Thoroughly Thriving

What does it really take to lead when nothing goes according to plan? In Episode 33 of Thoroughly Thriving , we sit down with Manasi Jaiman , a biotech leader driving innovation in high-stakes environments, to unpack what it means to lead through uncertainty, failure, and transformation. From navigating acquisitions to building resilient teams and empowering women in leadership, Manasi shares powe...

What does it take to turn a bold scientific idea into real-world impact? In Episode 32 of Thoroughly Thriving , we sit down with Bassil Dahiyat , co-founder and CEO of Xencor, to unpack the journey of building a biotech company from the ground up—and staying committed to that vision for nearly three decades. From pioneering protein engineering to developing life-changing therapies for cancer and a...

What does it take to lead effectively in today’s fast-moving biotech and clinical landscape? In Episode 31 of Thoroughly Thriving , Tara Hun-Dorris shares powerful insights on leadership, decision-making, and navigating complexity in life sciences. From managing high-stakes environments to developing strong, resilient teams, this conversation is packed with real-world wisdom for current and aspiri...

In Episode 30 of the Thoroughly Thriving Podcast, Darren and Sean sit down with Junior Laysa , VP and Head of Operations at Nkarta, Inc, to explore what truly drives high-performing teams in biotech. Junior shares real-world leadership insights from scaling operations in complex, highly regulated environments where cross-functional alignment isn’t optional — it’s essential for survival. From build...

In Episode 29 of the Thoroughly Thriving Podcast, we sit down with Jerlyn to unpack one of the most overlooked leadership challenges — avoiding conflict. Jerlyn shares powerful insights on why unaddressed tension quietly grows, how it impacts teams and performance, and what it actually takes to lead through discomfort with clarity and confidence. If you’re in leadership, building a team, or naviga...

In Episode 28 of Thoroughly Thriving, we sit down with Abby Kennedy , Vice President of Clinical Operations at Jasper Therapeutics, to explore what leadership truly looks like inside today’s evolving biotech landscape. With over 20 years of experience in pharmaceutical and biotech organizations, Abby shares practical wisdom on: Navigating difficult workplace dynamics Leading with curiosity instead...

In this episode of Thoroughly Thriving , hosts Sean Burroughs and Darren Thevathasan sit down with Jonathon Parker , a seasoned neuroscience and regulatory leader with experience across Big Pharma and innovative biotech. Jonathon shares how human-centered leadership , curiosity, and patient-first thinking shape better regulatory strategies—especially in an era driven by AI, digital biomarkers, and...

In this episode of Thoroughly Thriving , hosts Darren Thevathasan and Sean Burroughs sit down with Joseph Kim , Chief Strategy Officer at ProofPilot , to break down what’s really slowing down clinical research — and how the industry can get back to the fundamentals that actually work. Joseph shares insights on: Why clinical research has drifted away from foundational scientific principles The true...

In this episode of Thoroughly Thriving , hosts Darren Thevathasan and Sean Burroughs sit down with Dr. Cameron Trenor , Chief Medical Officer at Cellarity and pediatric hematologist oncologist at Boston Children’s Hospital. Cameron shares his journey from academic medicine to biotech leadership, including: Building medical leadership functions from the ground up Why evidence-based decision-making...

In this episode of Thoroughly Thriving , hosts Darren Thevathasan and Sean Burroughs sit down with Dr. Gavin Corcoran, Chief Development Officer at Formation Bio—a trailblazing AI-native pharma company. Gavin shares insights from a remarkable career in global pharma and biotech, offering practical wisdom on leadership in high-pressure environments, decision-making with incomplete data, and how aut...

In this episode of Thoroughly Thriving , we sit down with Marcus Littman , Vice President of Drug Safety at Iovance Biotherapeutics , to explore his remarkable 20+ year journey through the evolving world of pharmacovigilance. From serendipitous beginnings to leading global safety teams, Marcus shares: How signal detection blends science with storytelling The role of AI and automation in shaping dr...

In this Thoroughly Thriving host-only episode, Darren Thevathasan and Sean Burroughs pull back the curtain on one of the most foundational topics: Living Your Legacy . They get personal—discussing family, leadership, career, and how intentionality defines the legacy we leave in every area of life. 🎙️ Topics Covered: What legacy really means (beyond money or titles) How intentionality helps align w...

