POPULARITY
Categories
Join Josh Israel, MD and Sean Cavanaugh in their video debut as they discuss the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) results for 2024 released by CMS with Aledade CEO Farzad Mostashari, MD They explore how Aledade Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) earned more than $1 billion in total savings and continue to improve performance year over year, including substantially reducing hospitalizations. We also sit down with Sandeep Mann, MD, primary care physician and Aledade partner since 2015, to explore how his practice has thrived in value-based care. Watch the full episode Connect with us at acoshow@aledade.com or visit the Aledade Newsroom
In this episode, Greg and Rob review recent changes made to the HRSA Audit Data Request List (DRL). They also discuss some of the comments provided by the public to HRSA regarding potential 340B rebate models, debate a recent change to a manufacturer's contract pharmacy restrictions, and highlight some communication that has gone out to hospitals regarding a proposed CMS 340B drug acquisition cost survey expected in CY26. SpendMend's comments on HRSA's proposed 340B rebate model: https://www.regulations.gov/comment/HRSA-2025-0001-1115 CMS proposed Medicare Part B 340B drug acquisition cost survey template: CMS-10931 | CMS Got questions? Email us at 340BUnscripted@spendmend.com
This week I Talk About Website Build Times [powerpress]
The challenges and triumphs of living with a rare disease. Leslie Baldwin shares her personal journey with Common Variable Immune Deficiency and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. You'll hear what fueled her passion for advocacy and the creation of Michigan Rare (MI-RARE). Together, they discuss the power of community, the importance of patient empowerment, and how collaboration with policymakers can expand access and resources for those living with rare conditions.TakeawaysAdvocacy is essential for the rare disease community.Building connections provides vital support.Patients should feel empowered to speak up for their health.Collaboration with policymakers can drive positive change.Storytelling inspires and unites the community.Engagement raises awareness and strengthens support networks.Advocacy days introduce rare disease issues to lawmakers.Recognizing unique challenges leads to better understanding.Coalitions amplify the collective voice of rare disease advocates.Empowering patients and caregivers enhances quality of life.About Leslie BaldwinA Michigan native now living in Holt, Leslie is a rare disease advocate. She co-founding MI-RARE, a foundation uniting rare disease voices across Michigan, alongside Kayla Miller, Kathi Luis, Kortney Lee, Chris Draper, and Laura Bonnell.Her advocacy experience is wide-ranging: she has worked with Autism Speaks, National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), The EveryLife Foundation, NIH, CMS, and the FDA. As Director of Strategic Advancement with Texas Rare Alliance, she helped pass key legislation that earned her national recognition as a finalist for the 2023 Rare Voice Award in State Advocacy.On September 30th, MI-RARE will host the Michigan Rare Disease State Advocacy Day at the Capitol, a powerful opportunity for patients, families, and caregivers to share their stories with lawmakers and demonstrate that while each condition may be rare, together we are many.To connect go to: MI-rare.org Register for Advocacy Day opens August 4th and ends September 12th, 2025. There is a travel stipend too. Go to the MI-Rare website.To connect with Leslie Baldwin: leslie@mi-rare.org 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/en
Smart Agency Masterclass with Jason Swenk: Podcast for Digital Marketing Agencies
Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training Are you wondering how AI will really change the way agencies work? Will it replace your team, or make them better than ever? Artificial intelligence continues to be at the forefront of most tech conversations, and that's exactly why agency owners can't afford to ignore it. Today's guest believes the real future of AI in agencies isn't about replacement—it's about augmentation. Humans bring the high-leverage ideas, AI scales the execution, and the magic happens in the collaboration between the two. That's why he challenges his team to master a skill first—understanding every step—before delegating pieces of it to AI. By doing so, they not only achieve stronger results but also gain the ability to explain, teach, and refine the process. For agencies, this thoughtful integration turns AI from a threat into a powerful accelerator. Josh Payne is a serial entrepreneur and the founder of Coframe, which helps businesses continuously optimize their digital experiences. Before that, he co-founded Autograph, scaling it to unicorn status within just over a year, and previously sold his first company, AccessBell, to India's Tata Group. A Stanford AI researcher and occasional lecturer, Josh has blended tech, entrepreneurship, and big-name partnerships into a career full of lessons that agency owners can apply to their own journey. In this episode, we'll discuss: The power of just asking. Should we be worried about AI? Why the human element still wins. When AI shows empathy. Subscribe Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio Sponsors and Resources This episode is brought to you by Wix Studio: If you're leveling up your team and your client experience, your site builder should keep up too. That's why successful agencies use Wix Studio — built to adapt the way your agency does: AI-powered site mapping, responsive design, flexible workflows, and scalable CMS tools so you spend less on plugins and more on growth. Ready to design faster and smarter? Go to wix.com/studio to get started. Building Big, Fast (and What Comes After) Josh's first exit was AccessBell, acquired by Tatai Group. Then came Autograph, the NFT platform co-founded with connections in the entertainment industry that quickly attracted celebrities and athletes like Tom Brady. The company went unicorn in about a year, proof that timing, partnerships, and execution can fuel explosive growth. But Josh is quick to admit that pace sets a dangerous bar. When he launched Coframe, progress felt slower. The natural question arises: why am I not going as fast as I did last time? For any agency owner who's had one “big win,” the fear of never matching that level again is real. For Josh, it comes down to stop chasing vanity metrics and focusing on the real value you're creating. The long burn, when tied to a larger vision, often builds a stronger foundation. The Power of Just Asking One of the best stories from Josh's Autograph journey was how Tom Brady got involved. It was a simple conversation, made possible because a co-founder's family knew Brady. They took a shot, asked for a call, and suddenly, an NFL legend wasn't just an investor—he was a co-founder. They were, of course, very lucky, but the lesson for Josh was that you'll never land your dream client (or partner) if you don't step up to bat. Too many agencies convince themselves certain clients are “out of reach,” when in reality, decision-makers are more approachable than you think. Even the busiest people have time for the right conversation if you show up as a person, not a pitch machine. Separating Yourself from Your Business Identity With all these exits, Josh is still struggling with the identity crisis that comes with selling or stepping away from a company. Like Jason back when he sold his agency, Josh felt like he'd sold his soul and is still wrestling with how to separate being a tech founder from just being Josh. Your business is not your identity, as performance coach Todd Herman (the guy behind Kobe Bryant's “Black Mamba” alter ego) helped Jason understand. You're not an “agency owner” by identity. You're a creator, innovator, and strategist. Those traits travel with you into whatever you do next. Lose the label, keep the essence. Fighting the Metrics Spiral Every agency owner knows the feeling: dashboards screaming that you're 30% down from last month, the creeping panic that you're “slipping.” Josh admits he's guilty of chasing these vanity metrics too, and it's exhausting. The problem is that short-term sprints cloud the long-term vision. But focusing only on the long-term isn't right either. You can't sit back dreaming and stop executing. Josh calls it a balance game. Some days require in-the-weeds execution. Other days call for pulling up to 30,000 feet and resetting the vision. And finding ways to get into that higher-level thinking state is crucial. Finding Flow and Big Picture Clarity One of Josh's surprising hacks for perspective is the float tank, a sensory deprivation chamber where you float weightless in silence. He describes it as being suspended between sleep and wakefulness, giving him the clarity to see the forest instead of the trees. For him, a float every couple of months resets his ability to think deeply. This lucid dreaming state allows him to consciously control his thought process, which is hard to do on a day-to-day basis. There are different ways to achieve this “flow state” like flying planes or running, where focus on the task at hand frees the brain to process ideas in the background. The lesson for agency owners is that you need intentional “out of the weeds” time. Whether it's floating, running, or flying, find your version of the float tank. Should We Be Worried About AI? Where is AI really going, and should agencies be worried? Josh approaches the subject with cautious optimism. He admits there are possible negative outcomes—whole essays have been written about the risks—but he believes society still has control of its destiny. Governance, adaptation, and human ingenuity will help us navigate the “intelligence explosion” ahead. For agency owners, that perspective matters. The fear-driven narrative (“AI will replace us all”) misses the more useful question: how do we adapt to stay ahead? Josh's view is that AI will become a force multiplier, but only for those who deeply understand their craft first. At Coframe, he leads his team with the mantra: “first we are artisans, then we are automators.” Josh encourages his team to master processes as humans before trying to automate them. An artisan, he says, is someone who not only performs a task with taste and skill but can also teach it to an apprentice. If you can teach it, you can usually train AI to do it too. This is a powerful framework for agencies. Too many people treat AI as a magic shortcut, asking it to “do the thing” without knowing what “the thing” really requires. But if you've built the human expertise first, AI becomes like a hyper-capable apprentice, great at code generation, design variations, or crunching vast amounts of data, but still lacking the higher-level strategy and creative ideation that only humans can bring. Why the Human Element Still Wins Lots of people are already trying to launch “AI-only agencies.” This is a mistake. Clients don't just want data or deliverables; they want connection, guidance, and trust. Even as AI accelerates execution, the human side, like the ability to understand a client, guide their decisions, and translate insights into strategy, remains irreplaceable. This is especially true when clients don't know what to ask. Tools may say, “Ask me anything,” but most business owners don't even know where to start. That's where the agency earns its keep: by framing the right questions and then leveraging AI to deliver smarter, faster answers. AI Limitations on Emotion and Empathy Empathy remains the most valuable and, so far, irreplaceable element that AI cannot afford clients, and where human intervention continues to be necessary. However, as these models get more and more aligned, clients are starting to see cases where the AI is able to show empathy for your situation. For instance, Jason recently tested AI with his own medical challenges. After foot surgery complications, he uploaded photos of his wound to an AI tool and was surprised at how sympathetic the responses felt. It wasn't just giving data—it was offering encouragement, warnings, and even emergency advice when he tested it with old images. Josh had his own example: experimenting with fasting while using AI to predict weight loss. The model gave estimates but also warned him about the risks and refused to encourage unsafe behavior. Modern models are being trained not just for accuracy but to reflect human values, to ensure they're aligned with human interests. Balancing AI Alignment With Performance This fine-tuning process with newer AI models makes them more positive and empathetic. But there's a trade-off: aligned models can lose some raw performance on benchmarks. For agencies, this means two things: AI tools will continue evolving in personality and usefulness. The best results will still come from humans who know how to wield them—pairing empathy, strategy, and creativity with AI's speed and scale. Do You Want to Transform Your Agency from a Liability to an Asset? Looking to dig deeper into your agency's potential? Check out our Agency Blueprint. Designed for agency owners like you, our Agency Blueprint helps you uncover growth opportunities, tackle obstacles, and craft a customized blueprint for your agency's success.
The stabbing death of Iryna Zarutska on the Blue Line is getting national attention and a response from the White House. That comes as city elections take place. The results are in, and we'll catch you up. Last week, CMS announced good news for testing, but this week brings more sobering news: nationwide declines in 12th grade math and reading scores. In short, they are abysmal. Plus, Charlotte FC goes for history.
