Stimulus Blog and Podcast

We break down: training to handle stressful events, protective strategies to employ during and after traumatic events, the physiology of PTSD, specific techniques to downregulate your nervous system and getting to a place of equanimity. 

We break down: what we know so far about vaccine induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT), the research that has revealed an underlying mechanism, CDC and NHS recommendations, and a primer on cerebral venous thrombosis — the primary clot site associated with VITT.

We walk through a firsthand account of what happened during this mass casualty event from the lens of an emergency physician who was there.

We break down: how to not take things personally, sustainable happiness, using body language to transform our internal state, why some insults hurt and others do not, and specific scenarios where you might feel insulted (but don’t need to be). 

We break down: how setting expectations early helps to manage complaints later, managing those who degrade social capital, redirecting conflict to mutual benefit, and how understanding what motivates others’ behavior keeps you from taking things personally. 

We have a choice in how we perceive and act on any situation. Using that knowledge in an intentional way to shift perspective is at the core of cognitive reframing. Epictetus, the great Stoic philosopher, said it best,  “It is our attitude toward events, not events themselves, which we can control.”

Effect of Israel’s full bore vaccine program, protection after a single vaccine dose, immunity after a single dose in those with COVID antibodies from previous infection, evidence of decreased transmission following AstraZeneca vaccine, vaccine potency and viral variants.

Vinay Prasad pulls no punches in this wide ranging conversation about the realities (and delusions) about chemotherapy research, principle centered social media engagement, flipping votes, the FDA drug approval process, the importance of early palliative care, the dangers of embellishing therapeutic benefit, medical reversals, effective vs efficacious, and trade offs in decision making

Master meditation teacher Robert Beatty walks us through: the basics of meditation, how to start a meditation practice, principles of mindfulness, understating the roots of suffering, how concentrating on the breath can lead to insight, and healthy vs unhealthy coping. 

We break down three techniques to inoculate yourself against the stress of time critical tasks.

We break down what’s known about the new UK COVID variant: what it is, what’s meant by ‘more transmissible’, and potential effects on vaccine efficacy. 

Christiaan Maurer MD, was in his mid 40s when diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme — terminal brain cancer. In this episode, he and Rob discuss: what terminal illness taught him about time, what people with cancer do and don’t need, preparing your family for a future without you, the most/least admirable traits in physicians, and the secret of life.