Step 1 Basics (USMLE)

Sam Smith writes, records, and mixes every episode of Step 1 Basics himself, and that solo production approach gives the show a distinctly personal feel. Across 116 episodes, he covers the major organ systems and subject areas tested on USMLE Step 1, from cardiovascular and pulmonary to microbiology, psychiatry, and rheumatology. The episodes are designed to be listened to repeatedly, almost like audio flashcards that you can loop while studying. Most episodes clock in between 8 and 20 minutes, which keeps them tight and focused on a single concept. The organization is clean: episodes are grouped by subject with numbered entries within each section, so you can easily build a playlist for whatever block you are studying. Topics include things like gout versus pseudogout, rheumatologic emergencies, and antibody review, each tackled with enough depth to be useful but not so much that your attention wanders. The podcast has a 4.6 rating from 27 reviewers. Listeners consistently praise Smith's clear and steady delivery, which makes the content easy to follow even on repeated listens. A few reviewers mention that some of the sound effects and mnemonics feel a bit forced, but the core teaching is solid. For students who want no-frills, concise audio lessons organized by system that they can play on repeat during commutes or workouts, Step 1 Basics fills that role reliably. It is the kind of podcast you keep coming back to when you need a quick refresher on a specific topic.