Best Amit Pawa Podcasts (2025)

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S3 E14: "Block Box 6 (From ESRA25!): Our convo with Athmaja Thottungal & John McDonnell!" 49:16

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11d ago49:16

49:16

Greetings from Norway!! 🇳🇴 Amit and Jeff once again return to the GE Healthcare Block Box, this time at the ESRA25 meeting in Oslo! In this episode, we chat with Athmaja Thottungal about her motivation behind a career change, the value of healthcare coaches for preventative health, and some practical tips to chill out and engage in a "digital detox…

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S3 E13: "Block Box 5: Our conversation with Ki Jinn Chin and Amanda Kumar!" 49:14

26d ago49:14

49:14

Two amazing interviewees in one deee-licious episode! The uber-impressive Ki Jinn Chin from the University of Toronto shares his ASRA "origin story", his thoughts on how regional anesthesia really does incorporate elements of artistry, creativity and improvisation, how long a YouTube video SHOULD be, and what he's doing with spinals these days. Fol…

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S3 E12: "Emoji-ologist Dr. Jordana Garbati! 🤩🪩" 1:04:48

1M ago1:04:48

1:04:48

In this fascinating episode, Amit and Jeff interview Dr. Jordana Garbati, an “emoji-ologist” 😎 who has researched and lectured internationally about the use of emoji as language. For something we use every day, we sure had a lot of questions: are we using these correctly? Are there ways to be misinterpreted? Is it ok to emoji your boss? What emoji …

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S3 E11: "Block Box 4: Our convo with Kwesi Kwofie and Kris Schroeder!" 55:46

2M ago55:46

55:46

Our two hosts sit down for a stimulating (yes, intended) conversation with Kwesi Kwofie from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada, who gets down and dirty about needle nerve contact and nerve injury. Where exactly should we put the needle when performing a supraclavicular brachial plexus block? Or...is the supraclav dead?!! Why is periplexus pre…

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S3 E10: "Our conversation with Admir Hadzic (Part 2)" 49:10

2M ago49:10

49:10

Amit and Jeff continue their fascinating dive into the mind and life of Admir Hadzic, author, innovator, founder of NYSORA, brewer of fine beer, bassist and sports car nut. In this episode we discuss standardization in regional anesthesia, the future of textbooks in medicine, how sedated DO patients really want to be for nerve blocks, what it's lik…

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S3:E9 "Block Box part 3: A conversation with Stuart Grant, Steve Coppens & Gary Schwartz" 59:54

3M ago59:54

59:54

Amit and Jeff are still (!) sweating it out in the block box, and have the good fortune to be joined by three wonderful guests: Stuart Grant from the University of North Carolina, Steve Coppens from the Catholic University of Leuven, and Gary Schwartz from Maimonides Medical Center in NYC. We cover such topics as peripheral nerve stimulation for lo…

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S3:E8 "Blocks, Books, Blues, Beer and Belgium: Our chat with Admir Hadzic (Part I)" 58:22

3M ago58:22

58:22

He's the founder of NYSORA, a rock-blues bassist, and a lover of fine beer and finer automobiles. We had a ton of fun chatting with Admir Hadzic about the his origin story, how he has been able to reinvent himself and his focus, and how to NOT live your life in "thirds". Over three decades, Admir has built a global educational brand while running a…

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S3:E7 "Block Box Part 2: A conversation with Ed Mariano, Eleni Moka and Michael Bullock" 1:06:11

4M ago1:06:11

1:06:11

Our star-studded guest list continues live from the GE Healthcare Block Box at ASRA Spring 25! In this episode we interview Ed Mariano, Eleni Moka, and Michael Bullock, and get their answers to such questions as: What platforms work best for social media? How do we bring RA education to under-resourced parts of the globe? What is the mechanism of t…

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S3:E6 "Live from the GE Healthcare Block Box Part I 🎤: A conversation with James Kim, Sandy Kopp and Nadia Hernandez" 1:09:52

4M ago1:09:52

1:09:52

Wine, flamingos, and a glass box…this is NOT your typical BILIH episode...Amit and Jeff join you from the ASRA Spring Annual Meeting 2025 in Orlando, Florida, where they recorded live interviews with over a dozen influential thinkers in regional anesthesiology. Join us as we chat and laugh with James Kim, Sandy Kopp and Nadia Hernandez over discuss…

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S3:E5 "Somebody call 911! Nerve blocks in the ER Part II 🚑" 37:16

