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Today’s guest has one of those careers that doesn’t follow a straight line—and that’s exactly what makes it powerful.

Julie Smith’s professional path looks a bit like a zig-zag, but every turn adds depth. She began in communications, pivoted into emergency nursing, focused on safety net populations and disaster relief, moved into education, and now serves as a clinical product leader at InterSystems. There, she helps guide development of HealthShare, one of the world’s most advanced interoperability platforms, supporting massive health systems and government-sponsored organizations around the globe.

Julie is a nurse at heart, a health IT leader by trade, and a fierce advocate for health equity and clinician-centered technology. What I loved most about our conversations is when Julie explained why nurses must have a seat at the interoperability table—and how trust, not just technology, is the real end goal.

In the five-minute snippet: You didn’t just say the Q word, did you? For Julie's bio, visit my website (link below).

Hear Julie on the Hit Like a Girl podcast!

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I really enjoyed talking with Kirby Williams, a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She gave us the deets on where a PMHNP can work, the training required, the subspecialties, as well as the heaviness of the job, and how she cares for her own mental health. Her students are lucky to have her as a mentor and her patients, as their provider. In the 5-minute snippet, I absolutely love her advice for babies: explore ALL the possibilities.
For Kirby's bio, visit my website (link below).

Kirby's website: https://www.bbhealthandconsulting.com/

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Website: https://theconversingnursepodcast.com
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Check out my guests' book recommendations! https://bookshop.org/shop/theconversingnursepodcast

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This week, my guest is Tracy Hicks, a doctorally-prepared and dual-certified family and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. She also holds an MBA, which is particularly useful in her role as a CEO.

Tracy is the founder of C-Trilogy Comprehensive Clinical Care and C-Trilogy Outreach, a certified community behavioral health clinic that provides mental health services, substance use support, primary care, and 24-hour crisis help.

I was excited to talk with Tracy, who is an expert in the care and treatment of individuals with schizophrenia, because in my 36 years as a nurse, I have encountered only two patients with this diagnosis, both of whom were teenagers. I knew very little about the condition and was eager to learn from Tracy, and she did not disappoint.

We discussed long-acting injectables as a successful treatment option, the challenges of compliance, and the management of a long-term chronic disease. We also emphasized the crucial importance of a strong support system to help patients lead meaningful lives.

A recurring theme in our conversation was Tracy's passion when discussing these complex cases. This emotion stems from her lived experience, as two of her beloved family members—her father and her daughter—both have the disease. Growing up with the stigma of having a father with schizophrenia has shaped her perspective, and even though her daughter is now grown, Tracy’s concerns for her never waver.

Tracy’s days are incredibly busy. Between practicing in the clinic, serving on multiple boards that advocate for marginalized populations, and shaping the next generation of nurses as an Associate Professor, people often ask her how she manages it all. Her answer? When you align with your purpose from God, He will guide your steps. She truly is a blessing to her community.

In the five-minute snippet: Be prepared to jump! For Tracy's bio, visit my website (link below).

Dr. Tracy Hicks Puts Her Mind to Improving Access to Mental Care, Frontier Nursing

Empowering Care Partners Through Psychoeducation in Schizophrenia Care, Psychiatric Times

Contact The Conversing Nurse podcast
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Website: https://theconversingnursepodcast.com
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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

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**CAUTION** This episode discussed suicide, suicidal ideation, drug dependency. PROCEED WITH CAUTION.

This is a chronology of my serious health scare in 2025 and my subsequent dependency on Xanax.

During this time I suffered suicidal ideation. I was aware of the resources available to me and I didn't reach out. Please don't make the same mistake and suffer needlessly.

Here are some trusted mental health resources:

National Suicide Hotline: Dial 988

Crisis Text Line

National Alliance on Mental Health

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

Also in this episode is my 2026 line-up of guests!

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

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If you've been listening to the podcast for a while you’ve heard me say that we would be discussing bullying and, I’m happy to report that after over 65 episodes, I'm finally doing that. And I'm not only talking about it, I'm talking to the expert about it.
My guest, Dr. Phyllis Quinlan, a Ph.D.-prepared nurse, literally wrote the book on Bullying and Chronic Incivility in Nursing. With a combined 45 years as a nurse, educator, LNC, and executive coach, and having experienced bullying herself, she is well-equipped for the difficult conversation and has some insightful solutions to end it.
And let’s talk about emotional intelligence for a moment. Dr. Quinlan defines this for adults as the secret sauce to success in your personal and professional life. Well, Dr. Quinlan’s emotional intelligence score must be off the charts. This was truly one of the best conversations.
In the five-minute snippet: move over Barack. For Dr. Quinlan's bio, visit my website (link below).
Bringing Shadow Behavior Into the Light of Day
LinkedIn
MFW Consultants
Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses
Twitter

