Coffee and a Gas podcast

Coffee and a Gas

Welcome to Coffee and a Gas, a podcast series created by the Association of Anaesthetists Resident Doctors Committee, for all anaesthetists, covering topics from wellbeing and advocacy to the hottest discussions in anaesthetic practice.

The podcast hosts from the Resident Doctors Committee will also be joined by members of the Board and other members of the Association in interviewing a variety of experts who will share strategies to help improve your wellbeing.

You can access the episodes on Podbean, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Stages: New consultant

Becoming a consultant is one of the biggest milestones in an anaesthetist’s career - but it can also be one of the most challenging. In this episode, we discuss what really changes after CCT, the surprises of independent practice, and practical advice for thriving in those crucial first few years.

Whether you’re approaching the end of training or simply curious about what’s ahead, this episode is packed with honest reflections, reassurance and tips to help make the transition a little smoother.

Coffee and a Gas Episode 30: Consent for anaesthesia: guidelines from the Association of Anaesthetists

Joe pick is joined by Andrew McLeod, lead author of the updated 2026 guidelines on consent in anaesthesia.

Stages - Stage two

You’ve found your feet as an anaesthetic resident. Now it’s time to tackle specialist rotations, increased responsibility and the Final FRCA.

Dr Toni Robinson is joined by Dr Emma O’Neill to discuss practical advice on navigating Stage 2 training, avoiding common pitfalls and building a sustainable career in anaesthesia.

Stages - Stage three

You’ve worked out how to navigate portfolio and training. Now it’s time to take the next step, becoming a senior resident and working out what kind of consultant you are going to be. Joe Pick is joined by Mo Amer to discuss practical advice on how to thrive in stage 3 and how to start planning for your future.

Coffee and a Gas episode 29: What’s on at the Association

In this episode of Coffee and a Gas, Joe Pick is joined by Head of Education and Events at the Association of Anaesthetists, Zack Puttock, to discuss upcoming events and education brought to you by the Association.

Links:
Book an event

Stages - The mid-career anaesthetist

In this episode of our ‘stages’ series we discuss the challenges faced by the mid-career anaesthetist. It’s an often forgotten about stage of life and a career, where direction and purpose can be unclear. We are joined in this podcast by Dr Lois Brand an emergency medicine consultant and specialised coach who runs popular career pit stop sessions and Dr Robert Self VP of the Association of Anaesthetists.

Links:

Career Pitstop

Coffee and a Gas episode 28: The elephant in the room: trauma, imposter syndrome and medicine

In this deeply honest episode, Lucy reflects on a traumatic experience from early in her medical training and how its psychological impact followed her into clinical practice. We explore PTSD, imposter syndrome, and the hidden emotional burden of working in high-pressure specialties like anaesthetics.

This conversation shines a light on the gap between outward competence and inner struggle, the culture of silence around trauma in medicine, and why acknowledging our humanity matters for long-term wellbeing.

Links to wellbeing support:

• Wellbeing & support hub
• Mental wellbeing guidance
• Emergency contacts & support services
• Wellbeing leads & career support

Coffee and a Gas episode 27: Storytelling in medicine

Dr Joe Pick is joined by Dr Rachel Clarke (palliative care doctor, author and former tv journalist) discussing the importance of storytelling in medicine and how you can make it part of your day-to-day practice.

Coffee and a Gas episode 26: Black anaesthetists: stories, challenges and change

In this Black History Month episode, we sit down with Dr Sethina Watson, Consultant Anaesthetist, and Mr Russell Ampofo, Director of Education, Training and Examinations at the RCoA. We celebrate the contributions of black anaesthetists and explore representation, allyship and advancing equity and inclusion in anaesthesia.

Coffee and a Gas episode 25: Birth trauma and the anaesthetist

Joe Pick and Claire-Marie Agius are joined by Kim Thomas. Kim is CEO of the Birth Trauma Association, a charity that supports parents experiencing psychological symptoms such as PTSD after traumatic birth. She was also the secretariat for the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) inquiry into birth trauma, and wrote the inquiry report, published in May 2024.

We discuss the idea of birth trauma and how as anaesthetists we may be able to help those going through traumatic situations.

Stages - Stage one

Starting anaesthetics training can feel exciting, daunting, and everything in between. In this episode, we sit down with a resident doctor who has just completed Stage 1 to share what it’s really like — from first on-calls to tackling the Primary FRCA, managing the e-portfolio, and finding your feet in theatre. Packed with practical tips, honest reflections, and advice they wish they’d known on day one, this is your survival guide to navigating Stage 1 and setting yourself up to thrive.

Coffee and a Gas episode 23: Politics and the Association

A two part episode with a meeting with former ENT surgeon and current MP, Mr Peter Prinsley, to talk about his career change, followed by a chat with President of the Association, Dr Tim Meek, to discuss how the Association advocates for its members.

