Podcasts about blue cross blue shield

 The Big Unlock · Dr. Andrea Willis, SVP & Chief Medical Officer, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee In this episode, Dr. Andrea Willis, SVP and Chief Medical Officer at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, shares how payers can harness AI to advance affordable, accessible, and more human-centered care. From her clinical roots to leading population health, quality, and health equity initiatives, Dr. Willis brings a deeply personal commitment to service. She describes how AI is being deployed across care management and utilization management, not to replace clinicians or deny care, but to augment teams, accelerate evidence-based decisions, and close gaps in care. In care management, AI-powered summarization and prompting help staff stay fully present with members while improving engagement and measurable outcomes. In utilization management, transparency, evidence-based criteria, and clear documentation remain foundational to rebuilding provider trust. She also highlights that relevance matters more than data volume, and that guided self-service must balance automation with timely human escalation. Dr. Willis emphasizes transparency in prior authorization, cross-functional governance, AI literacy goals across the enterprise, and strong PHI protections. For here, scaling AI responsibly – through interoperability, collaboration, and measurable impact – is key to rebuilding trust and transforming the healthcare experience. Take a listen.

Civil Rights: May health insurance plans categorically decline coverage for "gender affirming care" for minors? - Argued: Thu, 12 Feb 2026 15:29:6 EDT

Host Jeremy C. Park interviews Neki Catron, Corporate Global Community Engagement, Inclusion and Diversity leader with Sylvamo and Chair of the Corporate Social Purpose Network with Volunteer Tennessee, who highlights Sylvamo's global operations and its commitment to corporate social responsibility, then spotlights the Corporate Social Purpose Network's role in coordinating private sector engagement across Tennessee.During the interview, Neki highlights Sylvamo and discusses her background and role at the global company. Known as the "World's Paper Company," Sylvamo is based in Memphis, Tennessee with operations across the United States, Brazil, and Europe. She then highlights the importance of the Corporate Social Purpose Network with Volunteer Tennessee for coordinating private sector engagement and addressing local and statewide needs, mentioning collaborations and partnerships with other organizations in the network like Bridgestone, Dollar General, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee. She emphasizes the network's role in facilitating learning, coordination, and alignment among diverse organizations to address community needs effectively.The Corporate Social Purpose Network, led by Volunteer Tennessee, was established in 2024 to connect corporate leaders in CSR and sustainability across Tennessee. The network aims to drive positive transformation by convening companies to share resources, information, and best practices in areas like peer-to-peer sharing, community engagement, philanthropy, volunteerism, and sustainability. Jeremy highlights the potential for companies to strategically engage their employees in community service, noting the significant impact of mobilizing large workforces compared to individual volunteer recruitment.Neki discusses the Corporate Social Purpose Network's activities in Tennessee, highlighting their work since 2025 in listening to CSR professionals and hosting events across the state. She explains their upcoming events in 2026, including Purpose Exchange programs and the 2026 Tennessee Conference on Volunteerism and Service-Learning on March 9. Neki emphasizes that businesses can join the network for free, with opportunities for sponsorship at events, and encourages leaders to participate in their mission to strengthen community engagement and collaboration across Tennessee.Visit www.VolunteerTennessee.net or https://www.tn.gov/volunteer-tennesse... to learn more about the Corporate Social Purpose Network with Volunteer Tennessee. Visit https://www.sylvamo.com/us/en/ to learn more about Sylvamo.

When Insurance Gets Between Doctors and PatientsDr. Elizabeth Ames and Dr. Caleb Bupp are deeply committed to their patients. But like so many clinicians today, they're spending an extraordinary amount of time battling insurance companies instead of practicing medicine.Between prior authorizations, step therapy requirements, and outright coverage denials, physicians and their teams are buried in paperwork, often at the direct expense of patient care. Time that should be spent listening, diagnosing, and treating is instead consumed by forms, phone calls, and appeals.Boston Globe reporter Jonathan Saltzman raised the concern and Dr. Ames brought it to my attention. The reporter talks about, a new program rolled out by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. The insurer says the initiative is designed to control rising healthcare costs for its 3 million members, noting that costs have increased by 30 percent since 2021. But, the program specifically targets physicians who bill for the most expensive visits. The reason for the increased expense, which is discussed in our podcast, is because doctors are choosing to spend more time with rare disease patients who have complicated health issues. They need to spend more time with complex medical needs patients than say, someone with a sore throat.Drs. Ames and Bupp warn that this approach fundamentally misunderstands patient care, particularly for those with complex or rare conditions. “These patients don't need less time; they need more” says Dr. Ames. Physicians argue that policies like this risk rushed appointments, strained doctor/patient relationships, and poorer outcomes. Nowhere is this more concerning than in the rare disease community, where delays and denials can be devastating.Dr. Elizabeth Ames and Dr. Caleb Bupp talk about what this looks like in real life. As pediatric geneticists, they see firsthand how insurance barriers impact families already navigating diagnostic odysseys, uncertainty, and fear. Their work sits at the intersection of cutting-edge science and deeply human stories, and insurance interference often disrupts both. Dr. Ames, “Usually we get faxes saying, this has been denied and we start working on it. But the family gets a letter that the drug they need, the process is delayed by a “no”. We try and have good communication and say, “hey, we got this denial,” we're working on it. But I think it's deaths by a thousand cuts for the family. Families take the denial as, “I'm not worth of coverage, and that's really hard”. Dr. Bupp says they have had to hire genetic counselors, a job that didn't exist even 5 years ago, “We have a job description in our organization for it now because of the complexities that come with trying to unravel these insurance situations”.We should also note that Dr. Ames, Dr. Bupp, and I all serve on the Rare Disease Advisory Council (RDAC) in Michigan. “I think rare disease advocacy, there is power in numbers. One person can be a huge difference maker, but it's not one plus one equals two. It really exponentially grows, and I think with things like rare disease advisory councils, that gives you a better connection within your state, for state government and for advocacy. And I also think, or I hope, that it gives a place for an individual to plug in and that can then magnify and amplify. their voice so that they're not alone”. Many states have RDAC's, You can see if your state has an RDAC. For more on the Michigan RDACIn this article and in the podcast we are not speaking on behalf of the council, but it's important to understand why bodies like RDAC exist in the first place. Michigan is home to approximately one million people living with rare diseases, and the RDAC was created to ensure their voices, and experiences help shape policy. RDAC meetings are open to the public, and anyone in Michigan can participate and offer public comment. We hope you join our meetings via zoom (sometimes hybrid).This conversation isn't just about insurance policies. It's about time, trust, and whether our healthcare system truly serves patients, especially those with the most complex needs. Speak up, share your story. Advocate. Make a difference, Mold the future, for future generations.To look at the Everylife Diagnosis Odyssey https://everylifefoundation.org/delayed-diagnosis-study/ discussed in the podcast.  Everylife impact of diagnosis: https://everylifefoundation.org/burden-study/ Please like, subscribe, and comment on our podcasts!Please consider making a donation: https://thebonnellfoundation.org/donate/The Bonnell Foundation website:https://thebonnellfoundation.orgEmail us at: thebonnellfoundation@gmail.com Watch our podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@laurabonnell1136/featuredThanks to our sponsors:Vertex: https://www.vrtx.comViatris: https://www.viatris.com/enRead us on Substack: https://substack.com/@lstb?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-pageWatch our trailer of Embracing Egypt: https://youtu.be/RYjlB25Cr9Y