Strategic Technology Consultation Services This episode of The Modern .NET Show is supported, in part, by RJJ Software's Strategic Technology Consultation Services. If you're an SME (Small to Medium Enterprise) leader wondering why your technology investments aren't delivering, or you're facing critical decisions about AI, modernization, or team productivity, let's talk. Show Notes "From the first engagement with any from Umbraco, it's been a friendly approach. We are friendly. It's a part of our DNA. Professional. We take our work dead seriously, but we want to have fun, but we are friendly."— Mats Persson Hey everyone, and welcome back to The Modern .NET Show; the premier .NET podcast, focusing entirely on the knowledge, tools, and frameworks that all .NET developers should have in their toolbox. I'm your host Jamie Taylor, bringing you conversations with the brightest minds in the .NET ecosystem. Today, both Emma Burstow and Mats Persson of Umbraco are here to share their expertise on building Umbraco—a completely open source CMS, known as the friendly CMS. Emma is Umbraco's Director of Developer Relations and Mats is their newly appointed CEO. "One of our values is openness. And once again, I'll say we really walk the walk. So we alert people early. We work in public, truly. We don't just, you know, update things on git as in terms of code. We write words around it. We have discussion boards We have ongoing issues that are open, and we talk to people that are working with the product"— Emma Burstow We also dive into what it's like to build Umbraco completely in the open, which led to some fascinating insights into how to build and manage a world-wide community of contributors, but also how to help manage expectations of those developers and technologists. Before we jump in, a quick reminder: if The Modern .NET Show has become part of your learning journey, please consider supporting us through Patreon or Buy Me A Coffee. Every contribution helps us continue bringing you these in-depth conversations with industry experts. You'll find all the links in the show notes. Anyway, without further ado, let's sit back, open up a terminal, type in `dotnet new podcast` and we'll dive into the core of Modern .NET. Full Show Notes The full show notes, including links to some of the things we discussed and a full transcription of this episode, can be found at: https://dotnetcore.show/season-8/umbraco-unplugged-emma-burstow-mats-persson-on-umbraco-the-friendly-cms/ Useful Links: Umbraco homepage Umbraco Community Umbraco on LinkedIn Emma on LinkedIn Mats on LinkedIn Podcast editing services provided by Matthew Bliss Music created by Mono Memory Music, licensed to RJJ Software for use in The Modern .NET Show Supporting the show: Leave a rating or review Buy the show a coffee Become a patron Getting in Touch: Via the contact page Joining the Discord Remember to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Podchaser, or wherever you find your podcasts, this will help the show's audience grow. Or you can just share the show with a friend. And don't forget to reach out via our Contact page. We're very interested in your opinion of the show, so please get in touch. You can support the show by making a monthly donation on the show's Patreon page at: https://www.patreon.com/TheDotNetCorePodcast. Music created by Mono Memory Music, licensed to RJJ Software for use in The Modern .NET Show. Editing and post-production services for this episode were provided by MB Podcast Services.
The Friday Five for September 12, 2025: Ritter Summit Takeaways Part 2 Are Brokers Still in the Crosshairs? Policy and Market Updates for 2026 2026 Medicare & You Handbook Release Date for iOS, iPadOS, MacOS, and WatchOS 26 CMS & HHS Expand ACA Catastrophic Coverage Enrollment Ritter Summit Takeaways Part 2: Register for Ritter Insurance Marketing Summits Are Brokers Still in the Crosshairs? Policy and Market Updates for 2026: Watch the Webinar 2026 Medicare & You Handbook: Download Your Copy Release Date for iOS, iPadOS, MacOS, and WatchOS 26: Peters, Jay. “iOS 26 Is out on September 15th.” Theverge.Com, The Verge, 9 Sept. 2025, www.theverge.com/news/770784/apple-ios-26-release-date-liquid-glass. McAuliffe, Zachary. “I Was Right Yet Again: iOS 26 Is Coming Monday, Sept. 15.” Cnet.Com, CNET, 9 Sept. 2025, www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/i-was-right-yet-again-ios-26-is-coming-monday-sept-15/. Perry, Alex. “Apple iOS 26 Release Date: When You Can Download It.” Mashable.Com, Mashable, 9 Sept. 2025, mashable.com/article/apple-ios-26-release-date-how-to-download. Diaz, Maria. “iOS 26 Update Is Coming Soon - How to Download It (and Which iPhones Support It).” Zdnet.Com, ZDNET, 10 Sept. 2025, www.zdnet.com/article/ios-26-update-is-coming-soon-how-to-download-it-and-which-iphones-support-it/. Teague, Katie. “iOS 26: What to Know about the Free iPhone Software Update Arriving September 15.” Engadget.Com, Engadget, 11 Sept. 2025, www.engadget.com/mobile/ios-26-what-to-know-about-the-free-iphone-software-update-arriving-september-15-135749658.html. CMS & HHS Expand ACA Catastrophic Coverage Enrollment: August 22, 2025 Friday Five: Judge Vacates HHS MA Commissions Lawsuit “By the Numbers: House Bill Takes Health Coverage Away From Millions of People and Raises Families' Health Care Costs.” Cbpp.Org, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, www.cbpp.org/research/health/by-the-numbers-house-bill-takes-health-coverage-away-from-millions-of-people-and. Accessed 11 Sept. 2025. “CMS Broadens Access to Catastrophic Exchange Plans.” Modernhealthcare.Com, Modern Healthcare, 4 Sept. 2025, www.modernhealthcare.com/politics-regulation/mh-catastrophic-health-plans-open-enrollment-2026/. “Entities Approved to Use Enhanced Direct Enrollment.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 9 Aug. 2024, www.cms.gov/files/document/ede-approved-partner.pdf. Reed, Tina. “Exclusive: HHS to Expand Eligibility for Catastrophic Plans.” Axios.Com, Axios, 4 Sept. 2025, www.axios.com/2025/09/04/trump-hhs-expand-catastrophic-plan-eligibility. “Expanding Access to Health Insurance: Consumers to Gain Access to ‘Catastrophic' Health Insurance Plans in 2026 Plan Year.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 4 Sept. 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/expanding-access-health-insurance-consumers-gain-access-catastrophic-health-insurance-plans-2026. “Guidance on Hardship Exemptions for Individuals Ineligible for Advance Payment of the Premium Tax Credit or Cost-Sharing Reductions Due to Income, and Streamlining Exemption Pathways to Coverage.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 4 Sept. 2025, www.cms.gov/files/document/guidance-hardship-exemptions.pdf. “HHS Expands Access to Affordable Health Insurance.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 4 Sept. 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/hhs-expands-access-affordable-health-insurance. “HHS Expands Access to Affordable Health Insurance.” HHS.Gov, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 4 Sept. 2025, www.hhs.gov/press-room/hhs-expands-access-affordable-catastrophic-health-coverage.html. Ortaliza, Jared, Matt McGough, Kaitlyn Vu, et al. “How Much and Why ACA Marketplace Premiums Are Going up in 2026.” Healthsystemtracker.Org, KFF, 6 Aug. 2025, www.healthsystemtracker.org/brief/how-much-and-why-aca-marketplace-premiums-are-going-up-in-2026/. Minemyer, Paige. “Trump Administration Expands Access to ACA Catastrophic Plans.” Fiercehealthcare.Com, Fierce Healthcare, 4 Sept. 2025, www.fiercehealthcare.com/regulatory/trump-administration-expands-access-aca-catastrophic-plans. Resources: 2026 ACA & Medicare Cost Projections 3 Benefits of Selling ACA Insurance Plans 5 Medicare Myths Your Clients May Believe 2026 ACA Exchange & FFM Certification Info Judge Grants Stay on Many 2025 ACA Final Rule Provisions The ICHRA Opportunity for Agents ft. Lisa Marzolino & Danica Stover The Survivor's AEP Checklist Get Connected:
In this episode of Disruption/Interruption, host KJ interviews Dr. Paola Ballester, CEO and Co-founder of EasyPA, about the broken state of prior authorizations in healthcare. Dr. Ballester shares her journey from pediatrician to tech founder, the real-world impact of administrative burdens on patients and clinicians, and how her AI-driven platform is streamlining processes to put patient care back at the center. Key Takeaways: The Real Cost of Prior Authorizations [2:05] – Administrative hurdles in healthcare lead to denied claims, lost revenue, and wasted time, forcing clinicians to choose between paperwork and patient care. Empathy Drives Disruption [4:35] – Dr. Ballester’s deep empathy for patients and providers inspired her to create a solution that addresses the root frustrations in the system. AI as a Force for Good [27:05] – EasyPA’s AI platform modernizes prior authorizations, making them 10x faster and giving clinicians more time with patients, not paperwork. Systemic Change is Possible [36:45] – With new technology, regulatory mandates, and a focus on patient-centered care, the healthcare system can move beyond outdated, inefficient processes. Quote of the Show [19:40]:"The assumption that physicians need to prove on a per case basis that their intent is anything other than to provide direct patient care based on evidence-based standards is wild." - Paola Ballester Join our Anti-PR newsletter where we’re keeping a watchful and clever eye on PR trends, PR fails, and interesting news in tech so you don't have to. You're welcome. Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval Ways to connect with Dr. Paola Ballester: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paola-ballester-md-7738a9a8/ Company websites: easypa.ai How to get more Disruption/Interruption: Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlDSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
AEP 2026 will be here before you know it. We've broken down the path to a successful Annual Enrollment Period in 5 steps, tap that play button to find out what they are! Read the text version Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail. Resources: Certification Center on Ritter Docs Compliance Posts on the Ritter Blog Compliance Tab in Ritter Docs Get Registered with Ritter Insurance Marketing Integrity Technology Training Schedule Meet Your Sales Team at Ritter Insurance Marketing Miramar:Agent Pinpoint Global Ritter Events Calendar The Complete Guide on How to Sell Medicare Advantage Plans The Complete Guide on How to Sell Prescription Drug Plans The Ritter Agent Compliance Handbook References: “CMS 2025 Medicare Advantage and Part D Final Rule.” Federalregister.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/04/23/2024-07105/medicare-program-changes-to-the-medicare-advantage-and-the-medicare-prescription-drug-benefit. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025. “Medicare Advantage Communication Requirements.” Federalregister.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-B/part-422/subpart-V. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025. “Medicare Marketing Guidelines.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, www.cms.gov/medicare/health-drug-plans/managed-care-marketing/medicare-guidelines. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025. “Part D Communication Requirements.” Federalregister.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-B/part-423/subpart-V. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025. Follow Us on Social! Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ and Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/ Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.
