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Book | “Death's Pale Flag” a Medical Psychological Thriller | A Conversation with Author Gary Simonds | Audio Signals Podcast With Marco Ciappelli
Description
Get the book here: https://amzn.to/3zgVlV6
Guest: Gary Simonds, Author, Professor
On LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-simonds-5b0225a/
On Twitter | https://x.com/garyrsimonds
Website | https://garyrsimonds.com/
On Mastodon | https://mastodon.social/@GaryRSimonds
On Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/garyrsimonds/
On TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@garyrsimonds
On Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/garyrsimonds/
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Host: Marco Ciappelli, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining Society Podcast & Audio Signals Podcast
On ITSPmagazine | https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/marco-ciappelli
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Episode Introduction
Gary Simonds, a retired neurosurgeon who continues to teach and write, joined Marco for this episode. He introduced himself and shared a bit about his extensive career in medicine, including thousands of operations and his role in leading neurosurgical programs.
From Neurosurgery to Ghost Stories
Intrigued by Gary's transition from neurosurgery to writing about ghosts, Marco delved into Gary's motivations and experiences. Gary explained that his interest in storytelling emerged from his encounters with patients and their intense, often heart-wrenching stories. Initially intending to write non-fiction, Gary shifted to fiction to make the reading experience more immersive and engaging. His novel explores the idea of a neurosurgeon encountering ghosts and wrestling with the boundaries between the scientific and the supernatural.
Balancing Reality and Fiction
Gary emphasized the importance of grounding his stories in the reality of neurosurgery and patient experiences. While the scientific aspects remained accurate, he wove a narrative that blended these elements with the intriguing concept of ghosts. This approach aimed to keep readers engrossed and thoughtfully questioning the nature of reality and the supernatural.
Teaching Through Stories
Marco and Gary then explored the role of storytelling in education. Gary highlighted how stories captivate students and make complex concepts more relatable. By starting with patient histories and personal anecdotes, Gary effectively engaged his students, allowing them to connect deeply with the material. This method helped students see the humanity in medicine and fostered a genuine interest in the subject.
Ethics and the Human Element
The conversation took a thoughtful turn as Marco asked about the ethical challenges faced by medical professionals. Gary shared that judgment based on patient behavior, like substance abuse, can affect how healthcare providers perceive and treat patients. Through storytelling and self-reflection, Gary encouraged empathy and a commitment to treating every patient with equal respect and care.<