Atomic Anesthesia
For the nurse anesthesia resident, or aspiring CRNA, we're here to make complex science and anesthesia topics simple. Tune in each week as we cover pharmacology, pathophysiology, and anesthesia principles.
Rhea Temmermand, PhD, CRNA & Sachi Lord, MSN, CRNA
Show overview
Atomic Anesthesia has been publishing since 2024, and across the 2 years since has built a catalogue of 109 episodes. That works out to roughly 55 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a weekly cadence.
Episodes typically run twenty to thirty-five minutes — most land between 16 min and 41 min — with run-times ranging widely across the catalogue. It is catalogued as a EN-language Education show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 3 days ago, with 38 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2025, with 52 episodes published. Published by Rhea Temmermand, PhD, CRNA & Sachi Lord, MSN, CRNA.
From the publisher
Welcome to Atomic Anesthesia, the essential podcast for nurse anesthesia residents seeking to master both basic and clinical science education (and RNs looking to become CRNAs, too!). Join us as we break down tough science concepts and demonstrating their practical clinical application in real-world scenarios. Each episode of Atomic Anesthesia is crafted to provide comprehensive explanations of complex scientific principles, tailored specifically for the needs of nurse anesthesia residents or nurses preparing for graduate school. Whether you're grappling with pharmacology, physiology, or any other challenging subject, our expert hosts are here to guide you through every step of the learning process. But we don't stop there. Atomic Anesthesia goes beyond the classroom, inviting esteemed guests from both the scientific and CRNA communities to share their insights and experiences. From discussions on graduate school training to invaluable tips for navigating the complexities of clinical practice, our diverse range of topics ensures that every episode is packed with valuable knowledge and practical advice. Whether you're commuting to clinicals, hitting the gym, or simply relaxing at home, Atomic Anesthesia is the perfect companion for learning on the go. Tune in and empower yourself with the knowledge and skills you need to excel in your journey towards becoming a proficient and confident nurse anesthethesiologist.
Latest Episodes
View all 109 episodesPREECLAMPSIA AND THE OB PATIENT: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY THAT SAVES LIVES
CRNA WORKFORCE CHANGES: DO THESE THINGS TO LAND YOUR PERFECT JOB │ EP108
REGIONAL ANESTHESIA 101: BLOCKS EVERY CRNA SHOULD KNOW │ EP107
THE 5 OPIOIDS YOU ACTUALLY USE IN THE OR │ EP106
COMPLEX I, SEVOFLURANE, AND THE VENEZUELAN MITOCHONDRIAL VARIANT │ EP105
PROPOFOL: THE DRUG YOU THINK YOU KNOW │ EP104
HIGH & TOTAL SPINAL: THE EARLIEST SYMPTOMS YOU'LL NEED TO KNOW FOR BOARDS │ EP103
THE STUDENT-PRECEPTOR RELATIONSHIP: WHAT TO EXPECT, HOW TO THRIVE, AND WHAT ACTUALLY MATTERS (PART 2) │ EP102
THE STUDENT-PRECEPTOR RELATIONSHIP: WHAT TO EXPECT, HOW TO THRIVE, AND WHAT ACTUALLY MATTERS (PART 1) │ EP101
THE BIGGEST THING HOLDING YOU BACK (PSST...ITS NOT YOUR TALENT) │ EP100
MECHANICAL VENTILATION MODE BASICS EVERY SRNA/NAR SHOULD KNOW │ EP99
YOUR COPD PATIENT IS ON THE TABLE - NOW WHAT?
SEVOFLURANE, ISOFLURANE, DESFLURANE: WHICH ONE AND WHEN?