"We took a longer time, there was a bit of roundabout, but the fact that we actually made like two or three times on whatever investment amount we did in the beginning - that for me was a very pivotal moment. Just because we didn't give up. The line between success and failure is so thin. So the impact of being a VC space is that you really can influence the technology founders that you back." - Beatrice Lion Fresh out of the studio, Beatrice Lion, the chief executive officer and global partner from True Global Ventures, shares the remarkable story of how she became one of the youngest fund managers and the backstory to secure Singapore's Capital Markets Service license from MAS equivalent to Sequoia & Andreessen Horowitz's RIA licence in the US. Beatrice begins with her unconventional career journey from university straight into venture capital in 2017 and details TGV's investment thesis of backing only tested serial entrepreneurs across AI and blockchain applications. Beatrice offers her perspectives on the convergence of AI and crypto, the evolution of stablecoins as crypto's killer app, corporate treasury strategies such as Michael Saylor's Strategy with Bitcoin and Ethereum Digital Asset Treasuries (DATs), and why TGV maintains their performance-focused philosophy of keeping fund sizes at $100-200 million rather than chasing larger management fees. Last but not least, Beatrice shares what great would look like for TGV in the future. Episode Highlights: [00:00] Quote of the Day by Beatrice Lyon [01:00] Introduction: Beatrice Lyon, CEO of True Global Ventures [04:27] Supporting portfolio companies through business development [05:03] Successful turnaround story and investment recovery [08:30] How she take the CEO role as operational glue among partners [11:25] MAS approval process for Capital Markets Licence (CMS) [13:00] TGV fund structure: four, five, six overview [14:55] Investment thesis: AI and blockchain applications globally [16:01] Focus on serial entrepreneurs, not first-timers [17:39] CMS license removes 20% constraint limitations [20:54] The rationale behind applying for broad licenses [26:57] Secondary market opportunities and liquidation preferences [30:18] Blockchain landscape evolving toward financial applications [34:49] Private stock tokenization and where it is heading [38:27] Stablecoin as killer app for crypto [39:09] AI agents settling payments with stablecoins [42:25] Different regulatory approaches across jurisdictions [43:36] Corporate crypto treasury strategies beyond Bitcoin, Ethereum DATs and Solana [48:35] 80-20 rule for portfolio company treasuries [50:37] Four-year crypto cycles may be extending [54:31] What does great look like for TGV [59:09] Closing Profile: Beatrice Lion, Chief Executive Officer and General Partner, True Global Ventures: https://www.tgv4plus.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beatricelion/ Podcast Information: Bernard Leong hosts and produces the show. The proper credits for the intro and end music are "Energetic Sports Drive." G. Thomas Craig mixed and edited the episode in both video and audio format. Here are the links to watch or listen to our podcast: Analyse Asia Main Site: https://analyse.asia Analyse Asia Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1kkRwzRZa4JCICr2vm0vGl Analyse Asia Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/analyse-asia-with-bernard-leong/id914868245 Analyse Asia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/analyse-asia/ Analyse Asia X (formerly known as Twitter): https://twitter.com/analyseasia Sign Up for Our This Week in Asia Newsletter: https://www.analyse.asia/#/portal/signup Subscribe Newsletter on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7149559878934540288
Nurses Out Loud with Jodi O'Malley MSN, RN – Hospitals once bill $40–$45 per COVID shot while tying vaccination rates to funding and bonuses. Nurses face denied exemptions and pressure to comply. RFK Jr. ends CMS incentives, and the FDA rescinds EUAs, shifting power back to choice. This moment highlights how money, policy, and ethics collide, urging nurses to stand with moral courage...
Nurses Out Loud with Jodi O'Malley MSN, RN – Hospitals once bill $40–$45 per COVID shot while tying vaccination rates to funding and bonuses. Nurses face denied exemptions and pressure to comply. RFK Jr. ends CMS incentives, and the FDA rescinds EUAs, shifting power back to choice. This moment highlights how money, policy, and ethics collide, urging nurses to stand with moral courage...
In this episode of Curing with Sound, we speak with Patrick Hope, Executive Director of AdvaMed's Medical Imaging Division, about the critical but often unseen world of medical technology policy and advocacy that makes innovative treatments like focused ultrasound accessible to patients. Patrick shares how AdvaMed, an advocacy organization for the med tech industry, collaborates on initiatives to increase awareness among policymakers, improve reimbursement, and champion legislation that accelerates patient access to lifesaving innovations. Discussion highlights: Breakthrough Policy Initiative: Hear about upcoming legislation that could transform how focused ultrasound and other technologies reach patients by eliminating the lengthy CMS reimbursement process, and providing 4-5 years of Medicare coverage for breakthrough medical devices immediately after FDA approval. Patient-Centered Advocacy Strategy: Learn about AdvaMed's unique "Right Scan, Right Time" campaign, which has over 30,000 patient advocates, and its powerful Capitol Hill fly-in events, where patients, providers, and companies work together to share compelling stories with lawmakers. These include dramatic before-and-after videos that show the life-changing impact of treatments like focused ultrasound for essential tremor. EPISODE TRANSCRIPT ---------------------------- QUESTIONS? Email podcast@fusfoundation.org if you have a question or comment about the show, or if you would you like to connect about future guest appearances. Email info@fusfoundation.org if you have questions about focused ultrasound or the Foundation. FUSF SOCIAL MEDIA LinkedIn X Facebook Instagram TikTok YouTube FUSF WEBSITE https://www.fusfoundation.org SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE NEWSLETTER https://www.fusfoundation.org/newsletter-signup/ READ THE LATEST NEWSLETTER https://www.fusfoundation.org/the-foundation/news-media/newsletter/ DOWNLOAD "THE TUMOR" BY JOHN GRISHAM (FREE E-BOOK) https://www.fusfoundation.org/read-the-tumor-by-john-grisham/
SaaS Scaled - Interviews about SaaS Startups, Analytics, & Operations
Today, we're joined by Mats Persson, CEO of Umbraco, provider of the world's leading open-source CMS platform. We talk about:The impacts of AI in developing and managing contentWhy content management systems will always surviveThe pluses and minuses of open source and AI helping write codeRisks of being too enthusiastic about your own opportunity & productThe challenges of GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), considering there's not one standard system
You waited and waited.Finally, the big day came, and just as quickly, day turned into evening – and there you were with cloudy vision, halos, and difficulty reading. Not to mention the occasional glare.You and about 25 percent of patients experience a common complication following cataract surgery (or, more precisely, “posterior capsule opacity,” or PCO). The good news: the standard treatment is YAG laser capsulotomy (CPT® 66821).The legendary Rose T. Dunn, past president and interim CEO for the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and current COO for First Class Solutions, will return to the Talk Ten Tuesdays broadcast to report on this treatment and topic.The popular Internet broadcast will also feature these additional instantly recognizable panelists, who will report more news during their segments:• MyTalk: Angela Comfort, veteran healthcare subject-matter expert, will co-host the broadcast. Comfort is the Assistant Vice President of Revenue Integrity for Montefiore Health.• CDI Report: Cheryl Ericson, Senior Director of Clinical Policy and Education for the vaunted Brundage Group, will have the latest clinical documentation integrity (CDI) updates.• Social Determinants of Health: Tiffany Ferguson, CEO for Phoenix Medical Management, Inc., will report on the news that is happening at the intersection of medical record auditing and the SDoH.• The Coding Report: Christine Geiger, Assistant Vice President of Acute and Post-Acute Coding Services for First Class Solutions, will report on the latest coding news.• News Desk: Timothy Powell, ICD10monitor national correspondent, will anchor the Talk Ten Tuesdays News Desk.
Medicare Advantage plans are about to face unprecedented scrutiny as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implements a dramatically expanded approach to RADV audits. Starting in 2025, every Medicare Advantage plan will be subject to contract-level RADV audits—a significant departure from the historical approach of randomly selecting 60 plans annually. During this 17-minute podcast, Deborah Curry, risk adjustment programs director at Medical Mutual. breaks down the critical changes that compliance teams need to prepare for immediately. She offers practical strategies for surviving this new audit environment, emphasizing the importance of designated backup personnel, weekly progress huddles, and careful oversight of vendors retrieving medical records. Whether you're already facing a RADV audit or preparing for the inevitable, this episode provides essential guidance for navigating CMS' aggressive new approach. For deeper insights, join RISE in Tampa, Fla. on October 21-23 for the 26th Risk Adjustment Forum, where Curry will be sharing additional strategies for RADV readiness.About Deborah CurryDeborah Curry, risk adjustment programs director, Medical Mutual, joined Paramount Healthcare in May 2013 and oversees the Risk Adjustment, Coordination of Benefits, and Subrogation departments. Prior to her position with Paramount, she had 21 years' experience working with the State of Ohio workers' compensation program, both for the government and a contracted managed care organization. She came to Paramount with extensive knowledge in medical coding, provider billing and education, Medicare payment methodologies, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance.Curry attended The University of Toledo for both her undergraduate and graduate degrees and currently holds a Master of Business Administration with major in Healthcare Systems Management. She is an active member of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and is a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) and Certified Coding Specialist, physician based (CCS-P).Curry is also an active member of the America Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and is a Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC). She holds certificates as a Risk Adjustment Practitioner (RAP) and Advanced HCC Auditor (AHCCA and serves as a Board Member of the University of Toledo Health Information Administration Advisory Board, Health and Human Services Alumni Affiliate at The University of Toledo, and Health Information Technology Advisory Committee at Owens Community College.About the Risk Adjustment ForumRISE's Risk Adjustment Forum is designed for leaders in risk adjustment, coding, compliance, finance, and analytics across Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, Affordable Care Act, and commercial plans. The three-day event, which will take place Oct. 21-23 at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, will tackle RADV audit ramp‑up and extrapolation, the Big Beautiful Bill Act, V28/RxHCC shifts, internal audit design, and CDI.
On this episode of What's Best For The Patient Is Best For The Business, Jerry dives deep into the critical, often complex world of billing compliance with industry expert Rick Gawenda, PT.Rick, the founder and president of Gawenda Seminars & Consulting, breaks down the high-impact proposals from CMS for the 2026 Physician Fee Schedule. They move beyond the headlines to provide a practical, actionable guide for clinic owners and therapists, with a special focus on the new Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) codes and how to leverage them for both improved patient outcomes and practice growth.This is a must-listen for any practice looking to stay ahead of the curve, ensure compliance, and understand how to successfully implement innovative care models like RTM.
In this episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon Stancil and Murs Tariq sit down with Medicare specialist Shawn Southard to unpack the recent developments around Medicare Advantage brokers, broker compensation, and the impact of a federal court ruling on CMS Medicare rules. With Medicare open enrollment and aggressive Medicare marketing campaigns happening every year, understanding how brokers get paid and how it may influence the advice you receive has never been more important. Shawn explains how the recent court decision effects Medicare plan comparison, Medicare star ratings, and the role of brokers in guiding retirees. If you're planning retirement or reviewing your options during Medicare open enrollment, this episode provides practical insights and unbiased Medicare advice to help you make informed choices. Listen in to learn about: How Medicare broker compensation structures may impact your coverage decisions and what questions you need to ask to protect yourself from Medicare scams. Whether you're seeking SHIP counseling, comparing plans, or building your retirement checklist, this discussion will help you confidently navigate your Medicare options and secure your retirement. In this episode, find out: The details behind the CMS rule, the court ruling, and what it means for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries. How broker compensation can influence recommendations and why questions to ask brokers are critical. Why aggressive Medicare marketing and commercials may increase — and how to stay vigilant. How to leverage Medicare plan comparison tools and SHIP counseling for unbiased Medicare advice. Steps you can take today to make smart, confident decisions for retiring comfortably. Tweetable Quotes: “Understanding how Medicare brokers are compensated empowers you to make better decisions and avoid being swayed by marketing tactics.” — Radon Stancil “Medicare open enrollment is your opportunity to make informed choices — but only if you ask the right questions and focus on what's best for you, not the broker.” — Murs Tariq Resources: If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement! To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.
