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Mental Health
Poetry
Grief
NHS
Autism
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Healthcare
Education
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Addiction
In the Dream House
Interpretations Of Love
Medical Humanities
Your Worry Makes Sense
Carmen Maria Mercado
Healthcare Professionals
Arguing In the Headmaster's Office
Hollie Mcnish
The Outrun
Amy Gledhill

A medical humanities podcast where we explore themes from fiction, memoir and other non traditional non-textbooks which help to make us better at what we do.

Hosted by Dr Tara George, a GP and medical educator, in each episode a different guest explores a book that has changed their practice. Follow us on Bluesky bsky.app/profile/bedsidereading.bsky.social Facebook or Instagram @bedsider... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes251Founded5 years ago
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MedicineArtsBooksHealth & Fitness

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Artwork for Bedside Reading

Latest Episodes

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I think Michelle Hills' book The Wrong Order of Things is a contender for my non-fiction read of the year in 2026. It is so readable. It is so engaging. It is funny. It is moving. It is kind. Michelle is an absolute inspiration. I h... more

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Caroline Litman's memoir, Her Name is Alice, was one of my top reads of 2025. And so it feels like a real honour today to welcome Caroline herself to Bedside Reading to talk about her absolutely brilliant book.

This is a memoir. It... more

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Welcome to Season 13 of Bedside Reading.

In this episode, I am delighted to be joined by Dr Helen Haynes, to discuss her novel A Bridge Across Minds: Mental Illness, Grief and the Fragile Brain.

Helen is an old age psychiatrist an... more

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As we reach the end of Season 12, I'm delighted to close with a truly special conversation.

In this episode, I speak with author, illustrator, educator, and autism advocate Eliza Fricker about her latest book, Could Try Harder. Wri... more

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Recent Guests

Elizabeth Osmond
Neonatologist and poet
Episode: Hatchery - Beth Osmond
Emma Vardy
Professor and Consultant Geriatrician
University/Medical Practice (as discussed: consultant geriatrician)
Episode: The Child Who Never Grew - International PKU Day Special
Natalie Adler
Author of Waiting on a Friend; editor at Lux Magazine
Lux Magazine
Episode: Waiting on a Friend
Sarah Marwick
GP and portfolio career doctor
Midlands, United Kingdom
Episode: The Revenge of The Tipping Point
Isaac Grivalja
American writer and EMT by day
Writer, self-published author of Six and a Half Days in the City
Episode: 6 1/2 Days in the City
Alice Deasy
GP, researcher, storyteller
GP practice in Sheffield; university medical education
Episode: Cutting for Stone
Michael Killshaw
GP partner, educational supervisor, and GP training program director in Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire, UK
Episode: Radical Candor
Claudia Camden-Smith
Consultant forensic neurodevelopmental psychiatrist
NHS, courts
Episode: Sociopath
Selina Flinders
GP; safeguarding lead for a practice; former youth performance sport participant
Derbyshire GP practice
Episode: These Heavy Black Bones

Host

Tara George
Host of Bedside Reading

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 95 ratings
  • Great podcast and not just for CPD!

    Really enjoying this podcast. So many different books and guests that there is generally one that fits the moment / mood you want to listen. Looking forward to the next ones!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Abigail Macleod
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • An absolute treat

    Just slogging away on a Wattbike rehabbing a knee injury and it felt a lot easier listening to such an interesting podcast about vulvas!

    Thanks so much Tara and Catie

    Fab job

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AllyD 72
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Love this podcast

    This wonderful podcast is so many things. A gentle, inspiring listen, to a conversation between two people about a book they love enough to share. Inspiration for my reading list and some thoughts about the book that provoke insights and perspectives on the book. Highly recommended.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JackieALawlor
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Excellent Podcast

    Excellent podcast, very thoughtful discussions of wide range of books

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Shugfish
    United Kingdom3 years ago
  • General review

    I love this podcast and listening to discussions and a medical perspective on interesting, varied books.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Black trainers
    United Kingdom3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise thoughtful, book-forward discussions that bridge medicine and literature.
Show is described as a gentle, inspiring listen with broad book variety and meaningful insights.
Audience notes the medical perspective adds depth to book discussions.
Hosts are seen as warm, engaging, and well-prepared for nuanced conversations.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Waiting on a Friend
Q: Why did you choose to set the novel in 1984 New York and include ghost imagery?
The setting allowed exploration of fear, misinformation, and community resilience during early HIV/AIDS, and ghosts provided a metaphor for memory, loss, and the persistence of the past in the present.
Waiting on a Friend
Q: What is Waiting on a Friend about?
It follows Renata, a young New Yorker who can see ghosts during the AIDS crisis, as she mourns friends, grapples with fear and stigma, and contends with a controversial urban remediation business while seeking justice and belonging.
6 1/2 Days in the City
Q: Why was representation important to you as a writer and what did you want readers to take away?
I wanted to show that queer Latino identities exist in contemporary fiction and deserve to be seen, with a focus on friendship, chosen family, and the moments of vulnerability that accompany self-acceptance, hoping that readers feel less alone in their experiences.
6 1/2 Days in the City
Q: What is the core premise of the book and what is the elevator pitch?
The book follows a young bisexual Latino man on a self-discovery journey during a one-week vacation in New York, where distance from home and work reveals what he truly wants in life and how his upbringing has shaped his emotional development.
Cutting for Stone
Q: What drew you to the book, and what about it most resonates with medical practice?
Its rich narrative and vivid medical detail that feel authentic, reflecting how doctors observe, learn, and adapt in different cultural and clinical environments, while also exploring the human stories behind medicine.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Bedside Reading

What is Bedside Reading about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A medical humanities show that centers on how literature, memoirs, and non-traditional texts illuminate clinical practice and empathy. Episodes pair a host physician with guests—often clinicians, writers, or healthcare professionals—who discuss a book or memory that shaped their approach to care, with topics ranging from neonatal ethics and PKU history to burnout, safeguarding, and humane care in diverse settings. A standout pattern is the seamless blend of personal narrative, professional experience, and broader social context, making complex medical issues more relatable for clinicians and non-clinical listeners alike. The show's strength lies in thoughtful hosting, accessible storytelling, and a consistent emphasis on care, advocacy, and... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Bedside Reading?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Bedside Reading:

1. Red Whale Primary Care Pod
2. You Are Not A Frog
3. ZOE Science & Nutrition
4. Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee
5. How To Fail With Elizabeth Day

How many episodes of Bedside Reading are there?

Bedside Reading launched 5 years ago and published 251 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Bedside Reading?

Recent guests on Bedside Reading include:

1. Elizabeth Osmond
2. Emma Vardy
3. Natalie Adler
4. Sarah Marwick
5. Isaac Grivalja
6. Alice Deasy
7. Michael Killshaw
8. Claudia Camden-Smith

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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