In this episode of Fast Forward STL, host Keith Alper sits down with Mike Mazzeo, dean of WashU Olin Business School. Hear about his journey from Stanford-trained economist and longtime Northwestern professor to university leadership during the rapid changes of 2020. Mazzeo outlines WashU Olin’s programs and shares why strengthening ties with St. Louis executives and alumni is key to deeper local engagement. He offers advice for navigating fast-moving change—including AI—emphasizing curiosity, flexibility, and critical thinking over narrow skills. The conversation also explores St. Louis’ future, from increasing density and attracting global talent to building a stronger health and biotech startup ecosystem, with practical insight on the industries and connections that can drive growth. Watch on YouTube, and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. Love the show? Be sure to follow or subscribe.

This episode is sponsored by Capes Sokol, a St. Louis–based law firm that helps businesses and individuals navigate legal challenges with clarity, strategy, and a strong understanding of today’s marketplace. Their attorneys collaborate closely with clients to support informed decisions and long-term growth. Whether you’re starting, growing, or protecting what you’ve built, Capes Sokol provides the legal insight to help you move forward with confidence. Learn more.

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You may also enjoy these articles from SLM:
St. Louis Business 500: Q&A with Michael Mazzeo, WashU’s Olin Business School
WashU business school launches three new master’s programs with input from St. Louis employers
New WashU initiative will bring business insights to health industry
St. Louis Magazine‘s latest business coverage
More podcasts from St. Louis Magazine
Subscribe to St. Louis Magazine‘s Business newsletter
Shop St. Louis Magazine podcast merch

In this episode of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/fast-forward-stl/">Fast Forward STL,</a>&nbsp;host Keith Alper sits down with&nbsp;<a href="https://olin.washu.edu/faculty/michael-mazzeo">Mike Mazzeo</a>, dean&nbsp;of&nbsp;<a href="https://olin.washu.edu/">WashU&nbsp;Olin&nbsp;Business School</a>. Hear about his journey from Stanford-trained economist and longtime Northwestern professor to university leadership during the rapid changes of 2020. Mazzeo outlines WashU Olin&rsquo;s programs and shares why strengthening ties with St. Louis executives and alumni is key to deeper local engagement. He offers advice for navigating fast-moving change&mdash;including AI&mdash;emphasizing curiosity, flexibility, and critical thinking over narrow skills. The conversation also explores St. Louis&rsquo; future, from increasing density and attracting global talent to building a stronger health and biotech startup ecosystem, with practical insight on the industries and connections that can drive growth. Watch on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYnyrcREHGmdXtX9NEhHsFKPnlX-sLmL">YouTube</a>, and listen on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fast-forward-stl/id1862226079">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6GMNrMGxJcajuyAsnAAkTa">Spotify</a>, or your favorite podcast platform. Love the show? Be sure to follow or subscribe.
This episode is sponsored by&nbsp;<a href="https://capessokol.com/">Capes Sokol</a>, a St. Louis&ndash;based law firm that helps businesses and individuals navigate legal challenges with clarity, strategy, and a strong understanding of today&rsquo;s marketplace. Their attorneys collaborate closely with clients to support informed decisions and long-term growth. Whether you&rsquo;re starting, growing, or protecting what you&rsquo;ve built, Capes Sokol provides the legal insight to help you move forward with confidence.&nbsp;<a href="http://capessokol.com/">Learn more.</a>
New to podcasts?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/how-to-listen/">Follow these instructions</a>&nbsp;to start listening to our shows, and hear what you&rsquo;ve been missing!
Want more?&nbsp;Check out all of&nbsp;St. Louis Magazine&rsquo;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/">podcasts</a>.
You may also enjoy these articles from&nbsp;SLM:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.stlmag.com/business/michael-mazzeo-washu-olin-business-school/">St. Louis Business 500: Q&amp;A with Michael Mazzeo, WashU&rsquo;s Olin Business School</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.stlmag.com/business/washu-business-school-new-masters/">WashU business school launches three new master&rsquo;s programs with input from St. Louis employers</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.stlmag.com/business/new-washu-initiative-will-bring-business-insights-to-health-care-industry/">New WashU initiative will bring business insights to health industry</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.stlmag.com/business/">St. Louis Magazine&lsquo;s latest business coverage</a></li>
<li><a href="http://stlmag.com/podcasts">More podcasts from&nbsp;St. Louis Magazine</a></li>
<li><a href="https://info.stlmag.com/st-louis-business-newsletter">Subscribe to&nbsp;St. Louis Magazine&lsquo;s Business newsletter</a></li>
<li><a href="https://store.stlmag.com/collections/podcast">Shop&nbsp;St. Louis Magazine&nbsp;podcast merch</a></li>
</ul>

Fast Forward STL is a business and innovation podcast hosted by entrepreneur, investor, producer, and CEO of The Nitrous Effect companies, Keith Alper. Each episode features leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators doing remarkable work connected to St. Louis and the greater region. Together, they explore ideas, stories, and strategies that shape growth, spark curiosity, and occasionally make you say, “I didn’t know that.” From bold startups to legacy organizations reinventing themselves, the conversations dig into how people build, create, and solve real problems, and why it matters to our city’s future. The goal is simple: learn, explore, and help move St. Louis fast forward through business, leadership, and innovation.

Fast Forward STL&nbsp;is a business and innovation podcast hosted by entrepreneur, investor, producer, and CEO of The Nitrous Effect companies, Keith Alper. Each episode features leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators doing remarkable work connected to St. Louis and the greater region. Together, they explore ideas, stories, and strategies that shape growth, spark curiosity, and occasionally make you say, &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t know that.&rdquo; From bold startups to legacy organizations reinventing themselves, the conversations dig into how people build, create, and solve real problems, and why it matters to our city&rsquo;s future. The goal is simple: learn, explore, and help move St. Louis fast forward through business, leadership, and innovation.