Where can I listen to this podcast?

This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.

Does this podcast accept guests?

No, this podcast does not typically feature guests.

Pearls and Prep

Claim This Podcast

by NP Z

5.0(9 reviews)

115 episodes

Updated Daily

Accepts GuestsHas Sponsors

Podcast Overview

******* There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/PearlsandPrep Pearls and Prep: Psychiatric Case Studies is the go-to podcast for psychiatric nurse practitioner students, psych residents, clinicians, and anyone fascinated by the human mind. Whether you’re prepping for boards, sharpening your diagnostic skills, or just curious about what psychiatry looks like behind the scenes, this show delivers clinical gold in every episode. 🎯 What You’ll Learn: Each episode walks you through real-world psychiatric case studies — from initial chart review to final treatment plan — using a structured, digestible, and evidence-based approach. You'll get: 🩺 Psychiatric differential diagnosis deep-dives 💊 Psychopharmacology breakdowns with receptor targets, MOA, half-lives, and pearls for side effect management 📖 DSM-5-TR criteria reviews, clearly explained and clinically applied ⚖️ Rule-outs and red flags, with rationale 🧠 Cognitive frameworks for organizing your clinical thinking 📚 Citations and recent research from PubMed and clinical trials 😄 Engaging, story-based cases with humor, humility, and real-life complexity Each case is crafted to model what clinical decision-making looks like in the real world: nuanced, flexible, and guided by both science and soul. You’ll hear about everything from bipolar depression and PTSD to OCD, ADHD, panic disorder, substance use, and treatment-resistant depression — all through the lens of compassionate, competent care. 🧠 Why This Podcast? There are lots of psych podcasts, but Pearls and Prep is different. It’s not just lectures or interviews — it’s clinical rehearsal meets storytelling. Each episode is a teaching round in audio form, designed to help you think like a psych NP or psychiatrist. The cases are quirky, realistic, and designed to leave you with: 💡 High-yield memory hooks 📊 Clinical decision-making tools 📌 Ready-to-use documentation phrases 🧾 Smart screening questions 🧪 Lab interpretation tips for psychiatry ⚕️ First-line treatment recommendations based on guidelines and nuance Perfect for students prepping for ANCC or AANP boards, for seasoned clinicians wanting to refresh their diagnostic edge, or for preceptors looking to sharpen their teaching game. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Language

🇺🇲

Publishing Since

1/7/2025

Visit Website View on Apple Podcasts RSS Feed

Reach the team behind Pearls and Prep

Verified contact details for this show aren't on file yet — sign up to get notified when they land.

Recent Episodes

August 4, 2026

Are We Missing One of Psychiatry’s Easiest Wins? (Metformin)

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.”Be the second on Patreon:👉 <a href="https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep</a>We're diving deep into the world of Metformin today, folks! This little gem is often overlooked, but it’s a total game-changer for managing weight gain from antipsychotics. Seriously, we’re talking about a cheap, effective med that could save our patients from a whole lot of metabolic trouble. It’s wild that only about 2-3% of folks who could benefit from it are actually getting prescribed Metformin—talk about a missed opportunity! We're here to shake things up and help you feel more comfortable adding this powerhouse to your toolbox, because keeping our patients healthy and happy is what it’s all about. So buckle up, because we're about to unpack why this underdog deserves a spot in your practice!27Are We Missing One of Psychiatry’s Easiest Wins? (Metformin)Pearls and Preppearlsandprep@mail.comhttps://patreon.com/PearlsandPrep?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLinkTakeaways:<ul><li>Metformin is a total game changer for preventing weight gain with psych meds, seriously.</li><li>A staggering 2 to 3% of folks who need Metformin for weight issues actually get it prescribed.</li><li>Weight gain from antipsychotics is the number one reason for patients ditching their meds; we gotta fix this.</li><li>We should be proactive with Metformin, not reactive; waiting is just bad news, fam.</li><li>Understanding how Metformin works and its benefits is crucial for our practice, no doubt about it.</li><li>Don't underestimate the power of a simple, cheap med like Metformin; it can save lives.</li></ul> Companies mentioned in this episode:<ul><li>Metformin</li><li>Zyprexa</li><li>Seroquel</li><li>Cymbalta</li><li>Prozac</li><li>Zoloft</li><li>Geodon</li><li>Abilify</li><li>Latuda</li><li>Risperdal</li></ul> This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

