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Are you a senior director, VP, or elite account executive completely nose-down in your career, chasing corporate accolades, status, and wealth while your family's attention slips away? In this highly reflective solo episode, host Billy Keels breaks his own rules to make a mandatory recommendation: anyone managing a demanding multinational career needs to watch George Clooney's movie J. Kelly. Following the story of a massively successful, wealthy superstar actor at the tail end of his career, Billy highlights the painful, subtle realities of a high performer who achieved the absolute pinnacle of external validation, only to realize his deepest true desire was simply to capture the attention of his daughters—before realizing he had spent decades being "on" for the wrong people. Learn how to find true harmony over balance, escape the corporate machine's lease option on your life, and intentionally protect the relationships that actually belong to you before time runs out.
Welcome to the Sports Today update. A snapshot of the latest sport stories from the Tapt Media team including: Sydney Swans coach Dean Cox concedes the club’s “culture has taken a hit” A trio of contract extensions at Richmond Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall is demanding his team show 'fight' and 'pride The biggest sport stories in less than 5 minutes delivered twice a day. Subscribe now to make it part of your daily news diet.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When was the last time you gave yourself permission to truly step away from work?Not because you earned it.Not because you finally cleared your inbox.Simply because you knew you needed it.For many brilliant women in demanding corporate careers, rest feels unproductive. There's always another email to answer, another presentation to prepare, another problem to solve. So instead of slowing down, they keep pushing—believing the answer is to work harder.But what if the leadership breakthrough you're looking for isn't found by doing more?What if it's found by reconnecting with yourself?In this episode of Breaking Free from the Grind, I share why rest isn't a luxury or a reward - it's one of the most strategic leadership decisions you can make. I also share lessons from my own quarterly reset while spending time in Los Angeles and why stepping away from work has consistently helped me make better decisions, reconnect with my vision, and become a stronger leader.In this episode, I'm diving in to discuss:Why exhaustion disconnects you from the leader you're trying to become — and how constantly prioritizing everyone else's needs over your own quietly erodes your clarity, confidence, and ability to lead with self-trust.The connection between rest and better leadership decisions — why the most effective response to a difficult conversation, career decision, or leadership challenge is often to step away first, reconnect with yourself, and return with greater clarity and conviction.How to build moments of rest into everyday leadership — including the simple shifts that help you recharge without waiting for the perfect vacation, so you can lead with more presence, authenticity, and strategic influence every day.If you've been telling yourself you'll rest after this project...If you've been running on empty while convincing yourself you just need to push a little harder...Or if you've forgotten what it feels like to lead from a place of clarity instead of exhaustion...This episode will remind you that your next level isn't created by sacrificing yourself.It's created by learning to trust yourself enough to pause.Next Level™ Leader Quiz: You're smart. Capable. Proven. So why does the next level still feel harder than it should? Take my free Next Level™ Leader quiz to uncover the hidden pattern slowing your rise…and what to do next. Take the Next Level™ Leader Quiz here. 30-min. Leadership Strategy Consult: On a private consult, we'll identify exactly where you're still operating as the doer, fixer, problem-solver, and safety net inside your organization. Together, we'll uncover the patterns keeping you overwhelmed and map out the leadership shifts required to help you lead more strategically, create stronger boundaries, and thrive at the next level without burnout. If you're serious about accelerating into your next level of leadership without sacrificing your sanity to get there, this is the place to start. Book your 30-min. Leadership Strategy Consult here. About AmeliaAmelia Noël is an executive coach and former investment banking and consulting professional who helps high-achieving women in demanding corporate roles develop their Executive Edge™ to rise into senior leadership...and thrive there without burnout. Through her coaching, workshops, and podcast, Breaking Free from the Grind, Amelia helps women strengthen their executive presence, increase visibility and influence, communicate their value with confidence, and shift from overworking to leading more strategically at their next level. Her work blends over a decade of real-world corporate experience with practical leadership development to help women become the kind of leaders that bigger opportunities, and bigger rooms, are built for. Connect with Ameliawww.amelianoelcoaching.comIG: @breakingfreefromthegrindLinkedIn: Amelia Noel
Only 7% of business leaders report having established ROI from AI, according to a recent KPMG survey. So what's going wrong?In this episode of UC Today, Christopher Carey sits down with Adam Hadley, Founder of AI consultancy QuantSpark, to unpack why AI adoption is falling short – and what companies can do differently.They discuss:
Join us each week at Gateway Church of Richmond, Sundays at 10:30am at 3361 State Road 227 North, Richmond, Indiana. Chris is the Senior Leaders of Gateway Church and lead translator of the Name Translation Bible (TNT). As the author of over fifteen books and degrees from Penn State Univesity and Messiah Biblical Institute, Chris is passionate about equipping every believer to have a daily encounter with Jesus. Free resources available at www.igateway.org.
You might be ready for the summer, but so are cybercriminals. Learn about the latest scams of the season and how to fight back. We kick off the show with Leyla Bilge, Global Head of Scam Research for Norton. Amazon Luna has a new game called Courtroom Chaos starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. The AI-powered game is free to play for Amazon Prime members. I sit down with JC Connors, Senior Leader of Amazon Games. Also on Tech It Out, if you're still paying your local wireless provider for out-of-country cellular access, you're likely coming home to a massive bill. Instead, learn about eSIMs and Airalo, with Emma Brooks, Growth Director for North America at Airalo.Thank you to Visa, Norton, and SanDisk for your incredible support. Get a huge discount on Norton anti-malware at norton.com/techitout
Join us each week at Gateway Church of Richmond, Sundays at 10:30am at 3361 State Road 227 North, Richmond, Indiana. Chris is the Senior Leaders of Gateway Church and lead translator of the Name Translation Bible (TNT). As the author of over fifteen books and degrees from Penn State Univesity and Messiah Biblical Institute, Chris is passionate about equipping every believer to have a daily encounter with Jesus. Free resources available at www.igateway.org.
Duration: 1 hr In this episode of Bright Spots in Healthcare, host Eric Glazer brings together leaders from Johns Hopkins Medicine, Northwell Health, WVU Medicine, and TytoCare to explore one of healthcare's biggest challenges: how to move beyond isolated AI pilots and operationalize AI in ways that genuinely improve specialty care. While AI continues to dominate headlines, the organizations making the greatest progress aren't simply adopting more technology. They're redesigning workflows, strengthening governance, extending specialist expertise, and embedding AI into clinical operations in ways that improve patient access while reducing burden on clinicians. This discussion explores what it really takes to scale AI across complex health systems, from executive strategy and governance to workflow redesign, remote examinations, ambient AI, and extending specialty expertise into rural and underserved communities. Our guests include: Rebecca Canino, MBA, Executive Director, Office of Telemedicine, Johns Hopkins Medicine Kristin Myers, Executive Vice President & Chief Digital Officer, Northwell Health Sharda Udassi, MD, Professor, Pediatric Hospital Medicine Division & Associate Chief Quality Officer, WVU Medicine Greg Orr, Chief Operating Officer, TytoCare Together, they explore: Why successful AI initiatives begin with operational transformation—not technology deployment How leading health systems are embedding AI into existing clinical workflows instead of creating new ones What governance looks like when organizations are scaling AI responsibly How remote examinations and AI are helping extend scarce specialty expertise into rural and community settings Practical examples of AI improving diabetic retinopathy screening, patient navigation, scheduling, EEG interpretation, and specialty access Why redesigning care delivery—not simply adding digital tools—is becoming the key to sustainable AI adoption Where healthcare leaders see the next generation of AI creating measurable impact for clinicians and patients alike. Whether you're leading digital transformation, telehealth, clinical operations, or AI strategy, this episode offers practical lessons from organizations moving beyond experimentation and successfully scaling AI across specialty care. Panelist Bios: https://www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com/events/scaling-ai-enabled-remote-specialty-care-from-innovation-to-operational-performance/ Download the Episode Guide: Get key takeaways and expert highlights to help you apply lessons from the episode. Download guide: https://www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Episode-Guide-Bright-Spots-in-Health-Care-TytoCare-07-15-26.pdf Key Insights Summary: Find key insights from the discussion, guest takeaways, and detailed moderator notes captured by Eric during the conversation, https://www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Key-Insights-Summary-Bright-Spots-07-15-26.pdf Thank You to Our Episode Partner, TytoCare: TytoCare is helping health systems rethink how specialty care is delivered beyond the traditional walls of the hospital and clinic. Through its AI-enabled, FDA-cleared remote examination platform, TytoCare equips clinicians with clinical-grade exam data from virtually anywhere, enabling more informed decision-making than video visits alone. By combining guided remote examinations with AI-assisted workflows, TytoCare helps provider organizations improve access to specialty care, optimize clinician capacity, strengthen virtual care models, and create more connected patient experiences. As health systems look to scale AI responsibly, TytoCare is helping turn innovation into operational performance. Schedule a Meeting with a Senior Leader at TytoCare: Interested in learning how leading health systems are scaling remote specialty care? To connect with Greg Orr or another member of the TytoCare leadership team, contact show producer Jessica Tenzer at jtenzer@brightspotsventures.com to schedule a conversation. About Bright Spots Ventures: Bright Spots Ventures is a healthcare strategy and engagement company that creates content, communities, and connections to accelerate innovation. We help healthcare leaders discover what's working, and how to scale it. By bringing together health plan, hospital, and solution leaders, we facilitate the exchange of ideas that lead to measurable impact. Through our podcast, executive councils, private events, and go-to-market strategy work, we surface and amplify the "bright spots" in healthcare, proven innovations others can learn from and replicate. At our core, we exist to create trusted relationships that make real progress possible. Visit our website at www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com.
In this episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I sit down with Alyssa Gelbard, Founder and CEO of Point Road Group, to explore why personal branding is far more than a marketing exercise. We discuss how leaders shape company culture, build trust, attract talent, strengthen customer relationships, and drive revenue through the way they communicate and show up every day.Alyssa shares practical insights on executive presence, LinkedIn credibility, leadership communication, personal brand awareness, and the common mistakes that unintentionally undermine trust. We also discuss why leadership teams must align around a consistent company story and how personal branding impacts both internal team dynamics and external business relationships.If you want to strengthen your leadership team, improve organizational alignment, and create greater influence as a leader, this conversation provides actionable strategies you can begin applying immediately.Employee Branding Snapshot Assessment https://assessment.pointroadgroup.com/assessment/17340Website: https://www.pointroadgroup.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssagelbard/Point Road Group: https://www.linkedin.com/company/point-road-group/ Thanks for listening! Connect with us at mike-goldman.com/blog and on Instagram@mikegoldmancoach and on YouTube @Mikegoldmancoach
Join us each week at Gateway Church of Richmond, Sundays at 10:30am at 3361 State Road 227 North, Richmond, Indiana. Chris is the Senior Leaders of Gateway Church and lead translator of the Name Translation Bible (TNT). As the author of over fifteen books and degrees from Penn State University and Messiah Biblical Institute, Chris is passionate about equipping every believer to have a daily encounter with Jesus. Free resources available at www.igateway.org.
Join us each week at Gateway Church of Richmond, Sundays at 10:30am at 3361 State Road 227 North, Richmond, Indiana. Chris is the Senior Leaders of Gateway Church and lead translator of the Name Translation Bible (TNT). As the author of over fifteen books and degrees from Penn State Univesity and Messiah Biblical Institute, Chris is passionate about equipping every believer to have a daily encounter with Jesus. Free resources available at www.igateway.org.
