Loading...

PODCAST

The Off Shift Podcast by EMSconnect

EMSconnect, LLC

The Off Shift Podcast by EMSconnect is where first responders continue the conversation after the call.Hosted by EMS educator Shaun Pitts, each episode brings together paramedics, EMTs, firefighters, physicians, educators, and industry leaders to explore the topics that shape our profession. From clinical medicine and patient care to leadership, mental health, education, career development, and the realities of life in emergency services, we cover the conversations that happen when the radios are

education courses

All Episodes

120:08

WHO THE HELL GAVE US THE MICROPHONE?

The Off Shift Podcast by EMSconnect ·

2026/10/01

Send us Fan Mail There was no script. No outline. No carefully planned conversation. Nathan and Shaun hit record… and just started talking. What followed was a raw, unfiltered conversation about EMS, how we got here, the people and experiences that shaped us, the lessons we learned the hard way, and what we wish someone had told us when we were brand-new providers. We talk about the reality of growing in EMS, finding your place in the profession, making mistakes, learning from them, and f...

en-us

59:48

The Black Cloud: When the Shit Show Follows You Home

The Off Shift Podcast by EMSconnect ·

2026/08/26

Send us Fan Mail What happens when the calls don't end when your shift does? On this episode of The Off Shift Podcast by EMSconnect, Shaun sits down with firefighter/paramedic Laelen for a raw and honest conversation about the ways EMS can change you over time—and what happens when the weight of the job starts following you home. Laelen shares her journey from volunteer EMT to paramedic, FTO, educator, and firefighter/paramedic, along with the story behind earning a reputation as a “shit sh...

en-us

42:33

What I Wish I Knew: The Lessons Every Rookie...

The Off Shift Podcast by EMSconnect ·

2026/07/26

Send us Fan Mail Starting a career in EMS or the fire service can be exciting, overwhelming, and full of lessons no one teaches you in class. In this episode, I sit down with Nic Pluskota to talk about everything rookie. From earning trust in the station to avoiding common mistakes, Nic shares honest advice and practical insights that every new provider—and even seasoned veterans mentoring the next generation—should hear. We dive into what to expect during those critical first few years, the ...

en-us

78:18

Care vs. Clarity: Should Empathy Step Back on Scene?

The Off Shift Podcast by EMSconnect ·

2026/04/27

Send us Fan Mail EMS training is designed to build competence, but it often fails to prepare providers for the chaos, complexity, and human side of real-world calls. In this episode of EMSconnect On Shift, we break down insights from EMS1’s reader response article: https://www.ems1.com/ems-training-and-education/ems1-readers-respond-whats-the-biggest-gap-between-training-and-real-world-calls and bring it into the reality of the street. According to frontline providers, the biggest gaps in E...

en-us

57:59

Standards, Service & Something Greater with Zac Willhide

The Off Shift Podcast by EMSconnect ·

2026/03/03

Send a text In this episode of EMSconnect On Shift, we sit down with Zac — a firefighter/EMT with both volunteer and career experience — to explore what it truly takes to serve at a high standard in the fire and EMS world. From his early days on the rig to navigating the chaos of high-stakes calls, Zac shares how faith has guided him, grounded him, and helped him stay resilient on shift. We dive into the tough questions: How do we maintain excellence under pressure? How do we process the weig...

en-us

80:57

Exhausted Isn’t Normal: What EMS Needs to Know About...

The Off Shift Podcast by EMSconnect ·

2026/02/10

Send a text Why are so many EMS providers exhausted—even when they “sleep”? Why does stress feel constant, recovery impossible, and burnout unavoidable? In this episode of EMSconnect On Shift, we’re joined by Haley Scellick, ARNP from First Responder Health and Wellness to break down what’s really happening inside the bodies of first responders. We dive into chronic fatigue, cortisol dysregulation, sleep disruption, and hormone imbalance, and explain why feeling “wired but tired” is not just ...

en-us

64:36

BLS Essentials: Tox Talk: What’s Poisoning Your Patient?