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

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Tiffany Gibson is a radical nurse leader who has been featured in Oprah Daily and Ebony magazines and proudly shares her two cents on social media and through her podcast. So when she manifested her goal on LinkedIn to book twelve speaking engagements this year, I jumped at the opportunity to invite her to be my guest because her wisdom for nurses cannot go unheard.
Tiffany is an emotional intelligence consultant and the founder of New Nurse Academy, LLC. During our conversation, she stressed the importance of emotional intelligence for nurses. She says managing oneself is crucial before managing others, and that entails understanding one's core values. Tiffany has designed a life that aligns with her core values: time, financial and recreational freedom. She believes that when nurses reevaluate their why, their core values will align, enabling them to show up authentically.
Her message isn't just for nurses, it's one that we all need to hear. Her work is vital and I am delighted she is sharing it with you.
In the five-minute snippet: Royalty is so overrated. For Tiffany's bio, visit my website (link below).
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjfHESB9nFK8VfehmzXU6nQ
X: https://twitter.com/NewNurseAcademy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newnurseacademy/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewNurseAcademy/
Podcast: https://new-nurse-academy.mykajabi.com/podcasts/my-2-cents
Oprah Daily feature: https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/work-money/a38203383/theyre-taking-a-shot-at-innovation/
Ebony magazine feature: https://www.ebony.com/the-national-black-nurses-association-holds-its-50th-annual-conference-to-support-and-empower-healthcare-professionals-%EF%BF%BC%EF%BF%BC/
National Black Nurses Association Conference July 2024: https://whova.com/portal/registration/niac_202407/
Moxie Scrubs feature: https://www.moxiescrubs.com/a/blog/10-black-nurses-you-must-follow-in-2023
How Past Trauma Impacts Emotional Intelligence article: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1067509/full

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
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

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Dr. Bonny Kehm is the Founding Dean and Assistant Provost of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Columbia Southern University. She’s an accomplished nurse educator, researcher, and leader whose work has had a substantial influence at both the state and national levels.

Appointed to the Missouri State Board of Nursing back in 2017, Dr. Kehm went on to serve as board president and contributed to vital initiatives through the Nursing Education Committee. Her leadership has influenced policy, program development, and the academic standards that shape how nurses are educated today.

Beyond her administrative and regulatory work, she’s also a Certified Nurse Educator through the National League for Nursing and has been recognized with multiple awards for her excellence in education and scholarship.

What I love about Dr. Kehm’s story is how she blends deep clinical experience with a passion for education, innovation, and mentorship. I’m inspired after hearing her insights on leadership and the future of nursing. Her dedication to shaping compassionate and confident nurse leaders is making a lasting impact, and I know you will walk away feeling motivated and hopeful.

In the five-minute snippet: This one came out of nowhere. For Bonny's bio, visit my website (link below).

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
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

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My guest this week is Yasmin Sharifi, an operating room nurse with many decades of experience. She’s here to give us a glimpse into, as she says, “what really goes on behind that red line.”

Yasmin didn’t initially set out to be an OR nurse. She started her career in med-surg but quickly encountered burnout due to a nursing shortage and inadequate patient-to-nurse ratios, often sharing 35 patients with another nurse. Realizing this was not sustainable, she transitioned to the PACU. When she was offered a chance to move into the operating room, she embraced the opportunity and discovered her true passion.

Yasmin pointed out that in 1990, there were no formal orientation programs for OR nurses. However, resourcefulness is a nurse’s superpower. She joined the professional organization AORN, purchased relevant books, and trained herself to adapt to the role.

Fortunately, those days are behind us. Nurses entering the operating room today receive a comprehensive education and an orientation period that lasts nearly a year. And if you think being an OR nurse means you won't have to interact with patients and their families, Yasmin dispels that myth completely.

We discussed the dynamics among the operating room team members, the egos involved, and the common goal that brings them all together: the patient. I’m confident you’ll enjoy and learn from our discussion.

After being in charge for almost her entire career, Yasmin has now taken charge of her own business, OR RN Mentor. Here, she provides expert insights, practical tips, and real-world experiences designed to help others thrive in the OR. Now that’s what I call giving back.

In the five-minute snippet: it’s 80’s rock for the win. For Yasmin's bio, visit my website (link below) and check out my CE library to see if you can earn CE's just for listening!

CNOR Certified Perioperative Nurse

AORN Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses

IFPN International Federation of Perioperative Nurses

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!