This week I Share What I've Learned After 601 Episodes [powerpress]
In this episode of Content, Briefly, Jimmy Daly, Eric Doty, and Chloe Thompson dive into a lively debate: is the company blog dead, and what role do platforms like Substack or Beehive play in modern content strategy?They explore the tradeoffs between traditional CMS-driven blogs and newsletter-first approaches, covering everything from SEO libraries to thought-leadership microsites. With real examples from Dock, Intercom, and past experiments on Medium, the group unpacks how content teams can balance discoverability, brand affinity, and speed of publishing.This conversation is both a critique of bloated, SEO-heavy blogs and a forward-looking look at how marketers can experiment with new distribution models while still supporting business goals.This episode is sponsored by our friends at Ahrefs. You can sign up for Ahrefs Webmaster Tools, for free, to improve your website's SEO performance and grow traffic from search.************************Useful Links:Follow Jimmy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmydaly/Follow Eric on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edoty/Follow Chloe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloethompson3/Is the Company Blog Dead? - https://newsletter.mkt1.co/p/episode8-company-blog-deadFin AI: https://fin.ai/ideas/************************Stay Tuned:► Website: https://www.superpath.co/► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@superpath► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/superpath/► Twitter: https://twitter.com/superpathco************************Don't forget to leave us a five-star review and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
In this episode of Home Health Revealed, host Hannah Vale welcomes back Victoria Kuklina, of FinHealth, for Part Two: an actionable guide to what home health agencies can do NOW to prepare for the 2026 rate cuts—under the Home Health Proposed Rule 2026. Victoria shares essential strategies for immediate action, including budgeting, scenario planning, and operational readiness for agencies navigating the upcoming payment reductions. Plus, discover her free tool, the FinHealth Score, which simplifies your agency's financial readiness to a single, easy-to-understand number and provides tailored, actionable insights to help you plan and protect margins. In this episode: Budgeting amid regulatory changes How to approach scenario planning: manage risk with data-driven forecasts Operational strategies for staffing, patient access, compliance, and cash flow as the rules shift How to use the FinHealth Score tool to benchmark readiness and access practical guidance Vital updates as CMS transitions from the proposed rule to the home health final rule 2026 Proactive steps agencies can take now to build resilience and advocate for quality care Whether your agency is just starting to assess the impact or already designing contingency plans, tune in for a practical roadmap to staying ahead. Like, subscribe, and share to help home health leaders navigate the changes and optimize financial health ahead of 2026! Chapters (00:00:02) - Home Health Revealed: Budgeting and Scenario Planning(00:01:17) - Budgeting: The Communication Tool(00:03:30) - Beyond the Budget: Scenario Planning(00:08:00) - Home Health Agency Executive Brief(00:11:05) - FinHealth's Fin Health Score(00:11:42) - CMS Fin Health Score
Smart Agency Masterclass with Jason Swenk: Podcast for Digital Marketing Agencies
Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training Which growth drivers are fueling your agency right now? For today's featured guest, the answer is clear: thought leadership. It's the single biggest driver consistently bringing his agency the best opportunities. While it can be difficult to separate genuine impact from vanity metrics, the deliberate effort to position both himself and his agency as industry experts has proven invaluable for growth. But building that kind of authority doesn't happen by accident. It requires intentional work—stepping onto stages at conferences, showing up in interviews and podcasts, and, just as importantly, encouraging your team to create and share content of their own. In this conversation, he breaks down the strategies that help expand thought leadership beyond the founder, and why agency leaders must remember: expertise is a long game, one that compounds over time to deliver lasting results. Chris Long is the VP of Marketing at Go Fish Digital, a full-service digital marketing agency specializing in SEO, paid media, and content marketing. Over the past 3–4 years, Chris has been leading the charge on marketing and sales for the agency, driving new business growth and experimenting with different channels to see what really works. Spoiler alert: it's not just ads or conferences—it's something much bigger. In this episode, we'll discuss: Thought leadership as your agency's best growth lever. Scaling thought leadership beyond the founder. Building the right systems to encourage your team to create content. Why Content ROI takes patience. Subscribe Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio Sponsors and Resources This episode is brought to you by Wix Studio: If you're leveling up your team and your client experience, your site builder should keep up too. That's why successful agencies use Wix Studio — built to adapt the way your agency does: AI-powered site mapping, responsive design, flexible workflows, and scalable CMS tools so you spend less on plugins and more on growth. Ready to design faster and smarter? Go to wix.com/studio to get started. The Growth Lever Most Agencies Ignore: Thought Leadership Recently, Chris has taken an experimental approach to his agency's growth, testing growth drivers like Google ads, LinkedIn ads, and conferences, and found that thought leadership consistently stood as the biggest growth drivers; one that couldn't be replicated. Forget chasing the latest ad hack or praying your next conference booth delivers ROI—what's consistently driven their biggest, best deals has been showing up as experts in their space. However, thought leadership is hard to measure. It often looks like vanity metrics—views, impressions, shares. But when you zoom out, it's the stuff that actually moves the needle. The more the agency doubled down on creating content, sharing insights, and putting their expertise out there, the more deals they closed. Not just more deals but better ones, with stronger close rates. If you're still waiting for the perfect ad funnel to save your pipeline, you might be missing the obvious. Start building your authority in public. Share your wins. Share what you know. Because thought leadership compounds, and that trust is what gets prospects off the fence. Why Expertise is the Foundation You can't fake thought leadership. It all starts with real expertise. In Chris' words, “the reason someone's going to choose an agency, especially as you start to sell larger deals, is they have to be convinced you're an expert in something.” That doesn't mean you need to be the everything agency. In fact, the opposite. It could be as narrow as being “the best B2B or SaaS web dev shop.” The point is: prospects need to believe you've mastered your corner of the world. That foundation comes from who you hire, the culture you build, and how you innovate—whether that's through proprietary tools, processes, or just being damn good at your craft. In the case of Go Fish, that expertise showed up in real wins (like when their founders innovated on Geico's site and saw traffic spike 2,000%). Those moments of innovation fueled content, which positioned the agency as leaders. And that cycle of expertise, innovation, and thought leadership became a growth engine. Scaling Thought Leadership Beyond the Founder In the early days, thought leadership was usually founder-driven. You're the face, the credibility, the spark. But as Chris points out, that won't scale. At a certain point, you need the team creating and sharing insights too. For them, that meant encouraging everyone to post, write case studies, and share wins. Sometimes it was as simple as, “Hey, we crushed conversions on this client's landing page—let's write about it.” By empowering their team, they kept thought leadership flowing, even as the founders had less time for it. Thought leadership can't be a one-man show forever. As an agency grows, the founders have less time to spend on the day-to-day operations. If you want authority to scale with your agency, bake it into your culture. Train your team to see insights worth sharing. Make content creation part of the job, not an afterthought. The Biggest Mistake: Not Sharing at All So what do most agencies get wrong? They don't share anything. Too many people assume, “Everything valuable has already been said.” Or they think their insights aren't groundbreaking enough. But as Chris points out, “What's obvious to you isn't obvious to everyone else.” That's why simpley sharing SEO best practices on LinkedIn got him traction. What he thought was “table stakes” turned out to be news to his audience. And the more he shared, the more inbound leads followed. If you're holding back because you don't think your perspective matters, think again. Your experience has value—even if it feels basic to you. Building Systems for Thought Leadership If you want your team to start sharing their knowledge, you have to get intentional. At Go Fish, they didn't just hope employees would write content—they built systems: Every new hire had to write two blog posts a year. They tracked contributions in their project management system. They created two career tracks: one managerial, one based on thought leadership as an individual contributor. That last part is huge. By tying thought leadership part of promotions and career growth, they gave employees a real incentive to contribute. Chris himself went from manager (which he admits wasn't his strong suit) to a senior role via the thought leadership track. The lesson here is that if you want consistent content, make it part of how you hire, measure, and promote. Don't just “encourage” thought leadership—bake it into the agency's DNA. The Evolution of Content: From Blogs to Video Back in the early 2010s, blogs were king. One of Go Fish's founders wrote a massive guide on reputation management on the Moz blog that spun up an entire new agency vertical. That was the play then. Today, however, the game has shifted. According to Chris, video on LinkedIn and Twitter is where the biggest impact happens now. Video humanizes your agency. It takes the mystery away for prospects who are wondering: “Who would I be working with? Are they innovative? Do I trust them?” Webinars have also proven effective—letting people go deeper on topics, showcase expertise, and generate leads from long-form content. But the principle stays the same: meet people where they are, with content that builds authority. The Patience Tax: Why Content ROI Takes Years With content creation, you can't expect results in six months. Here's the brutal truth: content is a long game. To do content you can't think even on seeing results in six months. It may take years. Chris has gotten clients that thought about him when they needed an agency because they saw him speak at a conference two years prior. ROI doesn't always show up on a quarterly P&L—it compounds over years. The same goes for video content. Rarely does someone listen to one episode and instantly buy. Instead, they binge for months or years before making a move. That's why consistency matters more than intensity. As Chris said: “I post every day, whether I feel inspired or not. It's about the habit.” If you're evaluating content success after three or six months, you're cutting yourself off too early. Play the two-year game. The deals waiting for you are bigger than the “quick wins” most agencies chase. Consistency compounds. Virality is a bonus, not the goal. Strong Opinions and Deep Dives Win Attention So what type of content catches people's attention? On social media, where everyone seems to be shouting the same advice over and over, you can't be afraid to stand out. Take a stance. Neutral content gets ignored. As Chris points out: “Strong takes do well because people either comment to agree or argue. Either way, the algorithm loves it.” Go deep. Technical, niche content might feel too in-the-weeds, but it builds trust. Posts dissecting patents, experiments, or tools often outperform fluff. You may not think that really long niche content could do well, but people will absolutely watch a three-hour tutorial that proves a creator's expertise—and will come out trusting them more. This is the heart of thought leadership: demonstrating expertise in public. Clients don't want generalists. They want to see you know your stuff, inside and out. Do You Want to Transform Your Agency from a Liability to an Asset? Looking to dig deeper into your agency's potential? Check out our Agency Blueprint. Designed for agency owners like you, our Agency Blueprint helps you uncover growth opportunities, tackle obstacles, and craft a customized blueprint for your agency's success.
Fallout continues over a stabbing on the Lynx Blue Line as the mayor calls a special meeting of the MTC. The Charlotte municipal primary is less than a week away and turnout has been less than stellar. New state testing data is out and we look at where CMS stands, and the Panthers kick off a new season.
