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Today’s guest is someone who beautifully bridges two worlds—science and story, medicine and meaning.

Amanda Skenandore is an award-winning author of historical fiction whose novels have been translated into multiple languages and recognized by organizations like the American Library Association, Reader’s Digest, Silicon Valley Reads, and Apple Books. In 2024, she was honored with the Nevada Arts Council Literary Fellowship for her contributions to literature and the arts.

But what makes Amanda especially fascinating to me is that before she ever became a full-time writer, she spent 16 years as a registered nurse.

And you can feel that in her work.

Her stories don’t just live in the past—they dig into the human experience of medicine, justice, and belonging… often in the overlooked corners of history where voices have been silenced or forgotten.

Today, we talk about that journey—from bedside nursing to bestselling author, how her clinical experiences shaped her storytelling, and what it means to care for people… whether through medicine or through words.

In the five-minute snippet: they are just so cute. For Amanda's bio, visit my website (link below).

Amanda's bookstore

Contact The Conversing Nurse podcast
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Website: https://theconversingnursepodcast.com
Your review is so important to this Indie podcaster! You can leave one here! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/leave-me-a-review
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Check out my guests' book recommendations! https://bookshop.org/shop/theconversingnursepodcast

I've partnered with RNegade.pro! You can earn CE's just by listening to my podcast episodes! Check out my CE library here: https://rnegade.thinkific.com/collections/conversing-nurse-podcast

Thanks for listening!

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Philip Layog is known as the "Work From Home RN" on Instagram, where he helps fellow nurses transition from hospital roles to remote positions. But first, he had to help himself.

Philip started his nursing career in Med-Surg, moved to CVICU, then PACU, but once he started his family, he decided to explore remote nursing opportunities. With a decade of experience, he eventually landed his first remote job.

Was it easy? No. Was it worth it? Absolutely. Philip now enjoys the freedom that many nurses are seeking. He appreciates leisurely mornings with his children before daycare, takes time to work out during his lunch hour, and is fully engaged with his family because he is no longer physically, mentally, and emotionally drained.

I wanted all the deets: What kind of nursing experience do I need? What type of training will I get? And what about the pay? Philip answered all of these expertly and revealed a little-known fact about the application process which blew…my…mind.

After speaking with numerous nurses, I’ve come to realize that when nurses improve their own lives, they feel compelled to share that knowledge with others, and Philip is no exception. He co-founded nurseremotely.com, a specialized job board dedicated to connecting nurses with legitimate work-from-home opportunities. He provides nurses with what they truly want: options.

In the five-minute snippet: Hmmmm, giant alligators or Disney? It’s a toss-up. For Philip's bio, visit my website (link below).

Contact The Conversing Nurse podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconversingnursepodcast/
Website: https://theconversingnursepodcast.com
Your review is so important to this Indie podcaster! You can leave one here! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/leave-me-a-review
Would you like to be a guest on my podcast? Pitch me! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/intake-form
Check out my guests' book recommendations! https://bookshop.org/shop/theconversingnursepodcast

I've partnered with RNegade.pro! You can earn CE's just by listening to my podcast episodes! Check out my CE library here: https://rnegade.thinkific.com/collections/conversing-nurse-podcast

Thanks for listening!

Send us Fan Mail

**Hey, before we jump into today's episode, I want to give you a quick heads-up. This conversation includes a personal story about an attempted suicide and some mental health struggles.

If that's something that feels heavy or triggering for you right now, it's completely ok to skip this episode or come back to it another time. Take care of yourself first.

If you're listening and finding that this brings anything up for you, just know you're not alone. You can call or text the 988 Suicide &Crisis Lifeline anytime, or reach out to someone you trust. Support is out there, and you deserve it.

Today’s guest is the kind of educator you don’t forget.

Gwenny Winkler, or Nurse Gwenny, built her career in some of the most extreme environments in healthcare—from the emergency department to helicopter EMS—where decisions are fast, the stakes are high, and there’s no room for autopilot.

But what makes Gwenny stand out isn’t just her clinical background—it’s how she teaches.

She believes learning should be fun, engaging, and built for real life—not just for passing a test. And she’s known for creating those “aha” moments that flip a switch for her students and bring their curiosity back to life.

Often described as “intense,” Gwenny brings a fast-paced, high-energy style to everything she does—but her real superpower is knowing when to slow down, connect, and treat the human behind the condition.

In 2026, she and her husband, Mr. Nurse Gwenny, launched The Nurse Gwenny Library, a modern continuing education platform designed for today’s learner, with over 100 hours of content that actually sticks.

We talk about what’s broken in healthcare education, how to prepare clinicians for the realities of high-acuity environments, and why curiosity in the form of the question, “But, Why?” might be the most important skill Gwenny is teaching.

I’m grateful for our conversation because I’m certain someone will benefit by hearing Gwenny’s deeply personal story of a

Contact The Conversing Nurse podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconversingnursepodcast/
Website: https://theconversingnursepodcast.com
Your review is so important to this Indie podcaster! You can leave one here! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/leave-me-a-review
Would you like to be a guest on my podcast? Pitch me! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/intake-form
Check out my guests' book recommendations! https://bookshop.org/shop/theconversingnursepodcast

I've partnered with RNegade.pro! You can earn CE's just by listening to my podcast episodes! Check out my CE library here: https://rnegade.thinkific.com/collections/conversing-nurse-podcast

Thanks for listening!