Hello Awakened Anesthetist Community! I'm baaack for a sec. This episode was recorded September 25th, 2026 and I was mid crash out from beginning my Doctorate in Healthcare Education. This doctorate is AMAZING, but totally sending me into an existential crisis. I love hearing about others' messy middle of the growth process, and it wouldn't be Awakened Anesthetist Podcast if I didn't share mine too. Hope this comforts and inspires anyone in the midst of their own uplevel.

I'm currently off socials but you can contact me via email connect@awakenedanesthetist.com

Book a Free 10min AMA @ awakenedanesthetist.com

Hear my PROCESS of becoming

• ep. 9 Part 1/3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1219709/episodes/10057284
• ep. 37 Part 1/3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1219709/episodes/13680889

Hear one of my Expanders PROCESS ep. 70 Yulanda Greene

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Learn more about Pre-AA Matters 6-wk Intensive

Interested in taking Pre-AA Matters this November? My 6-week intensive that will make AA school "easy"...ok easier...for accepted Pre-AAs or those hoping to be accepted this cycle! We start soon. LEARN MORE

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This new take on the PROCESS series is at the core of what I love to share, the messy middle. What if you could witness the making of a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant in real time, not as a polished highlight reel, but as it is actually unfolding? In all things, I care far less about the end result and far more about who you are in the becoming.

This Pre-AA to CAA PROCESS series follows Britton Robinson as her journey unfolds from 2024 through 2028, an ongoing conversation that captures the growth, the pivots, the waiting, and the wins along the way. It is about honoring growth as it happens and having the courage to tell your story before you know how it will end. This is the Pre-AA to CAA [PROCESS] of Britton Robinson.

Need to Catch up?

• ep. 89 Britton's Pre-AA to CAA Journey PART 1
• ep. 90 Britton's Pre-AA to CAA Journey PART 2
• ep. 93 Britton's Pre-AA to CAA Journey PART 3

Drop me a quick voice note!

Join us for Interview Prep School - $97 one time payment

• Step-by-step interview prep guide (themed)
• 2.5 hr interview workshop
• Insights from current AA students
• On camera practice
• Interview questions bank
• Tons of feedback
• Ongoing community

Enroll Now

Stay Connected by subscribing to the Awakened Anesthetist Newsletter-
for more CAA specific resources, exclusive content and offers.

Watch episodes of Awakened Anesthetist Now on YouTube!

Let's Chat! awakenedanesthetist.com or on IG @awakenedanesthetist

Curious what it actually takes to change hearts and minds when advocating for the CAA profession? Turns out, advocacy is a skill like anything else in this field, and it starts with the right mental model. Whether you're a practicing CAA facing pushback in the OR, an AA student finding your voice online, or a pre-AA just starting to understand our profession's fight for recognition, this episode gives you a framework you can actually use.

In this episode I sit down with Adrienne Evans, SLP-turned-Pre-AA and co-host of the Pre-AA Pathways Podcast, to break down her original V.O.I.C.E. Framework for advocacy.

In this episode we discuss:

• The V.O.I.C.E. Framework: Validate, Own, Identify, Cite, End with inclusion
• How to respond to misinformation and disinformation about the CAA profession without escalating
• Why validation is a form of psychological grounding that lowers defensiveness in hard conversations
• How to identify the root cause of a misconception before you try to correct it
• Applying the framework in both online comment sections and in-person conversations
• Why most advocacy conversations won't change a mind on the spot — and how repetition and small efforts build relationships and long-term change

Resources Mentioned:

• Adrienne Evans' VOICE advocacy framework — SLPtoCAA.com/advocacy
• Adrienne Instagram, TikTok
• Contact Adrienne
• Non Traditional Pre-AA Club
• Pre-AA Pathways Podcast

Drop me a quick voice note!

Join us for Interview Prep School - $97 one time payment

• Step-by-step interview prep guide (themed)
• 2.5 hr interview workshop
• Insights from current AA students
• On camera practice
• Interview questions bank
• Tons of feedback
• Ongoing community

Enroll Now

Stay Connected by subscribing to the Awakened Anesthetist Newsletter-
for more CAA specific resources, exclusive content and offers.

Watch episodes of Awakened Anesthetist Now on YouTube!

Let's Chat! awakenedanesthetist.com or on IG @awakenedanesthetist

This new take on the PROCESS series is at the core of what I love to share, the messy middle. What if you could witness the making of a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant in real time, not as a polished highlight reel, but as it is actually unfolding? In all things, I care far less about the end result and far more about who you are in the becoming.

This Pre-AA to CAA PROCESS series follows Britton Robinson as her journey unfolds from 2024 through 2028, an ongoing conversation that captures the growth, the pivots, the waiting, and the wins along the way. It is about honoring growth as it happens and having the courage to tell your story before you know how it will end. This is the Pre-AA to CAA [PROCESS] of Britton Robinson.

Need to Catch up?

• ep. 89 Britton's Pre-AA to CAA Journey PART 1
• ep. 90 Britton's Pre-AA to CAA Journey PART 2

Drop me a quick voice note!

Join us for Interview Prep School - $97 one time payment

• Step-by-step interview prep guide (themed)
• 2.5 hr interview workshop
• Insights from current AA students
• On camera practice
• Interview questions bank
• Tons of feedback
• Ongoing community

Enroll Now

Stay Connected by subscribing to the Awakened Anesthetist Newsletter-
for more CAA specific resources, exclusive content and offers.

Watch episodes of Awakened Anesthetist Now on YouTube!

