Teamcast

Dr. Anna Simons: The Anthropology of Mission Critical TeamsDr. Anna Simons recently retired as a Professor of Defense Analysis at the Naval Postgraduate School. She holds a PhD in Social Anthropology from Harvard University and an A.B. from Harvard College. She is the author of Networks of Dissolution: Somalia Undone and The Company They Keep: Life Inside the U.S. Army Special Forces. Most recently she is the co-author of The Sovereignty Solution: A Commonsense Approach to Global Security. Simons' focus has been on conflict, intervention, and the military from an anthropological perspective. Her work examines ties that bind members of groups together as well as divides which drive groups apart. 

Eldership with Chief Chuck DowneyChief Chuck Downey joined the FDNY in 1990 and is entering his 33rd year with the department. He is currently serving as the Chief of the FDNY Fire Academy on Randall’s Island, otherwise known as “The Rock,” Where he oversees all selection and training for the over 17,000 members of the FDNY. His brother Joe Downey is a 37-year veteran and the battalion commander of the FDNY Rescue Battalion, and together, they are the sons of legendary FDNY Chief Ray Downey, who had a 39½-year career and was the Chief in Charge of Special Operations Command when he made the Supreme Sacrifice at the World Trade Center on September 11. We talk about the role that the community must play, especially the elders in the community, to develop people to do hard things.https://app.box.com/s/78t3ljmuzww0onmzjny5yso6y04yulhh

NASA Astronaut Selection with Duane RossMr. Duane Ross has been a key member of the Astronaut Selection Program at NASA since 1978. Duane Ross, has also been involved with or managed the Astronaut Candidate Program at NASA since 1978. He has worked at the Johnson Space Center, in Houston Texas, since 1967, and sat in Mission Control during the moon landing. He spent five decades as the Manager of the Astronaut Selection Program, which means that he has helped select almost every American astronaut in history. In partnership with Dr. Colonel, astronaut Drew Morgan we talk with Duane about some of the changes he has seen over the last 5 decades of Astronaut Selection and where he thinks we might be moving in the future. 

Dr. Sharon M. Ravitch is a Professor of Practice at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education, Fulbright Fellow, 2022–2023. In an internationally recognized researcher and educator joins us to talk about Communities of Practice, Reflection, Use of Emotion as an Instructor, Creation of New Knowledge through collaboration, effective use of risk in training and education. One of the greatest living minds in on the practice of training and education. https://www.gse.upenn.edu/academics/faculty-directory/ravitch

In this episode, Dr. Preston Cline and Sebastian Junger talk about what it is to transition between the critical and routine world. They discuss ideas of Freedom and the obligation and benefits of being part of a tribe.  Sebastian Junger is an American journalist, author, and filmmaker, he is the author of multiple books including The Perfect Storm, Tribe, and Freedom. He has also produced and directed the documentary, Restrepo

In this episode, Dr. Preston Cline and Dr. Micheal Platt talk about the role emotion plays in giving and receiving feedback. The implications of having a social brain and the way in which Synchrony is a precursor to the flow experience.Dr. Michael Platt. Who is the James S. Riepe University Professor, Professor of Neuroscience, Professor of Psychology, and Professor of Marketing. With appointments in the Perelman School of Medicine, the School of Arts & Sciences, and the Wharton School, Platt works at the intersection of economics and psychology. He is the author of the “Leaders Brain”  

With the Melbourne MCTI Summit only weeks away, in this episode, Dr. Preston Cline and MCTI’s Director of down-under, Harry Moffitt, prime the audience for some of the subject matter that will be covered at the summit – themed this year around Navigating Change.  The MCT community is home to the oldest institutions on earth – military, medical, fire and emergency, police – and in the modern age, all are grappling with the issue of change. How to prepare for change, how to manage it, and how to make it an ongoing practice. During the summit, the audience will be discussing and sharing how change management has been done well in MCTs and share some of the challenges of attempting to enact change in our institutions who are often hampered by longstanding, and sometimes dated, traditions, standards, and stories. In this relaxed, informal chat between Preston and Harry, they discussEmpowering agents of change and empowering zealots.The rise of the enabler.Standards, asking are they all still fit for purpose?New approaches to training and development.And some observations from their Guinness tasting adventure across the US and UK earlier this year.

Dr. Art Finch, a retired colonel and licensed psychologist with over 20 years of experience in Special Operations, shares his insights into the mindset of high-stakes professionals. He discusses why some individuals gravitate toward chaos and unconventional paths. The conversation explores the unique cognitive profiles of special operators and their challenges with traditional intelligence metrics. Finch also emphasizes the significance of emotional compartmentalization in post-military life and the vital need for support and understanding in their transitions.

Join Dr. Preston Cline, Clare Murphy and Dr. Angus Fletcher as they discuss the role of story in navigating transitions. Dr. Angus Fletcher is an English professor and faculty within “Project Narrative” at Ohio State. Clare Murphy, the Director of Story at MCTI is a professional storyteller who tells myths, folklore and history throughout the world.Angus Fletcher's new book Wonderworks is available now.

Please enjoy Harry's conversation with cognitive coach, Paddy Steinfort. Paddy is rare in that he is a psychologist who has lived the high performance life. A former elite Australian Rules Footballer for the Richmond Football Club in Melbourne, Paddy has worked with the Philadelphia Eagles, Blue Jays, 76ers, Red Socks, UPenn, Texas Tech and is now Director of Performance at Football Australia. Over his journey he has worked with the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Ben Simmons, and Toronto phenom Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Harry and Paddy have a broad ranging discussion about the complexity and challenges of applied cognitive coaching and psychology. Below are some of the resources and links to concepts mentioned in the episode, meant only for introductory purposes.Allostatic load – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allostatic_loadSuperstitions in performance – https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326330GRIT by Angela Duckworth – https://angeladuckworth.com/Acceptance-Commitment Theory – https://positivepsychology.com/act-acceptance-and-commitment-therapy/Peer Support - https://www.psychiatryadvisor.com/home/topics/general-psychiatry/exploring-the-value-of-peer-support-for-mental-health/Navigating human complexity - https://hbr.org/2007/11/a-leaders-framework-for-decision-makingThe benefits of psycho-education - https://healthengine.com.au/info/psychoeducationPaddy Steinfort; Spots Illustrated - https://www.si.com/edge/2020/10/02/paddy-steinfort-mental-performance-coach-daily-cover  Kind regards,HarryLatest Book – Eleven Bats