Podcasts about Forefront

On this episode of the Ruff Talk VR podcast we are back talking all the latest VR news! Including newly announced VR games such as StarRupture and Discovery: Rogue Planet. We also talk updates to games such as Ragnarock and Hellsplit Arena. As well as a new community competition from GOLF+, AR glasses teased from Palmer Luckey, and more!0:00 - Episode startXXXX - StarRupture XXXX - Forefront updateXXXX - Discovery: Rogue Planet XXXX - Ragnarock updateXXXX - GOLF+ VR Open eventXXXX - Tactical Assault VR controversy XXXX - EssilorLuxottica Acquires LynxXXXX - Hellsplit: Arena UpdateXXXX - Palmer Luckey teases AR glassesDiscord: https://discord.gg/9JTdCccucSPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/rufftalkvrIf you enjoy the podcast be sure to rate us 5 stars and subscribe! Join our official subreddit at https://www.reddit.com/r/RuffTalkVR/Support the show

Our guest has resurrected the word ‘instigators’ and given it a powerful and positive connotation. In this case, she is bringing attention the historical importance of Black women, ages 18 to 45, whose role continues to be that of pushing our society forward for social justice and historic reforms of all kinds.  Atima Omara, author of “The Instigators: How Black Women Have Been Essential to American Democracy and What We Can Learn from Them”, challenges us to consider any progressive movement–be it abolition, voting rights, labor justice, the environment, the rights for LGBTQ and those advances relating to persons with disability–to recognize the central role the ‘instigators’ have played throughout our history.  Even the Flint, Michigan water crises and the attention and action brought to it came about because of these brave young Black women.  We revisit some of the history and current day impacts that these women have had and continue to on our society as they resist being pushed to the margins with a range of creative efforts to bend the nation’s moral compass toward justice.

Send us a messageIn end times prophecy, many Bible Scholars see The United Nations as a formidable precursor to the “Beast” of Revelation, due to its pursuit of global governance, international law, and a centralized economic or peace system representing the political alliance of nations that will precede the Return of Christ. But perhaps the most significant role the UN could be playing is in the religious aspect of the Beast's Global Empire.While many are aware of the political, social, and civic roles the UN plays throughout the world, what remains largely unknown is the hidden religious mandate to usher in a global religion, and to keep its ties to the occult. And remember that the systems of the world are ruled by Lucifer with his Satanic agenda at the forefront. To uncover the UN's veiled spiritual agenda, and to establish the connection with Revelation 13,  in Part 1 we'll take a close look at the beliefs and plans of prominent occultists and their offshoots. In Part 2, we'll reveal how this all fits in with the UN, the Rapture, and the Tribulation of God's Wrath upon an unbelieving world.Support the showVisit our website: https://agapelightministries.com/

One year after the passage of the Working Families Tax Cut Act (formerly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act), states and providers are continuing to grapple with the biggest changes to Medicaid in a generation. Harsh P. Parikh, Partner, Nixon Peabody LLP, Lloyd A. Bookman, Founding Partner, Hooper Lundy & Bookman PC, and Anne Winter, Senior Managing Director, FTI Consulting, discuss CMS' June 1 interim final rule related to work requirements, the multi-state lawsuit challenging that rule (Massachusetts v. Oz), new eligibility and coverage requirements, CMS' May 22 state-directed payment proposed rule, the current status of the Rural Health Transformation Program, and how states are responding to Medicaid cuts.Watch this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYIU0YqseHYWatch Harsh, Lloyd, and Anne's episode from December 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vIviLRddzI Watch Harsh, Lloyd, and Anne's episode from September 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDYg4KZwL0M Essential Legal Updates, Now in AudioAHLA's popular Health Law Daily email newsletter is now a daily podcast, exclusively for AHLA Comprehensive members. Get all your health law news from the major media outlets on this podcast! To subscribe and add this private podcast feed to your podcast app, go to americanhealthlaw.org/dailypodcast.Stay At the Forefront of Health Legal EducationLearn more about AHLA and the educational resources available to the health law community at https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/. 

Bankruptcy can change the balance of power in a dispute with Medicare and Medicaid in a significant way. Augie Curtis, Counsel, Offit Kurman, and Samuel Maizel, Partner, Dentons, discuss key restructuring issues related to distressed Medicare and Medicaid providers. They cover issues related to jurisdiction, Medicare and Medicaid provider agreements during bankruptcy, offset and recoupment, and suspension of Medicare and Medicaid payments. Augie and Samuel spoke about this topic at AHLA's 2026 Institute on Medicare and Medicaid Payment Issues in Baltimore, MD. Watch this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyuAlhcZPFQLearn more about AHLA's 2026 Institute on Medicare and Medicaid Payment Issues: https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/medicaremedicaidLearn more about AHLA's 2026 Medicare and Medicaid eProgram: https://educate.americanhealthlaw.org/local/catalog/view/product.php?productid=1759 Essential Legal Updates, Now in AudioAHLA's popular Health Law Daily email newsletter is now a daily podcast, exclusively for AHLA Comprehensive members. Get all your health law news from the major media outlets on this podcast! To subscribe and add this private podcast feed to your podcast app, go to americanhealthlaw.org/dailypodcast.Stay At the Forefront of Health Legal EducationLearn more about AHLA and the educational resources available to the health law community at https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/. 

Harriet Wall, President and CEO, LW Consulting, Inc., speaks with Rachel Hold-Weiss, Partner, Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff LLP, about the ins and outs of Unified Program Integrity Contractor (UPIC) audits and corporate integrity agreements (CIAs). They discuss how UPICs decide who to audit, what a UPIC audit appeal process is like, what providers should do within 48 hours of receiving an initial letter from a UPIC, advice for attorneys making an appeal at the administrative law judge level, and how providers can prevent UPIC audits. They also discuss how providers should respond to a CIA, how CIAs have changed over time, and how providers can avoid a CIA. Sponsored by LW Consulting.Watch this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHdKopHJpfgLearn more about LW Consulting: https://lw-consult.com/ Essential Legal Updates, Now in AudioAHLA's popular Health Law Daily email newsletter is now a daily podcast, exclusively for AHLA Comprehensive members. Get all your health law news from the major media outlets on this podcast! To subscribe and add this private podcast feed to your podcast app, go to americanhealthlaw.org/dailypodcast.Stay At the Forefront of Health Legal EducationLearn more about AHLA and the educational resources available to the health law community at https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/. 

