“I belong in this room, and my voice needs to be in this room.” 

“People are always looking at what leaders do, not just what they say.” 

“At the end of the day, every business, every organization, ultimately is about its people and its talent.” 

Just three of the many executive insights from Michael Fisher, former CEO of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, in this episode of Bearcats Mean Business. 

In a conversation with Lindner dean Marianne Lewis, Fisher reflects on climbing the steep learning curve of executive leadership and embracing the discipline of intentional growth. He shares defining crucible moments — from civic unrest in Cincinnati to a tragic medical error early in his Cincinnati Children’s tenure — and how humility, courage and a commitment to learning shaped his leadership approach. 

The conversation also examines the culture and leadership development practices that helped elevate Cincinnati Children’s to national prominence, including identifying rising talent, investing in mentorship and building systems that align performance with purpose. Fisher underscores the importance of civic leadership, ethical responsibility and developing leaders who are not only capable, but deeply human. 

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Welcome to Bearcats Mean Business, the official podcast of the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business, where inspiring career stories, honest lessons and fresh business perspectives from the people building impact in the real world come together. 

Leadership rarely follows a straight line. Christ Hospital Health Network President & CEO Deborah Hayes joins Lindner dean Marianne Lewis to reflect on a leadership journey that began with working nights as a student nurse aide and progressed into leading a major hospital system.

Deborah shares candid lessons on taking ownership of career development, creating learning opportunities beyond formal training, and stepping into leadership roles before feeling fully prepared.

This conversation delivers real-world insights on leading outside one’s technical expertise, navigating crisis, and building cultures that truly care for caregivers.

Grounded in problem solving, civic engagement, and lifelong learning, Deborah offers practical guidance for students and professionals alike seeking to lead with clarity, resilience, and purpose.

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Welcome to Bearcats Mean Business, the official podcast of the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business, where inspiring career stories, honest lessons and fresh business perspectives from the people building impact in the real world come together.

Building a business isn’t just about skill — it’s about purpose, resilience, and perspective.

In this episode of Bearcats Mean Business, student entrepreneur Shawn Peterson discusses how his upbringing, Lindner education, and learning-by-doing mindset have shaped both his outlook and his photography business, Shawnie’s Cinema. 

From managing clients and coursework to handling feedback and self-doubt, Shawn offers a transparent look at what student entrepreneurship actually demands — and why starting before you feel “ready” can be one of the most powerful moves a student can make. 

This conversation is designed to inspire students, creatives, and aspiring entrepreneurs seeking to frame their work with intention and build businesses that reflect who they are — not just what they do.

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Welcome to Bearcats Mean Business, the official podcast of the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business, where inspiring career stories, honest lessons and fresh business perspectives from the people building impact in the real world come together. 

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Learn more about Shawnie’s Cinema. 

What does it really take to build companies — and when should you start? 

In this episode of Bearcats Mean Business, entrepreneur and Lindner alum Phil Santoro shares his journey from founding his first business at 13 to working at Google — and ultimately building and scaling companies as the co-founder of startup studio Wilbur Labs. 

Phil talks candidly about learning by doing, taking calculated risks, and why real-world experience matters more than waiting for the “perfect moment.” He also reflects on how his Lindner education complemented his entrepreneurial mindset, why he now invests in entrepreneurship education, and how giving back has become a core part of his story. 

This episode is packed with practical insights for students, aspiring founders, and anyone thinking about building a career — or a company — on their own terms.

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Welcome to Bearcats Mean Business, the official podcast of the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business, where inspiring career stories, honest lessons and fresh business perspectives from the people building impact in the real world come together.

***

• Follow Phil Santoro on LinkedIn.
• Learn more about Wilbur Labs.

Co-produced and hosted by Lindner student Mirsayah Wasnuk, Sustainability in Business: A Bearcats Mean Business Student Series, explores the connection between sustainability and key areas of business, while offering students practical insights on how to integrate sustainable thinking into their career paths. 

