Best Dan Cline Podcasts (2026)

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S5 Ep18 Residue (Recast) 1:02:00

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10d ago1:02:00

1:02:00

This week’s episode is a Recast as we review a fundamental conversation between Preston and Coleman Ruiz (MCTI’s co-founder and former Director of Performance) on the concept of "Residue"—the psychological and emotional substance left behind after immersion in high-stakes environments. As we approach the end of the year, we are revisiting this epis…

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Lady Frances Berkeley/Amy Stallings: Bacon’s Rebellion, Colonial Virginia, and First-person Historical Interpretation 31:18

15d ago31:18

31:18

In this episode of Historically Thinking, we begin not with a historian’s voice, but with the voice of a seventeenth-century woman. Lady Frances Culpeper Berkeley—born in England, twice widowed, and married in 1670 to Sir William Berkeley, governor of Virginia—speaks from the midst of crisis. Jamestown has burned. Nathaniel Bacon’s rebellion has fr…

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The Party's Interests Come First: Joseph Torigian on the Life of Xi Zhongxun, Father of Xi Jinping 29:42

20d ago29:42

29:42

According to Chinese Communist official Xi Zhongxun, his first revolutionary act was an attempt to poison one of his school’s administrators when he was 14. He was faithful to the revolution, and the Chinese Communist Party, until his death at age 88 in 2002. In between those ages was a remarkable life. He fought Nationalists and Japanese. He was a…

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S5 Ep17 Multiprofessional Critical Care 48:47

22d ago48:47

48:47

In this episode, our Chief Medical Officer Dan Dworkis works with Alex Hodson, a seasoned critical care physician assistant, to explore the dynamics of high-functioning multi-professional healthcare teams, the training pipeline for APPs, and the importance of feedback and teamwork across disciplines. Gain insights into the challenges and rewards of…

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Poinsettia Man: Lindsay Schakenbach Regele on Joel Roberts Poinsett, Adventures, Diplomacy, Espionage, Trade, Self-Dealing, South Carolina, and the Paradoxes of American Patriotism 31:33

28d ago31:33

31:33

The red flowered plant that shows up everywhere at this time of year–I saw a forest of them in Wegman’s this morning– is called in Mexico the cuetlaxochitl, or the noche buena; but Americans know it by as the namesake of man who introduced it to the United States: poinsettia. Yet Joel Roberts Poinsett was a more interesting organism than that plant…

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Plato's Letters: Ariel Helfer on the Political Challenges of the Philosophic Life 34:27

1M ago34:27

34:27

The Greek philosopher Plato is famous for writing his teachings in the form of dialogues. But there are additionally a series of seven letters attributed to Plato. Over the centuries much ink has been spilt in arguments over their authenticity. My guest today argues that these letters are actually epistolary philosophical novel which are if nothing…

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Vector: Robyn Arianrohd on the Surprising Story of Space, Time, and Mathematical Transformation 33:06

1M ago33:06

33:06

On October 16, 1843, William Rowan Hamilton was taking a walk with his wife Helen. He was on his way to preside over a meeting of the Royal Irish Academy. As Hamilton came to Broome Bridge, over the Royal Canal, the solution to a vexing problem finally emerged in front of him. He was so excited, and perhaps so afraid that he might forget, that he p…

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Oral History: Douglas A. Boyd explains the basics of the oldest—and newest—historical method 43:23

2M ago43:23

43:23

“Oral history is a field of study and a method of gathering, preserving, and interpreting the voices and memories of people, communities, and participants in past events.” That is the definition provided by no less an authority than the Oral History Association. And yet this brief, simple, and seemingly authoritative definition is accompanied by so…

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S5 Ep16 The Psychological Profile of an Operator with Dr. Art Finch (Recast) 1:08:22

2M ago1:08:22

1:08:22

This week, we’re revisiting a conversation between Preston and Dr. Art Finch, a veteran psychologist from the US Special Operations Command. This episode (previously published in 2020) covers the unique psychological profiles of mission critical teams. Channel a beginner's mind and re-explore why some individuals choose the extraordinary path of hi…

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Love, War, and Diplomacy: Eric H. Cline on the Discovery of the Amarna Letters and the Bronze Age World They Revealed 31:32

