Épisodes

  • Beyond Cadavers: Synthetic Tissue Is Changing Surgical Training Forever with CEO Adam Clark | Ep. 27

    Beyond Cadavers: Synthetic Tissue Is Changing Surgical Training Forever with CEO Adam Clark | Ep. 27
    Nov 13 2025
    On this episode, host Steph Pliha sits down with Adam Clark, CEO of IMRA Surgical. A surgical training company advancing hyper realistic synthetic tissue and progression-based learning to replace animals and cadavers.Adam shares his journey from the military to J&J, Medtronic, and Intuitive, why VR plus synthetics beats single-episode learning in cadaver labs, and how global adoption of robotic surgery is accelerating in the UK, Japan, India, and beyond. You’ll hear the 'Sim to Synthetics' model, how reusable torsos with single-use hydrogel cartridges work, and why building an A-player culture matters in medtech startups. If you care about surgical outcomes, ethics, and training to proficiency, this one’s for you. 00:00 Intro to Adam Clark01:12 From Military to Medtech Leadership06:16 The DaVinci Aha Moment and Intuitive Year07:24 Moving to Australia and Founding Mission08:49 Replacing Animals and Cadavers with Synthetics12:18 Progression-Based Learning and Proficiency Models15:27 Sim to Synthetics Framework Explained17:18 Cost, Travel, and Efficiency Benefits for Hospitals19:53 Reusable Torsos and Hydrogel Cartridges20:59 Team, R&D, and Clinical Validation Roadmap29:45 Global Shift to Robotic Surgery in 10 Years (UK)32:00 Startup Realities, Fundraising, and Hiring A-Players37:15 Pathways, Promotions, and Culture Building41:58 Books, Mentors, and Leadership Mindset48:26 Outro and CTALearn More about Guest Speaker - Adam Clark and IMRA Surgical:website: imrasurgical.comlinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-clark-3312714🎁 FREE RESOURCES TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS:✨Brand Brief Template: https://tribeagency.myflodesk.com/brandbrief ✨Entrepreneur Checklist:https://tribeagency.myflodesk.com/30daye-checklist ✨Automated Marketing:https://tribeagency.myflodesk.com/automatedmarketing ✨15 Strategic Investor Slides: https://tribeagency.myflodesk.com/getfunded 🚀 LAUNCH AND BRAND YOUR BUSINESS WITH ME!30 Day Entrepreneur Course: https://30dayentrepreneur.tribeagency.org/ Brand Masterclass: https://tribeagency.myflodesk.com/brandmasterclass 🎙️ SUBSCRIBE TO LEADR. PODCAST:Latest interviews with innovators and industry leaders: https://tribeagency.org/leadr-podcast CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL:📱Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tribeagency1/ 📱Twitter/X: http://x.com/TribeAgency1 📱LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephpliha/📱YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@makeyourbrandaverb ABOUT ME:I'm Steph Pliha, Founder & Principal of Tribe Agency with 20+ years in leadership. After building multiple 7-figure businesses, I now help entrepreneurs transform their brands from nouns to verbs. My Make your Brand a Verb™ Framework has helped countless businesses dominate their markets through strategic positioning and marketing that delivers real results.📱LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephpliha/ BUSINESS INQUIRIES:hello@tribeagency.org#MakeYourBrandAVerb #BrandStrategy #StartupMarketing #SmallBusiness #Branding #MedtechMarketing #BusinessTips #LeadrPodcast #Medtech #Startups
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    49 min
  • Managing Heart Failure with CEO Mohamed Abou-Alam | Ep. 26

