Short talk

Spotting Zebras

Feb 5, 2023 | Podcast, Short Talks

US Military standing next to an overturned tactical vehicle with a bomb blast hole next to them

In a short episode inspired by a listener question, Mike dives into the art of noticing abnormalities. An EMT instructs his trainees to put every patient on the EKG, whether the complaint is cardiac related or not. Why? So that the trainee will develop a baseline of what normal cardiac activity looks like and will be able to spot the abnormal more easily in the future. 

Humans are excellent at pattern recognition…if they’ve gathered enough data to establish a baseline. Whether it’s noticing an abnormal heart rhythm, an unusual response to a squad car parked at an interdiction checkpoint, or the activity leading up to an ambush in some far-off deployment, being aware of what’s normal and what’s not can be a crucial skill.

Link:
Left of Bang by Patrick Van Horne

Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe

Intro music credit Bensound.com

CLICK BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE NOW ON YOUR FAVORITE PLAYER

THANKs to our sponsor

pLEASE GO CHECK THEM OUT

Point6 Logo with white text

Recent Episodes

I AM THAT B*TCH! Erica Gaines of TacMobility

I AM THAT B*TCH! Erica Gaines of TacMobility

Through eye-opening surveys, TacMobility highlights the not-so-funny truths about depression and the dusty corners where wellness programs sit unused. Advocating for a mix of low-effort, big-impact wellness habits, TacMobility proves you can indeed teach old dogs new tricks and balance the badge with a bit of brain and body harmony.

Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say

Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say

A core component of effective teamwork is that everyone has a voice, and everyone gets a vote. The Good Idea Fairy might save your life someday, so foster that within your teams. Let the crazy guy talk! This episode covers an important communication concept for teams called mitigated speech and some ways to manage it.