At FOCUS St. Louis, we believe that everyone possesses the power to be a leader, and for the past 25 years, we‘ve been inspiring leaders to think differently, to seek out new perspectives, and to take action. Now we‘re sitting down with some of those leaders to explore their unique journeys. We‘ll talk to leaders who are driving change and making a difference, both inside and outside of their organizations.
In this episode of FOCUS on Leadership, Amy Shaw, President and CEO of Nine PBS and past Board Chair for FOCUS, explores an often-overlooked leadership principle: joy. From stepping into the CEO role during a time of crisis to navigating personal health battles and industry-wide uncertainty, she explains how leading with joy has helped her and her organization stay grounded, resilient, and forward-looking. In this candid conversation, we also discuss the importance of vulnerability, the lessons learned from navigating crisis, and how to create a workplace where people feel energized and valued.
5 Jan 2026
Leading through Uncertainty | Dr. Alexander Garza
How do we lead with clarity and compassion through times of crisis or uncertainty? In this episode, we had the privilege to talk with Dr. Alexander Garza, Chief Community Health Office for SSM Health and past Commander of the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force. Drawing from his unique experiences in emergency medicine, military service, and public health, Dr. Garza reflects on the lessons he has learned and the leaders who have shaped his path. He also discusses today’s biggest public health challenges, his goals for the future, and how health is shaped far beyond hospital walls.
4 Nov 2025
Collective Impact | Dr. Yusef Scoggin
In this episode, we sit down with FOCUS Leadership St. Louis grad Dr. Yusef Scoggin, Executive Director of Delmar DivINe, to explore his career evolution and vision for our region. From his early experiences in medicine to leading a regional nonprofit hub, Dr. Scoggin reflects on the importance of cultural competence, collaboration, and courage in creating real community change. He shares how Delmar DivINe is redefining the historic Delmar Divide and driving collective impact. The conversation also explores the hidden traumas that affect local communities and how healing begins with inclusion, understanding, and shared purpose.
29 Sept 2025
The Power of Stories | Dr. Frances Levine
Whose story are we telling and why does it matter? In this episode of the FOCUS on Leadership podcast, we had the privilege to sit down with historian and author (and former FOCUS board member) Dr. Frances Levine. We explore the roots of her early interest in history, as well as her distinguished career in museum administration, including her work as past President of the Missouri Historical Society. Dr. Levine discusses her perspective on the valuable role museums play in today's culture, the importance of stories in building community, and the stories she brings to light in her new book, Crossings: Women on the Santa Fe Trail.
24 Mar 2025
Following Your Purpose | Mary Elizabeth Grimes
As President of Marian Middle School since 2013, Mary Elizabeth Grimes is responsible for stewarding over 200 students from 5th grade through post-secondary education and beyond. In this episode of the FOCUS on Leadership podcast, she shares her thoughts on the power of education and the joy she finds in supporting and leading her students. Reflecting back on a long and extensive career, ranging from media sales to sports marketing to nonprofit management, Mary Elizabeth discusses the importance of staying in alignment with your purpose and values.
17 Jul 2024
Finding Joy | Wendy Richardson
Recently retired after a 25-year career with MasterCard, FOCUS Leadership St. Louis alum Wendy Richardson is reflecting back on the lessons she's learned, the advice she would share with others, and how she finds joy in every day. In this episode, FOCUS Director of Leadership Programs Shalia Ford sits down with Wendy to explore the difference between mentors and sponsors, how her Leadership St. Louis experience shaped her perspective and what lies ahead in this next stage of her life.
11 Apr 2024
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome | Ruth Kim
Too often, we hold ourselves back with feelings that we don't belong or don't measure up. In this episode of the FOCUS on Leadership podcast, we sit down with Ruth Kim, General Counsel, SVP and Senior Partner for FleishmanHillard, to explore her strategies for tackling imposter syndrome and the lessons she's learned throughout her successful career. In it, she also discusses the importance of giving yourself grace, the power of unconditional love, and her vision for a St. Louis renaissance.
6 Feb 2024
A Legacy of Leadership | Anna Crosslin
Few people have made their mark in the St. Louis region like our next podcast guest. In this episode of FOCUS on Leadership, we had the privilege of sitting down to talk with FOCUS Leadership St. Louis alum and current Executive-In-Residence Anna Crosslin, who led the International Institute of St. Louis for 42 years. She reflects back on the principles and values that guided her career, offers the advice she would give aspiring CEOs, and shares her hopes for the future of our region.
3 Jan 2024
The Power of Connecting | Keisha Mabry Haymore
Networking doesn't have to be boring or transactional. In this episode of the FOCUS on Leadership podcast, we talk with FOCUS Emerging Leaders alum Keisha Mabry Haymore, speaker, author, coach and founder of Heydays Creative & Collaborative Workspace, about her unique approach to building a powerful and meaningful network. She shares what inspired her to write her book, how she balances entrepreneurship and the value of reimagining. You can learn more at keishamabry.com.
29 Nov 2023
Creating a Culture of Curiosity | Andwele M. Jolly, DPT, MBA, MHA
As leaders, how do we create and cultivate a spirit of curiosity in all we do? In this episode of the FOCUS on Leadership podcast, we talk with FOCUS Leadership St. Louis alum Andwele Jolly, President & CEO of the St. Louis Integrated Health Network. He discusses the importance of bringing curiosity into collaboration, how he's working to break down inequities in our region, the biggest challenges facing CEOs today, and the legacy he wants to leave for his children. You can learn more about IHN at https://stlouisihn.org/.
9 Oct 2023
Seeing Yourself As a Leader | Jennifer Bardot
Sometimes the first step to leadership is seeing yourself as one. In this episode of the FOCUS on Leadership podcast, we talk with FOCUS Leadership St. Louis and Women In Leadership alum Jennifer Bardot, bestselling publisher, author, and founder of the G.R.I.T. Community. She shares how her FOCUS program experience helped her chart a new leadership path for herself, and how she's using her role as an entrepreneur to amplify the voices of other women and reach the next generation of female leaders. Learn more at https://www.gritcollection.com/.
20 Jan 2022
Saying Yes | Marcy Bursac
How do we as leaders continue to learn, grow and evolve? In this episode, we talk with Women In Leadership alum Marcy Bursac about her unique leadership journey from nonprofit professional to software developer to author, podcaster and pageant queen. She shares how her experience as an adoptive mom shaped her path - and how she's using what she learned along the way to help others in her new book, "The Forgotten Adoption Option."
17 Dec 2021
Where to Start | Rebeccah Bennett
When the problems of the world seem too big and overwhelming, where is a leader to start? In our first episode, we talk with Rebeccah Bennett, Founder & Principal of Emerging Wisdom LLC and InPower Institute, about her unique leadership journey from public policy to community healing. Along the way, Rebeccah shares what drew her to St. Louis, why we're uniquely positioned as a region to drive change, and how a 500-year perspective shapes her decisions.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
3.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 11 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
10
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
30
Contact FOCUS on Leadership
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of FOCUS on Leadership?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