    Managing Heart Failure with CEO Mohamed Abou-Alam | Ep. 26
    Nov 6 2025
    In this episode of Leadr. Podcast, host Steph Pliha sits down with Mohamed Abou-Alam, CEO of Precision Cardiovascular, to discuss how remote monitoring could redefine heart failure management. An engineer turned investor turned CEO, Mohamed shares lessons from Samsung, venture capital, and now medtech, where he’s leading a team building implantable sensors that track heart pressure in real time. For medtech leaders, this episode reveals what it takes to build culture, foster partnerships, and stay mission-driven while navigating complexity.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 – Introduction: Tackling Heart Failure with Remote Monitoring02:10 – Engineering Roots to Medtech Innovation05:40 – From Venture Investor to Medtech CEO08:00 – Understanding Heart Failure and Remote Patient Care10:50 – Inside Precision Cardiovascular’s Implantable Sensor13:30 – Redesigning Remote Monitoring for Patient Adoption16:20 – Lessons from Cardiac Pioneer Sir Magdi Yacoub18:50 – Using Activity Data to Improve Heart Failure Insights21:00 – Why Partnerships Drive Medtech Success23:20 – Building Company Culture in Healthtech Startups26:20 – Leading Distributed Teams in Global Medtech32:00 – Mentorship, Energy, and Leadership in Innovation33:40 – The Book That Built Grit and Resilience34:20 – Humor and Perspective in Startup Leadership37:50 – Closing Reflections on Purpose and ProgressGet in touch with Guest Speaker:Website: https://www.precision-cv.com/LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohamedaboualam/Take our Free 2 Min Survey: https://precision-cardiovascular.webflow.io/🎁 FREE RESOURCES TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS:✨Brand Brief Template: https://tribeagency.myflodesk.com/brandbrief ✨Entrepreneur Checklist:https://tribeagency.myflodesk.com/30daye-checklist ✨Automated Marketing:https://tribeagency.myflodesk.com/automatedmarketing ✨15 Strategic Investor Slides: https://tribeagency.myflodesk.com/getfunded 🚀 LAUNCH AND BRAND YOUR BUSINESS WITH ME!30 Day Entrepreneur Course: https://30dayentrepreneur.tribeagency.org/ Brand Masterclass: https://tribeagency.myflodesk.com/brandmasterclass 🎙️ SUBSCRIBE TO LEADR. PODCAST:Latest interviews with innovators and industry leaders: https://tribeagency.org/leadr-podcast CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL:📱Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tribeagency1/ 📱Twitter/X: http://x.com/TribeAgency1 📱LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephpliha/📱YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@makeyourbrandaverb ABOUT ME:I'm Steph Pliha, Founder & Principal of Tribe Agency with 20+ years in leadership. After building multiple 7-figure businesses, I now help entrepreneurs transform their brands from nouns to verbs. My Make your Brand a Verb™ Framework has helped countless businesses dominate their markets through strategic positioning and marketing that delivers real results.📱LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephpliha/ BUSINESS INQUIRIES:hello@tribeagency.org#MakeYourBrandAVerb #BrandStrategy #StartupMarketing #SmallBusinessBranding #MedtechMarketing #BusinessTips #LeadrPodcast #Medtech #StartupsFTC Disclosure: Some links shared are affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission from purchases made at no additional cost to you.© 2025 Tribe Agency. All Rights Reserved.
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    40 min
  • The Surgeon Who Built a Data Company with Dr. John Porterfield | Ep 25

    The Surgeon Who Built a Data Company with Dr. John Porterfield | Ep 25
    Oct 28 2025
    What happens when a world-class robotic surgeon becomes a founder? In this episode, Dr. John Porterfield of Informed Surgical shares how his experiences in the OR and robotic surgery inspired a new way to measure surgical quality. He explains why patient outcomes—not volume or reputation—should drive referrals, and how data transparency can change healthcare incentives. A grounded conversation for medtech executives rethinking the future of value-based surgery.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 – From Surgeon to Medtech Founder: The Informed Story03:15 – Robotic Surgery Innovation and Early Adoption at UAB04:10 – Leadership and Ironman Lessons in Surgical Discipline08:37 – From Rural Roots to Data-Driven Healthcare10:20 – Mentorship, Family, and Sustainable Surgical Careers13:07 – Founding Informed Surgical with Intuitive’s Sal Brogna17:00 – How Data and AI Are Redefining Surgical Quality21:17 – Inside ProCendi.com: Building Patient Access Through Data27:22 – The Informed Algorithm: Risk Adjustment and Surgical Outcomes46:17 – Innovation Ethics: What Keeps a Surgeon-Founder Up at NightConnect with Dr. John Porterfield and Informed Surgical:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-porterfield/Website: https://informedsurgical.com/Alternatively, website for finding quality surgeons in your area: https://procendi.com/🎁 FREE RESOURCES TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS:✨Brand Brief Template: https://tribeagency.myflodesk.com/brandbrief✨Entrepreneur Checklist: https://tribeagency.myflodesk.com/30daye-checklist✨Automated Marketing: https://tribeagency.myflodesk.com/automatedmarketing✨15 Strategic Investor Slides: https://tribeagency.myflodesk.com/getfunded🚀 LAUNCH AND BRAND YOUR BUSINESS WITH ME!30 Day Entrepreneur Course: https://30dayentrepreneur.tribeagency.org/Brand Masterclass: https://tribeagency.myflodesk.com/brandmasterclass🎙️ SUBSCRIBE TO LEADR. PODCAST:Latest interviews with innovators and industry leaders: https://tribeagency.org/leadr-podcastCONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL:📱Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tribeagency1📱Twitter/X: https://x.com/TribeAgency1📱LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tribebrand/📱YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@makeyourbrandaverbABOUT ME:I'm Steph Pliha, Founder & Principal of Tribe Agency with 20+ years in leadership. After building multiple 7-figure businesses, I now help entrepreneurs transform their brands from nouns to verbs. My Make your Brand a Verb™ Framework has helped countless businesses dominate their markets through strategic positioning and marketing that delivers real results.BUSINESS INQUIRIES:hello@tribeagency.org#MakeYourBrandAVerb #BrandStrategy #StartupMarketing #SmallBusinessBranding #MedtechMarketing #BusinessTips #LeadrPodcastFTC Disclosure: Some links shared are affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission from purchases made at no additional cost to you.© 2025 Tribe Agency. All Rights Reserved.
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    53 min
  • The Future of Breast Imaging Innovation with Dr. Tara and Dr. Peymon Ghazi | Ep. 23