STAYING COOL UNDER PRESSURE: LESSONS FROM A FLIGHT PARAMEDIC │ EP96
WORLD CONGRESS OF NURSE ANESTHETISTS: WHAT I LEARNED IN THE DOWN UNDER │ EP95
XENOTRANSPLANTATION: THE END OF ORGAN SHORTAGE? │ EP94
Ep 93STOP OVERTHINKING YOUR MISTAKES IN CRNA SCHOOL AND ACTUALLY MOVE ON │ EP93
Welcome to the Atomic Anesthesia podcast hosted by CRNA professor Dr. Rhea Temmermand and Co-Founder Sachi Lord. On this show, you'll hear clear, clinically grounded discussions designed for nurse anesthesia residents and CRNAs who want to feel more confident in complex pharmacology, physiology, and real-world anesthesia decision-making.Want more content like this? Become a member of our learning platform.⚠️ SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE NEWSLETTER: [NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP]In this episode:Why overthinking mistakes in CRNA school keeps you stuck instead of actually improvingThe difference between self-deprecation, reflection, and real growth (and why most students get this wrong)How small moments in sim and clinical turn into mental spirals and how to stop that cycleThree practical mindset shifts to stop replaying mistakes and actually move onReal clinical and classroom examples of mistakes and how to handle them without losing confidence💜 LIVE WEBINAR: Save your seat on our monthly, free webinars. Replays are sent to your inbox and you get access to all of our previous webinars.[WEBINAR SIGN UP]💜 FREE DOWNLOADS: Grab your copy of customized study plans & worksheets.[SEE/NCE STUDY PLAN][RN ICU DRUG CHART]💜 CONNECT: 📥 Email questions, comments or topic suggestions to Dr. Temmermand at [email protected], follow us on social media, and sign up for our newsletter.[NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP][INSTAGRAM] [TIKTOK] [YOUTUBE]
Ep 92MASTERING AIRWAY ANATOMY & NERVE INJURY FOR BOARDS AND EVERYDAY PRACTICE │ EP92
Welcome to the Atomic Anesthesia podcast hosted by CRNA professor Dr. Rhea Temmermand and Co-Founder Sachi Lord. On this show, you'll hear clear, clinically grounded discussions designed for nurse anesthesia residents and CRNAs who want to feel more confident in complex pharmacology, physiology, and real-world anesthesia decision-making.⚠️ SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE NEWSLETTER: [NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP]In this episode:How the larynx functions as a dynamic valve balancing ventilation, airway protection, and phonationFunctional airway anatomy of the supraglottic, glottic, and subglottic regions and why it matters during laryngoscopy and intubationHow laryngeal cartilages and joints (especially the cricoid and arytenoids) drive vocal cord movement and airway patencyClinical patterns of nerve injury (SLN vs RLN) and how they present as hoarseness, aspiration risk, or airway obstructionMechanisms, triggers, and stepwise management of laryngospasm in the perioperative setting💜 LIVE WEBINAR: Save your seat on our monthly, free webinars. Replays are sent to your inbox and you get access to all of our previous webinars.[WEBINAR SIGN UP]💜 FREE DOWNLOADS: Grab your copy of customized study plans & worksheets.[SEE/NCE STUDY PLAN][RN ICU DRUG CHART]💜 CONNECT: 📥 Email questions, comments or topic suggestions to Dr. Temmermand at [email protected], follow us on social media, and sign up for our newsletter.[NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP][INSTAGRAM] [TIKTOK] [YOUTUBE]
Ep 91THE EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER OF CRNA SCHOOL NO ONE WARNS YOU ABOUT │ EP91
Welcome to the Atomic Anesthesia podcast hosted by CRNA professor Dr. Rhea Temmermand and Co-Founder Sachi Lord. On this show, you'll hear clear, clinically grounded discussions designed for nurse anesthesia residents and CRNAs who want to feel more confident in complex pharmacology, physiology, and real-world anesthesia decision-making.⚠️ SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE NEWSLETTER: [NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP]In this episode:Featuring SRNA Julie (“Grad School Jules”) discussing the emotional realities of CRNA school that students rarely talk aboutThe psychological phases of the CRNA journey from application anxiety to early-semester overwhelmWhy imposter syndrome is so common among SRNAs and how it affects high-achieving studentsUnrealistic expectations students bring into anesthesia school and what the learning curve actually looks likePractical mindset shifts to navigate stress, build resilience, and succeed during the CRNA training journey💜 LIVE WEBINAR: Save your seat on our monthly, free webinars. Replays are sent to your inbox and you get access to all of our previous webinars.[WEBINAR SIGN UP]💜 FREE DOWNLOADS: Grab your copy of customized study plans & worksheets.[SEE/NCE STUDY PLAN][RN ICU DRUG CHART]💜 CONNECT: 📥 Email questions, comments or topic suggestions to Dr. Temmermand at [email protected], follow us on social media, and sign up for our newsletter.[NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP][INSTAGRAM] [TIKTOK] [YOUTUBE]
Ep 90HOW OPIOIDS ACTUALLY WORK IN THE BODY (CELLULAR MECHANISM EXPLAINED) │ EP90
Welcome to the Atomic Anesthesia podcast hosted by CRNA professor Dr. Rhea Temmermand and Co-Founder Sachi Lord. On this show, you'll hear clear, clinically grounded discussions designed for nurse anesthesia residents and CRNAs who want to feel more confident in complex pharmacology, physiology, and real-world anesthesia decision-making.⚠️ SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE NEWSLETTER: [NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP]In this episode:How opioids produce analgesia by decreasing synaptic transmission in central pain pathways rather than blocking nerve conduction μ, κ, and δ opioid receptor pharmacology and how Gi-coupled GPCR signaling alters calcium, potassium, and cAMP How opioids reduce pain by suppressing ascending nociceptive signaling and enhancing descending inhibitory pathways The physiologic basis of common opioid effects including respiratory depression, sedation, bradycardia, and GI effects💜 LIVE WEBINAR: Save your seat on our monthly, free webinars. Replays are sent to your inbox and you get access to all of our previous webinars.[WEBINAR SIGN UP]💜 FREE DOWNLOADS: Grab your copy of customized study plans & worksheets.[SEE/NCE STUDY PLAN][RN ICU DRUG CHART]💜 CONNECT: 📥 Email questions, comments or topic suggestions to Dr. Temmermand at [email protected], follow us on social media, and sign up for our newsletter.[NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP][INSTAGRAM] [TIKTOK] [YOUTUBE]