#47 Oct 30, 25

Unlocking RNA Secrets: Live Cell RNA Analysis Redefined with Dr. Marsha Hartman

In this episode, Dr. Marsha Hartman, Fractional CEO of Exodigm Biosciences, shares her journey from epidemiology to leading-edge biotech innovation. She explores how Exodigm’s breakthrough cell analysis technology is advancing personalized medicine and reshaping the future of diagnostics. The conversation dives into the lessons learned from COVID-19, the balance between science and strategy in leadership, and the ethical dimensions of AI in healthcare. Dr. Hartman also reflects on the importance of listening, collaboration, and purpose-driven work in creating meaningful impact across the life sciences.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Marsha Hartman and Her Journey
03:09 The Intersection of Epidemiology and Immunology
06:00 Sales and Science: A Unique Blend
09:13 COVID-19: A Case Study in Epidemiology and Immunology
11:52 The Role of Biomarkers in Personalized Medicine
15:02 Exodigm: Transforming Cell Analysis
17:58 Marsha's Transition to CEO
20:48 Leadership Philosophy and Personal Growth
27:27 The Art of Listening in Leadership
30:07 Lessons from COVID-19: A Global Experience
34:01 The Role of Technology in Healthcare
36:12 The Future of Personalized Medicine
39:22 Patient Data Ownership and Accessibility
42:20 The Ethical Use of AI in Healthcare
44:23 Finding Your Purpose and Aligning with Others

Guest Information:

Guest's Name: Dr. Marsha L. Hartman
Guest's Title/Position: Fractional CEO
Guest's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marsha-l-hartman-phd-4b77903b/
Company / Affiliation: Exodigm Biosciences https://www.exodigm.com/
Guest's Bio: Dr. Marsha L. Hartman is the Fractional CEO of Exodigm Biosciences, a pioneering startup within the General Inception portfolio. At Exodigm, she is leading efforts to revolutionize cellular biology by enabling live single-cell analysis through transcriptomic insights — helping researchers and biomanufacturers work precisely with the cells they need. With a background in epidemiology and extensive leadership experience across diagnostics, biotech, and commercialization, Dr. Hartman brings a strategic and scientific lens to building scalable solutions for the next generation of cell therapy and analysis. Under her leadership, Exodigm is pushing the boundaries of innovation to accelerate discovery and redefine what’s possible in cellular science.

Takeaways:

Marsha Hartman has a unique background in epidemiology and immunology.
She transitioned from academia to sales and marketing in the life sciences.
COVID-19 highlighted the importance of understanding immunology and epidemiology together.
Biomarkers play a crucial role in personalized medicine and treatment outcomes.
Exodime is pioneering live cell RNA analysis, which could revolutionize cell therapy.
Marsha's leadership style is collaborative and focused on team success.
She believes in the power of hard work, honesty, and hope in both life and science.
Perfectionism can hinder authentic leadership and team dynamics.
Building relationships is key to successful collaboration in science and business.
Marsha's journey illustrates the importance of adaptability and continuous learning.
As a leader, you must be a philosopher and a listener.
Listening to your team can reveal insights you may not be aware of.
COVID-19 taught us valuable lessons about collective experiences.
Technology has accelerated advancements in healthcare.
Personalized medicine is the future of healthcare.
Patients should have ownership of their health data.
AI can help eliminate biases in data interpretation.
Collaboration is key to solving healthcare challenges.
Understanding your purpose can guide your actions.
Aligning with others can lead to greater impact.

Episode Video

Creators and Guests

Host

Heath Fletcher

With over 30 years in creative marketing and visual storytelling, I’ve built a career on turning ideas into impact. From brand transformation to media production, podcast development, and outreach strategies, I craft compelling narratives that don’t just capture attention—they accelerate growth and drive measurable results.

Guest

Dr. Marsha L. Hartman

Dr. Marsha L. Hartman is the Fractional CEO of Exodigm Biosciences, a pioneering startup within the General Inception portfolio. At Exodigm, she is leading efforts to revolutionize cellular biology by enabling live single-cell analysis through transcriptomic insights — helping researchers and biomanufacturers work precisely with the cells they need. With a background in epidemiology and extensive leadership experience across diagnostics, biotech, and commercialization, Dr. Hartman brings a strategic and scientific lens to building scalable solutions for the next generation of cell therapy and analysis. Under her leadership, Exodigm is pushing the boundaries of innovation to accelerate discovery and redefine what’s possible in cellular science.

Producer

Meghna Deshraj

Meghna Deshraj is the CEO and Founder of Bullzeye Growth Partners, a strategic consultancy that helps businesses scale sustainably and profitably. With a background spanning corporate strategy, IT, finance, and process optimization, she combines analytical rigor with creative execution to drive measurable results. Under her leadership, Bullzeye has generated over $580M in annual growth and more than $1B in client revenue, guiding organizations through large-scale integrations, business transformations, and organizational change initiatives. A Certified Six Sigma Black Belt, Meghna’s superpower lies in strategic marketing and growth consulting, helping businesses grow through innovation, efficiency, and strong, trusted partnerships.