5M ago37:16

37:16

Clear!!! In the exciting conclusion to our two-parter on blocks in emergency medicine, things get real as the co-hosts debate Arun and Andrew over the ideal block for hip fracture, a slick way to reduce a shoulder dislocation, cheeky femoral blocks, and the role of fascial plane blocks in the ED. Links: The sponsor of this episode is GE Healthcare …

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S3:E4 "Spinal anesthesia with Robbie Erskine!" 1:27:28

6M ago1:27:28

1:27:28

Amit and Jeff are joined by Dr. Robbie Erskine from Daaaarrby, UK, sharing his immense wealth of knowledge and experience (and which Bond film is his fave) on spinal anesthesia technique and how to make ambulatory spinals work for everyone! Link to the BJA Education article on neuraxial anesthesia in patients with challenging anatomy: https://www.b…

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S3:E3 "Somebody call 911! Nerve blocks in the ER 🚨" 51:47

7M ago51:47

51:47

Amit and Jeff are joined by two Emergency Medicine experts (and self-described Blockheads!) with a passion for keeping injured patients comfortable. Drs. Arun Nagdev and Andrew Goldsmith talk to us about the role of regional anesthesia in the ER, what blocks are high-impact, what exactly is meant by a "tube and lube rotation" for trainees, and more…

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S3:E2 "Paravertebral: The King of Nerve Blocks 🤴 (Part 2)" 52:21

7M ago52:21

52:21

In part 2, Amit and Jeff tackle probe positioning, needle trajectory and something called Pawa's Pleural Groan...Why is the PVB poised to have a renaissance? Should we block one level? Every level? What's the risk of pneumothorax and should this block be done in anti coagulated patients? (spoiler: 2 out of 2 hosts say YES!) Join us for all this and…

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S3:E1 "Paravertebral: The King of Nerve Blocks 👑 (Part I)" 49:12

9M ago49:12

49:12

In this episode, Amit and Jeff hold court while discussing the crown jewel of regional techniques, the paravertebral block. Join us for some controversies, debates and jokes while we give paravertebral anatomy and block technique the royal treatment. Join us each month for another sassy conversation about anesthesiology, emergency medicine, critica…

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S2:E12 "Season 2 Holiday Special! 🎄 (Where we discuss compartment syndrome, nerve injury, rebound pain and more!)" 1:16:18

10M ago1:16:18

1:16:18

Grab an eggnog & a mince pie or two and join Amit and Jeff for a frosty and festive finale to Season 2, featuring answers to some listener questions and a joyful round of dad jokes! Links to things discussed: University of Florida study on intercostobrachial nerve block: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35308761/ Good paper explaining how regional a…

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S2:E11 "Block it Like It's Hot Down Under Part II: Social Media and Medicine" 32:31

11M ago32:31

32:31

In this engaging conclusion of our two-parter, we continue to share some laughs with the amazing Tanya Selak while discussing the value of SoMe collaboration, how to set boundaries when things get rough, and why she's NOT quitting Twitter (X) quite yet. In the meantime, Amit quotes Vanilla Ice, while Tanya seeks redemption as she gets another shot …

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S2:E10 "BONUS 'Episode': How You Gonna Block It? Rap Song" 2:53

11M ago2:53

2:53

Dope beats & phat lyrics...just two audacious dad MCs sharing the podcast origin story over some laid back West-coast flow.By Jeff Gadsden & Amit Pawa

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S2:E9 "Block it Like It's Hot Down Under Part I: Two Regional Anesthesia Tragics and a Social Media Queen" 49:56

12M ago49:56

49:56

Amit and Jeff welcome special guest Tanya Selak from Wooleng....Woolloongo....from Australia. Tanya shares her ideas on the role of regional anesthesia in contemporary practice, how and who we should be training procedural skills in anesthesia, and possibly wins the joke-off with the lads. Join us each month for another sassy conversation about ane…

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S2:E8 "Keep It On the QL: The Secrets of Abdominal Wall Blocks (Part III)" 52:18

1y ago52:18

52:18

In the exciting conclusion of our abdominal wall block series, Amit and Jeff dive into QL blocks (and more!)...what's the deal with QL 1, 2 & 3? Does it REALLY get the whole abdomen? What is a Tequila block and how can I get one cuz it sounds delicious!? Join us for all this and a heapin' helping of the usual dad jokes... Link to Jeff's QL video: h…

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S2:E7 :Summer Regional Anesthesia Controversy Spectacular!" 1:02:54

