Andrew Tagg
@andrewjtagg.bsky.social
EM/PEM physician, knowledge spreader, Lego muncher, co-founder www.dontforgetthebubbles.com
Engineering
23%
Environmental science
19%
The lines I forgot
speakhuman.kit.com
Want to know what else I forgot—
and why it ended up being the most human moment of the talk?
This week’s Speak Human newsletter is all about the lines I lost…
and what I found in their place.
📰 Read it here:
speakhuman.kit.com/posts/the-li...
and why it ended up being the most human moment of the talk?
This week’s Speak Human newsletter is all about the lines I lost…
and what I found in their place.
📰 Read it here:
speakhuman.kit.com/posts/the-li...
Here’s the thing:
🟡 You can miss a line and still land the message.
🔵 You can forget your script and still find your truth.
🟢 You can be imperfect and still make an impact.
🟡 You can miss a line and still land the message.
🔵 You can forget your script and still find your truth.
🟢 You can be imperfect and still make an impact.
Afterward, people asked:
“How did you remember it all without slides or notes?”
The truth is:
I didn’t.
Not perfectly.
But I did know my story.
I knew the beats.
And when I forgot a line, I found connection instead.
“How did you remember it all without slides or notes?”
The truth is:
I didn’t.
Not perfectly.
But I did know my story.
I knew the beats.
And when I forgot a line, I found connection instead.
And yet—
That moment was the line.
I was literally doing what I’d planned to say:
Breathing in adrenaline, uncertainty, noise.
Breathing out calm.
Holding the pause.
Letting the silence settle.
That moment was the line.
I was literally doing what I’d planned to say:
Breathing in adrenaline, uncertainty, noise.
Breathing out calm.
Holding the pause.
Letting the silence settle.
I’d practised the pacing.
I’d memorised the rhythm.
I’d broken the talk into scenes and sequences.
I thought I was ready.
But when I stood on stage at the Compassion Revolution…
My mind blanked.
And I lost the line.
I’d memorised the rhythm.
I’d broken the talk into scenes and sequences.
I thought I was ready.
But when I stood on stage at the Compassion Revolution…
My mind blanked.
And I lost the line.
I forgot one of my favourite lines.
Right in the middle of a talk I’d rehearsed for weeks.
A line that captured the heart of what I wanted to say:
“𝘉𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘰𝘴. 𝘉𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘮.”
And yet…
In the moment, it vanished.
🧵
Right in the middle of a talk I’d rehearsed for weeks.
A line that captured the heart of what I wanted to say:
“𝘉𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘰𝘴. 𝘉𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘮.”
And yet…
In the moment, it vanished.
🧵
Reposted by Andrew Tagg
#PaperinaPic from @kirstychallen.bsky.social for #SGEMPeds. See how casting vs removable boot compared in managing Toddler's fractures. buff.ly/CI2yhKl @andrewjtagg.bsky.social @thesgem.bsky.social @jama.com #PedSky #MedSky #OrthoSky #FOAMed
Reposted by Andrew Tagg
Dennis Ren MD
@dennisrenmd.bsky.social
· Oct 27
#MemeMonday for #SGEMPeds. Cast vs Removable Boot for Toddler's Fracture. buff.ly/CI2yhKl #FOAMed #PedSky #MedSky #OrthoSky
@andrewjtagg.bsky.social @thesgem.bsky.social @jama.com
@andrewjtagg.bsky.social @thesgem.bsky.social @jama.com
Reposted by Andrew Tagg
Dennis Ren MD
@dennisrenmd.bsky.social
· Oct 24
#SGEMPeds is back this week with guest skeptic, @andrewjtagg.bsky.social. Cast or removable boot for Toddler's fractures? buff.ly/WqV0gzY @thesgem.bsky.social #FOAMed #PedSky #MedSkly
Andrew Tagg
@andrewjtagg.bsky.social
· Oct 18
You’re moving on too soon
speakhuman.kit.com
📰 This week’s Speak Human newsletter is all about that pause—
and how a moment of silence can make your message unforgettable.
speakhuman.kit.com/posts/you-re...
and how a moment of silence can make your message unforgettable.
speakhuman.kit.com/posts/you-re...
Andrew Tagg
@andrewjtagg.bsky.social
· Oct 18
So next time you're tempted to click forward too soon…
Pause.
🧠 That last slide might be your most powerful one.
Not because it’s new.
But because you gave it space to land.
Pause.
🧠 That last slide might be your most powerful one.
Not because it’s new.
But because you gave it space to land.
Andrew Tagg
@andrewjtagg.bsky.social
· Oct 18
Because silence isn’t awkward.
It says:
“This matters.
Take your time.
Feel it.
Think it through.”
It says:
“This matters.
Take your time.
Feel it.
Think it through.”
Andrew Tagg
@andrewjtagg.bsky.social
· Oct 18
The best communicators know:
🛑 Don’t rush your ideas off stage.
🟡 Count: one… two… three.
🟢 Let the image breathe.
🔵 Let silence do its job.
Holding the slide longer is an act of generosity.
🛑 Don’t rush your ideas off stage.
🟡 Count: one… two… three.
