Heart to Heart Podcast with Dr. Jeff Gold

On this episode, Dr. Gold is joined by Drew Leisy, the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s 2025-2026 Student Body President and Student Regent. They discuss the important role of student regents and student government, why UNO serves an important role for the Omaha community and Drew’s advice for future student leaders.

On this episode, Dr. Gold is joined by the Honorable Deborah L. Wince-Smith, President & CEO of the Council on Competitiveness. They discuss competitiveness and what it means, the mission of the Council on Competitiveness and the role higher education plays in ensuring a strong future for innovation and growth in the U.S.

On this episode, Dr. Gold is joined by Dr. Kyle Meyer, associate vice chancellor for health workforce initiatives at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. They discuss Nebraska’s growing demand for health professionals, the impact of rural training programs and how collaboration across the university and our state can help ensure every Nebraskan has access to quality care—close to home.

On this episode, Dr. Gold is joined by Dr. Dele Davies, Interim Chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center. They talk about Dr. Davies’s time at UNMC and the impact, influence and innovation Nebraska’s only academic medical center makes for students, researchers and the health of all Nebraskans.

On this episode, Dr. Gold is joined by Mike Cassling, chairman of the Aksarben Foundation Board of Governors. They discuss the Aksarben Foundation’s recently released workforce development study, its role in shaping Nebraska’s future and how organizations like the Aksarben Foundation and the University of Nebraska can work together to keep our state strong.

In this episode, Dr. Gold is joined by John Ewing, mayor of the City of Omaha. The conversation includes a reflection on Mayor Ewing's background and experience, some of the key issues facing the City of Omaha and why strong city-university partnerships are critical to Omaha’s future.

In this episode, Dr. Gold is joined by Brock Calamari, student body president and student regent at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The conversation includes a reflection on Calamari’s journey into the medical field, his thoughts on leadership and advice for fellow students interested in becoming a leader on campus.

In this episode, Dr. Gold is joined by Dr. Mark Reid, dean of the University of Nebraska at Kearney’s College of Education. The conversation includes a reflection Dr. Reid’s leadership journey, the evolving needs of Nebraska’s schools and how the College of Education at UNK is helping to meet critical workforce demands.

In this episode, Dr. Gold is joined by University of Nebraska at Omaha Chancellor Joanne Li. The conversation includes a reflection on Chancellor Li's leadership journey, workforce development efforts underway at UNO and how the Maverick Spirit is embodied in UNO students, faculty, staff and alumni.

In this episode, Dr. Gold is joined by Dr. Jim Linder, Chief Executive Officer of Nebraska Medicine and Chair of the Nebraska Medicine Board of Directors. The conversation includes a reflection on Dr. Linder’s journey and a discussion on how artificial intelligence is transforming the field of medicine.

In this episode, Dr. Gold is joined by Dr. Neal Schnoor, the University of Nebraska at Kearney's Chancellor Priority Candidate. The conversation explores Dr. Schnoor’s rural Nebraska roots, leadership philosophy, and vision for UNK’s future.

In this episode, Dr. Gold is joined by Lori Byrne, executive vice president of advancement and campaign director at the University of Nebraska Foundation. They discuss Lori’s personal journey, the impact of philanthropy and the pivotal role the University of Nebraska Foundation plays in building a strong future for our university and our state.

In this episode, Dr. Gold is joined by Dr. Joann Sweasy, Director of the UNMC Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center. They discuss Dr. Sweasy’s personal journey, her vision for the future of the Buffett Cancer Center, and the pivotal role that mentorship and innovation play in creating a healthier tomorrow.

In this episode, Dr. Gold is joined by John Arch, Speaker of the Nebraska Legislature and alumnus of the University of Nebraska at Omaha. They discuss Speaker Arch’s vision for the state, how his experiences have shaped his leadership journey, and the pivotal role the University of Nebraska plays in shaping our collective future.

In this episode, Dr. Gold is joined by General (Ret.) John Hyten, the former Vice Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff—the second-highest-ranking military officer in the United States. They discuss General Hyten's career journey, the lessons he’s learned from leading complex organizations, and the unique role that partnerships—including those with the University of Nebraska—play in addressing the challenges of today and tomorrow. Find out more on Heart to Heart, where we get to the heart of how the University of Nebraska makes a difference in everyday lives

On this episode, Dr. Gold is joined by Jennifer Boomgaarden Daoud, president and chief executive officer of the Omaha Symphony. They discuss her career journey—from aspiring trumpet player to leading a premier music organization—partnerships between the University of Nebraska and the Omaha Symphony, and the powerful impact of music education and engagement.

In this episode, Dr. Gold is joined by Congressman Mike Flood, a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law, who has served Nebraska’s 1st District in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2022. They discuss Congressman Flood’s career journey, his time in the Nebraska Legislature, some of his key priorities and the importance of public service. Find out more on Heart to Heart, where we get to the heart of how the University of Nebraska makes a difference in everyday lives.

In this episode, Dr. Gold is joined by Dr. Rebekah Gundry, director of the Center for Heart and Vascular Research and chair of the UNMC Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology. They discuss Dr. Gundry’s career journey, outline the current state of heart and vascular disease in the U.S. and highlight research currently underway at UNMC to use technology to improve diagnoses, drug discovery and treatments. Find out more on Heart to Heart, where we get to the heart of how the University of Nebraska makes a difference in everyday lives.

In this episode, Dr. Gold visits with the 2024-25 student body president and student regent, Sam Schroeder. Sam is a junior political science major with a public law minor. He grew up in Seward, Nebraska and is passionate about bettering the communities that he is in. Dr. Gold and Sam discuss his academic journey, what it's like being a student regent, what he hopes to accomplish as the student body president for UNK, and what leadership means to him. Find out more on Heart to Heart, where we get to the heart of how the University of Nebraska makes a difference in everyday lives.

In this episode, Dr. Gold visits with early childhood expert Dr. Walter Gilliam. Dr. Gilliam is the executive director of the Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska. The institute transforms the lives of young children by improving their learning and development. Dr. Gold and Dr. Gilliam discuss career journeys, the early childhood needs here in Nebraska, the national opportunities around early childhood and how the Buffett Early Childhood Institute draws from research in every discipline to help solve complex, nuanced and persistent early childhood problems. Find out more on Heart to Heart, where we get to the heart of how the University of Nebraska makes a difference in everyday lives.

In this episode, Dr. Gold visits with special guest Dr. Shane Farritor—an engineer, an innovator and an entrepreneur. Shane has received significant funding from NASA and the Army to do research on robotic surgery and has been building surgical robots ever since. Shane cofounded Virtual Incision, a company that is working to transform abdominal surgeries with a miniaturized, first-of-its-kind surgical robot, MIRA. MIRA was tested on the International Space Station earlier this year, where it completed its first surgery demo in zero gravity. Find out more on Heart to Heart, where we get to the heart of how the University of Nebraska makes a difference in everyday lives.