ChatGPT can't solve your nuanced career problems. But I can. In this episode, I tackle four real questions from real people who are scared, stuck, and not sure what to do next. My honest answers, no fluff. Timestamps1:56 – How Do You Get Over The Constant Fear of Being Fired?: Irrational fears cause more harm than you imagine. 4:27 – How To Know If You Have What It Takes to Be a Senior Leader?: You are asking the wrong question.7:20 – What Was The Exact Moment You Stopped Treating Minor Corporate Inconveniences As Life-or-Death Emergencies?: My boss called me on my honeymoon. This was the last straw.10:25 – Is Anyone Else Terrified They Stayed In a Stable Career Too Long and Now Feel Completely Trapped? You aren't trapped if you can change at any moment. Introvert Leader Newsletter (Confidence Blueprint Course Waitlist)Get the free confidence guide & biweekly updates: HereCareer & Leadership CoachingWant a better career? Clients who work with us earn 57% more and get promoted 3x faster on average: Book your free career clarity call here.Free ResourcesThe Brag Sheet (free Career Win Tracker): HereTake the free Career Fulfillment quiz: HereEngageNew episodes drop every other Wednesday. Be sure to subscribe.Send in your career, leadership, or self-development questions and I'll answer them on air.Email: theintrovertleader@gmail.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/austinchopkinsYouTube: Austin HopkinsCareer Coaching: www.sts-coaching.com
In this episode of Leadership Bites, Guy Bloom speaks with Sharath Jeevan OBE, legacy expert, Oxford lecturer, author of Inflection: A Roadmap for Leaders at a Crossroads, and founder of the Generational Success Lab at Saïd Business School.Sharath describes legacy not as something leaders think about at the end of their career, but as the mark they are choosing to leave right now. The conversation explores why legacy matters in a world of uncertainty, AI, pressure, private equity, short term targets and constant organisational change.Guy and Sharath challenge the idea that leadership is just task, output and performance management. They discuss why leaders need to think more deeply about meaning, contribution, significance and the experience they create for others.Sharath shares how his own background, from being an Indian immigrant to becoming a social entrepreneur, adviser, author and OBE, shaped his thinking on preservation, reinvention and impact. He also explains why legacy is not only for CEOs or people nearing retirement, but for anyone who wants their work to matter.This conversation looks at legacy through the lens of individuals, teams and organisations. It asks how leaders can build institutions, develop people, create ideas and shape cultures that continue beyond them.A key theme is that legacy is not a soft idea. It is a strategic lens. It helps leaders stay grounded, make better decisions, hold long term intent alongside short term pressure, and create work that has meaning beyond the immediate task.If you are leading a team, shaping a business, working through an inflection point, or asking what your leadership is really leaving behind, this episode will give you plenty to think about.To find out more about Guy Bloom and his award winning work in Team Coaching, Leadership Development and Executive Coaching click below.The link to everything CLICK HEREUK: 07827 953814Email: guybloom@livingbrave.com Web: www.livingbrave.com
Join us each week at Gateway Church of Richmond, Sundays at 10:30am at 3361 State Road 227 North, Richmond, Indiana. Chris is the Senior Leaders of Gateway Church and lead translator of the Name Translation Bible (TNT). As the author of over fifteen books and degrees from Penn State Univesity and Messiah Biblical Institute, Chris is passionate about equipping every believer to have a daily encounter with Jesus. Free resources available at www.igateway.org.
Have you ever stayed quiet in a meeting because disagreeing with a senior leader felt too confrontational? In this episode, I'm teaching you the TATER Framework — a simple, four-step approach to disagreeing with your boss (or executive leaders) in a way that feels collaborative and not at all confrontational. This will help you manage up effectively and get credit for the leadership skills you bring to the room. In this episode you'll learn: -How to disagree with senior leaders without being adversarial -A simple framework for pushing back at work with confidence -How to speak up and be assertive even in high pressure rooms -Why managing conflict at work doesn't have to feel aggressive or confrontational -How to manage up effectively and get recognized for your expertise -Communication strategies that build your executive presence and leadership credibility Links: Free 5 Phrases Worksheet: https://jessguzikcoaching.com/phrases/ The Art of Speaking Up Academy: https://jessguzikcoaching.com/academy/ 1:1 Coaching: https://jessguzikcoaching.com/coaching/ Episode 412 (what to do when someone talks over you): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/412-how-to-respond-when-someone-talks-over-you-at-work/id1436888741?i=1000762487583
"Executive presence" is one of the most repeated, and most problematic, phrases in leadership. After ten years and hundreds of clients, Jill Griffin has stopped using it and built something better.The Leadership Identity Framework is Jill's approach to what EP was trying to measure, done right. In this episode, she's breaking down one of its core pillars and why it changes how you lead.In this episode:Why "executive presence" measures the wrong thingsWhat leadership identity is and how Jill developed itHow to build presence rooted in who you actually areSupport the showJill Griffin, is a leadership strategist, executive coach, and host of The Career Refresh. She works with senior leaders to navigate complexity, strengthen teams, and lead with greater clarity and intention.With 20+ years of experience at companies like Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Hilton, and Martha Stewart, Jill brings a practical, real-world lens to leadership, decision-making, and career strategy. Visit GriffinMethod.com to learn more about working together:The Next Era Leader An 8-week cohort for women leaders ready to expand their capacity and lead through complexity with clarity and intentionExecutive Coaching & Leadership Advisory 1:1 strategic partnership for leaders navigating growth, transition, and what's nextConnect with Jill for Leadership Development for Organizations and Speaking & WorkshopsInstagram: @JillGriffinOffical
In this episode, I sit down with Melody Wilding to talk about a skill that has become increasingly important in today's matrixed organizations: managing up. But not in the traditional sense of simply keeping your boss informed. We explore what it really means to build influence with decision-makers, stakeholders, and leaders whose priorities, communication styles, and levels of involvement may be very different from your day-to-day contacts. Whether you're navigating internal relationships or working with complex clients, Melody shares practical frameworks for creating alignment, building trust, and increasing your impact without feeling political or inauthentic. We also discuss how to identify the people who truly influence outcomes, make the most of limited access to senior leaders, and communicate your value in ways that resonate with decision-makers. Topics We Cover in This Episode: Why "managing up" means much more than managing your relationship with a direct supervisor How to identify the stakeholders who have the greatest influence over key decisions A simple power-mapping framework for navigating complex organizations Better questions to ask when trying to understand what decision-makers truly care about How to communicate updates in ways that highlight business impact instead of activity The role curiosity plays in creating meaningful networking opportunities Why involving others in the process often creates stronger buy-in than presenting a polished solution How to use brief interactions with senior leaders to build stronger long-term relationships If you enjoy conversations about influence, business development, leadership, and relationship-building, I think you'll find a lot to consider in this discussion. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss future episodes, and if you found this conversation valuable, please share it with a colleague or friend who would enjoy it as well. Resources Mentioned: Connect with Melody: https://melodywilding.com/ Get Melody's free training, 5 Steps to Speak Like a Senior Leader, here: https://melodywilding.com/training Sign up for Bunnell Idea Group's free AI Business Development tool, GrowBIG AI: growbig.ai Sign up for Mo's weekly newsletter: GrowBigPlaybook.com Free Give to Grow Training and Downloadable Materials: Givetogrow.info Give to Grow Amazon Order Link: https://a.co/d/ec8DTzc Follow Mo's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mobunnell/
In this episode, I sit down with Melody Wilding to talk about a skill that has become increasingly important in today's matrixed organizations: managing up. But not in the traditional sense of simply keeping your boss informed. We explore what it really means to build influence with decision-makers, stakeholders, and leaders whose priorities, communication styles, and levels of involvement may be very different from your day-to-day contacts. Whether you're navigating internal relationships or working with complex clients, Melody shares practical frameworks for creating alignment, building trust, and increasing your impact without feeling political or inauthentic. We also discuss how to identify the people who truly influence outcomes, make the most of limited access to senior leaders, and communicate your value in ways that resonate with decision-makers. Topics We Cover in This Episode: Why "managing up" means much more than managing your relationship with a direct supervisor How to identify the stakeholders who have the greatest influence over key decisions A simple power-mapping framework for navigating complex organizations Better questions to ask when trying to understand what decision-makers truly care about How to communicate updates in ways that highlight business impact instead of activity The role curiosity plays in creating meaningful networking opportunities Why involving others in the process often creates stronger buy-in than presenting a polished solution How to use brief interactions with senior leaders to build stronger long-term relationships If you enjoy conversations about influence, business development, leadership, and relationship-building, I think you'll find a lot to consider in this discussion. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss future episodes, and if you found this conversation valuable, please share it with a colleague or friend who would enjoy it as well. Resources Mentioned: Connect with Melody: https://melodywilding.com/ Get Melody's free training, 5 Steps to Speak Like a Senior Leader, here: https://melodywilding.com/training Sign up for Bunnell Idea Group's free AI Business Development tool, GrowBIG AI: growbig.ai Sign up for Mo's weekly newsletter: GrowBigPlaybook.com Free Give to Grow Training and Downloadable Materials: Givetogrow.info Give to Grow Amazon Order Link: https://a.co/d/ec8DTzc Follow Mo's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mobunnell/
In this episode, I sit down with Melody Wilding to talk about a skill that has become increasingly important in today's matrixed organizations: managing up. But not in the traditional sense of simply keeping your boss informed. We explore what it really means to build influence with decision-makers, stakeholders, and leaders whose priorities, communication styles, and levels of involvement may be very different from your day-to-day contacts. Whether you're navigating internal relationships or working with complex clients, Melody shares practical frameworks for creating alignment, building trust, and increasing your impact without feeling political or inauthentic. We also discuss how to identify the people who truly influence outcomes, make the most of limited access to senior leaders, and communicate your value in ways that resonate with decision-makers. Topics We Cover in This Episode: Why "managing up" means much more than managing your relationship with a direct supervisor How to identify the stakeholders who have the greatest influence over key decisions A simple power-mapping framework for navigating complex organizations Better questions to ask when trying to understand what decision-makers truly care about How to communicate updates in ways that highlight business impact instead of activity The role curiosity plays in creating meaningful networking opportunities Why involving others in the process often creates stronger buy-in than presenting a polished solution How to use brief interactions with senior leaders to build stronger long-term relationships If you enjoy conversations about influence, business development, leadership, and relationship-building, I think you'll find a lot to consider in this discussion. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss future episodes, and if you found this conversation valuable, please share it with a colleague or friend who would enjoy it as well. Resources Mentioned: Connect with Melody: https://melodywilding.com/ Get Melody's free training, 5 Steps to Speak Like a Senior Leader, here: https://melodywilding.com/training Sign up for Bunnell Idea Group's free AI Business Development tool, GrowBIG AI: growbig.ai Sign up for Mo's weekly newsletter: GrowBigPlaybook.com Free Give to Grow Training and Downloadable Materials: Givetogrow.info Give to Grow Amazon Order Link: https://a.co/d/ec8DTzc Follow Mo's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mobunnell/
Hayley Lowe had a textbook career pivot from her communications degree and agency life to a senior leadership role at a company like Expedia. Everything was going according to plan until burnout, infertility, a pandemic, and one very wrong Fortune 500 job forced her to rebuild from scratch. What she found on the other side wasn't a posted role. It was one she designed herself. Through coaching, she built an Ideal Career Profile that made it obvious why her last job had been wrong and exactly what right would look like. In this episode, Hayley shares what it took to trust her gut sooner, how she negotiated a role that didn't exist yet, and what work finally feels like when it's built around who you actually are. What you'll learn What happens when you take a job that looks right on paper and know it's wrong on Day 1 and what to do about it fast How Hayley used her Ideal Career Profile to reverse-engineer a Chief of Staff role at a company she already trusted Why the best career opportunities are rarely posted — and how to position yourself to co-create the role you actually want Our book, Happen To Your Career: An Unconventional Approach To Career Change and Meaningful Work, is now available on audiobook! Visit happentoyourcareer.com/audible to order it now! Visit happentoyourcareer.com/book for more information or buy the print or ebook here! Want to chat with our team about your unique situation? Schedule a conversation Free Resources What career fits you? Join our free 8 Day Mini Course to figure it out! Career Change Guide - Learn how high-performers discover their ideal career and find meaningful, well-paid work without starting over. Related Episodes Executive Burnout: Making A Midlife Career Change (Spotify / Apple Podcasts) Stuck in a Career You're Unhappy With? Fear Of Taking Risks Could Be Keeping You There (Spotify / Apple Podcasts)