The Off Shift Podcast by EMSconnect ·

2026/01/28

Send us a text Poisonings and overdoses are a growing portion of EMS calls, and rapid recognition can mean the difference between life and death. Toxicology 101 is designed to give BLS providers a practical, field-focused approach to identifying and managing common toxidromes. This course breaks down the five core toxidromes, common substances involved, key assessment findings, and critical BLS interventions. Support the show 🔗 EMSconnect – All Social Media & Resources 👉

en-us

69:32

Inside The Movie Code 3: EMS, Burnout, and the...

The Off Shift Podcast by EMSconnect ·

2026/01/07

Send us a text In this episode of EMSconnect On Shift, we sit down with Patrick Pianezza, former Paramedic and Writer of the film Code 3, for an honest, inside look at telling EMS stories from someone who has actually lived them. Patrick shares how his time on the streets shaped the characters, calls, and emotional weight of Code 3, why authenticity matters when portraying EMS on screen, and how cumulative stress, burnout, dark humor, and identity all find their way into the story. We talk ab...

en-us

53:03

Read Between the Lines: Mastering Rhythm Strips & ECG...

The Off Shift Podcast by EMSconnect ·

2025/12/30

Join Shaun Pitts on EMSconnect On Shift as he sits down with Dr. Travis Dierks for an essential deep dive into ECG interpretation. Whether you’re an EMT, paramedic, or just looking to strengthen your cardiac knowledge, this episode breaks down rhythm strips and ECG fundamentals in a clear, practical way. Dr. Dierks shares expert tips for identifying key patterns, avoiding common pitfalls, and translating what you see on the monitor into confident, real-world patient care decisions. By the end...

en-us

47:59

Bridging the Pediatric Comfort Gap: A Flight Medic’s...

The Off Shift Podcast by EMSconnect ·

2025/12/10

In this episode of EMSconnect On Shift, we sit down with Ian—a seasoned paramedic and flight clinician whose journey started with Ada County Paramedics back in 2012. After earning his paramedic certification in 2014, Ian set his sights on the sky, launching his flight career in 2018. Since then, he’s flown with several programs, spending four years with Air Idaho Rescue in Driggs before joining Air St. Luke’s, where he has been flying for the past three years. With extensive rotor-wing experi...

en-us

33:16

Following Your EMT Clinical Compass and Being...

The Off Shift Podcast by EMSconnect ·

2025/12/03

In this essential pre-clinical briefing, veteran educator and field provider Shaun Pitts breaks down the mindset, expectations, and professional habits every EMT student needs before stepping onto an ambulance or walking into a clinical site. This episode is designed to be listened to before your first ride-along and revisited before every shift throughout your training. Shaun lays out the concept of your Clinical Compass—the internal framework that keeps you oriented when the real worl...

en-us

77:21

When Brains Short-Circuit: The EMS Guide to Seizure...

The Off Shift Podcast by EMSconnect ·

2025/10/20

Seizures don’t follow the rules—and in the prehospital setting, neither can you. Join Dr. Maika Dang, Emergency Medicine Physician and EMS Medical Director, as he unpacks the unpredictable world of seizure emergencies in this dynamic and engaging webinar. From subtle partial seizures to full-blown status epilepticus, EMS providers are often the first on scene during some of the most chaotic moments in a patient’s life. This course goes beyond textbook definitions to provide real-world guidan...

en-us

52:27

Prehospital Care for the Aging Population

The Off Shift Podcast by EMSconnect ·

2025/10/20

The geriatric population is one of the fastest-growing patient groups EMS providers will encounter, and caring for these individuals requires unique knowledge and skills. Prehospital Care for the Aging Population equips EMS professionals with the tools to recognize, assess, and manage the complex needs of older adults in the prehospital setting. This course explores age-related physiological changes, common medical and traumatic emergencies in geriatric patients, medication considerations, c...

en-us

84:27

BLS Provider Essentials: Mastering Respiratory...

