertainer,” effective online education…
E747 · 27 Mar 2026 · 28 min
Inside EMS co-host debate: Street time or straight to medic?
Things get intense on this episode of Inside EMS as hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson tackle an age-old industry debate: should EMTs spend time on a truck before going to paramedic school or is that “experience” overrated? Kelly kicks things off with a spicy take, arguing that poor field training and inconsistent preceptorship often do more harm than good. From his perspective, bad habits, weak mentorship and burnout culture are the norm, not the exception. But Chris isn’t buying it. He counters that experience builds what classrooms can’t: clinical judgment, scene management and the…
E746 · 20 Mar 2026 · 30 min
Stop guessing your blood gases
In this episode of Inside EMS, cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson are once again joined by paramedic student April McKenzie, a.k.a., “April Anonymous,” for a deep dive on measuring arterial blood gas. Chris and Kelly walk April (and anyone else grinding through class) through the core idea that everything hinges on knowing “normal.” Once you lock in pH, CO₂ and bicarb ranges, the rest becomes pattern recognition, not panic. The big takeaway? Master normal, stay curious and treat every patient like a learning opportunity. Because the more normals you encounter, the faster you’ll catch…
E745 · 13 Mar 2026 · 29 min
How everyday actions shape EMS culture
This week on Inside EMS, hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson take a practical look at how leadership — both formal and informal — shapes the culture of an EMS organization. The hosts break down three things crews notice immediately: consistency, presence and composure. They emphasize that good leadership isn’t about controlling people or enforcing policies — it’s about developing crews, communicating clearly and earning trust over time. This episode breaks down how leadership credibility is built slowly through consistent behavior — and it only takes one misstep to damage it. Quotable…
E744 · 6 Mar 2026 · 31 min
Stop leading EMS like it’s a bar fight
“The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War This week on Inside EMS, host Chris Cebollero brings a fresh interpretation to Sun Tzu’s ancient text with his latest book, “The Art of War for Business Leaders: Winning Without Fighting in Leadership, Strategy, and Life.” Chris makes the case that EMS leadership is more about clarity and discipline than chest-thumping command presence, tying Tzu’s principles back to everyday EMS realities. The discussion digs into why leaders so often fight the wrong battles, from staffing drama and culture clashes, to policy…
E743 · 28 Feb 2026 · 34 min
Beyond check-the-box: Making National Registry prep actually stick
This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by ZOLL software and data solutions. Optimize EMS performance and outcomes at every stage of operations with interoperable solutions from dispatch, to patient care, QA/QI, billing and beyond. Visit zolldata.com to learn about the complete solution suite. This week on the Inside EMS podcast, Jon Puryear, NREMT-P, is back and if you’ve ever sweated a National Registry deadline, this one hits home. Amid the ever-looming March 31 cutoff, Puryear breaks down what’s changed in continuing education — and what hasn’t. Known for his ability to simplify…
E742 · 20 Feb 2026 · 32 min
Are you burned out — or done?