    The Future of Breast Imaging Innovation with Dr. Tara and Dr. Peymon Ghazi | Ep. 23
    Sep 29 2025
    Dense breast tissue creates blind spots in screening and drives uncertainty for patients and clinicians. Dr. Tara Ghazi and Dr. Peymon Ghazi of MALCOVA are addressing this challenge with advanced imaging and AI-powered decision support. In this episode, we explore clinical trial design, proof points that matter, and strategies for building trust with radiologists. Investors will find a grounded view of milestones worth tracking, while operators and clinicians will gain insight into practical adoption paths.00:00 – Intro: why this conversation00:03 – Meet Dr. Tara & Dr. Peymon Ghazi (MALCOVA)00:08 – The dense-breast screening gap08:28 – Patient experience and comfort in imaging10:20 – Risks of status quo screening10:36 – Clinical workflow and radiology integration18:03 – Guidelines and real-world context21:09 – AI triage and decision support28:25 – Entering the clinical phase: proof points37:53 – Future of breast-imaging innovationGuest Speaker(s):Website: ⁠https://malcova.com/⁠LinkedIN: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/taraghazi/⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/peymon-ghazi/🎁 FREE RESOURCES TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS:✨Brand Brief Template:⁠ ⁠⁠https://tribeagency.myflodesk.com/brandbrief⁠✨Entrepreneur Checklist:⁠https://tribeagency.myflodesk.com/30daye-checklist ⁠✨AutomatedMarketing:⁠https://tribeagency.myflodesk.com/automatedmarketing ⁠✨15 Strategic Investor Slides:⁠ ⁠⁠https://tribeagency.myflodesk.com/getfunded ⁠🚀 LAUNCH AND BRAND YOUR BUSINESS WITH ME!30 Day Entrepreneur Course:⁠ ⁠⁠https://30dayentrepreneur.tribeagency.org/ ⁠Brand Masterclass:⁠ ⁠⁠https://tribeagency.myflodesk.com/brandmasterclass ⁠🎙️ SUBSCRIBE TO LEADR. PODCAST:Latest interviews with innovators and industry leaders: ⁠https://tribeagency.org/leadr-podcast ⁠CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL:📱Instagram:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/tribeagency1/ ⁠📱Twitter/X:⁠ ⁠⁠http://x.com/TribeAgency1 ⁠📱LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephpliha/⁠📱YouTube:⁠https://www.youtube.com/@makeyourbrandaverb ⁠ABOUT ME:I'm Steph Pliha, Founder & Principal of Tribe Agency with 20+ years in leadership. After building multiple 7-figure businesses, I now help entrepreneurs transform their brands from nouns to verbs. My Make your Brand a Verb™ Framework has helped countless businesses dominate their markets through strategic positioning and marketing that delivers real results.📱LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephpliha/ ⁠BUSINESS INQUIRIES:hello@tribeagency.org⁠#MakeYourBrandAVerb⁠⁠ #BrandStrategy⁠⁠ #StartupMarketing⁠⁠ #SmallBusinessBranding⁠⁠ #MedtechMarketing⁠⁠ #BusinessTips⁠⁠ #LeadrPodcast⁠ #Medtech #StartupsFTC Disclosure: Some links shared are affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission from purchases made at no additional cost to you.© 2025 Tribe Agency. All Rights Reserved.
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    45 min
  • Building Strong Medtech Teams with Drue DeAngelis | Ep. 22

