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The Nocturnists

The Nocturnists
Uncertainty In Medicine
Mental Health
Healthcare System
Healthcare
Emergency Medicine
Nursing
Storytelling
Patient Care
Chronic Illness
Transitions Clinic Network
Sedation
ICU Patients
Death
Uncertainty
Medical Education
Caregiving
Malpractice Litigation
Chronic Lyme Disease
Patient Mobility
Diagnostic Uncertainty

The Nocturnists is an award-winning medical storytelling podcast, hosted by physician Emily Silverman. We feature personal stories from frontline clinicians, conversations with healthcare-related authors and art-makers, and special podcast documentary series such as "Post-Roe America," "Shame in Medicine," "Black Voices in Healthcare," and "Stories from a Pandemic. Our mission is to humanize healt... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes228Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
MedicineHealth & FitnessPersonal JournalsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Nocturnists

Latest Episodes

After surviving addiction himself, psychiatrist Dr. Jason Schiffman has devoted his career to understanding why people become addicted—and how they heal. We discuss trauma, shame, attachment, and his belief that lasting recovery begins not with treat... more

YouTube

Drawing on philosophy, bioethics, and decades in pediatrics, Dr. John Lantos reflects on how artificial intelligence is reshaping the doctor-patient relationship. We explore what medicine has gained through technology, whether the physician "aura" is... more

YouTube

As a college student seeking an abortion, Alejandra was unknowingly referred to a crisis pregnancy center instead of an abortion provider. In this conversation, she reflects on how that experience fractured her trust in healthcare, the years it took ... more

YouTube

Drawing on a lifetime in medicine and the stories behind his new book Failure to Treat, cardiologist Dr. Peter Kowey explores how profit, bureaucracy, and the corporatization of healthcare have transformed the practice of medicine. We discuss what ha... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Jason Schiffman
Psychiatrist, addiction specialist, UCLA faculty member and founder of Camden Center
Camden Center/UCLA
Episode: Healing Addiction with Jason Schiffman, MD
John Lantos
Pediatrician, bioethicist, physician writer
University of Chicago (bioethics center); Children's Mercy Hospital
Episode: The Lost Aura with John Lantos, MD
Peter Kowey
Cardiologist, author of Failure to Treat
Cardiology (focus on electrophysiology)
Episode: Failure to Treat with Peter Kowey, MD
Giulia Enders
Physician, gastroenterologist, bestselling author of Gut
Organs and Gut Research; author of Organ Speak
Episode: The Body as Teacher with Giulia Enders, MD
Lisa Rosenbaum
Cardiologist, National Correspondent for the New England Journal of Medicine
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Harvard Medical School; New England Journal of Medicine
Episode: Beyond Moral Injury with Lisa Rosenbaum, MD
Kaylee Glenn
Founder and president of The Day By Day Project
The Day By Day Project
Episode: The Memory Disco with Kaylee Glenn (Crossover Episode with Remo Health)
Susan Wise Bauer
Historian, writer, and educator; author of The Great Shadow
Author/Academic
Episode: The History of Being Sick with Susan Wise Bauer, M.DIV, PhD
Dr. Erika MacIntyre
Pulmonary and critical care physician
Episode: Beyond the Shore with Erika MacIntyre, MD
Chris Carroll
Pediatric intensivist who treated a gorilla during a zoo outbreak
Jacksonville Zoo case (Jacksonville, FL)
Episode: Rounds at the Zoo with Chris Carroll, MD

Host

Emily Silverman
Host of the show, physician, and storyteller guiding interviews and narrative-driven conversations.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 763 ratings
  • Brought me to tears

    The episode with Tiffany Chan was so heart wrenching, but beautiful. It was so interesting to hear how she managed her academic journey during such a difficult time in her life. I also enjoyed listening to her speak on helping the veteran population. I am a veteran and I am aware that we are a unique population that physicians in all fields can often find challenging to help. Thank you, Tiffany, for being one of those who stepped up for the challenge.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dali21001
    United States9 months ago
  • Uncertainty

    I have savored the Uncertainty in Medicine set.

