This week we pull back the curtain on the business side of healthcare: how hospitals actually make money, why our bills are high yet hospitals are doing layoffs, and what it was like to step into the CEO role as an interim first. Dr. Elizabeth Wako, President & CEO of Swedish Health Services, also shares how a simple idea in the delivery room dropped C-section rates for women of color from 44% to 27%.

Top stories this week:

1. The business of hospitals

2. Starbucks signs a lease in Nashville

3. Kraken takes majority ownership of Climate Pledge Arena

About Dr. Elizabeth Wako - President & CEO, Swedish Health Care Services:

She began her career in nursing before becoming a physician and anesthesiologist, then stepped into executive leadership as Chief Medical Officer before ultimately taking the top role of President & CEO. She made history as the first woman and first Black person to lead Swedish in its 116-year history. She holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Washington and an MBA, and is overseeing the development of the new Hughes Tower, a major investment in Seattle's healthcare infrastructure.

About host Rachel Horgan:

Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego.

Contact:

Email: info@theweeklyseattle.com

Instagram: @theweeklyseattle

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

This week we're talking all about the banking industry with former CEO and current Vice Chair of Wells Fargo Commercial Banking. Mary Knell shares a jaw-dropping fraud story that cost a local company millions mid-deal, gives her honest take on what small businesses are up against right now, and her opinion on the what the Sonics returning could do for our economy. All of this and your top news stories!

Top Stories:

1. Inside commercial banking: fraud, cybersecurity, and what banks wish you understood

2. Downtown Seattle office values decline

3. Blazing Bagels closes all five locations after nearly 25 years in business

4. NBA owners expected to vote on Seattle Sonics expansion

About Mary Knell - Vice Chair, Wells Fargo Commercial Banking:

Mary Knell has over 40 years of financial services experience and is a lifelong Seattle native. She serves on the Washington CEO Roundtable Board, the Greater Seattle Partners Executive Board, and is co-president of the International Women's Forum. She also sits on the board of the Museum of Flight and is a University of Washington alumna.

About host Rachel Horgan:

Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego.

Contact:

Email: info@theweeklyseattle.com

Instagram: @theweeklyseattle

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

We're talking about how the workforce is changing and what that means for Seattle. In this episode we talk about why 40% of the American workforce is now freelance and will be 50% by 2027. We talk about how to find your first clients, what companies get wrong about blended teams, and why the "stability" of a W-2 job might be a myth. We also dig into the data on women leaving the workforce and what organizations can actually do about it. All of this and your top news stories!

Top Stories:

1. Microsoft now requires 3 days a week in office

2. Amazon invests $50 billion into OpenAI (& the government drama)

3. The future (now) of work

New federal contractor rule

Why some employees aren't taking PTO despite experiencing burnout

Hybrid Workplace Playbook by Lions & Tigers

About Brea Starmer — CEO & Founder, Lions & Tigers:

Brea started Lions & Tigers seven years ago after being laid off while seven months pregnant. She has built the company into a flexible fractional workforce firm serving everyone from startups to enterprise clients, headquartered in Bellevue, WA. She is also a former PSBJ 40 Under 40. Learn more at lionsandtigers.com

About host Rachel Horgan:

Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego.

Contact:

Email: info@theweeklyseattle.com

Instagram: @theweeklyseattle

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com