The Emergency Mind Podcast

Dr. Sean Griffiths shares his experiences and insights from his training and career in emergency medicine, both within the United States Air Force and civilian practice. We 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. Ideal for anyone passionate about improving emergency care and leadership in healthcare.

Gloria Park, an expert in sport performance and positive psychology, joins the podcast to discuss her journey from competitive figure skating to human performance optimization. She emphasizes the importance of understanding emotions, stress, and social contexts in achieving peak performance. Gloria also explores the challenges and strategies for fostering human performance in high-stakes environments such as the military. This episode offers valuable insights on how to integrate well-being and performance, and how to cultivate a thriving life both professionally and personally.

Dr. Jeremy Cannon is a Professor of Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania where he serves as the Surgeon Champion for the Penn Medicine-US Navy Trauma Training Partnership. He is a graduate of the US Air Force Academy and Harvard Medical School and holds a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from MIT. He served as President of the Excelsior Surgical Society from 2022-2023 and recently edited Edward D. Chruchill's Surgeon to Soldiers 2024 Edition. With a focus on military health policy, he is now serving as a Veteran Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. In this episode of The Emergency Mind Podcast, we talk about military medical readiness and the 'peacetime effect,' examining the steep learning curves experienced in past conflicts and the importance of maintaining and improving readiness in military medical systems. This conversation explores the necessity of military-civilian partnerships, the evolution of trauma care, and the critical need for effective policy. Deep insights here for both military and civilian listeners about optimizing medical readiness and saving lives on and off the battlefield.

Jon Becker, founder and CEO of Aardvark Tactical and host of The Debrief Podcast, shares his journey from law school to becoming an influential figure in the tactical community. Emphasizing the importance of humility and collaboration, Jon discusses how elite teams succeed by fostering a culture of continuous learning and shared purpose. Tune in to explore actionable insights on building effective emergency medical and tactical teams, the critical role of culture, and the power of seeking and spreading knowledge.

Dr. Angie Loza-Gomez is double board certified in emergency medicine and emergency medical services. She is an attending physician at the Los Angeles General Medical Center and EMS Director in the Department of Emergency Medicine, as well as the Medical Director for several municipal EMS agencies in Los Angeles County. Dr. Gomez shares her extensive experience in emergency medicine and pre-hospital care, discussing the intricacies of balancing structured protocols with creative problem-solving in high-pressure scenarios. We explore the concept of just culture, the importance of robust communication, and the unique challenges faced by EMS personnel. Dr. Gomez also highlights the influences and lessons she has drawn from working with police and tactical EMS teams, and she challenges listeners to be mindful of their mission and clarity in communication.

Paul Hughes, former UK military special operator / military intelligence, joins the podcast to talk about building shared situational awareness and the art of being "the glue" for multi-disciplinary teams.

In this episode of The Emergency Mind Podcast, host Dan Dworkis shares an epic discussion from the 2024 Tactical Trauma event in Sweden. Featuring experts Ian Beardsell, Abrehic O'Kelly Alice Hutin, and Stephen Hearns, the conversation digs into the nuances of teamwork and excellence in high-stakes environments. Topics include the importance of continuous training, the challenges of working with unfamiliar teams, and strategies for improving team dynamics and performance. 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Update 00:19 Tactical Trauma 2024 Event Overview 01:03 Panel Introduction and Discussion Setup 02:17 Defining Good Teams and Training 04:30 Challenges in High-Pressure Medical Scenarios 08:11 Building Trust and Collaboration in Teams 11:08 Improving Team Performance and Self-Reflection 14:26 Leadership, Followership, and Team Dynamics 20:49 Final Thoughts and Future Vision for Teamwork

Join host Dan Dworkis on The Emergency Mind Podcast as he interviews Vinton Bruton, Director of the Wilson Center for Leadership in the Public Interest at Hampden-Sydney College. Drawing on his diverse background as a Marine infantry officer, educator, and volunteer firefighter, Vinton shares insights on leadership development, character education, and the importance of experiential learning. Discover how principles from the military and outdoor adventure can be applied to teaching the next generation of leaders in various high-pressure environments, including emergency medicine. Don't miss this engaging discussion on developing effective, resilient leaders for tomorrow's challenges.

In this episode of the Emergency Mind Podcast, host Dan collaborates with the Key Lime Plus Podcast from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Joined by Dr. Adam Szulewski and Dr. Julie Law, they discuss the dynamics of performing under pressure from the perspectives of students and teachers. They explore the use of simulation in medical training, the concept of cognitive load, and the challenges of translating book knowledge into real-world practice. The conversation highlights the importance of introspection, the potential of measuring cognitive overload through technology, and the intersection of patient safety with performance training. The episode also emphasizes the need for a holistic training pipeline that prepares medical professionals to deliver high-stakes care efficiently and effectively.

