DAMN Good Medics
DAMN Good Medics develops affectively mature natures in EMS professionals through the application of Leadership principles, Mission Critical Teamwork, and High Reliability Organizing to transform you from a good medic to a damn good medic.
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The Compassion Continuum
09/09/2025
The Compassion Continuum
In this episode of the Damn Good Medics podcast, hosts Mark and Chad delve into the profound impact of action-oriented compassion in the field of emergency medical services. Joined by Emily who is a DNP, they explore the nuances between sympathy, empathy, and compassion, emphasizing how taking tangible actions can transform care and support for both patients and providers. Through personal stories and professional insights, they highlight the critical role of emotional intelligence and the challenges of compassion fatigue, offering listeners a thoughtful examination of what it truly means to care. Listen in to discover how compassion, when paired with action, can lead to meaningful change and resilience in the face of adversity. Links to resources: Chads book Lee’s YouTube: Dylan’s Apple Music: High Reliability for a Highly Unreliable World: Preparing for Code Blue through Daily Operations in Healthcare by Daved van Stralen, MD, FAAP; Spencer L. Byrum; and Bahadir Inozu, PhD https://www.high-reliability.org/
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The Narrow Therapeutic Index of Confidence – Part 2
08/26/2025
The Narrow Therapeutic Index of Confidence – Part 2
In this episode, our crew continues the deep dive into confidence in EMS. Building on Part 1, this conversation turns to practical tools and strategies: how to cultivate grounded confidence through mentorship, peer support, and self-reflection. From recognizing early warning signs of overconfidence to reinforcing healthy habits in training and practice, this episode equips medics at every level with ways to strike the right balance. Season Recap: Why We’re Here — setting the vision for transformation in EMS Affect in Action — how emotions shape workplace culture Felt, Not Taught — intuition, debriefing, and unspoken wisdom Conversations Unseen — how attitudes become values Return to the Basics (Part 1 & 2) — mentorship, self-doubt, and systemic leadership challenges The Narrow Therapeutic Index of Confidence (Part 1) — defining the line between confidence and overconfidence Part 2 (Finale) — moving from awareness to action Takeaway: Confidence isn’t a fixed trait—it’s a skill. When we learn to calibrate it with humility and practice, we set ourselves, our teams, and our patients up for success. Lee’s YouTube: Dylan’s Apple Music: Ironed Out Media:
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The Narrow Therapeutic Index of Confidence Part 1
08/12/2025
The Narrow Therapeutic Index of Confidence Part 1
Confidence in EMS practice is a critical but so often overlooked aspect of emergency medical services. In this thought-provoking episode, we dive into the delicate balance between having enough confidence to make life-saving decisions and avoiding the pitfalls of overconfidence. As EMS professionals, we've all experienced those moments of self-doubt, right? Especially early on in our careers. But how do we cultivate healthy, mature, confidence that empowers us to provide the best care possible? We delve into this, dare I say, critical topic, sharing personal experiences and insights from our combined years in the field. This episode offers valuable insights for both new and experienced EMS professionals looking to build and maintain healthy confidence in their practice. Whether you're just starting your career or you're a seasoned veteran, you'll find actionable advice to help you navigate the complex world of emergency medical services with assurance and skill. Addressing Industry Challenges: We don't shy away from tapping into the systemic issues that can undermine confidence in EMS, including: • The "buddy to boss" transition and its effect on leadership • How outdated management practices can stifle growth and innovation • The importance of learning from other systems and experiences Real-world Examples: We share compelling stories from our careers, including: • A high-stakes needle decompression that tested a paramedic's confidence • How a pediatric anesthesiologist father stepped in during a critical moment • The impact of fatigue on decision-making and confidence Confidence in EMS practice is a critical yet often overlooked aspect of emergency medical services. In this thought-provoking episode, we explore the delicate balance between having enough confidence to make life-saving decisions and avoiding the pitfalls of overconfidence. Key Points Discussed: • The importance of self-awareness in building confidence • How experience shapes our decision-making abilities • The role of mentorship in developing confident EMS practitioners • Balancing confidence with humility and continuous learning • Overcoming systemic challenges that can erode confidence Lee’s YouTube: Dylan’s Apple Music: Ironed Out Media:
