Episode 2 of Unstable Vitals features hosts Dr. Lara Zibners and Dr. Adam Brown, as they offer an unfiltered and often humorous look into the realities of emergency medicine. They delve into why people are so fascinated by ER stories, particularly the more bizarre and gruesome ones, a common question they face at social gatherings. The hosts share personal anecdotes, from gross medical incidents like "code browns" involving bodily fluids, to lighthearted pranks played among hospital staff.

The discussion also highlights the critical role of nurses in the ER, with both hosts sharing heartfelt stories of how nurses have been instrumental in patient care and their own professional development. They explore the unique team dynamic that often exists in the emergency department, emphasizing the need for mutual respect and collaboration when facing extreme situations. The episode also includes amusing tales and the odd challenges of working in such a high-pressure, unpredictable environment.

In our debut episode, meet your hosts—two ER doctors turned health policy nerds—who are fed up with pretending everything’s fine in healthcare when it’s clearly… not. From government chaos to moral injury in medicine, we kick off with a candid (and sometimes hilarious) look at why the system feels broken and what inspired us to start this podcast.

We dive into:

• Why DC’s silence is anything but quiet
• How we met (shout out, UNC!)
• Why instability isn’t the end—it’s the start of something real
• What we’ve seen across U.S. and U.K. healthcare systems
• The absurdity of public service layoffs, burnout, and corporate creep
• And yes, the origin of our name—including a very real code brown moment

If you’ve ever felt disoriented navigating the healthcare system—from inside or out—you’re not alone. We're here to pull back the curtain, talk about what’s actually happening, and invite the brilliant, bold, and brave to help us make sense of the madness.