You might be ready for the summer, but so are cybercriminals. Learn about the latest scams of the season and how to fight back. We kick off the show with Leyla Bilge, Global Head of Scam Research for NortonAmazon Luna has a new game called Courtroom Chaos starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. The AI-powered game is free to play for Amazon Prime members. I sit down with JC Connors, Senior Leader of Amazon GamesAlso on Tech It Out, if you're still paying your local wireless provider for out-of-country cellular access, you're likely coming home to a massive bill. Instead, learn about eSIMs and Airalo, with Emma Brooks, Growth Director for North America at AiraloThank you to Visa, Norton, and SanDisk for your incredible support. Get a huge discount on Norton anti-malware at norton.com/techitout
A lot of digital health pilots do not fail because the idea is bad. They fail because the care model, workflow, staffing, and financial design were never fully built. This episode features a presentation from the ROI-Centered Care Summit, produced by Bright Spots Ventures in partnership with TytoCare and the American Telemedicine Association (ATA). In this episode, Reshma Gupta, MD, Chief of Population Health and Accountable Care at UC Davis Health, shares why so many AI and digital health pilots stall, and what it takes to redesign them into models that are operationally viable, financially sustainable, and built to scale. Using UC Davis Health's hypertension remote patient monitoring program as a case study, Reshma walks through what broke in the original pilot, including slower ramp-up, unclear vendor role design, returned device logistics, and delayed billing capture. She then explains how her team rebuilt the program into a 6-month model with clearer workflows, stronger local clinical support, and a more sustainable financial structure. You'll hear how UC Davis: Redesigned RPM with a local MA, RN, pharmacist, clinician support, and vendor MA model Built a 6-month patient journey with education, medication review, and monthly nurse and pharmacy visits Improved blood pressure outcomes from 146/81 pre-enrollment to 126/73 at program completion Reframed success around workflow fit, patient engagement, billing discipline, and ROI Key topics include why pilots fail, how to match the model to the right patient population, the importance of role clarity and billing optimization, and what health systems should think through before launching the next digital health program. If you are a health system leader, population health executive, digital health leader, or care transformation strategist trying to move beyond pilots and into sustainable performance, this episode offers a practical blueprint grounded in real-world lessons. Link to Dr. Reshma Gupta's Presentation: Bio: Dr. Reshma Gupta is a transformative healthcare executive with experience leading large-scale healthcare transformation across complex health systems and national payment reform initiatives– dedicated to innovation in population health, affordable healthcare, and social justice. With expertise in clinical and operational transformation, digital strategy, and policy, she has consistently driven high impact initiatives. Through the University of California Office of the President, she co-develops system-wide population health strategy across multiple campuses, social needs integration, and high-risk patient management initiatives including tech-enabled care and keeping patients healthier at home. As Chief of Population Health and Accountable Care at University of California Davis Health, Dr. Gupta oversees the enterprise-wide population health and accountable care portfolio to operationalize and modernize care pathways across inpatient and outpatient settings, standing up quality and equity improvement systems, and launching digital health and AI platforms. Nationally, she has advised the CMS Innovation Center on primary care transformation and advanced payment models and currently serves as an advisor to state and federal agencies on affordability and health system delivery reform. Connect with Dr. Reshma Gupta: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reshma-gupta-md-mshpm/ Thank You to Our Episode Partner, TytoCare. TytoCare enables health systems and plans to deliver high-quality remote exams anytime, anywhere. Their FDA-cleared devices and AI-powered diagnostic platform support virtual specialty care, school-based programs, and home health models, reducing unnecessary ED visits and improving patient experience. To learn more, visit tytocare.com. Schedule a Meeting with a Senior Leader at TytoCare: To explore how TytoCare can help your organization expand virtual specialty access and improve care coordination, reach out to jtenzer@brightspotsventures.com to schedule a meeting. About Bright Spots Ventures: Bright Spots Ventures exists to help healthcare organizations accelerate the adoption of what's actually working. Healthcare does not suffer from a lack of innovation. It suffers from slow adoption, fragmented learning, and limited trust between stakeholders. For example, one health plan or provider may solve a major operational or clinical challenge while others spend the next 5–10 years rediscovering the same answer. We close that gap by creating trusted environments where health plans, providers, and innovators can share practical strategies, operational lessons, and scalable models that drive measurable improvement. Through the Bright Spots in Healthcare podcast, leadership councils, executive roundtables, curated events, and strategic advisory work, we help organizations build credibility, strengthen strategic relationships, and accelerate the spread of proven ideas across healthcare.
How do you overcome a perfectionist mindset and successfully build an elite, global network while managing a high-stakes corporate career? In this special 6th anniversary solo episode of The Going Long Podcast, host Billy Keels looks back at six years of broadcasting to share the raw, unvarnished truth of transitioning from an overwhelmed corporate executive to a global independent. From sitting down at the microphone for the first time with sweating armpits to scaling a show into the top 1.5% of podcasts globally across 90 countries, Billy breaks down how he ignored the loudest critics, invested six figures in personal coaching, and structured his 168 hours to manage a $100M multinational business while building a thriving side venture. Discover the exact steps needed to leverage your high-earning corporate role to capture attention, master transferable skills, and build professional optionality.
You know the feeling: You receive one piece of feedback…One comment from your boss.One suggestion from a client.One sentence in a performance review.And suddenly you're questioning everything.You replay the conversation for hours. You second-guess yourself. You wonder if you're really ready for senior leadership. And what started as a perfectly normal day turns into a spiral of self-doubt.But here's the truth:The most successful senior leaders aren't the ones who avoid difficult feedback.They're the ones who know how to receive feedback without losing themselves in it.In this episode of Breaking Free from the Grind, I'm diving in to discuss:Why high-performing women often treat feedback as a judgment of their worth, capability, or leadership potential and how this creates self-doubt, overthinking, and the Confidence GapThe critical difference between a mid-career mindset and a senior leader mindset when it comes to feedback - and why feedback is information, not identityThe Feedback Filter: a simple tool to help you stop blindly accepting every opinion as truth, take what serves you, leave what doesn't, and strengthen your ability to trust your own judgmentIf you've ever spent days replaying a conversation, over-correcting after criticism, or questioning yourself because of one piece of feedback...This episode will show you how to process feedback with confidence, filter it through your own leadership philosophy, and stop outsourcing your self-worth to other people's opinions.Next Level™ Leader Quiz: You're smart. Capable. Proven. So why does the next level still feel harder than it should? Take my free Next Level™ Leader quiz to uncover the hidden pattern slowing your rise…and what to do next. Take the Next Level™ Leader Quiz here. 30-min. Leadership Strategy Consult: On a private consult, we'll identify exactly where you're still operating as the doer, fixer, problem-solver, and safety net inside your organization. Together, we'll uncover the patterns keeping you overwhelmed and map out the leadership shifts required to help you lead more strategically, create stronger boundaries, and thrive at the next level without burnout. If you're serious about accelerating into your next level of leadership without sacrificing your sanity to get there, this is the place to start. Book your 30-min. Leadership Strategy Consult here. About AmeliaAmelia Noël is an executive coach and former investment banking and consulting professional who helps high-achieving women in demanding corporate roles develop their Executive Edge™ to rise into senior leadership...and thrive there without burnout. Through her coaching, workshops, and podcast, Breaking Free from the Grind, Amelia helps women strengthen their executive presence, increase visibility and influence, communicate their value with confidence, and shift from overworking to leading more strategically at their next level. Her work blends over a decade of real-world corporate experience with practical leadership development to help women become the kind of leaders that bigger opportunities, and bigger rooms, are built for. Connect with Ameliawww.amelianoelcoaching.comIG: @breakingfreefromthegrindLinkedIn: Amelia Noel
In oncology, performance is not just about getting patients in the door. It is about getting them to the right specialist, at the right time, with less friction across every handoff. This episode features a presentation from the ROI-Centered Care Summit, a half-day virtual summit produced by Bright Spots Ventures in partnership with TytoCare and the American Telemedicine Association (ATA). In this episode, Yarrow McConnell, MD, FACS, Chief Medical Officer at MultiCare Cancer Institute, shares how MultiCare redesigned oncology pathways to improve access, strengthen coordination, and deliver measurable ROI. You'll hear how MultiCare is: Using AI chart scrubbing to identify cancer diagnoses and concerning imaging findings earlier Deploying nurse navigators to accelerate intake and reduce barriers to care Building APP-staffed workup clinics to move patients more quickly from referral to consult Creating disease teams to improve handoffs and reduce siloed care Standardizing scheduling and authorization workflows, with virtual options built in Improving staging and comorbidity documentation to better reflect complexity and reimbursement Key topics include referral lag, nurse navigation, specialty coordination, scheduling friction, and the connection between operational redesign and financial performance. MultiCare reported a 9% year-over-year increase in operating margin, an increase in likelihood to recommend from 97.86 to 98.41, and a 17% year-over-year increase in teamwork scores. If you are a health system leader, oncology executive, specialty operations leader, or care transformation leader working to improve specialty access and reduce friction across the patient journey, this episode offers a practical look at what it takes to build specialty pathways that perform. Link to Dr. Yarrow McConnel's Presentation: https://www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ROI-navigation-AIintake-McConnell-2026.pdf Bio: Yarrow McConnell, MD, MSc, FACS, FSSO, is a board-certified surgical oncologist, specializing in the treatment of breast cancer and benign breast disorders. Her expertise includes lumpectomy, mastectomy, sentinel node biopsy, and axillary dissection. She is also highly skilled in oncoplastic techniques to restore breast contour and symmetry following cancer surgery. For patients pursuing reconstruction, Dr. McConnell performs skin and nipple sparing mastectomies in close collaboration with plastic surgeons to provide both immediate and delayed reconstruction options. She also offers flat aesthetic closure for those who choose not to undergo reconstruction. In complex cases involving inflammatory, recurrent, or locally advanced breast cancer, she is experienced in performing modified radical and radical mastectomies. In addition to cancer care, Dr. McConnell treats a variety of benign breast conditions through both in-office and surgical procedures, including cyst aspiration, duct excision, abscess drainage, and steroid injections. She also provides comprehensive breast cancer risk assessments and guidance on genetic testing, enhanced screening, and prevention strategies. Dr. McConnell leads the Breast Program at MultiCare Cancer Institute, overseeing the coordination and advancement of breast care services across the system. Outside of work, Dr. McConnell enjoys gardening, baking, woodworking, and knitting. She can often be found hiking with her husband and dogs or spending time with family and friends. Thank You to Our Episode Partner, TytoCare. TytoCare enables health systems and plans to deliver high-quality remote exams anytime, anywhere. Their FDA-cleared devices and AI-powered diagnostic platform support virtual specialty care, school-based programs, and home health models, reducing unnecessary ED visits and improving patient experience. To learn more, visit tytocare.com. Schedule a Meeting with a Senior Leader at TytoCare: To explore how TytoCare can help your organization expand virtual specialty access and improve care coordination, reach out to jtenzer@brightspotsventures.com to schedule a meeting. About Bright Spots Ventures: Bright Spots Ventures exists to help healthcare organizations accelerate the adoption of what's actually working. Healthcare does not suffer from a lack of innovation. It suffers from slow adoption, fragmented learning, and limited trust between stakeholders. For example, one health plan or provider may solve a major operational or clinical challenge while others spend the next 5–10 years rediscovering the same answer. We close that gap by creating trusted environments where health plans, providers, and innovators can share practical strategies, operational lessons, and scalable models that drive measurable improvement. Through the Bright Spots in Healthcare podcast, leadership councils, executive roundtables, curated events, and strategic advisory work, we help organizations build credibility, strengthen strategic relationships, and accelerate the spread of proven ideas across healthcare.