Let's Chat! awakenedanesthetist.com or on IG @awakenedanesthetist

The 2026 AAAA* President had a marketing undergrad degree, years in hospitality as a bartender, one EMT night class, and a long stretch of prerequisites. This might not sound like the “perfect” route into the CAA profession, but it can be the exact training ground to build a great CAA and an even better leader. We recorded this LIVE Season 5 Finale on April 10th, 2026 from the AAAA National Conference main stage (my podcasting dream come true). It also ended up being one of my favorite conversations, not only because Emily openly discusses her imposter syndrome and test anxiety, but because it will make your big dreams feel possible again.

*American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants

Connect with Emily Mycyk, 2026 AAAA President

A HUGE Thank You to my Season 5 PROCESS sponsor, Harmony Anesthesia Staffing.

Harmony is CAA-owned, clinician-forward, and leading the way in the CAA locums market. Schedule your free 15-min consult and see how locums can work for you. Say 'hi' to Rad and Sasi for me when you do!

Drop me a quick voice note!

Join us for Interview Prep School - $97 one time payment

• Step-by-step interview prep guide (themed)
• 2.5 hr interview workshop
• Insights from current AA students
• On camera practice
• Interview questions bank
• Tons of feedback
• Ongoing community

Enroll Now

Stay Connected by subscribing to the Awakened Anesthetist Newsletter-
for more CAA specific resources, exclusive content and offers.

Watch episodes of Awakened Anesthetist Now on YouTube!

Let's Chat! awakenedanesthetist.com or on IG @awakenedanesthetist

In this AA student PROCESS episode, I sit down with 2025 AAAA Diversity Scholarship winners Brashe' Webster and Lindsey Glenn to tell the truth about underrepresentation, code switching, and what it costs to “perform” in the OR. We talk through access, mentorship, program fit, and the practical questions pre-AAs can ask so they choose AA school with their eyes open.

Follow Lindsey Linkedin or glindsey.1010@gmail.com

Follow Brashe' Linkedin or w.brashe@yahoo.com

Key Links

• 2024 Scholarship Winners PROCESS episode 60
• Email the 2025 Diversity Committee Chair
• Join the AAAA (must be AAAA member to apply for Diversity scholarship)
• DONATE NOW Diversity Scholarship - AAAA
• LEARN MORE Diversity Scholarship Requirements

Drop me a quick voice note!

Join us for Interview Prep School - $97 one time payment

• Step-by-step interview prep guide (themed)
• 2.5 hr interview workshop
• Insights from current AA students
• On camera practice
• Interview questions bank
• Tons of feedback
• Ongoing community

Enroll Now

Stay Connected by subscribing to the Awakened Anesthetist Newsletter-
for more CAA specific resources, exclusive content and offers.

Watch episodes of Awakened Anesthetist Now on YouTube!

Let's Chat! awakenedanesthetist.com or on IG @awakenedanesthetist

This new take on the PROCESS series is at the core of what I love to share, the messy middle. What if you could witness the making of a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant in real time, not as a polished highlight reel, but as it is actually unfolding? In all things, I care far less about the end result and far more about who you are in the becoming.

This Pre-AA to CAA PROCESS series follows Britton Robinson as her journey unfolds from 2024 through 2028, an ongoing conversation that captures the growth, the pivots, the waiting, and the wins along the way. It is about honoring growth as it happens and having the courage to tell your story before you know how it will end. This is the Pre-AA to CAA [PROCESS] of Britton Robinson.

New to this series?

• ep. 89 Britton's Pre-AA to CAA Journey PART 1

A HUGE Thank You to my Season 5 PROCESS sponsor, Harmony Anesthesia Staffing.

Harmony is CAA-owned, clinician-forward, and leading the way in the CAA locums market. Schedule your free 15-min consult and see how locums can work for you. Say 'hi' to Rad and Sasi for me when you do!

Drop me a quick voice note!

Join us for Interview Prep School - $97 one time payment

• Step-by-step interview prep guide (themed)
• 2.5 hr interview workshop
• Insights from current AA students
• On camera practice
• Interview questions bank
• Tons of feedback
• Ongoing community

Enroll Now

Stay Connected by subscribing to the Awakened Anesthetist Newsletter-
for more CAA specific resources, exclusive content and offers.

Watch episodes of Awakened Anesthetist Now on YouTube!

Let's Chat! awakenedanesthetist.com or on IG @awakenedanesthetist

This new take on the PROCESS series is at the core of what I love to share, the messy middle. What if you could witness the making of a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant in real time, not as a polished highlight reel, but as it is actually unfolding? In all things, I care far less about the end result and far more about who you are in the becoming.

This Pre-AA to CAA PROCESS series follows Britton Robinson as her journey unfolds from 2024 through 2028, an ongoing conversation that captures the growth, the pivots, the waiting, and the wins along the way. It is about honoring growth as it happens and having the courage to tell your story before you know how it will end. This is the Pre-AA to CAA [PROCESS] of Britton Robinson.

A HUGE Thank You to my Season 5 PROCESS sponsor, Harmony Anesthesia Staffing.

Harmony is CAA-owned, clinician-forward, and leading the way in the CAA locums market. Schedule your free 15-min consult and see how locums can work for you. Say 'hi' to Rad and Sasi for me when you do!

Drop me a quick voice note!

Join us for Interview Prep School - $97 one time payment

• Step-by-step interview prep guide (themed)
• 2.5 hr interview workshop
• Insights from current AA students
• On camera practice
• Interview questions bank
• Tons of feedback
• Ongoing community

Enroll Now

Stay Connected by subscribing to the Awakened Anesthetist Newsletter-
for more CAA specific resources, exclusive content and offers.

Watch episodes of Awakened Anesthetist Now on YouTube!

Let's Chat! awakenedanesthetist.com or on IG @awakenedanesthetist