Our February series on topics for American Health Month continues with Dr. James Grant, Chief Medical Officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rising drug prices impact premiums and people alike. Hear how Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is putting pharmacy innovations to work to reduce costs and expand access for our members and customers.

Sleep aids are everywhere, and new sleep trends are emerging as sleep becomes a major wellness priority. On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Laura Hatton, Manager of Behavioral Health Parity at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Together, they discuss color noise, how they can help you sleep and the differences between them.In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore:Different color noisesHow noise can help you sleepWhy different sounds appeal to different people

New BlueCross BlueShield CEO says 'we have an affordability crisis' in Vermont

Dr. James Grant, Executive Vice President and Chef Medical Officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield joined us for the first of a weekly series on heart health during American Heart Month. This week, heart issues impacting younger adults.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this power-packed episode, we dive into two major fronts where labor is winning: Capitol Hill and member wellness. First, Pete Ielmini of the LMCT breaks down the historic 54-0 committee vote for the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act and why firestopping is the "life-safety" market union insulators need to own. Then, the experts from Blue Cross Blue Shield's National Labor Office join us to explain why "Food is Medicine" isn't just a trend—it's a survival strategy for shift workers and union families. Segment 1: Legislative Momentum & Life Safety Pete Ielmini, Executive Director of the Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust (LMCT), joins the show to discuss a massive legislative breakthrough. The 54-0 Win: How the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act cleared the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously and what the "suspension" process means for its future. Taxpayer Impact: Why auditing 350,000 federal buildings for insulation is a "no-brainer" for energy savings. Firestopping is Life Safety: Why union insulators are the experts in containing smoke and flame—and why building owners can't afford to wait for a tragedy to prioritize it. Mental Health Matters: An update on the Insulators' Member Assistance Program and the push to make mental health support as routine as a safety meeting. Segment 2: Nutrition as a Union Strategy We sit down with Merrilee Logue, Aishat Magbade, and Sarah Duggan Goldstein from the BCBS National Labor Office to talk about the "Food is Medicine" movement. Breaking Barriers: Why shift work, overtime, and "food deserts" make healthy eating a structural challenge for union members, not just a personal choice. Hidden Benefits: Are you leaving "Medically Tailored Meals" or "Produce Prescriptions" on the table? We discuss how to find these benefits in your existing health plan. Small Changes, Big Gains: Practical tips for locals to improve workplace nutrition and combat the chronic diseases that drive up healthcare costs. Key Quotes "The Federal Mechanical Insulation Act is a no-brainer... it's not just a bill, it's a journey toward public savings." — Pete Ielmini "Food is medicine is the concept that food is a factor for improving health outcomes by preventing, combating, or even managing disease." — Merrilee Logue What You'll Learn in This Episode: The status of the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act in the House and Senate. How the Firestop Market Recovery Program is helping contractors win more work. The difference between medically tailored groceries and standard nutrition. How to advocate for better nutrition benefits within your Local. Resources & Links: Mechanical Insulators LMCT Website Blue Cross Blue Shield National Labor Office Next Step: Check your health plan for "Medically Tailored Meals" or "Produce Prescriptions" today! Don't forget to subscribe to the America's Work Force Union Podcast for more updates from the front lines of the labor movement!

Today's guest is Ylan Kazi, Chief Data and AI Officer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota. Ylan joins Emerj Client Narrative & Content Strategy Lead Nick Gertsch to explore balancing AI innovation with risk governance in regulated healthcare sectors. Ylan also shares practical takeaways like forming cross-functional teams for realistic policy development, applying an AI Hippocratic Oath by starting with low-risk use cases to refine processes, and leveraging AI to improve patient experiences through lab result explanations and wait time predictions. Want to share your AI adoption story with executive peers? Click emerj.com/expert2 for more information and to be a potential future guest on the 'AI in Business' podcast!