In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart and Vance Martin from Slingshot Group introduce a powerful framework for leading up: the Four P's. Every senior leader filters decisions through a primary lens — People, Progress, Pennies, or Process — and learning to speak that language is the difference between getting a yes and getting shut down. If you've ever made a great pitch and watched your leader's eyes glaze over, this episode will give you the diagnostic tool you've been missing. Key Topics CoveredThe People Lens – Driven by stories, transformation, and life changeThe Progress Lens – Driven by vision, growth, and taking the hillThe Pennies Lens – Driven by stewardship and return on investmentThe Process Lens – Driven by systems, fairness, and precedent Key Quote“You're using the wrong key for the lock. You're not going to unlock the door.” Scripture ReferencesProverbs 16:21 – The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction1 Corinthians 9:22 – Becoming all things to all peopleColossians 4:6 – Let your conversation be full of grace, seasoned with salt TakeawayYour leader isn't blocking you. They're filtering for what they value most. Identify their lens, reframe your pitch through their language, and you'll start hearing yes more often than no. Call to ActionWe hope this episode encourages and equips you. Share it with a friend and stay tuned for more resources each week. Stay Connected for More ResourcesVisit our website: http://leadministry.comFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeadVolunteersFind us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadvolunteers
Emergency department performance is often shaped long before a patient is admitted, or discharged. This episode features a presentation from the recently held ROI-Centered Care Summit, a half-day virtual summit produced by Bright Spots Ventures in partnership with TytoCare and the American Telemedicine Association (ATA). In this episode, Robert Sumter, PhD, FACHE, EVP / Market Chief Operating Officer at Ascension Illinois, shares how his team redesigned the emergency department front door to improve patient flow, reduce waiting, and strengthen both operational and financial performance. Rather than treating ED congestion as a staffing problem alone, Ascension focused on redesigning throughput across the full process: front-end intake, middle-care treatment, and back-end disposition and transition. The goal was not simply to move faster, but to build a more coordinated operating model that improves access, creates capacity, and supports a better experience for patients and staff alike. You'll hear how Ascension Illinois: Uses a "pull to full" model to reduce waiting room congestion by moving patients directly into treatment areas Combines triage nurse and provider teamwork to accelerate assessment and initiate care earlier Deploys discharge nurses to free up clinical staff, improve transitions, and arrange PCP follow-up Uses standing order sets, bi-hourly huddles, and dedicated patient transport to reduce bottlenecks and keep patients moving Focuses on "heads in the bed" to move admitted patients to assigned beds in under 30 minutes and preserve ED capacity Key topics covered: Why ED throughput is about more than speed The emergency department as the true front door of the health system Reducing overcrowding, LWOT/AMA, and staff burnout through workflow redesign Connecting patient flow to consumer satisfaction and financial sustainability Building operational discipline without compromising quality of care Ascension reported an average door-to-doc time of 4 minutes and median outpatient throughput under 145 minutes, alongside a broader focus on improving patient experience, reducing overcrowding, stabilizing staffing, and increasing capacity without simply expanding footprint. If you're a hospital operations leader, ED executive, or health system decision-maker working to improve access, throughput, and sustainability, this episode offers a practical look at what it takes to redesign the front door of care in a way that actually performs. Link to Rob Sumter's Presentation: https://www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Improving-Patient-Access.pdf Bio: Robert Sumter, PhD has more than 25 years of healthcare leadership experience driving operational excellence, strategic growth, and innovation across hospitals and health systems. He currently serves as Market COO for Ascension, where he oversees operations and strategic initiatives focused on improving patient outcomes, financial performance, and care delivery. Prior to Ascension, Robert served with UnitedHealth Group as the Interim Deputy COO and Chief Operating Officer for UnitedHealthcare Community & State. His leadership experience also includes executive roles at Hawaii Pacific Health, Regional One Health in Memphis, Tennessee, and Spectrum Health, where he served as Chief Operating Officer. Throughout his career, he has consistently led initiatives that improved patient satisfaction, reduced hospital length of stay, increased operational efficiency, and enhanced financial performance. Robert is widely recognized for his ability to lead large-scale operational transformations and build high-performing teams focused on delivering quality care and sustainable growth. His expertise spans hospital operations, healthcare strategy, population health, performance improvement, and executive leadership. Thank You to Our Episode Partner, TytoCare. TytoCare enables health systems and plans to deliver high-quality remote exams anytime, anywhere. Their FDA-cleared devices and AI-powered diagnostic platform support virtual specialty care, school-based programs, and home health models, reducing unnecessary ED visits and improving patient experience. To learn more, visit tytocare.com. Schedule a Meeting with a Senior Leader at TytoCare: To explore how TytoCare can help your organization expand virtual specialty access and improve care coordination, reach out to jtenzer@brightspotsventures.com to schedule a meeting. About Bright Spots Ventures: Bright Spots Ventures exists to help healthcare organizations accelerate the adoption of what's actually working. Healthcare does not suffer from a lack of innovation. It suffers from slow adoption, fragmented learning, and limited trust between stakeholders. For example, one health plan or provider may solve a major operational or clinical challenge while others spend the next 5–10 years rediscovering the same answer. We close that gap by creating trusted environments where health plans, providers, and innovators can share practical strategies, operational lessons, and scalable models that drive measurable improvement. Through the Bright Spots in Healthcare podcast, leadership councils, executive roundtables, curated events, and strategic advisory work, we help organizations build credibility, strengthen strategic relationships, and accelerate the spread of proven ideas across healthcare.
Turmoil in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. A banned group has been protesting against a court ruling that kept in place legislative representation for Kashmiri refugees living in Pakistan. What are the political implications of the demonstrations? In this episode: Maria Iqbal Tarana, Senior Leader, Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz. Sahar Khan, Nonresident Fellow, Institute for Global Affairs. Imtiaz Gul, Executive Director, Center for Research and Security Studies. Host: Imran Khan Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
A senior leader failing a fitness test started a much bigger conversation about accountability, standards, and how we treat people when they fall short.Recently, Camel Talk opened up about failing his Army fitness test and taking ownership of that failure. The standard is the standard, especially when you are a leader. Your soldiers and Marines are watching, and leadership comes with expectations.But this conversation isn't about making excuses.It's about asking a different question:Can we hold people accountable without destroying them?In this episode of Meech Speaks, I talk about the balance between maintaining standards and remembering the person behind the uniform. I share my own experience failing in front of my Marines, what it taught me about leadership, and why accountability should create growth, not humiliation.Standards matter.Leadership matters.But how we respond when people fail matters too.Stop being great. Be extraordinary.
Laura Maffucci has played a key role in helping her organisation embrace AI. The surprising part? She doesn't actually like AI.In this episode of HR Coffee Time, Laura, Head of HR at G-P, shares her honest perspective on AI, how her organisation has approached adoption, and the practical lessons she's learned along the way.We discuss everything from creating AI champions and governance processes to helping employees feel comfortable experimenting with AI. Laura also shares her thoughts on job loss fears, the importance of human oversight, and why the reality of AI at work can be very different from what many leaders expect.Whether your organisation is already embracing AI or you're just starting to think about what it might mean for your workforce, this conversation is packed with practical insights and thought-provoking ideas.In This Episode, You'll Learn:Why Laura has mixed feelings about AI despite using it extensively at workHow GP approached AI adoption across the organisationThe role of AI champions and internal advocatesCreating psychological safety around AIHow to encourage experimentation without creating fearThe importance of governance, security and guardrailsWhy prompting skills matterThe risks of relying too heavily on AI outputsThe growing importance of discernment and critical thinkingThe disconnect between executive expectations and employees' experiences of AIPractical examples of how AI is being used within HR and across the businessChapters[00:00] Why I Finally Decided to Cover AI[01:57] Meet Laura Maffucci[02:51] Laura's Surprising View of AI[04:45] How AI Is Being Used at G-P[05:37] The AI Council and Governance[06:40] AI Champions, Training and Adoption[09:09] What's Had the Biggest Impact?[10:05] Finding Your AI Champions[11:33] Addressing Fear of Job Loss[11:47] Creating Psychological Safety Around AI[13:41] The Disconnect Between Leaders and Employees[16:06] The Number One Skill – Discernment[16:27] Cautionary Tale[17:19] The Right Way to Introduce AI[17:54] The Benefits of AI Adoption[18:57] Using Gemini Gems and AI Workflows[23:13] Creating AI Personas for Senior Leaders[24:17] AI Security and Confidential Information[26:15] Book Recommendation: Dare to Lead[28:13] Key Takeaways from the ConversationUseful LinksConnect with Fay on LinkedInLearn about Fay's Essential HR PlannerLearn about Fay's Inspiring HR Leadership ProgrammeConnect with Laura on LinkedInG-P article: Why your best 2026 AI strategy is still humanHelpful HR Coffee Time episodes to listen to nextEp 171: How to Build Trust & Get Buy-In Through Brilliant Employee CommunicationEnjoyed This Episode? Don't Miss the Next One!Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.Mentioned in this episode:Kara Connect - Help When It's Needed MostMenopause, grief, ADHD, relationship breakdown... Every day, employees dealing with these situations are turned away by their EAP because they didn't qualify for counselling. When someone finally asks for help, they deserve better. Visit Kara Connect, where no employee is ever turned away. Kara Connect
What happens after a patient leaves the emergency department is often where performance is won, or lost. This episode features a presentation from the recently held ROI-Centered Care Summit, a half-day virtual summit produced by Bright Spots Ventures in partnership with TytoCare and the American Telemedicine Association (ATA). In this episode, Albert Villarin, MD, MBA, FACEP, VP & Chief Medical Information Officer at Nuvance Health, shares how his team redesigned the ED follow-up model to reduce avoidable returns, improve patient experience, and shorten length of stay, by rethinking discharge as the start of a coordinated, end-to-end process. Rather than treating discharge as a handoff, Nuvance built an integrated model that connects workflows across clinical teams, patient communication, and technology, ensuring patients not only receive instructions, but understand and act on them. You'll hear how Nuvance Health: Builds a connected follow-up model across the full patient journey, from admission through post-discharge touchpoints Uses automated outreach, education, and callback workflows to close care gaps after ED visits Embeds language access and fully translated discharge instructions into core workflows to improve safety and reduce readmissions Standardizes discharge processes to ensure consistency and reliability at scale Leverages AI and automation (including ambient listening and documentation support) to reduce clinician burden while improving patient understanding Key topics covered: Why many ED return visits are driven by breakdowns after discharge, not during care delivery Discharge as a system, not an event Closing the loop after ED visits to reduce unnecessary utilization Reducing variation in patient communication and follow-up The role of language access as a clinical and operational lever Using automation to scale reliable, repeatable care processes If you're a health system leader, emergency medicine executive, or operations leader working to reduce avoidable utilization, improve throughput, and deliver more consistent patient experiences, this episode offers a practical, system-level blueprint grounded in real-world execution. Link to Dr. Villarin's Presentation: https://www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ROI-Centered-Care-Summit-2026.pdf Bio: Dr. Albert Villarin is a visionary leader in healthcare informatics with over 30 years of experience. As the VP-CMIO at Nuvance Health, he is dedicated to enhancing patient care through innovative technology and data-driven solutions. Dr. Villarin's career spans roles as a Board-Certified Emergency Medicine Physician, Clinical Informatics expert, and retired US Army Reserve Major. He is currently completing a thesis for a Master of Medical Informatics from Northwestern University and has an MBA with a Specialization in Healthcare Management from Long Island University. Dr. Villarin is committed to advancing healthcare equity and reducing clinician burnout through the responsible use of artificial intelligence and clinical innovation. https://www.linkedin.com/in/albert-villarin-md-mba-facep-1358655/ Thank You to Our Episode Partner, TytoCare. TytoCare enables health systems and plans to deliver high-quality remote exams anytime, anywhere. Their FDA-cleared devices and AI-powered diagnostic platform support virtual specialty care, school-based programs, and home health models, reducing unnecessary ED visits and improving patient experience. To learn more, visit tytocare.com. Schedule a Meeting with a Senior Leader at TytoCare: To explore how TytoCare can help your organization expand virtual specialty access and improve care coordination, reach out to jtenzer@brightspotsventures.com to schedule a meeting. About Bright Spots Ventures: Bright Spots Ventures exists to help healthcare organizations accelerate the adoption of what's actually working. Healthcare does not suffer from a lack of innovation. It suffers from slow adoption, fragmented learning, and limited trust between stakeholders. For example, one health plan or provider may solve a major operational or clinical challenge while others spend the next 5–10 years rediscovering the same answer. We close that gap by creating trusted environments where health plans, providers, and innovators can share practical strategies, operational lessons, and scalable models that drive measurable improvement. Through the Bright Spots in Healthcare podcast, leadership councils, executive roundtables, curated events, and strategic advisory work, we help organizations build credibility, strengthen strategic relationships, and accelerate the spread of proven ideas across healthcare.
