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Today’s interview is one that I truly enjoy because it focuses on the patient's experience.

Meet Dan Drydock Shockley, a Navy veteran who served in Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. At the age of 51, after a routine colonoscopy, Dan was diagnosed with Attenuated Familial Adenomatous Polyposis—quite a mouthful, indeed.

I will let Dan share the rest of his incredible story, as he is a gifted speaker. He serves as a live case presentation speaker for the Stanford School of Medicine’s Molecular Foundations of Medicine course and the Stanford MS Program in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling. Dan's story has undoubtedly impacted many individuals.

Patient experiences are crucial for healthcare professionals; they are at the heart of why we do what we do. You will hear about the many connections that Dan forged throughout his journey. As I have told him, there are no coincidences in life, only divine interventions, which you will witness today.

Dan is also a master of acronyms and created one based on his experience: Always Forge Ahead with a Purpose. Brilliant.

In the five-minute snippet: Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines? For Dan's bio, visit my website (link below).

California FAP Awareness Week

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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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Today, I’m honored to introduce you to Brandon Young and Blayne Smith—co-authors of the impactful book “Perseverance is Greater than Endurance: Lead with Resilience. Grow through Adversity. Win Together.”

What do Brandon, a former US Army Ranger, and Blayne, a former Green Beret, know about leadership? Quite a bit. Their experiences in high-pressure environments have shaped a practical, values-based leadership philosophy that’s both insightful and relevant.

When I received this book, I immediately read it from cover to cover and have even begun re-reading it. And I did something I don't typically do: I highlighted the heck out of it, I scribbled in the margins, I dog-eared pages, all the things. It was too good not to! The parallels to nursing really resonated with me, as their insights about leadership apply equally whether you’re in a war zone, a corporate meeting, or on a busy hospital floor.

Brandon and Blayne are the driving forces behind Applied Leadership Partners, and they’ve formed strategic partnerships with major companies like Nike, Walmart, Starbucks, Microsoft, and Amazon. They emphasize the importance of adopting impactful leadership practices to create strong, cohesive teams. And if anyone belongs here, they do. As I told Brandon and Blayne, their credibility got them in the room, and their humility keeps them in the space.

On top of their achievements, they also host the Applied Leadership Podcast, which I genuinely enjoy. The format is refreshing: two friends, one question, half an hour, zero script. Their conversations are not only thoughtful but also sprinkled with fun, addressing topics about life, business, and leadership. Nurse or not, you need to hear Brandon and Blayne’s powerful messages delivered with experience, humor, and humility.

In the five-minute snippet: You’ll get to see just how well they know each other—it’s a fun take on the Newlywed Game!

For Brandon and Blayne's bios, 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!

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Today’s guest is The Teaching NP, Sunny Khangura. Sunny wears many hats—nurse practitioner, educator, mentor, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for the non-traditional path. She began her nursing career back in 2005 and has since carved a dynamic and inspiring journey across clinical care, leadership, education, and business.

From trauma units to neurosurgery, from mentoring NP students to creating exam prep courses and launching her own teaching platform, Sunny has made it her mission to elevate nurse practitioner education and empower others to see the value in their unique skill sets.

In this episode, we explore how her career evolved, what it means to create impact beyond the bedside, and why every nurse’s path—traditional or not—deserves to be celebrated.

What really stands out is her unwavering commitment to mentorship and her deep belief in the value of every nurse’s journey, no matter how unconventional it may seem.

If you’re an NP student, a new grad, or a seasoned nurse looking to explore new directions, I hope Sunny’s story inspires you to trust your instincts, invest in your growth, and maybe even take that leap you’ve been considering. This was such a rich conversation—full of insight, experience, and heart.

In the five-minute snippet: yep, she’s a nurse.

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!