In this episode, Joe talks with Cindy Bjorkquist, director of activation and events at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, about the connection between mental health and overall well-being, particularly for high-stress professionals such as CPAs. Bjorkquist shares practical, research-backed tools to help listeners calm their minds, build resilience, and respond thoughtfully under pressure.

It seems like everyone is walking around with a water bottle and that's a good thing. However, water bottles can pose a sneaky health risk. On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Dr. Jessica Huhn, Medical Director for Provider Engagement at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Together, they discuss the benefits of water bottles and how they can become a health hazard.In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore: The importance of hydrationWhy you need to clean your water bottleHow to clean your water bottle

Michigan State University has unveiled the signature initiatives of its specially appointed Green and White Council. The Council was convened by MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz and tasked with bringing forward ideas to strengthen the state's workforce, connect students to high-quality careers, and accelerate innovation across Michigan's industries. Launched by Guskiewicz in April, and co-chaired by Matt Elliott and Sanjay Gupta, the Green and White Council comprises more than a dozen prominent leaders, including representatives from Dart Container, Bedrock Detroit, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, ITC Holdings and Carhartt, representing a cross-section of industry and innovation that drive the economy.  Conversation Highlights:(1:37) - Before we discuss the signature initiatives, remind us why you thought it was important to pull this group together and what you charged them to do.(2:57) - Why did you select Matt and Sanjay to co-chair the council? And talk about the membership of the council and the variety of backgrounds you wanted to get input from.(4:16) - Why was it important to you to co-chair council and lead this initiative? And talk about the process and collaboration of the council. How did you do your work and go about selecting these three initiatives?(7:15) - Enhancing MSU's current work to connect education and industry, the members of the Green and White Council used their experience, knowledge and effort, to shape three transformative initiatives:  AI-Ready Spartans Career-Connected Spartans Spartan Catalyst Elaborate on the initiatives, and why did you settle on these three?(8:34) – What do you mean by AI-Ready Spartans?(12:00) – What are Career-Connected Spartans?(16:20) – What is a Spartan Catalyst?(21:33) – What are your thoughts on what Matt and Sanjay have been discussing?(23:23) - How do you envision the initiatives being implemented across campus over the coming weeks, months and even years?(27:36) - Will the council disband or will you keep working?(28:34) – Closing thoughts from the group.Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows. Conversation Transcript:Russ White (00:00):Michigan State University has unveiled the signature initiatives of the specially appointed green and white council. The council was convened by MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz and tasked with bringing forward ideas to strengthen the state's workforce, connect students to high quality careers and accelerate innovation across Michigan's industries. Launched by President Guskiewicz in April and co-chaired by Matt Elliot and Sanjay Gupta. The Green and White Council comprises more than a dozen prominent leaders, including representatives from Dart Container, from Bedrock Detroit, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, ITC Holdings and Carhartt representing a cross section of industry and innovation that drive the economy. And President Guskiewicz it's always great to have you back on the program. Good to see you again.Kevin Guskiewicz (00:51):Good to see you, Russ. Thanks for having me.Russ White (00:52):Sanjay Gupta is the Dean Emeritus, and Eli and Edythe L. Broad endowed professor in MSU's. Eli Broad College of Business. Sanjay, great to have you on again.Sanjay Gupta (01:02):Always good to be with you, Russ. Thank you.Russ White (01:03):And Matt, you've got your hands into so many things. I know Bank of America, just tell us how you'd like our audience to know about your background.Matt Elliott (01:10):Well, I'm the former president of Bank of America, Michigan, and now I lead a group of people under the banner of Blue Lake Ideas. And what we do is we consult with companies, boards, and institutions to help them lead through a world of accelerating change.Russ White (01:24):Excellent.Kevin Guskiewicz (01:25):And he's a proud Spartan alum. Russ White (01:26):Kevin, before we discuss the signature initiatives, remind us why you thought it was important to pull this group together and what you charge them to do.Kevin Guskiewicz (01:38):Well, Russ, I've said since I got here about 22 months ago now, that I wanted to be sure that Michigan State was always leading, that we were viewed as the leaders in research, education, service to the state, but also to the nation and the world. And we're going to lead in how we redefine the way in which we can better prepare our graduates for the workforce demands of today and tomorrow, jobs and careers that don't even exist today, that our graduates will be needing to be prepared for over the next three, four decades. So we charged them with gaining a better understanding from industry leaders in about five or six different sectors as to where higher ed is not delivering, it's going to be needed for the future, and I couldn't be happier with where we are. That's sort of one of the initiatives and others really around how we can better connect our graduates t...

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS Council Bill No. 2026-006: A Resolution Approving an Agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, to Provide the City with Health Insurance, and Approving a Health Insurance Waiver Incentive Program Council Bill No. 2026-007: A Resolution Approving the Purchase of Conduit Boring and Fiber Pulling ServicesCouncil Bill No. 2026-008: An Ordinance Amending Sections 5-1.33, 5-26.2, 5-32, 5-43 and 5-45 of the Champaign Municipal Code, 1985 Council Bill No. 2026-009: A Resolution Approving an Amendment to the Neighborhood Programs ManualCouncil Bill No. 2026-010: A Resolution Approving a Change Order to the Professional Services Agreement with Farnsworth Group, Inc., for the Council Chambers Renovation Design Project

In this episode, Justin McNamara is joined by, Niki Conte, a director at Massachusetts Health Connector, who explains what Massachusetts residents need to know about getting health insurance - and why timing matters. She highlights the January 23rd deadline to enroll in coverage that begins in February, noting that for most people, this is the last chance to sign up unless they experience a qualifying life event. Niki also clears up a common misconception: the Health Connector isn't government-run insurance. It's a marketplace where residents can choose plans from major private insurers, including Blue Cross Blue Shield. The conversation walks through available subsidies and the ConnectorCare program, which can significantly reduce costs for middle- and lower-income households. Niki also shares practical tips on using online cost-estimation tools and getting free, certified help from trained navigators who can guide you through the process. This episode is especially helpful for early retirees, freelancers, and anyone between jobs who needs reliable, affordable health coverage without an employer plan. Justin McNamara, CFP® is a Certified Financial Planner with passion for investment strategy and selection. He works with small businesses and owners, parents of college-bound kids, job changers, pre- and post-retirees.

