The Backstory

Jarrard Inc.
The Backstory

The Backstory, formerly the High Stakes Podcast, is a new, limited series from Jarrard Inc. President and Co-Founder Anne Hancock Toomey. For nearly two decades, Jarrard – one of the nation’s top communications consulting firms for healthcare – has partnered with thousands of leaders across the country who are striving to make healthcare better every day. But this isn’t a podcast about healthcare, or politics or even communications. It’s about authentic leadership. The Backstory is about demystifying respected leaders who’ve had a lot of success along the way because of the kind of leaders they’ve chosen to be. Each person Anne interviews is visionary, of course. They’re smart as hell, and they’re fierce about their business and their mission. They’re also humble, kind and create the kind of environments in which people can thrive. They’re not perfect. But they are real. And it’s the combination of those two things that makes each one of them great. In every episode, Anne’s guest digs into who they are, where they come from and what’s influenced them to be the person and the leader that they are today.

  1. Bonus: 13 Leaders, One Big Question

    2 DAYS AGO · BONUS

    Bonus: 13 Leaders, One Big Question

    We're doing something a little different this week on The Backstory. We're two-thirds of the way through this series and has talked to 13 incredible leaders. So, we wanted to take a moment for host Anne Hancock Toomey to reflect on one of the questions that she asks each guest. That is, "What are the three characteristics of the most effective leaders?" Every one of the leaders interviewed has a unique story. At the same time, they have certain things in common. They are successful because of who they are and how they lead. And so the hope in asking this question, which always comes near the end of the conversations, is to get at those ingredients to their secret sauce. The question isn't "What makes you successful?" It's pointed away from the guest and towards successful leaders in general. But interestingly, to a person, all 13 ended up describing how they've learned to lead. The guests are: Pete November, CEO of Ochsner Health Chris Roth, President and CEO of St. Luke's Health System Sheri Shapiro, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of CommonSpirit Health Bill Southwick, former CEO of QualDerm Partners Shlomit Schaal, MD, PhD, MHCM, Executive VP and Chief Physician Executive, Houston Methodist Phil Roe, former CEO and current Senior Advisor of Martin Ventures Joann Anderson, Former President and CEO of UNC Health Southeastern Van Ton-Quinlivan, CEO of Futuro Health Michael Wiechart, President of TEAMHealth Rhonda Brandon, Chief Human Resources Officer at Duke University Health System David Jarrard, Founder and Executive Chairman of Jarrard Inc. Tim Johnsen, SVP & COO of Presbyterian Healthcare Services Ken Graboys, CEO of Chartis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    18 min
  2. From Life Flight Nurse to the Healthcare C-Suite, with Tim Johnsen

    12/04/2024

    From Life Flight Nurse to the Healthcare C-Suite, with Tim Johnsen

    Anne Hancock Toomey dives deep into the inspiring journey of Tim Johnsen, a seasoned healthcare leader and current SVP & COO of Presbyterian Healthcare Services. Tim’s story takes us from his early days as a guitar instructor in St. Louis to a transformative career in healthcare leadership. Along the way, he shares personal anecdotes, like how his father’s sudden passing shaped his career choice and his frontline experiences as a critical care and flight nurse. This episode explores pivotal moments, including Tim’s transition to administrative leadership, his approach to balancing personal and professional priorities and the lessons learned from successes and setbacks – like handling a radioactive incident. Johnsen also reflects on building strong teams, navigating leadership in rural vs. urban settings and maintaining well-being in a demanding career. Stick around for the lightning round, where Tim shares quick takes on leadership, growth and life outside the office.  03:07 Early Life and Influences 09:56 A Pivotal Moment: Choosing Healthcare 17:27 Transition to Administrative Leadership 22:50 Balancing Leadership in Rural and Urban Areas 27:58 Building Strong Teams and Lifelong Connections 29:12 Learning from Mistakes: A Radioactive Incident 34:20 Effective Leadership Traits 36:02 Areas for Improvement in Leadership 37:42 Lightning Round: Quickfire Questions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    41 min
  3. From Journalist to Foremost Healthcare Communications Guru, with David Jarrard

