The Sepsis Spectrum

The Sepsis Spectrum

Forget everything you ever read in a textbook when it comes to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and sepsis complications – because they rarely play by the rules. They evolve, adapt, and strike before it’s too late. While classic symptoms like fever, tachycardia, and hypotension are well known, the real challenge lies in recognizing the unexpected to reduce your mental list of those unknown, unknowns. Hosted by Critical Care RN & CNS Author Nicole Kupchik, The Sepsis Spectrum is an exploration of real-world patient cases, expert insights, and clinical deep dives to unravel the most complex presentations facing modern medicine. Through gripping stories and in-depth interviews, Nicole examines diagnostic challenges, cutting-edge treatments, and the growing threat of AMR. Designed for healthcare professionals at every level, The Sepsis Spectrum is about leaving you with more than compelling stories—it’s a vital resource in podcast form. Whether you’re at the bedside or in the classroom, you’ll finish each episode with practical, life-saving knowledge—and earn free CE Contact Hours for Nurses along the way. The fight against sepsis and AMR starts with recognition — because the most dangerous threats are the ones you don’t see coming. A Sepsis Alliance Podcast CME Available: Sepsis Alliance is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Nursing CE Contact Hours Available: Sepsis Alliance is a provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP17068. Most U.S. states accept CE provided through the California Board of Registered Nursing, but nurses in other states should check with their local and state accrediting bodies to confirm. Canadian and non-US based nurses should consult their provincial or territorial regulator to confirm acceptance. Other healthcare professionals will receive a certificate of attendance.

Episodes

When Sepsis Hits the Lungs

December 23, 2025 • 47 mins
Sepsis doesn’t just overwhelm the body, it can turn the lungs into ground zero for multi-organ dysfunction. In this episode, host Nicole Kupchik sits down with Dr. Julie Bastarache to explore how sepsis triggers Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) in a significant portion of critically ill patients. Dr. Bastarache explains why sepsis-induced ARDS isn’t a single entity but a spectrum of clinical, physiologic and b...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

What happens to the kidneys during sepsis?

December 16, 2025 • 46 mins
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is far more dangerous and complex than previously understood. In this episode, host Nicole Kupchik sits down with Dr. Gonzalo Matzumura to break down what really happens inside the kidneys during sepsis. From disrupted renal perfusion, tubular cell injury, and overwhelming inflammation, clinicians and, more importantly, patients, face high stakes when it comes to treating sepsis-related AKI. Dr. Matzumura ...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Is the gut the real engine of sepsis?

December 9, 2025 • 41 mins
Host Nicole Kupchik is joined by Dr. Kaveh Hoda to unpack one of the most overlooked drivers of sepsis: the gut. Often called “the motor of MODS,” the GI tract can push the body toward recovery, or accelerate systemic collapse. In this episode, Dr. Hoda explains the importance of microbiome diversity, the breakdown of gut barriers leading to leaks and inflammation, and how critical illness disrupts the small intestine. ...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Can sepsis turn the liver against you?

December 2, 2025 • 36 mins
In this episode, Nicole Kupchik sits down with Dr. Craig Jenne to unravel how the liver’s immune response shifts during sepsis. Together, they explore how an organ known for detoxifying and defending the body can actually fuel inflammation and injury. From leukocyte traps to immune misfires, we’re looking at the cellular chaos behind sepsis and what it takes to restore balance. A fascinating deep-dive for clinicians, re...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

The Nerve That Could Stop Sepsis

November 25, 2025 • 41 mins
What if the key to controlling inflammation, and even saving lives from sepsis, lies not in the bloodstream, but in the brain? In this episode, Nicole Kupchik talks with Dr. Kevin J. Tracey, President and CEO of the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research at Northwell Health, whose groundbreaking work in neuroimmunology and bioelectronic medicine is redefining how we understand the vagus nerve and how it communicates with the imm...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Can sepsis break your heart?

November 18, 2025 • 38 mins
When sepsis strikes, the damage doesn’t always end with the infection. Nicole Kupchik is joined by Dr. Mitchell Elkind from the American Heart Association to explore how inflammation during sepsis can overwhelm the cardiovascular system, causing arrhythmias, heart failure, and even stroke. From acute AFib to long-term heart damage and the hidden role of cytokines, we dig into the silent injuries that outlast recovery. Plus, w...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

What's next in sepsis? | Season 2 Coming Soon!

September 29, 2025 • 23 mins
Season 2 is just around the corner for The Sepsis Spectrum! In this special bonus episode, Nicole Kupchik reflects on what we learned last season, how cancer can’t keep her away, and what’s next for the pod. Joining Nicole is Grady Health System Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist, Barbara McLean. Together, they have an honest, open conversation about sepsis, survivorship, and Season 2 which is all about sepsis and ...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Are we failing sepsis survivors who need us most?