Crypto firms continue preparing for the future as BitGo launches quantum-resistant security tools for institutional Bitcoin wallets, while Aave rolls out Stable Vaults to simplify stablecoin yield for fintechs and institutions. Matt explains why quantum computing is becoming a real security consideration for Bitcoin and why the next phase of crypto infrastructure is already being built long before it's urgently needed.The episode also covers Stripe-owned Privy's new Solana transaction routing tool, the growing uncertainty surrounding the Clarity Act in Congress, Senator Ron Wyden's effort to protect non-custodial software developers, and new data showing crypto hacks reached a record 207 incidents in the first half of 2026 despite total losses falling sharply. Matt also discusses whether companies like Strategy are approaching the point where institutional Bitcoin ownership could begin affecting the network's long-term decentralization.Happy Hodling, Everyone. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"McElroy & Cubelic In The Morning" airs 7am-10am weekdays on WJOX-94.5!!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rob Gerberry, Adjunct Faculty, University of Notre Dame, speaks with Michael Peregrine about challenges related to defining the role of the Board Chair. They use the controversy around the recently fired chairman of BP as a case study, discussing key takeaways for health care industry leadership and how to implement an appropriate governance construct around the role of Board Chair.Watch this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSG6gou6FokEssential Legal Updates, Now in AudioAHLA's popular Health Law Daily email newsletter is now a daily podcast, exclusively for AHLA Comprehensive members. Get all your health law news from the major media outlets on this podcast! To subscribe and add this private podcast feed to your podcast app, go to americanhealthlaw.org/dailypodcast.Stay At the Forefront of Health Legal EducationLearn more about AHLA and the educational resources available to the health law community at https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/. 

Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints joins Afternoon Drive on The Fan. He talks about what he's heard about the market for LeBron James, how long he'll take to make his decision, what the Cavs plan could be if they don't sign LeBron, and more.

"Go back to your country." It's the favorite phrase of border hawks and armchair historians across the Western Hemisphere. But what happens when we actually crack open a history book and look at the paperwork?In this episode of *The Forefront Radio*, we examine the historical irony of modern border politics. Somewhere between the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria—three ships that nobody's grandmother filed a visa application for—certain groups decided they were "native" to a continent they hadn't even stepped foot on until the 1490s.From the total absence of European populations pre-1492 to the invention of "whiteness" in the 17th-century Virginia colonies, we trace the timeline of how military invasions got rebranded as "exploration," and how waves of European refugees fleeing their own continent's self-inflicted world wars became the arbiters of who belongs on stolen land. We also dive into the "erasure by paperwork"—unpacking the devastating history of how colonial administrators reclassified Native peoples to seize land, the "Five Dollar Indian" phenomenon, and how this exact same playbook was deployed across Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina.The next time someone demands to see a visa, ask them for the paperwork their ancestors filed with the Taino Council.**Stay awake. Stay covenant-minded.**###

Send us Fan MailSend us Fan MailIn this compelling episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we sit down with Dr. Ron Camacho, the Chief of Police with over three decades of experience in law enforcement. Dr. Camacho shares his transformative journey in leadership, emphasizing that true leadership begins from within. He reflects on his early career, the challenges of leading a diverse team, and the pivotal moment when he realized the importance of self-reflection and emotional intelligence in effective leadership.Listeners will gain insights into Dr. Camacho's evolution from a results-driven leader to one who values vulnerability and empathy. He discusses how therapy helped him confront his past and reshape his approach to leadership, ultimately fostering a culture of trust and accountability within his department.Throughout the conversation, Dr. Camacho highlights the significance of open dialogue and the need for leaders to remain lifelong learners. He also shares his upcoming project—a book titled *Bringing Ego to the Forefront*, which delves into the role of ego in leadership and offers practical tools for self-awareness and personal growth.What You'll Learn in This Episode:- The journey of self-awareness and emotional intelligence in leadership- How to balance tough decision-making with empathy- Warning signs that a leader's ego may be affecting their effectiveness- Strategies for creating a culture of accountability that empowers rather than punishes- Insights into Dr. Camacho's upcoming book and its focus on ego in leadershipFor more information on Dr. Ron Camacho and to keep up with his work, visit https://www.camachoconsulting.net  and connect with him on LinkedIn.Support the show

Greg Doggett, Counsel, Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville PC, and Felicity Homsted, CEO, FQHC 340B Compliance, discuss the current legal and regulatory landscape of the 340B program. They cover the intersection of 340B with the Inflation Reduction Act, concerns about the Rebate Model, pharmaceutical manufacturer restrictions and data requirements for covered entities, AbbVie's patient definition lawsuit, state reporting requirements, and potential Congressional action.Watch this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsnP7hLbvekEssential Legal Updates, Now in AudioAHLA's popular Health Law Daily email newsletter is now a daily podcast, exclusively for AHLA Comprehensive members. Get all your health law news from the major media outlets on this podcast! To subscribe and add this private podcast feed to your podcast app, go to americanhealthlaw.org/dailypodcast.Stay At the Forefront of Health Legal EducationLearn more about AHLA and the educational resources available to the health law community at https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/. 

Neal Shah, Shareholder, Polsinelli, speaks with Scott Strickland, Attorney, Hall Render Killian Heath & Lyman PC, about what the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) has been doing in the health care space. They discuss examples of some of the more prominent CMMI models, the distinction between CMMI models and traditional CMS models, health care industry responses to CMMI models, what the next generation of CMMI models looks like, and the different approaches that CMMI has taken regarding provider payment obligations. Scott co-authored an article for Health Law Connections on this topic. From AHLA's Regulation, Accreditation, and Payment Practice Group.Watch this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQysibh0rhYRead Scott's Health Law Connections article: https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/content-library/connections-magazine/article/34b68117-81e2-4c7f-9258-245198a69107/CMMI-and-the-Next-Generation-of-Alternative-Paymen Learn more about AHLA's Regulation, Accreditation, and Payment Practice Group: https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/practice-groups/practice-groups/regulation-accreditation-and-payment Essential Legal Updates, Now in AudioAHLA's popular Health Law Daily email newsletter is now a daily podcast, exclusively for AHLA Comprehensive members. Get all your health law news from the major media outlets on this podcast! To subscribe and add this private podcast feed to your podcast app, go to americanhealthlaw.org/dailypodcast.Stay At the Forefront of Health Legal EducationLearn more about AHLA and the educational resources available to the health law community at https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/. 

Tyler Dysart, Associate, King & Spalding LLP, speaks with Kennedy Bunch, Attorney, Hall Render Killian Health & Lyman PC, Mitchell Surface, Associate, Maynard Nexsen PC, and Parker Zopp, Associate, Jackson Kelly PLLC, about how to survive and thrive at small and regional law firms. They discuss how their pre-law school experiences influenced their decision to pursue careers in health law, how they acquired the skills needed for their specific practices, and how litigation and regulatory/transactional practices differ. They also share how new associates can effectively manage new projects and expectations from senior colleagues, strategies around billable hours, and the biggest perks of working for a small/regional law firm. From AHLA's Early Career Professionals Council.Watch this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fELGfQ2lDQIWatch previous episodes of the “How to Survive…” series:Large Law Firms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sUU7vYUG4M Essential Legal Updates, Now in AudioAHLA's popular Health Law Daily email newsletter is now a daily podcast, exclusively for AHLA Comprehensive members. Get all your health law news from the major media outlets on this podcast! To subscribe and add this private podcast feed to your podcast app, go to americanhealthlaw.org/dailypodcast.Stay At the Forefront of Health Legal EducationLearn more about AHLA and the educational resources available to the health law community at https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/. 