Editor’s Note: This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by ZOLL software and data solutions. Optimize EMS performance and outcomes at every stage of operations with interoperable solutions from dispatch, to patient care, QA/QI, billing and beyond. Visit zolldata.com to learn about the complete solution suite. This episode of Inside EMS tackles a difficult question: When is it time to step away from the job? Hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson trade hard-earned wisdom — from Kelly’s knee-rehab comic relief to serious talk about emotional burnout, wellness needs and timing. The hosts…
E741 · 16 Feb 2026 · 32 min
AI, body cams and bills on the Hill
This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by ZOLL software and data solutions. Optimize EMS performance and outcomes at every stage of operations with interoperable solutions from dispatch, to patient care, QA/QI, billing and beyond. Visit zolldata.com to learn about the complete solution suite. NAEMSP is officially a “big little conference” — and it’s only getting bigger. In this crossover episode, Rob Lawrence and Chris Cebollero unpack the momentum: tighter collaboration, a unified push toward EMS on the Hill Day, and the growing realization that if we want change, we need boots (and…
E740 · 6 Feb 2026 · 20 min
A paramedic-school survival guide to autonomic chaos
This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by ZOLL software and data solutions. Optimize EMS performance and outcomes at every stage of operations with interoperable solutions from dispatch, to patient care, QA/QI, billing and beyond. Visit zolldata.com to learn about the complete solution suite. This week on Inside EMS, Chris Cebollero takes on one of the most anxiety-inducing topics in paramedic education: alpha and beta receptors. Sparked by a question from paramedic student April McKenzie, a.k.a., “April Anonymous,” this episode strips away rote memorization and replaces it with…
E739 · 30 Jan 2026 · 28 min
Oh, baby: Birth, breakthroughs and the Broselow tape blunder
Dr. Peter Antevy returns to the Inside EMS co-host seat this week, filling in for Kelly Grayson and bringing some serious pediatric firepower to the conversation. Host Chris Cebollero dives right into the latest buzz around the Broselow tape recall — yes, again — as Dr. Antevy unpacks what went wrong, why it matters and what EMS agencies should be doing about it now. He also shares exciting details on his brand-new, field-focused Newborn Resuscitation & Obstetrics course (NROC), built by EMS for EMS. Designed with two hours of online content (zero PowerPoints!) and a short, in-house skills…
E738 · 23 Jan 2026 · 34 min
This isn’t your Facebook group’s EMS debate
In this episode of Inside EMS, host Chris Cebollero sits down with Mic Gunderson, CEO of the Center for Systems Improvement and EMS Quality Academy; and editor‑in‑chief of the new peer-reviewed International Journal of Paramedicine, which launched in January 2023. Gunderson explains how the publication provides a forum for thoughtful debate around complex topics to be examined and analyzed. A recent issue, for example, touched on degree requirements for entry-level medics using the Socratic method to frame and manage the debate — a far cry from the horrors of a social post’s comment section.…
E737 · 16 Jan 2026 · 42 min
The buffer system decoded: Mastering CO2, pH and patient care
In this episode of the Inside EMS podcast, Chris and Kelly are joined by paramedic student April McKenzie — aka “April Anonymous” — for a deep dive into the buffer system and CO2 mapping. April’s in the thick of paramedic school and like every good learner, she’s asking “why?” — so the guys break down the physiology behind capnography, acid-base balance and the lungs-vs.-kidneys showdown that keeps our patients alive. Plus, they throw in old-school war stories, rant about naloxone misuse and admit that bicarb is no longer the go-to cardiac arrest drug. If you've ever tried to explain…
E736 · 9 Jan 2026 · 27 min
The National EMS Memorial Bike Ride: Because they mattered — and still do
This week on Inside EMS, Chris Cebollero kicks off 2026 with a heartfelt conversation featuring Eric Morrison, vice president of the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride and EMS director for Iredell County, North Carolina. The ride, founded 26 years ago, exists to honor the memory of EMS providers who died in the line of duty, from illness or mental health struggles. Each rider wears a dog tag bearing the name of a fallen provider, often connecting with their families along the journey. Eric shares his personal journey from lifeguard to leader and how his rekindled love for cycling — along with…
E735 · 26 Dec 2025 · 29 min
From venomous bites to venomous behavior: A second helping of the top EMS stories of 2025
In this end-of-year special, Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson wrap 2025 with their trademark mix of humor, insight and zero sugarcoating. From venomous bites to venomous behavior, the Inside EMS duo continue counting down the top EMS stories that had the industry buzzing this year — and occasionally cringing. As always, the guys don’t shy away from the tough stuff, but they make sure to end on a note of gratitude for the everyday EMS pros out there doing the job with compassion, competence and quiet heroism. Quotable takeaways “Every day, EMS providers go out there, do their jobs and bring…