🟢 Let the image breathe.
🔵 Let silence do its job.
Holding the slide longer is an act of generosity.
Andrew Tagg
@andrewjtagg.bsky.social
· Oct 18
You’ve practised the message for days.
They’re hearing it for the first time.
And just as it starts to land…
Next slide.
Meaning takes a moment.
But we don’t always give people that moment.
They’re hearing it for the first time.
And just as it starts to land…
Next slide.
Meaning takes a moment.
But we don’t always give people that moment.
Andrew Tagg
@andrewjtagg.bsky.social
· Oct 18
🖱️ “Click.”
Just as your audience is about to get the slide—
you move on.
And the moment is gone.
We’ve all done it.
We click forward when we’re done speaking.
But they’re not done thinking.
🧵
Just as your audience is about to get the slide—
you move on.
And the moment is gone.
We’ve all done it.
We click forward when we’re done speaking.
But they’re not done thinking.
🧵
Reposted by Andrew Tagg
Normal Pediatric X-ray Atlas | Radiopaedia Cases | Radiopaedia.org
/* Single-column layout everywhere */
#peds-controls .peds-grid {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: 1fr;
grid-template-areas:
"region"
"gender"
"slider";
gap: 14px;
align-items: end;
}
.peds-region { grid-area: region; }
.peds-gender { grid-area: gender; }
.peds-slider { grid-area: slider; }
/* Slider: large grab area */
#peds-age-slider {
-webkit-appearance: none;
width: 100%;
height: 28px;
background: transparent;
}
#peds-age-slider:focus { outline: none; }
#peds-age-slider::-webkit-slider-runnable-track {
height: 10px; background: #e6eaf2; border-radius: 999px; border: 1px solid #d6d9e0;
}
#peds-age-slider::-moz-range-track {
height: 10px; background: #e6eaf2; border-radius: 999px; border: 1px solid #d6d9e0;
}
#peds-age-slider::-webkit-slider-thumb {
-webkit-appearance: none; width: 22px; height: 22px; border-radius: 50%;
background: #fff; border: 2px solid #8C52FF; margin-top: -7px; cursor: pointer;
}
#peds-age-slider::-moz-range-thumb {
width: 22px; height: 22px; border-radius: 50%; background: #fff; border: 2px solid #8C52FF; cursor: pointer;
}
/* Age label + readout: prominent */
.peds-age-label {
display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:space-between; gap:10px;
font-weight:800; margin-bottom:4px; font-size:1.5rem;
}
.peds-age-readout {
font-weight:900; color:#111827; font-size:1.6rem; line-height:1;
}
/* Gender radios */
.peds-gender-group { display:flex; gap:12px; align-items:center; flex-wrap:wrap; }
.peds-gender-group label { display:inline-flex; align-items:center; gap:6px; cursor:pointer; line-height:1.2; }
.peds-gender-group input[type="radio"] { margin:0; vertical-align:middle; accent-color:#8C52FF; }
/* Output + sections */
.peds-section { scroll-margin-top:80px; }
#peds-output { opacity:0; transition:opacity .35s ease; }
#peds-output.is-visible { opacity:1; }
/* Heading row wraps H4 and (optional) pill; spacing below image */
.peds-heading-row {
display:inline-flex; align-items:baseline; gap:10px;
width:100%; margin:0 0 14px 0;
}
.peds-heading-row > h4 { margin:0; }
/* Gender pills */
.pill {
display:inline-block; padding:3px 10px; border-radius:999px;
font-size:.93em; font-weight:400; line-height:1; white-space:nowrap;
border:1px solid transparent; position:relative; top:-1px;
}
.pill-male { background:#eaf3ff; border-color:#cfe4ff; color:#0f3b82; }
.pill-female { background:#fff7cc; border-color:#ffe59e; color:#7a5a00; }
/* Case credit */
.peds-credit { font-size:0.9em; }
/* Consistent gap before credit whether image is in or not */
p.peds-imgblock { margin-bottom: 8px !important; }
img.peds-imgblock { display:block; margin-bottom: 8px !important; }
/* Optional: style the disabled separator text a bit lighter where supported */
#peds-region option[disabled] { color:#9aa3af; font-style:italic; }
radiopaedia.org
Great resource from @Radiopaedia
A Paediatric x-ray atlas of normal x-rays in children
radiopaedia.org/normal-paedi...
#FOAMed
A Paediatric x-ray atlas of normal x-rays in children
radiopaedia.org/normal-paedi...
#FOAMed
Andrew Tagg
@andrewjtagg.bsky.social
· Oct 1
Nervous energy is contagious. So is calm.
speakhuman.kit.com
More on this in the latest Speak Human newsletter:
“Nervous energy is contagious.
So is calm.”
📬 speakhuman.kit.com/posts/nervou...
“Nervous energy is contagious.
So is calm.”
📬 speakhuman.kit.com/posts/nervou...
Andrew Tagg
@andrewjtagg.bsky.social
· Oct 1
The nervous system leads the message.
Steady yourself
So your audience can meet you there.
Steady yourself
So your audience can meet you there.
