EPISODE 9: Duncan Brown – Grief, Systems, and the Power of Recalibration

EPISODE 9: Duncan Brown – Grief, Systems, and the Power of Recalibration   EPISODE DESCRIPTION: What happens when personal tragedy and systemic failures intersect—and inspire a deeper search for meaning and change?In this moving and thought-provoking episode of Recalibrating with Sharee Johnson, Sharee is joined by Duncan Brown: researcher, organizational culture expert, and bereaved parent. Duncan shares his extraordinary journey through migration, shifting careers, devastating loss, and his quest to improve patient safety and care environments in healthcare. Together, they discuss the profound impact of cultural and systemic conditions on wellbeing—both for patients and healthcare workers. Duncan explores the balance between satisfaction and frustration at work, why kindness and resilience alone are not enough, and how real change requires attention to both individual and systemic needs. This conversation is a powerful call for compassion, systemic listening, and recalibrating what really matters in healthcare and beyond.   SHOW NOTES: “I'm a fundamentally different person to what I was before Kuan. And I think I’m a better person because I can connect with people at a much deeper level. There is no human emotion that frightens me anymore.” — Duncan Brown   Key Takeaways: Humans can hold both deep satisfaction and profound frustration at work—these emotions can coexist and drive different behaviours. Systemic change in healthcare needs more than individual resilience; it requires collective and environmental shifts. Grief can be transformed into advocacy, purpose, and legacy—real change honors lived experience. Support systems—at work and at home—are essential to navigating life’s biggest recalibrations. Psychological safety, trust, and “prosocial” frameworks help teams confront and adapt to complex challenges. Raising sepsis awareness and patient advocacy are urgent for improving safety and outcomes.   Resources Mentioned: ProSocial World and the work of Paul Atkins—on conscious cultural evolution and group collaboration. Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan)—on autonomy, competence, and relatedness in human motivation. Black Box Thinking by Matthew Syed—on learning from failure in healthcare versus aviation. Amy Edmondson’s work on psychological safety and “intelligent failure.” Global Sepsis Alliance and Sepsis Australia—for support and information on sepsis advocacy. Further Reflection: How can you recalibrate when facing both personal and systemic adversity? What psychological needs of your team are being met—and which are being frustrated? How can compassion, learning, and collective action lead to safer, more humane healthcare? Our theme music is "Caribbean" by Zambolino, sourced from FreeToUse.com/music/zambolino/caribbean. Disclaimer:The content in this podcast is not intended as a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice. Always seek advice from your doctor or qualified healthcare professional. The views expressed are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent any entity they work with or for. Connect and Subscribe:Enjoyed this conversation? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share with colleagues or friends who may benefit from stories of recalibration and growth in healthcare. Stay tuned for future episodes with inspiring guests!