E734 · 19 Dec 2025 · 31 min
Callouts, chaos and career killers: The biggest EMS stories of the year
In this special Christmas edition of the Inside EMS podcast, cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson unwrap five of the biggest EMS stories of 2025 — and it’s not all eggnog and cheer. This year delivered more than its fair share of gut punches to the profession, from a paramedic who was charged with manslaughter, to footage of a fire chief yelling at a 10-year-old patient (yeah, that happened). Next week’s show will break down the final five EMS stories of the year, but in 2026, we’re flipping the spotlight. Chris and Kelly are calling on you to step up and share your real EMS stories —…
E733 · 5 Dec 2025 · 29 min
Why avoiding tough talks is killing your credibility
What do you do when someone on your team is struggling — and it’s on you to say something? In this episode of the Inside EMS podcast, Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson dive headfirst into one of leadership’s toughest challenges: holding people accountable without losing your humanity. This episode challenges leaders to ditch outdated progressive discipline models and start leading with clarity and empathy. Whether you’re a seasoned supervisor or new to the hot seat, this one hits home. And if you’ve been avoiding a conversation, consider this your nudge to stop choosing comfort over your own…
E732 · 1 Dec 2025 · 27 min
Fire/EMS pay parity and a big helping of cranberry sauce
This week on the Inside EMS podcast, we’re passing the gravy and the hot takes. Cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson serve up a holiday plate full of EMS news — starting with FDNY’s potential EMS split. They dig into what fair pay really looks like, why some EMTs are suing for what they’re owed, and whether big hospital systems like Yale New Haven are reshaping the ambulance game for better or worse. Whether you’re working a turkey-day shift or finally off duty, this episode hits hard and gives thanks where it’s due. Quotable takeaways: “If you’re gonna be in the EMS business, you’ve…
E731 · 21 Nov 2025 · 31 min
Whole blood, dual shocks and why the AHA still doesn’t get us
This week on the Inside EMS podcast, Dr. Peter Antevy returns for another round in the hot seat, and he’s not holding back. In this jam-packed episode, he and host Chris Cebollero tackle trending topics in prehospital care — from the expanding role of whole blood and plasma, to the frustrating gaps in the AHA’s 2025 guidelines. You’ll hear real-world success stories (like the cardiac arrest survivor who’s back on the tennis court), why dual sequential defibrillation (DSD) should already be your go-to, and the cost-benefit realities of starting a whole blood program. Dr. Antevy also dives…
E730 · 14 Nov 2025 · 29 min
TikTok star Jimmy Apple is challenging EMS dogma with data and kindness
This week on the Inside EMS podcast, host Kelly Grayson sits down with Jimmy Apple — known as the “EMS Avenger” on TikTok — to explore how he’s challenging long‑standing EMS norms and delivering evidence‑based content at scale. With 22 years in EMS, the pediatric critical‑care paramedic has built a strong digital platform that merges clinical rigor with plain‑spoken commentary. Whether you’re hung up on “what’s new” or “what really works,” this episode offers a spirited discussion, thoughtful commentary and a call to re‑examine what we do — and why. Memorable takeaways “What we learn tends…
E729 · 7 Nov 2025 · 26 min
How to lead without being that boss
Let’s face it — most discussions on leadership sound like someone regurgitating a business best seller. Not this time. In this week’s episode of the Inside EMS podcast, cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson get real about the six leadership habits that actually matter when you're running a shift, a truck or a team that relies on each other not to screw it up. This isn’t about titles, org charts or leadership flavor-of-the-month. We’re talking self-awareness, collaboration and adaptability — the stuff that separates real-deal leaders from clipboard-holding disasters. Whether you’re trying…
E728 · 31 Oct 2025 · 23 min
AHA 2025 updates are here: Cue the overreactions and the protocol rewrites
In this week’s episode of the Inside EMS podcast, cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson dive into the 2025 AHA Guidelines for CPR & ECC and why, for most EMS systems and crews, this feels more like a tune up than a full overhaul. They talk through what is different — like the adult/child choking algorithm change, the inclusion of an opioid overdose response algorithm with public naloxone access, and the shift to a single unified chain of survival across ages and settings. They also talk about what isn’t new (for example, the recommendation that routine mechanical CPR devices are not…
E727 · 17 Oct 2025 · 24 min
Booze, blood and blurred lines: Should EMS play cop?