Dr. James Grant, executive vice president and chief medical officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, joined us to discuss the concerning rise of sickness and what people can do to help prevent and spread the flu. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah helps people get the care they need without unnecessary stress. They support members with clear benefits, reliable service and a commitment to keeping health coverage straightforward and affordable. President, Jim Guemple, joins us with more. Jim Guemple: Rising health care costs are hitting Utah families and businesses hard. But Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah is fighting back, fiercely advocating for more affordable care for our members and customers. We negotiate lower medical and prescription drug costs with hospitals, physicians and drug companies. As a local, trusted not-for-profit, we put members first — always. We're accountable to you, not shareholders, not Wall Street. More than 90 cents of every premium dollar is spent directly on medical care. The proof? Nine out of 10 members renew with Regence every year. They trust us to have their back when it matters most. Providing support, stability and real value. We're not just a health plan — we're your advocate, your neighbor and your partner in the fight for affordable, high-quality coverage that truly puts your needs at the center and helps Utahns live better, healthier lives. Derek Miller: Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah continues to make a meaningful difference in our state, supporting communities through service, outreach and local partnerships. Their efforts help strengthen Utah, making care and resources more accessible to those who need them. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business. Originally aired: 1/7/26

Binge drinking is more common than you think—discover its hidden risks to your body and mind in this must-listen episode.Dr. William Beecroft, Medical Director of Behavioral Health at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, explores the surprising ways binge drinking affects your physical health, mental well-being and overall lifestyle. From short-term consequences to long-term risks, you'll learn the warning signs of excessive alcohol use and practical strategies to reduce harm. Hosted by Chuck Gaidica, this episode explores:What is binge drinking?What does alcohol do to the body?How to know if you're drinking too often?Ways to drink less

In this episode, Jakob Emerson, Associate News Director, Becker's Healthcare, discusses consolidation across the Blue Cross Blue Shield system, rising friction between payers and providers over coding and denials, and how AI and upcoming CMS prior authorization rules are reshaping the payer landscape.

Memphis has a vibrant Downtown and with key projects underway. There are also new reasons for Memphians to celebrate the city's civic assets and come Downtown to engage in community. In this conversation, you'll hear from Chandell Ryan of the Downtown Memphis Commission, Zoe Kahr of The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, Paul Chandler of Memphis River Parks Partnership, Jessica Benson of Memphis Grizzlies and Grind City Media, John Zeanah of The City of Memphis, and Russ Wigginton of the National Civil Rights Museum. This episode revisits a live-event of a recent “Celebrate What's Right” conversation that illuminates the ways Downtown city-centers fuel vibrant cities. This event took place on November 5, 2025 and was made possible in partnership with BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Kroger, Duncan Williams Asset Management, Bass Berry and Sims, Downtown Memphis Commission, and LRK. Resources mentioned in this episode in include: State of Downtown from Downtown Memphis Commission Downtown Memphis Commission Downtown Action Plan Block by Block Memphis Brooks Museum Memphis Grizzlies City of Memphis Grind City Media The Jessica Benson Show Memphis River Parks Partnership National Civil Rights Museum Tom Lee Park Metal Museum BVO Mahogany River Terrance Memphis 3.0 Previous episodes including these organizations are here , here , here , here , here , here , here , and here This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

In this episode, host Duane Osterlind speaks with Jaime W. Vinck MC, LPC, President of Meadows Behavioral Health and a Licensed Professional Counselor with 20 years of experience in the treatment industry. They discuss her book, The Rehab Playbook, which aims to demystify the rehabilitation process and encourage more people to seek help for addiction and mental health challenges.

Dustin Ziegler and Kelley Brown join us to talk about National Family Caregivers Month and National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month. They walk through the growing needs of aging Hoosiers and the challenges that come with complex care. We also touch on RJ Mitte and his new partnership with Can Do Canines and the importance of clear communication between families and care teams.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

November 27, 2025 ~ Tricia Keith, President & CEO, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan talks to Marie Osborne ahead of Michigan's Thanksgiving Parade. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kick Off the Holiday Season in Downtown Brighton! Jennifer Bond (Greater Brighton Area Chamber), Barb Binkley (Cooper Binkley Jewelers), Samantha Gardiner (City of Brighton) host this week's podcast to talk about this year's Brighton Holiday Glow & Christmas Market. They'll fill you in on all the merry details and what you can expect. We can't wait to kick off the holiday season with you in Downtown Brighton!   Presented by Cooper & Binkley Jewelers, along with the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce and Supporting Sponsors Terri Fenolen Group, Mt. Brighton, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, will take place: Saturday, November 22, 2025 - 1:00 PM-7:00 PM   Website: Brighton's Holiday Glow 2025 Webpage ; https://sites.google.com/view/holidayglowbrighton/home Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1182059317074819?active_tab=about   00:00 Welcome to Holiday Glow 02:30 New Lights & Activities 06:40 Holiday Traditions & Performances 11:00 Santa's Arrival & Local Businesses 15:20 Magical Moments & Photo Ops 20:25 Lamplighters & Final Details   Show Links Learn more about the Brighton Chamber by visiting our website. Website: https://www.brightoncoc.org/   Guest Links Cooper & Binkley Jewelers Website: https://www.cooperandbinkleyjewelers.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cooperandbinkleyjewelers Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cooperbinkleyjewelers/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CooperandBinkley & City of Brighton Website: https://www.brightoncitymi.gov/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DowntownBrighton

In this episode, Rick Harbit of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina and Bob Tavernier of Quest Analytics discuss how payers are navigating financial pressures, advancing network adequacy 2.0, and using data and network intelligence to drive long-term success. This episode is sponsored by Quest Analytics.