Health Affairs' Jeff Byers welcomes Katie Keith of Georgetown Law and Deputy Editor Chris Fleming to the pod to discuss the recent Supreme Court case, American Public Health Association et al. v. National Institutes of Health et al., that explores the lawfulness of the NIH's termination of nearly $800 million worth of grant funding for programs due to DEI association.This week, Health Affairs released a new theme issue focusing on insights from the opioids crisis. Subscribe to the journal to never miss out on an upcoming issue.Join us for these upcoming events:9/17: Lunch & Learn: The Current Opioids Policy Landscape & What's Ahead (FREE TO ALL)9/23: Prior Authorization: Current State and Potential Reform (INSIDER EXCLUSIVE)Become an Insider today to get access to our trend reports, events, and exclusive newsletters.Related Articles:Unpacking The Supreme Court's Decision Over NIH Funding (Health Affairs Forefront)American Public Health Association et al. v. National Institutes of Health et al.A closely watched legal battle over NIH funding cuts could settle soon (STAT+)
Buckle up, patriots—@intheMatrixxx and @shadygrooove blaze through Season 7, Episode 168, “RFK Jr. Testifies at Senate Hearing Amid CDC Chaos; Putin Talks IMMORTALITY,” airing live on September 4, 2025, at 12:05 PM Eastern! These truth-warrior hosts dissect HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s fiery Senate testimony, grilling the establishment on CDC upheaval—from firing Director Susan Monarez and top resignations to overhauling vaccine policies amid accusations of hidden myocarditis signals, manipulated safety data, and links to autism risks in studies like the Atlanta MMR research. Jeff and Shannon expose pharmaceutical giants' grip on politicians through massive donations to figures like Maria Cantwell and Maggie Hassan, prioritizing profits over public health, while championing transparency in drug approvals, unvaccinated vs. vaccinated health comparisons, and cracking down on federal healthcare fraud via CMS initiatives and rural health reforms. They slam the Biden era's COVID vaccine push as a test run for control, with celebs and officials like Obama and Fauci downplaying dangers, and question the media's Pfizer-sponsored spin. Then, they turn to Vladimir Putin's hot-mic musings with Xi Jinping on biotechnology, organ transplants, and achieving immortality—unearthing potential globalist plots in anti-aging pursuits. With razor-sharp wit, live intel drops, and real-time takedowns, the MG Show urges accountability in the medical system and a rejection of entrenched corruption. The truth is learned, never told—wield the Constitution as your weapon and tune in at noon-0-five Eastern LIVE to stand with Trump! Trump, RFK Jr., CDC chaos, vaccines, vaccine safety, pharma influence, myocarditis, autism, Putin, immortality, MG Show, @intheMatrixxx, @shadygrooove, America First, Senate hearing, healthcare reform, corruption, COVID data mgshow_s7e168_rfk_testifies_cdc_chaos_putin_immortality Where to Watch & Listen Live on https://rumble.com/mgshow https://mgshow.link/redstate X: https://x.com/inthematrixxx Backup: https://kick.com/mgshow PODCASTS: Available on PodBean, Apple, Pandora, and Amazon Music. Search for "MG Show" to listen. Engage with Us Join the conversation on https://t.me/mgshowchannel and participate in live voice chats at https://t.me/MGShow. Social & Support Follow us on X: @intheMatrixxx https://x.com/inthematrixxx @ShadyGrooove https://x.com/shadygrooove Support the show: Fundraiser: https://givesendgo.com/helpmgshow Donate: https://mg.show/support Merch: https://merch.mg.show MyPillow Special: Use code MGSHOW at https://mypillow.com/mgshow for savings! Wanna send crypto? Bitcoin: bc1qtl2mftxzv8cxnzenmpav6t72a95yudtkq9dsuf Ethereum: 0xA11f0d2A68193cC57FAF9787F6Db1d3c98cf0b4D ADA: addr1q9z3urhje7jp2g85m3d4avfegrxapdhp726qpcf7czekeuayrlwx4lrzcfxzvupnlqqjjfl0rw08z0fmgzdk7z4zzgnqujqzsf XLM: GAWJ55N3QFYPFA2IC6HBEQ3OTGJGDG6OMY6RHP4ZIDFJLQPEUS5RAMO7 LTC: ltc1qapwe55ljayyav8hgg2f9dx2y0dxy73u0tya0pu All Links Find everything on https://linktr.ee/mgshow
GLP-1 medications like Ozempic were designed to treat diabetes—but they're quickly becoming known for weight loss and possible kidney benefits. Kidney doctor Holly Kramer and kidney patients Patrick Gee, and Jane DeMeis, are here to break down what these medications are, how they work, and what people with kidney disease need to know. In today's episode we heard from: Holly Kramer, M.D., MPH, is a practicing nephrologist who conducts research connecting nutrition and kidney health. Her connection to the National Kidney Foundation was inspired by her mom, who was a dialysis nurse and helped create some of the first dialysis units in Northwest Indiana. Dr. Kramer finds being on the NKF Board important, because it is the largest, patient-centered organization focusing on kidney disease. Her long-term goal is to increase national funding for kidney disease research and to heighten awareness about chronic kidney disease. Jane DeMeis became involved with the National Kidney Foundation when she was diagnosed in 2018 with stage 4 kidney disease. She is currently on home hemodialysis and the transplant waitlist. Ms. DeMeis was the Director of Education and Organizational Development for U R Medicine Home Care. Part of her responsibilities was working with clinicians in teaching them how to present education to patients. She also was the Chairperson of the Patient Family Centered Care program and worked with improving home care through patient advocacy. In 2018, Ms. DeMeis retired. She had been fighting CKD along with Psoriatic Arthritis for many years and needed to focus on her health. She currently serves as a member of NKF's Kidney Advocacy Committee, as an Ambassador for NKF's online communities, and also as a NKF Peer mentor. Her other volunteer activities include being on the Board of the Perinton Food Shelf and working with clients as the Lead Verifier. She and her husband sing with the Perinton Senior Chorus and enjoy working in their garden. Patrick Gee is a Community Activist, fighting against systemic issues such as poverty, social and racial injustices, criminal justice reform, and education reform. Patrick worked for the Virginia Department of Corrections and the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice, where during his time in service, he acquired several awards and recognitions. In April 2013, Patrick was diagnosed with Stage 3b End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD). He began doing Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) in December 2013. On April 21, 2017, Patrick received a kidney transplant. Patrick has been very passionate in his pursuit to speak on behalf of the underserved, undervalued, and disenfranchised communities of color. Because of this, he serves as an advocate and kidney patient expert for a number of organizations including the NKF, CMS, FDA, KHI, AKF, AAKP and HDU. Patrick was the 2025 winner of NKF's Celeste Lee Castillo Patient Engagement Award. Additional Resources: GLP-1 Receptor Agonists NKF Supports Proposal to Expand Access to Weight-Loss Medications Do you have comments, questions, or suggestions? Email us at NKFpodcast@kidney.org. Also, make sure to rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts.
Medicare faces danger as CMS pushes harmful prior authorization rules, while WSJ polling shows voters fear a Trump recession, proving Democrats must champion bold populist economic reforms now.Subscribe to our Newsletter:https://politicsdoneright.com/newsletterPurchase our Books: As I See It: https://amzn.to/3XpvW5o How To Make AmericaUtopia: https://amzn.to/3VKVFnG It's Worth It: https://amzn.to/3VFByXP Lose Weight And BeFit Now: https://amzn.to/3xiQK3K Tribulations of anAfro-Latino Caribbean man: https://amzn.to/4c09rbE
This week, Cathy McKnight, Chief Problem Solver at Seventh Bear, makes her monthly visit to the studio, and she and our host Ian Truscott explore whether, in 2025, the term CMS (Content Management System) is still relevant to CMOs with all the other acronyms and buzzwords around content operations today. Some talking points from this week: With the advances in page builder solutions to deliver multi-channel and multi-language websites, do organizations need enterprise solutions? What needs must enterprises have to justify an enterprise solution (like Adobe or Sitecore) versus a simpler solution? Do organizations handle workflow and orchestration within the CMS? Is Headless the natural successor to the content management principles of old? As usual, when Ian and Cathy get together, they dive into their inner content geeks, and as always, we welcome your feedback. Enjoy! — The Links The people: Ian Truscott on LinkedIn and Bluesky Cathy McKnight on LinkedIn Mentioned this week: LinkedIn post by Gartner Analyst, Irina Guseva Cathy's firm - Seventh Bear Rockstar CMO: The Beat Newsletter that we send every Monday Rockstar CMO on the web and LinkedIn Previous episodes and all the show notes: Rockstar CMO FM. Track List: We'll be right back by Stienski & Mass Media on YouTube You can listen to this on all good podcast platforms, like Apple, Amazon, and Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thank you Sandra Dingler, Pamela R. Daniels, Uju M., Genia Sklute, Helen Meadors, and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.* CMS is Trying to Expand Prior Authorization in Traditional Medicare Even Though All Data Points Say That's a Bad Idea: Critics say CMS' new prior authorization model risks delays and denials for seniors. [More]* As Trump Recession Looms, New WSJ Po… To hear more, visit egberto.substack.com
¿Cómo monetizas un software que es gratuito por definición? En este episodio, exploramos la respuesta con uno de los mayores referentes del ecosistema WordPress.
Among the concerns some parents have heading into the new school year is whether there will be an ICE presence at their child's school. That includes CMS, where community members have expressed concern — even though board members say ICE can't enter campus without a subpoena or warrant. Still, anxiety remains. We explore that and dive into some of the legal questions around this issue.
In this timely episode of What's Best For The Patient Is Best For Business, host Jerry Durham is joined by two powerhouse voices in healthcare: Angela Diaz, PT, VP of Market Development at TailorCare, and Dana Strauss, PT, DPT, a physical therapist turned health policy strategist.Recorded in the wake of CMS's monumental 2025 Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule, this conversation is a masterclass in translating complex policy into actionable business strategy. Jerry, Angela, and Dana dissect the new regulations and mandatory models, moving beyond the headlines of reimbursement cuts to uncover the significant opportunities hidden within for forward-thinking physical therapy practices.They break down the new ambulatory specialty model for low back pain, the WISER model aimed at reducing wasteful spending, and the TEAM model holding hospitals accountable for 30-day post-discharge care. The discussion provides a clear roadmap for PTs to pivot from being siloed service providers to becoming indispensable, collaborative partners in a value-based care system.Key Takeaways:• Why the conversion factor is only a small piece of the reimbursement puzzle and how PTs/OTs were inadvertently grouped with specialists, leading to a potential negative impact.• How to leverage data to demonstrate your value to physicians and health systems participating in new mandatory models (like the ambulatory specialty model for low back pain), making you a sought-after partner instead of an ancillary service.• The critical difference between capitation and true value-based care, and why attaching your payment to quality outcomes is the only sustainable path forward.• A practical strategy for engaging referring physicians by focusing on their pain points and asking, "What can I do to help you be successful in this new model?"• Why the future of PT isn't about doing less but about providing the right care at the right time—including phone calls, remote monitoring, and self-care guidance—to improve outcomes and reduce the total cost of care for a population.Tune in for an empowering conversation that will change your perspective from one of uncertainty to one of opportunity, proving that by focusing on collaboration and patient outcomes, you can future-proof your practice and thrive in the new landscape of healthcare. If you'd like to learn more about Strata EMR & RCM and achieving a 99.99% reimbursement rate for your PT, OT, or SLP Clinic head over to stratapt.com and book a demo with their team!
