NerdMDs StackBytes
A rapid‑fire audio companion to NerdMDs Substack writing—each episode packs a recent essay, insight, or framework into a 10‑minute listen. Perfect for your coffee break or between meetings, StackBytes delivers:
Top takeaways from the latest Substack @ Rewskidotcom.substack.com
Actionable tips you can apply today in clinical practice, health tech, or productivity
Concise reflections that complement the written piece
When it drops: Between every main podcast interview, so you never miss a fresh StackByte. Tune in, think different—and stay efficient. Subscribing ensures you catch every byte, straight from the page to your ears.
🎧 NerdMDs StackBytes Episode Summary:
In this deeply personal episode of NerdMDs StackBytes, Dr. Adam Carewe opens up about the emotional complexity that followed his departure from a major leadership role at Kaiser. Expanding on his Substack essay, “The Middle Part: What I Didn’t Share When I Left Kaiser”, Adam reflects on the period of uncertainty that came after the leap—the “middle part.” This raw, unscripted episode dives into identity shifts, quiet unraveling, and the hard-won journey back to clarity and creativity. It’s a powerful listen for anyone navigating a transition and wondering why the in-between feels so hard.
🔹 00:00 – Intro & Personal Setup
Dr. Adam Carewe introduces the episode as a deeply personal unpacking of a difficult chapter in his life. He sets the stage by referencing his recent Substack post and promises to speak candidly about what came after his big decision to leave Kaiser.
🔹 01:55 – Leaving Kaiser: Clarity vs. Reality
While Adam felt aligned with the mission and team behind his new venture in stealth, he quickly learned that clarity on a big vision doesn’t shield you from emotional upheaval. “I thought the hardest part was the decision. It wasn’t. The hardest part was what came after.”
🔹 03:42 – The Drift: Emotional & Mental Disarray
He describes a fog of micro-anxieties and identity loss that crept in post-departure. With no full-time job for the first time in his career, Adam felt scattered and unsatisfied—like his brain had “a hundred browser tabs open.”
🔹 06:13 – The Wake-Up Call
A pivotal conversation with his wife brings the emotional buildup to a head. He takes the GAD-7 screening tool and finally admits to himself that this isn’t just a rough patch—it’s clinical anxiety. “That only works when the engine is fine. This time, the wiring needed attention.”
🔹 08:22 – Facing Mental Health: SSRI & Rebuilding
Adam starts sertraline and notices a major improvement in sleep, focus, and overall mood. The fog lifts, and for the first time in months, he feels ready to create again and meaningfully re-engage with healthcare innovation.
🔹 10:20 – Noticing the Signs: When Silence Speaks
He recalls how friends checked in when he stopped blogging and podcasting—a subtle but powerful reminder that absence can be a symptom. “Sometimes mental health challenges don’t shout. They whisper.”
🔹 12:05 – Closing Reflections: Hope for the Middle Part
Adam shares a message of encouragement for anyone in their own “middle part.” Support, vulnerability, and timely nudges can be transformational. “Problems still exist, but they feel solvable again. And fun feels a lot better than anxious and worried.”
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