    Building Strong Medtech Teams with Drue DeAngelis | Ep. 22
    Sep 29 2025
    In this episode of Leadr. Podcast, host Steph Pliha sits down with Drue DeAngelis, founder of The DeAngelis Group and an industry veteran with nearly four decades in orthopedics. From carrying a Zimmer sales bag to leading at Stryker, and ultimately building his own retained search practice, Drue shares how his career evolved and why alignment between talent and company mission matters more than ever. For medtech founders and investors, his perspective on leadership, fundraising challenges, and building resilient executive teams offers practical lessons. He also explains why he launched MSK Innovations as a platform for CEOs to pitch and connect with world-class investors.00:00 – Introduction01:23 – Breaking into orthopedics with Zimmer02:25 – Building with Stryker and rapid growth04:00 – Transition to entrepreneurship and search05:30 – Why contingency recruiting fails08:00 – Moving into retained search and C-suite roles13:25 – Launching new ventures and MSK Innovations16:00 – Building a pitch platform for medtech CEOs20:30 – Acquiring Orthopedics This Week24:00 – Reinventing a media platform for MSK innovators28:30 – The founder’s challenge: technical vs. commercial leadership33:30 – Traits that define successful medtech CEOs40:00 – Capital raising, board dynamics, and runway risks48:00 – Closing reflectionsGuest Speaker(s):Website: https://www.orthospinesearch.com/ LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ddeangelis/ 🎁 FREE RESOURCES TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS:✨Brand Brief Template: https://tribeagency.myflodesk.com/brandbrief✨Entrepreneur Checklist:https://tribeagency.myflodesk.com/30daye-checklist ✨AutomatedMarketing:https://tribeagency.myflodesk.com/automatedmarketing ✨15 Strategic Investor Slides: https://tribeagency.myflodesk.com/getfunded 🚀 LAUNCH AND BRAND YOUR BUSINESS WITH ME!30 Day Entrepreneur Course: https://30dayentrepreneur.tribeagency.org/ Brand Masterclass: https://tribeagency.myflodesk.com/brandmasterclass 🎙️ SUBSCRIBE TO LEADR. PODCAST:Latest interviews with innovators and industry leaders: https://tribeagency.org/leadr-podcast CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL:📱Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tribeagency1/ 📱Twitter/X: http://x.com/TribeAgency1 📱LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephpliha/📱YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@makeyourbrandaverb ABOUT ME:I'm Steph Pliha, Founder & Principal of Tribe Agency with 20+ years in leadership. After building multiple 7-figure businesses, I now help entrepreneurs transform their brands from nouns to verbs. My Make your Brand a Verb™ Framework has helped countless businesses dominate their markets through strategic positioning and marketing that delivers real results.📱LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephpliha/ BUSINESS INQUIRIES:hello@tribeagency.org#MakeYourBrandAVerb #BrandStrategy #StartupMarketing #SmallBusinessBranding #MedtechMarketing #BusinessTips #LeadrPodcast #Medtech #StartupsFTC Disclosure: Some links shared are affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission from purchases made at no additional cost to you.© 2025 Tribe Agency. All Rights Reserved.
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    51 min
  • The Secret Weapon for Winning in Leadership & Life | Dr. Travis Bradberry | Ep. 21

    The Secret Weapon for Winning in Leadership & Life | Dr. Travis Bradberry | Ep. 21
    May 8 2025

    Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the secret weapon every leader needs to win — in business and in life.


    In this episode of Leadr. Podcast, Steph Pliha sits down with bestselling author and emotional intelligence pioneer Dr. Travis Bradberry to explore how mastering emotional triggers, self-awareness, and relationship management transforms leadership at every level.


    Dr. Bradberry shares powerful insights from his new book The New Emotional Intelligence and practical strategies to strengthen your EQ skills.