What if the life you've been living — all the detours, the doubts, the long road — was never a mistake? In this personal episode, Esther — author, NLP practitioner, coach and Senior Leader at Tony Robbins — opens up about the question that lived in her chest for years: why did it take so long? So long to trust herself, to stop caring about others' opinions, to finally feel successful?What she discovered is both simple and life-changing: it's not about the time. It's about the meaning.In this episode, you'll discover:• Why the timeline of your journey is never the problem — and what actually is• How one story from her coaching education reframed everything she believed about success• The one question that can transform how you see your past, your path, and your futureReady to rewrite the meaning of your story?Book your free coaching session with Esther.Follow Esther on YouTube and Instagram.Subscribe & leave a review — it means the world.DO YOU WANT TO GET COACHED BY ESTHER?✨ Book a free Discovery Call: https://swissmadestory.ch/coaching✨ Follow Esther on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esther_buerki✨ Join Esther on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/esther.buerki1✨ Connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/estherbuerki✨ Stay connected with her: https://swissmadestory.ch/stay-in-touch/✍️ Get in touch with her through e-mail: contact@swissmadestoryBOOKS:
More Resources: www.resumeassassin.comResume Pro Academy: https://academy.resumeassassin.comCheck your ATS Score: https://www.resumeassassin.com/resume-analyzerFree Resume Template: www.resumeassassin.com/newsletterCONNECT WITH ME!LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mary-southern Instagram: @resumeassassin TikTok: @resume_assassin_mary
n this Bright Spots in Healthcare episode, host Eric Glazer brings together Medicare Advantage and operational leaders to explore a growing challenge facing health plans: why identifying risk is no longer enough to improve outcomes. As organizations invest heavily in HRAs, predictive analytics, and member insight platforms, many still struggle to convert those insights into timely, coordinated action. This discussion focuses on where execution is breaking down between identification and intervention, and what leading plans are doing differently to reduce friction, align teams, and engage members while the opportunity to act still exists. This is a candid discussion for executives navigating increasing pressure around Stars, affordability, member engagement, and operational efficiency, while trying to turn insight into measurable performance improvement. Our guests include: Vanita Pindolia, PharmD, MBA, Vice President, Stars Program, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Chuck Palermo, Vice President, Operations, Health Alliance Plan Linda Isham, Former Vice President, Operations & Clinical Support, Humana Cory Busse, Vice President, Strategic Solutions, Icario Together, they explore: Why insight without operational coordination often fails to improve outcomes How leading plans are identifying the small populations that disproportionately impact performance What changes when organizations shift from retrospective reporting to real time intervention How plans are reducing friction by coordinating Stars, quality, operations, and engagement efforts around a shared action plan Why understanding behavioral, social, and operational barriers is becoming critical to improving adherence, experience, and quality outcomes How organizations are designing outreach and engagement strategies that reflect real member behavior, not just clinical gaps This episode offers a practical look at how leading organizations are closing the gap between insight and action, and what it takes to operationalize engagement in a way that consistently improves quality, cost, and member experience. Panelist Bios: https://www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com/events/closing-the-gap-between-insight-and-action-data-informed-tech-enabled-strategies-for-health-plans/ Download the Episode Guide: Get key takeaways and expert highlights to help you apply lessons from the episode. Download guide: https://www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Final_May7_Episode_Guide.pdf Key Insights Summary: Find key insights from the discussion, guest takeaways, and detailed moderator notes captured by Eric during the conversation, https://www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/May_7_2026_KIS.docx.pdf Resources: Report: Health Plan Playbook for 2027, Part 1: From HRA Completion to Real Action This first report in Icario's Health Plan Playbook for 2027 series examines why Medicare Advantage plans need to rethink the HRA as more than a requirement or data collection exercise. The issue is not that plans lack information. It is that the handoff between what members report and what happens next is often too slow, fragmented, or manual to drive meaningful action. The report focuses on a core shift facing plans heading into 2027: completing an HRA is no longer the goal. Acting on it is. When a member is engaged, self reporting, and open, plans have a short window to intervene. If nothing happens in real time, that moment is lost. Drawing on practical examples, the report shows how real time intervention, automatic enrollment into barrier removal programs, and proactive identification of risk patterns can help plans reduce delays, support care teams, and close the gap between insight and action. Inside, you'll find insights on: Why HRAs should be treated as a moment of influence, not just a compliance requirement Where plans lose momentum between member reported needs and follow up action How automatic enrollment can reduce manual handoffs and connect members to support faster Why delayed intervention creates hidden costs across ED utilization, inpatient stays, Stars performance, and unresolved care gaps How plans can act on SDoH, ADL, and behavioral signals while members are still engaged What changes when real time decisioning is embedded directly into the member experience The broader lesson is operational: plans that improve performance are not just collecting better data. They are reducing the time between signal and action, removing broken handoffs, and helping members get to the right support while the opportunity still exists. To request your copy of the report, please contact show producer Nicole Roberts at nroberts@brightspotsventures.com. Thank You to Our Episode Partner, Icario: Icario is a healthcare engagement platform designed to help health plans move beyond disconnected outreach and fragmented member experiences toward more coordinated, action oriented engagement. By combining behavioral science, real time data, and personalized engagement strategies, Icario helps plans identify where members are most likely to disengage, what barriers may prevent action, and how to intervene at the right moment to drive meaningful outcomes. Rather than simply increasing touchpoints, the focus is on reducing friction, improving coordination across teams and programs, and helping members take the next best step. The result is stronger performance across quality, adherence, cost, and member experience. Schedule a Meeting with a Senior Leader at Icario: To explore how Icario is helping health plans improve engagement, reduce friction, and drive more coordinated action across the member journey, reach out to show producer Nicole Roberts at nroberts@brightspotsventures.com to schedule a conversation with a member of the Icario leadership team. About Bright Spots Ventures: Bright Spots Ventures is a healthcare strategy and engagement company that creates content, communities, and connections to accelerate innovation. We help healthcare leaders discover what's working, and how to scale it. By bringing together health plan, hospital, and solution leaders, we facilitate the exchange of ideas that lead to measurable impact. Through our podcast, executive councils, private events, and go-to-market strategy work, we surface and amplify the "bright spots" in healthcare, proven innovations others can learn from and replicate. At our core, we exist to create trusted relationships that make real progress possible. Visit our website at www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com.
You don't need to speak perfectly to impress senior leaders. You just need to know how to engage them emotionally. In this episode, I'm teaching you the Theater Framework – my 3-part system for inspiring and impressing an executive audience when you speak. Most advice about executive communication focuses on what to say. But the leaders who leave the strongest impression know it's really about how you make people feel - and that's what I'm helping you with today. You'll learn: Why executive audiences aren't there for the information (and what they actually want) How to bring the right energy into the room so leaders feel bought into your work A simple question that turns any boring slide into a compelling story How to close your presentation in a way that builds your reputation as a strategic leader Whether you're presenting a project update, leading a meeting, or speaking up in a high-stakes room – this framework has you covered. Links: Download my free worksheet — 5 Phrases That Will Help You Sound Like a Leader: https://jessguzikcoaching.com/phrases/ Work With Me: Group Program Waitlist: https://jessguzikcoaching.com/academy/ 1:1 Executive Coaching: https://jessguzikcoaching.com/coaching/
C-suite leaders often know their teams should be thinking strategically, and yet under pressure, those same teams keep dropping back to the tactical level. In this episode, David Wheatley, Dr. Rick Eigenbrod, and Dr. Judy Brown unpack why that keeps happening and what to do about it.The conversation starts with a reframe: the question "how do I get them to be strategic?" is itself the problem. It creates a dependency that almost guarantees teams won't take ownership. From there, they explore what actually drives the regression: unclear shared meaning of "strategic," metrics and bonuses that reward tactical behavior, the boss's own anxiety signaling what really matters, and whether team members are developmentally ready for the altitude being asked of them.Listeners will come away with a sharper diagnostic lens and a set of better questions to ask before trying to change anyone else's behavior.Learn more about Humanergy's work: https://www.humanergy.comJoin the Humanergy community on LinkedIn.Sign up for our FREE leadership workshops.
What if the most effective care model isn't built inside the hospital at all? This episode features the opening presentation from the recent Home Care Innovation Summit, a half-day virtual summit produced by Bright Spots Ventures in partnership with TytoCare, focused on how leading organizations are redesigning care to reach patients where they are. Kelly McCabe, Director of Community Health Innovations, Sinai Chicago and the Sinai Urban Health Institute (SUHI) shares a practical, equity-driven model: clinically integrating community health workers (CHWs) into care delivery to bridge the gap between hospital, home, and community. She's joined briefly by Jeanette Avila, Manager of Community Health Innovations at SUHI offering a frontline perspective on what this model looks like in practice and how it builds trust with patients day-to-day. Serving one of the most complex patient populations in the country, with roughly 90% uninsured or covered by Medicare/Medicaid, Sinai Chicago has built a model that doesn't just acknowledge social needs, but operationalizes them. You'll hear how Sinai Chicago: Integrates community health workers directly into clinical teams, not as an add-on, but as core infrastructure Extends care beyond hospital walls through home visits and community-based engagement Tracks social determinants and community interactions to shape real-time interventions Builds trust with patients in underserved neighborhoods through culturally aligned care Uses a hybrid model of in-person outreach and centralized coordination to improve outcomes while reducing burnout Key topics covered: Why community health workers are essential, not optional, for high-need populations Turning social determinants from "insight" into actionable care interventions How to operationalize a community-based care model inside a hospital system The role of trust, proximity, and lived experience in improving engagement Blending home-based care with clinical oversight to scale impact If you're a health system leader, population health executive, or payer/provider partner working to close equity gaps and deliver care beyond traditional settings, this is a real-world blueprint for making it work. Presentation Link: https://www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Kelly-McCabe_Sinai-Chicago_2.19.26.pdf About Our Presenters: https://www.sinaichicago.org/en/suhi/suhi-staff/ Thank You to Our Episode Partner, TytoCare: TytoCare enables health systems and plans to deliver high-quality remote exams anytime, anywhere. Their FDA-cleared devices and AI-powered diagnostic platform support virtual specialty care, school-based programs, and home health models—reducing unnecessary ED visits and improving patient experience. To learn more, visit tytocare.com. Schedule a Meeting with a Senior Leader at TytoCare: To explore how TytoCare can help your organization expand virtual specialty access and improve care coordination, reach out to jtenzer@brightspotsventures.com to schedule a meeting. About Bright Spots Ventures: Bright Spots Ventures is a healthcare strategy and engagement company that creates content, communities, and connections to accelerate innovation. We help healthcare leaders discover what's working, and how to scale it. By bringing together health plan, hospital, and solution leaders, we facilitate the exchange of ideas that lead to measurable impact. Through our podcast, executive councils, private events, and go-to-market strategy work, we surface and amplify the "bright spots" in healthcare, proven innovations others can learn from and replicate. At our core, we exist to create trusted relationships that make real progress possible. Visit our website at www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com.