Melissa Soliz, Partner, Coppersmith Brockelman PLC, speaks with Brendan Keeler, Interoperability Practice Lead, HTD Health, and Amy Bagge-Smith, General Counsel and Head of Regulatory Affairs, Arcadia, about the cases that are currently shaping interoperability law and how the health care industry is responding. They discuss which legal theories are gaining traction and which ones are appearing more fragile, impacts on national frameworks and CMS' Aligned Networks initiative, and how tech innovators and health care providers can navigate this complex environment. Melissa, Brendan, and Amy spoke about this topic on a recent AHLA webinar. From AHLA's Health Information and Technology Practice Group.Watch this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtCQbMudXmULearn more about the AHLA webinar that Melissa, Brendan, and Amy spoke on: https://educate.americanhealthlaw.org/local/catalog/view/product.php?productid=1772 Learn more about AHLA's Health Information and Technology Practice Group: https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/practice-groups/practice-groups/health-information-and-technology Essential Legal Updates, Now in AudioAHLA's popular Health Law Daily email newsletter is now a daily podcast, exclusively for AHLA Comprehensive members. Get all your health law news from the major media outlets on this podcast! To subscribe and add this private podcast feed to your podcast app, go to americanhealthlaw.org/dailypodcast.Stay At the Forefront of Health Legal EducationLearn more about AHLA and the educational resources available to the health law community at https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/. 

Australia's rooftop solar and battery boom has largely bypassed the millions of people who live in apartments, creating a growing energy divide between homeowners and everyone else. Allume Energy co-founder and CEO Cameron Knox explains the technical, legal and governance barriers that have kept apartment residents locked out of clean energy, and the innovations now helping to overcome them. He discusses how multiple apartments can share electricity from a single rooftop solar system, and how a new generation of battery-sharing technology could dramatically expand access to affordable renewable energy. Cameron argues that rather than being left behind in the energy transition, apartments have the potential to be at the forefront of residential renewable energy generation.

TRINITY VANDENACRE TALKS PUBLIC LAND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT, AMERICAN PRAIRIE RESERVE, AND RURAL ECONOMICS ON RURAL ROUTE WITH TRENT LOOS Wildlife is thriving on private land and struggling on public land — and Trinity Vandenacre has the footage to prove it. The "Life in the West" creator joins Trent to discuss the best management of the natural resources.

In honor of Father's Day, Alé Dalton, Partner, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, speaks with Dougie Barnard, Attorney, Hall Render Killian Health & Lyman PC, and Travis Lloyd, Member, Bass Berry & Sims PLC, about how fatherhood has shaped their health law career journeys. They discuss how fatherhood changed their perspective on what a successful career means, the importance of parental leave and how organizations can support working parents, building a meaningful career while maintaining a full family life, and what they hope their children remember the most about them when they are grown. From AHLA's Early Career Professionals Council.Watch this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApkMiK79kFYWatch the Mother's Day episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCr24wQkktwEssential Legal Updates, Now in AudioAHLA's popular Health Law Daily email newsletter is now a daily podcast, exclusively for AHLA Comprehensive members. Get all your health law news from the major media outlets on this podcast! To subscribe and add this private podcast feed to your podcast app, go to americanhealthlaw.org/dailypodcast.Stay At the Forefront of Health Legal EducationLearn more about AHLA and the educational resources available to the health law community at https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/. 

Rachel Ludwig, Partner, DLA Piper, speaks with John Saran, Partner, Holland & Knight, Regan Parker, CEO, Association for Responsible Healthcare Investment, and Robbie Allen, CEO, U.S. Heart & Vascular, about the latest legal and regulatory developments related to corporate ownership of health care providers. They discuss the recent evolution of these laws and regulations at the state level, recurring trends, unintended consequences, and what the industry is doing to build trust and help shape the legal and regulatory landscape. From AHLA's Business Law and Governance Practice Group.Watch this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9LWJzUczjkLearn more about AHLA's Business Law and Governance Practice Group: https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/practice-groups/practice-groups/business-law-and-governance Essential Legal Updates, Now in AudioAHLA's popular Health Law Daily email newsletter is now a daily podcast, exclusively for AHLA Comprehensive members. Get all your health law news from the major media outlets on this podcast! To subscribe and add this private podcast feed to your podcast app, go to americanhealthlaw.org/dailypodcast.Stay At the Forefront of Health Legal EducationLearn more about AHLA and the educational resources available to the health law community at https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/. 

Randy Fearnow speaks with Jaya White, Partner, Quarles & Brady LLP, about the regulatory landscape surrounding the growing home infusion industry. They discuss issues related to the Medicare HIT benefit; home infusion-specific state licensure requirements; ambulatory infusion suites, IV hydration clinics, and med spas; Indiana's recent requirement that their Medicaid home care providers must also be certified for Medicare; and the regulatory definition of “homebound.” Jaya co-wrote an article for Health Law Connections about this topic. From AHLA's Post-Acute and Long Term Services Practice Group.Watch this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rd5xivY2YkRead Jaya's Health Law Connections article: https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/content-library/connections-magazine/article/488ffc74-684d-4c97-882c-eae034db75fa/Navigating-Regulatory-Pitfalls-at-the-Nexus-BetweeLearn more about AHLA's Post-Acute and Long Term Services Practice Group: https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/practice-groups/practice-groups/post-acute-and-long-term-servicesEssential Legal Updates, Now in AudioAHLA's popular Health Law Daily email newsletter is now a daily podcast, exclusively for AHLA Comprehensive members. Get all your health law news from the major media outlets on this podcast! To subscribe and add this private podcast feed to your podcast app, go to americanhealthlaw.org/dailypodcast.Stay At the Forefront of Health Legal EducationLearn more about AHLA and the educational resources available to the health law community at https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/. 

Tomas Stokke joins us from Haptic, an architectural firm bringing Scandinavian style to global projects. We also meet Dicle Guntas from Forefront, who aims to revive downtowns through art.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Ostroff, Chief Legal Officer, California Medical Association, speaks with Kinda Serafi, Partner, Manatt Health, and Jarrod McNaughton, Chief Executive Officer, Inland Empire Health Plan, about the role Medicaid managed care plans are playing in supporting new Medicaid program requirements under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. They focus on work reporting requirements; renewals and redeterminations; tracking cost-sharing; and provider oversight of fraud, waste, and abuse. Kinda co-wrote an article for Health Law Weekly about this topic. From AHLA's Payers, Plans, and Managed Care Practice Group.Watch this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=habDieBPK9ERead Kinda's Health Law Weekly article: https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/content-library/health-law-weekly/article/fdc58e80-1f6e-4b0b-9321-22fc6fca8764/Managed-Care-Plans-as-Critical-Partners-in-Impleme Learn more about AHLA's Payers, Plans, and Managed Care Practice Group: https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/practice-groups/practice-groups/payers-plans-and-managed-care Essential Legal Updates, Now in AudioAHLA's popular Health Law Daily email newsletter is now a daily podcast, exclusively for AHLA Comprehensive members. Get all your health law news from the major media outlets on this podcast! To subscribe and add this private podcast feed to your podcast app, go to americanhealthlaw.org/dailypodcast.Stay At the Forefront of Health Legal EducationLearn more about AHLA and the educational resources available to the health law community at https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/. 