    As a family doc and an old philosophy major, this area of life is central to my mind.

    Thank you for making this.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    FMSS, DO
    United Statesa year ago
  • Fantastic in all ways

    So great! The stories and the storytelling! I’m a ‘lay person’ but/and the stories are relatable, interesting and oh so authentic!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gr2323
    United Statesa year ago
  • Loved it from the beginning

    As a PA, this podcast makes me feel less alone. The stories are so relatable and remind me why I got into medicine in the first place. Thank you for creating it.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PA-JBS
    United States2 years ago
  • Brilliant

    A cinematic, penetrating, relevant, unexpected, human show. World-class storytelling, interviews, and audio documentaries that will rivet listeners far beyond the healthcare profession.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bzbm1875
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Audience notes the show's role in reducing clinician burnout by fostering community and reflection.
Some critics highlight the podcast's thoughtful treatment of sensitive topics and its impact on patient-clinician relationships.
Listeners praise intimate storytelling, strong interviews, and the show's ability to humanize medicine.
Episodes are described as thoughtful, authentic, and emotionally resonant.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Healing Addiction with Jason Schiffman, MD
Q: Can you explain what dual diagnosis means and whether you coined the term?
Dual diagnosis refers to the co-occurrence of a substance use disorder with another psychiatric condition. Schiffman notes he did not coin the term; it already existed and reflects the understanding that addiction often intersects with multiple mental health issues.
Beyond Moral Injury with Lisa Rosenbaum, MD
Q: When you wrote these four essays, the one you read from today, you said was essay four out of four, what was the response or reaction like from the community?
Responses were divided; some readers embraced the rethinking of wellbeing and agency in medicine, while others challenged the critiques of wellness culture and framed the debate around the balance between personal responsibility and systemic reform, generating substantial discourse.
Beyond Moral Injury with Lisa Rosenbaum, MD
Q: And you are also the host of the New England Journal of Medicine podcast, not otherwise specified. So tell us about nestling into Nezhm and writing for them and kind of this role of national correspondent and how that came about and what that means and what that looks like.
Lisa describes how she transitioned to NEJM as a journalist-essayist with autonomy, the influence of mentors, and how the role blends reporting with serialized essays to reach a broad audience, emphasizing human-centered storytelling and accessibility rather than traditional academic reporting.
Misdirected
Q: What was it like when you found out you were pregnant during that visit to the primary care clinic?
She describes a routine test that quickly shifted to shock when the clinician congratulated her and announced the pregnancy, triggering a dissociative response and a realization that she needed to discuss and pursue abortion options.
Misdirected
Q: So you were a college student when you got pregnant, is that right?
Yes, Alejandra was a fourth-year biology major who discovered she was pregnant and initially sought care, only to encounter a setting that confused and pressured her, which contrasted with her later experiences at Planned Parenthood.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Professions
Age Range
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Nocturnists

What is The Nocturnists about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This series centers on intimate, narrative-driven conversations with frontline clinicians, healthcare workers, and health scholars who share personal stories that illuminate the human side of medicine. Episodes often blend memoir and expertise—covering burnout, ethics, caregiving, public health, and the social dimensions of care—while inviting listeners into the emotional and professional complexities of medical work. The format tends to be highly storytelling-focused, with guests ranging from physicians and nurses to public health leaders, educators, and patients, sometimes weaving in live-performance or documentary elements. Notable strengths include a consistent emphasis on empathy, access to diverse viewpoints, and powerful, character-d... more

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How many listeners does The Nocturnists get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Nocturnists?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Nocturnists:

1. This American Life
2. Death, Sex & Money
3. Hidden Brain
4. My Unsung Hero
5. Tradeoffs

How many episodes of The Nocturnists are there?

The Nocturnists launched 9 years ago and published 228 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Nocturnists?

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What guests have appeared on The Nocturnists?

Recent guests on The Nocturnists include:

1. Jason Schiffman
2. John Lantos
3. Peter Kowey
4. Giulia Enders
5. Lisa Rosenbaum
6. Kaylee Glenn
7. Susan Wise Bauer
8. Dr. Erika MacIntyre

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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