In this episode of The Emergency Mind Podcast, Dr. Dan Dworkis discusses high-pressure leadership with Andrew Rickson and Samuel Wilson. Andrew, a leadership coach and director at Griffith Business School, along with Sam, a social psychologist and founder of the Australian Leadership Index, share their experiences and research on emergency medicine leadership. They talk about the importance of understanding complex adaptive systems, developing leader identities, and the role of narrative approaches in leadership development. Discover practical advice for healthcare professionals to enhance their leadership skills and improve team dynamics. Listen to their challenge at the end, inviting listeners to reflect on their own leadership experiences through storytelling.

Emergency Mind Episode 107: Mike Taigman on Finding Your Center In this episode of The Emergency Mind Podcast, Dr. Dan Dworkis sits down with EMS veteran and improvement science expert Mike Taigman. With a 50-year career in emergency medical services, Mike shares experiences from his early days in youth mountain rescue to navigating high-pressure situations in Denver's EMS system. They discuss the evolution of mental health support and processing residue in EMS, the importance of finding one's center, and how to utilize stress management techniques effectively. This conversation is a deep dive into performing at your best under pressure and improving system-wide responses in emergency settings.

Join host Dr. Dan Dworkis on The Emergency Mind Podcast as he looks at applying knowledge under pressure and the world of elite human performance in medicine with Dr. Patrick Schouwenberg. Dr. Schouwenberg, a surgeon intensivist with a diverse background in critical care and trauma, shares his insights on improving performance under pressure. They explore the significance of storytelling in medical handovers, the role of mentorship, allyship, and sponsorship in medical training, developing resilience and efficiency in learning, and innovative approaches that are transforming the next generation of medical professionals.

Join Dr. Dan Dworkis on the Emergency Mind Podcast as he dives deep into the world of resuscitation medicine and crisis leadership with Dr. Dan Howes, a professor of emergency and critical care medicine at Queens University. Over a discussion stemming from their recent encounter at a resuscitation conference, they explore the unique systems at Kingston's hospitals, the cognitive and practical aspects of resuscitation, and the importance of feedback in developing true expertise. Discover insights into the effective training of medical personnel and the necessity of balancing rapid and slow decision-making in high-pressure environments.

In this episode of the Emergency Mind Podcast, host Dan Dworkis is joined by Dr. Marcin Nazaruk, an award-winning global expert in proactive learning, to explore how knowledge and principles from various industries, particularly oil and gas, can enhance safety and performance in the medical field. Dr. Nazaruk discusses the concept of 'Learning from Normal Work,' offering practical insights and tools to help professionals adapt and thrive under pressure. They delve into topics such as the psychology of safety, adapting to variability in work, and the critical importance of changing mindsets to uncover deep learning opportunities. This episode is a rich exploration of how systemic thinking can drive better outcomes in high-stakes environments.

Dr. Roger Kneebone joins the podcast to talk about what it takes to become an expert, the inside view of walking the path to mastery, the value of working with thin materials on the verge of collapse, the links between trauma surgery and magic, and so, so much more.

Linebacker Terrel Bernard talks about critical decision making at the line of scrimmage, learning from every repetition, what it takes to join a new team, and how to lead small groups at and away from the point of impact.

Dr. Chris Baugh talks about the design, implementation, execution, and tuning of multidisciplinary code teams in large hospital environments.

Psychologist and expert in selection and assessment Dr. Barb Thompson joins the podcast to talk about leadership development, the role of culture in elite performance, controlling the controllables, and much more.

Matt Lavoie, critical care physician assistant, educator, and military medical instructor on building training systems that get the basics right in extreme pressure.

Gareth Lock, MSc, is a diver, an educator, and an expert in Human Factors and Non-Technical Skills. In this episode, we talk though the power of storytelling for learning, building a culture that grows from near misses and learns from mistakes and error, harnessing human and organizational potential, and so much more.

Kevin Cyr, LL.M., is a SWAT Commander with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, a deep thinker about managing risk in complex, rapidly adaptive environments, and an overall epic individual. In this episode, Kevin talks about leading a SWAT team operating in high-threat environments, the absolute value of making a problem boring, critical factors in decision making, building decision-making leaders, and much, much more. It's legitimately a master class in operating under pressure with so much to learn