The Off Shift Podcast by EMSconnect ·

2025/10/20

In this episode of EMSconnect On Shift, Quinn dives deep into one of the most common and critical calls in prehospital care: respiratory emergencies. From asthma and COPD to CHF and pneumonia, Quinn breaks down the “Big 4” respiratory issues every EMS provider encounters and explores how to assess, treat, and manage these patients at the BLS level. Join us as we review key anatomy and physiology, discuss how to recognize respiratory distress before it becomes failure or arrest, and walk throu...

en-us

45:37

BLS Provider Essentials: Abdominal Emergencies

The Off Shift Podcast by EMSconnect ·

2025/10/20

In this episode of EMSconnect On Shift, Shaun Pitts dives deep into one of the most common—and most challenging—calls in EMS: abdominal pain. From appendicitis to pancreatitis, this discussion explores the anatomy, physiology, and assessment strategies behind those mysterious belly aches that can quickly turn critical. You’ll learn how to distinguish between somatic, visceral, parietal, and referred pain, sharpen your patient assessment skills, and walk through a real-world case that tests yo...

en-us

28:28

EMSConnect On Shift Behind the Scenes

The Off Shift Podcast by EMSconnect ·

2025/08/06

The record button was accidentally left on… and now you get a behind-the-scenes peek at what happens when we’re not being professional or sticking to the script! While we have to cut this from the official course on the website, it would be a crime not to share it here on the podcast. So sit back, relax, and “enjoy” the chaos and utter stupidity. If you are looking to waste 20 mins, don't look any further! Support the show https://www.facebook.com/EMSconnectonline https://www.youtube.c...

en-us

88:21

Crushed, Collapsed, Compromised: Thoracic Trauma Triage

The Off Shift Podcast by EMSconnect ·

2025/08/06

When the chest takes the hit, everything changes—fast. From blunt force impacts to penetrating trauma, thoracic injuries can rapidly become life-threatening, leaving EMS providers with seconds to act and no room for error. "Crushed, Collapsed, Compromised: Thoracic Trauma Triage" is a high-impact course designed to sharpen your skills in identifying, managing, and triaging chest trauma in the field. We’ll break down the critical signs of rib fractures, flail chest, sucking chest wounds, tens...

en-us

57:18

BLS Provider Essentials: Knocked Out, What Every EMT...

The Off Shift Podcast by EMSconnect ·

2025/07/28

Head injuries are unpredictable, high-risk, and often present in ways that challenge even the most experienced EMT. In this fast-paced, BLS-focused podcast, we’ll break down what you must know when responding to patients with suspected head trauma. From altered mental status and pupil changes to airway protection and spinal considerations, this course will sharpen your assessment skills, reinforce critical treatment decisions, and help you avoid common pitfalls in the field. Whether it’s a fa...

en-us

104:27

No Pulse, No Problem: Crushing Cardiac Arrest in the...

The Off Shift Podcast by EMSconnect ·

2025/07/10

When seconds count and the pressure is on, what really makes the difference in saving a life? In this episode of EMSconnect On Shift, we sit down with Dr. Eric Ernest—emergency physician, EMS medical director, and resuscitation nerd—to talk all things cardiac arrest. From high-performance CPR and mechanical devices to airway management and post-ROSC care, Dr. Ernest shares practical, field-tested insights that can help EMS providers own the code and improve outcomes when every beat matters. W...

en-us

86:43

The Airway Code: Cracking the Science Behind Breathing

The Off Shift Podcast by EMSconnect ·

2025/06/10

In this episode of EMSconnect On Shift, we’re unlocking the mysteries of the human airway. Designed for EMS professionals ready to level up, The Airway Code breaks down complex anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology into real-world street smarts. We’ll follow the journey of oxygen from the nose to the alveoli—and uncover what happens when that journey gets disrupted. You’ll learn to spot critical airway issues before they become life-threatening and gain a deeper understanding of why your p...

en-us

95 results

Similar Podcasts

Psychology in Everyday Life: The Psych Files

Michael Britt

Daily Facts

Amalia Dupray and Montgomery Jones.

Les dents et dodo

BFMTV

Bedtime Safari

Bedtime History

Edutainment Learning

Ralph Krauss