How to Deliver Bad News: Insights from end-of-life conversations (Part 1) episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 14, 2026 · 29 MIN

How to Deliver Bad News: Insights from end-of-life conversations (Part 1)

from The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations · host Chris Wong & Lucie Tesarova

In this episode, Dr. Toby Campbell, an oncologist and expert in serious illness conversations, shares insights on how to navigate difficult medical discussions, especially around delivering bad news and organ donation. Discover practical frameworks, emotional engagement techniques, and the importance of communication skills in high-stakes situations. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Warm-Up 00:00 Navigating Difficult Conversations in Healthcare 08:25 The Impact of Personal Experience on Professional Practice 09:20 Exploring the Transplant Experience 10:13 The Evolution of Organ Donation 13:17 The Emotional Journey of Donor Families 15:03 Training for Difficult Conversations 18:34 Empathy in Communication 22:27 Navigating Emotional Conversations 27:09 Delivering Bad News Effectively 29:14 Creating a Supportive Team Culture About Dr. Toby Campbell Dr. Toby Campbell is Professor of Medicine, Thoracic Oncologist, Chief of Palliative Care and the Ellen and Peter O. Johnson Chair in Palliative Care at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  An award-winning doctor,  writer, and podcaster, he conducts the most difficult, "once in a lifetime" type conversations with people and families every day and translates those skills into lessons for anyone who wants to make their hard conversations go better.  His communication tools have been featured on NPR, The Colbert Report, and Armchair Expert.  He is currently writing A Doctor's Guide to Hard Conversations (Post Hill Press) and created the Extraordinary Conversations podcast, exploring the rare and pivotal moments when lives intersect around organ donation and transplantation.  Dr. Campbell created and hosts the Palliatively Speaking podcast, where he interviews inspirational figures from the field of hospice and palliative care.     Connect with the Hosts Email – [email protected] Chris – https://www.myleadershippotential.com | www.linkedin.com/in/chriswonglmhc | download the Difficult Conversation Playbook for Leaders Lucie – www.mindfittery.com | www.linkedin.com/in/lucietesarova and take the Saboteur Assessment

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How to Deliver Bad News: Insights from end-of-life conversations (Part 1)

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This episode was published on April 14, 2026.

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In this episode, Dr. Toby Campbell, an oncologist and expert in serious illness conversations, shares insights on how to navigate difficult medical discussions, especially around delivering bad news and organ donation. Discover practical frameworks,...

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