John Saran, Partner, Holland & Knight LLP, and Michael Yalon, National Director, Physician & Provider Recruiting, U.S. Navy, share their social media journeys and how they have used LinkedIn and other platforms to create their own unique online presence, grow their professional profile, and gain followers. They discuss how they got started and grew into their “voice,” the types of content they post and how they make content decisions, strategies for boosting engagement, and the unique value that LinkedIn provides.Watch this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOjd__vq_q0Essential Legal Updates, Now in AudioAHLA's popular Health Law Daily email newsletter is now a daily podcast, exclusively for AHLA Comprehensive members. Get all your health law news from the major media outlets on this podcast! To subscribe and add this private podcast feed to your podcast app, go to americanhealthlaw.org/dailypodcast.Stay At the Forefront of Health Legal EducationLearn more about AHLA and the educational resources available to the health law community at https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/. 

Rob Gerberry speaks with Michael Peregrine about the major corporate governance trends that have popped up in the last six months. They discuss issues related to volatility, corporate responsibility, director and executive succession, competency-based models of board recruitment, information flow and micromanagement, health care fraud and enforcement, and hospital tax-exempt status.Watch this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmQXxjI7qooEssential Legal Updates, Now in AudioAHLA's popular Health Law Daily email newsletter is now a daily podcast, exclusively for AHLA Comprehensive members. Get all your health law news from the major media outlets on this podcast! To subscribe and add this private podcast feed to your podcast app, go to americanhealthlaw.org/dailypodcast.Stay At the Forefront of Health Legal EducationLearn more about AHLA and the educational resources available to the health law community at https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/. 

Matt Oh was an engineer with a stable career and a 9-to-5 when a mission trip to India stopped him in his tracks. He saw something he couldn't unsee — women and children spending 10 hours a day walking to collect dirty water.In 2015, he founded FOREFRONT Charity with a few college friends and one water well. Today, more than 100,000 people across India, Kenya, and East Africa have been impacted through clean water, education, medical care, and empowerment. 105 water wells drilled. A school built, in which 20% of the students once worked in child labor, that now serves more than 250 first-generation students. A 90% program efficiency rate. Clearly, an engineer is running this.

Health Affairs Publishing's Jeff Byers welcomes Andrew Rundle of the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health to the pod to discuss his recent Forefront article about Medicare's upcoming ACCESS model and its potential to expand digital health for chronic disease management. They discuss why the program could spur rapid growth in health tech while highlighting key challenges, including serving an older population with varying degrees of digital literacy and adapting to a new, evidence-driven marketplace. Related Links:The ACCESS Model May Set Off A Health Tech Gold Rush, But New Markets Bring Serious Obstacles (Health Affairs Forefront)A deeper dive into the ACCESS Model—Who's participating, potential headwinds and how it could spur health plan adoption (Fierce Healthcare)ACCESS (Advancing Chronic Care with Effective, Scalable Solutions) Model (CMS)ACCESS Model Accepted Applicants (CMS)Sign up for Health Affairs' free newsletter to catch up on our new articles, podcasts, and events.

Drew Hoffman, Partner, Pinnacle Healthcare Consulting, speaks with Darren Skyles, Partner, Nelson Mullins, and Adam Tarosky, Partner, Nixon Peabody, about how health care organizations can best position themselves given regulatory agencies' plans to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in their enforcement efforts. They discuss how regulatory agencies are using AI in practice, what this means for health care organizations, and concrete steps organizations can take to make their compliance programs AI ready. Sponsored by Pinnacle.Watch this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bnF50mLDSkLearn more about Pinnacle: https://askphc.com/ Essential Legal Updates, Now in AudioAHLA's popular Health Law Daily email newsletter is now a daily podcast, exclusively for AHLA Comprehensive members. Get all your health law news from the major media outlets on this podcast! To subscribe and add this private podcast feed to your podcast app, go to americanhealthlaw.org/dailypodcast.Stay At the Forefront of Health Legal EducationLearn more about AHLA and the educational resources available to the health law community at https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/. 

John Howlett, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Clearwater, speaks with Iliana Peters, Shareholder, Polsinelli, about the state of HIPAA Security Rule enforcement in 2026, including the pending Security Rule Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, OCR's continued enforcement activity, and what health care organizations should be doing now while the regulatory picture remains unsettled. Sponsored by Clearwater.Watch this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLJbNH1V7-ILearn more about Clearwater: https://clearwatersecurity.com/ Essential Legal Updates, Now in AudioAHLA's popular Health Law Daily email newsletter is now a daily podcast, exclusively for AHLA Comprehensive members. Get all your health law news from the major media outlets on this podcast! To subscribe and add this private podcast feed to your podcast app, go to americanhealthlaw.org/dailypodcast.Stay At the Forefront of Health Legal EducationLearn more about AHLA and the educational resources available to the health law community at https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/. 

Pastor Lucas closes out the “Forefront” series with a message tackling one of the most controversial and misunderstood topics in today's culture: Islam.On Memorial Day weekend, Pastor Lucas shares highlights from a packed week of travel — from a Red Sox game in Boston, to the “Make Heaven Crowded” event in Portland, Maine where 50 people gave their lives to Christ, to the national Rededicate America gathering in Washington, D.C. with more than 50,000 attendees. He also recounts a private Capitol tour focused on the Judeo-Christian foundations of America's government.In this final installment of the “Forefront” series, Pastor Lucas examines the historical and theological claims of Islam, comparing the Quran with the Torah and Gospels while exploring the relationship between Sharia law and Constitutional freedoms.Through historical evidence, biblical analysis, and cultural commentary, Pastor Lucas challenges believers not to respond with fear, but to boldly and compassionately share the Gospel. He encourages Christians to lovingly engage Muslims in conversation, using both Scripture and truth to point people toward Christ.The message closes with communion, a Gospel presentation, and a reminder that true peace is found in Jesus — not fear, politics, or cultural division.Key Themes:Is Islam truly an Abrahamic religionThe “Islamic Dilemma”Sharia law vs. Constitutional freedomsAbraham, Ishmael, and the claim of MeccaThe reliability of Scripture and the Dead Sea ScrollsHow Christians should engage Muslims with truth and loveTimestamps:0:20 — Opening & trip recap (Boston, Maine, Washington D.C.) 6:04 — Introduction to the “Forefront” series finale: Islam 12:26 — Quran vs. Constitution: Sharia law & American freedoms 22:12 — How Christians can lovingly engage Muslims with truth 31:31 — The “Islamic Dilemma” explained 38:49 — Abraham, Hagar & Ishmael in Genesis 51:35 — Dead Sea Scrolls & the reliability of Scripture 1:00:40 — Peace over fear 1:02:31 — Communion & Gospel presentation