Dr. Seth Collings Hawkins is an anthropologist, writer, and physician, double boarded in emergency medicine and EMS and specializing in wilderness medical care. He is an associate professor of emergency medicine at Wake Forest University and the founder of the Carolina Wilderness EMS Externship, a program we will be talking about today. He's also the editor of Wilderness EMS, the primary textbook for formal wilderness medical operations. He serves as a medical director or advisor for numerous organizations including NC Outward Bound, REI, the National Association for Search & Rescue, the US Forest Service, the National Park Service, multiple wildland fire medical support teams, and many others. In this episode, we talk about experiential learning, working to be rather than appear to be, swarm teaming as both leader and follower, and much more. For more lessons about performance when it matters most and applying knowledge under pressure from the emergency department and beyond, check www.emergencymind.com. You can also find the Emergency Mind book: The Emergency Mind: Wiring Your Brain for Performance Under Pressure at https://www.emergencymind.com/book

Will Greenberg is a strength and conditioning/performance development coach, currently with the Buffalo Bills. Over the last 15 years, through diverse experiences in various sports, he has gained expertise in cultivating environments that allow athletes and teams to thrive. In this awesome conversation, we talk about the power of compounding good training, treating every event like a rep, balancing tension and relaxation, leveraging scarce training resources, and growing elite cultures. We dig into what excellence looks like for a highly-resourced intact team focused on peak performance, and it's seriously cool.

Dr. Jen Wager is a pediatric anesthesiologist, an expert on human performance, and the founder and CEO of PROSPER, a team devoted to wholistic women's performance and helping women thrive. In this episode, we get into women's performance, how organizations can attract, develop, and retain high performing women, how to build environments that help women achieve, and so much more. You can find out more at www.weprosper.co

Kim “KC” Campbell is a retired Colonel, serving in the Air Force for 24 years as a fighter pilot, a senior leader, and the Director of the Center for Character & Leadership Development at the Air Force Academy. She is the author of Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot's Lessons on Leading with Courage. In this episode, we talk about training to perform under pressure, overcoming fear and chaos, and the power of storytelling in training the next generation of operators.

Dr. Glenn Fox on the neuroscience of emotion, feeling, and decision making, the power of gratitude to transform performance, and much more.

Excellence doesn't happen by accident. Dr. Dan Dworkis on searching for and building excellence in crisis.

Paul Swinton, National Education Lead for the Scottish Air Ambulance Service and co-inventor of SCRAM™, on designing for crisis and fostering innovation.

Dr. Drew Cathers, ER doc + flight physician, on critical teamwork, building learning organizations, and high-level flight medicine.

Dr. Trish Muganthan, pediatric + neonatal retrieval expert, on inter-team operations, managing complex situations, and the power of kindness.

Part II of a joint conversation with Dr. Scott Weingart from EMCRIT.ORG on what it takes for individuals and teams to perform at elite levels under extreme pressure. (Probably a good idea to listen to Part I at EMCRIT.ORG first!)

A joint project with the Simulcast podcast - Dr. Victoria Brazil talks about her team's recent work on stress exposure simulation and training teams to perform under pressure.

Dr. Brett Abarbanel on why we are always gambling, making good decisions, and the illusion of control.

Dr. Nkem Mgbojikwe on handling risk as a hospitalist, multi-threading decision making, learning as you go, and much more.

ER doc, coach, and educator Rob Orman, MD, on the process of working with and leaning into hard things.

Dr. Alex Auerbach, director of wellness and development for the Toronto Raptors joins to talk about managing your environment for exceptional performance.

Dr. Zab Johnson, Executive Director of the Wharton Neuroscience Initiative, on the neuroscience of perception and decision making.

Chris Betram, PhD, on how to build stress-resistant learning, harness flow, and develop expertise that sticks the landing.

Emergency physician and anthropologist Dr. Eve Purdy talks about building high performing teams and creating psychological safety.

Nathan Smith, PhD, joins the podcast to talk resilience, performance and health in extreme, high-risk, and wildly uncertain environments.

Search and rescue expert Chris Boyer talks about the SAR mindset, micro cues, zero notice events and much more.

Storyteller Clare Murphy on the power of story to teach, explore our world, and start to understand ourselves.

Dr. Mike Stone on the physiology of mastering or at least surviving the night shift, the commitment to serve on the frontline, and much more.

Oliver Finlay, PhD on helping teams build elite cultures of performance, defining the Finlay Coefficient, and much more.

Dr. Andrew Petrosoniak on design thinking in emergency medicine, the power of systems in uncertainty, the value of holding the problem space and much more.

Part two of Dr. Jen Wagner on individual and team development under pressure and unleashing human potential.

Part one of Dr. Jen Wagner on individual and team development under pressure and unleashing human potential.

Diane Chadwick-Jones, former director of human performance at bp joins to talk about changing organizations, developing a safety-II mindset, and much more.

ER doctor and education expert Pik Mukherji, MD joins to talk decision making, building mental models, and cognitive preparation.

Elite performance expert Fergus Connolly, PhD shares wisdom from working across every major sport, business, and the SOF community.

A review of five critical mental models that help individuals, teams and organizations perform under pressure.