
Teamcast
Dr. Preston Cline, Dr. Dan Dworkis, Dr. Art Finch and Harry Moffit of the Mission Critical Team Institute share research and explore the questions vexing the most elite teams in the world, from Special Operations soldiers to Firefighters, from Trauma Medics to Professional Athletes, and from Astronauts to Tactical Law Enforcement.
Latest episodes

Jun 30, 2025 • 46min
S5 Ep7 Dr. Jeremy Cannon on Military Medical Readiness and Project 100k
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.

Jun 16, 2025 • 1h 9min
S5 Ep6 Strength, Conditioning, and The Philosophy Booth with Will Greenberg
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.

Jun 2, 2025 • 1h 11min
S5 Ep5 Dr. Angus Fletcher and the Extraordinary World
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.

May 19, 2025 • 54min
S5 Ep4 Rehumanizing Human Performance with Gloria Park
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.

May 5, 2025 • 1h 16min
S5 Ep3 Eric Karp: From NSW to Axiom Space and the Evolution of DR5
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.

Apr 2, 2025 • 49min
S5 Ep2 Leading the Legacy: Chief John Esposito on the Evolution of FDNY
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.

Feb 11, 2025 • 1h 6min
S5 Ep1 Women in Special Operations Teams
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.

Oct 7, 2024 • 1h 17min
S4 Ep6 The Ethics of Special Ops: Raids, Recoveries, Reconnaissance, and Rebels
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.

4 snips
May 10, 2024 • 1h 8min
S4 Ep5 - Perspectives on Tactical Emergency Medical Support
In this discussion, Simon Hendel, a trauma consultant and Deputy Director of Trauma Services at The Alfred Hospital, shares his journey from aspiring pilot to expert in tactical emergency medical support. With military deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, he discusses the importance of teamwork in high-stakes medicine and how military lessons can enhance civilian trauma care. Simon also emphasizes the need for mental health support among emergency responders and the critical role of effective induction processes in tactical organizations.

Dec 19, 2023 • 1h 2min
S4 Ep4 Leading Uphill with Mountaineer Chris Warner
Chris Warner, Mountaineer, Second American to Summit every 8,000 meter peakJoin Preston Cline as he and Chris Warner talk about his experiences in Mountaineering, in business, and in experiential education. Chris was one of Preston’s first instructors as a wilderness guide in 1989 and their lives have been intertwined ever since.https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/everest/this-climber-just-became-the-second-american-to-summit-every-8000-meter-peak/