Pastor Lucas closes out the “Forefront” series with a message tackling one of the most controversial and misunderstood topics in today's culture: Islam.On Memorial Day weekend, Pastor Lucas shares highlights from a packed week of travel — from a Red Sox game in Boston, to the “Make Heaven Crowded” event in Portland, Maine where 50 people gave their lives to Christ, to the national Rededicate America gathering in Washington, D.C. with more than 50,000 attendees. He also recounts a private Capitol tour focused on the Judeo-Christian foundations of America's government.In this final installment of the “Forefront” series, Pastor Lucas examines the historical and theological claims of Islam, comparing the Quran with the Torah and Gospels while exploring the relationship between Sharia law and Constitutional freedoms.Through historical evidence, biblical analysis, and cultural commentary, Pastor Lucas challenges believers not to respond with fear, but to boldly and compassionately share the Gospel. He encourages Christians to lovingly engage Muslims in conversation, using both Scripture and truth to point people toward Christ.The message closes with communion, a Gospel presentation, and a reminder that true peace is found in Jesus — not fear, politics, or cultural division.Key Themes:Is Islam truly an Abrahamic religionThe “Islamic Dilemma”Sharia law vs. Constitutional freedomsAbraham, Ishmael, and the claim of MeccaThe reliability of Scripture and the Dead Sea ScrollsHow Christians should engage Muslims with truth and loveTimestamps:0:20 — Opening & trip recap (Boston, Maine, Washington D.C.) 6:04 — Introduction to the “Forefront” series finale: Islam 12:26 — Quran vs. Constitution: Sharia law & American freedoms 22:12 — How Christians can lovingly engage Muslims with truth 31:31 — The “Islamic Dilemma” explained 38:49 — Abraham, Hagar & Ishmael in Genesis 51:35 — Dead Sea Scrolls & the reliability of Scripture 1:00:40 — Peace over fear 1:02:31 — Communion & Gospel presentation

Asha Scielzo, Director, Health Law and Policy Program, American University Washington College of Law, speaks with Radha Savitala, President and Chairman of Tenor Health Foundation, about her work helping hospitals and health systems facing significant pressures and ensuring the viability of community hospitals across the nation. They discuss the mission of Tenor Health Foundation and Tenor's recent acquisitions; Tenor's process for identifying, acquiring, and operating financially distressed hospitals to preserve critical medical services in underserved areas; and the community impact of Tenor's work. Radha also shares her views on artificial intelligence, telehealth, Medicaid, maternal health, and behavioral health. Sponsored by American University Washington College of Law.Watch this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GH8ZZw40Z-kLearn more about American University Washington College of Law: https://www.american.edu/wcl Essential Legal Updates, Now in AudioAHLA's popular Health Law Daily email newsletter is now a daily podcast, exclusively for AHLA Comprehensive members. Get all your health law news from the major media outlets on this podcast! To subscribe and add this private podcast feed to your podcast app, go to americanhealthlaw.org/dailypodcast.Stay At the Forefront of Health Legal EducationLearn more about AHLA and the educational resources available to the health law community at https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/. 

Health information exchanges (HIEs) play a vital role in enabling providers and care coordinators to share information in support of patient care. But as telehealth and digital health models expand across state lines, organizations must navigate a patchwork of state laws, consent requirements, and interoperability challenges that often create significant friction in data sharing. Hal Porter, Director of Consulting Services, Clearwater, speaks with Sarah Chasson, General Counsel, Chief Legal Officer, and Chief Privacy Officer, Particle Health, and Jennifer Geetter, Partner, McDermott Will & Schulte LLP, about how evolving federal frameworks, state-level variation, and practical implementation challenges are shaping the future of HIE participation for digital health organizations. Sponsored by Clearwater.Watch this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtX907OHD84Learn more about Clearwater: https://clearwatersecurity.com/ Essential Legal Updates, Now in AudioAHLA's popular Health Law Daily email newsletter is now a daily podcast, exclusively for AHLA Comprehensive members. Get all your health law news from the major media outlets on this podcast! To subscribe and add this private podcast feed to your podcast app, go to americanhealthlaw.org/dailypodcast.Stay At the Forefront of Health Legal EducationLearn more about AHLA and the educational resources available to the health law community at https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/. 

Jackie Papish, Partner, Barnes & Thornburg LLP, speaks with Brandon Helms, Shareholder, Hall Render Killian Heath & Lyman PC, about issues that arise during delays in Department of Justice (DOJ) investigations under the False Claims Act (FCA). They discuss potential reasons for these delays and what they mean for providers in terms of time and cost; how a 2023 case from the Fifth Circuit, United States ex rel. Aldridge v. Corporate Management, Inc., illustrated excessive DOJ delays; whether Congress intended for these kinds of delays when it passed the modern FCA; and possible ways to improve the system. Brandon recently co-authored an article in Health Law Connections magazine about this topic. From AHLA's Hospitals and Health Systems and Fraud and Abuse Practice Groups.Watch this conversation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuEj2w0wlTsRead the Health Law Connections article: https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/content-library/connections-magazine/article/e157919b-1308-48af-b1a0-d41f1dba2f66/Behind-the-Seal-Why-DOJ-Investigations-Drag-On-and Learn more about AHLA's Hospitals and Health Systems Practice Group: https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/practice-groups/practice-groups/hospitals-and-health-systemsLearn more about AHLA's Fraud and Abuse Practice Group: https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/practice-groups/practice-groups/fraud-and-abuseEssential Legal Updates, Now in AudioAHLA's popular Health Law Daily email newsletter is now a daily podcast, exclusively for AHLA Comprehensive members. Get all your health law news from the major media outlets on this podcast! To subscribe and add this private podcast feed to your podcast app, go to americanhealthlaw.org/dailypodcast.Stay At the Forefront of Health Legal EducationLearn more about AHLA and the educational resources available to the health law community at https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/. 

Carl and Mike are joined by Tony Gwynn Jr. as they discuss the latest in MLB including the passing of Bobby Cox and the Braves being able to use their series win over the Dodgers as a measuring stick in regards to how good they are so far this season.

As health systems increasingly adopt artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled tools across clinical, operational, and administrative functions, legal and compliance teams are being asked to navigate new and complex questions around contracting, risk allocation, data use, and regulatory uncertainty. Zach Stephens, Senior Consultant, Clearwater, speaks with Carolyn Metnick, Partner, Sheppard, and Lauren Edelman Willens, Senior Counsel, Henry Ford Health, about why AI contracting is different, how organizations are responding, where vendors are pushing back, top “must ask” due diligence questions for AI vendors, the biggest pressure points around data rights and use, issues related to risk and liability, contracting strategies that are proving especially valuable, and common mistakes. Sponsored by Clearwater.Watch this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DplWjIIduILearn more about Clearwater: https://clearwatersecurity.com/ Essential Legal Updates, Now in AudioAHLA's popular Health Law Daily email newsletter is now a daily podcast, exclusively for AHLA Comprehensive members. Get all your health law news from the major media outlets on this podcast! To subscribe and add this private podcast feed to your podcast app, go to americanhealthlaw.org/dailypodcast.Stay At the Forefront of Health Legal EducationLearn more about AHLA and the educational resources available to the health law community at https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/. 

Episode 5361: Nigel Bringing MAGA To The Forefront In The UK; Shilling For AI

In honor of Mother's Day, Alé Dalton, Partner, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, speaks with Rachel Byrd, Partner, Bass Berry & Sims PLC, Kerri Zelensek, Associate General Counsel, Regent Surgical, and Katie Tarr, Shareholder, LBMC, about how motherhood has shaped their health law career journeys. They discuss navigating motherhood while building a successful and meaningful career, how to have full lives inside and outside the office, what they would tell their younger selves, and what they hope their children remember the most about them when they are grown. From AHLA's Early Career Professionals Council.Watch this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCr24wQkktwEssential Legal Updates, Now in AudioAHLA's popular Health Law Daily email newsletter is now a daily podcast, exclusively for AHLA Comprehensive members. Get all your health law news from the major media outlets on this podcast! To subscribe and add this private podcast feed to your podcast app, go to americanhealthlaw.org/dailypodcast.Stay At the Forefront of Health Legal EducationLearn more about AHLA and the educational resources available to the health law community at https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/. 

