The Medical Detectives Podcast By Soft Skills Media cover art

The Medical Detectives

The Medical Detectives

By: Soft Skills Media
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The Medical Detectives is a weekly podcast where medicine meets mystery—told by the very people who’ve lived it. Hosted by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Erin Nance and content creator Anna O’Brien, each episode unravels strange and surprising medical tales from the people who lived through them. Think of it as a detective story—only here, the clues are hidden in blood tests, x-rays, and patient files. From curious, unsolved diagnoses to behind-the-scenes accounts of what really goes on in hospital corridors, Anna and Dr. Nance guide you through the ups, downs, and jaw-dropping moments of life in the medical world. Dr. Nance brings her professional insight as a practicing physician committed to uncovering disparities in healthcare, while Anna shares her experiences as a patient navigating a complex system. In every episode you’ll hear first hand stories from guests who’ve confronted real medical puzzles on the relentless search for answers in a system that doesn’t always have them. Dr. Nance brings her insider expertise, while Anna uses her own patient experiences to spot the heart of every story. Together, they explore the suspense, the drama, and sometimes even the humor, behind solving these real-life medical mysteries. Whether you’re a curious mind, an avid true-crime fan, or someone who’s been left in the dark by confusing diagnoses, The Medical Detectives shines a light on the unexplained. Listen in each week to learn, to question, and to be amazed by the strange but true cases that prove sometimes the most gripping mysteries unfold in hospital corridors.Copyright 2025 Soft Skills Media Social Sciences True Crime
Episodes
  • Tracy's Story: When the Doctor Becomes the Patient
    Jul 16 2025

    In this episode of The Medical Detectives, we sit down with high‑risk OB‑GYN Dr. Tracy. When her own health takes a puzzling turn, she must become her own Medical Detective. What starts as vague aches, mysterious rashes, and alarmingly low blood counts quickly spirals into a whirlwind of conflicting opinions: one specialist chalks it up to a routine infection, another rushes in with a dire autoimmune diagnosis, and our guest finds herself caught between medical textbook and gut instinct. Frustrated by dismissals and armed only with her own clinical curiosity, Tracy embarks on a quest for answers that will have you rooting for every patient’s right to be heard.

    To continue following Dr. Tracy Shevell's story, give her a follow on Instagram or Tik Tok @tracyshevellmd!

    Have a medical journey to share? Email us at stories@themedicaldetectivespodcast.com.

    ***The information provided on the medical detectives is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. While we may feature licensed medical professionals, including doctors, we are not your personal doctors and no doctor patient relationship is established by listening to this podcast or interacting with our content.

    All discussions are general in nature and may not apply to your specific health situation. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional before making any medical decisions or taking any action based on the content of this podcast. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking treatment because of something you have heard on this show

    If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please contact emergency services immediately or consult a qualified healthcare pro***

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    57 mins
  • Rachel's Story: Not Just Anxiety
    Jul 9 2025

    In this deeply moving episode of The Medical Detectives, Dr. Nance sits down with Linda, speaking on behalf of her daughter, Rachel Yaffe. When Rachel was a freshman in college she had unexplained aches that were labeled as psychosomatic by doctors. Years later she is given a diagnosis that changes her life. Linda recounts every heartbreaking misstep, every groundbreaking treatment, and the journey that turned her shy girl into a voice for change. Through triumphs, setbacks, and Rachel’s unwavering determination to live fully, this story shines a light on the broken edges of our medical system and the power of believing in one another when all else seems lost.

    Have a medical journey to share? Email us at stories@themedicaldetectivespodcast.com.

    ***The information provided on the medical detectives is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. While we may feature licensed medical professionals, including doctors, we are not your personal doctors and no doctor patient relationship is established by listening to this podcast or interacting with our content.

    All discussions are general in nature and may not apply to your specific health situation. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional before making any medical decisions or taking any action based on the content of this podcast. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking treatment because of something you have heard on this show

    If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please contact emergency services immediately or consult a qualified healthcare pro***

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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • Kara's Story Part 2: Burning From the Inside Out
    Jul 2 2025

    In this intense two-part episode of The Medical Detectives, what began as a routine backpacking trip among Arkansas oaks quickly spiraled into a baffling medical mystery. A misdiagnoses of UTI, strep and “pink eye,” a terrifying drop into sudden blindness, and delirium, and a desperate race against time in under-equipped rural hospitals. Kara’s raw, first-person account of shock, ICU delirium and the gut-wrenching fear of not being believed by doctors exposes the darkest extremes of the patient experience, and, miraculously, the resilience that brought her back from the edge of death.

    Have a medical journey to share? Email us at stories@themedicaldetectivespodcast.com.

    ***The information provided on the medical detectives is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. While we may feature licensed medical professionals, including doctors, we are not your personal doctors and no doctor patient relationship is established by listening to this podcast or interacting with our content.

    All discussions are general in nature and may not apply to your specific health situation. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional before making any medical decisions or taking any action based on the content of this podcast. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking treatment because of something you have heard on this show

    If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please contact emergency services immediately or consult a qualified healthcare pro***

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    1 hr and 46 mins
All stars
Most relevant  
I am learning so much about diseases that I haven't known about. It’s humbling to realize what others experience. Both Dr. Nance and Anna are well skilled in listening and summarizing the patients' stories.

What Patients Teach Us

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I like the thoughtfulness of the creators. Dr Nance listens to guests who mostly have not been heard by their providers.

In depth rare stories. Dr Nance helps explain the issue.

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Not a fan. It does not make sense to me why Anna is part of these podcast. She is not in the medical field and not a detective. I know that she was the guest as well on a couple of the podcast shows and her story changes based on what platform she is talking on. Lot of misinformation from anna not corrected by this Dr. Nance. I am actually surprised comments are on for this. I think that this podcast will not last long. Not very interesting and did not keep my attention even when i sped it up to 2.5. This is my opinion.

Not at all a medical mystery

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