This week on The Modern Customer podcast, Michael Gerrish, Chief Marketing and Experience Officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas, shares the strategy that transformed their organization. The key? Aligning Marketing and Experience to accelerate growth. Michael outlines how the unified CMXO role is responsible for making sure the brand's promises match the actual customer experience, driving maximum ROI.  The Results:  ✅ $120 Million in annual revenue  ✅ 93% industry-leading customer retention rate Learn how they achieved this with the "Insights to Action" model, eliminating silos and leveraging AI to simplify complex healthcare needs. Listen to the full episode now! Blake Morgan is a customer experience futurist, keynote speaker, and author of three books on customer experience. Her new book is called The 8 Laws of Customer-Focused Leadership: The New Rules for Building A Business Around Today's Customer. Follow Blake Morgan on LinkedIn For regular updates on customer experience, sign up for her weekly newsletter here. 

Nov. 7, 2025 ~ Tricia Keith, President and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, joins JR Morning to discuss why she thinks the company demonstrates deep community involvement through its 80-year history in Detroit, supporting organizations like the Salvation Army and hosting events such as the annual Pancake Breakfast for 15 years. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Zack Kanter is the founder and CEO of Stedi, an API-first healthcare clearinghouse. After bootstrapping a wildly profitable auto-parts business, he sold it to tackle "the most complicated problem" he'd ever encountered: business-to-business transaction exchange. He spent years building EDI infrastructure, threw away the entire codebase eight times, and found extraordinary traction in healthcare. Stedi recently raised a $70M Series B co-led by Stripe and Addition. In this conversation, Brett and Zack discuss why venture capital means "going pro," why execution is never actually a moat, and how "eating glass" became Stedi's competitive advantage. In today's episode, we discuss: How 16-year-old Zack turned $2,500 into a wholesale empire Why bootstrapping means being "constrained by capital" and how VC removes that ceiling Why Zack rebuilt their EDI product eight times before launch The snake swallowing a deer: what extreme product-market fit really looks like What software companies can learn from discount retail and Toyota Why Stedi's new hires are told "everything's your fault now" And much more Where to find Zack: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zkanter Twitter/X: https://x.com/zackkanter Where to find Brett: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-berson-9986094/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/brettberson Where to find First Round Capital: Website: https://firstround.com/ First Round Review: https://review.firstround.com/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/firstround YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstRoundCapital This podcast on all platforms: https://review.firstround.com/podcast References: Aetna: https://www.aetna.com/ Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/ AWS: https://aws.amazon.com/ Blue Cross Blue Shield: https://www.bcbs.com/ Change Healthcare: https://www.changehealthcare.com/ Cigna: https://www.cigna.com/ Clay: https://www.clay.com/ Costco: https://www.costco.com/ Ford Motor Company: https://www.ford.com/ GM: https://www.gm.com/ HIPAA overview (HHS): https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/index.html Jeff Bezos: https://x.com/JeffBezos Kanban / TPS (Toyota): https://global.toyota/en/company/vision-and-philosophy/production-system Microsoft Teams: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-teams NetSuite: https://www.netsuite.com/ O'Reilly Auto Parts: https://www.oreillyauto.com/ Peter Thiel: https://x.com/peterthiel Porter's five forces: https://www.isc.hbs.edu/strategy/pages/the-five-forces.aspx "Reality has a surprising amount of detail": https://johnsalvatier.org/blog/2017/reality-has-a-surprising-amount-of-detail Slack: https://slack.com/ Stedi: https://www.stedi.com/ Summit Racing: https://www.summitracing.com/ Target: https://www.target.com/ Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/ Zapier: https://zapier.com/ Timestamps: (01:24) Zack's first business (08:54) Why the first customer is tricky (10:12) The downside of bootstrapping (11:42) Why venture capital is like “going pro” (14:20) The confusion between ownership vs. control (16:08) Building a company you don't want to leave (20:46) Do things better than other people (24:49) Stedi's early years (31:43) Physical vs. digital product-market fit (34:41) How Stedi scaled decision-making (40:08) Stedi's journey to product-market fit (45:22) Finding founder-approach fit (50:42) “All software is a cascade of miracles” (52:52) The surprising lessons from discount retail (57:50) How the Toyota production system influences software (1:01:31) What it means to be a high-agency person (1:03:09) The core trait Zack looks for when hiring (1:02:57) Maintaining conviction in unconventional practice (1:14:19) When should you start to hire managers? (1:17:42) “Reality has a surprising amount of detail”

Among the many things business leaders must consider these days is the rising cost of health insurance, and how extending these benefits can impact the bottom line.On this week's Mind Your Business, we examine Carolina HealthWorks, a new program offered in partnership between the North Carolina Chamber and its Federation members and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. We'll speak with representatives of the NC Chamber about how this program was designed to save on health insurance costs for businesses that have 2 to 50 employees.We'll also listen back to some of our favorite responses from Passing the Torch: A Dialogue on Leadership Transitions, hosted by the Watauga Leadership Institute at the Appalachian Theatre on November 3, 2025.Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone.Support the show

Ready to finally break free from alcohol—and stop the cycle of numbing? Start your journey today with the Refresh & Reboot: 30 Day Alcohol-Free Challenge. This self-paced program gives you daily guidance, mindset tools, and video support from Sara to help you thrive through your first 30 days without alcohol. Podcast listeners get 20% off with code PODCAST20 at checkout.

