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The Backstory

Jarrard Inc.
Leadership
Healthcare
Philanthropy
Authentic Leadership
Ardent Health Services
Lifepoint Health
Sterile Injectable Manufacturing
Scott Becker
Nashville
Anne Hancock Toomey
Media
Becker's Health Care
Appalachian Trail
Teamq
Oura
Intermountain Health
Servant Leadership
Health Care Turnaround
Hillcrest Medical Center
Education

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,... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes171Founded7 years ago
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Artwork for The Backstory

Latest Episodes

Live from Healthcare Sessions 2026 in Nashville, host Anne Hancock Toomey talks with J.R. Green, founder and board chair of Psychiatric Medical Care (PMC), the nation’s largest behavioral healthcare management company with 400+ hospital locations acr... more

YouTube

Live from Healthcare Sessions 2026 in Nashville, Anne Hancock Toomey interviews Jenn Adams, CEO of August Bioservices, about her 30+ year career in sterile injectable manufacturing and the path that led her from Baxter into entrepreneurship. Adams e... more

YouTube

This is Backstory Sessions — a new short-form series recorded live at

Healthcare Sessions 2026 in Nashville, and also on YouTube.

Host Anne Hancock Toomey sits down with David Dill, chairman and CEO of Lifepoint Health, to discuss his path from grow... more

YouTube

It's a bonus!

In this special edition episode , Anne Hancock Toomey interviews Warner Thomas, president and CEO of Sutter Health.

They start with a note about the first podcast Anne ever hosted - a 2020 conversation with Thomas that reminds us all ... more

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Recent Guests

Jenn Adams
CEO of August Bioservices
August Bioservices
Episode: Backstory Sessions 2026: Jenn Adams
David Dill
Chairman and CEO, Lifepoint Health
Lifepoint Health
Episode: Backstory Sessions 2026: David Dill
Warner Thomas
President and CEO of Sutter Health
Sutter Health
Episode: BONUS 211. From Plowing Snow to Leading Healthcare Transformation, with Warner Thomas
Cynthia Brandt
CEO of the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health
Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health
Episode: 210. From Local Newspaper Delivery to National Philanthropy Leader, with Cynthia Brandt, PhD
Marty Bonick
CEO of Ardent Health Services
Ardent Health Services
Episode: 208. From Serving Frozen Yogurt to National Health System CEO, with Marty Bonick
Lisa Shannon
CEO of Allina Health
Allina Health
Episode: 207. From Clinical Dietician to CEO of Allina Health, with Lisa Shannon
Rob Allen
CEO of Intermountain Health
Intermountain Health
Episode: 206. From Dairy Farmer to Intermountain Health CEO, with Rob Allen
Tom Hale
CEO of Oura, former leader at Adobe/Macromedia, SurveyMonkey, HomeAway/VRBO
Oura
Episode: 205. From Bike Mechanic to Oura CEO, with Tom Hale
Chris Spencer
Former NFL center, founder of TeamQ, entrepreneur leveraging AI and psychology to develop athletic intangibles
TeamQ
Episode: 204. From NFL Center to Tech CEO, with Chris Spencer

Host

Anne Hancock Toomey
Host of The Backstory

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 39 ratings
  • Inspiring Leader Insights!

    Love seeing the human side of these incredible leaders. They each have such valuable and unique perspectives!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    HBS4587
    United Statesa year ago
  • Excellent Podcast

    I love hearing these personal stories from leaders, reminds us that we are all human, we all started somewhere and we are all in healthcare to make a difference.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    amc0525
    United States2 years ago
  • Real. Authentic. Inspiring.

    It’s hard to find leadership podcasts that are authentic and show the genuine side of really high-performing leaders. I love this approach, the guests’ willingness to be vulnerable and the inspiring questions that resonate with anyone in any profession - not just healthcare.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SLK72
    United States2 years ago
  • From journalist to guru

    An insider’s view of healthcare, storytelling and life in healthcare communications. Highly, highly recommend!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Queen BeeMom
    United States2 years ago
  • Very insightful for leaders across all industries!

    One of my favorite podcasts! It’s healthcare focused but relevant for all industries.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    L0vethis!!!!(:
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Leaders' willingness to be vulnerable makes the content deeply inspiring.
insider's view of leadership and storytelling in healthcare communications is especially valuable.
Useful for leaders across industries, not just healthcare.
Powerful, authentic leadership stories that are actionable across industries.
Stories from peak leaders that feel honest and human, not polished soundbites.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Backstory Sessions 2026: David Dill
Q: What makes you laugh the hardest?
It's usually moments of spontaneous, off-the-cuff behavior in sports, or the anticipation of a grandchild entering the picture, which humanizes leadership and keeps work in perspective.
Backstory Sessions 2026: David Dill
Q: If you could go back to the early 90s, what advice would you give your younger self?
Find mentors, be open to coaching, and recognize that you will fail more than you expect, but surround yourself with good people and pass on what you've learned.
Backstory Sessions 2026: David Dill
Q: What does your ideal Saturday look like, and what does it reveal about you?
A relaxed Saturday starts with coffee, reading the Wall Street Journal, and watching Premier League soccer; it reveals a love for routine and a connection to long-standing personal interests that keep him grounded.
Backstory Sessions 2026: David Dill
Q: Okay, so talk about the role of CEO. What do you know now eight years in that you could never have possibly known before taking the role?
The most surprising part has been realizing how central culture is to organizational success, and how the CEO is the primary custodian of that culture, guiding values, and the environment in which people can thrive.
205. From Bike Mechanic to Oura CEO, with Tom Hale
Q: What influenced your leadership style in the early days at Macromedia/Adobe?
He credits mentors and the culture of empowering creativity, plus the strategic guidance from Adobe during the acquisition, which taught him to be intentional, avoid over-sharing, and focus on durable, scalable processes during transformative times.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Backstory

What is The Backstory about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers authentic leadership through in-depth conversations with high-impact leaders from healthcare, sports, media, and business. Guests share formative experiences, leadership philosophies, and real-world lessons on building cultures, guiding large teams, and driving mission-aligned change. Episodes frequently highlight personal journeys, resilience, servant leadership, and the tension between ambition and humility, making it valuable for listeners who want practical leadership insights and human-centered approaches to leading organizations. A noteworthy angle is the host's emphasis on storytelling, governance, and mission-driven leadership across diverse industries, not just healthcare.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Backstory?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Backstory. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Backstory and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Backstory get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Backstory?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Backstory:

1. The Daily

How many episodes of The Backstory are there?

The Backstory launched 7 years ago and published 171 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Backstory?

Recent guests on The Backstory include:

1. Jenn Adams
2. David Dill
3. Warner Thomas
4. Cynthia Brandt
5. Marty Bonick
6. Lisa Shannon
7. Rob Allen
8. Tom Hale

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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