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The Nocturnists

The Nocturnists is an award-winning, independent medical storytelling podcast, hosted by Emily Silverman, MD. We share stories that aim to humanize healthcare and foster meaningful public dialogue about the practice of medicine. Each episode brings the humanity of healthcare workers to the fore, from stories told at The Nocturnists live shows, to raw audio diary recordings in our special documentary series, to insightful conversations with authors and filmmakers whose work intersects with health and medicine. Welcome to our community.

Learn more at thenocturnists.com

Apr 30, 2019

Family medicine physician Catherine Forest listens to her one of her classical music idols serenade a dying loved one in the hospital.

According to the internet, the most relaxing song in the world is Weightless by Marconi Union.

To learn more about music and the brain, check out the book Musicophilia: Tales of Music...


Apr 23, 2019

82-year-old retired trauma surgeon Bill Meffert, who cared for wounded soldiers in Vietnam, reflects on that bloody experience and the words of a priest who worked beside him. 

You can read more about Bill and his novel, A Long Way From Home, on his website. To learn more about the Vietnam War, Bill recommends reading...


Apr 16, 2019

When caring for a young woman with a new brain cancer diagnosis, medicine resident Colleen Farrell comes to grips with her own mortality.

Books referenced include Noonday Demon by Andrew Solomon. You can find the poem "Intensive Care" by Jane O. Wayne here

Illustrations by Lindsay Mound.

Original theme music by Yosef...


Apr 9, 2019

Hospitalist Peter Barish recounts an intense, intimate moment with a patient.

Learn more about Ladybird here.

Illustrations by Lindsay Mound.

Original theme music by Yosef Munro.

Other music comes from Blue Dot Sessions.

Learn more and support us at thenocturnists.com. Thank...


Apr 2, 2019

Michele DiTomas, a hospice physician who cares for incarcerated men, races against the clock and slashes through bureaucratic tape to help a dying man go home.

Learn more about the U.S. criminal justice system at the ACLU.

Illustrations by Lindsay Mound.

Original theme music by Yosef Munro.

Other music comes from Blue...