Inside EMS

White shirts, real talk: When the badge gets heavy

You’ve just been promoted — congrats, right? Not so fast. In this episode of the Inside EMS podcast, cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson get real about what it actually means to step into a leadership role. Spoiler alert: it's not just a new title and a gold badge. It’s a complete shift in responsibility, from caring for patients to caring for your people.

Together, they break down how new leaders often swing too far: either trying to be everyone’s buddy or going full micromanager. They talk servant leadership, earning trust daily, the power of listening and what “protecting your people from bad decisions above” really looks like.

If you're stepping into a new role — or trying to recover from a rocky start — this episode is packed with hard truths, some laughs and solid advice from two guys who’ve lived it.

Memorable quotes

• “Ask a lot of questions and give your subordinates some ownership over how decisions are made. They didn't get stupid overnight when you got a white shirt. They're still the good people they were before.” — Kelly Grayson

• “Leadership isn't a title, it's not a reward, it's a responsibility.  It’s a verb, not a noun, and you have to be able to show your leadership every day.” — Chris Cebollero

• “Leadership's not about perfection. It's about showing up every day and trying to get better. It's being present in the moment. You show up for your people, you help them be their very best, and you never stop learning how to lead better.” — Kelly Grayson

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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.

POCUS focus: Game changer or gimmick?

In this episode of the Inside EMS podcast, hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson are staying in the same hotel, but definitely not on the same page. The topic? Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) — is it the future of EMS, or just another flashy tool with little impact in the field? 

Chris opens the discussion with skepticism, calling POCUS a “ridiculous” tool that adds no value to his prehospital patient care. Kelly fires back with a defense of POCUS as a powerful, fast and non-invasive tool that can enhance clinical decision-making — if used right. 

It’s a spirited back-and-forth loaded with clinical scenarios, sarcasm and a lot of “whatever, man.” Whether you’re team “POCUS is progress” or “scan and stall,” this episode will get you thinking. 

Memorable quotes 

• “Ultrasound gives you another layer of decision-making support.” 

• “Point of care ultrasound gives me no ability to change the way I'm treating the patient.” 

• “It never is a bad thing to know more about the patient.” 

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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. 

The pediatric call that makes your stomach drop

In this episode of the Inside EMS podcast, Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson tackle one of the most nerve-wracking scenarios in EMS: the pediatric respiratory emergency. From the moment you see a gasping toddler in mom’s arms, you know this is a make-or-break call — and for many providers, it’s the one that keeps them up at night.

Chris kicks things off with a haunting real-life scenario that sets the stage for an in-depth conversation on how to recognize and respond to pediatric respiratory distress. Kelly, a seasoned PALS instructor with a knack for demystifying pediatrics, offers practical advice on assessing sick kids using tools like the Pediatric Assessment Triangle, reading subtle signs like head bobbing or limp limbs, and why the good ol’ basics — like BVM ventilation and suction — save lives.

From clinical pearls to mindset resets, this episode is a must-listen if you want to face your pediatric fears and come out stronger.

Memorable quotes

• “If we know that’s a weakness for our employees, what are we doing to help them make it a strength?”
• “You bring calm to the chaos. You bring presence to the panic. You bring hope to the people who are living their worst moment.”
• “This is not about just about a clinical challenge; but it’s a fear of getting something wrong.”

Enjoying the show? Email theshow@ems1.com to share your feedback. 

Tactical empathy: The leadership tool you’re not using enough

When conflict flares up in your organization, do you fuel the fire or douse it with empathy? In this week’s episode of the Inside EMS podcast, Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson break down how to handle interpersonal drama and tough conversations like a leader — with calm, clarity and tactical empathy.

Tactical empathy isn’t about being soft; it’s about being smart. It’s the intentional art of listening, labeling emotions and showing people they’re seen — without letting things spiral into chaos or resentment. Drawing from leadership lessons, clinical psychology and their own missteps, Chris and Kelly lay out 5 solid tools you can start using immediately, from mirroring and eye contact, to setting respectful boundaries.

Whether you’re managing late shift changes, dealing with crew conflict or just trying to keep morale afloat, this is an episode that gives you actionable steps — not just leadership fluff.

Oh, and if you think “tactical” doesn’t belong in the same sentence as “feelings,” they’re here to prove you wrong.

Memorable quotes

• “Conflict is part of EMS. You cannot avoid it.” — Kelly Grayson

• “Empathy’s not a rescue mission. It’s a recognition moment.” — Kelly Grayson

• “The trick isn't avoiding conflict. It's learning how to handle it without crushing morale, without leaving the other side, or having one or both sides feeling that you're showing favorites or you're blind to their concerns.” — 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.

Not just trainers: How FTOs build culture, confidence and hotshot crews

In this episode of Inside EMS, Chris Cebollero unpacks what it really means to be a field training officer and, spoiler alert: it’s not just about ticking boxes or passing protocols.

From the importance of professional modeling and emotional intelligence to the dangers of unchecked cynicism among senior field staff, Chris lays out why FTOs must be seen — and supported — as true leaders. He shares his own experiences as a clinical director, discusses how poor habits often trace back to lackluster FTO mentorship, and offers a full blueprint for building an FTO program that not only trains but transforms.

This isn’t about seniority; it’s about strategy. You’ll learn why ongoing training, peer-reviewed reappointments and subject matter ownership turn FTOs into the backbone of your EMS culture. Whether you’re an FTO, want to become one or oversee the program, this is the wake-up call you didn’t know you needed.

Memorable quotes

• “My FTOs were gatekeepers to the organization, and it was important for them to set the standard of what that was going to look like.”

• “Don't assign the title and hope for the best. Right? Develop the role into a leadership position that inspires people daily.”

• “You can't build a strong workforce if your trainers aren't trained themselves.”

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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.

Fusion medicine meets EMS: Inside Utah’s newest care approach

When most people see red tape, they stop. Darin Johnson saw an opportunity. In this episode of Inside EMS, Chris and Kelly welcome Darin — a paramedic, operations supervisor and now urgent care owner — to break down how he helped spearhead Utah’s House Bill 14. The goal? Allow paramedics to practice to their full scope outside of traditional EMS settings. What started as a frustrating moment working in mobile IV therapy spiraled into a full-on legislative effort that took over 3 years to realize.

And guess what? It passed.

But Darin didn’t stop there. He then launched Mod Doc, a fusion-style urgent and primary care center in Draper, Utah, run with a team of paramedics, flight nurses and a nurse practitioner. The mission? Community-centered care that blends traditional and holistic approaches — and gives paramedics a real seat at the table.

This episode is a playbook for anyone ready to stop asking “Why not?” and start saying, “Watch this.”

Top quotes from Darin Johnson

• “I'm just trying to create fusion medicine. Kind of like when you go to a restaurant and you get fusion food. I just want to bring all the best parts of medicine together and provide the best care for people so they can have good quality of life.”

• “Paramedics should be expanding their scope of practice. We really should be utilizing our ability to operate in remote environments and in homes and everywhere else.”

• “I had a moment where I just stopped and went, ‘Wait, huh? You'll let me do all these things if I'm working for an EMS agency, but if I have all the same things in place working private than I can't do that.’ And it started this whole journey of wanting to understand why paramedics weren't recognized for their scope of practice in the private setting.”

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.

‘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.

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.

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.

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!