#9 What Doctors Really Think: A Pediatric Neurosurgeon’s Inner Perspective on Trauma, Loss, and Gratitude

Curveball with Scott Reich

Host Scott Reich sits down with Dr. David Sandberg, a renowned pediatric neurosurgeon and author of Brain and Heart: The Triumphs and Struggles of a Pediatric Neurosurgeon. David offers a candid look behind the curtain of high-stakes medicine—sharing what it’s like to deliver both the best and worst possible news to families, the weight of those conversations, and the compassion that guides his daily life.

But this conversation takes a surprising turn when David opens up about his own personal curveball: at the height of his career, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Hear how a man who has spent decades helping families through unimaginable loss and uncertainty is now confronting his own life-altering diagnosis, and what gratitude, resilience, and meaning look like on both sides of the doctor-patient relationship.

This is an honest, moving discussion about empathy, the unpredictability of both the brain and life, and finding purpose in the face of adversity. You won’t want to miss it.

Our Guest:

Dr. David Sandberg

What Listeners Will Learn:

● Dr. David Sandberg talks about the importance of carefully choosing his words when giving families news about their child.

● The episode highlights the unpredictable nature of the brain and medical outcomes.

● David describes honesty, compassion, and listening as the foundation of his approach to delivering difficult news.

● David mentions that there’s no true way to prepare for or predict how families will react to tragedy.

● The episode delves into the resilience of both parents and children facing traumatic or chronic illness.

● International medical work and teaching are a big part of David’s career.

● How becoming a parent himself shifts David’s approach to patient and family interactions.

● David shares his recent Parkinson’s diagnosis and the decision to step away from surgery.

● Gratitude emerges as a major theme in both David’s outlook and the podcast as a whole.

● The story of Marcela, the Honduran patient who became a medical student, had a profound effect on David’s life and even influenced his personal decisions.

Key Moments:

(03:27) Parenting Anxiety: From Cold to Crisis

(09:10) Surgery Update: Urgent and Serious

(12:01) Developing Personal Style in Medicine

(13:48) From Homeless Aid to Neurosurgery

(17:15) Unexpected Trauma: A Surgeon's Perspective

(21:37) Embracing Optimism Amid Adversity

(24:53) Empathy Strengthens Human Connection

(28:57) Embracing Life's Unexpected Challenges

(30:30) Gratitude Amidst Life's Challenges