In this episode of the Glowing Older podcast, host Nancy Griffin interviews Dr. Kenneth Pelletier, a clinical professor of medicine and psychiatry at UCSF, about the science of longevity and the role of epigenetics. Dr. Pelletier shares insights into the importance of healthspan over lifespan, and the impact of diet, stress, exercise, and social support on longevity. He also discusses the potential and limitations of biohacking and the growing field of integrative medicine. About Dr. Pelletier Kenneth R. Pelletier, PhD, MD is a Clinical Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine; Department of Family and Community Medicine; and Department of Psychiatry at the University of California School of Medicine (UCSF) in San Francisco; and a Clinical Professor of Medicine in the Department of Medicine and Department Family and Community Medicine at the University of Arizona School of Medicine in Tucson. At the present time, Dr. Pelletier is a medical and business consultant to the US Department of Health and Human Services, the World Health Organization (WHO), the National Business Group on Health, the Federation of State Medical Boards, the Wild Dolphin Project, and major corporations including Cisco, IBM, American Airlines, Prudential, Dow, Disney, Ford, Mercer, Merck, Pepsico, Ford, Pfizer, Walgreens, NASA, Microsoft ENCARTA, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Health Net, the Pasteur Institute of Lille, France, the Alpha Group of Mexico, and the Singapore Ministry of Health. He also serves on the boards of the Rancho la Puerta (Mexico), Nova Institute, Fries Foundation, American Institute of Stress (AIS), American Journal of Health Promotion (AJHP), as a Founding Board Member of the American Board of Integrative Medicine (ABOIM), and as a peer reviewer for the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (JOEM), Annals of Internal Medicine, Health Affairs, and webMD.  Dr. Pelletier is listed in Who's Who in America and in Who's Who in the World. He has been featured on ABC World News, the Today program, Good Morning America, Dr Oz, the CBS Evening News, 48 Hours, the McNeil-Lehrer Newshour, CNN, FOX News, and CBS Sunday Morning.Dr. Pelletier is the author of 15 major books including the international bestseller Mind as Healer, Mind as Slayer; Holistic Medicine: From Stress to Optimum Health; Longevity: Fulfilling Our Biological Potential; Healthy People in Unhealthy Places; Stress and Fitness at Work; Sound Mind – Sound Body: A New Model for Lifelong Health; The Best Alternative Medicine: What Works? What Does Not?; Stress Free for Good: Ten Scientifically Proven Life Skills for Health and Happiness; New Medicine: How to Integrate Conventional and Alternative Medicine for the Safest and Most Effective Treatment and Change Your Genes – Change Your Life: Creating Optimal Health with the New Science ofEpigenetics.Key TakeawaysEpigenetics is a relatively new science, developed in the last 15 years. Epigenetics are all of the influences that determine our health, wellbeing, and life expectancy after the sperm and ovum unite. Epigenetics plays a crucial role in determining health and life expectancy – 95 % of health, illness, and life expectancy are due to factors other than our genes. The role of diet, stress, physical activity and social support significantly influence genetic expression.There are no longitudinal studies for biohacking. Don'tgo into the periphery and engage in questionable practices. Sort hope from hype.Equal criteria for evaluating the outcomes of alternative and conventional medicine must be applied; both should be held to the same rigorous scientific standards to ensure their acceptability and effectiveness.

CISA Layoffs threaten U.S. cyber coordination with states, businesses, and foreign partners. Google issues its second emergency Chrome update in a week, and puts Privacy Sandbox out of its misery. OpenAI's new browser proves vulnerable to indirect prompt injection. SpaceX disables Starlink devices used by scam compounds. Reddit sues alleged data scrapers. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana suffers a data breach. A new Android infostealer abuses termux to exfiltrate data. Iran's MuddyWater deploys a wide-ranging middle east espionage campaign. We're joined by Lauren Zabierek and Camille Stewart Gloster discussing the next evolution of #ShareTheMicInCyber. When customer service fails, try human resources. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Miss an episode? Sign-up for our daily intelligence roundup, Daily Briefing, and you'll never miss a beat. And be sure to follow CyberWire Daily on LinkedIn. CyberWire Guest Today we are joined by Lauren Zabierek and Camille Stewart Gloster, as they are discussing the next evolution of #ShareTheMicInCyber. Selected Reading CISA's international, industry and academic partnerships slashed (Cybersecurity Dive) Google releases emergency security update for Chrome V8 Engine flaw (Beyond Machines) Google officially shuts down Privacy Sandbox (Search Engine Land) OpenAI defends Atlas as prompt injection attacks surface (The Register) SpaceX disables more than 2,000 Starlink devices used in Myanmar scam compounds (The Record) Reddit Accuses ‘Data Scraper' Companies of Theft (The New York Times) Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana under investigation for data breach (NBC Montana) Infostealer Targeting Android Devices  (SANS ISC) Iranian hackers targeted over 100 govt orgs with Phoenix backdoor (Bleeping Computer) This Guy Noticed A Data Breach With A Company But Couldn't Get Them To Respond, So He Infiltrated His Way Into An Interview To Drop The News (TwistedSifter) Share your feedback. What do you think about CyberWire Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show. Want to hear your company in the show? N2K CyberWire helps you reach the industry's most influential leaders and operators, while building visibility, authority, and connectivity across the cybersecurity community. Learn more at sponsor.thecyberwire.com. The CyberWire is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Think all great salespeople are born talkers with years of experience? Think again. Matt Poepsel chats with Jim Speredelozzi, who flips the traditional sales script on its head. Jim shares how he went from 90-day quitters to building a thriving 150-person sales team, all by focusing on mindset, process, and hiring based on who people are, not just what they've done. You'll hear how he uses science to build strong sales teams, why being a "business therapist" might be your ultimate sales superpower, and what every new sales manager needs to know before stepping into leadership. Whether you're scaling a team or rethinking how you coach your people, Jim's practical, people-first wisdom is guaranteed to leave a mark. From Our Sponsor: The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI—including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels—across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com.   Additional Resources: Listen to the original episode on Lead the People Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Sales is a teachable skill, not innate talent. Hire for behavior and mindset, not experience. Mindset determines long-term sales success. Great sellers often become great leaders. One-on-ones are sacred for employee development.  