Rob Gerberry, Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, Summa Health, speaks with Michael Peregrine about how to effectively separate a problematic or disruptive director from board service. They discuss common traits of problematic directors, issues with the power of removal and “for cause” requirements, options available to the board apart from removal, ensuring board understanding of expectations for director conduct, and the concepts of “offboarding” and “fitness to serve.”Watch this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UncbhNabZ20Essential Legal Updates, Now in AudioAHLA's popular Health Law Daily email newsletter is now a daily podcast, exclusively for AHLA Comprehensive members. Get all your health law news from the major media outlets on this podcast! To subscribe and add this private podcast feed to your podcast app, go to americanhealthlaw.org/dailypodcast.Stay At the Forefront of Health Legal EducationLearn more about AHLA and the educational resources available to the health law community at https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/. 

Crypto investing is at a crossroads as digital assets move from speculative beginnings toward broader institutional adoption and integration into capital markets. As volatility persists and infrastructure evolves, investors are increasingly asking not what crypto is—but what role it plays in portfolios.Host Oscar Pulido is joined by Robbie Mitchnick, Head of Digital Assets at BlackRock, and Dan Morehead, CEO of Pantera Capital, live from Miami at BlackRock's Latin America Investment Forum. Together, they explore how crypto investing has evolved, why institutional participation is accelerating, and how investors are reassessing digital assets within diversified portfolios. The conversation examines the dual nature of crypto as both a volatile, risk-sensitive asset and a potential long-term diversifier. Robbie outlines how bitcoin's unique characteristics—scarcity, decentralization, and independence from sovereign systems—differentiate it from traditional assets in capital markets. Dan reflects on early conviction in crypto and why institutional adoption may still be in its early stages, despite growing awareness.Check out our previous episode on Gold and Bitcoin as Portfolio Diversifiers: Why Interest Is Rising Now: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7LTut5pKnHVfrOdoAFM5r9

Health Affairs Publishing's Jeff Byers welcomes Stacey Pogue of Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy about her recent Forefront article examining proposed updates to health plan price transparency rules, focusing on efforts to improve data usability and the ongoing challenges in making healthcare costs more accessible and actionable.Join Health Affairs Publishing on May 13 for an exclusive Insider virtual event exploring individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements (ICHRAs) with Urban Institute's Jason Levitis. Related Links:Taking Stock Of Proposed Updates To Health Plan Price Transparency Rules (Health Affairs Forefront)Sign up for Health Affairs' free newsletter to catch up on our new articles, podcasts, and events.

Joe Wolfe, Attorney, Hall Render Killian Heath & Lyman PC, speaks with Charles Oppenheim, Partner, Hooper Lundy & Bookman PC, about the current landscape surrounding the Physician Self-Referral Law, also known as the Stark Law. They discuss why the Stark Law is so complex and the kinds of issues that attorneys face in this area, how CMS has introduced more flexibility under Stark and ways that health care organizations can incorporate these new flexibilities into their contracting policies, best practices for analyzing arrangements that may overlap with other areas of the law, CMS' efforts to clarify the “Big 3,” and issues related to value-based exceptions. Charles is the co-author of AHLA's The Stark Law: Comprehensive Analysis and Practical Guide, Eighth Edition. From AHLA's Fraud and Abuse and Hospitals and Health Systems Practice Groups.Watch this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6O2jbkASdfYLearn more about The Stark Law: Comprehensive Analysis and Practical Guide, Eighth Edition: https://store.lexisnexis.com/ahla/products/ahla-the-stark-law-comprehensive-analysis-and-practical-guide-ahla-members-grpussku59066.html Learn more about AHLA's Fraud and Abuse Practice Group: https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/practice-groups/practice-groups/fraud-and-abuse Learn more about AHLA's Hospitals and Health Systems Practice Group: https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/practice-groups/practice-groups/hospitals-and-health-systems Essential Legal Updates, Now in AudioAHLA's popular Health Law Daily email newsletter is now a daily podcast, exclusively for AHLA Comprehensive members. Get all your health law news from the major media outlets on this podcast! To subscribe and add this private podcast feed to your podcast app, go to americanhealthlaw.org/dailypodcast.Stay At the Forefront of Health Legal EducationLearn more about AHLA and the educational resources available to the health law community at https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/. 

In this episode, Host Rob Spee sits down with survivor and holistic healer Deanna Scaldaferri, whose twenty‑year relationship with a narcissist nearly cost her her voice, her safety, and her sense of self. Deanna opens the door on what these relationships really look like — the early love bombing, the charm that fools everyone else, the private chaos, and the slow erosion of identity that keeps victims trapped. She breaks down the patterns that made her vulnerable, the fear and trauma bonding that kept her in place, and the physical toll of living in constant threat. What follows is a conversation about truth, courage, the breaking point and the long road back to the light. Deanna shares the faith that saved her and the tools that rebuilt her life — therapy, meditation, brain rewiring, and return to God after profound trauma. Today she's using her story to help others name what's happening, break the cycle, and reclaim their God‑given light. You can find Deanna at https://www.healinghandsbydeanna.com/ Key Takeaways Name the cycle so you stop doubting yourself. Love bombing, mask‑slipping, gaslighting, inconsistencies, control — once you understand the pattern, your intuition comes back online. People‑pleasing is not peacekeeping. The "keep the peace" reflex is often the doorway to losing your voice. Reclaiming boundaries is the first step toward reclaiming identity. Charm in public doesn't erase abuse in private. Narcissists curate a persona. Survivors need outside support — therapy, trusted friends, and professionals who understand the dynamic. Your body tells the truth before your mind can. Panic attacks, chest tightness, hypervigilance — these aren't overreactions. They're signals that your system is overwhelmed and unsafe. Healing requires all of you — mind, body, and spirit. Faith, breathwork, movement, somatic therapy, massage, reiki, and intentional "rewiring" help break trauma loops and rebuild confidence. Leaning into God is a turning point, not a last resort. Deanna's story shows how faith can anchor you, and even save you, when grief, loss, and trauma collide. You can leave the victim mindset behind. Healing isn't about pretending it didn't happen — it's about choosing who you become next. Join the Journey If this conversation resonates, subscribe for more stories of grit, adventure, and faith — and share it with someone who needs strength today. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@boldjourneysco Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boldjourneysco/ Through The Fire Newsletter: https://boldjourneys.co/subscribe/ Chapters 00:00 Love Bombing Begins 05:01 Deanna Background and Advocacy 06:37 Mask Slips and Confusion 10:29 Charm and Smear Campaign 13:58 Starting a Support Group 17:34 Conscious Control and Gaslighting 28:04 Childhood Roots and Silent Treatment 32:21 Reclaiming Your Light 35:35 Faith Returns to the Forefront 42:24 Choosing Faith Over Anger 46:29 Leaving Victim Mindset Behind 47:31 Reiki and Energy Healing Explained 57:48 Brain Rewiring and Neuroplasticity 01:01:38 Rapid Fire Self Care Habits 01:06:29 Narcissism Red Flags to Watch 01:12:35 Resources and Final Takeaways