1y ago1:02:54

1:02:54

Is it advantageous to mix local anesthetics? Should we perform blocks in asleep patients? Why is the 'tucked vs untucked' scrub debate so fierce? 🤔 Join Amit and Jeff as they dive into these controversial issues and more! Things we referenced during this episode: Link to interscalene mixing study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21156983/ Link to i…

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S2:E6 "It's Crunch Time: Abdominal Wall Blocks Part II" 45:27

1y ago45:27

45:27

Join Amit and Jeff for a continuing discussion on belly blocks--we take a deep dive on external oblique intercostal block, find out WHY rectus sheath block is just so darn easy and fun to do, and entertain offers of tummy massages... Link to External Oblique Intercostal Block video: https://youtu.be/EftwBnMVHOI?si=RC_ARcjCq0fuIGA1 Link to rectus sh…

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S2:E5 "I.C.U. Baby, Blocking is Class: Blocks in Intensive Care with Jonny Wilkinson" 56:18

1+ y ago56:18

56:18

Amit & Jeff are joined by special guest star Jonny Wilkinson from Northampton as we discuss the role of nerve blocks in the intensive care unit: Which blocks? Who does them? Which patients benefit? How do we best teach these? Laughs were had, sound effects were shared, but no possums were injured in the making of this episode. The Northampton Criti…

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S2:E4 "Top Tap Tips for Tums: Abdominal Wall Blocks (Part 1)" 45:59

1+ y ago45:59

45:59

Rectus, subcostal and TAP...oh my! In this episode, Amit and Jeff tackle belly blocks, and discuss anatomy, clinical decision-making, and their own tips learned the hard way for how to make the most out of abdominal fascial plane blocks. Join us each month for another sassy conversation about anesthesiology, emergency medicine, critical care, POCUS…

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S2:E3 "POGUS or BOGUS? Gastric Ultrasound for Hungry Doctors!" 52:18

1+ y ago52:18

52:18

Your patient had a latte six hours ago...is their stomach empty? BUT IS IT? Don't fret...there's a quick way to find out. In this tasty episode, Amit and Jeff digest the ins and outs of gastric point of care ultrasound (POGUS), how to reduce the risk of aspiration, discuss challenges with fasting guidelines, and answer some listener questions and c…

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S2:E2 "Forearmed is Forewarned: Nerve blocks for median, ulnar, radial and other distal nerves of the upper limb" 1:00:12

1+ y ago1:00:12

1:00:12

Amit and Jeff continue their tour of the upper limb, focusing on blocking the distal branches around the elbow, forearm and wrist. Also in this episode: discussion of listener questions about LAST, sharing of failed block stories, and somehow, weirdly, a reference to Paris Hilton. Join us each month for another sassy conversation about anesthesiolo…

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S2:E1 "Numb Hands & Our Top Finger-Tips: Nerve Blocks for Upper Limbs" 1:02:20

1+ y ago1:02:20

1:02:20

Amit and Jeff take a tour of the brachial plexus, offering insights, stories, tips and "hold-nothing-back" hot takes regarding best blocks for the upper extremity... Join us each month for another sassy conversation about anesthesiology, emergency medicine, critical care, POCUS, pain medicine, ultrasound guided nerve blocks, acute pain, patient saf…

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S1:E12 "Jingle Gels and Merry Blockmas! Season 1 Holiday Special" 1:00:14

1+ y ago1:00:14

1:00:14

In this Season 1 festive finale, Amit and Jeff round out the year by reflecting on previous fave moments from the podcast, answer some listener questions, and count down the 12 days of Block-mas...Happy Holidays! Join us each month for another sassy conversation about anesthesiology, emergency medicine, critical care, POCUS, pain medicine, ultrasou…

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S1:E11 "Say My Name, Say My Name: Nomenclature in Regional Anesthesia" 51:43

1+ y ago51:43

51:43

What's in a name? That which we call iPACK by any other name would...well, actually, we're not sure. In this controversial episode Amit and Jeff debate (and disagree!) about proper naming conventions, the value of eponyms, and who has the right to name blocks. Stay tuned for CAPS, PECS, RAPTIR, SPANK, and more... Join us each month for another sass…

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S1:E10 "Giving You the Cold Shoulder (Nerve blocks for Shoulder Surgery from Awake to Phrenic-Free)" 59:18

