Learning From Leaders

’Learning From Leaders’ is a monthly podcast from Southwestern Medical Foundation that provides a platform for knowledge exchange, mentorship, and collaborative problem-solving. In each episode, we foster a unique learning experience that offers valuable insights, practical advice, and inspiring stories from seasoned community leaders. We delve into the pressing issues facing our communities and explore innovative solutions. Tune in to ’Learning From Leaders’ and be part of a transformative journey towards building stronger, more resilient communities.

Learning From Leaders is a society podcast hosted by Southwestern Medical Foundation, with 31 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 81.

Southwestern Medical Foundation hosts Learning From Leaders, a society show with 31 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

• 

  Episode #13

  Building a North Texas Biotech Ecosystem That Leads to Cures | Gina Ford, BioNTX

  Sep 14, 202641 min

  North Texas is emerging as a powerful hub for biotech, life sciences, and healthcare innovation. In this episode of Learning From Leaders, Lili Clark talks with Gina Ford, CEO of BioNTX, and explores what it takes to turn scientific discovery into companies, jobs, patient impact, and ultimately, cures. Gina shares how BioNTX is connecting universities, healthcare systems, founders, investors, and philanthropic organizations across the region. She also discusses commercialization, early-stage funding, patient advocacy, women in life sciences, the growing IC3 Life Science and Healthcare Innovation Summit, and why building the right infrastructure is essential to North Texas’ future. Check out the iC3 Life Sciences & Healthcare Innovation Summit on September 24-25, 2026: https://biontx.org/life-science-and-health-care-innovation-summit/ Episode Details: Episode 9, Season 3 Host: Lili Clark | Vice Chair, The Cary Council; Senior Associate, LH Capital, Inc. / Lyda Hill Philanthropies - www.lydahillphilanthropies.org Guest: Gina Ford, D.P.h., M.B.A. | CEO, BioNTX - www.biontx.org Producer: Dustin Magwire | Digital Media Senior Manager, Southwestern Medical Foundation – www.swmedical.org Videography: Brazos Film & Video - www.brazosfilms.com Disclaimer: The Southwestern Medical Foundation Podcast is intended solely for educational purposes. Nothing contained therein constitutes, nor should be interpreted as medical, healthcare, financial or legal advice. Southwestern Medical Foundation strives for accuracy in its publications, including the Podcast. However, due to the nature of the topics discussed, there frequently is not a clear-cut “right answer.” Consequently, Southwestern Medical Foundation cannot guarantee the accuracy or sufficiency of any information presented. The views of the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of their employers or affiliated organizations, nor Southwestern Medical Foundation, the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center or the University of Texas System. The inclusion of any guest or mention of any product or service does not constitute an endorsement thereof, nor of any company, employer, or organization with which the guest, product, or service is affiliated.

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #8

  Building Community Through Public Media with KERA CEO Nico Leone

  Aug 9, 202643 minS3

  How do leaders build trust when confidence in institutions is declining? Host Lili Clark welcomes Nico Leone, President and CEO of KERA, for a conversation about leadership, public media, innovation, and why trust may be an organization's most valuable asset. Nico shares his journey into public media and reflects on leading KERA through an unprecedented period of change, including launching a transformative capital campaign, breaking ground on a new community-centered headquarters, and expanding the organization's impact through strategic partnerships and acquisitions. He discusses how KERA is reimagining public media as both a trusted source of information and a gathering place where meaningful conversations can strengthen communities. The conversation explores the challenges of maintaining trust in an increasingly polarized media landscape, how artificial intelligence is reshaping journalism, and why organizations must prioritize authenticity, transparency, and community engagement. Nico also shares leadership lessons learned from navigating change, explains why humility is one of a leader's greatest strengths, and reflects on building organizations where people feel welcomed, valued, and inspired to do their best work. Episode Details Episode: Season 3 | Episode 8 Host: Lili Clark | Vice Chair, The Cary Council; Senior Associate, LH Capital, Inc. / Lyda Hill Philanthropies Guest: Nico Leone | President and CEO, KERA www.kera.org Producer: Dustin Magwire | Digital Media Senior Manager, Southwestern Medical Foundation www.swmedical.org Videography: Brazos Film & Video – www.brazosfilms.com Chapters 00:00 – Cold Open 00:24 – Welcome to Learning From Leaders 00:52 – Meet Nico Leone 02:05 – Leading KERA's Next Chapter 04:02 – Innovation, Partnerships, and Growth 08:24 – Expanding Local Journalism in North Texas 10:35 – Serving a Rapidly Growing Region 15:24 – Building Trust in Modern Media 18:14 – AI, Misinformation, and Public Trust 20:40 – Arts, Culture, and Community Impact 23:13 – Launching North Texas Now 25:00 – Leadership Through Change 29:14 – "Be Our Neighbor" and Building Community 34:34 – The Future of KERA 36:52 – Mentors, Leadership Lessons, and Rapid Fire Disclaimer The Southwestern Medical Foundation Podcast is intended solely for educational purposes. Nothing contained therein constitutes, nor should be interpreted as medical, healthcare, financial or legal advice. Southwestern Medical Foundation strives for accuracy in its publications, including the Podcast. However, due to the nature of the topics discussed, there frequently is not a clear-cut "right answer." Consequently, Southwestern Medical Foundation cannot guarantee the accuracy or sufficiency of any information presented. The views of the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of their employers or affiliated organizations, nor Southwestern Medical Foundation, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, or The University of Texas System. The inclusion of any guest or mention of any product or service does not constitute an endorsement thereof, nor of any company, employer, or organization with which the guest, product, or service is affiliated.