Andrew Mahler, Vice President of Privacy and Compliance Services, Clearwater, speaks with David Peloquin, Partner, Ropes & Gray LLP, about the emergence of agentic artificial intelligence (AI) in the health care industry and the accompanying legal and regulatory challenges. They discuss how agentic AI differs from earlier forms of AI, why this difference is legally meaningful in health care, some of the significant use cases that are being observed, the state legal and regulatory landscape, issues related to federal preemption and what a durable “patchwork” might look like, enforcement risks and how health care organizations should respond, and the core elements of an effective AI governance framework that can adapt to the changing legal and regulatory environment. David recently co-authored an article in Health Law Weekly about this topic. Sponsored by Clearwater.Watch this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1Tmqe86Pd8Read David's article: https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/content-library/health-law-weekly/article/972e61f2-05a0-487d-987e-38c8b40b4dde/Paging-Dr-Algorithm-Navigating-the-Regulatory-Land Learn more about Clearwater: https://clearwatersecurity.com/ Essential Legal Updates, Now in AudioAHLA's popular Health Law Daily email newsletter is now a daily podcast, exclusively for AHLA Comprehensive members. Get all your health law news from the major media outlets on this podcast! To subscribe and add this private podcast feed to your podcast app, go to americanhealthlaw.org/dailypodcast.Stay At the Forefront of Health Legal EducationLearn more about AHLA and the educational resources available to the health law community at https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/. 

On this episode of the Ruff Talk VR podcast we are back talking all the latest VR news. We had a stacked week of game releases with Forefront and Into The Radius 2's full launches, Little Nightmares VR, and Beyond Sandbox. We also talk Five Nights At Freddy's: Secret Of The Mimic coming to VR, a new DIRECTV app on Meta Quest, Jon Favreau using the Apple Vision Pro for Mandalorian and Grogu, TMNT VR launching this week, and more!Use code RUFFTALKVR at checkout to save on any game or hardware on the Meta Quest store and help support the show!Showcase application form: https://forms.gle/tnPhzKezn3WuJpCU9Big thank you to all of our Patreon supporters! Become a supporter of the show today at https://www.patreon.com/rufftalkvr0:00 - Episode start1:20 - Forefront 1.010:25 - Little Nightmares VR20:25 - Beyond Sandbox29:10 - TMNT VR Launches This Week33:30 - Five Nights At Freddy's: Secret Of The Mimic VR36:00 - Free DIRECTV app on Meta Quest40:40 - Into The Radius 2 Full Launch on PCVR42:45 - Jon Favreau uses Apple Vision Pro for Mandalorian and GroguDiscord: https://discord.gg/9JTdCccucSPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/rufftalkvrIf you enjoy the podcast be sure to rate us 5 stars and subscribe! Join our official subreddit at https://www.reddit.com/r/RuffTalkVR/Support the show

Rob Yates, Managing Consultant, BRG, speaks with Emily Palmer, Partner, McDermott Will & Schulte, Hassan Shaikh, Associate, Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo PC, and Tyler Dysart, Associate, King & Spalding LLP, about how to survive and thrive at large law firms. They discuss what drew them to health law and the large law firm setting, the pros and cons of life at a large law firm, what a typical day is like and workload volume, and the skillsets that are crucial to success. They also delve into how junior attorneys can navigate the complex hierarchical teams that are prevalent at large law firms, the challenges that new attorneys face in this setting and how they can approach delegating, how to develop subject matter expertise and grow a network, how billable hour expectations impact development and well‑being, and what they wish they had known during their first year. From AHLA's Early Career Professionals Council.Watch this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sUU7vYUG4MEssential Legal Updates, Now in AudioAHLA's popular Health Law Daily email newsletter is now a daily podcast, exclusively for AHLA Comprehensive members. Get all your health law news from the major media outlets on this podcast! To subscribe and add this private podcast feed to your podcast app, go to americanhealthlaw.org/dailypodcast.Stay At the Forefront of Health Legal EducationLearn more about AHLA and the educational resources available to the health law community at https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/. 

In this episode of the Consumer Finance Monitor Podcast, host Alan Kaplinsky (founder, former chair for 25 years and now Senior Counsel) had the pleasure of speaking with Sam Levine, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), about the agency's evolving role as one of the most active local consumer protection regulators in the country. Important note: This podcast was recorded prior to DCWP's April 8, 2026 release of its proposed "click-to-cancel" rule addressing subscription practices. Alan recorded a description of the proposed rule which is at the end of the recording. We also wrote a separate blog about that significant development. A Local Regulator with National Influence From the outset, Commissioner Levine emphasized that DCWP is not simply a municipal agency focused on traditional licensing and enforcement, but rather a modern regulator tackling complex consumer protection issues that increasingly mirror those addressed at the federal level. "Local enforcement can be incredibly impactful—we're often closest to consumers and can move quickly to address emerging harms." He noted that New York City's scale and diversity make it a uniquely important testing ground for innovative consumer protection strategies. Executive Orders Driving Enforcement Priorities A key backdrop to DCWP's current activity is a pair of mayoral directives—Executive Order 9 and Executive Order 10—issued by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on January 5, 2026 (shortly after he took office) which we have discussed in a prior blog post. These Executive Orders signal a clear policy direction to fulfill his campaign promise to make life more affordable for everyday New Yorkers: an intensified focus on consumer protection, particularly in areas involving deceptive practices, hidden or "junk" fees, and recurring payment models. Executive Order 10, in particular, directs DCWP to prioritize enforcement against "subscription traps" and misleading recurring charge practices—laying the groundwork for the Department's subsequent proposed "click-to-cancel" rule published on April 8, 2026. Commissioner Levine made clear that these directives are not merely aspirational, but are actively shaping the agency's enforcement and rulemaking agenda: "We're aligning our work with the Mayor's directive to go after practices that frustrate consumers and undermine fair competition." Enforcement Priorities: Targeting Deceptive Practices A central theme of our discussion was DCWP's aggressive focus on deceptive and unconscionable trade practices, particularly in areas where consumers are most vulnerable. Commissioner Levine highlighted the agency's work in combatting: 1.     Hidden fees and misleading pricing practices 2.     Predatory lending and financial services abuses 3.     Worker exploitation in the gig economy 4.     Emerging digital marketplace risks "We're focused on conduct that distorts consumer choice—where people think they're getting one thing but end up locked into something very different." He underscored that transparency and fairness are guiding principles behind DCWP's enforcement agenda. Final Debt Collection Rules: A Significant Regulatory Development We also discussed DCWP's recently finalized debt collection regulations, which we have analyzed in prior blog coverage. These rules represent one of the most significant updates to New York City's debt collection framework in years. Commissioner Levine emphasized that the rules are designed to modernize existing requirements and address evolving industry practices, including the increased use of digital communications. "The goal is to ensure that debt collection practices keep pace with how consumers actually communicate today, while maintaining strong protections against harassment and abuse." Among other things, the rules clarify permissible communications, reinforce substantiation and disclosure requirements, and strengthen consumer protections in line with broader trends seen at the federal level. These rules, which go effective later this year, apply not only to third-party collectors and buyers of consumer debt, but also to creditors of consumers whenever the debtor resides or is located in New York City. Collaboration with Federal and State Regulators Drawing on his prior experience at the Federal Trade Commission as Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection, Levine discussed the importance of coordination across jurisdictions. "There's a real opportunity for federal, state, and local regulators to work together and reinforce one another's efforts." He explained that DCWP frequently collaborates with the FTC, the New York State Attorney General's Office, and other enforcement bodies, particularly in cases involving multi-state or national conduct. At the same time, he made clear that local regulators can lead: "We don't have to wait. If we see harm affecting New Yorkers, we're going to act." Rulemaking as a Strategic Tool In addition to enforcement, Levine emphasized DCWP's increasing use of rulemaking to shape market behavior proactively. "Rules give clarity to businesses and protections to consumers—they're an important complement to case-by-case enforcement." He noted that clear rules can help level the playing field for companies that are already trying to do the right thing. Focus on Financial Services and Marketplace Innovation The conversation also explored DCWP's interest in financial services, particularly as new products and delivery models emerge. Levine pointed to risks associated with: 1.     Fintech innovations that may outpace regulatory frameworks 2.     Online platforms that obscure key terms or pricing 3.     Products that rely heavily on consumer inertia or behavioral biases "Innovation can be a good thing—but it can't come at the expense of transparency or fairness." Practical Takeaways for Industry For companies operating in or serving New York City, the message from DCWP is clear: 1.     Expect active enforcement of deceptive practices 2.     Monitor local regulatory developments, including mayoral directives and rulemaking initiatives 3.     Prioritize clear disclosures and consumer-friendly processes 4.     Anticipate continued focus on digital and subscription-based business models "Our goal is straightforward: markets should work for consumers, not against them." Looking Ahead Although our discussion did not cover it because it happened after our podcast was recorded, DCWP has since proposed a significant new rule targeting subscription practices—further underscoring the agency's commitment to addressing modern consumer risks and reflecting the policy direction set by Executive Order 10. Given Commissioner Levine's leadership and experience, including his prior role at the FTC, DCWP is likely to remain at the forefront of consumer protection innovation. Consumer Finance Monitor is hosted by Alan Kaplinsky, Senior Counsel at Ballard Spahr, and the founder and former chair of the firm's Consumer Financial Services Group. We encourage listeners to subscribe to the podcast on their preferred platform for weekly insights into developments in the consumer finance industry.