2M ago31:32

31:32

“Two years and a half years ago, when coming down the Nile in a dahabiah, I stopped at . . . Tel el-Amarna. In the course of my exploration, I noticed . . . the foundations of a large building, which had just been laid bare by the natives. . . . A few months afterwards the natives, still going on with their work of disinterment, discovered among th…

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War and Power: Phillips Payson O’Brien on Who Wins Wars and Why 29:15

2M ago29:15

29:15

For at least two centuries, ideas of international relations and grand strategy have been premised on the notion of “great powers.” These were mighty states uniquely able to exert their influence through overwhelming military force. In the words of friend of the podcast Leopold von Ranke, a great power was one who could “maintain itself against all…

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S5 Ep15 Harnessing Stress & Sleep with Martin Jones 1:15:31

2M ago1:15:31

1:15:31

In today’s Teamcast, Harry and Martin Jones discuss the role of psychologists as servants in high-performance environments, the rule of thirds in learning, psychological performance and speed cameras, and how high-quality sleep is still a work in progress and is not the last thing we do at night, but the first thing we do in our day. Martin is a sp…

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Bloody Crowns: Michael Livingston on Two Hundred Years of War, Power, and Transformation 34:32

2M ago34:32

34:32

The young King was determined to strike. His throne and power had been taken from him; now he would seize them both back. Now his chosen men entered the castle where he was a virtual prisoner, under the watchful eyes of his mother and her lover. Joining them, he led their rush to the Queen Mother’s apartments. There they seized those who had preven…

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Wolfpack: Roger Moorhouse on the view from inside of Hitler's U-Boat war 34:57

3M ago34:57

34:57

During the Second World War Germany’s submarines sank over three thousand Allied ships, that figure amounting to nearly three-quarters of Allied shipping losses in all theaters of the war. What would become a war within a war began in the very first days after September 1, 1939. This war–particularly the contest which has become known as the Battle…

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S5 Ep14 On Coming Home with Dr. Art Finch 40:43

3M ago40:43

40:43

Dr. Dan Dworkis and Dr. Art Finch, MCTI's Director of Psychology, discuss the complexities of reintegrating into family life after high-stress, mission-critical work. They introduce 'On Coming Home,' a workbook designed to help both operators and their families navigate the reintegration process. The conversation highlights the importance of patien…

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Zion Dogbe-Brown - Faith, Family, And Football 44:40

3M ago44:40

44:40

What if speed is only half the story and the real engine is conviction? We sit down with Calgary Colts running back Zion Dogbe Brown to explore how faith, family, and relentless preparation turn raw talent into purposeful impact. From growing up in a home with ten siblings and a single mother to leading on the field with a calm, explosive style, Zi…

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Republic and Empire: Andrew O’Shaughnessy on the global causes and consequences of the American Revolution 30:13

3M ago30:13

30:13

At the outbreak of the American Revolution, the British Empire stretched across nearly every corner of the globe. From India to the Caribbean, from Africa to Gibraltar to the Canadian provinces, Britain’s reach was vast. In 1776, the thirteen colonies that chose to rebel represented only half of the empire’s provinces. The other half—places like Qu…

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The Age of Hitler, and How We Shall Survive It 27:39

3M ago27:39

27:39

In online debates, it’s almost inevitable that sooner or later someone invokes Hitler or the Nazis. That tendency, known as Godwin’s Law, has proven itself on social media thousands of times a day. But the persistence of this comparison points to something deeper than just the cheapening of argument. It reflects how much Hitler and the struggle aga…

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S5 Ep13 From Data to Decision: Williams Racing's Dave Robson on Excellence in F1 1:06:00

3M ago1:06:00

1:06:00

Today, we welcome Dave Robson, Chief Engineer at Atlassian Williams Racing. Dave shares his extensive career journey spanning 25 years in F1, starting with McLaren and now at Williams. He delves into topics such as leadership, team organization, and the balance between data and intuition in high-pressure environments. The conversation also explores…

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Gary Steffes - From Locker Room to Living Pure Encouragement 43:26

3M ago43:26

43:26

Pressure can polish or crush, and Gary Steffes has felt both. We sit down with the former pro hockey forward to trace a journey from stat-chasing and panic on the ice to a grounded identity that fuels calm, courage, and consistent performance. Gary opens up about the moment his confidence cracked, the sports-psych “band-aids” that helped but didn’t…

