“I am still acting as a father to my son. And I think often about what I do. And I’ll never get my son back. No matter how many audiences I speak to, no matter how many words I write, no matter how many podcasts or videos, whatever it is, I’ll never get my son back. But I will never want to have that moment where I realize that I gave up.”

In this deeply moving episode of Good Life Stories, host Tracy Crowley continues her conversation with Dr. Darin Detwiler, delving deeper into his personal journey of loss, advocacy, and ongoing growth. The episode offers a raw and honest look at the complexities of grief, the challenges of advocacy work, and the enduring impact of parenthood, even in the face of devastating loss.

Dr. Detwiler opens up about the profound challenge of losing his 16-month-old son, sharing intimate details about the immediate aftermath of this tragedy. He recounts the heart-wrenching moment of leaving the hospital without his child, highlighting the absence of preparation for such unimaginable circumstances. This vulnerable sharing sets the tone for a conversation that explores the depths of human resilience and the power of purposeful action in the face of grief.

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to Dr. Detwiler’s philosophy of “still being a father” to his late son through his advocacy work. He discusses the complex emotions that arise from finding success and fulfillment in work born from tragedy, touching on the guilt he sometimes experiences when feeling good about his accomplishments. Dr. Detwiler’s candid reflections on these feelings offer listeners valuable insights into the long-term journey of grief and the process of finding meaning in loss.

“Practice as if it’s the real performance, drill as if it’s the real scenario. Have the conversations with your children as if these things actually do happen out there in the world and that you actually can be impacted by this.”

The conversation then shifts to Dr. Detwiler’s thoughts on responsibility, drawing fascinating parallels between his experiences as a teacher and his current role in food safety advocacy. He emphasizes the importance of taking ownership and action, whether in a classroom or a corporate boardroom. Dr. Detwiler shares anecdotes from his teaching days, including a powerful story about carrying a student with a broken leg during a fire drill, illustrating his commitment to responsibility even when it meant breaking rules.

Dr. Detwiler also discusses his concept of “smartology” and how it applies both in education and in the corporate world. He argues for the importance of instilling a sense of responsibility that goes beyond grades or profits, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to learning and decision-making.

The episode touches on Dr. Detwiler’s future plans, including his upcoming book “The Cost of Doing Nothing,” which explores the consequences of inaction in food safety. He shares his goal of becoming a global authority on food safety, discussing his increasing international engagements and his vision for the future of his work.

A particularly poignant moment in the episode comes when Dr. Detwiler discusses the ongoing tragedy of foodborne illnesses. He expresses frustration that despite three decades of work, the statistics on illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths due to food safety failures have remained largely unchanged. This sobering reality underscores the importance of his continued advocacy and the need for systemic change in the food industry.

The conversation also explores Dr. Detwiler’s personal growth journey. He discusses how working on personal development with his wife has enhanced his resilience and outlook, allowing him to envision an expansive future for himself and his work. This segment offers listeners valuable insights into the ongoing nature of healing and the importance of continuous personal growth.

Throughout the episode, Dr. Detwiler’s passion for his work and his commitment to making a difference shine through. He discusses the importance of treating potential risks seriously, drawing a parallel between his experiences on submarines and the need for vigilance in food safety. His emphasis on the reality of seemingly unlikely scenarios serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of proactive measures in all aspects of life and work.

“Perhaps my superpower is… give me a place, give me a time, give me a length of time, give me an audience, and I will knock it out of the park.”

The episode concludes with a lighthearted discussion of Dr. Detwiler’s “superpowers,” including his skill with puns and his ability to speak extemporaneously to any audience for any length of time. This moment of levity provides a fitting end to an emotionally charged conversation, reminding listeners of the multifaceted nature of individuals who have faced great challenges.

This episode of Good Life Stories offers listeners a profound exploration of grief, purpose, and personal growth. Dr. Darin Detwiler’s journey from tragedy to tireless advocacy serves as an inspiring example of resilience and the power of channeling pain into purposeful action. Through his candid reflections and unwavering commitment to his cause, Dr. Detwiler offers a powerful testament to the enduring nature of parenthood and the potential for personal tragedy to spark wide-reaching positive change.

UPDATE: The Netflix documentary “Poisoned: The Dirty Truth About Your Food” has won an Emmy for Outstanding Current Affairs Documentary

For more inspiring stories, visit https://goodlifestories.com/.

About Dr. Darin Detwiler

Dr. Darin Detwiler is an Academic, Advisor, Advocate and Author.  His work and career as a “Food Safety Icon” is featured in the Emmy nominated documentary “Poisoned: The Dirty Truth About Your Food.”  Founder and CEO of Detwiler Consulting Group, he is an esteemed columnist and a revered keynote speaker, whose advocacy for proactive food safety policies and practices continues to inspire and drive positive change in the industry.

For over 30 years, he has played a unique role in controlling foodborne illness.  He has served in unofficial and appointed capacities with the USDA and the FDA. In addition to his current role as the Chair of the National Environmental Health Association’s Food Safety Program Committee, his leadership capacities include numerous advisory and editorial boards as well as having long consulted on food safety issues with industry in the U.S. and abroad.

A former Navy nuclear submarine propulsion plant supervisor and quality assurance inspector,  Dr. Darin Detwiler went on to teach in public schools before becoming a professor.  Dr. Detwiler is the recipient of the International Association for Food Protection’s 2022 Ewen C.D. Todd Control of Foodborne Illness Award as well as their 2018 Distinguished Service Award for dedicated and exceptional contributions to the reduction of risks of foodborne illness.

Dr. Detwiler’s Links

Companies

• www.darindetwiler.com
• https://www.pepnexus.com/

Universities

• https://cps.northeastern.edu/faculty/darin-detwiler/
• https://www.canr.msu.edu/people/darin-detwiler

IMDB

• https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9992622/

Columns / Articles

• https://www.qualityassurancemag.com/author/darindetwiler/
• https://www.foodsafetynews.com/author/ddetwiler/
• https://www.food-safety.com/search?q=%22Darin+Detwiler%22
• https://news.northeastern.edu/faculty-experts/darin-detwiler/

Podcasts

• Eye on Food Safety with Dr. D. –  https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gfsr
• Good To Know – https://pathosans.com/resources/podcast/

Books

• Food Safety: Past, Present, and Predictions 
• Building the Future of Food Safety Technology: Blockchain and Beyond
• Outbreak on the Menu

TEDx Talk

• TEDxNortheasternU 2020: “Inspiring Change: Harnessing the Inner Hercules”

About Tracy Crowley

Tracy Crowley has always been an entrepreneur. Whether it was making gowns for fellow Army wives, taking portraits in black and white, or working on her other businesses, she is always learning something new.

That passion for learning something new and giving something back collide nicely in this podcast.

Join Tracy for Good Life Stories, where simple curiosity brings out great stories, every single time.

Check out Tracy’s new book! https://tracycrowley.life/