Medicine Meets Muppets: How Surgery 101 Reached 10 Million downloads

How does a surgical podcast reach over 10 million downloads? With humour, concise learning objectives, and short engaging episodes that sometimes even feature muppets.  Join Surgery 101’s Co-Creator Dr. Jonathan White (https://surgery101.org/our-team/) with hosts Neil McPhedran (https://www.linkedin.com/in/namcphedran/) & Jennifer-Lee Gunson (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferleejpodcreations/) as he shares the innovative approaches that have made Surgery 101 a global phenomenon making complex surgical concepts accessible and engaging for an audience that extends beyond medical students to professionals and patients. Through the story of Surgery 101, we uncover the transformative power of podcasting in education and the potential for creative approaches to revolutionize learning experiences. Connect with Us • Learn More: Continuing Studies Podcast (https://www.continuingstudiespodcast.com/) • Join: University Podcasters Network LinkedIn Group (https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14115712/) • Connect w/ Jen: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferleejpodcreations/) or  jpodcreations@gmail.com  • Connect w/ Neil:  LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/namcphedran/) or neil@podiumpodcastco.com • Twitter:  @namcphedran (https://twitter.com/namcphedran) / @podiumpodcastco (https://twitter.com/podiumpodcastco) • Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@continuingstudiespod) Links • Get in Touch with Dr. White: Email (https://apps.ualberta.ca/directory/person/jswhite1) / LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-white-51400135/?originalSubdomain=ca) • Muppet Surgery (https://surgery101.org/podcast/muppet-surgery-episode-1/) • Surgery 101 (https://surgery101.org/) • Continuing Studies Episode 6 with Dr. Craig Van Slyke (https://www.continuingstudiespodcast.com/episodes/louisiana-tech-pt-2-podcasting-your-textbook) Chapter Time Stamps: (00:00:00) Introduction Hosts Jennifer-Lee &  Neil introduce the weekly guest, Dr. Jonathan White of Surgery 101. (00:02:18) Dr. White's Podcasting Journey Dr. White shares his journey into podcasting, from early experiments to the evolution of Surgery 101, emphasizing its global impact and reach. (00:05:53) Simplifying Surgical Education The success of Surgery 101, attributing its popularity to simplicity, accessibility, filling gaps in traditional medical education, and its strategic episode structure. (00:09:05) Surgery 101's Audience Discussion on the broader audience, including medical students, residents, nurses, and patients (00:10:51) Integration into Curriculum How the podcast has adapted to curriculum changes and expanded its content, and where it is going next in terms of content. (00:14:52) Impact on Students and Learning Styles The use of the podcast as one more educational tool to be used in conjunction with other learning tools, and the difficulty of scientifically assessing it's impact. (00:16:35) Infusing Humour into Medical Education Discussion on the importance of humour in education and how Muppets came to be a part of Surgery 101 (00:20:49) Creative Commons and Open Access The decision to release Surgery 101 content under Creative Commons for free global access, emphasizing the philosophy of sharing knowledge without barriers. (00:23:55) Advice for Aspiring Educational Podcasters Dr. White offers insights and encouragement for educators considering starting their podcasts, encouraging others to take the risk, and share their knowledge. (00:26:11) Conclusion Neil & Jen share their key takeaways from the interview with Dr. White • (00:00) - Introduction • (03:24) - Dr. White's Podcasting Journey • (06:59) - Simplifying Surgical Education • (10:11) - Surgery 101's Audience • (11:57) - Integration into Curriculum • (15:58) - Impact on Students and Learning Styles • (17:41) - Infusing Humour into Medical Education • (21:55) - Creative Commons and Open Access • (25:01) - Advice for Aspiring Educational Podcasters • (27:17) - Conclusion Join us at Higher Ed Pod Con in Cleveland, OH, July 16 - 17 2026 Sign up by May 29 for Early Bird Pricing (https://qcoirfalslewtms.eventify.io/t2/tickets)