The coffee chat isn't the problem. The vague ask is. Jill Griffin breaks down how senior leaders stop leaving relationships to chance and start building influence with intention.In this episode:Why "let's catch up" is killing your executive relationships before they startThe three things that make a busy senior leader actually want to meet with youHow to build a usefulness habit that compounds your influence over timeSupport the showJill Griffin, is a leadership strategist, executive coach, and host of The Career Refresh. She works with senior leaders to navigate complexity, strengthen teams, and lead with greater clarity and intention.With 20+ years of experience at companies like Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Hilton, and Martha Stewart, Jill brings a practical, real-world lens to leadership, decision-making, and career strategy. Visit GriffinMethod.com to learn more about working together:The Next Era Leader An 8-week cohort for women leaders ready to expand their capacity and lead through complexity with clarity and intentionExecutive Coaching & Leadership Advisory 1:1 strategic partnership for leaders navigating growth, transition, and what's nextConnect with Jill for Leadership Development for Organizations and Speaking & WorkshopsInstagram: @JillGriffinOffical
What does over two decades of service as a combat medic and leader teach you about resilience, leadership, and purpose? On this episode of The MisFitNation Show, host Rich LaMonica sits down with SFC (R) Martinez Vandergrift, a highly decorated United States Army veteran whose career spans more than 20 years in military medicine, leadership, and operations. Martinez served as a Healthcare Specialist and Combat Medic (68W), operating in some of the most demanding environments—from frontline medical evacuation in combat zones to senior leadership roles within major Army medical commands. Throughout his career, he: • Served as a Medical Advisor in Iraq • Led as a Platoon Sergeant for medical evacuation and treatment units • Supported operations with the 101st Airborne Division (Rakkasans) • Held senior leadership roles including Operations NCO and Senior Enlisted Advisor • Completed multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan His leadership and service have been recognized with some of the military's highest honors, including:
Why do (senior) executives so rarely hear what they need to improve? I explore this critical leadership blind spot, inspired by a recent article in Fast Company by Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic and global thought leader on psychological safety, Amy Edmondson. Relying on thought-provoking research amplified by real-world case examples, this episode exposes the invisible barriers that often keep leaders in the dark and offers a toolkit for reversing the trend.From the dangers of hierarchical silence to the psychology of honest feedback, I review practical strategies we can all use including asking focused questions, acknowledging our own blind spots, and separating our immediate reactions from thoughtful reflection. The importance of acting on feedback, no matter how small, is a simple, yet frequently overlooked opportunity. I also share the powerful example of Alan Mulally, one of the most celebrated and respected CEOs of all-time, to highlight how we can transform our cultures from focusing on fear to unleashing our individual and collective potential.For leaders who are hungry to boost their impact and foster psychological safety, this episode is full of actionable advice on creating an environment where candor thrives and teams and leaders at every level can truly grow.What You'll Learn- The benefits of feedback.- What is feedback?- Ask for specifics, not generalities - The power of specific questions. - Reward courage – It's scary to offer someone feedback.- Act on feedback and communicate your changes.Podcast Timestamps00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction01:37 Today's Topic: The Feedback Gap for Senior Leaders04:04 What Feedback Really Is: The Zenger Folkman Definition05:47 Why Senior Leaders Struggle to Receive Honest Feedback08:11 Strategy 1: Ask for Disconfirming Data, Not General Impressions10:31 Asking Specific, Targeted Feedback Questions12:40 Strategy 2: Separate Ingestion from Reaction14:57 Strategy 3: Focus on Patterns, Not One Data Point17:18 Strategy 4: Act on One Small Piece of Feedback First19:40 The Alan Mulally and Ford Turnaround Story22:01 Red Lights Are Gems: Closing Thoughts KEYWORDSPositive Leadership, Feedback, Psychological Safety, Amy Edmondson, 360 feedback, Self-Awareness, Hierarchy, Power Differential, Leadership Development, Constructive Feedback, Actionable Feedback, Behavioral Change, Barriers to Feedback, Receiving Feedback, Accountability, Alan Mulally, Ford Turnaround, Transparent Leadership, CEO SuccessSource: Why senior leaders get less feedback—and how to change that - Fast Company
You know exactly what you want to say.You've rehearsed it in your head.It's clear. It's sharp. It's confident.And then you get into the meeting……and suddenly you start rambling.You soften your point.You add five extra sentences no one asked for.And somehow… what was clear in your head now sounds uncertain out loud.It feels like a communication issue.But what if it's not that at all?In this week's Breaking Free from the Grind episode, I'm diving in to discuss: Why overexplaining and overjustifying aren't about being thorough—but are actually driven by self-doubt and the need to manage other people's reactionsThe 3 moments high performers lose authority at work (saying no, making asks, and sharing their point of view)—and how overexplaining in these moments is quietly holding you backThe #1 senior leadership shift to certainty—and how to communicate clearly, concisely, and confidently so you're seen (and respected) as a senior leaderIf you find yourself overexplaining in meetings, rewriting messages multiple times, or walking away from conversations thinking “that didn't land how I wanted”…This episode will show you what's really happening, and how to shift into the kind of communication that actually reflects your level.Enroll in BFG: Want to eliminate stress, self-doubt, and overworking so you accelerate in your demanding corporate career without grinding your way to the top? Book a free consult call to find out how you can get started in my Breaking Free from the Grind 1:1 executive coaching program today. Take the free, 3-minute BFG Mindset quiz: Want to know what's keeping you trapped in the grind of your demanding corporate career? Take the BFG Mindset Quiz here to find out if you're an Overachiever, Overthinker, People Pleaser, Impostor, or Perfectionist - and receive customized solutions on how you can break free from overworking patterns and create more sustainable success at work TODAY. About AmeliaAmelia Noel is a Master Certified Coach, podcast host, corporate workshop facilitator, and creator of the Breaking Free from the Grind coaching program. After spending over a decade of her career working on Wall Street at a top investment bank and as a global strategy consultant to Fortune 100 companies, Amelia now helps professionals working demanding corporate careers eliminate stress, self-doubt, and overworking so they can break free from the grind and create sustainable success in their careers.Connect with Ameliawww.amelianoelcoaching.comIG: @breakingfreefromthegrindLinkedIn: Amelia Noel
In this Bright Spots in Healthcare episode, host Eric Glazer brings together payer and strategy leaders to explore a fundamental challenge in Medicare Advantage: why improving experience is not about measuring more, but managing better. This conversation focuses on where performance is actually being lost across the member journey, not within individual programs, but in the gaps between them. Plans continue to invest in outreach, pharmacy, provider engagement, and member services, yet still struggle to translate those efforts into consistent member action and measurable outcomes. This is a candid discussion for executives navigating rising expectations around experience, increasing pressure on Stars performance, and the need to deliver results through coordination, not just activity. Our guests include: Dan Knecht, MD, Chief Medical Officer, EmblemHealth Stacey Friedman, Senior Director, Quality & HEDIS/Stars, Doctors HealthCare Plans Paula Jacobson, Director, Quality and Population Health, Security Health Plan Dave Burianek, Chief Strategy Officer, MedOrion Together, they explore: Where member experience breaks down across the journey, especially in the moments immediately following enrollment Why campaign-based outreach is no longer sufficient to drive engagement or outcomes How leading plans are shifting from volume to sequencing, focusing on the next best action rather than multiple simultaneous asks What it takes to align pharmacy, quality, and member experience into a coordinated system How organizations are improving performance by reducing friction, increasing clarity, and guiding members toward action This episode offers a practical look at how leading plans are rethinking CAHPS as a reflection of the full member journey, and what it takes to design that experience in a way that consistently drives performance. Panelist Bios: https://www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com/events/beyond-the-survey-how-medicare-advantage-plans-are-rethinking-cahps-and-member-experience/ Download the Episode Guide: Get key takeaways and expert highlights to help you apply lessons from the episode. Download guide: https://www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/April_16_Episode_Guide.docx.pdf Key Insights Summary: Find key insights from the discussion, guest takeaways, and detailed moderator notes captured by Eric during the conversation, https://www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/04-16-26-KIS-Beyond-the-Survey-Session.pdf Resources: Report: Redesigning Experience: Why CAHPS Performance Is Won or Lost in the Member Journey This report examines why Medicare Advantage plans often see CAHPS results that don't reflect the effort they put in. The issue is not a lack of activity. It's that CAHPS reflects a year's worth of member experience, shaped by care access, coordination, navigation, and follow-through, not isolated interactions or last-minute interventions. Drawing on real-world examples, the report shows how improving underlying care events like annual wellness visits, redirecting care to the right setting, and strengthening member understanding directly influences CAHPS performance, and why results cannot be changed at the end of the measurement year. Inside, you'll find insights on: Why CAHPS questions act as proxies for clinical events like annual wellness visits and care coordination Where campaign-based engagement models fall short in shaping member experience How friction accumulates across touchpoints and impacts perception long before the survey is fielded What changes when plans shift from disconnected outreach to coordinated, journey-based design How aligning Stars, quality, and care delivery reduces fragmentation and improves outcomes Why understanding member barriers, including access, confusion, and behavioral factors, is critical to driving action The broader lesson is operational: plans that consistently perform on CAHPS are not doing more outreach. They are designing member journeys that reduce friction, coordinate care and communication, and naturally produce better experiences over time. To request your copy of the report, please contact show producer Jessica Tenzer at nroberts@brightspotsventures.com. Thank You to Our Episode Partner, MedOrion: MedOrion helps health plans move beyond static segmentation by using real-time clinical, situational, and behavioral signals to drive meaningful member action. By identifying who to engage, what barriers exist, and when to intervene, MedOrion enables more precise prioritization and coordination of outreach. This approach helps close care gaps, improve adherence, reduce avoidable utilization, and drive more consistent performance across cost, quality, and experience. Learn more at medorion.com. Schedule a Meeting with a Senior Leader at MedOrion: To explore how MedOrion can support your organization in moving from campaign-based outreach to coordinated, signal-driven engagement, reach out to show producer Nicole Roberts at nroberts@brightspotsventures.com to schedule a conversation with a member of the MedOrion leadership team. About Bright Spots Ventures: Bright Spots Ventures is a healthcare strategy and engagement company that creates content, communities, and connections to accelerate innovation. We help healthcare leaders discover what's working, and how to scale it. By bringing together health plan, hospital, and solution leaders, we facilitate the exchange of ideas that lead to measurable impact. Through our podcast, executive councils, private events, and go-to-market strategy work, we surface and amplify the "bright spots" in healthcare, proven innovations others can learn from and replicate. At our core, we exist to create trusted relationships that make real progress possible. Visit our website at www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com.