August 3, 2026

Prozac vs Zoloft: They Look the Same... But They're Not at All

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Patients know the difference. Know the WHY!Join our clinical library today on PATREON!👉 <a href="https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep</a>Prozac vs Zoloft: They Look the Same... But They're Not at AllProzac (fluoxetine) and Zoloft (sertraline) are both SSRIs, both first-line treatments for depression, and both commonly prescribed for anxiety disorders—but they are far from interchangeable.In this episode of Pearls & Prep, we go beyond the textbook to explore the practical clinical reasoning behind choosing Prozac vs Zoloft. You'll learn why one patient may thrive on Prozac while another is a much better fit for Zoloft—and how experienced psychiatric clinicians think through that decision.We'll cover:• Why Prozac's long half-life is both one of its greatest strengths and one of its biggest drawbacks • Why Prozac is often easier to discontinue—but much harder to wash out when side effects occur • The famous "little old lady getting off the bus" analogy for remembering fluoxetine's long half-life • Why Zoloft is often the better choice in patients taking multiple medications because it has fewer clinically significant drug interactions • Understanding CYP2D6 inhibition and why Prozac can increase levels of medications like Abilify, risperidone, tamoxifen, and others • Why sertraline is generally considered more "flexible" in medically complex patients • FDA approvals that actually matter in practice, including PTSD, PMDD, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, OCD, bulimia nervosa, and depression • Why Prozac remains the only FDA-approved SSRI for bulimia nervosa • How Prozac becomes Symbyax when combined with olanzapine for bipolar I depression—and why that combination can be incredibly effective despite its metabolic tradeoffs • Which medication is generally preferred during breastfeeding • Differences in activation, insomnia, nausea, diarrhea, withdrawal symptoms, sexual dysfunction, and common adverse effects • Why your own prescribing experiences can create bias—and how evidence-based medicine helps keep us honestThis episode isn't about memorizing medication facts. It's about learning how to think like a psychiatric prescriber. By the end, you'll understand not only the pharmacology behind fluoxetine and sertraline, but also the clinical reasoning that helps you confidently choose the right SSRI for the right patient.Whether you're a PMHNP student, psychiatric nurse practitioner, psychiatry resident, physician assistant, medical student, or practicing mental health clinician, this episode will give you practical psychopharmacology pearls you can immediately apply in clinic and remember long after boards are over.📚 Want even more sticky psychiatry?Join the Pearls & Prep Patreon for:<ul><li>Premium visual psychopharmacology graphics</li><li>Board Bombs study resources</li><li>Weekly Pearl Drops</li><li>Full psychiatry learning library</li><li>Live mock patient simulations</li><li>Personalized written feedback through the Mafia Pearl mentorship</li></ul> 👉 patreon.com/pearlsandprep33Prozac vs Zoloft: They Look the Same... But They're Not at AllPearls and Preppearlsandprep@mail.comhttps://patreon.com/PearlsandPrep?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Episode thumbnail for Would You Diagnose PTSD, Depression, or Adjustment Disorder? One Patient. Three Diagnoses. Key Clinical Pearls You Should Know That Separate Them.

July 31, 2026

Would You Diagnose PTSD, Depression, or Adjustment Disorder? One Patient. Three Diagnoses. Key Clinical Pearls You Should Know That Separate Them.

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Patients know the difference. Know the WHY!Join our clinical library today on PATREON!👉 <a href="https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep</a><h2>Episode Description</h2>One patient. Three possible DSM-5 diagnoses. Only one is correct.In this episode of Pearls & Prep, NPZ walks you through one of the most realistic—and challenging—psychiatric differential diagnoses you'll encounter in clinical practice. At first glance, this patient appears to meet criteria for PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), and Adjustment Disorder simultaneously. But as you'll discover, great psychiatric diagnosis isn't about memorizing DSM criteria—it's about asking the right questions.Using a real-world clinical case, we'll slow down the diagnostic process and examine how experienced psychiatric clinicians separate normal grief, adjustment disorder, major depression, and PTSD without rushing to label every emotional response as mental illness.In this episode you'll learn:• How to distinguish Adjustment Disorder vs Major Depressive Disorder • When grief is normal—and when it becomes something more • What actually qualifies as a Criterion A trauma for PTSD • Why simply experiencing trauma does not automatically equal PTSD • The interview questions that reveal the diagnosis hiding underneath the symptoms • How guilt differs in depression versus trauma-related reactions • The difference between circumscribed distress and global psychological impairment • Why anhedonia and worthlessness are often more diagnostically useful than sadness alone • Common mistakes new psychiatric providers make when diagnosing trauma and depression • Practical interviewing pearls you can immediately use during psychiatric evaluationsWhether you're a PMHNP student, psychiatry resident, practicing clinician, or preparing for board exams, this episode will sharpen your diagnostic reasoning and help you avoid one of the most common—and most important—mistakes in psychiatric practice: treating the wrong disorder because multiple diagnoses appear to fit.Remember: the quality of your diagnosis depends on the quality of your questions. Every medication decision, treatment plan, and patient outcome begins with getting the diagnosis right.🎩 Want access to the full clinical vault?Become a Boss Pearl on Patreon and unlock exclusive premium episodes, psychopharmacology deep dives, Board Bombs, interview pearls, downloadable clinical resources, and much more.Looking for personalized coaching? Join the MAFIA Pearl™ tier for live psychiatric interview simulations, individualized written feedback, diagnostic coaching, medication selection guidance, and direct mentorship designed to accelerate your clinical confidence.Practice psychiatry before it matters.32Would You Diagnose PTSD, Depression, or Adjustment Disorder? One Patient. Three Diagnoses. Key Clinical Pearls You Should Know That Separate Them.Pearls and Preppearlsandprep@mail.comhttps://patreon.com/PearlsandPrep?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