Coffee and a Gas Episode 22: How to anaesthetise a kangaroo with Daisy Norgate

In the latest episode of the Coffee and a Gas podcast, veterinary anaesthetist Daisy Norgate joins Joe Pick to discuss her career. We cover career paths and technical aspects of anaesthetising some weird and wonderful cases.

Coffee and a Gas Episode 21: How to have a good day, strategies to improve your wellbeing with Dr Toni Brunning

In this episode, we talk to Dr Brunning about the strategies we can use to improve our wellbeing, by trying to make sure we have a good day.

Coffee and a Gas Episode 20: Antarctic doctoring with Dr Kat Ganly

In this episode, we are exploring the highs and lows of spending 526 days as a British Antarctic Survey doctor, with Dr Kat Ganly.

Coffee and a Gas Episode 19: Using escape rooms to study team dynamics with Dr Louise Flynn

In this episode introduced by Dr Claire-Marie Agius, we talk with Dr Louise Flynn, consultant paediatric anaesthetist in Leeds, about using escape rooms to study team dynamics in theatre.

Coffee and a Gas Episode 18: Top 10 most impactful papers with Dr Matt Wiles

In this episode, Dr. Matt Wiles, editor-in-chief of Anaesthesia, discusses the ten most impactful papers (2023-2024) in anaesthesia. For links to the papers discusses, follow Pick of the Papers 2024 | STH Journal Club (wordpress.com).

Coffee and a Gas Episode 17: Mentoring with Nancy Redfern

In this episode, Dr Nancy Redfern discusses the benefits of mentoring for anaesthetists, particularly when starting a new role or wrestling with a dilemma. Are you attending the Annual Congress, or any other large Conference organised by the Association of Anaesthests? Book a free introductory mentoring session. 

Coffee and a Gas Episode 16: Equity in global anaesthesia

Welcome to another special internationally-themed episode of our podcast Coffee and a Gas, where we embark on a global exploration of equity in anaesthesia. In this episode, we bring unite the UK and Kenya as our host speaks with Dr Tom Bashford and Dr Rediet Shimeles Workneh to gain insightful conversations unravelling the complex web of challenges and triumphs in the pursuit of global equity in anaesthesia. 

Coffee and a Gas Episode 15: Research in lower income settings

Join us for another special internationally-themed episode of our podcast Coffee and a Gas, where we explore the fascinating intersection of anaesthetic research and healthcare challenges in low-resourced countries. In this episode, join our host as they sit down with Dr Ben Morton in the UK and Dr Duncan Wagstaff from South Africa to discuss the challenges and inequalities faced in lower-income environments, and how the Association’s International Relations Committee (IRC) is helping the efforts of individuals and organisations dedicated to improving collaboration through research and publication opportunities worldwide.

Coffee and a Gas Episode 14: SAFE and global anaesthesia

In this episode, we travel to San Francisco and Uganda bring together Dr Maytinee Lilaonitkul and Dr Mary Nabukenya to shine a spotlight on a groundbreaking Safer Education From Anaesthesia (SAFE) program. Join us for an insightful exploration of SAFE, a collaborative venture with the Association of Anaesthetists and the World Federation of Societies of Anesthesiologists that unites anaesthesia professionals from around the world in the pursuit of standardised, high-quality education.

Exit interviews: Reflections on the anaesthetic training pathway with Hiba Khaled

In this three-part series of exit interviews, we have informal conversations with previous UK anaesthetic trainees who left the traditional training structure to pursue another path. These paths include careers outside of medicine, and outside of the UK. We ask about their thoughts on their time as a trainee. In this episode, Hiba Khaled shares her experience.

Exit interviews: Reflections on the anaesthetic training pathway with Nilofer Ahmed

In this three-part series of exit interviews, we have informal conversations with previous UK anaesthetic trainees who left the traditional training structure to pursue another path. These paths include careers outside of medicine, and outside of the UK. We ask about their thoughts on their time as a trainee. In this episode, Nilofer Ahmed shares her experience.

Exit interviews: Reflections on the anaesthetic training pathway with Chris Smith-Brown

In this three-part series of exit interviews, we have informal conversations with previous UK anaesthetic trainees who left the traditional training structure to pursue another path. These paths include careers outside of medicine, and outside of the UK. We ask about their thoughts on their time as a trainee. In this episode, Chris Smith-Brown shares his experience.

Alternative Career Pathways with Dr. Rob Fleming

In this episode we discuss Dr. Rob Fleming’s experience developing his career as a specialist anaesthetist and how this under-represented part of the medical workforce could be the solution to the anaesthetics training crisis.

Coffee and a Gas Episode 13: Human-centric innovation with Caroline Corbett

Dr. Caroline Corbett is a specialist anaesthetist in Cape Town, South Africa. She is the current President of the South African Society of Anaesthesiologists and the Medical Director & Co-Founder of Morgan Joshua Innovation – a start up medical tech company. In this episode, we discuss human-centric innovation and why any great idea or advancement must focus on people and staff.

