In this episode, we sit down with mentorship program participants Jon Casto, SRNA and Abigail Poss, SRNA, to find out what surprised them, what inspired them, and what they wish every future CRNA knew before attending AANA Mid-Year Assembly

Stepping into a national conference for the first time can feel overwhelming but it can also be the moment everything clicks. You’ll hear real experiences from residents navigating their first major professional event, how mentorship accelerates growth, and why getting involved sooner rather than later can open doors you didn’t even know existed.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🤝 Mentorship accelerates career growth

🌎 Networking builds lifelong connections

🏛️ Advocacy starts earlier than you think

📚 Students can lead from day one

🚀 Early involvement shapes future leaders

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Airway management hasn’t changed much in decades but that doesn’t mean it can’t be improved. As more procedures move into outpatient settings and deep sedation becomes more common, the need for better oxygen delivery and reliable monitoring has never been more important.

That’s where the Aeris Airways device comes in. It’s a simple but powerful innovation designed to enhance standard airway tools, and we’re diving into it with Cody Birch, CRNA and Airways Innovations Co-Founder, and Diana Lugo Imus, DNAP, CRNA.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🫁 Improved oxygen delivery at the glottis

📊 Accurate end-tidal CO2 monitoring matters

⚠️ Traditional setups can be inconsistent

🛠️ Simpler workflow reduces stress in the OR

🔍 Better data leads to better decisions

Learn more: https://airwayinnovations.com/

To request samples: https://airwayinnovations.com/contact

Join Sharon at the Nurse Anesthesia Update in the Bahamas: https://www.nurseanesthetist.com/events/nurse+anesthesia+update+2026/

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099

Earn MAC Dev Credit: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/

Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

The perioperative environment is increasingly shaped by factors that extend beyond traditional pharmacology, requiring anesthesia providers to stay alert to emerging and often underrecognized influences on patient care. One such factor is the growing use of kratom, a plant-derived substance that patients frequently perceive as harmless due to its “natural” origins. However, as highlighted in today’s show, this assumption can lead to critical gaps in disclosure, leaving clinicians unaware of a substance that may significantly alter anesthetic management and patient outcomes.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🌿 Kratom acts as both a stimulant and opioid-like substance

⚠️ “Natural” does not mean safe or predictable

🧪 Potency and composition vary widely between products

😴 Patients may present with opioid tolerance or sedation

😵 Withdrawal can mimic pain, agitation, or delirium

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099

Earn MAC Dev Credit: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/

Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

Most SRNAs are focused on boards, clinicals, and landing their first job, but there’s another side of the profession that can shape your salary, autonomy, and long-term career more than you realize.

In this episode of Grade 1 View, AANA President Jeff Molter, MSN, MBA, CRNA, breaks down why advocacy is essential for everyone anesthesia professional. From student loan caps and full practice authority to Medicare reimbursement and access to care, Jeff helps us connect the dots between policy decisions and your future as a CRNA.

You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at Mid-Year Assembly, what actually happens on Capitol Hill, and how students can start getting involved earlier than ever before.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🏛️ Advocacy directly impacts CRNA autonomy, pay, and job opportunities

🧠 Starting advocacy early gives you a long-term advantage

🤝 Relationships with legislators are built over time—not one meeting

⚖️ CRNAs play a critical role in expanding patient access to care

📊 Mid-Year Assembly prepares providers to speak directly with lawmakers

Learn more about Mid-Year Assembly: https://www.aana.com/premier-event/mid-year-assembly/

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/grade-1-view/

Visit the AANA Resident Hub: https://www.aana.com/resident-hub/

Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

Aesthetic treatments like Botox and dermal fillers are more common than ever, but they may be creating hidden risks in the operating room. While these procedures are often viewed as routine cosmetic enhancements, they can alter facial anatomy, mask muscle responses, and complicate airway management in ways many providers don’t expect.

Krystin Jones, a third-year student in Duke University’s Anesthesia Program, joins the show today to discuss how these growing trends are impacting anesthesia care and what CRNAs need to watch for. Awareness, better questioning, and preparation are critical to keeping patients safe when aesthetics meet anesthesia, and today’s conversation will better equip CRNAs for this new challenge.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

💉 Aesthetic procedures can alter airway assessment

⚠️ Botox may interfere with neuromuscular monitoring

🧠 Appearances can be misleading in anesthesia

❓ Patients often don’t disclose cosmetic procedures

🛠️ Better pre-op questions improve patient safety

Join Sharon at the Nurse Anesthesia Update in the Bahamas: https://www.nurseanesthetist.com/events/nurse+anesthesia+update+2026/

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099

Get the CE Certificate here (and directly submit to the NBCRNA): https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf

Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

For CRNA students, everything can come down to one moment: the board exam. But is it fair to measure years of training, clinical experience, and growth with a single high-stakes test? In this episode, Joshua Olson DNP, CRNA, CRNA educator, and co-creator of the Ollivate app, joins Erin and Louisa to discuss board prep and the use of artificial intelligence in CRNA education.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🧠 Real learning happens through struggle and repetition

🤖 AI can enhance learning but not replace it

📚 Evidence-based strategies improve long-term retention

⚖️ Balance between performance, pressure, and growth matters

Check out the Ollivate App: https://ollivate.com/

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Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

Get the CE Certificate here (and directly submit to the NBCRNA): https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf

Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

There’s no shortage of financial advice available today, and much of it sounds confident, compelling, and even logical. But one of the biggest mistakes CRNAs can make is assuming that widely shared advice automatically applies to your situation.

The truth is, personal finance is exactly that: personal.

In this episode, Jeremy and Sharon dive into some of the most popular financial advice circulating today, from Robert Kiyosaki’s investment strategies to Dave Ramsey’s retirement withdrawals. They break down the risks, the myths, and the assumptions that these pundits often overlook and discuss what really works for most people.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

💡 Not all financial advice applies to your situation

⚠️ Extreme strategies (high leverage, 8% withdrawals, all-cash reserves) can backfire

🧠 Personal finance is more about behavior than knowledge

🏠 Renting vs buying depends on math AND emotions

📊 The best financial plan is personalized—not copied

Join Sharon at the Nurse Anesthesia Update in the Bahamas: https://www.nurseanesthetist.com/events/nurse+anesthesia+update+2026/

Ready to Start Planning? Visit CRNA Financial Planning Online: https://www.crnafinancialplanning.com/

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099

Get the CE Certificate here (and directly submit to the NBCRNA): https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf

Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

In this episode, Lynn and Garry explore the clinical, ethical, and deeply human realities of death and dying in anesthesia. From the illusion of control to the complexities of end-of-life decision-making, they reflect on what it means to care for patients when cure is no longer possible. More importantly, they examine how these moments shape us as providers challenging our assumptions, deepening our empathy, and redefining what it means to offer meaningful care.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

💔 Death is a part of life, but it’s often avoided in medical conversations

🩺 Compassionate communication can reduce anxiety for families and providers

🔄 Providers carry a “silent burden” when it comes to patient outcomes

🔒 Emotional distress can lead to burnout without proper support systems

💬 The Ask, Tell, Ask framework improves communication about end-of-life care

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099

Get the CE Certificate here (and directly submit to the NBCRNA): https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf

Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1