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #7

  Shilo Brooks on Statesmanship, Civil Discourse, and America’s Next 250 Years

  Jul 4, 202647 minS3

  What does civic leadership require as the United States of America approaches its 250th anniversary? Host Lili Clark welcomes Shilo Brooks, President and CEO of the George W. Bush Presidential Center, for a thoughtful conversation on civil discourse, self-government, technology, philanthropy, and the future of American leadership. Shilo talks about how the Bush Center is using America 250 as a moment to look both backward and forward, asking what values can help the country flourish over the next 250 years. He discusses the importance of civic literacy, the role of private associations in strengthening communities, and why civil discourse begins with humility, curiosity, and the willingness to see others as reasonable people of goodwill. The conversation also explores the risks of technology and artificial intelligence when they short-circuit independent thought, as well as the vital role philanthropy has played in shaping America’s educational, civic, medical, and cultural institutions. Shilo shares leadership lessons from President George W. Bush, explains why curiosity is foundational to great leadership, and reflects on the book that quite literally changed the trajectory of his life. Episode Details: Episode 7, Season 3 Host: Lili Clark | Vice Chair, The Cary Council; Senior Associate, LH Capital, Inc. / Lyda Hill Philanthropies Guest: Shilo Brooks | President and CEO, George W. Bush Presidential Center www.bushcenter.org | www.thefp.com/listen/old-school-with-shilo-brooks Producer: Dustin Magwire | Digital Media Senior Manager, Southwestern Medical Foundation www.swmedical.org Videography: Brazos Film & Video - www.brazosfilms.com Disclaimer: The Southwestern Medical Foundation Podcast is intended solely for educational purposes. Nothing contained therein constitutes, nor should be interpreted as medical, healthcare, financial or legal advice. Southwestern Medical Foundation strives for accuracy in its publications, including the Podcast. However, due to the nature of the topics discussed, there frequently is not a clear-cut “right answer.” Consequently, Southwestern Medical Foundation cannot guarantee the accuracy or sufficiency of any information presented. The views of the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of their employers or affiliated organizations, nor Southwestern Medical Foundation, the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center or the University of Texas System. The inclusion of any guest or mention of any product or service does not constitute an endorsement thereof, nor of any company, employer, or organization with which the guest, product, or service is affiliated.

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #6

  We Broke the Rules: The Creative Research of Nanoparticle Expert Dr. Daniel Siegwart

  Jun 17, 20261h 1mS3

  Most nanoparticles “go to the liver,” and for years, that limitation blocked genetic medicines from reaching organs like the lungs. In this episode of Learning From Leaders, host Mason Smith sits down with Daniel Siegwart, Ph.D., a UT Southwestern professor of biomedical engineering and biochemistry and Director of UT Southwestern’s Program in Genetic Drug Engineering, to explain how his lab cracked the delivery code and what that breakthrough could mean for patients. Dr. Siegwart explains, in plain language, how he’s using lipid nanoparticles and how delivery is the missing link that turns powerful tools like mRNA and CRISPR into real-world therapies. He shares the leadership lessons he absorbed from legendary mentors, including MIT’s Bob Langer, and how those lessons shaped his approach to building teams, creating intellectual property, and translating discoveries into companies like ReCode Therapeutics and SignifyBio. You’ll also hear Dr. Siegwart’s take on Dallas-Fort Worth’s growing biotech ecosystem, why collaboration matters across academia and industry, and how AI and automation can accelerate scientific discovery. Episode Details: Season 3 | Episode 6 Host: Mason Smith | Steering Committee Member, The Cary Council Guest: Daniel Siegwart, Ph.D. | Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Biochemistry, UT Southwestern; Director, Program in Genetic Drug Engineering https://siegwartlab.com/ Producer: Dustin Magwire | Digital Media Senior Manager, Southwestern Medical Foundation Videography: Brazos Film & Video - www.brazosfilms.com Disclaimer: The Southwestern Medical Foundation Podcast is intended solely for educational purposes. Nothing contained therein constitutes, nor should be interpreted as medical, healthcare, financial or legal advice. Southwestern Medical Foundation strives for accuracy in its publications, including the Podcast. However, due to the nature of the topics discussed, there frequently is not a clear-cut “right answer.” Consequently, Southwestern Medical Foundation cannot guarantee the accuracy or sufficiency of any information presented. The views of the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of their employers or affiliated organizations, nor Southwestern Medical Foundation, the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center or the University of Texas System. The inclusion of any guest or mention of any product or service does not constitute an endorsement thereof, nor of any company, employer, or organization with which the guest, product, or service is affiliated.

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #5

  Ho Din Award Surprise: Hannah Chang’s Path to Standout Medical Student

  May 19, 202629 minS3

  <p>In this episode of Learning from Leaders, we welcomed a very special guest: Hannah Chang, M.D. Dr. Chang is a member of the UT Southwestern Medical School class of 2026. Dr. Chang is the 2026 recipient of the Ho Din Award, and we had the honor of delivering the good news as a surprise on the podcast. This award is the highest honor bestowed upon a graduating med student at UT Southwestern and has been awarded for more than 80 years, dating back to the inception of Southwestern Medical College – the precursor to what is now UT Southwestern.</p> <p>Beyond th...

  ListenShow Notes

Recent guests on Learning From Leaders. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.