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Part 2 - Return to the Basics - Competence
07/30/2025
Part 2 - Return to the Basics - Competence
In Part Two of our conversation on competence, we shift focus from the individual provider to leadership. Lee explores how burnout, poor training, and unclear expectations often cause leaders to stall—or fail altogether. From the dangers of “flying by the seat of your pants” to the missed potential of under-supported FTOs, we ask: Are we preparing people to lead, or just promoting them? We dig into the real gaps—between expectation and education, between promotion and preparation—and ask what it really means to be competent in leadership roles. Topics Covered: The role of burnout and fatigue in stalling leadership development How interpersonal strain within agencies erodes leadership capacity Why many leaders are promoted without meaningful training The difference between expectations and preparation Are provider training programs actually building proficiency—or just checking boxes? Why FTOs (Field Training Officers) may be the best-suited candidates for field supervisor roles How to identify knowledge gaps before they turn into leadership failures The case for supporting FTOs and training program directors Rethinking promotion criteria: Are we promoting too soon, too often, or at the wrong level? The core message: Competence is more than meeting the minimum. 🎧 Listen to Part One if you haven’t already, and stay tuned for future episodes as we keep unpacking what it takes to lead with integrity and skill in EMS. 📲 Share this episode with a colleague or supervisor—it might start a conversation worth having. Lee’s YouTube: Dylan’s Apple Music: Ironed Out Media:
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Return to the Basics – Competence
07/15/2025
Return to the Basics – Competence
In this episode, Lee opens up about a time when he was on the verge of walking away from his EMS career. He struggled with intense self-doubt and wrestled with the question so many of us face: Am I really cut out for this? That turning point came when he found mentors who didn’t just encourage him—but challenged him. They offered constructive criticism, not just praise. That guidance helped him reframe his journey and understand where he truly was in his professional development. We dive into two key models that help explain how we grow in our careers: the Dreyfus Model of Skill Acquisitionand the Conscious Competence Ladder. The Dreyfus Model outlines five levels: Novice Advanced Beginner Competent Proficient Expert Meanwhile, the Conscious Competence Ladder runs parallel, tracking our awareness of our skills: Unconscious Incompetence – You don’t know what you don’t know. Conscious Incompetence – You know what you can’t do yet. Conscious Competence – You know how to do it, but it takes effort. Unconscious Competence – It’s second nature. You do it without thinking. These models raise two key questions for our field: Where do you think most EMS providers—or leaders—fall within these stages? At what level do you think providers or leaders are most dangerous—and to whom? We also touch on concepts from political theory, including Chesterton’s Fence and the Overton Window, to explore how institutional knowledge and boundaries protect against reckless change. Lee reflects on the “cookbook paramedic” phase—often where advanced beginners live. These providers may stick to the rules and protocols but miss the bigger picture. It’s only through proficiency, where pattern recognition kicks in, that you begin to truly understand what to do—not just follow steps. At the expert level, practitioners rely on tacit knowledge—intuitive, fast, and often hard to explain. They’ve seen the patterns before. They innovate because they understand the system. Where are you on that ladder? Where is your team? Be sure to listen to the next episode, where we finish this conversation and talk about what it really takes to grow as a provider—and what to do when you feel stuck. Lee’s YouTube: Dylan’s Apple Music: Ironed Out Media:
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Conversations Unseen: How Attitudes Shape the Values We Uphold
07/01/2025
Conversations Unseen: How Attitudes Shape the Values We Uphold