Coffee and a Gas Episode 12: Climate impacts of anaesthesia with Dame Julia Slingo

In this episode, Claire-Marie Agius interviews Dame Julia Slingo about the role of the anaesthetist in the climate crisis and the evidence base behind interventions to reduce the carbon footprint in anaesthesia. Dame Slingo was the UK Chief Scientist at the Met Office until 2016. She is also a visiting professor in the Department of Meteorology at the University of Reading, where she held, prior to appointment to the Met Office, the position of Director of Climate Research in the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) National Centre for Atmospheric Science. For further information on this topic, do look out for Dame Slingo’s article in the January issue of Anaesthesia.

Coffee and a Gas Episode 11: Anaesthetics Down Under

This episode was recorded live at Trainee Conference 2023 by Dr Allan Xu. He interviews his Australian counterpart Dr Ben Cahill about life in Australia as a doctor in anaesthetic training.

Coffee and a Gas Episode 10: Financial Wellbeing with Medics’ Money

This month our guests on the podcast are Dr Tommy Perkins and Dr Ed Cantelo from Medics' Money. Tommy and Ed are both GPs, and Ed also has a background as a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Adviser. They talk about financial wellbeing, offer financial advice to new doctors, discuss the recent changes to pension tax and more.

Coffee and a Gas Episode 9: Less Than Full Time Training with Dr Tamal Ray

We’re delighted to have Tamal Ray with us in this episode. Tamal is a Less Than Full Time anaesthetic registrar currently working in London. He rose to fame in 2015 when he was a finalist on the Great British Bake Off. He then re-appeared on our TV screens as co-presenter of Channel 4’s Live Well For Longer in 2018 and is now a food columnist for The Guardian. In this episode we talk about his experience of Less Than Full Time Training and his passion for baking.

Coffee and a Gas Episode 8: The importance of Wellbeing

In this episode Vice President of the Association Dr Tei Sheraton talks to Dr Shahina Braganza and Dr Christa Bell, who are both consultants in emergency medicine in Queensland, Australia. They talk about their wellbeing work, how it is developed, what makes it work, challenges they have faced and why wellbeing is a team sport.

Coffee and a Gas Episode 7: COVID-19 with Michael Rosen

The Coffee and a Gas podcast is back! Our new podcast lead Dr Allan Xu and Dr Leyla Turkoglu from the Trainee Committee talk to beloved children’s author and writer Michael Rosen about his experience in intensive care with COVID-19 and his subsequent recovery. Keep an eye out for further new podcast episodes in your feed in the upcoming months.

Coffee and a Gas Episode 6: Fatigue with Dr Roopa McCrossan and Dr Emma Plunkett

In this episode of Coffee and a Gas we are talking about fatigue. Fatigue is something that we have all experienced as anaesthetists, even before the pandemic. We’re talking to Dr Roopa McCrossan and Dr Emma Plunkett, who are consultant anaesthetists and pioneered the Association’s Fight Fatigue campaign.

Coffee and a Gas Episode 5: Burnout in Healthcare Workers with Dame Clare Gerada

In this episode we welcome Professor Dame Clare Gerada. Dame Clare is a GP with extensive experience of working in mental health and addiction. After her psychiatry training she took up general practice while maintaining her interest and expertise in addiction. Dame Clare has held an impressive number of national roles and is currently the President of the Royal College of General Practitioners. She is also the Medical Director of the NHS Practitioner Health programme. She joins us to talk about burnout in healthcare workers. Find her book Beneath the White Coat on the Routledge website.

Coffee and a Gas Episode 4: How to stay young with Prof Michael Trenell

We are delighted to welcome you to our first in-person recording of the podcast, coming to you from the Association of Anaesthetists Trainee Conference in Newcastle. We are joined by Prof Michael Trenell, professor of lifestyle medicine and digital health at Newcastle University, and CEO of the digital behaviour change company Changing Health.

Coffee and a Gas Episode 3: Ditching Junk Food with Michael Mosley

In episode 3 of Coffee and a Gas we are excited to have Dr Michael Mosley joining us to talk about healthy eating. He is a scientist, journalist, producer and TV presenter, and a pioneer of intermittent fasting. We discuss nutrition and healthy eating for busy anaesthetists and how we can optimise our nutrition to make us more productive.

Coffee and a Gas Episode 2. Sleep Part 1 with the Sleep Geek

Welcome to episode 2 of Coffee and a Gas. In this episode we are talking to James Wilson, also known as the Sleep Geek. James is an expert in sleep behaviour and environment, and has been featured on the BBC and ITV, as well as being a sleep adviser for Rotherham United football club.

Coffee and a Gas Episode 1. Mark Stacey: Reframing the Day

The first episode of the podcast is hosted by Dr Nikki Sharma and Dr Nadia Taylor, and they are joined by Dr Mark Stacey who talks about reframing your day and stress management.