Andrew Tagg
@andrewjtagg.bsky.social
· Oct 1
🛠 Try this simple reset before your next talk:
Plant both feet
One slow breath in
One long breath out
Remember: “I’m here to help, not to impress.”
Plant both feet
One slow breath in
One long breath out
Remember: “I’m here to help, not to impress.”
Andrew Tagg
@andrewjtagg.bsky.social
· Oct 1
It’s not about being slick.
It’s about being 𝘴𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘥.
Want to shift the energy in the room?
Start by shifting your own.
It’s about being 𝘴𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘥.
Want to shift the energy in the room?
Start by shifting your own.
Andrew Tagg
@andrewjtagg.bsky.social
· Oct 1
Which means…
⚠️ If you rush, they rush.
⚠️ If you stumble, they tense.
⚠️ If you disconnect, they drift.
But…
✅ If you’re grounded, they settle.
✅ If you’re clear, they listen.
✅ If you’re present, they connect.
⚠️ If you rush, they rush.
⚠️ If you stumble, they tense.
⚠️ If you disconnect, they drift.
But…
✅ If you’re grounded, they settle.
✅ If you’re clear, they listen.
✅ If you’re present, they connect.
Andrew Tagg
@andrewjtagg.bsky.social
· Oct 1
You can have perfect slides and a killer script…
But if you’re rushing, fidgeting, or disconnected?
They’ll sense it.
Why?
Because of 𝐦𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐬.
Humans are wired to 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 the energy in the room.
But if you’re rushing, fidgeting, or disconnected?
They’ll sense it.
Why?
Because of 𝐦𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐬.
Humans are wired to 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 the energy in the room.
Andrew Tagg
@andrewjtagg.bsky.social
· Oct 1
Public speaking tip:
Your audience doesn’t just hear your words.
They feel your nervous system.
Let me explain 👇
Your audience doesn’t just hear your words.
They feel your nervous system.
Let me explain 👇
Andrew Tagg
@andrewjtagg.bsky.social
· Sep 25
The 3 things that fix 80% of talk disasters
speakhuman.kit.com
The goal isn't to be perfect.
It's to be 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵.
Regulate yourself before you try to reach others.
📰 More in this week’s Speak Human:
“Regulate Before You Resonate”
🔗 speakhuman.kit.com/posts/slow-d...
✉️ DM me if you want to join the list.
It's to be 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵.
Regulate yourself before you try to reach others.
📰 More in this week’s Speak Human:
“Regulate Before You Resonate”
🔗 speakhuman.kit.com/posts/slow-d...
✉️ DM me if you want to join the list.
Andrew Tagg
@andrewjtagg.bsky.social
· Sep 25
Most people try to fix their 𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬.
But the smart ones start with their 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞.
Before you speak, try this:
✅ Breathe out longer than you breathe in
✅ Stretch or shake out your body
✅ Smile (a real one)
✅ Make eye contact with one human
But the smart ones start with their 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞.
Before you speak, try this:
✅ Breathe out longer than you breathe in
✅ Stretch or shake out your body
✅ Smile (a real one)
✅ Make eye contact with one human
Andrew Tagg
@andrewjtagg.bsky.social
· Sep 25
🟢 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐍 – Regulated / Ready
Low, steady breath.
Eyes on the audience, not the exit.
You’re calm, grounded, human.
This is where resonance lives.
Low, steady breath.
Eyes on the audience, not the exit.
You’re calm, grounded, human.
This is where resonance lives.
Andrew Tagg
@andrewjtagg.bsky.social
· Sep 25
🟡 𝐘𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐎𝐖 – Masked / Performing
You’re delivering the words, but disconnected.
You’re half-present, half-panicking.
Functioning, not flowing.
You’re delivering the words, but disconnected.
You’re half-present, half-panicking.
Functioning, not flowing.
Andrew Tagg
@andrewjtagg.bsky.social
· Sep 25
🔴 𝐑𝐄𝐃 – Fight / Flight
You feel breathless.
Your thoughts scatter.
You want to escape.
This is survival mode - and it’s where many presenters 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵.
You feel breathless.
Your thoughts scatter.
You want to escape.
This is survival mode - and it’s where many presenters 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵.
Andrew Tagg
@andrewjtagg.bsky.social
· Sep 25
🧵 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬? 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞.
Most people focus on slides, script, story.
But none of that matters if your nervous system is stuck in fight-or-flight.
Here’s what I teach before any big talk:
👇
Most people focus on slides, script, story.
But none of that matters if your nervous system is stuck in fight-or-flight.
Here’s what I teach before any big talk:
👇
Andrew Tagg
@andrewjtagg.bsky.social
· Sep 18
Thanks to @adamgrant.bsky.social
for highlighting the difference between clarity and caution.
And if you’ve wrestled with this - how do you decide what to warn about, and how?
#SpeakHuman #MedicalEducation #TraumaInformed #CommunicationMatters #PublicSpeaki
for highlighting the difference between clarity and caution.
And if you’ve wrestled with this - how do you decide what to warn about, and how?
#SpeakHuman #MedicalEducation #TraumaInformed #CommunicationMatters #PublicSpeaki