Team Powdered Donut™ Podcast

Summary In this episode, Christian Capitini, a pediatric oncologist and cancer researcher, shares insights into the future of cancer immunotherapy, the promise of CAR T cell therapy, and the importance of collective research efforts to transform childhood cancer treatment. Key Topics The science behind CAR T cell therapy and its impact on leukemia treatment The importance of collaborative research...

Summary In this episode, Dr. Yolanda Sanchez, Director and CEO of the University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, shares her journey from childhood to leading a major cancer research institution. She discusses the science of DNA damage, the future of cancer treatment, and the importance of community and collaboration in the fight against cancer. Powerful Sound Bites "Tumor cells have a l...

Summary In this episode, Dr. Dan Theodorescu discusses his groundbreaking research into chromosome loss and its implications for cancer treatment and prevention. We explore the themes of convergence, community, and the human stories behind scientific discovery, highlighting how interdisciplinary efforts can lead to transformative advances in cancer biology. Key Topics • Chromosome loss and its rol...

In this episode, Wendy Law shares her journey from aspiring aerospace engineer to leading cancer research at Fred Hutch, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, mentorship, community, and innovation in advancing cancer care and research. Key Topics Wendy Law's personal journey and career development The role of mentorship and community in scientific careers The structure and importance of can...

NCI Director Dr. Anthony Letai NCI Director Dr. Anthony Letai Credit: National Cancer Institute Dr. Anthony Letai, M.D., Ph. D., joined NCI as the 18th director on September 29, 2025 . He previously served as professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and medical oncologist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Dr. Letai received his Bachelor of Arts degree in physics from Princeton University...

Show Notes Matthew Zachary shares his remarkable journey from a concert pianist to a cancer advocate and healthcare reformer, highlighting the power of storytelling, advocacy, and systemic change in the fight against cancer. Keywords Cancer advocacy, healthcare reform, patient stories, Stupid Cancer, We the Patients, medical system, survivorship, policy change, patient voice, healthcare history ke...

Who Is Courtney Bugler? Currently serving as the CEO and President of ZERO Prostate Cancer, Courtney is committed to advancing the organization's mission and making a tangible impact in the fight against prostate cancer. Under her leadership, ZERO Prostate Cancer continues to achieve remarkable milestones and drive meaningful change. Prior to her role at ZERO Prostate Cancer, Courtney served as th...

Who Is Bob Burg? Bob Burg shares how a subtle shift in focus is not only a more uplifting and fulfilling way of conducting business but the most financially profitable way, as well. For more than 30 years he has helped companies, sales leaders, and their teams to more effectively communicate their value, sell at higher prices with less resistance, and grow their businesses based on Endless Referra...

Who is Hugh Forrest? A transformative leader in the global events industry, Hugh Forrest dedicated more than three decades of his life to building South by Southwest (SXSW) into one of the world's most influential gatherings of technology, innovation and culture. Over the course of his 30+ year tenure at SXSW, Hugh was honored as "Austinite of the Year" by the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce (i...

Who Is Nancy? Described as endlessly optimistic, Nancy is an exponential strategist, gatherer, and best-selling author of LEADERing: The Ways Visionary Leaders Play Bigger. As founder of the Femme Futurist Society, the Futurist(Mom) podcast and mother of three, her expertise and experiences range from A.I. to frozen foods to reinventing the internet. And with a drive to help caring leaders play bi...

Who is Patricia Fitzgerald? Patricia is a visual artist, author and mindfulness meditation facilitator located in Dublin, Ireland. Her main focus is on the art of Mandala and the power of mandala as a tool for the expansion of consciousness. Her internationally selling work has been exhibited extensively in Ireland and abroad. As well as creating stunningly detailed mandalas, she also hosts worksh...

Who Is Jennifer Sertl? Jennifer Sertl is an internationally recognized strategist, leadership coach, and marketing executive with more than two decades of experience across transportation, beauty, defense, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing. She is actively consulting through her firm Agility3R, where she helps organizations and executives build strategic capacity through resilience, responsiv...