When a new business leader walked in and told Malvika Jhangiani they were going to restructure the entire segment — 60% of company revenue — in a room with just the two of them, no leaks, no one else in the room, she didn't say no. She said: "I hear you. And here's how we get to the same outcome with the right people involved." Six months after implementation, he came back and told her it was the right call. That's the ABC method — Acknowledge, Build, Challenge — and it's the framework Malvika has built her career on. As VP HR, Learning & Development at Newell Brands, she's spent years figuring out how to challenge senior leaders without triggering defensiveness, manage rooms full of type A executives without losing the thread, and find genuine joy in the conversations most people dread. In this episode, she gets specific about all of it. You'll learn: The ABC method for challenging leaders without coming across as aggressive, and the Project Panther restructure story that proves it works How she handled a client in Oman at 24 who kept making inappropriate comments — alone, in a foreign country, with a relationship and additional business on the line, and still won the next assignment The "be brief, be bright, be gone" framework for capturing and keeping the attention of type A executives in high-stakes meetings How she gamified a full-day leadership talent review to keep a competitive senior team engaged, and still got all the work done Why leading with facts instead of emotion is the only way to challenge the status quo without losing credibility Her personal technique for staying calm when everything is tense: painting, choosing to laugh, and the line about "not my circus, not my monkeys, but I do know some of the clowns" If you work with strong-willed leaders, navigate difficult conversations across cultures, or just want to bring more effectiveness, and more joy, into the hardest parts of your job, this episode delivers. About Malvika Jhangiani: Vice President HR, Learning & Development at Newell Brands, Malvika has led organizational transformation, talent strategy, and cross-cultural teams across global markets. Originally from India, she has built her career navigating high-stakes leadership conversations across cultures, industries, and executive levels. Connect with Malvika on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/malvika-jhangiani/ She Was 24, Alone With a Difficult Client in Oman. What She Figured Out Built Her Entire Leadership Playbook.
Somewhere between the feedback, the frustration, and the fifth Slack ping, most leaders stop being intentional. EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of the Joyosity™ Podcast, Jenn Whitmer is back with Michael Whitmer for part two of this ICYMI conversation, pulling together the most practical leadership lessons from the Joyosity in Practice series. This one is all about the “now what?”—how leaders stay human in the everyday moments that quietly shape trust, culture, and performance. Together, Jenn and Michael talk through what it looks like to practice joy in real time: tracking what's working, listening better, lowering the pressure of perfection, giving feedback that actually helps, and using small pauses to lead with more intention. Here's What's in the Episode: [05:50] Why joy is not fluffy or extra—and the 3 signals that tell you it's actually present. [07:19] How a “smile file” or glimmer list can help you notice progress, impact, and meaning. [11:34] Why leaders need qualitative measures too—not just metrics and KPIs. [14:27] Why listening is not just a soft skill, but part of your technical leadership skill. [17:01] How leadership is usually shaped in small moments, not big dramatic ones. [19:52] Why calling something an experiment can reduce pressure and improve learning. [21:48] How “minimum viable magic” helps you move forward without waiting for perfection. [24:12] Why the feedback sandwich is terrible and what to do instead. [29:05] How to pause before reacting—and use “four corner calm breathing” to stay in charge of your emotions. Jenn and Michael make the case that leadership does not rise or fall in big public moments nearly as much as it does in small private ones. The real work happens in the pause before you reply, the way you frame feedback, the questions you ask when something is unclear, and whether you choose curiosity instead of control. Joyosity is not about pretending things are fine. It is about building the kind of rooted, resilient leadership that helps people feel connected, effective, and human. Key Takeaway The leaders who stay human under pressure are not waiting for perfect conditions—they are practicing small, intentional choices that create trust, clarity, and joy in real time. About the Guest: Michael Whitmer Michael Whitmer works at the intersection of leadership, team culture, brand elevation, crisis communications, and values-based marketing. He serves as Vice President at Look East, a values-based communication agency. He develops integrated marketing communications strategies that strengthen trust and deliver measurable results. With more than 20 years of experience in food and agribusiness, he brings leadership, strategic thinking and ingenuity to every project. He brings a thoughtful lens to belonging, trust, and purposeful leadership. Connect with Michael on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/michaelawhitmer/ About the Host: Jenn Whitmer Jenn is an international keynote speaker, leadership consultant, and the founder of Joyosity™, helping leaders create positive, profitable cultures through connection, curiosity, and joy. With a background in communication, conflict resolution, and team dynamics, Jenn helps leaders and organizations navigate complex people challenges, reduce burnout, and build flourishing workplaces. Her insights have resonated with audiences worldwide, blending real-world leadership expertise, engaging storytelling, and a dash of humor to make the hard stuff easier. Whether on stage, in workshops, or with coaching clients, Jenn equips leaders with the tools they need to solve conflict, cultivate communication, and lead with purpose. Her book Joyosity and the Joyosity Works Playbooks offer leaders a fresh approach to joy at work that builds real results. jennwhitmer.com Jenn's Social Resources & Links: The Joyosity In Practice series: Ep 124 Joy as Resistance: How Leaders Stay Human When Pressure Is High with Jenn Whitmer Ep 125 Staying Human When the Stakes Are High: When Good Becomes Radical with Heather A. Campbell Ep 126 When Resistance is a Timing Signal with Ipek Gray Ep 127 Creativity Isn't a Luxury Skill—It's a Leadership Requirement with Melissa Dinwiddie Ep 128 Balancing Strategy and Fire Drills: A Playbook for Senior Leaders with Harry Cook IV Ep 129 Managing People Is the Hard Part with Karen Ansen Ep 130 Why Collaboration Breaks Down and How Leaders Can Fix It with Catherine Casalino Ep 131 Staying Calm When the World Is on Fire: Leadership, Emotions, and Real Control with Ken Miller Ep 132 Stop Chasing Noise. How to Lead with Clarity with Rohit Bhargava Ep 133 Joyosity in Practice: ICYMI pt. 2 with Michael Whitmer Ep 134 Joyosity in Practice: ICYMI pt 2 with Michael Whitmer Michael's resource for you: Lights, Camera...Nail It! 5 Keys to Mastering Your Public Presence No matter where you show up as a spokesperson—media interview, keynote, panel discussion, public testimony, podcast, or just your weekly 1:1—you have something valuable to say. The way you share your expertise impacts your reputation and that of your organization, and determines how messages are received by your audiences. Get your copy here. Get Joyosity and the Joyosity Works Playbook Joyosity: How to Cultivate Intense Happiness in Work & Life (Even If Things Are What They Are) Joy isn't extra. Joy is how you thrive. This book gives leaders the tools to turn exhaustion into resilience and build cultures where work is a joy, people are whole, and organizations flourish. Joyosity Works Playbook: Practical Plays and Strategies for Joy at Work and Beyond is the official companion workbook to Joyosity to help you practice joy every day. Find direct links to purchase at your favorite booksellers at https://jennwhitmer.com/books. Free 99: Joyosity Explorer Map → This map will guide you to understanding the deeper purpose and story you tell yourself about your work. Joy is linked to purpose and productivity increases by 20% or more when you directly link your purpose to your work. Ready to Make a Plan: Joyosity™ Jumpstart → Get crystal clear on what you want, what's in the way, and how to move forward with traction. Starting the Journey: Enneagram Navigator → Stop guessing your type. In this 1:1 session, get clarity on your motivations and blind spots. Ready to Dive In: Joyosity™ Intensive → A one-day transformative experience to realign with your values and build a practical plan for joyful leadership. A Party for More: Bring Jenn & the Joy to Speak → Bring the spark (not just the spark notes!) to your whole team with contagious joy, practical tools, and plenty of laughter. Loved this episode? Rate, review, and share with a fellow leader who's ready to ditch the drama and lead with more joy, curiosity, and clarity.
In this Bright Spots in Healthcare episode, host Eric Glazer brings together payer leaders to explore a fundamental challenge in Medicare Advantage: why strong strategies often fail to translate into sustained performance. This conversation focuses on the gap between intention and execution, where plans invest heavily in programs, outreach, and data, yet still struggle to drive the member actions that ultimately determine cost, quality, and experience. This is a candid discussion for executives navigating rising pressure on margins, increasing complexity in member populations, and the growing need to prove performance beyond activity alone. Our guests include: Mike Rapach, President & CEO, CareFirst Community Health Plan Maryland Joshua Meeks, Vice President, Medicare Advantage Individual Business, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Jen Cohen-Smith, SVP Medicare, Healthfirst Kathleen Faulk, Chief Strategy Officer, Drips Together, they explore: Where Medicare Advantage strategies break down, not in design, but in execution Why member engagement alone is no longer sufficient to drive outcomes How leading plans are shifting from outreach to activation by addressing barriers to action in real time What it takes to align product design, pharmacy strategy, and operational workflows to support long-term sustainability How organizations are translating insight into action to improve adherence, reduce avoidable utilization, and drive measurable ROI This episode offers a practical look at how leading plans are redefining performance in Medicare Advantage, and what it takes to ensure that strategy actually delivers results at scale. Panelist Bios: https://www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com/events/ma-strategy-session-what-actually-drives-long-term-viability/ Download the Episode Guide: Get key takeaways and expert highlights to help you apply lessons from the episode. Download guide here: https://www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Episode-Guide-MA-Strategy-Session-04-09-26.docx.pdf Key Insights Summary: Find key insights from the discussion, guest takeaways, and detailed moderator notes captured by Eric during the conversation, https://www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/04-09-26-KIS-MA-Strategy-Session_-What-Actually-Drives-Long-Term-Viability-Drips.docx.pdf Resources: Report: Stop Engaging, Start Activating; The New Architecture of Medicare Advantage Performance This companion report examines how health plans can close the gap between strategy and execution by focusing on what actually drives performance: whether members take action. Drawing on real-world implementation and emerging activation models, the report shows how identifying friction, understanding barriers, and guiding behavior in real time can improve adherence, reduce avoidable utilization, and strengthen outcomes across cost, quality, and experience. Inside, you'll find insights on: Identifying where outreach breaks down and why engagement alone fails to drive meaningful outcomes Understanding the root causes of non-adherence, including confusion, access barriers, competing priorities, and system design gaps Shifting from one-way communication to two-way, real-time conversations that surface and resolve barriers to action Designing activation models that guide members through next steps and increase completion of key actions Aligning engagement strategies with operational workflows to reduce friction and improve performance at scale Why moving from activity-based metrics to action-based outcomes is critical as financial pressure, regulatory changes, and member complexity increase The broader lesson is operational: the strongest Medicare Advantage models are not defined by how much outreach occurs, but by how effectively plans convert insight into action and ensure follow-through on the moments that matter most. To request your copy of the report, please contact show producer Jessica Tenzer at jtenzer@brightspotsventures.com. Thank You to Our Episode Partner, Drips: Drips helps health plans and providers drive meaningful member action through AI-powered, two-way communication at scale. By engaging members through familiar channels like text and phone, Drips enables real-time conversations that surface barriers, guide next steps, and improve adherence. Its approach shifts organizations from outreach to activation, helping close care gaps, reduce friction, and deliver more consistent performance across cost, quality, and experience. Learn more at drips.com. Schedule a Meeting with a Senior Leader at Drips: To explore how Drips can support your organization in moving from engagement to activation and improving member follow-through, reach out to show producer Jessica Tenzer at jtenzer@brightspotsventures.com to schedule a conversation with a member of the Drips leadership team. About Bright Spots Ventures: Bright Spots Ventures is a healthcare strategy and engagement company that creates content, communities, and connections to accelerate innovation. We help healthcare leaders discover what's working, and how to scale it. By bringing together health plan, hospital, and solution leaders, we facilitate the exchange of ideas that lead to measurable impact. Through our podcast, executive councils, private events, and go-to-market strategy work, we surface and amplify the "bright spots" in healthcare, proven innovations others can learn from and replicate. At our core, we exist to create trusted relationships that make real progress possible. Visit our website at www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com.
