Teamcast

Dr. Dan Dworkis and Dr. Art Finch, MCTI's Director of Psychology, discuss the complexities of reintegrating into family life after high-stress, mission-critical work. They introduce 'On Coming Home,' a workbook designed to help both operators and their families navigate the reintegration process. The conversation highlights the importance of patience, gratitude, and understanding that coming home is a process, not an event.Access the On Coming Home workbook here.This episode was published in partnership with The Emergency Mind Podcast. If you find value in this discussion, the best way to support our work and stay up-to-date with 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.

Today, we welcome Dave Robson, Chief Engineer at Atlassian Williams Racing. Dave shares his extensive career journey spanning 25 years in F1, starting with McLaren and now at Williams. He delves into topics such as leadership, team organization, and the balance between data and intuition in high-pressure environments. The conversation also explores the challenges of training new engineers without traditional test teams, the importance of building intuition, and maintaining high performance under stress. Dave and Harry discuss  the dynamics within racing teams and strategies behind building instinctual decision-making in pit teams, toggling between flat and hierarchical team structures. They talk about the need to build a “war chest” of social capital to spend in the hard time. Dave closes by sharing some of the books that have influenced his career.Dave holds a Master of Engineering from the University of Oxford and has deep experience and expertise in stress analysis, laboratory testing, F1 engineering and racing, as well as how to lead and manage teams in one of the most high-pressure environments in sports.This episode has insight into high performance, engineering, leadership, and the inner workings of teams in demanding environments.Dave’s book recommendations: The Art of Action: How Leaders Close the Gaps between Plans, Actions and Results by Stephen Bungay; Legacy: What the All Blacks Can Teach Us About the Business of Life by James Kerr If you find value in this discussion, the best way to support our work and stay up-to-date with 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.

Emergency physician Andrew Petrosoniak and acute care surgeon Eric Benoit dive into the complexities of making decisions under high-pressure medical scenarios. They explore the critical balance between action and certainty, emphasizing that sometimes, swift decisions can buy time where absolute certainty is unattainable. Both guests reflect on their personal journeys with uncertainty and stress the importance of teaching adaptability over rigid rules. Listeners gain fresh insights into debriefing decision-making processes to foster growth and learning in the medical field.

“Find those people who are your allies, have confidence in yourself, have confidence in your competence.”This episode features an in-depth conversation with FDNY Deputy Chief Michele Fitzsimmons, who shares her career journey and discusses the evolution of the department. Michele shares her journey from working with HIV/AIDS patients to becoming a firefighter and eventually rising through the ranks to Deputy Chief. Preston and Michele discuss the critical role of trust, teamwork, and communication in mission-critical situations, as well as the fundamental changes that followed the events of 9/11. Michele offers valuable insights into the significance of training and communal meals, as well as the evolving safety protocols for modern firefighters. This episode is an inspiring look into the life and career of a dedicated leader who has helped shape the future of fire service. If you find value in this discussion, the best way to support our work and stay up-to-date with 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.

After a brief summer break, The Teamcast is back! In this episode, Preston sits down with Harry for a deep dive into the philosophy of high performance, resilience, and the human psyche. They explore a range of topics, from the role of Stoicism in modern life and the journey from a military mindset to psychology, to the concept of adaptive learning and the importance of social connections for team performance. Harry also reminisces about his time in the military, his influential travel experiences, and his involvement with the special operations punk rock band, The Externals. The episode ties practical insights with deep philosophical reflections tailored for individuals in mission critical teams. Check out these moments for specifics. 00:47 Harry & Preston meeting at Fort Bragg + Human Performance07:36 Transitioning to Psychology09:23 The Importance of Philosophy and Ethics33:04 The Praxis of Wisdom39:54 The Importance of Social Connections40:48 The Role of Debriefing in Performance48:04 The Wild West of Human Performance57:47 Training Intelligence and Adaptive Learning01:16:45 The Power of Reflection and Mind WanderingIf you find value in this discussion, the best way to support our work and stay up-to-date with 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.

Dr. Sean Griffiths, an emergency physician and educator with experience in both military and civilian settings, shares his insights on leadership in emergency medicine. He discusses the stark differences in care environments and the vital role of character in medical training. Highlighting the importance of effective feedback, he emphasizes fostering a positive team culture. Sean also addresses challenges in access to team training, advocating for system-level solutions to improve patient outcomes. His call to action encourages everyone to embrace leadership responsibilities.

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.