Who Is Patrick Van der Pijl? Patrick founded Business Models Inc. the company that drives growth through innovation. BMI helps leaders and teams to systematically grow the core business, unlock new opportunities and build innovation capabilities. They work in collaboration with our clients like IKEA, ING, Mars, Medtronic and Heineken to create lasting results. After producing the global bestseller...

As I dug into John's story in preparation for his episode, I stumbled into not only a prolific writer but a deep thinker with a rich and interesting story. The kind of story and person I just love having a conversation with on the Team Powdered Donut™ podcast. John is as eloquent a speaker and thinker, as he is a writer. His own love story with Ana led to their book The Go-Giver Marriage, and they...

Who Is Tanya Hall? As CEO at leading hybrid publisher Greenleaf Book Group, Tanya drives growth efforts and fosters a culture built around serving authors. Prior to her current role, Tanya worked directly with Greenleaf's authors to develop publishing strategies (including multiple New York Times bestsellers); spearheaded growth strategies, including Greenleaf's ebook program and the River Grove d...

Who is Dr. Masha Malka? Over the years, Masha has worked with C-suite executives, entrepreneurs, and ambitious women worldwide — guiding them to break through limitations and design lives of purpose, freedom, and fulfillment. From co-founding ShiftHub – a global movement for women 40+ to transform midlife transitions into opportunities for growth, leadership, and authentic living - to founding Inb...

Although Angela was faced by a breast cancer diagnosis of her own at 34, she, like my Maureen, is not defined by her cancer. For that matter, none of us are. We are instead defined by the spaces we are in. The theme of TEDx UW-Madison where I met Angela. I was captivated by her first words. Having spoken at several TEDx myself, I remember thinking... wow. Just wow! And I remember crying. Her vulne...

Today's episode with Rob Wolcott jumps in to his book, Proximity, which describes how every industry will change the rest of our careers, as well as his founding of the Kellogg Innovation Network, TWIN Global and his years as a professor across several leading universities. As we discuss from his book, digital technologies of all sorts push the production of provision of value (products, services,...

Episode 14 of Season 2 of the Team Powdered Donut™ podcast is with Meredith Cooper, Co-Founder of Wonders & Worries. It is dropping on what would be my late wife Maureen’s 62nd birthday, her 12th on the other side of heaven, to whom Team Powdered Donut is dedicated. On that fateful morning of her passing on October 21, 2014, I wondered what to do next. Fortunately, we had been introduced to Wo...

Today's podcast episode features Janice Kruger, currently brand ambassador for the Side- Out Foundation. A few years ago, as she was launching the Leave It Better podcast for the Side-Out Foundation, I had the privilege of being her guest in my role as board chair for the foundation. In this episode recorded earlier this month, I have the privilege of her being my guest. Our episode is dropping to...

Who Is Chef Steve McHugh? With over 30 years of experience in the culinary industry, and author of the cookbook Cured, Chef Steve McHugh currently serves as a Chef Consultant for the Spurs Club, leveraging his expertise in restaurants, menu development, kitchen/bar design and culinary skills. His role focuses on creating innovative dining experiences, enhancing menu offerings, and supporting teams...

As I get deeper into Season 2 of the Team Powdered Donut™ podcast series, I can't help but reflect about the gift of people. The people I have met along life’s journey, as well as the people I will meet on my journey ahead as I travel the country the next few years via Airstream® with my mobile love letter, capturing stories in my podcast studio just like this one's today with Henry S. Bienen, the...

What is Live From Stage 4? "Live from Stage 4" is a bold, hopeful podcast where people living with metastatic breast cancer, clinicians, and researchers take center stage. They share real stories, decode the science, and spotlight the ideas and breakthroughs that matter — for patients, caregivers, and anyone who believes progress is possible. In their words, "this podcast is for us, by us, and all...

Today's episode is with Keith Bellizzi, author of "Falling Forward: The New Science of Resilience and Personal Transformation." Keith is a tenured professor at the University of Connecticut, as well as a four-time cancer survivor. We dive into all aspects of his life and reflect on how all our stories are connected. Keith and I were first introduced 3 years ago by a mutual friend and we were blown...