In this episode of 'Damn Good Medics,' hosts Mark, Lee and Chad delve into the transformation from good medics to great medics by exploring the high reliability components within the EMS industry. They discuss how attitudes, if held for long enough, can become deeply ingrained values influencing personal and professional behavior. The episode emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, adaptive attitudes, and the impact of workplace environment and social circles on individual and collective performance. Through personal anecdotes and professional insights, they highlight the need for continuous engagement and positive organizational dynamics to foster growth and counteract complacency. 00:00 Introduction: Defining Greatness in EMS 01:05 Transforming Attitudes into Values 05:27 The Impact of Work Environment on Attitudes 07:04 The Role of Social Circles and Mentorship 10:53 Engagement and Organizational Values 13:48 The Importance of Leadership and Mentorship 28:34 Hiring and Training for the Right Attitudes 45:52 Conclusion: Character and Strategy in Leadership Links to resources: Chads book www.burnoutmedic.com Lee’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@accessmedic Dylan’s Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/dylan-brabham/499664225 HRO Bible (Van Stralen et al): https://a.co/d/iEcilM www.Ironedoutmedia.com
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Felt, Not Taught: Gut Instincts and the Weight of the Unspoken EP2
06/17/2025
Felt, Not Taught: Gut Instincts and the Weight of the Unspoken EP2
Felt, Not Taught: Gut Instincts and the Weight of the Unspoken EP 2 Show notes: EMS, paramedics, emergency response, and mental health In this episode, we dive into the unseen layers of emergency medical services—the things we feel, but don’t always say out loud. From the valence of our gut reactions to the unspoken knowledge passed between seasoned medics, we explore how tacit knowledge shapes clinical judgment and real-time decision-making. We ask the big questions: Do all EMS professionals share the same fears on the job? And if so, why don't we talk about them more openly? Join us as we discuss the critical importance of after-action reports and debriefings, not just for operational improvement but for mental health and team cohesion. We also address the very real dangers of complacency in the field, and why trusting your gut—when paired with experience—can sometimes make all the difference. This episode encourages EMS professionals to reflect on their own internal compass, stay curious, stay vigilant, and most importantly, stay connected. Topics Covered: Trusting your gut in the field What we fear as EMS providers—and why it matters Teaching the "unteachable": sharing tacit knowledge The risks of complacency in high-stakes environments Valance and emotional charge in decision-making The role of after-action reports and mental health debriefs Why open discussion about mental well-being is critical in EMS Whether you're new to EMS or a seasoned veteran, this episode offers insight, validation, and a renewed focus on the human side of emergency care. Links to resources: Chads book Lee’s YouTube: Dylan’s Apple Music: HRO Bible (Van Stralen et al):
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Affect in Action: Emotions on the Front Lines EP 01
06/03/2025
Affect in Action: Emotions on the Front Lines EP 01
Ep 01 Affect in Action: Emotions on the Front Lines Show Notes In this inaugural episode, the hosts introduce themselves and share their diverse backgrounds, education, and experiences in the industry. They lay the groundwork for the podcast by offering personal stories that shaped their perspectives and professional paths. The discussion dives into the concept of affect — exploring how emotional tone and presence shape workplace culture and interpersonal dynamics. The hosts also examine the value of continued education and the importance of staying current in a field that demands lifelong learning. Additionally, they confront a common challenge in leadership pipelines: the influence of “good ole boy” networks in selecting leaders. They share candid insights on how this unspoken system impacts diversity, equity, and the evolution of leadership in their space. Links to resources: Chads book Lee’s YouTube: Dylan’s Apple Music: HRO Bible (Van Stralen et al):
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DAMN Good Medics - Why we're here
05/26/2025
DAMN Good Medics - Why we're here
What separates a good medic from a great one? In the high-stakes world of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), it’s not just about following protocols—it’s about transformation. Join us as we draw the lines in the sand, cutting through the chaos of the EMS industry to uncover what truly elevates patient care, strengthens organizations, and empowers medics to exceed their potential. Each episode breaks down actionable strategies, hard-earned insights, and the mindset shifts necessary to bridge the gap between good and DAMN good. If you’re ready to make meaningful, lasting changes in your career and your impact, this podcast is your roadmap. It’s time to go beyond “good enough.” Welcome to D.A.M.N. Good Medics.
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