Combinations Podcast 89 – That is What We Are. How Can We Be Wrong?

05/03/2025 37 min
Combinations Podcast 89 – That is What We Are. How Can We Be Wrong?

Listen "Combinations Podcast 89 – That is What We Are. How Can We Be Wrong?"

Episode Synopsis

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of the Combinations Podcast, we sit down with Mike who writes under the pen name of ‘Max Austin’. Mike is a gay nurse, husband, adopter, father and author. With breathtaking honesty, he shares his truth of the LBGTQIA+ experience set against the backdrop of changing hospital life and wider society.

What happens when you just don’t want to say goodbye? But sometimes in life, you must lose everything to find out what you actually need. ‘That Is What We Are’ is the sequel to Mike's raw and emotional bio-fictional memoir, ‘How Can We Be Wrong?’ Some listeners may find parts of this conversation difficult, as Mike talks about the highs and lows of his career and how those moments inspired his story.

Through his eyes, we experience the emotional roller coaster of being a gay man working in health care – the discrimination, the resilience, and the moments of unexpected joy. ‘That is What We Are’ is the eagerly awaited sequel for fans of Mike's debut narrative – ‘How Can We Be Wrong?’. His latest instalment is equally as brave and beautiful.

Resonating with all who work within the NHS, Mike offers an authentic depiction of our health service, its triumphs and its failures. If you’re looking for a story to inspire and remind you what it means to truly be seen, this is the story you have been waiting for. As one of our own staff members, Mike offers a unique perspective on turning his lived experience into a message of hope. Strap yourself in; you’re in for a bumpy ride!


Website - https://www.maxaustinauthor.com

More episodes of the podcast Combinations Podcast from Combined Healthcare NHS Trust