This week I Recap WordCamp US 2025 [powerpress]
Today we are talking about Drupal Canvas, What it is, and when we can use it with guest Lauri Timmanee. We'll also cover Starshot Demo Design System as our module of the week. For show notes visit: https://www.talkingDrupal.com/518 Topics What is Drupal Canvas The Evolution and Future of Drupal Canvas Building with Drupal Canvas: Components and Templates User Experience and Flexibility in Drupal Canvas Collaboration and Extensibility in Drupal Canvas Default Components in Drupal Canvas Introduction to Modular Components Drupal CMS and Site Templates Acquia Source and Drupal Canvas Integration Pricing and Use Cases for Acquia Source Canvas Beta and Stability Migration and Upgrade Paths AI Integration in Drupal Canvas Future of Drupal Canvas Resources Civictheme storybook Acquia Source Guests Lauri Timmanee - lauriii Hosts Nic Laflin - nLighteneddevelopment.com nicxvan John Picozzi - epam.com johnpicozzi MOTW Correspondent Martin Anderson-Clutz - mandclu.com mandclu Brief description: Have you ever wanted to try out Canvas (previously known as Experience Builder) with a fully built-out design system? There's a Drupal theme for that. Module name/project name: Starshot Demo Design System Brief history How old: created in July 2024 by longtime Drupalist Kristen Pol of Salsa Digital Versions available: 1.0.6, which supports Drupal 10 and 11 Maintainership Actively maintained Security coverage Test coverage Documentation - Multipage writeup of SDDS, including contribution and development guides Number of open issues: 34 open issues, 3 of which are active bugs Usage stats: 79 sites Module features and usage Some of our users may have already tried out the pre-release demo of Canvas that phenaproxima posted on Github. That actually has the Starshot Demo Design System, or SDDS, baked in. So, even if you watched a demo video of Canvas, you've probably seen SDDS in action SDDS is itself built on CivicTheme, a Drupal theme built to act as a component-based atomic design system. As such, CivicTheme includes a rich component library, built from published Figma and Storybook UI Kits. And because some of the early builds for SDDS were for GovCMS, the Australian whole-of-government CMS project, it is accessible, with WCAG 2.2 compliance out-of-the-box While the official purpose of SDDS is providing a platform to use for demos in Driesnotes and other presentations to illustrate the progress being made on Canvas, I think it's also safe to say that testing the latest features of Canvas with a fully-realized design system has also helped to identify issues in Canvas itself. That means the products of all the work that has gone into SDDS will include a more production-ready stable release when that gets tagged (hopefully in time for Vienna)
We've got updates on the 2026 ACA Exchange, requirements, and training resources! Read the text version Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail. List of State Exchange Websites Resources: Certification Center - Ritter Docs Everything Agents Need to Know About Selling in State-Based Marketplaces FREE eBook download The Complete Guide to Selling Affordable Care Act Insurance Plans How to Become Certified for ACA Marketplace Sales with FFM Training OEP Ready-to-Sell Checklist for New Agents Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing Simplify Marketplace Enrollment HealthSherpa References: “Brokers.” Marketplace Individual & Families, https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/agent/. Accessed 12 Aug. 2025. “Brokers: Pennsylvania Health Insurance Exchange Authority.” PHIEA, https://agency.pennie.com/brokers/. Accessed 12 Aug. 2025. “FAQs for Marketplace Agents and Brokers.” Agent Broker FAQ CMS, https://www.agentbrokerfaq.cms.gov/s/article/What-is-the-Marketplace-Learning-Management-System-and-how-do-I-access-it. Accessed 12 Aug. 2025. “Find Affordable Health Insurance in Georgia.” Georgia Access, 8 Aug. 2025, https://georgiaaccess.gov/. “For Certified Brokers.” Connect for Health Colorado, 10 June 2025, https://connectforhealthco.com/for-certified-brokers/. “Home.” Maryland Health Connection, 5 Aug. 2025, https://www.marylandhealthconnection.gov/. “Official Site of the State of New Jersey.” GetCoveredNJ | Brokers & Agents, https://nj.gov/getcoverednj/home/assisters_ba.shtml. Accessed 12 Aug. 2025 “Registration and Training for Marketplace Agents and Brokers.” CMS.Gov, https://www.cms.gov/marketplace/agents-brokers/registration-training. Accessed 12 Aug. 2025. “Welcome to Kynect Health Coverage.” HealthCoverage, https://kynect.ky.gov/healthcoverage/s/?language=en_US. Accessed 12 Aug. 2025. Follow Us on Social! Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ and Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/ Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.
The 174th episode of the Healthcare IT Today Podcast is sponsored by Swaay.Health, be sure to join us at the Swaay.Health LIVE marketing conference April 29-May 1, 2026, in Foxborough, MA (Just outside Boston). This time, we are discussing the CMS tech company pledge! We kick this episode off by sharing our initial reactions to the […]
Smart Agency Masterclass with Jason Swenk: Podcast for Digital Marketing Agencies
Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training Is your agency's strategy diversified enough to withstand sudden algorithm changes? Today's featured guest—an SEO veteran—learned this the hard way. While he focused on client work, his own website grew outdated. Then one Google update hit and overnight his agency lost 80% of its organic traffic, its main source of leads. The agency eventually recovered, but not without leaving him with a powerful lesson: always invest in the three pillars of growth. In this episode, he shares his chaotic first encounter with SEO, the biggest lessons from a long career in the industry, and the “superpower” that helps him better understand and adapt to algorithm shifts. Chris Raulf is the founder of Boulder SEO Marketing and Chris Raulf SEO & AI Consulting. With decades of experience in SEO, dating back to before Google was even called Google, Chris specializes in hyper-focused SEO and content marketing strategies. He's worked with clients from local startups to major national brands, helping them dominate organic search. Fun fact: Chris is dyslexic and considers it his SEO superpower. In this episode, we'll discuss: The big mistake that led him to a career in SEO. The day 80% of his organic traffic disappeared. Why he now invests in the three pillars of growth. Subscribe Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio Sponsors and Resources This episode is brought to you by Wix Studio: If you're leveling up your team and your client experience, your site builder should keep up too. That's why successful agencies use Wix Studio — built to adapt the way your agency does: AI-powered site mapping, responsive design, flexible workflows, and scalable CMS tools so you spend less on plugins and more on growth. Ready to design faster and smarter? Go to wix.com/studio to get started. From Big Mistake to a Full-Blown Career in SEO Chris has been in the SEO game since before most of us knew it was a thing. Back in 1995, while working in Switzerland for an American company, he watched the birth of the search engine era. The US branch of the company created something called a “website” and hardcoded German text as images on it. His first “SEO problem” was figuring out how search engines could read that German text. That curiosity grew into a passion, and eventually a full-blown career. Fast forward to today, Boulder SEO Marketing is a hyper-focused SEO agency specializing in content strategies that win. But even with all that experience, Chris learned the hard way that no one is safe from the wrath of a Google core update. The Day Organic Traffic Disappeared In 2021, business was booming. Leads were rolling in purely from organic search. Then, overnight, a Google core algorithm update wiped out about 80% of their organic traffic. Why did this happen? Outdated content. Their own site had gone stale while they focused on client work. For an agency that relied almost entirely on inbound search leads, it was like someone padlocked the front door. Chris could have panicked, but after the initial shock, he collected himself and treated this crisis as an opportunity. He gave himself one weekend to create a comeback plan. The result was a proprietary approach he calls Micro SEO Strategies—laser-targeted content plays designed to quickly recover rankings and leads. Two Pages That Saved the Agency Chris rebuilt their inbound engine with just two key pieces of content: A location page targeting “Denver SEO” that shot straight to #1 in local search and started generating leads almost immediately. An SEO packages guide that became a go-to national resource for that search term, pulling in high-quality leads from across the U.S. Within 3–4 weeks, the phones were ringing again. Inbound was back. And Chris walked away with a hard-earned reminder—never let your own marketing go stale. Don't Put All Your Eggs in Google's Basket If you're getting all your leads from one channel, you're on borrowed land. Whether it's Google, Facebook, or any single source, an algorithm tweak or platform change can crush your lead flow overnight. Jason's advice on this is to build three pillars: Inbound (like SEO and content) Outbound (targeted outreach and prospecting) Strategic partnerships (referrals, collabs, and networks) That way, if one pillar crumbles, your agency can survive. Turning Dyslexia into a Superpower Like anyone who's struggled with dyslexia (like Jason, for instance) Chris had a hard time in school. Nowadays, however, he no longer sees it as a weakness and instead credits it with his ability to “feel” the algorithm and see patterns others might miss. It's helped him build a thriving agency, one that makes most of its money from content. Both agreed, what once felt like a setback in school became an entrepreneurial advantage later in life. Do You Want to Transform Your Agency from a Liability to an Asset? Looking to dig deeper into your agency's potential? Check out our Agency Blueprint. Designed for agency owners like you, our Agency Blueprint helps you uncover growth opportunities, tackle obstacles, and craft a customized blueprint for your agency's success.
A fatal stabbing has officials concerned not only about crime but also its potential impact this incident might have on the transit vote in November. The CMS school year is underway, North Carolina's legislature is back in Raleigh, but won't vote on a budget, and the Panthers have traded a star.
When you adjust for inflation, OT and PT reimbursement is down around 40% since 2002 on our key CPT codes. Now the 2026 Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule has ANOTHER cut to OT written in pencil. We simply cannot sustain continued cuts to the value of our services. So, we clearly need to reconsider our advocacy approach and identify key opportunities to help influence meaningful change.. At OT Potential we are equipping YOU to raise your voice. We are going to spend an hour diving deep into the relevant parts of the new proposed rule, so you can understand the challenges and opportunities. We'll be led by The incredible Dana Strauss, a doctor of physical therapy and healthcare public policy expert.We'll share the comment letter that OT Potential has drafted to share with CMS, so you have a template to work from by the deadline on Sept. 12th.Support the show
Selling Affordable Care Act Insurance plans can be a lucrative addition to your business! Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail. Resources: 6 Ways to Generate ACA Leads 2026 ACA Exchange & FFM Certification Info ACA Enrollment Periods Explained Agent Requirements for ACA Sales Everything Agents Need to Know About Selling in State-Based Marketplaces How to Become Certified for ACA Marketplace Sales with Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM) Training Operating From a People-First Mentality ft. Scott Zimmerman The Complete Guide to Selling Affordable Care Act Plans – FREE eBook Download What is the Health Insurance Marketplace? References: “5 Steps to Start Selling Marketplace Health & Dental Plans.” HealthCare.Gov, https://www.healthcare.gov/agent-broker-quick-start/. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025. “Low Cost Marketplace Health Care, Qualifying Income Levels.” HealthCare.Gov, https://www.healthcare.gov/lower-costs/. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025. “Marketplace Enrollment, 2014-2025.” KFF, 8 July 2025, https://www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/state-indicator/marketplace-enrollment/. “New Agents' and Brokers' Guide to Plan Year 2025 Marketplace Registration and Training.” Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, https://www.cms.gov/files/document/new-agents-and-brokers-guide-marketplace-registration-and-training.pdf. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025. “Over 24 Million Consumers Selected Affordable Health Coverage in ACA Marketplace for 2025.” CMS.Gov, https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/over-24-million-consumers-selected-affordable-health-coverage-aca-marketplace-2025. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025. “Registration and Training for Marketplace Agents and Brokers.” CMS.Gov, https://www.cms.gov/marketplace/agents-brokers/registration-training. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025. Follow Us on Social! Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ and Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/ Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has quickly transitioned from something to expect in the future to the here and now today. The potential for AI in health information is both exciting and daunting. Reporting the lead story during the next live edition of Talk Ten Tuesday will be longtime RACmonitor and ICD10monitor contributing author Sharon Easterling.Sharon Easterling will continue her editorial series on artificial intelligence and medical record coding.The popular Internet broadcast will also feature these additional instantly recognizable panelists, who will report more news during their segments:• MyTalk: Angela Comfort, veteran healthcare subject-matter expert, will co-host the long-running and popular weekly Internet broadcast. Comfort is the Assistant Vice President of Revenue Integrity for Montefiore Health.• CDI Report: Cheryl Ericson, Senior Director of Clinical Policy and Education for the vaunted Brundage Group, will have the latest clinical documentation integrity (CDI) updates.• Social Determinants of Health: Tiffany Ferguson, CEO for Phoenix Medical Management, Inc., will report on the news that is happening at the intersection of medical record auditing and the SDoH.• The Coding Report: Christine Geiger, Assistant Vice President of Acute and Post-Acute Coding Services for First Class Solutions, will report on the latest coding news.• News Desk: Timothy Powell, ICD10monitor national correspondent, will anchor the Talk Ten Tuesdays News Desk.