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1942: Peter Fritzsche on the year when war engulfed the world 27:40

3M ago27:40

27:40

In this episode of Historically Thinking, host Al Zambone speaks with historian Peter Fritzsche about his book "1942: When World War II Engulfed the Globe." The conversation explores how 1942 marked the transformation of regional conflicts into a truly global war, examining the unprecedented scale and movement of the conflict, the suffering and dis…

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Jerry Schemmel - Calling the Game, Following the Call 42:25

3M ago42:25

42:25

What happens when your greatest fear becomes the catalyst for your life's purpose? For Jerry Schemmel, Colorado Rockies play-by-play broadcaster, surviving a catastrophic plane crash in 1989 wasn't just a traumatic experience—it became the defining moment that led him to faith and transformed his approach to broadcasting. With raw honesty, Jerry sh…

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Fuji: Andrew Bernstein on the human history of the ever-changing mountain 28:36

3M ago28:36

28:36

Mount Fuji is at once instantly familiar and seemingly immutable, yet it always remains strange and changeable. Its postcard-perfect peak is known around the world as a wonder of nature and a symbol of Japan. But behind that outline lies a far more complicated history. Over the centuries, Fuji’s eruptions devastated farmland and terrified villagers…

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S5 Ep12 Working with Irreducible Uncertainty 47:09

4M ago47:09

47:09

Eric Benoit, acute care surgeon at Lahey Hospital, and Andrew Petrosoniak, emergency physician at St. Michael’s Hospital, join Chief Medical Officer Dan Dworkis on the Teamcast to discuss operating with uncertainty in high-stakes medical environments. This episode, released in collaboration with The Emergency Mind podcast, addresses managing risk, …

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Melissa Lotholz - how faith provides the foundation of Olympian strength 53:07

4M ago53:07

53:07

What happens when an Olympic athlete approaches their sport not just as a career, but as a calling? Melissa Lotholz, two-time Olympic bobsledder, takes us behind the scenes of her remarkable journey from farm kid to international competitor while revealing how faith provides the foundation for both her athletic excellence and personal resilience. M…

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Cold War Analogies: Francis J. Gavin on how (and how not) to use the Cold War as a guide 30:47

4M ago30:47

30:47

We reach for the Cold War as if it were a really good pocket tool: compact, familiar, ready to deal with any problem in today’s world. U.S.–China rivalry? “Cold War 2.0.” Russia and the West? “Cold War redux.” The appeal is obvious: the Cold War offers a story we already know how to tell—great-power tension, nuclear standoff, ideological blocs, and…

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Matt Cline - Purpose After the Final Whistle 56:06

4M ago56:06

56:06

Matt Cline's story begins with a single hit on the ice that changed everything. As a former Western Hockey League player with the Chilliwack Bruins, Cline suffered a career-ending concussion that left him with debilitating headaches for six years. But what initially seemed like the tragic end to athletic dreams became the catalyst for profound spir…

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Prague: The Heart of Europe 38:04

4M ago38:04

38:04

Introduction Each year millions of tourists visit the Czech capital, awed by its blend of architectural styles and dramatic landscape. St. Vitus’s Gothic cathedral towers above the Charles Bridge and the Vltava River, while winding alleys lead to elegant squares lined with Renaissance palaces, Baroque statues, and modern glass structures. Yet this …

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S5 Ep11 Fostering the Next Generation of Firefighters with Michele Fitzsimmons 1:08:19

4M ago1:08:19

1:08:19

“Find those people who are your allies, have confidence in yourself, have confidence in your competence.” This episode features an in-depth conversation with FDNY Deputy Chief Michele Fitzsimmons, who shares her career journey and discusses the evolution of the department. Michele shares her journey from working with HIV/AIDS patients to becoming a…

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Rob Globke - surrendering professional aspirations 38:47

4M ago38:47

38:47

What happens when God redirects your NHL dreams? For Rob Globke, former NHL player turned hockey chaplain, surrendering his professional aspirations led to an unexpected journey of purpose and fulfillment. Growing up in Detroit as the oldest of five brothers, Globke's path seemed straightforward - excel at hockey and build a long NHL career. As a h…

