EPISODE 60
Oct 8, 2025

stories move the world With zoanne clack

Grey’s Anatomy Executive Producer and physician Dr. Zoanne Clack joins The Other 80 at Aspen Ideas: Health to talk about what public health leaders can learn from Hollywood storytelling. After training as a doctor and working for the CDC, Zoanne followed her childhood dreams and moved to Hollywood. With no job or warm leads, Zoanne set out to use the power of storytelling to drive health change. 

We discuss:
  • What Shonda Rhimes taught Zoanne about standing in power
  • Making it as a Hollywood “showrunner”
  • Why public health leaders should lean into storytelling

Zoanne reminds us that stories - even about fictional characters - help us move the world: 

“I think just having that feeling of belonging, that feeling of ‘these are my people, and I am very interested in what they're doing and thinking’ is just a great way for the media in Hollywood to have impact.”

LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE on your preferred podcast platform

RELEVANT LINKS

  • Watch the two episode Zoanne mentioned are her favorites:

    • “Fight the Power” Season 17, Episode 5

    • “The Time Warp” Season 6, Episode 15

  • See Zoanne’s filmography

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Zoanne Clack is executive producer and showrunner for “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Station 19.” An emergency medicine physician turned TV writer and showrunner, Clack is best known for her influential writing roles on these critically acclaimed ABC-TV series, where she combines her medical background and artistic flair, offering a unique and authentic touch. As a writer/producer on "Grey's Anatomy" since the show began, she has played an integral role in the show's longevity and cultural impact. She uses her knowledge of entertainment education to promote global public health issues through the media, advocating for representation and inclusivity and providing diverse characterizations as well as poignant social commentary. Clack is co-chair of the Norman Lear Center’s Hollywood, Health & Society program at USC’s Annenberg School of Journalism and serves on the board or as an advisor of several global health groups.

CONNECT WITH US

For more information on The Other 80 and to connect with our team, please email claudia@theother80.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.