How do complex systems shape the emergencies we face—and how can understanding them help you perform when it matters most? In this episode, I talk with epidemiologist and emergency responder Geoff Dougherty about how complexity science shows up everywhere from individual patient care to statewide population health. We dig into what makes a system complex, why small changes can have massive effects, and how feedback loops, phase transitions, and path dependence shape what actually happens under pressure.

Coming home to your family after shift is a skill. In this episode, Dr. Art Finch and I talk about re-integration, and coming home as a process not an event. We introduce our new resource, "On Coming Home," a workbook for people operating in crisis and their families -- you can download it free at www.bit.ly/mctioch

Eric Benoit, acute care surgeon at Lahey Hospital, and Andrew Petrosoniak, emergency physician at St. Michael’s Hospital, join me on the podcast to discuss operating with uncertainty in high-stakes medical environments. This episode addresses managing risk, performing under pressure, and the importance of decision-making and reflection. Discover how they balance technical skills and knowledge with handling ambiguity in critical situations. Learn valuable insights on improving clinical decision-making, teaching trainees to cope with uncertainty, and the operating in highly uncertain environments.

Explore the vital role of Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) in critical care with Alex Hodson, a seasoned critical care physician assistant. Learn about the dynamics of high-functioning healthcare teams, the training pipeline for APPs, and the importance of feedback and teamwork. Gain insights into the challenges and rewards of working in high-stress environments and understand how multidisciplinary and multi-professional collaboration shapes effective patient care.

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.