Inside EMS

• ‘If you think Taco Bell is a post location, you might be in EMS’

  It’s EMS Week wrap-up time, and Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson are back in classic form in this episode of the Inside EMS podcast. From jokes about Sloppy Joe leftovers from Hospital Week to heartfelt gratitude for the medics still grinding it out day after day, this episode hits all the notes. Chris and Kelly talk about why EMS Week still matters; more than just stickers and slogans, it’s about recognizing the quiet pride, the commitment and the transformation that EMS professionals bring to their communities every single day. The hosts challenge listeners to advocate for the profession, share their stories, and — most importantly — support one another. Whether you’re still running lights and sirens or mentoring the next generation, this one’s for you. Memorable quotes “You may be in EMS if you finish a trauma report while chewing beef jerky at 3 a.m.” — Kelly Grayson  ”We need to treat EMTs, paramedics, dispatchers and supervisors with respect and do things for them 51 weeks of the year, and then take EMS Week off.” — Kelly Grayson “This isn’t a flashy job, it’s not always recognized ... but it’s real. And it gets in your blood.” — Chris Cebollero “Keep on being the rumpled angels of healthcare.” — Kelly Grayson Enjoying the show? Contact the Inside EMS team at theshow@ems1.com to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or let us know if you’d like to join us as a guest.

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• Criticism 101: Why you should stop blowing off feedback

  When it comes to taking criticism, EMS professionals are … not great. In this episode of Inside EMS, cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson get real about why criticism hits so hard and how we can start to deal with it like grownups (instead of defensive toddlers). They break down Chris’s recent article, “10 practical tips for responding to criticism,” sharing personal stories of defensiveness, arrogance and the long road to emotional intelligence. From learning to separate emotion from feedback to asking for clarification and recognizing when there’s truth in someone’s harsh words, this episode is a masterclass in professional and personal growth. The duo also explores how criticism ties into self-awareness, communication with partners, and even romantic relationships. Whether you’re a seasoned medic or a brand-new EMT, these tips will help you take feedback like a pro without letting it wreck your day. "We do not want our medicine criticized. We do not want our work ethics criticized. We just do not want criticism.” — Chris Cebollero "Experience comes from mistakes. Mistakes come from lack of experience." — Chris Cebollero  “Back in the day, I didn't care. I used to say the same thing. People either love me or hate me; there's no in the middle. But you know what? I wasn't looking at the bigger picture.” — Kelly Grayson Enjoying the show? Email the Inside EMS team at theshow@ems1.com to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or let us know if you’d like to join us as a guest.

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• Hot as a hare, mad as a hatter: Cracking the toxidrome code

  In this episode of the Inside EMS podcast, hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson dig deep into one of EMS's most overlooked (and often forgotten) topics — toxidromes. You might remember the word from paramedic class, but today’s street calls demand more than a vague memory. With patients taking everything from grandma’s Ativan to street-made speed, understanding toxidromes is crucial for making quick, accurate clinical calls. The crew breaks down the five major toxidromes every medic should know: anticholinergic, cholinergic, opioid, sympathomimetic and sedative-hypnotic. From classic mnemonics like “mad as a hatter” to real-life stories of fire ant poisonings, this episode serves up practical knowledge with EMS-grade humor. Chris and Kelly cover telltale signs (sweaty vs. dry skin, pinpoint vs. dilated pupils), treatment pearls of wisdom (easy on that naloxone, folks), and the real-world complications of polypharmacy. Plus, they touch on lesser-known players like serotonin syndrome and hallucinogens. This one’s a refresher you didn’t know you needed — but you’ll be grateful when you respond to your next overdose call. Memorable quotes “Antidotes are overrated. Supportive care will take care of most of the toxidromes out there.” — Kelly Grayson “If they’re pleasantly stuporous but breathing effectively, it’s not an overdose. It’s just a dose.” — Kelly Grayson “Narcan is not a punishment, it's a treatment. You don't slam it, you bump it just a little bit, just enough to get them breathing again.” — Kelly Grayson Enjoying the show? Email the Inside EMS team at theshow@ems1.com to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or let us know if you’d like to join us as a guest.

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• Not your average sugar rush: EMS strategies for DKA

  This week on the Inside EMS podcast, hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson tackle a metabolic monster that every EMS provider needs to master: diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). They kick off with a common (but critical) 911 scenario: a 19-year-old with a history of Type 1 diabetes, confusion, vomiting and a blood sugar of 500. Sound familiar? Kelly dives into the physiology of DKA, explaining how glucose can be sky-high while cells starve, triggering fat breakdown and ketone production that spirals into life-threatening acidosis. The hosts hit the must-know pathophysiology, signs and symptoms (hello, Kussmaul breathing!), and what providers often miss — like dehydration, vomiting and abdominal pain. They break down how to spot DKA with capnography and EKG changes, especially when hyperkalemia mimics a STEMI. From EMS management tips (don’t shut down those fast respirations!) to fluid resuscitation caveats, this is a crash course in saving DKA patients before they crash. Whether you’re running calls or managing chronic patients, this episode arms you with the clinical know-how and common-sense insight to handle DKA with confidence. Memorable quotes  “We're starting to see more increasing calls for type one diabetes, insulin-dependent type two diabetes ... and we need to be able to understand what we're doing. — Chris Cebollero “One of the big clues in the scenario is the vomiting. Lots of DKA patients will have vomiting and abdominal pain.” — Kelly Grayson “A lot of times, these hyperkalemia patients and these acidotic patients are going to be handled just fine by correcting their fluid deficits and correcting their glucose with an insulin drip. Just getting their glucose back down to normal level is going to manage the lion's share of the hyperkalemia.” — Kelly Grayson Enjoying the show? Email theshow@ems1.com to suggest episode ideas or to pitch someone as a guest!

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• Is your EMS agency all talk, no accountability? Here’s how to fix that

  What does accountability actually look like in EMS? In this episode of the Inside EMS podcast, cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson get into the gritty details — beyond the management-speak — and outline the 7 pillars of accountability that can make or break an EMS organization. From character and unity, to urgency and evolution, they explore how each pillar builds a culture that supports excellence, trust and growth in the field. The discussion gets into metrics that actually matter (and no, “we’re doing fine” isn’t a metric), urgency that respects both speed and precision, and how to develop a reputation that earns trust from coworkers and ED staff alike. Whether you’re in a leadership role or still riding the bench seat, this episode is a masterclass in personal and organizational accountability. Memorable quotes “Integrity is how you behave when no one’s looking.” — Kelly Grayson “You don’t let anybody dictate your own professionalism.” — Chris Cebollero “If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it.” — Kelly Grayson “Do you want speed or accuracy? I want both.” — Chris Cebollero “If you're practicing EMS like you did 5 years ago, you're behind the times.” — Kelly Grayson Enjoying the show? Email us at theshow@ems1.com to share ideas or suggest a guest!

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