I was humbled, happy, angered, and overall felt all of your comments are right on the mark.
I googled mcmumbi, and that's how I discovered this discussion of my podcasts. So here's some trivial info:
I did make the podcasts as a study guide for myself, designed to be about 20-30 minutes each, to listen to while driving and walking to work. Then I figured why the hell not just put them out there? And if they benefit others, great! They can't harm. I wanted to give something back, and I think I have...of debatable value, but it's there. Forever, I might add.
Someone pointed out there are errors, and that's for sure true. I cringed often, especially after broadcasting them. It's also true that I corrected most errors subsequently.
They are free, mind you, and I did think about infringement, but I credited Crush on every (?) podcast. I have not gained anything from doing these, apart from some really cool messages from all over the country and all over the world from people who took the time to say the podcasts benefited them.
They worked, I did fine on the test, and I'm in a top 15 internal medicine program now, loving my job.
The test is a small piece of the whole picture of you as an applicant. I never had my test scores come up during an interview, and I interviewed in all four corners of the US.
Eh...in the end, if you listen to them, I hope they help. If you don't, you'll be fine. You've gotten this far, and it wasn't because of anything I did, for sure.
Oh, and I'm not doing one for step three. I don't have time!
All the best, my friends and colleagues.
mcmumbi
AKA Rob McDonald
Intern, Internal Medicine
University of Alabama at Birmingham