UMB StaffThe University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) produces almost a dozen podcasts on a variety of subjects: emergency management and public health, the journey to becoming a physician, information for prospective law students, community outreach and research, and the social work profession, for example. The podcasts are hosted by staff, faculty, and students.
The hosts and founders of some of these podcasts sat down to talk to CATALYST about the purpose of their shows and their most memorable episodes and guests.
Check back in CATALYST’s spring issue to learn about other UMB podcasts including “The UMB Pulse,” “IHV: Going Viral,” “Moving the Needle,” “Neuro Networks,” and “UM-Mind.”
Hotwash Podcast
Hosts: Trudy Henson, JD, public health program director, Center for Cyber, Health, and Hazard Strategies (CHHS); Michael Vesely, JD, academic program director, CHHS; Christine Gentry, JD, MPH, former senior law and policy analyst (through Season 3)
Please briefly describe the podcast and its purpose.
“Hotwash” is a podcast that examines the law, policy, and operational realities of emergency management and public health. Born from a shared nerdy enthusiasm for the field, the show goes beyond headlines to explore why systems respond the way they do — what drives decisions, what constrains them, and how doctrine, governance, and history shape preparedness and crisis operations. Each episode offers a structured, analytical look at the forces behind emergencies, helping listeners understand not just what happens, but why it happens.
Episodes available (as of Sept. 15)?
30
When does it release/frequency?
“Hotwash” releases two seasons each year, one in the spring and one in the fall, each featuring 10 to 12 full-length episodes. Between seasons, and sometimes during them, the show publishes shorter rapid‑response episodes on new and developing issues. We refer to these episodes as a “Quick Rinse.”
Where can listeners/viewers hear or watch your podcast?
Anywhere you listen or get your podcasts! We are available on Apple, iHeart, Spotify, and other major platforms. You can also find a direct link to the podcast on the Center for Cyber, Health, and Hazard Strategies website.
Please describe how the podcast came about.
“Hotwash” was created by Christine Gentry and Trudy Henson and debuted in 2020. Like much of the emergency management and public health world, its first season was shaped by the realities of the COVID‑19 pandemic. After an extended pause between Seasons 1 and 2, the team expanded, recruiting Mike Vesely to join as a co‑host to bring an additional perspective to our discussions.
Briefly describe what you consider to be your most memorable episode.
One of our favorite moments was our three Halloween 2025 “quick rinse” episodes. Instead of our usual shared outline and coordinated prep, each of us recorded a short, Halloween‑themed mini‑episode on a topic we found interesting, but without telling the others what we selected. Hearing the final compilation was a genuine surprise. It was fun, thematic, and still unmistakably “Hotwash”: three perspectives, three curiosities, and one shared goal to explore how emergencies really work.
Who has been your most memorable/significant guest and why?
Henson: Does a non-human guest count? Christine and I started the podcast in the beginning of 2020. I consider COVID-19 to be a regularly featured guest that season. It was pretty wild to host while COVID was taking over the world, the news, and our lives. We had real-time discussions of emergency response and public health preparedness as they unfolded, and I will never forget talking about issues that had almost purely been academic prior to 2020.
Vesely: We’ve been fortunate to host many brilliant experts on “Hotwash,” each of whom has made complex, technical issues accessible and engaging. It’s impossible to choose a favorite. But one moment that stands out is when our longtime colleague, Megan Timmins, joined us as a guest. We’ve worked with Megan for more than a decade, tackling many of the same challenges with our clients and yet she still managed to surprise us. Her unique blend of insight and humor brought unexpected angles to familiar issues, reminding us that even the people you know best can still teach you something new.
The OSA Insider
Host: Neda Frayha, MD, FACP, assistant professor, Department of Medicine (nonadjunct faculty), and director of podcasting, Office of Student Affairs,University of Maryland School of Medicine
Please briefly describe the podcast and its purpose.
“The OSA Insider” is a podcast about medical student life and the journey to becoming a physician. Featuring survival tips, wellness strategies, the inside scoop on major medical school milestones, and interviews with inspirational faculty members and students, host Neda Frayha and her guests share what many doctors wish they’d known in medical school.
Episodes available (as of Sept. 15)?
142 episodes. In February 2027, the podcast will celebrate its 10-year anniversary.
When does it release/frequency?
Once a month.
Where can listeners/viewers hear or watch your podcast?
On Apple Podcasts, Spotify, all major podcasting platforms, and at the School of Medicine website.
Please describe how the podcast came about.
In 2016, Donna Parker, MD, FACP, senior associate dean for medical education and chief academic officer for the Medical Education Program at UMSOM, suggested to Frayha that UMSOM’s Office of Student Affairs (OSA) develop a podcast to communicate directly with medical students about important news and milestones, to share information and increase student comfort with accessing OSA resources. Frayha had training in audio broadcasting and podcasting skills, and she reported on health and medical stories for NPR. “The OSA Insider” was born, and its first episode was released in February 2017.
