Her Mom Said Go, And She Never Stopped - Sally Schwarz | She Lift Project Podcast #71

Her Mom Said Go, And She Never Stopped - Sally Schwarz | She Lift Project Podcast #71 What happens when a mother who was denied her own opportunity makes sure her daughter never misses hers? In this episode of the She Lift Project Podcast, Cynthia Kirkpatrick sits down with Sally Schwarz, emeritus professor of radiology at Washington University in St. Louis and former president of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging. Sally shares her remarkable journey from growing up in a small town in Iowa to becoming a global leader in nuclear pharmacy and radiopharmaceutical science. Sally’s mother earned a full scholarship to college but was not allowed to accept it. That moment shaped everything. Determined that her daughters would have every opportunity she did not, she pushed Sally to pursue education, stay curious, and never stand back. Sally went on to help shape the future of nuclear medicine, lead international regulatory efforts, build PET radiopharmaceutical programs, and travel the world advancing science. But her career was anything but linear. She stepped away. She pivoted. She launched a clothing design business. She returned. She raised her hand. She kept learning. In this conversation, you will hear: • How generational influence shapes confidence and ambition • Why your career path does not have to be straight to be successful • What it takes to return to a profession after stepping away • The power of networking beyond your immediate circle • How saying yes to opportunity builds long term impact • Why resilience matters more than perfection This episode is for women navigating career pivots, leadership roles, motherhood, or moments of uncertainty. It is a reminder that your path can evolve, expand, and surprise you if you stay open to growth. If you have ever wondered whether you are too late, too different, or too nonlinear to succeed, this conversation will challenge that belief. Sally proves that curiosity, courage, and support can carry you farther than you ever imagined. 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 Connect with Guest Sally Schwarz:   / sally-schwarz-9478156   Connect with Host Cynthia Kirkpatrick:   / cynthia-kirkpatrick-cpa-cfp   If this conversation resonated with you, subscribe to the She Lift Project Podcast for more stories of women rising in leadership, career, and life. #WomenInLeadership #CareerGrowth #WomenInScience #NonlinearCareer #WorkingMoms #SheLiftProject #ProfessionalWomen #LeadershipPodcast