Teamcast

In this episode, Chief Medical Officer Dan Dworkis interviews Dr. Sean Griffiths, who shares his experiences and insights from his training and career in emergency medicine, both within the United States Air Force and civilian practice. The two talk through the stark differences between various emergency care environments, the importance of leadership, and the challenges of preparing for high-stakes medical emergencies in diverse settings. Dr. Griffiths emphasizes the significance of character in medical training and offers practical advice on creating a thriving medical team culture. This episode is ideal for anyone passionate about improving emergency care and leadership in healthcare.If you find value in this discussion, the best way to support our work and ensure you don't miss future episodes is to subscribe and leave us a quick rating or review. It helps us reach more people who need to hear these conversations.

This week's episode features Preston's conversation with Dr. David Gens, who is best known as the trauma surgeon who treated Ronald Reagan after he was shot in 1981. Dr. Gens remains an attending surgeon at Shock Trauma and is also one of the most influential trauma resident educators worldwide.[10:25] Residue, Acute Stress, & Long-term Stress - Dr. Gens gives his experience with managing stress and residue. "I slept in the dialysis unit, and it finally dawned on me - this is an international event." [17:25] Working with the First Family in the aftermath of the shooting[31:40] Tacit Knowledge Transfer - Dr. Gens covers how he knows a learner is gaining or has gained tacit knowledge and what instructions he gives to support them in the moment. Dr. Gens is a respected leader who has made significant improvements in trauma and critical care medicine, ultimately enhancing the lives of many patients. He's known for his commitment to top-notch patient care, considerable research, and thorough training of future trauma experts. His teaching covers a wide range of crucial topics, from basic anatomy to the full scope of trauma patient evaluation and treatment.Want to learn more about Dr. Gens? Read the Washingtonian's minute-by-minute account of the actions after President Reagan was shot on March 30, 1981. Watch a video tribute from MedSchool Maryland Productions. The video, featuring narration by Dr. Thomas Scalea, includes praise from faculty, students, and colleagues.

On this episode, initially released in March 2025 as a collaboration with The Emergency Mind Podcast, Chief Medical Officer Dan Dworkis speaks with Dr. Jeremy Cannon. They delve deeply into military medical readiness and the intriguing concept of the "peacetime effect”. Whether you're in the military or a civilian, you'll gain insights into optimizing medical readiness and saving lives on and off the battlefield.Dr. Cannon is a Professor of Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania, where he champions the Penn Medicine-US Navy Trauma Training Partnership. A graduate of the US Air Force Academy and Harvard Medical School, Dr. Cannon also holds a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from MIT. He's a former President of the Excelsior Surgical Society and edited the 2024 Edition of Edward D. Churchill's Surgeon to Soldiers. Currently, he's a Veteran Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University, focusing on military health policy.Listen and explore the steep learning curves experienced in past conflicts and why it's so crucial to maintain and improve readiness in military medical systems. This conversation covers the necessity of military-civilian partnerships, the evolution of trauma care, and the critical need for effective policy.

Will Greenberg, Head of Performance and Strength and Conditioning for the Buffalo Bills, shares his journey from baseball to the NFL with a human-centered approach to performance. He discusses the balance of science with practical application, emphasizing the importance of struggle and the flow state in training. The conversation highlights 'The Philosopher's Booth', a space for athletes to engage in emotional support and dialogue. Will advocates for holistic athlete development and the significance of personal stories in building deep connections among team members.

Dr. Angus Fletcher discusses the power of 'productive discomfort' in driving personal and professional growth. He introduces 'story thinking,' highlighting how narratives help us process experiences and emotions. The conversation critiques conventional education for failing to build emotional resilience and urges leaders to embrace diverse perspectives. Humor and serious insights intertwine as they tackle challenges faced in dynamic environments, from the perils of Antarctic science to the strength found in meekness, illustrating how storytelling enhances understanding and resilience.

Gloria Park, a sports performance and positive psychology specialist, discusses her journey from competitive figure skating to optimizing human performance in high-pressure environments like the military. She emphasizes the crucial role of emotions and stress management in achieving success. Their conversation highlights techniques for balancing high performance with well-being, advocating for self-care and human connections. Listeners gain insights into transforming performance analysis by celebrating successes and fostering a supportive culture that prioritizes positive outcomes.

In this episode, we sit down with Eric Karp, former Naval Special Warfare operator and a pivotal contributor to the evolution of MCTI Research. Eric played a central role in the development and refinement of the DR5 model, a framework for thriving under pressure and uncertainty. Now with Axiom Space, Eric shares his insights on cultivating human potential and preparing individuals to navigate complexity and change.

Join Chief John Esposito, the Chief of Department for the FDNY, as he shares his journey in firefighting since 1991. He discusses the evolution of the department and the impact of 9/11 on its structure and training. Chief Esposito emphasizes the importance of listening, continuous learning, and mentorship within the firehouse. Dive into the challenges of 'battlefield promotions' and the specialized training for modern firefighters. He also highlights the critical role of communication and mental health in supporting those on the front lines.

Have you heard of the White Mouse? Given the codename by the Gestpao in WW2, for her ability to evade capture and wreak havoc behind enemy lines, Nancy Wake was a larger-than-life character, and highly decorated Special Operations Operator. At one time, she topped the Nazi’s most wanted list. She was one of dozens of women who served in the Special Operations Executive during WW2, with distinction.  Why were we so open about women in Special Operations nearly 100 years ago, but now we are so closed minded, at least it would seem? To answer this question, Harry Moffitt is joined by Frank Steder, the Principle Scientist at the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment and one of the researchers who was originally involved in Norwegian Jergertroppen, or Hunter Troop: an all-female special operations unit.  Frank himself served with the Norwegian Armed Forces and since that time has been enlisted back to work in its science and technology branch and as a visiting scientist to the Norwegian Naval Postgraduate School. Today we talk about women in the special forces, conscription, and big institutional change.

Join Harry Moffitt as he talks with Dr’s Deane-Peter Baker, Roger Herbert, and David Whetham about their new book The Ethics of Special Ops: Raids, Recoveries, Reconnaissance, and Rebels. At the end of the Afghan campaign a number of Special Operations units were subject to investigations of alleged war crimes. In response, these three distinguished scholars have written a compelling book, looking at how we might learn the lessons of this time. In this broad ranging discussion, Harry, Deane, Roger, and David cover many related topics, including the ethics of war fighting and why it matters, how to prepare soldiers for the moral challenges of the battlefield, and some of the techniques they use in training and development, including The King’s College London Centre for Military Ethics Playing Cards, found at http://www.militaryethics.uk/en/playing-cards . The Ethics of Special Ops: Raids, Recoveries, Reconnaissance, and Rebels (Cambridge University Press 2023).  Dr Deane-Peter Baker is an Associate Professor of Ethics in the School of Humanities and Social Science at UNSW Canberra, and Director of the Military Ethics Research Lab and Innovation Network (MERLIN). He is also a Senior Visiting Research Fellow in the Kings College London Centre for Military Ethics. Dr. Herbert is the Robert T. Herres Distinguished Military Professor of Ethics at the U.S. Naval Academy. Previously, he served for 26 years as a Naval Special Warfare officer, including commanding SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2, Naval Special Warfare Unit 3, and the Naval Special Warfare Center. Dr David Whetham is Professor of Ethics and the Military Profession at the Defence Studies Department of King’s College London, based at the Joint Services Command and Staff College at the UK Defence Academy where he coordinates or delivers the military ethics component of courses for between two and three thousand British and international officers a year.