This week I Share My Interview with Adam Warner [powerpress]
The Evolution and Future of Medicare Call Centers
Smart Agency Masterclass with Jason Swenk: Podcast for Digital Marketing Agencies
Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training What happens when the agency you've built is just… stuck? Or when you hit a revenue ceiling, lose a major client, and start wondering if you've been playing the wrong game entirely? Those moments either break you or become the pivot points that redefine everything. In this episode, you'll hear from an agency owner who's lived through the grind growing his agency from scratch, riding out recessions, choosing a niche that would help him get out of “no man's land”. He'll discuss the strategic bet that broke through plateaus, why he still refuses to hire a COO, and the million-dollar risk that could have sunk him but ended up being a worthwhile bet on his vision. Alex Membrillo is the founder and CEO of Cardinal Digital Marketing, a 100-person specialist agency in healthcare performance marketing. Based in Atlanta, Alex launched Cardinal 16 years ago fresh out of college driven by equal parts ambition and desperation. Over the years, he's navigated economic downturns, client churn, plateaus, and tough hiring markets, ultimately transforming it from a generalist digital shop into a niche powerhouse serving multi-site medical and dental groups nationwide. In this episode, we'll discuss: Riding out recessions. Breaking plateaus and choosing a niche. Why he still prefers not hiring a COO. Alex's million-dollar bet on himself. Subscribe Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio Sponsors and Resources This episode is brought to you by Wix Studio: If you're leveling up your team and your client experience, your site builder should keep up too. That's why successful agencies use Wix Studio — built to adapt the way your agency does: AI-powered site mapping, responsive design, flexible workflows, and scalable CMS tools so you spend less on plugins and more on growth. Ready to design faster and smarter? Go to wix.com/studio to get started. Starting from Scratch (and a Hospital Room) Alex didn't start Cardinal with a polished business plan or a stack of VC cash — he started it the day after his first child was born. After watching his dad's business nearly collapse thanks to a terrible SEO agency, Alex vowed to do better. With a fraternity brother on board and the confidence of having built a website once at sixteen, they left the hospital, started cold-calling local businesses, and selling websites. That first chapter didn't exactly go as planned. The websites flopped, but an SEO win for a kayak tour company gave them the confidence (and proof) they needed to double down on search. From there, they expanded into paid ads and built a reputation on a simple promise: If we suck, we'll give you your money back. In the wild west of 2009 SEO, when big agencies were scrambling to go “digital” overnight, this direct, performance-focused approach gave them an edge. Riding Out Recessions & Staying Hands-On Recessions shaped Alex's early leadership style. In 2009, big agencies were struggling, but lean, hungry digital-first shops could move faster and win clients. That meant Alex was doing it all—account managing 20 clients, selling new business, running QuickBooks, and hiring unpaid interns just to keep things moving. In those early days, generalists are gold. If you're too small for deep specialization, having people who can juggle SEO, PPC, and client management was critical. Even now, with a bigger team, Alex stays close to clients—spending hours each week on calls. To him, the job never ends, and the size of the clients is the only thing that's changed thus far. Hence, staying in the work keeps his perspective sharp. Breaking Plateaus by Choosing a Niche By 2016, Cardinal had hit a wall at around $3.5M in revenue. At that stage, he realized what he had wasn't really a business. You're just a very good operator that probably has one or two big clients. The problem is that if those clients leave, as it happened to him when he was around $4 million, then you're down to zero again. They'd grown by targeting four sectors—higher ed, home services, healthcare, and legal—which did help propel the agency. However, growth stalled again at $7–8M. Then COVID hit, and Alex decided to stop playing the “variety” game. Inspired by Jim Collins' Hedgehog Concept, he asked: What can we be the best in the world at? What drives our economic engine? What do we actually love doing? The answer was healthcare. They rebranded, rewrote their site, published thought leadership, and even released a book to claim their spot in the niche. They didn't fire old clients—they just stopped marketing to non-healthcare prospects and let those accounts naturally roll off. Alex does wish he would've also kept a bit of focus on higher ed, another sector where the agency really shined. Nonetheless, the bet paid off: a laser focus on healthcare has helped them grow faster, build deeper expertise, and win larger multi-site provider clients. Why Alex Still Doesn't Have a COO Alex firmly believes you can grow out of most problems, so every time he felt the agency was stuck, he went right back to improving their marketing, getting bigger clients, and hiring talented people. It's a simple formula that has kept working for him throughout the years. However, here's where he breaks from conventional wisdom: even at 100+ employees, Cardinal has no head of operations or finance. Everyone, including him, is billable. “I've made the mistake 83 times of listening to experts who say ‘Go hire a COO,'” Alex says. In his view, it's just not worth it at that point in your growth. “Do as much as you can as the owner. Have all departments report to you. You don't need middle management pushing paper. You need smart, talented people actually doing the work.” That lean structure only works if you market hard and keep new business flowing. It gives you the freedom to walk away from bad-fit clients and double down on growth opportunities. AI as Your Board of Advisors Agency owners like Alex, who see no need to hire a COO or CMO while they can still manage things themselves, can now turn to AI as a resourceful solution, treating it like an in-house advisory board. Like fellow agency owner Chris Dreyer—who built custom GPTs for CFO and COO roles and used AI to better understand the business acquisition process—Alex is now considering feeding his P&L and monthly reports into AI to spot trends, explain fluctuations, and even validate assumptions. The takeaway: you don't need expensive consultants or bloated leadership teams to get strategic insight. With the right prompts, you can cut through the noise and focus on execution, the part AI can't do for you (yet). The Million-Dollar Bet on Himself One of Alex's biggest turning points came when he bought out his co-founder. His partner had lost interest in client work, and Alex saw no way forward without full control. After a year of negotiation, he signed a deal that left him $1M in debt. For three years, he funneled $35,000 a month from profits to pay it off, losing sleep and enduring massive stress. In hindsight, it was worth it, but it took “probably 30 years off my life,” Alex says. Still, it was a defining moment—proving to himself he was willing to bet big on his own vision. Thought Leadership as a Growth Engine Cardinal's healthcare niche dominance didn't just happen—it was engineered. Alex leveraged thought leadership to own the space. From content and events to industry-specific messaging, they positioned themselves as the go-to choice for multi-site healthcare providers. He's quick to point out this approach has pros and cons, but if you want his playbook, he's happy to share it—just reach out on LinkedIn. Do You Want to Transform Your Agency from a Liability to an Asset? Looking to dig deeper into your agency's potential? Check out our Agency Blueprint. Designed for agency owners like you, our Agency Blueprint helps you uncover growth opportunities, tackle obstacles, and craft a customized blueprint for your agency's success.
Subscribe to UnitedHealthcare's Community & State newsletter.Health Affairs' Jeff Byers welcomes Senior Editor Kathleen Haddad back to the pod to take a look at recent news that HHS terminated 22 mRNA projects. The two explore the agency's reasoning, political and Wall Street reactions, and what it could mean for health care innovation.Join us for these upcoming events:8/26: Provider Prices in the Commercial Sector: Independent Dispute Resolution (FREE TO ALL)9/3: Theme Issue Briefing: Insights About The Opioid Crisis (FREE TO ALL)9/17: Lunch & Learn: The Current Opioids Policy Landscape & What's Ahead (FREE TO ALL)9/23: Prior Authorization: Current State and Potential Reform (INSIDER EXCLUSIVE)Become an Insider today to get access to exclusive events like the ones highlighted above.Related Articles:HHS abandons mRNA vaccine research (BioPharma Dive)1 big thing: RFK Jr.'s anti-vaccine revolution (Axios)Moderna Stock Jumps as NIH Chief Tempers Administration's Attack on mRNA (Barron's)750 HHS employees send signed letter to RFK Jr. asking him to stop spreading misinformation (ABC News)Industry frets Kennedy's mRNA decision will curb cancer breakthroughs (Politico Pro) Subscribe to UnitedHealthcare's Community & State newsletter.
CEO Podcasts: CEO Chat Podcast + I AM CEO Podcast Powered by Blue 16 Media & CBNation.co
Dominik Angerer is the CEO and co-founder of Storyblok, a leading headless CMS platform used by major brands like Tesla, Netflix, Adidas, and Pizza Hut. He started coding at 15, worked as a freelance developer across Europe, and by 19 was leading teams focused on e-commerce. In 2017, he co-founded Storyblok to solve real content challenges faced by businesses. Since then, the company has grown into a global, fully remote organization with over 230 employees and more than 200,000 users in 130 countries. He discusses the importance of focus, recalling how early on, they spread themselves too thin trying to build multiple tools until a mentor advised them to solve just one problem exceptionally well. Dominik highlights their commitment to user experience, including scientific studies proving Storyblok's joyfulness for content teams, and shares productivity tips like speed reading and the importance of cross-cultural communication — recommending The Culture Map. Dominik's role centers on accountability and clarity, ensuring that everyone on his fully remote team understands how their work supports the company's broader mission. Website: Stroyblok LinkedIn: Dominik Angerer Check out our CEO Hack Buzz Newsletter–our premium newsletter with hacks and nuggets to level up your organization. Sign up HERE. I AM CEO Handbook Volume 3 is HERE and it's FREE. Get your copy here: http://cbnation.co/iamceo3. Get the 100+ things that you can learn from 1600 business podcasts we recorded. Hear Gresh's story, learn the 16 business pillars from the podcast, find out about CBNation Architects and why you might be one and so much more. Did we mention it was FREE? Download it today!