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Thinking Historically: Francis J. Gavin on What History Can Do for Policymakers...and the Rest of Us 30:08

4M ago30:08

30:08

It might seem obvious that the study of history ought to improve the crafting of public policy. Surely if we understand the past, we should be able to make better decisions in the present—especially in the high-stakes worlds of statecraft and strategy. But that assumption raises deeper questions: How should history be used? What history should be u…

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Claire Butorac - Stick on Ice, Heart in Faith 42:22

4M ago42:22

42:22

What does it mean to find your purpose right in your own backyard? For professional hockey player Claire Butorac, the answer lies in Minnesota's frozen rinks and the faith journey that guides her career both on and off the ice. Growing up in Minnesota's unique community-based hockey model gave Claire the rare opportunity to represent her hometown f…

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Jews vs. Rome: Two Centuries (or More!) of Rebellion Against the World's Mightiest Empire, with Barry Strauss 30:32

4M ago30:32

30:32

In 1960 Yigael Yadin, formerly chief of the Israeli general staff and by that year a prize winning archaeologist, visited the home of Israel’s president David Ben-Gurion, and said to him “Mr. President, I have the honor to tell you that we have discovered 15 dispatches written or dictated by the last president of ancient Israel over 1800 years ago.…

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S5 E10 The Fourth Pillar: Philosophy & Performance 1:23:35

5M ago1:23:35

1:23:35

After a brief summer break, The Teamcast is back! In this episode, Preston sits down with Harry for a deep dive into the philosophy of high performance, resilience, and the human psyche. They explore a range of topics, from the role of Stoicism in modern life and the journey from a military mindset to psychology, to the concept of adaptive learning…

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Aaron Luchuk - Finding Purpose in Life's Unexpected Turns 34:44

5M ago34:44

34:44

What happens when your identity becomes completely wrapped up in what you do? Professional hockey player Aaron Luchuk takes us on a journey through the extreme highs and lows of elite sports, revealing profound wisdom about finding purpose beyond performance. Aaron shares the electrifying moment of scoring the game-winning goal in the Memorial Cup …

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Amanda Roper, Public Historian 30:46

5M ago30:46

30:46

Amanda Roper is a public historian who has spent her career working to preserve historic places and share traditionally underrepresented stories from America's past. She has been Director of the Lee-Fendall House Museum and Sr. Manager of Public Programs & Interpretation at Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House, both in Alexandria, Virginia. In 2018, Amand…

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Colin Doherty - Finding God in the Hockey Grind 37:25

5M ago37:25

37:25

What does faith look like on the ice when you're battling injuries, homesickness, and the constant pressure to perform? Colin Doherty pulls back the curtain on the reality of being a young Christian athlete in today's competitive junior hockey world. As a player returning to the Grand Prairie Storm (breaking news revealed exclusively on our podcast…

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The Ramos Gin Fizz: A New Orleans Liquid History, with John Shelton Reed 23:47

5M ago23:47

23:47

Join Al Zambone and guest John Shelton Reed (author of The Ramos Gin Fizz, for the LSU Press series on iconic New Orleans cocktails) for a deep dive into the history, culture, and legend of the Ramos Gin Fizz—a cocktail that’s as much a symbol of New Orleans as it is a drink. From its 19th-century origins and the city’s cosmopolitan mix, to Prohibi…

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Lukas Renaud - From Rock Bottom to Centennial Cup 35:44

5M ago35:44

35:44

For championship goaltender Lukas Renaud, the journey from rock bottom to hoisting the Centennial Cup with the Calgary Canucks reveals something far more profound than athletic achievement. Through cross-continent travels and career uncertainty, Lukas discovered that reconnecting with his faith transformed not just his performance between the pipes…

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Proverbs 2 "Follow the Instructions" 12:17

5M ago12:17

12:17

Part 2 - of Proverbs Series. Proverbs 2 - "Follow the Instructions"By Dan Cline

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Thomas Jefferson and the Fight Against Slavery, with Cara Rogers Stevens 34:08

5M ago34:08

34:08

In the past we’ve had entire conversations on Historically Thinking–indeed, many conversations, a whole series of conversations–on intellectual humility and historical thinking, often asking “how have you changed your mind?” Today’s guest makes me confront the fact that there is probably no person in the historical past about whom I have had a grea…