    11/13/2024

    From Journalist to Foremost Healthcare Communications Guru, with David Jarrard

    In this episode, Anne Hancock Toomey chats with her longtime colleague and co-founder David Jarrard, a former journalist, public affairs counselor and founding CEO, now serving as executive chairman of Jarrard Inc. David shares his unique journey from growing up in East Tennessee and working the police and theater beats as a reporter to becoming one of the most influential communications leaders in the healthcare industry. He delves into his early career in journalism, lessons learned from leaders and his parents and how these experiences shaped his visionary leadership style. David reflects on the importance of an integrated life, his passion for team synergy and the need to have balance between humility and confidence for effective leadership. The conversation concludes with a lightning round, offering personal insights and a glimpse into David's life outside of work. 02:44 Early Life and Influences in East Tennessee 05:11 Lessons from Journalism and Early Career 07:10 Transition to Corporate Communications 16:57 Reflections on Career Choices and Leadership 23:26 Founding Jarrard, Phillips, Cate and Hancock 26:03 The Importance of Relationships and Team Chemistry 28:11 Leadership Philosophy and Values 31:44 Balancing Work and Personal Life 35:52 Recognizing and Addressing Weaknesses 37:22 Healthy Habits for Effective Leadership 38:56 Lightning Round: Personal Insights 42:25 Final Thoughts on Leadership Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    42 min
  4. From Appalachian Roots to Rural Healthcare Champion, with Joann Anderson

    09/11/2024

    From Appalachian Roots to Rural Healthcare Champion, with Joann Anderson

    In episode 7 of the Backstory, host and Jarrard Inc. President Anne Hancock Toomey sits down with Joann Anderson, a 45-year veteran in healthcare leadership and a relentless advocate for rural healthcare. Anderson shares her journey from growing up in forest of rural Kentucky to becoming a bedside nurse. She describes her rapid ascent through the ranks of major healthcare organizations like Humana and HCA, eventually becoming President and CEO of UNC Health Southeastern. Anderson reflects on her roots and the influence of the Frontier Nursing Service, which ignited her passion for healthcare. She discusses key leadership lessons, the importance of resilience, community engagement, and the values instilled in her by her family. These lessons came into play during a devastating fire at her organization’s cancer center and, later, as she guided Southeastern through the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation wraps up with a lightning round of personal insights, revealing Anderson's favorite books, athletes, and recent endeavors in the culinary world. Join in for an enriching conversation filled with wisdom on effective leadership and the relentless pursuit of healthcare excellence in rural communities.  02:11 Early Life in Rural Kentucky 05:38 First Job as Switchboard Operator and Early Career Influences 07:41 Lessons in Leadership and Communication 13:03 Rapid Rise in Healthcare Leadership 20:25 Executive Team Decisions 22:04 Relocating for Career Growth 24:44 Proud Achievements and Challenges 29:49 Balancing Family and Career 33:15 Effective Leadership Traits 34:31 Maintaining Personal Well-being 36:17 Lightning Round Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    40 min
5
out of 5
24 Ratings

About

The Backstory, formerly the High Stakes Podcast, is a new, limited series from Jarrard Inc. President and Co-Founder Anne Hancock Toomey. For nearly two decades, Jarrard – one of the nation’s top communications consulting firms for healthcare – has partnered with thousands of leaders across the country who are striving to make healthcare better every day. But this isn’t a podcast about healthcare, or politics or even communications. It’s about authentic leadership. The Backstory is about demystifying respected leaders who’ve had a lot of success along the way because of the kind of leaders they’ve chosen to be. Each person Anne interviews is visionary, of course. They’re smart as hell, and they’re fierce about their business and their mission. They’re also humble, kind and create the kind of environments in which people can thrive. They’re not perfect. But they are real. And it’s the combination of those two things that makes each one of them great. In every episode, Anne’s guest digs into who they are, where they come from and what’s influenced them to be the person and the leader that they are today.

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