Sterling Chung, VP of Regulatory Affairs and Quality at Aurion Biotech, joins Thoroughly Thriving for an incredible deep dive into biotech leadership, regulatory strategy, and the evolution of innovation in cell and gene therapy. With over 20 years of experience across Big Pharma and agile biotech startups, Sterling shares what drives him, the importance of mentorship, how he failed forward throug...

Join Darren Thevathasan and Sean for a powerful conversation blending the grit of marathon training with the challenges of today’s job market. From missed goals to major wins, Darren shares how endurance, vulnerability, and strategic preparation fuel both athletic and career success. With stories from the San Diego Marathon and the Ragnar relay, this episode equips you with practical tools for lea...

In this episode of Thoroughly Thriving , we’re joined by Andrew Goldstein , senior conference producer and multimedia editor at the Conference Forum , where he orchestrates some of the most impactful life sciences events like CMO Summit 360 , IO360, and PODD . Andrew shares the secret sauce behind building authentic communities, driving collaboration, and keeping patient-centricity at the forefron...

In this powerful episode of Thoroughly Thriving , we sit down with Brad Lozan , Managing Director at Concuir Consulting, who shares lessons from 25+ years in life sciences leadership. From project delivery and compliance to cultivating purpose-driven teams, Brad drops gems on thriving in a fast-moving, high-stakes industry. What You’ll Learn: How to lead with values in pharma & biotech Culture...

In this episode of Thoroughly Thriving, we introduce Chad McDonald, the newest member of the Thorough Group's senior team, who is leading our Northeast practice. With nearly 20 years of experience in human capital solutions, Chad shares his journey and insights into the life sciences industry, emphasizing the importance of personal relationships in recruitment. 🔹 Key Takeaways: Chad discusses the...

Join us on Thoroughly Thriving as we welcome Marcus Sawyerr , a visionary leader in HR technology, talent acquisition, and digital transformation. From his early days as a professional soccer player to leading workforce solutions for industry giants, Marcus shares his incredible journey , the power of community-driven hiring , and the future of AI in recruitment . 🔹 Key Takeaways: How  sports sha...

In this episode of  Thoroughly Thriving , we welcome Jill Herendeen, a seasoned regulatory professional, to explore the intricate world of drug development and regulatory affairs. With over two decades of experience, Jill shares her insights on navigating the complex landscape of regulatory strategies, particularly for early-stage biotech companies. Join Darren, Sean, and Jill as they discuss: The...

Culture is the foundation of every great team. In this episode, Darren & Sean break down how to integrate cultural alignment into your hiring process. Listen in for key strategies to build a team that truly thrives! 🗣️ Quotes"A strong culture doesn’t just attract great people—it keeps them." "The best teams share more than skills—they share values." 🚀 Don’t miss this conversation! 🔔 Subscrib...

The Science of Mental Resilience with Dr. Steve Linton🎙 In this episode of Thoroughly Thriving, Dr. Steve Linton unpacks the psychology of resilience, stress management, and how to turn obstacles into opportunities.👉 Key Takeaways:✅ How to harness stress instead of fearing it✅ The neuroscience behind overcoming limiting beliefs✅ Practical strategies to build an unshakable mindset 🗣️ Quotes fro...

In this episode of  Thoroughly Thriving , we dive deep into the intricate dance of balancing professional and personal lives with special guests, Darren and Jeena Thevathasan. As a dynamic couple in the life sciences industry, they share their insights on finding rhythm amidst the chaos of busy schedules, parenting, and community involvement. Discover their practical strategies for nurturing relat...

In this episode, we explore the mindset shifts, strategies, and daily disciplines that separate the average from the extraordinary. Discover how small actions compound into life-changing habits and why redefining success is key to finding true purpose. This episode is packed with: ✔️ Stories that inspire and challenge your thinking ✔️ Practical tools to overcome fear and self-doubt ✔️ Insights on...

Sean and Darren share critical insights on Q1 talent movement in the life sciences industry. Discover why employees leave, how to attract top talent, and proven strategies for long-term recruiting success. Perfect for biotech, pharma, and HR leaders planning for 2025. #HumanCapital #TalentMovement #Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #RecruitmentStrategy #ThoroughlyThriving

What happens when personal struggles lead to groundbreaking visions? In Episode 08 of Thoroughly Thriving , Travis Stiles takes us on his inspiring journey from helplessness to hope. Discover how his personal battle with neurological challenges ignited a passion for healing, blending science, faith, and determination. Listen now to uncover Travis's story, his mission, and how you can take practica...