The Minor Consult

In this special episode in front of a live audience at the Stanford School of Medicine, Dean Lloyd Minor welcomes Renee Wegrzyn, inaugural director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, known as ARPA-H, within the National Institutes of Health. They explore Renee’s vision and roadmap for the new agency, which was established in 2022 with the mission of accelerating high-impact research to drive transformative solutions in health and health care. 

Renee outlines the agency’s model for rapidly developing groundbreaking innovations and how her experience at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency informs her leadership of ARPA-H. She also discusses the importance of public-private collaborations, leveraging sophisticated technological platforms, and engaging diverse perspectives in advancing breakthroughs to address the most pressing challenges for patients and communities.

Dean Lloyd Minor welcomes Carla Harris, an accomplished Wall Street executive, leadership coach, author, and singer. They explore her pioneering career path, breaking barriers in the corporate world, and the importance of investing in the development of executives and entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups. 

They also discuss the value of insight versus oversight in leadership, the power of self-reflection and intentionality, and what it takes for an organization to successfully improve diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Dean Lloyd Minor welcomes former FDA commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb to discuss the role of government agencies in improving public health and handling crises. During their conversation, they examine the influence of business, politics, and finance on science and medicine, how to strike a balance between innovation and regulation in the health market, and changes that would better prepare the U.S. for the next public health crisis. 

They also dive into the importance of active listening in leadership, being open to new organizational mindsets, and anticipating the range of reactions from businesses, communities, and individuals in times of uncertainty.

In a special episode recorded in front of a live audience at the Stanford School of Medicine, Dean Lloyd Minor welcomes award-winning author and physician-scientist Siddhartha Mukherjee. They discuss Siddhartha’s new book, The Song of the Cell, how history and philosophy inform our understanding of biomedical progress, and the importance of conveying authority, while also acknowledging uncertainty, in science communication. Siddhartha also talks about his writing process, how he balances his work as a writer, physician, scientist, and entrepreneur, and biomedical breakthroughs that give him hope for the future.

Dean Lloyd Minor welcomes cultural anthropologist, attorney, and author Roberta Katz to discuss her professional journey and insights from her book Gen Z, Explained: The Art of Living in a Digital Age. During their conversation, they explore the values and viewpoints of the first digitally native generation, including the high regard for authenticity, adaptability, and human connection. They also talk about what older generations can learn from Generation Z and what to expect from interpersonal relationships and leadership as the digital information age evolves in coming decades.

Dean Lloyd Minor welcomes Ford Foundation President Darren Walker, who journeyed from a segregated small town in Texas to a successful career on Wall Street before taking the helm of one of the world’s most impactful philanthropies. Together, they discuss the opportunities for upward mobility that exist in our country and share how living with purpose and pursuing social justice are vital to ensuring everyone can reach their potential. Additionally, Darren discusses the importance of addressing root causes of inequity in America in order to mend divisions and reinforce our common humanity. 

Dean Lloyd Minor welcomes leadership expert and adventurer, Alison Levine, for a discussion about finding greatness at the intersection of dreams and determination. During their conversation Alison shares leadership lessons she learned while summiting the world’s tallest mountains. Additionally, she and Dean Minor  talk about pushing past limitations, rejecting complacency in favor of opportunity, and the value of resilience – even if it means relentlessly focusing on the next step rather than the end result. They also discuss  ways to empower teams, the freedoms and opportunities in failure, and living without regrets. Are you up to the challenge?

In this episode, Dean Lloyd Minor welcomes actor, musician, and Hollywood superstar John Stamos discuss personal and professional impacts of the pandemic, the joys and legacies of family, and overcoming life’s hurdles to embrace purpose and success. Along the way, they touch on John’s four-decade career as an actor (including many show business memories), The Beach Boys and the power of music, and the importance for leaders to respect others, seize opportunities, and find outlets of expression and human connection.

In this episode, Dean Lloyd Minor is joined by President and CEO of Mental Health America, Schroeder Stribling. After discussing her journey to activism and leadership, they examine the emerging mental health crisis, how to deal with societal traumas, and the keys to building an effective nonprofit. Together, they explore the power of networks, radical hospitality, building communities, and collaborative action to provide hope and 

In this episode, Dean Lloyd Minor welcomes former Director of the National Institute of Mental Health, Thomas Insel. Together, they dive into the complex challenges that have exacerbated global mental health throughout COVID-19 pandemic, and how the field must evolve to meet the present moment. They also explore the importance of building organizations around a foundational mechanism or principle, and the power of taking risks to pursue innovation.