Jonathan Sherbino – from closet studio to center stage: the journey of a passionate podcaster

Jonatham Sherbino in a collage of four images where he is discussing, thinking, looking in the camera and smiling.

Welcome to "Meet Our Hosts," where we introduce you to the voices behind our podcast. Here is Jonathan Sherbino!

During the Association for the Study of Medical Education (ASME) 2024 conference, we had the pleasure of catching up with Jonathan Sherbino, one of the hosts of the Papers Podcast. He shared how he got started, what keeps him motivated, and the unique dynamics of podcasting in front of a live audience. Here’s what he had to say.

Jonathan, you’re at the ASME conference doing a live recording of the podcast. How does that feel compared to your usual setup?

“First, I want to thank ASME for the invitation and the Karolinska Institutet for making it possible for us to be here,” he began. “Typically, we record virtually from my office. It used to be in my closet, but I’ve since upgraded to a much better studio setup. When we record, it’s done in a bit of a vacuum—there’s feedback from my co-hosts Jason, Linda, and Laura, but it’s not the same as engaging with a live audience.

“Doing this in front of a live audience brings something special and magical. We do this podcast as volunteers because we’re passionate about health professions education. But when people laugh at our jokes—even the really tenuous ones—or challenge our assumptions, it makes the conversation so much richer. Podcasting can sometimes feel like a monologue—like speaking to an empty void—but with a live audience, it becomes a real conversation.”

What do your listeners mean to you?

“The listeners are our main driver. This is about engaging with ideas and sharing them with a community,” he explained. “We’re constantly seeking feedback—through emails, social media, or even in-person interactions. For example, our email address, thepaperspodcast[at]gmail.com, is always open. We love hearing recommendations for papers, ideas, or even rebuttals to the points we’ve made. That kind of engagement makes podcasting feel real and helps strengthen the connection with our audience.”

How did you first get started with podcasting?

“The initial motivation was simple: to do something with friends,” he said. “Jason, Laura, Linda, and I are close, and the podcast gave us an opportunity to meet monthly, talk about something we’re all passionate about, and support each other.”

He also shared a personal insight: “Secretly, it’s also a way to keep myself accountable. As an educator, I want to stay up to date with the literature. I have the best intentions, like exercising regularly, but without accountability, it’s easy to fall behind. The podcast deadlines keep me on track—scanning the latest papers, being thoughtful, and staying engaged with the field. It’s become a force function for my professional development.”

How do you decide which papers to feature on the podcast?

“We have a semi-structured system,” he explained. “Each month, I review electronic tables of contents from about 10 health professions education journals. I scan for interesting topics or emerging trends. We also consider recommendations from listeners and topics trending on social media. However, we prioritize papers that spark meaningful conversations.”

He elaborated: “A good paper for us is one that raises questions—about methodology, results, or broader issues in health professions education. It might be relevant to my own teaching practice, or it might have implications for educators and institutions around the world. Whether it’s transferable insights or a starting point for debate, we look for papers that contribute to the larger conversation.”

What are you curious about when it comes to your listeners?

“I’d love to know what they think works and what they value about the podcast,” he said. “We’re always open to hearing suggestions for improvement—what we should modify, where we can do better. It’s about making the podcast as relevant as possible for the community we serve.”

He added with a laugh, “And of course, I’d love to hear if they side with me in debates with Jason and Laura. I suspect Laura’s winning the popular vote, but I’m hoping to close the gap!”

Could you say that hearing from listeners is a way to continue the conversation?

“Absolutely. One of the best parts of being here at ASME is hearing from people directly. When someone comes up to me and says, ‘I really enjoyed that episode,’ or even ‘You missed the mark on this topic,’ it’s incredibly valuable. Those interactions make the podcast feel like an ongoing dialogue, not just a broadcast.”

He concluded with an open invitation: “Please, we would love to hear from you. This podcast is our way of contributing to the health professions education community, and your feedback helps us continue to grow and improve.”

Thank you to Jonathan Sherbino for sharing his insights and experiences. Stay tuned for more conversations with the voices behind your favorite podcasts!


(This article is made from a video interview made by Teresa Sörö, at ASME conference 2024.)

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