115 total episodes available

Similar Podcasts

Discover related shows you might enjoy

PsychRounds: The Psychiatry Podcast

Dr. Tanner Hewitt, Dr. Larry Wang and Dr. Bradley Miller

The Carlat Psychiatry Podcast

NEI Podcast

Neuroscience Education Institute

Psychopharmacology and Psychiatry Updates

Psychopharmacology Institute

Psychiatry & Psychotherapy Podcast

David Puder, M.D.

Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris

10% Happier

Inside Bipolar

Gabe Howard & Dr. Nicole Washington

PMHNP Certification Q & A

Fitzgerald Health Education Associates

Psychofarm Podcast

Psychiatry, Skepticism, and Integration.

Good Hang with Amy Poehler

The Ringer

MacroMagic With Michelle

Michelle

Deep-dive analytics for Pearls and Prep

Frequently asked questions

Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

What is Pearls and Prep?: ******* There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.”

Be the second on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/c/PearlsandPrep

Pearls and Prep: Psychiatric Case Studies is the go-to podcast for psychiatric nurse practitioner students, psych residents, clinicians, and anyone fascinated by the human mind. Whether you’re prepping for boards, sharpening your diagnostic skills, or just curious about what psychiatry looks like behind the scenes, this show delivers clinical gold in every episode.

🎯 What You’ll Learn: Each episode walks you through real-world psychiatric case studies — from initial chart review to final treatment plan — using a structured, digestible, and evidence-based approach. You'll get:

🩺 Psychiatric differential diagnosis deep-dives

💊 Psychopharmacology breakdowns with receptor targets, MOA, half-lives, and pearls for side effect management

📖 DSM-5-TR criteria reviews, clearly explained and clinically applied

⚖️ Rule-outs and red flags, with rationale

🧠 Cognitive frameworks for organizing your clinical thinking

📚 Citations and recent research from PubMed and clinical trials

😄 Engaging, story-based cases with humor, humility, and real-life complexity

Each case is crafted to model what clinical decision-making looks like in the real world: nuanced, flexible, and guided by both science and soul. You’ll hear about everything from bipolar depression and PTSD to OCD, ADHD, panic disorder, substance use, and treatment-resistant depression — all through the lens of compassionate, competent care.

🧠 Why This Podcast? There are lots of psych podcasts, but Pearls and Prep is different. It’s not just lectures or interviews — it’s clinical rehearsal meets storytelling. Each episode is a teaching round in audio form, designed to help you think like a psych NP or psychiatrist. The cases are quirky, realistic, and designed to leave you with:

💡 High-yield memory hooks

📊 Clinical decision-making tools

📌 Ready-to-use documentation phrases

🧾 Smart screening questions

🧪 Lab interpretation tips for psychiatry

⚕️ First-line treatment recommendations based on guidelines and nuance

Perfect for students prepping for ANCC or AANP boards, for seasoned clinicians wanting to refresh their diagnostic edge, or for preceptors looking to sharpen their teaching game.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
How often does this podcast release new episodes?: This podcast updates daily.
Where can I listen to this podcast?: This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
Does this podcast accept guests?: No, this podcast does not typically feature guests.

Legal Disclaimer

Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.

All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.

We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.

While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.

By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.