Peggy explores how AI (artificial intelligence) is reshaping senior leadership and what it ultimately means for the future of work. She says AI is a force that is redefining what it means to lead at the highest level. She also discusses: · The role of the senior leader—past, present, and future. · How many leaders identified human factors as the primary barrier to adoption. · Next steps to take to prepare for the new era of work. https://peggysmedleyshow.com
What do leaders do when they know better… and still spiral anyway? EPISODE SUMMARY In this ICYMI episode of the Joyosity™ Podcast, Jenn Whitmer is joined by Michael Whitmer for a candid debrief on the Joyosity in Practice: How Leaders Stay Human When It Matters Most series. After Jenn shares a painfully relatable SXSW moment of self-doubt, she and Michael unpack what stood out from the season's guests: conflict avoidance, feedback, pressure, creativity, self-awareness, and the leadership habits that help people stay grounded when things get hard. This conversation is part reflection, part leadership audit. If you've ever rushed past discomfort, avoided a hard conversation, taken feedback too personally, or forgotten that being human is not a leadership flaw, this episode will feel like a reset. Jenn and Michael connect the dots from the full series and pull out the ideas leaders most need to hear again—because repetition is a mercy, and leadership is not a position. It's a practice. Here's What's in the Episode: [2:20] How joy helps leaders stay connected to who they are when pressure rises [7:56] Why conflict avoidance feels safer in the moment but usually costs more later [8:22] Why showing your humanity can actually help other people relax and do better work [11:38] How curiosity can make feedback more useful and less defensive [15:08] What leaders miss when they expect people to produce without enough space to think [19:33] Why urgency can quietly sabotage thoughtful leadership [25:47] How better meetings start with clarity about what kind of meeting it actually is This episode is a reminder that joy is not denial, polish, or pretending. It is a practice of staying connected to yourself and other people so you can lead with more clarity, courage, and humanity. Key Takeaway Leadership does not break in one big moment—it is built or betrayed in the small, human choices you make under pressure. About the Guest: Michael Whitmer Michael Whitmer works at the intersection of leadership, team culture, brand elevation, crisis communications, and values-based marketing. He serves as Vice President at Look East, a values-based communication agency. He develops integrated marketing communications strategies that strengthen trust and deliver measurable results. With more than 20 years of experience in food and agribusiness, he brings leadership, strategic thinking and ingenuity to every project. He brings a thoughtful lens to belonging, trust, and purposeful leadership. Connect with Michael on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/michaelawhitmer/ About the Host: Jenn Whitmer Jenn is an international keynote speaker, leadership consultant, and the founder of Joyosity™, helping leaders create positive, profitable cultures through connection, curiosity, and joy. With a background in communication, conflict resolution, and team dynamics, Jenn helps leaders and organizations navigate complex people challenges, reduce burnout, and build flourishing workplaces. Her insights have resonated with audiences worldwide, blending real-world leadership expertise, engaging storytelling, and a dash of humor to make the hard stuff easier. Whether on stage, in workshops, or with coaching clients, Jenn equips leaders with the tools they need to solve conflict, cultivate communication, and lead with purpose. Her book Joyosity and the Joyosity Works Playbooks offer leaders a fresh approach to joy at work that builds real results. jennwhitmer.com Jenn's Social Instagraminstagram.com/jenn_whitmer Linkedinlinkedin.com/in/jennwhitmer Resources & Links: The Joyosity In Practice series: Ep 124 Joy as Resistance: How Leaders Stay Human When Pressure Is High with Jenn Whitmer Ep 125 Staying Human When the Stakes Are High: When Good Becomes Radical with Heather A. Campbell Ep 126 When Resistance is a Timing Signal with Ipek Gray Ep 127 Creativity Isn't a Luxury Skill—It's a Leadership Requirement with Melissa Dinwiddie Ep 128 Balancing Strategy and Fire Drills: A Playbook for Senior Leaders with Harry Cook IV Ep 129 Managing People Is the Hard Part with Karen Ansen Ep 130 Why Collaboration Breaks Down and How Leaders Can Fix It with Catherine Casalino Ep 131 Staying Calm When the World Is on Fire: Leadership, Emotions, and Real Control with Ken Miller Ep 132 Stop Chasing Noise. How to Lead with Clarity with Rohit Bhargava Ep 133 Joyosity in Practice: ICYMI pt. 2 with Michael Whitmer Ep 134 Joyosity in Practice: ICYMI pt 2 with Michael Whitmer Get Joyosity and the Joyosity Works Playbook Joyosity: How to Cultivate Intense Happiness in Work & Life (Even If Things Are What They Are) Joy isn't extra. Joy is how you thrive. This book gives leaders the tools to turn exhaustion into resilience and build cultures where work is a joy, people are whole, and organizations flourish. Joyosity Works Playbook: Practical Plays and Strategies for Joy at Work and Beyond is the official companion workbook to Joyosity to help you practice joy every day. Find direct links to purchase at your favorite booksellers at https://jennwhitmer.com/books. Free 99: Joyosity Explorer Map → This map will guide you to understanding the deeper purpose and story you tell yourself about your work. Joy is linked to purpose and productivity increases by 20% or more when you directly link your purpose to your work. Ready to Make a Plan: Joyosity™ Jumpstart → Get crystal clear on what you want, what's in the way, and how to move forward with traction. Starting the Journey: Enneagram Navigator → Stop guessing your type. In this 1:1 session, get clarity on your motivations and blind spots. Ready to Dive In: Joyosity™ Intensive → A one-day transformative experience to realign with your values and build a practical plan for joyful leadership. A Party for More: Bring Jenn & the Joy to Speak → Bring the spark (not just the spark notes!) to your whole team with contagious joy, practical tools, and plenty of laughter. Loved this episode? Rate, review, and share with a fellow leader who's ready to ditch the drama and lead with more joy, curiosity, and clarity.
Go to www.LearningLeader.com This is brought to you by Insight Global. If you need to hire one person, hire a team of people, or transform your business through Talent or Technical Services, Insight Global's team of 30,000 people around the world has the hustle and grit to deliver. My Guest: Kat Cole is the CEO of AG1 (formerly Athletic Greens) and a renowned business leader known for a meteoric rise from Hooters waitress to Fortune 40 Under 40 executive. As former President/COO of Focus Brands (Cinnabon), she specializes in scaling global brands. Her career is defined by driving billions in sales, strategic innovation, and a strong, people-first leadership style. Key Learnings You can't market your way out of a bad product. AG1 has 3x'd the business in four years while being in only one channel (direct to consumer) for 15 years. 80% of retail is in brick and mortar, so they were doing that volume in less than 20% of where transactions happen. That only works when customers love the product, keep buying it for years, and tell their friends. Scale comes from trusted recommendations, not marketing spend. Real volume comes from people telling their friends, recommending it to their teams and companies. That's where real scale and sustainable growth comes from. Two questions guide every career decision. Is my work done here? Can someone else do what the company needs better than I can? If the answer to either is yes, that guides you toward pushing for change in your role, the way you show up, or finding the next opportunity. Sometimes the best move is the lesser-known role. Kat could have stayed running big franchise brands everyone knew (Cinnabon, Auntie Anne's), but becoming COO of the parent company, Focus Brands, was a bigger, more complex role. Lesser known, smaller team, bigger stretch, more learning. That bridged her into consumer packaged goods and got her ready for AG1. Consider financial needs, learning, and ego separately. Between financial needs, your ability to learn or contribute, and your ego or optics, there are questions you can ask yourself about a particular moment or opportunity that will help you be sharper in what you actually want versus what just looks like what's best next on the surface. The founder heard her on podcasts and asked for an introduction. AG1's founder heard Kat on a couple of podcasts, knew Sahil Bloom, and asked Sahil to make the intro. She just happened to be taking time off and had been a customer for two years. "You're interviewing for your next job every day." Whatever you do now, that choice of time, that tone of voice, that decision, how you show up or don't, creates an impact that leads to an experience and people's actions and then results. Eventually, it leads to the next thing. Showing kindness in the airport matters. A caring note to someone struggling, a teacher or stranger saying, "I see something in you," a compliment when someone's in a dark place. It helps people out of darkness. Or opportunistically, being the one who sent the email or made the ask means you're the one who got the opportunity. Don't burn bridges even when you feel wronged. When Kat was an executive at Hooters at 26, peers in their 50s and 60s would say things in meetings that weren't kind or appropriate. She would write letters expressing how it made her feel, but never sent them. She processed, reflected, and showed up professionally. Years later, those same people became advocates, partners, and references. Four key mindsets for senior leaders. Humility, curiosity, courage, and confidence. By the time candidates get to Kat, they've been vetted on technical capability. She spends time validating those four characteristics because leadership and style trickle far into the organization. Ask "if not for" questions to reveal humility. When someone tells you how they stood tall in tough moments, ask what enabled them to do those great things. They'll say, "I had access to this data, this team, this technical leader." Then ask: "If those people did not exist, if that resource did not exist, how would you have navigated that?" You peel back layers and see if they have the humility to acknowledge their success was due to critical factors. The best candidates do the job in the interview. When someone says, "If we're doing this, we'll absolutely need this person in this specific role," or they have people in mind they're bringing with them, that's a good sign. Hiring leaders who have people who are loyal to them shows something real. In reference checks, ask, "What does this person need to be successful?" It's a positive framing to get at what someone might lack or require around them to be effective. Help people answer "how should I think about this?" In a fully remote company, you have less context and fewer vibes. When you send a note about ending a product line or launching something you said you'd never launch, people's subconscious internal war is "how should I think about this?" Leaders should start communications with "here's how I think about this" or "here's how we should think about this." Sometimes the answer is to shut up and speak last. As teams get stronger, there's more weight on the few things the CEO says. Leave space for other leaders to lead. Kat removed herself from some meetings entirely because she has such great leaders and a strong culture. Pay attention to themes in criticism, not individual attacks. When competitors attack you, ask: Are there patterns? Is there something reflective of industry questions? Sometimes criticisms point to things you already do well but aren't communicating well enough. Comparison ads work short-term but don't build credibility long-term. Challenger brands use the playbook of "we're like the leader, but better/cheaper." Consumers see through it. People tell AG1, "I saw an ad comparing their product to yours, and they're clearly saying you're the leader." The rage bait is brief; the truth is long. Algorithms reward dopamine hits and rage bait. Something untrue or negatively spun can quickly become widely seen because the critique is brief and witty, but the explanation and truth are long. AG1 has more human trials on a single SKU than any other multi-ingredient product ever in the space, but that's harder to say in a sound bite. Don't criticize a car for not taking you to the moon. Someone criticized one of AG1's products for not doing something the product isn't supposed to do. When addressing criticism, clarify what the product is actually designed to do. Her husband will be the fourth person ever to row across three oceans. He's already rowed the Atlantic (set the US record as a pair) and the Caribbean. Now he's training for the Pacific. If he completes it, he'll be only the fourth person to have ever done it in the world. It's about who you become while striving for the big thing. After her husband got rescued in the Caribbean, he questioned why he was doing this with two kids. But this pursuit is who he is, what drives him, it's inspiring for the kids, and it makes him a better person when he's home. It's about the journey and who you do it with. More Learning 476: Kat Cole - Raise Your Hand, Raise Your Voice 078: Kat Cole - Courage, Confidence, Curiosity, and Humility Reflection Questions Is your work done where you are? Can someone else do what the company needs better than you can? When interviewing someone, ask what enabled them to succeed in a tough moment. Then ask: if that team or resource didn't exist, how would you have done it differently? What communication this week needs context? Start with: here's what this means, what it's not about, and how we should think about it. Audio Timestamps 00:18 Meet Kat Cole 02:42 AG1's Growth Story: $160M to $500M+ 03:28 Product-Led Growth Wins 05:57 Kat on Writing and Reflection 07:39 Two Questions for Every Career Move 12:25 How Kat Joined AG1 16:09 You're Always Interviewing 18:47 Neutralizing Opposition at Hooters 24:19 Hiring Great Leaders 27:43 Inside Executive Interviews 31:56 Reference Checks That Reveal Truth 32:52 CEO as the Storyteller 34:16 "How Should I Think About This?" 35:46 Speak Last, Empower Leaders 37:41 Handling Public Criticism 39:59 Separating Signal from Noise 44:49 Staying Focused Through Criticism 48:00 Champagne Question: Family First 48:45 Rowing Three Oceans 51:37 Who You Become on the Journey 56:14 EOPC