Conversations around the cost of healthcare and related insurance coverage brings a variety of emotions these days. While the Federal Government continues to use the renewal of tax credits related to the Affordable Care Act as a chief negotiating tool in budget conversations, High Country residents are among the millions of Americans gearing up for open enrollment and could see premiums skyrocket depending on how things land in Washington. No matter how this ends, it has become more apparent than ever that maximizing one's healthcare benefits is of the utmost importance, and employers have a role to play in that conversation.On this week's Mind Your Business, we visit with Wayne Randall, Director of Blue Cross Blue Shield's Beyond Blue Neighborhood Center. We'll hear how his team works with community partners to make simple healthcare options like screenings, vaccine clinics and other services available to all, regardless of insurance coverage. He will also discuss timing of open enrollment for the Medicare and under 65 populations, so you stay up-to-date on the right time to make plan adjustments.Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone. Join us for Passing the Torch: A Dialogue on Leadership Transition, November 3rd, from 5:30-8PM at the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country. Support the show

This week on The Audit Podcast, our guest is Ronnie Welch, Chief Audit Executive at Guardian Life. Ronnie has spent his career in insurance audit, with experience at MetLife, Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, and several Big Four firms.   In this episode, Ronnie talks about how he's modernizing internal audit and shares the practical steps his team has taken at Guardian Life. He explains his three-tier analytics system, which helps his 48-person audit team work more efficiently and make a bigger impact. Listeners will come away with clear, actionable ideas for strengthening their own audit teams—no matter the size.   We also highlight Ronnie's achievement of winning Guardian Life's CEO Award nearly ten years before stepping into his current role, showing the dedication and leadership that have defined his career.   Be sure to connect with Ronnie on LinkedIn.   Also, be sure to follow us on our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok.   Also be sure to sign up for The Audit Podcast newsletter and to check the full video interview on The Audit Podcast YouTube channel.   Timecodes:   1:06 – How Ronnie Uses LLMs 4:38 – Agent Outsourcing 10:04 – Innovating the Team's Knowledge of AI 15:17 – Who Is Internal Audit's Customer? Let's Serve Them 18:20 – Training for Soft Skills 20:45 – Getting the Entire Team to a Basic Analytics Level 27:12 – Tweaks Made to the Three-Tier System Along the Way 30:13 – Ronnie Wins the CEO Award 32:42 – IIA Vision 2035 33:53 – Final Thoughts   *   This podcast is brought to you by Greenskies Analytics, the services firm that helps auditors leap-frog up the analytics maturity model. Their approach for launching audit analytics programs with a series of proven quick-win analytics will guarantee the results worthy of the analytics hype.  Whether your audit team needs a data strategy, methodology, governance, literacy, or anything else related to audit and analytics, schedule time with Greenskies Analytics.        

Two years after our last conversation, Raj Koneru, CEO and Founder of Kore.ai, returns to discuss how the world of AI has changed and how much of it still needs to. When we first spoke, conversational AI was promising. Now it is powering over a billion interactions every day for companies like LG, Coca-Cola, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Yet Raj argues that the next real breakthrough will not come from novelty, but from accessibility. In this episode, Raj explains why the future of AI depends on open collaboration rather than vendor lock-in. Kore.ai's partnerships with Microsoft, AWS, and G42's Inception in the UAE reflect a commitment to interoperability and shared innovation. He offers a rare look into what happens “above the line,” where enterprises actually design and deploy AI agents, compared to the massive “below the line” investments driving the hardware, cloud, and model layers of AI. For Raj, platforms like Kore.ai act as the bridge, translating technical potential into business outcomes. We also explore what true democratization of AI looks like in practice. Raj believes no-code platforms are key to giving both large and small businesses the power to build their own agents without deep technical skills. He discusses the challenges of scaling responsibly, managing latency, ensuring governance, and keeping AI secure and transparent. From the shift toward on-device AI in smartphones to the lessons learned from running one of the world's largest enterprise AI platforms, his perspective blends realism with optimism. This conversation is a reminder that progress in AI will not be defined by who owns the biggest model but by who makes the technology usable, ethical, and open to everyone. Raj's message is simple but powerful: read widely, question everything, and collaborate boldly.

The Memphis Medical District is among the city's most vibrant business districts. This success is a direct result of a strategic vision that was put in place a decade ago and brought to life by the Memphis Medical District Collaborative. This visionary organization has spent the last 10 years collaborating and coordinating efforts in the district to ensure shared success for businesses, residents, hospitals, and higher-ed institutions that share space in the heart of the city. The model they have created is one worth replicating, and in today's episode, we'll be airing a live-event recording of a recent “Celebrate What's Right” panel conversation that reflects on the first decade of impact in the distract, and to hear what's in store for the next era. This event took place on September 15, 2025 and was made possible by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Kroger, Regional One Health, and Turner Foundation. Resources mentioned in this episode include: Memphis Medical District Collaborative Regional One Health Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare ALSAC St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Other episodes that focus on MMDC include S5E37, S5E34, and S5E8 This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

What happens when a startup founder discovers that leading people is a completely different job than building products?

