Podcast Summary: All Of It – “An EMT's Memoir 'A Real Emergency'” with Joanna Sokol
Release Date: June 23, 2025
Host: Alison Stewart
Guest: Joanna Sokol, Paramedic and Author of "A Real Emergency: Stories from the Ambulance"
Introduction to Joanna Sokol and Her Memoir
Alison Stewart introduces Joanna Sokol, a seasoned paramedic with 15 years of experience, who has authored the memoir “A Real Emergency: Stories from the Ambulance”. Joanna shares how her extensive career inspired her to document the highs and lows of working in emergency medical services (EMS).
Notable Quote:
Alison Stewart (00:28): “In her book, she tells us stories about laughing at jokes with drunk patients to responding to a call from an apartment for a family experiencing Covid symptoms.”
Why Joanna Chose EMS
Joanna recounts her initial interest in science and medicine, which led her to pursue EMS after finding traditional academic settings too restrictive.
Notable Quote:
Joanna Sokol (01:37): “I tried to go to a traditional university and study science and I couldn't sit still in the library. I ended up taking an EMT class at a community college and I just fell in love with it and never really looked back.”
Expectations vs. Reality of EMS Work
Joanna discusses the stark contrast between the romanticized view of EMS work and the actual day-to-day responsibilities, emphasizing that most calls are non-life-threatening but critically important.
Notable Quotes:
Joanna Sokol (02:09): “We run on really, really scary life or death, immediate emergencies every once in a while. But the vast majority of the work is really different than that.”
Alison Stewart (02:49): “...we're really providing a social safety net for folks that don't have anyone else to call.”
Insights on Human Nature
Joanna reflects on the complexities of human behavior encountered in her role, highlighting both the chaos and the profound compassion she witnesses.
Notable Quote:
Joanna Sokol (02:54): “Humans are a mess. We're a big, fat, complicated mess. But there's a lot of love and joy and humor in it too.”
Who is Drawn to EMS?
The conversation delves into the personality traits and motivations common among EMS workers, such as a love for problem-solving and a desire to help others.
Notable Quote:
Joanna Sokol (03:18): “A lot of us are people who at our hearts want to help, but we don't always know how. We're just kind of bumbling along, doing our best.”
Debunking Myths About EMS
Joanna addresses misconceptions perpetuated by media portrayals, emphasizing that EMS workers are multifaceted individuals, not just heroes or stereotypes.
Notable Quote:
Joanna Sokol (04:11): “In the movies we're sort of portrayed as very heroic and very noble and often very dumb. We're really one sided.”
Understanding EMT vs. Paramedic
A clear explanation differentiates between EMTs and paramedics, outlining the training duration and scope of practice for each role.
Notable Quote:
Joanna Sokol (05:54): “EMT is basically usually about a semester of school. Paramedic... is going to be more like a year and a half, two years of school. It's a much bigger scope of practice.”
Code Two vs. Code Three Calls
Joanna explains the classification of EMS calls, distinguishing between high-priority (Code Three) and standard (Code Two) responses.
Notable Quote:
Joanna Sokol (06:52): “A code three call is when we turn on the lights, we turn on the sirens... A code two call means that we don't have the lights, we don't have sirens, we follow traffic laws.”
Frequent Ambulance Riders
The discussion highlights the relationships EMS workers build with frequent callers, often forming bonds akin to family, while managing the challenges these recurring interactions present.
Notable Quote:
Joanna Sokol (09:07): “We have our regulars who we show up on them so many times that we're like, oh, hey, Billy, how's it going? Getting a ride again today?”
Writing the Memoir: Process and Challenges
Joanna shares her journey of writing “A Real Emergency”, detailing the difficulties of revisiting traumatic experiences and the therapeutic aspects of storytelling.
Notable Quotes:
Joanna Sokol (10:19): “I got up and went for walks a lot. I have one of those desks that goes up and down... It was a lot easier for me to sit still.”
Joanna Sokol (13:26): “During the writing process... I did not know that I still had that many deep feelings inside.”
Emotional Impact and Personal Growth
Joanna opens up about the emotional toll of her job and the memoir, revealing how writing helped her rediscover joy and compassion despite past traumas.
Notable Quotes:
Joanna Sokol (17:35): “It brought back a lot of the joy and compassion... I sort of found the joy again.”
Joanna Sokol (17:43): “I'm teaching now... it's been really great getting to get back into it and teach and work with the next generation and like, find the joy again.”
Conclusion
Alison wraps up the episode by thanking Joanna and reiterating the impact of her memoir in shedding light on the true nature of EMS work.
Notable Quote:
Alison Stewart (19:40): “The name of the book is A Real Emergency: Stories from the Ambulance. It's by Joanna Sokol. Thanks, Joanna.”
Final Thoughts
Joanna Sokol’s memoir offers an unfiltered glimpse into the life of a paramedic, challenging societal perceptions and showcasing the emotional resilience required in EMS. Through her storytelling, Joanna not only honors her experiences but also fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation for those who serve on the front lines of emergencies.
Note:
This summary excludes commercial advertisements and non-content segments to focus solely on the meaningful discussions between Alison Stewart and Joanna Sokol.