    📚 Pre-Order The New Emotional Intelligence: https://amzn.to/3GFrJUS


    🎯 Takeaways:

    • How to strengthen emotional intelligence in everyday life

    • Why EQ is the difference-maker for leadership success

    • New updates from The New Emotional Intelligence

    • Tips for recognizing and managing emotional triggers


      Ways to Connect:

      💡 Connect with Stephanie Pliha: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniepliha

      💡 Connect with Dr. Travis Bradberry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisbradberry/


      🔔 Subscribe for more leadership insights: https://tribeagency.org/leadr-podcast


      🔔 Join the waitlist for Make Your Brand a Verb Masterclass: https://tribeagency.myflodesk.com/brandmasterclass
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    31 min
  • How This NEW Hernia Treatment Changes Everything for Men! | Ep. 20

    How This NEW Hernia Treatment Changes Everything for Men! | Ep. 20
    May 2 2025

    Dr. Shirin Towfigh breaks down gender-specific hernia mesh designs that are transforming patient care—and why every surgeon needs business savvy.


    In Episode 20 of the Leadr. Podcast, Dr. Shirin Towfigh—leading hernia surgeon and medical-device innovator—shares her journey from the OR to the boardroom.


    You’ll learn how gender-based mesh designs are improving outcomes, why “if you don’t have revenue, it’s a hobby,” and the strategic marketing steps needed to commercialize a device.


    Whether you’re a surgeon eyeing entrepreneurship or a MedTech marketer, this episode delivers actionable insights on:

    • Clinical evidence & patient-first mesh design

    • Surgeon-engineer collaboration

    • Patent strategy & medical-device commercialization

    • Building revenue-driven practices


    Timestamps / Chapters:
    00:00 Intro & Guest Bio
    02:59 The Business of Medicine
    05:51 Journey in Surgery & Innovation
    09:06 Surgeon–Engineer Collaboration
    11:59 Gender-Based Mesh Designs
    14:58 Commercialization & Marketing
    17:49 Future of Hernia Mesh Products
    21:02 Navigating the MedTech Industry
    24:01 Final Thoughts & Advice
    30:58 Understanding Mesh in Surgery
    36:04 Evolution of Hernia Repair
    39:01 Future of Hernia Surgery
    47:17 Mentorship & Leadership Insights


    Connect & Learn More:
    – Stephanie Pliha (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniepliha
    – Dr. Shirin Towfigh (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/shirintowfigh
    – Full podcast page & show archive: https://tribeagency.org/leadr-podcast
    – Work with us: https://tribeagency.org/contact


    Keywords of episode: Dr. Shirin Towfigh, hernia treatment, hernia mesh, medical device innovation, surgeon entrepreneur, commercialization, marketing strategies, clinical evidence, patient care, mentorship, leadership


    May 2, 2025 at 9 AM PT
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    57 min
  • What Makes a GREAT MedTech Executive in 2025? | Leadr. Podcast Ep.19

    What Makes a GREAT MedTech Executive in 2025? | Leadr. Podcast Ep.19
    Mar 17 2025

    Watch episode 19 with host Steph Pliha on Leadr. Podcast as she discusses the essential leadership qualities needed to win in MedTech with Tim Matthews, a distinguished leader and consultant from Spencer Stewart. Uncover the nuances of effective leadership that are shaping the future of MedTech.

    In This Episode:

    ♦️Leadership Evolution: Tim’s journey from Intuitive Surgical leadership to his influential role at Spencer Stewart.

    ♦️Emotional Intelligence: How emotional intelligence underpins successful team dynamics and leadership.

    ♦️Executive Strategies: Insights into Spencer Stewart’s unique executive search approach and the pivotal role of board dynamics in corporate governance.

    ♦️Remote Leadership: Tactics for maintaining strong team culture and building relationships in a remote work environment.


    Key Insights:

    • The necessity of empowering teams and fostering a positive culture for peak performance.
    • Importance of understanding and implementing emotional intelligence in leadership roles.
    • Strategic executive assessments and their impact on shaping effective leaders.
    • The challenges and opportunities of leading in a post-pandemic, remote-first world.


    Don’t Miss Our Upcoming Events:

    Sign Up for the Brand and Marketing Masterclass Waitlist: Don't miss out on transforming your brand into a market leader.

    Join the waitlist today!

    🔗 https://tribeagency.myflodesk.com/brandmasterclass


    Connect with Us:

    🔗 Watch on YouTube and Apple Podcast: tribeagency.org/leadr-podcast


    🔗 Reach out to Tim Matthews on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-matthews/


    🔗 Explore more about Spencer Stewart: https://www.spencerstuart.com/


    🔗 Discover more episodes at Leadr. Podcast: https://tribeagency.org/leadr-podcast


    🔗 For collaborations or inquiries: https://tribeagency.org/contact
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    48 min