One of the toughest parts of running a coworking space is managing people. What do you do when your community manager—or any team member—isn't living up to expectations? Do you settle, or is it time to make a transition? In this episode of the Everything Coworking Podcast, Jamie Russo walks through the signs that your team member may not be a fit, what to check before you make a change, and how to confidently prepare for a transition without losing your sanity—or your members' trust. What You'll Learn in This Episode: The common symptoms of underperformance (SOPs ignored, leads lost, disorganization, poor service). How to evaluate whether the problem is training and leadership—or true misalignment. Why “settling” for a mediocre fit costs more than you think. Options for outsourcing parts of the role if only 20% isn't working. How to make SOP documentation a requirement to protect your business. Why the community manager role is often a two-year position—and how to plan for turnover. Steps to take when preparing for a transition, including consulting with an employment attorney. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Transitioning to a new team member doesn't have to be overwhelming. Community Manager University is your easy button for onboarding and developing new CMs. The program: Trains on industry standards and role expectations. Connects your CM to a global network of peers. Provides expert coaching and real-world support. Learn more at everythingcoworking.com/communitymanager. Everything Coworking Featured Resources: Masterclass: 3 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets to Opening a Coworking Space Coworking Startup School Community Manager University Follow Us on YouTube
Smart Agency Masterclass with Jason Swenk: Podcast for Digital Marketing Agencies
Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training What happens when you stop chasing $30K projects and start solving real problems for smaller clients in a way that actually works? Today's featured guest had been building $32,000 websites for mid-market companies. On paper, it looked like success. But in reality, he felt stuck—unfulfilled and back in a corporate-style grind that didn't align with the kind of work or life he truly wanted. When he took a step back, he realized something important: the clients he really wanted to serve were already reaching out. These were smaller, $300K businesses with many of the same challenges agencies see across the board—but without the bloated complexity. So he made a bold pivot. He simplified his offer, created a productized service, and returned to his roots—helping people in a way that felt meaningful, scalable, and sustainable. The result? Less stress, more impact, and a business model built around freedom, not friction. Nate Freedman is the founder of TechPro Marketing and creator of MSP Sites, a productized service built specifically for Managed IT Service Providers. After years of working in high-ticket agency engagements, Nate made a bold pivot—focusing on volume, automation, and scalable coaching for small IT firms. That shift helped him grow from a $20K/month agency to a $2.5M+ business serving over 100 clients with a tight, dialed-in model. We'll explore his early missteps, the aha moment that changed everything, and the system he built to serve a niche audience at scale—without losing his soul. In this episode, we'll discuss: Pivoting to MPSs as the perfect fit. Creating a low-ticket offer. Productizing with a purpose. Subscribe Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio Sponsors and Resources This episode is brought to you by Wix Studio: If you're leveling up your team and your client experience, your site builder should keep up too. That's why successful agencies use Wix Studio — built to adapt the way your agency does: AI-powered site mapping, responsive design, flexible workflows, and scalable CMS tools so you spend less on plugins and more on growth. Ready to design faster and smarter? Go to wix.com/studio to get started. Impostor Syndrome and the Accidental CEO Nate's background wasn't in marketing strategy or enterprise consulting. He was a self-taught internet nerd who cut his teeth writing affiliate articles and selling photo recovery software online. He studied accounting, not realizing when he picked that career that being an online marketer was an option. Right out of college, his first job was at an accounting firm, an experience he promptly hated. He felt exposed and like a fish out of water. This is a feeling he recognized years later when, the more his agency took on large, complex clients like Salesforce, the more he felt like a fraud. He was working with large corporations and felt like an impostor. It just wasn't the right fit for him. “I was putting on a kind of a facade. Like, I was pretending to be someone I wasn't… and it just wasn't me.” That realization drove Nate back to his roots: helping people who reminded him of himself. From Big Clients to Bigger Misalignment Nate didn't start small. Like many digital agency owners, his early focus was on winning big projects—$10K, $20K, even $32K website and marketing packages. And sure, those checks looked great at first… until a very good client sent him the dreaded email: “Nate, when are we going to generate leads from this?” That one question—posed by a well-meaning client already $32K in—flipped the switch. Nate realized that delivering work isn't the same as delivering results. The more he moved upmarket, the more he felt like he was back in the corporate world he hated. High-maintenance clients. Long sales cycles. No real alignment. He wasn't building relationships. He was building a façade. Finding His People: MSPs as the Perfect Fit Nate's breakthrough came when he niched down into the MSP (Managed Service Provider) space. These were former tech guys turned business owners—scrappy, smart, and stuck in the same ways agency owners often are. They didn't need $30K marketing retainers. They needed help generating leads, converting visitors, and staying in business. Nate made a gutsy move. He ditched his high-ticket proposals and started sending BombBomb videos to leads who had previously ghosted him: “You turned down my $20,352 proposal. Here's my new one: $2,000 a month, and I'll help you generate leads. I don't even know exactly what I'll do yet. I just want to help you grow.” That transparency worked. Five early adopters signed on, and Nate never looked back. Scaling a Low-Ticket, High-Impact Model What started as a simplified offer became a flywheel. Over seven years, Nate scaled his agency to over 100 monthly clients, all paying around $4,200/month. But growth at that level brings churn. With just 3% monthly churn, he'd have to invest more on sales and onboarding and close three new clients a month just to break even. However, focusing on growing this way meant turning away 75% of leads who were not at least $1 million in revenue that could afford the expense. And most of the businesses reaching out to his agency were at 200K-300K. Nate felt he could service those clients without a big investment in human resources. This sparked the next evolution: MSP Sites. The new offer targeted those MSPs doing $200K–$300K/year. These folks couldn't pay $4K/month… but they desperately needed help. So Nate reverse-engineered a low-cost, high-value offer that started at $200/month and eventually grew to include: Custom-designed websites Human chat agents CRM and booking automations On-demand courses and live office hours Weekly coaching and a client-only community He went from being “just another agency” to becoming an all-in-one marketing partner for small MSPs—at a price they could actually say “hell yes” to. Productizing with Purpose: Lessons from the Pivot This shift to a productized offer came with unexpected lessons, as Nate was confronted with a question from his past work making $32K websites or a $200 website: “Where are the leads?” He realized that whether he was going after the high end or low end of the market, he still had to provide an end result for clients. Low ticket doesn't mean low impact. He has to answer that question while still providing an affordable service, so he started layering in automation, coaching, and a structured experience This slightly raised the price to $300/month, but clients not felt like they were part of a premium program. Nate wanted to help clients not just have a website, but also generate leads, drive traffic, and close the deal. By adding live calls, email support, and a live event, Nate turned MSP Sites into more than a tool—it became a tribe. Once the service was upgraded and clients could get their website set up even faster, the problem was that now they all looked the same. Nate knew his clients deserved better, so he removed the one-click deploy and now ensures each website is custom-designed to look amazing. Of course, this also led to a rise of the set up fee, but clients were more than happy to pay for a better design. Finally, on-demand courses and live office hours were the finishing touch for his new offer and he was finally helping clients much more and building the business he really enjoys. Market Share > Margins (When You're Playing the Long Game) At some point, most agency owners fantasize about selling. Nate's no different—but he's thinking a few moves ahead. Instead of relying on private equity, his bet is on strategic acquisition by a larger company in his own niche. “The best multiple I'm going to get is from someone who wants more market share.” That's why he's focused on volume at the low end. Every small client is a slice of market share. And if you can build community, coaching, and brand loyalty into your offer, you're not just a service provider—you're infrastructure. The Next Frontier: Launching a Mastermind With 300+ paying clients, Nate's building something many agency owners should be thinking about but don't: a mastermind for your niche. Why? Because clients already trust you. They're already getting value. And when you get them in a room together—virtually or physically—magic happens. Better yet, Nate doesn't need to be the guru. The best masterminds don't revolve around one person—they're facilitated, not taught. When the room is full of practitioners, the value is in the conversations. Do Right By People (and You'll Win) Scaling isn't just about tech, pricing models, or marketing hacks. It's about people. Nate credits a huge part of his growth to partnering with E2M Solutions, which removed the HR complexity of managing a dev team in-house. More importantly, it aligned with his core value: “Do right by people. If you do that, no one's going to say anything bad about you. Even when you make mistakes.” It's simple, but in a crowded industry full of overpromising and under-delivering, that integrity stands out—and scales. Do You Want to Transform Your Agency from a Liability to an Asset? Looking to dig deeper into your agency's potential? Check out our Agency Blueprint. Designed for agency owners like you, our Agency Blueprint helps you uncover growth opportunities, tackle obstacles, and craft a customized blueprint for your agency's success.
Industrial Talk is onsite at Xcelerate 2025 and talking to Gary Wood, Customer Success Manager at Fluke Reliability about "You reliability journey today into the future". Scott Mackenzie interviews Gary Wood, a passionate industry professional and Customer Success Manager at Fluke Reliability, at the Accelerate 2025 event in Austin, Texas. Gary shares his journey from a military background to a career in manufacturing, emphasizing the importance of personal connections and team buy-in in maintenance and reliability. He discusses the challenges of implementing and sustaining condition-based monitoring (CBM) systems, the role of technology in improving asset management, and the necessity of demonstrating return on investment (ROI) to executive leadership. Gary also highlights the evolving capabilities of CBM tools like Azima, Connect Assets in enhancing predictive maintenance and reducing downtime. Action Items [ ] Reach out to Gary Wood on LinkedIn to connect and learn more about Fluke's solutions. [ ] Explore the use of condition-based monitoring and Azima technology to improve asset management and maintenance practices. [ ] Prepare financial data and "receipts" to demonstrate the return on investment of a reliable maintenance program when presenting to executives. Outline Introduction and Technical Issues Scott MacKenzie introduces the Industrial Talk podcast, emphasizing its focus on industry professionals and innovations. Scott mentions the current event, Accelerate 2025, and the technical issues faced during the broadcast. Scott humorously suggests using older versions of technology to resolve issues. Scott introduces Gary Wood, highlighting his passion and experience in the industry. Gary Wood's Background Gary Wood shares his background, mentioning his military service and his father's influence in the manufacturing industry. Gary describes his career progression from a maintenance technician to a plant manager. He emphasizes the importance of learning and the relationships built throughout his career. Scott and Gary discuss the long-standing issues of maintenance, reliability, and asset management in the industry. Challenges in Maintenance and Reliability Gary talks about the current state of the industry, noting that people are less focused on internal improvements. He stresses the importance of personal connections and care within maintenance teams. Gary shares his experience with a technician who was initially resistant to change but later became a dedicated team member. Scott and Gary discuss the necessity of creating a culture of pride and focus in maintenance and reliability. Gary's Role at Fluke Gary explains his role as a Customer Success Manager at Fluke, focusing on implementing and nurturing CMS systems. He describes the importance of taking clients through the future and adapting CMS systems to their evolving needs. Gary discusses the challenges of preventing pencil whipping and the importance of internal strength and KPIs. He emphasizes the human factor in maintenance and the need for continuous improvement. Creating a Reliability Culture Scott asks about creating a reliability culture within an organization. Gary shares an example of a successful transformation in a Michigan-based company. He explains the importance of explaining the benefits of new technologies and gaining team buy-in. Gary highlights the...