
For 14 years, the Inside EMS podcast helped drive conversations shaping the profession. Across nearly 900 episodes, hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson examined hot topics affecting providers and leaders, from field operations and clinical decision-making to technology adoption, workforce challenges and agency leadership. With more than 2.3 million downloads and listeners in 51 countries, the podcast built a lasting archive of practical insight, debate and perspective for every stage of an EMS career.
While new episodes have concluded, the Inside EMS archive (and the Inside EMS YouTube playlist) remains a valuable educational resource. Listeners can revisit discussions on clinical care, leadership, workforce challenges, professional development and the evolving role of EMS in public safety and healthcare.
Podcast Description
For 14 years, the Inside EMS podcast helped drive conversations shaping the profession. Across nearly 900 episodes, hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson examined hot topics affecting providers and leaders, from field operations and clinical decision-making to technology adoption, workforce challenges and agency leadership. With more than 2.3 million downloads and listeners in 51 countries, the podcast built a lasting archive of practical insight, debate and perspective for every stage of an EMS career.
While new episodes have concluded, the Inside EMS archive (and the Inside EMS YouTube playlist) remains a valuable educational resource. Listeners can revisit discussions on clinical care, leadership, workforce challenges, professional development and the evolving role of EMS in public safety and healthcare.
Episodes

Mar 10, 2023
Mar 10, 2023
22 min
This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.
In the 10-year anniversary episode of the Inside EMS podcast, Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson discuss the shortage of EMTs, the imperfections of the onboarding process, and the importance of having good leaders in demanding jobs.
Join Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson as they celebrate 10 years of the Inside EMS podcast by taking a hard look at the desperate search for more EMTs. With more EMS professionals nationally registered now than ever before, the duo dissects why those statistics don’t match up with the number of EMTs currently working.
Our hosts take a close look at EMS leaders and their impact on new EMTs. Plus, they cover specific ways that we can improve the onboarding process to better prepare EMS professionals, and how the sink or swim method is harming new EMTs.
LISTEN IN WHILE WE DISCUSS:
- The lack of preparation in onboarding new EMTs.
- Is there really a shortage in EMS?
- Why is it so important to pair new EMTs with good mentors?
- The negative impact of hazing in EMS.
- How to take care of yourself while maintaining a successful EMS career.
CAN’T-MISS MOMENTS
- “What we have is a shortage of people who are willing to work under horrible conditions for chump change and be unappreciated.”
- “We spend an inordinate amount of time recruiting adrenaline junkies and trying to teach them to be hand holders when we should be recruiting hand holders and teaching them how to function in a crisis.”
- “We need to teach new EMTs to keep that soft chewy center and retain that compassion for as long as they possibly can.”
Resources mentioned on the show
- Article: “Top 10 Ways to Ruin a Good EMT” written by Kelly Grayson
- Book: “Ultimate Leadership: 10 Rules for Success” written by Chris Cebollero
Connect with us
- Listen to this episode of the Inside EMS podcast and look out for new episodes every Friday
- Contact us at theshow@EMS1.com
- Review the show on Apple Podcasts and leave us some feedback

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