2y ago59:18

59:18

Amit & Jeff dive into blocks for shoulder surgery, going deep on innervation and exploring a variety of techniques to keep your shoulder patients happy and pain-free. Plus some shout outs, listener questions and a return of the word "gumph" (feel free to suggest alternative spellings...). Join us each month for another sassy conversation about anes…

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S1:E9 "The 2023 RA-UK Roundup! (Highlights from the RA-UK Regional Anesthesia meeting)" 46:45

2y ago46:45

46:45

Amit & Jeff are back to dissect (yes, intended) the amazing lineup of speakers, talks, workshops and live demos at the 2023 RA-UK Annual Scientific Meeting that was held in Newcastle, UK in May. Couldn't make it but want to hear the highlights? Want to know who won the long-awaited pro-con debate? Ok, ok, we'll leave that one to you to decide...but…

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S1:E8 "Social Media, Cadavers and Workshops: Where Do We Learn Regional Anesthesia Best?" 48:21

2+ y ago48:21

48:21

What’s the best source for RA education? Are textbooks dead? Is it all YouTube and Insta? What about live scanning and cadaver labs? In this episode, Part two of our three-part series on education and teaching, Amit and Jeff discuss the best methods for imparting regional anesthesia wisdom (ironic, given the hosts) in 2023. No jellies were harmed i…

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S1:E7 "Gadsden & Pawa’s Top Teaching Tips for Nerve Blocks and Regional Anesthesia" 48:15

2+ y ago48:15

48:15

Teaching regional anesthesia knowledge and skills is a huge and rewarding part of our practice. This episode is the first in a special three-part series aimed at discussing how best to educate the next generation of regional anesthesiologists. Oh, and the usual tomfoolery, accents and jokes. Join us each month for another sassy conversation about a…

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S1:E6 "Keeping A-breast of Chest Wall Blocks: Regional Anesthesia for Breast Surgery" 53:29

2+ y ago53:29

53:29

Is PVB the answer? Or does PECS suffice? Do we need to get the anterior cutaneous branches? How about the axilla? In this episode, Amit & Jeff discuss how to provide top-notch anesthesia and analgesia for breast surgery, including a step-by-step, how-to recipe for awake mastectomy cases. Featuring a special guest appearance by Holt Gadsden! Join us…

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S1:E5 "Hip-Op-Hooray! (Nerve blocks for hip surgery and hip fracture)" 42:40

2+ y ago42:40

42:40

Hips don't lie, and Amit & Jeff are here to tell the truth (or at least...share their unvarnished thoughts) about how best to provide anesthesia and analgesia for hip arthroplasty. Whether you're a fan of spinal, GA, lumbar plexus, QL or PENG, there's something for everyone in this episode to keep us true to our hip-ocratic oath to keep patients sa…

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S1:E4 "Gadsden’s Gadgets & Pawa’s Paraphernalia: Our Fave Bits of Equipment" 47:37

2+ y ago47:37

47:37

We. Love. Tech. And all the fun gadgets and cool pieces of cutting-edge equipment that make learning, teaching and practicing regional anesthesia fun and safe. In this episode, Amit & Jeff discuss the innovative and useful bits of gear that they use in their practice, as well as several more that they can't wait to get their hands on. Join us each …

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S1:E3 "I 'Kneed' To Know More (Nerve Blocks for Knee Surgery)" 57:51

2+ y ago57:51

57:51

Femoral triangle vs. adductor? iPACK vs. surgical infiltration? Wait...geniculars, what?! In this episode, Amit & Jeff discuss ALL the ways to keep total knee patients comfortable while reducing side effects and getting these patients moving and out the door. Listen in to hear the anatomic basis for why we do these blocks and some tips and tricks f…

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S1:E2 "ESPecially For You (Erector Spinae Plane Blocks)" 45:00

3y ago45:00

45:00

Are you an ESP lover or hater? In this episode, Amit and Jeff discuss all things erector spinae plane block and manage to touch on mechanisms, the controversy about ventral spread, which surgical procedures it works best for, and most importantly, share some tips and tricks to make sure that it DOES work for you in your practice. Join us each month…

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S1:E1 "Introduction to Block It Like It’s Hot: Who are Amit and Jeff?" 31:30

3y ago31:30

31:30

In our inaugural episode, Amit and Jeff learn a little bit about each other's backgrounds (amongst other things such as movies, Disney and fave Xmas foods) and discuss what we can expect from the podcast going forward. Join us each month for another sassy conversation about anesthesiology, emergency medicine, critical care, POCUS, pain medicine, ul…