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The Backstory

Jarrard Inc.
Authentic Leadership
Leadership
Ardent Health Services
Scott Becker
Anne Hancock Toomey
Healthcare
Media
Becker's Health Care
Appalachian Trail
Teamq
Oura
Intermountain Health
Servant Leadership
Health Care Turnaround
Hillcrest Medical Center
Veterinary Innovative Partners
Adobe
Blue Ridge Hiking Company
Intangibles
People First

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

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes166Founded7 years ago
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Artwork for The Backstory

Latest Episodes

Dr. Patrick Frias is a truly unique leader with a truly unique story. Today, he is wrapping up his tenure as Co-President and Chief Executive Officer of Rady Children’s Health before heading back to his old stomping grounds in Georgia to lead Childre... more

Marty Bonick is about as well-known a name as you’ll find when it comes to the National – and Nashville – healthcare scene. Bonick is President

and CEO of Ardent Health, which operates 30 hospitals and more than 280 care sites across mid-sized urban ... more

In Season 2, Episode 7, Anne Hancock Toomey sits down with Lisa Shannon, CEO of Allina Health, to discuss her impressive trajectory from a rural community in Ohio to leading a health system with 12 hospitals and dozens of clinics across Minnesota and... more

Rob Allen is CEO of Intermountain Health, one of the nation's largest and most innovative health systems. In this episode, host Anne Hancock Toomey talks with allen Allen about his journey from growing up on a dairy farm in Wyoming to becoming a heal... more

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Recent Guests

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
Chris Bishop
Veterinary leadership executive, CEO of Veterinary Innovative Partners
Veterinary Innovative Partners (VIP)
Episode: 203. From Seafood Clerk to CEO of Top Veterinary Network, with Chris Bishop
Jennifer Pharr Davis
Professional athlete, author, and entrepreneur
Blue Ridge Hiking Company / author and speaker
Episode: 202. From Camp Counselor to Elite Athlete, Author and Entrepreneur, with Jennifer Pharr Davis
Scott Becker
Media mogul
Episode: Welcome to Season 2 of The Backstory

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 States9 months 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.

Listeners appreciate candid storytelling and practical leadership takeaways.
Guests consistently come across as authentic and human, with leadership insights that feel actionable.
The show connects personal journeys to strategic outcomes in healthcare and tech.
Seasoned leaders openly discuss balancing ambition with humility and family commitments.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#117
Chile/News/Business News
Apple Podcasts
#123
Israel/News/Business News
Apple Podcasts
#158
New Zealand/News/Business News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
205. From Bike Mechanic to Oura CEO, with Tom Hale
Q: What was your first job and how did it shape your view on work?
Tom describes starting in a Reno bike shop as a bike mechanic and salesperson, and also shoveling manure on a dairy farm. He emphasizes learning the two endpoints of work—champagne and kibble—where meaningful, mission-driven roles provide more champagne; these early, varied experiences taught him resilience and the value of practical, hands-on work.
203. From Seafood Clerk to CEO of Top Veterinary Network, with Chris Bishop
Q: How did you transition from medical device sales to animal health?
A mentor highlighted the emotional moment a veterinarian shared with him during a pet's passing, which sparked the realization that he connected more with pet guardians and animals, leading to the move to Veterinary Innovative Partners.
203. From Seafood Clerk to CEO of Top Veterinary Network, with Chris Bishop
Q: What was your first job?
Chris describes cutting grass and working in the seafood department at a grocery store, where he learned early on about customer service and adaptability.
201. From Burnt-Out Young Lawyer to Healthcare Media Mogul, with Scott Becker
Q: What three characteristics define the most effective leaders, based on Becker's experience?
Becker emphasizes building teams, thriving in niches, and taking care of customers, plus a framework of personal skills, drive, intelligence, integrity, and evolving leadership where others run key areas.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Backstory

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

Authentic leadership and personal journeys anchor conversations with high-achieving leaders who've steered complex organizations through change. Across recent episodes, the focus is on humility with backbone, building trust in diverse teams, turning around distressed facilities, and aligning mission with practical decision making. Guests span healthcare executives, technology leaders, athletes-turned-entrepreneurs, and operators who translate leadership traits into tangible results, making the show a solid resource for leaders, future guests, and brands seeking human-centered narratives. A standout angle is the emphasis on culture, safety, family balance, and servant leadership as core drivers of sustainable success, not just metrics or hea... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Backstory?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Backstory:

1. How I Built This with Guy Raz
2. The Daily
3. Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend
4. Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast

How many episodes of The Backstory are there?

The Backstory launched 7 years ago and published 166 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. Marty Bonick
2. Lisa Shannon
3. Rob Allen
4. Tom Hale
5. Chris Spencer
6. Chris Bishop
7. Jennifer Pharr Davis
8. Scott Becker

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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