On this episode of the Ruff Talk VR podcast we are back in studio talking all the latest VR news! We kick off the episode talking the games we've been playing this past week, including Among Giants, No Man's Sky, TaVRN's Takedown, and Forefront. Then on the news side, we talk FlatOut 4 VR delay, a PAYDAY: Aces High AMA, an upcoming VR game called Sock Puppet Superstars, Green Hell VR roadmap, Microsoft Flight Sim VR on PS VR2, a Synth Riders Dua Lipa DLC, and more!Use code RUFFTALKVR at checkout to save on any game or hardware on the Meta Quest store and help support the show!Showcase application form: https://forms.gle/tnPhzKezn3WuJpCU9Big thank you to all of our Patreon supporters! Become a supporter of the show today at https://www.patreon.com/rufftalkvr0:00 - Episode start8:15 - Forefront16:00 - No Mans Sky21:30 - TaVRn's Takedown23:35 - Among Giants33:40 - Sock Puppet Superstars39:00 - Green Hell VR Roadmap43:05 - Microsoft Flight Sim PS VR250:50 - PAYDAY: Aces High AMA1:00:25 - FlatOut 4 VR Delay1:03:55 - Quest 3 + 3S Price Increase1:06:15 - Synth Riders Dua Lipa1:08:55 - Squingle Arcade Playtest1:11:40 - Evil Inside1:14:49 - BlackGate New Alien1:16:30 - Echoes Of Mora delayed1:19:30 - Quest capture preview1:21:45 - DirectTV app listed on Meta QuestDiscord: https://discord.gg/9JTdCccucSPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/rufftalkvrIf you enjoy the podcast be sure to rate us 5 stars and subscribe! Join our official subreddit at https://www.reddit.com/r/RuffTalkVR/Support the show

On this episode of the Ruff Talk VR podcast we are back at it with a loaded list of news to discuss. Including Roboquest VR coming to Meta Quest, games launching this month including WRATH VR and FlatOut 4 VR, newly announced VR games such as Payday: Aces High, our thoughts on new games such as Beat The Beats VR and Bloxer, game updates, and more!Use code RUFFTALKVR at checkout to save on any game or hardware on the Meta Quest store and help support the show!Showcase application form: https://forms.gle/tnPhzKezn3WuJpCU9Big thank you to all of our Patreon supporters! Become a supporter of the show today at https://www.patreon.com/rufftalkvrDiscord: https://discord.gg/9JTdCccucSPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/rufftalkvr0:00 - Episode Start1:45 - Beat the Beats VR thoughts08:45 - Bloxer thoughts13:25 - Zero Caliber: Frostbite16:35 - Top Ten Most Downloaded PS VR2 Games March20:55 - The 7th Guest Flatscreen22:50 - Rec Room shutting down27:35 - WRATH: Aeon Of Ruin VR - Brutal Edition29:30 - Forefront 1.0 Release35:20 - TMNT VR Release Date36:25 - VMX38:20 - Roboquest VR Meta Quest Release Date + Co-op40:20 - Compass42:05 - VRacer Hoverbike Track Editor43:50 - Breachers and Vacation Simulator join Horizon+46:10 - GOLF+ SteamVR47:30 - Crepe Master51:20 - Flag Games53:15 - Payday: Aces High57:35 - FlatOut 4 VR1:00:10 - How To God update1:02:00 - Darts VR2: Bullseye release date1:03:20 - Budget Cuts price cut1:05:10 - A Long Survive PS VR2 and SteamVR1:06:50 - One More Delve1:08:30 - Polyarc Layoffs1:09:50 - Bomb The Hill1:11:35 - Exoshock "Founders Edition"1:13:05 - The Lightkeeprs new trailer1:14:25 - PS5 Price Increase1:16:10 - Birdseed VR full release1:17:15 - Oh My Galaxy!1:18:25 - Sugar Madness1:20:00 - Into The Radius 2 Full Launch1:21:05 - GOLF+ New Course1:22:30 - Spymaster1:23:40 - TaVRn's Takedown1:25:15 - Cyberpunk 2077 VR Arcade1:26:45 - Isle Of Food1:28:10 - Medieval Dynasty New Settlement Price Drop1:29:10 - Action Hero Price Cut1:30:05 - Full Steam undead1:31:05 - Squingle Arcade1:33:25 - Primal Rumble1:34:40 - Le Dino Labo1:35:55 - Meta Glasses updateIf you enjoy the podcast be sure to rate us 5 stars and subscribe! Join our official subreddit at https://www.reddit.com/r/RuffTalkVR/Support the show