March 17, 2026

Sally Schwarz: Her Mom Said Go, And She Never Stopped

Episode 71
“Don’t stop just because someone told you no.”

Sally Schwarz: Her Mom Said Go, And She Never Stopped

Episode 71

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“You just have to do it, come back and face what is new and different and learn and grow. You can’t stop thinking. You have to keep thinking, how can I go forward with this. Nothing has to be the way it is. It isn’t going to be a straight line, it’s going to take its own path, and you have to be ready to follow that path and move forward.”

In this episode of the She Lift Project Podcast, Cynthia talks with Sally Schwarz, a retired emeritus professor of radiology at Washington University in St. Louis and a global leader in nuclear pharmacy. Sally built a groundbreaking career in radiopharmaceutical science, regulatory leadership, and international medical innovation while helping shape the future of nuclear medicine. They discuss her journey from a small town in Iowa to global scientific leadership, and how her mother’s determination for her daughters’ education shaped the risks, pivots, and opportunities that defined her life.

This episode is for women who are navigating career decisions, considering a pivot, or wondering if their path has to be perfectly planned. Listeners will learn how curiosity, networking, resilience, and saying “yes” to opportunities can open doors they never expected. After listening, you will feel more confident trusting your own path, taking the next step forward, and pursuing success in whatever form it takes.

Show Notes

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
02:00 Growing up in Iowa and her mother’s influence
06:30 Discovering radiopharmacy
12:30 Leaving and returning to her career
20:00 Building a global career in nuclear medicine
29:30 Regulatory battles and shaping PET standards
37:00 Leadership, mentorship, and saying yes
51:30 Motherhood and career balance
1:01:00 Women in science and evolving opportunities
1:10:00 Advice on resilience, risk, and reinvention

Content Notice

This podcast and all She Lift Project content represents the opinions of Cynthia Kirkpatrick and her guests. The content here is for informational purposes only, and should not be taken as professional advice – financial, legal, medical, or otherwise.

Views and opinions expressed in the podcast and across all She Lift Project media channels are our own and do not represent that of our places of work. While we make every effort to ensure that the information we are sharing is accurate, we welcome any comments, suggestions, or correction of errors.

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