Have a message for Karena? She'd love to hear from you and share your comment or question on air!Leave Karena a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/KarenaDawnWhat happens when a cancer diagnosis collides with raising $10 million in venture capital?On this episode of The Big Silence, Karena sits down with Vanessa Rissetto, registered dietitian, CEO and co-founder of Culina Health, and cancer survivor who's redefining resilience. From growing up in a Haitian household to building the only nutrition company backed by a big insurance provider, Vanessa's story is proof that success is about more than grit — it's about honesty, boundaries, and balance. She opens up about her diagnosis, how entrepreneurship pushed her to the brink, and why learning to say “no” has become her ultimate health strategy.How Do We Redefine Health and Success Beyond Hustle Culture?Vanessa shares how her cancer journey shifted her perspective from chasing external validation to prioritizing joy, mental health, and self-care, while still leading a groundbreaking health-tech company.(00:01:00) From Dietitian to Tech CEO: Building Culina HealthWhy Vanessa decided to take insurance when most dietitians catered only to the eliteHow COVID opened doors for telehealth and scaled her business to $1M in under a yearThe bold move that got Blue Cross Blue Shield on her cap table — a first in the industryHer mindset shift: every investor “no” was just practice for the next “yes”(00:10:30) Cancer, Entrepreneurship, and the Cost of External ValidationThe overlooked symptom that led to Vanessa's breast cancer diagnosisRaising $10M in venture funding while undergoing treatment — and why she now calls it “f***ing stupid”How avoidance, anxiety, and resentment crept in post-diagnosisThe power of saying “no” as a complete sentence(00:17:00) Back to Basics: Nutrition, Myths, and Mental HealthWhy she believes restrictive diets like keto miss the bigger pictureThe truth about protein, fasting, and why micro-counting often backfiresHow Vanessa balances Doritos, home-cooked meals, and plant-based principlesNutrition as behavior change, not just “eat more vegetables”(00:29:00) Therapy, Caregiving, and Whole-Person HealingHow Culina Health integrates with physicians and therapists for 360° careThe role of dietitians in eating disorder recovery and mental health supportWhy therapy for caregivers is just as important as therapy for patientsVanessa's own two-therapist system: one for trauma, one for feelings(00:35:00) Menopause, Midlife, and Finding JoyHer experience with medically induced menopause and brain fog Why women need different strategies after 35 How AI is reshaping the future of nutrition and health-techThe freedom of midlife: smaller circles, more joy, and living on your own termsThanks for the support from our partners, including: Guest ResourcesFollow Vanessa on InstagramLearn more about Culina HealthFollow Culina Health on InstagramIf this episode moved you, please consider supporting The Big Silence Foundation and exploring our resources:Connect with The

Brooke's Bio: Brooke N. Collins is a strategy and operations leader with 15+ years of experience driving change management initiatives that strengthen organizational culture, optimize systems, and deliver measurable results. As Founder of HumanBn Strategies and a Fractional Chief Wellbeing Officer, she partners with Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and healthcare organizations to translate vision into action, designing scalable programs and solutions that elevate workforce performance and employee experience.Her work has supported global brands including Chevron, MGM, Blue Cross Blue Shield, American Express, and Berkshire Hathaway, where she has led initiatives that align strategy, streamline operations, and drive enterprise-wide adoption of wellbeing and employee engagement programs.Brooke also serves as Wellbeing Chair for Ignite MED, where she applies her expertise to support women in medicine through mentorship, resilience training, and community-building efforts.Raised in the coastal town of Steilacoom, Washington, Brooke enjoys exploring local art scenes,  admiring architecture, and sharing deep-belly laughs with friends and family.Connect with Brooke: Website:  Visit Experience Encanto: Art Stroll to learn more and explore how you can get involved.(https://encanto.sistercitiesproject.org/)Email: brooke.collins@humanbnstrategies.comInstagram:  (@experience.encanto)Follow us on Instagram for updates   Dasean Bio: Originally from San Diego. I went to University City High School. I am married with three kids. Elina 6, Eden 3 and Kebru 1.In 2004, I received a full scholarship to the University of Southern California where I competed on both the football and track teams and later earned the title of NCAA Track All American. I tore my ACL in 2005. Track coach took my scholarship while I was rehabbing. Had to move out of my apartment and get a job all on crutches. Lost a girlfriend and was told that I should think about transferring because the coach thought I would not make it back. That same coach decided not to redshirt me because he didn't think that I could make it back.2006 was the one of the best years of my life. Fought to get my scholarship back and started my college promotions company Trojan Man Entertainment.  Trojan Man Entertainment or  TME (www.TeamTME.com), an entertainment company that  managed, promoted, and produced large private events for college campuses and other  organizations. By acquiring and building relationships with music industry executives and campus leaders, I expanded the company network to over five universities in three states.In 2008, I graduated from USC with a bachelor's degree  in Sociology and a minor in Business Advertisement and went on to work in the sales and marketing sector. After returning  to San Diego in 2009 to work as a Financial Planner for Strategic Wealth Associates, I noticed a gap in the availability of meaningful networking opportunities, especially for young professionals and new entrepreneurs in the area. To bridge this gap, I founded and led Tasteful Tuesdays (http:/www.tastefultuesday.com), a monthly networking group and mixer that enables participants to connect with other professionals  and increase their business through a structured, positive and professional word-of-mouth event. Dasean is now a commercial real estate developer.Connect with Dasean: Instagram: TheImperialHussleCenter 

In this episode, Mack McGee, Chief Marketing Officer at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, shares how the organization earned top marks for customer experience in Forrester's 2025 rankings and discusses the importance of trust, personalization, and simplifying healthcare interactions for members.