Briefly describe what you consider to be your most memorable episode.
A 2019 episode titled “[USMLE] Step 1 Disappointment” seemed to unlock something powerful for our listeners. We had previously shared many success stories of medical students and faculty members, and students voiced a desire to learn from others who had experienced real struggles. They wanted to know how other students and physicians had persevered through hardship and found their way to something positive. Years later, students and residents still share how helpful they found this episode on receiving a disappointing USMLE Step 1 score. We’ve since featured other stories of grit and navigating heartache, including what happens if a student doesn’t match into a residency program on their first try.
Who has been your most memorable/significant guest and why?
In any given year, the podcast episodes that generate the greatest engagement and discussion are those featuring student voices. Students and alumni who share stories of learning how to thrive throughout medical school and residency, overcoming obstacles, or exploring unique career paths tend to be the most memorable and significant to our listeners.
Law School’d
Hosts: Jonathan Glick, JD, executive director of enrollment management, University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law; Meghan Fields, MBA, former associate director for admissions; and students Faith Kim, JD, Aryana Ravery, JD, andAlex Dufort, BA
Please briefly describe the podcast and its purpose.
“Law School’d” is a podcast for prospective law students navigating the journey to law school and beyond. Hosted by the Office of Admissions and current students at Maryland Carey Law, this podcast features discussions with admissions officers about the law school application process and members of the law school community about choosing a law school and student life.
Episodes available (as of Sept. 15)?
30
When does it release/frequency?
Every two weeks from spring through the summer.
Where can listeners/viewers hear or watch your podcast?
On Apple, Spotify, and Amazon.
Please describe how the podcast came about.
The admissions office wanted to reach students via an alternative means to email and recruitment events.
Briefly describe what you consider to be your most memorable episode.
“Debunking Law School Myths.” I enjoyed hearing from law students about why they were nervous about attending law school and appreciated their reassurances to prospective students that they will be OK!
Who has been your most memorable/significant guest and why?
All our student hosts. We are approaching Season 3 and will have our third student host for the podcast.
The Bridge: Your Health, Your Voice
Host: Paris Barnes, MS, senior training specialist, PATIENTS Program, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
Please briefly describe the podcast and its purpose.
“The Bridge” is the podcast of the School of Pharmacy’s PATIENTS Program, which serves as a bridge between communities and researchers, fostering partnerships that ensure community voices are heard and valued throughout the research process. The podcast extends that mission by creating conversations that inform, engage, and connect listeners with topics related to health, research, and community wellness.
Episodes available (as of Sept. 15)?
76
When does it release/frequency?
New episodes are released twice a month, on the second and fourth Tuesday.
Where can listeners/viewers hear or watch your podcast?
Listeners can find “The Bridge” on major podcast platforms and can also watch episodes on the PATIENTS Program’s YouTube channel.
Please describe how the podcast came about.
The podcast was created as an extension of the PATIENTS Program’s commitment to community engagement. We wanted another way to meet people where they are and create meaningful conversations around health, research, and community priorities. “The Bridge” provides an accessible platform for sharing stories, amplifying community voices, and strengthening connections between researchers and the communities they serve.
Briefly describe what you consider to be your most memorable episode and guest.
One of our most memorable episodes featured Ernestine Shepherd and Chauncey Whitehead, two Baltimore fitness icons and longtime partners of the PATIENTS Program. As Ms. Shepherd approached her 90th birthday, she shared the habits, mindset, and life lessons that have shaped her remarkable journey. Whitehead reflected on their shared commitment to walking, fitness, and community wellness, and how those efforts have inspired generations of Baltimore residents. Together, they demonstrated that health is about more than exercise. It is about connection, consistency, purpose, and uplifting others.
Social Work Is Everywhere
Host: Rotating hosts, depending on the topic.
Please briefly describe the podcast and its purpose.
The “Social Work is Everywhere” podcast highlights social work research, practice, and policy in various industries, professions, and geographic locations. The name came about because Social Work research and practice can apply to just about any area where there is human connection, and social work career possibilities and pathways are endless.
Episodes available (as of Sept. 15)?
11
When does it release/frequency?
About every other month.
Where can listeners/viewers hear or watch your podcast?
Listeners can hear the podcast on popular podcasting platforms such as Apple, Spotify, and Amazon Music as well as watch on the UMSSW YouTube channel or on the Social Work is Everywhere Podcast webpage.
Briefly describe what you consider to be your most memorable episode.
The first season focused on global initiatives. Our most viewed and downloaded podcast episode was our very first episode, “Global Social Work: Grief, Climate Change, and Community Collaboration.” This is significant because we launched the podcast in July, and there was an assumption that we might not have a lot of engagement due to summer vacations. Our listenership and metrics proved that the “Social Work is Everywhere” podcast is perfect for listening and/or viewing during travel, commuting to and from work or class, during downtime, or anytime because Social Work is truly everywhere.
