Podcast
Off the Bench
Hosted by ASCLS · EN
Scientific and not-so-scientific ideas in laboratory medicine. We share ideas and talk nerdy.
13episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Chatting about Little Lab Learners: ABCs of Laboratory Medicine
Apr 2400:56:00Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Doryan and Sophia are joined by Dr. Melody Boudreaux Nelson, Stephanie Whitehead, and Aaron Odegard, the amazing trio behind the children's book, Little Lab Learners: The ABCs of Laboratory Medicine. Tune in as we ask how the book came to life, what else they have planned, and the importance of reaching younger learners about the laboratory profession.
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The Spectrum of Lab Science in Media
Mar 2700:52:00Tap to summarizeIn a showdown to determine which TV show gets medical laboratory science right, who will come out on top? And even more entertaining, who ends up dead last? Join Sophia and Doryan as they break down scenes from The Pitt, Scrubs, and more, diving into how lab science is portrayed in media, and what it all means for the broader branding and visibility of the profession. Check out: “Go with O Pos” – Blood transfusion during mass casualty in The Pitt
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The 2025 Wrap Up
Dec 2600:20:12Tap to summarizeJoin Doryan and Sophia as they take a look at the stats for the 2025 Off the Bench Season, and share upcoming events for 2026. Happy New Year and see you all in March 2026!
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Can You Hear Me Now? Communication and the Clinical Lab
Nov 2801:06:43Tap to summarizeScientific communication isn’t just about sharing data. It’s how laboratorians build trust, advocate for their profession, and protect patient care. In this episode, host Doryan Redding sits down with ASCLS President Kyle Riding, Past President Pat Tille, and Leadership Development Committee Vice Chair Nickola Chin as they explore communication in the clinical laboratory, from feedback loops to leadership strategies. Join us as we break down what it really takes to be heard behind the closed doors of the laboratory.
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Scientific Serendipity: When Mistakes Make History
Oct 3100:47:27Tap to summarizeMalarial drugs gone purple, beer in the bladder, and a blood type no one saw coming—sounds like a night out gone weird, but it's actually laboratory science history! Join Doryan and Sophia as they dive into the serendipitous side of science that reminds us that progress often starts with the unexpected.
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Mapping the Future: A Fresh Look at the ASCLS Body of Knowledge
Sep 2600:47:24Tap to summarizeThis month Sophia and Doryan are joined by Malissa Norfolk and Miles Tompkins to break down the freshly updated ASCLS Body of Knowledge, the essential roadmap of competencies and skills for today’s medical laboratory scientists. From building marketable skills and fueling passion for the profession to a surprising Waffle House detour, this episode blends professional insight with a side of fun.
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Loving the Lab with Heather Santaniello
Aug 2900:58:27Tap to summarizeIn this month's episode, Doryan Redding and Sophia Chandrasekar sit down with Heather Santaniello (previously on JAM Query Check 2024) and talk about the importance of having stories to share with those in and out of the medical laboratory profession, as well as swap some favorite stories. Come and geek out about our love of the lab with us!
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Off the Bench Live: 2025 JAM Query Check!
Jul 2500:57:14Tap to summarizeRecorded live and in person at the 2025 ASCLS, AGT & SAFMLS Joint Annual Meeting in Sacramento, California, it’s the return of Query Check! Hosts Doryan Redding and Emily Woten take the stage once again for this Off the Bench game show tradition, joined by Sophia Chandrasekar for a special preface to kick things off. Contestants Emilia Marrero, Heather Parks, and Emily Reed face off in a fast-paced battle of laboratory-ish knowledge, creative scenarios, and just the right amount of chaos. So ... who earned the bragging rights and took home the coveted Query Check Champion Trophy? Listen and play along to find out!
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Federal Policy and the Future of the Lab
Jun 2700:53:46Tap to summarizeIn this episode, hosts Doryan Redding and Sophia Chandrasekar sit down with ASCLS Executive Vice President Jim Flanigan and longtime federal lobbyist Patrick Cooney to unpack the rapidly evolving landscape of federal policy and what it means for the clinical laboratory workforce and the patients we serve. Jim and Patrick share an insider’s perspective on what’s happening as they break down how current policy decisions, like massive proposed cuts to the US Department of Health and Human Services and Medicaid and the politicization of science, are reshaping the future of the lab. From threats to workforce funding to legislative wins, this episode highlights why the lab can’t afford to stay on the sidelines.
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A Future Leader's Toolkit: The ASCLS Leadership Development Committee
May 30, 202501:13:23Tap to summarizeIn this episode Sophia Chandrasekar and Doryan Redding sit down with Dr. Carol Rentas, Tony Kurec, and Dr. Cathy Otto and talk about their experiences as a leader, and what advice they would share with others looking to be a leader in their community. The three also talk about the learning modules that they created for the ASCLS Leadership Development Committee's Leadership Certificate Curriculum. Be sure to check out their work! After all, "Opportunities are seldom labeled," by John A. Shedd, American author and professor.
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