In the final episode of this series, Mirsayah sits down with Assistant Professor of Industrial Design Braden Trauth to discuss how sustainable thinking drives innovation, return on investment and long-term value creation.

This episode is a must-listen for students who want to build careers that balance profit, purpose and impact.

In this episode of Bearcats Mean Business, Liwei Chen, an Amazon best-selling author and Associate Professor of Operations, Business Analytics, and Information Systems, explains what students truly need to know about Generative AI. 

The co-author of “Generative AI for Business: Frameworks, Techniques and Governance” — recently named the No. 1 new release in the “business education and reference category” on Amazon — shares the most common questions she hears from students, the essential GenAI skills every future professional should build, and how to use AI responsibly in the classroom. 

Liwei also discusses how fast-changing AI tools are reshaping coursework, career paths and the future of business. 

Co-produced and hosted by Lindner student Mirsayah Wasnuk, Sustainability in Business: A Bearcats Mean Business Student Series, explores the connection between sustainability and key areas of business, while offering students practical insights on how to integrate sustainable thinking into their career paths. 

In this episode, Mirsayah recounts her voyage to Belém, Brazil, with third-year Lindner student Serenity Pastor and Lindner Community Engagement Assistant Director Brienne Blair, to attend COP30, an international climate summit.

Mirsayah, Serenity and Brienne detail their COP30 takeaways, making impactful professional connections, bringing knowledge back to Lindner and more.

Co-produced and hosted by Lindner student Mirsayah Wasnuk, Sustainability in Business: A Bearcats Mean Business Student Series, explores the connection between sustainability and key areas of business, while offering students practical insights on how to integrate sustainable thinking into their career paths. 

In this episode, Mirsayah sits down with UC Assistant Sustainability Coordinator Jen Vasconcellos to explore how Lindner and UC students are shaping the future of sustainability through hands-on programs, volunteer opportunities, and leadership in student organizations. Discover how getting involved on campus can spark both environmental change and career growth.

In this episode of Bearcats Mean Business, we spotlight co-op through an interview with Preston Simon, a second-year finance and business economics student who’s already built an impressive résumé through hands-on roles in finance. 

Preston reflects on his co-op experiences with UBS Financial Services, where he supported client strategy and investment tracking, and RKCA Investment Bank, where he’s sharpening his skills in financial modeling, valuation and deal preparation. Along the way, Preston shares how campus involvement and networking have helped him grow both personally and professionally. 

Whether you’re a student exploring co-op or a professional curious about UC’s next generation of business leaders, this episode shows how Lindner’s co-op model launches careers. 

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Co-op at Lindner 

Cooperative education, or co-op, empowers students to tackle real-world problems, learning-by-doing and putting theory into practice via paid, professional experiences with Lindner’s hundreds of employer partners. Co-ops help students gain the skills, confidence and connections to launch their business careers. Students and employers customize co-op experiences with several options, including full-time, part-time and project-based engagements.

In this episode of Bearcats Mean Business, Lindner assistant professor-educator Steven Jones and Lindner senior Ryan Baillie explore the world of project management — from classroom lessons to real-world leadership. 

Jones, who enjoyed a successful career in project management before joining Lindner, shares how the college is preparing students to manage complex projects across industries through its operations management program. Baillie, a triple major and president of the UC Project Management Club, offers a student perspective on how experiential learning and involvement at Lindner have shaped his professional goals. 

The conversation also previews “Crafting the Future: Business AI Success Strategies,” a summit hosted by the Southwest Ohio and Dayton/Miami Valley chapters of Project Management Institute at the Lindner College of Business on Nov. 8. Whether you’re a student curious about project management or a professional looking to enhance your skills, this episode offers valuable insights into building a foundation for success.

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About the Carl H. Lindner College of Business

At the Carl H. Lindner College of Business, our mission is to empower business problem solvers to tackle the world’s challenges.

We fuel professional growth through our distinctive combination of academic and hands-on experiences: our problem-solving mindset, cooperative education, flexible pathways, dynamic and supportive community, and vibrant, urban setting.

Begin your business problem-solving journey today.