1102: David Sandberg - "Brain and Heart"

What does it take to stare into the most frightening moments of a family’s life—and not only hold steady, but help them find hope and healing?

In this powerful episode of Thrive Loud with Lou Diamond, we meet Dr. David Sandberg, a fellowship-trained pediatric neurosurgeon, director at McGovern Medical School at UT Health Houston, and author of the memoir Brain and Heart. Lou and Dr. Sandberg dive deep into the realities of pediatric neurosurgery—a field filled with both heartbreak and hope. Dr. Sandberg shares the emotional and physical challenges of performing brain surgery on children and reveals the strength required to guide families through their darkest hours.

Key Highlights:

• Origins of a Calling: Hear how childhood inspiration and early experiences with global medical missions shaped Dr. Sandberg’s life and career.
• Inside the Surgeon’s Mind: Discover why Dr. Sandberg wrote Brain and Heart—offering an honest, behind-the-scenes look into a surgeon’s thoughts, emotions, and the decision-making process few ever see.
• Balancing Expertise with Empathy: Learn how pediatric neurosurgeons face the hardest conversations imaginable while still remaining compassionate, and find out how Dr. Sandberg personally manages the emotional toll.
• Practical Creativity: Get a peek into Dr. Sandberg’s unique, non-linear writing process and how sharing his stories has created unexpected gifts, including reconnecting with friends and helping the families he serves.
• Fun & Grounding Rituals: Enjoy a lighter side as Dr. Sandberg shares personal favorites—from “Wagon Wheel” to hot dogs, boxing workouts, and his love of family time and global outreach.

Tune in for an inspiring, heartfelt conversation that reminds us all: even in the toughest moments, brain and heart can—and must—work together.

Want more? Grab a copy of Dr. Sandberg’s memoir Brain and Heart at your favorite bookstore or online retailer, and follow Thrive Loud for more conversations with game-changing humans.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 Pediatric Neurosurgeon Inspired by Service

05:06 "Inside a Doctor's Mind"

06:23 Empathetic Surgeons Break Stereotypes

09:49 "The Gift of Reconnection"

16:38 "Thrive Loud Podcast Outro"