Block It Like It’s Hot was born the way all great ideas are—somewhere between a dad joke and a questionable decision. Jeff and Amit had spent years teaching together in far-flung locales like London, Bangkok, and New York, bonding over nerve blocks, bad coffee, and an even worse sense of humor. In 2022, while Amit was interviewing Jeff for a newsletter article about Blocktober, the two found themselves laughing so much mid-recording that it became clear: their banter deserved a bigger stage than an email inbox. The obvious next step? A podcast where they could mix sharp medical insight with sharp(ish) punchlines. From that moment on, the plan was simple: share our love of acute care medicine and hope people laugh with us…or maybe at us.
How did Block It Like It's Hot begin?
About the Hosts
Host
Jeff Gadsden, MD, is a regional anesthesia enthusiast, educator, and storyteller who believes that medicine doesn’t have to be dry to be meaningful. As Chief of Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine at Duke University, Jeff has spent his career teaching nerve blocks and ultrasound techniques to learners around the world. On the mic, he brings that same energy — mixing evidence-based insights with humor, curiosity, and the occasional bad dad joke. Whether he’s breaking down the latest techniques, swapping stories with expert guests, or translating complex science into practical pearls, Jeff’s goal is simple: to make regional anesthesia approachable, relevant, and (dare we say) fun.
Fun fact: when he’s not in the OR, Jeff can be found logging miles on a run, plotting his next travel adventure, or trying (and failing) to keep up with his teenagers’ playlists.
Host
Amit Pawa, MBBS, FRCA, is an internationally recognized leader in regional anesthesia and pain medicine whose passion for teaching is matched only by his knack for making complex concepts feel simple. As a professor and consultant anesthetist in London and past president of RA-UK, Amit has helped shape the way nerve blocks and ultrasound are practiced around the world. On the podcast, he brings equal parts expertise and wit — blending practical pearls, real-world stories, and the occasional laugh-out-loud moment. With Amit behind the mic, even the most technical topics feel approachable and engaging.
Fun fact: When he’s not guiding needles or guiding discussions, Amit can be found in his hot tub, exploring new foodie spots with his family, or proving that his playlist is cooler than Jeff’s.