This week on the Inside EMS podcast, hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson dig into a hot-button issue lighting up EMS forums: DUI blood draws by paramedics. In Vanderburgh County, Indiana, a new program lets fire department medics perform evidentiary blood draws at the request of law enforcement — right on scene, even if the suspect isn’t being transported. Supporters say it’s efficient; critics say it’s unethical. The hosts share their own history with blood draws in the field and reflect on how their professional philosophies have evolved. It’s a passionate, no-holds-barred conversation…
E725 · 10 Oct 2025 · 24 min
Train harder, lead louder: What tomorrow’s medics really need
Sure, AI and digital systems are reshaping EMS, but at the core? It’s still about people. In this week’s episode of the Inside EMS podcast, cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson tackle the disconnect between tech-savvy, fast-adapting, new providers and an education system still stuck in the lecture-skill-lab loop. They break down why flipped classrooms, mentorship and real talk about leadership must happen now—and why soft skills aren’t just nice-to-haves; they’re survival tools. This episode makes the case that the future of EMS depends on how well we prepare, mentor and empower the…
E724 · 3 Oct 2025 · 26 min
From blame to burnout: How negativity takes over your shift
This week on Inside EMS, ChrisCebolleroand Kelly Grayson dive deep into the dark side of workplace culture — the seven types of negativity that poison morale, ruin teamwork and chip away at your love for the job. From the moment the coffee hits your cup, to the second the rig rolls out, negativity can show up uninvited: complaints, criticism, blame, gossip — and yes, the ever-present cynicism. But this isn’t just a leadership lecture. It’s personal. Kelly opens up about his own battles with depression and how behaviors like self-pity and cynicism creep in under stress. The duo explores how…
E723 · 19 Sep 2025 · 21 min
Sepsis math: Every hour = 8% closer to the morgue
You know the drill — “patient feeling weak,” “not quite right,” maybe alittle confusion. But what if that vague dispatch hides a killer? This week on the Inside EMS podcast, hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson dig into one of the most missed, yet deadliest emergencies we face: sepsis. You'll hear when to treat aggressively with fluids, why timing matters for antibiotics and how any provider can sound the alarm with a sepsis alert. Plus, they dive into the controversy around fluid bolus protocols, which prehospital labs might be worth it and why a 30 mL/kg mindset isn’t always…
E722 · 12 Sep 2025 · 26 min
Is ‘Code 3’ the most accurate EMS film ever?
This week on Inside EMS, Chris Cebollero welcomes Patrick Pianezza — former EMS Leadership podcast co‑host, paramedic and co-writer on the new action-comedy EMS film ‘Code 3.’ Pianezza teamed up with writer Christopher Leone to push for authenticity, insisting on medical accuracy and avoiding cliches — no guns‑in‑ambulance heroics, no patients as punchlines. There are scenes that will make medics say, “That’s us!” — from nursing home calls to behavioral health crises, the pressures from society, as well as moments many will recognize in their gut. For EMS professionals, this is about being…
E721 · 5 Sep 2025 · 24 min
Facts fade, stories stick: Why EMS needs better storytellers
Ever been told to “cut the war stories” in EMS? Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson are here to push back. This week’s episode of the Inside EMS podcast dives into the vital role storytelling plays in shaping EMS culture, training, leadership and even public perception. With their signature mix of humor and heart, they explore how the right story — told the right way — can teach more than any protocol ever will. From instructor pitfalls to leadership mistakes, they share personal wins and failures that built their character — and could build yours too. You’ll also get 8 rock-solid tips on how…

About Inside EMS

Inside EMS is a English news podcast from EMS1 Podcasts. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: EMS1 Podcasts
Language: English
Category: News
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 29 min
Latest episode: 8 May 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id884385830

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