August 19, 2025 • 39 mins
What you don’t track, you can’t fix, and too often, we’re not even looking. Nicole is joined by sepsis survivors Dr. Hilary Spangler and Jackie Duda, along with pediatric ICU nurse-scientist Dr. Mallory Perry-Eaddy, for a raw conversation about what happens after survival. From missed red flags in special populations to long-term trauma and broken feedback loops, this episode is a wake-up call for teams ready to s...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Can we humanize post-sepsis care?

August 12, 2025 • 46 mins
When crisis hits every layer of care, how do you keep patients feeling human? Nicole is joined by Dr. Mark Mikkelsen and sepsis survivor Katy Grainger for a raw and powerful conversation for a raw and powerful conversation on how sepsis survival is only the beginning of a long and often difficult journey. This episode takes a closer look at the physical, mental, and emotional challenges that many sepsis survivors face after leaving...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Can patient harm drive better sepsis prevention?

August 5, 2025 • 43 mins
Sometimes what we call prevention is really just harm repackaged. Nicole, Dr. Hudson Garrett, and Armando Nahum dig into the paradoxes of infection control, where well-meaning efforts can produce unseen consequences. They explore the culture of blame, AMR and sepsis awareness pitfalls, and the need to refocus on patient experience. A provocative discussion for infection preventionists and frontline clinicians and leaders alike. Fe...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Are sepsis protocols ready for AI?

July 29, 2025 • 39 mins
How can we diagnose what we haven’t yet defined? Nicole welcomes Dr. Shamim Nemati and Dr. Gabriel Wardi to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping sepsis detection. They dig into why existing definitions fall short, how data-driven tools can outperform traditional alerts, and where AI could take us next, from smarter antimicrobial stewardship to real-time clinical support. A conversation for anyone rethinking h...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Why do clinicians miss sepsis?

July 22, 2025 • 36 mins
What if the way we’re trained to recognize sepsis is part of the problem? Nicole sits down with Kathleen Vollman to unpack how clinician education, documentation habits, and broken workflows contribute to missed or delayed sepsis care. They explore why early signs like low temperature and increased respiratory rate are often ignored, how task-based thinking limits critical assessment, and what it takes to teach sepsis recogni...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Is hospital-onset sepsis our blind spot?

July 15, 2025 • 52 mins
Hospital-onset sepsis presents a complex and urgent challenge at the intersection of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and clinical decision-making. Nicole welcomes Dr. Jennifer Ginestra and Dr. Emi Minejima to examine how HAIs contribute to both AMR and the development of sepsis within hospital settings—and why these cases often carry higher risks and worse outcomes. Together they'll ex...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Can we catch sepsis earlier?

July 8, 2025 • 33 mins
Can pre-hospital teams catch sepsis before the hospital even sees it coming? Nicole sits down with EMS thought leader Eric Bauer to break down how tools like capnography, lactate testing, and passive leg raise are transforming early sepsis care. They dig into why respiratory rate matters more than we think, what end-tidal CO₂ can really tell us, and why protocols don’t have to mean tunnel vision. It’s a smart, field-tes...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Can the microbiome predict sepsis?

July 1, 2025 • 39 mins
Can standard sepsis protocols catch what the gut already knows? In this conversation, Nicole sits down with Dr. Laura Kahn to explore how the microbiome could transform our understanding of sepsis, antimicrobial resistance, and upstream prevention. They dive into One Health thinking, gut-brain signaling, dysbiosis as an early disease marker, and why your patient’s toilet might someday replace lab work. A provocative look at t...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

How are AMR and sepsis connected?

July 1, 2025 • 38 mins
Unpack the critical links between infection, antimicrobial resistance, and sepsis with host Nicole Kupchik, and learn how together, they’re placing intense strain on public health systems, communities, and the broader social factors that shape health and well-being. Joined by sepsis and infection prevention leaders Pat Posa and Dr. Cindy Hou, this episode explores how preventing infections before they happen remains one of th...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Are microbial mysteries all in vein?

April 29, 2025 • 1 min
~ SERIES PREMIERES JUNE 17, 2025 ~ If a microbial mutation falls in a bloodstream forest… does it make a sound? When she’s not pondering weird stuff like that, Nicole Kupchik (Critical Care RN, CNS) is busy investigating the weird, wide world of sepsis and antimicrobial resistance. Through shocking real-world cases that don’t quite follow the textbook — and eye-opening conversations with expert gue...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Betrayal Weekly

    Betrayal Weekly

    Betrayal Weekly is back for a new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. If you would like to share your story, you can reach out to the Betrayal Team by emailing them at betrayalpod@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram at @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.

    Stuff You Should Know

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Dateline NBC

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    The Bobby Bones Show

    The Bobby Bones Show

    Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

Explore

iHeart

Live Radio

Podcasts

Artist Radio

Exclusives

News

Features

Events

Contests

Photos

Information

About

Advertise

Blog

Brand Guidelines

Contest Guidelines

Subscription Offers

Jobs

Get the App

Automotive

Home

Wearables

© 2026 iHeartMedia, Inc.

  • Help
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • AdChoicesAd Choices